Section 3

Noah was clicking through the channels on the television. Not able to find anything to interest him. When there was a knock on the door. "Who could that be?"

He got up to open the door. "Hi Noah." Luke said with a big grin on his face.

Noah was surprised, but happy. "What are you doing here?"

Luke turned to get something out of the hallway. "After you left I decided that you needed something." He pulled a small Christmas tree from around the corner.

Noah smiled. "Where did you get that?"

Luke carried the tree in. "My father and I cut it down. It's not big, but I thought it had a nice shape. Here you take it. I've got decorations in the hall. I'll go get them."

Noah stood there holding the tree, dumbfounded. "You did this for me?"

Luke brought in the box of decorations. "Actually I did this for us. I can't have you over here being all sad. My grandma has plenty of extra decorations and it didn't cost anything to bring you a bit of Snyder farm and some holiday cheer. So what do you say we decorate that tree?"
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Luke got out one more box. "Here's the finishing touch. I think you should do the honors." He opened the box to reveal a star.

Noah took the star and placed it on top of the tree. "Wow it's beautiful." He turned to Luke. "Just like you."

Luke walked over to the light switch. "We're not done. We have to have the big reveal. I'll get the lights and you turn on the tree."

Luke turned off the lights and Noah turned on the tree. Luke walked up behind Noah and put his arms around his waist. "Now it's beautiful."

Noah turned to face Luke. "What did I do to deserve you?"

Luke shook his head and smile at Noah. "Nothing, you are just you."

The two men kissed and hugged. Then they sat on the sofa and looked at the tree.

After awhile, Luke broke the silence. "I wish I could stay, but my father gave me a ride over and I told him to pick me up in an hour."

Noah sat up. "That's okay. The tree will remind me of you and it'll be like you never left."

Luke got up and walked to the door. "I love you. Don't you ever forget that."

Noah kissed Luke gently. "I love you too. Thanks for everything. I'll see you tomorrow."
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Luke was sitting on the porch peeling potatoes. When Noah came in. "Hi, Luke."

Luke put his potato down and got up to give Noah a hug. "Hi. I'm glad you made it."

Noah smiled. "Where else would I be."

Noah's smile warmed Luke's heart. "I mean, I didn't expect you so early."

Noah teasingly turned toward the door. "Oh, I could come back later."

Luke grabbed Noah's hand to stop him. "Don't you dare."

Noah walked over to where Luke was sitting. "What are you doing?"

Luke took his seat again. "I have KP duty."

Noah took the seat across from Luke. "I know all about that. Need help?"

Luke handed Noah a knife and a couple of potatoes. "You don't have to ask me twice."

Grandma Emma came out. "Are you done with those potatoes yet."

Luke looked up at his grandma. "Almost. Noah just got here he is going to help."

Grandma Emma smiled at Noah. "I hope you are better at peeling potatoes than Luke. There's not much potato left when he is done."

Luke looked at his grandma in shock. "Grandma!"

Grandma Emma winked at Luke. "Just get them done. I want to get them on the stove. Then you boys can just relax. Dinner should be ready in about an hour."

Grandma Emma went back in the house. "Okay Grandma."
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Luke and Noah walked out of the kitchen. "I'm glad that's done. Do you want to walk down to the pond?"

"Shouldn't we go in and hang out with your family?" Noah asked.

Luke smiled at Noah. "There's plenty of time for that. The house is full of people and right now I just want to be alone with you."

"Okay, as long as your parents won't mind." Noah said grabbing Luke's hand.

The two men walked hand in hand down to the pond. Talking about whatever came into their minds. It was nice that after all that they had been through that everything seemed so free now. They could talk and joke together. It was funny how at first they seemed to not have anything in common, but there didn't seem to be a problem now. When they got to the pond there was a stiff breeze in the air. Luke rubbed his arms. "Brr. It's getting cold. I think we are going to have our first snow fall soon. Maybe by tomorrow."

Noah walked up behind Luke and put his arms around him. "How's that?"

Luke snuggled back into Noah's chest. "Much better." He turned to face Noah. "This is going to be the best Christmas. I was thinking maybe you would want to stay here tonight instead of going home. Then you can open presents with the rest of us in the morning."

Noah looked into Luke's brown eyes. He loved looking into his eyes. They twinkled as he smiled at him and the moon was shining off of his hair. He looked so beautiful. "That would be great, but your parents..."

Luke shook his head. "Don't worry I already asked and there is plenty of room. My folks love to have a house full during the holidays. You can be an honorary member."

Noah smile. "Sounds great. The only thing that would make it better is if I woke up with you in my arms."

Luke snuggled in even closer and placed his head against Noah's chest. "Don't worry, that will come soon enough."

The two men snuggled together enjoying the quiet of the evening, when it began to snow lightly. Luke looked up. "It's snowing."

Noah looked up at the snow falling. "Maybe we should head back."

Luke shook his head. "No, let's stay here a little while longer. I love the snow."

Noah put his arms back around Luke. "We can stay as long as you like."
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Noah woke to the smell of bacon and cinnamon. It was Christmas morning and he had to admit he felt like a kid himself. He stayed at the Snyder farm and woke from one of his most restful sleeps since he had found out about his father and mother. He had fallen asleep thinking about the night with Luke and his family and how comfortable they made him feel. He had dreamt of Luke. Touching him. Kissing him. Loving him. He longed to take that final step with Luke, but it never seemed to be the right place or time. He got out of bed and stretched. He went over to the window and was surprised to see that it had snowed all night and that everything was white as far as the eye could see. He looked at the clock. It was still early, only 7 o'clock. He decided that he should get dressed and head downstairs.

Luke was entertaining Ethan with one of his new toys. He turned as he heard Noah come down the stairs. "Morning, sleepy head."

Noah walked over and admired the sea of unwrapped gifts, that was the Snyder's living room. "It's only 7. It's not that late."

Luke got up from the floor. "We have been up since 5. Some people couldn't wait to open their presents."

Noah walked up to Luke and leaned towards his ear. "You weren't one of them, were you?"

Luke smile at Noah. "Maybe."

Faith walked up to Noah. "Noah here's a present for you."

Noah took the present from Faith. "Thank you"

Noah walked over to a chair and sat down. "I thought that I would be opening presents with the rest of the family. Why didn't you wake me up?"

Luke sat on the floor by Noah. "I called you and when you didn't answer, I went in your room and you seemed so peaceful that I couldn't bare to wake you. I figured you wouldn't mind if the kids opened their presents. We didn't open any of the presents from you, so we can do those together."

Holden and Lily came into the room. "Noah your up. Did you sleep well?" Lily asked.

Noah smiled at Mr and Mrs Snyder. "Good Morning. Yes very well. Thank you."

Lily looked over towards the tree. "The kids couldn't wait. I hope you don't mind, but did you find your presents under the tree?"

Noah held up the box. "Faith gave me this one."

Lily walked over to the tree. "I'm sure there are a few more."

Noah opened his presents and the Snyders opened theirs from Noah. Natalie saw two more boxes under the tree. She picked them up and read the labels. "Here are two more. One is for Noah and the other is for Luke."

Grandma Emma called that breakfast was ready. Lily and Holden got up. Lily picked up Ethan. "Come on kids let's get breakfast"

Natalie looked at her mom. "I want to see what Luke and Noah got."

Lily walked over to her daughter. "I'm sure they will show us later."

Luke and Noah watched Lily lead Natalie into the kitchen.

Noah looked at the box. "Well, should we open them?"

Luke smiled. "I've been dying to since I saw it under the tree."

Noah smiled at Luke. "Why don't you go first."

Luke was already ripping off the paper. He opened the box to find... "A watch." He said after opening the red box.

Noah wasn't sure if Luke liked it. "I noticed you don't usually wear one. You probably hate it."

Luke shook his head. "No."

Noah pointed at the watch. I had it inscribed."

Luke removed the watch from the box and turned the watch over to read the inscription. "Love our time together N." Luke looked at Noah. "I love it." He smiled

Noah smiled back at Luke. "I do you know. Every minute of it." Noah said shyly.

Luke sat up and kissed Noah. "I do too."

Noah sat back "I guess I'll open mine now."

Noah open his present. He took out a gold chain with a medal on it. "I know it's kind of lame, but it's a St Jude medallion. I found it in this antique store and it made me think of you. The salesman said that it is the saint of hopeless causes. I don't think of you as hopeless and you don't have to believe in saints or anything, but I thought maybe when your feeling down on yourself like the other night, it might help."

Noah leaned over and gave Luke a kiss. "Thanks"

Luke took the medallion out of the box and turned it over. "I had it inscribed on the back."

Noah took the medallion from Luke and looked at the writing. "All My Love Luke." Noah stared at Luke.

Luke looked back at Noah. "Aren't you going to say something?"

Noah smiled. "What can I say. We are in your grandmother's living room. It is taking everything I have to not throw you on the floor right now."

Luke smiled. "I guess that means that you like it."

Noah hugged Luke. 'That would be an understatement."

Luke leaned back. "We better go and have breakfast, before everything is gone."

Noah got up and helped Luke off the floor. He pulled him into one more kiss before they went into the kitchen to join the rest of the Snyder family.

Coming Soon: One of the Boys
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Section 4