FIC - Force of Nature (9/9)
Title: Force of Nature (9/9)
Author: Wheelie47
Rating: R - NC17 for the whole story
Pairing: Luke and OC, Luke and Noah.
Word count: 4, 544
Disclaimer: Don’t own characters, am not associated in any way with ATWT, Van and Jake. No offence intended.
Summary: Noah is a Professor at the California Institute of Seismic Research and Luke is a freelance investigative reporter...
Thank you for reading and following this story, especially to everyone that’s commented. Your comments and support are always most appreciated. I really enjoyed writing this story and I'm so glad you enjoyed it too!
‘Professor, you don't have to do this!’ Noah swallowed hard as he tried to stay calm in a situation that had rapidly spiralled out of control. As he stared down the barrel of the gun he never imagined that Foster would have gone to such extremes; this was a man that he’d looked up to… until he had found out about the corruption he would never have imagined this.
‘He's right Professor’ Luke agreed, trying to keep his voice calm and steady as he took a step closer to Foster… if he could just get closer… maybe… just maybe he could grab the gun. ‘You don't have to do this… we can work something out, we can talk to the police… tell them that you helped us. Please… it doesn't have to end like this.’ He wanted to scream at the man to make him stop pointing the gun at Noah… he'd only just found him and there was no way in hell that he was going to let someone like Foster hurt him.
‘STOP!’ Foster demanded as he swung the gun wildly in Luke's direction, making him freeze in his tracks. Luke felt the panic rising in his chest when he saw the wild almost maniacal look in Foster's eyes; he knew that there would be no reasoning with this man at all… not now… he was too far gone for that.
Noah saw his opportunity while the gun was pointed away from him and stepped closer to Foster to try and reach for the gun or grab the Professor, incensed that the Professor was now pointing the gun at his… at the man he… at Luke.
Sensing movement off to his left, Foster swung the gun back at Noah, his eyes flicking between the two of them.
‘Stop ! Just stop! I… I just need time to think… just give me time to think’ the Professor demanded. How had it come to this? All he wanted was enough money to live life the way he wanted to and to be the head of this prestigious Institute. Damn these kids for interfering, they just didn't know when to stop. Damn Minegen for going too far and mining too deeply. All of his plans were ruined and he couldn't see a way out!
The ringing of the phone on his desk momentarily distracted the Professor and, as his eyes swivelled towards the sound, everything that followed seemed to happen in slow motion.
Luke reached out and slapped Foster's arm that held the gun up and away from pointing at Noah. As his arm swung upwards Foster's finger involuntarily squeezed the trigger, sending a bullet hurtling towards Noah.
‘Noooaahhhh!’ Luke cried out, feeling like his heart had been ripped out of his chest as he saw Noah crumple to the floor; a dark red stain starting to spread across his white T-shirt.
Before his brain even realised what he was doing, Luke reached out and wrenched the gun from Foster's hand simultaneously punching him hard to the side of his face. He was crouched down at Noah's side before the Professor had even slumped to the floor; out cold from Luke's punch.
‘Luke… it hurts… hurts so much’ Noah breathed out, closing his eyes to the pain as he felt Luke's concerned fingers touch the side of his face.
‘Noah! Noah… stay with me. Please… don't do this’ Luke pleaded anxiously as he tried to stem the bleeding by gathering the material of Noah's open checked shirt and pressing it flat against the spreading bloodstain.
‘Help us! Please… help us!’ Luke yelled towards the door, hoping that Danny or somebody… anybody… had heard the gunshot or could hear his call for help as he tried to pull his phone from his pocket to dial 911 while keeping pressure on Noah's wound…
…
Luke thought he was going to lose his mind with worry, nobody was telling him anything. He'd been sat in the waiting room of the hospital for what felt like days, looking up every time somebody came passed… desperate for news of Noah.
The paramedics had let Luke ride upfront in the ambulance while they worked on Noah in the back but as soon as they pushed Noah's gurney through the ER's doors and Noah had disappeared from view, Luke had been left standing shell shocked and bewildered with Noah's blood all over him.
Damn! Why was nobody telling him anything?! Were they still working on Noah? Or was it already too late and Noah had gone and he’d never had the chance or the guts to tell Noah that he… that he loved him. That realisation was just too much… was too overwhelming for him to bear and he felt himself falling apart. His chest heaved in deep wracking sobs and he lent forward to rest his elbows on his knees, covering his face with his hands… unable to stop the tears from coming.
He startled at the soft touch of a gentle hand laid soothingly on his shoulder. He looked up into the kindly eyes of a nurse that he'd never even noticed approaching him.
‘Luke? Luke Snyder?’ she asked gently, as she sat down beside him.
‘Yes… I… that's me’ Luke finally managed to gasp out as he tried to steady his breathing; fearful of what the nurse had come to tell him.
‘Noah's awake.’ she smiled as she saw the complete and utter look of relief flood across his face, tears of joy replacing tears of despair. ‘He's been asking for you.’
She put a gentle restraining hand on Luke’s forearm as he rose from the seat, eager to see with his own eyes that Noah really was okay. ‘The police are with him now. I'll come get you when they're done’ she explained as she patted Luke's hand gently before standing and walking away…
…
Luke quietly closed the door to Noah's hospital room behind him when he was finally allowed in to see him. He gasped in shock when he saw Noah’s pale and drawn face as his head rested back against the pillows of the narrow hospital bed, his eyes firmly closed. For a moment Luke stood stock still by the door fearfully watching for the rise and fall of Noah's chest as he breathed in and out, reassuring himself that Noah was only sleeping.
After a moment's hesitation, unsure if he should just leave Noah to rest and come back later, Luke took silent steps towards the bed, deciding that he would just sit quietly next to the side of Noah's bed until he woke up. He just felt the need to be close to Noah; the rhythmic sound of Noah's breathing seemed to comfort him… to ground him.
As he watched Noah sleeping Luke couldn't resist reaching out and tracing gentle fingertips down the side of Noah’s face, from just above his eyebrow down along his cheekbone to the dark dusting of stubble along his jaw.
‘Hey’ Noah murmured as his eyelids fluttered open at the feather light touch and he saw Luke's concerned hazel eyes staring down at him.
‘Hey yourself’ Luke replied, his voice husky and raw with emotion. ‘How are you feeling… are you okay?’ he asked, his fingers still stroking the side of Noah's face.
Noah nodded slowly. ‘Yeah… they said it's just a surface wound, the bullet didn't hit anything major…’ he said reassuringly, seeing the doubt and worry in Luke's eyes. He reached up to stroke his fingers through Luke's blonde hair but succeeded in only getting halfway before he grimaced as a wave of pain rolled over him.
‘Hey… take it easy’ Luke said in panic as he saw the pain etched on Noah's face, ‘are you sure you're really okay’ he asked as he jumped to his feet, ready to go get help.
‘Yeah’ Noah smiled weakly as the pain subsided. ‘Please Luke, don't worry… I'm gonna be fine. Please… just sit back down… closer’ he reassured as he patted his hand on the mattress beside him.
Luke hesitated for a moment, not wanting to risk hurting Noah but the pleading look in Noah's eyes and the need to be closer to him made Luke ease gently down onto the bed, intertwining his fingers with Noah’s and rubbing the pad of his thumb gently over the sensitive skin between Noah's thumb and finger.
Noah closed his eyes and laid his head back against the pillow, concentrating on the soothing touch of Luke's fingers.
‘Did the cops give you a hard time?’ Luke asked softly as he saw the exhaustion plain across Noah's face.
‘Probably no more than they gave you’ Noah replied, a yawn ended his sentence as he felt the exhaustion and the pain meds making him drowsy again.
‘Yeah. They chewed me out… saying that we should have gone straight to them instead of acting like some latter-day Hardy boys!’ Luke chuckled lightly despite the situation as he remembered Detective Garcia's stern reprimand when they came to question Luke while he was in the hospital waiting room. ‘They arrested Foster and have taken all the files and my article from his office’
‘And then they'll go after Minegen?’ Noah asked sleepily.
‘I guess so. It's out of our hands now Noah… we need to concentrate on getting you better’ Luke replied as he released Noah's hand and moved his fingers to trace a path along the inside of Noah's forearm. As far as he was concerned the police could handle everything from now on; the most important thing to him now was making sure that Noah was going to be okay. He shuddered involuntarily at the image of Noah lying on the floor of Foster's office and the terrifying thought of what might have been if the gun had gone off just seconds before.
Noah felt the tremble in Luke's fingers where they rested on his arm and he cracked open his eyes to look up at Luke and was shocked to see the haunted expression in Luke's eyes. ‘I'm okay Luke… really’ he reassured him as he reached out to cover Luke's hand with his own. ‘The doctor said I just need time to rest and heal… and I'll be fine’
‘Rest... huh?' Luke said with a small smile as he blinked away the shocking image and thoughts, concentrating instead on the warmth of Noah's hand on his. 'Well... if it's rest you need… I know just the place… and a little boy about this big…’ Luke gestured with his free hand to indicate Mikey's height, ‘… who'd love to see you.’
Noah's eyes widened slightly and he felt his heart swell in his chest at the thought of spending time at the farm with Luke and his son. He wondered with hopeful anticipation about what that could mean for him and for Luke… he hardly dared let himself hope that Luke wanted him to be a part of his family.
‘I'd like that’ Noah answered simply with a wide smile, trying to concentrate on the here and now instead of dreaming about the future. He wouldn't pressurise Luke… he would wait for him… wait for as long as was needed.
‘Good’ Luke replied with an equally wide smile before leaning forward and pressing a soft kiss to Noah's forehead.
As Luke sat back and saw the tired but happy to be alive right here right now expression on Noah's face he felt the desperate and urgent need to tell Noah exactly how he felt… knowing just how close he’d come to losing him.
‘Noah… I’ Luke started.
Noah looked up straight into Luke's eyes and felt his heart lurch, fearing what Luke was about to tell him.
‘I realised something today Noah, when you were lying bleeding… and… I…’ Luke stumbled over his words, suddenly hesitant over making such a commitment again but he was urged on by the intense look in Noah's eyes. ‘… and I thought that I might lose you… I… I realised that… I love you and I'm sorry but I should have told you that before… it's just that I…’
Noah silenced Luke with a squeeze of his hand, telling him that he knew… that he understood… because he felt the same; his heart surged at such honesty… such trust. ‘I love you too. I wanted to tell you how I felt that first morning… back at the farm. I really wanted to Luke… but I thought it might be too soon and you'd freak out. I wish I had now’ Noah smiled with a hint of regret before gently bringing Luke's hand to his mouth, turning it so he could kiss the open palm; his smile widening at the anticipation of their future together.
Luke cupped Noah's cheek soothing his thumb over the prominent cheekbone, smiling gently with relief that they had now both admitted how they felt. His smile widened as he watched Noah try to stifle a yawn and to fight his heavy eyelids from closing.
‘Don't fight it Noah. Get some rest. I'll be here when you wake up’ he whispered softly as he pressed a kiss to the side of Noah's mouth. His heart screamed at him to ease down beside Noah on the cramped and uncomfortable hospital bed… to feel the comfort and warmth of Noah next to him… very much alive, but his head told him that there really wasn't enough room and he didn't want to hurt Noah so he reluctantly contented himself with just sitting on the edge of the bed and holding Noah's hand as he watched him drift off into a grateful sleep…
…
‘Are you okay?’ Luke asked as he pulled into the long drive at Snyder farm and looked over to see Noah with his eyes closed and his head resting back against the seat. After the hospital had discharged him and the police had let them leave the State with a promise to come back to LA when needed, they had stopped by Noah's apartment to pick up a few things before heading to the airportM and catching the next flight to Oakdale.
‘Just a little tired’ Noah smiled and turned his head to face Luke.
‘We'll get you to bed as soon as we get inside… oh… that is after Mikey's said hello to you’ Luke chuckled, eager to see his son again.
‘Promises… promises’ Noah chuckled lightly despite his fatigue and he reached over to squeeze Luke's thigh, his mind willing to do what his body wouldn't let him right now.
‘Now now. Remember what the doctor said… no strenuous activity’ Luke laughed as he pulled up next to a car he couldn't quite place that was parked at a crooked angle. He shrugged his shoulders, thinking nothing of it, as there were always visitors at the farm.
As they made their way to the house, with Noah leaning gratefully into Luke for support as well as to feel close to him, they could hear the shouting while they were still feet away from the porch door.
‘He's my son too and I can take him home whenever I want to!’ Luke could hear his husband yelling at the top of his voice.
Fuck! Jon! Jon was here at the farm and trying to take Mikey! He could feel the terror and the anger rising up inside him as he helped Noah move as quickly as he could through the door and into the kitchen.
As soon as they reached the kitchen the smell of alcohol coming from Jon assaulted Luke's nose and he saw his father standing protectively in between Jon and his mother, with Mikey cowering behind her legs… staring out in terror at his drunk father.
‘Daddy!’ Mikey cried out and Luke could tell from the look on his face that he wanted more than anything to rush into his arms but was frightened of getting past Jon.
At the sound of that word Jon swung around to face Luke, staggering unsteadily against the kitchen island as he missed his footing.
‘Luke! Luke… you tell them… tell them… that I can take my son!’ he slurred angrily as he spotted Noah leaning into Luke.
‘You're drunk! It's time to leave!’ Luke tried to keep his voice steady, the anger and shock building up inside him at Jon turning up here drunk thinking he could take their son.
He moved away from Noah and placed a firm hand on Jon's shoulder to propel him towards the door and away from Mikey; there was no way in hell he was gonna let Jon take their son anywhere in this condition.
‘Yes! Yes! It's time to leave… you, me and Mikey’ Jon said as he reached up and grasped Luke's hand off his shoulder and held it tight, squeezing Luke's fingers painfully. He was going to have his family back no matter what.
‘Mikey! Come on… we're leaving’ he commanded as he started to almost drag Luke towards the door.
Luke heard Mikey stifle a cry and saw Noah push himself upright from where he was leaning against the refrigerator for support, in an effort to try and reach Luke to help him.
Jon saw the movement out of the corner of his eye and swung threateningly towards Noah.
‘No! No! No!’ Luke yelled, finally snapping as his eyes flicked between Mikey, Noah and back to Jon… he was finally done with having the people that he cared for being terrified or hurt by anything or anybody and it was going to stop right now!
‘Enough Jon! You have to stop this. Enough… it's over ’ Luke demanded as he spun Jon round by his shoulder and gripped both his forearms. In an instant Luke could feel his Dad right by his shoulder, ready to help him.
Jon looked at Luke in shock, never having seen such determination in Luke’s eyes before. He gasped as he seemed to emerge from an alcoholic haze; he looked down at where Luke was gripping his arms before looking over at Mikey’s terrified face, his shoulders slumping in defeat as he realised just what he’d become and realised just what he’d lost because he was too caught up in appearances and possessions rather than what was important… until it was too late and he'd already lost Luke and Mikey.
Luke released his grip when he saw the utter defeat in Jon's eyes and in the droop of his shoulders.
‘I'm sorry Luke… so sorry’ he murmured before turning and shuffling unsteadily towards the door, a beaten man.
‘I'll go and give him a ride to the airport… I don't want him driving in that condition’ Holden said as he laid a supporting and steadying hand on Luke's shoulder before following Jon out of the door.
As soon as the door closed behind them Luke spun to face his son, his arms outstretched, beckoning Mikey towards him.
‘It's okay… it's okay baby. Daddy's got you.’ Luke murmured reassuringly into his son’s hair as he lifted him up into an enveloping hug.
‘Luke’ Luke looked up as he heard Noah's painful grunt of exertion and saw him reaching out to him and Mikey. Luke turned and stepped to meet him halfway, shifting Mikey into a one armed hold as he gently snaked his other arm around Noah's back and pulled him carefully into a shared embrace… finally letting out a shaky breath and sending up a prayer of thanks that it was all finally over and they were together…
…
Two years later
‘Well, I think we've got everything… sandwiches, crisps, chicken pieces, squash…’ Luke looked around the kitchen with a smile as he checked that everything was ready.
‘And the cake Daddy! Don't forget the cake!’ Mikey said excitedly as he pointed to the birthday cake on the kitchen counter that he'd helped decorate with candles and blue and green icing.
‘How could I forget that!’ Luke chuckled as he lifted the cake up and placed it squarely in the middle of the laid kitchen table. ‘There… perfect… everything we need for a birthday party’. It was Noah's birthday and although they were heading to the farm tomorrow for the weekend to celebrate with the rest of their family, Mikey had wanted to have a birthday celebration at home with just their little family on Noah's birthday.
‘Done… and with plenty of time to spare so why don't you go play for a bit while I go finish up in the study and I'll call you just before he gets here so we can light the candles’ Luke said, smiling down at his son, thinking how tall and grown-up he was looking.
‘Okay Daddy!’ Mikey replied with a wide smile before turning and dashing off towards his bedroom…
…
Luke sat in the study he and Noah shared together, thinking about how quickly the last two years had passed as he finished off his article on big businesses attitude to recycling and sustainable energy resources. Foster and some employees of Minegen, including members of the board and the CEO had been tried, convicted and sentenced on charges relating to corruption and mining violations that caused the tremors and the earthquake. Although Luke had lost the exclusive exposé on the truth behind the earthquakes, he’d been asked to cover the trial for The Times and that had led to him being commissioned for article after article and Noah had been reinstated at the Institute and promoted to Director of Research.
As he saved the finished article and was shutting down the laptop he looked at the screensaver and smiled widely as he saw happy faces smiling back at him on his and Noah's wedding day. Noah had never looked more handsome in his suit, with matching tie and gold embroidered waistcoat and in between him and Noah stood Mikey in a matching suit and tie, smiling proudly at the camera as he held the cushion that their wedding rings were resting on.
Luke didn't think he could ever have been happier than that day and their life together seemed to get better and better, especially now that they had… Luke's thought was cut off abruptly by the alarm he'd set on his phone beeping at him to tell him that Noah should nearly be home.
‘Mikey… he's nearly here… come get ready to light the candles’ he called out up the stairs as he headed to the kitchen, grinning widely at the thud and heavy footfall as Mikey scrambled down the stairs…
…
Noah opened the door and frowned slightly as he was greeted by the unusual sound of silence; normally when he got home the house was a hive of activity.
‘Luke?’ Noah called out as he closed the front door behind him. He shed his suit jacket and loosened his tie as he went down the hall to find out where everybody was.
‘Happy birthday!’ Luke and Mikey shouted as Noah turned the corner into the kitchen.
‘You have to blow the candles out and make a wish!’ Mikey babbled excitedly as he ran over to Noah and pulled him by the hand towards the table.
‘Okay okay!’ Noah chuckled as he swung Mikey up into his arms. ‘Will you help me?’ he just managed to get out before Mikey was already leaning forward with his lips pursed ready to blow the candles out.
‘What did you wish for?’ Mikey asked as he scrambled down from Noah's arms while Luke cut him a piece of cake.
‘I can't tell you that… it won't come true if I did!’ Noah chuckled lightly as he turned towards Luke.
‘Happy birthday baby!’ Luke said as he pulled Noah into an embrace, placing a soft kiss to his husband's lips.
Before pulling away Luke moved his mouth so it was right by Noah's ear. ‘I know what I'd wish for…’ he whispered, his hot breath sending shivers down Noah's spine as it ghosted across his sensitive earlobe. ‘… more blowing later on!’ he smirked.
Just as Noah was about to reply the baby monitor sparked to life.
‘Looks like somebody else wants to join in the celebrations too’ Luke chuckled as he pulled back, smiling widely at Noah's expression; halfway between shocked and aroused.
‘I'll go get her’ Noah murmured as he recovered from Luke's words…
…
‘Hey there little Emma’ Noah smiled down at their daughter. ‘You wanna come join the party?’ Noah asked as she reached up towards him with her small hands.
Noah reached down into the cot and gently picked her up, feeling his heart swell and the breath catch in his throat as she gurgled at him, her crystal blue eyes sparkling with delight. It never ceased to amaze him how this little girl… their daughter… could have such a hold on his heart. Luke always said that Emma's curly dark hair and her round happy face reminded him of his grandma Emma and looking at his daughter now made him wish that he had met Luke's grandma… she sounded like a very special lady.
As Noah carried Emma into the kitchen, Mikey looked up at them from his seat at the table. ‘Can I hold her please? I’ll be really careful’ he asked hopefully.
‘Sure’ Noah smiled as he knelt down in front of him and showed Mikey how to hold Emma; his hands hovering to offer support if needed.
‘You're gonna be a wonderful big brother’ Noah smiled as he watched how carefully and gently Mikey was holding Emma.
Mikey looked up at Noah, his brow furrowed in deep thought. ‘When Emma can talk… will she call you her Daddy?’ he asked.
‘I guess so… or maybe Papa or Dad. Whatever she likes best’ Noah answered, wondering where Mikey was going with this question.
Mikey looked down at his little sister and back up at Noah. ‘Can I call you daddy too?’ he asked, his eyes wide with hope.
Noah looked at Mikey with delighted surprise; they hadn’t really talked to him about what he should call Noah; content to let him do what he felt comfortable with… Jon was still his father after all.
‘I'd like that very much’ Noah smiled, feelingly his heart swell in his chest.
As Luke reached over and pressed a proud kiss to the top of Mikey's head, Noah looked up at all of them… his family… and had never been happier in his life. He didn’t need to make a wish… he’d already got everything he wished for… a family and a house full of love and laughter.
The End.
Back to master fic post
Author: Wheelie47
Rating: R - NC17 for the whole story
Pairing: Luke and OC, Luke and Noah.
Word count: 4, 544
Disclaimer: Don’t own characters, am not associated in any way with ATWT, Van and Jake. No offence intended.
Summary: Noah is a Professor at the California Institute of Seismic Research and Luke is a freelance investigative reporter...
Thank you for reading and following this story, especially to everyone that’s commented. Your comments and support are always most appreciated. I really enjoyed writing this story and I'm so glad you enjoyed it too!
‘Professor, you don't have to do this!’ Noah swallowed hard as he tried to stay calm in a situation that had rapidly spiralled out of control. As he stared down the barrel of the gun he never imagined that Foster would have gone to such extremes; this was a man that he’d looked up to… until he had found out about the corruption he would never have imagined this.
‘He's right Professor’ Luke agreed, trying to keep his voice calm and steady as he took a step closer to Foster… if he could just get closer… maybe… just maybe he could grab the gun. ‘You don't have to do this… we can work something out, we can talk to the police… tell them that you helped us. Please… it doesn't have to end like this.’ He wanted to scream at the man to make him stop pointing the gun at Noah… he'd only just found him and there was no way in hell that he was going to let someone like Foster hurt him.
‘STOP!’ Foster demanded as he swung the gun wildly in Luke's direction, making him freeze in his tracks. Luke felt the panic rising in his chest when he saw the wild almost maniacal look in Foster's eyes; he knew that there would be no reasoning with this man at all… not now… he was too far gone for that.
Noah saw his opportunity while the gun was pointed away from him and stepped closer to Foster to try and reach for the gun or grab the Professor, incensed that the Professor was now pointing the gun at his… at the man he… at Luke.
Sensing movement off to his left, Foster swung the gun back at Noah, his eyes flicking between the two of them.
‘Stop ! Just stop! I… I just need time to think… just give me time to think’ the Professor demanded. How had it come to this? All he wanted was enough money to live life the way he wanted to and to be the head of this prestigious Institute. Damn these kids for interfering, they just didn't know when to stop. Damn Minegen for going too far and mining too deeply. All of his plans were ruined and he couldn't see a way out!
The ringing of the phone on his desk momentarily distracted the Professor and, as his eyes swivelled towards the sound, everything that followed seemed to happen in slow motion.
Luke reached out and slapped Foster's arm that held the gun up and away from pointing at Noah. As his arm swung upwards Foster's finger involuntarily squeezed the trigger, sending a bullet hurtling towards Noah.
‘Noooaahhhh!’ Luke cried out, feeling like his heart had been ripped out of his chest as he saw Noah crumple to the floor; a dark red stain starting to spread across his white T-shirt.
Before his brain even realised what he was doing, Luke reached out and wrenched the gun from Foster's hand simultaneously punching him hard to the side of his face. He was crouched down at Noah's side before the Professor had even slumped to the floor; out cold from Luke's punch.
‘Luke… it hurts… hurts so much’ Noah breathed out, closing his eyes to the pain as he felt Luke's concerned fingers touch the side of his face.
‘Noah! Noah… stay with me. Please… don't do this’ Luke pleaded anxiously as he tried to stem the bleeding by gathering the material of Noah's open checked shirt and pressing it flat against the spreading bloodstain.
‘Help us! Please… help us!’ Luke yelled towards the door, hoping that Danny or somebody… anybody… had heard the gunshot or could hear his call for help as he tried to pull his phone from his pocket to dial 911 while keeping pressure on Noah's wound…
…
Luke thought he was going to lose his mind with worry, nobody was telling him anything. He'd been sat in the waiting room of the hospital for what felt like days, looking up every time somebody came passed… desperate for news of Noah.
The paramedics had let Luke ride upfront in the ambulance while they worked on Noah in the back but as soon as they pushed Noah's gurney through the ER's doors and Noah had disappeared from view, Luke had been left standing shell shocked and bewildered with Noah's blood all over him.
Damn! Why was nobody telling him anything?! Were they still working on Noah? Or was it already too late and Noah had gone and he’d never had the chance or the guts to tell Noah that he… that he loved him. That realisation was just too much… was too overwhelming for him to bear and he felt himself falling apart. His chest heaved in deep wracking sobs and he lent forward to rest his elbows on his knees, covering his face with his hands… unable to stop the tears from coming.
He startled at the soft touch of a gentle hand laid soothingly on his shoulder. He looked up into the kindly eyes of a nurse that he'd never even noticed approaching him.
‘Luke? Luke Snyder?’ she asked gently, as she sat down beside him.
‘Yes… I… that's me’ Luke finally managed to gasp out as he tried to steady his breathing; fearful of what the nurse had come to tell him.
‘Noah's awake.’ she smiled as she saw the complete and utter look of relief flood across his face, tears of joy replacing tears of despair. ‘He's been asking for you.’
She put a gentle restraining hand on Luke’s forearm as he rose from the seat, eager to see with his own eyes that Noah really was okay. ‘The police are with him now. I'll come get you when they're done’ she explained as she patted Luke's hand gently before standing and walking away…
…
Luke quietly closed the door to Noah's hospital room behind him when he was finally allowed in to see him. He gasped in shock when he saw Noah’s pale and drawn face as his head rested back against the pillows of the narrow hospital bed, his eyes firmly closed. For a moment Luke stood stock still by the door fearfully watching for the rise and fall of Noah's chest as he breathed in and out, reassuring himself that Noah was only sleeping.
After a moment's hesitation, unsure if he should just leave Noah to rest and come back later, Luke took silent steps towards the bed, deciding that he would just sit quietly next to the side of Noah's bed until he woke up. He just felt the need to be close to Noah; the rhythmic sound of Noah's breathing seemed to comfort him… to ground him.
As he watched Noah sleeping Luke couldn't resist reaching out and tracing gentle fingertips down the side of Noah’s face, from just above his eyebrow down along his cheekbone to the dark dusting of stubble along his jaw.
‘Hey’ Noah murmured as his eyelids fluttered open at the feather light touch and he saw Luke's concerned hazel eyes staring down at him.
‘Hey yourself’ Luke replied, his voice husky and raw with emotion. ‘How are you feeling… are you okay?’ he asked, his fingers still stroking the side of Noah's face.
Noah nodded slowly. ‘Yeah… they said it's just a surface wound, the bullet didn't hit anything major…’ he said reassuringly, seeing the doubt and worry in Luke's eyes. He reached up to stroke his fingers through Luke's blonde hair but succeeded in only getting halfway before he grimaced as a wave of pain rolled over him.
‘Hey… take it easy’ Luke said in panic as he saw the pain etched on Noah's face, ‘are you sure you're really okay’ he asked as he jumped to his feet, ready to go get help.
‘Yeah’ Noah smiled weakly as the pain subsided. ‘Please Luke, don't worry… I'm gonna be fine. Please… just sit back down… closer’ he reassured as he patted his hand on the mattress beside him.
Luke hesitated for a moment, not wanting to risk hurting Noah but the pleading look in Noah's eyes and the need to be closer to him made Luke ease gently down onto the bed, intertwining his fingers with Noah’s and rubbing the pad of his thumb gently over the sensitive skin between Noah's thumb and finger.
Noah closed his eyes and laid his head back against the pillow, concentrating on the soothing touch of Luke's fingers.
‘Did the cops give you a hard time?’ Luke asked softly as he saw the exhaustion plain across Noah's face.
‘Probably no more than they gave you’ Noah replied, a yawn ended his sentence as he felt the exhaustion and the pain meds making him drowsy again.
‘Yeah. They chewed me out… saying that we should have gone straight to them instead of acting like some latter-day Hardy boys!’ Luke chuckled lightly despite the situation as he remembered Detective Garcia's stern reprimand when they came to question Luke while he was in the hospital waiting room. ‘They arrested Foster and have taken all the files and my article from his office’
‘And then they'll go after Minegen?’ Noah asked sleepily.
‘I guess so. It's out of our hands now Noah… we need to concentrate on getting you better’ Luke replied as he released Noah's hand and moved his fingers to trace a path along the inside of Noah's forearm. As far as he was concerned the police could handle everything from now on; the most important thing to him now was making sure that Noah was going to be okay. He shuddered involuntarily at the image of Noah lying on the floor of Foster's office and the terrifying thought of what might have been if the gun had gone off just seconds before.
Noah felt the tremble in Luke's fingers where they rested on his arm and he cracked open his eyes to look up at Luke and was shocked to see the haunted expression in Luke's eyes. ‘I'm okay Luke… really’ he reassured him as he reached out to cover Luke's hand with his own. ‘The doctor said I just need time to rest and heal… and I'll be fine’
‘Rest... huh?' Luke said with a small smile as he blinked away the shocking image and thoughts, concentrating instead on the warmth of Noah's hand on his. 'Well... if it's rest you need… I know just the place… and a little boy about this big…’ Luke gestured with his free hand to indicate Mikey's height, ‘… who'd love to see you.’
Noah's eyes widened slightly and he felt his heart swell in his chest at the thought of spending time at the farm with Luke and his son. He wondered with hopeful anticipation about what that could mean for him and for Luke… he hardly dared let himself hope that Luke wanted him to be a part of his family.
‘I'd like that’ Noah answered simply with a wide smile, trying to concentrate on the here and now instead of dreaming about the future. He wouldn't pressurise Luke… he would wait for him… wait for as long as was needed.
‘Good’ Luke replied with an equally wide smile before leaning forward and pressing a soft kiss to Noah's forehead.
As Luke sat back and saw the tired but happy to be alive right here right now expression on Noah's face he felt the desperate and urgent need to tell Noah exactly how he felt… knowing just how close he’d come to losing him.
‘Noah… I’ Luke started.
Noah looked up straight into Luke's eyes and felt his heart lurch, fearing what Luke was about to tell him.
‘I realised something today Noah, when you were lying bleeding… and… I…’ Luke stumbled over his words, suddenly hesitant over making such a commitment again but he was urged on by the intense look in Noah's eyes. ‘… and I thought that I might lose you… I… I realised that… I love you and I'm sorry but I should have told you that before… it's just that I…’
Noah silenced Luke with a squeeze of his hand, telling him that he knew… that he understood… because he felt the same; his heart surged at such honesty… such trust. ‘I love you too. I wanted to tell you how I felt that first morning… back at the farm. I really wanted to Luke… but I thought it might be too soon and you'd freak out. I wish I had now’ Noah smiled with a hint of regret before gently bringing Luke's hand to his mouth, turning it so he could kiss the open palm; his smile widening at the anticipation of their future together.
Luke cupped Noah's cheek soothing his thumb over the prominent cheekbone, smiling gently with relief that they had now both admitted how they felt. His smile widened as he watched Noah try to stifle a yawn and to fight his heavy eyelids from closing.
‘Don't fight it Noah. Get some rest. I'll be here when you wake up’ he whispered softly as he pressed a kiss to the side of Noah's mouth. His heart screamed at him to ease down beside Noah on the cramped and uncomfortable hospital bed… to feel the comfort and warmth of Noah next to him… very much alive, but his head told him that there really wasn't enough room and he didn't want to hurt Noah so he reluctantly contented himself with just sitting on the edge of the bed and holding Noah's hand as he watched him drift off into a grateful sleep…
…
‘Are you okay?’ Luke asked as he pulled into the long drive at Snyder farm and looked over to see Noah with his eyes closed and his head resting back against the seat. After the hospital had discharged him and the police had let them leave the State with a promise to come back to LA when needed, they had stopped by Noah's apartment to pick up a few things before heading to the airportM and catching the next flight to Oakdale.
‘Just a little tired’ Noah smiled and turned his head to face Luke.
‘We'll get you to bed as soon as we get inside… oh… that is after Mikey's said hello to you’ Luke chuckled, eager to see his son again.
‘Promises… promises’ Noah chuckled lightly despite his fatigue and he reached over to squeeze Luke's thigh, his mind willing to do what his body wouldn't let him right now.
‘Now now. Remember what the doctor said… no strenuous activity’ Luke laughed as he pulled up next to a car he couldn't quite place that was parked at a crooked angle. He shrugged his shoulders, thinking nothing of it, as there were always visitors at the farm.
As they made their way to the house, with Noah leaning gratefully into Luke for support as well as to feel close to him, they could hear the shouting while they were still feet away from the porch door.
‘He's my son too and I can take him home whenever I want to!’ Luke could hear his husband yelling at the top of his voice.
Fuck! Jon! Jon was here at the farm and trying to take Mikey! He could feel the terror and the anger rising up inside him as he helped Noah move as quickly as he could through the door and into the kitchen.
As soon as they reached the kitchen the smell of alcohol coming from Jon assaulted Luke's nose and he saw his father standing protectively in between Jon and his mother, with Mikey cowering behind her legs… staring out in terror at his drunk father.
‘Daddy!’ Mikey cried out and Luke could tell from the look on his face that he wanted more than anything to rush into his arms but was frightened of getting past Jon.
At the sound of that word Jon swung around to face Luke, staggering unsteadily against the kitchen island as he missed his footing.
‘Luke! Luke… you tell them… tell them… that I can take my son!’ he slurred angrily as he spotted Noah leaning into Luke.
‘You're drunk! It's time to leave!’ Luke tried to keep his voice steady, the anger and shock building up inside him at Jon turning up here drunk thinking he could take their son.
He moved away from Noah and placed a firm hand on Jon's shoulder to propel him towards the door and away from Mikey; there was no way in hell he was gonna let Jon take their son anywhere in this condition.
‘Yes! Yes! It's time to leave… you, me and Mikey’ Jon said as he reached up and grasped Luke's hand off his shoulder and held it tight, squeezing Luke's fingers painfully. He was going to have his family back no matter what.
‘Mikey! Come on… we're leaving’ he commanded as he started to almost drag Luke towards the door.
Luke heard Mikey stifle a cry and saw Noah push himself upright from where he was leaning against the refrigerator for support, in an effort to try and reach Luke to help him.
Jon saw the movement out of the corner of his eye and swung threateningly towards Noah.
‘No! No! No!’ Luke yelled, finally snapping as his eyes flicked between Mikey, Noah and back to Jon… he was finally done with having the people that he cared for being terrified or hurt by anything or anybody and it was going to stop right now!
‘Enough Jon! You have to stop this. Enough… it's over ’ Luke demanded as he spun Jon round by his shoulder and gripped both his forearms. In an instant Luke could feel his Dad right by his shoulder, ready to help him.
Jon looked at Luke in shock, never having seen such determination in Luke’s eyes before. He gasped as he seemed to emerge from an alcoholic haze; he looked down at where Luke was gripping his arms before looking over at Mikey’s terrified face, his shoulders slumping in defeat as he realised just what he’d become and realised just what he’d lost because he was too caught up in appearances and possessions rather than what was important… until it was too late and he'd already lost Luke and Mikey.
Luke released his grip when he saw the utter defeat in Jon's eyes and in the droop of his shoulders.
‘I'm sorry Luke… so sorry’ he murmured before turning and shuffling unsteadily towards the door, a beaten man.
‘I'll go and give him a ride to the airport… I don't want him driving in that condition’ Holden said as he laid a supporting and steadying hand on Luke's shoulder before following Jon out of the door.
As soon as the door closed behind them Luke spun to face his son, his arms outstretched, beckoning Mikey towards him.
‘It's okay… it's okay baby. Daddy's got you.’ Luke murmured reassuringly into his son’s hair as he lifted him up into an enveloping hug.
‘Luke’ Luke looked up as he heard Noah's painful grunt of exertion and saw him reaching out to him and Mikey. Luke turned and stepped to meet him halfway, shifting Mikey into a one armed hold as he gently snaked his other arm around Noah's back and pulled him carefully into a shared embrace… finally letting out a shaky breath and sending up a prayer of thanks that it was all finally over and they were together…
…
Two years later
‘Well, I think we've got everything… sandwiches, crisps, chicken pieces, squash…’ Luke looked around the kitchen with a smile as he checked that everything was ready.
‘And the cake Daddy! Don't forget the cake!’ Mikey said excitedly as he pointed to the birthday cake on the kitchen counter that he'd helped decorate with candles and blue and green icing.
‘How could I forget that!’ Luke chuckled as he lifted the cake up and placed it squarely in the middle of the laid kitchen table. ‘There… perfect… everything we need for a birthday party’. It was Noah's birthday and although they were heading to the farm tomorrow for the weekend to celebrate with the rest of their family, Mikey had wanted to have a birthday celebration at home with just their little family on Noah's birthday.
‘Done… and with plenty of time to spare so why don't you go play for a bit while I go finish up in the study and I'll call you just before he gets here so we can light the candles’ Luke said, smiling down at his son, thinking how tall and grown-up he was looking.
‘Okay Daddy!’ Mikey replied with a wide smile before turning and dashing off towards his bedroom…
…
Luke sat in the study he and Noah shared together, thinking about how quickly the last two years had passed as he finished off his article on big businesses attitude to recycling and sustainable energy resources. Foster and some employees of Minegen, including members of the board and the CEO had been tried, convicted and sentenced on charges relating to corruption and mining violations that caused the tremors and the earthquake. Although Luke had lost the exclusive exposé on the truth behind the earthquakes, he’d been asked to cover the trial for The Times and that had led to him being commissioned for article after article and Noah had been reinstated at the Institute and promoted to Director of Research.
As he saved the finished article and was shutting down the laptop he looked at the screensaver and smiled widely as he saw happy faces smiling back at him on his and Noah's wedding day. Noah had never looked more handsome in his suit, with matching tie and gold embroidered waistcoat and in between him and Noah stood Mikey in a matching suit and tie, smiling proudly at the camera as he held the cushion that their wedding rings were resting on.
Luke didn't think he could ever have been happier than that day and their life together seemed to get better and better, especially now that they had… Luke's thought was cut off abruptly by the alarm he'd set on his phone beeping at him to tell him that Noah should nearly be home.
‘Mikey… he's nearly here… come get ready to light the candles’ he called out up the stairs as he headed to the kitchen, grinning widely at the thud and heavy footfall as Mikey scrambled down the stairs…
…
Noah opened the door and frowned slightly as he was greeted by the unusual sound of silence; normally when he got home the house was a hive of activity.
‘Luke?’ Noah called out as he closed the front door behind him. He shed his suit jacket and loosened his tie as he went down the hall to find out where everybody was.
‘Happy birthday!’ Luke and Mikey shouted as Noah turned the corner into the kitchen.
‘You have to blow the candles out and make a wish!’ Mikey babbled excitedly as he ran over to Noah and pulled him by the hand towards the table.
‘Okay okay!’ Noah chuckled as he swung Mikey up into his arms. ‘Will you help me?’ he just managed to get out before Mikey was already leaning forward with his lips pursed ready to blow the candles out.
‘What did you wish for?’ Mikey asked as he scrambled down from Noah's arms while Luke cut him a piece of cake.
‘I can't tell you that… it won't come true if I did!’ Noah chuckled lightly as he turned towards Luke.
‘Happy birthday baby!’ Luke said as he pulled Noah into an embrace, placing a soft kiss to his husband's lips.
Before pulling away Luke moved his mouth so it was right by Noah's ear. ‘I know what I'd wish for…’ he whispered, his hot breath sending shivers down Noah's spine as it ghosted across his sensitive earlobe. ‘… more blowing later on!’ he smirked.
Just as Noah was about to reply the baby monitor sparked to life.
‘Looks like somebody else wants to join in the celebrations too’ Luke chuckled as he pulled back, smiling widely at Noah's expression; halfway between shocked and aroused.
‘I'll go get her’ Noah murmured as he recovered from Luke's words…
…
‘Hey there little Emma’ Noah smiled down at their daughter. ‘You wanna come join the party?’ Noah asked as she reached up towards him with her small hands.
Noah reached down into the cot and gently picked her up, feeling his heart swell and the breath catch in his throat as she gurgled at him, her crystal blue eyes sparkling with delight. It never ceased to amaze him how this little girl… their daughter… could have such a hold on his heart. Luke always said that Emma's curly dark hair and her round happy face reminded him of his grandma Emma and looking at his daughter now made him wish that he had met Luke's grandma… she sounded like a very special lady.
As Noah carried Emma into the kitchen, Mikey looked up at them from his seat at the table. ‘Can I hold her please? I’ll be really careful’ he asked hopefully.
‘Sure’ Noah smiled as he knelt down in front of him and showed Mikey how to hold Emma; his hands hovering to offer support if needed.
‘You're gonna be a wonderful big brother’ Noah smiled as he watched how carefully and gently Mikey was holding Emma.
Mikey looked up at Noah, his brow furrowed in deep thought. ‘When Emma can talk… will she call you her Daddy?’ he asked.
‘I guess so… or maybe Papa or Dad. Whatever she likes best’ Noah answered, wondering where Mikey was going with this question.
Mikey looked down at his little sister and back up at Noah. ‘Can I call you daddy too?’ he asked, his eyes wide with hope.
Noah looked at Mikey with delighted surprise; they hadn’t really talked to him about what he should call Noah; content to let him do what he felt comfortable with… Jon was still his father after all.
‘I'd like that very much’ Noah smiled, feelingly his heart swell in his chest.
As Luke reached over and pressed a proud kiss to the top of Mikey's head, Noah looked up at all of them… his family… and had never been happier in his life. He didn’t need to make a wish… he’d already got everything he wished for… a family and a house full of love and laughter.
The End.
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