Chapter 70

"Daddy, Done!"

Luke glanced over from the sink, where he had been brushing his teeth and smiled down at his son, who smiled up at him from the potty. He placed his toothbrush down on the sink and came to kneel beside him. "Good bye," he praised as his hand ruffled his son's blond hair. "Here you go," he handed him a wipe and watched as Landon used it just as he had been instructed to do. Luke smiled, and helped his son pull up his pants before pulling him into a hug.

"You're a big boy now," he laughed as he stood and squeezed Landon tight. "Happy birthday, Kiddo."

Landon laughed and wrapped his arms around his father's neck. It was always nice to be praised by his daddy. He liked it even more when he made his daddy smile.

"Come on, time to wash your hands," Luke said carrying his son over to the sink. He allowed Landon to stand on the footstool, turning the water on just enough for Landon to put his hands under. "Don't forget the soap," Luke reminded, even as he put a small drop of liquid into Landon's palm and helped him rub his hands together before rinsing them off. "Do you remember what we do now?" Luke asked once Landon's hands were nice and clean.

"Shake," Landon said waving his hands sending droplets of water everywhere.

"That's right," Luke laughed along with him before grabbing a towel to dry his hands completely. "There you go, Lan. All ready for your birthday."

"Did someone say something about a birthday?"

"Daddy!" Landon exclaimed scrambling off the footstool to get to Reid who was now standing in the entrance to the bathroom. Luke stood back and watched as Reid took the tot into his grasp lifting him up high in the air before giving him a tight hug.

"Good morning, Birthday Boy. Do you know what you want for breakfast?"

"Pantaakes!" Landon said without hesitation, "Pantakes and bacum."

"I think that can be arranged," Luke chuckled coming to stand beside his son and his fiancé. "Good morning," he greeted kissing Reid on the cheek.

"Daddy, go potty," Landon announced pointing over to the trainer toilet sitting in the corner.

"Which reminds me I need to clean that out," Luke wrinkled his nose. "Can you take him downstairs for me, I'll be down soon to make breakfast."

"Alright," Reid said stealing a kiss before leaving with Landon. "That's a good job, Buddy," Luke heard him praise their son as they treaded down the hall. He couldn't help but smile as he emptied the pot and tidied up the bathroom. He cherished moments like these; Landon was growing up so fast and he didn't want to miss a thing.

"More, pwease, Daddy?"

Luke glanced at Reid before turning his attention to his son who was finishing off his smiley face pancakes. His fingers were sticky with syrup and his face wasn't faring any better. "What do you think?" Luke asked his fiancé smiling all the while. "Should we indulge him?"

"I think he's had enough," Reid replied even as he handed Landon another piece of bacon. "We don't want to give him too much sugar this morning. He'll be sick by the afternoon if we do that."

"Well you heard your daddy, Kiddo," Luke said smiling at his son. "No more syrup for you today, okay."

Landon smiled as he chewed his strip of bacon, his eyes moving between both his dad's before he kicked his feet, as if to let them know he didn't agree.

"Alright, that's enough, Little Man," Reid reprimanded teasingly. "Big boys don't throw tantrums remember?"

"I wemembew," Landon replied while Luke used a wipe to clean off his fingers and his face.

"Alright, munchkin you're finished," Luke said taking his son out of the high chair and setting him down on the floor. "Go play while Daddy and I do the dishes okay?" Lucky barked just as Reid and Luke were about to clear off the table.

"Looks like someone's ready for a walk," Reid said moving away to let Lucky out the back door. "Will you be okay with the dishes while I walk him?

"Yeah, I've got it," Luke gave him a kiss before turning his attention back to the dishes.

"Daddy" Luke felt a sticky hand on his leg before he saw his son covered in Syrup. "Daddy, sticky," The little boy, announced holding up the now empty pitcher of maple syrup.

"Landon Chase Snyder," Luke exclaimed taking the pitcher out of his son's hands. "What did you do?"

"Sticky," Landon replied holding up his hands., "See."

"Yes I see," Luke said, lifting his son onto the counter. He reached for a toilette and started the task of wiping the syrup off Landon's face. Somehow the tyke had managed to get the sticky substance in his hair and on his clothes as well.

"What happened in here?" Reid asked entering the kitchen with Lucky on his heels.

"Your son decided he wanted more syrup," Luke chuckled as he continued to clean Landon up as best he could.

"He decided to take a bath in it?" Reid asked tilting his head to the side, as if that would help him to see better.

"And he drank it," Luke smiled, shaking his head at his son's antics. It was hard to say upset with him for too long.

"Sticky, Daddy," Landon said, hiccupping as he reached out for Reid.

"Uh-uh," Reid said stepping backwards. You aren't touching me with those grubby little fingers. You need a bath."

"Siwwy, Daddy," Landon laughed, stuffing his fingers into his mouth."

"Silly munchkin," Reid retorted sticking out his tongue at his son." Landon returned the favor by blowing raspberries.

"You are so not helping," Luke chuckled despite himself. "Come on, Lan, we have to get you all cleaned up. You're going to go Monkey Joes today."

"Yay," Landon said as Luke lifted him up into his arms. Luke kissed his sticky cheek and carried him out of the room.

"Yes, Yay," Luke replied as they left the kitchen. "Lots of jumping fun." Reid only smiled as Luke disappeared with the sticky mess that was their two year old. He shook his head, his amusement clear in his features as the turned to finish the dishes Luke had started. Landon was a handful, but they loved him and there wasn't anything they would change.

"Daddy watch me!" Landon yelled for his father's attention before he started bouncing up and down in the mini monkey zone. Luke could only smiled as he watched his son laugh and have fun with other little kids, including Georgie, at Monkey Joe's. They had already been there for about an hour, and Neither Landon or Georgie showed signs of wanting to stop anytime soon.

"Watch me, Unca Wuke!" Georgie screamed with laughter as he slid down the inflatable slide.

"Good job, Buddy," Luke clapped as he kept his eyes on both boys. There was an adult area for the parents to hang out; Reid was there now getting something to eat, but Luke preferred to be around the kids, so he could watch them while they played.

"Are they having fun?" Reid asked catching Luke's attention as he appeared with two slices of pizza.

"is one of those for me?" Luke asked smirking as he watched Reid take a bite of cheese and sauce.

Reid nodded holding out the slice of pizza for his Fiancé. "We need to go to the market when we leave here," he commented eating another slice of pizza. "Especially if you want to start getting ready for the party."

"And Christmas," Luke added with a smile. "I'm sure we can stop by the store after we drop Georgie off. One munchkin in the store is more than enough, especially with the way you and Landon shop."

"You get a kick out of the grab and put," Reid reminded him, a smirk crossing his lips as he polished off his pizza. "He'll be especially grabby today, wanting everything and anything he sees."

"You've trained him well," Luke laughed. "Should I let you two go grocery shopping on your own?"

"I want you to come," Reid bumped shoulders with him. "I'd like to do everything with you, within reason of course."

Luke kissed Reid's cheek and finished his pizza as they watched the kids play together. Georgie and Landon were having a ball of a time jumping together as they held hands. The kids were having so much fun, that Luke had to bribe them with promises of food to get them to leave the jumping jamboree. True to his word he treated them to pepperoni pizza before dropping Georgie off at home. They visited for a bit with the McPhersons before heading out to the grocery store. Luke had to admit he got a kick out of watching Reid and Landon in the market. Landon would point at an item, and Reid would hold it up in his hands, examining it and reading the back of the package before placing it in the cart. While Reid and Landon took care of the groceries, Luke went to the bakery to pick up the cake. This year Landon was getting a theme cake. His favorite character at the moment was Lightning McQueen from the Disney movie Cars.

"Thank you," Luke said accepting the box that was being handed to him. He placed it on the counter to open it, smiling at the sight of the blue frosted cake before him. Every detail he had asked for was in place, right down to the blue-eyed red car with the grill smile staring back up at him. He just knew Landon would love it. He thanked the baker again, opting to take the cake to the car before seeking out his family in the market.

"I think we're about done," Reid informed Landon as Luke approached them. "Hey," Reid greeted him with a kiss. "We were just about to come look for you."

"How much of this will I have to put back," Luke teased as they headed to the checkout line.

"Siwwy Daddy!" Landon said clapping his hands together as Reid placed items on the conveyer belt.

"Yeah, Silly Daddy," Reid smirked. "You can't put anything back this time. All of this is for Landon."

"So Landon likes sparkling grape juice now, huh?" Luke chuckled lightly.

"That's for you." Reid kissed his fiancé's nose and continued to put the items on the belt. Luke stood back and watched as he paid for everything and packed the shopping cart. He handed Landon a stuffed bear even as Luke lifted the tot out of the cart.

"What you got there, Munchkin?" Luke asked as they left the store.

"Baby Beaw," Landon replied hugging the brown furry bear close. "It's from Daddy."

"Very cool," Luke said even as he raised an eyebrow at Reid. "And you say I spoil him," he chuckled, his eyes full of amusement.

"It's his birthday," Reid shrugged. Luke just shook his head and fastened Landon into his car seat. He kissed his son on the forehead and kissed the teddy bear's nose when Landon held it out for him.

Once they made it home Landon went down for a nap while Luke and Reid put all the groceries away and made dinner. The menu was simple; Landon had requested hotdogs and French fries, with juice to wash it all down. After dinner they would have cake and ice cream, and later they'd watch a movie together. Reid figured they'd probably be watching Little Nemo or Cars; neither of which were his type of movie. For today though he would watch it because it was what Landon wanted.

"Who knew a movie about cars could be so entertaining," Reid commented as the credits rolled along with various scenes from the movie. Luke nodded his agreement as he looked down at the sleeping baby leaning against him. After cake and ice cream they had settled down to watch Lightning McQueen and his friends. Landon had tried valiant to stay awake for the whole movie, but sleep won out about three quarters through the picture.

"We'll have to get him a toy car for Christmas," Luke said looking at Reid even as he allowed his fingers to run through Landon's hair.

"I think we can manage that," Reid smiled and rested his arm on the back of the chair, leaning his head against it as he looked at his family. "You want to go put him to bed?"

Luke nodded, leaning forward to kiss Reid softly before standing with Landon in his embrace. "Come on, buddy, it's sleepytime."

"Night night, Daddy," Landon mumbled sleepily, his eyes remaining closed as he rested against his father.

"See you in the morning, Champ." Reid waited until they had disappeared up the stairs before turning off the TV and heading for the kitchen. He returned moments later with two flutes, one filled with sparkling grape juice, and the other with champagne he had picked up on their way home.

"What's all this?" Luke asked when he returned downstairs. There were candles on the table, giving the room an almost ethereal glow. Reid stood, handing Luke his flute before pulling him down onto the couch beside him.

"I figured we could have a little celebration of our own," he explained clinking Luke's glass gently before taking a sip of his bubbly.

"What are we celebrating?" Luke asked, his smile bright as he looked lovingly at Reid. "And when did you become a wine them and dine them kind of guy?"

"I have my moments," Reid smirked, kissing Luke's nose playfully. "We do have something to celebrate though."

"We do?" Luke asked taking a sip of his drink before placing it down on the table. "Well don't keep me in suspense."

"I got a phone call today while we were at Monkey Joes." Reid sipped on his champagne before setting the flute on the table.

"From the director of Doctors Without Borders?"

Reid shook his head, turning slightly, tucking his leg beneath him as he faced Luke. "This call was a little more personal. Are you free Tuesday, say around noon?"

"I can be," Luke replied tilting his head to the side. "Why?"

Reid reached for his glass again, taking a sip of his drink before focusing on Luke again. "We have an appointment," he informed him between sips.

"With who?" Luke asked curiously.

"Our baby's mother." Reid raised an eyebrow and took another sip of champagne as he watched the myriad of emotions cross Luke's face. "I thought that would make you happy," Reid commented, reaching up to wipe a stray tear from Luke's cheek.

"I am happy," Luke smiled, leaning forward to kiss Reid on the lips. Reid lifted his hand up to cup Luke's cheek, deepening the kiss before pulling away to place his glass on the table. He took Luke's and put it aside before pulling Luke up, kissing him once more before blowing out the candles and leading Luke upstairs.

They paused momentarily in the doorway to Landon's room. The little tyke was sleeping peacefully in his new toddler bed. It was his first night without the crib and Luke was pleasantly surprised that he hadn't woken up once complaining about a bad dream.

"He must really have been exhausted," Reid commented as if reading Luke's thoughts.

"Mmm-Hmmm," Luke agreed, a gentle smile crossing his lips as he leaned his head against the doorframe. "Doesn't he look so angelic when he sleeps?"

"You think he's an angel when he's awake," Reid chuckled. "I have a feeling he'll always be your angel."

"He will," Luke smiled and turned to wrap his arms around Reid. "Even when he's a moody teenager or even when he's all grown up, he's always going to be my little man."

Reid kissed Luke's nose, his hands resting on arms, as he moved Luke away from their son's door and down to their own bedroom.

"What are you doing?" Luke laughed as Reid continued to lavish him with kisses.

"Celebrating," Reid replied matter-of-factly before kissing Luke's neck again. Luke sighed contentedly, allowing himself to melt into Reid's embrace.