11. Keepsake

He felt like a kid in a candy store waiting for his wife to come home so he could surprise her. He would pace the floors and double check his watch…nearly racing to the window every time a car would come down the street. It seemed to take hours…or at least it felt that way…but finally her key was in the door. He didn't wait for her to step fully into the house before he pulled her into his arms…his lips traveling across the familiar valley of her mouth…kissing her until she was breathless with passion.

"Did somebody miss me," she joked, when they finally pulled apart?

"Like crazy," he admitted.

"What's going on? You have that look on your face. What are you up to?"

"Me? What makes you think I'm up to something? Maybe I just missed you."

"Uh-huh. Then why are you so anxious?"

He paused as he looked into her eyes once more…it was in this moment when he wished she didn't know him quite so well.

"I have something to show you," he finally said, taking her hand.

He led her up the stairs and into the room that would be their baby's nursery. Nora's eyes filled with tears as she looked at the room. "It's finished. You finished the nursery. Oh Bo…it's beautiful."

"Come with me," he indicated, and she followed him to the other side. She was looking at a basinet. "Did you make this," she asked?

"Asa did…it's where Clint and I slept when we were little. It's survived all these years. I think our child should have it."

She suddenly threw her arms around him then…a mixture of tears and laughter in her voice. "I love you Bo Buchanan."

"One more thing," he said, handing her a small box. "This is for you…this is our keepsake."

Inside the box was three lockets…they held the same pictures…one side was a shot of them when they got married this last time…the other side was blank.

"When our child is born, we will put her picture there. We'll save the locket for when she grows up. "

"You got one for all of us?"

"I think it's important for all of us to feel close to each other even when we aren't together…we are a family Red. I want you to always feel that."

"I do feel that cowboy…I feel your love…and it's just as heartwarming now as it was when we first got together. You're the most romantic man I've ever known."

He gave her a half smile and she took his hand. "Don't be embarrassed…It's true…and I happen to like a man who isn't afraid to show his vulnerabilities. In fact, I think I might know how to take care of his current one…"

"And what might that be?"

"Fear of failure…you aren't a failure Bo…you're the only man I will ever want for the rest of my life. Let me prove it to you."

"I love you Red," he whispered, moments later, while she was lying on his chest…a smile of contentment spread across her face.

"I could feel how much you love me," she joked. She was referring to the intense way they had just made love.
"And I hope you felt how much I love you right back."

"Does this answer your question," he asked?

Her face conveyed all the emotions she was feeling as he held her in his arms…her body cocooned with his as he drove himself inside her again. "Maybe you should tell me again just to be sure," she said.

"I'll do that," he agreed.

And just like it always was with them, they were soon spending the night making love until they were exhausted…snuggling together until they drifted off, their fingers still entwined.