Disclaimer: The Pretender characters don't belong to me. They belong to
NBC and MTM etc. But definitely don't belong to me. No infringement is
implied etc. etc.
Feed back wanted tigereyes320@hotmail.com
My Dearest Angel
By tigereyes320 Part 2 of 5
Day 1
Chicago, IL
Jarod sat and looked at the phone for a minute. He laughed to himself. Life really can change in a single moment. He remembered when he first read the letter. He still couldn't believe that this was all coming about because of something he read less then 2 hours ago.
Earlier that same day
Jarod turned the package over in his hand. When he looked up, he saw the incredible view of the Chicago skyline that his apartment afforded him. It was a lot more upscale then where he normally would crash. It was also downtown Chicago, you want upscale, you paid upscale. He had nice 3-bedroom condominium that the Centre had generously paid for. He wasn't in Chicago for any particular reason. The last time he had been so busy helping his friend the DJ he didn't get to enjoy Chicago very much. This time, he thought he could have some of the famous Chicago-style pizza, and enjoy some of the sights. Hit the famed Art Institute of Chicago.
Zoë had called it a vacation. He thought about Zoë, and the vacation they had planned to go on and sighed. It had been before he found out he and Parker shared a brother. Then they had to rescue him from Mr. Raines and Project 7677. They had to survive the bomb blast themselves. Then she had been kidnapped to get to him. It had just been too much for her. After his father had rescued her they had stayed at a hotel. The next morning she had been gone and only a note left to him. His father had scanned it and sent it to his secure e-mail. She had said she wasn't ready, yet, to fight the people that were always pursuing him. She needed some time. She would contact him when she was ready to talk.
He looked back down at the envelope in front of him. He was amazed he even got it. Last week, before he wrapped up his last pretend in Oregon, he had called the DJ just to say hi. His friend then said he had a letter for him. Jarod chuckled at the wild goose chase he would be putting his pursuers on, when they got there. They would be going up and down the West Coast for about three weeks. That would definitely wear out the heels of Parker's favorite high-heeled shoes.
He sat down on one of his black leather chairs and opened the courier's envelope. His eyebrows shot up as he realized whose handwriting this was.
Mr. Parker's.
According to Parker he hadn't been heard of since he jumped out of the plane. That had been about a month ago. Jarod thought, 'At least he threw Parker a bone about how he felt about her.'
Jarod opened the letter and began to read;
Dear Jarod,
I bet you never thought I'd be writing to you. They say confession cleanses the soul. This is my feeble attempt at that. You and my Angel need to find out the truth about your lives, and the relationship you have shared. I'm sending you this letter earlier then my Angel's. She will be receiving her exactly one month from the day of my funeral service. I don't expect you'll have shed too many tears for me. Your letter is timed to go out two weeks earlier. I'm assuming it will take approximately that long to for you to find it. I thought I would send it to Chicago. I know you keep in touch with some of your various pretends. The DJ, the boy with your brother's heart, JR. I know what you think of me Jarod. I know I'm not a good man. My Angel, she has something special with you. She always has. Jarod, what I'm about to tell you, I've never told anyone else. Some of this I've told Angel in her letter. I'm sure you'll compare notes later.
Jarod, I want you to know, that at one time the Centre did a great deal of good. After WWII, though the attitude changed. The Triumvirate came into power & brought with it something dark, and evil. All of a sudden we had money pouring in for research. The customers wanted answers, and didn't ask questions as to how we got them. We tried traditional research, but it didn't get the customers the answers as quickly as they wanted them. We were running out of time. When Dr. Raines happened upon the genetic anomaly of the pretender, we thought it was a godsend. The Centre got into bed with NuGenesis. It was how we could scan for the anomaly. Then test the children that had it. Your parents both had this genetic anomaly. When they came to us for help in having a child, we thought it would be easy to persuade them into letting you go to a special school. Your intelligence was obvious from the start. We broached the idea to your parents about sending you away to a special school. Your parents both agreed they didn't want some one else raising you. Six months later, we took you. I suppose we justified it to ourselves that we would be giving you a better life. When your brother Kyle also started showing signs, we took him as well. Your parents then disappeared. They hid themselves very well. I don't need to tell you what would have been done to them, if they had been found. You also know what would have happened to you sister, had we found her. We wanted you so badly Jarod. I know you know that you weren't the first or the last. I've included a key to a safe deposit box in the envelope. In that box you will find more information about your family. There is also information in the locked box that I'm giving my daughter. I've instructed her to share it with you. Do with it as you see fit. Jarod, I'd like to sincerely apologize for what happened to Kyle. I know it probably doesn't mean much to you but I am sorry.
Jarod, My Angel is going to need your help. I've told her I was involved with Thomas's death. This probably hasn't hit her yet as I told her a lot in her letter. She may need you to help her through it. You are the only one she trusts outside the Centre. The baby, Angel delivered as Brigitte was dying, is not my son. Evan Thomas is your son. Yours and my Angel's. When she nearly died of the ulcer perforation. The Triumvirate ordered some of her eggs to be harvested. Since Raines had screwed up Ethan too much for the Centre to use. The Triumvirate decided to try for another Mirage. Instead of using Catherine's DNA and your fathers, they used yours and Eve's. They thought they would be hitting the genetics jackpot, with a child of your shared genes. Jarod, I know you are furious with us playing God, yet again, with your genetics. I swear to you, Angel won't know about this until she reads her letter. You know my Angel. She'd kill anyone who stood between her and her child. I'm instructing her to take some time off and find you. So you can both spend time with your son. I trust you to keep both my daughter and my grandson safe.
Jarod, I'm trusting you with the information that Raines is not her father. Lyle isn't her twin brother, Angelo is. I also think Sydney might be her father. For her and Sydney's safety don't reveal this to Raines or Lyle. Right now her life depends on the fact that Raines thinks of her as his. Jarod, I especially trust you to get them the hell out of there if Eve or Evan's safety is ever at risk.
Jarod I think you and my daughter could make the Centre what it once was. A place that helped families have children. We helped children with special abilities use there gifts for the greater good. If you are unable to do this, then destroy it and anyone who gets in your way. There are less then a handful of people there that I trust. Sydney, Mr. Broots, and Sam the sweeper my daughter uses. I believe his first loyalty is to her, not the Centre.
I don't know if you and my Angel will be able to live a normal life together. I am sure you'll find a way of dealing with each other, for your son's sake at least. I'm running late to meet with Raines and Lyle. We're going to meet up with you two in Scotland. Be safe Jarod. Be as happy as you can be, you deserve all of it. I know you feel you are to blame for us corrupting your research. You aren't, we are. When the time comes to answer to whatever higher power there is for what was done, we'll be the one paying the piper, not you.
Cain Parker.
Present time
Jarod stood at the window, with his arms crossed, looking down at the city. In a few hours he would be holding his son. It had been a few hours since he first called Parker about this whole mess. He wanted to weep with what the Centre had done to him, this time. He also laughed to himself. The Centre had really shot themselves in the foot this time. Hell hath no fury like Parker betrayed. The ringing of his cell phone snapped him out of his own thoughts.
"Hello" he answered cautiously.
"Jarod? We'll be landing in about an hour at the O'Hare airport. The flight number is 377 on United. Where do you want to meet?" she spoke rapidly.
Jarod could tell she was still running on pure adrenaline.
"How about the baggage claim? Even with Evan they won't let me meet you at the gate. Where are you flying in from?" Jarod asked while filing the flight number in his photographic memory.
"Baltimore. Evan you can't chew on Mom's sleeve. Jarod you'll have something in your refrigerator besides Pez and Twinkies won't you? Jarod? Are you there?" Parker asked worriedly.
"Yeah, I'm here. Can I talk to him?" he asked expectantly.
"Evan say 'hi' to Daddy" he heard her say.
"Daddy?" he heard his son ask in a small questioning voice.
"Hi Evan. This is Daddy. You and your Mommy are going to spend some time with me. Ok?" Jarod said nervously his voice catching a little.
"OK Daddy. Bye-Bye. Mommy here." Evan said waving into the phone.
"Jarod?"
"I'm still here Parker."
"You can call me Eve, Jarod. Our son is confused enough I don't want him not knowing what to call me." Parker said resignedly, sitting back in her seat.
"Evie, did you bring your father's papers?" Jarod asked.
"Yes I brought everything that was in the box. Together, maybe we can sort out this whole mess. We will need to do some serious planning. Jarod do me a favor. I'm starving. Can you order in from a restaurant and have it get there after you pick us up?" she inquired hopefully.
"Since you'll be in Chicago. How about some Italian? I can order it right before I leave. What do you want?" Jarod shook his head at the idea of Parker wanting real food. "I don't care. Just get Evan plain spaghetti. I don't know how he'll react to spicier food. I don't know anything about him and he is my - our son." She said worriedly.
"Evie, we'll get to know him. I'll see you in an hour." Jarod said calmly, belying how he felt at the moment.
"See you in an hour." She said, hanging up the phone.
As he disconnected the call he heard a ring from the desk. It was his videophone. As he hit the button to activate it, the face of his little brother Ethan appeared.
"Ethan, How, no Where have you been? I've been worried sick about you. Your sister said you had disappeared." Jarod said, almost stumbling over the words.
Ethan grinned and then looked at him with his deep brown troubled eyes. "Actually, my sister is why I'm calling you. Have you heard from her? The voices told me to go to her. She needed her family. They didn't say why. But, when I got to her house it was dark, and her car was gone."
"Ethan your sister is fine. I know where she is. I can't tell you right now where she is. I don't know how secure this line is. She is upset. Call me tomorrow on my cell. I'll tell you then where we are and where you can meet us. Do you still have the number?" Jarod asked, trying to reassure his younger brother about his sister's safety.
"We'll need to talk soon. The voices are telling me soon we'll have all we need to destroy the Centre." Ethan said.
"Ok. Call me tomorrow and we'll work it out."
"Talk to you then." Ethan said as his disconnected the line.
Jarod watched as the screen faded. He checked his watch. He had about 45 minutes before her plane came in. He thought about what she said, about food. He called an Italian restaurant that he knew delivered. He ordered and asked that the food be delivered in about 2 hours. He then saw the cupboards were pretty bare except for his junk food. He got online and ordered a whole bunch of nutritious food and coffee. To be delivered tomorrow morning. Good thing he already had dishes and everything else needed.
He then grabbed his black leather jacket, keys, and wallet as he walked out of the apartment. He took the elevator to the underground parking and got into the silver Toyota Corolla he was using and headed toward O'Hare. Due to the fact that it was late at night, he got a good parking space. He also saw he was a bit early, but when he checked the monitor to see how much longer her flight would be, he saw her plane had already landed and she would be claiming their bags at baggage claim 8. They would be here any minute. Jarod didn't remember ever having been this nervous before.
"Jarod?" he heard her voice from behind him.
He looked at her and saw the effort it was taking for her to keep it together. He looked at the toddler she carried. He was definitely his mother's son. He had her bright blue eyes, and her habit of looking like she owned the world. When he smiled, Jarod saw he had his own dimples and jaw line. He had dark hair, but Jarod bet there would be some red in it like his mothers. Evan though, had definitely inherited Jarod's own innate curiosity of the world around him. Judging by the way he kept looking around at everything and smiling. Parker came to a stop right in front of him. Jarod hadn't seen that look in her eyes since Thomas died. This time he did what she wouldn't have allowed then. He put his arms around both of them and just held her. He felt her instinctively stiffen up and then felt her body relax as she allowed the embrace, and momentarily returned it. They felt something on their backs, looking up they saw that Evan was patting both of his parents back with his small hands.
"Momma, Daddy Ok?" Evan asked with a big smile.
They looked at him, then at each other and grinned.
"We are good buddy. Why don't we get a cart for the luggage, and let Mommy sit for a minute?" He asked taking Evan out of her arms. He gave her a nudge toward the bench that sat by the baggage carrel.
He and Evan got a cart and headed back to her.
"So Evan did you have fun on the plane. Did the airline attendants think you were cute? He asked conversationally.
"O course dey thought I was cute. I'm a handsome boy." Evan said confidently. As only a toddler and the son of Parker could be.
"He gets that from you." Parker and Jarod both said simultaneously. They looked at each other and started laughing. Evan didn't get the joke, but laughed too.
"I guess there is no doubt who his parents are? I'm so exhausted. Keep an eye on him while I grab our bags." Parker instructed as she headed toward the carrel to grab the bags.
"Yes Ma'am." Jarod gave her a salute.
"Sorry. I'm used to giving orders, and knowing where I'm going." Parker apologized with a genuine smile.
"Evie, we'll figure this out."
"How? Jarod it has been you run I chase for 5 years. How can they ask me to hunt down the father of my son? I helped bring him into this world. For the past 2 years I've been thinking of him as my brother. They took him from me." Parker said in a voice barely controlled. She looked at Evan, who was staring back at her with her own eyes. "You should have seen Raines' face, when I told him I was taking Evan. I told him if he tried to stop me I'd bring in the police. That the law would be on my side, and if that wasn't enough to scare the sh- you know what out of him. I told him I'd go to the Triumvirate with some information on his last dirty deal or two. I also told him I had already made out a will giving Evan to someone else if anything happened to me. But, I was bluffing big time so remind me to see a lawyer while I'm here. Evan must be protected at all costs." Parker said as she put their suitcases on the cart.
Jarod put his arm around her shoulders and pushed the cart in the direction of the exit. When they reached his car, he put the luggage, car seat and Evan in the back seat.
"Parker rest. We'll deal with it as it comes." Jarod slid into his seat and buckled the seatbelt.
"So, what warehouse are we in this time. Hopefully, somewhere there aren't any chemicals Evan can get into." Parker said jokingly.
"Actually the Centre has nicely provided me with a 3 bedroom 2 bath Condominium of Michigan Avenue. I thought, since I was on vacation, I should splurge, or rather the Centre should splurge for me." Jarod gave her one of his own dimpled grins in reply.
"Good. I was afraid we'd be camping out." Parker murmured as she rested her head against the headrest.
Jarod pulled out form the parking space and exited the garage. He paid the fee and within thirty minutes arrived back at the condo. Evan and Parker were both asleep by the time he left the garage.
"Evie, we're here" he gave her a slight shake. "I'll get Evan and the luggage. You grab the rest."
"Ok." She agreed tiredly.
Jarod got everything in the elevator and up to the floor where he was staying. As soon as he unlocked the door and got everyone inside, Parker plopped on the leather couch. She kicked her shoes off, in very un-Parker way. Jarod put her and Evan's things in the second bedroom. He took Evans jacket and shoes off.
"You know right now I would kill for a cigarette," Parker groaned.
"I thought you quit," Jarod looked at her concerned for her as always.
"I did. Its days like this though I really want one. I'm not starting up again. I don't want to turn into Raines, toting an oxygen tank all over the place. Jarod do you have anything besides sugary cola in the house?"
"I have some wine, but dinner should be here soon. Alcohol on an empty stomach isn't good for you ulcer," he said as the doorbell rang. "That is probably the food now"
Jarod answered the door. He assumed, correctly that it was the food. He set the table and put the food out. He had a highchair as well.
"Where did you get the highchair?" she asked suspiciously.
"The previous owners left it." he answered, putting Evan in it. "Ethan called. He was worried about you. He'll be calling tomorrow. We can have him meet us here in Chicago.
"That is fine," she said rising of the couch. She sat down at the table. "Jarod this smells incredible." she placed food on her plate. She took some spaghetti cut it up in to smaller pieces and put it on Evan's plate. She handed him a spoon. He looked at it for a moment and then dug in gleefully. He actually managed to get some food in his mouth, the rest ended up on him.
"At least he is enjoying it," Parker said wryly, trying not to wince at the site of her son covered in spaghetti sauce.
"Parker, why don't you finish your dinner? Take a long, hot shower, and go to bed. I'll clean Evan up and put him in the bed with you." Jarod suggested to her. "Actually, it looks like he's got a head start on you already." Jarod pointed his fork in Evan's direction. Parker turned and saw that their son was already dozing off with his face and hands full of his spaghetti. "Go on take a shower. I'll clean him and the kitchen up. Anything else we have to discuss, can wait until we've had a good nights sleep." he said.
"Ok." she said getting up, and putting her dishes in the sink. She then headed to the bedroom. She grabbed her favorite pajamas and headed to the shower.
Twenty minutes later Jarod heard the shower go off and the doors of the bathroom and bedroom opening and closing. He had already cleaned up the kitchen by then. He then took Evan and himself into his bathroom. Jarod stripped them both down and climbed into the shower with his son. The water revived him and he had fun pulling at some of the hair on Jarod's chest.
Thirty minutes later Evan was asleep on his fathers shoulder. Jarod stepped carefully out of the shower, wrapping them both in a large towel. On his bed, he found the diaper bag and some pj's for Evan. He quickly dressed him and pulled on some boxers. He then went into the bedroom where Parker was sleeping and laid Evan beside her. Near the wall, so he couldn't fall out of the bed. Jarod then turned out the lights, started the dishwasher, and climbed into his own bed. When he slipped down between the sheets, his eyes closed and didn't open again until morning.
TBC
My Dearest Angel
By tigereyes320 Part 2 of 5
Day 1
Chicago, IL
Jarod sat and looked at the phone for a minute. He laughed to himself. Life really can change in a single moment. He remembered when he first read the letter. He still couldn't believe that this was all coming about because of something he read less then 2 hours ago.
Earlier that same day
Jarod turned the package over in his hand. When he looked up, he saw the incredible view of the Chicago skyline that his apartment afforded him. It was a lot more upscale then where he normally would crash. It was also downtown Chicago, you want upscale, you paid upscale. He had nice 3-bedroom condominium that the Centre had generously paid for. He wasn't in Chicago for any particular reason. The last time he had been so busy helping his friend the DJ he didn't get to enjoy Chicago very much. This time, he thought he could have some of the famous Chicago-style pizza, and enjoy some of the sights. Hit the famed Art Institute of Chicago.
Zoë had called it a vacation. He thought about Zoë, and the vacation they had planned to go on and sighed. It had been before he found out he and Parker shared a brother. Then they had to rescue him from Mr. Raines and Project 7677. They had to survive the bomb blast themselves. Then she had been kidnapped to get to him. It had just been too much for her. After his father had rescued her they had stayed at a hotel. The next morning she had been gone and only a note left to him. His father had scanned it and sent it to his secure e-mail. She had said she wasn't ready, yet, to fight the people that were always pursuing him. She needed some time. She would contact him when she was ready to talk.
He looked back down at the envelope in front of him. He was amazed he even got it. Last week, before he wrapped up his last pretend in Oregon, he had called the DJ just to say hi. His friend then said he had a letter for him. Jarod chuckled at the wild goose chase he would be putting his pursuers on, when they got there. They would be going up and down the West Coast for about three weeks. That would definitely wear out the heels of Parker's favorite high-heeled shoes.
He sat down on one of his black leather chairs and opened the courier's envelope. His eyebrows shot up as he realized whose handwriting this was.
Mr. Parker's.
According to Parker he hadn't been heard of since he jumped out of the plane. That had been about a month ago. Jarod thought, 'At least he threw Parker a bone about how he felt about her.'
Jarod opened the letter and began to read;
Dear Jarod,
I bet you never thought I'd be writing to you. They say confession cleanses the soul. This is my feeble attempt at that. You and my Angel need to find out the truth about your lives, and the relationship you have shared. I'm sending you this letter earlier then my Angel's. She will be receiving her exactly one month from the day of my funeral service. I don't expect you'll have shed too many tears for me. Your letter is timed to go out two weeks earlier. I'm assuming it will take approximately that long to for you to find it. I thought I would send it to Chicago. I know you keep in touch with some of your various pretends. The DJ, the boy with your brother's heart, JR. I know what you think of me Jarod. I know I'm not a good man. My Angel, she has something special with you. She always has. Jarod, what I'm about to tell you, I've never told anyone else. Some of this I've told Angel in her letter. I'm sure you'll compare notes later.
Jarod, I want you to know, that at one time the Centre did a great deal of good. After WWII, though the attitude changed. The Triumvirate came into power & brought with it something dark, and evil. All of a sudden we had money pouring in for research. The customers wanted answers, and didn't ask questions as to how we got them. We tried traditional research, but it didn't get the customers the answers as quickly as they wanted them. We were running out of time. When Dr. Raines happened upon the genetic anomaly of the pretender, we thought it was a godsend. The Centre got into bed with NuGenesis. It was how we could scan for the anomaly. Then test the children that had it. Your parents both had this genetic anomaly. When they came to us for help in having a child, we thought it would be easy to persuade them into letting you go to a special school. Your intelligence was obvious from the start. We broached the idea to your parents about sending you away to a special school. Your parents both agreed they didn't want some one else raising you. Six months later, we took you. I suppose we justified it to ourselves that we would be giving you a better life. When your brother Kyle also started showing signs, we took him as well. Your parents then disappeared. They hid themselves very well. I don't need to tell you what would have been done to them, if they had been found. You also know what would have happened to you sister, had we found her. We wanted you so badly Jarod. I know you know that you weren't the first or the last. I've included a key to a safe deposit box in the envelope. In that box you will find more information about your family. There is also information in the locked box that I'm giving my daughter. I've instructed her to share it with you. Do with it as you see fit. Jarod, I'd like to sincerely apologize for what happened to Kyle. I know it probably doesn't mean much to you but I am sorry.
Jarod, My Angel is going to need your help. I've told her I was involved with Thomas's death. This probably hasn't hit her yet as I told her a lot in her letter. She may need you to help her through it. You are the only one she trusts outside the Centre. The baby, Angel delivered as Brigitte was dying, is not my son. Evan Thomas is your son. Yours and my Angel's. When she nearly died of the ulcer perforation. The Triumvirate ordered some of her eggs to be harvested. Since Raines had screwed up Ethan too much for the Centre to use. The Triumvirate decided to try for another Mirage. Instead of using Catherine's DNA and your fathers, they used yours and Eve's. They thought they would be hitting the genetics jackpot, with a child of your shared genes. Jarod, I know you are furious with us playing God, yet again, with your genetics. I swear to you, Angel won't know about this until she reads her letter. You know my Angel. She'd kill anyone who stood between her and her child. I'm instructing her to take some time off and find you. So you can both spend time with your son. I trust you to keep both my daughter and my grandson safe.
Jarod, I'm trusting you with the information that Raines is not her father. Lyle isn't her twin brother, Angelo is. I also think Sydney might be her father. For her and Sydney's safety don't reveal this to Raines or Lyle. Right now her life depends on the fact that Raines thinks of her as his. Jarod, I especially trust you to get them the hell out of there if Eve or Evan's safety is ever at risk.
Jarod I think you and my daughter could make the Centre what it once was. A place that helped families have children. We helped children with special abilities use there gifts for the greater good. If you are unable to do this, then destroy it and anyone who gets in your way. There are less then a handful of people there that I trust. Sydney, Mr. Broots, and Sam the sweeper my daughter uses. I believe his first loyalty is to her, not the Centre.
I don't know if you and my Angel will be able to live a normal life together. I am sure you'll find a way of dealing with each other, for your son's sake at least. I'm running late to meet with Raines and Lyle. We're going to meet up with you two in Scotland. Be safe Jarod. Be as happy as you can be, you deserve all of it. I know you feel you are to blame for us corrupting your research. You aren't, we are. When the time comes to answer to whatever higher power there is for what was done, we'll be the one paying the piper, not you.
Cain Parker.
Present time
Jarod stood at the window, with his arms crossed, looking down at the city. In a few hours he would be holding his son. It had been a few hours since he first called Parker about this whole mess. He wanted to weep with what the Centre had done to him, this time. He also laughed to himself. The Centre had really shot themselves in the foot this time. Hell hath no fury like Parker betrayed. The ringing of his cell phone snapped him out of his own thoughts.
"Hello" he answered cautiously.
"Jarod? We'll be landing in about an hour at the O'Hare airport. The flight number is 377 on United. Where do you want to meet?" she spoke rapidly.
Jarod could tell she was still running on pure adrenaline.
"How about the baggage claim? Even with Evan they won't let me meet you at the gate. Where are you flying in from?" Jarod asked while filing the flight number in his photographic memory.
"Baltimore. Evan you can't chew on Mom's sleeve. Jarod you'll have something in your refrigerator besides Pez and Twinkies won't you? Jarod? Are you there?" Parker asked worriedly.
"Yeah, I'm here. Can I talk to him?" he asked expectantly.
"Evan say 'hi' to Daddy" he heard her say.
"Daddy?" he heard his son ask in a small questioning voice.
"Hi Evan. This is Daddy. You and your Mommy are going to spend some time with me. Ok?" Jarod said nervously his voice catching a little.
"OK Daddy. Bye-Bye. Mommy here." Evan said waving into the phone.
"Jarod?"
"I'm still here Parker."
"You can call me Eve, Jarod. Our son is confused enough I don't want him not knowing what to call me." Parker said resignedly, sitting back in her seat.
"Evie, did you bring your father's papers?" Jarod asked.
"Yes I brought everything that was in the box. Together, maybe we can sort out this whole mess. We will need to do some serious planning. Jarod do me a favor. I'm starving. Can you order in from a restaurant and have it get there after you pick us up?" she inquired hopefully.
"Since you'll be in Chicago. How about some Italian? I can order it right before I leave. What do you want?" Jarod shook his head at the idea of Parker wanting real food. "I don't care. Just get Evan plain spaghetti. I don't know how he'll react to spicier food. I don't know anything about him and he is my - our son." She said worriedly.
"Evie, we'll get to know him. I'll see you in an hour." Jarod said calmly, belying how he felt at the moment.
"See you in an hour." She said, hanging up the phone.
As he disconnected the call he heard a ring from the desk. It was his videophone. As he hit the button to activate it, the face of his little brother Ethan appeared.
"Ethan, How, no Where have you been? I've been worried sick about you. Your sister said you had disappeared." Jarod said, almost stumbling over the words.
Ethan grinned and then looked at him with his deep brown troubled eyes. "Actually, my sister is why I'm calling you. Have you heard from her? The voices told me to go to her. She needed her family. They didn't say why. But, when I got to her house it was dark, and her car was gone."
"Ethan your sister is fine. I know where she is. I can't tell you right now where she is. I don't know how secure this line is. She is upset. Call me tomorrow on my cell. I'll tell you then where we are and where you can meet us. Do you still have the number?" Jarod asked, trying to reassure his younger brother about his sister's safety.
"We'll need to talk soon. The voices are telling me soon we'll have all we need to destroy the Centre." Ethan said.
"Ok. Call me tomorrow and we'll work it out."
"Talk to you then." Ethan said as his disconnected the line.
Jarod watched as the screen faded. He checked his watch. He had about 45 minutes before her plane came in. He thought about what she said, about food. He called an Italian restaurant that he knew delivered. He ordered and asked that the food be delivered in about 2 hours. He then saw the cupboards were pretty bare except for his junk food. He got online and ordered a whole bunch of nutritious food and coffee. To be delivered tomorrow morning. Good thing he already had dishes and everything else needed.
He then grabbed his black leather jacket, keys, and wallet as he walked out of the apartment. He took the elevator to the underground parking and got into the silver Toyota Corolla he was using and headed toward O'Hare. Due to the fact that it was late at night, he got a good parking space. He also saw he was a bit early, but when he checked the monitor to see how much longer her flight would be, he saw her plane had already landed and she would be claiming their bags at baggage claim 8. They would be here any minute. Jarod didn't remember ever having been this nervous before.
"Jarod?" he heard her voice from behind him.
He looked at her and saw the effort it was taking for her to keep it together. He looked at the toddler she carried. He was definitely his mother's son. He had her bright blue eyes, and her habit of looking like she owned the world. When he smiled, Jarod saw he had his own dimples and jaw line. He had dark hair, but Jarod bet there would be some red in it like his mothers. Evan though, had definitely inherited Jarod's own innate curiosity of the world around him. Judging by the way he kept looking around at everything and smiling. Parker came to a stop right in front of him. Jarod hadn't seen that look in her eyes since Thomas died. This time he did what she wouldn't have allowed then. He put his arms around both of them and just held her. He felt her instinctively stiffen up and then felt her body relax as she allowed the embrace, and momentarily returned it. They felt something on their backs, looking up they saw that Evan was patting both of his parents back with his small hands.
"Momma, Daddy Ok?" Evan asked with a big smile.
They looked at him, then at each other and grinned.
"We are good buddy. Why don't we get a cart for the luggage, and let Mommy sit for a minute?" He asked taking Evan out of her arms. He gave her a nudge toward the bench that sat by the baggage carrel.
He and Evan got a cart and headed back to her.
"So Evan did you have fun on the plane. Did the airline attendants think you were cute? He asked conversationally.
"O course dey thought I was cute. I'm a handsome boy." Evan said confidently. As only a toddler and the son of Parker could be.
"He gets that from you." Parker and Jarod both said simultaneously. They looked at each other and started laughing. Evan didn't get the joke, but laughed too.
"I guess there is no doubt who his parents are? I'm so exhausted. Keep an eye on him while I grab our bags." Parker instructed as she headed toward the carrel to grab the bags.
"Yes Ma'am." Jarod gave her a salute.
"Sorry. I'm used to giving orders, and knowing where I'm going." Parker apologized with a genuine smile.
"Evie, we'll figure this out."
"How? Jarod it has been you run I chase for 5 years. How can they ask me to hunt down the father of my son? I helped bring him into this world. For the past 2 years I've been thinking of him as my brother. They took him from me." Parker said in a voice barely controlled. She looked at Evan, who was staring back at her with her own eyes. "You should have seen Raines' face, when I told him I was taking Evan. I told him if he tried to stop me I'd bring in the police. That the law would be on my side, and if that wasn't enough to scare the sh- you know what out of him. I told him I'd go to the Triumvirate with some information on his last dirty deal or two. I also told him I had already made out a will giving Evan to someone else if anything happened to me. But, I was bluffing big time so remind me to see a lawyer while I'm here. Evan must be protected at all costs." Parker said as she put their suitcases on the cart.
Jarod put his arm around her shoulders and pushed the cart in the direction of the exit. When they reached his car, he put the luggage, car seat and Evan in the back seat.
"Parker rest. We'll deal with it as it comes." Jarod slid into his seat and buckled the seatbelt.
"So, what warehouse are we in this time. Hopefully, somewhere there aren't any chemicals Evan can get into." Parker said jokingly.
"Actually the Centre has nicely provided me with a 3 bedroom 2 bath Condominium of Michigan Avenue. I thought, since I was on vacation, I should splurge, or rather the Centre should splurge for me." Jarod gave her one of his own dimpled grins in reply.
"Good. I was afraid we'd be camping out." Parker murmured as she rested her head against the headrest.
Jarod pulled out form the parking space and exited the garage. He paid the fee and within thirty minutes arrived back at the condo. Evan and Parker were both asleep by the time he left the garage.
"Evie, we're here" he gave her a slight shake. "I'll get Evan and the luggage. You grab the rest."
"Ok." She agreed tiredly.
Jarod got everything in the elevator and up to the floor where he was staying. As soon as he unlocked the door and got everyone inside, Parker plopped on the leather couch. She kicked her shoes off, in very un-Parker way. Jarod put her and Evan's things in the second bedroom. He took Evans jacket and shoes off.
"You know right now I would kill for a cigarette," Parker groaned.
"I thought you quit," Jarod looked at her concerned for her as always.
"I did. Its days like this though I really want one. I'm not starting up again. I don't want to turn into Raines, toting an oxygen tank all over the place. Jarod do you have anything besides sugary cola in the house?"
"I have some wine, but dinner should be here soon. Alcohol on an empty stomach isn't good for you ulcer," he said as the doorbell rang. "That is probably the food now"
Jarod answered the door. He assumed, correctly that it was the food. He set the table and put the food out. He had a highchair as well.
"Where did you get the highchair?" she asked suspiciously.
"The previous owners left it." he answered, putting Evan in it. "Ethan called. He was worried about you. He'll be calling tomorrow. We can have him meet us here in Chicago.
"That is fine," she said rising of the couch. She sat down at the table. "Jarod this smells incredible." she placed food on her plate. She took some spaghetti cut it up in to smaller pieces and put it on Evan's plate. She handed him a spoon. He looked at it for a moment and then dug in gleefully. He actually managed to get some food in his mouth, the rest ended up on him.
"At least he is enjoying it," Parker said wryly, trying not to wince at the site of her son covered in spaghetti sauce.
"Parker, why don't you finish your dinner? Take a long, hot shower, and go to bed. I'll clean Evan up and put him in the bed with you." Jarod suggested to her. "Actually, it looks like he's got a head start on you already." Jarod pointed his fork in Evan's direction. Parker turned and saw that their son was already dozing off with his face and hands full of his spaghetti. "Go on take a shower. I'll clean him and the kitchen up. Anything else we have to discuss, can wait until we've had a good nights sleep." he said.
"Ok." she said getting up, and putting her dishes in the sink. She then headed to the bedroom. She grabbed her favorite pajamas and headed to the shower.
Twenty minutes later Jarod heard the shower go off and the doors of the bathroom and bedroom opening and closing. He had already cleaned up the kitchen by then. He then took Evan and himself into his bathroom. Jarod stripped them both down and climbed into the shower with his son. The water revived him and he had fun pulling at some of the hair on Jarod's chest.
Thirty minutes later Evan was asleep on his fathers shoulder. Jarod stepped carefully out of the shower, wrapping them both in a large towel. On his bed, he found the diaper bag and some pj's for Evan. He quickly dressed him and pulled on some boxers. He then went into the bedroom where Parker was sleeping and laid Evan beside her. Near the wall, so he couldn't fall out of the bed. Jarod then turned out the lights, started the dishwasher, and climbed into his own bed. When he slipped down between the sheets, his eyes closed and didn't open again until morning.
TBC
