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 am so, so, so, so, so sorry that it has taken ages to post this. I know I've been slack in the posting of this story but I haven't had time to go through it with the usual person I do and I'm in the middle of my exams so I've been busy. I've also lost inspiration for this story so I haven't added to it for a while. Also for people who read my story "A Dream Shared" I know I haven't posted the third part but that's because I haven't written it. I've lost inspiration for that one as well but I promise I'll get it out as soon as possible. Anywho please enjoy this and sorry for the long comment. (This is my apology time. Hehehe)
Summary: Lockie empaths two babies inside Chrissie? Is she having twins or is it just wishful thinking from Lockie? What happens at a Centre Function that leaves Chrissie having to go to the hospital?
Strange Things Happen
Part 10
Chrissie sat in her office watching as Debbie played with Lockie. She rubbed her rounding stomach and hoped the child she was carrying would turn out as happy as Lockie was now. She was slightly puzzled as to why she'd grown bigger faster than Miss Parker. They were both at the same stage but Miss Parker was able to get away with wearing a long coat or a slightly big top with no one being the wiser. Chrissie was a different matter. You could tell she was pregnant. At that moment Broots entered her office breaking her from her thoughts.
"Sorry Deb, it's time to go." Debbie sighed and stood up hesitantly.
"Alright Dad, I'm coming. Hey Chrissie am I still watching Lockie for you tonight?" Chrissie smiled. She'd asked Debbie if she wanted to baby-sit for her while there was a Centre function. She would have gotten hers and Lockie's sweeper, Joe, to but he was busy and couldn't take him home. Lockie had gotten closer to Joe and his family, as anytime Chrissie had to be away he'd stay with them. Chrissie stumbled out of her chair and patted Debbie on the head.
"Of course you are. I wish I could take Lockie with me to the dinner tonight but I can't." She looked up at Broots. "By the way, thanks for letting Debbie mind him tonight." Broots smiled and nodded. He and Debbie left the room, each giving both Chrissie and Lockie a hug before leaving. Lockie walked over to his mother and put both his hands on her stomach, one on each side.
"One… two." Chrissie put her own hands over his and smiled.
"Yes, that's two hands, sweetie." Lockie wrinkled up his nose, looked at her like she was crazy and laughed.
"Not hands mummy, two babies." Chrissie looked at him shocked. He trudged off to play with his toy cars. Chrissie put her hands on her stomach. Two babies? Why would he say that? He couldn't possibly think she was having two babies.
"Sweetie why did you say there were two babies?" Lockie looked up at her like she was crazy again.
"Because there are. Silly mummy." He put his head down and started playing again. Chrissie was still shocked. The more she thought about it the more she thought he could be right. She was bigger than Miss Parker, even though they were at the same stage. She couldn't believe it. How could he know? Then she remembered that he had known she was pregnant without being told because of his empathic abilities, so it made sense that he would know this as well. She had to find out, but her next doctor's appointment wasn't for a few weeks. She got an idea. She picked up the phone and made phone call to a friend.
"Sydney… I need you to do something for me."
* * * * * * * * * * * *
Angelo sat in Sydney's office grinning at him. He already knew why he was there. The door opened and he was hit with a wave of curiosity and nervousness. This just made him grin wider. He turned around and saw Lockie running for him. He took the young boy in his arms and squeezed. He let him go and ruffled his hair. Lockie walked away from him and sat in Sydney's lap. Angelo turned around to see Chrissie still standing in the doorway nervous. She realized he already knew why she was there and walked slowly up to him.
"Hello Angelo. I need you to do something for me… but you already know that don't you?" Angelo grinned wider and nodded vigorously. Chrissie wasn't even sure if it was because of his empathic abilities or just because he knew everything that was going on in the Centre. She stepped closer to him. "Angelo I need to know." Angelo looked at her stomach and nodded. He put his hands on her stomach. He knew in an instant, like Lockie had. He took his hands away and held hers. Chrissie stared at him expectantly.
"Two babies." He smiled and he felt her relief flood over her. She hugged him then walked over to Sydney and Lockie.
"Do you think they're right?" Sydney considered it for a moment. It was quite possible but he couldn't be sure.
"Maybe, I'd get it checked medically before I started buying two of everything though." Chrissie nodded, leant over and kissed his cheek. She picked up Lockie and walked towards the door, stopping to kiss Angelo on the cheek as well.
"Thank you… both of you." She walked out the door. She looked down at Lockie and smiled. She hoped that if they were right she'd be able to be a good mother for them. She'd always wanted a family of her own, and now it seemed like it was finally going to happen.
* * * * * * * * * * * *
Miss Parker waded through the clothes in her closet. She had to find something stunning enough for a Centre party but loose and discreet enough to not show her pregnancy. She'd tried on half of the clothes but none were right. She was about to give up when there was a knock at her door. She put the dress in her hands down and waddled towards the door. She was allowed to waddle around at home but she couldn't when near anyone from the Centre, expect for her friends.
"Yes, can I help you?" She looked around but saw no one. She was about to turn around when she noticed a box on the floor with a rose on the top of it. She bent down to pick it up then looked around for any signs as to who left it. She saw none so she walked back inside and placed it on her coffee table. She wasn't even sure if she wanted to see what was inside in case it was a sick joke. Her curiosity won out so she opened it. Inside was a beautiful red dress. She pulled it out and held it against her body. Quickly she got changed into it. Standing in front of the mirror she was amazed how well the dress fit her and how it hid her pregnancy perfectly. She sifted through her jewelry box for the perfect accessories. Another knock at her door came after she'd accessorized her outfit perfectly. She opened the door to find Lyle, her 'date' for the night waiting for her in a slightly spiffy suit. He was facing the other way and when he turned around he whistled.
"Wow, if you weren't my sister…" He leant in and kissed her cheek. She smiled.
"Thank you. I couldn't find anything to wear and when I had about given up, this was on my doorstep." Lyle smiled.
"Is it from Jarod? That seems like something he would do." Miss Parker thought about the possibility for a moment then shrugged it off.
"I don't think so. He would have stayed around for the reward." She giggled. "Are you ready to go?" Lyle nodded. He wanted to get there as soon as possible. He had over heard Chrissie telling Miss Parker about the dress she was wearing and he seriously wanted to see it. Taking Miss Parker's arm he walked out the door, closing it behind them.
* * * * * * * * * * * *
Mr. Parker went through the room of the party sucking up to everyone he could, most of the time bringing Chrissie as well. She was sick of smiling to all these false people. When she saw Miss Parker and Lyle walk in she was relieved. She excused herself from the person she was talking to and walked over to Miss Parker.
"You look great. Where'd you get that dress?" Miss Parker smiled at her and shrugged.
"I found it on my porch." Chrissie laughed as if she was joking but when she realized she wasn't she stopped.
"Wow, I wish things like that got left on my doorstep." Both laughed at her joke. Chrissie turned to Lyle and realized he was staring at her. "Well hello to you too." Lyle resisted the urge to grab and kiss her.
"Hello Chrissie. You look… wow… amazing." Chrissie started blushing.
"You really think I look good. I mean this is a maternity dress and I'm so glad it's nice but do I really look good?" Lyle looked her over again. He had no idea how she thought she looked anything but beautiful.
"You are the most beautiful woman in here. Actually right now you're the only woman I see." Chrissie giggled like a school girl. Miss Parker groaned.
"You two are making me sick." Chrissie looked at Miss Parker.
"I'm sorry but I do believe that your brother is trying to seduce me." Miss Parker laughed and put her hand on Chrissie's stomach. She whispered conspiratorially at her.
"I think it's too late for that." Chrissie laughed. Lyle shook his head.
"Don't get me started." They were drawn away from their conversation by Sydney walking over to them.
"Good evening all. Oh Miss Parker I see Angelo managed to get you that dress." Miss Parker jerked her head up at Sydney.
"Angelo got this? Why? How did he even get it to me?" Sydney shook his head and laughed.
"Angelo does a lot of things that you wouldn't believe, so it was easy for him to get it to you. And why did he get it for you? Because he knew you needed it." Miss Parker smiled.
"Remind me to thank him next time I see him." Everyone nodded. They continued in their own conversation until a voice came over the loud speaker.
"Excuse me, if you will take your seats we will now serve dinner." Chrissie, Miss Parker and Lyle went to sit at the head table while Sydney went to sit at one of the other ones. Mr. Parker was at the table waiting for Chrissie to join him. When she approached, he pulled out her seat for her to sit down.
"Notice he's the perfect gentleman when in public," she whispered to Miss Parker. Miss Parker nodded. Lyle helped Miss Parker into her seat then took his seat next to her. He glanced at Chrissie and wished he'd been assigned to sit next to her with Parker on the other side of him. One of the biggest benefactors for the Centre was sitting at the same table. He was staring at Miss Parker.
"I do believe we haven't met. My name is Mr. Lexus." His voice was heavily accented and he oozed cockiness.
"Yes we have actually. I'm Miss Parker. We met last year." She put on her biggest of fake smiles. Mr. Lexus nodded.
"Why yes we did. Mr. Parker, if I might say, you have a very beautiful daughter." Mr. Parker smiled and glanced at Miss Parker.
"Thank you. She looks very much like her mother, rest her soul." Mr. Lexus nodded solemnly and looked at Chrissie. His sly smile returned.
"And you do have impeccable taste in women. Your current wife is also very beautiful." Chrissie smiled graciously then looked at Miss Parker and pulled a small face of disgust. Miss Parker suppressed a laugh.
"Thank you again. Chrissie is very beautiful. I love her very much." Lyle almost choked on the wine he was drinking. Mr. Parker didn't notice. "And I'm very happy about becoming a father again. Can you believe it will be my fourth?" He took Chrissie's hand and squeezed. He reached over and rubbed her stomach. Chrissie tried not to groan at his touch. Mr. Parker continued to kiss up to Mr. Lexus. Miss Parker tapped Chrissie under the table and whispered to her. Chrissie nodded.
"Excuse me; I need to use the pregnant woman's room. Uh Miss Parker would you like to come?" The men at the table looked at her like she was crazy. "You know how women don't like using the toilets alone. We always go in packs." The men laughed and went back to their conversations. Miss Parker and Chrissie walked to the toilet quickly.
"Thanks Chrissie, I would have just gone but when I got here I talked to Daddy and I had to go then, he'd suspect if I had to go again." Chrissie smiled and nodded.
"That's alright. That's what friends… wait, step mothers… wait, sister in laws… what are we?" Both laughed.
"Let's stick with friends until you get married." Chrissie nodded.
"Well that's what friends are for. But I kinda needed to go myself anyway. If I didn't have to pee I definitely would have had to throw up, I mean can you believe what a sleaze Mr. Lexus is?" Miss Parker laughed and cringed at the same time.
"I know. Just be glad you weren't here last year. Last year I didn't have Lyle to protect me so he was hitting on me like there was no tomorrow. I was just glad that there was a tomorrow." Both laughed and walked out of the toilets to see the food being served.
"Mmm, perfect. I was just starting to get hungry." Miss Parker nodded.
"So was I." They reached their table and started eating. Mr. Lexus saw how Miss Parker was eating and laughed.
"You eat just like a pregnant woman. If I didn't know better I'd think you were." Mr. Parker joined in on his laughter. Miss Parker, Lyle and Chrissie looked at each other warily for a moment then joined in the laughter as well.
"Oh yeah, me pregnant, I don't think so." The laughter died down but Miss Parker was still watching everyone carefully. She had to be careful. If she wasn't careful then everything would be blown.
* * * * * * * * * * * *
Mr. Parker was still talking with Mr. Lexus and a few of the other benefactors as music started to fill the hall. Sydney had rejoined Lyle, Chrissie and Miss Parker. He asked Chrissie to dance. She accepted and they were the first two on the dance floor. Sydney was being careful of the slight bump of her stomach. Lyle asked Miss Parker to dance as well when a few more people started dancing so he could still see Chrissie. Miss Parker accepted his offer and they went to dance near, but not too near, Chrissie and Sydney.
"So do you think Angelo and Lockie are right?" Sydney couldn't help asking the question. It had been on his mind all day. Chrissie looked down at her stomach then back into Sydney's eyes.
"I don't know, yeah. I mean if we…" she lowered her voice. "… If we get rid of the Centre before they come then yeah. But if we don't…" Sydney nodded. He knew her worries were warranted. If it was twins, and they were born before the downfall of the Centre they'd be in trouble, especially considering what happened to the other Parker twins. Raines had been separated from the Parkers as was Lyle. Sydney knew that if that happened again to Chrissie's baby she'd be heart broken as would Lyle.
"I know Chrissie. But if it is twins and you are a happy family then what?" Chrissie looked over at Lyle dancing with Miss Parker. They were having a conversation and he was looking particularly handsome.
"Then it would be perfect. And who knows, maybe I'd even try for some more." Sydney laughed. He was about to speak again when felt a tap on his shoulder. He turned around and saw Mr. Parker.
"May I cut in Sydney? I'd love to dance with my beautiful wife." Sydney felt Chrissie's hold on him tighten but there was nothing he could do. He gave her a sympathetic smile and nodded. Chrissie smiled faintly at him, clearly understanding, and made the transition from Sydney's arms to Mr. Parker's. Sydney was about to go back and sit down when he was grabbed by another Centre benefactor.
"Why Sydney, have you been avoiding me this year?" Sydney cringed at the familiar voice. It was Ms. Cotsis, a woman who was determined to dance with him every year.
"No, Ms. Cotsis. I was just dancing with my young friend." He pointed towards Chrissie. Ms. Cotsis nodded and took his hands.
"Very well then, and please Sydney, I've told you before, call me Sophie."
* * * * * * * * * * * *
Mr. Parker tightened his hold on Chrissie as he maneuvered her towards one side of the room. Chrissie winced and pulled back a little, patting her stomach. Mr. Parker looked at her stomach and sighed. He continued to make his way to the side of the room and stopped when he reached a spot just before a cluster of tables.
"Act loving, some of the benefactors have commented on how I seemed happier with Brigitte. They need to believe we are in love." Chrissie nodded and put on a fake smile. Mr. Parker leant in and kissed her. She felt like gagging, but knew she couldn't do anything about it.
* * * * * * * * * * * *
Lyle twirled Miss Parker and smiled as he heard her laugh. He rolled her out and pulled her back in, bumping into a few people in the course.
"Having fun Sis?" Miss Parker laughed watching Sydney and Ms. Cotsis.
"Yep, hey where's Chrissie? She was dancing with Syd but now I can't see her." Miss Parker searched the now crowded dance floor. Lyle looked through the crowd as well, not seeing her either.
"I hope she's alright." Miss Parker gasped as she spotted Chrissie dancing with Mr. Parker, with Mr. Parker leaning forward.
"I found her." Lyle turned around and saw Mr. Parkers lips fall upon Chrissie's. He cringed and tried to look away but found he couldn't.
"I hate seeing that. She's supposed to be with me. God I hate him." He tore his eyes off of them as Mr. Parker pulled back off Chrissie, glance at some people then smile and hold her tighter. He felt a sick feeling in his stomach, and a feeling that he'd pushed away from his mind since Chrissie had told him she believed in him. In that moment he could revert back to everything he was trying to make up for… Then Chrissie glanced over at him, an instant smile coming to her face at the sight of him. Lyle felt instantly ashamed of himself.
"It's okay to hate him Lyle. I hate him too. We all hate him, but you've got to remember, she loves you and not him." She jerked her head in her father's direction. He smiled and tore his eyes off Chrissie.
"I know." Their heart to heart was interrupted by Sydney accidentally bumping into to them. He was practically being swung around by Ms. Cotsis. He gave a pleading look at them.
"I think I need to save him." She let go of Lyle's hands and walked over to them. "Excuse me, would you mind if I steal him away from you for a moment. Syd promised me a dance and I'm here to collect." Ms. Cotsis glared at her but gave up when she remembered a previous encounter with Miss Parker. She let go of Sydney and took a few steps back.
"He's all yours. I'll see you next year Sydney." She winked at him and Miss Parker could have sworn she saw her pinch his butt as she walked past.
"Thank you." Miss Parker laughed and started letting the music guide her into dancing.
* * * * * * * * * * * *
Lyle started to walk off the dance floor, eyeing Mr. Parker and Chrissie as they danced. He felt an arm on his shoulder and turned around. An Asian woman was standing there smiling. He didn't recognize her so he smiled politely. She smiled shyly back and cleared her throat.
"You're Mr. Lyle aren't you?" Lyle nodded and turned to face her completely. "Last year my father asked you if he brought me here next year if you'd dance with me and you said yes. He told me to come over here to dance with you." Lyle tried to think back to the previous year, but had no idea what she was talking about.
"I'm sorry, I may sound insensitive, but I don't know who you are." The woman smiled shyly again and spoke softly, putting her hand out to shake his hand.
"My name is Meredith Lei." Lyle remembered what she was talking about. Mr. Lei had noticed Lyle's date was Asian and asked if he would consider a dance with his daughter next year. Back then Lyle was all about kissing up and it also didn't hurt that he happened to like Asian women. He smiled polity again and offered her his arm, which she accepted. He led her to the middle of the dance floor.
"I remember now. I'd love to dance with you. Not just because you're father wants me too, but because, well, as you can see my date is dancing with someone else," he indicated Miss Parker and Sydney, "so I'd love too." Meredith smiled and started to sway gently to the music. Lyle searched the crowd for Chrissie again, but this time, couldn't find her anywhere. He sighed and continued dancing with Meredith.
* * * * * * * * * * * *
Chrissie was sitting with Mr. Parker as he talked with some business man. She'd stopped paying attention so she didn't know his name. She put her hand on her stomach and rubbed gently. Looking out onto the dance floor she saw Sydney dancing with Miss Parker. She smiled as she noticed the small things others wouldn't that would indicate her pregnancy. Her eyes went to their table to see if Lyle was sitting there waiting for Miss Parker to return. If he was, she'd make some excuse to go sit at the table so she could spend some time with him. Looking over at the table she noticed he wasn't there.
"Ah, Mr. Parker, I see my daughter is dancing with your son. He promised me last year he would and I'm honored that he kept his promise." Both Chrissie and Mr. Parker turned to see Lyle dancing with a young woman. Chrissie felt a pang of jealousy over the woman.
"Yes, I see they are. You have a beautiful daughter Mr. Lei." Mr. Lei smiled and nodded.
"Thank you Mr. Parker. They make a lovely couple. Lyle isn't… attached is he?" Chrissie jerked her head up and looked at Mr. Lei. Mr. Parker shook his head.
"No, unfortunately my son is still a bachelor." Mr. Lei smiled.
"My Meredith is also unattached. Maybe we could convince them to try and fix that problem." Both men laughed and Chrissie cringed. It was bad enough for her to see Lyle dancing with another woman; she didn't need to hear people talking about setting him up with said woman. Chrissie was about to excuse herself when a man who looked vaguely familiar to her, stood in front of her and cleared his throat. She looked up at him, as did Mr. Parker.
"Mrs. Parker?" Chrissie nodded. "I was wondering if you'd like to dance with me… if your husband wouldn't mind that is." The man was staring at her his gaze never once leaving her face. Chrissie looked at Mr. Parker pleading to let her dance with him. She wanted to get away from the topic of setting Lyle up with another woman. Mr. Parker eyed him warily and thought. The man looked over at Mr. Parker for the first time.
"I don't know about that." Chrissie sighed and started to get comfortable in her seat. She knew he wasn't going to change his mind. The man sighed.
"It's just that I have a very large amount of money coming to this place, and I'd at least like to get a dance with the most beautiful woman in the room for it." Mr. Parker seemed to be trying to think who he was but couldn't place a name to the mysterious man. "I suppose I'll have to withdraw the Graham money from Centre funding." He turned to leave but Mr. Parker stood up instantly.
"Mr. Graham, I was just kidding. Of course you can dance with her." Mr. Graham smiled and turned to Chrissie with his arm out. Mr. Parker whispered in Chrissie's ear, "Do whatever he wants, he's a big funder." Chrissie nodded and took Mr. Graham's arm. He led her onto the dance floor.
"Man Chrissie, I never thought you'd marry a man like that, let alone have a kid with him." Chrissie looked at him with shock. She had no idea how he knew her.
"Excuse me? Do I know you?" Mr. Graham smiled.
"You used to. I grew up in your neighborhood. I've made something of myself since then but I thought you'd still remember me." Chrissie searched her mind but couldn't think of who he was. He sensed this and frowned. "William Graham." It clicked in her mind. She stared up at him and realized she knew him.
"Oh my god. Billy, Billy Graham?" He nodded. She squealed and hugged him. "I haven't seen you since…"
"Since the first year of high school. That's when I left." Chrissie nodded.
"Wow, what have you been doing?" He laughed.
"I started my own company, pharmaceutical products, it's doing really well." Chrissie smiled. "I would ask what you've been doing but…" He indicated her stomach. Chrissie sighed.
"It's a long, complicated story. You wouldn't understand, trust me." He nodded.
"Well it's better than I thought you'd be doing. Last I heard you were working at Ben's…" Chrissie cringed and cut him off.
"Shh, please don't even mention that. It was stupid and I was working there for a long time, but I came to my senses, straightened up and started looking after the kids of the neighborhood. My mother got sick and I came to work here. One thing led to another and here I am." William nodded.
"Well from working at… that… place to being Mrs. Parker, that's a big difference. Does he even know about…?" He trailed off knowing she knew what he was talking about.
"No, no one here does. Not even my close friends." She indicated towards Sydney, Miss Parker and Lyle. William nodded.
"Well I won't tell them." Chrissie sighed.
"Thanks; that would be great." He nodded and looked back at Lyle and Meredith Lei. Lyle had just noticed them and was glaring at William. William didn't even notice; he was too busy looking at Meredith.
"Do you know that woman?" Chrissie looked to where he was looking and sighed.
"She's Meredith Lei. Why?" He sighed.
"It's nothing." Chrissie looked intently at him. He caught her gaze and sighed. "It's just that I've been watching her all night and I'd like to…" Chrissie laughed.
"You wanna dance with her?" William nodded. "Go ask her then. We can catch up later." He looked at her unsure. "Go, trust me Lyle won't object." She let go of him and pushed him in their direction. He smiled at her and walked slowly towards them. He was still too nervous to ask so he gave a pleading look at Chrissie.
"I can't…" Chrissie sighed and stepped forward.
"Excuse me, Lyle, Meredith?" Lyle looked at her with adoration and Meredith glared at her for the interruption.
"Yeah Chrissie, can I help you?" She caught the sly grin and smiled.
"Not me… him. See my friend here would like to ask Meredith to dance, but it seems he's as chicken as he was in high school. So; Meredith would you like to dance with Bill…I mean William Graham?" Meredith looked shyly at William and smiled. William smiled shyly back at her. She nodded and stepped away from Lyle. She started dancing with William. William mouthed 'thank you' and danced off with her. Lyle and Chrissie stood side by side watching them. Ms. Cotsis danced next to them with another victim and sighed.
"You should ask her to dance." Lyle and Chrissie turned to face her then looked at each other shyly.
"I don't know, I don't think so. That's probably not a good idea." They spoke together in a muddled up jumble of words. Ms. Cotsis waved her hand to dismiss them.
"That's nonsense, now dance before I get mad." Lyle and Chrissie sighed and took position for dancing. The moment their hands touched they relaxed and started dancing. They gazed into each others eyes, lost in the love there. They tried to keep their stance as protesting as possible, but it was very hard to not hold each other tenderly.
"If Mr. Parker saw us right now he'd kill us both." Chrissie moved closer to him. Lyle laughed.
"Well if he does we can just say that a very rich investor wanted us to. I'm sure he wouldn't mind then. Besides, I can't seem to care right now if he gets mad or not." He tightened his arms around her and started making lazy circles on her back with his fingers.
"I can't either actually." They stared in each others eyes, resisting the urge to melt in each others arms. Lyle had to keep part of his mind off Chrissie so he didn't reach over and kiss her.
* * * * * * * * * * * *
Miss Parker and Sydney were still dancing. She looked over and saw Lyle and Chrissie. She thought how good they looked together. She glanced over at Mr. Parker to make sure he didn't see them, luckily he hadn't. She knew he'd be absolutely fuming if he did and that would put them in danger.
"They look sweet together. It's a shame they can't be like that more often. I swear, the sooner we get rid of the Centre the better, for everyone." Miss Parker stopped looking at Chrissie and Lyle and stared at Sydney.
"You're right Syd. I just wish that our plans were coming together faster. I'd like to give this little one a better life then Jarod and I had. I'd also like to have a better life myself. Not just me though, everyone. The life we're living right now isn't much of a life at all." Sydney nodded. He knew this. He'd been living that kind of life for a long time. He never had a time to be happy since he started working at the Centre. The Centre had taken away his real family, and he wasn't going to let them take away his adopted family.
* * * * * * * * * * * *
Chrissie was getting more and more swept up with being in Lyle's arms. She couldn't believe how right it felt, even if it was in front of her so called 'husband'. Gazing into Lyle's eyes was her savior most of the time. Her life had become messed up, in a big way. She couldn't be with the man she loved or her family because of one man. She never thought she could hate someone as much as she hated Mr. Parker. It wasn't like she'd never hated anyone before, there were a lot of people from her past who she'd just rather forget, but Mr. Parker preceded all of them. She noticed Lyle was inching closer to her very slowly. She was certain that he wasn't even aware he was doing it.
"Damn him, damn them all, I love this man more than I thought was even possible. If Mr. Parker wants to do something to me or Lyle then he'll have me to deal with. It's not like I'm weak or anything. I can be deadly if I need to be. I think I need to be." The battle she'd been waging inside of herself was won with just those thoughts. She inched closer to Lyle, not caring about the consequences. She was just inches away from him when she heard whispering in her head.
"What about us? Can you be deadly with us here? You have to wait, no matter how hard it is. Please think about us… mamma." She pulled back and looked around her. Us? Who was speaking? She was confused and even a little scared. She decided it must have just been her nerves but the whispering in her head got louder warning what would happen if she did kiss Lyle at a Centre function. Scared and confused she pulled away from Lyle completely, leaving him stunned.
"What's wrong?" She could hardly even hear the question. The whispering was getting louder and louder. They tried to soothe her saying they didn't mean to scare her but she needed to hear it. She looked down at her stomach.
"Don't be scared mamma."
"We don't want to scare you."
"We just needed you to know." There were two voices, each taking over from each other. She knew that it sounded crazy but she also knew it was her unborn children talking to her. A third voice in her head scared her more although it was calming in a way.
"Please calm down. It's alright. We're just warning you what could happen. I know what Mr. Parker is capable of if you cross him. He took me away from my daughter… and took me away from finding my son. Don't let them lose another important person in their lives." The voices were too much for her. She fell to the ground, clutching her head, succumbing to the darkness that befell her.
* * * * * * * * * * * *
Lyle watched in horror as Chrissie clutched her head. She was shaking her head and she looked absolutely terrified. He tired to talk to her but she seemed to ignore him… or couldn't hear him at all. He panicked as he saw her start to fall to the ground. He was afraid for her and for his child that she was carrying. He tried to catch her but couldn't reach her, she had put some distance between them. As soon as she was down he knew she was unconscious and was at her side instantly.
The crowd around them had stopped dancing and they were just standing, shocked, not knowing what to do. He saw Sydney and Miss Parker pushing through the crowd to come to her side. Sydney was checking if she was alright as best he could. Mr. Parker burst through the crowd and pushed Lyle out of the way.
"Lyle what have you done? I knew you hated her but she is pregnant with your brother or sister, damn it." He replaced Lyle at her side and began to act like he was worried about her.
"I… I didn't do anything. She just… collapsed." Mr. Parker glared at him then called for someone to call an ambulance. Ten minutes later an ambulance had arrived and she was rushed to hospital, still not moving.
* * * * * * * * * * * *
Miss Parker, Sydney and Lyle sat at Chrissie's hospital bed. She was sleeping soundly. No one at the hospital knew what was wrong with her, so they kept her in for observation. Even after she had woken up and the hospital asked her questions she had no idea what to say. She had gotten tired, complained of a headache and fallen asleep again. Mr. Parker had left and told the hospital to call when she could go home or if something happened to her. Miss Parker had called Broots and asked if Lockie could stay the night with him and Debbie and she explained the situation. Broots had agreed and told them he'd bring Lockie in the next day to cheer Chrissie up.
"I wonder what happened with her. I hope it wasn't anything I did." Lyle took her hand and kissed it gently. He saw her squirm and he soothed her by stroking her hair back off her face. She settled under his touch. Miss Parker sighed.
"I don't know. She didn't want to tell anyone. I don't think it was you though." Lyle sighed. He hoped it was true. If he had anything to do with what happened, he'd never forgive himself.
"Well then what happened? Why is it that when she was in my arms… my arms, did this happen?" He stood and walked away from her. He had his back to her. He was angry, not because of what happened, but because he felt responsible. He wasn't even aware that he was yelling until he heard a soothing voice from behind him.
"Because that's where I felt safest, me and the twins that is." He turned around and saw Chrissie sitting up smiling at him.
"What are you talking about? What happened back there?" He went back to her side and sat down. He took her hand and kissed it.
"What happened to me was because of you in some ways." She saw the panicked look on his face and continued. "Not that it's a bad thing. I was just… shocked and a bit scared of what happened." She caressed his cheek and sat back and smiled.
"What is it that happened Chrissie? You scared the hell out of me." Chrissie frowned.
"I scared the hell out of myself… and the twins." Seeing the confused look on everyone's faces she pressed on. "Back at the party I was talking to myself in my head then two other voices spoke to me. I was totally freaked out, I mean wouldn't you be if that happened to you?" Sydney was worried. Hearing voices wasn't something she should be experiencing.
"Chrissie, whose voices did you hear? Are you still hearing them?" Chrissie nodded.
"The voices are the twins, and yes I am still hearing them." Sydney took a seat next to her and took her hand.
"Maybe she hit her head." He started to look into her eyes. Chrissie shook her head. She knew that that wasn't what it was.
"Sydney, I'm alright." She took his hands away from her head and stared him in the eyes. "I know it sounds crazy, that's why I was so scared at first, but I know that it's them. I can feel that it's them." Sydney didn't know what to say. He opened his mouth to speak but Miss Parker cut him off.
"Sydney it's possible. Ethan told my mother his name when she was pregnant with him. Chrissie is carrying Lyle's child so that gift of the 'Inner Sense' has been passed onto his child." Sydney nodded. It was possible. He knew that Catherine could hear voices in her head and so could Miss Parker; it was their 'Inner Sense'. The only reason he hadn't believed Chrissie was because of his training to believe otherwise.
"She's right Syd, it has been passed onto my children through Catherine, she told me so herself. I can hear her because they can. Miss Parker, listen to your 'Inner Sense' and she will confirm it for you." Miss Parker bit her lip. She'd semi blocked out her 'Inner Sense', afraid of the constant talking in her head, but now she wanted to hear it. If Chrissie could hear her mother's voice she wanted to as well. She closed her eyes and concentrated.
"Syd, that's exactly what it is." She opened her eyes and smiled at Chrissie. She hadn't really listened to her 'Inner Sense' for a while and because of Chrissie she really wanted to listen to it again.
"I'm a little lost here. Before you were saying twins and you keep on saying them, what are you talking about?" Lyle had sat silent until he realized that she kept on referring to more than one baby.
"We're having twins. I had suspicions before when both Angelo and Lockie empathed two babies, but now I know for sure. We're having twins." She was holding his hand and she squeezed it gently.
"We're having twins? I've got to go." He stood up quickly and fled the room. Chrissie frowned and turned to Miss Parker and Sydney.
"That wasn't the reaction I was hoping for."
* * * * * * * * * * * *
Lyle stood outside the hospital with his phone out. He dialed a number and waited for it to be picked up. While he was waiting he thought about what Chrissie had just told him. She was pregnant with twins. This made things more complicated. Finally the person he was calling picked up.
"Hello who is it?" Lyle noticed that Jarod sounded tired. He had probably been sleeping at that moment.
"Jarod it's me. I just found something out. Chrissie's having twins. We need to speed things up. We have three babies we have to make it safe for now. I don't want my children or my niece or nephew to grow up like we did. They deserve a better life. We need to get rid of the Centre as soon as possible."
* * * * * * * * * * * *
To be continued...