The party had overwhelmed Connor, and he was soon fast asleep. Hope was reluctant to offer his tiny body to Zack's bed, but there was no other place to put him. Bo found her lingering in the doorway, watching Connor's chest rise and fall.
"He'll be just fine. And I'm sure Zack would have been glad to share." Bo managed to lure Hope away from the bedroom and back downstairs. Shawn was in the midst of cleaning up the living room-along with Mimi.
Hope marched right up to Shawn and snatched the black trash bag from him, "Let me handle this, Shawn."
Shawn was about to protest until he noticed his father motioning him into the kitchen. "What was that about?" Shawn questioned once they were in the kitchen.
Bo patted his son's shoulders, "Your mother is still grieving. And having something to do…to focus on, helps her to get through the day." Shawn nodded in understanding. "Why don't you and Mimi head on home. Hope and I will be just fine, ok?"
"Yeah, ok, Dad." Shawn followed his Dad out of the kitchen. He moved over to where Mimi stood, "Let's get going. It's late and we both could use some sleep." Mimi nodded and they both grabbed their coats.
"Have a great night, you two." Bo called out after them. He sighed heavily and turned to Hope, who was purposely busying herself with gathering cups now. "Are you sure you don't want any help?"
Her hands were full of plastic ware as she moved toward the kitchen, "You could get the door."
"Ah." Bo scrambled and held the swinging kitchen door open for her. Then he proceeded to follow her. At the sink, he helped her unload her arms.
She watched him grab a towel to dry some of the coffee mugs. "Bo, I can handle this." She snatched the towel from him. Just then an ear piercing scream erupted, sending the both of them into panic.
Immediately, they deciphered the screamer and dashed up to Zack's room where Connor slept. Hope opened the door just as Connor launched an object at the opposite wall, causing a small lamp to shatter onto the floor. Hope froze, "Oh god!"
The tears in Connor's eyes were more than Hope could bear to look at. Bo wondered what caused such distress in his son. Quickly he was at Connor's side, trying to calm him down. "It's alright, Connor. We're here now." Hope timidly approached him. Connor turned and one look at Bo sent him huddling into Hope's embrace. It was clear to both Bo and Hope that Connor sought to get away from him.
"Bo?" Hope was confused as she tried her best to comfort Connor. Hope looked down at the child clinging to her and ran her hand through his hair. "It's ok, Connor. Bo is your father. It's just your Daddy." She looked at Bo, wondering if Connor understood.
And it appeared that Connor did understand. Slowly he let go of Hope, but didn't reach for Bo-only stared at him. Bo sat still, hoping he appeared nonthreatening. Connor tilted his head at him. "Connor?" Bo softly called out.
"I better clean the mess up." Hope muttered. But as she made a move, Connor's hand latched on to her. She sat by Connor's side, "It's ok, Sweetie…I'm right here." And much to Bo's amazement, Connor then latched onto his hand and pulled all three of their hands together. Bo and Hope could only stare at each other after the action was done.
Eventually, Connor let go and proceeded to lie down. The moment his head hit the pillow, he was deep asleep once again. Bo and Hope realized they still held hands, but neither jerked away. "Hope?"
"I think I should stay with him…in case he has another nightmare." She finally moved her hand, indicating to Bo to leave.
"I'll be on the couch if you need me." Reluctantly, he trudged from the bedroom and made his way to the couch.
Hope turned away from the half closed door and looked at the shattered lamp. "I'll clean that later." Hope snuggled next to Connor and was soon asleep.
The bright sunshine pulled Hope from her sleep. She sat up and looked down to find Connor missing. Again, her insides felt like closing up at the thought of losing another child-even if Connor wasn't born from her and she only had a bit of a week to get used to him. "Connor!?"
Hope dashed from the bedroom, taking two steps down the stairs at a time. She stopped short from the couch when she spotted Connor. He stood-unharmed-and stared at Bo, who was still sleeping. Hope stood still and quietly watched as Connor began poking Bo in the face. The action caused Bo to stir awake, "What the…?"
Connor took a quick step back as Bo sat up. Hope came forward then, "I think he was trying to wake you up."
Bo spun his head around to look at Hope. His breath caught as he took in the sight of her-bed head and casual pyjamas. "Hope?" He was startled upon feeling something climb over him and came face to face with Connor. "Hey there!" Bo smiled, feeling it quite an achievement to have his son reach out to him in this manner.
"I think he likes you better in the daylight." Hope commented. "I'm going to start breakfast, I'm sure the both of you are as hungry as I am." She moved into the kitchen with Connor watching her from his spot on top of Bo.
Bo addressed Connor, "What do you say we go and help her?" But Connor gave no reply at all. He did, however, allow Bo to scoop him up and carry him into the kitchen. "I think he would like to be the Chef's assistant." Bo explained when she looked at them. Bo set Connor on his feet next to Hope.
Hope knelt down with a wooden spoon with some blueberry mix on it. "Connor, would you like to do the honors?" He stared at the spoon, but didn't reach for it.
"Maybe he doesn't know what to do." Bo suggested as he poured orange juice for them.
Hope nodded and proceeded to show Connor. She took her finger and ran it along a section of the spoon, and then she brought her finger to her lips to lick. "Now you try." She had expected him to do so-and he did, albeit quite literally. Connor dipped his finger into the mix lobbed onto the spoon and proceeded to put his finger to Hope's lips. She heard Bo chuckle. Hope leaned back and lowered Connor's hands as she glared at Bo, "I'm glad you find this funny, Brady." But she couldn't stop herself from grinning at Connor's antics. Hope turned her attention back to the boy and tried again.
However, before she could, Connor snatched the spoon from her and shoved it into his mouth. Bo saw the ordeal as Connor began chomping on the wooden spoon, "Whoa, hey there. Don't eat the spoon." Quickly Bo checked Connor's mouth for any splinters. He sighed when all was clear. But the action had upset Connor. "Oh, Connor…hey, it's ok." Bo reached out and hugged his son to him, further strengthening the bond between them.
Hope stood up and watched them. She felt a twinge of warmness toward Bo upon seeing how fast he was getting along with Connor. "Bo, why don't you take him upstairs and get him changed. Breakfast should be ready by then."
"Good idea." Bo stood up and took Connor's hand, leading him out of the kitchen. Hope shook her head in amusement and went back to making breakfast.
Just as Bo put his foot on the bottom step, someone came knocking on the front door. "Well, who could that be?" He looked down at Connor, "Stay right here, ok?" Bo let go of Connor's hand and moved to answer the door. He was surprised to find it was Billie and Chelsea.
"Hi, Bo. Hope you don't mind us visiting." Billie spoke first upon seeing his expression.
Bo glanced to the kitchen door and then to Connor, who was busily tracing his finger along the large post of the stair railing. "Um, sure…come on in." Bo stepped aside and let them pass.
Chelsea brightened up upon seeing Connor, "So…this is the new Brady."
"His name is Connor." Bo informed his daughter.
"I heard that his mother was Gina." Billie commented.
"You heard right." Bo stoically replied.
Hope then emerged from the kitchen, "I've got the first batch in…" She stopped short when she saw Billie and Chelsea. Then she opted to ignore them, and noticed that Connor was still in his dinosaur nightwear. "Bo, you haven't gotten him dressed yet!?"
"I was on my way, when Billie knocked on our door." Bo hastily explained.
Hope waved her hand, "Never mind then, I'll do it." She reached for Connor's hand, "C'mon, honey." He obediently took her hand and followed her.
"She's still upset with us?" Billie clenched her teeth briefly.
"That's an understatement." Bo stole a glance toward the direction that Hope and Connor left.
"So we aren't welcome here. We should go." Billie tapped Chelsea's shoulder, motioning for her daughter to come along.
Suddenly, Hope was coming back down the stairs, "You can stay." She stopped halfway, gave Billie an unreadable look before going back upstairs again.
"Sense the hostility here…" Chelsea sheepishly mumbled.
Bo saw Billie's uncertain expression. "I think having Connor to care for is softening her up again." Billie nodded in understanding.
"So, what's wrong with him?" Chelsea curiously asked. "I mean, Zack didn't talk much either, but he was more vocal."
"Chelsea!" Billie attempted to scold her daughter on the blatant rudeness.
"It's ok." Bo placed a hand on Billie's shoulder. "Connor has some psychological and mental impairment."
"Can he talk at all?" Billie thought that if Bo was willing to share, she might as well satisfy her curiosity as well.
Bo shrugged, "We're not sure. Connor has only been with us for a handful of days, so we think he still is adjusting to us." Connor then came bounding down the stairs in a long sleeved gray t-shirt with a big dump truck on the front and blue jeans-obviously not lacking in the physical department. He jumped behind Bo and settled onto his knees, peering up at Billie and Chelsea from between Bo's legs.
Billie knelt down and held out her hand, "Hey there, little guy."
Hope walked down a moment later, just as the oven dinged. Bo looked over at her, "I just heard the oven go off. I'll take the muffins out." Carefully he stepped over Connor as Hope reached the last step.
Hope held back from snapping at Billie. She feared the mother of a murderer growing close to another child. But she knew it wasn't fully her decision. Chelsea then spoke up, "When I heard about Connor, I went out and bought him a little something. Is it ok if I give it to him?"
Hope consented and Chelsea held out a small football. She leaned down and spoke to Connor, "Look, Connor, your very own football." Connor shied away from Chelsea and the toy she had. Hope stood up, giving Chelsea an apologetic look, "I'm sure he likes the toy."
Bo entered the room, "You guys gonna come and eat, the muffins are getting cold." Hope absently took the football and set it on the table. She scooped Connor up.
"C'mon, let's go taste those muffins." She tickled him and he reacted with a half smile. As she took Bo's hand with her free hand, she quickly shot Billie and Chelsea a look that indicated to them that they weren't welcome.
"Ya know what…we're just gonna go." Billie called out upon seeing Hope's glare.
Bo jerked to a stop, causing Hope to stop. "Are you sure?"
"Yeah, it's no problem. We'll stop by later." Billie flashed a smile before leaving with Chelsea.
"I hope he enjoys the football." Chelsea added. Hope let go of Bo's hand and continued into the kitchen with Connor. Bo glanced from the kitchen door to the front door wondering what just happened. After a beat, he followed after Hope into the kitchen. Connor was already seated and digging into a muffin with his hands.
"Hope, what was that about?" Bo took a seat between Connor and Hope. He began spreading jelly on his muffin.
She acted innocent, "What was what about?"
"Look, I know you're still angry with them."
Hope set her juice down and interrupted them, "Are we going into this again?" She insinuated that he just might get sent back to square one.
Bo clamped his mouth shut. He knew they needed to fully address this issue, but he didn't want to push her the wrong way. Bo then noticed that Connor was looking at them. He certainly didn't want to argue with Hope in front of his son.
Even though they hadn't gotten into an argument, the tension in the air was thick. But how would they know that Connor was sensitive to those kinds of emotions. They still had a lot to learn about him.
Yet, it affected Connor enough to amaze both Hope and Bo. "No fight." They both stared at Connor, wondering if they heard correctly.
"Apparently he can talk." Bo was exasperated and Hope shed a tear and pulled Connor into a hug.
"Oh, we're not fighting, Sweetie!" And to prove it to Connor, Hope glanced over to Bo and took him by the hand, giving it a gentle squeeze. Bo was able to get a hug in with Connor before Connor decided he had enough of hugs. He squirmed away from them, leaving the kitchen and finding his football on the couch. Hope followed Connor, leaving Bo to clean up breakfast.
The rest of the day went by uneventful as did the rest of the week. Bo and Hope took Connor to places around Salem, slowly getting him used to the locations and the people they considered friends and family. Connor had taken an immediate liking to Gran's doughnuts.
However, during the nights was when the majority and the strain of caring for someone like Connor showed. Every night, like clockwork, just as Hope and Bo were about to settle in, he would awaken with his night terrors.
It had gotten so bad, that they both decided to allow him to sleep with them while he adjusted to his new life. Hope wouldn't dare to outwardly admit that she felt grateful to have Connor between her and Bo. True, she had finally given Bo permission to return to their bed, but she wasn't yet ready to resume their love.
For the other mystery surrounding Connor, Bo continued the investigation, getting Roman and Abe's help along the way. But to his dismay, Connor's previous guardians still had yet to come forward.