Author Note: Well... this is it! Final chapter! (Although keep a look out as I will be posting a short bonus chapter later)... Thanks for reading and please PLEASE let me know your thoughts on this story.

...

Oakdale, Illinois, 2026

"Uncle Casey, come on!" Barefoot and pajama-clad, Leo Snyder banged again on the bathroom door with his fists. "This isn't funny anymore!" He waited a heartbeat, but was greeted with more annoying humming, so he knocked harder. "Uncle Casey!"

He spotted Luke in his periphery, as the blonde headed across the landing.

"Pop!" he pleaded. "Please! Speak to him!"

Hiding a grin, while trying his best to look sympathetic, Luke approached and lightly tapped on the door. "Come on, Case! You're giving the kid heart failure out here…"

"I'm busy," Casey replied through the door, without a care in the world. "Wait your turn."

"Pop!" Leo exploded. He was one step away from stamping his foot, just like he used to do as a child.

God, he's not a child anymore.

Luke swallowed the small lump that thought evoked; and stated, "Casey, there are a lot of guys that still need to shower. You're holding up the works and we're gonna end up late…"

The door opened a gap. Casey Hughes stood before them with damp blonde hair, wearing nothing but a towel. He had a mouth full of froth and brandished a toothbrush at them.

"Impossible, my friend," he spat.

Both Luke and Leo jumped back to avoid being sprayed by paste.

"What is?" Luke asked.

"…to be late." Casey continued to nonchalantly brush his teeth.

Luke knew Casey well enough to know the man was enjoying every minute of this.

Big tease!

But Leo wasn't seeing the humor in it at all. "Uncle Casey! The wedding is at 3. What the hell are you talking about?"

Casey held up one hand, turned to the sink, and spat before readdressing them. "So long as you are here with me I can't be late," he reasoned with a grin. "They can't have a wedding without the groom, now can they?"

Luke pursed his lips to hold back from laughing at Casey's logic.

Leo's hands found his hips; his face like thunder. "You expect me to be late to my own wedding?"

Casey winked and quickly shut the door on them. Leo hauled himself at it; banging like mad.

"Pop!" Leo groaned. "Do something, will ya?"

Luke put two reassuring hands on Leo's shoulders, massaging gently. "Leo, relax, okay? Everything will be just perfect… You'll see."

"But-"

Luke put a finger to his son's lips. "Shush! As your best-man, Ethan will be up soon to help you dress. There is still plenty of time. Uncle Casey is just messing with your head!"

"I need to shower, Pop!" Leo whined. "I need to keep busy or I'll go crazy!"

Luke could relate. He remembered how he'd felt the day he officially married Noah; intense butterflies making him sick with anticipation. And that was with the added benefit of already having lived like a married couple for years beforehand.

When young Hallie Munson first moved in with her grandparents, so she could attend Oakdale University; little did they expect that their son, Mr. Love-Is-For-Girls himself, would fall head-over-heels for the cute red-head.

Now, after a whirlwind romance, Leo and Hallie were stepping out on their own; their lives were about to change forever.

"I don't know if you've noticed, Son. But your pop is looking rather debonair right now." Luke stood back so his son could admire the navy blue suit he wore; complete with decorative cummerbund. Luke was told by the bride it contained the cherry-red that tied her wedding theme together.

Leo looked sheepish at not noticing. "Sorry, Pop. You look great."

Luke's eyebrow raised, "Just great?"

Finally, he got a smile out of Leo. "You look amazing, Pop."

"And you know what this means, right?"

"What?"

"En-suite is free. You know your dad. He's been ready for more than an hour."

Luke chuckled as Leo squeezed him in a hug, before shooting past to use the second bathroom. Shaking his head, he made his way downstairs, only to be caught up short by the sight of Noah standing on the second landing, staring out of the window.

In the yard below, Ethan could be seen practicing his best-man speech on Holden. It had been Ethan's idea for all the men in the main wedding party to spend the night together; and Casey had volunteered to play host. Even though he had to promise his wife, Alison, they wouldn't drink too much and end up trashing her house.

It had been a squeeze, to say the least. The house wasn't very big. But with help from a few blowup mattresses, they'd made it work.

Luke wasn't sure why Alison was so worried. The evening was a very sober affair of male bonding and reflection.

Wearing a matching suit, Noah sensed Luke's approach and grinned brightly at him, open admiration clear on his face.

Luke's heart usually fluttered at the sight of Noah. But the sight of Noah in a suit always turned that flutter into a full-throttled pounding.

"Good morning Mr. Snyder. You, waiting for me?" Luke asked him, slowly approaching.

"Always," Noah sighed in almost a whisper, pulling Luke closer by his suit's neatly folded lapel.

His hands smoothed down the jacket, coming to rest flat on Luke's chest. He leaned in slowly, teasing Luke for a moment by holding his lips just inches from connection. Finally, he depressed their mouths together in a kiss a little more fervent than was perhaps appropriate at that moment.

But Luke didn't care. He pressed his body closer to Noah's, sliding his hands through the man's dark hair; willingly parting his lips for Noah and groaning as his body began it's inevitable response.

After several gorgeous minutes, they finally came up for air.

"Whoa!" Luke gasped. "Keep that up and we'll end up missing our son's wedding!"

Noah smiled, but his eyes were glassy.

Still wrapped snuggly in Noah's arms, Luke reached up to smooth one of Noah's dark eyebrows. "What's going on, Bubby?"

Noah frowned. "Are you sure this is okay?"

Luke chortled and pulled the man into a hug. "This is more than okay!"

Chuckling, Noah pushed Luke back to look him in the eye. "Come on, Luke! You know what I mean…"

Luke kissed him softly. "Yes. I know."

"It's just… they're so young. Should we be allowing this?"

"Bubby, he's 19! We can hardly interfere with his decisions anymore. All we can do is be there for him."

Noah sighed.

"Hey," Luke smiled, giving Noah a small shove with his body. "They love each other. That's pretty clear, right?"

"Yeah," Noah agreed.

"Leo's hardly the type to go into something lightly. You know how thoughtful he is, in everything he does. And besides, with Leo taking over the horse breeding business from Dad, they won't struggle financially. And there's plenty of family in Oakdale to give them all the love and support in the world."

"I know."

"Hell, getting married at 19 surely trumps getting arrested!"

Noah laughed. "That's for sure!"

"And we turned out okay, right?"

"Yeah."

"So…," Luke cocked his head. "…feeling better?"

"Actually, it's not really me you need to worry about," Noah replied.

"Ha?" Luke quirked an eyebrow at him.

Noah smiled and pulled Luke gently by the hand down the remainder of the stairs and into the sitting room, where the third father-in-law-to-be, Will Munson, was in the process of wearing down a path in Casey and Alison's patterned carpet.

"How did this happen?" he asked as soon as he caught sight of Luke and Noah in the doorway. He threw his arms in the air. "One minute she's brushing the hair on her Barbie doll and the next... I'm supposed to walk her down the freaking aisle?"

"You're right," Luke agreed. "Time sure has flown."

"Well I'm not ready!" Will declared, running fingers through his short-cropped hair.

Not for the first time, Luke marveled at how little Will had changed from their days together in high school. Will was one of the first friends Luke ever admitted being gay too; cementing a close relationship that lasted till this day. Will and his wife, Gwen, and their youngest daughter, Cary, had traveled to Oakdale from Chicago especially for the wedding.

"Hallie might think she's ready," Will continued, "…but I'm certainly not!"

Luke grinned. "Like I was just telling Noah; it's their decision to make, Will. They'll figure it all out."

"I wish I had your faith!" Will groaned.

"Leo will look after her," Noah gently reassured him. "And so will we... You know that, right?"

Rubbing the back of his head Will smiled. "Yeah, I know. At least that's one thing I can be certain of."

They were interrupted when Luke's cell phone rang. He quickly popped it out of his pocket. It was a call he'd been waiting all morning for. "Hello?"

"Hi, Luke?" said the voice on the other end. "It's Adrian."

"Tell me it's good news!" Luke rushed.

"We did it!" It was easy to hear the excitement in the private investigator's voice. "Cleared… on all charges!"

Luke punched the air. "Yes!"

"What?" Noah asked. "What is it?"

"Adrian, can you hold on a minute?" Luke asked, holding one hand to Noah's chest.

"Actually no, I've gotta run, court is still in session. I snuck out because I thought you'd want to know right away."

"Definitely!" Luke exclaimed. "Thank you! I'll see you later at the wedding?"

"As soon as court's adjourned, I'll be on the first flight out of Chicago! Wouldn't miss it!"

Luke said his quick goodbye and hung up, beaming at his husband. "Guy Emmerson… Adrian says the jury cleared him!"

"Oh my God, Luke!" Noah exclaimed; arms open wide for Luke to fall into. "That's brilliant!"

"Guy Emmerson?" Will curiously asked.

…

In 1984, a 20-year-old prostitute, Faye Child, was found stabbed more than 20 times in an apartment near the Chicago docks. The investigation became high profile when details of the case were broadcast on television, appealing for information. With this, the police found themselves under intense public and political pressure to solve the case.

Finally, in November 1985, Guy Emmerson was arrested and eventually taken to trail, despite a lack of evidence linking him to the crime.

His trial was one of the longest in US legal history. But Emmerson was, eventually, found guilty and sentenced to life in 1997.

Serious questions were raised from the beginning about the strength of the convictions; which were based almost solely on various character references. These hailed both from professionals, who interviewed Guy; and from several of Guy's neighbors, who described Guy as "strange", "creepy"; and "a bit of a hermit".

Questions were also raised about the way a confession was taken from Guy not long after his arrest. Short of physical abuse, it was hard for Luke to conceive of a more hostile and intimidating approach by police officers to a suspect.

However, despite the speculation regarding the validity of the conviction, nothing was done to help Guy's situation, until Luke's team of highly skilled lawyers and private investigators received Guy's heartfelt appeal for assistance.

At Adrian's request, and thanks to the advancements in criminal science, police were finally able to build up a genetic profile of the killer using strips of Faye's dress. After Guy provided a DNA sample, it didn't take long to prove, beyond reasonable doubt, that he was innocent.

Additionally, the DNA profile matched that of a known criminal already serving a stretch for multiple rape and physical assault.

…

"Congratulations, Luke," Will commended, after Luke told him the story. "I have to say, it's pretty incredible what you guys have done for people. What's this, your seventh overturned conviction?"

"Ninth!" Luke corrected, swaying in his husband's arms.

"When the government first paid us the compensation," Noah explained. "...we just didn't feel right using it on ourselves. It would have been like legitimizing what happened, ya know?"

Will nodded.

"So, while we were finishing collage, the money just sat untouched in the bank, gaining interest. In the meantime, Luke and I received countless letters from strangers. Some were simply letters of support. But so many were from people who felt they'd been wrongly convicted. Then, one night, Luke had the idea of setting up an organization to help other people who are in the same situation we were."

"And The Guiltless Foundation was born!" Will smiled.

"You wouldn't believe the amount of injustice in the U.S. legal system," Luke told Will.

"Still gives me chills," Will admitted. "…whenever I think about what you guys went through."

Luke and Noah shared a long stare that ended in a soft smile. After the foundation's third success, they couldn't have been more surprised when ex-FBI-Agent Adrian Williams turned up at their doorstep, asking whether he could offer his assistance.

They instantly gave him a job as their lead investigator; a roll he took on with complete dedication.

"All worked out." Noah simply stated. "Eventually, you have to let the anger go and move on. At least we were able to make sure some good come out of it all."

…

By some unspoken agreement they all found themselves in the kitchen, where Will opened the fridge to remove a carton of milk; while Luke searched the cupboards for cereal and bowls.

"Katie tells me you've done an amazing job at WOAK," Will was saying to Noah. "I saw your documentary on road deaths. Pretty incredible stuff! Are you ever gonna try making that movie you're always talking about?"

Noah laughed. "Well, I always used to say I was waiting for the kids to fly the coop first. Guess, after today, I have one less to worry about."

Just as Noah said this, their youngest son sleepily slunk through the kitchen door; mousy-blonde hair all mussed up.

"Hungry," Darby yawned; dropping on the nearest stool, pulling his father's cereal bowl closer.

"Oh! Help yourself, Scamp," Noah joked and ruffled the top of Darby's head. "You're not planning on leaving us any time soon, are you, Kiddo?"

"Na-a!" their son assured them through a mouthful of cereal and his signature dimpled smile. "I still have…," he visibly used his fingers to count under his breath. "…twelve whole years… I counted…"

Luke hugged Darby from behind making the 5-year-old squirm and glow with embarrassment. "You can stay with us forever if you want."

Darby was growing to look more and more like Luke with each passing year; much to Noah's delight. His unusual name stemmed from their desire for it to befit their situation. Irish for "born into freedom", it seemed right.

Noah would forever be grateful to the two kind women who helped make the dream of having a second child a reality. One of these was a stranger, who donated her egg. The second; the lovely Angelina, a surrogate mother who they paid to carry the baby to term.

Having come so close to losing his husband on more than one occasion, it was important to Noah that this baby be genetically Luke's.

"Pop!" Darby complained; still wrapped up in his father's arms. "I'm too big for cuddles."

That only resulted in Luke hugging the boy even tighter. "You'll never be too old, Baby."

The child squealed with delight as the doorbell sounded and they heard Ethan shout, "I'll get it!"

Before any of them could blink, the whirlwind that was Luke's baby sister whooshed into the kitchen with three large grocery bags in each hand.

"You're not supposed to be here," Ethan was complaining as he followed along behind her.

"I've come to make sure Leo gets a decent wedding breakfast," 16-Year-old Eva stated, dumping the bags on the kitchen counter and lifting up a bowel of soggy cornflakes with disgust. "Just as I thought!"

As she shooed the men out of her way, she quickly piled up her crazy curls with two bobby pins, before nosily searching the cupboards for pots and pans.

"How did you get here anyway?" Luke asked her.

"By bike… duh!" She replied, slipping on an apron.

As Holden entered the now crowded kitchen, his cell rang. He checked the display, smiling. "Hi Lily… Yes, she's here… I know… I'll tell her…"

Eva rolled her eyes and Noah chuckled, comfortably leaning against the kitchen counter, watching yet another Snyder scene of chaos unfold.

"Oh, Lily," Holden said, "it just wouldn't be Eva if she didn't look a little scruffy and wasn't fussing over everybody… okay, okay… I'll tell her!" Holden pulled the phone from his ear, covering the mouthpiece as he addressed his youngest. "Your mom says you disappeared before she could comb your hair."

Eva shrugged. "She can comb it until the cows come home, won't make any difference!"

"Did you hear that?" Holden asked Lily with a chuckle; before promising to lift Eva back to the farm as soon as she was finished cooking. According to Lily she still needed to change into her bridesmaid dress and be made to look presentable.

"I need space, people!" Eva declared. "Everybody out… out!"

"Can I stay and help?" Darby begged.

"Yes… but just you!"

"How you boys holdin' up?" Holden asked, as they made their way back to the sitting room.

"Barely," Noah joked.

"Just," Luke agreed.

"Marginally," Will added.

Holden chortled and placed a hand on Luke and Noah's backs. "You can all be proud. They've grown into a fine young people with good heads. Honestly, you have nothing to worry about."

"We know," Luke agreed. "Plus, we couldn't have asked for a sweeter daughter-in-law. Hallie's practically family already!"

…

The wedding ceremony and reception took place on the farm. It was a simple, unpretentious affair that somehow managed to maintain elegance, despite the rustic setting.

Under hundreds of homemade jam-jar lanterns, hanging from the branches of every tree, the bride and groom got through their vows without a hitch. They hung on each other's words and lost themselves in a gaze so penetrating, the minister had to call their names a few times before he could continue the proceedings.

Noah felt sure he couldn't feel more pride for his son even if he tried. At times during the ceremony he fisted his chest; overpowering feeling bubbling inside; almost unbearable.

His eyes stung as they watched Leo take this furtive step into manhood. Even though it felt like a step away from him and Luke, it also felt right. It was a part of the greater circle of life.

During the reception, long after the speeches, the cake and the first dance, Noah scanned the guests looking for his husband. They'd become separated as they made their rounds and politely thanked people for coming.

By now, the reception had been going for hours and showed no signs of slowing down. Although some of the older guests, Lucinda and Emma for example, had long since turned in for the night.

He crossed the make-shift dance floor, set outside under the stars on this balmy evening. Most people were in the full swing of the music, gyrating and generally enjoying themselves. He smiled when he caught a glimpse of the bride and groom, slow dancing, despite the hectic beat.

He passed Lily on the way. She stood under one of Emma's apple trees, enjoying a glass of wine and conversation with Dorothy Gordon-Brown. Noah flashed them both a proud grin; and they happily waved back.

Whenever Noah saw Dorothy, he was reminded of that day when Leo was sixteen; and announced he'd located his maternal grandmother. At the time, both Luke and Noah weren't sure what to make of it. They'd both simply assumed Lucy May's family must have abandoned her once they discovered her pregnancy.

As it turned out, Lucy May ran away from home with a man three times her senior, whom she'd met online. Dorothy, an only parent, didn't hear anything from or about her daughter until the Amber Alert went out about Leo's kidnapping. She'd tried to contact Lucy then, but her daughter was so far gone with her addiction, she rejected her mother's offers of help.

As a result, Dorothy was more than delighted when Leo showed up on her doorstep, asking for contact. Now she'd become so much a part of their family, Noah couldn't remember life without her in it.

As he mused this over he reached his destination. He held up his empty glass to JJ, acting as one of their volunteer barmen for the evening.

"Beer?" JJ asked; sliding a can over to Noah after he nodded.

"I shouldn't, but I'm already drunk, so what the heck!" Noah laughed. He turned to lean against the bar; studying the people, shaking his head with a chuckle.

God! Leo's married!

Feeling happy and more than a little tipsy, he sipped on his beer, finally catching sight of Luke.

The blonde sat with Chris and Katie, Natalie, Faith and Eva, at one of the long bench tables. He was relaxed and chatted amicability amongst them. Darby lay asleep across the bench with his head on Luke's lap. While he spoke, Luke gently teased the boy's hair.

Noah admired how incredible Luke looked in his white dress-shirt; positively sophisticated. Luke noticed him and flashed a grin, all white teeth and dimples. He wiggled his finger in a "come hither" motion.

"Why did you let me drink so much?" Noah moaned on his approach, collapsing beside Luke on the bench and lying one cheek on Luke's warm shoulder.

The onlookers all openly laughed at him.

"Cuz, you're so adorable when you're drunk," Luke replied smoothly, beaming wide and tickling Noah's chin with his thumb.

Noah made a face and shifted closer.

"God, but you guys are something!" Katie exclaimed. "You really turned your lives around after that whole Marsden fiasco."

Chris nudged her with his elbow.

"What?" she asked.

"Hardly the subject to bring up at the moment," Chris chastised.

"Hey!" Katie protested. "I'm a journalist. Inappropriate conversation is what we do..."

"Chris is right!" Natalie agreed, jumping to her feet. "Today is for happy thoughts only. Besides, Noah owes me a spin across the dance floor."

Noah weakly shook his head and mumbled, "No spinning… please… no spinning!"

Luke chortled and rubbed at Noah's chin.

"Awe!" Eva exclaimed. "You're so right, Luke! He really is adorable drunk!"

"Ha… freaking… ha…" Noah replied as they all burst into laughter.

A slow song came on and Luke gently shifted Darby from his lap, using his jacket to create a pillow for the boy. He wrapped his arm around Noah's waist. "Surely you won't deny your husband one last dance for the night?"

Looking up into those brown eyes, Noah knew he could deny Luke nothing. He pushed himself up to standing; and held out a sloppy hand, dragging Luke onto the dance floor to the delight of those around the table.

After everything Luke had done, seen and sacrificed, he deserved to be as happy as Noah could make him. And maybe, somewhere deep down, Noah could finally admit that, perhaps, he deserved to be happy too.

Luke pressed a soft cheek to Noah's and said, "She's right, you know?"

"Hm?"

"Katie?" Luke clarified. "We have come a long way."

"Yes." Noah pulled Luke closer. Somehow his hands managed to slip under Luke's shirt and find contact with the warm skin beneath. "Do you remember when we decided to stay in Oakdale?"

Luke's body vibrated as he laughed. "How could I forget? We deliberated for weeks!"

"It was the right decision though."

Luke contently sighed into Noah's neck, placing a quick kiss just below his Adam's apple. "Yes. Yes it was."

As they slowly nudged their feet; sharing the floor with Leo and Hallie, Holden and Lilly, Chris and Katie, Casey and Alison, and Will and Gwen; Noah felt yet another surge of pure happiness. "...out of the doubt that fills my mind... hmm... I somehow find... you and I collide... mmm... mmm..."

"Bubby," Luke asked over Noah's right shoulder. "…are you... singing?" He raised an eyebrow.

Noah didn't answer. He just leaned back to look Luke in the eyes and kept going, swaying with the song. "...I'm quiet you know... you make a first impression... I found I'm scared to know... I'm always on your mind... mmm"

Luke grimaced. "With that voice, I forget why I ever agreed to marry you…"

Noah pressed his forehead to Luke's, laughter rumbling through him. "You married me because I'm the hottest guy..." he hiccupped and stupidly grinned. "…in all of history."

Luke smiled and nodded his agreement. "Ah yes. Now I remember…"