Although their bathroom at home was pretty large, it could easily do a somersault in their current surroundings Reid referred to as their ‘bathing establishment’. The bathtub was the most amazing feature – although the huge shower had been highly appreciated as well – and they hadn’t tried, but Luke was pretty sure it would fit all four of them.
Having Zoë and Danny in there was great enough, though. It was the kid’s first joined bath and the initial reserve to share the same tub had been resolved by Luke’s idea to wear their swimming gear.
“This bath is almost the size of a swimming pool anyway,” Reid had supported the suggestion and that had made the two small heads nod.
Danny had clearly informed his sister about the floating and with the strong hands of their dads helping them, the kids looked like they were in some sort of trance. Luke and Reid could feel the small bodies completely relax in their hands and they quickly exchanged a smile. There was a peacefulness in the room that touched the adults deeply. It felt almost sacred and seeing their smiles and the hearing the content sighs underlined the children felt it too.
So it almost was blasphemous when Danny broke the silence. Even if he did it to check on his sister.
“Isn’t this the best, Zoë?”
Luke swallowed hard when he saw the girl reaching out her hand and touching Danny’s arm. There was so much love in that gesture, that it literally took his breath away.
“You were right,” she whispered with a blissful smile. “This is great.”
As always the water turned colder way too soon and with a mixture of the earlier delight and some reluctance, they let them wrap into soft bath robes and then, without any consultation, the kids dropped themselves on the huge bed in the main bedroom.
After putting on a robe too, Luke and Reid joined them and both smiled when they saw the very different effect the mirror on the ceiling had.
Zoë was lying on her back, watching herself. Danny had plunged on the bed on his stomach.
“So, beautiful lady…you like what you see?” Reid teased, copying her posture and meeting her glance in the mirror.
She smiled. “I’m not beautiful,” she disagreed.
“I happen to think you are,” Reid gave her a calm smile.
“Why?”
Why? He looked at this angel with the reddish curls, the blue eyes and the small smile. How could anyone not see her beauty?
“Because I happen to have a exquisite sense of taste and excellent eyesight. In other words…I know beauty when I see it. Just take a look at Luke. Isn’t he beautiful?”
Zoë moved her head so she could see Luke and they exchanged a quick smile.
“Luke is very beautiful,” Zoë agreed. “Is that why you like him?”
Like?
“I don’t just like him. I love him. And let’s say his beauty is a nice bonus.” Reid winked at Luke through the mirror.
“I know you love him,” Zoë sounded a little offended, “but you like him too, right?”
Reid frowned. It didn’t happen a lot, but sometimes Zoë made some remarks that were clearly tied in with her past. The past they didn’t know that much about. The past Zoë rarely shared, but clearly thought about a lot.
“That’s a good question,” he said after a few seconds. “Because that’s not always the same, right?”
Zoë seemed relieved and she gave Reid a quick smile.
“Right.”
“Well, I love Luke very much and most of the time I like him too.”
He ignored Luke’s raised eyebrow and the teasing ‘Most of the time?’ message his eyes were sending and he just concentrated on the girl.
“When don’t you like him?” The mirror offered her the opportunity to watch Reid’s reaction like a hawk and that’s exactly what she did. She noticed the way Reid looked at Luke for a moment. She couldn’t decipher the silent code, but Luke could.
Well…I didn’t like him when he rejected my proposal.
“There have been moments in the past,” Reid gave her a smile. “He did some things I didn’t like.”
“Like what?” Danny joined in.
“That’s not important. Ancient history. But I never stopped loving him. I just didn’t like him very much at that moment.”
Zoë nodded and after some hesitation, she softly said: “I didn’t always like my mom and dad.”
Again she was watching Reid intently and again she showed relief when he smiled at her.
“That’s completely normal. Even the people we love sometimes do things or say things we don’t like. And that’s okay. That doesn’t mean we stop loving them.”
She nodded again, moving a little closer to Reid. Her smile grew when Reid put his arm around her.
“Thank you,” she suddenly whispered.
“For what?”
“For loving me. For taking me in.”
“It’s our pleasure,” Reid assured her. “We’re really happy to have you and Danny in our lives.”
“Would you pay a million dollars if someone would steal me?”
Reid couldn’t hide the shock on his face.
“You need to ask? Of course we would! We would do everything it takes to get you back safe.”
Without warning she clenched herself to Reid and started crying. Confused, Reid just pulled her in closer and let his fingers play with her curls, while checking on Luke and Danny. They both sat up and watched Zoë. Luke in horror, Danny with…what was that look…understanding? Shared fear?
To make sure it was very clear, Reid pointed at Danny.
“And that goes for you too, young man. Don’t you ever doubt that.”
His smile was telling. Danny had been worried.
“We were just wondering…” the boy’s voice was soft and shy, “because…you know…we’re not really…you know…”
“Oh yes you are,” Luke said firmly. “You both are. To us you are our children. In every way. Not only in good times. Always.”
Zoë was still crying, soundlessly, and Reid started to rock her a little, kissing her on the head.
“It’s not just words, Zoë. Remember how we tried real hard to keep you with us when your uncle came to get you? We would never have stopped trying to get you back, you know that.”
Zoë nodded, her curls brushing Reid’s chin.
“But a million dollars…” she whispered… “That’s so much money…”
“I know,” Reid smiled. “But we would get the money somehow, trust me. Having you both in our life is worth more than all the money in the world.”
That stopped the tears and Zoë leaned back a little, so she could see Reid’s eyes. Then she smiled, putting one hand on his cheek.
“I love you, Daddy.”
