-
- Bo and Nora
- Forever
Soulmates
- MESSAGE
BOARD
- FAN FICTION
- VIDEOS & PICTURES
- FAVE SCENES
- ARTICLES
- HBS and NORA BIO
- RSW and BO BIO
- CHAT ROOM
- FAVE LINKS
- BO and NORA HOME PAGE
- E-MAIL
US
|
- As Things Change
- Part XXXI
Next day…
Nora stands at Andrew’s open office door, knocking softly
on the doorjam. He looks up from his paperwork and smiles when
he sees her. He gets up and walks around his desk to pull her
into a hug. “How are you?”
-
- Nora returns his hug. “We’re
doing okay. I just wanted to stop by and check on the work piling
up on my desk.”
-
- Andrew pulls away and motions
to a chair. “Don’t worry about that. We can manage
until you’re ready to come back.”
-
- Nora sits. “I don’t
mind. It gives me a chance to get out and back to some semblance
of normal.”
-
- Andrew leans against the
front of his desk. “That makes sense. How’s Bo?”
-
- “He’s doing okay.
He’s been keeping an eye on Renee.”
-
- Andrew nods. “I’ve
spoken to Nigel and he tells me she’s holding her own. I
plan to stop by next week to visit with her.”
-
- “She’d like that.
We’ve all been trying to keep in contact with her. She misses
Asa terribly.”
-
- Andrew smiles at her softly.
“She’s not the only one.”
-
- Nora nods. “I miss him
too. And Matthew is having a very hard time with this.”
-
- “I haven’t seen
him at the Center since you got back.”
-
- “He won’t speak
to his friends – or anyone right now. He does seem to be
communicating with Rex, so I’m grateful for that.”
-
- Andrew smiles. “I hear
Rex has some good news.”
-
- Nora nods with a huge grin.
“Yes, he and Lauren are engaged and they’re having
a baby. I’m so thrilled for them.”
-
- “Marcie can’t stop
talking about it either. She’s going to be Maid of Honor.”
-
- “I heard. Rex asked
Matt to be his Best Man.”
-
- “Marcie also tells me
that she brought Miki to Asa’s after the funeral.”
- Nora nods. “How was
that for you?”
-
- Nora shrugs. “It was
bittersweet. I am so excited that Marcie and Michael are adopting
her. They will be wonderful parents.”
-
- “But you were getting
used to the idea of Miki joining your family…”
-
- Nora sighs. “Yes, but
neither Bo nor Matt liked the idea. Bo was mildly opposed but
Matthew was flat-out angry about it.”
-
- “Why’s that?”
-
- “He saw it as us trying
to replace him because he’d been getting in a lot of trouble
before we left for the ranch.”
-
- “Any truth to that?”
-
- Nora is shocked. “Of
course not! Andrew, you know I adore my son, no matter his behavior.
This was totally about me wanting to help Miki. It was never
about Matt. That’s why I was so shocked by his reaction.”
-
- “Well, he's a teenager.
Being self-absorbed goes with the territory.”
-
- “That’s the impression
I’m getting. Crisis averted since Miki is going to a great
home. Is she here today?”
-
- Andrew nods with a smile.
“She’s in the daycare. Marcie has been volunteering
down there so she can spend more time with Miki and bond with
her.”
-
- “I think I’ll pop
down and say hi.”
-
- Rachel is sitting at the
table when Matt wanders into the kitchen. He pulls open the fridge
and grabs a soda, making his way to the pantry and grabbing a
bag of chips. Rachel watches him with a look of amusement on
her face, not saying a word. He plops down at the table opposite
her. “Where’s Mom?”
-
- Rachel sets aside her magazine.
“She went to the Center to catch up on paperwork.”
-
- “Oh.”
-
- “So, what’s on
your agenda for today?”
-
- Matt shrugs. “Not much.
I’m just going to hang out here.”
-
- “Is Stevie coming over?”
-
- “No. Unless he shows
up like he did last time.”
-
- “Do you know why he
did that?”
-
- “Cuz he’s a jerk.”
-
- “So trying to be your
friend is being a jerk?”
-
- “I told him to leave
me alone. He just won’t listen.”
-
- Rachel watches him cautiously.
“Would you leave him alone if the situation was reversed?”
-
- “If he told me to go
away, yes.”
-
- Rachel shakes her head. “I
don’t think so. The two of you have always helped each other.
I heard about what happened with his parents. Did you leave him
alone?”
-
- “Well, no… But
he was in trouble.”
-
- “And you don’t
think you’re in trouble right now?”
-
- Matt frowns at her. “No,
I’m not. Not like that.”
-
- Rachel nods. “If you
say so…” She decides to change the subject. “So,
your birthday is coming up. Any plans?”
-
- Matt shakes his head. “No.
We were supposed to celebrate at the ranch…”
-
- “I see. But you’re
here now – with all your friends. Would you like to have
a party at Rodi’s or somewhere?”
-
- “No.”
-
- “Why not?”
-
- Matt gets up from the table.
“Just don’t feel like celebrating, that’s all.”
-
- “But it’s your
16th birthday. You can get your driver’s license. It’s
a big deal!”
-
- “Not anymore it isn’t.”
Rachel frowns as he walks out of the room.
-
- Nora walks into the daycare,
scanning the room. Miki sees her first.
- “Candy!” she squeals
as she runs toward Nora. Marcie turns to see Miki launch herself
into Nora’s arms. Nora scoops her up and holds her close
as Marcie walks up to them. “She really seems to like you!”
-
- Nora kisses the top of Miki’s
head. “Yeah. We just need to teach her my name.”
-
- Marcie smiles. “I’ll
work on it.”
-
- “I’m so happy that
you’re adopting her, that she’s going to have a good
home.”
-
- “Thank you, Nora. Michael
and I are holding our breaths until it becomes official, but
we’re really excited too.”
-
- “One of the family court
judges owes me a favor. Why don’t I see if I can get your
approval hearing moved up.”
-
- “That would be so great!
Can you do something like that?”
-
- “Ordinarily, no. But
in Miki’s case, since her parents are both dead and there
are no known relatives, it should be a pretty straightforward
case.”
-
- Marcie looks at her curiously.
“How do you know so much about Miki’s case?”
-
- Miki kisses Nora’s cheek
and points to the floor. “Down!”
-
- Nora smiles and sets her
on her feet. She runs off to play and Nora turns her attention
back to Marcie. “Andrew probably didn’t mention it
to you, but I was considering adopting Miki myself.”
-
- Marcie is surprised. “Really?
Did you change your mind?”
-
- Nora shakes her head. “No.
I discussed it with Bo before we left for the ranch and he wasn’t
too keen on the idea. And Matthew freaked when we talked to him
about it.” She watches Miki playing with her dolls. “She’s
just such a sweetheart and I wanted her to have a home.”
- She turns back to Marcie.
“That’s why I’m so happy she’ll be with you
and Michael.”
-
- Marcie gives her a relieved
smile. “Thank you. I wouldn’t want there to be any
conflict if you were hoping to take her in.”
-
- Nora touches her arm. “No,
Marcie. It’s not like that. I don’t want you to feel
awkward. I wanted Miki to have a home and she will have one.
That’s the most important thing. Andrew tells me she’ll
be staying in daycare here at the Center?”
-
- Marcie nods. “Her caseworker
felt it would be good for her adjustment to keep her regular
routine. I’m taking time off from teaching to volunteer
here and spend more time with her.”
-
- “That’s a wonderful
idea. I’m happy I’ll get to see her here. She really
has won my heart.”
-
- Marcie smiles as she watches
Miki. “It seems the feeling is mutual. She certainly lights
up whenever she sees you.”
-
- Nora nods. “I just want
to make sure that smile stays on her face. I meant what I said
about calling in a favor on your hearing. I’ll let you know
what I find out.”
-
- Marcie gives her a quick
hug. “Thank you so much, Nora.”
-
- Nora shakes her head. “Knowing
Miki is getting two loving parents is all the thanks I need.”
She pulls away. “I’ll be in touch.”
-
- Bo walks into the dining
room at the Palace. He waves when he sees Renee at a corner table,
talking to her customers. She finishes her conversation and makes
her way over to Bo, kissing him on the cheek. “Hello, darlin’.
How are you?”
-
- “I’m doing okay.
How are you?”
-
- Renee motions to an empty
table. “Let’s have a seat.” She sits down across
from him. “I’m staying busy and that’s helping
a lot. Of course, I remember that I was here instead of at home
with Asa…”
-
- Bo covers her hand. “Don’t
go there, Renee. There’s no way you could have known. It
was just his time.”
-
- Renee nods, trying not to
cry. “I know. I know that, but it’s just… I always
pictured him living forever.”
-
- Bo smiles. “Me too.
He was just that kind of man. But we both know that’s not
possible. He had a good run.”
-
- Renee smiles through her
tears. “Yes, he did. What brings you by?”
-
- “I can’t just stop
by?”
-
- “Try again.”
-
- “Okay, I did want to
ask a favor.”
-
- “Anything, darlin’,
you know that.”
-
- “I want to take Matthew
up to the lodge next weekend.”
-
- “Of course. You think
he needs to get away?”
-
- Bo nods. “Nigel gave
me an envelope at the funeral…”
-
- Renee smiles as it dawns
on her. “The surprise.”
-
- “Yeah, I’d like
to show it to him. I want to remind Matt how much Asa loved him.”
-
- “He did. Asa loved all
his grandsons but he had a special place in his heart for Matthew.
I think it’s because he came along so far behind the others.
Asa had more time and attention to give him. Besides, it was
such an unexpected gift that he turned out to be yours. And they
had so much in common.”
-
- Bo nods with a smile. “Matthew
felt close to him too. Nora’s father is too far away, so
having Asa here meant a lot to him. Not to mention, Asa spoiled
him rotten.”
-
- Renee chuckles. “That
he did. Have you told Nora about Asa’s gift?”
-
- “No. And I would appreciate
if you would keep it between us for now. I want to show Matt
first and between the two of us, we’ll figure out how to
approach Nora.”
-
- Renee laughs. “Even
from his grave, Asa has the power to make Nora crazy.”
-
- “Yes, he does.”
-
- Renee pats his hand. “My
lips are sealed. Enjoy your time with your son. You can pick
up a key from Nigel. You should have one anyway. I want you to
feel free to go to the lodge whenever you’d like. I have
no use for it and Clint’s boys live too far away. Asa would
love the fact that you’re still using it.”
-
- Bo gets up, kissing Renee
on the cheek. “Thank you. I’ll let you know how it
goes with Matt and the surprise…”
-
- Stevie pushes open Matt’s
door and walks into his room, not bothering to knock. “Hey,
Buchanan. How goes it?”
-
- Matt frowns. “What are
you doing here?”
-
- “I told you I would
be back today. And tomorrow, just so you know.”
-
- “Will you give it a
rest!”
-
- Stevie drops onto the bed.
“No. Not until you agree to come to camp with me. I’m
not gonna let you just mope away the entire summer in this room.
It’s not happening.”
-
- “I’ve made my decision.”
-
- “I don’t think
so. Hey, your birthday’s coming up. What are we going to
do?”
-
- “Nothing. I told Rachel
I don’t want a lame party or anything.”
-
- “Dude! It’s your
sweet sixteen. You only get one of those. We have to do something.
When are you taking your driver’s test?”
-
- Matt shrugs. “I haven’t
thought about it.”
-
- “Well, get thinking!
I’ll talk to Kallie about your birthday gig.” He gets
up from the bed and walks toward the door. “See you tomorrow.”
-
- “No party!” Matt
yells as Stevie walks out of the room.
-
- Rachel meets him on the steps
as he’s leaving. “Later, Rachel.”
-
- “Bye, Stevie.”
She continues up the stairs and into Matt’s room. “What
did Stevie want?”
-
- Matt rolls his eyes. “It’s
his daily trip to bug me, that’s all.”
-
- “He’s being your
friend, Matt.”
-
- “Whatever. Can you close
the door on your way out?”
-
- She sits on the bed. “What
makes you think I’m leaving?”
-
- He glares at her and she
glares right back, finally sticking her tongue out at him, which
makes him laugh. “Come on, let’s get out of here and
have dinner. Just you and me.”
-
- “Are you going to leave
me alone if I say no?”
-
- “Nope. So save yourself
the argument and let’s go.”
-
- Lauren is sitting on the
couch reading a baby book when Rex comes through the door. He
heads straight to the fridge and extracts a beer. He walks into
the living room and collapses beside Lauren. She smiles at him
as he leans in for a kiss. “Rough day?”
-
- He sits back. “Not bad,
I guess. Just long.”
| |