Dr. Pepper rules, though I don't own any Coke products.

Disclaimer: I don't own As The World Turns, but I do own Toby Art.

Chapter 3

(Luke POV)

Two months after I had adopted Toby, I got sent to New York City to meet with a possible doner of the foundation. I couldn't take the little boy with me, but resolved that that would ensure my quick return to be that much quicker. Grandma Emma decided to watch over him for the few days I was supposed to be gone while I packed a suitcase and took the private jet to the big apple.

Leaving him was hard, but I promised myself I'd make up for it by calling to check in on him consistently. I booked a room and rested there for a couple hours after having arrived. I really wanted to go home and come back the next day when I knew the doner I was waiting on would be there, but knew I couldn't just skip out on my responsibilities like that. Therefore, after I woke from my nap, I grabbed my wallet, room key and cell, and headed out to find something to do.

Walking along the sidewalk, I saw a souvenir shop and dropped in, thinking I'd get something for Toby. Sure enough, I walked out a few minutes later with a necklace I had engraved to say, I love you, Toby, smiling fondly to myself. Sure, he wouldn't have a need for it for a couple years, but the thought of my son having a constant reminder that his father loved him filled me with warmth.

I took a walk, needing something to do beside sit in my room and go stir crazy. If I passed an interesting shop, I'd step inside and have a look around. I was back out walking again when I ended up in a less populated street and quickly realized why. A crowd of people scurried about and chattered anxiously to each other just outside of a shabby, abandoned-looking wearhouse. I looked on curiously as I passed, but continued onward, nonetheless. The sun was beginning to set and I wanted to get back to my room before I got lost in the dark.

I ordered room service and watched some television before I called Grandma Emma, who picked up a little slowly, probably trying to a appease a very fussy little boy, if you asked me.

"Hello?" She asked, sounding a bit distracted.

"Hey. It's me. How's Toby doing?" I asked interestedly.

"Mmm. That son of yours." She said, feigning disapproval. "He's a gripy, squirmy little one sometimes." She ratted him out easily.

"Yeah." I smiled in adoration. "That's my little boy. I just...I just wanted to say goodnight. Could you put the phone up to his ear?" I asked, knowing it probably sounded ridiculous, but knowing I'd sleep even worse tonight if I didn't.

"Alright." She chuckled. "Here he is." I waited just a moment until silence met me and knew Toby was there.

"Goodnight, Toby. Remember, Daddy loves you." I told him softly, meaning every single word with Earth-shattering accuracy.

"It's me, again." The older lady said into the phone.

"I love you. Goodnight." I told her. "And I know he can be difficult, but I want you to know that I really appreciate this."

"Oh, stop it. Every child gets fussy once in awhile. I'm just happy to spend time with my great grandchild and I'd do it anytime. I love you, too, Luke. Good night, sweetheart." And with that, we hung up. I watched a movie that was on TV, falling asleep at some point during.

~0~

The next was miserable. I had almost nothing to do up until lunch, which was my first meeting with the doner. I happened to walk by that abandoned wearhouse on my way to the restaurant-an hour early, I might add. The same hectic activity was going on just in front of the place again. I noticed a few more on the sidewalk with me this time around, though.

"Luke?" A voice asked from a little ways behind me. I turned, my heart stopping when I was met with the sight of my ex-boyfriend, Noah Mayer. As our eyes met and realization dawned, he smiled happily and jogged up. "Hey."

"Noah." I said dumbly, caught off guard when he wrapped his arms around me, hesitating for a split second before I hugged back.

"What are you doing here?" He asked, pulling back.

"I have a lunch meeting with a possible doner." I explained, gesturing behind me. "What about you? I thought you were in LA, making a big movie?" I asked teasingly, smiling.

"Yeah." He nodded, scoffing. "I was. Like five months ago, but then we finished." He said, a bit accusitorily, crossing his arms, obviously hoping for an explanation.

"I'm sorry about that." I shook my head, genuine. "I just-wasn't..." I tried for a way to describe it without hurting his feelings.

"You weren't ready for anything romantic." It wasn't a question, but a statement. An understood fact.

"I just needed some time." I admitted. "It was rough." Noah just nodded at me, smiling, though it didn't reach his eyes. "Look, this is getting serious, really fast." I backtracked, chuckling. "Do you want to do something? I'm open for dinner." I hinted.

"Huh. So we bump into each other after more than a year of not even speaking, and you think an apology and dinner date is just gonna make everything okay?" He asked agitatedly.

"No. Noah. I just thought we could catch up while I'm in town. Sorry to bother you." I apologized, let down that he was acting so offended when I hadn't really done anything wrong. I mean, really, how many times had he insisted he needed a break from me over the years we were together for something less serious than the man he loved dying?

"Luke, wait." He called, grabbing my sleeve. I turned back. "How long are you in town for?" He asked. I shook my head.

"Only a day or two." I admitted. "Not long." He nodded.

"Then we shouldn't waste it. So? You still free for dinner?" He asked with a soft smile. I smirked.

"You know, I don't know. I'm gonna have to check my schedule." I teased. He laughed, pushing my shoulder lightly. "Here, give me your number and we'll figure something out." I suggested, programming his new number into my phone and giving him mine. After a quick goodbye and another hug, I turned and began for the restaurant again.

Seeing Noah again was unexpected and abit unnerving at first, but I couldn't find it in myself to regret it.

Alright. There's the third chapter. Tell me if you guys like what you've read so far and want the story to continue. If so, I'll write more and update within a week or two. Also, today is my nineteenth birthday! Yay! Leave me love in a review ;D

~I'mBelleGoose