CHAPTER 31

AFTER NEW YEAR'S DAY

'You're sure you feel strong enough to resume practising again?' asked Kayla.

'I am. I'm tired of lying around and now that Frankie's gone back and Olivia's starting school, it would be just me in that house.'

'Oh, Olivia's starting at Salem High... wonderful! But she has a lot to catch up on- being home schooled for so long.'

Carly shook her head. 'On the contrary, she's way ahead, according to the results of her evaluation and the transcripts faxed by those pompous fools that tutored her. She's only going to do a year at SH before moving on to college.' She smiled proudly. 'She's not at all sure what she'll study then but I'll let her make that decision herself.'

'She might major in Business; she does have an empire to run someday, remember?'

Carly changed the subject. 'So... when do I get feedback?'

'As soon as possible, but you have nothing to worry about. This hospital will be more than glad to have one of its former physicians again.' Squeezing her hand, Kayla added, 'I for one can't wait to work with you again.'

Carly returned her smile, thinking just how the role of Chief of Staff suited Kayla so well; just like Tom Horton. Bo had told her in Paris that he'd died peacefully a year after she'd been gone, following a heart attack. Like Shawn Snr., Dr. Horton had been like a father to her and realising they won't be there to welcome her home had made her sob herself to sleep that night. Before coming to the hospital to see Kayla, she'd paid Alice a visit as promised. Alice had cried softly as they exchanged hugs and kisses and kept patting Carly's hand as if to convince herself she was actually there. At 95, Alice's hair was now a blaze of pure silver around her wrinkled but sweet natured face and still very much the voice of reason of the people especially close to her. Her quiet but firm voice always yielded more results than a hundred nagging ones. Very few people dared go against Alice's solid words of advice, including Bo.

Carly had informed her of Vivian's own sudden return and what she'd told Bo, Roman and Shawn Douglas. Alice was visibly troubled. 'But why on earth would Victor defend Vivian of all people? She made his own life a living hell the last time she was here and bearing in mind what happened to you.'

'Victor doesn't care what happens to me.'

'But Olivia is his granddaughter; he should at least bear that in mind, before believing that woman's lies!' Alice shook her head in disgust. 'Victor has done a lot of reprehensible things... but this is too much!'

Remembering how Victor had paid a man to sabotage the elevator at the Salem Inn to kill his own son, Carly had refrained from telling Alice that there was nothing that ruthless Greek wouldn't do. As for Vivian, she'd just like to see her pull anything with Bo and Roman around to protect her.

Leaving Kayla's office, Carly made her way towards the elevators, spotting a familiar graceful profile. 'Lexie!'

Dr. Alexandra 'Lexie' Carver turned, her fine eyebrows rising in surprise. 'Carly, is that you?' she moved forwards, hands outstretched.

Carly hugged her, smiling- again marvelling over the changes in Salem since she'd been gone; Lexie, formerly a police officer, now an M.D. 'How've you been? How's Abe- I was meaning to drop by and see you both.'

Lexie shrugged. 'A Mayor's job is hardly ever done but other than that, we're fine. We have a little boy, do you know?'

'Yes, Bo told me; Theo isn't it?'

Lexie nodded, her eyes not leaving Carly's face. 'And you have a daughter. We've already met. She really looks a lot like you.'

'Yeah, on the outside at least... everything else is Bo all over,' laughed Carly, visibly proud of Olivia. 'To be honest, I wouldn't want it any other way.'

Lexie had an odd look on her face. 'At least you have a part of him, if not him exactly.'

Carly stared at her, baffled at the cool tone. 'What's that supposed to mean?'

Lexie hesitated but then decided to cut to the chase. 'you clearly still have feelings for Bo... but you have to remember what you two have was a very long time ago; he's now married with a family.'

'I can't believe I'm hearing this, and from you!' Carly said, horrified at the insinuation. 'I'm not pursuing Bo, I wouldn't dream of it! How could you even think I am capable of doing such a thing?'

Remembering Hope's tears as she narrated what Nathan had seen, Lexie's heart only hardened. Hope was her best friend, albeit their past differences; she couldn't keep back her resentment at Bo and Carly laughing behind her back.

'Listen Carly, I have no quarrel with you. While I'm sorry about what you must have gone through with that evil man, you have to stop behaving as if nothing happened since you've been gone; Bo is Hope's husband... you have to give her some respect and stop being around Bo so much, even if he's Olivia's father.'

Carly's slanted green eyes stared back at Lexie with the unwavering ferocity of a basilisk.

'Lex, I came back to Salem to rebuild what's left of my life. Bo and I share a daughter, but that doesn't change anything; whatever problems he and Hope have, they'll sort it out... as mature adults with no interference from me.'

'So you deny you still love him.' Lexie persisted.

'Whatever feelings I have... are my own.' Carly said coldly. 'I'm no home wrecker, no matter what you may think. Nice seeing you again.'

Carly stalked away, her heels clicking on the linoleum covered floor angrily. Suddenly ashamed at her behaviour- Lexie hurried after Carly just as she was about stepping into the elevators. 'Carly... I'm sorry if I sounded too harsh. But Hope's my best friend; I have to look out for her.'

Carly's face was impassive. 'It still doesn't give you the right to speak to me like that.'

'Carly wait...'

The elevator doors closed before she could finish. Lexie bit her lip. She'd truly gone and put her foot in it; why on earth had she said all that to Carly; considering all she'd been through all these years and they'd been friends back in the day as well. Why, she'd been the one who'd constantly said that Carly and Bo were Yin and Yang personified- different in backgrounds but complimenting each other so well, very much in love. But Bo hadn't been able to deny his feelings for Hope when she'd unexpectedly returned to Salem, choosing her over Billie Reed in the end.

Now the same thing was happening again; Carly returning from the dead, with a long awaited child Bo openly adored already. But what was the real deal with Carly; that he was more than willing to kiss off twenty five years of marriage? Lexie knew he and Hope were in the middle of the divorce now but she and Abe assumed that somehow Bo will change his mind at the last minute, his love for Hope overlooking their differences. After all, Bo would've chosen Hope over Carly in the first place.

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As the elevator took her to the ground floor, Carly's anger abated; hurt and worry replacing it. If things were going to be hostile and difficult between her and Lexie, maybe she'd be better off working at St. Mary's instead. Lexie had basically called her a home wrecker; going after Bo. If only she knew the dilemma she was in, trying to keep Bo from guessing she was still in love with him. The morning after the party, she'd been relieved to see he'd gone while she was still asleep; she wasn't sure she was ready to face him after that kiss in the kitchen. That kiss had been too passionate to qualify as the usual mistletoe type and she'd kissed him right back, inhaling the manly scent of his aftershave. Forgetting, once again, he was married. But the way he'd kissed her... it was almost like he was trying to tell her something. Come to think of it, he was going to tell her something but Victor's call had interrupted and she never thought of asking him since then. Whenever he called or visited after that, she never asked him what he meant to tell her that night. To be honest, she was afraid to hear what it was.

Hope had moved in with Mickey and Maggie the day she'd signed the new divorce papers, finding the house terribly lonely without Bo. She'd never felt more miserable or so betrayed; Bo walking out on her and Shawn Douglas and Nathan siding with him, encouraging his love affair with Carly Manning. She'd seen the woman in question in town a few times; at the news stand getting a paper, at the pub having coffee with Olivia and at the supermarket shopping. Hope had just managed not to march up to Carly and tell her to her face what she thought of her for taking her husband away from her and ruining her life. She couldn't accept what Bo said; that he would have gone ahead with the divorce even if Carly hadn't resurfaced; he was the same man who'd broken his engagement with Billie just to be with her! No... She tried convincing herself later; Bo was merely trying to get back at her for taking Ciara away. Then on Boxing Night, she'd come down to get herself a hot drink in time to hear her cousin's harsh words; I saw Bo kissing Carly in her kitchen and trust me, the way they were at it, I don't think he was thinking about Hope at all...

Nathan hadn't bat an eye lid on discovering she'd overheard what he'd said. Instead he'd brushed past her without a word and went to his room. She'd spent over two hours sobbing in Maggie's arms over Bo's cruelty. The divorce wasn't even final and he was already all over that woman... most likely sharing her bed, comparing his classy Countess with his neurotic, nagging ex-wife to be. With those thoughts running through her head, Hope began losing weight, her strikingly pretty face wearing a listless look.

'Are you sure you'll be okay by yourself while we're gone?' Maggie asked worriedly. She and Mickey were leaving for a long awaited cruise in half an hour's time. ' I don't feel comfortable leaving you alone like this.'

Hope shook her head, smiling. 'You and Uncle Mickey need this vacation and I 'm not going to be alone... Ciara's going to be with me after all.'

Maggie shook her head. 'You know what I mean, honey... I don't like seeing you like this, especially with the divorce soon going to be final...'

Hope shook her head. 'Aunt Maggie, please stop. I've come to terms with it already.'

'Have you?'

Hope raised her left hand, her wedding ring missing. 'What other choice do I have? What else is there to do except move on? Bo's already done that... with her.' she said bitterly, hating Carly Manning with all her heart.

'It's still feels unreal to me that it's finally over between you both... you've always been able to scale through your differences.'

'Yeah well, over the years there was no Carly standing between us. Honestly, I really don't want to talk about her or Bo right now.' Glancing at the clock, Hope asked, 'Uncle Mickey must have finished packing, don't you think?'

'We did our packing last night; I'll go and see what he's doing- we can't miss that boat.' Maggie got up and went upstairs. Hope reached for the coffee pot which slipped from her fingers and shattered on the floor when she heard Maggie scream. Heart pounding, she darted up the stairs, two at a time.

'Aunt Maggie, what is it?!' she cried, running into the bedroom. Mickey lay on the bed, eyes closed and very pale. 'Oh My God... what's happened, we need to call an ambulance!'

Maggie's face wore the look of death as she shook her head numbly. 'It's too late... he's gone.'

Hope refused to believe it. She felt Mickey's neck and grabbed his wrist to check for a pulse. Nothing. Her beloved uncle was truly dead. Gazing at him, she saw he looked very peaceful in death. It must have come all of a sudden. Her mouth twisting in pain and sorrow, Hope turned to Maggie and the two women clung together, weeping heartbrokenly.

After Mickey's body was taken away half an hour later, Hope phoned the members of the family and spent the rest of the time consoling Maggie; glad that she'd left Ciara at the Kiriakis Mansion. She wondered how on earth she was going to tell Gram and whether or not to call Bo, he and Mickey had been close and now wasn't the time to show any hostility towards him; she needed his strength right. Maybe, although she hated herself for such a thought; this could even bring them back together.

The first people to arrive were Doug and Julie. As they comforted Maggie who was silently weeping, Hope went to the kitchen to call Bo. His phone was switched off and calling the station, she was told he was out, investigating a case. It would be ages before she could get hold of him.

Will soon showed up, followed by Nathan. An hour later, Will's father Lucas.

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Carly looked up from her magazine as Olivia came down the stairs. She looked pale.

'Darling, is something wrong?' Carly asked, concerned.

'Nathan just called me to tell me we won't be able to go out tonight. His grandfather just died of a heart attack.'

Carly was shocked. 'Mickey? Not Mickey!'

Mickey had acted as both her and Bo's lawyer during their trouble with Victor. No nonsense but very kind, he'd been relentless at getting Victor off their backs once and for all. And he'd helped Kayla and Isabella too when they'd been accused of murder. He and Maggie have been married for so long... she must be utterly devastated.

'I want to go over there and see him.'

Carly got up. 'We'll both go. Get your jacket.'

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The house was filled with people when Carly and Olivia arrived. Will opened the door, his face wan.

'Hi, Aunt Carly.' He hugged her briefly and squeezed Olivia's arm.

'Where's Maggie?'

'In the living room, she's really in a bad way.' He shook his head. 'They were going on a cruise today.'

'Oh dear Lord... poor Maggie!' Carly brushed back her tears. What a terrible thing to happen.

Nathan came up, and Olivia hurried to him. 'I'm so very sorry...' she kissed him on both cheeks, hugging him. He held her tightly, fiercely glad she'd come.

Carly entered the living room, scanning the crowd. No sign of Bo. Maggie was sitting on an easy chair, white faced and already dressed in black, Julie sitting on the arm of the seat.

'Carly...' Julie gasped, rising.

Carly shook her hand. 'Julie. I'm sorry we had to meet again under these circumstances.' Turning to Maggie, she knelt in front of her, kissing her hands. 'Maggie, I don't know what to say... I still can't believe it myself.'

'How did you find out?' Maggie choked.

'Nathan phoned Olivia, we came together. If there's anything I can do...'

Maggie shook her bowed head. 'It was good of you to come anyway... thank you, Carly.'

Wiping her eyes, Carly rose. Julie Williams stared at her. She'd heard the whole story of course but seeing Carly alive and kicking was a big shock all the same. 'How are you, Carly?' she managed to ask.

Before Carly could reply, a hand grabbed her arm and a voice hissed, 'Get out of my uncle's house this minute- you whore!'