TRUE LOVE NEVER DIES

CHAPTER ONE

Just a little story I started because I have always been a fan of the Bo-Hope storyline. If you like, I will happily continue on Monday evenings. I own none of these characters, or the show. I write strictly for fun.

How had it come to this?

In the span of only twenty-four hours, Hope Brady had been reunited with the love of her life, Bo, only to lose him again to a cruel brain tumor. Her heart was broken as she stood in front of his casket, and she silently wondered how she would ever go on. How her kids would make it without their father.

As she placed a single red rose on top of the casket, the tears fell again…but they were interrupted by a gentle breeze. It felt like a kiss against her skin.

She felt something touch her hand, and her head raised. Don't give up, came the voice only she could hear. I'm not dead, Don't stop looking for me.

Hope's thoughts were a whirlwind as she gazed around at all the other mourners who had started to walk out of the cemetery. Had anyone else heard that? she wondered. Or was it simply the wishes of a grieving widow who only wanted to keep the love of her life with her forever?

Her teenage daughter, Ciara, and her grown son, Shawn, approached her. "Mom, it's time to go," Shawn said gently as he placed an arm around her mother's quivering shoulders. "You need to eat something."

"I'm fine," Hope insisted. "You kids go on to the pub. I'll be there shortly."

"But, Mom—" Shawn protested.

"Please," Hope said meaningfully. "I need to be alone for a little while first."

Shawn sighed as he realized this was one argument with his headstrong mother he could not win. When Hope got something settled in her mind, it was practically impossible to sway it. "Come on, Ciara," he said to his little sister. "Let's go."

The saddened siblings walked away as Hope stared after them. She could feel their grief. She wanted to badly to comfort them, but she felt helpless. Just as she had lost her one true love, her children had lost a loving father who adored them. This was certainly not going to be an easy loss to overcome.

If they ever were able to overcome it at all.

Hope wearily walked to the park and sat on a bench for the longest time and stared at the newly-planted tree that she and Bo had put down just a few days earlier. The tree was still helpless, hadn't taken root yet; therefore, it would need to be nurtured until it could eventually thrive. Bo had given it to Hope as a symbol of new beginnings…but the beginning had already ended.

"Oh, Brady," she moaned as the tears flowed again, "why did you have to leave me? Why would you give me a tree when you knew you wouldn't be around to help me take care of it? I just don't understand! I'm not that strong!"

"Yes, you are," came a voice. "You're the strongest person I know."

Hope nearly jumped as she saw a familiar figure had come up beside her bench. "Steve," she gasped, "what are you doing here?"

"I was worried about you," her husband's longtime best friend said gently, his face worn from grief and sadness.

Hope stood up. "You shouldn't be," she said with a calmness she didn't feel. "I'm fine."

"Are you?" He eyed her skeptically.

She never could pretend in front of the street-smart Steve. "No," she admitted wearily as she ran a hand through her hair. "Steve, how am I going to make it without him? I miss him so much!"

He stepped over to envelope her in a soothing hug. "I know you do. I do, too."

As they shared the embrace, Hope whispered, "I don't think he's dead."

Steve smiled wistfully. "That's because you're in denial. It's natural to feel that way."

Hope pulled back. "I'm not in denial! I can't explain it, but…but I just feel he needs me to find him and bring him home. Like he's telling me to."

Steve shook his head. "No, Hope!" he said firmly. "You know Bo's not alive…you saw his body! He died in your arms. You have to face this!"

He watched as remnants of the determined, stubborn Hope came to life. Her brown eyes flashed as she said, "If you won't help me, I'll figure it out myself, but I can't let this go. I won't!"

Before Steve could answer, Kayla rushed into the park. Her blue eyes were filled with worry. "My mom's sick," she said. "They're taking her to the hospital—she says she has to talk to you, Hope, now. About Bo! She says it's urgent!"