"THE PORTRAIT"

THE SCENARIO: Bo knows that Matthew is his child. Don't ask me how he found out. I'm not good enough to make THAT one up LOL! At the start of this particular tale, Bo is just happy happy happy to know he has a son. He and Nora are not back together yet. But finding out Bo is Matthew's father has affected them both deeply.

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Bo was sitting at his desk at the police station when he heard a familiar voice bellowing down the hall. Asa. Bo winced. He steeled himself for another typical go round.

ASA: Bo, we need to talk.

BO: Well, if it isn't my favorite father.

ASA: Very funny. Now that YOU'RE a father, when am I going to get a picture of my newest grandchild?

BO: I haven't even thought about that! I've barely had time to get used to the idea. I mean, it's great.. finding out Matthew is MY SON. Nora and I have a lot to work out, Pa. Give us some time.

ASA: Time? Time? You two have wasted too much time already. You should be a family. Now!

BO: I'll get you your picture of Matthew, but as far as the other stuff goes.. that's between Nora and me.

ASA: Whatever. But I want a nice big portrait-sized picture of that boy suitable for hanging in my study pronto. He's a Buchanan!

BO: Right Pa. Goodbye Pa.

Asa waves his hand in the air and storms on to his next mission. Bo smiled in spite of himself. Asa.. well, he was just Asa. But Bo could totally understand his excitement over the newest Buchanan. He picked up the phone to call Nora.

BO: Hey, Nora. I'd really like to get a professional-looking picture of Matthew. I want one for myself and Pa is
DEMANDING one. I thought maybe I could get Joey to take some in the park. What do you think? Would that be okay?

NORA: Of course, it's okay. And, I have an idea.. wear your denim shirt. I got Matthew the cutest little outfit that will match perfectly.

BO: I wasn't going to be in the picture. Just Matthew.

NORA: Oh yes you are. You need a picture with your son. And I think that's exactly what Asa would want-- you and Matthew together. Just say when and where.

The next day Bo goes to Nora's (their) house to get Matthew.

NORA: Okay, here's the diaper bag. It has a bottle in it if he get cranky. And a couple of toys to occupy him. Oh, and I put extra diapers and clothes in there in case he spits up or needs changing.

Bo looks totally overwhelmed.

BO: In case he spits up? Why would he do that?

NORA: There doesn't have to be a reason! That's what babies do.

She pauses and looks at him with that flirty smile she has.

NORA: Do you want me to come with you? I mean, you haven't had much experience with Matthew yet. I don't mind.

BO: Oh, no, no.. not a problem. I'm sure.. uh.. we'll be just.. Got the bottle. Got the clothes. Got the diapers.

He stops and smiles at her.

BO: Would you?

NORA: Absolutely!

Bo smiles with relief.

They meet Joey at the park and find a nice wooden bench under a tree. There's a fountain in the background encircled by daffodils.

JOEY: This will look great. The sun is at just the right angle. But I'll have to work fast before I lose the light. You guys keep Matthew smiling and I'll click away.

Bo sat on the bench with Matthew half sitting on his lap, half cradled in his arms. There was a look of pure joy on Bo's face. Matthew looked pretty happy, too.

BO: I can't believe this. I'm sitting here with MY SON! Do you think he know I'm his dad?

NORA: Well, he may not know you're his dad, but he knows you love him. Babies sense when someone loves them. He feels secure in your arms.

Joey clicks away, getting some good shots. But it isn't long before Matthew starts to squirm. Nora offers him his bottle, but he doesn't seem to want it.

NORA: His diaper doesn't feel wet. Let me see if I can distract him.

She gets a little duck from the diaper bag and holds it up to Matthew. It quacks when she squeezes it. Matthew smiles. Nora kneels down in front of Bo showing the duck to Matthew. Joey clicks away. Pretty soon they are all laughing and making quacking noises. It's hard to tell who is having a better time-- Matthew.. or Bo, Nora and Joey.

JOEY: Okay, I think I have enough. There's gotta be at least one good one in here. I'll develop them tonight. You can look at them tomorrow.

BO: That'll be great, Joey. You know your grandfather.

JOEY: Yeah, yesterday wouldn't be soon enough!

Bo and Nora go back to her (their) house.

NORA: I think our little guy is ready for a nap.

BO: Thanks for coming.

NORA: It was fun!

BO: Uh.. are you hungry? I could order Chinese.

NORA: Well, yeah. Yeah, that would be great! You know what I like. You call and I'll put Matthew to bed.

Bo does a little dance over to the phone. He is a happy guy.

BO: (to himself) The only thing that could be better than today would be living here again.

Bo and Nora have a nice evening together. She tries to tell him everything he's missed with Matthew since he was born.

BO: When I think about those lost months... I just get soooo angry. I wasn't there for you the night Matthew was born and during the time he was so sick. I not only let Matthew down, but I let you down too.

NORA: Don't. Don't do this to yourself. I can't even imagine how you must feel. But don't let it spoil what you have now. You're Matthew's father and I want you to spend as much time as you can with him.

BO: I know. I've just got to concentrate on being a good father now.. and being there for him the rest of his life.

NORA: You'll be the best father any kid could ask for. And I hope Matthew grows up to be just like you.

BO: (he gets up to leave) Thanks.

NORA: For what?

BO: For today. For your support.

NORA: (softly) Matthew was always your child in my heart, Bo. You know that. We both have to concentrate on the here and now. Thinking about the past is just too destructive. I don't want Matthew's parents to be people who harbor hatred and resentment in their hearts. Remember what I said about babies sensing when someone loves them? They can sense adults' inner turmoil as well. I want Matthew to sense nothing but joy and love from us.

BO: Well, that's certainly what I feel. I have a son! I just keeping saying those words to myself over and over. I HAVE A SON!
(Bo spontaneously grabs Nora and hugs her. She hugs him back.)

BO: Well, good night.

NORA: (smiling) Good night Matthew's father!

Bo gives her a big grin as he closes the door.

The next day, Joey is in his darkroom when Asa comes banging on the door.

ASA: You got those pictures yet, Joey?

JOEY: Geez, Grandpa, 24 hour service isn't good enough for you? Here are the proof sheets. Pick out the ones you want and I'll enlarge them.

Asa looks at the sheet with the magnifier.

ASA: These are good, Joey. Real good. You can tell that kid's a Buchanan!

Asa picks up the second sheet.

This is it. Right here. This is the one I want.

JOEY: But grandpa, those are not... I was just playing around there.

ASA: Joey.. I want this one enlarged, framed, and at my house by tomorrow evening. I'll have everyone there.. Bo, Nora, Renee, Clint, Kevin and Jessie. You just make sure this picture is there.

JOEY: Whatever you say, grandpa.

The next evening everyone is gathered at Asa's house. He has staged an elaborate Buchanan family portrait unveiling ceremony. He has the picture on an easel covered with a drape.

BO: Pa, just show us the picture!

ASA: Hold on, Bo. This is an important moment. Let's have a little decorum.
Everyone-- gather around. As you all know, there is nothing more important to me than family-- all of you in this room.

Everyone is smiling at Asa's "antics." They've learned just to go along with him.

ASA: And now that we have Matthew, our family is almost complete.

BO: What do you mean, almost?

Asa ignores Bo's question and ceremoniously lifts the drape from the picture.
There's silence as everyone stares.. smiling.. but not quite sure what to say.

Bo goes closer to it. The smile on his face is soft and sweet.

BO: Joey.. this is incredible. Nora, what do you think?

She is speechless. Her smile is one of both surprise and amazement.

NORA: I don't know what to say. This is.. how did you.. Oh, Joey, I love it.

The picture has Bo.. Matthew.. AND NORA in it! Nora is kneeling in front of Bo with her hand on his knee. With her other hand, she is holding the duck up to Matthew... smiling at him. Bo's grin runs from ear to ear as he holds his son up so he can see the duck. Matthew is laughing.. maybe at the duck.. or maybe at his parents. It doesn't really matter. It is a moment frozen in time. The perfect "family" portrait.

True to his word, Asa hung the picture in his study.. and there it stayed long after he was gone. More than 25 years later, Matthew Buchanan would tell his own children the story behind it, and how it had brought his parents back together. And every year on their anniversary, Bo and Nora would stand in front of the picture for a toast-- to Asa.. to family.. and to the power of true love.