The Best Is Yet To Come part 3

Bo sat on the bed reading a magazine as Nora tended to Maddie in the nursery. His mind kept wandering to their date and hoe much he was looking forward to having an evening out with his wife. A night out like they used to have. Occasionally he looked out the window, watching for Matt to ride up on his bike. Nora walked in with Maddie on her hip.

Nora: There's Daddy!

Bo: (reaching out for his daughter) How's my princess?

Nora: Dry, fed and happy!

Bo: Just the way Daddy likes her...

Nora: (handing her to Bo) Did you see Matt come home yet?

Bo: No...(sits Maddie on the bed between his legs and lets her play with his watch)

Nora: Hmmmm....It's almost 4:30...he said he'd...

Just then the air is cut with a horribly loud screech. Nora rushes to the window.

Bo: What was that?

Again the noise pierces the air.

Nora: I don't know...

Bo gets off the bed and heads downstairs with Maddie on his hip, Nora close behind. As they head to the yard, again they hear the blood curdling sound. Bo hands Maddie to Nora and grabs a shovel that is leaning against the deck. They approach the garage and hear laughter. Bo lifts the shovel into a swinging position.

Nora: Be careful Bo...

He swings the door open and is met by yet another high pitched wailing noise. He drops the shovel and covers his ears. Nora pulls Maddie's head to her chest and presses her ear with her hand to protect the tot from the sound.

Bo: MATTHEW HANEN!!!

The noise ceases.

Matt: Dad!! Is this not the coolest?? (he points to the electric guitar slung around his neck)

He goes to strum the instrument again, but Bo quickly pulls the cord from the amplifier.

Bo: What the hell are you doing??

Nora walks into the garage with Maddie.

Nora: What is going on in here?

Matt: Ma! Peanut! Check out my new ax!!

Stacy: (staring at Matt as if he was a rock star) Is he not the most awesome??? When Matt starts touring...

Nora: Touring??

Matt: Yeah Ma!! I'm gonna start a band!

Bo: And where did you get all this stuff? (pointing to the amplifier and microphone)

Matt: I bought them...

Bo: You...bought...them....(trying to remain calm) Do you know how to play?

Matt: Well...kinda...

Bo: (running his hand through his hair) Kinda...Matt...

Nora: Bo...(Nora motions for Bo to step out of the garage) honey (touching his arm) haven't you ever wanted to do this?

Bo: No...

Nora: Well...I did...and I know how he feels...when I was his age...we had a garage band (Bo smiles) What?

Bo: Nothing...I'm just picturing you...like one of Tony Orlando's back up singers....

Nora: I was no back up singer!!

Bo: Oh no? (Bo takes Maddie from her)

Nora: We had an all girl doo wop group...

Bo: Really?

Nora: Yes...

Bo: (smiling) Real-ly?

Nora: (sensing he is about to go on and on, she playfully slaps his arm) Yes really...I can tell when you are patronizing me! So...my daughter and I (takes Maddie from Bo) are going inside!

She turns and heads towards the house. Bo catches up with her and stops her with his hand on her shoulder

Bo: Really?

She rolls her eyes and shakes her head and walks away.

Bo: (calling out to her) You love me...

Nora: (looking back over her shoulder) Really?

Bo: (smiling and answering her) Yeah! Really! (he walks back to the garage as Matt strikes a chord, a very
out of tune chord, but a chord none the less)

Bo: (yelling over the screeching attempt at a guitar lick) Hey!! Hey!! BB King!!!

Matt quiets the guitar and stares at Bo.

Bo: Your mom and I are going to get ready to go out...how much do you need for pizza?

Matt looks at Stacy. He shrugs.

Matt: Twenty five?

Bo: I'll leave you forty...

Matt: (smiles at Stacy) Tonight, we feast!! (he gives her a small kiss)

Bo: Feast...but no rock concerts...Maddie's ear are too sensitive for the musical stylings of...what is this music? That...dirty rock?

Stacy: (laughing) Grunge rock, Mr. B....grunge rock....

Bo: Whatever...come in soon, we want to get ready to go out...

Stacy: So...where are you going Mr. B.?

Bo: I am taking Mrs. B to the Waterfront Inn for a sumptuous seafood dinner and then to the hall for an evening of ball room dancing...

Stacy: I'll bet she'll love it!

Bo: I'm hoping...and I am hoping you two will be alright watching Maddie...

Stacy: We'll be fine...

Bo: (claps his hands) Ok..well...I guess I am going to grab a shower and get ready...

Matt: We'll be in soon...

Bo leaves and Matt begins to wrap the cables from his amplifier. Stacy sits on a storage box watching him.

Stacy: Can I help?

Matt: Nah...I got it...I don't want you to get dirty...

Stacy: Matt...I can handle wrapping a cable or two...

Matt: (walks up to her and placed his hands on the storage box and leans in towards her face) I want
you to save your strength Stace....(he kisses her lightly on her lips)

Stacy: (smiling) and why is that (she kisses him)

Matt: Because you (kisses her) are going to have your hands full with Maddie tonight (he kisses her once more before she punches him in the arm)

Stacy: You are so bad Matthew Hanen!!!

Matt: (bending over the amplifier and grabbing the guitar case) But you love me (he smiles)

Stacy: (jumps off the box) for now....(she heads to the door)

Matt: (grabs her and pulls her towards him) forever...(he leans in and kisses her)

Stacy: (breaking the kiss and looking into his deep brown eyes, whispering) forever (she hugs him)

***************************************

Nora finishes laying Maddie in her crib and heads to her room. Bo is in the shower. She notices he has a suit laid out so she heads to the closet and begins to look through her things. She begins to cry a bit.

Bo gets out of the shower and dries off. He heads into the bedroom and begins to get dressed. As he is pulling
up his pants, he hears Nora crying in the closet. He walks in and wraps his arms around her.

Bo: Hey...wanna talk?

She turns in his arms and hugs him around the neck. She tries to stop her crying.

Bo: Honey...are you ok?

She backs away a bit and wipes her eyes and nose and nods her head. Bo lifts her chin so she is looking into his eyes.

Bo: This doesn't look ok...

Nora: No..really...I am fine...just a bit of the post partums I guess...

Bo: Honey...Madison is going to be fine with Matt and Stacy...

Nora: (nodding) She will...Matt and Stacy are so re...re...(she starts crying again) responsible...

Bo: (stroking her hair)Shh....come on...calm down...if you don't want to go...

Nora: (raising her head and looking at him) No! ...no...just give me a minute...to find something to wear....I'll be ok...I see you have you suit...so it's gotta be (sniffle) somewhere special...

Bo: (running his hand along her cheek and speaking softly) very special... (he leans in and kisses her gently) If you really are uncomfortable about going out...

Nora: (wiping her tears and turning toward her clothes) No...(she begins to look through her clothes) we need a night out...and I am just being silly...

Bo: (taking her hand and gently pulling her to face him again) You are not silly...you are a new mom...worried about her baby...its normal...I love you (he hugs her)

Nora melts in his embrace. They hold each other in silence for a few moments.

Nora: (breaking away) Ok...you go finish getting ready...and I am going to start to get ready...(she pats him on the backside as he walks from the closet) I love you too, Bo...(to herself)Now...what are the chances anything in here are going to fit me anymore....

*********************************

Matt and Stacy are watching TV as Bo heads into the living room. He grabs the remote and clicks off the TV and walks in front of them.

Bo: Ok...just as a formality...Maddie is your main priority...no leaving the house with her, unless its an emergency, in that case you call me on my cell...you got the money for the pizza...I am sure I don't have to tell you no one else comes over...and I know I can trust you both
to conduct yourselves properly...

Matt: Pop...

Bo: Matt...

Matt: (inhales and exhales) Ok...things will be just as if you are here (under his breath) locked in your room making out with mom...

Stacy giggles.

Bo: You think I didn't hear that? You wait buddy...(he winks at Matt) Just be good...

Matt: Will do...

Nora comes downstairs in a black sleeveless cocktail dress with black sequin jacket. Stacy notices her first.

Stacy: Whoa!! Mrs. B!!! You look terrific!!

Matt and Bo turn to look.

Matt: Ma!! Man!! If you weren't my mom!!!

Stacy looks at Matt who shrugs at her.

Bo walks over to the bottom of the steps.

Bo: (leaning in and kissing her on the cheek) You look...(taking a deep breath) you are beautiful...

Nora: Thank you...

Bo: Ok kids...we are out of here...

Nora: Matt...when the baby wakes up...makes sure you...

Matt: Change her and give her her water first....

Nora: Don't forget...

Matt: To test the temperature of the bottle and the food before feeding her....

Nora: Stacy...just make sure...

Stacy: Matt listens to everything I say...got it...

Nora: Ok...(hesitating as Bo holds the door open) I guess that should take care of it (she looks around the room) well...we'll see you later...(she walks slowly out the door)

Stacy: Your mom is so scared....I bet they skip the dancing

Matt: (leaning back on the couch and pulling Stacy back with him) bet they don't make it through the appetizers...(he flicks the TV)

TBC