All Over Again
Chapter Twelve
The door opened and Dr. Southall entered the room. Everyone gathered around her again anxiously awaiting the news.
"Before I start I just have one question. Are you absolutely sure that Bo and Matthew are not related?"
Nora shifted uncomfortably. "Well, Bo and I were together during the period when Matthew was conceived."
Dr. Southall opened her file and glanced over it before looking back at them. "Well, that cynches it for me. Not only am I positive that Bo and Matthew are a five point match but I'm certain that Bo is Matthew's father."
Bo shook his head. "No. I'm sorry Dr. Southall but, that's impossible. We've had two DNA tests done and both showed that I am not Matthew's father. You have to be wrong."
"I'm not wrong, unless the other candidate to be Matthew's father is your brother or a cousin or something. When we tested Matthew's we founed a rare anomolie. It is by no means life threatening but it is genetic. The only way it could have been passed on is by his father. We also discovered the same anomolie in Mr. Buchanan's blood. Chances are that, if tested, your father has the same thing. Anyway, that's what makes Matthew and Bo such close matches. So you see, the only way you couldn't be Matthew's father was if his father was a blood relative of yours."
The tears that had been threatening to spill from Nora's eyes were now flowing freely down her cheeks. She just couldn't believe it. She couldn't quite explain the emotions that were coursing through her veins. She was overjoyed with the news that Bo was Matthew's father, pained that their little boy was lying down the hall fighting for his life, and regretful that Bo and Matthew had not had a chance to bond like a father and son should.
"You're sure," Bo asked. "I mean, there is absolutely no chance there was a mistake?"
Dr. Southall shook her head. "I don't know what lab did your DNA tests but they goofed big time. We performed the compatibility tests twice in our lab and it's obvious that Matthew has to be related to you. Now, assuming he can't be your nephew or a cousin then I can say with 99.9% certainty that you are his father."
The room was filled with a stunned silence. No one knew quite what to say to the other. None of them had been expecting this news. Bo walked quietly away from the group and sat down in a nearby chair, dropping his head into his hands. Nora waged an internal battle about whether or not to go to him or to just let him deal with it on his own. Rachel made the decision for her. She kissed her mother lightly on the cheek and then pushed her towards Bo.
Nora made her way to where he sat and kneeled down on the ground next to him. He never looked up from his hands and she finally wrapped her arms around him. She never even would have known he was crying had she not felt his body shaking. His arms quickly encircled her waist, pulling her closer, and he buried his face in her hair as a sob finally escaped his lips.
As the small sound filled the room Dr. Southall turned to Rachel and Selma, Len and Hank had gone outside for some air. "It's obvious Bo and Nora need some time to deal with this. I'm going to go on my rounds and then I'll be back in about an hour to discuss the options they have for the transplant."
Selma took the doctors hand. "Thank you, we'll be sure and tell them."
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Several minutes later Bo and Nora still clung to each other despite the fact that his crying had subsided. Finally Bo pulled away slightly and looked into Nora's eyes. His own red and still wet with tears.
"Just tell me that I heard her correctly. Tell me it's true that after all this time that little boy is mine."
Nora smiled and swiped at her own tears. "That little boy is ours Bo. How does it feel Daddy?"
Bo smiled and then it faded. "I'm not sure. Don't get me wrong, I couldn't be any happier that Matthew is our son. It's what we dreamed for. But, what if... what if he never knows me as his father. What if, God forbid, he dies and Sam was the only father he knew. I couldn't stand that."
Nora put her hands on each side of his face and forced him to look her in the eyes. "Bo, you promised me that he was going to be ok. Don't you go backing down from that now. Matthew is going to live. How could he not when he has so much to live for. You and Matthew are going to have many, many years together playing catch, fishing, camping. Count on that."
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An hour and a half later....
Dr. Southall walked back into the waiting area to find things much as she left them. Len and Hank were drinking hot coffee trying to warm up from their stroll outside while Selma and Rachel each read a magazine. Bo and Nora were sitting in another corner still discussing the news they had recieved.
"Hello folks."
Again they all gathered around the doctor. Nora stood next to Bo, their arms wrapped around each other.
"Doctor, how is Matthew?" Nora asked.
Dr. Southall took a deep breath. "That's actually what I wanted to talk to you about."
"He's not..." Bo could not bare to finish the sentence.
"No, he's still alive. But, we have reached a critical stage. Matthew is going to need that kidney transplant within the next few hours if we are going to prevent his other organs from failing. Now, we have a couple of options. We can look for a kidney on the organ registry but the likelihood of finding one is very slim. Another possibility is that all of Bo's relatives could be tested and perhaps one of them would be willing to donate. Of course, the most obvious solution is for Bo to donate."
Nora nodded. "Ok, can we just have a minute to talk about it?"
"Yes, but time is of the essence."
Bo looked at Nora a moment and then turned his attention to the doctor. "I'll do it."
Nora turned to face him. "What?"
"I'll do it. I'll give Matthew one of my kidneys."
To Be Continued....
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