Chapter 52 - Running Away - Part 3 of 3

Well shit, thought Reid as he looked out the car window at the water rushing across the bridge, Ben's going to get his wish after all. The bridge was flooded and he couldn't get across to Katie's apartment. Ben was going to spend the night with him and Newt whether anyone wanted him to or not. Fucking awkward. He called Katie from the car and she wasn't happy. He didn't tell her that Newt was still in town and staying with him. No sense opening up that can of worms. There was nothing he could do about it anyway.

He turned the car around and headed to his house. On the way he explained to Ben that he had company. His Dad was staying with him. Ben got real quiet. Reid figured he was trying to understand why nobody told him his father was here. But maybe he was afraid of him, hell he didn't know.



Finally Reid broke the silence and gave Ben the choice and asked if he would rather not see him. Ben just asked if his father was mad at him. Reid said ‘No, he would really like to see you.’

Ben looked relieved and said ‘Yes, I want to see him too.’ He was quiet the remainder of the short drive to his house, unusual for Ben.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

The father and son reunion was so emotionally charged that Reid could barely watch. When Ben saw his father, they just looked at each other. Newt started to tear up. He squatted down and choked out, “Ben,” then opened his arms to his son.

“Daddy?” came the reply and Ben ran into Newt’s outstretched arms. They hugged for a few minutes both crying. “God, I have missed you so much Ben. You are so grown up. You've grown at least two feet!” said Newt once he recovered.

Ben pulled back and looked at him suspiciously. He stood up straight and squared his shoulders as if getting ready for a fight. “Why did you make Mom leave? Reese said you hit her. You didn't, did you?”


Reid groaned. He needed to stop this conversation. “Ben, let’s find you something to sleep in and I'll put your wet clothes in the dryer. You get changed and we will make you a bed on the couch,” he said before Newt could respond.

Newt gave him a thank you look over Ben's head. Then Newt looked at Ben as his son hung his head and turned to do as Reid said. “Ben, son,” he said, “We can talk in the morning okay. It's late and we all need to get some sleep.”

Ben looked back and forth between the two men. “I’m not a baby! I can stay up late!” and turned to walk off.

Newt frowned trying to understand where that came from. He stopped Ben and looked at Reid. "No you aren't,” he said. “You are definitely not a baby, you are a young man. An incredibly brave young man to ride your bike at night like that and in the rain. So how about this, you go and get ready for bed and then we can talk for awhile before you go to sleep, okay?”

Ben brightened up. “Okay, Dad,” he said.

While Ben was in the bathroom Reid asked Newt, “Do you want me to stay? What the hell are you going to say to him?”

“The truth. That what happened between me and his mom is between us. I am sure he heard the arguing but never saw…”

“Fuck Newt. I want to beat the shit out of you every time I think about it,” said Reid.

“I wouldn’t blame you if you did. You and Kaitlin. It has to be difficult,” replied Newt.

“I knew she had an asshole husband, just didn’t know it was my fucking brother. Sorry man. It’s hard okay,” said Reid, “I’m working on it.”

“Thank you for sticking by me Reid. You didn’t have to. We’ve already discussed this. I promise, I am under control now. It won’t happen again. Janet...God I miss her. I wish she were here.”

“That sucks you know. You were the asshole of all assholes and you got the girl - twice! I lost the girl twice and I would never do what you did. Hell, it doesn’t matter. Listen, I'm here if Ben gets upset. He's a good kid Newt. Don’t screw this up.”

Ben walked out of the bathroom in one of Reid’s t-shirts. “Don’t screw what up Dad?” he asked.

Newt looked down at Ben without missing a beat. “This chance to get to know my son again,” he said, “Uncle Reid cares a lot about you and he’s worried that I will upset you because we haven’t seen each other in a long time. You are kind of like a son to him. Did you know that?”

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