Countdown Part 10
Bo paced around the hospital room.
Nora: That's not helping...
Bo: What is taking so long?
Nora: Honey...she's a new born baby...she can't just go on command!
Bo: I cannot believe they won't let us take our daughter home until she has a wet diaper....
Nora: Think of it as a...a...24 hour tune up...they just want to make sure she working...
Bo: (exhaling and walking over to the baby who's laying in the plastic bassinet) Maddie...come on honey...just wet your diaper and daddy can take his princess home...(he lightly touches the baby's stomach)
Nora: Bo Buchanan!
Bo: What?
Nora: You're going to push our child to pee?
Bo: I was just giving her a hand...
Nora: I'm surprised you don't pour water in her diaper!!
Bo: I'm desperate Red! I want to get out of here!
Nora: Why don't you go find Matt...
Bo: Fine...
Nora: (picking Maddie up from the bassinet) Now my angel...we need you to do your little business (the baby stirs) so we can get your extremely anxious father and brother home...ok...
Nora takes a peek and sees the diaper is wet.
Nora: That's my girl! Oh...I am going to love having the odds evened out!! (she kisses the baby and rings for the nurse)
Nurse: Yes, Mrs.Buchanan...
Nora: I have a diaper here for you...
Nurse: All right then, that takes care of that...I'll call for the wheel chair...
********************
Back at Bo and Nora's house...
Asa: Where in the plum hill are they???
Hank: Well, Bo did say they were waiting for the doctor to give them the all clear....
Renee: Sunny is just taking her time...
Asa: Sunny? Woman...what he heck are you talking about...
Renee: Sunny...that is what I am calling my granddaughter....
Asa: What is wrong with Maddie?
Renee: Sounds too much like Mattie...
Asa: And what's wrong with that?
Renee: Sunny is just a happy name...
Asa: Its a stupid name...no granddaughter of mine is gonna be called "sunny"
Renee: We’ll just see!
Bo pulls up to the house, which has been transformed into a pink wonderland. Pink bows and ribbons adorn all the trees. A huge pink and white ribbon wreath hangs on the door and there are bunches of pink and white balloons tied to weights all over the porch. Nora gets out of the car as Bo unbuckles little Madison from her car seat.
Nora: Did you do this?
Bo: (looking up at her from the back seat) I ordered the balloons, Pa had the grounds keepers from the mansion do the trees and Vicki sent the wreath.
Nora: I love it!
Matt comes around the front of the car with his video camcorder.
Matt: Madison Renee Buchanan…the homecoming…everybody smile!
Nora: Matt, make sure you get all the balloons and the ribbons and bows and the wreath…oh my…all of a sudden I am so overwhelmed!
Bo: I’ll carry Madison in…
Nora: Ok…
They enter the house. Nora is astounded. There are vases full of white and pink roses all over the living room. The scent is almost hypnotic.
Nora: Oh Bo…
Bo: I love you so much.
They walk into the living room and are greeted by friends and family. Madison is introduced to everyone and all take turns holding her and doting on her.
Asa: (sipping his whiskey and talking with Bo) You know that old woman wants to call my grand daughter “sunny”? Are you gonna allow your daughter to be called sunny?
Bo: (frowning slightly) Well, I’m not all that fond of it…
Asa: I knew it! I told her it was ridiculous!
Bo: Pa…its fine though…
Asa: No it ain’t! The child’s gonna grow up confused!
Bo: Pa….
Meanwhile Nora is sitting with Renee and Hank.
Hank: She is a doll Nora…and so lucky she doesn’t look like her old man!
Nora: Hank!
Hank: Seriously…could you imagine a kid with his mug?
Matt: (hopping over the arm of the couch and landing next to Hank) I got my ol’ man’s mug…
Hank: Tempered with your mom’s (playfully squeezing Matt’s face) pretty face…
Matt: Man!
They all laugh. Madison begins to let out little cries.
Hank: (handing her over to Nora) Houston, we have a problem…
Nora: She’s probably hungry…if you’ll excuse me…
Hank stands as Nora walks up to the nursery.
Upstairs Nora is sitting peacefully in the rocking chair feeding Madison. The door creeks open and Bo walks in. The sight of Nora and Madison leaves him near breathless. He walks over to Nora and bends, kissing her on the top of her head.
Bo: (quietly) You are beautiful…
Nora: I wasn’t so beautiful twenty-four hours ago…
Bo: (crouching next the rocking chair) You have been beautiful since the day I met you…I wish I could put into words the way I feel right now…
Nora: I think I know…
Bo: I hope you never forget…and this little angel…she just takes daddy’s heart and wraps it around her tiny little finger (touching the baby’s fingers)…yes she does…
Madison barely opens her eyes one last time before drifting off to sleep. Bo stands up and takes her from Nora’s arms and places her gently in the cradle in the center of the room. Nora stands and walks over next to the cradle. Bo slides his arm around her. They stand silently looking at their tiny miracle sleeping soundly.
Bo: (leaning and kissing Nora on the cheek) Thank you…
Nora: (nuzzling into his kiss) You don’t have to thank me…
Bo: Yes I do…you let us happen again…you brought my son into my life…you came back into my life and you brought this beautiful little angel with you…
Nora: I had a little help…
Bo: And I’ll help you with her and Matt and us for the rest of my life…I promise you…
Nora: (cradling his face) I believe you…I love you Bo…
Bo: I love you too
They share a tender kiss before leaving the nursery.
Later that night, after all the guests have left, Bo is sitting watching the video that Matt made over the past nine months, culminating in this past day, Madison’s homecoming. Nora comes down and sits next to him on the couch. She grabs the blanket off the back of the couch and cuddles in next to Bo. They watch the video.
Bo: This is my favorite part…Asa and Renee still arguing, out the door whether Madison is going to be called Sunny or not…
Nora: They kill me…all night it was back and forth…
Bo: I told Pa that even though I wasn’t fond of it…it was fine…
Nora: Hhmmm…I told Renee I liked it…
Bo: You want to call our daughter “sunny”?
Nora: (sitting up) It’s not like I’m calling her “fungus”
Bo: But it’s so…boyish…sunny…the ranch hands used to call me and Clint “sonny”
Nora: Let’s not worry about it…she’s only twenty-nine hours old…we’ve got plenty of time…
Bo: Did you turn that little monitor thing on?
Nora: Sure did…is that one on? (motioning to the receiver on the end table)
Bo: On and operational ma’am…
Nora: Good…can we watch the video again?
Bo: Your wish is my command…
Nora: You remember that at three in the morning…
Bo: I got day shifts…
Nora: You’re working days…
Bo: (grinning) I know!
Nora: (frowning) Thanks…
As the video rewinds, they hear talking over the monitor.
Matt: (over the monitor) hey Madison…I know you’re sleeping…but I just wanted to say good night…and…I’m sorry I thought the things I did about you before you were here…I was worried and I was scared that things would be different….and you know…they are different…but in a cool way…I kinda think I am going to like having a baby sister that is fourteen years younger than I am…so like when you’re a teenager…and guys are like after you…I can kick their asses…cuz I’ll be like twenty seven…twenty eight…and I’ll be a cop…so I can throw them in jail…cuz I’m gonna protect you…forever…I’m glad you’re here Maddie…I love you…sleep tight little peanut…
Downstairs on the couch, Nora is bawling her eyes out.
Bo: C’mon Red…you knew it was going to be alright…he’s my son…I didn’t expect any less of him…
Nora stares at him.
Bo: Ok…so maybe I was a little worried…
Nora: (wiping her nose with her hand) My life truly is perfect…
Bo: Mine’s been for sometime…
Nora: You wanna go to bed?
Bo: I thought we were restricted for six weeks…
Nora: Bo! (lightly slapping his arm) I mean to sleep!
Bo: I know, I know…I was kidding…
They head upstairs and go to bed –to sleep.
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Six weeks later…
Matt: God!!! (covering his ears) Does she have to howl at that decibel??
Bo: Seems to be her standard…(calling out) hang on princess…daddy’s coming…(getting up and bolting up the stairs)
Hank: So…how long’s your mom gonna be gone for?
Matt: To damn long…(still covering his ears) I think we’ve heard five minutes of this game!
Hank: I think you’re right (calling up to Bo) Bo!! Why don’t you just bring her down??
Bo: (behind the couch) Sshhh…you don’t have to yell Hank…
Hank: Sorry…I didn’t realize you were right there…
Bo: (with Madison in his arms) Nora said I was spoiling her by always carrying her…I guess she was right…
Hank: Have you put that child down at all in the past four days?
Matt: No…I check her for Velcro patches every night…
Bo: (to Matt) You can leave whenever you want…
Matt: (spitting his tongue out at Bo) And who would run down at four in the morning for the bottle you forgot…here…give me her…
Bo hands the baby to Matt…
Matt: (looking into Maddie’s face) what’s the matter peanut?
Maddie stares at her brother and then begins to turn red.
Matt: Dad…you’re up…
Bo: Again?? Hank?
Hank: I don’t do diapers…
Bo: Not even for your godchild?
Hank: Not even for my godchild…you are on your own…
Bo: (whining slightly) All I wanted to do was watch this game today….that’s all I wanted (taking Maddie from Matt and heading over to the chair in the corner. Talking to Maddie) Did your mother put you up to this?? (pausing as he lays her on the chair and grabs a diaper) Oh…taking the fifth huh? Very sneaky move counselor….(Maddie smiles and wiggles under Bo’s hand)
Hank: Bo! Sshhh…..
Matt: We’re trying to watch the game! Geesh!
Bo: (Mocking Matt’s tone) Sooorrryyy! (to Maddie) Come on pumpkin…we don’t need these nasty guys…
The phone rings
Matt: (answering) Yeah…
Nora: Matthew! Honey!!! Its Mom
Matt: Hey Mom…
Nora: Hi honey….how are you? How’s Madison and your dad….
Matt: uh huh….
Nora is everyone ok?
Matt: She’s eating right now….
Nora: Is your dad there?
Matt and Hank yell out, reacting to a play on the TV.
Nora: Matt? Matt? Is everything ok???
Bo walks back into the room and sees the phone on the coffee table.
Bo: (grabbing the phone) I thought I heard it ring…. hello Buchanan here…
Nora: What the heck is going on there??
Bo: Hey Red! Oh man….are you a blessing…oh baby…I have missed you!
Nora: You missed me…or you missed me taking care of the baby?
Bo: Both…but more of missing you…
Nora: Yeah sure…how’s it going? How are the kids?
Bo: They’re fine…you were right…Maddie is spoiled…I’m sorry…
Nora: Won’t let you put her down?
Bo: Not for a minute…
Nora: We’ll break her of it…just have to let her cry a bit…
Bo: (looking at the tiny baby in his arms) but it’s so inhumane…
Nora: Then get up two hundred times a day…
Bo: I know…(pausing) how’s your dad?
Nora: My dad? Oh! Yeah…he’s doing great…it was just a little virus…he was home from the hospital yesterday, he’s already giving my mother grief…
Bo: So…you’ll be home?
Nora: Soon,,,
Bo: How soon?
Nora: Very soon…
Bo: I miss you immensely…I cannot wait til you’re back and I can just hold you…
Nora: That’s all you want to do? Hold Me?
Bo: It’s a good start…we’ll see what happens after that…
Nora: (suggestively) you…ah…you are aware that six weeks is up…
Bo: (sarcastically) Really? You don’t say?
Nora: Alright funny man…
Bo: I’ve only been counting down for the past five and three quarters weeks!
Nora: That all? (pausing) hey…
Bo: Huh?
Nora: I love you…and I miss you and the kids…
Bo: We miss you too (there is a loud whooping yell from Hank and Matt)
Nora: You’re having a party and didn’t invite me?
Bo: We were trying to watch the game…(looking at Maddie) I’m not doing much watching though…
Nora: Sorry…can I do anything to help?
Bo: (chuckling) Come home? (just then the doorbell rings) hang on…someone’s at the door…
Nora: Uh huh…
Bo goes to the door.
Bo: (on the phone) hang on Red…(he opens the door) Nora!!!
She hangs up her phone.
Nora: (smiling) Hey handsome….
With Maddie in one hand, Bo drops the phone and grabs Nora, pulling her into a deep welcoming kiss. She wraps her arm around his back and with the other hand, steadies Maddie. They keep kissing despite Hank and Matt yelling in the next room.
Bo: (breaking the kiss but still placing tiny kisses on her cheek and neck) Oh baby….oh Red…I have missed you!!
Nora: I can tell…(kissing him full on the lips again) I missed you too…(backing away a tiny bit and refocusing on Maddie) How’s my angel?
Bo: Spoiled…by her daddy, her brother, her godfather, her grandfather, her uncle, her aunt, her grandmother….does that answer your question?
Nora: (laughing and taking the baby) I guess so…come here sweetie…oh…. mommy missed her baby girl…yes I did…
Bo: (putting his arm around Nora and guiding her into the living room) Hey look who I found…
Matt: Hey Mom…
Hank: Hey Nora…
Nora: (to Bo) I like your welcome better…
Bo: Well then (he pulls her close and kisses her) I’ll
just have to keep welcoming you home…
Maybe we should go lay Madison down and I can welcome you home
properly…
The game ends and Hank and Matt high five each other…
Matt: Hey!!! Mom!!!! You’re back!!! (he goes and gives Nora a hug)…
Hank: Welcome home beautiful…when did you get back?
Nora: (looking at Bo) About five minutes ago…
Matt: Cool…well, I’m going to Stacy’s…(kissing Nora on the cheek) glad your home mom…see ya…
Hank: (looking at his watch) Oh…hey…I gotta run…
Bo: Where are you going??
Hank: I got a date…
Bo: A date??
Hank: Hey…if you can have this beautiful little girl at your advanced age, gramps, I can have a date….
Bo: (shrugs) You got me there…
Hank: Ok…Bo thanks for the sandwiches…Nora…welcome
home…Madison…watch these two…
Bye guys…(Hank leaves)
Nora: Bye Hank…(the door closes) I see nothing’s changed…
Bo: Oh...plenty’s changed…
Nora: Like what?
Bo: Like…your home…and I can hug you and kiss you and hold you and I don’t have to wake up alone tonight…
Nora smiles.
Nora: Why don’t we go lay this little princess down and you can welcome me home some more?
Bo: (kissing her as he gently walks them upstairs) Welcome home…(kiss) welcome home….(kiss) welcome home….
The End
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