Undermined Endearment Part 2

Chapter 35

One day later Nora still had not given birth. To say she was frustrated and uncomfortable was an understatement. Bo was a saint. He waited on her and hand and foot, trying to make her happy. Not that could happen.

Bo rubbed her back trying to get her to relax. She leaned back in his arms after a while.

“Thank you Bo, but it isn’t going to happen.”
He kissed her temple and held her tight. She closed her eyes trying to find comfort. The bell rang. She groaned, just what she needed, guest.

“I’ll get rid of them honey.”
“Thank you.”
When the door opened she heard a very loud voice.

“BUCHANAN!”
“Winston! What are doing here?”
“I had business across the pond and thought I should visit Buchanan. So can I come in?”
“Well actually.”
“Bo let him in.”
Bo came in with a man following behind.

“Winston this is my wife Nora.” Bo walked over and put his hand on her stomach. “And this is our daughter that we are not so patiently waiting to join the world. Nora this is Winston, I worked with last year in Europe on the Devon case.”
Nora smiled and waved.

“Nice to meet you Nora, the way your husband went on about you I practically expected you to have angel wings.”
Nora smiled at that.

“So, came home and knocked your wife up, good man.”
“Yeah, but we had a bit of a rough patch after Serena.”

Nora grimaced realizing that must of been the women on the phone’s name. At least she had a name to hate now. Winston looked at Bo in total confusion.
“Serena, what about her?”
“Oh, umm.” Bo looked at Nora. “Well apparently the night of the hearing I had to much and Serena and I…”

“What? No, Bo that is impossible.”
“Um, Winston. She was in my bed when I woke up.” Bo gestured towards Nora. “She told Nora on the phone we had been together.”
“Mate, she was lying to you both.”
“What? How do you know that.”
“Because I remember that night. You did drink, but I was with Serena most of the night. Until the wee hours in the morning.”
“Then what was she doing in my room?”
“My guess? Serena wanted to cause drama, she is like that.”
Nora felt her heart drop.

“But she nearly ended my marriage.”
Winston nodded.

“Not the first time she pulled that type of stunt. Wish you had told me, I would have save you both a lot of grief.”
Winston looked at his watch.
“I have a meeting, can you and I meet up later? That is if the wee one hasn’t shown yet?”
Bo nodded as Winston left. Bo and Nora were left alone in stunned silence.

Bo smiled, the biggest smile she has seen from him in a long time.

“RED! I didn’t.” He took a deep breath. “RED! OH GOD!” He ran to her and kissed her.

Nora still in shock.

“So you didn’t cheat?”
“NO!” He ran his hands through his hair, Nora could see a weight of the guilt he had been carrying lift. “I knew it didn’t make sense. I just didn’t understand how it could have happened. You are my life. I, GOD RED! This feels amazing.”
Nora ran her hand down his face. He looked at her, then pulled her into a passionate kiss.

“I love you Red, so very much.”
“I love you too, Bo this is amazing. We should celebrate.”
“How? Honey you are in condition to much of anything.”
“No, but why don’t you go get a beer for yourself.”
He smiled and kissed her.

“Great idea!”
Nora laughed as ran towards the kitchen. She smiled, then sighed. This felt amazing. If she wasn’t weighed down she was sure she’d float.

Suddenly her mind went to Blake, her heart fell. Bo didn’t cheat, but she had still slept with another man and created a child with him. Bo came back in the room. Nora quickly turned her face away, trying to wipe the tears off before he saw them.

“Red? Honey, what is wrong? I thought you’d be as thrilled as I am about this.”
Nora shook her head.

“Oh Bo, I am. I am so happy you never betrayed me, but I still did.” She ran her hand over her stomach. “I betrayed you.”
Bo put his beer down.

“No Red, don’t do that. What happened with you and Blake was something that happened out of pain. It wasn’t betrayal, you were trying to move on because you thought I had hurt you. That isn’t the same situation.”

“Bo, I still cheated.”
“NO YOU DIDN’T!” Bo sighed in frustration. “Don’t do this Red. Let’s just focus on the good stuff. I never cheated and we are about have a perfect child.”
Nora began to cry, her heart still feeling the crushing blow. Bo pulled her to him and kissed the top of her head.

“Don’t. Red, please stop. I love you.”

Nora clung to him. Her emotions with the hormones pushing her farther off the edge. Bo rocked her, trying to calm her. He kissed her again.

“You know Red, I think most of this is because your tired and the hormones. Because you have nothing to feel sorry about. Okay?”

Nora took a few deep breaths as she began to calm down. Bo pulled away slightly kissing her forehead.

“I think the baby just needs to come and then you’ll see everything clear.”
She nodded, praying he was right. Nora gasped and gripped him, as a very strong contraction ripped through her body. She heard Bo, coaching her to breath. As it finished, she leaned against him. He put his hand on her hand and held her.

“That was a strong one Red.”
She nodded.
“Maybe the baby is finally on its way?”

“I hope so.”

She closed her eyes and listened to his heart beating.

Chapter 36

The next day Bo and Nora were at the hospital, Nora’s labor had finally progressed far enough. The doctor came into the room as Bo gave her ice chips.

“So baby Buchanan finally decided to it was time to come out.”
Nora nodded weakly, she was so exhausted from the long drawn out labor. Bo wiped down her forehead and then kissed it.

“Ok dad, help mom in position, because the next contraction we are going to be pushing.”
Nora sat up as Bo helped her in position.

Nora’s contraction started, Bo held her up as the doctor instructed her. She tried to push hard, but she was so tired it was nearly impossible.

“It’s okay Nora, you did good. The next one should be it.”

Nora gripped Bo’s hand as tight as she could and pushed when the contraction started. Nora stopped when the doctor told her too. Moments later the crying started.

“Red, she’s here.”
The doctor smiled at her.

“Yes, Mr. Buchanan was right all along. You have a little girl.”
Bo nudged her.

“Told ya!”

Nora weakly smiled, fatigue taking over. But she was determined to stay awake long enough to hold the baby. The doctor handed Nora the baby. Nora felt the tears start as she looked at the her daughter. So tiny and red.  Bo reached over and ran a finger down the baby’s cheek.

“Wow. Red, we are parents.”
Nora smiled at him.

“Hi sweetie. I am you daddy and this beautiful and tired lady is you mommy.”

“Okay Nora, we need to clean her up and weigh and measure her. We’ll give her right back.”
Nora was to tire to protest if she wanted to. The doctor took the baby giving it to the nurse. Nora leaned back onto Bo. He wrapped his arms around her.

“Hey go to sleep, I’ll keep a watch on her.”
Nora didn’t argue, she closed her eyes and immediately fell asleep.

Chapter 37

Nora woke, she smiled as she heard Bo talking to the cooing baby. She opened her eyes and watched father and daughter bond. Bo looked over and saw she was awake, his smile grew larger.

“Hey there. We were just talking while you rested.”

He walked over, gently handed the baby to her. Nora cuddled her close.
“So what you want to name this kido.”
Nora adjusted the baby so her and Bo could look at her.

“I think you should have the honor daddy.”
Bo gave a brilliant smile.

“Me?”
“Don’t pretend you haven’t had the name picked out for months.”
He gave her a sheepish look.

“I really like the name  Amelia Mae?”

Nora looked at her daughter.

“Yeah, she looks like an Amelia Mae Buchanan.” Nora kissed her tiny nose. “Welcome to the world Amelia.”
Bo pushed Nora’s hair from her face.

“You feeling okay?”
“Yeah, just a little achy and tired, but at least she is here. And now I get to use my Jewish mother guilt on her for making me miserable for days.”
Bo laughed.

“Amelia you sure where difficult this past week. Just like your mom.”
“Hey.”
Bo nuzzled her.

“How about what happened before we came to the hospital, you okay?”
Nora felt a lump in her throat.

“I will be. I think you were right most of that was being tried along with hormones. I can’t say it won’t bother me, but I know it’s going to be okay. I know you don’t view what happened as me cheating.”
“I don’t, I never have or will. It was a dark time for both of us honey.” He kissed her again. “And look at what came from the dark chapter” Bo tickled Amelia’s cheek. “ A brilliant ray of sunshine, that we will never lose.”
Nora smiled.

“Yes we did.”

A knock broke the tranquility of the moment.

“Come in.”
Blake walked in with a stuffed animal in his hand. Nora felt herself tense. Bo rubbed her back.

“Bo, Nora. I just thought I come by and say congrats and maybe see the baby.”
Nora looked at Amelia, so unaware of the situation she was born in. Nora took a deep breath.

“Of course.”
Blake handed the little dog to Nora.

“Thank you. I am sure she’ll love this.”
Nora could tell how nervous Blake was, she decided to take pity on him.

“Blake would you like to hold your..niece?”
Blake relaxed and smiled.

“I’d love too.”
Bo took the baby from Nora then gently handed her to Blake. Blake looked at her then got a huge smile on his face.

“She is beautiful. What did you name her?”
“Bo named her. Amelia Mae Buchanan.”
She could see Blake eyes fight back tears..

“Hi Amelia, I am your..I am Blake and I hope I can be a good friend to you. You have a very special mommy and daddy who will take really good care of you.”
Blake handed Amelia back to Bo. He wiped away his tears.

“Blake you know we’ll have an open door policy for you.”
He nodded.

“Thank you. I know you two will be amazing parents to her.” Blake looked over at the baby again. “I should go.”
Nora felt herself relax and breath again once Blake left.

“That wasn’t to bad Red.”
“No, I just hope I can stop getting tense around him. At some point she is going to notice.”
Bo started to rock the baby as she began to fuss.

“You will Red, it will take time.”

She sighed.

“She hungry?”
“Probably. You want her?”
“Give her to me.”
Nora adjusted her clothes as Bo gave her Amelia. Moments later Amelia latched on.

“Well she knows how to eat!”
“Just like her parents!”

Nora giggled. Bo moved behind her and put his arms around her. Nora sighed and leaned back into him. Bo kissed her.

“Red, this is the most perfect moment I could image.”
Nora smiled.

“Yes, it really is.”

Chapter 38

Nora and Bo fell into a routine quickly. Amelia was a pretty easy baby, which Nora was very thankful for. Blake came over, but not much. There was a lot of work needed to be done with that situation. But other than that, Nora had never been happier. Her and Bo were closer than ever and Amelia was beautiful and healthy.

“Red?”
Nora looked up from the clothes she had been folding, never ceased to amaze her how such a tiny person could produce so much laundry. She smiled when Bo came in with Amelia in his arms. At 3 months Amelia was just starting notice her world, she completely engrossed in her father’s watch.

“Yes?”
“Did the doctor tell us that we were suppose to give her half a dose or was a full?”
“Half.”
Bo nodded and left again. She giggle as she remembered how panicked he became when their daughter had a tiny cough. The doctor gave them a pretty harmless cough syrup and Bo was determined to give her the exact right dosage.

“Red! She won’t take it.”
Nora sighed. As she came down she saw Amelia turning her head any direction opposite of the syringe her father had. Bo looked up at her, frustration and worry all over his face. Nora walked over and kissed his cheek.

“Let’s try something else.”

She grabbed a bottle nipple and put the medicine in it. Nora moved it towards Amelia, she took it right away. Bo look astounded. She shrugged.

“It was something I learned with Rachel.”

“Well I am impressed Mrs. Buchanan.”

Amelia finished her medicine, Bo took the nipple away from her, Then swayed her. Nora smiled as Amelia’s eyes started close. It wasn’t even a minute before she was out.

“Now I am impressed.”
“She’s easy, you hold her in your arms and slowly sway, just like her mother.”

Nora ran her hand down his face.

“Why don’t you put her in her crib?”
Bo kissed her quickly.

“We’ve got 30 minutes!”

Nora giggle as Bo quietly but very quickly walked towards the nursery with sleeping Amelia in his arms. A moment later he came back, he was already working on removing his clothes
She couldn’t help but laugh as he struggled with his belt. He looked up at her.

“What are laughing at, if we are lucky we got 30 minutes, but more than likely it will be 15, so strip.”

Nora walked up to him and put her hands on his, stopping his urgency. She slowly kissed him.

“Bo, it doesn’t matter if we only have 1 minute, you always get me going.”
Bo gave her cocky smile and raised an eyebrow.

“I do what I can Mrs. Buchanan.”
He pulled her into him in a crushing embrace. Nora moaned as his seduction began. 

Chapter 39

Nora woke up to the phone. She blinked it was 4 a.m., then her heart stopped. Bo was on duty tonight. She grabbed the phone quickly. She heard Amelia wake just as she did.

“Hello?”
“Red, you and Amelia need to come to the hospital.”
Nora heard her daughter cries get louder.

“Bo why? Are you okay?”
“I am fine, it is Blake, honey he was in a bad accident. He isn’t going to make it. He wants to say goodbye to Amelia.”
Nora breath caught in her throat.

“Red?”
She shook her head.

“I’ll come right over.”
“Thank you honey, I love you.”
“I love you too.”
Nora hung up. By then Amelia cries had become sobs. Nora quickly got up and headed to her daughter’s room. Amelia was very upset by the time Nora walked in.

“Hey little girl calm down.”
Nora rubbed her hand on the baby’s stomach. Amelia started to calm down as soon as she heard her mother’s voice. She reached up for her mom to pick her up.

Nora lifted her and kissed her tiny cheek.

“Hey sweetie, we need to get you all pretty. Your uncle Blake needs to see you.”
Nora started to change her daughter, she suddenly was hit by what was happening. She felt the tears staring. Things may have been hard between her and Blake, but at one point he was a good friend. Her heart hurt as she brushed her daughter’s dark hair back, the one feature she got from her biological father. Nora had been so worried about what Amelia would think when she found out her uncle Blake was really her father. Now this little girl would never know her biological father in any way. Nora cuddled Amelia close, she wiped her own tears away as she headed out to say goodbye to a man who gave her a daughter. 

Chapter 40

Nora and Amelia arrived in the hospital, Bo was in the ER lobby pacing, he looked up. Nora could see he was in pain too. He went up to them and kissed both of them.

“How is he doing?”

Bo shook his head.

“He won’t last much longer. I know it was complicated Red, but I never wanted this.”
Nora kissed his cheek.

“I know Bo, I feel the same way.”
Bo looked over towards one of the rooms.

“Let me tell him you are here. He really wanted to see both of you, but I want make sure he is ready.”
Nora grabbed his arm.

“Umm, how much..will he scare Amelia?”
“No, his injuries are mostly internal.”
She nodded. Bo headed towards the room. Nora swayed Amelia in her arms, Amelia quietly cuddled into her mother’s arms.

Bo came back out.

“He is ready honey.”
Nora walked towards her husband. He put his arms around her and guided them into the room. Nora fought the tears when she saw Blake. He was obviously in a lot of pain with machines attached over to him. She made her way over to him. He tried to smile when he saw them.

“Hey.”
“Blake.”
“Can you help me hold her?”
Nora nodded and gently put Amelia in Blake's arms. She helped him support her. Amelia didn’t seemed phased by what was happening. She babbled a bit and played with Blake's fingers. Unlike the adults in the room, who all were in tears. Blake kissed Amelia’s hair. She smiled and look up at him and babbled a bit more.

“Thank you, both. I know she’ll have a wonderful life full of love. When she gets old enough can you give her something from me?”
Nora couldn’t talk, so Bo answered.

“Of course, what is it?”
“I have a ring, it was my grandma’s. I was planning on giving it to her when she turned 18. It’s in my apartment, in a safe. The keys are in my desk.”
“We’ll get it to her.”
“Thank you.”
Blake grimaced in pain.

“I think that all I can do, thank you Nora, for having her and letting me see her.”
Nora leaned down and kissed his cheek, then picked Amelia up.

“Blake, I will always be thankful for her.”
“I know.”
Nora turned around and left the room with Bo and Amelia. As soon as the door closed Bo kissed her hair.

“Let’s go home honey.”
Nora nodded and handed him the keys. She was in no shape to drive 

Chapter 41

At the end of the week Bo and Nora attended Blake’s memorial. It was a difficult one for both of them. Even though they both knew it wouldn’t make much difference in their day to day life, it was was a major change in their lives. They had already had several discussion on what they should tell their daughter. Amelia would never know Blake in anyway, but they both wanted her to know the truth when she was old enough.

Nora knew they’d wouldn’t make a decision until they felt the time was right, which would be years, but it was good they had the discussion now. She wanted them to be on the same page.

Amelia squealed loudly Nora looked over, she laughed her daughter had found a mirror and was fascinated with herself. Nora walked over to her and kissed her tiny head. Amelia looked up and handed her the mirror.

“Oh thank you sweetie.”
Bo walked into the room.

“How are my girls?”
Bo came over and kissed Nora, then leaned down and picked up Amelia. Amelia smiled at her father and began to babble about her day. She smiled when Bo answered her back.

“Really? Wow. You and mommy sure had a lot of fun without me.”

“We did, but we really missed daddy.”
Bo kissed Amelia.

“I missed you both too, but you know I was thinking we should have a fun family night. Pizza for mommy and daddy, applesauce for Amelia.”
“OHH! That sounds wonderful. But I think the little one needs a nap first.”
“I’ll put her down.”
“Thanks, I’ll call for the pizza.”

Bo headed to the nursery.

Nora headed to the nursery after she had ordered the pizza. Her heart melted when she walked in, Bo was singing to Amelia who hands were grabbing for his as her eyes started to fall. Nora quietly walked over to them, she ran her hand through Bo’s hair. He looked up at her with an adoring smile. She felt her heart skip. They looked down at Amelia who was asleep. Bo got up and gently put her in her crib.

He turned to Nora, he looked her up and down. Nora’s pulse skyrocketed. Bo gently pushed her out of the room.

“Red you look so gorgeous. I know the past couple of weeks have been emotional. But I think it’s time for us to go back to our lives. We have each other and a beautiful daughter whom we adore and adores us. I am not saying we forget Blake, but I think we can shelve our discussion for now. It will be years before we tell her. So I am going to suggest we live our lives like we want.” He pulled her to him. “Fun and Passionately.”
They lips meet in a hot and passionate kiss.

“I love you Red. So I was wondering if you marry me again?”
That was last thing she expected him to say.

“What!”
“Come on Red, let's renew our vows. We have been through so much in the past year and it has made us so much stronger. So?”
Nora laughed.

“Bo you are crazy and I love you so much, so yes, I’ll renew our vows.”
Bo kissed her again.

“So Mr. Buchanan? When are we going to do this?”
“Next week! Just you, me, and Amelia!”
Nora took his hands and started to move towards their room.

“Red, Pizza will  be here soon.”
“Bo, you asked me if I am ready to start our perfect life. I am, so we are going to our bed and start right now!”
Bo smiled.

“We’ll if you insist.”
Nora sighed as their passion exploded. Her life was beyond amazing.

The End.