| CHAPTER 8
"You know it's okay to be happy about this pregnancy Hope." Jenn states to her as they walk along Salem Place. "I know, but it's hard." Jenn puts her arm around her. "What do you say we sit over there at that table and get something to eat?" "I'm not really hungry." Jenn gives her a, you are eating for two look. "But since I know you well enough to know you aren't going to let this go.....that table is fine." They both sit down and a waitress comes over and takes their drink order. "I know this is a pretty sore subject." Jenn said looking over Hope's right shoulder. "But since he's quickly approaching this way, do you have any idea how you are going to tell Patrick?" "Tell Patrick what ladies." Hope jumps slightly at the sound of his voice. "How are you doing Patrick?" Jenn asked. Patrick looks over and notices Hope won't even look up at him. "I'm fine Jenn thanks for asking." He places his hand on Hope's shoulder and she squirms. "Hope I was kinda hoping we could talk." He removes his hand. "But apparently now doesn't appear to be a good time....Can I call you later?" Hope looks up at him and quickly states. "I'll call you." "I wasn't planning on calling your house Hope. I would have called you on your cell. I know that you and Bo are back together and as much as that hurts I completely understand that." "Patrick, Bo's suppose to meet us for lunch and last thing anybody needs right now is a scene." Jenn chimes in. "So I really think you should be going." "Okay fine I'll go." Patrick concedes. "But Hope please don't wait to long to call me...I really do think we have a lot to talk about." "Patrick there really isn't anything to talk about." Hope states firmly. "What happened between us should have never happened and you know that as well as I do. I really wish after all was said and done we could remain friends, but with the way Bo feels about you, I don't see that happening..........now I have no intentions of ignoring you, if we should happen to run into each other but that's as far as I can go....my marriage is at stake here and Bo and I are trying so hard to work things out....I can't afford to loss him...not again." Patrick is about to say something when Jenn notices Hope is about to get sick to her stomach. Quickly Jenn jumps out of her seat and pulls Patrick away from the table. So that he is unable to see Hope rush off to the bathroom. "Patrick I really am sorry for the way things turned out but you've known from the start how strong Bo and Hope's love is for each other and you really should have respected that." "Jenn I know you think what happened between Hope and me was a mistake but I love her and I wanted to make everything okay for her." "How can you say that?" Jenn jumped down his throat. "You have no idea of what hell you've put her through. Do you know how hard it is for Hope to sometimes even look at Bo knowing that she betrayed her wedding vows to him....or how hard it is for her to have the man she has loved nearly all her life touch her and not feel ashamed....I don't think they've even made love to one another since.........." She trailed off fearing she said to much. "I just think it would be better if you just left." Patrick didn't say a word as he quietly walked away. Jenn made her way back over to the table and sat down. A few minutes later Hope returned as well. "You okay Honey?" "Yea Jenn I'm fine. Where's Patrick?" "Don't worry I got rid of him." "Thanks Jenn." Jenn opens the menu. "What do you say we order something to eat?" Hope again looks like she's about to get sick. "Now I remember what it is about being pregnant I never liked." "What you�re pregnant?" A voice shrieked from behind." "Did you just say your pregnant.........I can't believe this...I knew you and Bo were working things out but I had no idea." Hope looked up and was about to say something but Caroline just grabbed her hugged her and kept running her mouth. "I so can't wait to tell Shawn we're going to have another grandchild....and Bo I can't believe he didn't tell us." Maggie Walks up. "Maggie how could you spend the whole day with me and not even tell me?" Maggie gave her a, tell you what look. "Oh and Hope dear don't think just because you and Bo are having another child that will take away from our love for our beloved Zack." Caroline continued. "What Hope? You�re pregnant?" Maggie chimed in. "We will always love Zack...and he will always be right her." Caroline places her hand on her chest. "In our hearts with every breath that we take." "Ummm Caroline, Aunt Maggie, the reason Bo and Hope haven't told you Hope was pregnant is because they recently found out themselves and were still trying to deal with the news." Jenn quickly stated noticing Hope didn't know what to say. "You know with what you said about Zack, the trail and everything else they've been going through." She looks down at Hope and then back up at Caroline and Maggie. "I know this is going to really hard for the two of you but do you think you could keep this between the four of us?" "What?" Caroline nearly screams. "Bo doesn't know." "No Caroline." Hope quickly states. "Bo knows." "If Bo knows, then what's the difference who else knows?" Maggie asked, then gasped for air. "What is it Aunt Maggie?" Hope and Jenn both asked. Maggie looks at Caroline. "Bo's surprise." "Oh no." Caroline joins in. "Bo's surprise?" Hope asks "He mentioned earlier today that he wanted the whole family to get together sometime this week for dinner." "Hope sweetie if we had any idea that the two of you had an announcement to make." Caroline jumped in cutting her off. "I would have never let you know that I overheard what I overheard." "And just what is it you overheard?" Bo asked walking up behind his mother and giving her a kiss. "Nothing." Caroline and Maggie both stated firmly. Bo just looked at Hope. "They know about the baby." "They know?" Bo asked giving her a just how much do they know look. "I'm sorry honey." Caroline said giving her a son a big hug. "I just happened to be walking over to say hello and overheard Jenn and Hope talking." Sorta annoyed. "Yes my loving wife does have a habit of not being able to keep a secret." "I think Thursday would be a great day for that family dinner." Maggie stated. "Oh yes Thursdays works for me." Caroline added. "Is Thursday a good day for the two of you?" "Thursday? Family dinner?" Bo questioned. "I think it's the shock of being a father again." Caroline laughed. "He's already forgotten they planned on making the official announcement during dinner. "Official announcement?" Bo questioned more confused then ever. "Thursday would be great." Hope replied noticing that Bo was completely lost. "We'll see you around 6." "6 works for me Hope." Caroline replied giving them all a kiss goodbye. "I'll invite the whole family." "Don't worry both sides." Maggie added laughing as they walked off. �Okay does somebody want to clue me in on what that was all about?� Bo asked sitting next to Hope. �I�d love to.� Jenn laughed as she got up. �But I really do need to run.� She gave both Hope and Bo a kiss goodbye. �Call me later.� �Thanks for nothing Jenn.� Hope yelled as she walked off. �So dinner�s at 6? Bo smugly questioned. Hope just smiled at him as she stood up. �To tell you the truth Bo, I really have no idea what just happened.� Looking at her very uncomfortably. �How much do they know?� She holds out her hand and he takes it. �All they know is that I�m pregnant. They have no idea about what happened with Patrick��.. and for now I�d like to keep it that way and I know that isn�t fair to you.� Pulling her into a hug. �I told you I�d be there for you and if this is the way you want this all to play out right now then that�s what we�ll do. |