Altered States part 7

Nora got home well after dinner, she was sure Bo was going to be mad, she never called him. She rushes into the house…
Nora: Bo!! Honey I’m home! I’m sorry I didn’t…..Bo?
She looks around the house, checks the den, he’s not here. She calls the station.
Nora: Hi. Sophia, it’s Nora. Is the Commissioner there?
Sophia: Actually we thought he was with you. He left about two hours ago, and his car is still in the lot.
So we just assumed you picked him up…
Nora: Hhmmm, ok, thanks, I’ll try hiscell phone.
Sophia: Do you want me to put out a bulletin?
Nora: No. Not yet. I’ll call you back if I need it.
Next she calls Bo’s cell phone. Somebody picks up. Somebody Nora doesn’t recognize.
Nora: Hello? Hello?
Voice: Hello?
Nora: Who is this?
Voice: Who is this?
Nora: Bo?
The phone goes dead. When Nora calls back, the phone is off, and not accepting calls.
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Bo never expected an impromptu bachelor party, but that is exactly what Clint, Hank and Cord gave him.
Bo: Guys. Guys!! I really should call Nora! She’s gonna be…
Clint proceeds to shove a chunk of sub sandwich in Bo’s mouth.
Hank: Pipe down! She’s gonna have to deal with your sorry butt the rest of her life!
Cord: Besides, I’m sure the girls and Stan are keeping Nora quite busy!
Bo: Aw, man! What is going on? Is she gonna be ticked at me?
Cord: Bo, after Stan, she ain’t gonna look at you!
Bo: Stan??Who the heck is Stan??
They all laugh
*************************************************
Nora is starting to worry. She tries Bo’s phone again, nothing. She grabs her purse and opens the front door, opens it and is greeted by a very hunky firefighter.
Nora: (screaming) Oh!! Oh my Lord! You scared the hell outta me! I’m sorry, can I help you?
Firefighter: Well, actually you can. (he opens his fire coat to reveal a awesome bare chest and perfect washboard abs) You see, I’ve got this fire and only you can put it out, Red.
Nora: I beg your pardon! You obviously have no idea where you are, or to whom your speaking. My husband is the Police Commissioner, and you are in quite a bit of trouble!
Voice: He’s not your husband yet!
Nora: Who said that?
Vicki, Renee, Shelia and a few of Nora’s friends come out from behind the bushes.
All: Surprise!!!!
Nora: Oh, no!!! You guys!!! What the…
Stan scoops Nora up and carries her into the house , deposits her on the couch and begins to strut his stuff.
Nora: I suppose you know where Bo is…
Vicki: Why yes I do! The bachelor squad has kidnapped him! He’s been whisked away to parts unknown…
Shelia: He’s at Rodi’s with our husbands and a few extras…
Renee: Yeah, Misty and Mandy, twin strippers!
Nora: My poor baby!
Vicki: Oh, sure! He’s just miserable! Beer, sub sandwiches, cigars and strippers, every man's worst nightmare!
They all start to laugh.
Even though Bo and Nora are enjoying the parties their friends have loving put together, they can’t help but think of each other. Nora steals away to the pantry and tries Bo’s cell phone again.
Bo: Buchanan…
Nora: Hey
Bo: Hey yourself…I miss you.
Nora: I miss you too… you better behave yourself…I heard whose there…
Bo: And what are you doing? Knitting circle?
Nora: Very funny.
Bo: Hey, you think a fella might stand a chance tonight?
Nora: Depends on what the fella had in mind…
Bo: Suppose he took you in his arms and kissed you til you were light headed and breathless…
Nora: Ten percent chance…what else you got?
Bo: Well, what if , while he was kissing you, he started to softly, lightly caress your body, starting at your beautiful shoulders, working his way down… across you stomach….
Nora: Under the blouse?
Bo: Definitely!
Nora: Twenty five percent…any more
Bo: Sure, slowly unbuttons your blouse, kissing your neck, making his way down to you shoulders, slowly slip the blouse back off your shoulders…carry you to the couch
Nora: I’d say you chance were better than eighty percent…when you coming home?
Bo: Oh, really? You know I am so turned on right now, I could climb through this phone…
Nora: You’ll have to wait for Stan…I promised him firsties…
Bo: Firsties? He looks at my wife the wrong way, he’s dead!
Nora: I’m not your wife yet.(pause) I love you.
Bo: Same here.
Nora: Have fun, I’ve been found out, bye sweetie!
Vicki drags Nora back to the living room for more partying. Pictures, games, presents...
*************************************************
The party winds down and the guests leave, Nora walks around the remnants of a very nice evening. The lingerie, the silly pictures, Nora smiles to herself at how wonderful her friends were. How supportive, many of them just got past her “wedding” with Sam, and here they were, well, they knew she really loved Bo, and this was the way it should have been a few months back anyway. Nora went up to bed,
Bo returned home in the wee hours of the night. He walked around the living room, he picked up the pictures from Nora’s party. He smiles.
Bo: This is why I love you so much Red.
He puts the pictures down and heads upstairs to bed. Once in the room, he quietly undresses and crawls into bed, he slides up next to Nora, brushes the hair from her face and kisses her on the cheek. She reaches behind her back and grabs for his arm. She pulls it back across her side, so he is holding her.
Nora: Your home…I’m glad your home.
Bo: I’m glad I’m home too.
They fall asleep.
*************************************************
Friday arrives, Nora is excited to be picking up her dress. She heads into the kitchen were Bo is making breakfast.
Bo: Morning beautiful!
He gives her a kiss on the cheek
Nora: Morning. How can you be so awake?
Bo: Little too much to drink?
Nora: Maybe.
Bo: You have to pace yourself. Coffee?
He hands her a cup and sits down. She sits on his lap.
Nora: Thanks, (she sips the coffee)
He puts his arms lightly around her.
Bo: You have fun last night?
Nora: Oh yeah! I’m paying now, though…Shelia was making these wicked Desperados…
Bo: I don’t even want to know…
Nora: I said that too, but I drank them!
He kisses her forehead.
Nora: So, do you have anywhere to go today?
Bo: Mmmm, no.
Nora: Are you sure?
Bo: Yes, why? Should I be going some where?
Nora: Bo! Your tux? Remember? Bo!
Bo: I was going to wear that brown suit…
Nora: BO! You know I like you in blue, and besides, it our gala, and your wearing some old ratty brown suit?
He frowns.
Nora: I’m sorry, if you…
Bo: Honey, honey…I’m kidding…Clint and I are going later this morning.
Nora: Oh... Bo, I had a dream last night. About my accident…I remember that fight we had, before the accident…
Bo: Honey, please, I was the biggest…
Nora: Wait. We were trying so hard to hurt each other…
Bo: You were trying to wake me up…I’m sorry it took you marrying another…man…for me to realize how much you…us…means to me…
Nora: Almost…almost married another man…
Bo: I promise you, as long as I live, I will never, ever give up on us. You are my world, I just love you so much Nora. Promise you’ll eventually forgive me totally.
Nora: I have.
Bo: I know you think you have, but if you ever have that need to bring it out and let me have it with both barrels, here I am, ready to take it, and when your done, I’ll be there, standing in front of you, ready to take you in my arms and hold you through the night, in to the next day…
Nora: Bo, you never cease to amaze me! Just know that I am here. We are together and that is the way it will always be. I love you(pause) now, I have to go get ready, Vicki will be here soon…
Bo: Oh! That’s right! Dress day!!! All right!
Nora: You don’t get a look til Sunday!
Bo: Bummer…
*************************************************
New Years’ Eve morning, wedding day!
The day arrives with more snow…but beautiful sunshine. Nora wakes up alone in bed. She hears the shower running and makes her way to the bathroom. She stands in the doorway and watches him. He was the most handsome man she’s ever seen. Even just looking at his silhouette, his broad shoulders, his muscular arms…she takes off her night shirt, slowly opens the shower door and steps in behind him. She wraps her arms around him. He smiles at the thought of her standing there. She runs her hand over his chest, lightly over the almost healed bullet wound on the front of his shoulder. She reaches for the soap and starts to lather his chest, slowly moving towards his stomach. He leans his head back, letting the water run over his face.
Bo: Oooohhhh…….
She kisses the back of his soaking wet head, his neck and moves across the back of his shoulder, trailing tiny kisses all the way. He turns in her arms and meets her kisses fully with his mouth. He holds her tight and back them both up to the wall, with the water directly on them. His kisses get more erotic as he moves down her neck to her shoulder and further down her body…
Nora: (breathless) Oh Bo…Oh Bo…I want you so bad…right now…make love to me…
That’s all Bo needed to hear. He shuts the water off and they step out of the shower, walking her backwards to the bed, dripping wet and still kissing. They make their way down on the bed were he makes love to her. Afterwards, she falls asleep in his arms. He lets her sleep awhile before waking her with a kiss.
Bo: Hey…honey…I gotta get going.
Nora: Where?
Bo: By Clint and Vicki’s. To get ready for tonight…
Nora: You can get ready here…
Bo: No. I have some stuff to take care of. Everything's got to be perfect, for you my love. I’ll send Pa’s car for you and the girls later…
Nora: Couple more minutes?
Bo: You got it.
He gives her a tight squeeze
Bo: I love you. You realize this is the last time I can be with you like this…
She looks at him all confused.
Bo: Yup. Tomorrow my wife will be here.
He smiles, kisses her and hops out of bed.
Nora: Aahhhh! I miss you already!
Bo: Aw, honey…you are such the temptress! But I have to go…
Nora: I know.
About 4:30 Asa’s car arrives. Nora, Rachel, Vicki, Jessica and Renee leave for the ball. On the way to the Palace, the limo detours to the police station.
Nora: What the heck? Driver, what’s going on?
Driver: I have my orders ma’am.
The car stops. Vicki gets out, but is met half way to the station door by Clint.
Vicki: Clint, we’re supposed to go to the Palace…
Clint: I know, I know, Bo asked the driver to stop here…
He walks to the limo and opens the door.
Nora: Clint…what’s going on? Where’s Bo? Oh my God, something’s happened!
Clint points upwards-Nora looks up and sees Bo crouched on the roof of the police station.
Bo looks at her, smiles and stands up. He walks toward the edge, lifts a megaphone to his mouth and starts to speak
Bo: May I have your attention Llanview!!!! This is Bo Buchanan!! I want to let everyone within the sound of my voice know that I am the happiest man in the world because I am in love, crazy insane in love with the most beautiful woman in the world!!! Who you ask? I am totally in love with Nora Buchanan!! Tonight at midnight, when the rest of you are ringing in the new year, I will be marrying this wonderful woman!!
Nora is stunned. She never in her wildest dreams expected this from Bo. But then again, she did tell him he was not the pillar of stability!
Nora: Bo! You’ll freeze!!!
Bo: No I won’t! Know why?
Nora: Why?
He then breaks in to song, over the megaphone
Bo: Cuz…I got sunshine…on a cloudy day…when its cold outside…I got the month of May…
He sings the entire song to her before finally…
Bo: Nora, I told ya I loved ya…I told ya I’d climb up here and tell the world…so here I am…unstable as all hell…and so totally in love with you!!! Once again Llanview…Bo Buchanan…Nora Buchanan…together forever!!!!
With that said, he makes his way off the roof, through the station amidst congratulations from his officers. Once he is outside…
Bo: I told you I was crazy about you.
He takes her in his arms and dips her back into a passionate kiss then stands her up right again.
Bo: I love you Red. Let’s get to our party!
Clint takes Bo aside
Clint: So, you must like her…
Bo: Just a bit!
Bo gives Clint a friendly slap on the arm and they all climb into the limo and head to the Palace.
The party is in full swing by the time the guests of honor arrive. Nora looks beautiful in the white satin slip sheath dress with spaghetti straps and a mother of pearl sequined short over jacket. Bo is equally dashing in a traditional evening tux with white on white tie and cummerbund. They get a round of applause when they enter the banquet hall.
Nora sees Hank and Shelia
Hank: You really know how to catch a fellas eye!
Nora: Why thank you sir!
Hank: You look beautiful baby…(he kisses her on the cheek)
Shelia: You are absolutely glowing! Nora, anyone can see you are truly happy!
Nora: Oh, I am, I am!
Shelia: This whole place just has a “right” felling to it. So much warmth and love.
Nora: Well, everyone Bo and I love are here, and we are so much in love…it just exudes, I suppose!
This is how its supposed to be. Thank you both for everything.
The evening is filled with fun, laughter, dancing. Renee’s staff made a gorgeous hor’devour buffet.
There were numerous toasts thorough out the evening. Later in the evening Bo is standing at the bar with Asa, Clint and Cord.
Clint: How ya holdin’ up little brother?
Cord: Yeah! You better pace yerself, Bo. You don’ wanna be blitzed by midnight!
Asa: Ah! He’s fine! He finally wised up and listened to his old man and got his wife back!
Bo: That I did Pa! Just wished I’d of done it sooner…
Asa: A toast! To the Buchanan men, may we be happy, healthy, wealthy and Bo start working on another heir to the throne!
Bo: Pa!
Clint & Cord: Here, here
Clint: To you and Nora! May you always be as happy as you are tonight.
They raise their glasses and drink. Nora walks over.
Nora: Getting him good and smashed?
Cord: Us? Never!
Nora: weren’t you part of the infamous bachelor squad?
Cord: Guilt as charged ma’am!
Bo: What’s up beautiful?
Nora: I just wanted to dance with you one last time before my husband get here…
Bo looks at his watch
Bo: Whoa! Only an hour to go! May I have this dance?
Nora: Always and forever.
They walk out to the dance floor as the orchestra starts to play Garth Brooks’ “When You Come Back To Me Again”
They dance as if they are the only two people in the world
Bo: I still can’t believe you are here with me tonight. A year ago I was at the lowest point in my life.
This song is so perfect. Like it says, I’m reaching out til we reach the circles’ end…and you came back to me again…(he kisses her softly) You did… you came back to me.
Nora: We came back to each other. We’re going to stay with each other.
They dance in their own private little dream. No one disturbs them. No one until Clint steps up to the microphone…
Clint: Attention! May I have everyone's attention! We’re about to start the wedding portion of the evening. But first as best man, it is my duty to say a little something…
Bo gives Clint the evil eye…
Clint: Not to worry little brother! I just wanted to say…in today’s world its rare for two people to find true happiness, even more rare to get a second chance at that happiness. These two found their way back to each others hearts. Bo, Nora again, I wish you the best. Everyone (he raises his glass) To Bo and Nora.
Everyone raises his or her glasses and drinks. Andrew takes his place in the center of the room.
Andrew: Now its my turn, and it looks like we are right on schedule. Bo, Nora, could you take your places so we can begin…
Bo and Nora make their way through the guests and stand in front of Andrew, facing each other.
Andrew: Now, seeing that we are not dealing with your typical couple, this won’t be your typical ceremony…I’d like to start by saying…
Bo steps forward, faces the room and…
Bo: Hang on…this is not right…I…I can’t do this…
Everyone stares at Bo.

To be continued…

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