| CHAPTER 26
A few weeks later, after several pleadings on Hope�s behalf, both Shannon and herself have been released from the hospital. Of course the doctor�s terms were strong and nonnegotiable. But Hope would have agreed to just about anything if it meant they could go home. ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ ~ BRADY HOME ~ Bo and Hope, who is carrying Shannon, are walking up to the front door. Bo pulls out his keys and unlocks the door. Before he opens it Hope shouts. �Bo wait a minute.� �What is it Fancy Face?� She looks down at her little girl and smiles. �I just still can�t believe we�re actually bringing our daughter home�.. I never even dreamt about us having anymore children after Zack was born and yet here we are again.� She looks up at him. �And this time we have a girl� you do realize this is going to change our whole lives�. We�ve never raised a girl before.� �How much harder could it be?� Bo joked She smiled brightly as she bit her bottom lip. �It�s defiantly going to be different.� Bo rubbed the side of Hope�s head. �Have I told you lately how glad I am that she�s a girl.� �I could never get use to hearing it.� She replied leaning up and kissing him. �Come on what do you say we get her inside.� �I can�t believe dad and Julie didn�t come to the hospital before they left.� She remarked as Bo opened the door. �Yea it did seem like an odd time for them to be leaving town.� �SURPRISE� Everybody yelled as Bo flicked on the lights. �Oh my God.� Hope screamed as she looked around the room. �Dad, Julie what on earth are you doing here? Jenn told us you��� She stopped short and looked across the room. �Jennifer I�m going to kill you.� �You know it wasn�t easy getting all these people over here on such short notice.� Jenn replied giving her a big hug. �You weren�t suppose to be released for at least another week.� �Give me that Baby.� Julie demanded as she took Shannon from Hope�s arms. Hope looked up at Bo. �Don�t look at me like that.� He clearly stated as he wrapped his arms around her and pulled her close. �This is as much a surprise to me as it is to you.� �Well Jenn decided since we never got around to giving you a baby shower.� Belle started to say. �Which by the way was planned for last week.� Mimi added. �That we should give the newest Brady a welcome to the family party.� Belle continued saying as she laughed. �Three cheers for the newest Brady.� Roman interrupted as he held a glass of Champaign in the air. �Hip Hip Hooray.� Everybody yelled as they held their glasses up. �Wait a minute ------ just wait a minute.� Shawn Sr. yelled. �We have another surprise.� �Another surprise?� Hope questioned as she looked at Bo. Bo just shrugged his shoulders. �Beats me Fancy face this is their party.� �And what a party it is.� A man shouted. �It can�t be.� Both Bo and Hope exclaimed. �And why is that?� Shane asked as he made his way through the crowd. �Shane.� Hope screamed as she jumped into his arms. �I can�t believe your here man.� Bo added. �It�s been a while.� �Sorry I couldn�t make it for Zack�s christening but work just wouldn�t allow it.� �You�re here now man and that�s all that matters.� Bo said as he gave him a hug squishing Hope in the middle. ~*~ A few hours later Hope is sitting on the couch next to Alice whose holding Shannon. �Isn�t she prefect Gran.� �She looks just like her mother.� Alice replied as she handed her back to Hope. Hope looked around the room. �It�s just all so overwhelming.� �Everybody in this room loves you dear and they were all praying for you and Shannon to pull through.� Hope noticed Belle standing in the corner. �Have you heard from Shawn Gran?� �I talked to him this morning and told him about the party my dear. I really thought he�d be here.� �Gran I�m just so worried about him. He�s just not himself.� ~*~ �Hey bro you okay?� Roman asked walking up behind him. �Yea I�m fine, I was just thinking about Georgia and how I wish she were here with us.� He turned back and looked at Roman. �And where the hell is Shawn he should be here for his mother.� �I take it things haven�t gotten any better between the two of you!� �No and every time I try to talk with him Roman, it just seems to make things worse.� �Give him some time little bro he�ll come around.� Roman replied patting him on the shoulder. �And what if he doesn�t?� Bo asked as he walked over to Hope and Alice. �How�s my little girl doing?� �I think she�s tired.� Hope replied looking up at him. �She�s not the only one looking tired.� Alice added.. �She probably shouldn�t be around all these people either Bo.� �What do you say I go lay her down upstairs?� Bo agreed picking her up. � I�ll be right back.� �Thanks Bo.� Hope replied as she yawned. �Don�t forget to bring the baby monitor down with you.� �She talks like I�ve never done this before.� Bo joked as he made his way up the stairs. �Okay little one.� he laughed. �I use to call your mommy that all the time.� He laid her in the bassinet and covered her snuggly. �And it use to drive her crazy.� He thought about it for a second as he remembered just how mad she�d get. �You on the other hand better get use to it.� He blew her a kiss. �Goodnight little one.� Bo walked into the hallway closing the door behind him. He began walking back down the stairs when he heard a noise that caused him to turn around. �Hey there little man� He bent down and picked him up. �Did you have a good nap?� Zack just shook his head yes. �I�ve got a surprise for you.� Bo stated as Zack�s little eyes lit up. �Guess who is down stairs right now.� �MOMMY.� Zack screamed �She sure is.� Bo replied as he tickled him. �Should we go down and see her.� Zack shook his head yes. �Okay then let�s go.� Bo replied as he once again started to make his way down the stairs only to stop and turn around. �But first I have to get the baby monitor.� ~*~ A few minutes later Bo came walking down the stairs with both Zack and the baby monitor in his arms. �Look who I found walking around upstairs mommy.� Hope quickly jumped up and ran over to them giving them both the biggest hug ever. �I�ve missed you so much.� �I love you mommy.� She took him from Bo�s arms. �And I love you.� �Okay partner.� Bo stated taking Zack back. �Enough loving mommy right now she needs her rest and you tiny man are getting way to heavy for her to be walking around with.� Hope kissed Bo. �I�m fine really---you need to stop worrying about me.� �Never.� He laughed as he walked away. �Hope.� Patrick called and she turned around. �Your daughter is just beautiful.� �Thanks Patrick.� She gave him a big hug which didn�t go unnoticed by Bo. �They�re friends Bro weather you like it or not.� Roman quickly stated holding Bo back. �Who invited him anyway.� Bo asked annoyed. Jenn ran over and placed her arms around him. �I did ----for Hope. She�d want him here and you know it.� Bo kissed the top of Jenn�s head. �Thanks for everything you.� �Bo honey.� Caroline said walking up to them. �It�s been a long day and I really think Hope could use some rest, so your dad and I are going to get going.� �Okay ma.� Bo said giving her a big hug. �Thanks----- and I know this goes without saying but don�t be a stranger around here okay.� �Oh don�t you worry.� Caroline said giving Roman a hug goodbye. �I�ll be back bright and early tomorrow morning.� �Not to early I hope.� Roman laughed. �What you don�t really think that little girl of theirs is going to let them sleep late or anything do you.� Jenn joked back. �What�s so funny?� Hope asked walking up and instantly being grabbed by her husband. �Nothing sweetie� Caroline replied giving her a hug. �Shawn and I are going to get going.� �You don�t really have to go already, do you ma?� Hope asked pleadingly �Yes we do.� Roman chimed in. �You need to get some sleep.� He kissed Hope�s forehead. �Hey Honey. We�re going to get going as well.� Doug added walking up with Julie. �Would you like us to take Zack for the night?� Julie asked trying to be helpful. �Thanks Julie.� Hope replied looking up at Bo and smiling. �But Zack still hasn�t seen his little sister yet and I really don�t want him going anywhere.� �Okay then dear.� Doug stated as he kiss Hope goodbye. �We�ll give you a call in the morning.� �Bye.� Julie waved Once Doug, Julie, Alice, Roman and a few others left everybody started leaving one by one. �I can�t believe we are finally alone.� Hope stated as she collapsed on the couch. �I though they�d never leave.� �So Mrs. Brady how does it feel to be a new mom?� Bo asked as he closed the front door. �To finally be able to bring our little girl home.� �It feels great.� She replied as she tapped the couch. �Come sit with me.. I want to be alone� just you and me.� �Sounds like a plan.� Bo replied as he made his way over to her. �So Mr. Brady.� She smirked as she laid her back against him. �How does it feel to have another girl in the house?� �It�s way to soon to know.� He laughed �But I have felt the change in power shift drastically. �You�ve never been in charge Brady. �She joked back.� �And just who do you think was in charge while you were in the hospital.� �Your mother.� She laughingly spit out. �Admit it Brady you wouldn�t have last a day without her here.� Giving in. �Okay I admit it.� Hope closed her eyes and yawned deeply. �Come on.� He said as he got off the couch and picked her up. �Let�s get you to bed.� �Now Bo.� She smirked sarcastically. �We�ve been here before you know we can�t have sex for at least six weeks after the baby is born.� �That�s never stopped us before.� He joked as he ran up the stairs causing her to scream. |