Chapter Forty Three:
They woke up that morning, as the early morning sun was filtering through the windows, the silent house a special treat. They knew their time alone was going to end way too soon, so they took every advantage and made love well into the morning. They both climbed out of bed when the doorbell rang; interrupting their latest impromptu make-out session. They grabbed their clothes and dressed before walking downstairs arm in arm, to welcome their children home. The doorbell continuously rings as they make their way to the door.
Opening the door with a huge smile on his face, “Renee, Pa how are you.”
“What took you so long to answer the door?” Noticing Nora tying her robe. “Oh I should’ve known with you two.”
Running past his grandfather, wrapping his arms around his mom’s waist, “Mommy, I helped Grandma feed Madison today…and she threw up all over Grandpa’s shirt.”
Bo and Nora tried to stifle their laughter as Matthew continued to tell them all about their night at Asa and Renee’s.
Trying hard not to laugh, “Sounds like you had a great time, Pa”
Asa just scowls…
“Oh ignore your Pa. He had a great time spoiling them. (smacking his arm) Didn’t you, you old coot.”
“Whatever you say, woman.”
Walking up to him and placing a kiss on his cheek, “Thank you, Asa. We really appreciate you watching the kids for us.”
Softening, “You’re welcome, darling. (turning to Renee) Come on, woman, I’ve got business to attend to.”
“Thanks again, Renee. I’ll call you tomorrow.”
Kissing Madison and then Matthew, “Goodbye darlings, we’ll see you this weekend.”
Bo saw Renee and Asa out while Matthew ran off to play outside and Nora put Madison down in her playpen. Nora was standing there watching Madison suck on her chubby little fingers thinking about how different their lives were just a short time ago. She was brought out of her thoughts by two arms being wrapped around her waist.
“A penny for your thoughts, Red.”
“Oh, I was just thinking about how much our lives have changed in the past year and a half. I mean look at us, we’re a family. Sometimes I still can’t believe this is our life.”
Turning her around to face him, “Believe it, Red…”
His words were interrupted by the ringing of his cell phone.
Reaching out and touching her face as he answers the phone, “Buchanan…So much for him taking a break, I guess….I’ll be there in a half hour…(hangs up the phone) I’m sorry, honey. I’ve got to go in.”
“Its fine, you go take care of business. Matthew, Madison, and I will be fine. Maybe we’ll go to the park.”
“Just make sure Officer Jamison goes with you.”
“Bo…”
“Nora, please don’t fight me on this okay? Just let me do my job and make sure my family is safe.”
“Fine, but only because you looked so cute when you said it.”
Kissing her, “Thank you. I can’t concentrate on this case unless I know you’ve got someone watching out for you when I can’t.”
“I’ll be careful, Bo. I promise. Now hurry up and get going before you’re late for work.”
“I mean it, Red. Don’t go anywhere without him.”
“Bo…”
Throws hands up, “Okay, I’ll drop it. I love you, Nora.”
“I love you too, now (hitting his butt) git’ before I never let you leave.”
Bo quickly kisses her before rushing off to get dressed. Nora picks an exhausted Madison up out of her playpen and carries her upstairs to her room. She placed her in her crib and stared at her for a few minutes. She heard Matthew playing outside in the fort that Bo had attempted to build; that Joey actually finished. She smiled and walked into their bedroom to get ready for their day. Bo was walking out of their bedroom as she was walking in. They said their goodbyes and he left for the office….
The station twenty minutes later….
Bo walked towards his office and was immediately stopped by Antonio…
“We have another victim but this time we caught a break.”
Walking into his office, “Does she remember this time?”
“Yeah, boss. She remembers everything about him.”
“This is exactly what we’ve been waiting for. Where is she now?”
“She’s at the hospital being examined. A sketch artist is on his way down to meet with her.”
Bo gets up and walks over and closes the door.
“There’s more sir.”
“More? Like what?”
“She fought him off. The forensics team was able to remove skin from under her nails.”
“Now that’s some excellent news. As soon as we’re able to identify this maniac we’ll be able to use the samples to make a positive ID.”
“I’m going to head down to the forensics lab before I leave for lunch with Jessica and Jaime.”
“That’s fine. I’m sure she’ll be in with the sketch artist soon. So we have a few hours before we’ll be able to talk with her. I’m going to work on some of this paperwork. Have a great lunch with your family.”
“Thank you, sir. Call me if things get pushed up.”
Bo nods as Antonio leaves closing the door behind him. Bo leans back in his chair and runs his hands over his face. “At least we finally caught a break”, he thought to himself as he began looking through the paperwork on his desk. His work was interrupted when his office door flew open….
Yelling from just outside Bo’s office, “Matthew Hanen Buchanan, I told you to knock before you run into your father’s office.”
Looking dejected, “I’m sorry dad.”
Standing up from behind his desk, a huge smile on his face, “You’re mom’s right, champ but we’ll let it slide this time. (looking over at Nora as she walks in carrying Madison in her carrier) So to what do I owe this surprise visit from my three favorite people?”
“We’re taking you to lunch in the park, daddy. We made a picnic.”
Looking up at Nora, “You made the picnic?”
“Well we brought the picnic. Carlotta actually made the picnic.”
“Well in that case let’s go.”
Bo sticks Matt up on his shoulders as he walks out of the office…
“Marcie, I’ll be out of the office for about an hour. My cell is on. Call me as soon as the sketch artist is back.”
“Yes, sir.”
Walking up beside Bo, “Sketch artist?”
“I’ll tell you all about it at lunch.”
They walked hand in hand towards the park; Maddie asleep in her carrier; Matthew riding high on his father’s shoulders; feeling like he’s the king of the world…..
They finish their lunch and lay together on the blanket watching Matthew climb on the monkey bars.
He walks around the bend and watches as Bo leans in and kisses Nora before they start laughing as he tickles her; enjoying their time as a family…He looks down at the picture of Nora in his hand and crumples it up in anger….
“You won’t keep them, Buchanan. They’re going to be with me. Just wait; I’ll have what belongs to me.”
He walks away; fingering the gun and syringe he has in his pocket. Running his other hand down the scratch on his cheek….