Hi ya'll! I was overwhelmed with the threats I received, not to myself this time, but as readers informed me that they were about to potentially harm themselves. I just couldn't allow leaping off rooftops and banging heads into walls or desks, so I'm posting a little sooner. Please excuse any boo-boos that might have slipped through in my haste:) I hope you're not too disappointed. A tissue warning might be in order. (Well, that was the original intention. As soon as I tried to post - I lost my internet service and have been down since last night! Sorry!)
Disclaimer: I don't own the Dukes, and no infrigements intended.
UNCLE, UNCLE
CHAPTER 10
WHAT HAPPENED?
Stunned beyond belief, it took a moment for either of the boys to be able to speak. Luke found his voice first. "The baby?" he asked.
The two doctors looked at each other. Amos Appleby had known all three of the Duke cousins their entire lives, and they knew him. The man beside him they didn't recognize, and wondered why he was there at all. Understanding the older man's tie to the family, it had been decided that the news would be best coming from him.
"The baby's fine," Doc Appleby told them. "A little girl, eight pounds, four ounces. She seems to be healthy, we just want to keep her overnight."
The news brought temporary relief to the boys, hearing that their 'incorrectly termed niece' was fine. However, as the news that the baby was fine started to register, the only other alternative did, too. The momentary bliss was quickly replaced with even more anguished expressions.
Bo's bottom lip began to tremble and his eyes filled with tears. Luke's eyes were about the same, though his lip hadn't started quivering.
"D...D...Daisy?" Bo squeaked out.
They didn't need to hear the words to know that the news wasn't happy. Bo flopped into the chair behind him, while Luke stood completely still, his mouth wide open.
"Boys, I'm sorry. There wasn't anything we could do. Once the delivery process started, there was a rupture that caused massive and immediate blood loss. Dr. Garrison is a surgeon that was called in. We tried to rush her into the OR, but there just wasn't time. It happened so fast."
"D...Daisy died?" Bo stuttered, needing to hear the actual words.
"I'm afraid so," Amos told them.
Bo's shoulders began shaking as he dropped his face into his hands. The up and down movement started gradually, but quickly grew more powerful.
Luke hadn't moved a muscle since he'd asked about the baby.
"I know how hard this is, boys, especially since it was so unexpected. If you'd like to see your niece, though, it might help, knowing that she's Daisy's child. You are listed as next of kin," Doc Appleby said as gently as he could. He hoped for the Duke boys' sake that it might bring them some peace. He also knew that the child didn't have anyone else close-by, and without it's natural mother, she was going to need love and bonding. If the uncles decided not to keep her, Amos Appleby would have to call Social Services and place her with them. He really didn't want to see that happen. The Dukes always took care of their own, but with Jesse and Daisy both gone, he wondered if this would be too much to handle for Bo and Luke. "Why don't I take you down to the nursery?" he nudged, when neither of them responded.
Bo nodded, the motion visible despite his hands still covering his face. Swatting at his tear stained cheeks, he stood up. Looking at the brunette, he could see that Luke was deeper in shock than even he was. Putting his arm around him, Bo guided his oldest, and now only, cousin along, following their family physician.
Stopping when the doctor did, the boys found themselves in front of a large, glass window. Inside were several little plastic containers, but there were only two that were occupied. Bo and Luke could read the name on one; it said Duke. Motioning to the nurse inside, Amos Appleby pointed to Daisy's baby and waved with his finger. Smiling, she picked up the little bundle, and joined them.
"Hello," she greeting them quietly. "Who wants to go first?" she asked, knowing what had happened, and hoping that this rather odd family might begin to come together after they all met. Neither of the boys said anything, so she had to rely on her instincts to determine who to hand the baby off to. Whether it was because the blonde was closer or some other scientific reason, she chose Bo. Neither of the boys appeared to be doing well, but Luke looked like he was in worse condition. "Here we go," the nurse said, depositing the little girl into Bo's arms before he could say a word.
Resembling more zombie than human, Bo did what he was told, his eyes growing wide as he stared at the nurse.
"Always support their heads like this," she instructed, showing him as well as telling him. "Their necks aren't strong enough to hold their heavy heads, and without proper support, you could give them whiplash or worse."
"We should give you boys and your niece some privacy," Doc Appleby said.
"I've got a better idea," the nurse interjected. "Why don't ya'll come inside with me. There's only one other baby in there, and we've got a little family sitting area off to the side. It'll be more comfortable getting acquainted that way, rather than standing here in the hall."
Bo nodded, continuing to follow orders on cue. Looking back, he had to tell his cousin to move his feet, but as soon as he gave the instructions, Luke followed along. Introducing herself as Nurse Marcy, she ushered them to the dedicated area. Luke sat down immediately, but Bo wondered if he could sit without dropping the baby. Wondering if she knew what was going through her mind, Marcy offered to hold the child until the blonde was comfortable.
When they were situated, Bo finally looked down at the sleeping child in his arms. She was so little he couldn't even believe it. Her mouth was moving, like she was sucking on a bottle, and that got a ghost of a smile from the new uncle. The hardest part was being able to see Daisy in the little girl. Looking into the little face, he didn't know if he was comforted by the fact that she looked like Daisy or haunted by it.
"Luke, she looks like Daisy," Bo finally said. "Come here."
Moving in his own catatonic state, Luke got up and stood next to the chair that Bo was sitting in.
"She looks like Daisy, don't she?" Bo repeated, expecting an answer now that his oldest cousin could really see her.
He didn't get one. Overwhelmed by grief and shock, all Luke could do was nod.
The hallway door opened at that moment, and they were joined by another woman who was holding a clip board. She started asking various questions. Some they could answer, some they couldn't.
"Well fellas, does she have a name?"
Luke looked at Bo, having forgotten all about the fact that they were going to have to call her by something. He didn't know that Bo and Daisy had talked about that very subject only a couple of weeks prior to the current catastrophe.
"Ashley Marie," Bo whispered, remembering the night that Daisy had confided in him. "Ashley Marie Duke," he repeated in a louder voice. "Daisy told me that was what she was going to name her," Bo added, directing the last comment to his oldest cousin.
Luke nodded, understanding that there were a lot of things Daisy had shared with Bo that she hadn't shared with him, especially in the recent past. They were all close, in their own ways, but Luke wondered if he'd been as good to her the last couple of years as Bo seemed to have been.
Answering as many additional questions as they could, the hospital employee thanked them, leaving them alone once again. Bo looked up at his forlorn cousin. "You want to hold her?" he asked, though he really didn't mean it as a question.
Tearing his blue eyes away from Ashley, Luke's gaze shifted to Bo. Starting slowly, his head began to shake, continuing to do so as the shaking got stronger. Luke began backing away from Bo and Ashley, inching closer to the door, until he finally turned and ran out.
"Luke?" Bo called, wanting to go after him, but not being able to since he was in possession of Ashley Marie.
Marcy had been watching. Glad that one of the child's closest relatives had accepted her, she understood that this was a family in turmoil. "Here, I'll take her now," she offered. "I'll tell you what. I know ya'll have some things you need to take care of, but you guys come back tomorrow, and I'll show and tell ya everything you ever wanted and needed to know about babies, and more, before you take her home."
"Thank ya," Bo replied, not understanding how grateful they would be for the offer in the days to come. At that moment, though, his immediate concern was Luke. Bo ran out to find his oldest cousin, leaving Marcy to watch over their new niece.
Not sure where to look, Bo checked the bathroom and the waiting room, but the man in the plaid shirt was no where to be found. Seeing that even Cooter was gone, Bo had no idea where they had gone or how he would get home. Walking outside, he saw that Luke was sitting in the pickup. What had stopped him from starting it and driving off, the blonde didn't know. It would have stranded him, but he doubted his cousin had even thought that far ahead. Driving was sometimes a way that they both dealt with things they couldn't otherwise make sense of; this situation fit that criteria. Yet, Luke hadn't left. He was sitting behind the wheel, hands resting on top of it, staring out the windshield into the darkness, looking like a statue. Bo had never seen Luke look more lost, not even after their uncle has passed away.
Opening the drivers side door, Bo stated, "we should go home." Luke nodded, but maintained his faraway look. On the inside, Bo didn't feel like he was holding up much better, but he was functioning a little better. "Slide over, Luke," Bo whipsered, surprised that for once, his cousin obeyed without delay or argument.
Once they were out on the highway, Bo reached over. Luke hadn't moved all the way over to the passenger side; he was sitting more toward the middle. Simply trying to offer any comfort that he could and hoping to receive a little in return, Bo was stunned when Luke scooted next to him and laid his head on his shoulder. The zombie facade melted away as Luke began sobbing. Bo wanted nothing more than to join him, but he was in control of the vehicle; breaking down could have gotten them both killed and they couldn't do that. Ready or not, there was a little Duke, that had no one else in the world, except for two bachelors that knew absolutely nothing about her.
Bo pulled the truck into the farmstead, noting the pitch black that surrounded them. He assumed that the power was still out, and since it was still raining, the moon was hidden, too. The darkness surrounding them physically was nothing compared to the darkness that they felt inside.
Trudging through the mud, they stumbled through the black abyss into the house. Lighting a few candles would have made it easier to find their way, but they just didn't have the energy. Luke went straight to his bed, flinging himself onto it, not caring if his clothes were still on, or if they were wet or muddy.
"Luke?" Bo asked from the middle of their room, feeling very much like a lost child that needed assurances.
Unfortunately, Luke felt the same way, and this time, he couldn't offer any. "I can't talk about this right now, Bo," he cried.
Something in his cousin's tone told the younger Duke that the older Duke not only couldn't talk about it, he wouldn't. Ridding himself of his own soiled attire, Bo flopped into his own bed. Except for Ashley Marie, the last of the Hazzard County Dukes were both in that room. They should have been turning to each other instead of suffering in solitude. It wasn't Bo's choice; he wanted to lean on Luke, and wanted his cousin to do the same. Luke, however, needed something that Bo obviously couldn't provide. Staring into the blackness, they'd never felt more alone.
x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x
Bo must have fallen asleep sometime during the long night because when he opened his eyes, he could see. He could tell that it was still gray outside by the lack of sunlight, but it was morning. He hoped that Luke had also managed to get a little rest. Seeing the empty bed, he immediately panicked. If something happened to Luke, he really would be all alone. Throwing on his jeans, the blonde ran out of their room, hoping for some sign of his cousin. Bo ran to the open door, breathing deeply when he recognized the still figure seated on the porch. Cautiously, he went to join his cousin on the step. Bo moved as if he were approaching a trapped and wild animal, not sure whether his presence would be welcomed or rejected.
When Bo was seated next to Luke , the brunette slid his arm around the boy; the same way the younger Duke had done the night before in the pickup for him. Bo didn't need to be asked twice as he now laid his head on Luke's shoulder.
"Luke, what are we gonna do?" he asked.
"I don't know, Bo. This time, I really don't know." Wrapping his arms around his younger cousin, they both cried, their tears mixing with the light mist that was still falling from the gray sky.
When Jesse Duke had passed away, people started arriving early the following morning. Though it wasn't that early anymore, no one else was there. If they'd been thinking clearly, they would have realized that because of the lines being down from the storm, news hadn't spread. It was Cooter that arrived first, having been there when they'd gotten the life altering news. With everything that had happened, they'd forgotten about him.
"Hi," he said woefully, climbing out of his truck, and not looking much better than the boys. "I'm sorry. I think I lost ya'll last night. I went to try to make some calls, but didn't get through. I think we missed each other."
"That's ok," Luke said very flatly.
"How ya'll doing?" he asked, kicking himself for asking such a silly question.
Patting Bo's shoulder, Luke stood up. "I guess we probably have to call Mr. Simms," Luke stated, ignoring the concern about their well-being.
"Lines are still down, buddyroe," Cooter whispered.
"Then I guess we'll have to go see him in person," Luke snapped, returning a minute later with the keys to the truck in his hand.
Bo and Cooter looked at Luke, then looked at each other. Besides his dirty jeans from the night before, he was barefoot and had no shirt on. He clearly wasn't dressed to go anywhere.
"Luke, I think we need to get cleaned up first," Bo told him.
Luke looked down at himself. He nodded, but never acknowledged that he wasn't even dressed. "You want to go first?" he asked Bo.
"No, you go ahead," Bo answered.
After he was gone, Cooter looked at Bo. "How's he doing?"
"Not good. I've never seen him like this before."
Cooter nodded, thinking that he hadn't either. Bo had always been called the baby of the family, the impulsive one, the one who didn't think, but he looked like he had a better handle on the situation this time then the calm, practical, and logical cousin.
"How are you doing?" Cooter asked softly.
"Not that good, either," Bo whimpered, not even bothering to try to hide the tears.
The mechanic stepped over and wrapped his arms around his best friend's cousin. He and Bo had long ago established their own friendship. Bo allowed his friend's embrace; his only regret being that it wasn't his cousin's. However, he needed comfort, and since Luke couldn't give it, Bo would accept it from whomever was willing to provide it.
x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x
Cooter offered to drive them into town, wanting to remain close-by in case he was needed. Mr. Simms, the funeral director, was shocked to learn what had happened, and offered his condolences. Though it was his livelihood, he wished that this family hadn't given him quite so much business over the years.
Arriving back at the farm, Bo suddenly remembered something. "Hey Luke, that nurse, Marcy, told us to come back today. She's gonna go over things we need to know about Ashley, and then we can bring her home."
For a moment, Luke glared at Bo. "You go, Bo. I got things to do!" Luke shouted over his shoulder as he began walking away.
"Luke, what could possibly have to do that's more important than learning how to take care of Daisy's baby?" Bo asked.
Luke swung around; the look of anger he flashed at Bo caused the blonde and the grease monkey to fear that he was about to take a swing. "I said I'm busy, Bo. Now just go!" he ground out, controlling himself long enough not to hit his only remaining cousin. Then, he did walk away, and they let him.
Bo stood there in disbelief. Without Daisy, they were going to have to work together to take care of that baby, yet, Luke didn't even seem to be interested. Bo didn't know what to do.
"Buddy, why don't you go and do what you gotta? I'll stay here with him, and see if I can't talk to him, okay?"
Bo nodded, hating the idea of having to go by himself, but knowing that one of them had to. Before he took off in the General, Bo remembered the baby seat Daisy had in her room. Stepping inside the room where Daisy Duke had spent almost every night of her life, Bo's senses were overwhelmed. With all of her things in tact, it appeared as if she would be back any minute; yet, that would never happen. Bo glanced around; every item a reminder of the woman he loved like a sister. Glancing toward the bed, he saw the little afghan she'd made for Ashley. Reaching out for it, Bo held it up to his chest. Lowering himself to the mattress, Bo clutched the little blanket, crying as he tried to imagine what life was going to be like from then on