Reckless Surrender :: Chapter Fifty

Hope couldn't help but smile at the room full of people. She was surrounded by love. Friends and family filled the Brady Pub. It felt like a homecoming, not a wedding reception. She was pleased. The extra sparkle on her ring finger made her heart dance.

"You're glowing."

Hope turned to see Caroline beaming back at her. Hope squeezed her mother-in-law's hand. The truth was, she never saw her any differently. She pulled Caroline into a hug, grateful to officially be back as a member of her family.

"I just love your son so much," Hope replied. She was stating the obvious. Everyone knew.

Caroline laughed, "I never doubted your love for him. I'm just thankful the two of you got over your stubbornness. It was driving the rest of us crazy."

Hope bit her lip, "This time, I think it was more my fault than Bo's."

Caroline shrugged, "You don't have to tell everyone that."

Hope laughed lightly when Caroline winked at her, "It'll be our little secret."

"You two look like you're up to no good," Bo accused as he approached the two of them.

Hope couldn't resist giving her husband a once over. She always did love it when he donned a tuxedo. She grinned at him, "You may or may not be correct."

"We'll never talk," Caroline added, "I've got a few surprises in the kitchen to check on."

"Do you need help?" Hope questioned.

"Oh I have plenty," Caroline chuckled, "I'm too old to be running this show on my own you know."

"Let me know if you need more Ma," Bo replied. His hands found Hope's waist. He pulled her close to his body, "Hello wife."

Hope giggled, "Hello husband."

"I'm so incredibly happy right now," Bo grinned at her, "Thank you."

Hope kissed him lightly, "I think I should be the one thanking you."

Bo gazed into her eyes. He was hers. Forever. How they got there, he could care less, "I don't know what for."

"For everything," Hope shrugged, "For not giving up on me. For being my rock. For making me see how insane I was being."

Bo chuckled, "I'll show you how insane you're being any time."

Hope shoved his chest, "Watch it Brady."

Bo winked at her, "I wouldn't have you any other way."

"What's with all this canoodling over here," Doug interrupted. Bo held his hands up in mock surrender and Hope laughed lightly.

"Daddy, what kind of trouble are you trying to cause now?"

Doug kissed his daughter's cheek and then held his hand out to Bo. Bo gladly shook it.

"I'm happy to welcome you back to the family Bo," Doug said seriously, "As far as I'm concerned, you never left."

Bo felt a swarm of emotion. He'd missed Doug. He'd missed all of Hope's family for that matter. He squeezed Doug's hand at the end of their shake, "Thank you. That' means a lot."

"Well, it means a lot to me to see that smile on my little girl's face. I only know of one man who can put it there," Doug squeezed Bo's shoulder and then added, "It's been that way since she was 16 you know."

Hope almost blushed and Bo's eyebrows raised. He smiled, "Oh I know…."

"Congratulations kids," Doug sighed. He hugged Hope and kissed her once more, "I have some catching up to do."

Hope laughed, "Work the room."

Her eyes followed him. She scanned the rest of the faces. Steve, Kayla, John, Marlena, Shawn, Belle, Caroline, Victor, Maggie, Julie, Abe, Jennifer, and Roman all filled the room. She was pleased to find Jack Jr and Abigail doting on Ciara and Claire in the corner. Happiness filled her.

"We are blessed," Bo said as he watched her survey the crowd that was there to celebrate them.

"So blessed," Hope agreed. Surrender was sweeter than it ever was. The journey to get her life with Bo back on track had been reckless, but they came out on the other side stronger than ever. She squeezed her husband's hand, feeling as if she were the luckiest woman in the world.

"I love you," Bo replied. He gazed at her with longing and adoration.

Her eyes glistened with happy tears, "I love you. Always."

Bo grinned before he kissed her, "Want to cut the cake?"

"I thought you'd never ask."

THE END