Chapter Thirty-Five

"Here, let me do that," Bo said taking the key to unlock their apartment. Len had just dropped them off, and Bo was finally home.

Nora entered first and turned on a lamp. Bo followed and looked at the familiar surroundings.

"Welcome home, Sweetheart," Nora told Bo wrapping her arms around him again.

"Oh Red, it's so good to be home...you just can't imagine...and...to finally be alone with you." He pulled her close and gave her a long, intimate kiss.

When she finally pulled back she placed her hands on either side of his face again.

"I just can't believe you're really here. Maybe you should pinch me so I know it's true."

"I'll pinch you and you can pinch me back...how's that for a plan?" Bo asked grinning at her.

"Actually," Nora began with longing eyes as she unbuttoned his coat, "I had something a little more physical in mind…"

"Mmmm...just when I thought today couldn't get any better…" Bo responded with a husky voice. He kissed her longingly before adding, "I need a hot shower though...I smell like a train."

"Like a train?" Nora laughed. "Well, we can't have that," she said kissing him again. "Okay...while you get your shower I'll make you a drink...bourbon? brandy?"

"A brandy please," he said as he hung up his coat. "I won't be long," he added as he made his way to the shower.

Nora turned off the bathroom light and found Bo in the bedroom looking out the window enjoying his brandy. She walked up behind him, wrapped her arms around his waist, and leaned her head against his bare shoulder. He turned and pulled her into his arms. She loved the comfort of his broad chest. She still couldn't believe he was home.

"Mmmm...you smell so good," he whispered, "...much better than an army barrack full of snoring soldiers."

Nora laughed. "Well, I certainly hope so," she replied.

"A blue nightgown," he murmured. "Is this the one with the wispy top…?

He opened her robe and looked. "Ah, yes...this is the one. I used to picture you in my mind wearing this almost every night before I fell asleep. On other nights, I pictured you in that corset…" he said raising his eyebrows.

"Well, I'm glad you like this one...it's the only one full enough to cover my tummy," she said playfully. "And the corset? I'm sorry to say, honey, but you won't be seeing that one for awhile."

Bo smiled and looked deeply into Nora's brown eyes. Suddenly he wanted her so badly. He couldn't wait any longer. He pulled her satiny softness close to his body and placed lingering kisses on her mouth and down her neck. His breath felt hot on her skin rekindling the passion in her that had lain dormant for months. She drew her body close to his and ran her hands up over his chest and around his neck. His mouth found hers again and their kisses became more passionate, more hungry, more devouring...

Nora pulled Bo by both hands to their bed where they finished undressing. Then he laid her beneath him continuing his pursuit of her, touching and caressing her, exploring... His warm hands felt like a fire to her, quickening her passion with his touch. It had been months...his body was now aching for her and hers for him.

He pulled back for just a moment and asked in a husky voice, "Is this okay...for the baby I mean…?"

"Yes, it's fine" she said breathlessly, pulling him to her again.

They made love with a fervor, trying to make up for all of those empty, lonely nights. Bo tried to reign himself in a bit considering Nora's condition...he wanted to be more gentle, but it was no use. He wanted and needed her so badly…

When the rush was over, he once again covered her with gentle kisses and looked into her eyes. "I've missed you so much," he whispered.

She ran her hands gently up his back. "I've missed you too...and...somebody else has been missing you. Did you feel that?" she questioned softly, smiling at him.

"What?"

"You woke the baby. You didn't feel that? All that kicking and rolling around?"

"No...I guess I had my mind on other things…"

"That you did…" she laughed. "I need to roll over," she said trying to get comfortable.

"You okay, honey?" Bo asked worriedly.

"I'm fine...it's just that...I can't lay on my back for very long...it gets uncomfortable."

"Why didn't you tell me? Are you alright?"

"Bo...stop worrying. You're starting to sound like Selma," she told him.

"Well, that wasn't nice," he grumbled. "I just don't want to hurt you or the baby. Now...the doctor actually said we could…"

She giggled at him as she snuggled closer. "Yes, he said we could...it's perfectly normal. Now, give me your hand," she told him. She laid Bo's hand on her stomach at the last place she felt the baby kick. It wasn't long before Baby Buchanan gave another hearty kick.

Nora smiled as Bo's eyes lit up. "I felt it! That was a good kick! Does that hurt?"

"No. It doesn't hurt. Sometimes the baby rolls from one side to the other and I feel the stretching inside, but it isn't painful."

Bo was in awe. He got down where he could lay his cheek on Nora's belly.

"Hi Baby. This is your Daddy. Do you have another kick for Daddy?" He rubbed his hand across her stomach and jiggled it. "Come on...wake up." He jiggled her stomach again and felt another hearty kick. Then Baby Buchanan str-et-ch-ed and rolled across Nora's belly.

"Did you feel that?! That was amazing!" Bo exclaimed excitedly. "He's a strong one! Or she…"

Nora laughed at his excitement and caressed the cheek that wasn't lying on her belly.

Bo peered up at her as he encouraged the baby to kick some more. Finally he told the baby, "You go to sleep now. Daddy has to go so he can snuggle with Mommy. Sleep good...Daddy loves you." He finished by placing a tender kiss and caress on Nora's belly.

He lay back next to Nora and wrapped his arms around her. "Is it possible to love that little person that I haven't even seen yet?" he asked.

"Oh, yes," she answered with tears in her eyes. "I've been loving this baby since the doctor told me it was there...before I ever felt the tiny flutters and kicks." She caressed Bo's cheek. "This baby has kept me company through a lot of lonely nights...we've had lots of long talks and...I told it all about Daddy…" she whispered.

Bo kissed her tenderly. "I'm so glad to be home so that I can share this with you. God's been good to me, Red...taking care of me there...and bringing me back to you. I'm so grateful…" he said, his voice cracking with emotion.

"Me too," she whispered. "Me too."

To be continued...