A\N 1: This story is a sequel to my story "Mending Hearts" so you should read that story first if you want to understand this one. A huge thank you as well to everyone who read and reviewed the previous story.

A\N 2: I recently found out that my writing may need more improvements than I thought it did. I am always looking to improve though and welcome any feedback, especially when I asked for it. I apologize if sometimes these characters don't seem in-character. I am trying to improve on character writing as well as overall story-telling. Please keep in mind though that this is an alternate universe story which means it's okay for the characters to act a bit differently as i put them in situations we don't see in the movies.

Disclaimer: I don't own anything.

Spoilers: "Signed, Sealed Delivered: Truth be Told"

Chapter 1

Looking at her watch Shane realized that it was exactly thirteen years to minute that Noah had been born. She shook her head not believing it could be that long when it only seemed like yesterday that he was giving birth to Noah. Back then she was so terrified and scared for what the future would hold for her and her new son. In the twelve years since then though life had been great, and Shane couldn't be happier about where her life ended up. She had met and fallen in love with a wonderful man who she had four children with.

"I suggest we try to get Rosalie away from Noah. He does not look very happy that she's interrupting his conversation with a girl who I presume he likes," Oliver snapped his wife out of her day dream as he spoke.

Shane looked out of the glass window of the party room and to the main floor of the facility. She saw her oldest son and his three best friends try to talk to three pretty girls. However, four-year-old Rosalie was talking to one of the girls much to her older brother's displeasure, "I'll go and get her," Shane walked out of the party room and towards her daughter. "Rosie." She called out, "Come and help me please. The pizza is going to be here soon."

"No Mommy!" Rosalie shook her head, her blonde pigtails moving as she swung her head. "I'm busy."

"Now Rosalie Elizabeth!" Shane changed the tone of her voice. Letting her daughter know there was no room discussion. "If I have to come and pick you up I will not be happy."

Rosalie sighed and walked back over to Shane, "Mommy I was making friends," She protested.

"These are Noah's friends' sweetheart," Shane told her as she carried her back into the party room, "You can and colour okay," She set her down and watched as Rosalie went to her bag to get out her crayons and colouring book.

For his 13th birthday Noah had wanted to go skydiving, when his parents had axed that idea he had settled for indoor skydiving. He had been allowed to invite his three best friends as the more people in the group the more expensive it got. Noah hadn't liked, but understood his younger siblings had to be involved as well. Ten-year-old Patrick and four-year-old Rosalie had happily agreed to particle in indoor skydiving. Six-year-old Andrew and eight-year-old Jacob had opted not to participate. Andrew was too scared, and Jacob didn't see the point of the sport, he was much happier reading his current book. Now that they had finished their session, they were just waiting for the pizza to arrive so they could start the actual party, with food, presents and cake.

"That's Krista Garrison and her friends. She's in Noah's class at school. Noah would ask her out but he's much to frightened she'll say no. That's not possible however as they're both popular. Her younger sister is in my class and is quite a snob," Jacob informed his parents as he briefly looked up from his book long enough to see his older brother making a fool out of himself. At that he had to laugh a little.

"That's enough Jacob," Shane lightly punished her son. "Your brother is thirteen and is allowed to talk to girls. And as for name calling, I suggest you stop doing that until you get to know this girl in your class."

"I think it may be time for me to have another talk with Noah," Oliver said upon observing the scene in front of him and seeing how Noah was acting, "Maybe we should allow him to have a curfew. If we get to know this girl maybe they could go out together."

"Yes, I would like to know her as well," Shane agreed with her husband. She never intended on being the mother who knew their child's whereabouts at all times, but she liked to meet her children's friends. "We'll have lots of pizza left over. I'm going to go and invite Krista and her friends to the party,"

"Ooh you're going to embarrass Noah," Patrick laughed, "I want to watch!" He got up from his chair where he had been playing on his tablet and walked to the window eager to see his older brother get embarrassed. Jacob didn't move from his seat, but his eyes traveled from his book to the window as he wanted to watch as well.

"I suggest you both go back to your chosen activity," Oliver warned both of his sons. He knew no further comment was needed as they both knew now if they disobeyed him, they'd be in trouble. Many years of punishments had taught them that.

Shane knew she was about to embarrass her son, but she couldn't see how the situation could be avoided. Her intention was helpful however Noah was going to interrupt it. She waited until Noah saw her and even though he was giving her a pleading look telling her to go away she began to talk.

"Hi, I'm Noah's mother," She reached out her hand for Krista and her two friends to shake.

"Mom," Noah sighed, "This is Krista, Alyssa and Melina. They're friends from school they came to see the indoor skydiving today. They understand I couldn't invite all of my friends."

"It was great to watch Mrs. O'Toole. I'll have to try it sometime," Krista smiled, "Your daughter is quite cute. She's a little ball of energy."

"Oh," Shane laughed, "Yes, Rosie is very sociable. If you girls want to why don't you join us for some pizza. I'm sure they'll be plenty of leftovers." Shane offered.

"Thank you, Mrs. O'Toole that sounds lovely," Krista smiled.

"Great well when the pizza is here, we'll let you know," Shane smiled and then walked away. For first impressions she had to say that Krista was very pretty, with her blonde hair pulled up in a ponytail. She was wearing leggings and a long sleeve shirt. She seemed very polite and nice and Shane was glad she could tolerate Rosie. If this was going to be Noah's first girlfriend Shane couldn't think of any objection yet. She did however want to spend more time with her.

The next day was Noah's family birthday dinner at Shane and Oliver's house. Since Noah knew what one of his presents was going to be, he stayed upstairs in his room most of the day. He had wanted to talk to Oliver about the pocket watch for months, but he never knew how to bring it up. Handing down the pocket watch from father to son was one of the many O'Toole family traditions. Noah knew that Oliver wasn't technically an O'Toole either. He however hadn't known until he was an adult, Noah had found out years ago. Since then Noah hadn't heard anything from his biological father and his sadness had turned into anger and resentment as he tried to figure out what was wrong with him.

Noah could see how his half siblings were like his mother and Oliver and he had always wished he was Oliver's son too. He teased and bullied Jacob almost to the point of cruelty, a fact his parents had told him for years. Noah had always claimed it was because Jacob was such a 'nerd' and he was the only child on the planet who could read Shakespeare. The truth was though the Noah was insanely jealous. He saw the bond Jacob and Oliver had and it made him ache. He kept that feeling well hidden though, He didn't want his parents, especially his mother to think there was anything wrong. He figured out a few years ago his mother didn't get along well with his biological father. He was supposed to be sleeping but he wasn't. He had been going to the washroom when he heard his mother talking in harsh whispers. Hearing his biological father's name, he had snuck down the stairs to listen. Peering over the banister he could see his mother talking on the phone. He stayed long enough to know that his father was back from wherever he had been overseas but wouldn't come and see him. After that he had gone back into this room and cried until he got to sleep. His mother had never known he was listening in to the conversation.

"Noah," Oliver knocked on the teenager's bedroom door. "May I come in?"

"Yeah Dad," Noah grabbed his homework and pretended to work. After all that was what he had been claiming to do all afternoon.

Oliver stepped into the room, "I do believe it's rude to be late to your own birthday dinner. Everyone is here and asking for you. Do you want to tell me what you've been doing all afternoon? I can tell you your mother and I both know you have not been doing your homework."

Noah sighed, "I've been busy okay?"

"Noah, that is not the proper tone to use when speaking to me," Oliver warned.

"I don't want the stupid pocket watch okay?" Noah yelled louder then he meant to, "I know I call you 'Dad' which is fine. But you can't honestly tell me I should get it. I'm nothing like you. I don't stand for anything an O'Toole does. I want to think that's okay, that it's okay to be whoever I am but I'm not sure it is. Not when I'm expected to be taking care of things like a pocket watch and other traditions. I know what you're going to say but it's different. You didn't find out Grandpa wasn't your biological father until you were an adult. You spent your entire childhood believing you were an O'Toole and you're more like Grandpa then I am like you. Give the watch to Patrick when he's thirteen."

"Noah," Oliver had figured the watch was making him upset, but he hadn't been expecting all of these feelings to come out, "I love you and I certainly want you to feel like you can be yourself. I do not want to me putting more expectations on you. It troubles me though that you feel like this."

"Yeah well it troubles me I never got a chance to know my father," Noah replied back angerly.

"Yes, I can certainly see where that is coming from," Oliver sympathized, "I think what I'm going to do is hold onto the pocket watch for a while. I want you to talk to your mother about all of this. You are my oldest son and you are an O'Toole no matter how different you may be. You have no idea what I've experienced because of you."

Noah looked up at his father and smiled a little, "Yeah I know I got you and Mom together. I know you didn't want me snowboarding competitively but agreed once you saw how good I was. And I know you know I don't like Shakespeare and books."

"There is more to being an O'Toole then that. I know it may seem like there is not, but I assure you Noah you are quite smart in many ways. You are kind and generous and you are a fantastic older brother. Now I know you're feeling quite sad, but your family would like to give you presents. I think that's something you're going to like."

Noah smiled, "Okay," He stood up, "And I know," He looked at Oliver, "I'll read all of the cards out loud first and make sure to say thank you to whoever got me the present." He knew his father's rule about any present getting occasion. He even reminded his younger siblings to repeat the rule back to him if they didn't want to hear the entire lecture on it.

Oliver chuckled, "Good. I expect you to know that after eleven years of me telling you."

"I'll talk to Mom too, but I don't want her to be to upset."

Oliver placed a hand on Noah's shoulder, "Your mother only wishes that you could get to know your father. Even if it is not something, she or I would choose for you. We both know it is important for you."

"It is,' Noah nodded his head and then walked down the hallway and the stairs. He got to the bottom of the stairs just in time to see Shane close the door, an unreadable expression on her face. "Mom," Noah approached her, "What's wrong?"

"Noah," Shane turned with shock and surprise, "This just came for you," She handed over a package.

Noah took it and looked at it, "But it just has my name on it. It's not properly addressed or sealed. Why didn't this end up in the DLO?

Despite the amount of emotional turmoil, she was in in she had to laugh at that, "Just open it Noah," She urged.

Noah opened the package to find a container with a letter taped to it. He opened the letter and read it. As he got further down the letter his hands began to shake more and his lip began to tremble. Finally, he dropped the card and container and ran back up the stairs and slammed his bedroom door shut.

"Shane," Oliver looked quite perplexed as his wife bent down to pick up the letter and the container.

"Steve's been killed overseas," Shane whispered, "And this is a letter he wrote to Noah before he died and more money the Noah is going to know what to do with.:"

TBC

A\N: Please review and tell me your thoughts.