Chapter Two:
Nora was brought out of her thoughts by the sound of her laughter. She stood up and threw down a $20.00 bill; not caring how big of a tip she was actually leaving. She just needed to get out of that bar; and preferably without being seen. She was stopped in her tracks when he called her name. She turned to face them; putting a smile on her face for his sake as she walked towards them.
“Bo, Gabrielle, how are you?”
Twirling the ring around her finger, “We’ve never been better”, she says as she snakes her arm through his.
Looking around the crowded bar; a smile of anticipation on his face; hoping to see his son, “Is Matthew with you?”
“No, he’s over at Starr’s”, she managed to say despite the emotions welling up inside of her. “Oh, speaking of Matthew are you still able to pick him up or do you need me to drop him off?”
“Well Bo and I…”
“I’ll pick him up at your place at, say 6.”
“Six is fine. (glancing down at her watch) Well I better get going; I still have a pile of work to do before court on Monday. Goodnight Gabrielle; Bo, I’ll see you tomorrow night.”
“Goodnight, Nora”, she spat out as she snuggled closer to Bo.
“Goodnight, Nora. Try not to work too hard.”
She just nodded as she turned to walk out of the bar; fighting the tears that threatened to consume her. She slid behind the wheel of her car and placed her key in the ignition. Her hand paused; unable to turn the key. She looked back at the door and sighed; laying her head against the steering wheel. Why shouldn’t he move on with his life, after all she’s the one that threw away what they had; she’s the one that couldn’t trust their love enough to tell him the truth…the “truth” she laughs…what’s funny is she actually did tell him the truth…she had been pregnant…if only she had known…
Slamming her hands on the steering wheel, “Stop it, Nora…just stop it, he’s happy; he’s getting married, and you need to get a grip and move on.”
*~*~*
A month later…
She sits in the living room waiting for Matthew to come home after his weekend at Bo’s. So much has changed in the past six weeks. Things between her and Bo have become strained; neither one of them able to be in the same room with each other without awkwardness coming between them. She knew they were bound to run into each other; between work and Matthew; she just never realized how hard it would be to see him everyday; and now it was going to be even harder….
**flashback to earlier that morning***
Nora stands in her bathroom staring at her reflection as she sets the small timer down on the counter. She can already feel the changes in her body, this test is just a mere formality needed to confirm her suspicions. She glances at the dial turning at a snails pace; one minute down. She steals a glance at the pink and white stick lying there on the counter, no need to wait the three minutes…two lines have already appeared….
**end of flashback**
Two days later; Dr. Conklin’s office…
“Nora, I have the results of your blood test. You were right, you’re definitely pregnant.”
“Thank you, Dr. Conklin”, she manages to say as she stares at her hands; lying across her stomach.
“I take it this isn’t a planned pregnancy?”
“Oh, no this was definitely not planned…”, she says as her mind steps back in time…
**flashback**
She begins to think back to her one night with Bo, but the flashback quickly changes to her conversation with Bo after she found out about his engagement….
“Nora…Nora…(grabbing her arm to turn her around) please don’t leave. (Running his hand through his hair in frustration) God, this is not how I wanted you to find out.”
“Its fine, Bo, you don’t owe me any explanations, really. I’m happy for you, I am. I just want you to be happy, that’s all I’ve ever wanted for you.”
“I never meant to hurt you. I owe Gabrielle the happiness I promised her. She’s been through so much with Al almost dying and well she was a wreck after Max died…”
“Bo, please stop explaining and justifying it to me. I’m fine. We were two consenting adults who had too much to drink and got lost in a moment. I don’t regret that it happened; I’ll never regret it and I don’t want you to either. Be happy, Bo, just be happy.”
**end of flashback**
“Nora…Nora did you hear what I just said?”
Coming back to the present, “I’m sorry….what did you say?”
“I was saying that you need to make sure you take care of yourself and avoid stress. This pregnancy already has a lot of things going against it without adding unnecessary stress to the equation.”
“I understand…I’ll be careful.”
The Country Club…later that week….
She walked into the restaurant and scanned the room for her lunch companion finally finding Vicki at a corner table in the back of the restaurant. She waves as she begins to make her way towards her. Vicki watches as Nora stumbles slightly; her hand coming up to her head to settle herself. Vicki gets up and quickly makes her way over to where Nora is but is stopped by someone in the Dean’s office at the University. Vicki notices that the host, Michael has taken Nora to a table close by and has given her some water. Vicki halfheartedly returns to her conversation; keeping one eye on Nora the whole time. She quickly ends her conversation when she sees Nora run out of the room; heading towards the restrooms….
Nora exits the stall and smiles a weak smile at her friend as she splashes some cold water on her face…
Handing her some paper towels, “Nora honey, are you okay?”
“I’m fin…,” is all she can say before another wave of dizziness washes over her and her knees buckle.
Grabbing her arm to steady her, “That’s it; I’m taking you to the hospital.”
“No…Vicki, I’m fine. I just need to eat.”
“I don’t think so, my friend. Let’s go.”
“Vicki, going to the hospital would be redundant. I know what’s wrong with me.”
“Oh…”
Nora looks at her friend and can no longer hold back the tears, “I’m…pregnant.”
“Pregnant? Are you sure?”
“I took a test last week and yesterday I saw Dr. Conklin, she confirmed it. I’m definitely pregnant.”
A silence came between the two friends…Vicki broke the silence first.
Taking Nora by the hand and taking her over to the sitting area of the restroom, “Nora, is this baby, Bo’s?”
“What makes you think that?,” she asks pretending to be shocked, hoping the truth wasn’t written all over her face.
“Well, it’s just a guess based on some things I’ve heard.”
“Like what?”
“Umm…well first off Renee and I were talking the other day and she’s noticed a distance between you and Bo whenever you two bring Matthew by the house. It’s like you’re both putting up a good front. Jessica also mentioned that Antonio has noticed a difference in the way the two of you interact at work, so distant and cold. And I remember Natalie and Cristian mentioning something about seeing you and Bo together at Rodi’s one night; dancing together. And then out of the blue Bo’s engaged to Gabrielle. Something happened between the two of you, didn’t it? Nora?...I’m right aren’t I. This baby is Bo’s.”
Nora stands up; the room feeling as though it’s closing in around her; not able to keep it in any longer, “It was one stupid night, Vicki. Just one night; we both had too much to drink, we danced; we just got lost in the memories…”
“You’re going to tell him…right?”
“Of course, I just haven’t decided how. I mean he’s engaged for God’s sake. I’ve ruined so many chances for him to be happy…”
“But he needs to know, Nora.”
“I know…(doubles over in pain) Oh, God…
“Nora honey, sit down.”
“Vicki, something’s wrong…”
Vicki quickly dials 911 and Nora is rushed to the ER. Larry just happens to be on duty when they arrive. The paramedics fill him in on what they know….
“Nora, honey we’re going to do everything we can to help you but you need to relax”
“There’s something wrong, Larry. There’s something wrong with the…”, is all she’s able to say before she passes out.
“Alright people let’s get her on a fetal monitor and start her on an IV of fluids, immediately. Someone page Dr. Conklin, stat.”
“We already have, Dr. Woleck. She’s in the middle of a delivery and her associate is on her way.”
“Good, okay let’s see what we’ve got here, (looking down at the readings on the monitor) .25 of Tributeline now, we need to stop these contractions.”
Larry rushes out of the exam room and grabs Vicki who was on her cell phone desperately trying to find Bo, “Vicki”…, grabbing her arm pulling her into the exam room.
“Larry what is it?”
“Vicki, I’m not sure if we’re going to be able to save this baby. If you know of anyone who should be here with her right now I suggest you call them….now.”
“I understand…”
Vicki quietly slips out into the hallway and dials her ex-brother-in-law’s number…
“Bo, thank God I found you.”
“Vicki, what’s wrong?”
“You need to come down to the hospital right away.”
“Why? What happened? Is it Matthew?”
“No, Bo. Matthew’s fine.”
“Then what is it?”
“Bo, its Nora.”
“What…”
“Bo we don’t have time for questions, please just come down to the hospital right away. She needs you, Bo.”
“I’m only my way.”
“Thank you, Bo…and hurry, please.”
Vicki walks back over to the exam room and looks through the window; silently praying for her friend and the innocent life that lies in the balance…