Sensing a softening in Parker, Jarod, with his hands still caressing Parker's face, began to lay his heart open to her. "I'd do anything to see you happy...and safe. Parker I .."
A discreet knock on the door halted Jarod's words as both he and Parker eyed the door wearily. Chase, Gina and Anna had visited with Parker during the six hours she lay unconscious but none had lingered, sensing Jarod's desire to tend to Parker alone. With frustrated regret, Jarod eased Parker from his arms and gently settled her on the bed before rising and crossing to the door.
Opening the door swiftly, he found Gina standing at the threshold, Parker's suitcase in one hand and her cell phone in the other.
"I thought Miss Parker would want her clothing...when she woke up," Gina explained, searching Jarod's expression for the desolation she had seen the last time she had visited with Parker. But the desolation was gone and a new light shone in Jarod's eyes. "Is she awake?"
Jarod smiled, "Yes. Please come in." And stepped aside, allowing Gina to enter the room.
Gina smiled at Parker as their eyes met. "It's so good to see you awake."
Parker repositioned herself on the bed and groaned, "There were advantages to being unconscious," she groused but a lightness hued her words.
Gina's face darkened and she stammered, "I'm sorry," and she turned to face Jarod. "I know you came here to help me and now I'm refusing that help." She swung back to Parker, "And you were almost killed.... I...I can't undo what was done...and I...I wish I could agree to leave...but.."
Parker's eyes met Gina's with heartfelt understanding, "I know the position you are in. I know what it's like to make decisions not based on your happiness but because you can't live with the any other choice."
"I ...I think you do understand. My family never will but they ...they are not living my life, feeling what I feel, seeing what I see. It is like you said, staying is the only choice I can live with." Gina took a steadying breath, "But I have happiness here and that's what makes my decision bearable. My mother always told me that no one deserves to go through life without happiness."
A lump suddenly gathered in Parker's throat at Gina's last words.
Seeing Parker's face go paler, Gina thought she had tired Parker by staying too long. "Well, I just wanted to thank you again. And Chase said you are...well...you can...a car will take you back to the city whenever you wish to leave. You are more than welcome to stay the rest of the week with the rest of the family but...Chase thought maybe you would want to leave." Flustered, Gina handed Parker's phone to Jarod and exited the room.
Jarod turned back to Parker, also taking note of her expression but seeing it for the emotional pain it truly was. He was about to speak when the phone in his hand began to ring. With a smug smile he answered, "Yes Sydney."
The older gentlemen's startled voice swept across the air waves, "Jarod!?!"
Jarod laughed at the incredolous tone, "Yes, Jarod."
"Thank goodness," Sydney breathed in relief. "Miss Parker's with you. I was worried that something had happened to her."
Jarod looked at Parker's bruised face that intently watched him and remembered the brutal torture inflicted on her and his throat constricted. Sydney was certain that Parker was safe because she was with him. But Jarod knew the truth. Parker was hurt BECAUSE she was with him. With new clarity he saw the danger she was in just by being around him. If he were to get his heart's desire..if he could hold her in his arms every day and every night...what dangers, what consequences would she endure. Could he risk her life just for his happiness? Did he have that right?!
Parker snapped her fingers impatiently and held out her hand for the phone. Numbly, Jarod handed her the phone and walked out of the room, clicking the door firmly shut behind him.
"Sydney?" Parker answered for once abandoning her frosty "what" greeting.
This too caught Sydney off guard. "Miss Parker? Where have you been the past couple of days!?
"On a Mafia Murder Mystery weekend getaway. What's new at the Centre? Have we rolled out any new clones or psychopathic assassins?" Parker icily returned.
Sdyney laughed, "You know anything's possible Miss Parker. I guess I don't have to ask if you caught up with Jarod?"
"Yeah, I caught up with him." Parker replied softly, her emotions tangled around the duty that bound her soul to the Centre.
A silence fell over the lines and Parker knew Sydney was using his degree for good use. "Yes, Doctor, please tell me what's going through my mind."
"I...I don't know, Miss Parker. But there's something in your voice that I can't interpret. It's a mass of emotions you seldom reveal."
"Sorry to disappoint you, Syd, but it's plain old exhaustion," Parker denied.
But Sydney knew Parker almost as well as Jarod did. "Yes I heard that clearly in your voice but that's not what's got me intrigued. You have a decision to make but you're uncertain what to decide."
"All that from a two second conversation?" Parker snapped back.
"Jarod's with you. That always means you have a decision to make," understanding crept into Sydney's voice. "Make the decision based on your happiness, Parker. In the end, that's the only thing that matters."
A tear slipped from Parker's face. "It's not that simple Sydney!" her voice thick with emotions. "The Centre..."
"To hell with the Centre, Parker! The Centre is not who you are, not what you are! This is what your mother died trying to prove to you! She wanted to free you from the Centre's grasp, regardless of the cost to herself. Are you going to throw her sacrifice away?! Why, because of loyalty, duty, family honor?! Parker you deserve a better life than this! Just as Jarod deserved a better life than the Centre!" Sydney insisted, mirroring Jarod's earlier words.
Catherine Parker's voice sprang to Parker's mind. "It's time to walk away from the past. You're free if you choose to be." But the task still seemed too great for Parker to contemplate. But her mother's words came again to her heart. "Yes, you do know how to walk away. And you're strong enough to break free of the Centre, with Jarod's love."
But doubted plagued Parker. Jarod loving her seemed too much like a fairy tale. Jarod was purity and compassion and she, she had dealt in the dark pits of vengeance and hatred since her mother had "died". And she had sought to steal Jarod's freedom without remorse. No, she did not deserve Jarod's love even if he was foolish enough to offer it to her merciless heart.
With bitter acceptance, Parker replied to Sydney, "I know what I deserve, Sydney. I'm coming back tonight."
A sigh of defeat escaped Sydney. "Alright. See you tomorrow."
Parker clicked off the phone and dropped it to the bed. Closing her eyes, Parker fought back the urge to again sob until she could not draw in breath. But instead she clamped her jaw tightly shut and swallowed down the lumps that crawled up her throat. Her path was decided, had been decided a long time ago. Had probably been decided in that damn set of scrolls her father, Mr. Parker, had died destroying. Her fate was tied to the Centre forever. Just like her mother's had been. For a Parker, there was but one escape from the Centre's grasp. Death.
When Jarod reentered the room, he wasn't surprised to find Parker dressed and zipping up her suitcase. "Anxious to go back to your masters, I see, " he chided but hating himself even as the words left his mouth. Why did it always come down to taunts between he and Parker?!
Straightening, Parker's blue eyes met Jarod's brown eyes, "Yes, I miss the feel of the leash around my neck," she sallied back. She made to pick up her suitcase but suddenly Jarod crossed the room and his hand halted her hand. Parker looked up to Jarod with surprise.
Jarod's heart pounded painfully in his chest. He had convinced himself that letting her go was for the best. If he, by some miracle, convinced her of his love, of the life they could live together, that the happiness that had always laid just beyond their reach could be grasped, he could very well be killing her. This weekend he had proved that he couldn't protect her! And the Centre did not play such pleasant games as the mafia did.
But now, faced with the prospect of watching her again walk away, he found all his resolve was crushed under the pain that swelled in his heart. He remembered all too well how he had felt when he knew Antonio had taken her, when he saw her hanging in that cave, when he feared that she would be taken away from him forever. He could not willingly let her be taken away from him, not by his fear or by her sense of duty.
The words came soft and fervently from his very soul, "I love you, Parker. Not just the little girl you were but the woman you are." Shock surged through Parker's eyes but Jarod's words didn't falter. "Everything has been thrown in our path to keep us apart but we have managed to find our way to each other time and again." Jarod hands held Parker's face, "We were meant to be together, Parker. Listen to your heart for a change. It's what your mother would do."
A tear slipped silently down Parker's cheek unto Jarod's hand. His words broke through the barriers of her heart. She believed the truth of the words. Nothing had ever rivaled the light that entered her life when she was with Jarod. He was truly the best man she had ever met. "I don't deserve you, Jarod. I'm not my mother. I don't possess her goodness of soul."
"It's your soul that I love, Parker," Jarod soothed. "And I know we deserve to be together. We can be happy together, Parker. Forever. I know that in my soul...just like you do.
"The Centre.." Parker protested but Jarod's fingers rested on her bruised lips.
"The Centre has never been able to control us," Jarod smiled, a twinkle in his eye. "They tried to control us when we were children and they've tried to control us now that we're adults but they have failed. We talked together, we unburied all their dirty secrets, we uncovered the scrolls. At every turn we defeated them. Our love is stronger than the Centre, stronger than the scrolls could ever be. We can make our own destiny, Parker."
Parker's mother's voice echoed lovingly in Parker's ears, "It's time to let your heart lead you."
A struggle fought within Parker. A struggle that had begun the first day she had met Jarod. Love versus duty. For so long she had let duty reign her life, and it had snatched away everyone she loved. Everyone but Jarod. Now it lay in her hands to either let Jarod slip through her fingers or clutch to him and never let him go.
Parker watched Jarod's face, clearly seeing the apprehension crease his brow. He was resting both their fates in her frequently incompetent hands. How many people had she left slip out of her life without telling them what was in her heart? Her mother, Faith, Thomas, her father?! Could she live with that same decision now, with Jarod? Could she silence her heart once and for all or would she take her mother's advice and let her heart take the lead?
"Changing our destiny isn't that simple, Jarod," Parker gently rebuked.
But Jarod's face beamed with a smile at Parker's words. He knew what her heart was choosing, "Nothing is simple with us, Parker. Makes life exciting. So are we going to go the road ahead together like we were meant to?"
A seriousness fell unto Parker's features and Jarod's heart clenched in fear. Suddenly his conviction of Parker's decision stated to waver.
Parker raised her hand to caress Jarod's face and her eyes met his, "I don't deserve you, Jarod, but I love you. I have always loved you since that first kiss we shared as kids. You may have been the one trapped but I was the one deprived. The Centre couldn't tarnish your soul, Jarod. But I let the Centre tarnish mine, darker and darker every day. I don't know what you see in me worthy to love but I'm not going to throw away my chance for happiness with you. Not this time. Not ever again."
Parker's mouth descended gently onto Jarod's lips. This kiss wasn't about possession or lust. No, this kiss was about Parker offering up her heart and soul to Jarod. The risk she took of making herself totally vulnerable was meaningless against the thought of losing him forever.
Immediately Jarod wrapped Parker possessively in his embrace and freely gave his own soul over to Parker's safe keeping. Pulling back slightly, Parker's joyous eyes met Jarod's, "If I'm dreaming, don't wake me."
Jarod laughed and placed a gentle kiss on her lips, "You're not dreaming, Parker. You better get use to my arms wrapped around you because they're going to be there every day and every night of your life."
Parker smiled, "I can live with that." But suddenly a shadow of alarm passed over Parker.
"What's wrong?" Jarod demanded urgently.
"Sydney, Broots and his daughter...they won't be safe if I leave the Centre," Parker's voice was cold with anguish. "I..I can't.." and she made to escape Jarod's embrace but his arms tightened around her.
With a finger under Parker's chin, Jarod gently forced Parker to meet his eyes. "I'll send some people to pack them up tonight. I have some places set up for them until they decide where they want to live." Jarod smiled at Parker's startled look. "I've been planning on rescuing you from the Centre since the first day I kissed you. I added Sydney, Broots and his daughter into that plan a few years ago when I realized what they meant to you. No one's getting left behind, Parker."
A blinding smile beamed on Parker's face, "Jarod if I wasn't already madly in love with you, I'ld fall in love with you just now. You're stuck with me forever, you understand that, right?"
Jarod's look was intensely honest, "Forever won't be long enough."
Parker smiled back, "Yeah, but it's a start."
Laughter erupted from Jarod as his lips captured Parker's and he molded her to his body. Their love had won its final battle and their destiny was set. For eternity.
THE END
Author Notes:
I hope this ending did this story credit as well as the characters of Pretender.
I want to give a huge THANK YOU to everyone who reviewed this story. Every kind word was such a gift to me. It was your reviews that kept me writing, kept the characters alive and gave me joy during a tough time of my life.
Special thanks to
LadyNiko - Thank you so much for your dedication in reviewing this story. And I was very touched that you added it to your favorite list even way before the last word was written.
Marti Thatcher - Thanks for putting me on this story on your favorite list. I was so shocked and awed when I saw that come up on my stats. Your reviews helped to keep this story alive!
Sabrina - You were kind enough to review this tale from Chapter 1 and encourage me to pen another chapter whereas I might have abandoned the whole idea. Thank you for continuing to read and review the story. This story is finished thanks to your kind and frequent words of encouragement.
Nancy -Thanks for sticking with this story and for giving me such in-depth feedback! I appreciate the time you took out of your life! Every review helped strengthen my resolve to finish this story!!
Pez7701 -Your every review meant a great deal to me. Thanks for your kind words!
And for EVERYONE who gave a review, again, thank you! Every review brought a smile to my face and helped to get this story to it's conclusion.
Please leave feedback and tell me how I did in ending this tale?!
And have a WONDERFUL LIFE!! You deserve it!!!
Cheryl
A discreet knock on the door halted Jarod's words as both he and Parker eyed the door wearily. Chase, Gina and Anna had visited with Parker during the six hours she lay unconscious but none had lingered, sensing Jarod's desire to tend to Parker alone. With frustrated regret, Jarod eased Parker from his arms and gently settled her on the bed before rising and crossing to the door.
Opening the door swiftly, he found Gina standing at the threshold, Parker's suitcase in one hand and her cell phone in the other.
"I thought Miss Parker would want her clothing...when she woke up," Gina explained, searching Jarod's expression for the desolation she had seen the last time she had visited with Parker. But the desolation was gone and a new light shone in Jarod's eyes. "Is she awake?"
Jarod smiled, "Yes. Please come in." And stepped aside, allowing Gina to enter the room.
Gina smiled at Parker as their eyes met. "It's so good to see you awake."
Parker repositioned herself on the bed and groaned, "There were advantages to being unconscious," she groused but a lightness hued her words.
Gina's face darkened and she stammered, "I'm sorry," and she turned to face Jarod. "I know you came here to help me and now I'm refusing that help." She swung back to Parker, "And you were almost killed.... I...I can't undo what was done...and I...I wish I could agree to leave...but.."
Parker's eyes met Gina's with heartfelt understanding, "I know the position you are in. I know what it's like to make decisions not based on your happiness but because you can't live with the any other choice."
"I ...I think you do understand. My family never will but they ...they are not living my life, feeling what I feel, seeing what I see. It is like you said, staying is the only choice I can live with." Gina took a steadying breath, "But I have happiness here and that's what makes my decision bearable. My mother always told me that no one deserves to go through life without happiness."
A lump suddenly gathered in Parker's throat at Gina's last words.
Seeing Parker's face go paler, Gina thought she had tired Parker by staying too long. "Well, I just wanted to thank you again. And Chase said you are...well...you can...a car will take you back to the city whenever you wish to leave. You are more than welcome to stay the rest of the week with the rest of the family but...Chase thought maybe you would want to leave." Flustered, Gina handed Parker's phone to Jarod and exited the room.
Jarod turned back to Parker, also taking note of her expression but seeing it for the emotional pain it truly was. He was about to speak when the phone in his hand began to ring. With a smug smile he answered, "Yes Sydney."
The older gentlemen's startled voice swept across the air waves, "Jarod!?!"
Jarod laughed at the incredolous tone, "Yes, Jarod."
"Thank goodness," Sydney breathed in relief. "Miss Parker's with you. I was worried that something had happened to her."
Jarod looked at Parker's bruised face that intently watched him and remembered the brutal torture inflicted on her and his throat constricted. Sydney was certain that Parker was safe because she was with him. But Jarod knew the truth. Parker was hurt BECAUSE she was with him. With new clarity he saw the danger she was in just by being around him. If he were to get his heart's desire..if he could hold her in his arms every day and every night...what dangers, what consequences would she endure. Could he risk her life just for his happiness? Did he have that right?!
Parker snapped her fingers impatiently and held out her hand for the phone. Numbly, Jarod handed her the phone and walked out of the room, clicking the door firmly shut behind him.
"Sydney?" Parker answered for once abandoning her frosty "what" greeting.
This too caught Sydney off guard. "Miss Parker? Where have you been the past couple of days!?
"On a Mafia Murder Mystery weekend getaway. What's new at the Centre? Have we rolled out any new clones or psychopathic assassins?" Parker icily returned.
Sdyney laughed, "You know anything's possible Miss Parker. I guess I don't have to ask if you caught up with Jarod?"
"Yeah, I caught up with him." Parker replied softly, her emotions tangled around the duty that bound her soul to the Centre.
A silence fell over the lines and Parker knew Sydney was using his degree for good use. "Yes, Doctor, please tell me what's going through my mind."
"I...I don't know, Miss Parker. But there's something in your voice that I can't interpret. It's a mass of emotions you seldom reveal."
"Sorry to disappoint you, Syd, but it's plain old exhaustion," Parker denied.
But Sydney knew Parker almost as well as Jarod did. "Yes I heard that clearly in your voice but that's not what's got me intrigued. You have a decision to make but you're uncertain what to decide."
"All that from a two second conversation?" Parker snapped back.
"Jarod's with you. That always means you have a decision to make," understanding crept into Sydney's voice. "Make the decision based on your happiness, Parker. In the end, that's the only thing that matters."
A tear slipped from Parker's face. "It's not that simple Sydney!" her voice thick with emotions. "The Centre..."
"To hell with the Centre, Parker! The Centre is not who you are, not what you are! This is what your mother died trying to prove to you! She wanted to free you from the Centre's grasp, regardless of the cost to herself. Are you going to throw her sacrifice away?! Why, because of loyalty, duty, family honor?! Parker you deserve a better life than this! Just as Jarod deserved a better life than the Centre!" Sydney insisted, mirroring Jarod's earlier words.
Catherine Parker's voice sprang to Parker's mind. "It's time to walk away from the past. You're free if you choose to be." But the task still seemed too great for Parker to contemplate. But her mother's words came again to her heart. "Yes, you do know how to walk away. And you're strong enough to break free of the Centre, with Jarod's love."
But doubted plagued Parker. Jarod loving her seemed too much like a fairy tale. Jarod was purity and compassion and she, she had dealt in the dark pits of vengeance and hatred since her mother had "died". And she had sought to steal Jarod's freedom without remorse. No, she did not deserve Jarod's love even if he was foolish enough to offer it to her merciless heart.
With bitter acceptance, Parker replied to Sydney, "I know what I deserve, Sydney. I'm coming back tonight."
A sigh of defeat escaped Sydney. "Alright. See you tomorrow."
Parker clicked off the phone and dropped it to the bed. Closing her eyes, Parker fought back the urge to again sob until she could not draw in breath. But instead she clamped her jaw tightly shut and swallowed down the lumps that crawled up her throat. Her path was decided, had been decided a long time ago. Had probably been decided in that damn set of scrolls her father, Mr. Parker, had died destroying. Her fate was tied to the Centre forever. Just like her mother's had been. For a Parker, there was but one escape from the Centre's grasp. Death.
When Jarod reentered the room, he wasn't surprised to find Parker dressed and zipping up her suitcase. "Anxious to go back to your masters, I see, " he chided but hating himself even as the words left his mouth. Why did it always come down to taunts between he and Parker?!
Straightening, Parker's blue eyes met Jarod's brown eyes, "Yes, I miss the feel of the leash around my neck," she sallied back. She made to pick up her suitcase but suddenly Jarod crossed the room and his hand halted her hand. Parker looked up to Jarod with surprise.
Jarod's heart pounded painfully in his chest. He had convinced himself that letting her go was for the best. If he, by some miracle, convinced her of his love, of the life they could live together, that the happiness that had always laid just beyond their reach could be grasped, he could very well be killing her. This weekend he had proved that he couldn't protect her! And the Centre did not play such pleasant games as the mafia did.
But now, faced with the prospect of watching her again walk away, he found all his resolve was crushed under the pain that swelled in his heart. He remembered all too well how he had felt when he knew Antonio had taken her, when he saw her hanging in that cave, when he feared that she would be taken away from him forever. He could not willingly let her be taken away from him, not by his fear or by her sense of duty.
The words came soft and fervently from his very soul, "I love you, Parker. Not just the little girl you were but the woman you are." Shock surged through Parker's eyes but Jarod's words didn't falter. "Everything has been thrown in our path to keep us apart but we have managed to find our way to each other time and again." Jarod hands held Parker's face, "We were meant to be together, Parker. Listen to your heart for a change. It's what your mother would do."
A tear slipped silently down Parker's cheek unto Jarod's hand. His words broke through the barriers of her heart. She believed the truth of the words. Nothing had ever rivaled the light that entered her life when she was with Jarod. He was truly the best man she had ever met. "I don't deserve you, Jarod. I'm not my mother. I don't possess her goodness of soul."
"It's your soul that I love, Parker," Jarod soothed. "And I know we deserve to be together. We can be happy together, Parker. Forever. I know that in my soul...just like you do.
"The Centre.." Parker protested but Jarod's fingers rested on her bruised lips.
"The Centre has never been able to control us," Jarod smiled, a twinkle in his eye. "They tried to control us when we were children and they've tried to control us now that we're adults but they have failed. We talked together, we unburied all their dirty secrets, we uncovered the scrolls. At every turn we defeated them. Our love is stronger than the Centre, stronger than the scrolls could ever be. We can make our own destiny, Parker."
Parker's mother's voice echoed lovingly in Parker's ears, "It's time to let your heart lead you."
A struggle fought within Parker. A struggle that had begun the first day she had met Jarod. Love versus duty. For so long she had let duty reign her life, and it had snatched away everyone she loved. Everyone but Jarod. Now it lay in her hands to either let Jarod slip through her fingers or clutch to him and never let him go.
Parker watched Jarod's face, clearly seeing the apprehension crease his brow. He was resting both their fates in her frequently incompetent hands. How many people had she left slip out of her life without telling them what was in her heart? Her mother, Faith, Thomas, her father?! Could she live with that same decision now, with Jarod? Could she silence her heart once and for all or would she take her mother's advice and let her heart take the lead?
"Changing our destiny isn't that simple, Jarod," Parker gently rebuked.
But Jarod's face beamed with a smile at Parker's words. He knew what her heart was choosing, "Nothing is simple with us, Parker. Makes life exciting. So are we going to go the road ahead together like we were meant to?"
A seriousness fell unto Parker's features and Jarod's heart clenched in fear. Suddenly his conviction of Parker's decision stated to waver.
Parker raised her hand to caress Jarod's face and her eyes met his, "I don't deserve you, Jarod, but I love you. I have always loved you since that first kiss we shared as kids. You may have been the one trapped but I was the one deprived. The Centre couldn't tarnish your soul, Jarod. But I let the Centre tarnish mine, darker and darker every day. I don't know what you see in me worthy to love but I'm not going to throw away my chance for happiness with you. Not this time. Not ever again."
Parker's mouth descended gently onto Jarod's lips. This kiss wasn't about possession or lust. No, this kiss was about Parker offering up her heart and soul to Jarod. The risk she took of making herself totally vulnerable was meaningless against the thought of losing him forever.
Immediately Jarod wrapped Parker possessively in his embrace and freely gave his own soul over to Parker's safe keeping. Pulling back slightly, Parker's joyous eyes met Jarod's, "If I'm dreaming, don't wake me."
Jarod laughed and placed a gentle kiss on her lips, "You're not dreaming, Parker. You better get use to my arms wrapped around you because they're going to be there every day and every night of your life."
Parker smiled, "I can live with that." But suddenly a shadow of alarm passed over Parker.
"What's wrong?" Jarod demanded urgently.
"Sydney, Broots and his daughter...they won't be safe if I leave the Centre," Parker's voice was cold with anguish. "I..I can't.." and she made to escape Jarod's embrace but his arms tightened around her.
With a finger under Parker's chin, Jarod gently forced Parker to meet his eyes. "I'll send some people to pack them up tonight. I have some places set up for them until they decide where they want to live." Jarod smiled at Parker's startled look. "I've been planning on rescuing you from the Centre since the first day I kissed you. I added Sydney, Broots and his daughter into that plan a few years ago when I realized what they meant to you. No one's getting left behind, Parker."
A blinding smile beamed on Parker's face, "Jarod if I wasn't already madly in love with you, I'ld fall in love with you just now. You're stuck with me forever, you understand that, right?"
Jarod's look was intensely honest, "Forever won't be long enough."
Parker smiled back, "Yeah, but it's a start."
Laughter erupted from Jarod as his lips captured Parker's and he molded her to his body. Their love had won its final battle and their destiny was set. For eternity.
THE END
Author Notes:
I hope this ending did this story credit as well as the characters of Pretender.
I want to give a huge THANK YOU to everyone who reviewed this story. Every kind word was such a gift to me. It was your reviews that kept me writing, kept the characters alive and gave me joy during a tough time of my life.
Special thanks to
LadyNiko - Thank you so much for your dedication in reviewing this story. And I was very touched that you added it to your favorite list even way before the last word was written.
Marti Thatcher - Thanks for putting me on this story on your favorite list. I was so shocked and awed when I saw that come up on my stats. Your reviews helped to keep this story alive!
Sabrina - You were kind enough to review this tale from Chapter 1 and encourage me to pen another chapter whereas I might have abandoned the whole idea. Thank you for continuing to read and review the story. This story is finished thanks to your kind and frequent words of encouragement.
Nancy -Thanks for sticking with this story and for giving me such in-depth feedback! I appreciate the time you took out of your life! Every review helped strengthen my resolve to finish this story!!
Pez7701 -Your every review meant a great deal to me. Thanks for your kind words!
And for EVERYONE who gave a review, again, thank you! Every review brought a smile to my face and helped to get this story to it's conclusion.
Please leave feedback and tell me how I did in ending this tale?!
And have a WONDERFUL LIFE!! You deserve it!!!
Cheryl