Chapter Ten:

Bo woke up to a stiff neck and a throbbing shoulder. He had refused to take the pain medication that Larry offered, wanting to be awake and alert when she woke up. He stood up and looked at his watch. He figured Matthew would be awake by now and it was time to call him and let him know that he had found Nora. Bo stretched his muscles as best he could and walked out into the hallway. He looked around the waiting room and the sight before him brought a smile to his face. Off to the left sat Asa, his long frame stretched out in a chair, Renee’s head resting on his shoulder. Hank was on the opposite side of the room his head in his hand, sound asleep. Vicki, Joey, and Kevin were sitting over by the elevators drinking coffee. Antonio and a few of the officers who weren’t on duty were gathered around the nurse’s station.

He acknowledged their presence and took out his cell phone. They all waited until he was done making his all important phone call.

“Hello.”

“Hey champ; it’s your old man.”

“Dad, where are you? Did you find mommy yet?”

“Yep, I found her.”

Bo brought the phone away from his ear afraid Matthew’s scream would render him deaf if he didn’t.

“Where is she? When can I see her? Are you bringing her home?”

“Whoa, one question at a time, okay.”

“Okay daddy.”

“First answer is your mom’s in the hospital resting. Second answer is it’s going to be a little while before you can see her because she’s still asleep. I promise as soon as she wakes up I’ll have Jessica bring you here.”

“How long is she going to be asleep?”

“We’re not sure buddy; it could be a little while. Mom’s real tired, so can you be patient?”

“Yeah, I can be patient.”

“Okay well mommy’s doctor needs to talk with me so I’m going to hang up now, but let me talk to Jessica before you hang up the phone.”

“Okay daddy, I love you, and thank you for finding mommy.”

Bo fought back the emotions his son’s innocent statement evoked.

“I love you too, champ. Now put Jessica on and make sure you’re a good boy for her.”

“I will, tell mommy I love her even though she’s sleeping, kay?”

“I will.”

Bo brought the phone away from his ear once again as Matthew yelled for Jessica. Bo filled her in on Nora, only that she was alive and resting, and asked her if she would stay with Matthew for a while. She agreed and told Bo not to worry, and give Nora her love once she woke up. Bo hung up the phone and walked over to the group of people who have now woken up and gathered in the middle of the waiting area.

“How’s Nora, son?”

“She’s got a tough rode ahead of her, Pa but Larry thinks she’ll make it. She just has to wake up first.”

“She’s one tough cookie, Bo. She’s gonna make it.”

“Thanks for being here, Pa.”

“Wouldn’t think of being anywhere else.”

Asa walked back over and sat down next to Renee. He’d seen a change in his son since they had found out that Matthew was really Bo’s and he had noticed how happy Bo’s been the past few months, there was a new light in his eyes. He knew there were two people responsible for that, and right now one of their lives lies in the balance. Nope he wasn’t going anywhere. This was about family and if there was one thing Asa knew how to do, he knew how to be there for his family when they needed him the most.

Bo walked over to the group of police officers after spending some time with Vicki, Kevin, and Joey, Hank had gone in to sit with Nora.

“How are you feeling, Commissioner?”

“A little sore but I’ll live. How’s our suspect?”

“Very dead, sir.”

Bo tried to conceal his smile. He was glad Nick was dead, but he knew there would be an investigation, not that he really cared. He did what he had to do to, and if that meant killing the bastard for what he did to Nora, he’d do it again.

“Where is he now?”

“They transported his body to the morgue.”

“Has someone contacted his ex-wife? I don’t want her or her son hearing about this on the news.”

“It’s been taken care of.”

“Thank you Antonio. Now if you don’t mind I’m going to go back in there and sit with Nora.”

Bo walked back towards Nora’s room, Larry was with her, jotting down a few things in her chart, and checking her vitals. Hank was standing outside the room looking through the window.

“I called Rachel this morning and filled her in on what happened, or at least what I know happened, and I can tell from the look in your eyes that whatever that SOB did to her it was bad.”

“As bad as it comes, Hank.”

“I know you’ll fill me in when you think it’s time. Rachel’s coming in tonight. She wants to be here when her mom wakes up, and to help her when she gets home. Her boss has given her an extended leave of absence so she should be able to be here for the next 6 weeks or so.”

“That’s good. Nora’s going to need her.”

Larry walked out of her room and told them that Nora’s vitals were strong and that once she came out of it he expected a full physical recovery, emphasizing the physical part for Bo’s benefit. Bo knew exactly what Larry meant. Nora would heal from her physical injuries in time, but the emotional scars would be there for a long time to come.

Bo walked back into her room and sat down beside her bed. That is where he would be day in and day out. He never left her side. He talked with her, he sang along to all their favorite songs wishing she’d just start singing along, he read cards from Matthew, and he gave her all the reasons why she should open her eyes.

A week after he brought her to the hospital he was still sitting beside her bed. He had his arm across her stomach, his head lying in the crook of his other arm. He was so lost in his dreams that the feel of her touching his skin seemed so real. He opened his eyes and realized it wasn’t a dream. She had laid her hand gently on his cheek. He lifted his head up and looked at her looking down at him.

“Hey there gorgeous.”

“Hey back at ya, handsome.”