As Time Flies.....Chapter 13
Last time: Colin and Lindsay were granted bail, but whether Colin's would be paid was in question. Sam was mad at Ben but got over it. Lindsay got help from an unexpected source. Llanview learned that Nora is alive, although her medical condition remained precarious and unchanged.
Llantano County Courthouse
The press was swarming like flies. Kevin and Kelly tried to shove their way to the front of the crowd, along with every other reporter in town. Hank waved his arm and cleared his throat. The room quieted instantly.
Hank gave a short statement, then turned the floor over to Bo. The reporters were in a frenzy, and they asked Bo questions mostly about the fact that his former fiancée tried to kill his former wife, and how did he feel about that? Bo felt like an animal carcass being plundered by vultures. He tried to take the focus off of himself, so he praised Ben, and said that if it weren't for him, Ms. Buchanan wouldn't have made it. Bo told everyone that Nora was in a semi-coma, but they were hopeful that she would make a full recovery. After a few more minutes of expertly fending off their invasive questions, the reporters disbanded.
Bo went over to Hank. Hank was gathering up his paperwork and putting it in his briefcase. Bo could see Hank was not a happy camper. "I'm sorry, Hank, that was tough. Fitzie really surprised me on that one. I can't believe she let those two out on bail!" Bo wasn't a happy camper, either.
"Tell me about it, Bo. That woman is so tough, I thought for sure they'd be locked up until the trial. I wonder if that guy from Washington intimidated her or something. How'd Lindsay get him, anyway? I didn't think she was that connected." Hank sighed. "Fancy lawyer or not, all I know is they'd better enjoy their freedom now, because in 3 months they're gonna lose it for a very, very long time!" Hank's eyes were blazing. "They're not gonna get away with this, Bo. Not if it's the last thing I do!"
Bo patted Hank on the arm. "I know, buddy. You loved Nora too much to let them. But now that Lindsay is going to be roaming Llanview for a while, I don't want her trying anything funny again. I think I'm gonna station an officer at the hospital to guard Nora. Am I going overboard, Hank?" Bo laughed.
"Knowing Lindsay, Bo, I'd say hell no!" Hank laughed, too.
"Hey, Hank, do you have a minute? I have something I want to talk to you about, something serious."
"Sure, buddy. Let's go back to my office, where we can get some privacy." Hank grabbed his briefcase and he and Bo drove back to the station. Bo filled him in about the development with Matthew and his paternity test. Hank was incredulous. That Lindsay was something else! If he had anything to say about it, that woman would never see the light of day after her trial.
Bo wanted to know what his options
were as far as forcing Sam to allow another DNA test. Hank told
him that it
didn't look good for a court order, considering Nora was unable
to give her consent and Sam already had a test on file that named
him as the father. Hank told Bo that without Jeff Barnes admitting
to tampering with the DNA test or Nora's consent, he'd have to
get Sam to voluntarily agree to take another one. Bo knew it wouldn't
be easy, but he wasn't giving up.
Sam's House
Sam wanted to go home and check on Matthew before going back to the hospital to see Nora. He arrived just in time for Matthew's lunch, so Mary Ann made him a ham sandwich too, and the three of them ate lunch together. Matthew was such a joy to be around. He was such a good baby. Sam couldn't wait for Nora to see him, and he knew how much Matthew had missed his mother. They were just finishing up when Sam heard the front door open and he heard voices. He got up and went into the living room in time to see Melanie and Ben coming through the door. They were laughing about the coincidence and the timing of arriving at Sam's at the same time.
"Hey, you two. Ben, what are you doing here? And how are you, Melanie? This morning must have been rough on you. Are you okay?"
"I'm fine, Sam. At least I think I am. I don't know if I'm going to bail Colin out or not. I haven't decided. Right now, I'm more worried about you, especially after last night. Are you okay?" Melanie looked concerned.
"What happened last night, Sam?" Ben was curious. Sam didn't say anything this morning at the courthouse.
Sam sighed, audibly. "I don't even know where to start, Ben, except to say that I heard something pretty devastating last night, but I'm not sure it's even true. If it is, I don't know what I'm going to do. I don't know what to believe right now!"
"Sam, stop talking in riddles. What's going on?" Ben was getting impatient. Was Asa up to his old tricks again?
"Well, I went to the station
last night, and Melanie was there checking on Colin. She was nice
enough to watch
Matthew so I could go to the hospital and see Nora. When I got
back, Melanie had taken Matthew down to see
Lindsay, and I overheard Bo screaming at Lindsay that Matthew
should know who his real father is. I thought I was Matthew's
real father. I mean, I know I am! I think Lindsay is just up to
her old tricks. She's apparently got Bo believing that the DNA
test we took isn't accurate, and that he's Matthew's father. I'm
sure she's just trying anything she can to save herself. I was
so angry I just yelled at Lindsay and Bo and walked away. I guess
I didn't want to deal with it after everything else that had happened
yesterday. What should I do?" Sam sat down on the couch and
put his head in his hands. "Like I don't have enough to worry
about already, right?" He gave Ben a weak smile.
"Listen, Sam, if you have any doubt at all, you should take another DNA test. A child should know his real parents!" Ben practically shouted.
Ben was thinking of himself, but he knew his real parents and he didn't like them. Well, that wasn't entirely true. He definitely hated Asa, but he loved Renée, even though they hardly knew each other. Renée had a heart of gold, and he really wanted to get to know his mother, but how could he without giving everything away? He wasn't ready to be a Buchanan.
At least Matthew had two good men
as a possible father. Better luck than he'd had. His outburst
surprised even
himself. He didn't know where he'd gotten the energy, because
he really felt like crap. He was sweating, and his left leg was
killing him. All of his joints ached. He must be coming down with
the flu.
"Ben, are you okay? You're sweating and you're flushed. Are you all right?" Sam looked worried. Ben really wanted to lie down, he felt terrible.
Melanie jumped up and started tending
to Ben. "Sam is right, Ben. You don't look well at all. Have
you had a
check-up recently?"
Ben shook his head. "I haven't had time, too much going on. I guess I should, though. It's probably just a cold or the flu. I'm a doctor, too, so I should know better, right? We make the worst patients, don't we?" Ben laughed weakly.
"Hey, Ben, don't you have a doctor friend at the Cherryvale clinic? I have to go to work, and I can drive you up there if you'd like." Melanie offered.
"Actually, my friend up there is an eye doctor." Ben smiled. "I can go see Larry Wolek at Llanview General and he can refer me to someone, but thanks anyway, Melanie. You're much nicer than your sister!" Melanie laughed at his comment, while Sam bristled at the mention of Larry's name.
"I think I'm going to go now, if you don't mind. Sam, why don't you drive me? I'm sure you want to see Nora, don't you? That way I can't wiggle out of it!" Ben smiled. He really didn't want to drive. He was dizzy, feverish, and his bones hurt.
"Definitely, I do! Okay, let's go. Have a good day at work, Lanie. See you later!"
Llanview Hospital
Sam and Ben arrived at the hospital and went in search of Larry. Larry was in with Nora. The blinds in her room were open now, and Sam could see through the window that she was still unconscious. Larry held up his hand, as if to stop Sam from entering. Sam was content to just stand there with Ben and gaze at Nora. He missed her so much! Thank God she was still alive. She just had to wake up, that's all there was to it.
Larry came out of Nora's room. "Hi, guys. As I'm sure you can see, Nora isn't awake yet. Her vitals are steadily improving, and I really think she's going to pull through. She just needs time. I'm glad to see you're a little calmer today, Sam. Nora needs all the support she can get." Larry smiled at Sam. He was glad Sam wasn't out of control today like he was yesterday. He knew all of this was a shock for Sam, but nonetheless, Nora was his patient and she came first.
Larry turned his attention to Ben. "So how's the hero today?" Larry didn't like the way Ben looked. Ben was pale, flushed, and he was sweating. "Frankly, Ben, you don't look so hot. Can I take a look at you, or are you going to be a typical ornery doctor and refuse?" Larry laughed.
"Surprise, Larry, no I'm not." Ben smiled. "I don't feel so hot, and I've been feeling this way for a while. Would you mind checking me out?"
Larry led Ben to an exam room. Sam
stayed behind, gazing at Nora through the window. He desperately
wanted to touch her, to let her know he was there. Since Larry
was occupied with Ben, Sam thought it would be the perfect opportunity
to sneak in and be with Nora. He casually sauntered over to the
door, and when no one was looking,
pushed it open and slid into the room.
There was a stool by the bed, so Sam pulled it up close and sat down. He took Nora's hand in his and kissed it. "Oh, Stinger, you've got to wake up! You've just got to! Matthew and I need you. I've missed you so much, and so has our son. He is our son, Nora, isn't he? God, I need you. We have a crisis on our hands, and I don't know what to do. Nora, you've got to wake up!" Sam started to cry. The relief from Nora being alive washed over him, as well as the fear that he still might lose her. He couldn't lose Matthew, too. This was his family, and he'd fight to the death for it. The White Knight wasn't going to win this time! Sam buried his head in the blanket to stifle his wailing. He never heard the door open.
"What the hell are you doing in here, Sam?" Bo's voice thundered.
To Be Continued...
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