CHAPTER 28

Two weeks' later...

Olivia opened the door, looking delectable in a green sweater and black wool pants. 'Hello, everyone... Merry Christmas!' The Brady family filed in, planting kisses on her cheek. As Sami passed her, Olivia took hold of Sydney and Rafe ruffled her hair, winking.

Carly was standing by the fire burning in the hearth while Frankie was adjusting the Christmas angel on top of the tree; underneath it, presents of several shapes and sizes already stacked. He jumped down the stool to welcome their guests.

'Frankie! When did you arrive in town?' exclaimed Caroline, hugging him after kissing Carly and surrendering her to hugs from the others.

'Last night; even Carly didn't know I was coming.' Frankie grinned at his sister over Caroline's head.

Carly shook her head at him. She'd phoned Frankie to wish him a Merry Christmas and he'd shown up at her door step hours later with a suitcase and several packages and shivering with cold. She'd woken up Olivia and they'd talked far into the night over hot cocoa. Because she knew very well the Bradys would have Christmas dinner with the Hortons, Carly had long planned her Christmas party for December 26th and having her brother around was a wonderful bonus; she and Frankie and Olivia spending their first real Christmas in years with their family.

Roman slapped Frankie's shoulder affectionately. 'I've been wondering the next time we'll see your August ass around here.'

Frankie shrugged. 'Hey, since I started babysitting Olivia's estate; I barely have time to put my feet up. And speaking of August visitors, where's Bo?'

'I'm sure he'll get here anytime soon...' the doorbell rang suddenly. 'That must be him.'

Carly waved Olivia aside and went to answer it; her step steady, her heart not. Since the night of their anniversary she'd hardly seen Bo, only communicated with him over the phone. While she was relived he was putting some space between them for her sake; she'd also missed him terribly. Bo smiled at her when she opened the door; his handsome brown eyes alight; holding a small shopping bag. 'Hi... Merry Christmas.' He drew her into his arms and she kissed him on the cheek.

'Merry Christmas, Bo.' She suddenly noticed he wasn't alone. A young man stood behind, holding a large covered dish and smiling at her shyly.

'Carly, this is Maggie and Mickey's grandson; Nathan. Nathan, Carly Manning.'

Nathan shook hands with her, seeing up close and personal just how much Olivia resembled her mother. 'Pleased to finally meet you at last, Dr. Manning.' He held up the dish. 'Gram sent me with this; it's lemon chicken.'

'That's so sweet of her... I planned to visit but I just get tired easily since I got back. Thank you, Nathan. You can stay for the party if you want.' Carly invited.

'I don't want to intrude...' he faltered as Olivia appeared.

'Daddy!' she hurried to hug him. 'You finally made it... Merry Christmas! Oh, hello... Nathan, isn't it?'

Nathan nodded vigorously, his heart skipping at the sight of the girl of his dreams. Since she got back from Paris, he'd hardly had time to ask her out – thanks to his busy schedule- but he hoped to make up for lost time from now on. 'Hi, Olivia. You look great.' he managed not to stutter.

'Thanks much, what's that?' she pointed at the dish in his arms.

'Alice sent us something; take it to the kitchen will you honey, and get Nathan a drink. He's staying for the party.'

'Righto. Dad, what about Ciara, you said you were going to bring her.'

'She came down with a cold-she's in bed. That's why I'm a little late, just got back from looking in on her.'

'Oh bad luck... this way, Nathan.'

'You look great too.' Bo said softly, touching the cowl neck of Carly's black sweater. Her hair was pulled back from her face, in a sleek French braid. Unable to help himself, he slipped his arm round her waist. But Carl took hold of his hand, as he tried to draw her closer. She simply couldn't trust herself around him.

'Let's not get carried away again, okay?'

'Is that what you call it?' he murmured, the look in his eyes unrepentant.

To her chagrin, Carly felt herself blushing again, her cheeks growing warm. He just had to look at her like that.

'Bo... stop that. Now come on, we've all been waiting for you.'

Taking his hand, she led him into the living room where the family were gathered.

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Victor looked up from the first edition he was reading. 'Yes, Henderson?'

'You have a visitor sir,' Henderson replied, looking rather strained, as if afraid of getting into trouble.

'Who is it?'

Before the butler could reply, he was interrupted by a quiet, hesitant voice. 'It's quite alright, Henderson- I can announce myself.'

Victor slowly got up, staring incredulously at the unexpected and, most certainly unwanted guest; imposing in a glossy brown mink coat and matching pill box hat. 'You!'

Underneath the hat, the face was pale and her smile strained. 'Hello Victor. It's been a very long time.'

'Apparently, not too long. What the hell are you doing in my house; in Salem for that matter?'

'Victor, please. I ... I didn't come back here to cause trouble, I promise...'

'Make no mistake Vivian; I'm not worried about that.' Victor snorted contemptuously. 'Once word gets out you're here, there's going to be a damned lynch mob camped outside my door. So, I'm giving you exactly five seconds to take yourself out of here!' he snarled.

:::::::::::::::::::::::::::

After partaking of the delicious dinner produced by Olivia who'd painstakingly followed the recipes in the cookbook she'd used; the family then exchanged gifts. Carly had luckily done some early Christmas shopping with Frankie before coming home and everyone loved what she'd got for them and vice versa.

'Trust me; Carly I'm going to wear this with pride.' Roman said, admiring the leather bomber jacket he'd received. John, Shawn Douglas, Brady, Rafe and Patch nodded appreciatively, slipping theirs on as well. Except Caroline, the ladies were given Hermes handbags, along with expensive bottles of perfume. The grandchildren were satisfied as well; Will smiled over his Mp4 player, Johnny crowed over his train set, Claire and Allie were already cuddling their porcelain baby dolls and Sydney was playing with her large stuffed lamb. The doll house for Ciara remained under the tree.

Olivia handed her father a package wrapped in sky blue paper. Opening it, he saw it was a hardback copy of The Godfather. 'Read what I inscribed inside.' She directed.

' "Merry Christmas, from your loving daughter. PS: Better late than never."' Bo read.

'I don't get it.' Frankie said, frowning slightly.

Bo smiled, meeting Carly's eyes. Years back; he explained, he and Carly had gone to the movies to see the film one night, both addicted to Al Pacino. Carly had been stunned afterwards when he'd confessed that he'd never read the book and nothing she ever did could make him.

Everyone laughed loudly at the tale.

'I'm going to pay you out for feeding our little girl that story, you just wait.' He warned Carly, who merely raised her chin. 'And you too,' he yanked Olivia's curls making her squeal, 'for your cheek.'

'Here's your present from Carly,' Kimberly handed him another package which felt rather heavy. In a flash, Bo was reminded of what she'd given him on their first Christmas as a couple; a fishing pole, which had caused a lot of laughter because it was exactly what he'd gotten for her as well.

'Wow...it's beautiful,' Roman whistled enviously. It was a chess set; the board made of alternating blocks of polished black and white stone. Each individual chess piece, also made of stone, was hand carved.

'Carly, this is a great present...' Bo said, delighted by it. 'Thanks... where did you get this?'

'In Paris, at an antique store.' She replied. 'It was actually a steal.'

'Right... like these were.' Caroline scoffed, holding up the antique rosary beads she'd received; made up of cabochon emeralds and citrines, the tips of the cross dotted with tiny rubies.

Olivia and Carly opened their presents from Bo last. Bo had gotten Olivia a pair of turquoise earrings. 'Thanks, Dad,' she grinned, slipping them on.

Carly opened the narrow velvet lined box with trembling fingers, removing an exquisite pear shaped topaz pendant in a rose-gold setting, dangling from a chain. The birthstone of November.

Blinking back tears, she smiled. 'It's beautiful, Bo. Thank you.' She squeezed his hand, everyone's eyes on both of them. It was more than obvious that Bo was very much in love with her and they couldn't understand why Carly was stubbornly blind to that fact. But Bo had made them promise not to say anything to her; when he was good and ready, she'll know and they'll officially pick up from where they left off. As far as Caroline was concerned, tonight was good a time for Bo to tell Carly how he felt but then again her son always had a good reason for doing things.

Olivia cleared her throat. 'At the risk of sounding nauseatingly sentimental...' everyone yelled with laughter at her dry tone, 'but I want to say something.' Bright green eyes scanned round all of them. 'I received a wonderful Christmas present tonight, a present no one can put a price tag on. It's this family right in front of me; my parents, Uncle Frankie, all of you... all of us being together like this for the first time in years. Ma told me long ago how you sheltered her and Uncle Frankie when they'd wandered about the world unhappy and lonely. When I first met Dad, I immediately felt so happy and safe because of his warm heart and kindness and after arriving here ... meeting all of you; I knew where he'd gotten it from and...' she blinked back a tear, taking hold of Carly's hand, 'I just want you to know, how grateful Ma and I am, that we have you all to come back to and I am more than proud... to be a member of this fab family.'

Sobbing, she turned to Bo. 'I love you, Daddy...' Father and daughter hugged each other tightly. Carly, wiping her own tears found herself engulfed in hugs from Caroline and Bo's siblings. It was the most wonderful Christmas gift, for everyone present. And they'll treasure that moment forever.

After the emotion in the room had died down, Olivia reached behind the Christmas tree, bringing out a glossy rosewood violin.

'That all being said...' she slipped the instrument under her chin. 'I think this moment should be sealed by a gesture of thanksgiving.'

Everyone sat back expectedly, including Phoebe who was on the carpet between Johnny and Claire. Olivia drew the bow over the strings and began playing Amazing Grace. Caroline sang the first line, 'Amazing Grace... how sweet the sound...'

The rest of the family followed suit. Nathan sang along, watching Olivia the whole time. He was sure, more than ever, just how much in love he was with this special girl and vowed to make her feel the same way about him.

::::::::::::

Several minutes later, Carly was in the kitchen making another round of coffee when Bo appeared at her elbow, making her jump.

'Bo, you scared the...' she laughed softly at what he held over her head. 'You don't give up, do you?'

'Hey, I didn't make the rules! Mistletoe... you know the drill.' Bo's eyes twinkled mischievously.

Carly shook her head at him, exasperated. 'Ah, Bo Brady... what are you doing to me exactly?'

Bo pulled her close before she could step away. 'Sweeping you off your feet.' He said quietly.

'Bo, I...' he silenced her with the kiss he'd wanted to give her all evening, his arms holding her tight. At first gentle, it intensified and Carly found herself kissing him back thoroughly, arms locked round his neck. Coming up for air at last, Bo's hands reached up to frame her face, staring down at the green eyes he loved so much.

I can't take this anymore, he thought suddenly. Tell her, NOW!

'Carly,' he said softly. 'There's something I want to tell you...'

Her eyes widened. 'What is it?'

Bo took a deep breath.