Posted by hummingbird on 3/10/2014, 11:35 am VVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVV
Maybe it's love... Maybe I'm dreamin' Maybe it's love... I can believe in I'm tearing down the walls inside I want to laugh and cry and kiss... Maybe it's love like this...
Maybe It's Love by Trisha Yearwood
Chapter Twenty-Five
It was more difficult than ever for Bo to leave Nora and Matthew the next day, but as he flew back to Llanview, his mind was alive with the possibilities before them...and the memories behind him.
He stared at the clouds that floated past the airplane window...just thinking.
Unbelievable. Unbelievable the things that had come to pass in the last few months...all because he had dropped his pride and made the choice to love...all because of Maggie and her story and her wise advice.
How he loved her...Maggie. He wished he could tell his pilot to go southwest….all the way to Texas so he could give her a huge hug and a thank you. He would, very soon. He would put that on his ‘To Do’ list.
His “To Do’ list was becoming rather lengthy. At the top of that list was calling his real estate agent and getting their house off the market. To think that he and Nora would live together in that house again. Matthew would probably take his first steps in that house. They would play ball in the back yard and Bo would put up a swingset...and there was a perfect tree he had chosen for a tree house...and they would have a wall where they would measure his height as the years passed...just as Maggie had done for he and Clint when they were growing up. So many things to look forward to.
He's mine. Matthew is mine. Made from the love I share with Nora...
Nora...Red... When he thought about how close he had come to losing her forever...he shook his head. Again, he was reminded of Maggie. Thank God for putting Maggie in his path at just the right time. Thank God for helping him to drop his stubborn pride. Thank God Nora gave him another chance...forgave him as he had forgiven her. He would be forever grateful.
He thought about Nora. Her sweet spirit, her bubbling laugh, the way she caressed his cheek when she talked to him, the way she felt when he pulled her close for a kiss or a dance or a firm embrace…the way she made love to him….
He smiled at the memories. He missed her already.
Bo stood and went to Asa’s desk in the Buchanan jet. He took out a legal pad and pen. It was time to put his mental ‘To Do’ list on paper. He had a lot to accomplish by Friday.
* * * * * * *
Friday finally dawned after a very busy week for Bo. He had taken leave for the day and was flying to Bristol early.
He surprised Nanny Clara by showing up at the cottage at two in the afternoon. “Bo!” she said. “Nora didn’t tell me to expect you…”
“That’s because Nora isn’t expecting me this early. I’m surprising her.”
“I see,” she said and smiled at him.
“There’s Daddy’s boy!” Bo said peeking in the living room at Matthew. “Come see me, Buddy!”
The baby smiled and crawled toward Bo. He picked him up and held him high bringing him down again for a kiss. “Oh, I’ve missed you,” Bo said hugging him tight.
Clara looked confused.
“Yes, I’m Matthew’s daddy,” Bo explained briefly. Nora can explain it all to you sometime. Anyway, Matthew and I are going to surprise Mommy tonight with a special dinner, and I had to come early to prepare.”
Clara smiled. “That’s so sweet of you. I’m sure Nora will be surprised. I was just getting ready to lay Matthew down for his nap. Do you still want me to do that for you?”
“Yes, if you don’t mind,” said Bo. I have a few errands to run before I’ll have everything I need.
“Very well then,” said Clara. “Come along Matthew. Time for your nap.”
* * * * * * *
It was 5:20. Nora should be home any time now, Bo told himself. Everything was ready...dinner was waiting, candles were lit, a fire was crackling, and he and Matthew were ready.
When Nora pulled in, she was surprised and very happy to see Bo’s rental car already parked in her driveway. She couldn’t wait to see him. She grabbed her purse and belongings and hurried to the cottage. The door was locked.
“Bo?” she called. “The door is locked…Bo?”
Finally the door opened revealing Bo looking very handsome in a black tuxedo with bowtie.
Nora raised her brows in surprise. “Hey gorgeous! Look at you!” she said smiling. You’re here early...what’s going on?”
He unloaded her arms and set her things aside. She fell into his arms for a warm embrace and a stimulating kiss.
“Ohhh..I have missed you so much,” she whispered between kisses. I could kiss you all over…”
“Mmmm...that sounds promising. Maybe I’ll let you later…”
She held herself close to him and kissed him again and again then wiped the lipstick off his mouth. “What’s going on?” she repeated.
“Matthew and I have a special evening planned, don’t we Matthew? Say ‘Welcome Home, Mommy.’ ”
Nora looked behind her to see Matthew standing by the side of the couch with a tux identical to Bo’s. Her mouth dropped open and she started laughing.
“Ohhhh! Look at you, my Sweet Boy!” She picked him up and snuggled him. “So handsome! Just like Daddy. Oh, I could eat you up!” Then to Bo, “Where did you ever find a tux this small? It’s adorable.”
“Same place I rented mine,” he said.
She smiled at Bo again, this time with tears glistening in her eyes. “What’s going on?” she asked him again.
“Well,” Bo began. “I decided it was time we did some celebrating. We have a lot to celebrate, you know…we have each other, we have our baby boy, and we have the future open to us...so, Matthew and I have planned dinner, maybe a little dancing, maybe a little...well, whatever the night may bring.”
She carried Matthew into the kitchen. “What are we having? It smells wonderful!”
She started snooping, then inhaled sharply. “Bo Buchanan! Is this from Leo’s? This is from Leo’s! Oh, you wonderful man! I love,love,love you!...and champagne?!” She looked at him with sparkling eyes. “I’m in awe.”
“Did I make you happy,” he asked softly.
“Oh Bo.” She went to him and put her free arm around his waist pulling him close. “You always make me happy,” she whispered. “Thank you. But, looking at the two of you, I feel underdressed...I want to go change.”
“You don’t need to, honey. You look beautiful.”
“And you’re in a tux!,” she exclaimed. “I’m dressing up too. This is so much fun!” she said handing him the baby. “I’ll be right back.”
Nora returned in a form-fitting black party dress. She looked stunning.
“Gorgeous,” Bo said, eyes gleaming.
“Thank you...now I feel like celebrating.”
* * * * * * *
The dinner was indeed delicious. Leo’s Ristorante was one of Nora’s favorite local restaurants.
“If I miss anything about Bristol when I leave, it will probably be Leo’s,” Nora said dabbing her mouth with her napkin. “It has to be the best Italian I’ve ever tasted.”
“I’d have to agree with you on that, Honey.” Bo stood. “Why don’t we take our drinks into the living room? Maybe play a little music?” He took Nora’s hand and pulled her along with him. Bo shed his jacket and turned on some oldies. Matthew, who was Daddy’s twin in his pleated white shirt and suspenders, was making his way around the room by holding on to the furniture. As the music played, he would stop and bounce his legs up and down a bit.
Bo drew Nora into his arms. “Dance with me. I can’t let my son show me up with his moves over there.” They laughed as Matthew bounced on his legs so hard that he fell to his bottom.
Nora wrapped her arms around Bo’s neck as they began swaying to the soft sounds of Elvis...
Wise men say only fools rush in... but I can't help falling in love with you
She buried her face in his neck just taking in the scent of him.
Take my hand...take my whole life too... For I can't help falling in love with you...
Bo pulled her close. He leaned his head into hers and folded his arms around the small of her back. They finished the song just melded together. Their mouths met in a very slow and intimate kiss.
Next they danced to Stand By Me. They enjoyed watching Matthew bounce to the beat on that one. Then the beginning bars of “their song” began to play…
I've got sunshine on a cloudy day... When it's cold outside, I've got the month of May...
Bo sang along to the chorus..."I guess you say what can make me feel this way? My girl...talkin' bout my girl...my girl..."
Matthew crawled over and tried to pull himself up on Nora’s legs.
“I think he’s trying to cut in,” Bo exclaimed. “Do you want to dance with Mommy too?” he asked the baby.
Nora picked him up. He was rubbing his eyes. “Somebody’s getting tired, Daddy. Better get this guy to bed soon.”
Bo took him. “Okay. But Matthew and I have something we need to take care of first.”
“I’ll start cleaning up the kitchen then,” she said.
“No.” He shook his head. “Just sit down honey. Please. Just relax. Sip your champagne...okay? We’ll be right back.”
Nora sat on the couch for only a few moments before Bo and Matthew returned, each wearing their black jackets again.
“Dressing up again?” she asked.
“Of course,” said Bo, “this is a special occasion.”
At that point he knelt on one knee before her and sat Matthew up on his extended knee. Matthew was holding, and slobbering on, a fuzzy black box.
Nora smiled at the same time tears were forming in her eyes. They looked so beautiful, her boys, on their knees before her.
Bo cleared his throat and began. “Matthew and I had a little talk recently...and he was telling me that he wanted us to be a real family.”
“He did, huh?” she asked softly.
“Yeah,” Bo nodded. “So...I told him I would talk with you about it.”
He looked down for a moment to gather his thoughts and get control of his emotions. When he looked up, he took her hands into his free hand.
“Red...I love you so much. I don’t even think I can tell you how much. The time we spent apart made me realize that I’m not whole without you. I’m incomplete...and I never want to live without you again.” He stopped for a moment before continuing. “So...would you make me the happiest man in the world...again...and say you’ll marry me?”
“Oh, Bo…” The tears that had been brimming in her eyes spilled onto her cheeks. “I love you too...more than ever, if that’s even possible...so, yes. Yes...I will marry you...and…” She looked at Matthew, then back at Bo, “we’ll be that real family that “Matthew” is wanting.”
She caressed his cheek as he leaned in to kiss her. “I’m so happy…” he said. Then to Matthew, “Let Daddy see the box now. Let’s show Mommy her present…”
He tried to take the box from Matthew, but the baby held it in a firm grip. “Come on...you can help Daddy. Let’s open the box for Mommy…” Bo continued in a gentle voice. Matthew started fussing as Bo tried to take his fuzzy box. “I can’t believe this,” said Bo. Nora chuckled under her breath.
Finally Bo took the box as Matthew wailed. He retrieved the rings quickly, snapped the box shut, and handed it back to Matthew. He let Matthew crawl away with the box, then opened his hand to show Nora the rings.
There were two. “This one is from me,” Bo said holding a beautiful diamond solitaire.
Nora inhaled. “Oh, it’s gorgeous,” she whispered to him.
“And...this...is from Matthew,” Bo said as he showed her a wrap of tiny diamonds that would surround the solitaire. “So, they go together like this,” he said as he slipped them both on her finger. They sparkled on her hand together.
He looked up at her. “They look beautiful. So, how do they feel? Do they fit okay? he asked.
“Yes,” she said in a choked voice. “They are a perfect fit...just like us.”
* * * * * * *
Matthew was so tired and cranky that they decided to skip the bath routine and just put him to bed.
“I’ll tidy up the kitchen while you tuck Matthew in,” Nora said handing Bo the bottle. She kissed Matthew goodnight and Bo took him to his room.
Nora cleared the table and put the leftover food in containers. She left the dirty dishes in the sink and wiped off the table and counters before taking her shower. She put on a pretty nightgown and robe and thought she would meet Bo in the bedroom, but he still wasn’t there. He wasn’t in the living room either, so she locked up the cottage and went to the nursery.
She stood in the doorway of the nursery and smiled at the scene before her. Bo slumped in the nursery rocker, shirt half unbuttoned, bow tie askew with Matthew sprawled on his shoulder in his jammies. Both were sleeping soundly. Matthew’s coveted fuzzy box had slipped from his hand and was lying on the floor at Bo’s feet.
Nora pulled the sleeping baby gently from Bo’s shoulder and tucked him into his crib. Matthew awoke for just a moment and peered around at his surroundings before laying his head back down to sleep. A drowsy Bo watched from the rocker.
She turned to him next. “Hey, Sleepyhead. Time for bed,” she whispered to him.
He rubbed his hand over his face. “I don’t know what happened...just drifted off I guess.”
“You’re exhausted. Come on. I’m going to get you a brandy and tuck you in.”
Bo went to the bedroom unbuttoning his shirt while Nora went to retrieve his brandy. When she got there, she found him sitting on the edge of the bed facing the window. She crawled into bed behind him and handed him the brandy. Then she proceeded to pull the shirt from his shoulders. She kissed his neck as she did so.
“I’m sorry, honey. Maybe this brandy will revive me,” he said.
She sympathized with him her chin on his shoulder, “Are you kidding me? Sweetie, you’re exhausted. You haven’t the strength to lift a finger let alone…”
He grinned. “You have such a way with words.”
“I’m just saying. Look what they do to you. I send you back to the precinct and they wear you out all week. Then you’re exhausted when you get back to me.” She rubbed his shoulders and neck kissing him.
Bo chuckled. You should see me on Mondays at work after spending the weekend with you...I’m totally worthless.”
She laughed. “Complaining?” she asked.
“Not a bit, gorgeous,” he said leaning to kiss her. He picked up his brandy glass then and downed the liquid in one quick swig. Then he stood and dropped his pants before springing into bed and onto Nora.
“OooOOo” she screamed startled and laughing. He ran his hands under her gown fondling her and making her laugh.
Don’t tell me I can’t ‘lift a finger’ he whispered huskily. “Have I ever let you down before? I ask you.”
“Never,” she said breathlessly shaking her head.
“And I won’t tonight either...we’re going to celebrate,” he said as he kissed her neck. He lifted his head to look into her eyes. “Wanna celebrate with me?” he asked.
“For the rest of my life,” she said wrapping herself about him and pulling him close.
Re: FF-Begin Again-Chapter 25
Posted by Mary Ann on 3/11/2014, 8:53 am, in reply to "FF-Begin Again-Chapter 25" VVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVV
YEAH!!!! It's official - they're getting married again. I love the idea of Bo and Matt in matching tuxes.
Posted by hummingbird on 3/11/2014, 2:06 pm, in reply to "Re: FF-Begin Again-Chapter 25" VVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVV
Lol. Actually, I thought about making it the end, but...a few loose ends to tie up. You know how I am. Still the fiery crash and kidnapping to do... Just kidding. Two more chapters to come. Then you all can have the board back...I feel like a monopolizer.
Just kidding. 