Sorry this took me so long. Had a bad case of writer's block. Thanks for the continued interest in this story. Hope you enjoy.
Jarod sat on the Kent's front porch. A slight breeze blew which was making the leaves on the trees sway back and forth. He was glad he had stayed a little longer at the farm. He had gotten a glimpse at what a normal life could be like; and he liked what he saw.
He had wanted to try and help out with something around the house, but both Martha and Jonathan had insisted that he was a guest and that he would do no such thing. They had told him that he should just take it easy and rest. Normally, that would be almost impossible for him, but there was something about this place made him feel like maybe, just for once, he could relax for a while.
The sound of the old red truck coming up the drive broke into Jarod's thoughts. The windshield was in a desperate need of being washed and he had a hard time seeing through it, but it looked like Clark had brought someone with him.
What happened next seemed to go in slow motion to Jarod. He watched as the passenger door opened and the one person he thought he would never see again stepped out. Almost unable to believe his eyes he whispered, "Mom".
After a few seconds, when his body and brain seemed to be working again, he got up and started walking towards the truck. He had only gone a few steps when he stopped. This was too similar to his first near encounter with her. What if this was just his mind playing tricks on him? What if the moment he stepped off the porch someone popped out to grab him? What if this was a trap?
Martha quietly stepped out on to the porch and placed her hand on Jarod's shoulder causing him to jump slightly. "It's okay. Go to her." She said with a gentle smile.
Jarod didn't need anymore assurance. Jumping down the porch steps, he rushed as fast as he could to his Mom's side.
Tears were streaming down her face as she hugged him tightly to her. It was true. This really was her beloved son. He was real and in her arms. Holding onto him, she squeezed him as tightly as she could.
"Mhhhhh" Jarod groaned slightly as squeezed on his sore rib.
"Oh, sweetie. I'm sorry did I hurt you?" She looked at him with concern.
"No. You could never hurt me." Jarod reassured her as he closed his eyes and breathed in her scent.
"I've missed you so much." She whispered as she wrapped her arms around him once again and laid her head on his shoulder. Her baby was safe.
It was almost too much for Jarod to comprehend. "You're real? This isn't just some dream I'm having."
Margaret looked up at Jarod and nodded her head, trying to keep her composure so she could answer him. "I'm here and I'm real. No one is going to take you away from me again."
Clark and Chloe stood and watched the scene for a moment, before Clark looked up and saw his parents standing next to each other on the porch watching the happy reunion.
Clark gently nudged Chloe and indicated that they should go in the house and give Jarod and his mom some time alone.