Sins of the Father

By Carolina Blue

A/N: And here we are, my dears. This is the very last little bit of "Sins of the Father." Thanks to everyone for reading and/or feedbacking, I really appreciated it and it definitely helped me write. Vielen dank!

And fear not (if you were fearing), because a sequel is being planned. Also dark and angsty, of course, sorry. But hopefully just as fun as this was to write. And I've still got "Growing Up Mayer" to work on, and any other one-shots that creep my way. So I'll be seeing y'all soon!

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SINS OF THE FATHER – EPILOGUE

Two months later…

He heard Noah's voice before he saw him. Saw them. When Lily had told him where Noah was with a dizzily happy smile on her face, Luke should have known he'd find something like this.

"Stay really still," Noah was whispering. "Here they come, here they come." He was kneeling on the ground and resting back on his heels, one arm around Ethan who was leaning into his lap. Both of them held torn up pieces of bread in their outstretched hands, and Ethan watched with cartoon-wide eyes as a family of ducks hopped out of the pond and came towards them. Of course they reached Noah's long arm first, and Ethan almost gasped as the little fuzzball ducklings ate right out of Noah's hand.

Luke stayed where he was, a few yards away, content to watch and grin unabashedly. "Will they bite?" he heard his little brother ask, suddenly timid in the presence of the dozen birds quacking in front of him.

"No, no, you just have to be nice to them," Noah answered calmly, smiling. "You wouldn't like it if some crazy giant threw peanut butter and jelly sandwiches at your face, would you?" The arm wrapped around Ethan reached in to tickle at him.

Ethan giggled, not bothering to squirm away. "Noah!" he admonished. "You promised I could feed them!"

"Okay, okay, you're right," Noah was properly contrite, and he gently eased Ethan up and forward until they were both kneeling on the ground next to the ducks, dropping bits and pieces of bread for them. They continued for some time while talking too quietly for Luke to hear what they were saying, though occasionally he could make out their laughter (and more than once his own name spoken between them). When the ducks finally slid back into the pond and swam away, and after Noah obeyed Ethan's command to wave goodbye to them, Luke stepped forward, coming up to stand right behind his boyfriend, knees pressing lightly into his back. Noah tilted his head upwards with an embarrassed smile, so Luke bent down to give him a quick upside down kiss.

"Luke!" Ethan cried out excitedly.

Luke settled down onto the grass next to Noah, shoulder to shoulder. "Howdy, sheriff," he answered. Ethan was going through a Western phase. Luke couldn't say for sure, but he thought it had something to do with all the episodes of The Lone Ranger Noah and Holden had gotten Ethan to watch recently.

"We fed ducks!" Ethan said in the same jubilant (and loud) tone.

"I saw!" Luke tried to match his voice. Ethan didn't notice, but Noah suddenly went through a coughing fit trying to hide his laughter. Luke rubbed his back while he caught his breath and turned back to his little brother. "Speaking of fed, I think Mom has some lunch for you, buddy. You want to head on back to the house?"

"Okay!" Ethan jumped back up to his feet and took a few steps down the path before turning expectantly back to them. "Noah, are you coming?"

"Oh," Noah looked surprised, and was about to get to his feet when Luke stopped him by putting an arm around his shoulders.

"Sorry Ethan, Noah's going to show me how to feed the ducks for a little while now, okay?" Luke grinned when Noah had to choke down another laugh.

"Okay!" Ethan said again and, with a cheery wave, scurried off back to the farmhouse. Leaving Luke and Noah alone at the pond.

Noah shook his head. "I really hope that's not your new code for sex. 'Cause that's just disturbing."

Luke leaned over and kissed him quickly before smirking. "Better or worse than ice cream?"

Noah laughed again, though it ended with another coughing fit. Luke rubbed at his back again, waiting for it to subside. He had learned in the past two months that 'happily ever after' didn't come without its little setbacks. Case in point: Noah's pneumonia. Not eating properly (a.k.a. 'hardly at all') those first few days out the hospital, and that one day getting caught out in the rain, had lead to a resurgence of the illness. Not as serious as it had been the first time, Luke had to admit, but enough to knock Noah off his feet for awhile longer. And while no one had been really happy about that (least of all Noah), always having Noah near a bed hadn't been the most annoying thing the universe had ever thrown at them.

Noah cleared his throat one last time, bringing Luke back to the present as he leaned his head down onto Luke's shoulder with a contented sigh. Luke readjusted his arm so it wrapped around Noah's waist, pulling him that much closer. Together they sat watching Noah's ducks swim around Snyder pond. "How's today going for you?" he asked, rubbing his cheek slightly into the soft dark hair.

"Better than yesterday," Noah completed the ritual. Luke could almost feel him smiling. "I'm… I'm really happy, Luke."

His heart thumped heavily in his chest, and for a second Luke had to try to catch his own breath. With everything that had happened in the past two and a half months… Luke had at one time been afraid he'd never hear those words from his boyfriend. "Me too," he whispered hoarsely.

Noah turned his head up to look questioningly at Luke, hearing the hitch in his tone, but before he could say anything Luke had twisted around to capture Noah's mouth with his. To his credit, Noah was shocked for barely a second before responding. He leaned back, pulling Luke down until they were lying on the bank of the pond together, never breaking contact. A part of Luke just wanted to rip all their clothes off right then and there, but he knew there'd be time for that later. Right now, he just wanted to enjoy the moment. He kept the kisses slow, gentle and deep, his hands staying tangled in Noah's hair. Noah was apparently of the same mind, his hands supporting Luke's body but not boldly exploring. They had all the time in the world…

Who knows how long (or how far) this would have gone on, but soon enough the boys heard the familiar sounds of running feet and giggling. They broke apart and sat back up in just enough time as three girls- Sage must have come early to visit Jack- burst into the clearing by the pond and headed for the water. "Hi Luke! Hi Noah!" they called out, echoing each other and still laughing before jumping in.

Luke waved with a slightly fake smile on his face. "Never fails," he groaned quietly to Noah. "Privacy is definitely not a word in the Snyder Vocabulary."

As always, Noah just grinned when Luke pouted. "Then I guess it's a good thing we've got our own vocabulary." He bumped Luke's shoulder with his own. "It's not like we get interrupted that often anymore anyway."

Luke couldn't help but return the grin. They had finally- finally- moved into their apartment a month ago and, for someone who couldn't sit still for more than thirty seconds, Luke had pretty much fallen in love with domesticity. Grocery shopping, doing the dishes, making breakfast in the morning- okay, watching Noah make breakfast in the morning- Luke was soaking it all up. Because as scary as it was taking this next step, sharing a room and a life with someone else, it was also amazing.

Being with Noah every day didn't get boring, because every day he got the chance to learn something new. Like how Noah mumbled his notes out loud under his breath when he was studying late at night. How he was fluent in friggin' Japanese. How he had learned to surf when he was fourteen but hadn't lived near an ocean since. How he made shopping lists for every shopping trip, no matter how small or trivial. How he had to have two pillows, tucking his hand between them while he slept. How he hung up every picture Natalie or Ethan drew for them, no matter how crazy the drawing was. They'd been there a month, and their fridge was already covered. They had moved on to tacking the papers up on the pantry door.

Luke liked what he was learning about himself too. Maybe it was everything that had happened, maybe it was Noah's influence, or maybe he was just growing up, but the stupid, trivial stuff that used to upset him no longer mattered as much. He couldn't honestly say he kept track, but he was pretty sure he wasn't picking as many silly fights as he used to. They weren't fully mature adults just yet- the boxes of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles fruit snacks in the pantry proved that- but they were on their way. And it felt awesome. Also awesome? Not having to say goodbye to each other at the end of the night. Now they only ever had to say good morning.

More noises from all around once again shook Luke out of his thoughts. He glanced back the way of the farmhouse, hearing the sounds of cars pulling up, doors opening and closing, and lots more voices. Including a particular group of voices that Luke had been waiting for. He looked back at Noah, who was watching the girls playing in the pond with a smile on his face. He drank in the sight for just a few seconds more before squeezing Noah's waist a little tighter. "Sounds like people are arriving. You might want to get back to the house with me to greet your guests."

Noah glanced at Luke and shook his head. His smile turned shyer. "They're not my guests." He rose to his feet, holding his hand out to help Luke up too.

Luke managed not to shake his own head, smirking with more than a little exasperation. Some things, he was learning, would probably never change. "Actually, there's at least two people here who actually are, so, um…" He glanced up and away innocently, just this side of whistling a tune and twiddling his thumbs.

Noah's eyes immediately narrowed as they headed back towards the house. "Luuuuuke," he drew the name out suspiciously. "What's going on?"

Luke made sure his own eyes were wide and innocent. "What do you mean? It's a Snyder family picnic! I just invited a few more people who have, you know, recently become honorary members of the family. That's all."

Noah was smirking now too. "That's all. Really."

"Really," Luke had never realized how high pitched his own voice could get. They made it through the path and stepped out of the tree line, and Luke had to work harder than he ever had in his life to keep up his innocent expression. Especially when Noah caught sight of who had just arrived and turned to stare at Luke. "What?"

Noah mock-glared. "I didn't know Dr. Weston was coming to the picnic today."

"I didn't tell you?" Don't smile, don't smile, don't smile.

Noah brought both of them to a standstill, hands on both of Luke's shoulders. "You're setting them up. You're setting up Dr. Weston and Lucinda."

Luke nodded excitedly, giving up all pretense of cool innocence, holding onto Noah's hands. "It's gonna happen today. They're perfect for each other, and they'll both be here. And Sarah promised to help."

"Sarah?" Noah looked up again, just as Sarah got out of her own car. She was soon followed by two more people Noah and the Snyders had gotten to know recently, Sarah's husband Danny and her daughter Grace. Grace, her bathing suit evident under an oversized t-shirt, immediately ran off to the pond in search of Faith, Sage, and Natalie, while Danny and Sarah were already engaged in conversation with Katie, Margo, and Tom.

Okay, Luke had to amend, it wasn't really just a Snyder family picnic. It was an Everybody family picnic. Everybody who had come together to help the Snyders in the last few months was here today to celebrate. Oakdale had gone about a week without any major terrifying incident, and the Snyder family felt like commemorating the occasion. There were dozens of people milling around the yard, and even more still arriving.

He realized Noah was still staring at him, so Luke tried to widen his smile and use his own puppy-dog eyes. A few seconds ticked away, and then Luke could actually see the moment Noah melted under the stare. "Come on, you're not mad at me or anything, are you?" he even went so far as to stick out his bottom lip for effect.

Noah sighed ruefully, taking Luke's hand in his and linking their fingers together tightly. "My boyfriend is trying to set up his grandmother with my therapist. What could possibly be weird about that?" he asked under his breath as they joined the party. Luke grinned lovingly at him, and would have replied if a tiny dark-haired ball of fury had not attacked them right then. Noah had no time to react as someone grabbed him fiercely and hugged him, his hand accidentally slipping from Luke's. "What-?"

Luke's eyes widened as Noah panicked, but a second later both of them were smiling as the girl that was wrapped around Noah turned to Luke without letting him go. "God, you two. Have you ever heard of a friggin' phone? Do you have any idea how worried I've been, about both of you? You can't call me and tell me you're okay, I have to hear about it from Henry? What is wrong with you?"

"Hi Maddie," they chorused together, looking appropriately sheepish. Luke stepped closer so he could take Noah's outstretched hand back in his, gripping it tightly. Noah smiled over Maddie's head at him, silently reassuring that he was okay.

Maddie turned back to Noah, holding his face, studying him seriously. "I could have been here, you know. I would have wanted to be," she told him firmly. He nodded, smiling a little. She continued, looking back and forth between them sternly. "Now. There is never going to be a next time. But. If there is, I better be on speed dial, got it?"

"Yes Maddie," they answered together again.

Maddie smiled then, hugging Noah tighter briefly before letting go and hugging Luke. "Well, considering both of my ex-boyfriends are here with their current boyfriend or girlfriend, I think I'm going to go see if your mom needs help with anything in the kitchen."

Luke hugged her back happily. This was the Maddie he knew and loved. That whole debacle from Christmas and New Years was completely forgotten and in the past, almost like it had been a whole other person. "Wow Madds, way to perpetuate the female stereotype."

She smacked him on the arm. "Whatever, Gay Boy. Like you and Noah haven't been keeping up the gay stereotype of being sex-crazed." The bright red blush on both their faces was her answer there. She grinned triumphantly as she headed into the house.

As soon as she was inside, Casey popped up behind Noah's shoulder. "Is she gone?"

Noah chuckled while Luke just shook his head. "Casey. Don't tell me you're scared of a girl who's barely over five feet tall."

Casey grinned. "Ah, not just any girl who's barely over five feet tall. Those, not so much. Maddie? A whole lot."

"Wuss," Luke teased.

"Hey, I'm not a wuss!" Casey protested. "I laugh in the face of danger…" he shrugged. "Then I hide until it goes away." He grabbed both Luke and Noah by their arms and started dragging them over to where the barbeque was set up. "Come on, let's go eat!"

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Holden stood off to the side, taking in the masses in front of him. It was a family picnic for the ages, that was for sure. Nearby were Brad, Katie, Henry, and Vienna joking around as they ate, Katie with one hand resting against her slightly growing stomach. Jack, Dallas, Tom, and just-arrived Aaron (who, like Maddie, had been upset that he hadn't been called) were getting into an animated discussion about football nearby, while Janet, Liberty, and Jade were sitting with Meg and fawning over little baby Eliza.

Marcus and Bob were telling some old (very old, according to them) story to a captive audience of Kim, Susan, Emma, and Sarah. Sarah's husband Danny was currently entertaining Ethan, Natalie, and Sage. The other two girls, Faith and Grace, were in the middle of an argument with Parker that Holden had no hope of following, though he was sure it had something to do with one band being better than another. He had tuned it out when 'MTV' had been mentioned, as most men his age tended to do.

Lucinda, Dusty, and Margo were chatting at another table about some update in the Worldwide business, though Holden noticed that Lucinda cast several glances over to where Noah's therapist was sitting. He saved that thought to ponder on a rainy day. Alison and Maddie passed him as they went to get seconds at the barbeque, leaving Casey, Hunter, and Noah sitting at their own table, joking and laughing lightly. Holden couldn't describe how happy and relieved he was to see Noah smiling again. He watched him for a moment, and was startled when a pair of arms wrapped around his waist from behind.

"It's certainly a full house today, isn't it?" Lily commented as she and Luke joined Holden.

"Certainly is," he answered, shifting to put one of his own arms around his wife. "Wouldn't miss it for the world."

Luke raised his eyebrows. "And definitely not for a trip to Kentucky?" he asked knowingly.

Holden shrugged. "I decided not to go this year, it's no big deal. There'll be other horse shows. My place is here right now." Staying to help take care of Noah through the trials and the resurgence of pneumonia definitely took precedence over Kentucky. And it had nothing to do with-

"And it has nothing to do with Damian?" Luke literally echoed his thoughts. If Holden wasn't convinced they were father-and-son before, he definitely was now.

Damian had suddenly reappeared in their lives nearly two months ago, just before the trials for Colonel Mayer and Alan had begun. Both Luke and Holden had immediately tried to kick him out of town, but the man refused to go. He wanted to make amends, he wanted to start over and get to know his son. He even went so far as to appeal to Noah and try to bond with his son's boyfriend to show how much he had changed. It had taken some persuasion on both Noah and Lily's part to get Luke to come around, but gradually over the past two weeks Luke had met with his biological father, even going so far as to admit that yes, maybe he had changed. Luke was on his way to making peace with Damian, but was nowhere near letting down his guard just yet.

And if it were up to Holden, the Maltese jackass would be quickest flight back to Europe. He had never trusted Damian and he never would. Luckily he hadn't had to think about the man that much, as at the time most of the family was preoccupied with the trials and helping Noah fight off the pneumonia. But now… now Holden's worry was growing to encompass the whole family. If Damian was up to something, he wasn't going to let any of them get hurt.

He shook himself free of those thoughts when Lily kissed him, calming him. She smiled, probably knowing what he was thinking about. Luke was grinning more than a little smugly too. Holden shrugged. "Well, he certainly never helps a situation. But we're not going to think about him today, are we? Today is about family. Our family."

"Our family plus twenty," Luke pointed out cheekily, turning back to the buffet table in front of them to load up another plate for him and Noah.

"Noah's eating enough now, right?" Lily asked, trying to keep the mothering tone out of her voice, obviously making sure Luke was putting vegetables and protein on the plate and not just Emma's sweets.

Luke rolled his eyes a little anyway. "Yes, Mother Dearest. He's doing a lot better. Still coughs a little, but otherwise he's fine. He's already obsessing about his senior project, so I think he's about as 'Noah' as Noah can be."

"And I'm glad for it," Lily replied immediately. "Has he gotten everything figured out with that yet?" They had all been so happy that Noah wanted to go back to school in the fall, even more happy to hear that he had been accepted into the Honor's Program.

Luke nodded exasperatedly. "Of course he has. He's got everything organized and planned down to the minute and second-"

"He's not pushing himself too hard already, is he?" Holden had to ask, eyes straying back to the table where Noah and Hunter were laughing at something Casey said.

Luke just barely managed to not roll his eyes this time. "Come on guys, it's Noah. I'd be more worried if he wasn't being OCD about all of it." He smiled cheerfully, kissing his mom on the cheek. "Save your worry for whenever the next catastrophic event happens."

"Oh God, don't say that," Lily teased. "You'll jinx us for sure now." Luke just laughed at her.

Holden shook his head, chuckling. "Whatever it ends up being," he said, glancing around at his crazy, messy, completely loving family, "we can handle it."

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"Seriously Casey. You have to watch it. It's really kinda awesome," Hunter said as though he were testing out new vocabulary. He had loosened up a lot around the friends, but there were still some things that came very awkwardly to him. Like using the word 'kinda.'

"It is?" Casey looked back and forth between them skeptically. "I mean, I don't mean to doubt you, but a forty-five minute musical starring Doogie Howser? I mean, sure he was awesome in Harold and Kumar, but I don't know…"

"You'll love it, trust me," Noah insisted, nodding so enthusiastically that it looked like it might hurt his neck, a big grin on his face.

"Alright dude, I trust you. But just so you know, I'm not going to have a whole lot of time on my hands starting in a few weeks," Casey began proudly, winding up to proclaiming his big news.

"Why not?" Noah asked, frowning slightly. "Did you get a new job, or… are you working more at the hospital?"

Casey shrugged way too casually. "Oh, I had to quit the hospital job. I don't think I'll be able to do that and all my homework, so-"

"You're going back to school?" Noah's smile returned. "What? When did this happen?"

"A few days ago," Casey let the smile grow on his own face now, happy to share the news. "Got the letter from the Dean, and I get to pick out my classes this week." He shook his head, embarrassed. "You should have seen my mom. She went nuts. Had this big ol' family surprise party and everything."

"That's awesome, Casey. It really is," Noah told him. "I'm sorry we couldn't be at the party-"

"Dude, hey," Casey waved him off. "Seriously, I think you pretty much have enough good excuses to last the next six eternities. Don't worry about it." He started to grin again. "Besides, you're going to make it up to me."

Noah's eyes narrowed suspiciously. "How?" He had visions of Casey trying to get him to do his homework for him or something, maybe playing pranks on teachers.

But Casey just punched him in the shoulder. "Think about it, Noah! We're the only two people here that are in college! We're going to have to be study and drinking buddies! It's going to be epic!"

Noah shook his head, unable to fight off a smile at Casey's antics. He looked to Hunter for help, but Hunter was busy staring at something behind Noah's shoulder. Noah turned to see Maddie talking to Henry and Brad. He looked back at Hunter. "Hunter? You okay over there?"

Hunter jumped a little, startled at being caught staring. "No. No, I, uh, just…" he heaved a giant, dramatic sigh. "I may have… embarrassed myself in front of Maddie earlier."

Casey put a hand to his heart, feigning surprise. "You? No!"

Hunter nodded, taking Casey seriously. "I did. I did. It's just… This may come as a shock, but I'm actually… not very good at talking to girls."

Noah managed to keep a straight and stoic face. "Why, is there someone you are good at talking to?"

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Luke was at the sink, simultaneously washing dishes and spying on his boyfriend outside when he heard someone else enter the kitchen. He turned and smiled warmly as Dr. Weston came to stand next to him, leaning a little against the counter. "Hi Dr. Weston."

"Hi Luke. How's the apartment?" Marcus asked, the tiniest bit of a knowing smile on his face.

Luke found himself blushing just a little. He had no idea what Noah and Marcus talked about in their weekly sessions. Somehow, it being Noah and all, he doubted they talked about his sex life… but there was a possibility, wasn't there? He cleared his throat, glancing back out the window to where the boyfriend in question was talking with Lucinda and Vienna. Well. That was an interesting combination of people, wasn't it? "The apartment's great," he finally asked, unable to keep the smile off his face.

"Good to hear," Marcus also glanced out the window, eyes straying to Lucinda for a second before turning back to Luke. "You and I haven't really talked that much since the trials. But I wanted to tell you, Luke, that I've been so impressed with how well you've taken care of Noah. You should be really, really proud of yourself. You did an incredible thing."

He was blushing more than a little now. "I didn't do all that much. Noah had to do all the work, not me. He's incredible."

Marcus chuckled, handing Luke the next dish to be cleaned. "I won't argue there. But you really can't sell yourself short, son. What you've had to go through and deal with, especially at your age… it would've broken a lesser man. And coming from this old man," he gestured to himself, "I'm honored to know you. Both of you."

Luke blinked hard, staring down at the dish in his hands. "I, um… thank you. And really, thank you. How you've helped Noah- I don't know what we would've done without you. Really."

Marcus clapped Luke on the back. "I'm just doing my job, Luke. I mean, of course I care about Noah, and he deserves all the support and all the good things that come his way, but I'm his doctor. It's my job to get him better. You're doing it because you want to. Because you love him. That speaks a lot more of your character than it does of mine."

Luke didn't know how to respond at first, so he concentrated hard on the dishes for a bit. No matter what the doctor said, Luke knew he had been a hugely important presence in Noah's life since they had started their sessions. Thinking back on Colonel Mayer's trial, Luke honestly didn't know how all of them had gotten through it unscathed…

It had been awhile since Luke had been to the courthouse. He couldn't say he missed it. He stood on the steps just outside the building, his eyes glued to his boyfriend. Noah was leaning against the pillar next to the stairs with his eyes closed, breathing deeply and slowly. They were the only ones out here, everyone else waiting for them inside. The Colonel's trial was almost over, they were just waiting for the verdict and they needed their key witness inside to hear it. Unfortunately, that key witness was trying to remember how to breathe at the moment and stop his hands from shaking.

Luke checked his watch one more time, reluctantly stepping closer and touching Noah's shoulder. "Hey. It's time to go in, love."

Noah opened his eyes, and for just a second Luke got a glimpse of that eight-year-old boy again. But then it was gone, and Noah was taking a deep breath, nodding. "Okay," he said quietly. He visibly gathered up his courage, looking to Luke again. "I can do this. Right?"

Luke reached out and straightened Noah's tie, taking unnecessary time to readjust the knot. It brought a small smile to Noah's face- mission accomplished. "Yes. You can. You are. And don't forget how many people are here for you, okay? You're not alone."

Noah put his hands over Luke's, holding them tight to his chest. "Never again." They leaned in together to touch foreheads, getting strength from each other, and then Noah nodded. "Let's go." They held hands as they walked in, and Luke was struck by how different this trial was from Alan's. Because of the nature of that case- and the charges being brought up- the judge had agreed to let it be a closed door trial. Which was good in that hardly anyone had to hear Noah's testimony, but bad in that Luke couldn't be one of those 'anyones.' The rules had been so strict, only Jack and Marcus had been allowed into the trial with Noah, and Jack only because he was also testifying.

Noah hadn't said much to Luke about what had gone on behind those doors, but after spending a few hours at the pond with Jack he had come back to the house in a better, more peaceful, mood than Luke had expected. And, shockingly, Luke had left it at that. Noah was telling him things a little at a time, and he was slowly getting a clearer picture of just what Alan had done in the cabin and in the hospital room. And that almost made a part of him very happy that he hadn't been at the trial and seen that bastard face-to-face again.

But that was then, and Luke was pretty sure this trial was worse. The charges against Colonel Mayer were no less devastating than Alan's, probably harder because Noah had to face down the last twenty years. Everyone had been there for him, and everyone had had to sit there and listen as Noah described exactly what his father had put him through. At one point Luke was pretty sure he was holding back both of his parents from standing up and going after Mayer. Luke himself had made the decision before the trial began: don't think about the Colonel, think about Noah. So instead of anger, Luke had felt nothing but pride during the testimony. Noah was telling everyone, but especially his father and himself, that what had happened to him was wrong. And it was his father's fault, not his.

The jury had deliberated for less than an hour, and now Luke was leading Noah back into the courthouse, back into courtroom. As they entered, the entire Snyder family and about half of Oakdale following behind them like the army they were, Luke stared hard at the jury, hoping one of them would give him some indication of what they had decided. No such luck. Luke squeezed Noah's hand one more time before Noah had to let go and sit up at the prosecutor's table with Tom and a few associates. Luke took his seat on the bench right behind him, Lily and Holden and Marcus right next to him, the rest of their party in the rows behind. No one sat behind the Colonel.

The judge called everyone to order. "Has the jury reached a verdict?"

The foreman stood, a piece of paper held resolutely in his hand. Luke zeroed in on that paper, but try as he might to employ superhero vision, he couldn't read what it said. "We have, Your Honor."

"What say you?"

"In the matter of Noah Mayer vs. Winston Mayer, on charges of kidnapping, aggravated assault, and reckless endangerment, we the jury find the defendant guilty. In the matter of the state of Illinois vs. Winston Mayer, on the charges of aggravated assault, attempted murder, and first degree murder of a police officer, we the jury find the defendant guilty. On all charges," the man read, a hint of satisfaction creeping into his tone.

The collective relieved sigh that escaped the room went unnoticed by no one as the judge dismissed the court. Noah barely showed any reaction, besides to nod to Tom when the man put a hand on his shoulder. He was very still, especially compared to the flurry of movement behind him as everyone else celebrated. Luke wouldn't have been surprised to see confetti thrown into the air. He ignored his family and moved to the gate between the table and the benches, reaching for his boyfriend. Noah stood and, with no hesitation, barreled straight into Luke's arms, hugging him tightly. "It's over, it's done, it's over," Luke whispered over and over into his hair, rubbing a hand up and down his back.

Several pairs of arms went around both of them, and with his Snyder-sense Luke could tell it was his parents and Emma. "You did good, son," Holden said just as quietly, one of his hands going to the top of Noah's head. Lily and Emma just smiled through their tears, kissing both boys on the cheek.

Noah didn't respond at first, but finally he nodded. "Thank you," came a very quiet but very firm reply murmured into Luke's shoulder. Then he looked up at them. "Thank you."

"Noah." The beautiful Hallmark moment was ruined by a voice coming from behind him. The group turned together as Winston was led past them by several guards. Noah tensed in Luke's arms- there was no way Luke was going to let him go now- but didn't say anything to his father. The rest of the Snyders closed in behind them. Holden's own grip around the boys tightened protectively. "Noah. Please."

Noah was still quiet, but his determined step backwards into the group of Snyders around him spoke volumes. Luke smiled a little, almost wanting to stick his tongue out at Winston.

"Son, you have to understand-"

"Goodbye, Colonel," Noah interrupted quietly. That was all he said, and that was all he needed to say.

"No, you don't understand!" Winston pulled suddenly against his guards, trying to get closer. In an instant, Jack and Holden had stepped forward and in front of the boys, ready to push the man back. "You don't understand, there are things you don't know! You need me!"

"No," Noah said, still quiet, still wrapped up in Luke's hold. "No, I don't need you. I never did. I need…" he couldn't say it out loud yet, but he knew what it was. He took another step back, even more into the fold of the Snyders around him. "Goodbye, Colonel."

Luke sat the last of the plates to dry on the dish rack. He had never been more proud of Noah than in that moment when he rid himself of his father. Noah had been calm and okay for the rest of that day, even through the giant Snyder dinner celebrating the end of the trials. It wasn't until that night, just the two of them lying in bed, that he had let go. Luke had held him until Noah had cried himself out, and then the two of them had stayed up all night watching silly movies. 'Chicken Soup' movies, as Noah would call them. And it was really starting that next day that Luke could see him healing.

He turned back to Marcus, about to thank him again, when he caught the older man looking out the window again. Luke followed his gaze, and it landed on Noah and Lucinda once more. They were sitting alone now, talking very earnestly. Luke was about to wonder just what they were talking about, when he saw Lucinda glance their way very quickly before turning stern eyes back to Noah. Noah shrugged and said something else, his unnaturally blue eyes wide and sincere. Luke almost laughed- that was Noah's version of the puppy-dog look. Noah also nodded towards the kitchen, said something else, and suddenly Lucinda was standing and making her way to the house.

"Do you think she's coming to yell at me or yell at you?" Marcus asked from behind Luke's shoulder.

Luke turned to the man and grinned. "No idea. Either way, I don't plan on being here to find out. I think I'll go up and grab a change of clothes for Ethan, he's probably muddied up what he's wearing now. Later!" And then he was out the door, leaving Marcus behind to face Hurricane Lucinda.

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Noah settled down on one of the wicker benches on the porch with an exhausted sigh. It had been a long day, a very long day. Admittedly, Noah loved long days that were like this- full of people laughing, food and storytelling, teasing and play-fights and hugs. When Noah let himself get carried away in it, he could even say he wanted it to be like this, wanted to be a part of it.

He waved as another car pulled away, taking another group back to their home. Noah smiled to himself, because it hit him then that he and Luke were going to do the same thing. Home.

He turned when the kitchen door opened, Marcus and Lucinda stepping out onto the porch. Together. Noah smiled at them in greeting. "Hi."

"Hello, darling," Lucinda greeted, somehow looking both mildly reproachful and slightly embarrassed. Which Noah reasoned might have something to do with how her arm was clasped around Dr. Weston's. Noah gave himself credit for not reacting to the sight. "We'll be heading out then, Noah. You have a good night."

"Good night," Noah responded instinctively, trying not to smile wider. "See you on Thursday, Doc."

"Good night Noah," Marcus, however, couldn't help but wink at Noah over his shoulder, so Lucinda couldn't see. Noah ducked his head so they wouldn't see his grin.

He waved as Dr. Weston's car drove away, and then felt another presence sit down next to him on the bench. He turned to see Emma shaking her head at him, pursing her lips in thought. "Noah Mayer, are you and my grandson playing matchmaker?"

He shrugged, still smiling. "Possibly."

She chuckled, handing him an oatmeal raisin cookie that he happily devoured. "You two are incorrigible. And with Lucinda and Dr. Weston? You'll have your work cut out for you."

Noah shrugged again. "Don't worry, we'll find someone for you next."

Emma laughed louder this time, smacking him lightly on the shoulder. "Oh, sweetling, look around." She waved a hand out to the yard where a dozen or so people were still talking and laughing together, the younger kids running around playing Freeze Tag, though somehow Casey and Aaron had joined in. Emma continued with a smile only a grandmother could give, "I already have everything I need."

At that moment Luke dropped down onto the bench on Noah's other side, briefly ruffling at Noah's hair before draping his arm around Noah's waist. Noah let himself be pulled closer, Luke's chin perching on his shoulder. He smiled at Luke, kissed him very softly, before turning back to Emma. "Yeah," he said slowly. "I think I know what you mean."

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THE END! Thanks to everyone!!!

As a special bonus: Coming up in the sequel to "Sins of the Father", new multi-chapter fic called "When Our Frames Collide":

-a film class project leads Noah to question some of his own memories of his childhood

-Luke keeps a secret that could tear his family apart and change his relationship with Holden forever

-an unlikely ally helps Noah research his family's past and discover something that no one, including Noah, was ever supposed to find out

-Casey tries to figure out exactly who and what he wants to be, and who he wants to be with

-a terrifying accident puts one family at odds with another

And per my tradition, thanks to everyone who's left me some love and comments: .Sexy, Diana, Didde, Elaina Of The Dessert, fanfictionreadertori, FelineMimiDavis74, giantlawnmower, humblefan, Ileiden, LordTonberry, loveSoapDrama, lukeandnoahobsession, Luna-sempai, MartinaG, moamaom, Nadine, Nightwatcher'sunkowngirl, Nuke4ever, Nukeluvr318, Oh So Cliché, Kat/OnceInALifetime, Papillonbelle, raindropsonmyface, rgrimes89, Tirpse, tryanandnukefan2000, yaoigirl20