Reckless Surrender :: Chapter Forty Eight

Hope woke in a tangle of blankets and barricade of pillows. She rubbed her eyes. She was warm, but without looking, she knew there was a body missing from the spot beside her.

"Good Morning FancyFace,"

Hope sat up and searched the room. He was sitting by the window sipping coffee. He smiled softly at her. She couldn't help but smile back, "What are you doing all the way over there?"

"Watching you sleep," Bo replied honestly, "I didn't want to wake you. I figured you could use the rest."

Hope ran her hands through her hair, "Brady, I'm sorry. For everything."

Bo's eyebrows furrowed, "Don't apologize."

"Yes," Hope insisted, "You deserve an apology. I called you an asshole for crying out loud."

Bo chuckled, "How could I forget?"

Hope stood from the bed, shuffling over to him with wrinkled pajamas and bare feet. He opened his arms and she eagerly sat on his lap, "I'm sorry. You are far from an asshole. I was being stubborn."

Bo kissed her forehead, You? Stubborn?"

She leaned into the warmth of his kiss. Her hands found his chest, "I love you so much. I was being a coward. I was acting like a child. You didn't deserve any of it."

Bo caressed her cheek, "I accept your apology, but I know that our past mistakes have a lot to do with how you were acting. It's okay."

"Yes, OUR, mistakes," Hope reminded, "I've made plenty of them. I was acting like it was all on you."

"Things are different now," Bo nodded, "Right?"

Hope nodded, "Right."

"You stayed," Bo reminded. A small smile tugged at the corner of his lips. She did stay. He was proud of her. Through the entire month of limbo, despite her insecurities, her fear, and her frustration. She stayed. Things were very different.

Hope's eyes glistened, "I stayed," She whispered, "So did you."

"A lot has happened in the last year," Bo replied, "I'm just happy we were in it together."

"Me too," Hope nodded. She didn't regret a single thing. She may have taken the long way around, but she was finally back where she belonged. There was no where else she'd rather be.

Bo reached for her hand, and admired the ring that sparkled back at him, "I can't tell you how happy it makes me feel to see this on your finger again."

"I'm happy to wear it," Hope smiled at him, "I may have put up a relentless fight that might make you think otherwise, but being your wife is one of the greatest things I've ever done."

"When you said yes to Aiden, my heart was crushed. I didn't think you'd ever marry someone else. I haven't hurt that bad in a long time." Bo confessed.

Hope's eyes darkened with guilt, "I'm sorry. I'm so sorry."

She hugged him close. She knew it had to hurt. She would have felt the same way if he had proposed to Carly. She pulled away, "I'll tell you a secret."

"What's that?" Bo questioned.

"After I said yes, I went home and threw up. Then I spent the whole night crying in Jennifer's bed." Hope replied.

"What?" Bo stared at her in disbelief, "Why?"

Hope shrugged, "Because even then, I knew I loved you. Marrying Aiden meant eliminating the possibility of being with you again. I wouldn't have ever admitted it then, but I wasn't ready to close that door. The thought of it was hard to swallow."

Bo shook his head, "We're a couple of idiots."

Hope didn't need him to explain. She nodded, "We are."

He smiled at her, "I love us anyway."

Hope laughed, "We're a team. Of idiots."

Bo laughed with her. They were slap happy. They were in love.

"What do you say to pancakes and some of your favorite tea?" Bo questioned.

"Mmm," Hope's eyes widened in approval, "I like."

"Ciara will be pleased," Bo replied. He helped her stand and swatted her butt, "She's waiting for us downstairs."

Hope's heart swelled. Breakfast with her soon to be husband and their little girl was a perfect way to start the day. She couldn't stop smiling to herself. Many more days would start like this one, and she couldn't wait.