Charade Chapters 7&8

Chapter 7

The next month Nora was beyond miserable. She felt like she was starting over with the healing process. She stopped sleeping in their bedroom, she moved to one of the guest rooms. The memory of their last encounter was too much for her. The date of his wedding was growing closer too, as it approached she felt herself growing more and more depressed. In one month he’d be Lindsay’s husband. There was nothing she could say or do that could stop it. Last week they had it out one last time.

“NORA this is none of your concern, I am doing this.”
“Damn it BO! I just want what is best for you.”
“What? You think that is you? You ripped out my heart and stomped on it.”
“Fine, let’s pretend you and I are off the table, that we don’t love each other still. You shouldn’t marry someone you don’t love Bo, even if she is having you baby. It isn’t fair to you and it isn’t fair to the baby.”
Bo slammed his fist on his desk making her jump.

“STOP RED, JUST STOP!”

She stood in silence as he took a deep breath calming himself down. He stood up and walked over to her. He cupped her face running his thumbs up and down her face.

“I love you Red, but please stop this. It isn’t going to change anything, I am not leaving her, I am not leaving my child with her all alone.”

Bo leaned in and kissed her gently. Suddenly Nora understood.

“Bo why didn’t you tell me?”
He looked confused.

“What?”
“You are afraid of what Lindsay will do to that baby if you leave her, aren’t you?”

He sighed then nodded.

“Oh Bo.” Nora hugged him tight. “I am sorry.”
Bo wrapped his arms around her, holding her tight. They stood there for several minutes. A knock on the door caused them to pull apart.

“Come in.”
An officer dropped off paperwork, then left closing the door. Nora picked up her stuff and kissed him one last time, then left.

That was the last time she had seen him, she resolved that for his sanity and the safety of that baby she had to stay away. Even if it hurt her.

Chapter 8

Nora sat in her office, it was only a week and a half away from the wedding. She was in a foul mood. Her secretary was staying far away from her, Nora couldn’t blame her. She heard her door knock. She didn’t even turn as she let them come in.

“Nora?”
Nora’s head snapped up. She mentally screamed, as if this day wasn’t bad enough.

“What do you want Sam?”
He smiled and moved to her desk and pulled out a bottle of wine. She looked at him confused.

“I thought since our exes were about to get married we should celebrate together.”
She shook her head.

“Thanks, but no thanks.”
“Come on Nora, it’s time we move on.”
“Sam, please leave.”
Sam scoffed.

“I can’t believe even after this, him knocking up Lindsay and getting ready to marry her, you still love him. Unbelievable.”
“So what if I do, that isn’t your problem, it isn’t like we are together. Please LEAVE.”
“Fine, but you need to move on. Bo has.”
With that Sam left. Nora whispered to herself.

“No he hasn’t.”

She sighed and started to work the best she could. Her mind wasn’t really letting her get much done. Maybe she should leave town? Not that the feelings wouldn’t still be there, but at least she could get away from the pity looks she kept getting. Shannon walked in. Nora could see she had bad news.

“Just tell me.”
“The courthouse called, they moved the date to next week.”
Nora sighed, so much for leaving.

“Thanks Shannon.”

Shannon left, Nora felt her mood worsen even more. She need to get out of the office, maybe fresh air would do her good. After all it was a beautiful day.

She left telling Shannon she was going out for lunch. She found a bench in the park and watched the kids. This may have not been the best idea, kids always made her a little sad. She always end up dreaming what her and Bo’s child would have looked like if they had one. She jumped when someone touched her shoulder. She looked up and saw Bo.

“You scared me.”
“Sorry, you look so lost in thought.”
She gave him a sad smile and looked over at the kids.

“Oh, I do the same thing. When I see a kid I can’t help but wonder.”
She didn’t respond to that, he sat next to her.

“Bo, we really shouldn’t talk anymore.”
“I know, but I miss you and when I see you I need to be near you.”
Nora swallowed a bite of her sandwich as she fought all her emotions.

“Nora you look.” He stopped, she could feel his scrutiny. “So beautiful, but so sad.”
“You know why I am sad Bo, but what can either of us do.”
He reached out and brushed her hair off her face.

“Bo, you need to go.”
He sighed and nodded. As he got up he leaned over and kissed her cheek.

“Bye Red.”
“Bye.”
He left, Nora felt her silent tear running down her face. This was an awful idea.