Chapter 68

Carly was already home when Bo got back in the evening, he found her in the kitchen making dinner.

'I'm not as good as Olivia at this,' she said as she drained the water from the pasta. 'But I think I did a pretty good job.'

'Smells pretty good too,' Bo kissed her neck. 'Just like you.'

'Flattery isn't going to get you any play; Bo Brady. At least not right now.' She grinned as he made a face.

'Speaking of Olivia… the house's been so empty without her.'

'I know.' Bo rubbed her shoulders. 'But at least she'll be home soon and between us, she'll be using her leg again in no time.'

Carly nodded as she checked the marinara sauce and turned off the heat. 'I know. But Olivia and Ciara being in that accident… my God, Bo… I can't stop thinking about how we almost lost our girls that day.'

'Hey… hey…' Bo turned her round, hugging her tightly. 'It's behind us, okay?' He stroked her hair. 'Nothing's ever going to happen to them again; you just believe that.'

Carly sighed then nodded, praying he was right. She had lost Nicholas and he had lost Zach; no way in hell they would've been able to handle the loss of their daughters. These days she was beginning to wonder their lives were far too perfect… that fate could rear its ugly side again like it did when they were younger.

'I'm going to try to.' She promised, her arms round Bo's neck. 'I just don't want any more drama… Bo; especially with the baby we're expecting now.'

'Then Harry Potter should lend me his wand sometime and I'll be able to make a wish for a no- drama life.' He chuckled, caressing her stomach again.

'You're so silly…' Carly kissed him full on the lips, pressing up against his body. All of a sudden Bo wasn't hungry for food; Carly's ultra-soft, jasmine scented skin always set him off. His returning kiss grew urgent and passionate, leaving her mouth to devour the side of her neck, his hands caressing her body before slipping them under her legs to pick her up.

'What are you doing?' Carly asked, holding on to him as he carried her to the living room.

'What do you think?' he growled, hotly capturing her lips again before lowering her on the couch.

'Dinner…' Carly protested weakly.

'Screw dinner. I'd rather make love to my wife right now.'

Bo laid her against the cushions; with the deep desire he felt for her, the bedroom seemed so far away. Keeping his mouth on hers, he undressed her before taking off his own clothes. As he moved on top of her, Carly let out a giggle.

'What?'

Carly inclined her head and he turned his head. Phoebe was sitting on her haunches, watching them with great interest.

'Beat it, Pheebs.' Bo ordered. Letting a dog watch them have sex was not an experience he planned to try out.

Phoebe scornfully yawned in reply.

'Shoo, Phoebe- now.' Carly intervened. With a grunt, Phoebe stalked out of the room.

'I swear,' Bo fumed as Carly giggled helplessly against his neck, 'that dog's a bark away from being homeless. So, where were we?'

Carly captured his mouth, and he immediately lost himself in her essence.

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Olivia was restless. She tried reading the book EJ had brought her but all she could see was his face; especially his expressive eyes and the way they'd looked when he said he loved her. When you feel you're ready, absolutely ready… I want you to answer the question in your heart, Olivia.

Olivia sighed in frustration and reached for her cell on the nightstand, dialling a number. After three rings, Tamara answered. 'Hey Sweetie.'

'Are you in the middle of something?'

'Just watching a movie. What's on your mind?'

'EJ DiMera.'

Silence at the other end. 'What?'

'He came to see me today and… he sounded so sincere, Tamara.'

'Did you take stupid pills today or something?' Tamara snapped. 'How can you actually believe anything he says, you of all people?'

'He's gotten to me somehow, completely gone past my barriers; now I can't get him out of my mind. And it's not like I want this to happen; I still love Nathan.' Olivia insisted. As she said it, it no longer sounded true. She thought more about EJ than Nathan now.

'Then tell him to leave you alone; you aren't interested.'

'Tamara, he saved my life; twice. And you should see him; he's really been so sweet and considerate…'

'He's a DiMera; a DiMera! A wolf in sheep's clothing… you can't let him into your life; he'll hurt you Olivia! You can't be thinking of doing this.'

Olivia shook her head. 'I'm confused all over again, Tam and for the first time in my life I really feel so lost… I don't know what to do. It's not like I can talk to my Mum and Dad about this.'

'Forget telling Bo… he'll skin EJ alive; make no mistake! I don't know what else to tell you Olivia; you've always been able to make great decisions on your own.'

'But this one's a toughie.' Olivia paused then finally admitted, 'I'm afraid I might be falling in love with this man, Tamara.'

'Oh shit….' At her end, Tamara shook her head, furious with EJ for putting her best friend in such a dilemma. 'What are you going to do?'

'I need to get away from town for a while; go somewhere when my leg heals. When I decide where to go, you'll come with me, right?'

'Of course I'll come with you; I got your back, always.'

'Thanks love.'

'Try not to think so much, get some rest. I'll call you in the morning.'

'Okay, good night Tam.'

'Good night, sweetie.'

Olivia opened the book on her lap again. Yet, EJ strongly remained in her mind.

And at the DiMera mansion, EJ was thinking of Olivia as he lay in bed, staring at the ceiling. Every day not seeing her was a torment to him; far more than whatever he'd felt for Sami. He was more of Olivia's captive than she was his; he belonged to her because she'd stolen his heart from the moment he'd seen her through the Pub window. He should have kissed her that moment in the hospital room, somehow he had the feeling she was softening towards him despite her fear of being hurt again. But until she stopped thinking about Nathan Horton, the next phase won't happen.

The cell phone's sudden ring startled him. Glancing at the caller ID, his heart leapt. Pressing 'answer', he sat up. 'Olivia. Hi.'

'Hello. Where you sleeping?'

'Way too early for me. How are you?'

'I'm fine, I suppose. I got your number from Lexie; I hope you don't mind.'

EJ chuckled. 'Mind? I was actually thinking about you.'

Olivia bit her lower lip. 'I was thinking about you too.'

EJ smiled tenderly. 'You were?'

'You've been very kind and I appreciate that… I really do. But…'

'No buts… Olivia, please.' EJ gently interrupted. 'I told you I won't force anything on you. But I don't you to write off the possibility either. The heart's a very strange thing; it tells us things we never thought we'd hear.'

'And you're an example?'

'I fell in love when I thought love was an illusion. And it's real, Olivia. I need you to see what's in your heart before you make a decision this time. Please.'

Olivia sighed; he had a point… of some sorts. 'Alright… I will. I'm holding you on your promise though.'

'You have my word; no force, no pressure.' In his heart, he prayed Olivia's decision will be positive this time around. He needed her so much.

'Well umm… take care of yourself. And thanks for the book; I'm reading it right now.'

'Anything you want is yours for the asking.' He said emotionally.

Olivia swallowed, more consumed by his words, yet more confused than ever. 'Good night then.'

'Good night… darling.'

Olivia hung up, not looking forward to the long night of thinking.

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Carly smiled, stretching languidly as Bo slowly rained kisses down her naked back. 'You're a very bad influence.'

'Is that what you call it?' Bo murmured, nibbling her ear. 'I thought it's one of my finer qualities.'

Carly turned in his arms, holding his face between her palms. 'And what are my finer qualities, Bo Brady?'

Bo smiled down at her lovingly, tracing her lower lip with a finger. 'Your heart, soul…' he kissed her, tongue duelling with hers. Like I can really list them all.' Moving down her body, he kissed her stomach, pressing his cheek against it as though to listen to his unborn baby girl speak.

'Wouldn't it be great if she was two?'

'Twin girls? You'll lock them in the house till they are 30.'

'If they look anything like you and Olivia, they'll be lucky if I allow them to date. Maybe they'll be nuns instead.'

Carly laughed softly, running her fingers through his hair. 'I remember how the idea bothered you, how I almost became a nun.'

'I was almost robbed of ever knowing you, Princess; after everything we went through to be together… I just couldn't think of what would've happened to me, if I never knew you.' He raised his head.

'Yeah well, things took another turn… and then I met Justin and Adrienne in Tahiti.'

'You know, you never told me about that day.' Bo remarked, rubbing her stomach. 'How you guys ran into each other.'

Carly shrugged. 'It was on the beach; I went there to sunbathe and Justin was already there, waiting for Adrienne I suppose. You would think he'd never seen breasts before with the way he stared at me when I took my top off…'

'Whoa, whoa stop!' Bo's voice was tight as he moved over, glaring down her. 'Are you trying to tell me Justin saw your breasts before I ever did?'

'Many people went around topless there…'

'You didn't answer my question, Carly Brady! He saw them didn't he?'

'Only for a minute, he turned the other way…'

'Yeah, I bet he did!' Bo got up, grabbing his discarded pants from the carpet.

'Oh no… no you don't, Bo. Don't tell me you're actually jealous; it was a very long time ago.' Carly exclaimed, sitting up.

Bo gave her a look as he zipped up, not speaking.

'Come on… I wasn't your girlfriend then. Besides, you didn't like anything about me when we ran into each other at the pier.'

'That's not true.' Bo denied, indignantly.

Carly raised her eyebrows. 'Oh really?' she scoffed, as she began getting dressed as well. 'Should I remind you how you yelled at me; how you acted like a real jerk for a long time…'

'I loved everything about you.' Bo sat back down next to her, cupping her cheek. 'Every single part of you, you know why I couldn't admit it back then.'

Carly smiled at him. 'I know all too well. What I don't get is why you're so pissed off with Justin; I'm telling you it was no big deal. Besides, he got stung by a jellyfish and was in so much pain that he probably forgot all about what he saw.'

'No, really?' Bo began to laugh. 'He got stung?'

'You should've been there; he acted like such a baby! And he didn't even believe I was a doctor when I told him so; according to him I looked like I was still in high school.'

Bo laughed again and Carly hit his arm. It's not funny!' she huffed.

'I'm sorry… sorry but the scenario's pretty funny you know. So how did you convince him to let you fix his foot afterwards?'

'Basically Adrienne told him to stop being childish and just let me do my job. But then again, it's not every day one sees a doctor wearing nothing but a bikini under the white coat.'

'You were wearing nothing a…' Bo was affronted at the idea of Carly in such a sexy ensemble and he didn't get to see it. 'Okay, that's it…. I'm kicking Justin's ass the very next time I see him!'

Carly grabbed him, slipping her arms round his neck. 'Will it make you feel better if I put on something like that for you?'

Bo looked down at her, trying to remain stern. 'Bikini under the white coat?'

'I'll walk around wearing nothing but your leather jacket; if that's you wants.' She said beguilingly.

Bo frowned, pretending to consider it. 'Fine.' He kissed her repeatedly. 'Nobody gets to see my princess that way… except me.'

Carly grinned. 'I'll make the most of the time before this…' she pressed his hand against her womb again, 'fills out, I promise. Now how about that dinner now?'

'I'll heat it back up; you sit that pregnant form of yours down.' He lowered her back on the couch, ruffling her hair. 'I take care of you.'

'I love you,' she said as he walked to the kitchen.

A wink and tender smile from her husband was the reply she got.

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Bo's enemy read the old wedding announcement again; a thumb tracing Carly's features yet again. He had to hand it to Bo; he had good taste in women though he'd never thought Bo would ever replace his precious Hope, especially after that fateful incident in their house which he figured had brought them back together, closer than before. His new wife was beautiful, very beautiful; her slanted eyes brought Scarlett O' Hara to mind immediately. And according to the article; she was the widow of Prince Lawrence de Alamain, daughter of the late Henri and Francesca Von Leuschner and a notable surgeon at Salem University hospital.

Von Leuschner. Who didn't know them; a very old aristocratic family… and very rich.

He smiled grimly. Another rich wife, this time a blue-blood with pots and pots of money that made Hope's huge trust fund small potatoes. And oh man… she was really sexy. What was it about Bo Brady that lured women like Hope and this Carly to him, he'll never know. Nor did he care; all he cared about was the day when he'll get his revenge on him at long last. Revenge and a huge load of cash- courtesy of his new wife. But timing was everything, as his partner kept reminding him. They had to plan their escape carefully so that it won't go wrong. And afterwards… on to Salem to see their old buddy Bo.

It was just a matter of time before he and Patrick finally escaped this place and give Bo his just deserts.

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Olivia returned home at last, joyfully welcomed by her family and friends. When the cast came off weeks later between the hospital's efficient physiotherapist and Bo's strict exercise regime, she quickly regained full use of her leg. Bo and Carly then brought up the subject of a summer holiday in México; which she enthusiastically agreed to, especially since she could take Tamara with her. Tamara was wild with joy at the idea of touring Cancun and Chichén Itzá; and maybe other places she'd read about.

Ciara however was very upset and hurt that Olivia was taking a trip without her. 'It's not fair! Why's Tamara going with you and not me?' she wailed. 'Don't you love me anymore?'

'Don't be silly cherub... nothing and nobody can ever make me stop loving you.' Olivia hugged her tightly, kissing her forehead. 'I really wish I could take you with me, really... but your Mummy wants to take you to Florida with Grandma and Grandpa. Don't you want to visit Disneyland?'

Ciara clung to her, torn between the idea of Disneyland and going to México with her sister. 'Come to Disneyland with us then.'

Olivia smiled, shaking her head. 'Mummy and Doug and Julie want you all to themselves and I need some alone time.'

'Why are you taking Tamara with you, then?' Ciara sniffed resentfully.

'Because she's never been to México so I want to give her that experience. Come on, Ciara... don't pout. I'll bring back one of those big hats Mexican women wear and anything else you want.'

'I want you back, safe.'

Olivia hugged her again, deeply touched. 'Now, now... nothing's going to happen to me, alright? You have fun and bring yourself back safe for me too.'

'Okay.'

On the day the two girls were to leave; Bo, Carly and Abe accompanied them to the airport. They weren't going via commercial flight as Frankie had sent the Alamain Jet to take them.

Carly hugged her daughter tightly and kissed her emotionally; she and Olivia have never been parted like this before and part of her was starting to regret suggesting the trip to her. But at the same time, it was time Olivia experienced the outside world better after years of being locked up by Lawrence.

'You both take care now.' She said, kissing Tamara as well.

'And make sure you call us when you get there.' Bo added, ruffling Olivia's hair. He'd already informed Hank and Soledad they were coming so they were eagerly waiting for them.

Olivia rolled her eyes. 'Yes Dad, you've told us already.'

'Yeah, like a zillion times.' Tamara agreed, laughing.

Abe smiled indulgently, but his tone was stern. 'You stay out of trouble while you're there, young lady or else.'

'I'm as innocent as a kitten, Uncle Abe!' His niece protested.

'Those who know you very well will testify otherwise, you just do what I say.' Abe kissed her.

A feeling of weakness swept through Carly as her daughter went up the plane with Tamara but she firmly fought the impulse to call her back. Olivia really needed this trip. Bo sensed her inner distress and squeezed her shoulders from behind. 'Don't worry, princess.' He said softly. 'She'll be alright.'

'I know. She's just never been away from me... we've always been together.'

Abe patted her arm comfortingly. 'There comes the time we let them spread their wings, Carly.'

Olivia felt the same way as Carly as the plane's door was closed and locked behind them.