Chapter: 18
Rating: PG-13
Summary: Luke gets upset, finding out some truths about Russell & Liz.
Characters: Melody, Noah, Luke, Liz, Willow, Russell
Genre: AU, Comedy, Romance, Drama, Science Fiction
Warnings: None
Disclaimer: This site is no way associated with "As the World Turns", CBS, P&G, or Van Hansis and Jake Silbermann. This is not for profit. No copyright infringement is intended. Authors submit and write their own work.

Melody had just turned 1. Noah and Luke had just finished their final year at Oakdale U and were enjoying their summer their baby. Noah had to work a short shift at Java, so left Luke and Melody to enjoy the sunshine.

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Luke pushed Melody in her pram. Melody was asleep, occasionally stirring or fidgeting. As Luke passed the spot where he and Noah had kissed, when the ICE were on the look out, a familiar person ran past him.
"Liz?...Liz!"
Luke stood there, bewildered, until he heard Willow behind him.
"Where did she go, Luke?"
"Why, what's happened?"
Willow sighed. "...sit down, I'll tell you.

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Willow and Luke sat on a bench. Luke turned the pram round, so sleeping Melody was facing him.
"So, what's up with Liz?"
"Luke, you know that Russell Terrell?"
Luke nodded, "Yeah, I met him at Liz's 24th. What about him?"
"Well...me and him have never seen eye to eye. This morning, Liz rang me and said that Russell had proposed to her and she needed me to help make her decision. Anyway, I was a bit angry, Russell doesn't love her. I met up with Russell, told him where to shove it, Liz is annoyed at ME, I bring up bad memories, slap Russell and Liz runs off."
"Wow, why don't you like this guy, he seemed alright to me."
"That's because you don't know him, the full story, his background."
"I have the feeling your going to tell." Luke rocked the pram, before listening to Willow.
"Back in the day, us three where close. There was this other boy, Craig, that Russell had known since they where toddlers. We all lived together and all went to Royal Free & University College Medical School. Russell and Craig where so close and Liz and I, where practically sisters, we still are. Unfortunately, one drunken night in London, in a little club in London called Fluid, on Charterhouse Street, Liz goes home with Russell. You know about Liz getting pregnant at 16?"
"Oh my, he is the...!"
"Yep, he was the baby's father. After I helped Liz find out, I went and had a serious word with Russell, blaming him for what happened. At first, Russell tells Liz he loves her and will support her, then, he starts to shits himself, runs off, and leaves her, and me, to pick up the pieces. But the worst thing Luke, was that when he left, he wrote a note. On the piece of paper was one word," Luke was already in tears, "Abortion."
Luke felt tears rolling down his face. "Oh, Liz. Why didn't she tell?"
"Luke, she has listened to him for so long, she needs to tell him to shove it up his..."
Melody started crying. Luke wiped the tears away, picked her up and cradled her.
"Luke, she has carried the guilt of what happened, for 8 long years. She loves her job, but she can brake down when we lose a baby at the hospital. Its too much for her to take, but she still soldiers on. She really cherishes your friendship, you helped her let go, caring for you, Noah and little Melody."
Luke sat her on his knee and looked at her. Melody was blowing bubbles. Luke laughed. He felt sad and angry inside. Sad, about how much pain and confusion Liz had gone through, he wished he could have been there for her, like she was for him and angry at Russell, who had not cared about something that was, kinda, his fault. Luke was so glad Noah had cared about him and the baby.
Luke looked at Willow "I understand why you hate this guy."

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Noah, Willow and Luke were walking back to the apartments. Willow had explained again to Noah about Russell and Liz. Noah had practically done the same as Luke. Luke had comforted him, Noah couldn't understand how you could do that to someone you loved. He would do anything for Luke.
Russell rounded the corner.
"Hey, Noah, Luke, have you seen Liz?"
Willow stared at him. 'HELLO I'M HERE' she shouted, in her head.
Luke removed his hands from the pram and walked towards Russell. Noah looked at Luke, wondering what he was going to do next.
"You don't deserve to see her."
"What?"
"You heard me. You broke Liz's heart once, your not going to do it again."
"I don't know what your on about, mate."
"Oh yes you do, 'mate'! Leaving Liz, pregnant, scared and confused. You have some nerve proposing to her!"
"Luke, leave it, hes not worth it." Willow placed her hand on Luke's shoulder.
"No Willow, he ran off, running away, like a coward."
"I had my reasons."
"Oh did you...huh, I don't know what she sees in you."
Luke went to turn round.
"You fucking BASTARD." Russell went to punch Luke.
"NO!" Willow screamed.
Noah ran in front of Luke and grabbed the fist that was heading for Luke's face. Luke ran to Melody, who had woke up to shouting, so was inevitably crying.
"Don't you dare take out your mistakes on my family!" Noah said, his face red with rage. "Go and calm down. Come back when you are interested to talk without violence."
Luke looked up at Russell. Russell glared at him and stormed off.
Noah ran over to Luke. He held him tight. "Luke, you nearly got hurt then. Don't face people like that without me."
"Sorry Noah. Thanks for saving my ass."
"I'm always saving your ass."
Luke slapped Noah's arm. He took hold of the pram and they continued the rest of the way home.

Chapter 19: Make A Wish