I nearly let you guys down! So sorry! Thank GOD it's still Sunday!

Before you read the next chapter, I just want to thank everyone for the great reviews I've been receiving. I know that one person in particular really touched my heart with their comment about how they have been through the heartache of losing a soulmate, and can therefore relate to this fanfiction. I want that person to know that although I haven't lost a partner and therefore do not know what they are going through, I'm here for them, as I am sure are plenty of others. And I want them to stay strong.

Anyway, here's Chapter Nine.

Four months later

"What do you think?"

"I think it looks great."

"Do you think it's too small?"

"What, the banner?"

"Or is it too much?"

"It's fine."

"I hope he likes it. Do you think he'll be surprised?"

Holden placed a hand on Lily's shoulder for reassurance. "I know he will be."

"Hellooo!" a voice called out before Lucinda was hurrying into the house. "Wow!" she laughed. "Wow, this is...this is great! Do you think maybe it's a little too small?"

"Oh my God, it's too small!" Lily sighed as Holden chuckled. "Well I guess I'd better get some more decorations, hadn't I? Mother, can you help me please?"

"Why- Why yes! Of course! Let's run like a bat out of hell before he comes!"

Holden couldn't help but laugh at the eagerness that Lucinda possessed as she tugged Lily out the door with her. As the door shut behind them he looked back at the large banner that hung from the ceiling and the balloons that floated around the room. He was pretty sure that the last thing Luke would want was a big welcome home, but he was sure that there was no way in which he could compete with the stubborn streak of the Walshes. Besides, it was probably better for Lily to keep busy. She was so nervous about their son's return; she hadn't been sleeping well, fearing what he'd be like when he got home. Would he resent them? Holden couldn't help but feel the same churning in his stomach as his ex wife was most probably feeling. Sending Luke to rehab had been the hardest thing for them to do, but necessary. The boy had reached rock bottom, and Holden and Lucinda had decided that day in the office that he needed professional help, help that Holden and the rest of the family couldn't provide, before he drank himself to death. But what if there had been a better way to handle it? What if he did begrudge them?

He was brought out of his worried thoughts when he noticed the silhouette through the blinds of the door. He waited patiently for the figure to ring the doorbell or knock, but they just stood there, seemingly shifting from foot to foot. The first person who came to mind was Luke, but his flight wasn't due to arrive at the airport for another hour or so. Deciding he couldn't just stand there, Holden walked across the room to open the door. On the porch stood a tall young man with dark hair that had started to curl at the ends. The blue eyes that blinked back tears were wide with nerves, and his lips seemed to fidget as he tried to figure out what to say.

"Noah," Holden smiled.

"Hi, Holden." His voice sounded calm but his shaky smile told Holden otherwise. "I'm sorry to drop in unannounced. It was really just a spur of the moment-"

"Noah-"

"-sort of-"

"Noah-"

"-thing..."

"Noah, it's fine," Holden smiled. "Come in." He watched Noah awkwardly shuffle into the house, wringing his hands as he looked around at the decorations. "Where's your stuff?" he asked.

"In the rental car," Noah explained. "I've booked a room at the Lakeview; I just need to check in but I thought I'd come say hello first." He studied the banner. "Is Luke home yet?"

"Ah, no...no...not yet." He studied the troubled man in front of him, watching the way he would put his hands in his pockets then pull them out to pick at his nails before shoving his hands in his pockets again. "He's...ah...he went to-"

"Rehab," Noah finished for him. "Faith told me," he explained at the look of bewilderment on the older man's face. "I would've come earlier, but I've been so busy what with my film, and then we had to redo three of the scenes because-"

"Noah, it's fine. I understand." Blue eyes locked onto blue, and the two men smiled at each other – one encouragingly, the other encouraged. "So, you're movie. Is it done now?"

"No, not yet," Noah chuckled. "It'll probably take us about another month or two before we get onto editing the footage. It's such hard work!"

"But you enjoy it, right?"

"Holden, it's been my dream since...ever since I can remember! I love it."

"But...?"

Noah hesitated before opening his mouth to speak, but the sound of the doorbell interrupted them. "Lily must have left her key in a hurry..." Holden explained, walking over to the door again. But he wasn't met with the flushed faces of Lily and Lucinda. Instead the sheepish grin and dimples that stood before him belonged to...

"Luke." The air had suddenly become thick with tension, and Holden suddenly felt awkward standing there.

"Hey, Dad," Luke smiled, dropping his suitcase so that he could be pulled into one of Holden's bear hugs. He closed his eyes as the warm greeting from his father enveloped him, breathing in the scent of family. Home. Gosh he'd missed it so much.

Holden felt as Luke suddenly stiffened in his arms before pulling back so that the older man could see that his son's eyes were firmly set on the deep blue eyes of his ex. "Noah?"

Noah couldn't stop the shy lopsided smile that graced his features. "Hey Luke," he said.