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: I'm up to writing part 16 but I it will take a while to post the others (just like it had this one) because I have to go through and fix mistakes in them. If people are still reading I ask you to be patient with me. It's kind of hard for me because I keep getting ideas for other fics and I get sidetracked with them. Sorry. I'm going as soon as I can
Summary: After her first night with Jarod, Miss Parker is already a changed woman. Jarod makes a startling discovery about Mr. Parker's plans for Lyle. Lyle comes up with a plan so no one will no about Chrissie and him. Mr. Parker's plans to get Chrissie pregnant are put into action. Will she fall pregnant? Despite their plans someone finds out about Chrissie and Lyle. How will they react and who is it? Lyle and Jarod both ask a very important question.
Strange Things Happen
Part 7
Sunlight streaked through the room as Jarod's eyes opened. He felt a warm body next to him. He turned his face to his side and smiled as he saw Miss Parker's smiling face. She leaned over and kissed his nose.
"Good morning sleeping beauty." She laughed as he wrapped his arms tighter around her. Jarod laughed along with her. He turned his face to see the time. It was still early.
"Good morning yourself. How long have you been awake? Why didn't you wake me?" She smiled again.
"I didn't wake you because you looked so peaceful and just… beautiful." She kissed him again. Jarod laughed.
"I think I should have done this a long time ago." He propped himself up on his elbow and for the first time that morning looked her over. He noticed something about her; she was smiling, really smiling, not that fake one she put on for the Centre, she looked totally relaxed, like everything was perfect, but most of all he noticed how beautiful she looked. He stared at her, remembering every detail of that moment in case something happened and that moment was all he had.
"Who said I would have let you a long time ago?" She stood up and walked towards her bathroom with a smile on her lips. She knew that if on that first night he'd escaped he came to her the result would be the same as that moment. The same went for anytime she said she hated him or while she was in the middle of a chase. She'd wanted him for as long as she could remember so she knew she would have let him.
"You shouldn't tease me like that. You don't know what I'll do." He gave her one of his trademark smirks then stood up walking towards her.
"Oh really, and what exactly would you do?" She smiled seductively and closed the bathroom door leaving him to ponder her question. A wicked smile crossed his face as he thought of an answer. He hid to the side of the door and waited for her to emerge.
When she opened the door she couldn't see him. She frowned wondering if he'd taken off. She stepped out and looked to her side, still not seeing him. She went to turn to her other side when he jumped out and dragged her to the bed. He started tickling her. She started squealing.
"I might do this, Miss Parker. Or I might do this." He stopped tickling her and pinned her arms above her head. He started kissing her mouth passionately. He moved from her mouth to nuzzle on her neck. She giggled.
"I think I like the second one better." She dipped her head to claim his lips. When he pulled away he walked towards the bathroom.
"I thought you would. But I think I have a few better ideas that I would love to show you." He raised his eyebrows suggestively then closed the door. Miss Parker laughed.
"Oh I bet you do… and I can't wait till you show them."
* * * * * * * * * * * *
Chrissie and Miss Parker walked around the mall looking in all the kids' shops. Miss Parker had a smile plastered to her face.
"Okay you are seriously gonna have to stop spending time with Jay because acting like this will get you in trouble." She smiled and nudged her friend playfully in the ribs.
"I don't care. Right now I don't have a care in the world." She stopped to look in the window at a particularly cute child's bedspread.
"I hope you do when we have to work on Monday." Chrissie suddenly turned serious. She was in enough trouble with her situation, she didn't want love to ruin another two lives. She loved the fact that they had finally admitted to their feelings for each other but she didn't want it to get her two friends killed.
"Don't worry, I'm sure by then the muscles in my mouth will have calmed down enough to keep on a bitchy expression." Miss Parker turned to Chrissie and smiled wider. "But right now I just can't stop smiling." Chrissie chuckled.
"You've got it bad." Miss Parker laughed.
"Don't
I know it." Both laughed and walked into a toy shop. Lockie walked immediately
over to some toys he liked. He was playing innocently. Chrissie started looking
at some of the toys she thought might be good. She turned around to ask Miss
Parker her opinion. Miss Parker was looking at some children's clothes with a
look that could only be described as maternal.
"Oh god, don't tell me. One day with Jay and you're already clucky." Miss Parker put the clothes down quickly.
"No, I'm not clucky. The Ice Queen doesn't get clucky." She put on her best scowl. It was working too, until she looked back at the clothes. She then melted and picked them up again. "It's just that they're so cute." Chrissie sighed and turned to Lockie.
"Your sister has lost her mind." Lockie nodded and Chrissie burst out laughing. "See Parker, even he knows it and he's only a toddler." Miss Parker poked her tongue out at Chrissie.
"Oh shut up." Chrissie burst out laughing again.
"See look, the Parker that everyone is scared of and who no one would mess with would never, and I mean never… poke her tongue out at someone. See what he does to you." The next thing Chrissie knew, a stuffed animal came flying at her and hit her squarely in the face. This just made her laugh even more. Miss Parker joined in, in her laughter. They both saw the look that the owner of the store was giving them and left in a fit of laughter. They continued the rest of the day like that. They didn't have a care in the world.
* * * * * * * * * * * *
A few hours later they arrived back at Chrissie's house with a car full of accessories for Lockie's room. Their laughter was still strong. They both saw Lyle's car in the driveway.
"Oh it seems I'm not the only one in my family who is anxious to see my new love." Miss Parker laughed again. Chrissie hit her playfully in the arm.
"Oh shut up will you?" She started laughing again.
"Don't you think I would have done that earlier before we got kicked out of that book store?" Both started laughing again at the memory. Chrissie parked the car and went to the boot.
"I guess you're right. Jeez Jarod's got a lot to answer for." She kept laughing while she took some of the bags and boxes out. Miss Parker helped Lockie out the car and took his hand as they walked to the front door. They were both still laughing when Chrissie opened the door. Both were shocked to see Jarod and Lyle sitting having a conversation.
"Chrissie, I think we just entered the twilight zone." They both started laughing again and they walked off humming the theme of the Twilight Zone. Jarod and Lyle looked after them dumbstruck.
"Okay we're being civil with each other while they're laughing like two hyenas and they say we're the crazy ones?" Lyle shrugged then sat back in his chair.
"Do you think we should help with the things from the car?" Jarod stood up to go but Lyle stopped him.
"What, do you want to catch whatever it is that's got them acting like that?" He smiled and sat back down. Jarod was confused.
"Do they have some sort of disease?" Lyle laughed quietly but Jarod could barely hear him over the laughing coming from behind him.
"He's so cute." Miss Parker walked over to him and kissed him. "Don't take things so literal Wonder Boy." She grabbed his hand and started walking towards the door.
"I thought you'd stop using those nickname for him now that you two have an, uh, understanding." Lyle chuckled and walked over to Chrissie.
"Oh I think that I'll be calling him that more after our… understanding." She giggled and playfully tickled his ribs. Chrissie rolled her eyes.
"I thought you'd calm down when you actually got to see him again… I guess I was mistaken." Chrissie laughed and took Lyle's hand. "Come on, you're helping with the things from the car." She turned to face Jarod and Miss Parker to see them kissing. "I think it's safer out there then it is in here." They started walking towards the door. "Watch Lockie, he's watching TV in my room." Miss Parker waved her arm above their heads before she pulled Jarod onto the couch.
"So did you miss me?" Chrissie playfully twirled herself in Lyle's arms. He pulled her into him and kissed her passionately. When they pulled apart he smiled.
"More than you know." He pulled her closer and started kissing her again. She smiled under his lips.
"Hey there are still things in the car. Don't make me get rough with you." She laughed and started running away.
"And saying things like that will only distract me more." He chased after her and was met with some boxes being put in his arms. "Hey that's not what I was after." She poked her tongue out at him.
"Well that's all you're getting right now." Lyle sighed and walked towards the house. Chrissie grabbed the last few bags and followed after him, locking her car behind her. As they walked past the lounge room they saw Miss Parker and Jarod still kissing on the couch. Once they put the things down they joined them in the lounge room.
"Hmm, Hmm. Earth to Jarod and Parker. Come in Jarod and Parker. I don't think they can here me." Lyle sat down and sighed. Chrissie got a wicked smile on her face. "What?" She walked out of the room and went to the kitchen. She came back with a glass of water. She held it over their heads then slowly tilted it so the water poured over them slowly. Jarod and Miss Parker separated and sat up instantly. Lyle started laughing. Chrissie turned to him with an innocent look on her face.
"Mamma used to do that to me. It was really annoying but it got the job done." She looked back to the now separate and wet couple.
"Oh you're going to pay for that Chrissie." Chrissie started laughing.
"That's fine with me." She sat down next to Lyle and took his hand. She stared lovingly into his eyes. Jarod swiftly remembered what he'd found earlier. He indicated for Miss Parker to stop what she was doing, she was about to get up and walk over to Chrissie, and he looked seriously at Chrissie and Lyle.
"Um I think I need to bring something to everyone's attention." He stood up, walked to his room, and returned with some papers. Miss Parker was suddenly serious.
"What is it Jarod?" Jarod sighed.
"While I was rigging the phone in Mr. Parker's house so that all calls could be redirected here when Chrissie's staying here, it's up by the way, I came across these." He put the papers on the coffee table. All three picked up a paper.
"What is it Jarod? Is it why he's planning on me having Parker children?" She shuddered slightly at the thought. Lyle noticed this and put his arm around her.
"No, it's worse than that." He gulped. He couldn't believe it when he'd found it but he knew that they needed to know so he'd brought copies of them back with him. Miss Parker read her paper and sighed.
"Oh my god, is this true Jarod?" Jarod nodded.
"I'm afraid it is. It's got both Mr. Parker and Mr. Raines' signatures on it." Chrissie felt as though she didn't want to read it.
"I don't want to read anything that would be trouble. I want to hear it. What did my husband do?" Jarod sighed.
"Remember when you were shot?" Chrissie nodded and clutched her shoulder protectively. Lyle held her tighter trying to erase the image that played through his mind of Chrissie being shot. "You were shot by a Centre Operative." Chrissie gasped.
"I thought I recognized him." A sick feeling played in her stomach.
"I know. Well he wasn't aiming for you… he was aiming for Lyle." Lyle gasped. Chrissie wasn't surprised. She had jumped in front of it because she'd seen where it was aimed. "The order was given from Mr. Parker. He wanted Lyle out of the way… for good. He knew about your feelings for him so he wanted him… out of the way." Chrissie gripped his hand tighter.
"I can't believe him. He wanted to get rid of his son so he could have Chrissie all to himself." Miss Parker felt sick, but she knew it wasn't over yet.
"Well why would he care about me when he can make lots of little heirs?" Chrissie put her hand on Lyle's heart.
"He should care about you. And you know I don't care about him don't you?" Lyle nodded. He knew it wasn't her fault.
"That's not all. He's ordered that if you two remain close or get closer, then you'll be terminated… permanently. Raines has permission to do it himself." Chrissie gasped. She stood up and put some distance between them. Lyle stood up and walked over to her. He tried to put his arm around her but she swatted it away.
"Lyle you have to get away from me. Your life is in danger when you're with me." Miss Parker saw the hurt in Lyle's eyes and stood up ready to intervene if need be.
"No I'm not going. You're pushing me away again. I told you I wasn't going to let you go and I meant it." He took a step closer to her but she took a step back.
"No Lyle. THEY'LL KILL YOU. Don't you understand that? And if they kill you then you know what? They're basically killing me. I can't let anything happen to you. Do you understand that?" Tears started streaming down her face. Lyle approached her. She tried to fight him away but he managed to get his arms around her.
"Shh it's okay. I won't let them do anything to me. They won't hurt me. I promise." She looked into his eyes.
"I'm a curse. Things like this seem to always happen to me. I can't let anyone kill another person I love." She broke down in his arms. Lyle stroked her head.
"Listen we'll just act like we hate each other at the Centre. But when Dad goes away and you come here we can be together. They won't even know. The only people who will know are me, you, Parker and Jarod. Shh it's okay." It was a pretty good plan even though he was just making it up to try and sooth her. She looked into his eyes and stroked his cheek.
"So basically I have to be like Parker has to act towards Jarod? How screwed up are our lives. None of us here can have a normal happy life." She tried to laugh but more tears just came out. Miss Parker stepped towards her.
"I guess we're cursed." They both started laughing. Chrissie composed herself. She stood up and took Lyle's hand.
"So what are we going to do to this bastard?"
* * * * * * * * * * * *
When Chrissie walked into the Centre the next Monday she was confident. They had everything planned about how they'd save Lyle from being killed. She'd gotten home before Mr. Parker and he didn't suspect a thing. She walked into Mr. Parker's office and found him talking with Lyle, Miss Parker and Raines. It was time for phase one in their plan. She made sure she didn't look at Lyle but she did give a warm smile to Miss Parker, Raines and Mr. Parker.
"Ah Tina there you are. Is Lachlan in the nursery?" She walked over to him and kissed him on the cheek.
"No he's actually with Sydney and Broots. Broots' daughter Debbie is in today so she's playing with him." Mr. Parker smiled.
"Good, at least he's doing something." He turned his attention back to the three who were already in there.
"He was so cute when I came home. He gave me hug and everything. Made me remember when you were that age Angel. You're both so sweet." Miss Parker, Lyle and Chrissie all tried to hide their contempt.
"Well I think his mother's influence is rubbing off on him." Lyle gave a lovesick look towards Chrissie. Chrissie faked disdain. Mr. Parker noticed this. He smiled slightly.
"Um, thank you Lyle." She put on a noticeably fake smile. "Excuse me I have things to do." She quickly walked towards the door. She turned around and spoke to Mr. Parker. "If you need me I'll be in my office." She smiled and walked out the door.
"What was that about?" Mr. Parker tried to hide the joy in his voice but failed miserably. Lyle sighed and excused himself from the room. Miss Parker followed after him. It was time for phase two.
Chrissie walked into her office with Lyle closely behind. Lyle called out to her but she didn't respond. She closed her door in Lyle's face as he approached. He opened the door and stormed in.
"What was that about? I thought we… I thought we had a connection of some kind. I don't understand." Chrissie sighed loudly.
"Lyle we have nothing. Do you hear me? I'm married to your father now okay? Whatever we had is gone." She opened the door and ushered for him to leave. He stood his ground.
"I'm not leaving." He closed the door and continued. "There is something between us and I'm not leaving until you see that." He put his hand on her arm and started stroking. She pulled away.
"Lyle, get out of my office now. There is nothing between us. Now leave." Lyle still stood his ground.
"No. I'll make you see that there's something between us." He leant in and kissed her hard. He had to make sure that it didn't turn into a passionate caring kiss and Chrissie tried not to react to it. She pushed him away. Lyle smiled but she slapped him across the face. It was a hard slap that left a mark straight away. He put a demonic look on his face. "What did you do that for? You bitch!" She opened the door and pushed him out.
"Get out and leave me the hell alone." She slammed the door then kicked it for the camera she knew was watching.
* * * * * * * * * * * *
Mr. Parker and Raines watched in satisfaction as Chrissie kicked the door for a second time and yelled Lyle's name with frustration along with a few words neither expected to hear from her.
"I should have known Lyle would blow it all on his own. Our agreement is off Mr. Raines. My…your… my son's termination order is cancelled." Raines nodded and stood to leave the room. "Oh and Raines, get those bugs out of my wife's office. She doesn't have to be watched anymore." Raines nodded and left the office.
The camera in the air vent zoomed in on Mr. Parker as he started humming a tune. Jarod sat in Chrissie's house watching with delight. The plan had worked and no one was aware that it was all a setup. He picked up his phone and dialed.
* * * * * * * * * * * *
Chrissie hung up her phone with a triumphant smile on her lips. She called Broots into her office. An hour later her office was bug free. She thanked him and told him to leave. She picked up her phone and called Lyle. Lyle snuck into her office and sat on her desk. Chrissie could see her hand print on his cheek. Lyle saw where she was looking and smiled.
"You didn't have to hit me so hard." He rubbed it testily. She smiled and leaned forward placing her hand over the image of her hand.
"Hey I had to make it look real. And besides, what's the point of slapping you if I can't do this?" She leant over and placed a small lingering kiss on his cheek. Lyle smiled.
"Oh wow, the pains going away. But I think it needs some more." Chrissie smiled and kissed him again longer this time.
"Any better?" She smiled a small seductive smile.
"I think one more and it will be alright." He grinned. When she leant in to kiss his check again he turned so that she kissed his lips. She smiled and kept on kissing. When they needed the air they pulled apart. Chrissie started laughing.
"Do you have any idea how hard it was not to kiss properly you before?" Lyle smiled.
"I think I have an idea." He kissed her again. The kiss was becoming dangerously more intense. Chrissie pushed him back.
"Lyle we just convinced Mr. Parker that we hate each other now. I don't think he'd still think that if he came in here and found us doing what this is leading to." Lyle nodded. He knew she was right; he just didn't want to leave.
"I know… it's just that I miss you whenever you're not around." Chrissie smiled slightly and put her hand on his face. "You have no idea what that's like." Chrissie's smile got wider.
"I think I have an idea." She kissed him softly them pushed him away. "Now go before our plan gets ruined." Lyle smiled and turned to leave.
"Saying things like that only make me want to stay." He ducked out of her room making sure no one saw him. Chrissie smiled and sat at her desk. She fixed a few things up that had been knocked over and started going through some papers. She was startled when she heard a knock at her door.
"Who is it?" She smiled when she saw Debbie with Lockie in her arms, Broots and… Lyle. "Hey sweetie." Lockie crawled out of Debbie's grasp and ran to his mother.
"Mamma, I missed you." He placed slobbery kisses all over her face. Chrissie smiled.
"I did too kiddo. Did he behave?" Debbie nodded happily.
"He's so cute. I'd be happy to mind him any time you want." Chrissie stole a look at Lyle and stifled a smile.
"I think I may do that sometime." She turned her attention to Broots. "Thanks for letting her mind him. It's good for him not to be cooped up in that nursery." Broots smiled shyly.
"It's fine; he really is a good kid." Chrissie smiled at him. She turned her attention to Lyle, putting on her best scowl.
"And what the hell do you want?" She snapped at him as best she could. Lyle smiled evilly.
"I just came to see if I take Lockie later this afternoon. He is my brother after all. I don't see why the fact that you being his mother should mess with that." Chrissie looked into his eyes. To everyone else it would look like Lyle really hated her; but Chrissie saw in his eyes the total opposite emotion.
"Fine, but I'm warning you; he has one scratch on him and it will be your neck." She snapped her gaze off him quickly trying to show as much contempt as she could muster. Lyle smiled and turned around.
"I'll see you later." He threw her a quick look of love over his shoulder before walking out the room. Chrissie continued with her act. She sighed loudly and muttered something about him being an asshole.
"What's all that about Chrissie? I thought Lyle liked you… you two used to get along. What happened?" Chrissie sighed.
"The word 'no' apparently isn't in his dictionary." She tried to sound as cold as she could. Broots' eyes widened with shock.
"He didn't… force you to…" He looked at Debbie and changed what he was going to say. "…he didn't hurt you did he?" Chrissie smiled at him knowing he was only trying to help her.
"No he didn't… do anything," I didn't want him to do. She smiled at her afterthought then turned her attention back to him. "But he now has a tattoo of my hand on his face. Didn't you see it?" Broots nodded.
"Yeah I saw it. I just didn't know what it was from. You should tell somebody about it." Chrissie shook her head. Broots sighed. "Okay then, but if he does… anything… he's going to have to deal with me." Broots was trying to show all of his courage… the only problem was he was showing more than he had. Chrissie smiled.
"Thank you Broots. But I don't think we'll have to worry about that. I think he got the message." Broots nodded slowly then turned back to Debbie.
"Come on Deb, Miss Parker said she wanted to spend some time with you and I've got work to do." He led Debbie out of the room and turned back to Chrissie. "If anything happens you know where I'll be." Chrissie smiled as Broots walked out the door, closing it behind him. She turned her attention to Lockie. Lockie smiled and put his hand on her face.
"Lyle kiss here." Chrissie laughed and put her finger on her mouth.
"Yes sweetie he did. But remember what we talked about?" Lockie smiled and nodded. He placed his finger over his mouth and made a Shh sound. Chrissie laughed.
"Yeah, shh, you have to not tell anyone." Lockie nodded and started playing with things on her desk. Chrissie sat down in front of him. She thought about her life. She still missed her mother, brother and sisters terribly, but with Lockie, Lyle, Jarod and Miss Parker in her life it was okay. And as if that wasn't enough she also had Broots, Debbie and Sydney. She tried to block out all thoughts of Mr. Parker and played happily with Lockie.
* * * * * * * * * * * *
Miss Parker walked into Chrissie's office but found it empty. She sighed and decided to try her luck with her brother. She wanted desperately to talk about how much she missed Jarod and they were the only two who knew about their relationship. She went to open Lyle's door but discovered it was locked. She knocked loudly and tried to hear if anybody was in the room. She didn't think anyone was so she turned to leave. She took one step away from the door but stopped when she heard the door open. She turned and found herself face to face with Lyle and Lockie. She smiled as Lyle ushered her in. She looked around the room expecting to see Chrissie but she wasn't there.
"What are you two up to?" Lyle shrugged then flipped Lockie upside-down and held him by the legs. He tried to speak over Lockie's squeals of delight.
"We're just hanging around." He smiled then spoke again. "We're both fighting the urge to go into his mother's office and hang around there." He looked wistfully at the door. Miss Parker sighed.
"I already went in there, she wasn't there." Lyle put Lockie gently on the floor. Lockie stood up and scrambled to Miss Parker.
"She's not? I wonder where she is." The question was answered as there was a knock at the door. Lyle opened it, saw Chrissie, put on his best sneer for the people walking around the halls and ushered her in gruffly. He closed the door behind her and stole a quick kiss. Chrissie seemed upset. She went over to sit next to Miss Parker and took Lockie in her arms. She held onto him tightly. A tear slid down her cheek but she quickly brushed it away. Miss Parker was the first to react.
"What's wrong, what happened?" She put a supportive hand on her shoulder.
"I was called into Mr. Parker's office." She put her head down and held Lockie tighter.
"What did that monster do now?" Lyle sat down on the other side of her and put his arm around her.
"It's starting. I've got an appointment with the doctor tomorrow. Because Mr. Parker is… basically infertile with a low sperm count, the Centre is trying a new procedure where they use a drug developed here on the sperm that will enhance it, then they're going to use Insemination to try and get me pregnant. So not only do I have to have this man's children, but I and they have to be test subjects." Tears welled in her eyes but she refused to let them fall. She refused to let Mr. Parker make her cry. Lyle pulled her into an embrace. Miss Parker felt like she was intruding so she left the room with Lockie.
"It's okay. Don't worry. We'll find a way to stop this." He hugged her tightly. She turned to face him.
"There's a good chance that I may become pregnant in the next few days… please don't hate me for having that monsters child." She buried her face in his chest. Lyle stroked her back soothingly.
"Hey I wouldn't hate you. I won't hate you. I couldn't if I tried." Chrissie smiled and stood up.
"Thank you. I needed that." Lyle stood with her. Chrissie sighed. "I love you." She said it quietly, Lyle wasn't even sure she'd even said it. He smiled when he realized she had. He pulled her into an embrace.
"I know you do. I love you too." Chrissie smiled and captured his lips. Unfortunately that was the scene that Broots saw when he entered the office. He pulled Lyle off Chrissie, not knowing that Chrissie was the one who started it.
"Get off her. Leave her alone." He proceeded to punch Lyle across the face. Lyle lashed out and punched Broots in the stomach as a reaction. Chrissie jumped into action before anymore damage could be done. She stood in the middle of them and pushed Lyle away forcefully causing him to land on the floor. She quickly hurried to Broots' side and made sure he was alright. She helped him up and out the office. She turned to Lyle and gave a sympathetic look and mouthed 'sorry' before leaving the room. Miss Parker, who had taken Lockie to get a drink, came back and saw Broots, doubled over being helped by Chrissie and Lyle on the floor with blood trickling from his nose. Chrissie indicated for her to help Lyle while she talked to Broots.
"You okay?" Broots put on a painful smile and nodded. His face turned sympathetic.
"I should be asking you that. Are you okay? How did that happen?" Chrissie thought quickly.
"I went in to get Lockie. Miss Parker came in and took him outside and I went to go but he, uh, grabbed me. Then you came in. Thank you." Broots smiled.
"I told you I'd help you." Chrissie smiled again then stole a glance at Lyle who had a tissue on his nose and his head back.
"Come on. I think we'd better get out of here." She helped him up then picked up Lockie. They started walking away. "You know I don't think anyone should know about this." Broots looked at her strangely. "I mean, what do you think would happen if anyone found out you punched Lyle?" Broots nodded knowingly. Chrissie looked back to see Miss Parker helping Lyle while Lyle was watching her.
* * * * * * * * * * * *
The next week Chrissie was in a SIM Lab with Sydney and Broots when Miss Parker and Lyle walked in. Lyle still had his nose taped and they'd said that he'd got it while working out with a boxing match. Chrissie hadn't been able to see Lyle because Broots was hovering protectively over her. She knew he was only trying to help and had no idea why Chrissie and Lyle both seemed upset. When Broots wasn't around Chrissie, Mr. Parker was. The first procedure had been done and the results were still to come in. Mr. Parker was fairly confident that it had worked.
"I'm going to be sick." Chrissie got up and ran for the bathroom. Lyle resisted the urge to go after her. Broots went to go into the bathroom but was stopped by Miss Parker.
"It's called the Ladies Room for a reason Broots. Of course if you did go in there it would prove something to me that I've suspected for a while now." Broots backed down and went back to his seat. Miss Parker opened the bathroom door and saw Chrissie at the sink washing her face. "You okay?" Chrissie sighed.
"I didn't even get to the toilet this time." She pointed to the sink and sighed again. Miss Parker came to stand next to her. Chrissie started crying. Miss Parker put her arms around her.
"Hey it's okay. We don't even know that that's what's causing it. You may just have a bug or something. And Jarod said that it just might be a side effect from the procedure." Chrissie sobbed again then wiped her face.
"I know it's just… what if I am? How can I bring an innocent life into a family like this?" Miss Parker's face fell. Chrissie saw this and apologized. "I mean with Mr. Parker as a father. You know how that always ends." They both nodded solemnly. Chrissie laughed ironically. "You know what the saddest part is? The fact that I'm more upset that it can't be Lyle in here trying to make me feel better. I miss him." Miss Parker sighed.
"I know. He misses you as well. If he could he'd be in here." Miss Parker got an idea. "You stay here. I'll see what I can do." She disappeared before Chrissie could say anything. Chrissie went back to washing her face and rinsing out her mouth. She heard the door open behind her.
"I see you're back. Where'd you go?" She got no response. She turned to see Lyle looking at her. She took a quick step towards him and threw her arms around his neck. "I've missed you." Lyle laughed.
"I've missed you too." He seized her lips and kissed her passionately. "How are you?" He asked after he pulled away. He saw tears well in her eyes.
"I'm frustrated. Jarod keeps calling, telling me I may not even be pregnant but then I go and do this. It's so infuriating. Also Parker keeps telling me about her nights spent with Jarod. I hate that I can't tell her about us. I hate that Parker and Jarod can see each other but we can't." She rested her forehead against his. They heard a knock at the door.
"That's my cue to come out. I know what you mean. I miss you." He kissed her briefly but passionately. "I love you." He started to leave.
"I love you too." He smiled then snuck out of the bathroom. Chrissie splashed some more water on her face and walked out. Broots was instantly at her side.
"Are you okay? Do you want anything? Need anything?" Chrissie smiled.
"The results of my pregnancy test?" Broots looked to the floor sheepishly. "Well then nothing. I'm fine. I'm just… frustrated." Broots helped her to sit down. They all went back to the work they were supposed to be doing. About an hour later they were disturbed by Mr. Parker strolling confidently into the room.
"Daddy what are you doing here?" Mr. Parker smiled politely at Miss Parker but didn't answer her question. He walked straight to Chrissie.
"Tina I need to talk to you." He looked around the room at Miss Parker, Lyle, Broots and Sydney. "Alone." He said 'alone' loudly. Everyone got the hint and left the room quickly. "I received the results of the test. I'm afraid they're negative. The throwing up is just a side effect." Chrissie was relieved. "But the good news is we have one more chance before your next cycle. You are booked in for the next procedure for tomorrow morning." He smiled and bent down to kiss her cheek. "We'll just have to keep trying until we get the results we desire." He turned to leave.
"Um could I possibly get the results delivered to me next time?" Mr. Parker turned and looked at her angrily. "I mean I've always wanted to have my own children so I'm really anxious to find out if I am pregnant or not. This time was torture." It was kind of the truth. This time was torture, just not for the reason's Mr. Parker thought. Mr. Parker smiled.
"Of course, I can have that arranged." He left the room without another word. The others came in quickly. Miss Parker went straight to her.
"I'm not pregnant." Miss Parker hugged her and Lyle let out a breath he wasn't aware he was holding. "There's just one thing… I'm booked in for session two tomorrow morning." Miss Parker sighed.
"I didn't think they'd try again so soon."
"Neither did I, but there's nothing I can do about it now." She sighed again. Broots was at her side again.
"Don't worry. I'm sure everything will work out fine." He hugged her tightly. Chrissie put her head on Broots' shoulder and hugged him back. Lyle walked out of the room. He had wanted to be the one who comforted her after she received the good news.
* * * * * * * * * * * *
Lyle pulled out the front of Chrissie's cabin/hideaway/Jarod's lair. He walked inside quickly and looked around for Jarod.
"Hey Jarod, are you here? I've got some news." He didn't see anything and there was no answer so he walked further into the house. Jarod walked out in front of him and smiled.
"Hey Lyle, what are you doing here?" Lyle smiled back at him. They had actually become good friends and Jarod was the only one he could turn to.
"I needed to get away. Chrissie got some news today." Jarod knew what he was talking about and was anxious to know the results.
"And…?" Lyle smiled.
"She's not… but she does have to get the second procedure tomorrow morning." Jarod sighed.
"Damn the Centre. How is she?" Lyle smiled.
"She's okay. Broots is looking after her. He's a good friend to her… oh god I'm jealous of Broots. Who would have ever thought?" Both men laughed and walked to the lounge room.
"I know… but who would have thought anything that's happening in our lives right now?" They laughed again and engaged in a conversation about the strange things in their lives. It was ironic that just that feat was one of those things.
* * * * * * * * * * * *
Chrissie was lying in a bed in the infirmary. She felt horrible and she needed a few moments for her stomach to settle. She rubbed her stomach and prayed that the procedure hadn't worked. It was way too early to tell, it had just been done an hour before, but she still felt as though she had the right to know the results at that moment.
"How's the patient? Getting enough rest?" Chrissie looked up and saw Miss Parker standing over her.
"I'm alright, just a bit tired and sore." She sat up slowly and clutched her stomach.
"Hey should you be doing that?" Miss Parker quickly sat at her side and tried to help her.
"I need to get up some time. I'm losing my brain laying here." She stood up and started walking towards the door. "And I miss my son." Miss Parker sighed and started walking after her.
"So how do you think it went?"
"I'm not sure. But you know what I'm hoping for." Miss Parker nodded. She didn't want her to be pregnant either. Bringing a child into that life wasn't anything good.
* * * * * * * * * * * *
Broots walked into Miss Parker's office. He fiddled with the file in his hands. Miss Parker looked up and smiled at him. Broots looked around the room and saw Chrissie and Sydney sitting on the couch in her office looking at him expectantly. He smiled at Chrissie and turned his attention back to Miss Parker.
"It's a cold hit. He's gone already." Miss Parker sighed.
"Get your ass back down there and start looking again. We need to get the damn Lab rat back here as soon as possible." She gave him a stern look and watched as he left. Sydney felt the tension in the air and followed out after him. Once he was gone Miss Parker smiled at Chrissie.
"How did we know he wasn't there?" Both women started laughing. They were cut off by Miss Parker's phone ringing.
"What?" She smiled instantly at the voice. "Yeah she's here." She put the phone out to Chrissie. Chrissie took the phone from her already guessing who it was.
"Hello?"
"Hey how are you?" She smiled at the sound of Lyle's voice.
"I'm fine. How about you? Has your fever gone down yet?" She heard a muffled sneeze.
"A little bit… but it's still high." Chrissie sighed and put on a hard voice.
"Then what are you calling here for? You should be resting not calling here." Miss Parker laughed at the motherly tone she was using.
"I couldn't help it. I wanted to speak to you. Look I'm feeling better just talking to you. I can come into work." He sneezed again and this time it was followed by a bout of coughs as well.
"Yeah, and make the rest of us sick? No you stay there, rest and get better then you can come back to work. I swear; you must be the only Centre employee that actually wants to come to work." She sat down on Miss Parker's desk and gave her a look that said *he's crazy*. Miss Parker laughed.
"Well that's because the Centre is the only place right now that I can see you." He tried to put on his sad voice. Chrissie laughed.
"That's so sweet but I don't want you to make me sick." She heard him cough. "Now get some rest so you can come back when you're better." She heard him groan in protest. "Okay how about this? You hang up now and I'll make it worth your while when you get back." Miss Parker raised her eyebrows and tried to listen to his reaction.
"Well in that case…" She could here the smirk in his voice. "…Goodbye. I love you. I'll see you when I'm better." The click on the phone signified that he had hung up. Chrissie laughed and hung up.
"Man he's easy." They both started laughing. They only stopped when a knock at the door snapped them out of it.
"What?" Miss Parker snapped her head up at the intruder. It was Broots again. This time he was carrying a small envelope. He walked up to Chrissie and handed it to her. She knew what it was. Her hands shook as she tried to open it. Miss Parker took it out of her hands, opened and read the contents. She looked up and into Chrissie's eyes.
"It's negative again." Chrissie let out her breath and wiped away a tear.
"Oh god, I wonder when he's going to make the next procedure for." She sobbed openly and silently prayed that Mr. Parker would wait a while after her cycle for the next one.
* * * * * * * * * * * *
Miss Parker stepped out of the room she was searching and ran into Chrissie.
"There's nothing in here. It's obvious that the Lab Rat isn't here anymore. But we might as well not waste a trip. I say that we stay here for tonight and we'll leave tomorrow." Chrissie smirked knowingly at her.
"Yes I agree." She looked around her then spoke more quietly. "He may not be here but I'm willing to bet I know where he is." She smiled and walked away. Miss Parker looked around her then picked up her cell phone.
"I'll be back in ten… no I didn't find what I was looking for but something tells me I will… ha, ha I know I'll see you then… I'm looking forward to it." She hung up and walked for the exit. She snapped her fingers at Broots indicating for him to come as well. "Come on. There's nothing here for us to find."
* * * * * * * * * * * *
Miss Parker giggled as she walked for the door. Jarod growled and followed after her. He caught up to her and pinned her against the door. He started kissing her neck.
"Jarod don't do that. Do you want to give me a hickey?" Jarod pulled back, smiled then started sucking on her neck. She wiggled out of his grasp ran for the bed. Jarod followed her. She jumped over the bed and made it out the door.
"Damn I was trying to stop her from doing that."
Miss Parker ran right into Chrissie. Chrissie was standing outside Lyle's room and was startled when she felt her run into her.
"Oh it's just you. You scared the hell out of me. What would I tell Broots about me going into Lyle's room?" Miss Parker laughed.
"Well I'm glad it wasn't Broots I ran into. What would I tell him about this?" She pulled back her collar to reveal the hickey forming.
"Is Jarod trying to brand you?" She giggled then turned to face to door. Miss Parker could see her upset expression.
"Lyle's in there?" Chrissie nodded sadly. "What are you doing talking to me then?" Chrissie smiled at Miss Parker who smiled just as widely. She turned and snuck into the room. Miss Parker smiled. She was happy for them. They hadn't had any time for themselves since the whole thing began, unlike her and Jarod. A smile formed on her lips. She smiled with delight and sauntered towards her room. She opened the door and spotted Jarod sitting on the bed. He looked disheveled and gloomy. He looked up at her.
"I thought you weren't coming back." Her smile got wider.
"Exactly… don't you know that absence makes the heart grow fonder?" She jumped on the bed and started kissing him passionately.
* * * * * * * * * * * *
Lyle came out of the bathroom drying off his hands; his eyes immediately fell to the bed. Chrissie was sitting on the edge of it looking up at him smiling. He let a smile of delight cross his face for an instant but then replaced it with a calm expression.
"I'm sorry you must have the wrong room. Broots is in the room connecting with this one." Chrissie laughed.
"Well something tells me that, although willing, he's not what I want." She crooked her finger, motioning him to join her on the bed. He walked calmly and sat on the bed. He turned to face her and opened his mouth to speak. She seized this opportunity to kiss him. It was a kiss fuelled with desire, need, passion and longing. Lyle started to un-tuck her shirt and his hands started to roam over the skin of her stomach. His hands brushed over the spot just before her ribs and she started giggling.
"Ticklish are you? I'll file that away for later." Chrissie laughed and started undoing the buttons on his shirt.
"Oh you will, will you? I guess that means I'll have to find some of yours." She pulled his head down to hers and started nibbling on his lower lip. Lyle pulled her back to lie on the bed. She laughed and started inching his shirt off his shoulders.
"Ah Lyle the phone in my room isn't working. I need to call Debbie can I borrow yours, ah…" Broots had come in the door that divided their rooms and when he saw what was going on turned to leave the room. Then he realized who the girl with Lyle was. Unfortunately Lyle was the one in control so it didn't look exactly right to Broots. He quickly stepped forward and pulled Lyle away from Chrissie. He pushed him on the ground and kicked him once in the stomach. Chrissie bolted upright and fixed her top up.
"Broots wait." She jumped in front of him. She pushed him back to sit on the bed then went to Lyle. She crouched down next to him and took his head in her lap. "You okay baby?" She stroked his cheek. He nodded but was short of breath. Broots' kick had definitely winded him. Chrissie smiled and kissed him gently. She looked up at Broots who was very confused.
"What's, uh, what's going on?" Chrissie sighed, stood up and went to the bathroom. She returned with a glass of water which she gave to Lyle. She waited until he'd drunk it and seemed to have regained his breath till she talked.
"I know this may seem… weird, but really it all makes sense." She helped Lyle up and they sat on the bed. She immediately took his hand and started rubbing his thumb with her fingers.
"Well I don't see how it could. I mean you hate him… most people do actually, and I can't really blame them…," Lyle grinded his teeth.
"Please don't finish that sentence." Chrissie tightened her grip on his hand to let him know she was there and she loved him. He turned to face her and looked lovingly in her eyes.
"I don't hate him. That was put on for everyone at the Centre. So Mr. Parker would believe that we hate each other." Broots stared opened mouthed. Chrissie went on. "Lyle and I… we… love each other very much. Unfortunately Mr. Parker blackmailed me into marrying him before we could explore that openly. You see what you don't know about my marriage to Mr. Parker only happened because he threatened to kill my family if I didn't." Broots was still shocked. Chrissie was too upset to continue so Lyle took over for her.
"When Chrissie got shot they were aiming for me. Mr. Parker knew that I was in the way and I'd try to stop him. We had to make him think that we hated each other because there was a hit on me. We have to pretend we hate each other for our own safety." Something suddenly dawned on Broots.
"So when you were kissing her you guys were just…" They both nodded. "Oh I'm
S-sorry, I d-didn't k-know." Chrissie laughed for a second.
"It's alright. That's how it was supposed to be. It's sweet that you tried to help me." Broots chuckled nervously and eyed Lyle cautiously. He had just kicked him in the stomach and now he felt bad. He had never trusted Lyle before but because Chrissie did he had no choice but to trust him as well.
"I'm s-so s-sorry about j-just know." He stared at the ground.
"It's alright Broots. I'm not mad. I'm glad that you'd do that for her. It means that I can trust you to look after her if you need to." Lyle put his hand on Broots' shoulder. He looked up and smiled.
"You can trust me. Chrissie is like the best friend I've made in a long time. Am I the only one who doesn't know about you two?" He was always the last to know about a lot of things.
"No, most people don't know about us. Only Lockie, Miss Parker and Jarod, that's it." Chrissie let it slip before she could stop herself.
"What was that about Jarod knowing? Why does Jarod know? How does Jarod know?" Chrissie sighed.
"I think maybe they should tell you. Come on. We'll go to my room." She stood up, and started walking towards the door. Lyle followed behind her, still holding her hand. Broots stood and followed still feeling very out of the loop. They entered Chrissie's room. She walked over to the door and knocked loudly.
"Parker I need you to come in here for a second. We have a semi problem." She waited a few seconds then she knocked louder. "If you don't get in here right now I'm just gonna unlock the door from this side and drag you in here, and I don't care what state you're in." She heard some muffled noises and the door opened to reveal Miss Parker standing in a robe with a smile plastered on her face. She looked over and saw Broots. She clasped her robe tighter to her body.
"What's he doing here?" Chrissie turned to look at Broots then she turned back to face Miss Parker.
"He barged in on us…" She waved her hand to indicate her and Lyle. "…In a very compromising position. He thought Lyle was taking advantage of me and pulled him off…" Lyle cut her off.
"…And delivered a swift kick to my stomach." He grimaced and clutched his stomach. Broots' face went red and he cast his eyes down.
"I'm really sorry about that by the way." Lyle smiled and nodded. He put his hand on Broots' shoulder and squeezed gently.
"We had to tell him everything. I let it slip that Jarod knew about us and now you have to explain why." Miss Parker stood open mouthed. She looked at Broots. She had no idea what to say. She decided to just let him see for himself.
"This is what she's talking about." She opened the door wider to show Jarod lying on the bed. Broots stared in shock. He had no idea what to make of it.
* * * * * * * * * * * *
Chrissie and Lyle were sitting in Miss Parker's office with Lockie in between them. To anyone who came in the room it would look like they were using Lockie as a barrier between them, but in reality it was just because it felt comfortable, like they were a family. Broots and Sydney came into the office. Broots looked at them knowingly while Sydney had no clue. They had made sure that Broots knew not to tell anyone, including Sydney. It was too much of a risk that he knew; they didn't want to put Sydney in danger as well.
"Miss Parker the lead we had on Jarod is false. Jarod was never even there." He knew that she already knew this. As a matter of fact Miss Parker was the one who set up that lead so people wouldn't know that he had spent the week at her house.
"Damn it Broots. If only Wonder Boy would stay in one place for a long enough time to catch him." Broots was amazed that she could still act like that towards Jarod now that they were together.
"Miss Parker, you don't really think that Jarod would really let you catch him do you?" Broots almost chocked. From what he'd seen of Jarod and Miss Parker, Jarod was more than willing to be caught by his huntress.
"Well I don't care what he wants. I… want… him." It was the truth. She looked over to see Chrissie grinning slightly. She stifled a grin of her own.
"Tina sweetheart, are you in here?" Mr. Parker ducked his head into the office. Chrissie shivered. She hated that he called her Tina. It made her skin crawl. "I'm so glad I found you. I have everything set up for your next procedure. If you hurry we can get this done before I leave." Chrissie stood up slowly. She was glad that he was going away on his business trip; it meant that she could stay at her cabin and stay with Lyle. They hadn't had the chance to become as intimate as they both would have liked. Every time they were about to start, something would interrupt them. But as much as she was looking forward to the week ahead she was just as much apprehensive about the third procedure. After the first two she'd shown signs of pregnancy but then she wasn't; which she was thankful for.
"Okay I'm coming. It's best we get it done while you're still here." Mr. Parker smiled, took her hand and led her away. Lockie shuddered and crawled onto Lyle's lap.
"Hey what's wrong?" Lockie started trembling.
"It's starting." Everyone in the room stared at the boy with shocked expressions. None of them knew what he was talking about. All of them knew the boy was an empath so they knew that whatever he was feeling was what was starting, and that couldn't be good.
* * * * * * * * * * * *
Chrissie was lying on her couch resting while Lockie took a nap. Because the first two procedures hadn't worked they had increased the dosage of the drug they were using so it resulted in the worst reaction she'd ever had. She had fallen asleep sometime and awoke startled and saw Jarod's face hovering over her own.
"Don't do that. You scared the sh…" Jarod cut her off.
"Uh, uh, uh, don't do that." He pointed to he small child standing next to him. Lockie was watching her smiling and he obviously knew the word she had almost used.
"Sorry. What are you doing here? I thought you were following a lead on your mother." Jarod frowned and shrugged.
"She wasn't there. I came back here and was shocked to see you and Lockie here." Chrissie nodded. Whenever he was in town, and not staying at Miss Parker's, he stayed there. Jarod was looking at her with concern written all over his face. "You had another procedure today didn't you?" She nodded.
"Yeah, it was the worst of them all. Jar, we've really got to get more information to bring the Centre down. I don't want to bring a child into that environment." He nodded solemnly.
"I know, but we're working as fast as we can. Hopefully now that we've got Broots in on it, it will be easier." She knew he was right, she was just getting impatient playing house with Mr. Parker.
"Well how long do you think you'll be here? Lyle and I kind of had something planned for tonight." She looked at her watch and realized he was due in at any time. A knocking at her door signaled that that time was now. Lyle walked into the lounge room looking not entirely pleased. When he saw Jarod that look increased.
"You're here too?" She could here the annoyance in his voice. Miss Parker rounded the corner shortly after him. Chrissie now understood why he was upset. Miss Parker spotted Jarod and ran into his waiting embrace.
"Parker what are you doing here?" Miss Parker turned her attention to Chrissie.
"I wanted to come to spend some time with you today. I didn't know Lyle was coming or that Jarod would be here." She turned and placed a kiss on Jarod's nose.
"Well great, now you two can go to your house Parker." Lyle walked over to Chrissie and took her in his arms. Miss Parker shook her head.
"My house is under surveillance. I can't take Jarod back there." Chrissie sighed.
"Alright, you two can stay here for a while." She heard Lyle whine but ignored it. She wanted to be alone with him as much as he wanted to, but she knew it probably wasn't going to happen that night.
* * * * * * * * * * * *
Chrissie had cooked dinner and everyone had eaten. Miss Parker and Jarod were sitting next to each other. Lyle and Chrissie weren't able to sit next to each other. Lockie was nestled in between them. After dinner they had all gone to sit in the lounge room. Lyle had finally managed to get Miss Parker and Jarod to look after Lockie while he took Chrissie for a walk.
"Why can we never be alone?" Lyle took Chrissie's hand to his lips and planted a kiss on her hand.
"Because we always get interrupted. I thought Parker and Jarod would understand but then they both show up here. I'll admit that Jarod didn't even know I'd be here but Parker…" Lyle smiled as she stopped walking and wrapped his arms around her body.
"But Parker is just trying to get that family feeling. With us and Lockie and Jarod it's like she finally has one." Chrissie nodded.
"You all must think I'm horrible. None of you ever really had a family but I did. I'm always talking about them, you all must hate me." Lyle could tell that she was on the verge of tears.
"We would never hate you. I admit that none of us had a proper family growing up like you had, but we wouldn't hate you. We envy you, yes, but hate you? No. Anyway it's not like you have the best family life right now anyway." Chrissie looked up into Lyle's eyes. Tears shone in them like diamonds. She smiled.
"You're wrong. I do have a family right now, you and Lockie and Parker and Jarod. You're as much my family as I am yours. I love you, all of you and I love that you are my family. I'd love it to be forever." She kissed him gently. It was a kiss that conveyed her feelings perfectly. Lyle smiled.
"Well I hope that it is." He pulled a small box out of his pocket. He opened it and inside was a ring with a small diamond on the top. She didn't know what to make of it.
"Lyle I don't understand… what…" He put his finger to her lips to silence her.
"I'm asking you to marry me." Chrissie was shocked for a moment.
"Have you forgotten that I'm already married? I'm married to the man that is legally your father." Lyle laughed.
"I know, but with what we're planning, you shouldn't be for too long. I know we can't go off and get married right now but I'm hoping that when this is all over; we can." The tears that were in Chrissie's eyes slid down her cheeks. A huge smile broke out over her face. She hugged him more tightly then captured his lips.
"Yes Lyle. I'd be honored to be your wife. I love you." Lyle smiled and slipped the ring on her finger. She stared at it then realized something.
"I can't wear this. I have to wear this one." She pulled her wedding ring that Mr. Parker gave her out of her pocket. She had taken it off so she didn't have to be reminded about everything that happened. Lyle smiled smugly.
"I've already thought of that." He pulled a necklace out of his pocket. He opened it, put the ring on it and put it around her neck. "I think this will fix that problem." Chrissie smiled and held the ring in her hands. She turned around to face Lyle. She kissed him again.
"I love you."
"I love you too." Chrissie took Lyle's hand and led him towards the garage of the cabin.
* * * * * * * * * * * *
Miss Parker put Lockie in his room so he could sleep. When she came back down stairs she found Jarod sitting, talking to himself. She chuckled and thought how cute he looked.
"You do know that the first sign of losing your mind is talking to yourself don't you?" She laughed when he jumped at the sound of her voice.
"Is it really?" He was trying to act like nothing had happened.
"Well it's either that or hair growing out of the back of your hands." Jarod looked at the back of his hand. "Oh yeah the second sign is looking for it." Jarod looked back up at her with a look of frustration. She smirked at her trick. "You're just too easy Jarod." She walked over to sit next to him on the couch. Jarod fiddled with something in his hands.
"Do you love me?" Miss Parker was put off by the sudden question.
"What? Jarod have you lost you're mind? Why are you asking that?" Jarod sighed and put his hand over his heart.
"I love you. I have ever since I met you. You've always had a place in here. You have a bit of my soul." Miss Parker smiled.
"I know exactly what you mean. You've always had a place in my heart. I've always felt empty whenever you weren't around and I never knew why. But I do now. It's because you had a part of me and I wasn't complete without it and you. I love you too Jarod. You shouldn't have to ask." A wide smile broke over his face.
"I was hoping you'd say that." He revealed what was in his hand. It was a box. He opened it and Miss Parker was shocked at what was in it.
"Jarod what is this." Jarod's trademark smirk spread across his face.
"Well it's a ring. You wear it on your finger." Miss Parker threw a pillow at him. He suddenly turned serious. "Andi what I'm saying is that I want you to marry me. I've loved you my whole life and I totally agree with what you said. I'm not whole unless I'm around you. I don't ever want to not be whole again. I want you to be apart of me forever. Will you marry me Miranda?" Tears slide down her face. She couldn't believe what he'd said.
"What did you say?" Jarod sighed.
"I said I wanted you to marry me." Miss Parker shook her head.
"No, that's not what I meant. What did you call me?" A smile broke out over her face. It lit up her features and Jarod noticed how beautiful she looked. He smiled as well.
"Miranda, Andi." Miss Parker threw herself into his arms.
"Of course I'll marry you Jarod. I love you." She kissed him passionately and they fell back on the couch.
* * * * * * * * * * * *
To be continued...