Renegade Runaways :: Chapter Thirty Four

Hope didn't want to open her eyes. She had been sleeping hard. She wasn't ready to be awake. She reluctantly opened her sleepy eyes to find Ciara and Bo still sleeping soundly next to her. Ciara's nightmares had not changed. At this point, Hope didn't mind. She loved waking up to see her daughter sandwiched between her and Bo.

Hope sighed with content. She'd missed mornings like this while Bo was gone. She never wanted to leave the bed. It was warm. It was quiet, and most importantly, it was safe. They were all together and there was no where else she'd rather be.

Bo stirred lightly and mumbled, "Hey."

"Hey you," Hope smiled and whispered.

"What are you doing over there?" Bo questioned. His eyes were still closed. Sleep laced his voice.

"Watching you," Hope replied, "You look so peaceful."

"You're too far away," Bo mumbled and began to reach for her, "I'm actually very distressed."

Hope giggled, "Brady, there is a child between us."

Bo opened his eyes and looked down at Ciara. He smiled. He didn't want Ciara to have nightmares any more than Hope did, but the selfish part of him loved that she would still crawl in bed with them when she was scared. He couldn't get over how quickly she was growing up. He pushed the guilt away and reached for Hope's hand.

"Shh," Hope demanded, "You're going to wake her up."

"I demand that you give me a proper good morning," Bo ordered playfully, "I am your husband. You must obey."

Hope's eyebrows shot up, "Excuse me?"

Bo grinned, "Pretty please…?"

"That's more like it…" Hope nodded. She glanced at their daughter still sleeping soundly between them. It baffled her. She rose from the bed and sauntered around the foot of it. She stood with her arms crossed on his side of the bed. She pondered her next move momentarily as her eyes went back and forth between her husband and their daughter. Her thought process was interrupted by Bo's hands on her waist.

He yanked her down on top of him. A soft squeal left her lips as she fell into a fit of giggles, "Bo!"

He silenced her with a good morning kiss. Her legs straddled his hips and her hands rested on his chest. She laughed again when Bo squeezed her butt.

"What are you guys doing?" Ciara asked sleepily as she rubbed her eyes. She stared innocently at them.

"We're just playing," Hope replied soothingly. She reached over to tuck a few awol hairs behind Ciara's ear, "I'm sorry we woke you."

Ciara smiled at them. It had been three years since she'd been able to watch her parents laugh together. She stared at them with fascination.

"Good morning Little One," Bo greeted with a smile, "How is my little sleepy head this morning?"

Ciara's smiled widened, "Good."

Bo held both of Hope's hands and played with their entwined fingers.

"What are we having for breakfast?" Ciara questioned eagerly. She sat up in bed and stared expectantly at her two parents who stared at each other like school children.

"Hungry already?" Bo questioned. He reached for her stomach and tickled her. Ciara fell into a fit of giggles.

"Daddy! STOP!" Ciara could barely speak between laughing and gasping for breath.

Hope smiled, "Is it a pancake or waffle kind of day?"

"French Toast!" Ciara cheered.

Hope nodded, "French toast Brady!"

"Is that my cue to get out of bed?" Bo eyed them both suspiciously.

"Unless you want me to cook it." Hope grinned slyly.

"No!" Ciara shook her head, "We don't."

Hope gasped at her daughter in mock offense.

"To the kitchen we go," Bo smacked Hope's butt in an effort to get her off of him.

"You better watch it," Hope eyed him playfully.

"Or what?" Bo questioned. He pulled her face to his and planted a kiss on her unsuspecting lips before she could dismount him.

"Get a room!" Ciara squealed.

Bo eyed her playfully, "We have one. You're in it."

Hope smacked Bo's chest and Ciara covered her eyes.

"Ew Daddy!" Ciara squealed again, but laughter ensued.

"Bo Brady," Hope glared at him, but a smile was tugging at her lips, "That was so inappropriate!"

Bo laughed. His laugh came from deep inside. He hadn't been allowed to laugh this way in so long.

"I'm leaving!" Ciara announced.

"I'm coming with you," Hope called after her and squeezed Bo's cheek, "Your girls are hungry!"

"I'm coming! I'm coming!" Bo sighed with happiness. He wanted nothing more than to cook breakfast for the two girls in his life. He'd missed having the opportunity to do so. He stood from the bed and stretched.

He could choose to wallow in what happened to him. He could choose to relive it every day. He refused to let it control him. He had a life to live. He had too much to look forward to. Being back home was an adjustment, but it was one he was willing to put in the work for.

He smiled at the sunshine that poured in the bedroom window. He had a pile of french toast to make. As he walked down the hallway he could hear Hope and Ciara's voices and laughter drifting up the stairs. The sound made him feel at home. He was home, and he was happy.