Chapter Rating: NC-17 (Contains graphic gay sex scene)
Disclaimer: Luke, Noah, and all related characters, plots, and locations are property of As the World Turns, Telenext Media, and CBS Television. No profit is made from this fan creation. No copyright infringement is intended!
Special thanks to Tirpse for editing help throughout entire story.
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Chapter 9:
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A year went by pretty fast.
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Noah had been given more opportunities directing with small budget films that took a week or two to film and shorts but Noah was becoming famous for being "the shot". His colleagues nicknamed him "the shot" because he could look at a script, the set and actor positions and almost immediately know the best angle to shoot the scene. He had helped some of the directors with shots when they got stuck. It helped save time and a lot of money for the studio. He hated the nick name because it reminded him too much of Luke getting shot by his father.
Noah was also learning the entire process of filmmaking from the writing of the manuscripts, the raising of money, the prep work, the actual filming and editing. He was even getting into the promotional side of the business too. Every project seemed to have its own hiccups and fixing those hiccups was giving him a huge learning opportunity. In just over a year's time, he was already making in the low six digits.
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Luke's L.A. office in just over a year's time, almost out sold the Oakdale and European operations. Grimaldi shipping was becoming a force on the west coast of the United States and in Asia and South America. Luke was making in the high six digits and growing fat.
At Luke's insistence, they added top of the line video conferencing system into all of their offices, so each office could participate in conferences with anyone they needed. They checked their customers and chose a system that was compatible with virtually all of them.
The foundation had a few black tie events in L.A. that brought out some huge stars. As soon as it was known that Steven Spielberg would be attending, everyone in Hollywood wanted to come. Because of those events, they had even more money to help those in need.
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They flew Barbara out for a fitting. They would be wearing light charcoal pants with a white suit jacket and either a Red or Blue shirt, depending on what they though looked best.
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"Noah, we're going to be late." said Luke. "Come on or the plane will leave without us."
"Are you kidding, you own the plane. It leaves when you say it does." said Noah.
Grimaldi Shipping was doing so well that they added a jet for the west coast operation to use. Of course, that meant mostly Luke.
"I'm just excited. We have tons of things to do in Oakdale before the wedding and the sooner we get there the quicker we can get married." said Luke with excitement.
"I'm not even going to argue with that logic." laughed Noah. "But I'm ready." as he walked in with his suit case.
They drove to the airport and boarded their jet. They were soon in the air and headed to Oakdale to get married in three days.
"Luke, I know we decided not to get anything for each other for the wedding but I think we should." said Noah.
"What, did you buy something?" accused Luke.
"No, I have not." said Noah. "Why don't we buy a home in L.A.?"
Luke thought for a minute and said, "I think that's a great idea. What did you have in mind?"
"Your trust fund is still growing like mad. We make well over a million a year between the two of us. Let's get ourselves a show house?"
"What, a show house, you?" teased Luke.
"Between the Hollywood folks and your two ventures, we need some place other than a townhouse to entertain and be proud to bring these 'rich' folks by." said Noah. "I'm not ashamed of the townhouse but it's not the place you want to invite Steven over to."
"I know what you mean." said Luke. "If we get something like Mom's house, which isn't too fancy, that would be good. I don't see us wanting a palace like Lucinda has."
"I'd love to find a little farm, like Emma's but I think that would cost more than we can afford at the moment." said Noah. "But let's take any money that we get from the wedding and use it as a down payment for a house."
"Great idea bubby." said Luke. "Don't tell anyone though. Let's surprise them." Noah liked that idea.
"Luke, do you think your grandmothers and parents would mind if I called them Mom, Dad, and Grandmother or Grandma?" asked Noah quietly. "You know, after the wedding?"
"I think they would love it." Luke said as he held Noah's hand. "I don't think you would have to wait till the wedding though. I bet they would love it now. You do know they already consider you their son."
"I know." said Noah. "It still blows my mind."
"Hey, that's my job." laughed Luke as he gave Noah a big kiss.
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They got off the plane and got into the limo that was waiting for them and had the driver go to the farm. When they got to the farm, they noticed that everything was freshly painted. There were flowers planted everywhere and the grass was as green as could be, mulch around the trees and bushes making the house and barn look so great.
They started walking to the door when Faith, Nat and Ethan came running up to them. Of course, Ethan ran right to Noah. Frankly, Luke was a little jealous that his little brother liked Noah better than him.
They had grown and matured in the past year. No longer did Luke look to drink or have pains of jealousy and Noah didn't want to run every time there was a bad fight. In fact, the more the year went on the number of fights decreased as they learned how to trust each other and work through their issues. They were able to talk things out without everything blowing up in their faces, like they normally would and they never went to bed angry. They learned to think about their partner's feelings before they did anything impulsive or made any big decisions. They were no longer kids. They matured.
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As they walked into the house at the farm, they were greeted by Emma and Luke's parents. Luke gave Emma a hug first and then he went to give his parents a hug.
Emma pulled Noah into a hug and Noah said "Hi Grandma, how are things?"
Emma pulled back in shock and looked at Noah.
Noah immediately apologized. "I'm sorry, Luke said…"
Emma interrupted. "No, its fine calling me Grandma, It just surprised me that's all." She pulled him back into a hug and they both started crying. "I'm proud to have you as my grandson."
Holden, Lily and Luke watched with tears in their eyes as Noah and Emma cried in each other's arms. When it broke up, Noah went to hug Lily.
"Hi, Mom, it's great to see you again." asked Noah.
"Everything's just fine son." replied Lily. Again, everyone's tears came back. They broke apart and Noah went to Holden.
"Hi Dad, how are things with you and the farm?" asked Noah.
Luke moved over and stood in between Emma and Lily and they watched Noah hug Holden.
"Things are great son." Holden replied as he pulled Noah into a hug. "Are you sure calling me Dad won't bring back, you know, any bad memories?"
"Not yet. I knew I wanted to call you Dad for a while." said Noah. "Therapy has helped me separate my feeling for him and the word, for the most part anyway."
"I'm glad son." said Holden.
"We do have one thing to discuss though." said Luke.
"What?" asked Lily.
"Noah doesn't have any family to walk him down the aisle and we were wondering if either of you want to walk with Noah." asked Luke.
"I think we would be proud. Do you have any preferences?" asked Lily.
"No." said Noah.
"I'll walk with Noah." said Emma. "You always reminded me of my Harvey. Talk dark and handsome." Noah blushed.
"Grandma, stop coming on to my future husband." laughed Luke. Everyone laughed at the joke.
"I'll walk with Noah too." said Lily. "Holden and Lucinda can walk Luke down."
"Are you sure, Lily?" asked Holden.
"I'm not losing a son, I'm gaining one." said Lily as she pulled Noah into another hug. "Noah can walk down first and then we can all hug Luke when he comes down."
"That sounds good." said Luke.
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Everyone gathered for lunch to welcome Luke and Noah home. Everyone listened to some stories that Noah told about the studio and working with movie stars. Noah named several movie stars that will actually be at the wedding. Everyone seemed excited.
"Where are you going on your honeymoon?" asked Faith.
"Actually, we aren't right now." replied Luke. Everyone looked in shock. "We've decided to spend two nights in the honeymoon suite at The Lakeview and then come back to the farm for the rest of the week."
"We barely see all of you as it is. We can go away a little later but it's important for us to be with family now." said Noah.
"Are you sure?" asked Holden.
"Every day I get to spend with Luke is a honeymoon." laughed Noah. Everyone busted out laughing.
"You couldn't say that with a straight face though." Luke laughed back.
Emma had an apple pie for desert. Both Luke and Noah missed Emma's cooking.
"My cooking is the reason they want to stay here." giggled Emma.
"How did you guess?" Noah teased back.
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That' evening, they spent with friends at Al's. Will and Gwen, Casey and Allison, Maddie and Hunter, and Jade and Ricco. Jade stayed away from Will and Gwen but nobody let their feelings get in the way of the good time and a good time was had by all until Reid walked into Al's.
Jade stood up pull down her pants that were riding up a little too much for her liking, as Reid walked up to the table.
"Ah, Mr. Snyder and Mr. Mayer, here for the big day I suppose." asked Reid. "I'm sure my invitation was lost in the mail."
"It must have." said Noah bluntly.
"California must agree with you two." said Reid trying not to sound jealous. "You look… ok."
Seeing how uncomfortable Luke and Noah had gotten since this guy walked into Al's, Jade walked over and got into his face and said "Who's this guy?"
"Jade, this is Reid." Luke said.
"Dr. Reid Oliver, Neurosurgeon." corrected Reid. "I'm the one who gave Noah is eyesight back and..."
"This is the guy. God, you must have been desperate." Jade said bluntly looking Reid over. "You gave up such a hot piece of ass for him?", pointing at Reid.
"Uh oh, it's a throw down." laughed Casey.
"Listen, I just wanted…" started Reid.
"Yea, we know you just wanted to start trouble." interrupted Jade.
"Listen, I…" started Reid.
"There's only one home wrecker here tonight and it's me." stated Jade. "Take a hike."
Looking towards Luke, "What was it in your perverse mind that attracted this rude little man to you?" said Jade.
"He reminded me of you." laughed Luke, causing everyone at the table to laugh.
"Who are you?" Reid asked bluntly.
"I'm Luke's cousin, Jade." said Jade.
They were interrupted by someone calling Reid's name.
"Reid, I said lets go, I have the food." said Tyler. "Hey, Luke and Noah, congrats on the wedding but we can't stay and talk. See you later." as he pulled Reid out of the door. Reid took one last look at Luke as he was pulled out the door by Tyler.
"Tyler is dating Reid?" a stunned Luke said, "I can't believe it."
"Believe it." said Casey. "Chris walked in on them, going at it, in a hospital room and he almost fired Reid. Tyler is not allowed in the hospital for six months, unless he's sick."
"That's funny." laughed Noah.
"Reid is good at being snarky but Jade is the master." laughed Casey.
"You better believe it." laughed Jade. "He's a lightweight."
"The win by knock out, Jade Taylor." laughed Ricco, as he held up one of Jades arms.
Everyone was laughing so hard that they almost fell out of their chairs.
After things calmed down, Luke and Noah got caught up on all the gossip in town. It had been a long time since they had seen their friends and they told them all about their lives in L.A. and everyone shared their lives. Jade surprised everyone because she seemed really happy with Ricco.
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The wedding day arrived to Luke waking up in bed alone. Luke began to wonder where Noah was when Noah walked into the room with a tray of food.
"What's all this?" Luke asked with surprise.
"I made my future husband breakfast on his wedding day." said Noah with pride.
"It all looks so great." said Luke as he looked over the omelet, home fries, toast, orange juice and bacon.
They sat there and talked about the things they needed to do before the wedding while they ate their delicious food.
"You guys need to be ready in forty five minutes." said Holden as he sneaked a piece of bacon of their tray.
"Why?" asked Luke.
"Not sure, I'm just the messenger." asked Holden. "Hey, nobody made me bacon."
"Dad, what's going on with mom and you?" asked Luke.
"You shouldn't worry about that on your wedding day." said Holden. Seeing that it was going to stop Luke, he continued, "Well, we are going to counseling still and we're dating but we don't know if we should get married again. Things are going so well that we're afraid to do it."
"How does grandma feel about you shacking up?" asked Luke.
"Luke." Noah replied with shock.
"It's ok, Noah. She's not real happy about it but she understands." said Holden. "She's from the generation where you got married. I just think that it's best for us right now. No pressure with the paper, so to speak, at least for us."
"I think it's great that you're trying to work things out." Noah said to Holden. He looked at Luke and said "Don't you get any ideas, mister; we're getting married today if I have to have grandma get that shotgun after you." All three laughed.
Holden looked at his watch. "Now you have 30 minutes to get ready."
They both ran into the bathroom together while Holden ate the rest of their bacon and took the tray away. When Luke and Noah were ready a limo picked them up and whisked them away for a morning of pampering at the local spa.
When they returned they ran upstairs to change into their wedding clothes. They were getting married in an hour. They both just had to change their clothes. They had a massage, manicures and pedicure, mud wrap and facials, a steam and a shower. They also got their hair done as well.
"Come on guys." as Jack walked into Luke's bedroom. "You don't want to be late at your own wedding?"
They were dressed but didn't have their ties or jackets on but Jack shoved them out the door and down to the kitchen.
In the kitchen, Jack offered to help Noah with his tie.
"The last time someone helped me with my tie, I kissed him." Noah said with a grin on his face.
Jack gave Noah funny look and said, "You are on your own." He stepped back away from Noah and said "Luke, you need to help Noah with his tie."
"Oh, come on jack. Just one kiss before I get married." teased Noah.
"Forget it." Jack said as he backed up even more.
Luke and Noah busted out laughing. Luke helped Noah with his tie. Once they were ready they looked at each other.
"Wow, Mr. Snyder. You are looking pretty hot." whistled Noah.
"You are too, future Mr. Snyder." laughed Luke.
Before they could kiss, Emma, Lily and Lucinda walked into the room in their dresses. They all looked fantastic.
"You all look wonderful." said Luke. Noah agreed.
"You two look great as well." said Emma.
They all hugged.
"Shall we walk to the pond?" asked Lucinda.
"Sure, it's time." Luke said nervously.
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They all walked out the door. Not a single person was in sight other than the caterers rushing around. They saw a tent with some table under it and then some picnic tables scattered around the tent. Flowers were all over the place, in the ground, on the tables and wrapped around the tent poles.
"Everything looks so nice." said Noah as he pulled Emma into a hug as they walked. Luke agreed.
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Both Luke and Noah noticed small bouquets of flowers on the ground, every two feet, marking the path out to the pond. The ground seemed level under their feet, so they must have had it rolled to smooth out the ground.
Luke gasped when he saw the pond come into view. Someone had sprinkled wild flower seeds all over the place. The entire area around the pond looked like a field of wild flowers. Luke had never seen it so beautiful before. There were about a dozen white swans in the pond and the lily pads were in bloom with pinkish flowers, the toads were croaking and you could see dragonflies flying around the pond. There was even a beaver and mink on the opposite side of the pond sunning themselves and foraging for food.
They noticed that there was an altar with the chairs in a half circle around it. The altar was a four posted square canopy with white roses and greenery woven through it. They noticed the women in their big hats or parasols to shade them from the sun and the men had their brimmed hats on. From the back, they looked wonderful. Photographers were walking around snapping pictures of everyone and three video cameras getting all the action.
Steven and Will walked up to them and shook their hands.
"Wait." said Noah. He excused himself and adjusted the camera angles of all three cameras and walked back over to where Luke was standing. "Sorry, the angles were wrong."
"The Shot strikes again." laughed Steven.
Noah rolled his eyes and looked at Emma.
"We placed alter on the spot where I first kissed your grandfather here at the pond. I will never forget that day." said Emma wistfully. "I thought it would be a good start for you too. I miss that man." Both Luke and Noah gave Emma a big hug.
"It's absolutely beautiful." Luke said with tears. "I've never seen the pond it look so grand before."
"We wanted to make it special for you." said Lily.
"It took a lot of hard work but it was worth it." said Lucinda.
Reverend Graves was from Luke and Noah's church in California. He was on his way to a conference on the east coast and agreed to drop by and officiate the ceremony. With all the talking by Luke and Noah about the pond, he was curious to see it.
"Are you two boys ready to tie the knot?" asked Rev. Graves.
"We sure are. It looks like everyone is ready." replied Luke.
Rev. Graves walked up to the altar and stood there. He told everyone to stay seated during the walk down the aisle.
Emma and Lily stood on either side of Noah and behind them stood Lucinda and Holden on either side of Luke. The wedding march sounded and Ethan walked down the aisle with the rings. Noah started walking down the center aisle. When they got to the altar, Emma, Lily and Noah and waited for Luke's party to finish walking down the aisle. When Luke got to the altar, the parents and grandmothers kissed both boys and then stood off to the side. Hand in hand Luke and Noah walked up to Rev. Graves. Their best men, Will and Steven stood beside them. Ethan still stood in front of the alter on the grass with the rings.
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Rev. Graves started, "Friends, we have been invited here today to share with Luke and Noah a very important moment in their lives. In the years they have been together, through good times and the rough, their love has blossomed and matured and now they have decided to live their lives together as one."
Rev. Graves continued, "Who supports this couple to wed?"
Lucinda, Holden, Emma and Lily said at the same time, "I do."
Five local boys from the boy's choir stood up and sang I Wanna Grow Old With You by Westlilfe as Luke and Noah slowed danced as they gazed into each other's eyes.
Lily, Emma and Lucinda were already crying.
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Rev. Graves continued after the song was over, "Luke and Noah wrote their own vows."
Noah started his vows, "The first thing I remember about you, Luciano Snyder, is how comfortable you were in your own skin and that was so amazing to me. I was a mess. I was half in the closet and half in denial but I got through all that because of you. I am the man I am because of your love, your strength and your patience. Even after all the things we have been through that have tested our love, you are still the man you were when we first met. I had never known love until I met you. I didn't know how to give it or even how to accept it. You taught me how to give love and to receive love. Your family invited me into their fold as one of their own and I'll always be grateful to your family, I mean our family, for sticking by me, even when they probably shouldn't have."
Luke had tears running down his face and he grinned when Noah corrected himself when he said "our family".
" When we worked on Invisible Girl at WOAK together with Maddie, I asked you who the inspiration was but you never told us but figured it out in therapy that you were the burned by love inspiration."
Luke shook his head yes. Maddie gasped when Luke shook his head yes. It never occurred to her that Luke was the inspiration.
"Luciano Snyder, I love you with my entire being, you are my happy ending and I want to spend the rest of my life making you happy." Noah was crying with Luke by the time he finished.
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Luke started his vows, "Before you came into my life. I never had anyone who cared for me in a way that I cared for them. I was lonely. I would look at Will and Gwen and think that I would never have that, not here in Oakdale. Then you came into WOAK and when our hands touched picking up the tapes; I knew I was in love. But there was only one slight problem."
Noah giggled, along with everyone else.
"Four years ago today, you first kissed me at WOAK and my life changed forever, Noah Mayer. I finally had someone who loved me, just as much as I loved him. It was so amazing. We've made it through some really bad times but all of that made us stronger and made our love stronger."
"I grew up in a loving family but I never knew how to love someone so completely until I met you. Loving a lover is different than loving family. Loving family comes naturally. Loving a lover has to be worked on and maintained or that love can be lost. We almost lost that because we were too busy thinking with our brains instead of our hearts."
Noah had tears running down his face.
"When you donated your kidney to me, I knew right away it was you because I could feel it. I could feel the warmth of your love that radiates out from it and I still feel it. It comforts me and keeps me grounded. There are no words that I know, that can describe how much I love you."
Knowing that Luke was finished, Noah put a hand up to Luke's face and said, "When you look at me like that, I can see the love. You do not need to use words. I can see just how much you love me from deep in your soul."
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There was a moment of silence after the vows.
"Now we will exchange the rings." said Rev. Graves.
The best men took the rings from Ethan. Steven gave a ring to Noah and Noah turned and took Luke's hand.
"This ring is a token of my love, Luke. I marry you with this ring, with all that I have and all that I am." said Noah as he put the ring on Luke's finger.
Will gave a ring to Luke and Luke turned and took Noah's hand.
"This ring is a token of my love, Noah. I marry you with this ring, with all that I have and all that I am." said Luke as he put the ring on Noah's finger.
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There was a silence for a minute.
"Noah look across the pond." pointed Luke. There stood a buck with five female deer with their young eating the wildflowers and green grass. Rev. Graves turned to look and everyone took a couple of minutes to stare at the beautiful sight.
Rev. Graves spoke aloud, "I wondered why Luke and Noah were so insistent on getting married at a pond. I'm from Los Angeles and I was thinking some mucky old pond in the country. What a horrible place to get married but boy was I wrong. This place is so beautiful and peaceful, I completely understand now. When I think of what heaven looks like, I'll think of this place."
"Watch out, Grandma will have you mucking out the barn." laughed Noah, as everyone started laughing.
"That would be ok, as long as I was able to get another piece of pie." laughed Rev. Graves.
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"By the power invested in me by the State of California, I now pronounce you married. You may now kiss your husband." said Rev. Graves.
Luke and Noah gave each other a passionate kiss.
"I present to you Mr. and Mr. Snyder." said Rev. Graves.
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Luke and Noah step down off of the altar and are surrounded by family and friends to congratulate them. Lily, Holden, Emma, Lucinda, Aaron, Abigail, Faith, Nat, Ethan, Jack, Carly, Parker, Sage, JJ, Caleb, Iva, Ellie, Meg, Josh, Steven , Kate, Margo, Tom, Casey, Allison, Lisa, Barbara, Henry, Will, Gwen, Maddie, Hunter, Jade, Janet, Liberty, Dallas, Dr. Bob, Kim, Katie, Chris, Brian and everyone else who came.
Luke and Noah finally saw everyone from the front finally. The women in the fifties inspired garden party dresses with big flowing hats or parasols and the men their fifties inspired suits. Even the kids looked great. Luke and Noah were completely happy.
Everyone had wandered off to the reception while Luke and Noah were taking pictures with the wedding party and celebrities who came.
