Title: wondering Chapter: 12 Rating: PG Summary: Characters: Luke,Noah,Lily,Holden,Henry Genre: happy nuke Warnings: diva proof 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.

Hello boys. I haven’t seen or heard from you two in days. Was the party that good? Lily joked as Luke and Noah walked into the farmhouse kitchen hand in hand. Yeah uh the party was pretty good. Luke said giving Noah a please can we get out of here look. Noah just squeezed his boyfriend’s hand to let him know he was there for him. Uh mum.. Luke started and sat down at the kitchen table. I uh got a letter from Damian the other day. Well it wasn’t really from Damian I guess.. It said Damian is dead. He said and looked his mum in the eyes. I know honey. I got the same letter. I just didn’t want to spoil your party... Are you going to the funeral? She asked. No. We’re not. I don’t want to spend any of our money on him. I just can’t help but think he knew he was dying and that’s why he came back. You know to say goodbye. And I just slammed the door in his face when he came to our apartment. The last thing I said to him was that I wanted him to leave us alone. Does that make me a horrible person? Luke said with a look of confusion on his face. No it doesn’t. I told you, you’re not a bad person Luke. You are one of the most amazing people I know and that’s why I love you so much. Noah said while pulling Luke close and kissing the top of his head. Lily smiled when she noticed Luke looking more relaxed and happy because of Noah's touch. She had seen it before but it amazed her time and time again that Noah always seemed to have this effect on her son. I agree with Noah. Lily said. You are not a horrible person. You didn’t know why Damian came back and it seemed he hadn’t changed after all. No-one blames you for anything. You just wanted to get on with your life. And there is nothing wrong with that. Luke sighed and closed his eyes for a second while still in Noah’s arms. I guess you’re right.. he said. I just wish I wasn’t so confused and feeling so guilty about it all. Luke you have nothing to feel guilty about. I don’t want to hear you say that again, you hear me? Lily said. Luke just nodded. Good. You two are staying for dinner which will be ready in about an hour ok? Yeah sure mum. Luke said as his mother got up from the table and started looking through the fridge. Hey baby why don’t we go upstairs for a bit? You need some rest. Noah said.

Why didn’t you say anything about the money you inherited? Noah asked Luke who was lying next to him on the bed in their old bedroom. Because I don’t want it. You can refuse an inheritance can’t you? I think you can. And that’s what I’m going to do. Luke said determined. I will support you no matter what you decide to do ok. Just think about what you’re doing. You could always give the money to charity or something. You know do something good with it. Noah said. I don’t want to talk about this anymore. In fact I don’t want to talk at all. Luke said crawling on top of his boyfriend slowly unbuttoning his shirt. Luke! Your sisters are on the other side of this wall remember? Noah said trying to stop Luke’s roaming hands. So what? The door is locked and it never stopped you before. Luke said grinning.


So how was the party guys? Holden asked during dinner. Yeah it was great. Noah said. I think Maddie and Casey got back together and Aaron seemed to get on really well with my friend Scott. And even Ameera said she’d enjoyed herself. Noah answered. Oh Ameera was there too? How is she doing? Lily asked. Well she got her citizenship and she says she loves LA. So yeah she’s doing pretty good. Noah said. We promised her we’d come and visit her soon. You know when we have some time off college and Noah can get some time off work. Luke continued. Hmm the two of you, alone, on a trip to California.. don’t you dare come back married. Lily said laughing. But both boys could tell she was anything but joking. Don’t worry mum, Luke said, we promise we’ll call first or just stay in California. Luke joked.
Everyone talked and laughed and ate their meal and the boys lost track of time. The family had moved into the parlour and Luke felt himself get sleepy as he snuggled up to his boyfriend on the sofa. It’s getting late, babe. We should go. Noah said to a half sleeping Luke. You boys don’t have to drive home tonight. You can just stay here in your old room. Lily offered. Luke? What do you want to do baby? Go home or stay in our old room here? Noah asked his snoozing boyfriend. Hmm.. what? Luke said not bothering to open his eyes. I think I’ll just take him home. It’s easier than trying to get him up early tomorrow to go home to get our stuff for college. Luke come on baby, wake up, time to go home. Noah said getting up from the sofa. Hmm Luke moaned in protest as Noah pulled him up from the sofa. You’re mean. I was so comfortable there. Luke pouted sleepy. Yeah well our bed at home is even more comfortable than that sofa. The boys said goodnight, got in Noah’s truck and drove away. Come on we should get to bed too. Holden said to his wife. Lily? Lily still stood on the porch staring into the darkness. Lily? What’s wrong? Holden asked. Do you think they’ll do it? she asked her husband while she continued to stare into the darkness. Do what? Lily just come to bed. You’re tired, you’re not making any sense. Holden said. I mean do you think Noah will be our son in law when they come back from California. Lily said now turning round to look her husband in the eye. What? I don’t know Lily. I really don’t know. Well I just hope they tell us so we can be there when they get married. Lily said and walked back into the house.

You were so cute last night. Noah said putting his arm around Luke’s shoulders as they walked through Oldtowne on their way to Al’s. You should’ve woke me up Noah. Luke said. I tried but you refused to even open your eyes. I practically had to carry you to the car! My sleeping beauty. Noah said teasing. I was tired! And I was so comfortable there sitting next to you with your arm around me. So really it’s all your fault for making me so comfortable that I fell asleep. Come on let’s get some lunch, I’m starving. Luke said as he entered the diner and made his way to his and Noah’s favourite table. Henry came and took their order and they sat and talked for a while. Here you go guys. Henry said when he came back with their order. It must’ve been one hell of a party you guys threw last weekend. Maddie hasn’t stopped smiling since! I don’t think that has anything to do with us Henry. Luke said. But it has everything to do with a certain member of the Hughes family. What? Who? Casey? Henry asked and sat down. Are they back together? I don’t know. And I’m not really the person you should be asking Henry. All I’m saying is that they were pretty close at our party. Honestly that’s all I know. Luke said. I think I need to have a word with my sister about all this. Henry said getting up and walking back to his place behind the counter.
You know what my mum was talking about at dinner last night? About us taking that trip to California? Luke said holding Noah’s hands across the table. Yeah.. What about it? Noah answered not quite sure where his boyfriend was going with this. Well have you ever thought about it? You know.. what we talked about after.. you know.. and you were looking at the uh certificate.. do you remember we talked about getting married? Luke said cleverly avoiding the words that reminded him of that day that moment that had hurt him so much. Noah looked a little shocked. He did not expect Luke to still remember that. He did. He made a promise to Luke that day and since they got back together and had their own place he had found himself thinking about it a lot. I- I – I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have said anything. It’s stupid. I probably freaked you out. I’m sorry. Luke said letting go of Noah’s hands and looking at the table. No, it’s not stupid. Noah said affectionately. I’ve been thinking about it too. I just didn’t think you would remember. Of course I remember. That moment was the only good thing about that day. It’s a memory I cherish. Luke said getting back his confidence and smiled at his boyfriend. But then the look on his face changed. It went from happy and loving to a look of pure shock and maybe even fear. Luke, are you ok baby? You look like you’ve just seen a ghost. Noah said worriedly. I think I might have.. Luke said eyes fixed on something outside the diner. Something he thought he would never see again.