What a feeling...

A doorbell rang for the umpteenth time.
N: I'm coming! Just a second!
Nora looked in the mirror as she put on her earrings. She took a step back, and smoothed her dress, while she gave herself a quick once-over.
N (to herself): Not bad for an old gal. I can show up in this without totally embarrassing myself. If only my hand would stop shaking...
Someone is pounding on the door.
N (shouting): Ok, Ok! Keep your pants on!
She runs downstairs, grabs her purse and her coat, and opens the door.
Hank is standing outside with a pretty grim expression on his face.
N (kisses him on the cheek as she passes him): Hi, Hank!
Hank is fuming, closes the door and follows her.
H (under his breath): Women! Time is a completely different concept to them. Make a mental note, Hank, never trust a woman when it comes to time. Add at least 45 minutes to whatever time they promise to be ready. Why do I never learn?
Nora is pretending she doesn't hear him, or understand what he's fuming about.
They both get in the car, and drives off.
N: Thanks for doing this with me. I don't know if I could have done it by myself.
H (softening up): Sure. I know this is hard for you. I'm glad to help you out. But what I don't understand is why you didn't want Sam to...
N (interrupting): Don't. I just don't want to talk about it. Besides he's probably going to be there with Jen and Will anyway.
H: And Lindsey?
N: I don't know. Probably. But you know what? I don't care. My needing to be there tonight has got nothing to do with Sam. I'm forcing myself to get over my last husband the only way I can, by being there when he moves on with his life, by staring the truth in the face. He doesn't love me anymore. Get over it!
Her voice cracks up a bit at the end, and Hank takes her hand and squeezes it.
H: Hey. I'll be right there beside you. And whenever you need to go, you just let me know, and I'll get you out of there.
N: Thank you.

The rehearsal dinner for Bo and Melanie’s wedding is well underway when Hank and Nora try to sneak in. Unable to do so they put on their biggest smiles and Nora clings to Hanks arm in an effort to keep up her appearance. They walk in just as Melanie is about to hold her speech.
M: Nora. Hank. I'm glad you finally could make it. It wouldn't be the same without you.
Bo pulls her arm hard and whispers something to her.
B: Please come in. We've been waiting for you. Take a seat.
Bo smiles towards them and he can't help but look admiringly at Nora, which Melanie picks up on.
Hank and Nora sits down in the back and Nora feels a little better after Bo's reassuring smile. Bo sits down and Melanie continues.(Authors note: Barf-alert)
M: As I was saying, the love I share with this man is the best either one of us have ever experienced. We know each other in and out, and our happiness lights up the world. Blah, blah, blah...
(I thought I'd drop the rest of it. You guys get the picture, right? No need to drag this out...)

Bo is standing by the bar and looking at his friends and family. He was so happy that so many of them were here tonight. A lot of them had seemed less than thrilled about this marriage. Melanie wasn't the one for him, they said, she had already lied about so many aspects of her life, how did he know she was telling the truth now? He didn't know. But he knew he was marrying her. He just felt he had to. He had to make this one work. Melanie laid it on pretty thick in her speech though. It's not that he wasn't happy or anything, it was just that this happiness felt a lot more like contentment than anything else. He had been happy. Once. He knew how that felt. But he could not have that again. Not like that anyway. He smiled. Nora looked amazing tonight. And she looked happy. How he hated for her to be miserable. He was glad she came. He wasn't sure she would. He knew this was hard for her, but she seemed to cope with it, and she seemed to let go. Finally. He felt a twinge in his stomach at this realisation, but he knew it was for the best. He wondered why Sam wasn't with her though. Not that that bothered him. He never liked Sam much. He was definitely not the one for Nora. He turned towards the bar, and ordered a beer. Someone came up behind him and held her hands over his eyes.
N: Guess who?
B: Why is it that the colour red comes to mind? He laughs and turns around to face her. She smiles and gives him a quick hug.
N: Congratulations. I'm happy for you.
B: Thanks. That means a lot to me. I'm glad you came.
N: Oh. I wouldn't miss this for the world.
B: Where have you left Hank? I haven't seen him since you guys came?
N: Ach. He's in the middle of this big discussion with Sam.
B: Sam?
N: Yeah. I just didn't want to hear it. I don't know why Hank bothers.
B: I was wondering why you didn't come with Sam, are you two having problems?
N: No. Everything is as it should be. I just don't want to be with him.
B: What? When did this happen?
N: I don't know, I guess I've always known that he wasn't for me. I don't love him. I guess he was just nice to have around. I didn't feel lonely. But I wasn't happy. I was content. Heck, I can be more than content on my own. I just couldn't stay with him. I know he's Matthew’s father, and I will always make sure that they have a good relationship, but I couldn't be what he wanted me to be, so I called it quits. He, on the other hand, does not want to accept that, and Hank was trying to make him understand. I doubt he'll succeed. Sam has become a little obsessed.
B: Well, I can't blame him. He had you, and now you're gone. I can imagine the pain he feels.
Nora looks at him with a pounding heart. Could he see how she was reacting to the things he said? What did he mean?
B: I'm glad you broke it off. He was not the one for you.
Bo suddenly realised what he was saying and hurried to add:
B: But you'll soon find someone else. I know it.
He was embarrassed, and turned towards the bar to pick up his beer.
Nora tried to calm her heart, and even though his last two sentences hurt her terribly, she knew what she had to do. She put a hand on his arm, and turned him around.
N: I know. I'm happier without him. And I'm happier knowing that you're happy.
She gave him a hug and held on a little longer than she should and turned to walk away before the tears came. It felt like she was saying goodbye to him for good.
N: I guess I should go and rescue Hank. Have fun, will ya.
Bo held on to her hand as she walked away. Before he could think about what happened, Melanie was dragging him onto the dance floor, and as they were swaying, more than dancing, he tried to find Nora in the crowd. Something didn't seem right. He had to talk to her. After a few more embarrassing minutes on the dance floor he saw her talking to Hank. She looked upset. Hank was stroking her face, and gave her a hug. What was going on, Bo thought? Was it Sam? He couldn't see Sam anywhere. Now it looked like Hank and Nora were about to leave. He released Melanie's clinging grip around him.
B: I should say goodbye to our guests. Excuse me.
M: No, you're not. Nora wants to leave. Let her.
B: I'm sorry, Melanie. I have to.
M: No. If you go over there, you can kiss this marriage goodbye.
B: Melanie, you're overreacting. Calm down.
They were getting a bit loud and most of the guests were stopping to look at them.
M: No. I won't calm down. It's always like this. Nora always comes first. Nora's hurting. I have to help Nora. Nora. Nora. Nora. It's always Nora.
Melanie was stomping her foot and pouting.
B: Melanie, you're making a scene. Don't say something you're going to regret.
He looked over his shoulder, and couldn't see Nora anymore. He sighed and looked at Melanie.
M: So. What's it gonna be?
B: Fine. I won't go.
Melanie jumped into his arms, and giggled like a little girl.
M: Yeah. We're getting married.
B: I need a drink.

An hour later Melanie was standing surrounded by her niece, her nephew and their friends and showing off her ring, and a necklace Bo just bought her. She was squealing. Bo sat at the bar when Hank came walking toward him.
H: Hey, bud.
B: Hey. I thought you were leaving?
H: Nah. Nora just needed some air. We walked, or rather carried, Sam to a cab. He was kind of out of it tonight. Drank like a madman.
B: Yeah. I heard. Nora told me about their break-up. He's taking it hard?
H: Oh yes. He's about to lose it. I tried to talk to him, but it's no use. He wants to leave town.
B: What? What about Matthew?
H: I don't know. I don't think he's thought it through yet.
B: What does Nora say to that? Where is she, by the way?
They heard a lot of noice and breaking of glasses from the other side of the room. Nora screamed. Hank and Bo jumped and ran towards the commotion.
H (as they were fighting through the crowd of people gathering): I think you just got your answer.
Sam was standing in front of Nora and screaming at her. He was very drunk.
S: After all I've done for you and that son of yours. I get nothing? You think you're gonna leave me? No. I won't let you. I need you. I need Matthew.
He reveals a knife, but he doesn't have enough strength to hold it. The knife falls to the floor, and Sam drops to his knees. He's crying.
S: And he's not even my boy. He's..
N (crying): No. He can't be.
She looks up and sees Bo looking straight at her. His eyes were big and confused.
Suddenly the power went out, and panic is erupting.
H (shouting): I've got the knife. Everybody calm down. The power will come on soon. Relax, people.
Everybody is blindly reaching for each other, trying to find a person they know to hold on to, in order to feel safe. Nora and Bo walk straight towards each other. The darkness, the noise, the other people don't matter. They hold on to each other, and Bo leads her into a door which seems to be a wardrobe, or something. Bo closes the door and pulls her towards him. They stand still, hugging, and caressing each others face. What a feeling. They both felt home. The rest of the world didn't matter. It was like they had been dead and the this embrace revived them again. They felt alive.
Nora strokes his cheek and feels a tear running down his face.
N: Hey. What's wrong?
B: Nothing. Everything is right. I'm happy. I'm just overwhelmed. Did you hear what Sam said?
N: Yeah. I can't believe it. He told me he paid off the technician. It makes me so angry. How could he do something like that? How could I care about a man who would do something like that?
B: Let it go. I just can't believe the misery we had to go through. The time we've lost.
N: I know. I'm so sorry.
B: You? No, this is not your fault. We have both made mistakes, but we've learned from them. You hear me? We've found each other again. This time it's going to work.
N: Do you want to give it another try? Are you sure?
Awaiting his answer she holds her breath, and her heart's racing.
B: I would like nothing more. I love you, Nora. I'm insanely happy when I'm with you.
N (breathing a little easier): What about Melanie?
B: I don't love Melanie. I thought it didn't matter. I've loved before and that didn't work, I just thought I'd go for liking instead. I just realised tonight that I can't settle for content. I want happy. I want you. I would have fought for you, Nora. I would have fought Sam and I would have fought you. (He suddenly throws his head back and laughs.) And I’m a father again. Matt’s my son. I can’t wait to make up for all the time we’ve lost. God I've been so stupid. Can you forgive me? Will you take me back? Please take me back?
N (laughing and crying): Oh God I love you. Of course I'll take you back. What do ya think? I've loved you since I met you, and I've never been able to hide that. You make me feel so good. But, tell me something...
B: What?
N (smiling): When are you gonna kiss me.
Bo's still holding her body tightly against his. He lowered his face to meet hers painfully slow.
B: You want me to kiss you?
N (feeling his breath close to her face): Bo. If you don't kiss me now, I'll...
B (with a devilish grin): You'll what?
Nora grabs his head and kisses him passionately. She melts in his arms, and he felts like his heart will explode. They kiss for a long time, exploring each others mouths and caressing each others bodies. Bo unzips her dress and it falls lightly to the floor. His hands are burning on her skin and she presses her body against his. Bo unhooks her bra, and puts one hand on her breast and the other one slides inside her panties, all the while never leaving her mouth with his. He pulls her panties down and suddenly she's naked. Nora breaks off the kiss, but they still stand like they were glued to each other.
N: Hey. Something’s not right here. I'm the only one naked. Do see anything wrong with this picture?
Suddenly the power's back on.
Bo blinks to adjust his eyes to the bright lights, and looks down into the love of his live's eyes and smiles.
B: To answer your question, no, I don't see anything wrong with this picture. Good God, you're beautiful. He strokes his hands all over her body, and their eyes become moist with desire.
N: Make love to me, Bo.
Bo swallows as his emotions overwhelm him. His body's on fire. He loves this woman so much.
Just as Nora was about to unzip his pants, someone was at the door.
They heard voices call their names, Melanie's, Hank's, and suddenly they're all standing in the doorway. Bo quickly stands in front of Nora to cover her.
H (smiling): Ah. So there you are. Who would have thought it was a power outage that would do it?
B (smiling widely): Thanks buddy.
M(screaming): Noooo. Bo. What have you done? I hate you. How could you do this to me?
Bo just ignored her, and turned to face Nora again.
Hank dragged Melanie kicking and screaming outside and sent her home. When he got back Bo was trying to zip up Nora's dress, but it looked like he wanted her to keep it off. He was zipping it up a little bit, kissing and caressing her back for a while, then zipping it up a little more. This took time, and Hank just shook his head and left them alone. Nora threw her head back and enjoyed Bo's hand on her body. Her dress was more off than on. After a while with sighing and groaning...
N (sighing): Bo.
B (breathing heavily): Huh? What?
N: We can't stay here.
B: Why not?
N: We're in a wardrobe.
B: So?
N: Ok. What's it gonna be? We stay here, and you don't get any? Or we go to my place where I'll... (she leans in and whispers in his ear)
Bo's eyes get bigger and he zips her up and drags her out the door in a matter of seconds. Nora laughs.
N: Men. Gotta love’em.
They run outside hand in hand and they know everything'll be alright. They're together again. This time for life.

The end