Missy & Bob

Section 4

Please note: This is copyrighted (©) by me, Tammtamm. Please do not copy it or save it without my permission. Thank you. Also, I've been writing in this story for nearly six years (yes, six years). It is currently 228 pages long and I may put every single page up on the web for y'all to read, but only ONLY if you send me feedback stories@iwuvjoey.com with Missy & Bob in the title. Any similarities between the characters and people in real life are purely coincidental. These are characters from my mind (although some names and characteristics were "borrowed" from Baywatch). This is purely for enjoyment purposes only. Any and all comments should be sent to me at iwuvjoey@iwuvjoey.com unless it's feedback pertaining to the story. Thank you.

"Stop, JJ. Please stop..." Missy whimpered and moaned.

"Ssshhh, momma's here, sweetie. No one's going to hurt you." Mrs. Nichols continued with cool compresses on Missy's forehead. Bob and his mother were still in the waiting room.

"I'm really scared mom. What if Missy doesn't make it? I should have stayed with her this morning..."

"Don't blame yourself, son. It's not your fault. These things happen. You heard the doctor, her fever is slowly coming down. You have to be optimistic about this. We all do."

"I should have protected her from him. I should have protected her from him." Bob said. His eyes turned cold and unfeeling and he no longer focused on anything but seeing JJ Grant and revenge.

"You have done everything you possible could. Let's go see how Missy's doing. We'll both feel better."

"I can't. I need to go do something." Bob said, he kissed his mother on the cheek.

"I'll be back later."

"Don't do anything you will regret later."

"I won't." Bob said and left the room. Mrs. Cauldwell went and joined Marilyn and Missy.

"Marilyn, why don't you let the nurse do that? Take a break?" she suggested.

"I can't. Where's Bob?"

"He went on an errand. He shouldn't be long."

 

Bob found where the hospital was holding the news conference. As soon as he entered the room, the reporters rushed him.

"Mr. Cauldwell, how do you feel about what JJ Grant has done?" "Mr, Townsed, have you seen Missy?" "How's Missy?"

Bob waved them off and went to the podium.

His father put his arm on Bob's shoulder, "Let me handle this, son."

"I need to do this for Missy, myself, and our unborn baby." Bob turned to the reporters. The TV cameras were on live feed. Mrs. Cauldwell had turned on the TV that was in Missy's room.

"I have something to say on behalf of my fianceč, our unborn baby, and myself. Please, no interruptions." he paused for a few moments and took a deep breath. "JJ Grant is a menace to the Nichols' and Cauldwell families. He's obsessed with my fianceč and I truly believe that she could have carried our baby to term if JJ Grant was still in jail and not out to get revenge on her and myself. Yes, Missy had many problems with the baby, and for medical reasons, we both decided not to abort our child. Since she discovered that Mr. Grant had been released, she has been very stressed, very afraid for her life and mine, and very, very withdrawn. It is my desire to see that JJ Grant is prosecuted to the fullest extent and that he gets the maximum jail sentence if not life. Thank you." Bob stepped down from the podium.

"Mr. Cauldwell? Mr. Cauldwell?" Reporters were asking for Bob to return to the podium. He did.

"I'd really appreciate it if you didn't ask questions. Give me a few days, until Missy is out of the woods and feeling better, then I'll try to answer your questions." Bob said. He looked at his father.

"I'll take over from here." Mr. Cauldwell said to his son and hugged him, "Go back to Missy. She needs you with her."

 

Missy was beginning to get restless back in her room.

"Missy? It's momma, c'mon honey, come back to us." Mrs. Nichols said as she changed the cold compress on Missy's forehead.

"Bob? Bob?" Missy whispered.

"Anna? Hand me the ice chips please." Mrs. Nichols asked Bob's mother.

"How is she?" Mrs. Cauldwell handed her the container of ice chips.

"Fever's coming down. She's getting restless."

"That's a good sign. Do you want me to get a nurse?"

"No, she's okay. She just needs time." Mrs. Nichols said.

"Momma?" MIssy whispered. She opened her eyes.

"Yes, sweetie. It's me, momma." Missy looked around the room.

"Where am I?"

"You're in the hospital. A different hospital than you were yesterday morning, but it's a hospital. Do you remember anything about yesterday?"

Missy shook her head.

"Well, once you're better, I'll have to tell you." Bob said from the doorway.

"Bob." Missy smiled.

"Hey, sweetheart. How are you?" Bob came over to the bed. "Mrs. Nichols, why don't you and my mother go for a walk? I can take over from here." Bob suggested.

"Okay, we won't be long." Mrs. Nichols said.

Once their mothers were out of the way, Bob's face turned from happy to worry and concerned.

"I'm so glad you're okay."

"How are you? You weren't hurt, were you? How bad is my car?"

"What? Missy, you can't be serious?" Bob asked.

"About what?"

"About the car. What are you talking about."

"Wasn't I just in a car accident?"

"Honey, let's not talk about this now. How are you?"

"Tired, thirsty. Achey."

"Well, I want you to go back to sleep. You need your rest. But, first here's some water. Drink it slowly." Bob said. Now he was really worried and concerned.

"Why do you look so scared." Missy said between sips.

"I'm not scared, honey. Just tired." Bob took hold of her left hand. Missy noticed the engagement ring on her hand. Everything came back to her. She pulled her hand away.

"Oh my god, the baby." Missy had a horrified look on her face. She began to cry.

"Melissa, talk to me." Bob took hold of her hand again.

"I just had all these memories come back to me. We had to abort the baby and JJ has been harassing us. I remember everything."

"Don't worry. JJ is back in jail. Everything is going to be okay. We need to get you back on your feet again, though." Bob said.

"Really? Are you sure? What all happened? I remember going in for surgery, but everything else is black."

"I'll fill you in later. Right now, I want you to relax and get some rest." Bob instructed. Bob stood up and began rearranging her pillows and sat down next to her.

"I'm so sorry, Bob. I really am." Missy said.

"Ssh, we'll be okay. C'mon, lean against me." Bob said. Missy obeyed. "Now, I want you to close your eyes and dream about the wedding we're going to have."

"Promise you won't leave me tonight?"

"I'm not going anywhere until you're feeling better." Bob said and kissed her forehead.

A nurse came in to change the IV bag and check her stats.

"You are a miracle worker, Bob. Her temp is down to 101 and her blood pressure is almost normal. Whatever you're doing, keep it up."

"I will. Could you please find her doctor and tell him the good news."

"I'll let him know what's happening. I'll also bring some fresh water for the compresses. They do help."

"I know and thanks." Bob said. He allowed himself to relax a little and found himself daydreaming and making plans for the future. Before he knew it, a half hour or so had passed and both his mother and Missy's mother had returned from their walk.

"Look at how peaceful they look together, Anna." Marilyn said.

"Yeah, I know. Let's not wake them. C'mon, let's go find the men."

"Ma?" Bob whispered and opened his eyes.

"Did we wake you? We thought you were asleep."

"No, just thinking. Missy's fever has broken, it was down at 101 a little while ago."

"That's good news. Have you seen your father? Or Missy's?"

"No. I'm assuming they're either still doing the news conference or they're talking with the doctor." Bob shrugged his shoulders.

"Wrong. We're right here." Mr. Nichols said as he opened the door. He was followed by Mr. Cauldwell and the doctor.

"Hey! Missy's fever is coming down. She and I even talked for a little while." Bob announced to the dads and the doctor.

"That's good news." the doctor said as he read her chart.

"Well, why don't us parents go home then? I'm sure if there's any change, Bob or the doctor will call." Jason Cauldwell announced.

"I agree. I'm not going anywhere, besides, Missy would want everyone else to get their rest as "I'm not going to argue, only because suddenly, I'm exhausted." Marilyn said.

"Okay. Let me just call Kenny and let him know we're on our way." Kevin Nichols said.

"Thanks everyone. Thanks for letting us be adults and not hovering over us. Missy's gonna be okay. We both will." Bob said.

"I'll get an orderly to bring in a cot." The doctor said.

"No need, I'm not moving from this position." Bob said.

"Don't argue with him, doc. We've found them sleeping like that in the middle of a movie at home and they've never complained."

"Just the same, I'll have someone bring one in. Everyone, get some rest. We'll talk in the morning." the doctor left the room.

"He's either really exhausted or overwhelmed for him not to say more." Mr. Cauldwell said.

"Like he said, we'll talk in the morning. Bob, the cot will be here, if you need it. Do get some rest." Mrs. Cauldwell instructed.

"I will, I swear." Bob even crossed his heart. Everyone said their good-byes and left Bob with Missy.

"Are they gone?" Missy whispered as soon as she heard the door close.

"You stinker! I thought you were asleep." Bob smiled. He got up and rearranged her pillows.

"I was until our parents raised a ruckus." Missy sat up. An orderly came into the room with a cot.

"I promised you I wouldn't leave you tonight." Bob said.

"I know. But the cot?" Missy sounded disappointed.

"Doctor ordered it to be in here, doesn't mean I'll sleep on it."

"Excuse me? But where do you want this?" the orderly asked.

"Right here, next to the bed, please." Bob stated.

"Thank you." Missy said to the orderly after he placed the cot next to her hospital bed.

"How are you feeling?"

"I'm starting to feel a little bit sore around my stomach area, but not too bad."

"Is there anything I can do?"

"No, Bob, just stay here with me." Missy said to him. They both fell asleep in each others arms in the hospital room.

 

The next morning, it was decided that Missy would stay a few more days at the hospital before returning home at the end of the week to finish recuperating. The story picks up as she's about to leave the hospital.

"Why can't I recuperate in my own home?" Missy asked Bob as he helped her into his car.

"Because, you are restricted to bed rest for the next two weeks and since you're mom is home nearly all the time, your parents and I decided that it would be good for you to stay at your parents' with them and Kimberly." Bob explained.

"Fine, I won't argue with you this time, but I'm not going to pretend that I'm going to enjoy feeling like a five year old either." Missy said. Bob put an afghan over her legs.

"The next two weeks will fly by, you'll see. You've been sleeping so much that you'll hardly notice where you'll be at." Bob teased. Bob helped her put the seatbelt on.

"I'm sick and tired of being couped up, Bob. I hate this!" Missy stated.

"I know you do, that's why I'm gonna be staying at the house with you. And Kerri and Rick will be over as often as possible...in fact, Kerri will be at the house waiting for us so we better get going." Bob said. He kissed her on the forehead and closed her door. She put down the window a little bit. Her parents and Dr. Nash came out of the hospital.

"Ready to go home, Missy?" Dr. Nash asked. He knelt down next to the car.

"Yes. Definitely. I miss everyone and everything."

"Okay, now, Bob, drive easy." Dr. Nash instructed Bob.

"I plan on it, Doc. Thanks alot." Bob replied.

"Remember Missy, you have a follow-up appointment with Dr. Feagel next week and no driving for at least two weeks."

"I won't forget, Dr. Nash. Thank you for everything and thanks for letting us leave through the deliveries entrance. I really didn't want to face any reporters just yet."

"What are friends for. You just get better and let me know how you're doing once in a while, okay?"

"You bet."

"We'll be right behind you guys." Mr. Nichols reminded the kids.

"Okay, dad."

"Channel 19." Bob told Mr. Nichols.

"Okay. Just so you know, we're going to stop somewhere to grab some food and stuff." Mrs. Nichols said.

"Okay, mom. Can we get going now? I really want to get back." Missy said. She just didn't want to hear any more instructions from her mom.

"Oh, alright. Kevin, let's go." Mrs. Nichols walked to her car.

"See you kids later." Mr. Nichols said.

"Ready to go home." Bob asked Missy. Missy turned to look at him.

"Definitely." she said as she kissed him. "I thought my parents would never leave."

The two hour drive was peaceful and enjoyable as they listened to the tape Missy had made when she first told Bob that she was in love with him and talked with some of the people on Channel 19 on the CB. They had stopped to get some juice and snacks, but pretty much made good time on the return trip home.

 

"PAPADOC, you got a copy on TWIN1?" Bob said into the CB.

"Yeah, what's your 20?" Mr. Nichols replied.

"Let's just say that it's really busy at your home 20. What's your 20?" Bob asked. Reporters were camped out in front of the Nichols' residence so Bob went and parked in the alley behind the house.

"Just entering town limits. Should be there in 20 minutes. Try back entrance." PAPADOC suggested.

"Will do. Switching down to channel 2. See you soon." Bob changed the channel and looked over at Missy. She was sound asleep.

"Breaker Channel 2." Bob asked for a break.

"Go breaker." someone replied.

"Thanks. How bout it TWIN2? You got a copy on TWIN1?" Bob said.

"Sure do? Where are you?" Rick replied.

"Where I said I would be last night. It's really swamped here. I'm in the back. Could you and Powder Puff come over and help handle crowd control? People are all over the place."

"Sure. Be there in less than 5 minutes. How is she?"

"We just got here, she's sleeping and I don't want to wake her and that's exactly what's going to happen if this crowd discovers us."

"Alright, well Powder Puff and Cotton Candy are with me and we'll be there shortly." Cotton Candy was Kimberly.

"Okay. We'll stay put."

"Take it up to our other channel just in case others are listening in." TWIN2 (Rick) told TWIN1 (Bob).

"Gone." Bob changed the channel to 25, that's the channel the brothers would use whenever they were having a private conversation.

"Hey, TWIN1?" Kerri (Powder Puff) asked.

"Yeah."

"How much longer am I going to have the apartment to myself?"

"Two weeks, why?"

"I'm getting lonely. TWIN2 is great, but I can't talk girl talk with him."

"I see your point. I've been meaning to ask you how the store is?"

"Busy! People come in for updates and stay and browse and end up buying something. Although, I love the business, I wish Sweets was back at work. I miss her and so do the regulars."

"Soon, Puff, soon. What's your 20 now?"

"An alleyway parallel to Sweets' parents' home 20. We should be there any time now."

"Okay, I'm going to go unlock the back door. TWIN2, can you carry Sweets in?"

"Yeah, we see you." TWIN2 replied to TWIN1.

Bob got out of the car and ran to the back porch to unlock the door. He and Mr. Nichols had gotten the den ready the night before for Missy's return home. He saw all the reporters on the front yard and saw an obscene amount of messages on the answering machine.

Kim and Kerri had gone ahead into the house while Rick carried Missy in.

"Boy, she's out like a light." Rick said as they came into the house.

"Yeah, it's because of the medicine she's taking. It helps her sleep. She should be out for another hour or so at the least." Bob said. "Everything's ready for her in the den." Bob said. Rick took her into the den.

"Kim could you turn off the ringer to the phone and turn down the answering machine? I think we forgot to do that this morning." Bob asked Kim.

"Okay. Does anyone want anything to drink?"

"Not right now, Kimmy, thanks." Kerri said. "But I'll come help you with the phones."

"I'm going to turn on the set and see where Mr. and Mrs. Nichols are." Rick said after he put Missy down on the bed. Bob put an afghan over her and checked her forehead.

"So far, so good, sweetheart." Bob whispered. He was still worried that she might catch an infection from the hemorraging.

"Breaker Channel 2." Rick asked for a break on the set.

"Go, breaker." PAPADOC gave him the break.

"Hey, PAPADOC. We've all made it. We went the alley route. It's pretty ugly out front."

"Okay, we're just pulling in now. The Missus and I will make a statement and then we'll be in." Kevin Nichols told Rick.

"10-4."

"Rick, let's let Missy sleep. Turn the set off please?" Bob asked.

Rick turned off the set and they went into the living room. They could see Mr. and Mrs. Nichols exit out of the car and walk up to the front porch.

"Kimmy, turn on the TV." Rick asked. Kim, Kerri, Rick, and Bob watched as Mr. and Mrs. Nichols give their statement on TV.

"My family has prepared a statement for everyone and I would appreciate it if everyone could just keep their questions until a formal press meeting in two weeks time. Now, I shall read the statement.

"Missy is home and resting and in good spirits. She'd like to thank everyone for their prayers, love, and support as well as the many cards and get well gifts that she has received from everyone. Her fianceč, her mother, and myself would also like to thank everyone for your support. To update you on her condition, Missy is restricted to two more weeks of bed rest, that's why a press conference will be held in two weeks. Missy would like everyone to know that she is fine, but still has a way to go and would appreciate it if everyone could say a prayer for her and for the Grant family because we feel that they deserve prayer and support in this time as well.

"Missy would like to see JJ Grant get the help that he needs as does the entire family and would appreciate it if the harassment of JJ and his family in the press would stop. No family deserves to be scrutinized and harassed the way that the Grants have been. The family stands behind Missy's requests and hopes that the press will to. Thank you and we'll let you know about a formal press conference in a few weeks." Mr. and Mrs. Nichols went into the house.

"Dad, you were great." Kim ran to her dad and gave her a hug.

"Is Missy asleep?" Mrs. Nichols asked.

"Yes. She's in the den." Bob said. Mrs. Nichols went to check on her daughter.

"Okay, guys...I don't know about you, but I'm full of energy and think I'll go work on the garage. Anyone want to help?" Bob asked.

"Yeah, let me go change." Mr. Nichols said.

"Kerri and I will." Rick said.

"Just let me call AJ first and then I will." Kim said.

"Thanks everyone." Bob said and disappeared into the garage.

"Marilyn, honey? Are you okay?" Kevin Nichols asked his wife as he entered the den. He found her looking through some family albums.

"Oh, yeah, I'm just relieved that Missy's home." Marilyn said to her husband.

"Me too. The gang and I are going to be working in the garage. Instead of cooking a big meal, why don't you invite the Cauldwells over, along with Colleen and Jason and Kenny and Jenn and Andrew and order some pizzas and salad?" Mr. Nichols suggested.

"That sounds like a good idea to me. Let's go get changed." Mrs. Nichols and her husband went into their room to change.

 

"Hi, gramma Grant. It's Kimmy, is AJ around?" Kim had called AJ.

"Just a second, dear." Kim heard the phone being shuffled to AJ.

"Kim?"

"Hi. We're home."

"I know, we saw the news. How's Missy?"

"Sleeping. The medicine that she's on helps make her sleep. What are you doing?"

"Beating my grandfather at Donkey Kong. What are you doing?"

"Well, after I get off the phone with you, I'm gonna help work on the garage."

"Sounds like fun." Mrs. Nichols picked up the phone.

"Kimmie?"

"Hi mom."

"Who you talking to?"

"AJ."

"Oh, okay. Hey, I need the phone to call out for pizza and stuff. AJ, how about asking your grandparents if you could come over here for awhile? We would love to have you over." Mrs. Nichols said.

"Okay, I'll do that. Thanks, Mrs. Nichols."

"You're welcome. Kim, let me know when you're off the phone."

"Okay mom." they heard the phone being hung up.

"I do believe your parents like me." AJ said.

"Complete turnaround once we all found out that you were moving in with your grandparents. I'm glad that they like you, `cause I like you too." Kim giggled.

"I would hope that you do. Well, I'm going to go ask my grandparents about coming over so I'll call you back in a half an hour to let you know what's going on. Okay?"

"Okay. Bye." Kim hung up the phone. "Ma! I'm off the phone." Kim raised her voice so her mother would hear her.

 

"Missy? You awake? Dinner's ready." Bob said in a low tone as he entered the room. Missy was still asleep. He didn't want to wake her, she looked more peaceful on the airbed than in the hospital room. "Missy? C'mon, hon. You need to eat." Bob nudged her a little bit. She moaned.

"Melissa, wake up." Bob kissed her on the neck. She giggled.

"You stinker. You know how to bomb a good dream." Missy said as she woke up.

"I'm glad it was a good dream this time. I take it you had a nice nap?" Bob asked. Missy sat up.

"Yeah. What's for dinner?" Missy asked as she stretched.

"Pizza. The entire family is here. Your side, my side and AJ Grant. It's up to you if you want to join everyone." Bob said.

"I'd rather just eat in here...with you and Kerri and Rick. Is that ok?"

"Sure. I'll go get our dinner and Kerri and Rick while you wake up, okay?"

"Okay." They kissed. Missy broke away.

"What's wrong?" Bob asked.

"If we don't stop this, there won't be any pizza left." They both laughed.

"Alright, alright. I'm going, but I'll be back." Bob laughed as he left the room. Missy went into the bathroom to freshen up. When she came out of the bathroom, Jenn was there with Andrew.

"Hi, Jenn. How are you?"

"I'm okay. Andrew's getting sleepy so I thought I'd bring him in to give his favorite auntie a kiss before I put him down for a little while. How are you doing?"

"I'm glad to be home. Come here Andrew." Missy sat down on the bed and took Andrew from Jenn. "I've missed you little one." Missy gave him a kiss on the cheek and a hug.

"Aun' Mi." Andrew said. He tried to say Aunt Missy.

"Oh, my. You're talking now!"

"Yeah, isn't it great?" Jenn sat down next to them.

"It is. Listen, thanks for coming to visit me in the hospital every single day I was there this last time."

"Hey, we're family and I loved spending the time with you. We really got to know each other, didn't we?"

"Yeah." Andrew was rubbing his eyes and starting to cry.

"Ah, sleep awaits the young one. Missy. I love you like a sister and I would do anything for you." Jenn said. She took Andrew from Missy and went to leave the room.

"Me to, Jenn." Missy said. She started to cry. She had wanted the baby she lost much more than she ever imagined and miscarring really scared her. She went over to the TV set and turned it on. It was almost nine o'clock and nothing was on. Missy put a movie in. Bob, Rick, and Kerri came into the room.

"Hey, you look great!" Kerri said as she plopped down on the couch.

"Nice to see you too, Ker. I put NightFall in to watch since nothing was on the TV set." Missy said. Bob sat down next to her and handed her her pizza and some milk.

"You mom is warming up another pizza and will bring it in a few minutes." Bob said.

"You're great!" Missy kissed him on the cheek. "So what did you guys do after we got home?"

"Worked on the garage. It's gonna be a great place for us." Bob said.

"We really didn't get alot done. Your family kept finding momentos and telling everyone the stories behind the momentos." Kerri said.

"That's typical. Remember last year when we helped my parents and Kimmy clean out the attic?" Missy said to Kerri.

"Yeah...hey! I think half of that stuff was put in the garage!" They all laughed. Mrs. Nichols came in with the other pizza.

"Hi, kids."

"Hi, mom. Hey, do you know where my medicine is? It's not in my purse or the bathroom."

"I put it in the nightstand for you. How are you doing?"

"I feel good, ma. Thanks."

"Maybe after you eat, you could come out and say hello to everyone?" her mother suggested.

"I'll try." Missy said.

"Even if I carry her out, Marilyn." Bob stated.

"Thank you, Bob. Enjoy your dinner kids." Mrs. Nichols left the room. Kerri turned off the movie and turned on the radio and the CB.

Missy looked at Kerri and Rick and couldn't tell if Rick had proposed to Kerri yet.

"Okay, you two. Bob wouldn't tell me anything so you two had better speak up." Missy stared at them both.

"About what?" Kerri said.

"C'mon, remember the night you thought..." Missy said.

"Oh, that night."

"Well?" Missy asked.

"Well what?" Rick feigned innocence.

"Did you ask Kerri to marry you?" Missy threw her napkin at Rick.

"Oh, yeah, that...yeah, I did." Rick said. Rick, Bob, and Kerri pretended as if it were no big deal.

"And?" Missy looked at Kerri.

"And what?" Kerri asked.

"Don't and what me woman! What did you say?" Missy wanted to know.

"What did you think I would say?" Kerri teased.

"If you're going to be that way, I guess I have to find a new maid of honor!" Missy shot back.

"You wouldn't!"

"Bet me...Kim! Oh, Kim?" Missy stood up as if she were going to the door.

"Alright, alright...I said yes. Rick and I are engaged." Kerri ended the charade.

"Thought so." Missy sat down and didn't say another word. Kerri looked at Rick in disbelief.

"What? No congratulations? No squeals of delight?"

"For what?" Missy asked. Bob was getting a kick out of the oneliners Missy was trading with Rick and Kerri.

"Whaddya mean for what! You brat!" Kerri said and threw her napkin at Missy. Missy laughed and went over to hug the both of them.

"Of course I wish you both all the best. And I knew all about it." Missy went back over and sat down next to Bob.

"Who told you?" Kerri asked.

"My mom. I was having a really lousy day after physical therapy and my mom thought that some good news would cheer me up."

"Did it?" Rick asked.

"Yeah, it did." Bob said. "I know, because that's all we talked about for an hour after I got there." They all laughed.

"Now that we've got your wedding planned, how about helping me plan mine?" Kerri asked Missy.

"Bob and I have been discussing that." Rick interrupted.

"Discussing what?" both women said in unison.

"Well, we have a suggestion." Bob said.

"Yeah, Bob and I have been talking and we were wondering how you two would feel about a double wedding?" Rick said. Missy and Kerri were stunned.

"You don't have to answer us right now, but we thought that since the four of us do alot of things together that this would be the topper of them all." Bob said.

"Kerri? What do you think?"

"I like the concept, but what about all your plans? You and Bob have already set the date for New Year's."

"They can be modified. No one's been contacted yet." Missy said.

"How do you feel?" Kerri asked Missy.

"I feel like a double wedding ceremony." Missy smiled.

"So you like the idea?" Bob asked.

"It's the best idea you two have come up with since asking us to marry you." Missy said.

"Alright! The four Musketeers are together again!" Rick said aloud while everyone thought of it. They all finished off the pizza before joining everyone else in the living room. Missy was surprised that Jason, Jr. was there.

"Jason! No one told me you were here. It's really good to see you!" Missy gave Jason a hug.

"Hey! When my parents said free dinner, I wasn't about to miss it!" Jason joked, "It's really good to see you, too, Missy. How are you doing?" They sat down on the floor. Bob went over to see what Colleen, Kim, and AJ were doing.

"Hey, sport. What are you up to?" he asked.

"Just talking, AJ is helping me and Kim think of something really nice to do for Missy."

"I know whatever you guys do, Missy will love it because it's from you. I have a suggestion, though. Would you like to hear it?" Bob asked.

"Sure, B. Have a seat." Kim said.

"Well, Colleen loves to crochet afghans and I know that you, Kim, love to make pillows, so I was thinking...can I talk you two into making an afghan with matching pillows for a daybed?" Kim and Colleen looked at each other.

"Sure." they answered simultaneously.

"Okay, Kim, you know Missy's favorite colors are purple and pink. How many pillows you think you can do in a month?"

"Depends on the size."

"One really big one, a few throw pillows and a few regular size ones."

"On a good day, I can do three throw pillows or two regular size pillows."

"It'll take me a month to do the afghan."

"Hey...what's going on over here?" Missy said. She was looking for Bob.

"Nothing...just seeing what the younguns are up to." Everyone was startled. No one saw Missy coming.

"Bobby!" Colleen yelled at her brother.

"Sorry, I meant the gang." Bob said. He looked at Kim and mouthed `We'll talk later.' Kim nodded in agreement.

"Much better." Colleen told him.

"Hi, Missy." AJ got up and gave Missy a hug.

"Hi, AJ. Thanks for coming over." she hugged him back.

"Anytime." AJ told Missy. Missy saw Kim smile.

"Uh, Bob. Our parents are trying to decide what furniture we are going to have in the garage. Could you politely tell them off for us?" Missy batted her eyes at him.

"Uh-oh, this could be a tragedy! Excuse us, guys." Bob said. He and Missy went back into the living room. Kenny, Jenn, Rick, and Kerri were playing Trivial Pursuit while Missy and Bob's parents were looking at furniture books.

"Hold on, folks!" Bob said. Both sets of parents looked up.

"What is it, Bob?"

"Missy and I really appreciate everything you're doing and have been doing for us, but we already have furniture." Bob told them.

"You do? You do?" The Nichols and Cauldwells said in unison.

"Yeah, we do. I've got a daybed, complete diningroom set, and a living room set in storage and Missy's got the bedroom set, all kitchen appliances, several lamps, an extra dresser, and an extra sofa bed. We even have a desk." Bob told them. Missy agreed with him.

"Well, son. Looks like you two are more ready for this union then we thought you were." Jason Cauldwell said to his son.

"If we weren't ready, we wouldn't be doing this. Moms, dads, we're not kids anymore."

"You're right. We just want to help."

"Helping us clean the garage and make it into an apartment and supporting us through the miscarriage, my kidnapping, and all the ups and downs we've had is plenty of help. You've been great. Really." Missy said to them.

"Can we help with bedsheets and towels and linens and stuff like that?" Marilyn Nichols asked.

"Okay, okay. As long as I can come with you when you pick out what will be in my apartment." Missy laughed. She had to let in a little.

"That's good. Now, are you painting or wallpapering the apartment?" Kevin Nichols asked.

"Painting in the colors of mauve and beige." Bob stated. Missy sat back. She was beginning to feel a little sore.

"Whoa! You really have thought of everything." Jason Cauldwell stated.

"Oh, look at the time!" Rick said, "I've got to get AJ home! AJ! Time to go." Rick said.

"Coming." everyone heard AJ say.

"And I think it's time for me to go to bed." Missy stated. "Oh, mom? Where's the heating pad?"

"In the nightstand along with your medicine."

"Want some help?" Bob asked.

"You stay and visit, I'll get Kimmy to help."

"You sure?"

"Yeah." Missy told her fianceč. "Good night everyone." Missy saw Kim and asked for her to help her. Kim said she would be in as soon as she saw AJ out.

 

"Missy's got the color back in her cheeks again. That's good." Ken said to his parents and Bob.

"Yeah, but she still has a long way to a full recovery. Dr. Nash and Dr. Feagel only let her come home because there were no evident signs of any neurological damage from the fever and how long it went untreated." Mr. Nichols said.

"Wait a minute, she's still not out of the woods?" Jason, JR. asked.

"The doctors are very optomistic on her outlook. There's no signs of any permanent brain damage." Bob said.

"Does Missy know all of this?" Kenny asked.

"No, and I don't want her to know. It would just cause her to feel like she's more of an invalid and more dependable on all of us." Bob stated to him.

"Your sister is very independent and very responsible..." Mrs. Nichols said to Kenny.

"And the only reason that the doctors were worried at all is because when Missy first came out from being unconscious and was totally coherent she didn't remember what all had happened until she glanced down at the engagement ring. It was as if her brain subconscious didn't want her to remember the most recent events." Bob said.

"So Missy hasn't had any seizures or convulsions?" Jenn had asked.

"No, she seems to be doing very well." Mr. Nichols said.

"I think you should be honest with her and tell her everything you just told us." Ken said to Bob.

"When we know for sure that she won't relapse, your parents and I will tell her." Bob said. Kim joined everyone in the livingroom.

"How's Missy?"

"Tired. Bob, be sure to check the heating pad when you go in? She's got it on low." Kim said.

"Thanks, Kim."

"Well, it's getting late and we should get going." Jason, Sr. said to everone.

"Where's Colleen?"

"I left her in the dining room reading." Kim said.

"Jason, son, why don't you go get her." Jason, Sr. said to Jason, Jr. Jason, Jr. got up and disappeared into the other room.

"We should be going, too, mom. Kenny has to perform surgery at 7:00." Jenn said.

"I'll go get Andy. Which room is he in?" Ken said.

"Missy's bedroom." Jenn told her husband.

"Oh, okay, well thanks for coming over everyone." Mrs. Nichols said to everyone. Jason, Jr. came back into the room, carrying his sister.

"I didn't want to wake her, dad." Everyone chuckled.

"Just like your brothers, that's okay, son. C'mon, let's go put her into the car. Marilyn, Kevin, we'll see you tomorrow. Sleep tight." Jason, Sr. said.

"Goodnight, Anna, Jason. Sleep tight." Kevin Nichols replied. Jenn had gone into the kitchen to gather up Andrew's bottles and his baby food.

"Is it really almost 11:00?" Marilyn asked her husband. Bob and Colleen were cleaning up the living room.

"Yes, dear."

"I forgot how fast time goes by when you're having a good time."

"I think it's time for us to retire, can you kids handle clean-up duty?"

"Sure. See you in the morning." Kim said to her parents. 10 minutes later Kenny and Andrew came downstairs.

"Goodnight, Kimmy, G'night Bob." Kenny whispered, indicating that Andrew was asleep. Jenny came out from the kitchen.

"Ready, Ken?"

"All set."

"Goodnight." Everyone said to each other.

"I can finish this, Bob. Why don't you go on to bed?" Kim said.

"You sure?"

"Yeah. There's not much left to do so..."

"Alright, I'll see you in the morning." Bob said and darted off to the den.

Missy fell asleep with the CB on. Bob could hear a few people talking about the upcoming Robbie Bryant concert in the city. He knew Missy wanted to go, but it was still too soon and he didn't know how she would handle being in a crowd. He heard a friend of his, Dark Rider, on the set. He broke in.

"Breaker 2." he asked for the break.

"Go, Breaker." a female voice said.

"How `bout it Dark Rider? You got a copy on this TWIN1?" he asked.

"Sure do. How ya doin', man?" Dark Rider replied.

"Good. Where've you been lately? Haven't talked to you much."

"Been busy. Working at an architectual firm in the city."

"Cool. Remember my home channel?" Bob asked.

"Sure do. Meet you up there." Dark Rider replied.

"Great. Thanks, Lolli, for the break. I'm clear." Bob turned the CB up to channel 25.

"Bob?" Dark Rider asked.

"Hey, Mark."

"So, what's up? How's Missy? My mom's been telling me what she knows about what happened. Did JJ really have her kidnapped?"

"You don't know the half of it. But, Missy's home now and we're both trying to get past what he's done."

"Are you still planning on getting married?"

"Yeah, it'll be a double ceremony."

"Double?"

"Rick and Kerri are engaged as well."

"When's this wedding?"

"We haven't decided."

"No..." Missy tossed.

"Mark, I gotta go. Missy's having a bad dream. Page me tomorrow, maybe we can get together." Bob suggested.

"Sure. Take care." Bob turned down the CB.

"No...no..."

"Missy? Honey? Wake up...you're having a bad dream." Bob brushed her hair away from her eyes.

"Bob?" Missy sat up. "Where...oh, I'm home."

"That's right, you're home. You okay?"

"Yeah. A little sore, but okay." Missy assurred him.

"What were you dreaming about?" Bob changed into a pair of sweats.

"I can't remember. I really hate those kind of dreams." Missy said.

"Well, let's go back to bed. You still need the heating pad?" Bob got under the covers.

"No, I'll be okay. I do need your arms around me though." Missy told him.

"Say no more." Bob said. He reached over and unplugged the heating pad from the wall and then opened his arms for her to move in to. "Better?" he asked, once Missy had settled in.

"Much." They both settled into sleep for the night.

 

"Bob...you're up early." Mrs. Nichols said as she came into the kitchen.

"Missy was tossing and turning all night. I couldn't sleep."

"Missy's up then?"

"No. I finally got her to go back to sleep about a half hour ago. She's been having bad dreams all night. She says she can't remember them though." Bob was sipping coffee.

"She doesn't feel safe yet. She was like that whenever she would spend the night over a friend's house and at summer camp." Mrs. Nichols poured herself some coffee.

"She's home, now. With me and you and the family. Why doesn't she feel safe."

"Maybe she's still afraid of JJ Grant." she suggested.

"Man, this all just has me so frustrated." Bob said.

"Don't worry. She'll be fine. She told me the other day that she wanted to see a psychiatrist about everything."

"What do you mean everything?"

"She is really upset about the miscarriage. She doesn't show it because she doesn't know how. You should be talking about this with her, you know."

"We have been talking...about everything. I guess just not as deeply as I thought we were."

"Bob, she loves you with all her heart. She just has a hard time communicating everything else that she is feeling with you. She's always been that way with us. Please don't take it to heart. She doesn't want to burden anybody. She's trying to get out of that. I've seen it with you. Remember the night she got the test results back. Running away from you was her normal reaction. Back before then, she wouldn't have talked about the incident for a few days, but you came after her and taught her that she wasn't alone. Please don't take her actions to heart."

"Well...if she can't talk to me, I want her to talk to someone. I wish it were me, but I understand."

"You are a rare breed, Robert Cauldwell. There aren't many men like you."

"I just love her so much. I'd do anything for her."

"And vice versa. That's why she's going to the shrink. She can't talk about the rape with any of us. After it happened, she stayed at Kenny's for a month because Kenny understood her and her father didn't. Just like you, Kevin can be very loving and supportive, but he's very tight-wired. Missy couldn't tell him about the rape. She had Kenny tell him and he went bonkers. See, Missy's doing what's best for her...communication wise. Once she gets everything organized about what's going on, she'll sit you down and talk about it. Trust me, I know my daughter." Mrs. Nichols patted Bob on the hand.

"I'm doing my best to, thanks." Bob smiled.

"Good, now, I better get to making breakfast. Kevin will be down soon and I know you two want to work on the garage."

"Yeah, Rick and my father will be by around noon. They went into work today to finish up an order."

"Okay, would you like some breakfast?"

"No thanks, Marilyn. I think I'm going to go for a run. Mind if I take Pokie with me?" Pokie was the Nichols' German shepherd dog.

"She'll love it. Her leash is on the back porch." Mrs. Nichols went to the refrigerator and began getting breakfast together. Bob went into the den to put on his sneakers. Missy was coming out of the bathroom.

"Good morning, hon." Bob kissed his fianceč on the cheek.

"Hi. Did you get any sleep at all last night with me tossing and turning?" Missy asked.

"Some. Don't worry about me, I'm fine." Bob insisted. They went into the den. Missy had made the bed. "Hey, how long have you been up?"

"Since you left the bed and went into the kitchen." Missy said.

"Alright, what's bothering you?" Bob sat down on the bed and pulled her down on top of him.

"I miss you, I miss us." Missy told him.

"I know, me too. But we have to wait."

"To do what? Cuddle? Neck? Hug each other?"

"No."

"Then what? Is there something that you and my parents aren't telling me? Is there something wrong with me that I don't know about?" Missy got up off the bed and went to look out the window.

"No. I'm just being careful and mindful. You're still a little sore and tender in the middle. How do I know when I'm hugging you that you're not it pain. I don't want to hurt you. Physically or emotionally."

"Let me worry about the tenderness, okay? The physical therapy is helping with the tenderness and it'll go away in time. I just really miss your arms around me. Holding me, protecting me." Missy looked at him.

"I'll always protect you."

"I know that and I'll always protect you. But I feel like you're shutting me out of something."

"Come over here and sit down." Bob said. Missy did as he said. "The only thing that I'm worried about is the possibility of you having a relapse or brain damage."

"If I had brain damage, something would have appeared by now and as for a relapse, that's what the two more weeks of rest and relaxation is suppose to try to help prevent." Missy said.

"You knew all this?"

"Yeah, Dr. Nash and I had a long talk before you guys picked me up yesterday. He even showed me the results of the CAT scans that were taken when I first arrived at the hospital. I'm an adult. My parents can't hide things from me anymore." Missy said. Bob smiled.

"You're amazing. You know that?" Bob kissed her.

"Yeah, I do." Missy said.

"I'll never keep things from you. I promise." Bob said.

"Good, I'm glad. Now, I'm hungry. How about breakfast?"

"Can't. I have a date." Bob grinned.

"Excuse me?"

"I have a date. Didn't you hear me?" Bob put on his sneakers.

"And just who do you have a date with?" Missy asked.

"A girl. We're going jogging." Bob said and walked out of the room. Missy followed.

"Who's this girl?" Missy wanted to know so she followed him.

"Someone who's a man's best friend? Doesn't talk back and is very playful." Bob teased. They went into the kitchen.

"Good morning kids." Mr. Nichols said from behind his paper.

"What's all this fighting about?" Mrs. Nichols said as she finished making eggs.

"Would you believe that Bob has a date this morning with another girl and he's suppose to be my fianceč?" Missy said. Mrs. Nichols burst out laughing. "Mom, it's not funny!" Missy stated.

"Bob, stop teasing Missy..." Mrs. Nichols said to Bob.

"Alright...alright, I'm taking Pokie out for a run." Bob told Missy and then started lauging.

"You bum!" Missy said and playfully hit him.

"You were jealous." Bob said.

"I was not."

"Were too."

"Was not."

"Honey, you were." Mr. Nichols put down his paper and said to his daughter.

"Ooh, maybe a little." Missy admitted.

"I'll be back in a little while." Bob said and gave Missy a lingering kiss.

"With a good-bye like that, I don't want to let you leave." Missy said as he went out the back.

"You two remind me of your mother and me when we were your age." Mr. Nichols was staring at his daughter.

"Funny, they remind me of us now." Mrs. Nichols served her husband his breakfast. "Missy, honey, would you like some eggs?"

"No thanks. Is there any grapefruit?" Missy said.

"I'll get it. You just sit there."

"Thanks, mom. Now, what do you two mean that Bob and I remind you of you."

"Well, although we never went through many of the same crisises that you two have gone through in such a short time, we would tease each other and just openly love each other. We still do." Mr. Nichols explained.

"You can tell in your eyes that you and Bob will last. When you two look at each other, it's as if there is no other human being alive. That kind of love is forever. Like your fathers' and mine." Mrs. Nichols served her daughter half a grapefruit.

"Wow! I love when you two talk about when you were my age. Both of your faces light up and make you look younger." Missy smiled at her parents.

"Even though ours was an arranged marriage from when we were very young we were terrific friends before anything else." Mr. Nichols said.

"I don't remember you guys ever telling us that it was an arranged marriage. I didn't realize that gramps and nanna and granny and pop pop were so old fashioned."

"Old fashioned and strict. But that's another story. C'mon and eat your grapefruit." Mrs. Nichols said and sat down to enjoy breakfast with them.

"What do you ladies have planned for today?" Mr. Nichols said.

"Catching up on reading and stuff. Kerri brought over some new books as well as my laptop so I'll be updating inventory at the store. Now, don't get mad. I asked her to bring everything over so that I wouldn't get bored. Besides, she's pretty boggled down."

"Just don't over do it. Okay?" Mrs. Nichols asked.

"I promise. Just an hour or so on the Laptop doing work. First, though, I'm going to go watch some cartoons. Wanna watch with me, mom?"

"Maybe after I finish cleaning up. I need to go grocery shopping today so I still have to make a list."

"Dad?"

"Can't honey. I gotta get some stuff at the hardware store and that's where I'm headed now. How about if just you and me watch a movie later on tonight or tomorrow?"

"Okay, dad. Thanks."

"Sure." Mr. Nichols grabbed his coat from the back of his chair and kissed his daughter on the forehead and his wife on the lips.

"He sure is dreamy." Mrs. Nichols said as she went to the window to watch him leave.

"Mom!" Missy laughed.

"What? Can't a woman be totally and utterly in love with her husband?" Mrs. Nichols asked innocently.

"I knew you and dad were goofy, but...you two are really going wacky. Did you two every talk to Ken like this?"

"I don't think so. See, Kenny is a very serious and complicated person. You and your sister are more laid back and relaxed. But, Kenny is learning. He really is." Mrs. Nichols looked at her watch. "Oh my, 9:30 already. I better get to the store before all the ripe tomatoes are gone. Do you need anything from the store?"

"Frozen Yogurt...Blackberry?" Missy asked.

"Sure. Okay. I'll do these dishes when I get back."

"Okay, see ya soon." Missy said. Missy went back to the den, turned on the radio and laid back down and fell asleep.

 

Bob came back around 10:15, just as Kevin Nichols pulled into the driveway.

"Looks like you wore Pokey out." Mr. Nichols said as he unloaded his purchases.

"She's a good pace dog. I think she found a new boyfriend while we were at the park, too." Bob laughed. "Here, let me help you with some of that." Bob took a few bags from the car. Kim came out.

"AJ and I were thinking about going to the mall. Can I borrow the car, dad?"

"Well, good morning to you too Kim. Did you pick up your room?"

"Yeah, and I also cleaned up the kitchen. I think mom's grocery shopping. I just checked on Missy. She's sound asleep." Kim told them.

"Okay, come in the house with me. Let me get your allowance." Mr. Nichols said. Bob followed them both in. They set the purchases on the kitchen table.

"You still get an allowance?"

"Yeah, mom and dad would rather see me get good grades than have them suffer because of a job."

"So she does chores around the house and babysits for Kenny and Jenn on Sunday afternoons so that they can have some time to themselves. Besides I enjoy spoiling her. She's the baby." Mr. Nichols handed her seventy-five dollars.

"Oh, dad...this is too much." Kim said honestly.

"Not for everything you've helped your mother and me with these past few weeks."

"Wait, let me give you some money for the stuff you're doing for the daybed." Bob handed her a twenty.

"Thanks, daddy. Bob. I'll see you guys later."

"Call in if you aren't going to be home for dinner." Mr. Nichols said as he handed her the keys to the car.

"I will." Kim ran out the door.

"Wow! I used to think that she didn't want to work."

"Kimmy is a good little sister and a good daughter. School is important to her and I'd rather see her excel at school than get a job and fail. Besides, her mother and I promised her that with every A she earned in the high school that we would put extra savings money toward college for her, no matter if she gets a scholarship or not."

"Wow!"

"Well, are you ready to get to work?"

"Let me just get something to drink and check on Missy, then I'll be in." Bob said.

"Alright, I'm going to start on the outer wall. It needs insulation. Make sure that the room isn't too warm for her."

"I will." Bob went in and got some water for him and for the dog. He tiptoed into the den. Kim was right, Missy was sound asleep. Bob opened the window a crack so that there would be a little breeze of fresh air in the room. He also covered Missy with an afghan. She stirred a little but didn't wake. Bob changed his shoes to his work boots and went back out to the garage.

"Missy's still asleep." Bob said when he entered the garage.

"I knew she wouldn't be able to stay awake to watch cartoons." Mr. Nichols smiled.

"I'd rather have her sleeping than listening to all the news reports about JJ Grant. JJ is giving AJ grief about living with his grandparents."

"JJ's parents couldn't handle JJ. Lucky for them that AJ is nothing like his older brother. C'mon, let's finish the insulation on this wall. We should have the permit to add on to the back some time next week. And as for the front of the garage...we'll think of something." Mr. Nichols said.

The two men worked side by side for the next two hours so diligently that they didn't hear Mrs. Nichols come back from shopping. When they decided to take a break. They found Mrs. Nichols just finishing up making lunch and Missy getting off the phone.

"Oh, good. I was just coming out to get you two." Mrs. Nichols said when Mr. Nichols kissed her on the neck.

"We lost track of time working on the garage. It's gotta be lunch time." Bob said.

"Yeah, it is. Rick and your father are on their way. They just finished filling a big order and closed up shop."

"Cool. Did you have a nice nap?"

"I was suppose to be doing inventory for my shop."

"Yeah, well...you need to build up your strength again. Don't worry about it. You can spend the afternoon doing inventory. As long as you..." Bob said.

"Don't overdo it. I know...I know." Missy stated.

"Smart ass." Bob kissed her again.

"Go wash up or we won't feed you." Missy pushed him away. Bob felt her head. No fever.

"You're going to drive me crazy checking my temperature every time you see me." Missy told him.

"I do it because I care. C'mon back to the bathroom with me. I gotta talk with you about something." Bob said.

"Mom, we'll be right back." Missy stated and followed Bob into the bathroom. "So, what's up?"

to be continued...

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