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: Here is another part. After such a long time with no posts I'm posting more than one at the same time. I hope you're enjoying these next few parts.
Summary: Miss Parker is acting like her old usual self. Why is she reverting back to her old ways? What is the surprise Jarod has in store for Miss Parker?
Strange Things Happen
Part 11
Miss Parker stormed through the halls of the Centre, glaring at everyone as they passed her. She pushed open the doors to her office violently. She sat down at her desk still fuming. Outside Miss Parker's office, Broots was clearly cowering. He was clutching a sheet of paper in his hands and wringing it. The people passing by were giving him sympathetic looks. He took a deep breath and walked into her office.
"What do you want Broots?" Her voice was sharp and her face was sharper. She looked as though she was ready to kill.
"Uh, uh, uh…" Miss Parker sighed and stood from her desk. She walked over to him and grabbed him by the collar. The door to her office was slightly open so the people passing by could see exactly what was happening.
"Spit it out Broots. Have you got news on Jarod's current location or not." Broots cowered again and tried to wriggle free of her grasp. This just made her grip him harder. She cocked her eyebrow, glaring him down for the answer.
"W-w-well I haven't f-f-found anything as of y-yet. He seems to have, uh, um, uh, seems to have v-vanished." He shrunk down waiting for her wrath. She let him go violently and stalked across the room. She kicked her desk and screamed. She turned back to Broots and walked over to him threateningly.
"I WANT YOU TO GET BACK TO WORK! YOU ARE NOT GOING HOME UNTIL I HAVE A LOCATION ON JAROD. DO YOU UNDERSTAND ME?" Broots nodded. "GET OUT NOW!" Broots nodded again and scampered out the room stumbling into some people in the halls. Miss Parker screamed again and started pacing around. Lyle came into her office and shut the door behind him.
"That was very convincing sis." Miss Parker smiled and sat at her desk. She nodded.
"Thank you." She raised her voice louder so everyone outside could hear the next part. "OH YOU SELF CENTERED ASSHOLE! YOU GIVE ME ONE REASON NOT TO WIPE THAT SMUG SMILE OFF YOU'RE FACE." Lyle held in a laugh. Miss Parker lowered her voice again. "I'm not sure if they'll think I'm stressed or just going back to my old self." Lyle laughed.
"Oh I think everyone will think you're stressed. This has been going on for a week now. Chrissie is going to speak to dad today and so am I. Syd's going in tomorrow and so is Broots. Plus I already heard that three people have been to see him about your attitude." Miss Parker laughed.
"IF I DON'T FIND JAROD SOON I SWEAR I'M GOING TO SSCCCCCCRRRRRRRREEEEEEEAAAAAAAAMMMMMMMMMMMM!" She waited a moment to hear someone dropping something outside her office. "Good, I think you should leave now. Anymore time in here and people will think I've killed you." Lyle laughed and got up. He walked to the door and plastered a smug smile on his face. He opened the door before speaking to her.
"Just calm down sis, you don't want people to think you're cracking do you?" He laughed smugly. Miss Parker picked up a vase on her desk and threw it at the door. It smashed next to his head. He looked at it then laughed. "I thought you had better aim." Miss Parker screamed. He walked out the door laughing.
* * * * * * * * * * * *
"I think Miss Parker needs a vacation or something. She's been very irritable and I think she's losing it. The stress of the hunt for Jarod is getting to her." Mr. Parker thought about what Chrissie said. He had seen how Miss Parker was acting and he didn't like it one bit. She had even taken her fury out on him.
"I know what you mean. She is losing it. I think you're right." There was a knock on the door. Mr. Parker paused to tell them to come in. Lyle walked into the room and glared at Chrissie.
"Am I interrupting something dad? I could come back." Mr. Parker shook his head.
"We were just talking about your sister. Chrissie seems to think she should have some time off." Lyle nodded.
"That's what I came to talk to you about. She is losing it. I can head the search for Jarod while she's gone." Mr. Parker nodded.
"You might be right. I'll talk to her tomorrow." Both nodded. Chrissie smiled. The twins were telling her that he was going to let her go.
"Thank you. I'm going to get Lockie and going home. I'm a little tired plus one of the twins is lying on my bladder." Mr. Parker smiled. He had been extra happy when he found out that she was pregnant with two babies. He'd even had the nerve to say that he had a gift for twins. He walked over to Chrissie and put his hand on her stomach.
"You two let your mother get some rest okay?" He bent down and kissed her now very round stomach. Chrissie looked at Lyle and pulled a face. Lyle nodded and pulled a face back at her. Mr. Parker straightened up and they both put on neutral faces. "I'll see you when I get home." He leant in and kissed her on the cheek. She smiled and walked towards the door.
"I'll go with you. I'd like to say goodbye to Lockie." She nodded and walked out the door. Lyle was about to follow when Mr. Parker grabbed him by the arm.
"I don't want you saying anything to her. I don't want her to have another stress attack like she did when you were dancing." Lyle nodded.
"I won't even talk to her. I just want to say goodbye to my brother." Mr. Parker nodded and let him go. Lyle caught up to Chrissie at the elevator. When they got in the elevator Chrissie smiled because they were alone. She knew she couldn't hug or kiss him because there was a camera, but she could speak to him because the camera had no sound.
"What did the devil want to talk to you about?" Lyle smiled but stood completely still, not looking at her.
"He told me not to give you another stress attack. He doesn't know it wasn't me who caused your little episode but it was my children. Twins you should not make your mother collapse." Chrissie smiled and also stood perfectly still.
"I know; your children are really not letting me rest properly. And by the way, they say that Mr. Parker will let Miss Parker leave on her vacation." Lyle nodded.
"Good, we already have very special children." The doors opened.
"I know. And trust me; you don't even know how special they are." She walked out of the elevator with Lyle following closely behind her. She reached a door at the end of the corridor and opened it. Inside were Lockie and his personal sweeper Joe. Joe looked up and saw Chrissie.
"Hey kiddo, you're mamma's here. I guess you're going home." Lockie looked up and went running into Chrissie's arms.
"Mamma, Lyle. Are we going home?" Chrissie nodded.
"Yep we're going home kiddo. I'm tired; the twins are making me sleepy so you've got to be a good boy okay?" Lockie nodded. He turned to Lyle.
"Are you coming too?" Lyle shook his head.
"I'm just here to say goodbye to my favourite brother." He bent down and gave Lockie a hug.
"I'm you're only brother." Lockie laughed at the realisation. Lyle looked shocked.
"Then who was that little boy I was talking to yesterday?" Lockie laughed.
"You're silly." Chrissie laughed and put her hand out to Lockie.
"Come on, me and the twins are tired." Lockie took her hand and turned back to Joe.
"See you tomorrow. Tell Patrick I said hello." Joe nodded.
"Of course I will. See you tomorrow." Chrissie waved at Joe then walked out the room with Lyle still following. They re-entered the elevator. Once again they were alone.
"Mr. Parker is going out of town over the weekend. We're going to the cabin, you coming?" Lyle grinned.
"Of course I am. By the way, do you know what Jarod's doing this weekend?" Chrissie searched her mind but came up blank.
"No, what's he doing?" Lyle smiled.
"You'll see." This annoyed Chrissie.
"Tell me," he shook his head, "tell me, tell me, tell me." He shook his head again.
"Nope, you're just going to have to wait till this weekend." He grinned. Chrissie narrowed her eyes.
"You're going to pay for that this weekend." Lyle smiled. The doors of the elevator opened to the car park. Chrissie and Lyle got out. "I swear, tell me now or you'll regret it." Lyle smiled and pressed the button to close the doors. As they closed he waved and kept smiling.
"He's silly." Chrissie nodded.
"I know. Hey lets go home."
* * * * * * * * * * * *
Jarod laid the dress on Miss Parker's bed. He knew she'd be happy when she saw it. She'd obviously know what it meant. He knew that it was bad luck for the groom to see the brides dress before the wedding but this was a special circumstance. Jarod had found Miss Parker's mothers wedding dress and knew that she'd love it. He'd had it resized a bit to fit her growing stomach. He smiled one more time at the dress and snuck out the window.
Seconds later Miss Parker walked into her bedroom. She'd already started getting changed out of her Centre clothes so by the time she got to her room she was bare foot and half undressed. She dumped her gun on her bed, not noticing the dress. She went to her closet and got out a top and a loose fitting pair of jeans. She did up the buttons on the jeans and sighed.
"Looks like I need new clothes. These used to be loose." She walked over to her bed and picked up her gun. It was then that she saw the dress. She picked it up and ran her fingers over it. She knew what the dress was. She sat on the bed and held it to her face. A few tears ran down her cheeks. She lifted the dress up again to inspect it closer. She noticed a piece of paper fluttering out from inside the dress. She picked it up and read it.
Dear Miranda,
I love you more than life itself, although I'm positive you already knew that. You've made me the happiest man on earth. First you brought to me what I've been dreaming about since the moment I met you… you. Then you gave me the one other thing I've wanted more than you… a family. Not just the one that you're carrying, but also one with Chrissie, Lockie and even Lyle. I asked you to marry me and you said yes. That's what this dress is for. Please wear it tomorrow and meet me at the beach. I love you so much.
Love always Jarod.
Miss Parker wiped away the tears that were spilling freely down her face. She looked around the room expecting to see Jarod. He wasn't there so she moved to the window. She saw him retreating away from the house. She smiled and ran out the house after him. When she got outside he was already gone. She sighed and went back inside the house. She wasn't aware of the person sitting in her lounge room. She walked past it, still without seeing her guest, and started back to her room.
"So you don't see me for a while and now you don't even notice me?" She turned her head back and saw Ethan sitting on the couch. She ran over to him and embraced him tightly. She was happy when he hugged her back just as tightly.
"What are you doing here? I haven't seen you for ages. Where have you been?" She took his hand and led him back to sit on the couch. She kept her hand firmly in his as she waited for his answers.
"I'm here because I was invited. I've been staying with my father and the clone of Jarod. I've missed you big sister." Miss Parker smiled and hugged him.
"I've missed you too. You said you were invited. Who invited you? I didn't." Ethan smiled. He knew that she didn't know he'd be there. That was part of the plan.
"Jarod invited me." He grinned. He wasn't going to tell her anymore. Instead he changed the subject. "You look…," he looked at her stomach then back up at her face, "happy." Miss Parker laughed. She put her hand on her expanding waistline.
"I know. Look at me. But you know what? I wouldn't have it any other way." She noticed Ethan looking at her stomach. She took his hand and put it on her stomach. She noticed him grinning immensely.
"Wow, that's amazing." She laughed.
"Well I'm glad you think so. So tell me baby brother, do you approve of your brother and sister?" She grinned as she realised how that sounded. Ethan smiled as well. He put his hand back on her stomach.
"I approve immensely." They spent the rest of the night catching up and when they were too tired to continue Miss Parker showed Ethan to her guest room then went to bed.
* * * * * * * * * * * *
Chrissie woke up and rolled over in bed. She smiled as she came face to face with Lyle. She leant over and kissed his cheek, his nose and his forehead. She saw him smile. He pouted his lips waiting to be kissed on the mouth. Instead she moved down slightly and kissed his jaw line, his neck and his chest. She looked up at his face and saw his smile widen. She knew he was definitely awake by then.
"Are you going to open your eyes or not?" Lyle laughed.
"No, right now I'm having too much fun dreaming that my drop dead gorgeous step mother is dropping kisses all over my body and I'm waiting to see where she'll go next." Chrissie laughed. She moved slightly away from him, just enough for her body heat to leave with her but close enough to just slide right back. She smiled at his frown.
"Well I'm telling you that if you don't open your eyes right now it's going to stay that way; a dream." Lyle's eyes flew open immediately. He leant forward, trying to capture her lips. She slid further away from him, giggling at the face he made.
"Hey that's not fair. You wanted me to open my eyes and now you're going away from me. I'll just go back to sleep then." He pouted and waited to see what she'd do. She moved closer to him but still not touching.
"Well you didn't open your eyes when I asked you to. But I'll tell you what, you do listen to something I need to tell you and I'll show you exactly where those kisses were leading." She raised her eyebrows suggestively and smiled seductively. Lyle smiled widely and nodded.
"What is it you want to tell me?" He reached out for her. She swatted his arms away and put her hands on her stomach.
"What do you want more; boys or girls?" Lyle looked at her, not knowing what to say. He hadn't really thought about it.
"I don't really care. All I care about is that they are happy and healthy." He smiled, satisfied with his answer. Chrissie started laughing. He looked over at her confused. "What?"
"What bull. Everyone always says that but they never mean it. You see with me I want both. I love children and it makes no difference to me which we have but I know, from experience, that the father always wants one or the other. Which is it that you want?" Lyle didn't register the 'from experience' and thought about which he wanted more.
"I'd love to have a boy… but then again I'd love a girl too. But you know what? We can always try for which ever we don't get." He grinned and tried to take her in his arms again. She swatted his hands away again.
"Do you really mean that?" He nodded. "I've never met a guy who would say that they want both." Lyle nodded.
"It's true. As long as you're the mother of my children I'm happy with what we have." Chrissie smiled and slid over to wrap herself in his arms. She took his hands and put them on her stomach.
"That's so sweet. I love you." She kissed his nose. He leant over to kiss her stomach.
"And I love you too." He hugged her to him. Chrissie smiled as she heard the voices of her children.
"I know what we're having." Lyle was rubbing her stomach but he stopped after that.
"You know? How do you know? I'm sure dad would have been bragging about it." Chrissie smiled.
"Well he's not bragging because he doesn't know. The twins told me when they told me their names." Lyle stared at her.
"They told you their names? You know what we're having? Tell me." Chrissie smiled. She faced him and took one of his hands. She placed it on the left side of her stomach.
"This is Chloe Amanda and this," she moved his hand to the right side of her stomach, "this is Braden Christopher." Lyle looked at her stomach in wonder and amazement.
"It's a boy and a girl?" Chrissie nodded. Lyle leant down and kissed each side of her stomach. "Hello, my beautiful children." Chrissie smiled and hugged him. He reached up and kissed her passionately. When they separated he stared into her eyes. "I love you so much. You've made me a whole new man, a man I thought I'd never be. You've made me the happiest man in the whole world." Chrissie smiled and captured his lips.
"I love you so much." She kissed him again as she pulled the covers over their heads.
* * * * * * * * * * * *
Jarod was pacing around the beach. Sydney, Broots, Debbie and Ben were there. Angelo was even there, Sydney had managed to sneak him out of the Centre. Jarod looked at his watch again. He had no idea where Chrissie, Lockie and Lyle were. They were playing important parts in his ceremony, although Chrissie and Lockie didn't even know what that part was. Jarod hoped that Lyle had remembered to get Chrissie to wear the outfit she was supposed to and he hoped that he'd get her there without her realising what was happening until she was there. He knew that if she knew what was happening she would tell Miss Parker all the surprises and that would ruin everything.
"Maybe I should try calling them again. Last time I thought they'd left because no one picked up, but I'm pretty sure that's out of the question now." Jarod nodded at Sydney. Sydney pulled out his cell phone and was about to dial when he heard a familiar voice from behind him.
"Okay, what's going on here?" He turned around and saw Chrissie staring at everyone. Debbie ran up to her and hugged her.
"Chrissie, it's so exciting. We're the bridesmaids." Chrissie stared at the girl with shock. So that was what Jarod was up to. She turned to Lyle and saw him grinning.
"Bridesmaids are we? Why didn't I know about this before now? And why do I think you had something to do with this?" Lyle grinned and nodded. Jarod stepped forward.
"I couldn't tell you my plans. I know you; you'd tell her all my little surprises. I couldn't have that, sorry." Chrissie smiled. She really thought it was romantic.
"Okay, who am I to ruin a surprise. You're right; I would have told." Jarod smiled. He knew that she'd be angry at first, but knew she'd realise why he'd done it that way. She got a sly smile on her face and stepped closer to Jarod. "What are these little surprises?" Jarod smiled.
"Well she already got two of them. I got her mothers wedding dress," Chrissie smiled, it was very sweet, "and I got Ethan to come in, he's with her now."
"Oh, that's so sweet." Chrissie knew who Ethan was from her conversations with Jarod, Miss Parker and Lyle. "What other surprises are there? And who's this?" She walked over to Ben. She hadn't heard who he was so she was curious.
"This is Ben Miller. He was a friend of Catherine Parkers. He is also now a very good friend of Miss Parker's. He's the one who will be marrying us. I couldn't get a proper priest to do it, because that would be too risky, so instead I got a friend of both of ours to do the honours." Chrissie smiled. She put her hand out to Ben.
"It's nice to meet you Ben. I've heard a lot about Catherine, so for you to have been her friend, it's an honour to meet you." Ben smiled and shook her hand.
"Actually it's an honour to meet you, seeing as you are carrying Catherine's grandchildren. I've heard some things about you, and I'm sure that Catherine would have been happy that her children found someone like you, let alone the fact that you are carrying her grandchildren." Chrissie smiled. She wasn't sure what to say, so she instead pulled him into a hug.
"Thank you." She stepped away from him and into Lyle's arms. He noticed she was crying. He looked into her eyes. He didn't understand she had an inner conflict going through her head.
"Me? Why would she be happy about me? I'm not exactly the perfect influence on these people. Although I must admit they could do worse."
"No, don't say that mamma." Braden was saying in her head. "You are a good influence." Inside Chrissie laughed.
"Sweetie, you don't know what Mamma did before I met all these people." Chloe spoke up as well.
"We don't need to know mamma, we know what you are like now, so it doesn't matter. Isn't that what you said to daddy?" Chrissie didn't know what to say about that. She had said something like that to him, but she still didn't think Catherine Parker would approve of her old… job. She had blocked those thoughts from her children. She didn't want them to know about that part of her old life.
"Chrissie, listen to me. I chose you for a reason. I do approve of you. Very much so." Chrissie smiled. She knew Catherine Parker probably did know what she had done before; after all she knew exactly what happened because of where she was. She noticed that everyone around her was having a conversation so she tuned back into that.
"Lockie you look great, I couldn't think of a better ring bearer." Jarod smiled and ruffled Lockie's hair. Chrissie sighed and bent in front of her son. She pulled out a comb from her bag.
"And if you want him to remain looking great, you won't do that again." She fixed up his hair then kissed his cheek. She went to stand back up but realised she was stuck. "Can someone help the pregnant woman up? I seem to be stuck." All of the men around her stepped forward and helped her. When she stood up she turned red. "Thank you."
Lyle saw her coloured cheeks and smiled. He could tell she was embarrassed about needing help. From the moment he'd met her she'd always prided herself on being able to do things for herself. Now she seemed to have to rely on people more and more. He could tell that that was a new thing for her. She'd always been in charge of everything.
* * * * * * * * * * * *
Ethan took Miss Parker's hand and led her through the trail. Miss Parker knew by now what was happening. Jarod had set everything up so they could have their wedding. So far, from what she had already received, he was being really romantic about the whole thing. Sending her mothers dress and Ethan to her were probably not the only things he'd had planned. She was willing to bet that there were more things she would be receiving.
"Ethan, I know what's going on. I can sense that you feel you need to let Jarod know I'm coming, so why don't you just take out the cell phone I saw you pocket earlier and tell him." Ethan stopped dead in his tracks. He grinned at his sister and took out the cell phone.
"Jarod, it's Ethan, I have Miss Parker with me. We're almost at the location you told me. I'd say ten more minutes and we'll be there. Sit tight big brother, she'll be there soon." Ethan hung up without even letting Jarod say a word. He put the phone back and took Miss Parkers hand.
"Come on big sister. We've got a wedding to go to."
* * * * * * * * * * * *
Jarod turned back to everyone already waiting. He put the phone back in his bag and nodded towards the waiting guests.
"They'll be here soon. Lockie, Debbie, Chrissie, Sydney, I want you to wait over there where they'll come out. Lyle, Ben I want you two over here with me. Broots, Angelo, you wait over there, Ethan will join you two when he comes." Everyone went to their designated places. Jarod looked over everything one last time. The alter, the flowered aisle and the beautiful scenery made everything perfect. Jarod looked at his watch. In a few more minutes Miss Parker would be there and then the rest of his life would begin.
* * * * * * * * * * * *
Ethan stopped just before a clearing. He could see Sydney standing waiting for them. He turned to face Miss Parker. He brought her hand up to his lips and kissed her knuckles. Miss Parker smiled at him.
"I have to leave you now." He saw Miss Parkers smile lesson. She thought that he would leave her all together. "I will see you out there. It is not my job to give you away." He pointed towards Sydney. Miss Parker turned her head and smiled. Sydney had spotted them and he had begun walking towards them.
"Thank you Ethan." He smiled and moved off to the side. He left through another clearing. Sydney reached Miss Parker and smiled.
"You look beautiful Miranda." Miss Parker gasped at the sound of her first name. She smiled even wider.
"Thank you Sydney." Sydney looped her arm with his and started walking towards where Miss Parker could see Chrissie, Debbie and Lockie waiting for them. Once they reached them each person gasped.
"You look beautiful Miss Parker." Chrissie stepped forward and hugged her friend. Miss Parker smiled.
"Thank you Chrissie, so do you. And you do as well Debbie." Debbie smiled and turned around grabbing Lockie's hand. "I'm not going to be Miss Parker for very much longer. So why don't you call me Miranda." Each person nodded. Music was coming from out of the clearing. Debbie turned around and smiled then started walking out with Lockie. Chrissie took a step closer to Miss Parker.
"Well Miranda, it looks like this is it." She turned around and walked out as well. Sydney and Miss Parker took a step forward. Miss Parker could see the whole set up. Jarod and Lyle were standing in front of the wedding alter with someone Miss Parker couldn't see clearly, Broots and Angelo were sitting in chairs off to the side, Debbie and Lockie had just reached the alter and Chrissie was half way down the aisle. Sydney turned to Miss Parker again.
"Miranda, it's time for us to go. Are you ready?" She nodded and clutched Sydney's arm tighter. They started walking down the aisle.
* * * * * * * * * * * *
Lyle's breath caught in his throat as Chrissie walked down the aisle. She looked absolutely beautiful. He couldn't help wishing that it was their wedding day instead of Jarod and Miss Parkers. He wished that they at least had the opportunity for it to be their wedding day. Chrissie smiled at him as she turned to the side. Lyle then saw his sister and Sydney walking towards them. Lyle smiled.
"She looks beautiful Jarod." Jarod was staring with a goofy grin on his face. He nodded. He couldn't believe how beautiful she looked. She had always been beautiful but today it was different somehow. She seemed to be glowing. He wasn't sure if it was because of the pregnancy or just because she seemed happy, but he knew that he wanted her to have that look for the rest of her life; and he was determined to make that happen.
"Oh my god, Ben's here." Miss Parker had just finally seen who the mystery man with Jarod and Lyle was. Ben smiled at her. They finally made it to the Alter and Sydney loosened his hold on her, but still kept their arms entwined.
"I'm pretty sure I'm supposed to start now so here it goes. Um, dearly beloved, we are gathered here today to witness the joining of Miranda Parker and Jarod… Jarod what is your last name?" Everyone laughed. Jarod stepped forward and whispered into Ben's ear. Ben nodded. "Witness the joining of Miranda Parker and Jarod Russel. Who gives this woman to this man?" Sydney stepped forward.
"I have that honour." Ben nodded. Sydney kissed Miss Parker's cheek then placed her hands in Jarod's. He took his seat with Broots, Angelo and Ethan.
"I have never met two people who were so destined for each other as these two. Even when I first met them separately I could tell they were meant to be. Catherine could even sense it when she was alive. I know she'd be happy to know you two finally found each other." Tears formed in Miss Parker's eyes. "Now Jarod, it's your turn to recite the vows you wanted to say." Jarod smiled at Ben then turned to look deeply into Miss Parker's eyes.
"Miranda Elizabeth Parker, I have loved you from the first moment I saw you, maybe even before then. I prayed that one day we would make it here, and you have no idea how happy I am that we did. You were my shining light in an otherwise dark existence. You saved me from breaking so many times, and I'm sure you never knew that. Even when I hadn't seen you for so long, you were always in my heart and soul. Even when you were cold towards me, you were always in my heart and soul. Even when you were chasing me, you were always in my heart and soul and even when you said you hated me, you were always in my heart and soul. I am honoured that you are about to be my wife. I love you now and forever Miranda." Everyone was left in tears. Ben took a moment before continuing.
"Miranda, it's your turn to recite some vows." Miss Parker wiped tears from her eyes.
"You have to bear with me because I didn't have a chance to prepare for this so here goes. Jarod, I too loved you from the first moment I saw you. I think I was born to love you. You're wrong about something. You were my shining light in dark times. You were always there for me, you still are. You were there when I thought my mother died. You were there when Tommy died. You were there whenever I needed you. You were there when I didn't even know I wanted you there. I know I never showed how much I love you but my love for you was always there, buried beneath everything. I'm glad you finally got through to me. You have given me something I never thought I'd have; Family. I love you more than I ever thought I could. Today, you are making me the happiest woman in the world." Yet again everyone had tears in their eyes.
"Okay now it's my turn again. Do we have the rings?" Lockie stepped forward with a pillow with the rings on it. Ben smiled and took them in his hands. "Jarod place the ring on Miranda's finger and repeat after me; with this ring, I thee wed." Jarod took the ring and slipped it on Miss Parker's finger.
"With this ring, I thee wed." Ben smiled and turned to Miss Parker.
"Miranda, place the ring on Jarod's finger and repeat after me; with this ring, I thee wed." Miss Parker slipped the ring on Jarod's hand then kissed it.
"With this ring, I thee wed." Ben pressed on.
"Jarod, do you take Miranda to be your lawfully wedded wife?" Jarod brought Miss Parker's hand to his lips and kissed it.
"I do." Miss Parker smiled at him.
"Miranda, do you take Jarod to be your lawfully wedded husband?" Miss Parker squeezed Jarod's hands.
"I do."
"Then by the power vested in me by Jarod," Everyone but Jarod and Miss Parker laughed. "I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may now kiss the bride." Jarod and Miss Parker met in a passionate kiss. Everyone around them clapped and cheered. Jarod led her back down the aisle and over to the side. Everyone joined them.
"So Miranda, how does it feel to be a married woman?" Miss Parker grinned at Chrissie.
"It feels… right." Chrissie smiled and hugged her.
"I'm happy for you, both of you." Jarod stepped forward and hugged her.
"Thank you Chrissie. That means a lot to me." Chrissie smiled and stepped back.
"Jarod, you'd better take care of my sister. If you don't I'll hunt you down and make you pay." Jarod smiled and shook Lyle's hand.
"I'd never do anything to hurt her. I couldn't if I tried." Ben had taken out a camera and he started taking photos. After the photos were taken everyone went back to Chrissie's cabin. It was decided that it was the safest place for them go because no one from the Centre knew about its existence. They partied at Chrissie's cabin until late into the night. After the party Miss Parker and Jarod went off for their short honeymoon. After their honeymoon Miss Parker would be headed for Jackson's place until the baby was born.
* * * * * * * * * * * *
To be continued...