Chapter 29

Carly remained in the hospital for three more weeks and on the day she was to be discharged, Audra had a serious discussion with Frankie. Audra's gentle strength got better results with her husband than what she never did, nagging; and Frankie reluctantly found himself giving way as she stated her case.

'Bo is really trying to make amends and it is up to Carlee to decide whether he deserves another chance or not; not you or anybody else. I understand you want to protect your syster, I do but she is a mature adult and it won't speak well of you if you try to influence her. I have observed him carefully and I truly think he's sincere and has long stopped thinking about what his family or his ex's family expects from him.'

Audra was never wrong about people so that won her another point. It didn't mean he felt less resentful towards Bo, he still loathed and despised him for what he did to Carly.

'So François, please promise me you will not make a scene today when we go to pick her up at the hospital. Promise?'

'I promise.' He said quietly.

'And you are behind me about my idea?'

'Honey, explain to me once again why you think it's going to work? It could easily blow up...'

'It is not going to blow up, even if it does; it would be between the two parties involved; with no lingering bitterness and regret and no third party influence... no Hope, Hortons, Bradys or that unpleasant Mr. Kiriakis.'

Frankie exhaled sharply, shaking his head. 'Oh... I don't know, I just feel it's very risky... I don't want Bo rushing her and then she ends up hurt again.'

'A grown man who has just learnt a very serious lesson would not be stupid enough to rush the pace and he will carry out his objective easily if he and Carly agree to my idea, which I will talk to them about first chance I get; separately. So... you've carried out your part?'

'I have and I hope for my sister's sake and yours that I won't end up regretting it and beating up that son of a bitch to death.'

Audra's fresh young face wore a stern look. 'François...'

'Alright, alright... lips zipped!' he growled, as she slipped her arms round his neck. 'I think you missed your calling, choosing aromatherapy over psychology.'

Audra kissed him deeply, smiling that slow, drowsy smile he loved so much. 'Ah... min kärlek, but would we have met? Besides, listening to the clients as they talked their hearts out during massages gave me enough practice at giving advice.'

'And usually the right ones. Let's hope this one really works.'

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Nicholas zipped the small bag containing his mother's things. 'I think that's all.'

'Wow...It's going to be great sleeping on a real bed at last and eat real food.' Carly sighed longingly as Melanie wrapped a shawl over her shoulders. Four weeks lying on her back and living on hospital fare had made her lose several pounds, leaving her looking wan and thin.

Melanie exchanged a look with her brother over Carly's head. Bo told them the day before that he was coming over to take Carly home; to his apartment and they weren't sure if he's told her or what her reaction was going to be. Carly's eyes has been wearing a look of peace that had been absent for a long time but her children still felt like Bo was rushing things by proposing to move her into his own place.

'Uh... Mum, before Bo comes I think you should know something...' Nicholas began then stopped as the subject of discussion entered the room, smiling. 'Oh, hi Bo.

'Hi. Hi Melanie.'

'Eww... come on Nick, things are about to get gross.' Melanie grabbed her brother on spying the look in Bo's eye as he gazed at Carly. 'We'll be outside!'

Carly and Bo laughed as they left the room hurriedly, closing the door behind them.

'Oh goodness...' Carly shook her head, grinning.

'Now that's a sound I haven't heard in a while; my princess laughing.' Hunkering down next to her wheelchair, they kissed for a few glorious minutes. Carly looked at him shyly as he touched her face in the end.

'How do you feel?'

'Tired and really ready to go home.'

'Yeah. About that...' Bo took her hands, squeezing them. 'You haven't given an answer to my proposal. About moving in with me.'

'I'm not sure it's a good idea. At least not now.'

'Come on, Princess... I thought we've gotten past all that.' He let go of her hand to cup her chin. 'You still don't trust me, is that it?'

'It's not that...'

'Then you've got no reason to say no. I want you with me; to look after you. I won't make you do what you aren't ready to do, I just want you near me. Please, I love you.' He cradled her head with both hands, his face serious. ' I want you to know something and you have to believe this once and for all Carly. When I finally realised how much I love you, it was long before I found out about you and Tony. And I'm not here with you now out of guilt or obligation; the two reasons why I went back to Hope.'

'Bo...'

'Things between us weren't the same like before because I couldn't get you out of my mind. If there was anyone who was living a lie it was me. I loved Hope and wanted her back so badly after she left me. But the more time you and I spent together when you came back, I fell in love all over again because you reminded me just why I loved you all those years ago.' He stroked her cheek. 'All you wanted was for me to be happy, even though you couldn't deny your own feelings. I couldn't let go of you then and I realised I could never let you go and ready to do anything to win back your love. And in case you have any more doubts...'

His large hand over her mouth and eyes locked with hers he said:

I know not if the voice of man can reach to the sky

I know not if the gods will hear as I pray

I know not if the gifts I asked for will be granted

I know not what will come to pass in our future days

I hope that only good will come, my love... to you

Carly's eyes were teary when he took his hand away.

'I didn't memorize it.'

'No?' she whispered.

'No. Because I never forgot it.' Bo emphasised his words with another feverish kiss, long and sweet.

'Well?' he whispered, his brown eyes pleading with her.

'Okay.' she whispered back, smiling, stroking his cheek. 'We'll live together... and make it work.'

Filled with relief and joy, he hugged her she thought hearing the ancient Mayan prayer again after so many years was moving, wait till she saw what else he had in store for her, the remaining symbols of the history she'd initially thought no longer mattered to him. He knew he had a lot to make up for and he was willing to undertake the task in front of him. Reconnecting was just one step.

'Great! Now let's get you home where you belong. Opening the door, he wheeled her out the room to where Melanie and Nicholas waiting with their young aunt. Slender blondes have never really been Bo's type but even he had to admit Frankie's wife was a real beauty, though as far he was concerned Carly's exotic looks outshone her porcelain doll image. However, after getting to know her better he soon realised that Audra's delicate beauty was merely an illusion; she was a woman of steel, full of wisdom and amazing insight.

'Hi, honey...' Carly fondly smiled at her sister-in-law as she leaned over to kiss her.

'Where's Frankie?'

'Outside with the car and I want to assure you both that he has promised to be on his best behaviour.' Audra replied.

Bo nodded soberly. 'I imagine you have something to do with that. I really hope in time Frankie will forget the past and regard me as his brother and friend again, he's still very important to me. '

Carly reached up to squeeze the hand resting on her shoulder.

'Well, you will have to prove to him that your intentions are sincere because I can't force François to suddenly start trusting you.'

'That's okay, Audra; you've done more than enough and we really appreciate it.' Carly assured her.

Audra shrugged, brushing back a golden strand of her from her forehead. 'This sort of thing can't be achieved overnight but I believe he'll come around... give him time and concentrate on getting back on your feet, ja?'

Carly smiled as Nicholas handed her bag to Melanie and began pushing her towards the exit, Bo walking beside her, still holding on to her hand. 'I have a feeling I'm going to be spoilt rotten by you lot for a while.'

'For sure.' Melanie agreed, grinning. 'So spoilt you'll get pretty tired of us!'

Audra saw the burning look Bo and Carly exchanged and smiled to herself, picturing their reaction when she unveiled her wonderful plan to them.

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Like Caroline, Kayla, Maggie and Doug and Julie who arrived in town two days after the shooting, Hope had put off going to see Carly due to the huge guilt of her past behaviour and the difficulty of facing her; an excuse Bo expressed his deep disgust at. Hope didn't mean to appear ungrateful or heartless, it was just so complicated and difficult expressing gratitude towards a woman who ironically turned out to be a heroine instead of the killer she'd painted her as and used as a scapegoat over her broken marriage for so long. If Carly had died that fateful night, there was no way she would be able to look Bo in the eye again. Right now he wasn't on speaking terms with her or her family as well as his and for the sake of the children they shared and who both thought the world of Carly, she had to make amends or at least attempt to. But what she was going to say to Carly now, she had no idea.

She ran into Victor at the parking lot. 'What are you doing here?' she asked.

His expression was impassive as always. 'I imagine the same reason why you're here.'

Hope averted her face.

'I know, it's hard on me too.'

Hope smiled grimly, turning to look back at him. 'Sure it is. After all she's your ex wife, who you never exactly let go of. Or rather you never let go of your hate for. Ironic how she almost died saving my daughter , just like she almost died indirectly saving my ex husband... your son years ago.'

Before Victor could speak, she cut him off. 'Don't even bother trying to give me your pointless excuses... I know all about the elevator and how you faked your death because Jennifer told wonder you were so happy to badmouth her... a way of covering what you did to her and Bo while I was gone. You took advantage of my jealousy, you and Vivian with all the things you told me about her and like an idiot, I lapped it all up... I believed everything. I'm still finding the words to say to her when I see her but you...' her voice rose, 'How can you ever bring yourself to look her in the eye?! Of everybody who should really be ashamed, it's you!All the lectures I got from you and Vivian about not letting Carly steal my husband... you more or less used me to hurt Carly even more than she was hurt already! How could you bring yourself to plot with Vivian, the same woman who buried her alive!'

'I didn't plot with her...'

'Oh yeah, what happened during Melanie's wedding day? You hid the evidence to save Melanie but get Carly arrested all the same! The whole time you knew Carly was there to save her daughter but you manipulated the situation and everyone involved.'

Victor's lips tightened. 'You can scold and condemn me all you want, but the fact remains that what I did at the time was to bring you and Bo together. That night when you told me she was at your house and I placed a call to Interpol... it was all for you. I shielded you that night when Bo accused you of breaking his confidence.'

'I was a pawn so don't start pretending you did it all for me!' Hope said angrily. You're a hateful man, Victor and I completely understand why Bo never wanted our children around you. You conspired against him, you even manipulated your own daughter from what I heard. Maybe I would've found it easier to let go of Bo if I knew half the things he and Carly went through because of you and Vivian; who by the way is going to pay dearly for what she was going to do to my child! Aunt Maggie better start reconsidering having you in her life because you are nothing but trash... filth!'

Unable to tolerate being around him a second longer, Hope made her way to the hospital's entrance, in time to see Carly slip her arms round Bo's neck as he lifted her off a wheelchair and carry her towards the car parked in front. Frankie was beside it, holding the back door wide open for him to place her in the back seat. No one noticed her watching or the sudden tears that sprang from her eyes the way Bo smiled down at Carly and stroked her hair. She'd finally accepted the inevitable during the time Carly was in a coma; that she and Bo were never going to belong to each other ever again... especially after what she'd witnessed at the cabin. But still... she thought as she turned away, it didn't make it less harder to bear. She saw that Victor had been walking close behind her and he too was watching the sight before her. Gritting her teeth, she walked away, not wanting Bo to see her.

Bo straightened up and caught Victor's eye, glaring at him.

Melanie, Nicholas, Audra and Frankie followed his gaze then looked back at Bo, wondering what he was going to do. But Bo was far too intent at taking Carly home to march over to Victor for another face-off. Instead he muttered, 'let's get out of here,' before entering the car to sit next to Carly. Melanie and Nicholas got into Bo's car which was parked behind Frankie's rental and followed as it made its way out of the hospital grounds. As he watched them go, Victor wondered for the umpteenth time how he will ever recover from Bo's renouncement as well as his stand in the family, which was now very uncertain.

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Bo's apartment was spacious with two bedrooms and he'd gone out of his way to prepare it ready for Carly. He deposited her in his own room and Melanie tucked the pillows securely behind her.

'I'll be by tomorrow with the rest of your clothes, Mum.' She said after she and Nicholas kissed her.

'Yes, thanks Mel.'

'Bo, meet me at The Java tomorrow, there's a matter I want to discuss with you.' Audra said as Bo showed them to the door. Bo noticed Frankie's face tightening at her words but he nodded. 'I'll meet you there at about eleven.'

'Fine. See you then.'

'See you later, Frankie.' Bo said, facing him squarely.

Frankie only nodded stiffly before following his nephew and niece. Shaking her head at his retreating back, Audra patted Bo's shoulder. 'Give him time, ja? We meet tomorrow.'

Swallowing his hurt at Frankie's coldness, he nodded. 'Sure. See you then.' He shut the door, curious to know what she wanted to discuss with him and again hoping Frankie's forgiveness wasn't going to be a very long way off.

Carly was dozing but she opened her eyes as he entered the bedroom. If she was going to be skittish about them sleeping in the same bed, he was prepared to stay in the guest room in the meantime.

'Would you like something to drink, princess?' he asked.

'I only want one thing.' She replied softly, patting the space beside her. 'Come here.'

Relieved and grinning, he slipped his shoes off and got into bed beside her. Leaning over her as she slipped her arms round his neck, they kissed passionately for several minutes, clinging tight to each other.

'I love you, so much.' he pressed his face against her cheek. 'You have no idea how good it feels to have you back.'

'I love you too.' Carly held on to him, revelling in his warmth and manly strength. 'I can't believe we're together like this... after being so unhappy and scared.'

'Scared?' he ran his fingers through her hair, stroking her face. 'Why?'

Bo, you're the only one... the only man I've ever given my whole heart to. It wasn't just the fear of having my heart broken again... I was scared I might suddenly lose you in the blink of an eye... like I lost Tony. Maybe I've always been strong but it doesn't mean I'm invulnerable. I've taken more than enough pain.'

Bo kissed her forehead, his eyes were damp. 'I'm sorry for everything; I promise I'll do anything to...'

Carly covered his mouth with one hand. 'I've already forgiven you, my love. It's in the past... all of it.'

Filled with emotion, he removed her hand and kissed it and kissed her on the lips again, repeatedly. 'I'll never leave you again Carly, I swear it.'

Carly nodded, her eyes filling again. 'I know.' She smiled shakily. 'I love you so much. It's always been you!' Holding his head, she planted more kisses on his face. For a long time they cuddled, kissing in between as they basked in the wonderful happy moment.

'I have something for you; something from a long time ago. I'll go get it okay?'

At her nod, Bo got out of bed and went to the chest of drawers, bringing out something wrapped before turning to her. 'Close those pretty eyes.'

Carly obeyed.

Bo climbed back beside her, anticipating her reaction. 'Okay... open them.'

Carly's eyes widened and she gasped at what he was holding. 'Oh my God... after all these years you still have this!'

Bo placed the brass bell she'd given him over 20 years ago, polished to its former glory, in her hands. It glittered in the light as she examined it.

'I want us to ring it together.' He explained, cupping her cheek. 'To ring in the start of the future; our real future.'

'Oh Bo...' she whispered, deeply moved.

'So... shall we?'

'Yes.' Carly took hold of the hammer, slowly striking it against metal eight times, green eyes fixed on brown. 'Eight bells...'

'And all's well.' Bo finished, love and joy all over his green eyes looking back at him, once hard and unhappy, were vibrant with love and happiness again; the pain and tears of the past gone and the walls she'd built round her finally broken.

'I'm so happy right now...' she touched his face as he took the bell from her and placed on the nightstand. 'I hope I have enough room in my heart for whatever you have next for us.'

'A life time of happiness and love, Carly.' He took her in his arms again. 'I love you, with all my heart and soul.'

They kissed hungrily, long and deep; legs entwined. Two lost souls finally one again.