Disclaimer: I do not own these characters. I'm just borrowing them. I don't get paid for these stories; this is purely for entertainment purposes.
Author: Kimmi
Feedback: Yes please.
Rating: PG13
Authors note: It's taken a while to get this out so I'm sorry. I don't even know if anyone is still reading this but I'm having fun writing it so I guess that's all that matters. Hehehe. Any who on with the story.
Summary: Miss Parker and Mr. Lyle deal with the re-emergence of Mr. Parker and his new wife. Lyle and Miss Parker learn about Chrissie's involvement with Jarod and everyone figures out who they are truly meant to be with.
Strange Things Happen
Part 6
Miss Parker was pulled into an embrace by the man who she once called 'Daddy'. That was before he died at least. Before she thought he died. She was stiff in his arms. She was in complete shock. Lyle stood watching the scene unfold around him. He was in as much shock as Miss Parker.
"There's my boy. Come on and join in." He pulled Lyle into the embrace. The twins looked at each other in shock. They didn't know what was going on. Mr. Parker released them and stared at them wanting them to say something.
"Dad… Daddy, I thought you were… I mean I saw you…" Mr. Parker frowned.
"Yes I'm sorry about that Angel. I had some people after me and I had to make them think they succeeded. I couldn't come back to the Centre until I got rid of them. When I did manage to I needed a way in. When I found one I got here as soon as I could." The twins looked at each other not knowing what to say. Lyle said the first thing that came to his mind.
"They… they adopted out Baby Parker." Mr. Parker smiled.
"I know. My new wife adopted him. She insisted he needed a family and she wanted to be his mother legally. She's a wonderful woman." Miss Parker was at a loss for words.
"Wo… Wife Daddy…? You got… married." Everything was too much for her at the moment. She had no idea how complicated things were going to get.
"Tina. She's the best. I think I hear her coming now." He could hear a child laughing outside his office. The door opened slowly. "There you are Tina, come in and see your new step children." They both turned around and were shocked by who greeted them.
"We've already met. You know that. Um hi guys." Chrissie felt awkward. She shifted the happy looking child on her waist. Mr. Parker smiled from ear to ear.
"Angel, Lyle; meet your new mother."
* * * * * * * * * * * *
Miss Parker, Lyle and Chrissie walked out of Mr. Parker's office to let him talk with Raines. Chrissie tried to ignore the awkwardness by playing with the toddler in her arms. Lyle and Miss Parker were staring at her in shock.
"You married my father?" Miss Parker was having trouble swallowing. Lyle still stood motionless.
"It's very complicated and I can't talk about it here. We'll talk later and everything will be explained. I promise." She looked past Miss Parker and stared at Lyle. She had missed him while she was away. She just hoped he didn't hate her.
"When can we talk?" Miss Parker watched her baby brother playing happily in Chrissie's arms. She'd never seen him so content and happy. Chrissie stared at Lyle and tried to figure out how to answer his question.
"Soon, I promise. There's a lot that needs to be said." She sighed and looked away from him. She turned her attention to the child in her arms. She smiled as he planted kisses over her face.
"I need to get Lockie to his new home." She smiled and playfully gummed his fingers making him laugh uncontrollably. Miss Parker and Lyle were confused.
"Who's Lockie?" They both looked at her wanting to know what she was talking about.
"I named this little one. He didn't have a name besides 'Baby Parker'. I didn't think that was very fitting. I named him Lachlan James Parker. He looks like a Lachlan to me." She kissed the toddlers face causing him to giggle. Miss Parker smiled.
"Yeah he does. Go, we'll talk later." Chrissie smiled at her then turned to Lyle. She stared at him and wondered what to say.
"Um I'll be in contact with you." She turned around and walked away, all the while playing with the fidgety toddler in her arms.
* * * * * * * * * * * *
"Raines I believe I instructed you to send a sweeper to shoot Lyle not my wife and future mother of the new generation of Parkers." Mr. Parker took a threatening step towards Raines. Raines cowered and took a step back.
"I'm sorry sir. That sweeper has been punished and he was sent to the renewal wing where he remains at this moment." Mr. Parker smiled.
"Good. Make sure he's in there a little longer. You're just lucky that he didn't kill her. If he did we'd have to start again. But maybe that's what you wanted. Maybe you wanted me away longer. Maybe you enjoyed your temporary power." Raines retreated a bit.
"No sir. It was purely an accident. I will see to it personally that Lyle won't get in your way." Mr. Parker sighed.
"No you idiot. We'll have to wait a while. They'll get suspicious. I can't have that. It's bad enough having my daughter snooping around about her mother's death, but this would be too much. Anyway maybe Lyle's infatuation with my wife may disappear now that she is just that… my wife." He smiled evilly.
"And what if he hasn't?" His smile turned into an evil laugh.
"Then we'll get rid of him."
* * * * * * * * * * * *
Miss Parker sat in her office thinking about the latest twist in her life. She'd thought Mr. Parker was dead so it was a surprise to see him alive and well. More than that it was a shock to learn he had married Chrissie. She couldn't wait for the explanation that was yet to come. She jumped as her phone rang.
"What!" She was in too fowl a mood so she bit it out worse than ever.
"Hello Sunshine." She felt immediately bad when she heard Jarod's voice.
"What do you want Jarod?" Her tone was lighter, but to anyone else who may be listening she sounded like her normal self.
"I'm just checking in. A little birdie told me something may be wrong. This little birdie didn't tell me what may be wrong, just that something was. What's wrong?" Concern laced his words along with the obvious humour. She couldn't hold back the smile that was forming at her lips at his concern. She could tell he really cared about her. She knew that he always had but now it seemed more important to her.
"Well this little birdie was right." She knew who the little birdie was. It had to be Angelo. No one else could have known. "It seems the dead has risen." She rubbed her temples trying to keep the headache that was forming at bay.
"The dead has risen? I don't understand." He was becoming more and more frightened by the second.
"Mr. Parker is back from the dead. And he's brought a wife back with him. One I didn't think would become involved with him. One I thought was a friend. One Lyle thought was something else." Jarod immediately knew who she was talking about.
"I've got to go. Something important came up." He hung up instantly. He knew that he didn't usually bid such a farewell but he couldn't help himself. He picked up his meagre belongings and was out the door in an instant. He was glad he'd come so close to Blue Cove. He could jump in his car and be there within the hour.
* * * * * * * * * * * *
Chrissie had laid Lockie down for a nap and was packing. Mr. Parker had insisted that they move into his old house. She had no choice but to pack up and follow. They had already bought his house before they were even married. He wanted her to leave her house completely but she couldn't. She had decided to keep it as a retreat. She heard a creaking of the back door. She called out if anyone was there. When she received no answer she figured it was just the wind. She went back to packing.
"You're moving?" She jumped and nearly smashed the ornament in her hands. She turned around and faced Jarod.
"Yes, I am." Jarod sighed.
"Are you going back home?" She avoided his gaze.
"No, I'm not. I'm moving into another house here." Jarod played dumb.
"Where are you moving? Why?" She brushed past him and closed her bedroom door. She didn't want to wake the sleeping child in there.
"My… my husband wants me to move in with him." She wanted to be blunt. She figured it was best if he knew the truth.
"You have a husband?" His voice was raised. "So it is true." He mumbled to himself under his breath. She sighed. "Since when are you married? Who is this guy?" He hadn't realised he had raised his voice.
"This is our second week. And this guy is… is Mr. Parker." Jarod's eyes grew wide with rage. He didn't want to believe it but now he knew.
"How could you marry that monster? How could you do such a stupid thing? Are you going to bring me in now? Has he turned another person I care about against me?" He was yelling. Chrissie was trying to get him to quiet down. Jarod opened his mouth to say another furious comment but he was cut off by a child screaming.
"Mamma, mamma. I want my mamma. Mamma!" Chrissie sighed and ran into her bedroom to be at Lockie's side. Jarod stood frozen in shock. He wasn't aware of any child in the house.
"Shh, baby its okay. I'm here. Mamma's here." She stroked his hair and kissed his head. "What's wrong? Did you have a bad dream?" He sobbed and nodded. "Tell me about it." Jarod leant against the door frame and watched her. He felt bad but he was reminded of another time, when he had seen her doing the same thing with her little brother. He remembered why he fell in love with her.
"I heard yelling, I fought I was back at the bad place. The place dat took away my real mamma; the place dat kept me dere and poked me with dings that hurt. They didn't let me see my sister. I thought I dreamed everything about you. I thought I didn't have a mamma again." He sobbed into her chest. She rubbed his back. Jarod felt bad. He was the one who had been yelling.
"It's okay baby. I'm here. I'm not a dream." She picked up his hand and put it on her face to show that she was there. Jarod felt terrible.
"Hey little guy, it's my fault you had the bad dream. I'm the one who was yelling. I'm sorry." He looked up at Jarod from Chrissie's lap.
"It's okay. I'm betterer now. Who are you?" Jarod smiled at the child and sat next to Chrissie on the bed.
"This is a friend of mine, and of your sisters. His name is Jarod." He got off Chrissie's lap and walked shakily over to Jarod. He put his hand on his face.
"Hello Jarod." He smiled and sat on his lap. He fell asleep instantly. Jarod stared at the child with wonder and amazement that he could be so trusting. Chrissie smiled at him and took Lockie off his lap and put him back in the bed. She gestured for them to leave the room.
"Who was that?" Chrissie closed the doors behind them.
"That was Lockie… my new son. You may know him as Baby Parker." Jarod stared at the doors.
"That was Baby Parker? How did you get him out of him Centre?" Chrissie sighed.
"I adopted him, plus I'm the new Mrs. Parker so I get my way." Jarod noticed that when she called herself 'Mrs. Parker' she said it in an acidic tone.
"For someone who grew up at the Centre he is very trusting." Chrissie smiled.
"He's empathic Jarod. Just like Angelo." She looked at the door behind them. Jarod was shocked. He didn't know that. He usually knew everything that was of importance at the Centre. "He trusts you because he can feel your kindness."
* * * * * * * * * * * *
Mr. Parker walked through the halls of the Centre. He was proud that his plans were coming together. The previous night Chrissie had started moving in. Although a few times during the night Baby Parker, as he knew him, would cry out. He had yelled at Chrissie to stop getting up to go to him. She had the nerve to yell back at him. He'd seen to it that she would never disobey or stand up to him again. He heard the annoying giggling of a child and knew that Chrissie and Lockie had arrived. He turned around and glared at her to make sure the message still stood. He saw her frown and then clutch both the child and her cheek protectively. Mr. Parker smiled. All three of his wives had disobeyed him in some way but he'd always managed to show them that he was in charge.
* * * * * * * * * * * *
Chrissie took Lockie into Sydney's office. Sydney looked up and smiled at Chrissie and looked at the child with her strangely.
"It's nice to see you Chrissie. I heard you got back. Is that Baby Parker? What is he doing with you?" Sydney hadn't heard about Chrissie being married to Mr. Parker. She sighed.
"Yes this is Baby Parker but please, his name is Lockie now. He's with me because he's my son. I… I'm married to Mr. Parker." Sydney looked up at her shocked. He didn't know how she could possibly be married to a dead man.
"Mr. Parker's dead. How could you…" He looked out his window and saw a very much alive Mr. Parker strolling down the halls scaring people who obviously thought he was dead. "I don't understand." She sighed again.
"It's a long story Syd. One that's too long and complicated to explain now." She smiled at him then played with Lockie. Broots came running into his office.
"Syd you're never going to guess who I just ran into. I'd heard some rumours about Chrissie being married to Mr. Parker but I thought that was impossible. I mean he's dead and she would never…" He turned and saw her playing with Lockie. "Oh my god it's Baby Parker. Chrissie it's not true is it?" She couldn't look him in the face. He couldn't believe it. "Wow, this is just, wow."
"I'm still me Broots, just because I'm with… I'm still me." Now Broots couldn't look her in the face. He excused himself and left. Chrissie sighed.
"I'm going to be getting that a lot aren't I?" Sydney nodded solemnly. She sighed again out of frustration. She put Lockie down so he could play. She looked at Sydney. "Everyone's going to hate me and think I'm trying to get power. But that's the furthest thing from the truth. I want to leave here and never look back. I don't want anything to do with the Centre anymore. But I have to. I have to for Lockie now, and I'll do anything for him now." Sydney smiled at her.
"Tell me, why did you marry Mr. Parker?" He wanted to support her but more than that he wanted to know her true motives.
"Because I had to."
* * * * * * * * * * * *
Lyle sat in his office. He'd seen the way his father was walking around scarring people. In another time he would have been right next to him laughing at the scared Centre employees. Now he couldn't stand seeing it. He closed his blinds so he didn't have to look at it. He flipped through some papers on his desk but nothing caught his attention. He couldn't stand being alone anymore. He stood up and went in search of Sydney. His sister had gone to him many times when she had a problem and he had a problem. He passed Mr. Parker inconspicuously and went to Sydney's office. The door was slightly ajar and he saw a toy on the floor. Curious he got down to the level the toy was at and looked at it. He saw Lockie crawl wanting the toy. He stood up quickly so the child would not see him. He heard Chrissie's voice. He couldn't make out what she was saying but he knew it was her. He was startled when he looked down and saw Lockie sitting at his feet smiling up at him.
"Hewo Lyle." He pulled himself up using Lyle's legs for support and he hugged him. Lyle froze. He only moved when he heard Chrissie's frantic scream.
"Oh god, where's Lockie? He was just here." Lyle opened the door, startling both Chrissie and Sydney.
"It's okay. He's here. I was, uh, walking past and he walked over to me." Chrissie was instantly at Lockie's side.
"Please don't ever do that to me! You gave me a heart attack." Her tone was soft, not harsh, not like Lyle had heard other parents use. She was angry with him for crawling off; she was just worried about him. She hugged him tightly eliciting a small giggle from Lockie.
"I wanted to pay wiff Lyle. I knew he was there." He looked back up at Lyle and raised his arms to be picked up. Lyle obliged and held the child in his arms securely. Chrissie stood up slowly so she was level with Lyle again. She smiled slightly and kissed Lockie's cheek.
"Okay sweetie. Just make sure the next time you do that you tell me first." She ruffled his hair then turned her attention to Lyle. "Uh, thanks. I would have turned Syd's office upside-down searching for him. He means the world to me." Lyle nodded. He knew it was true. He could see it in her eyes. It amazed him at how she could only know him for such a short time but already have formed a strong mother/son bond. She was rubbing Lockie's back.
"I'd never let anything happen to him. He is family after all." Chrissie smiled at him and it made his heart swoon.
"I know." Her hand rubbing Lockie's back moved to Lyle's hand. She rubbed his hand and smiled at him. Lyle stood in shock. He wanted to reach out and kiss her but knew he couldn't. Lyle moved his hand so he was holding hers. They stayed like that until Mr. Parker approached.
"Ah Lyle, how are you today?" Lyle and Chrissie quickly separated. Mr. Parker stood next Chrissie. He put a hand on her shoulder to signify that she was his property. Lyle smiled a mock smile at Mr. Parker.
"I'm very well. Actually my day just looked up. I ran into this little guy here." He looked at Lockie. Lockie giggled playfully with Lyle. Chrissie was amazed at how well they got on. Mr. Parker took a step forward. He put his arm tighter around Chrissie.
"He gets along with you. Maybe you can look after him sometime so Tina and I can have some private time." He leant down and kissed her. Chrissie didn't really kiss back. Lyle felt like he was going to throw up.
"Yeah that would be great. I'd love to spend some time with him." Mr. Parker smiled. His plan was working. He wrapped his arm around Chrissie's waist, ignoring the jerk her body made in an attempt to get away from him.
"Well how about now? Can you look after him now? I mean we are still honeymooners you know. Sometimes we can't keep our hands off each other." Chrissie shuddered as she heard what he was saying. Lyle hadn't noticed this. He turned to Mr. Parker and smiled through his teeth.
"That's fine with me." He turned and took Lockie with him. Mr. Parker led Chrissie into his office.
"What was going on between you two before I got there?" He flung her across the room. She rammed into his desk causing her to double over in pain.
"We were talking. We are friends and I was worried because I could find Lockie. He was with Lyle. I was relieved. I was thanking him." She slumped against the desk holding her side.
"That's how you thank people; by practically throwing yourself at them? You are friends? That's not what I heard. You are my wife and that means you belong to me. Need I remind you of what will happen if…" Chrissie cut him off.
"NO! It won't happen again. I will only talk to him when I have to." Mr. Parker sighed.
"See what you made me do. Was it that hard to do as I asked? This could have been avoided. Now on to other matters, I want you fully moved into my house by the time I get back from visiting the Triumvirate. I'll be leaving tonight so get moving." He stormed out of the office. Chrissie slumped over the desk again and clutched her side. She lifted her shirt and saw the beginnings of a bruise. She touched her cheek tentatively remembering the strike he'd given her when she had to keep going to Lockie. She put her head down on the desk and started crying.
* * * * * * * * * * * *
Lyle was sitting at his desk playing peek-a-boo with Lockie when Miss Parker came in. She smiled when she saw Lockie but started laughing when she saw the faces Lyle was making.
"Better be careful. I hear these rooms are bugged. You don't want that picture getting around." Lyle looked up at her and laughed.
"Sorry, I'm just entertaining Lockie." He went back to what he was doing. Miss Parker walked closer. She looked around the room.
"Lockie's here? Where's Chrissie?" She noticed the hurt expression on his face.
"Apparently the honeymoon's not over." Lyle stopped pulling faces and sat down handing Lockie the toy he had in his hand when he caught up with him. Miss Parker cringed at the thought of what they were doing. Chrissie walked in. Neither of them noticed her cringing a bit in pain.
"Thanks for minding Lockie. Um you know newlyweds. We'll just be going now." She picked up Lockie and turned to go. She turned back to Lyle and shook his hand. She walked out. Lyle and Miss Parker were confused. Lyle noticed the piece of paper in his hand. It was folded up. On the front it read:
Lyle and Miss Parker (keep just between you two) very important!
They opened it up trying to be discreet. On the inside it had an address and the words "meet me here tonight" written on it. Miss Parker recognised the address as Chrissie's. They looked at each other and nodded. They were sure she would explain everything at that moment.
* * * * * * * * * * * *
Chrissie had waited until Mr. Parker had left on his way to meet the Triumvirate then she left for her house. She'd packed up some of Lockie and her things so they could stay there. She walked through the door and ran into Jarod. She didn't think he'd be there yet. They had made plans for him to stay at her house so he could help her with a few things. She just wasn't expecting it to be at that moment. She had to get rid of him before Miss Parker and Mr. Lyle came.
"Jarod what are you doing here? You have to leave." She started feeling a pain in her side from where Mr. Parker had flung her into the desk because she was holding both Lockie and their things.
"I wanted to talk to you again. Angelo contacted me with this," He held up a piece of paper. She knew what it was immediately. It was the contract Mr. Parker had made her sign. "And these." He held up pictures of her family each with thick red circles drawn around their faces. Chrissie's breathing became laboured from the stress of seeing the pictures again and the pain in her side. She put Lockie down then collapsed. Jarod caught her. He picked her up and laid her on the couch. He saw that she was holding her side. He carefully lifted her top and saw the massive bruise she had. He gasped.
"It looks worse than it is, really. I just… ah ran into something." Jarod looked up at her and frowned. He couldn't believe she expected him to believe that. He touched the spot gently trying to figure out how bad it was. She gasped in pain at his touch.
"I think you may have broken a rib, maybe two. And don't give me that. This can't be done by just running into something. I can't believe you didn't even tape this up." Chrissie laughed sardonically. She really did get the injury by running into something.
"I was telling the truth… kind of. I was flung into a desk, by Mr. Parker… my husband." She avoided his gaze. Jarod stood up and went in search of a bandage. Her ribs needed to heal and they wouldn't without the proper protection. He came back and started applying the bandage. "Anyway I couldn't do it. I had other things to do." She looked at Lockie who was happily playing with some blocks. Jarod followed her gaze and sighed. He put his hand on her cheek.
"You should have told me something was wrong. I would have gotten you away from here. I would have given you and your family a new identity. I helped when that jerk at your home town tried to hit you didn't I?" Chrissie sighed.
"Jarod it all happened to fast for me to contact you. I was scared." Jarod lent forward and kissed her forehead.
"Well I know about it now. Why is it that you are so strong with other things: Raines, known gang leaders, but not when it comes to the men in your life? Don't worry Chris; I won't let him hurt you again." He looked into her eyes. They inched closer as they both felt the feelings that were still between them. Their lips were almost touching when they heard the doorbell ring. Chrissie stood up quickly, causing herself pain, and turned to Jarod.
"That's Lyle and Miss Parker. I needed to talk to them. Jarod get out of here." Jarod nodded and went out the back. Unbeknownst to Chrissie he stayed in the house so he could hear what was happening. Chrissie composed herself, took Lockie's hand and went to answer the door. Standing there was Lyle and Miss Parker, as expected. She ushered them in quickly and scanned the area to make sure they weren't followed. Once satisfied they weren't followed she closed the door. She showed them into the lounge room and got them to sit down. She sat down on the couch and put Lockie on her lap. Miss Parker looked at Lockie and smiled at him. Lyle was all business.
"What is it you had to tell us? And why are we here?" He indicated the house. He was wondering why they were at her old house instead of at the Parker residence. Chrissie held Lockie for support.
"I thought you wanted to know why I married your father. That's why you're here. You deserve a reason." She stared in his eyes. Lyle wasn't sure what he wanted to know anymore. He looked away from her, instead concentrating on a spot on the carpet. Chrissie held Lockie tighter. Miss Parker looked at Lyle and sighed.
"Yes. We definitely would like to know. You're not the type of person who would… do this." Chrissie nodded. She picked up the contract Jarod had brought and handed it over to Miss Parker.
"Almost everything you need to know you'll find in there." She stood up and walked over to the window putting Lockie on the ground to play. Miss Parker skimmed the contract and read the important parts that were underlined.
"Christina Sofia Lopez must marry and procreate with Mr. Parker, the amount of children to be decided by Mr. Parker. This is at the request of Mr. Parker and Christina Sofia Lopez must follow the guidelines as listed below." Miss Parker read through a few of them and gasped. She still wasn't sure what to make of it and neither was Lyle. Chrissie stared out the window. "I still don't under…" Chrissie cut her off.
"You know the weekend we were snowed in? I came home and found him on my sofa. He was sick and he needed a place to stay. He told me about him being your father and that it would be dangerous if you knew that he was here. He promised me that you'd find out in time, when it was safe." She laughed dryly remembering how they found out. She continued.
"The night before I went to your house Lyle, for dinner, he offered to cook for me as a thankyou. He told me everything was almost ready… He'd offered before you that's why I couldn't go until the next night. He proposed to me. At first it was really romantic and I tried letting him down easy. I told him about how I had feelings for another man…" She turned back and looked at Lyle. She sighed and continued. "He wouldn't take no for an answer. He kept insisting. He became violent. Then he took that out. He told me I would sign it. I told him to leave my house but he wouldn't." She sighed remembering what happened next. She picked up the photos of her family. She threw them back to Miss Parker and Lyle.
"He threw those at me. Said that if I didn't do as he said he'd kill my family. Not only kill them, torture them, in front of me. Give them to the Centre to be used. He said that if I did what he wanted he'd leave them alone and I'd never have to worry about them being hurt. I did what I had to do." She turned around and faced them, tears streaming down her cheeks. "I never would have otherwise." Lyle stood up and walked over to her. He took her in his embrace. She cried into his chest. Miss Parker sat in shock. Lyle pulled Chrissie back to look at her. He noticed that her makeup was running. He saw a bruise on her cheek. He rubbed the makeup covering it off and stared at her fully exposed bruise. Chrissie tried to hide it.
"Did he… did he do that to you? Did he hit you?" Chrissie nodded slowly.
"When Lockie kept on crying last night I kept going to him. Mr. Parker got angry." She didn't want to tell him about her ribs. Lyle got angry. He moved away from her and started pacing.
"I'm going to kill him. He hurt you. I can't believe it. I'm going to kill him." Jarod, who was listening, was shocked. Lyle was standing up for Chrissie. He was changing. Jarod thought that maybe he could trust him. He opened the door and stepped through it slowly. No one noticed him until he spoke.
"That's not all he did." Lyle's first instinct was to pull his gun. Both Miss Parker and Chrissie yelled out no. Lyle stared at them confused. Chrissie went to talk to Jarod, standing in front of him.
"Jarod I told you to get out of here." Miss Parker stared at Chrissie in shock.
"How do you…?" Chrissie sighed and turned around to face the other two. Jarod kept his eyes locked on Chrissie.
"I'm not leaving Chris. I think they should know what else he did to you. He hurt you Chris and I think they can help." He put a hand on her shoulder. Lyle had a feeling he knew what was happening. Miss Parker cleared her throat and spoke louder.
"How do you know each other?" Jarod looked at Miss Parker and sighed.
"Miss Parker meet my ex girlfriend, Chris." Miss Parker stared in disbelief.
"That's crazy. That would mean… oh my god." Lyle stepped forward and cocked his gun.
"You're coming home Jarod… and away from Chrissie." Chrissie stepped in front of him, blocking his shot.
"No Lyle. Leave him be. Let him get out of here." Jarod spoke despite what Chrissie said.
"Lyle we both want the same thing here." Lyle scoffed.
"You're right Jarod. That's the point." Jarod sighed.
"That's not what I was talking about. What I was talking about was getting Chris away from Mr. Parker. He did this to her." Jarod slowly lifted the bottom of Chrissie's shirt to show the broken ribs. Lyle stared at her ribs. His mouth was suddenly dry.
"Wh… when?" Chrissie put her head down.
"It happened when you were minding Lockie. He saw the way I looked at you and didn't like it." Lyle put his head down in shame. He also put his gun away.
"You're right Jarod. We'll call a truce." He put his hand out for Jarod to shake. Jarod shook his hand. Miss Parker, who had still been standing in shock walked forward.
"Are you two still…? I mean are you together?" Jarod looked at her and sighed. Chrissie avoided her gaze. She didn't want her to find out like that. She didn't want Lyle to find out like that either.
"No… we're not." Miss Parker smiled.
"Well we'd better come up with something to stop our father from hurting Chrissie. And to stop whatever he has planned."
* * * * * * * * * * * *
Three hours later everyone was sitting in a separate corner of the room. No one knew exactly what to say or do. Jarod was sitting making sure he stayed away from Lyle. He still didn't trust him not to pull out a gun or call the sweepers. Miss Parker couldn't look at Chrissie. She felt embarrassed about how she and Jarod had come to an understanding about their relationship. The whole time she didn't care about whether or not Jarod's girlfriend was hurt or not but now she cared. Chrissie was her only female friend and she had probably hurt her. Lyle couldn't believe Chrissie had been with Jarod. He'd often thought about how Chrissie was more suited to Jarod than to himself but to think that he was right… he couldn't believe it. Chrissie sat thinking about how ludicrous the situation was. They were sitting in the same room, the hunters and the hunted. She felt as though everything would come undone and all hell would brake lose. The room was silent except for Lockie playing. Finally Miss Parker broke the silence.
"I just realised something. In the contract you had to sign it said you had to procreate. My father is basically sterile. How can you have children if… unless he was counting on your relationship with Lyle to…" Chrissie cut her off.
"No it would be nothing like that. Seeing as flung me into a desk and broke my ribs when he saw the way I was looking at Lyle." Miss Parker nodded. It was true her father definitely wouldn't want that.
"I'll get Broots to look into it. There has to be something. And why would he want children anyway?" Lyle butted in.
"He wants a new generation of Parkers. I remember hearing Mr. Parker and Raines talking about it once. They were going to get some girl to have children exclusively for the Parker name. They wanted to build up the Parker family line. I never thought they would do it." Chrissie nodded.
"Just after we were married he told me that it didn't look like you two would be having children anytime soon." She tried to repress the grin that fell over her face when she looked at Lyle. She could tell he was thinking the same thing. If he hadn't gotten in the way Lyle might have done just that. Lyle gave her a knowing smile when he saw the grin finally spread across her face. What neither of them was aware of was the smile being shared between Miss Parker and Jarod. Chrissie broke Lyle's gaze when she heard Lockie yawn. Jarod noticed it too and went over to him.
"Tired? I think it's your bed time." Lockie's eyes were drifting shut. Jarod picked him up. "Where's he sleeping?"
"My room, until I can fix up one of the other rooms so it's suitable for a child." Jarod nodded and went to the room just off the lounge room. Both Miss Parker and Lyle were aware that Jarod had stayed with Chrissie in her bedroom but they were both shocked that he knew the way to it. Chrissie followed after him. Lyle and Miss Parker sat not knowing what to do. Jarod emerged from the bedroom leaving Chrissie to get Lockie ready for bed. Miss Parker walked into the bedroom to help, leaving Jarod and Lyle in an uncomfortable silence.
Miss Parker walked over to the bed and watched as Chrissie removed Lockie's shirt. He was already asleep and Miss Parker was amazed that Chrissie was able to change him into his pyjamas without waking him.
"How do you do that? If it was me I would have waken him." Chrissie shrugged.
"From lots of practice. You have to remember that I practically raised my sisters and brother and I used to look after almost all the children on my neighbourhood." She laughed as she thought back to her old friends. Miss Parker interrupted her thoughts.
"I can't believe you never had any of your own. You're so good with him and you haven't even known him that long. And by the way you speak about the kids on your neighbourhood I can tell that you wanted children. Why didn't you have any?" Chrissie thought about the question. There were many reasons she didn't have children.
"I never really had time… I was too busy looking after other people's kids. Plus I didn't find anybody I wanted to have children with, except for one guy… but by the time I met him my mother got sick and…" She stopped herself mid-sentence. She was pained at the memory. She didn't notice the wince Miss Parker made. She knew that that person she was talking about was Jarod. Chrissie continued. "It's not even that I didn't have a chance to either. It's just that when I did I couldn't bring a new life into the world with the person. It wouldn't be a very good life." She thought back to many times in her old life. Miss Parker had no idea what she was talking about.
"I'm sure with you in their life it would have been okay. You'd make a better mother than me." Chrissie sighed. She directed the conversation off her and onto Miss Parker. She didn't want to talk about her old life. No one knew everything about it, not even Jarod.
"That's not true, Miss Parker. I've seen the way you are with Lockie, and Broots has told me about your relationship with Debbie. You'd make an excellent mother, if you'd let yourself." Miss Parker laughed. She wasn't sure what to say. She didn't know how she could be a good mother. Lockie reached out for something in his sleep. Chrissie was confused. She had no idea what he wanted. Miss Parker looked to the side of the bed and saw a teddy bear. It was her old one that she'd given to him. She reached down and picked it up and laid it in his arms. He calmed down immediately. Chrissie gave her an 'I-told-you-so' look. Miss Parker stared at her open mouthed.
"Don't give me that. I just knew what he wanted. I gave it to him." She followed Chrissie as she headed towards the door.
"All I'm saying is; you need to give yourself a chance. I know you have it in you." She glanced once more at her son then turned off the light closing the sliding doors behind her. They walked back to where Lyle and Jarod were still sitting in an awkward silence.
"Is he ok?" Jarod stood up and looked through the semi transparent doors.
"He's fine. He's asleep. I just hope he doesn't have nightmares tonight. Last nights were horrible." Her voice changed from concerned to acidic. "Unfortunately his father, and I use the term lightly, didn't let me help him. But I'm here tonight so I'm sure he'll be fine."
"I'm here too, I know a lot about nightmares. I can help." Lyle practically jumped out of his seat.
"You're staying here tonight?" Jarod nodded.
"This is the safest place for him to be. Mr. Parker thinks I sold this place so it's not under surveillance. That's why this place is my safe haven." Even Miss Parker could see that she was right, despite the fact that she would love to take him home with her.
"I'm staying here to make sure she's safe. I'm helping her tomorrow with fixing up Lockie's room. Don't worry I'm staying the guestroom." Lyle still wasn't sure if it was okay. Chrissie noticed this and walked calmly up to him.
"It's over with me and Jarod. We both have feelings for other people." She stroked his hand then gave a knowing look at Miss Parker. Miss Parker wasn't sure how she knew about her and Jarod but she was glad that she did and that she didn't seem to care. Lyle nodded slowly.
"Alright, it's just that… I don't know, just forget I said anything." He looked at his watch. "I think I'd better be going, you coming sis?" Miss Parker looked at her watch and nodded.
"We'll come back tomorrow. It's Saturday tomorrow and I have some things to do but I'll be here in the late afternoon. Okay?" Chrissie nodded. She walked to a side table and picked up a key.
"Here, I may be busy with Lockie so feel free to let yourself in." Miss Parker took the key and nodded. She walked over to Jarod to say goodbye.
"I'll, uh, see you tomorrow as well." She put her hand out for Jarod to shake. She had a feeling Chrissie knew about them but Lyle didn't yet and she wanted to tell him gently. Jarod stared at her hand then shook it. He rubbed her hand with his thumb to show that things hadn't changed between them in his eyes. She smiled and released his hand.
Lyle walked over to Chrissie. He stood in front of her and stroked the bruise on her cheek carefully. He sighed and thought about her ribs. That had been his fault. He took his hand back and stared at her.
"You should have told me about this." He pointed to her bruise. "I never would have left you alone with him. This wouldn't have happened." He patted her ribs gently. Chrissie sighed.
"Yes it would. But it would have been much worse. And he would have done something to you as well." Lyle knew it was the truth. They probably both would have been killed. He resisted the urge to lean down and kiss her by putting some distance between them.
"I'll be here tomorrow as well. I'll come with Parker. Is that alright?" Chrissie nodded. Of course it was alright with her. She had stopped trying to fight her feelings for him. She knew she had strong feelings for him. She wasn't sure whether it was strong friendship or love, but she was willing to find out. Lyle turned around and started walking towards the door. He turned to Jarod one last time. Jarod saw the look in his eyes and sighed.
"Don't worry Lyle. She'll be alright. Nothing will happen to her, and I mean nothing." Lyle nodded understanding the message Jarod was giving him. He could trust Jarod. He just wasn't sure why Jarod seemed to trust him. He called to Miss Parker to follow and they left the house making sure they weren't followed. Jarod opened his mouth to say something but Chrissie spoke instead.
"I'm going to bed. I've had enough talking for today. I suggest you go to bed as well. We have some work to do tomorrow getting Lockie's room ready. You need anything you know where Lockie and I will be." She walked into her bedroom trusting Jarod to find the guest room.
Jarod found his room and went to bed. He laid awake thinking about Chrissie's comment about how they each had feelings for other people. He'd seen the knowing look she directed at Miss Parker. He had no doubt in his mind that she knew about their feelings for each other. She might even know about their admissions of love on that now infamous weekend but he wasn't sure. He let these thoughts settle in his head as he drifted off to sleep.
* * * * * * * * * * * *
Chrissie had fallen asleep with Lachlan in her arms. When she woke up she was alarmed to find that he wasn't there anymore. She looked around the bed and the whole room and was worried when she couldn't find him. She got up and threw on her dressing gown loosely. She bolted out of her room and into the lounge room. She looked around the room and stopped still at the sound of laughing coming from the kitchen. Still worried she walked in the room cautiously. She sighed with relief when she saw Jarod and Lockie sitting watching the television in the kitchen eating breakfast. They were watching the morning cartoons. Both were entranced by the cartoons doing wacky things that they didn't notice something on the stove starting to burn. Chrissie sighed and burst into the room and went straight to the stove. Jarod jumped and turned around and saw the bacon and eggs he had made burning.
"Trying to burn the house down Jarod?" Jarod looked at her sheepishly as she fixed up the mess.
"Sorry, we weren't paying attention. What are you doing up anyway? We were going to bring you breakfast in bed. I made your favourite." He pointed at the now ruined food. Chrissie laughed.
"Oh yeah, I just love burnt bacon and eggs. No I woke up and was worried when I couldn't find Lockie. Lucky I did wake up. If I didn't the house would surely have burnt down." She started making herself a coffee. She walked over to Lockie and kissed him on the head as he continued to watch the cartoons. He looked away from the TV long enough to smile at her and kiss her cheek, then he was immersed in the television again.
"We would have noticed eventually. You shouldn't have gotten up. We wanted to surprise you, didn't we?" He looked at Lockie who stayed silent. Chrissie laughed.
"He won't hear you. He's almost as bad as you are when you're watching a new show you've discovered on TV. It's all new to him because he was in the Centre from the time he was born." She became solemn. "You should have seen him the first time I took him outside. He was in awe. He wanted to touch everything, commit it to memory in case he had to go back. It's so sad. He deserved to have already discovered a lot of things." Jarod sighed. He knew exactly how Lockie felt.
"He's lucky though. He's lucky that you got him out when you did. I grew up at the Centre so I didn't discover things until much later in my life. At least he can discover things when he's so young. And at least he has someone like you to care for him, protect him and love him like he really was your son." He reached up and gave her hand a squeeze. Chrissie smiled one of her dazzling smiles and turned back to her coffee.
"So when are we going to get started on his room. As much as I'd love him to stay in my room I know he can't forever." She put some distance between herself and Jarod. The feelings she'd had for him when she first met him were resurfacing and that made her feel bad. Why were her feelings jumping around so much? When she thought she knew who she wanted to be with, things happened that made her think about other people. Her life was really turning into a Soap Opera.
"As soon as you're ready we can. I think you should get changed first because I don't think that outfit would be very good for painting and building." He pointed at her skimpy pyjamas. She looked down and felt embarrassed. She pulled her nightgown tighter around her body and nodded. She had put it on because she was feeling very warm and she hadn't expected Jarod to see it. She felt silly feeling embarrassed, after all he had seen her in less, but it still just didn't feel right. She finished her coffee then left the boys to watch the cartoons while she got changed. When she came out again she was fully covered wearing baggy jeans and an old top. Her hair was pulled back in a loose pony tail, with some loose locks falling delicately over her face. Jarod stared at her and marvelled at her natural beauty. His voice caught in his throat.
"Are you, uh, ready?" He looked at the ground which seemed suddenly very interesting. Chrissie nodded and walked towards the TV. She shut it off and turned to Lockie.
"Sweetie what colour do you want your room? I have a few colours in the basement that you can choose from. Do you want to have a look?" Lockie nodded and took her proffered hand. She led him to the basement with Jarod following.
While Lockie was choosing a colour Jarod took a look around. Chrissie had things in the basement ready for Lockie's room. There was a bed, a few lamps, a toy chest with a clown painted on it and a chest of draws as well as a few boxes with toys, books and clothes in them. Also down there was a few items that intrigued Jarod. There was a mirror ball, which Jarod didn't have a clue what it was, a pair of ski's and even more fascinating to him a table tennis table.
Once Lockie had chosen a colour, blue, they all went upstairs, Chrissie carrying the paint and paint brushes and Jarod carrying sheets to put on the floor. Chrissie mixed the paint while Jarod helped as Lockie laid the sheets down. Each took a paint brush and started painting. Both Chrissie and Jarod were amazed with how well Lockie was painting. He was only three and yet he could do a lot of things that other children his age wouldn't be able to do. Jarod started to wonder if he was a Pretender. While Jarod was watching Lockie he didn't notice as he painted over Chrissie's hands.
"Hey watch what you're doing. I wasn't planning on painting my nails." Jarod looked at her sheepishly and apologised. Chrissie was taking it. "You painted me so now I get to paint you." She lifted the paint brush and put a dab of paint on his face. Jarod stared at her.
"Hey that's no fair. I got your hand and you got my face."
"So? What are you going to do about it?" She was challenging him. Jarod took up that challenge. He lifted his paint brush and swiped it down her face.
"This." He gave a satisfied smirk. Chrissie burst into a fit of giggles. She turned to Lockie.
"Are you going to let him get away with doing that to me?" Lockie shook his head and walked over to Jarod. He painted over Jarod's arm. Jarod stared at Chrissie.
"You're playing dirty. You're getting him to do it. That's two against one. And it doesn't help that one's a child and the other's a girl." He pouted playfully at Chrissie. Chrissie feigned horror.
"Did you hear that? I think he's insulting us." Lockie giggled and nodded. "What do you think we should do about that?" Lockie pretended to think then he dipped his paint brush in the paint.
"Colour him in?" Chrissie giggled. She'd given him a colouring book and he'd been curious to why he should colour in people.
"I think that's a very good idea." They both got closer to Jarod with their paint brushes raised.
* * * * * * * * * * * *
After a good paint war they finished painting the room and moved the things into the room. Lockie couldn't sleep in there that night because of the paint fumes but both adults were sure he could the next night. He was looking forward to having his own room but he was also nervous. In Mr. Parker's house he had his own room and it was scary. But he didn't think this one would be. It was close to his mother's room and it was a lot friendlier.
They had stopped for a lunch break and another break after that but now that everything was done they were just relaxing in the lounge room with the TV on. Lockie sat between Chrissie and Jarod. Both had their arms around him and were startled to find their fingers entwined. They both blushed awkwardly and yanked their arms away. Lockie looked up at them confused.
"What's wrong mamma?" Chrissie smiled at Lockie.
"Nothing sweetie, my arm just fell asleep." She lied to the child. Really everything was just too awkward for her. Lockie nodded and smiled a mischievous smile.
"I know how to wake something up. I already did it Jarod to wake him up." Jarod looked at her and stifled a grin. Before Chrissie knew what hit her Lockie was tickling her. She was laughing hard in a matter of seconds.
"Tickle under her arm. She's really ticklish there. Just make sure you stay away from mummies ribs." Chrissie gave Jarod a glare. Lockie tickled under her arms and Chrissie howled with laughter.
"That's… not … fair. This… is… basically… two… against… one." Chrissie managed to get out between breaths. Jarod laughed.
"Like it was earlier with the paint?" He grinned at her. She started to feel pain in her ribs. Jarod could see that she was beginning to be in pain so he stopped Lockie from tickling Chrissie by tickling him. Lockie screamed with laughter. She took a few moments to soothe herself, and then she watched as Lockie laughed gleefully.
"Mamma… help… me." Although he said this she could tell that he didn't really want her too. She pretended to think about it then she smiled.
"Nah! We've ganged up on Jarod, you two ganged up on me… now it's your turn." Lockie squealed with delight. Chrissie started to tickle him. They rolled and ended up on the floor in a heap with Lockie's limbs flailing. They were all in a fit of giggles. None of them heard Lyle knock and Miss Parker unlock the door. They both stood in the doorway watching as the three of them were playing. Lyle turned to Miss Parker.
"Obviously we interrupted them. I guess we'll come back later." He said this loud enough to break through the laughter that filled the room. Chrissie looked up and saw them standing there.
"Oh my god." She stopped what she was doing and stood up followed by Jarod and a still laughing Lockie. Lyle looked hurt, as did Miss Parker. They both felt like they were intruding on a happy family. Lyle couldn't stand it anymore. He turned and walked out the house. Chrissie followed him but he was just a bit too fast. He managed to get out the door. He started running as soon as he got out of the house. Chrissie followed him starting to run as well.
"Lyle wait, please stop." He slowed but didn't stop.
"Why don't you just go back into your family? It's clear that finally you have one of your own." Lyle stopped altogether. Chrissie ran to catch up to him. She ignored the pain in her ribs. They were now standing in the forest outside the house.
"I can leave him for a few minutes. He's fine with Parker and Jarod." She wasn't aware that he was including Jarod in his comment.
"Of course he'll be fine with Jarod. He is part of the family I was talking about. You love him don't you? You love Jarod."
* * * * * * * * * * * *
Miss Parker stood not sure what to say or do. She felt uncomfortable in the room with Jarod and Lockie. She tried not to look at the spot where the three of them had been playing like a real family. She tried to break the awkward silence.
"Lockie sweetie, come over here and give me a hug." Lockie smiled and walked over to her. She embraced him tightly then let go when she realised she could smell a mixture of Chrissie and Jarod on him from when they were a tangled mess. Jarod sensed her uneasiness.
"Lockie, why don't you go in your mummy's room and watch the TV in there? Lie down and see if you can take a nap. You didn't have one all day today. I think you'd better before your mummy remembers and gets all worked up." Lockie nodded and bounded happily into his mothers room. When Jarod heard the TV go on he closed the doors. Miss Parker felt more awkward than ever.
"You all seem happy." Jarod nodded. They were happy but not as happy as he was standing looking at Parker. "What's that on your neck?" Jarod's hand went to his neck. He felt the dry paint and smiled.
"I thought I got it all off." He noticed her confused expression. "It's paint. We painted Lockie's new room today and, well, more paint got on us that it did on the walls. We had a little paint war." Miss Parker couldn't help but smile. She remembered when she had painted her room with her mother. They had done just that. The paint job was horrible so they ended up wall papering instead. She'd always wanted to do something like that with her family some day and when she'd thought about it, Jarod was always included. Now it seemed that he already had a family to do it with. She frowned again.
"I'm sure you did. It was probably a lot of fun for everyone. I think it may have made a… family type bond between the three of you." She saw Jarod frown. "It's okay. You make a good family. I can tell you care deeply for them both. They both need you Jarod." Jarod's frown deepened.
"Listen Parker, about what you walked in on. It was nothing, just a bit of fun. It's not what you think. I mean I do consider them my family but not in the way you seem to think I do." She felt like he was trying to let her down easy.
"It's okay Jarod. I'm happy that you've found a family. I may be a little upset that it's Chrissie that's making this family for you and not me, but really I'm happy for you… for you both… for all three of you." Jarod sighed.
"You don't understand me Parker. They are my family but not as in I'm Lockie's father and Chrissie's husband type of way. The only person I'd want that with is staring at me with the saddest eyes I've ever seen."
* * * * * * * * * * * *
Chrissie was caught off guard by Lyle's question. She thought for a few moments then looked Lyle squarely in the eye.
"Yes I do Lyle. I do love Jarod." She saw his face fall and quickly added more. "I love him like a friend, like a brother." Lyle looked up at her not sure. "I wasn't sure what I felt for him most of the day. It was very confusing. But when we were tickling Lockie I couldn't help but wish that it was someone else tickling him with me. I wanted to look up and see someone else's happy face, hear someone else's laugh. It felt like Jarod was a good friend, a brother even, but Lyle do you know who the person is I wanted with me? Do you know who would have made it feel like a real family?" Lyle shook his head. He didn't want to get his hopes up.
"Who would make it feel like a family?" Chrissie took a step closer to him. She lifted her hand to cup his cheek.
"You Lyle, I wanted you there. I wanted it to be you who tried to make a surprise breakfast for me in the morning and burnt it. I wanted it to be you who I got into a paint fight with. I wanted it to be you who I sat with peacefully watching the TV with, with Lockie in the middle of us and our arms locked." Tears started to form in Lyle's eyes.
"Why would you want it to be me? You deserve so much more than me. You deserve someone with a better past, a better present. You deserve someone like Jarod." He looked away from her.
"I don't want someone else. I don't want someone like Jarod." She moved closer to him again.
"Why?" He choked a bit at the word.
"You haven't figured it out yet?" He shook his head no. She sighed. "Because I… I love you Lyle. I love you." She leant in and kissed him. At first he wasn't sure what to do, but as her words sunk in he deepened the kiss.
* * * * * * * * * * * *
Miss Parker looked into Jarod's eyes. She searched for something to tell her she imagined what he'd said. She came up on empty. What she'd heard was true. It was her he wanted to build a family with. Some tears that she'd been holding in fell as she laughed. She walked towards him in quick strides. She captured his lips in a passionate kiss. When they broke apart she pressed her forehead to his.
"You know that you're the only one I want to build a family with as well right?" Jarod smiled and kissed her nose.
"That's fine with me." He leant down to kiss her again this time more passionately. He felt Miss Parker laugh during the kiss. "What's so funny?" Miss Parker laughed again.
"I didn't mean now." She pulled back from his grasp. She looked to the room where Lockie was. She sighed as she thought about his 'mother'. "Jarod I know how you feel but what about Chrissie? She might have feelings for you." Jarod sighed.
"I don't know. All I know for sure is that you're the only one in my heart." He reached out for her again. He wrapped his arms around her waist and pressed his forehead against hers. "We'll just have to wait and see." Miss Parker nodded. She smiled and looked at his lips. She couldn't resist kissing him. They met in a passionate kiss.
* * * * * * * * * * * *
Lyle pulled away from the kiss only because he needed air. He searched Chrissie's eyes for a sign that she regretted what she had just done. He didn't see any trace of it but he still held on tightly to her. Chrissie understood why he was doing it.
"Hey it's okay. I'm not going to run away. I'm done running away from you. As a matter of fact there's nowhere I'd rather be at the moment." She wound her arms around his waist. She stared up at him and smiled a dazzling smile. Lyle stroked her hair with one hand and stroked her back with the other.
"That's good because I'm never letting you go again." He tilted his face to Chrissie and captured her lips in a passionate kiss. When they broke apart Chrissie started walking away. Lyle was confused and gripped her hand to pull her back. "I thought you said you weren't going to run away." He tried to make his voice sound harsh but it sounded more hurt.
"I'm not running. I just realised that I left Lockie in there in a haste to get to you. I'm his mother. I can't stay out here too long neglecting him." Lyle nodded. He went to let go of her hand but she gripped it tighter. "I told you, I'm not running away from you. You said you wouldn't let me go. I'm just granting that wish." She smiled a seductive smile at him. Lyle smiled and walked hand in hand with her. When they reached the front door Lyle turned to her.
"What are Jarod's feelings towards you?" Chrissie shrugged and opened the door. She smiled as she saw Jarod and Miss Parker making out.
"I'd say… close friend." She laughed slightly but laughed harder when she saw them break apart and they looked like two teenagers caught by one of their mothers. Neither one of them noticed Chrissie's hand securely in Lyle's.
"Chrissie… We need to talk." Chrissie nodded. "We had a really great day today… it was the most fun I've had in a long time."
"I'm glad." Jarod didn't notice Lyle start to rub Chrissie's back.
"Well it's just that I know we kind of seemed… close today. But there's only one woman I love… that I've ever loved." Chrissie smiled.
"I know Jarod. I think I've always known." Jarod didn't seem to hear her.
"I'm in love with Parker. I'm sorry if you have other feelings for me…" Chrissie cut him off.
"Jarod I know. I've seen it in your eyes when you look at her. I remember hearing you talk about your huntress and when you did I knew. I just wanted you for myself. But I don't need you anymore. I've got Lyle." She looked adoringly into Lyle's eyes. Jarod was stunned.
"You knew?" Chrissie nodded.
"Hey even I knew." Lyle smirked as both Miss Parker and Jarod stood shocked. "Everyone knew. We were all just wondering when you would. People like our father were hoping you wouldn't while people like Sydney were praying that you would… and soon." A smile escaped Miss Parker's lips. She looked into Jarod's eyes.
"We're slow." She burst out into laughter. Jarod smiled and took her in his arms. He lifted her and started swinging her around. Miss Parker was laughing happily. Jarod put her down and started kissing her passionately again.
"Hey do I need to remind you that there is a child around. Actually where is Lockie?" Chrissie started to look around the room distraughtly. Jarod and Miss Parker broke apart and tried to calm her down.
"Don't worry; he's in your room sleeping. I told him to take a nap." Chrissie nodded and sighed with relief.
"Well I'll go check on him then we can do what you two came here to do." She walked out the room taking Lyle with her as she didn't let go of his hand. After she'd checked on Lockie she came back in and sat on the couch. She sat with Lyle's hand still firmly in hers. "What are we going to do about Mr. Parker?" She started stroking Lyle's hand with her thumb.
"Well I need more information about what Mr. Parker has said to you. Has he said anything that might give you any hints to what he's doing?" Jarod stared thoughtfully at Chrissie. Chrissie thought back to anything she may have heard.
"Why do we need to know what he's planning? Why don't we just stop him? I can think of more than a few ways to stop him." Lyle grinned evilly. He felt Chrissie tense next to him.
"Because, Lyle. We just can't go and stop him with any of those ways… he gets off too easy then." Lyle turned to Chrissie and stared at her opened mouthed. He'd never expected to hear anything like that from her.
"You two had better stop that. We've got to find out what he's up to. We can't think of punishment right now." Miss Parker was just as surprised as Lyle was. It seemed Jarod was the only one who wasn't. He had seen first hand what Chrissie's rage could do. He'd seen it the first day he'd met her then again later when they had spent some time together.
"You're right. But I'll tell you something, I want him to go down and I want him to suffer." Chrissie ignored the looks everyone was giving her and continued. "You know I can't think tonight, too many things have happened…" She looked at Lyle and squeezed his hand. "…and I'm not really focusing. Right now I couldn't even tell you something that Mr. Parker told me first hand. My mind is on other things. What do you say we call it a night? Lyle and Parker can come back tomorrow and Jarod will be here so that should work." Everyone nodded.
"I agree. None of us will be thinking clearly tonight." Jarod looked at Miss Parker who was sitting on his lap. They exchanged a knowing look of what the other was thinking and smiled. "We should meet again tomorrow."
"What time? I have a few things to do tomorrow concerning the Centre so I can't be here too early. It won't take long though so what time should we meet?" Lyle didn't want to have anything to do with the Centre but he knew that if he didn't get his work done he would be in serious trouble. And when you were in serious trouble with the Centre that meant your life was in serious danger.
"I agree. I need to go out tomorrow to get some things for Lockie's room here so I can't do anything for at least two hours." Jarod and Lyle stared dumfounded. Neither knew why she'd need two hours.
"I have nothing to do tomorrow. I'll come with you, that way we'll get here at the same time. So we'll meet at about 12:00 tomorrow afternoon. Is that okay with everyone?" Everyone nodded. "Great I'm going home. I'll see you tomorrow. Uh, Jarod, care to say goodnight?" She got off his lap and walked towards the door, turning around to give him a seductive wink. A huge smile tugged at Jarod's lips as he got up and walked towards her. Chrissie and Lyle laughed at the way they were acting as soon as they were out of sight and earshot.
"I'll say one thing for Jarod. He certainly does make my sister happy. And as long as he's keeping her happy and not you then he's an alright guy." Lyle smiled and turned to Chrissie and was met with a very serious expression. "What is it? What's wrong?" He was suddenly very concerned.
"Nothing, it's just that now that I've finally stopped pushing you away and decided never to let you go, you've got to go home." She sighed and offered him a sad smile. A mischievous smile spread over Lyle's face.
"Well who say's I have to go home?" He pulled her towards him into an embrace. His lips sought out hers and they were soon engaged in a passionate kiss. She pulled back and stared into his eyes.
"Something tells me that's not a good idea. Let's not forget I'm still sharing a bed with Lockie tonight. I don't think he'd like it very much if his big brother Lyle was, uh, snuggling his mommy in the same bed he's in." Lyle smiled.
"You're right. I guess I wasn't thinking. Well I guess I'd better be going as well." He kissed her again, neither wanted to say goodbye. They both knew they'd see each other the next day but it was too long for both of them. Chrissie pulled back from the kiss as Lyle's hands started roaming.
"Go, before I'm unable to tell you to leave." Lyle stood up and smiled mischievously again.
"Saying things like that will only make me not want to leave even more." Chrissie laughed and stood up. She kissed him again and led him to the door.
"I'll see you tomorrow."
* * * * * * * * * * * *
Jarod and Miss Parker stood at her car. Miss Parker put her arm on his shoulder and drew him into a kiss. When his lungs could stand no more Jarod pulled out of the kiss. He looked nervously up at the house. He was worried about being caught. Miss Parker noticed this and began laughing.
"Don't worry Jarod. Mom's not going to come out and catch us." She laughed again at the look at confusion on Jarod's face. "It looks like you're a teenager kissing his date goodnight worrying that he'll get caught." Jarod laughed along with her.
"Well I don't think Chris is my Mom. That would just be too weird. Plus I have a habit of getting caught. When I was staying with Chris before she came here I was kissing her goodnight and her Mom came out and caught us. I must say it was very embarrassing." He remembered how Chris's mother had looked when she caught his hands roaming over her daughter's body. He'd almost had a heart attack when she'd told Chris not to be too long.
"Jarod I'll give you some free advice. Don't talk about a past experience with an ex-girlfriend when your present girlfriend is standing right in front of you." Jarod stood shocked at what she'd said.
"What did you just say?" Miss Parker sighed.
"I'm just saying that it's not smart to…" He cut her off.
"No that's not what I'm talking about. What is it you said about standing in front of me?" Miss Parker smiled realising what he was talking about.
"I said girlfriend. Your present girlfriend is standing in front of you." Jarod smiled and took her in his arms.
"You're my girlfriend. Wow!" Miss Parker laughed and claimed his lips.
"What? Do you think I make out with just any guy? I haven't made out like that since I was a teenager. You bring that out in me Jarod." Jarod smiled and kissed her neck.
"God I wish I didn't have to be away from you tonight." He stopped what he was doing and raised his eyebrows suggestively at her. Miss Parker moaned at the loss of the sensation of his lips on her skin.
"Who says you have to?" She smiled seductively at him. Jarod stared dumbstruck at her.
"Are you saying what I think you're saying?" She nodded and started kissing his neck. "Are you sure? I mean we wouldn't want to rush into anything. I don't want to make you do anything you don't want to do." Miss Parker smiled again.
"Oh I want to. I've never wanted anything as much as I want this. And I wouldn't say we're rushing. We've known each other for long enough. It's not like we have to get to know each other. Come on Jarod. My place is just a car trip away." She started kissing his jaw avoiding his lips. He was trying to capture her lips but she wouldn't let him.
"But Chrissie…"
"Has Lockie to take care of." She took his earlobe in her mouth and stared nibbling gently. Jarod looked up to see Lyle and Chrissie standing at Lyle's car as Lyle was getting in.
"Chrissie I'm staying at Miss Parker's tonight." He watched as Chrissie nodded then smiled waving them off. Miss Parker waved at Chrissie and pushed Jarod into the car. She climbed into the driver's seat and started the car. Before she pulled out she turned to Jarod.
"I'm gonna rock your world." She smiled seductively and squeezed his knee. Jarod took her hand and kissed it then the smiled and turned to face her.
"You already do."
* * * * * * * * * * * *
To be continued...