Chapter 31

'Not even one little hint?' Jennifer pleaded as Carly moved from rack to rack, choosing swimsuits.

'My lips are completely sealed.' Carly patiently said for the umpteenth time. Two weeks have passed since she'd left the hospital and she felt stronger and back to her old self now to make the trip. She and Bo were leaving town the day after tomorrow and she needed to put together the correct wardrobe; besides swimsuits there were shorts, T-shirts, sundresses and sandals, even though she would probably be barefoot most of the time.

'Leave her alone, Jen; you shouldn't keep asking if she doesn't want to tell us.' Adrienne admonished her, trying on a straw sun hat before putting it on Carly's head. 'This is definitely you.'

Carly examined herself in the mirror thoughtfully then nodded. 'Great. I'll take it.'

'And sunglasses Mum... don't forget those.' Melanie reminded.

'Oh yeah, right...' Moving to where they were displayed, she selected two Christian Diors.

'By the way, have you given any thought of what Lexie told you?' asked Jennifer. 'Just imagine Carly, Chief of Staff!'

Carly was still reeling from the shock; never in a million years did she imagine she would be asked to assume that exalted position. She'd told Bo about it and he said over and over how very proud he was of her. But until they got back fromEleuthera, she couldn't give Lexie a definite answer.

'I asked her to give me some time to think about it.' She replied. 'It's a real honour but I just don't know...'

'Mum, you're a great surgeon; I can't think of anyone else who deserves this, well... except maybe Dad.' Melanie said loyally, squeezing her arm. 'And with you and Bo back together you have no reason to move away now. I really think you should consider taking the job.'

'You all will know my final answer when we get back, including Lexie.' Carly said firmly. 'I don't want to go over anything work related for a very long time. Once Bo and I get there, we're shutting the whole world out.'

The three women hooted loudly, rolling their eyes. Adrienne especially was very glad they were going away; they really needed this trip and it was good to see Carly looking so happy again and the colour back on her cheeks. This time, no shadows of the past to come between them and they could now look forward to the future ahead.

'Just so you know,' Carly said to her quietly as Jennifer and Melanie moved further on to inspect some colourful tank tops, 'I really appreciate you for everything you did for me the whole time I was so messed up and miserable... before and after Tony. I don't think I would've bore half of the things I went through if it wasn't for you especially.'

'Oh come on now Carly... you've always been my friend, you don't have to thank me!' Adrienne protested, hugging her.'And I can't take all the credit, part of the reason you got through was because you forged ahead just like the strong person you are. But I'm glad I was able to be there for you and seeing you smiling again.'

'I have lots of reasons to smile now.' Carly admitted. 'I'd given up on love... I was ready to put Bo and Salem behind me for good.' She shrugged. 'I never thought I could trust him again or go back to the way we were the first time around.'

'Love and Time heals, remember I told you that? That was what brought Justin and me back together after the divorce and anyway, if two people are destined to be together like you and Bo; they find together again... no matter how long it takes. I didn't believe Bo when he came back to his senses but that was because I thought he was just jealous of Tony.'

'I know, but he's explained that; we've done a lot of talking... and I guess we'll be doing more of that while we're gone.'

'A very good idea too, everything out in the open and cleared away once and for all.' Adrienne agreed. 'After that, you'll have absolutely nothing to worry about. By the way, whose idea was this trip in the first place, you or Bo's?'

'Neither, it was actually Audra's.' She'd remembered to thank her sister- in-law before she and Frankie took their leave a week ago.

Adrienne raised her eyebrows in surprise. 'Wow, really? That was very thoughtful of her!' Glancing at Jennifer who was chatting with Melanie she lowered her voice a notch. 'Though... you better not say so to Jennifer.'

'Why not?' Carly asked , astonished.

'Maybe it's my imagination but I don't think Jennifer likes Audra very much. Anytime I mention her name she goes all weird.'

Carly stared. 'You don't think... oh come on, she's in love with Daniel.'

'I have no doubt about that but you got to admit, it's not easy seeing somebody you left at the altar with another womaneither, a younger woman for that matter. How old is Audra, 26?'

'She's 28 but very mature.'

'Obviously, to suggest you and Bo do to her, I hope she and Frankie come back here to visit. I really liked her.'

'She's great and like a sister to me, next to you and Jennifer. And whatever Jennifer's feeling towards Audra right now, I'm sure she'll get over it in time. Now... what have I left out?'

Adrienne grinned knowingly. 'The most important thing but we'll have to go to another store for that.'

Carly realised what she meant and blushed red. Of course... lingerie.

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Audra had assured Bo that there were fishing poles stored away in the garage which pleased him very much, he was determined to win the long overdue fishing rematch with Carly by catching the most fish for once. He felt like a lifer suddenly finding himself pardoned after years of captivity and beginning another journey. And that was his future with Carly; an entire new journey all together, after the mistakes and sorrow and worries of the past. Their time in Eleuthera was going to be like living in their own special, private world.

Roman and Abe openly expressed their envy of his approaching vacation but Roman wasn't pleased Bo was still giving their mother and Kaylathe cold shoulder; he hasn't even informed them that he and Carly were going away, for all he knew they were probably using this vacation as a guise to leave Salem all together. But Abe, when he voiced his suspicion to him, didn't agree.

'If Bo was going to do that, he won't hide it; he'll tell us right away. Stop being so paranoid.'

'He's carrying his grudge too far, Abe. No matter what's happened, this is not the way to behave. He's doing what Frankie did, leaving town without so much as a goodbye to the family.'

'They're both angry but they aren't going to remain angry forever. Carly won't allow that, besides ...Bo won't let her turn down the Chief of Staff position, a job she earned and deserves. Don't worry, buddy,' he patted his old friend's shoulder. 'He'll come back.'

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Since no one was supposed to know where they were going, Bo and Carly turned down Nicholas' offer to drive them to the airport; instead they said their goodbyes outside Bo's apartment building while Dario helped the cab driver put their luggage in the car.

Ciara kissed her father and clung to Carly, her small arms locked round her neck. 'You will come back?' she asked anxiously.

'Oh darling, of I will! We'll both be back before you're another inch taller.' Carly kissed her on both cheeks, hugging her tight. 'And we'll bring back something very nice for you, okay?'

Ciara nodded, wishing she was going with them.

'Have a great time!' Melanie, Jennifer and Adrienne hugged her at the same time, while Roman, Daniel and Brady exchanged handshakes with Bo. 'And we want details when you get back, details!'

'I promise.'

'Take care Mum.' Nicholas hugged her last, rubbing her back. 'I love you.'

'I love you too, Nicky. Take care of Mel and Ciara while we're gone, okay?'

'Time to go princess,' Bo said, gently extracting her from Nicholas' grip. 'Or we'll miss our flight.'

Smiling and feeling so light hearted, Carly climbed into the back seat. Bo took his place beside her and everyone waved frantically as the taxi drove away.