Chapter Twenty Three:
Weeks have turned to months those months quickly turning to years, and the baby that changed their lives and brought them back together is now a precocious four year old; a little boy who has her independent spirit, his love of family, and their zest for life. They’ve become two people, who once lived solely for each other, now finding their love for one another returned a hundred fold when they look into the eyes of their little boy.
Life in Llanview has brought with it a lot of change, a change in her career path, precipitated by the loss of their best friend, as he seeks a new life. They deal with the loss of another friend, as he mourns the death of his son, and seeks a life with his remaining kids. Months later they suffer the loss of his newly found brother, although they’ve been mourning his loss for years, followed by the bittersweet relief that came when his brother’s last gift saves the woman that has been their ‘sister’ and often their anchor when they began to lose their way. Through all the changes and the loss, one thing always stayed true, always kept them grounded; and that was the life they’ve made with each other…
*~*
~Summer 2004~
The early morning sun filters through the windows, casting a glow across their bodies. Bo shifts in his sleep, his arm reaching across her body, pulling her close to him. She smiles in her state of half sleep, pushing her body closer against his. Her eyes flutter open as she feels the evidence of his need pressed against her. She turns in his arms, looking into his sleeping face. She reaches out and runs her finger down his face, the softness of her touch causing him to wake.
He looks into her face, a smile spreading across his, “Good morning beautiful.”
“Good morning yourself,” she says as she leans in and kisses him, gently at first, soon turning passionate.
He parts her lips with his tongue as he slips his hands under the blanket, cupping her hip to pull her closer. She wraps her leg around his, their legs becoming as intertwined as their tongues. His hand runs up her arm, wrapping itself in her hair as their kisses continue. The feel of his desire pressed against her causes the moisture to build between her legs. He rolls her onto her back, breaking their kiss as he stares into her eyes for a moment before bringing his lips onto her neck.
She arches her neck back, a moan escaping from deep within as his hand begins to caress her breast. He teases her nipple between his fingers, bringing them to a hardened peak, as his mouth still assaults her neck.
She runs her hand up and down his back, while his mouth travels across her chest, sucking on her delicate skin before finally replacing his fingers with his mouth. She reaches between them, taking him in her hand, her other hand running through his hair as he continues to caress her breast with his mouth. He moans against her breast as the sensations her hand is invoking wash over him.
His hand leaves her other breast removing hers from where it lies at the base of his neck. He intertwines their hands, raising them above her head as their foreplay continues to bring them to the edge. Soon he breaks contact with her breast and positions himself over her. He removes her other hand from his desire, intertwining their hands once again, resting them above her head. They stare at each other for a moment, their unreleased passion flushing their skin, the love and desire for each other shining in their eyes. He lowers his lips onto hers, parting her lips with his tongue once again. Their tongue’s passionate dance continues as their desire for each other continues to grow with each kiss, with each touch.
He breaks their kiss, his lips never leaving her flushed skin as he kisses across her chest once again, pausing on her breasts for a moment, before traveling to the valley between her breasts. His mouth travels down her stomach, his hot breath caressing her center. He places gentle- kisses down the inside of her thigh, sucking on that spot just behind her knee, before traveling down her calf.
His lips leave her skin for a moment as he moves to her other leg, kissing back up her leg as his fingers slip between her moist folds. She whispers his name as his finger runs over her, bringing her closer and closer to the edge. She feels his warm breath across her center once again. She opens her legs, anticipating what was to come. Bo’s finger continues to tease her as he slips his tongue into her center, her free hand gripping the sheets as his tongue darts in and out of her.
He removes his finger, bringing his hand up to caress her breasts once again, his other hand still lovingly intertwined with hers. He feels her center tighten around his tongue, her bittersweet juices coating his tongue as she gives into her release. He removes his tongue from her center, kissing back up her stomach, across her breasts, before parting her lips once again in a passionate kiss.
She can taste herself on his tongue, her desire building once again. She wraps her arms around his neck, pulling herself on top of him. Her mouth leaves his, kissing down his neck, his chest, finally stopping on his desire. She looks at him before she takes him in her mouth. He whispers her name, reaching out to caress her breasts as she runs her mouth up and down his hardened shaft. Her tongue runs over the tip, eliciting a moan from deep within his soul. She was driving him crazy and she knew it. She opens her eyes for a moment, looking at him as his body arches at the sensations once again running through him.
He reaches beside him, gripping the sheets as she had done moments before, “Please, Nora,” he moans, “now…I need to be inside of you,” he whispers, his voice thick with unreleased passion. She breaks contact with him as he reaches out, lovingly laying her back on the bed. He positions himself over her, both of them releasing a moan as he enters her.
They lay together afterward, him holding her close against him as she sleeps. He glances over at the clock on her side of the bed. He softly kisses her shoulder before slowly and quietly slipping out of bed. He pulls his boxers on and picks his t-shirt up off the chair beside the bed and pulls it on. He glances at her one more time, the sensation of their lovemaking still on his skin as he walks out the door, closing it softly behind him.
He makes his way down the hallway towards Matthew’s room. He stands in the doorway, leaning against the doorjamb a smile on his face, “Hey there, buddy. Whatcha doing?”
Matthew looks up from the large book that he’s balancing on his lap, “I’m looking at pictures of you and mommy.” Bo smiles again and makes his way over to his bed. Matthew slides over as Bo sits down beside him. He lifts one side of the photo album up and places it on Bo’s leg. Matthew points to the picture on the right, “This is when you guys jigger…jilter…”
Bo laughs, “Jitterbugged.”
Matthew nods, “Right, jitterbugged and you winned…”
“We won.”
“You won.” Matthew repeats. He turns the page, “This was when you gots married.”
Bo looks down at the picture of them, standing together in the back of the church, and a smile spreads across his face, “That’s right buddy.” Bo turns the page again, “And that’s Little Richard.” Matthew pushes the book closed and stands up, bouncing on his bed as he sings “Good Golly Miss Molly.” Bo pulls him back down on the bed with a laugh, Matthew bouncing once before he settles back down beside his father, “You’re going to wake your mom, champ.” Matthew opens the photo album again and turns the page, stopping on a picture of them and Rachel taken at the reception. Bo looks down at Matthew as he stares at the picture, “What’s wrong sport?”
Matthew shrugs, “Rachel got to see you get married. I wish I did.”
Bo tries to suppress his laughter. How do you explain to a four year old that most kids don’t get to see their parents get married? He puts his arm around Matthew as they continue to look through the photo album. He explained each picture and answered Matthew’s questions, but his thoughts kept going back to what Matthew had said, and an idea began to formulate in his mind. Nora joins them a half hour later and the three of them get ready for their traditional Saturday morning breakfast at the Palace with Asa and Renee.
They arrive late as usual, but seeing Matthew diffuses Asa’s temper and they settle in for a nice family breakfast. Bo drops them off at the house an hour and a half later. Nora looks at him curiously when she realizes he’s only dropping them off, “Where are you going?”
“I have an errand to run that’s all. I’ll be home in an hour, call MaryAnn and see if she can watch Matthew tonight, because you and I our going out.”
Nora looks over at Matthew who is already falling asleep on the couch in front of the TV, “Where are we going?”
Bo leans in and kisses her, “It’s a surprise Mrs. Buchanan.”
She walks up and wraps her arms around his waist, “Well if I don’t know where we’re going then I won’t know what to wear.”
Bo thinks about it for a moment, “Why don’t you wear that black dress you bought last month,” he kisses her forehead, “That one makes me think so many wicked wicked things,” he whispers in her ear.
She looks up at him with a blush rising to her cheeks, “The black one it is then,” she says with a wink.
Bo kisses her once more before leaving on his errand. She walks over to the couch and picks Matthew up. He lays his head back on her shoulder, “Where daddy go?” he whispers sleepily.
“Daddy went out, sweetie. He’ll be back before you’re even awake.” She carries him upstairs and lays him down on his bed. He rolls onto his side, tucking the sheet under his chin. Just like his father she thinks to herself. She reaches down and brushes the hair from his eyes, “Love you, little man,” she whispers as she closes the door.
She walks down the hallway towards their bedroom. She walks over to their closet and pulls out the black dress. She holds it up to her and looks into the mirror. She thought about what Bo had said before he left and a blush came to her skin once again. She lays the dress out on the bed and walks into the bathroom. She starts the water and drops some of Bo’s favorite bath beads into the water. She watches them dissolve as the room begins to fill with fragrance and steam. She turns on the radio before sliding beneath the warm water.
Bo finds her in the bathroom, thirty minutes later, with her eyes closed and her head lying against the back of the tub. He quietly walks into the bathroom and kneels down beside her. He reaches out and wipes a bead of water from her cheek. Her eyes snap open and she brings her hand up to her chest, “My God, Bo you scared the pants off of me.”
Bo looks down at her and laughs, “Honey, you’re not wearing any pants.”
She reaches out and pushes him until he falls on his bottom, “Ha ha, very funny, Buchanan, now hand me that towel please.”
Bo hands her the towel and helps her out of the tub. Nora is straightening Bo’s bowtie when Matthew comes running into the room, jumping up onto their bed. Matthew looks between his parents, “You guys look fancy.”
Bo walks over to the bed and sits down, “Fancy huh?” Matthew nods.
Bo leans in and whispers in Matthew’s ear. Matthew nods and looks over at his mom, “Daddy says you look like a million bucks,” he says emphasizing the last two words by nodding his head.
Nora turns in the chair in front of her vanity and looks at the two men in her life. She stands up and walks over to them, sitting on the other side of Matthew, “Well you guys make me feel like a million bucks.”
She kisses the top of Matthew’s head and then kisses Bo. Matthew jumps off the bed and looks at them, “Kissing’s gross,” he says with a scowl.
Bo and Nora break their kiss and laugh, “Well you’ll feel differently in about ten years, champ,” Bo says as he picks him up and throws him over his shoulder.
Nora follows them downstairs where they wait for MaryAnn to arrive. Thirty minutes later they’re on their way to the Palace for a romantic dinner for two. Bo leads her into the dining room and out onto the terrace. She looks around at the candles lit and the flowers and turns and looks at Bo, “Okay Buchanan what are you up to?”
He looks at her, with that smile on his face, “Up to? Me, I’m not up to anything, can’t a man surprise his wife with a romantic dinner without being up to anything,” he says with a wink.
She walks over to him and runs her finger down the side of his face, “I know you, Buchanan, and you’ve got something up your sleeve.”
“Well not actually up my sleeve per se, but in my pocket,” He reaches into his pocket and pulls out a small velvet box. He opens the box, revealing a band of diamonds, “Marry me, Red.”
She looks between him and the ring a couple times before she can speak, “But we’re already married, Bo.”
Bo smiles as he reaches out and takes her left hand, “I know that Red and that was one of the happiest days of my life but we’ve been through so much in the past few years and I just want our son to see us recommit ourselves to one another.”
He sets the small box on the table and slips her original engagement ring and band over to her other hand and slips the new ring on her finger. She looks down at the ring, the twelve diamonds glistening in the candlelight. She looks up at Bo with tears in her eyes, “It’s beautiful, Bo.”
He brings her hand up to his mouth and places a kiss onto the ring, “There are twelve small diamonds on this ring, signifying the twelve years that you have been in my life.” He looks up at her the same tears in his eyes, “So what do you say, Red? Will you marry me…again?”
She wraps her arms around his neck, pulling him into a passionate kiss, “Yes, I’ll marry you.”
*~*
They decided to get re-married two weeks later. Rachel flew in from Chicago and Hank came back from his travels. Clint flew in from London and the whole family gathered on the terrace at Asa and Renee’s for the ceremony.
Bo stands under the ivy and flower covered arch, Matthew and Clint by his side. Andrew looks over at him and smiles, happy for his friends.
Upstairs in Bo’s old bedroom she sits in front of the mirror, staring at her reflection, as she fastens her earring. She reaches up and fixes her hair for what seemed like the hundredth time. She tucks a few strands behind her ear, picking up her makeup brush and running it across her cheeks one last time. She turns when she hears the door open. She looks back over at her reflection then up at her daughter who stands behind her. Rachel kneels down beside her and kisses her cheek, “So…you ready…?”
Rachel continues to stare at her mother who seems to have become lost in thought. She kneels down beside her and lays a hand on her arm. Nora slowly turns her head and looks down at her daughter, “What…I’m sorry, sweetheart did you say something?”
“I asked you if you were ready.” She looks up at her mom, “What happened, where did you go just now?”
She shakes her head and looks down at her daughter, “Just remembering is all,” she says with a smile.
Rachel stands up and holds her hand out to her mother, “Well your husband and son are waiting for you. Let’s go get married.”
Bo turns when the music begins to play. Nigel opens the terrace doors and Rachel begins to walk down the aisle. She looks over at her father and smiles before looking at her little brother and step-father. She smiles and takes her place in front of the arch.
Every one’s attention turns to the back of the terrace when the music changes once again. Bo’s heart begins to beat faster as he sees her standing in the doorway. The setting sun was reflecting off the windows that lined the back of the house, the colors surrounding her in a beautiful glow.
She begins to make her way towards him, glancing up into the early evening sky, thinking about the two people that should be there to witness this; one a red-headed little girl who had her father’s eyes, and a young man whose time with his father had been cut short. She says a silent prayer that they’re okay and a thank you for what she does have in her life.
She stops in front of the arch and he reaches out and takes her hand. They stare at each other, as the world around them fades away and they’re the only two that exist.
Now I know you’re safe here in my heart
You will always be with me
We’ll never be apart
Never knew how strong my love could be
You’re the one I’ve waited for
Now you’re home
Andrew begins to speak, “Ladies and gentleman, family and friends, we are gathered here today to celebrate the love Bo and Nora Buchanan share and witness the reaffirming of their wedding vows.” He looks at Bo and Nora, “I understand that you both have written your own wedding vows.” They both nod, “Nora, go ahead.”
I believe
Love survives beyond our lives
I feel those ties growing stronger
Love survives the tears we’ve cried
Yes, love survives it all
Love survives it all
Nora looks at Bo, the tears forming in their eyes before she even begins to speak. He reaches out to wipe a tear away with his thumb. She takes his hand from her face and kisses his palm. They drop their intertwined hands between them and she begins to speak, “I love you, Bo Buchanan. I’ve loved you for so long that sometimes I have a hard time remembering a time when I haven’t loved you. You have given me so much love and so much of yourself and I will live the rest of my life making sure you know just how much I love you. We almost lost our way once but we were given a second chance. A second chance to love,” she looks down at Matthew, “and a second chance to have our love live on in our child. Thank you, Bo thank you for loving me, for being my rock and my safe place, and thank you for our children…both of them.”
Even when we want to run and hide
Love comes in to pull us through
From deep inside
Oh the magic has made us who we are
Take my hand
You made me understand
Bo brings her hand up to his lips and places a soft kiss on it before he speaks, “I love you so much Nora, so much that the very thought of not having your love makes it hard for me to breath. You fill me up and you complete me. You taught me how to love again and that it was safe to love again. All those years ago you pulled me from the edge, literally, and from that moment on you’ve been my compass and my map, you’ve been my safe haven during the storms. I look into the eyes of our son, and I see our future there. I see another reason why we were meant to be. There are two empty spaces in our lives where Sarah and Drew should be, but I know,” his voice begins to crack; “I know they’re here with us today and their happy. I…I love you with all my heart and all my soul, Nora and I’ll spend the rest of my life showing you just how much.”
Love survives beyond our lives
I feel those ties growing stronger
Love survives the tears we’ve cried
Yes, love survives it all
Love survives it all
He reaches down and takes the ring from their son and turns to face Andrew. He takes her left hand in his and slowly slips the ring on her finger. She turns and takes the ring from her daughter and turns to face Andrew. She takes his left hand in hers and slowly slips the ring on his finger.
Love survives beyond our lives
I feel those ties growing stronger
Love survives the tears we’ve cried
Yes, love survives it all
Love survives it all
Love survives it all
They seal their vows with a kiss and as the sun sets below the horizon, a little girl takes her big brothers hand and they walk away, knowing now that every thing was going to be okay…that through it all…their love remained.
THE END!!!!
“Love Survives” by Freddie Jackson and Irene Cara