"You really are a very special and amazing man!" Luke exclaimed, placing his arm around Noah's waist as they sat outside on the bench and laying his head on Noah's shoulder.

They watched as Nicholas and Mia chased each other around the yard, squealing with laughter.

"You should see how cute Nicky is with her!" Noah said, pressing Luke's knee, "He really has taken her under his wing. I think he understands she's like a kindred spirit, or something."

"How?" Luke asked, "I still can't believe I'm sitting here looking at Kevin's Mia! Where did you find her?"

...

Noah and Nicholas were on a plane and in Oakdale by Monday afternoon. Luke was right. If Noah was to have any hope in finding Mia he'd need the full resources of the Foundation at his disposal. His plan was to leave Nicholas at the farm with Emma for the day and head to the Foundation offices, but before doing so they stopped by Al's for a bite to eat.

They were just on their way to finding a free booth when Noah heard somebody call his name. "Noah? Is that you?"

He turned and to his surprise found both Casey and Alison sitting at a table behind him.

"Oh my god, you guys!" Noah exclaimed, "I can't believe it!"

Alison beamed at him, "What are you doing in Oakdale? I thought you were still in LA?"

"Look who's talking! You two were in France the last time I heard!"

"Yeah!" Casey began, "France and Italy and Germany and Sweden…"

Alison laughed, "Even Australia!"

"Wow!" Noah exclaimed. "You're really getting around!"

"You look really good Noah!" Alison said then.

"You too!" Noah replied. Alison had cut her hair really short and it suited her small featured face, while Casey on the other hand was sporting a hairstyle which would rival any of Luke's many choices. Blonde tresses reached almost shoulder length and he reminded Noah of the surfers on LA's beaches.

And then Casey noticed Nicholas peering at him from behind Noah's legs. "Hello? Who are you?"

"Oh!" Noah exclaimed, "This is Nicky. My son…"

As he said it Alison spat out a mouth full of diet coke, "WHAT?"

Both of them peered at Nicholas with interest.

"Whoa bro!" Casey expressed, "Back up a bit! YOU have a kid? I mean, when? Where's he been all this time?

Noah laughed, he was starting to get used to this kind of reaction. "He's not my biological son! He's actually my cousin."

"Geez Noah!" Casey exclaimed, "He looks just like ya!"

"Yeah, weird hey?"

"Looks like we have a lot to catch up on! Wanna join us for lunch?" Casey asked.

"Yes great, we'd love to!" Noah replied lifting Nicholas up into the booth next to Alison and taking a seat opposite him beside Casey, "Actually I'm REALLY glad I bumped into you because I've been trying to get in touch with you both for weeks!"

"Really?" Casey asked, "Everything okay?"

"Oh yes. Just, I needed your latest address…"

"What for?" Alison asked before biting on a fry.

"So that I can invite you both to the wedding…"

Both of their mouths fell open in shock.

"Oh my god Noah! You're getting married?" Alison beamed, "That's amazing! You met somebody? I have to say I never thought you'd get over Luke!"

"Oh, no, I didn't?"

"Didn't what?" Alison asked.

"I didn't get over Luke. I didn't have too."

Casey jolted, "You mean…"

Noah shrugged, "Aha!"

Alison squealed with delight and leant over the table to grab Noah's head and kiss him once on each cheek, while Casey grinned at him and patted him on the shoulder.

"Wow! It's amazing! How you two always manage to find a way back to each other!"

"Yeah. I'm really lucky!"

"Congrats man! I'm happy for you!"

"We both are!" agreed Alison.

"So where is that joker?" Casey asked.

"Luke is in the jail…" Nicholas suddenly stated out of the blue, "He's coming home real soon!"

Noah was caught off guard. It usually took Nicholas a lot longer to speak around strangers. Noah supposed the playful vibe that Alison and Casey both exuded must have put him at ease.

"Okay! It's just one shock after another with you today!" Alison said, "Surely not?"

"I'm afraid so…" Noah sighed sadly at them and then spent the next hour filling them in on the past few months since Luke's arrival in Los Angeles.

"Man! Sorry dude… that sucks! So now you're here looking for some con's daughter?" Casey asked.

"Yip." Noah answered with a sigh, "I'm hoping Luke's Foundation has the answers."

"Her name's Mia!" Nicholas informed them, "She doesn't have a mommy."

Noah smiled at him, "That's right baby, she doesn't."

"So she's like me!"

"In a way, yes, she is."

He had explained the situation as best he could to Nicholas during the flight over, but Nicholas had his own method of working things through.

"What are you going to do when you find her?" Alison asked.

"I guess I'll cross that bridge when I come to it. In the meantime I've really gotta go! I was so lucky to run into you guys! How long are you visiting Oakdale for?"

"Just another month or two..." Casey explained, "Then we're off to Africa!"

"Africa hey? If you don't mind me asking, what are you guys doing for money?"

"Oh that!" Casey waved it away as though it was the last thing that bothered them, "We work were we can. Hospitals are always looking for nurses like Alison and I'm always able to find bar work or whatever!"

"Plus, Casey's writing a book!" Alison informed him proudly.

"Really?" Noah asked,

"Yeah, sort of!" Casey agreed, "It's about our travels."

"Sounds great! You'll have to fill me in sometime." Then throwing cash on the table to pay for their lunch he stood to go, "Okay, well, it's been so good to see you guys and I wish we had more time but you have my number so make sure you send me a working e-mail address… then I can let you know about the wedding!"

"You bet! That's one wedding we definitely want to see!" Alison smiled and as Nicholas took Noah's hand she said, "See you Nicky."

"Bye." He said shyly and waved as they exited the diner.

...

"Wow!" said Luke, "Casey and Alison! What were the chances?"

"I guess fate was making sure they came to our wedding?"

"Oh, so you're starting to forgive fate a little, are you?"

"Maybe…" Noah smiled and spent a minute kissing him softly.

"So was the foundation any use?" Luke asked; eager to hear the rest of Noah's story.

"The foundation and Judy! Actually it was Judy who found her!"

"God bless that woman!" Luke grinned.

Noah hesitated before continuing and it was enough for Luke to notice.

"What is it?" he asked, his face falling as he felt the vibe off Noah.

"I'm sorry Luke. It's not all good news."

...

"Noah Mayer! Oh my word! When the receptionist said you were down here I was sure it was a joke!"

Noah smiled at her, "Hi Judy!"

"It's great to see you my boy! And looking so gorgeous too! Where's that wonderful man of yours?"

"Oh, he's still in Los Angeles." Noah replied, not going into details.

The main office of the Luke Snyder Foundation looked exactly as it had the last time he was there. Although he couldn't remember exactly when that was… He thought perhaps it must have been around the Brian Wheatley days, because shortly after that he'd begun work on his collage movie, and the rest was history.

"Well, what can I do for you Noah?" Judy asked kindly.

"Luke and I are trying to trace a lost child. I was wondering if I could use the Foundation computers to track her?"

"Of course! And I'll even help you!"

"Really? That would be great! Are you sure I'm not interrupting your work or anything?"

"Lost child hey?" she asked and he nodded. "Well, seems right along my line of work!"

Noah smiled and followed her towards the elevators.

Three hours later and Noah's eyes were beginning to tire from the strain of staring at the computer screen. They had come across a few stories that could have been Mia but nothing concrete. He was running out of time. He'd have to leave soon if they were going to catch their flight home that night.

Then Judy exclaimed, "Hello!"

"Did you find something?" Noah asked hopefully.

"Actually I think I might have done! Here, check this out! It's a police report from a few months ago! An elderly woman died after having a heart attack on a park bench. She had no identification on her."

"You think it was Mrs Howard?"

"Could be, the park is only a few blocks from her apartment…"

"Oh god…" Noah whispered, hoping it wasn't true. Poor Kevin had surely been through enough!

"Anyway," Judy continued, "I thought maybe they went out together for a walk and then this happened and the child wondered off."

"Yes," Agreed Noah, "Sounds possible."

"So I dug around some more and I found another police report from later that same evening, of a small child found abandoned a few blocks from the park."

"A few blocks!" Noah exclaimed, trying to imagine a three and half year old making her way through the busy streets of Los Angeles unnoticed. "Jesus!"

"I know!" Judy replied shaking her head, "Crazy right?"

"That's got to be her! Where is she now?"

"According to the report she's in a children's home… here," she handed him a sheet of paper, "I printed out the address for you."

"Thank you!"

"Well, let's hope it's her anyway! But in the meantime I'll keep looking."

"Thanks Judy!" Noah had a feeling about the printout in his hand. It seemed to make sense.

He quickly headed back to the farm to collect Nicholas and catch their flight home.

...

"Luke?" Noah paused in his story when he saw a tear drop down Luke's cheek.

Luke was leaning forwards on the bench with an arm on each knee, hands clasped in front of him, "How am I supposed to tell Kevin his mother's dead?"

"I know. I'm sorry. But at least you can counter that by letting him know that Mia is okay."

Luke sniffed, "It's just. The poor guy's been through so much! He doesn't deserve to be in a place like this! Not at all!"

"Well," shrugged Noah, "Neither do you. It's like you said yourself… they can't bend the law just for a few isolated cases. The best they can do is let those people involved serve lighter sentences."

"I guess." Luke agreed. "So that's where you found her? The children's home?"

...

"Excuse me?"

"Hello?"

"Um, sorry…"

Noah tried, in vane, to gain the attention of any of the busy staff members buzzing two and fro within the Holy Childhood Children's Home. Finally a flustered looking person arrived behind the reception desk, where two phones had been ringing non-stop since Noah's arrival.

"Hello…" Noah began.

But the woman held up her hand to silence him and quickly scanned her eyes down a long list of names on her desk before pressing the button on a microphone and announcing, "Dr Epstein, paging Dr Epstein, please make your way to reception, thank you."

Noah was jolsted out of the way as three nuns ran past him.

"Yes!" She said, suddenly directing her attention to Noah and surprising him the process.

"Oh! Um! I'm looking for a child."

"Yes, yes… are you adoption or foster?"

"Sorry?"

"Are you picking up an adopted child or are you a foster carer?"

"Neither. I'm just looking for the child of a friend of mine. I believe she might be here."

The woman sighed deeply, "Okay! Look, can you just wait through there…"

"There?" Noah asked, pointing to the room he thought she wanted him to go to.

"Yes!" she sounded exasperated, "I'll send somebody over to you!" and with that she vanished again.

Noah tentatively entered through the doorway and found himself in some kind of waiting area. A few children ran about, playing with toys from shelving along the one wall. Noah found a corner and stood there waiting for… he wasn't sure what he was waiting for…

Despite the effort to brighten the place up with painted cartoon murals etc, the building had a depressive institutional feel to it.

After half an hour of waiting Noah started to loose his patients and was just about to go in search of the receptionist again when a nun approached him.

"Excuse me sir, I'm told you're looking for a child?" she asked.

"Yes Sister, thank you. My name is Noah Mayer. The child is a small girl that was brought here a few months ago. She was found in the city. Her name is Mia, if that helps."

"Mia! Yes! Are you family?" she asked hopefully.

Noah's heart leapt! It was her! It was Mia! "No, I'm not, but I know where her father is."

"Oh wonderful! That's wonderful! Every night that child cries for her daddy! Every night! We were really lost as to what to do with her."

"Sorry?"

"Well, she couldn't tell us her last name and without knowing who she is we can't foster her, so she's stuck here in the home. We try, but it's not the best place to spend your childhood. We would much rather find suitable homes for our children. In fact I don't think we've ever had a child stay with us this long!"

"Um Sister…"

"Sister Charity"

"Sister Charity." Noah smiled, "Do you think I could see Mia?"

She hesitated, "I'm afraid not. If you're not family or an official of some kind then we can't allow that, you understand."

"Yes." Noah nodded, "What would you need to allow me to see her?"

"First of all it would be helpful if you tell me her story."

Noah spent time explaining the situation.

"Oh dear!" she sighed shaking her head, "That's not good. So her father is her only relative?"

"I'm afraid so. Look… Sister… I'm already fostering my cousin, so I'm on the system as a foster father… Do you think that maybe we could arrange to have her signed over to me?"

He knew he was being impulsive, but he really couldn't think of another solution, and he was afraid Mia would disappear into the system if he didn't act quickly.

"That could take months I'm afraid…"

"But why? I mean you said yourself she would be better off in a real home. There must be something we can do…" as he said it something came to him and he quickly whipped out his phone.

...

"Who did you call?" Luke asked, frowning.

"Can't you guess? Betty of course!"

...

It wasn't until Thursday that Noah was finally able to see Mia, thanks to the astounding effort made by Betty. She used every contact and friend at her disposal to convince the system that the child would definitely be better off under Noah's guardianship than left in the children's home or fostered out to strangers. And Luke and Noah knew her father, which meant Mia would still have a connection to him and he could take her back into his care on his release from detention.

Sister Charity showed Noah and Nicholas to a room where a tiny girl sat at a child sized table, playing with a ragdoll. Noah indicated to Sister Charity that she was no longer required and, when alone with Mia, approached her carefully. Nicholas sat opposite Mia at the table, shyly watching her with interest.

"Mia?" Noah asked softly, squatting down beside her.

She lifted her freckled nose up at him and examined him through sea green eyes.

"Hi." Noah said, "My name is Noah and this is Nicky."

Nicholas gave her his biggest smile. He had been so excited to finally meet the little girl Noah had told him some much about that week.

"Is that your doll?" Noah tried.

She shook her head.

"No?" he asked.

"My dolly is at my house."

"Oh. I see."

"Can I go home now?"

"No. I'm sorry Mia, you can't. Not to your old home anyway?"

"But why? I want Daddy!" she stated sadly.

"Your daddy can't be with you right now, okay? But he's a friend of mine," she looked up at him expectantly, "and he wants us to take care of you while he's away."

"He does?"

"You can live with us!" said Nicholas gleefully. "Luke and Noah look after us."

"Would you like that Mia? Would you like to come and live in our house while we wait for your daddy to fetch you?"

She studied him for a long time. He could see her little mind trying to take it all in.

"You'll have your own room and we'll get you a new dolly, okay?"

"Just for me?" He realised then that in the home she most likely didn't have many of her own possessions.

"Yes, baby. We'll get toys just for you."

"Yes! And I have toys too!" said Nicholas. "You can play with them if you want."

"And we'll take you to visit your daddy, okay?"

"Daddy?" her eyes positively shone at that and a huge and beautiful smile crossed her lips.

They spent an hour together in that room, laughing and playing games until Noah felt she was relaxed enough.

"So Mia, will come home with me and Nicky?"

She nodded brightly and then to Noah's surprise jumped up and hugged him round his neck.

"Okay then guys!" Noah said, sniffing back the overwhelming feeling he received from that hug, "Let's go home!"

...

"So… are you sure you're okay with this?" Noah asked Luke hesitantly, "I mean it's a huge responsibility to take her in and I didn't really discuss it with you beforehand."

Luke looked at him in amazement, "Are you kidding? I'm the one that should be asking YOU that question! I mean! Of course I would have wanted this, but to think… that you would do this too… God! Every time I think there's nothing you could do to make me love you more, you go and do something so loving and thoughtful like this!"

"And Kevin? Will he okay with it?"

"He'll be shocked I think! And I'll have to prepare him for the whole gay thing! I'm not sure he knows about that! But I think the main thing for him is that she's not in a home."

Noah smiled at him through tears.

"Thank you bubby…" Luke sniffed.

"Two kids!" Noah laughed softly, scratching Luke's back, "Last year I was all alone and now look at us!"

Luke looked over at him and smiled.

...

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