Renegade Runaways :: Chapter Twenty Eight

"Where are we Mommy?" Ciara asked quietly.

"We're in a safe house," Hope replied as she brushed Ciara's hair, "It's very safe. It's in a secret place. No one can get us here."

Ciara sighed. She watched her mother in the mirror, "I'm scared. Is Daddy going to leave again?"

"No, baby," Hope shook her head. Her heart ached as she stared back at her little girl's apprehensive face, "Daddy loves you very much."

"He was gone a long time," Ciara replied sadly.

"I know," Hope replied in a tone just as sad as Ciara, "A very bad man was holding him prisoner so he couldn't come home to us, but Uncle Steve found him and saved him."

"Like we were being held prisoner?" Ciara questioned, "And Daddy found us and saved us."

Hope nodded, "It's not very much fun is it?"

Ciara shook her head, "I don't want you to leave Mommy."

"I'm not going anywhere," Hope replied, "And you know what else? A lot of people who love you are here in this house."

"Like who?" Ciara asked. She turned around to face Hope and stared up at her expectantly.

"Grandma Caroline, Aunt Kayla, Uncle Steve, Uncle Shane," Hope began and smiled when Ciara let a small smile loose in response, "Grandpa Victor, Aunt Maggie, John and Marlena…"

"And Daddy," Ciara's smile got bigger. She reached for a strand of Hope's hair. Playing with it soothed her.

"And Daddy," Hope nodded. She caressed Ciara's cheek as she tried to hide her concern for what Ciara had just been through.

"Do you still love him?" Ciara asked quietly. Her voice became sad again. Her dark eyes stared back at Hope.

Hope couldn't help but see Bo in them. She kissed Ciara's forehead, "Of course I still love him. With all of my heart. We're a family remember?"

"But you started dating someone else…" Ciara trailed off. She looked away from Hope.

Hope bit her lip and swallowed once. The guilt she had been trying so hard to conquer swelled up in her chest, "Mommy made a mistake. I was really sad when your Dad was away. I did some stupid things, but I never stopped loving your father."

Ciara absorbed her words quietly and nodded with apparent satisfaction. Hope waited for more questions. She didn't mind them. She was just happy to see Ciara functioning in a somewhat normal emotional state.

"Can I see everyone?" Ciara asked, "I'm not ready to go to bed yet."

"You can stay up for a little while," Hope nodded, "I need to take a shower."

A knock on the door drew Hope's attention to the bedroom doorway, "Come in."

Maggie appeared with a gentle smile, "I was just coming to check on everyone."

Hope smiled, "So far we're doing good."

"Aunt Maggie," Ciara questioned, "Do you think there are any cookies here?"

"I bet we could track some down," Maggie replied.

"Or, I bet if Aunt Maggie isn't too tired you could make some," Hope suggested, "Grandma Caroline could probably help make them taste extra special and delicious."

"I can stay up that late?!" Ciara grinned.

"I think tonight we can make an exception," Hope nodded with a wink.

"Are you sure?" Maggie questioned in a whisper.

Hope nodded, "I think she could use the distraction."

Maggie hugged Hope, "I think we all could."

Hope was finally alone. She sank to the edge of the bed. Her body ached. It ached more than she anticipated. There was no more adrenaline left to hide her injuries. Tears threatened her. She was so thankful to be safe. She was thankful her daughter was safe. She exhaled slowly.

"Hey," Bo's voice called to her quietly from the already open door. He'd been waiting to catch her alone for hours.

"Hey," Hope answered just as quietly.

He approached her slowly. His eyes appeared vulnerable and pleading. He sank to his knees in front of her. She stared at him in silence as she fought tears.

"You're all beat up," Bo managed to whisper through thick emotion. He looked her up and down, finding cuts, bruises, and scrapes on her face, arms, and hands. He was afraid to see what type of injuries were hiding under her clothes.

Hope swallowed in an attempt to gather herself, but failed. Her voice shook, "I thought you were dead."

"I'm sorry," Bo whispered with a broken voice. And he was. When the building exploded, all he could think about was how she was right and he was wrong. He ached for her. He buried his face in her lap, hugging her waist with his tired arms, "I'm so sorry FancyFace."

Warm tears covered Hope's cheeks. She let Bo cry in her lap for a moment. She just wanted a second to breathe and see that he was there with her. He was okay. He came back to her. She exhaled a shaky, but forceful breath and pushed him gently away at his shoulders. His eyes still pleaded with hers.

"Look at you," Hope whispered. Her eyes scanned his injuries. He was dirty. Her heart swelled anyway.

"I never should have left you here," Bo confessed, "I'm sorry. I just… was hell bent on keeping you safe."

Hope reached for his hand. She placed it between both of hers, "I thank God that we're both safe. We're right here. I can't… lose you… again Bo."

She threw herself to him, wrapping both arms tightly around his neck in the process, "I was so scared you wouldn't come back again."

Bo held her tightly as they knelt on the floor together. He was so relieved to have her in his arms, "I will always come back to you."

Hope stopped his words with a fierce kiss. She didn't want to hear it. She was so happy he was alive and safe in front of her. Her anger was long gone. Her worry evaporated. Relief filled her. Her desperation bubbled and her tongue forced it's way into his mouth. She couldn't stop. All the moments she spent wishing she could kiss him one last time came to a head.

Bo felt breathless, but his hands tangled tightly in her hair. His own desperation was evident. He savored her forgiveness. Her realness. He wanted nothing more than to be with her in this moment.

"I love you," Hope whispered. She hugged him again, relishing the feel of his heartbeat on hers as they knelt chest to chest.

"And I love you," Bo's voice cracked. He knew there was a chance he was squeezing her too tightly, but he couldn't help it. He was wrapped up in emotion.

"I'm going to take a shower," Hope said quietly. She stood slowly as her body protested.

"Can I join you?" Bo questioned quietly. He wasn't ready to part from her.

Hope smiled at him and nodded, "I'd like that."

She held out her hand to him and he eagerly took it. She helped him stand and they made their way to the bathroom. Hope turned on the water and waited for the steam to start rising. She couldn't wait for the hot water to hit her sore muscles.

She felt Bo's hands on her body once again. He was undressing her. She let him. His lips kissed each cut, bruise, and scrape he found underneath her clothes. It felt sensual. Healing. She stepped into the shower as Bo undressed himself. The water instantly soothed her.

Bo wasn't far behind. He wrapped himself around her from behind and they stood in silence as the steaming water pelted their skin. Relief washed over both of them. For a moment they weren't running. They were safe, and most importantly, they were finally together again.