Chapter 63

As Alice had predicted, she quietly departed from the world two months after Bo and Carly's wedding. The out -of-town Hortons returned to Salem one after the other once word got out that Alice's health was failing; to be by her side during her last moments. The Bradys visited her as well, her room filled with roses; photographs of her children and her husband Tom strategically placed on the nightstand. Alice could only smile and nod at the visitors; her ancient eyes looking at them intently as if to imprint their images in her mind as she prepared for her journey's end. Everyone struggled not to cry in front her and she touched their faces before leaving the room to break down in tears.

On the morning of the funeral, Bo found Carly downstairs already dressed in sober black; her eyes red from weeping.

'Oh God, Bo… what are we going to do without Alice? She's… she's always been here… I can't believe she's gone…'

Bo held her tight, tears falling down his cheeks again. He was still trying to come to terms with the news himself. There could be no one like Alice Horton; ever. She'd lived a long, fulfilling life but it was so hard all the same. She'd been a warm, comforting presence for long and had touched so many people's lives, people besides her own family.

'It's okay, Princess... Shh, it's okay. We have to find comfort that she went peacefully, surrounded by her family and...' he gulped, 'think of the good times she was there for us all.'

Carly sniffled, raising her head to wipe his tears with her bare hands. 'I know how much you loved her especially. I can't even imagine what you must be going through right now.'

Bo ran his fingers over her hair. 'I'm going to be alright. It's hard and very painful... but I have to accept she's passed on and she's now with Dr. H and Mickey and Addie.' He hugged Carly tightly again, so very grateful she was here. 'She lived to witness a lot of things; including seeing you again, meeting our daughter... seeing us getting married at last.'

'I know…' Carly shook her head. 'I'll always carry her with me. There was never a time she made me feel like an outsider; she and Dr. Horton. And the way she kept pushing us together when we both thought it was impossible.'

'Considering I was married to her granddaughter; but you were like a daughter to her too, you always were. I thought I was could never love again but she never believed that. But then again…' he traced Carly's eyebrow with the back of his thumb. 'Mrs H knew me better than I know myself. She never judged, especially when it came to my feelings for you; then and now.' He kissed her lightly.

During the drive to the church; Bo about Mrs Horton again, how she'd seen the good in him when the others, especially Doug, had written him off as a degenerate. How she and Dr. Horton had supported him during his dark period of loneliness and anguish then later urged him to allow Carly into his heart; going out their way to bring them together several times. He clearly recalled the afternoon Alice set them up, making up an excuse for them to be at her house at the same time...

'You're thinking what I'm thinking?' a smile tugged at his mouth.

'Yes, it smells suspiciously like a set up.' Carly agreed wryly.

'That's because it is.' Alice said, entering the room; her tone unrepentant. 'I know you probably think it's sneaky and underhanded of me but I couldn't help myself.' she regarded them both sternly; 'I couldn't stand by and watch the two of you make the biggest mistake of your life.'

'Alright Mrs H, this was sneaky.' He accused.

'I agree with Bo.' Carly added quietly.

'Well,' Alice was still unruffled. 'Thank heaven something brought you together! I've made you a nice pot of coffee and some muffins and I want you to...'

'No Mrs H...'

'Mrs Horton...'

Alice's firm voice smoothly drowned their protests. '...Sit down and talk to each other! I know you don't like it and you probably think it's none of my business. But you know how fond I am of both of you.'

He knew that quite well but he was determined to have his way. 'Well, we're adults; let us handle it our way.'

'Darling, I want so much for you and I wish you felt the same way. I wish you will start giving to yourself... there's so much for you, so much out there, if you'll just let yourself...'

'Mrs H, I already told you why this can't happen...' how many times did she want him to explain; Carly was lost to him, she was soon marrying Victor. He knew very well it was his entire fault but she pointing it out to him only made it more agonising.

'Alright, alright stop it! Just let me talk to Carly.' Taking hold of Carly's hands, she pleaded, 'Carly; I know you've been hurt. You've been hurt by people you love. But if you think accepting Victor's proposal is going to help you get over something... or somebody, then you're getting married for all the wrong reasons.'

'Mrs Horton, I appreciate everything you're saying to me; I do.' Carly's tone was respectful but resolute. 'But that is not why I'm marrying Victor.'

'It's not?'

'Because I care about him; and I know that he'll make me very happy.'

'Oh? Even though you still care about Bo? Wait a minute... now don't tell me that you're not and neither do you because I'm not going to believe either of you!'

He couldn't blame Mrs H for that; he clearly saw a look of longing in those crystalline eyes and he might as well be mentally undressing Carly for all to see.

'All anyone has to do is see you look at each other and see how much in love you still are!'

He watched Carly's face clouding, the look in her eyes earlier suddenly disappearing. Obviously Mrs Horton's words hadn't sunk in deep enough; she was still determined to go ahead with the wedding. On his part, much as he hated himself for it, he was too stubborn to give in to his feelings or take back his cruel words to her.

'Mrs H,' he said as gently as he could, out of respect for her, 'I know you mean well, but we've worked this out; it can't happen.'

'But why...'

'It can't.' Was his firm answer.

'No, it can't.' Was Carly's resigned but equally firm answer. 'You know something, I've reconciled myself with that and Bo has too. So, I'm afraid you'll have to keep this session for someone else.'

'Oh, obviously I won't need it for you and Victor because things are so good between you two.'

'They are good; really they are good! I want this marriage; I'm committed to it, to Victor and I know he's committed to me.' She refused to look at him; he might as well not be standing there at all. 'And that means everything to me, Mrs Horton. I have to go.' She hugged Alice. 'I appreciate how much you care about me, it means the world to me, remember that. Bye.'

'Bye.' He said even though it wasn't him she was referring to but she didn't reply as she closed the door behind her. Alice turned to him, her face sad.

'Mrs H...'

'I don't care what she said. I think Victor's an escape.'

'Maybe you're right.' He bit out. 'But you're wrong in doing this; trying to force something here.'

'Victor is going to hurt her!' she insisted.

'Don't you think I know that?' he snapped.

'Do you?' she said, disbelievingly.

'Yes, I know that! And it's killing me to have to sit back and watch her with him! To think that she's going to marry MY father! Just the thought of her with him Mrs H...'

'Bo, if you feel that way,' Alice was now as angry as he, 'then you get out of there and do something to stop it!'

Bo smiled faintly at the memory, briefly catching Carly's eye. She smiled back, blinking back tears. It was on her mind too.

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Alice Horton's funeral had a massive turnout; everyone in Salem who'd known and loved her filled the church to pay their respects and console the large family she'd left with her. Shawn Douglas, who had been called back, sat with Hope who was silently weeping; Belle, Ciara and Claire with her as well, along with Doug and Julie. Jennifer was present with Jack, Abby and their son as well as Mike, Lucas and the other out of town Hortons. They and the Bradys occupied all the front pews and silently listened as Father Matt began the service. After speaking movingly about Alice Horton and her contributions to the community, those who wished to give a eulogy went up to the pulpit.

Olivia was the last to give a eulogy. 'When Dad first introduced me to Mrs Horton,' she said in her crisp English accent, 'it didn't feel like a first meeting; I felt I'd known her for most of my life. She made me so welcome, was so very kind that I immediately saw why everybody, including my father gave her the respect and love she more than deserved. I may not have known her as long as all of you here...' she swallowed, green eyes bright with unshed tears, 'but I feel like she was my great grandmother as well and I believe, no... know that she's always going to be with us. As long as her spirit remains around us, her memory will never die.'

At the cemetery, family and friends gathered round the casket, each holding a single yellow rose, silent and grieving; some still weeping openly as they prepared to say a final farewell to a woman who'd been a friend and mother to them all. Bo held Ciara in his arms; Carly stood by his right, holding Claire's hand while Shawn Douglas and Belle stood on either side of Hope.

Father Matt performed a brief ceremony, followed by a final prayer. Everyone moved forward, placing their roses on the casket, tears falling down their cheeks. Carly wept silently as she pressed the rose on the glossy casket; the image of Alice's loving, twinkling face vividly on her mind.

'Here's to your next adventure Gran,' Jennifer sobbed, heartbrokenly; a sober Jack keeping his arm round her heaving shoulders.

Swallowing, Hope added, 'I love you, gram. You look out for us, for the rest of our lives.'

Silently Olivia came forward, her violin in her hand. Tucking it under chin, face white but composed, she drew the bow over the strings as the casket bearing Alice Grayson Horton was slowly lowered into the benign earth; her final resting place beside her husband, Thomas with whom she was at last reunited in death. The piece Olivia selected was beautiful but heartrending and brought about more silent weeping from the mourners.

Hope enveloped Olivia in a tight hug when she was done. Shawn Douglas and Ciara moved forward to embrace their mother but she kept her arms round their sister. Hope was remembering the note Alice had left in her bible: "as long as this family gathers together to touch and share and laugh and remember, and as long as our hearts and arms are open to new friends, new loves, then we have everything a human being can hope for in this life and it never ends."

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Later at the wake, Bo kept his eyes and ears open for veiled insults towards his wife but except for frigid greetings from Doug and Julie, which was to be expected, the Hortons were affable enough, especially Jennifer who was very happy to see her best friend again and Nathan used the opportunity to introduce Olivia to Melissa. Besides, with the rest of the Bradys about; they could hardly show any disrespect towards Carly.

'I'm so sorry I couldn't be at the wedding; I still feel bad about missing it.' She said. 'Abby told me all about it; so beautiful... a Mayan beach wedding.'

'it was and I'm more grateful than ever that Alice was there to share it with us.'

Bo was yet to forgive Jennifer for her tactless statement to Carly in Paris but there was no way he could scold her on a day like this. But Jennifer somehow read something on his face. She's always been observant.

'Bo, I know what's on your mind. But believe me when I say I meant no harm; I wasn't trying to warn Carly off- I didn't want her to get hurt that's all.'

'You're Carly's best friend; you know her or I assume you still know her.' His tone was low but harsh. 'You immediately presumed she was going to take advantage of my estrangement with Hope.'

'Bo, this is Alice's wake. This isn't proper, please.' Carly gripped his arm. 'It doesn't even matter now, that's all past tense.'

'No, Carly; Bo has the right to be angry with me. And I'm really sorry.' Jennifer pleaded, distressed at the look on Bo's face. 'it was thoughtless and unfair. And I'm really so very happy for you guys; honestly. I'm glad you found your way back to each other, what you have ahead of you.'

Bo stared her down hard then nodded. 'So long as you mean it.'

'I do, I really do.' She insisted, kissing him on the cheek and hugging Carly. 'And I'm also glad Gram was there, that she saw you again.' She sniffled. 'At least she left with a lot of wonderful memories.'

Carly hugged her consolingly. 'She did. We all had the best of her. And she's with doc now. We must think of them reunited at this moment.'

Jennifer nodded, pulling back to wipe her tears as her husband appeared at her elbow. Carly regarded him coolly; deep down she'd never really liked him. As far as she was concerned, her friend was too good for an arrogant twit like Jack Deveraux; she couldn't believe they were still together.

'Hi Jack.' She greeted, preferring to shake his hand. Jack took her hand but kissed her cheek as well. Carly managed to answer his questions; Jack was just as nosy as she remembered but luckily Jennifer swiftly rescued her by dragging her over to talk with Bill and Laura.

On the drive back home, Carly turned to Bo. 'I hope we have another little girl.'

'We will, princess.'

'What I mean is, I want our next child to be a girl... because I'd like to name her after Alice.'

'Ciara's middle name is Alice, you know. And there's Sami and Lucas' little Allie.'

'I was actually thinking Allyson... with a 'y'. How about that?'

'Allyson Brady's got a nice ring to it, I give you that. What's going to be her middle name? I know you wouldn't want it to be your Mum's.'

Carly thought of Francesca for a bitter second, shaking her head. 'No way. What do you want her middle name to be?'

Bo's mind ran over possible names briefly. 'I like Elizabeth; after Isabella.'

'Allyson Elizabeth Brady.' Carly pronounced each name lovingly. 'Now I'm very sure it's going to be a girl.'

'And she's going to be as beautiful as you.' Taking one hand off the steering wheel, he enfolded Carly's fingers with his. 'She'll come, princess. I can feel it.'

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'We really shouldn't think about Alice's passing in sorrow; more like a celebration of life.'

Nathan rubbed the feet lying on his lap. They'd left the wake not long after Bo and Carly, wanting some quiet time with each other for a while. Nathan had one particular reason for leaving; Lucas and Mike were showing too much interest in his girlfriend that he decided to take decisive action. 'It's still hard, Olivia. She's always been a huge presence; it can never be the same again.'

'I know, darling. I'll miss her too; she became a part of my life within a short time. She taught me how to make doughnuts, do you know?' she smiled faintly. 'The whole time I was so scared they might not turn out like hers; but she just laughed and said it didn't matter if I messed up the first time. But for the most part, I enjoyed the camaraderie; helping out in the kitchen wasn't something I dabbled in back in Alamania. It's deeply cool the simple pleasure you derive from that sort of thing.'

Nathan chuckled. Sometimes Olivia sounded like Bo, but most times like a Lady. He loved her polished accent; everything about her. And he was glad she was here at his hour of need; already he felt some of the gloom in his heart at the loss of his dear great-grandmother slowly ebbing away.

'See? As long as we keep her in our hearts; we can never lose her, ever.'

Nathan leaned over to kiss her tenderly. 'What would I do without you right now? You always have the right things to say.'

Olivia smiled, rubbing his neck. 'Perhaps it's the company I keep.'

'It's hard imagining you living in that huge estate; not having any friends you could hang out with.'

'The only young men around there were the servants and gardeners too terrified of getting caught doing more than say "Good morning" to me; and of course the toffee noses all lined up at parties for Lawrence's approval for my hand...politicians' sons, princes.'

Nathan went rigid with jealousy at the thought of elegantly suited men pawing at her. 'Not one of them struck your fancy?'

'They spent half of the time talking about themselves and the other half grabbing my arse.' She decided not to add that Lawrence beat her after she'd slapped a Senator's son for trying to force a kiss from her. Abruptly she put the coffee mug she was holding down. Glancing at the clock, she got up, reaching for her suit jacket. 'It's really late now.'

'You sure you can't stay the night?' Nathan asked as he saw her to the door. 'I make a great omelette.'

'And then some, from what I've experienced.' Olivia kissed him again. 'But we both know I have over protective parents; one half of them a father who will definitely skin you alive if I stroll into the house tomorrow in these clothes.'

Nathan could picture Bo's rage only too well; she didn't have to tell him. With a resigned sigh, he kissed her, hugging her tightly. 'Drive carefully. I'll call you.'

'I'll call you first, darling.' She said softly. 'Good night. Try and get some sleep, okay?'

Nathan nodded, watching her go to the elevators. Little did he know then he would have to make a very hard choice; a choice he would later come to regret terribly.