Chapter Four: Starting From the Beginning

Bosco watched her as she packed her bag. He knew she would leave him one day. He'd know since the day he met her in that run down bar in south Houston. She was too classy for a man like him. They had been fighting a lot lately and the pressure had gotten to both of them. Maybe this was for the best. Her father was a judge and could protect her and Ethan from whatever danger was here in New York.

"I don't want you to leave mad." He said from the door.

"I'm not mad Maurice, I'm hurt." She turned around and looked at him. "You and I have come a long way in the past few years. I thought we didn't keep things from eachother anymore?"

"I wasn't keeping it from you for anyother reason is that I didn't want you to worry about Brendon and Grace while you went to get Sully." He took a step into the room. "I didn't want you to have to have the Finny's on your mind while driving those mountian's."

"Then why didn't you tell me the minute I got back."

"I was busy." It wasn't the answer she waned or was willing to except. She returned to packing.

"I know that Chris disappearing was a real hard thing to take but you've taken out your fowl mood on me and Ethan over and over. I can't take it anymore Maurice. I think it's best that I go back to Texas and see what there is for me there."

"So you're just going to leave me. Just like that."

"Just like that? You make it sound like we haven't been living in the same house for the past six months. Damn it Bosco." She sat on the bed and put her head in her hands and ran them through her blond hair. "I just can't take living with the son of a bitch you were five years ago." He knew she'd talk to Faith and others about the way he used to be. "You yell and you go off and I don't know you anymore." She stood. "I know you didn't want this baby. And I'm sorry that it's come at such a bad time. But you know how I feel about things happening for a reason. Maybe this was a wake up call. To make me see what you've become in the last few months." Bosco knew she was right. He had become the man he promised himself he would never become. Not quite his father but damn near close. Rose would have his ass if she knew how her son had treated his wife.

"There isn't anything else to say but I'm sorry Randi." He sat on the bed and looked at his wife. "I love you and Ethan more then anything in the world but what's going on here is going to destroy a lot of people."

"Including us." Closing her suitcase. "If I leave today Maurice…I won't be coming back." She looked at him with the eyes he fell in love with. So clear he could see tomorrow and all the tomorrows they could share together.

"I guess this is good-bye then." Bosco walked to the door and turned around. "Take care of yourself and Ethan." Miranda knew he was protecting them and himself but it still hurt to see him walk away like that. Without a backward glance even. She grabbed another bag from the closet and headed to Ethan's room.

Sully was waiting at the bottom of the steps when Bosco came down. He looked at the young smart ass he grew fond of over the years. He wasn't the young man he used to be but he still had the anger of that young man of so many years ago.

"Get you ass back up there and make things right."

"I tried. She's a stubburn fool."

"Look who's talking. Bosco you lit up when that woman pulled into the drive way. She has held you together and you need her as much as she needs you."

"I can't have her getting in the way, risking her life and our childrens."

"Childrens?"

"She's pregnant Sully. If she goes to Texas she'll be safe."

"If she goes to Texas she'll be gone. Damn it Bosco put away your damn pride and let her help you though this. You made her come and get me to help. Don't let her get away. We'll keep eachother safe. I promise I won't let anything happen to the rest of you. Not while I'm here."

"How can you gaurentee that old man?"

"I stake my life on it. Also I let my chance at happiness slip away with Tatianna. I will not let your happiness slip away the way I did. I'll keep you safe or die trying." Bosco looked at the man he had looked up to for more years then he would admitt. He knew Sully was right. His mind wouldn't be in the game if he let his wife leave.

"Okay, you win." Bosco tuned and headed back around and headed upstairs. "If she shoots me just let me bleed ok."

"I have a feeling your blood is the last thing in the would she want's to clean up off her carpet." Bosco laughed and headed into his sons room.

"Randi…" She was on the floor. Head in her hands crying. "Couldn't do it could you?" He slid down next to her. "Niether can I." He put his armaround her and pulled her into his arms. "I love you so much baby. I tried to let you go. I can't. I just can't live without you here with me."

"I knew you couldn't." She sniffled and rubed her face deeper intothe crook of her husbands neck. "We're going to find out what the hell is going on if we have to start from the beginning."

"I do what this baby Randi. I do want a little girl with your strength and beauty."

"And your attitude."

"Yeah. I love you so much I felt that if you left you'd be safe."

"No one's safe." Randi and Bosco looked up to see Sully standing in the door way.

"Yeah. I think we're all in this up to our necks." Bosco looked at the man he admired for more years then he could remember. "Let's figure this out so we can live happily ever after."

"Amen to that." Sully wished he still belived in happily ever after. But for Bosco and Randi's sake he'd fake it.