As Time Flies.....Fan Fiction.....Chapter 23
Last time: Lindsay masqueraded as a cheap imitation of Nurse Ratchet and tried to kill Nora once again. Nora gave the term 'self-defense' new meaning. Bo realized they'd had a close call, in more ways than one.
Llanview Hospital - Room #416
Nora held her breath for what seemed like an eternity. She had to know. She'd be a wreck if she'd killed her. "Well?"
To Nora's complete surprise, Bo burst out laughing. "No, Red, you didn't. We should've known Lindsay's skull would be thicker than that!" Bo laughed again. "She's in surgery, last I heard."
Nora sighed audibly with relief. She hated Lindsay, but she was very relieved she hadn't killed her. For a fleeting moment, she wished she had, but Nora didn't think she'd be able live with herself if it had gone that far. Lindsay was an extremely sick person and she needed psychiatric help. Nora hated her, but she also felt sorry for her, too. In spite of herself, Nora enjoyed a small bit of satisfaction at the way she'd knocked Lindsay's lights out. She'd wanted to do that for such a long time!
Nora smiled wickedly. "Yeah, it probably would take worse to knock some sense into her!" Nora laughed hysterically, and Bo cracked up, too. They reveled in their momentary wickedness. If Lindsay didn't deserve a good beating, who did?
Bo and Nora looked at each other and immediately looked ashamed for their sentiments. A moment passed. As if on cue, they burst out laughing at the same time. So they weren't perfect!
Larry poked his head in. "Nora! You're awake! How are you feeling?"
"I'm okay, Larry. I really am. If I can survive two murder attempts and a kidnapping by a psycho blonde, I can survive anything!" Nora was still feeling giddy.
Larry laughed, too. Times like these he hated the Hippocratic oath. In his heart of hearts, he would have preferred to let Lindsay die, but he and his team had done everything possible to save her life.
Nora quickly regained her composure. "Larry, how is Lindsay? Is she gonna be all right?"
"Yes, Nora, she will be. We did everything we could for her. I'd say she's definitely gonna make it. We had to implant a metal plate in her skull to help her cranium fuse back together, but she'll make a full recovery. I hope that's the news you wanted." Larry laughed. It had been a very long day, and he was feeling a little wicked, too. Everyone laughed.
Larry sighed. "It's late, you two, and I'm going home. It's been one helluva day! Nora, make sure you rest, and I'll see you both in the morning. Don't stay too long, Bo. Good night." Larry laughed again and let himself out of Nora's room.
Bo and Nora sighed with relief at the same time. They smiled at each other and Bo took Nora's hand again. Awkwardness suddenly came over them.
"Red? How do you feel? Do you wanna go to sleep?" Bo didn't want to overstay his welcome, but he desperately wanted to talk to Nora. After coming so close to losing her again, he didn't want to wait another second. He hoped Nora was up for a little conversation.
"Surprisingly, no, I'm not that sleepy. I feel like I went three rounds with Muhammad Ali, but other than that I feel fine." Nora laughed. "Why, are you in a hurry to get out of here?" Nora hoped not. She never wanted him to leave.
Bo was thrilled by her answer. "No, not at all. I'd be happy to stay and keep you company forever, er, I mean for as long as you'd like." Bo was embarrassed by the slip. He hoped Nora didn't catch it.
Nora caught it. In her opinion, Bo was acting strangely. She pretended she didn't notice. "So what's on your mind, Commissioner?"
Like she didn't know. He probably wanted to talk about Matthew, about the possibility that he could be a father. Nora wasn't sure she was up for any more of that. She'd made her feelings more than clear earlier, and for at least one day it would have to be enough. It was pointless to discuss it further without another DNA test. Without knowing the truth.
Bo looked down at the blanket. "So, Red, how are you feeling, really? I don't mean physically, but about this thing with Matthew. Are you okay with all of this?"
And there it was. Nora sighed. "Okay? I'm not sure 'okay' is the right word, Bo. I'm still shocked to a certain extent; but then again, I'm shocked that I'm shocked. Does that make any sense?" Nora smiled. "I guess what I mean is that knowing Lindsay, we really shouldn't be surprised by any of this. Lindsay would lie to anyone about anything to further her own agenda. I do know I'm tired of being her punching bag, and I hate like hell that my innocent baby is caught in the middle."
Bo couldn't help himself. He laughed at Nora's choice of words. "You know, Red, I think today she was your punching bag for a change!"
In spite of herself, Nora laughed, too. "Yeah, I guess so. But this is exactly why I'm so big on the truth, Bo. Lies just fester and get complicated and hurt people down the road. I'm tired of hurt and pain. I want my son to grow up in a healthy, loving environment. Most of all, I pray he'll be unscathed by this whole mess. I meant what I said earlier, Bo. Especially if you're Matthew's father. No more lies about anything, ever again. You got that?" Nora frowned.
Bo looked nervous. Here was his moment. It was now or never.
"I got it, Red. Loud and clear." Bo took Nora's hand in his own. He stroked her hand for a moment. "That's not the only thing I ‘got', either, Red. I have to tell you something, if I'm going to adhere to my part of the pact." He smiled.
"Oh, really? And what might that be?" Nora didn't sound amused. Great, more bad news? What did Lindsay do now? She wasn't sure she wanted to hear this.
Bo took a deep breath. "Time to get serious, okay?" Nora nodded hesitantly. "I've had a lot of time to think, Red. In fact, I've done nothing but think since I thought I lost you in the train wreck. Then, when I found out about Matthew, I was totally thrown for a loop! I couldn't believe it! I didn't believe it. I simply refused to deal with it."
"Once I calmed down, I checked it out and did some investigating, and I learned it was a very real possibility. I was devastated, yet strangely elated at the same time. I didn't know what to do. I was afraid to tell Sam because I was afraid of hurting him. He's been through so much, and I was tired of the constant feuding between my father and Sam's family. I didn't want to make it worse. But the more I thought about it, I realized that possibly living a lie wasn't fair to you, or Matthew, or even Sam and me. It wasn't fair to any of us. People should love and enjoy their families! And even if their families aren't lovable, people should at least know who they are!"
Nora was wondering when Bo was gonna take a breath, but she knew better than to interrupt him. Bo had been bottled up for so long! She wasn't about to stop him now. It was good for him to get these things off his chest. He'd been such a good friend to her lately, saving her life and helping her get through her recovery, listening was the least she could do. She didn't move.
Bo went on. "I must've thought about Matthew every waking moment. I realized I had lost far too much already and it was time for me to get my family back together. I decided to tell Sam what was going on just when I got the missing patient case from Cherryvale. That's what led me to you. When I found out you were alive, I knew it was a sign. Matthew has got to be our son! And nothing would make me happier, Red. I want to raise our son together. I want us to be a family. Whaddya say?" Bo looked at Nora earnestly, but she looked like she was a million miles away.
"Red? Are you listening?"
Nora was listening all right. She was glad Bo had thought things through and was ready to face the possibility of impending fatherhood. But her mind zeroed in on the last part… "I want us to be a family." Oh God! Why now? Because of Matthew, that's why. Bo didn't love her, but he wanted to provide a stable and complete home for Matthew. He sounded like he was already counting on the fact that Matthew was his son.
Nora knew she was still in love with Bo, totally and completely. But she was smart enough to know that relationships kept together for the sake of children were doomed. It would never work. It would simply be too painful, and she didn't want Bo under those circumstances. She wanted Bo to want her, just as much as she wanted him. And he didn't, so it was out of the question. No, she wouldn't put Matthew through that. She just wouldn't.
"Red? Have you heard a word I've said?" Bo thought Nora looked angry. Had he said too much? Was it too soon? He felt like he'd been waiting an eternity for this moment and now he might have blown it. He was afraid to breathe.
"I have, Bo, and the answer is no."
To Be Continued…
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