From Forbidden Fruit to Love Renewed - Chapter 4

"This baby is Bo's, isn't it?"

Stunned, "What makes you ask that?"

"Nora, something happened in Harrisburg, was it this?" Nora swallowed, unable to speak, Renee continued, "Look, ever since the two of you came back Bo has been full speed ahead with Gabrielle and you and Bo can barely stand to be in the same room with each other, but when you do end up in the same room, and you catch each others eye..."

"It's like nobody else is there" Nora finished, "is it that obvious?"

"Oh, it's only obvious to an ex-madam who's seen her share of broken hearts." She takes Nora's hand in hers, "You need to tell him, Nora."

"I can't."

"He would want to know, he deserves to know."

"He has his own life now, Renee, he's found happiness with Gabrielle, and that's all I ever wanted for him. I won't take that from him again, I can't."

"So, you're going to have his child and not tell him? You don't think he'll notice, you don't think he'll ask?" adding quietly, "Or are you planning on terminating it?"

"I could never do that, Renee. I don't know what I'm going to do; I haven't thought that far, I could always go to Chicago when it became noticeable."

"That's not the answer and you know it. I'm going to ask you again, Nora, what happened in Harrisburg?"

Nora looks down at her hands that were instinctively resting on her stomach, "It was just one night, Renee, one night to forget everything, the past, the present and even the future."...

"Sometimes it only takes one night..."

"But..."

"Everything happens for a reason. Open your eyes Nora... and tell him…"

"But..."

"No, no more buts..." she hands Nora her cell phone..."Tell him." Taking the phone in her trembling hands she nods. "I'll leave you alone."

She dials the office. "Hey Marcie is the Commissioner in?"

"Ms. Buchanan is that you?"

"Yes."

"I'm sorry but he's left for the day."

"Thanks."

Hitting end and dialing his cell, "You have reached Commissioner...Damn" she clicks the phone shut.

Opening it again, dialing the garret, she is greeted with Gabrielle's voice, resisting the urge to throw the phone across the room; she merely sets it down as she grabs her clothes to change. Her mind made up, she is determined to find him, she walks out and grabs Renee's arm..."Take me back to the Palace. Maybe he's still there."

She walks in the Palace and another wave of nausea hits her, she heads to the restroom. The clock above the door read 7:15. She steadies herself outside of the
restroom just as Gabby walks out at 7:15 and 15 seconds her world started to crumble around her. "Nora, it's so good to see you".

At 7:15 and 43 seconds her world was destroyed. She was in a fog as Gabrielle brought her hand up, showing Nora the ring. Smiling, hearing herself say the words, she didn't know where she got the strength to say, "Congratulations, I wish you both the best." Her hand went to her stomach as she headed for the door, unsure of her destination.

He walked up beside her, "Was that Nora?"

"Yes, she said she was very happy for us."

A frown creases his brow as he wonders why she would rush off so suddenly....something wasn't right. His gut was telling him to go after her.

Renee went to follow Nora, "Nora,"

"Please," she begged, "I just need to be alone."

She nodded, "Call me."

Bo goes up to Renee, "Is she okay?"

Unable to violate her friends trust, yet unwilling to let her suffer alone, "She needs you Bo, that's all I can say." She places her hand on his arm before she walks away.

"But what is it?" he pleads.

Shaking her head, "Bo, find her....talk to her."

She starts the car, once again driving in the pouring rain. She follows the car in front of her right to the interstate, Harrisburg 229 miles.

"She's not your problem Bo..." Gabrielle says as they stand in the lobby of the Palace.

"I have to go to her Gabby....she," looking back at Renee, "she needs me."

"If you go Bo," she threatens to take the ring off her finger, "we're through."

"Gabrielle, please don't be this way. I need to find out what's wrong with her. Regardless of our past, and that's exactly what it is the past, Nora is Matthew's mother and my friend, I have to make sure she's alright."

Hesitating then adding, "If it was Max, what would you do?"

"I would go to him. I'm sorry. Go ahead (leans up and kisses him) I'll see you at home later."

Bo walks out and looks around for her car wondering where she might be, 'Where did you go Nora?'

He flips open his cell and dials the familiar number, "This customer is out of her service area."

Hitting end, he dials again, "You have reached Nora and Matthew Buchanan, please..."

'Dammit Nora, where are you? What's going on with you?'

Suddenly it hits him, "Well it wouldn't hurt to look, I guess," he whispers to himself as he puts the car in reverse and heads towards the interstate.

*~*

She doesn't remember the drive, doesn't feel like any time has passed at all, but as she looks up she sees the tacky neon lights, she pulls into the lot running for the door.

The attendant looks up, "Can I help you?"

"I need a room; she looks at the keys hanging behind him

*flashback*

"Well, blue eyes, what number?"

"13,"

*end of flashback*

"13 please"

"Name?"

"Buchanan."
 

He hands her the key and she runs to the room. She closes the door, shivering from the rain; she strips off her clothes and heads to the shower. As the water pounds on her body, she allows the tears to fall.

*~*

Despite the rain he makes the four hour trip in record time. He walks up to the desk and rings the bell. "May I help you, sir?"

"Yes, I think you can. Has a red haired woman stopped by here tonight?"

"Yes, as a matter of fact she arrived just a short time ago."

Tired and needing sleep after sitting under the shower and later on the bathroom floor for almost four hours, she pulls the towel tight around her and stands up.

*~*

 

"Did she rent a room for the night?"

"I'm not sure I can tell you that."

Takes out his badge, "I'm Commissioner Bo Buchanan, Llanview police department...."

"Buchanan?"

"That's right."

"Well sir,” handing him the key, “your wife is in room 13."

He walks towards the room, the rain coming down even harder than when he first left Llanview. He places the key in the lock and opens the door. She’s now using the towel to dry her hair. she never hears the key in the lock. Wrapping the towel back around her; she walks into the room. He closes the door behind him and looks back to turn the lock. As she hears the door close, she whispers "Blue Eyes."

Startled by her voice he turns, "Eve…"

TBC....