Search & Rescue Chapter 13

She glanced at the clock, it was 6:59, as she put in her last earring; right as the clock flipped to 7; there was a knock on the door. She took one last look in the mirror and giddy as a school girl went to open it. He stood there black dress slacks and a bright blue button up, casually opened at the top, "You look gorgeous Red. Did you have a good day?"

"I had a wonderful day," she leaned in and kissed him full on the mouth, teasing his lips to allow her entrance, when they were both breathless she pulled back,

"Wow, what was that for?"

"That was to thank you for all my surprises."

"Oh, so you liked?" He asked as he wrapped his arms around her.

“Oh yes, I liked very much."

"Well the night is still young."

"You're bad Buchanan."

"And you love it Buchanan." He took his arms from around her waist and taking her hand walked with her to the elevators.

* * *

She took the outfit off the door and laid it across the bed. She walked into the bathroom and finished up her hair and her makeup. She turned when there was a knock on the door. She glanced in the mirror once again before making her way over to the door, her heart racing in anticipation; she opened the door, her heart stopping for a moment when she saw him standing in the hallway in his black pants and casual sport coat and shirt. He took her hand and pulled her close. She ran her finger down his nose and over his lips before placing her lips onto his. They broke their kiss a few minutes later, "Wow what was that for," he whispered breathlessly.

"That was for all the wonderful surprises."

"Ahh, well I'll have to make sure I surprise you more often if that's the thanks I get."

* * *

They stood in the lobby waiting for Alexis and Ned to join them. Nora was telling Bo about her day at the spa and every time she asked about his day he dodged the question by asking her another question about hers. She knew he was up to something, but he wasn't going to tell her until he was ready and the way her day had gone, she was perfectly okay with that. They looked up as the elevators dinged and Ned and Alexis walked out. "Ned, Alexis are you all set?"

"We sure are," Ned said; pulling Alexis close.

Bo opened the door and led Nora out to the limousine, the driver waited until Ned and Alexis joined them and then as Bo and Ned made sure that Alexis and Nora were next to the door, the driver opened it, Bo gave her his hand to help her in, it was extremely dark as she got inside, and she was quite surprised when he didn't follow her right away, "Bo?"

"Just a minute, honey."

Ned helped Alexis in, and she sat on the other side, the light was turned on, and Nora sat next to her smiling son, holding a dozen roses, across from him Brook was sitting next to Kristina’s car seat holding purple irises "Matthew!" She couldn't help herself, the tears started falling. She embraced him, and turned as she felt Bo's arms around her. She leaned her head on his shoulder, "Oh Bo, how can I ever thank you."

"Just love me forever."

She turned and looked at him, "Oh that's easy," she kissed him softly and lay back against the seat, surrounded on both sides by her boys.

Alexis looked over at her girls, the tears welling up in her eyes; Brooke looked over at her and smiled, "We are your surprise. Do you like your surprise, mommy?"

"I sure do," She turns to Ned, "I can't believe you did this. How did you know I was missing my girls?"

He pulls her close, "Because I know you better than you know yourself."

"I don't know how I can ever thank you."

"You don't have to thank me, Lex. You just have to promise to love me for the rest of our lives."

She leans in and kisses him, "Well that's not hard, loving you is the easiest thing I've ever done." She leans back in her seat and takes Ned's hand in hers.

The limo stopped a short time later, and they exited, Bo looked at the driver, "we'll call you."

Nora looked around and noticed Matthew barely able to contain his excitement, but for the life of her she couldn't figure out where they were eating. "Bo, where are we eating?"

"You'll see."

"Matthew?"

"It's a surprise mom."

She looked at Alexis, "Do you have any idea?"

"I have no clue, today has been one surprise after another," she says; taking Brook and Krissy's hands in hers.

Matthew looked over at Brook and winked and then in a not so quiet whisper, "They'll love it."

Brook smiled and nodded her head. She looked up at Alexis and Ned and smiled, "Come on, let's go."

Nora followed Bo and Matthew and continued to look around for a sign, but never seeing one, she was stunned when they appeared to be going under a building, "Bo, honey, where are we going."

"Honey, do you trust us?"

"Of course Bo, but…" He silenced her with a kiss, then opened the door to the entrance.

Bo held the door as Matthew and Nora walked in, she looked around in amazement, stopping when she saw the strangely dressed man at what appeared to be elevator doors, she looked at Bo, who just held her hand and kept smiling.

He walked to the counter, "Two adults and one child please."

Nora leaned over and whispered, "Where are we Bo?"

Before he had a chance to answer, the strange man bellowed, "All aboard the next shuttle to Mars."

Ned carried Kristina through the doors, holding Alexis' hand, Brook holding her other one. They followed Bo and Nora in to the restaurant. They walked up to the counter and Ned paid for their tickets. The four of them stood behind Bo, Nora and Matthew waiting for the elevator doors to open.

Matthew grabbed Brook's hand, “come on let's sit up front.”

Bo took Nora's hand and led her into the row behind Matthew. "How did you find this place?"

"I called around for a good family place, this place was recommended."

"All right earthlings please put your seat belts on and your cell phones off. The radio waves interfere with the intergalactic frequencies. As soon as everyone is ready we will blast off.

She leaned over to Alexis on her other side, "Are these men incredible or what?"

"Incredible doesn't even begin to describe them." She turns and snakes her arm through Ned’s, leaning up to kiss him softly on the lips before the show began.

The 'shuttle' landed and they were shown to a table.

Matthew looked around, "Isn't this cool mom?"

“It’s way cool, sweetie way cool," then leaning over to Bo, "Have I told you how much I love you?"

"Hmm, no not that I can recall."

She gave him a quick kiss, and winked at him, "I'll show you later."

"Promises, promises," They sat at their table and ordered, “3 Flying saucers please, 1 cheese only, 1 with onions and peppers and one with anchovies and pepperoni, 3 toot beers to drink.“

Alexis fastened Kristina in the high chair and then slid into the table next to Brook. She looked up at Alexis, "This place is cool, huh?"

"It's incredible." She leans over and kisses Ned on the cheek, "I love you; you know that right?"

"Oh, yeah I know it."

As they sat there waiting for their pizza's Matthew was enchanted by the Martians walking through the restaurant. Suddenly Captain Orion was behind him and he nearly fell out of his seat. Nora and Bo tried to stifle their laughter, as Matthew scowled. But suddenly the joke was on them, "Excuse me sir," he looked at Bo, "But hands really need to be kept to ourselves in this establishment." It was Matthew's turn to laugh as Bo pulled his hand off Nora's lap as if burned, and she turned several shades of red.

After hearing Captain Orion's warning Ned removed his hands from where they rested on Alexis' knee. Alexis looked up at him and laughed, "Quick thinking, Ashton."

Then turning to Matthew, Captain Orion continued, "So, little fella, are these two with you?" He pointed to Bo and Nora.

"Yes sir."

"Well, I'd say you need to ground them for bad behavior out in public, what do you think?"

Smiling from ear to ear, "Yes, sir."

"Now what do you think a good punishment would be?"

Matthew thought for a minute, "We could handcuff them."

Captain Orion thought about this, "Well where would we get handcuffs?"

"Dad's got some."

"Oh really."

Bo stuttered, "No, not on me, there in my room."

"REALLY now...so you two like handcuffs?"

"No, I'm the police commissioner."

"Oh so you like to play games, and let me guess," he looked at Nora, "your a." looking at Matthew, "lady of the night?"

Ned and Alexis tried to stifle their laughter as they watched the embarrassed faces of their friends. Nora shot Alexis an "oh brother," look. Alexis nuzzled closer to Ned, catching the eye of Captain Orion.

"No!" she almost spit out her root beer. Bo was over being embarrassed and was enjoying this as much as Matthew. Nora turned to look at him, and then, "but if you want me to be, I think it can be arranged."

Captain Orion done now with Nora and Bo, "Well you two appear awfully cheeky, do you like handcuffs too?"

Ned looked over at Alexis, his eyebrows raised. "Hmm...now that's something we've never tried." Alexis swatted him under the table, her face turning bright red. Brook looked up at Alexis and giggled at her embarrassment.

"Why are you all red, mommy?"

She looked over at Ned, "Because you're daddy is being a brat and embarrassing me."

"Well, I'm sure the good commissioner will loan you his, when he's done of course!" And with that Captain Orion was off to harass another table.

"Well, at least that's over," she leaned in towards Bo, "Bo, Bo?"

"Huh, what honey?"

"Where were you?" He smiled and winked, "Thinking about work."

"Bo, we are on vacation." He raised his eyebrows at her, "BO!"

They both laughed as Empress Glorianna approached. This time it was Bo's chance to get scared out of his chair, as he nearly fell over when she put her large hands on his shoulders, "Geez!" Matthew snorted root beer which caused the rest of the table to laugh and the Empress to go get a waiter to clean up the mess.

Alexis looked over at Ned who was feeding Kristina a French fry, trying desperately to keep the ketchup off her dress. She smiled at them and how close they were. Her attention was diverted by the commotion at the other end of the table.

Bo looked at Ned, "I think we scared the Martians away."

He smiled, "It certainly looks that way."

* * *

2 hours later they arrived back at the hotel. Nora handed a sleeping Matthew to Bo, and then climbed out of the limo. They turned and waited for Ned, Alexis and the girls to exit.

Alexis picked a sleeping Kristina up out of her car seat and handed her to Ned. She picked up Brook and placed her on her lap, carefully climbing out of the limo. They walked into the hotel lobby and waited at the elevators. Everyone exhausted from the long day they had.

As the doors opened on Nora's floor, they turned to Ned and Alexis and making sure not to wake anyone, "Night Ned, Alexis, see you in the morning."

"Good night, you two. We'll see you in the morning."

They turned and made their way to Nora's room. Nora slipped the key in her lock and walked inside holding the door open for Bo to enter. Bo walked over to the bed and set Matthew down, taking off his shoes, and tucking him in. Nora sat down beside him on the bed and placed a kiss on his cheek, barely awake, "Night mom, I love you." She looked at Bo, tears in her eyes, "Night sweetie, I love you too."

Bo took her hand and led her to the loveseat. He pulled her onto his lap and ran his fingers up and down her back, "So did you have a good day?"

She looked up at him, "Are you kidding me? I had a great day."

"Good," He leaned in and kissed her forehead, "It's late; I should let you get some sleep."

She shook her head, "Please don't go."

"Nora."

"Nothings going to happen, I know that, I just want you with us, please."

"Of course, if that's what you want." She led him to the bed and they lay down on either side of Matthew, not even bothering to change. They held hands as they fell asleep, smiles on their faces.

* * *

She handed her key to Ned who slipped it into the lock, pushing the door open with his shoulder. She walked passed him into the room and over to the bed. She laid Krissy down on the bed, removing her shoes and carefully putting her in her pj's. She looked over and smiled at Ned who was doing the same thing with Brook. She leaned in and kissed Kristina's forehead. She and Ned switched places. She brushed the hair off of Brook's forehead, placing a kiss where the hair once laid. Her eyes slowly fluttered open, "night mommy, I love you."

"I love you, too, sweetheart and we'll see you in the morning.”

She stood up and walked over to Ned wrapping her arms around him. He led her over to the couch and laid her head in his lap. He ran his hands through her hair. She closed her eyes, enjoying his touch, "So did you have a good day, sweetheart."

She smiled, "I sure did, thank you so much for such an incredible day, and for bringing the girls here."

Ned continued to run his fingers through her hair, "All I want is for you to be happy."

She sits up, sliding herself up onto his lap. She wrapped her arms around his neck, "You make me happy, Ned Ashton. You and our daughters are all I'll ever need. I want you with us...I want us to be together for ever." She stood up and held out her hand. He placed his hand in hers and they walked over to the bed. They crawled into bed beside their girls and fell asleep, hand in hand.

***

The next morning he woke first and just lay there looking at his family, feeling his gaze she opened her eyes. Deciding to let Matthew sleep a little longer they climbed out of bed and went over to the loveseat. "Have I told you how beautiful you are in the morning?"

"Not lately."

"I don't plan on missing another morning of telling you."

"Oh, really?"

"Well, if that's okay with you?"

"Why Mr. Buchanan are you asking me to move in with you?"

He smiled, "I do believe I am," then worried, "but not if you think it’s too soon."

"Too soon?" She placed her hands on either side of his face, "No, it's not too soon, I love you Bo."

She leaned in and kissed him. He pushed her back gently, "I love you Nora, very very much." Then he kissed her again, and this time the kiss had all the passion they had kept inside.

Matthew woke up, and rolled over, smiling as he watched his parents, "Hey dad, want me to get the handcuffs?" Bo and Nora laughed, as they ran over to the bed and started tickling their son.

***

Ned woke first that morning and just as he had done so many times when they had been together, he lay in bed and watched her sleep. He reached out and brushed a few strands of hair of her cheek, tucking them behind her ear. The movement caused her to stir. She smiled, her eyes still closed as she stretched. She turned to her side, careful not to wake the girls. She leaned in and kissed him softly on the lips, "How long have you been awake?"

"Just for a few minutes; I love watching you sleep." He slowly climbed out of bed holding his hand out to her. She placed her hand in his and walked with him over to the couch. He pulled her down onto his lap and intertwined their fingers, bringing them to his lips, "I love you, Alexis and I want the four of us to be a family forever. I want to wake up and have you and Krissy there every morning."

Alexis looked at Ned, surprised, "You want us to live together...all of us at the gatehouse?"

"Well until I can find us a bigger house, away from the family." He looked at her for a moment, taking her silence as a sign of hesitation, "Unless you don't want to."

She leaned in and kissed him, "Of course I want to move in with you, Ned. I would love nothing more for us to be a family."

Ned and Alexis both turned their attention to the bed when they heard her shouts of joy, "Yeahooo we're going to be a family.” Alexis jumped off of Ned's lap and both of them ran over to the bed, lying down next to their girls, showering them in kisses."

***

An hour later they were down in the restaurant sitting with Ned, Alexis, Brook and Kristina. As Nora took the last bite the waiter walked over with two envelopes, "Ms Davis, Ms Buchanan, these are for you."

They took the envelopes and looked at their respective men. Bo just looked at Nora and shrugged her shoulders. "Open it honey." Nora opened the envelope and pulled out a piece of paper.

Her brows furrowed in confusion. "Bo what is this?"

"What does it look like?"

She looked at Alexis, "What's yours?

Then as she waited for Alexis to answer she started reading, "Williamsburg, Va Beach, Busch Gardens."

At which point Matthew piped up, "Really, we're going to Busch Gardens, when?"

Nora looked at Bo, who looked at Ned. Nora hit Bo, "Fess up."

"Ned?"

Alexis looked at the piece of paper in front of her and walked over to Nora, comparing the two.

She looked over at Ned, "What's going on?"

"What does it look like...It's a double family vacation."

Nora looked at Bo, "Really?"

"Well, if you can clear your schedule."

"Yes," she kissed him, "yes, yes, and definitely yes."

"I take it that's a yes or was that a definitely yes?" he raised his eyebrows at her.

Matthew’s yelp of "Yes!" shocked them both. "So when do we go?"

“The first week of July.”

She looked at Alexis. "I don't know what rabbit hole we fell in, but I'm not climbing out." She laughed as she fell back into Bo's embrace.

Alexis looked up at Ned and smiled, "You truly are the best father and the best man I've ever known, Ned Ashton." she leans in and whispers in his ear, "And I love you more than you'll ever know."

He kisses her, laughing against her lips at their daughter's "Eww gross!"

Bo whispered in her ear, "I love you."

She turned and looked at him, "I love you too."

Matthew looked at both of them, "So mom, can you wear the ring all the time now?"

Nora looked up at him, pain in her eyes, she looked at Bo, "Sure honey of course I can," she reached around in her purse.

Bo grabbed her hand, "Looking for this?"

Looking up at him, "Yes,” she took the ring and started to place it on her finger, he grabbed it.

"Wait a minute, look here."

"Bo.."

"Look..." She took the ring and looked, and there she saw it, ‘keeper of my heart Love, Bo.’ He looked at her, "Take care of it?"

"Always."

Ned pulled out the bracelet that she had given back to him after hearing about Skye's pregnancy. He took her wrist and placed it back in its rightful place. She looked up at him, a tear falling on her cheek, "Now and forever, Alexis."

She leaned her forehead against his, "Now and forever."

TBC...