Renegade Runaways :: Chapter Thirty

Hope had been reluctant to leave Ciara with Kayla and Steve at a hotel in New Orleans, but Bo had convinced her Ciara would be safe. John and Shane were just down the hall, and with Maggie and Caroline stopping in to dote on her every chance they could, Ciara would barely have time to notice they weren't there.

Hope didn't think so. She knew her daughter. She would ask about them. If she fell asleep, she would have a nightmare. She needed both of her parents. She twisted her fingers together in her lap as Bo pulled the car to a stop at their destination.

"FancyFace…" Bo said softly. He reached for one of her hands to stop her fidgeting and smiled knowingly, "It's just for a couple of hours. She'll be okay."

Hope's eyes searched his. She wanted him to be right. She knew they needed this. She exhaled slowly and tried to smile, "I'm sorry."

Bo shook his head, "Don't be. You're the best mom I ever could have hoped for to be the mother of my children." He kissed her hand. She finally managed a small smile. He smiled at her, "Now, look at that view."

Hope turned to look out the passenger window in the direction he pointed. The view took her breath away, "There it is…"

Bo's smile turned into a grin, "Oak Alley."

It had been so long. Bo couldn't resist taking her there. New Orleans wasn't very far off their route on the way home. After every thing that happened, he was certain that pressing the restart button on their relationship should be done in the place where it all began.

"Let's go," Bo squeezed her hand in excitement.

Hope stepped out of the car and gladly accepted his outstretched hand. With their fingers intertwined, they quietly strolled down the path of giant oak trees lost in the same memories.

"It's so beautiful," Hope whispered.

Bo slowed their stroll. He kissed the back of her hand again, "You're beautiful."

Hope shook her head. She reached for him, pulling him into a secure embrace, "I'm so happy to have you back."

Bo sighed into her hair. It was exactly where he wanted to be. He pushed her away and tilted her chin up, "I have something very important to ask you."

Hope's eyebrows furrowed, "What? It sounds serious."

Bo nodded, "It's very serious."

"What?" Hope's face fell, "Bo, what's wrong?"

He swallowed once, suddenly nervous. He cleared his throat and attempted not to fidget.

"Brady, you're scaring me," Hope watched him nervously, "Whatever it is, just say it."

Bo dropped to his knee, and was caught off guard when tears stung his eyes, "Hope. I can't take you home until I can officially call you my wife. Will you marry me?"

Hope gulped as she stared at the wedding ring he held. It was the exact same one she'd worn for many years. She took it off and hid it away while he was gone because looking at it hurt too much.

"Bo, where did you get that?" Hope questioned. Her own tears stung her eyes. She gently reached out to touch it with her index finger as if she were imagining things.

Bo smiled, "I had more than one mission when I went to save my mother."

Hope smiled at him, "Bo…."

"Say yes," Bo begged and demanded at the same time. He was squirming as he knelt in front of her.

"Of course I say yes," Hope almost laughed at the absurdity of it all.

"I never want to be separated from you, from this day forward," Bo stood and slid the ring on her finger, "Loving you… and dreaming about coming home to you is the only thing that kept me alive in Peru. I don't want to screw this up. Not again."

She kissed him, eager to seal the deal, "I'm an idiot when you're not around."

Bo laughed, "I doubt it. You're perfect in my eyes."

Hope let a few of her happy tears loose, "You're so wrong. I need you."

Bo nodded in agreement, "I need you too."

She kissed him again and then stared at the ring that finally reclaimed its rightful symbol of joy and happiness.

"What do you say?" Bo sighed, "Should we go get hitched?"

Hope gave him a puzzled look. She was still reeling from his surprise proposal.

"Come on, everyone is waiting." Bo smiled and grabbed her hand.

"What?" Hope questioned, but didn't have time to elaborate as Bo rushed her towards the mansion.

They were greeted by their daughter running out of the front doors in a beautiful cream dress.

"Daddy! Daddy!" Ciara screamed in excitement, "Did she say yes?"

Bo lifted Ciara and gave her a squeeze, "She said yes, alright."

"You look beautiful honey," Hope said in awe, "Where did you get that dress?"

"Aunt Maggie," Ciara replied proudly, "Daddy has been planning this surprise. She has a dress for you too."

Hope's eyes lit up, "Bo Brady..."

He smiled, "I'll see you soon?"

"No touching the bride," Ciara ordered, "You can see her at the alter."

Bo placed his daughter back on her feet, "Yes ma'am."

"Hey Brady," Steve called from the doorway of the mansion, "You coming to suit up or what?"

Hope smiled and looked at Bo, "I can't believe you did this."

"I'd do anything for you." Bo shrugged, "See you soon."

Hope sighed like a school girl as she watched him walk away. He'd had that way about him since the beginning. Ciara grabbed her hand, "Mom, all of the girls are waiting for you. Let's go!"

Hope laughed, "Okay, okay!"

A couple of hours later, Hope smiled at herself in the mirror. She stared at all the women in the room that stared back at her. They all looked beautiful. Her eyes met with each one, silently thanking them. Her heart was full.

"I propose a toast," Kayla announced.

Marlena topped off everyone's mimosa.

"You look radiant," Maggie smiled, pleased with the dress she chose.

"You know how to shop," Hope winked at her.

"To Hope," Kayla sighed and raised her glass.

"To friendship," Hope shook her head, "I wouldn't be here without any of you."

"Family," Kayla corrected. She meant it.

"To family," Marlena agreed.

"To everlasting love!" Maggie cheered, and echoes of agreement erupted.

"To fairytales," Ciara added as she raised her sparkling cider.

Hope giggled. She felt like she was in a fairytale. They all clinked their glasses and took a sip.

A knock on the door made Hope look at each of them as her eyes questioned who would be at the door.

"Who could that be?" Caroline wondered out loud. She went to the door with a knowing smile.

Hope almost squealed when she saw her father standing on the other side, "Daddy, what are you doing here?!"

"I heard my little girl needed an escort down the aisle." Doug grinned.

Hope rushed to him and hugged him tight, "I can't believe it."

"I wouldn't miss it," Doug reassured and kissed her forehead.

"Shall we?" Maggie grinned.

"We've got a wedding to attend!" Marlena cheered.

Hope felt familiar butterflies as she followed the rest of the women down the hallway. At the top of the balcony, Hope looked down to see a beautiful arrangement of flowers and candles in the grand room below. She watched her daughter throw rose petals, but her eyes couldn't stop coming back to meet Bo's. He stared at her in adoration. Her heart raced. Flanked by John, Steve, Shane, and Victor, he waited patiently for his bride.

Hope squeezed her father's arm.

"Ready?" Doug smiled.

Hope looked back down. A room full of love stared back at her. In that moment she forgave herself. She nodded once, "I'm ready."