Chapter 17
Two days later, Sydney sat across the street from Major Charles's four bedroom, two story house, in Anchorage, Alaska. He had to see for himself, if what Jarod had told him was true. He had to know if not only was Catherine Parker alive, after being thought dead all of these years, but Sydney wanted to see for himself, if she was having a relationship with Major Charles.
He sighed, as he thought of the lie he had told his own wife, Michelle. Sydney had told her that he was attending a conference on the Dangers of Psychiatric Drugs, here in Alaska.
Jarod would be furious with him, if he knew he had left Michelle and Abigail alone, with Mr. Lyle on the loose. But, he had enlisted the help of Jarod's cousin, Sidney Bristow, and her resources with the CIA, to ensure Michelle and Abigail's safety.
It had taken himself, Sidney Bristow, Michael Vaughn, Broots and Jarod, to finally convince Mallory to go to Hawaii, after they all learned, that not only had Mr. Lyle cut a deal with the CIA, thus making him a free man, but that he had bought Mallory's former home, and adopted his and Mallory's half-brother, conceived by Mr. Parker and Brigitte. It did not help matters further, when it was revealed that Lyle had named the boy Bobby, the name he was given by his adopted family.
Sydney's thoughts flitted briefly to Jarod and Mallory. He couldn't help but think that this secret was going to devastate their new marriage. Sydney knew both of them so well. Jarod was denying any truth to his father's assertion, that his own mother gave him and his brother to the Centre. And Mallory...the ache that was forever persistent, that went with mourning a loved one, would blow open into a full blown wound, when she found out that her mother had walked out on her.
And despite Jarod's reasoning, Sydney knew, that Jarod knew, that his wife would have to be told the truth. There was just no getting around it. Not with their son, Brian, living with Major Charles and supposedly, Catherine Parker.
What Sydney wondered, was how long did Major Charles think he could keep something like this hidden from his son and daughter-in-law?
Sydney watched, as Major Charles and Brian came out of the house, laughing and kidding around. They both turned to say something to someone still standing in the doorway. At that moment, Sydney wished he had a pair of binoculars!
But from the little he could make out, it was clearly a woman, and she was older...with salt and pepper colored hair. Sydney sighed. He hoped Jarod had been wrong in his suspicions. He hoped this was not Catherine Parker. It couldn't be.
Sydney saw Major Charles and Jarod get into a SUV. Major Charles handed Brian the keys. Sydney raised a brow and watched, as Brian slowly backed the vehicle out of the drive-way. Sydney concluded that Brian was learning how to drive. Another important event in a child's life. Another important event Jarod and Mallory missed...partly due to himself, and his own cowardice.
But, at least he had never faked his own death. Sydney waited until Brian and the Major had driven down the street, and turned a corner, until he got out of his own vehicle. He then stood in the street, staring at the house. Finally, he took a deep breath and walked towards the house.
The yard looked beautiful. Sydney was about to step onto the walk that went towards the front door, when he noticed a bunch of gardenia's outside of a window of the house. Sydney moved closer to the flowers and inspected them. He remembered that these specific flowers, were Catherine Parker's favorite. His mind flashed back to a young Mallory Parker, giving him a bunch of these flowers, and telling him they were her mother's favorite.
But a garden of flowers, and a shadowy glimpse of a woman, did not bring Catherine Parker back from the dead. Sydney had to find out for sure, and not only for himself. When Jarod and Mallory returned from their honeymoon, Sydney had no doubt, that Jarod would be on his father's doorstep demanding answers. And by then, Catherine Parker, would probably be nowhere around.
The Major did not know, that Jarod had confided in Sydney about Catherine Parker. The Major thought he had time, while his son, and daughter-in-law were away, to either think of another lie, or maybe come clean. Sydney was betting on the former.
But neither Major Charles, or Catherine Parker, would be expecting him.
Sydney walked up to the door and rang the bell. After a few moments, Sydney heard a voice that sounded hauntingly familiar, as if from another time, speak, as the door opened.
'What happened? Did you forget your key? Hope you didn't crash the...'
Sydney stared into the much older face, of the once dead, Catherine Parker. She just stared at him, her eyes as wide and luminous, as those of her daughter, Mallory.
'Sydney. You're the last person I expected to see.'
'I was counting on that. May I come in?' Sydney said in a calm tone.
'Sydney, now is not...'
'Catherine, Jarod and Mallory are like my own children. It has been a long journey for all of us. A journey I intend to see through to the end. And right now, it has stopped at you. I will not let you hurt either one of them. Now, may I come in?'
Catherine moved aside and let Sydney step in. Catherine slowly closed the door, then turned to face him. Sydney silently appraised her.
She looked good, which he did not mean as a compliment. For a woman that had caused her daughter so much anguish and emotional turmoil, should not look as if she didn't have a care in the world. Sydney squinted at her. Nor should she look like she had plastic surgery!
'Sit down, Sydney. Can I get you something to drink?'
'Let's skip the pleasantries, Catherine. Why am I looking at you right now? Why? Why did you do this? And what is going on between yourself and Major Charles? Why did you leave your children?'
'That's a lot to answer without sitting down first, Sydney. Please....just sit down and I'll tell you.'
Sydney slowly nodded, then eased into the nearest chair. Catherine walked over to the couch and sat down. Her hair was short, cropped into a fashionable style. She was dressed comfortably.
There was an uncomfortable silence. Sydney rubbed his hands together impatiently.
'Catherine! I am not leaving until you talk to me! Tell me how we have come to this point!'
'Please don't yell at me!'
Sydney stood up.
'You know, Jarod and Mallory are the ones that should be confronting you, not me! And Ethan as well, remember him? Jarod and Mallory found him a little over two years ago! How could you have faked your death, not once, but twice! Was Raines in on it as well? What, Catherine?! What happened?! The Centre is no more, so you can't hide behind that anymore!'
Catherine Parker stood up, then walked over to a purse. She pulled out a wallet, opened it up, then walked back over to Sydney. She pointed at a picture.
'It all begins with her.' Catherine Parker said, her voice breaking.
Sydney looked at the picture and furrowed his brow. He didn't understand what he was staring at . Sure, he knew who it was. It was a picture of Catherine Parker and Mallory.
'I don't understand.' Sydney said.
'You think that's a picture of myself and Mallory. It isn't.'
Sydney looked at the picture again, then at Catherine.
'Of course it is! I've known your daughter all of her life!'
'No, Sydney. That's Melanie, Mallory's twin sister.'
Sydney squinted at her, and practically threw the wallet at her! Catherine seemed surprised at the abrupt gesture.
'What the hell are you talking about? Mallory's twin is Lyle....the son Raines stole from you.'
Catherine closed the wallet and shook her head.
'I know all about him. He is not my son. And that footage of my giving birth to Mallory and him, was doctored by Raines.'
Sydney began to shake his head.
'I don't understand, Catherine! What do you mean Lyle is not your son?'
'I was there, Sydney, remember? I had two little GIRLS! Identical twins! I didn't have a boy. But this Lyle...he was Mr. Parker's real son...by some woman that he was having an affair with in the Centre. The woman was killed, when she began to make demands on my husband, asking for him to leave me. Believe me, I would've gladly turned him over to her.'
Sydney closed his eyes, weighing in the enormity of the little he had learned so far. He then opened his eyes.
'So, this baby, this Melanie, was taken from you? Like we saw on the DSA?'
Catherine Parker nodded, swallowing convulsively. She then looked past him and out of the window. Major Charles and Brian had returned. Sydney turned and looked out of the window.
'To make a long story short, Raines revealed the fact that Melanie was alive, to me. I was offered the chance to raise her...to create a new life for myself, if I just left Ethan and never came back for Mallory. At the time, I figured being allowed to raise one child, was better than none at all.'
Sydney looked her up and down, still unable to believe this incredible story! The door opened, and Major Charles and Brian walked in. They stopped short. Brian smiled at him.
'Sydney?' he asked.
Sydney covered, smiling back at him. Major Charles looked at Catherine, who nodded at him. The Major then looked at Sydney.
'Sydney...what brings you to Anchorage?' he asked, eyeing Brian nervously. But Brian didn't notice.
'Yeah, are Jarod and Mallory alright? Mallory looked kind of stressed at the wedding.' Brian said.
Sydney glanced at Catherine, then looked at Brian.
'No, everything is fine. I just needed to see the Major here for a moment, alone.'
Brian looked around the room. He felt the tension, and was concerned. Catherine walked over to him.
'You're going over to Lindsey's house tonight, right?' she asked, touching his shoulder.
Brian nodded, still looking from Major Charles to Sydney.
'I was planning to. But if you'd rather I stay here...'
'No!' Major Charles said quickly, putting a hand on his back and pushing him a little.
'Yes, Brian, go get ready and I'll drive you there myself.' Catherine said, putting on a bright smile.
Brian still looked around at the three of them.
'Is everything alright?'
Sydney nodded at him.
'Everything is fine. Go. It was nice seeing you again.' he said, trying to keep the emotion out of his voice. He truly was Jarod all over again.
Brian nodded, then headed for the stairs. Catherine watched him for a few moments, before turning back to Sydney and Major Charles. Sydney spoke.
'You both still have a lot to answer for.' he stated.
'You had no business coming here.' Major Charles said sternly.
'Neither of you have any business raising Brian.' Sydney retorted. He then focused in on Catherine.
'Jarod and Mallory have to be told. I hope the both of you don't try and run, or lie. Mallory needs to know about her sister. Lyle, despicable as he is, needs to know that you are not his real mother. And Jarod...Catherine, you knew where Jarod was...that means you knew too, Major. And you did nothing to save him.'
'You don't understand, Sydney!' Major Charles almost growled. 'You can't go running back to my son, or Catherine's daughter, with any wild tales!'
'Wild tales? That's rich! As if I could begin to make anything like this up!'
Catherine Parker spoke.
'Please, Sydney, let us be the ones to tell Jarod and Mallory the truth.'
'You've had over thirty years to, Catherine.' Sydney admonished.
'Sydney, how the hell do you think I felt, knowing I'd left my daughter at that place! Every day that I looked at Melanie, I wondered what Mallory was doing at that moment in time! To think that my little girl had a baby and had it snatched from her...like I did...it damned near broke my heart!'
'Thinking you were dead nearly broke Mallory's. And now she's going to find out that not only did you not die, but that you abandoned her and chose to raise another little girl instead of her!'
Sydney then turned to Major Charles.
'And you! All of those stories about searching for Jarod...you knew where he was...and if you didn't learn it from your wife, then you learned it from Catherine. And neither of you made a move to remove your children from that place.'
Major Charles moved so that he could put an arm around a sobbing Catherine.
'There is more to the story, Sydney. And it's for us to tell to Jarod and Mallory, not you. When they return from Hawaii, we will tell them everything. But for now, I'm going to have to ask you to leave. Now!'
Sydney stared at both of them for the longest moment, before turning and walking out of the front door. He then stood on the porch.
He would not be able to sleep until this was all out in the open. What would he say to Jarod and Mallory when they called to ask about Abigail? Would he be able to sound normal? He breathed in deeply, before stepping off of the porch.
****
HAWAII
The sun was slowly going down, as Mallory sat up against the headboard of her bed. Jarod was asleep, his head resting against her breasts.
They were both naked and bathed in sweat. Mallory absent mindedly massaged Jarod's scalp, as her eyes focused on the ocean, out beyond their terrace.
The doors were open, and a soft wind wafted in to caress them both. Mallory was glad she agreed to come. She was glad for this time together with her husband.
During their lovemaking, she had been unable to focus on anything but Jarod. The feel of his skin, on hers.
But right now, Mallory's thoughts flitted back to Lyle...and their baby brother. She could not live her life, knowing that poor kid was in Lyle's custody.
She hadn't wanted to broach the subject with Jarod, but she wanted for her and Jarod to adopt the boy, or, find someone who would.
Mallory was still thinking along those lines, when Jarod began to stir. Her fingers were still ensnared in his hair, when he lifted his head and kissed one of her breasts. His eyes then looked up and met hers.
'What were you thinking about?' he asked softly.
Mallory smiled down at him.
'What makes you think I was thinking about anything, boy genius?'
'Boy genius? In case you haven't noticed, Mrs. Russell, there is nothing boyish about me.'
Mallory sighed, removing her hand from his hair.
'Oh believe me, you're a boy in a man's body. It is part of your charm.'
Jarod raised up to kiss her, when he stopped and turned his head towards the terrace. He frowned. Mallory looked over there as well, her guard up.
'What? Did you see something?' she asked, looking around the room. Damn! Would she ever stop expecting to see her gun lying nearby?
'Stay here!' Jarod ordered, getting up. Mallory jumped up as well.
'Jarod, if you're going out on the terrace, at least put some clothes on!'
But Jarod didn't have time for clothes. And he was going to wish he had!
For somehow, even though they were twelve stories up, a photographer had managed to hide on their terrace and snap pictures of the two of them! He had been hiding behind a huge, potted palm tree! He managed to get a shot of Jarod, just as he was coming towards him!
Jarod grabbed the guy, wondering where the hell he thought he was going to escape to?! He then shoved him into the bedroom! The man fell to the floor.
Mallory managed to pull on a flimsy robe, before jumping up off of the bed to stand beside Jarod. She handed him a robe, which he finally put on.
'Who are you?!' Jarod demanded to know. Mallory said nothing, but eyed the little looking man in disgust. She suspected he was some low life tabloid reporter! Ever since the goings ons of the Centre became public, plus the trial, Jarod, herself and anyone connected with them, were now fodder for the media.
'Please! Don't hurt me! I had no choice!'
'What do you mean, 'you had no choice'?! Who the hell are you, and why are you bothering my wife and I on our honeymoon?!' Jarod seethed. Mallory tossed her hair.
'You two are the biggest thing since...since JFK Jr. and Carolyn.' he squeaked. Mallory snorted in response! She wouldn't go that far! Jarod didn't quite get it.
'That would be the deceased son of the 35th president of the United States?' Jarod asked.
Mallory moved in front of Jarod, reached down and snatched the man's camera from out of his hands!
'Please! I have to get those pictures to my boss! She'll kill me if I don't!'
'Tough titty!' Mallory snapped, opening up the back of the camera. The reporter reached up to grab the camera from her, but Jarod kicked him back with his foot!
'The tabloids aren't going to get their kicks off of us!' Mallory snapped, destroying the film. She then threw it, and the camera, down at the man. She looked at Jarod.
'Get rid of him, 'honey', then join me in the shower.' she ordered, sauntering off towards the bathroom. The door slammed shut. Jarod stared longingly after her, before coming to his senses and reaching down to grab the man's shirt collar.
'Wait, please! I don't work for a tabloid! A woman hired me to take these pictures of the two of you. I should've never taken her case...I'm afraid of what will happen to me if I don't bring her back something!'
Jarod slowly let go of the man. He got up on his own.
'Tell me who this woman is.' Jarod ordered.
Two days later, Sydney sat across the street from Major Charles's four bedroom, two story house, in Anchorage, Alaska. He had to see for himself, if what Jarod had told him was true. He had to know if not only was Catherine Parker alive, after being thought dead all of these years, but Sydney wanted to see for himself, if she was having a relationship with Major Charles.
He sighed, as he thought of the lie he had told his own wife, Michelle. Sydney had told her that he was attending a conference on the Dangers of Psychiatric Drugs, here in Alaska.
Jarod would be furious with him, if he knew he had left Michelle and Abigail alone, with Mr. Lyle on the loose. But, he had enlisted the help of Jarod's cousin, Sidney Bristow, and her resources with the CIA, to ensure Michelle and Abigail's safety.
It had taken himself, Sidney Bristow, Michael Vaughn, Broots and Jarod, to finally convince Mallory to go to Hawaii, after they all learned, that not only had Mr. Lyle cut a deal with the CIA, thus making him a free man, but that he had bought Mallory's former home, and adopted his and Mallory's half-brother, conceived by Mr. Parker and Brigitte. It did not help matters further, when it was revealed that Lyle had named the boy Bobby, the name he was given by his adopted family.
Sydney's thoughts flitted briefly to Jarod and Mallory. He couldn't help but think that this secret was going to devastate their new marriage. Sydney knew both of them so well. Jarod was denying any truth to his father's assertion, that his own mother gave him and his brother to the Centre. And Mallory...the ache that was forever persistent, that went with mourning a loved one, would blow open into a full blown wound, when she found out that her mother had walked out on her.
And despite Jarod's reasoning, Sydney knew, that Jarod knew, that his wife would have to be told the truth. There was just no getting around it. Not with their son, Brian, living with Major Charles and supposedly, Catherine Parker.
What Sydney wondered, was how long did Major Charles think he could keep something like this hidden from his son and daughter-in-law?
Sydney watched, as Major Charles and Brian came out of the house, laughing and kidding around. They both turned to say something to someone still standing in the doorway. At that moment, Sydney wished he had a pair of binoculars!
But from the little he could make out, it was clearly a woman, and she was older...with salt and pepper colored hair. Sydney sighed. He hoped Jarod had been wrong in his suspicions. He hoped this was not Catherine Parker. It couldn't be.
Sydney saw Major Charles and Jarod get into a SUV. Major Charles handed Brian the keys. Sydney raised a brow and watched, as Brian slowly backed the vehicle out of the drive-way. Sydney concluded that Brian was learning how to drive. Another important event in a child's life. Another important event Jarod and Mallory missed...partly due to himself, and his own cowardice.
But, at least he had never faked his own death. Sydney waited until Brian and the Major had driven down the street, and turned a corner, until he got out of his own vehicle. He then stood in the street, staring at the house. Finally, he took a deep breath and walked towards the house.
The yard looked beautiful. Sydney was about to step onto the walk that went towards the front door, when he noticed a bunch of gardenia's outside of a window of the house. Sydney moved closer to the flowers and inspected them. He remembered that these specific flowers, were Catherine Parker's favorite. His mind flashed back to a young Mallory Parker, giving him a bunch of these flowers, and telling him they were her mother's favorite.
But a garden of flowers, and a shadowy glimpse of a woman, did not bring Catherine Parker back from the dead. Sydney had to find out for sure, and not only for himself. When Jarod and Mallory returned from their honeymoon, Sydney had no doubt, that Jarod would be on his father's doorstep demanding answers. And by then, Catherine Parker, would probably be nowhere around.
The Major did not know, that Jarod had confided in Sydney about Catherine Parker. The Major thought he had time, while his son, and daughter-in-law were away, to either think of another lie, or maybe come clean. Sydney was betting on the former.
But neither Major Charles, or Catherine Parker, would be expecting him.
Sydney walked up to the door and rang the bell. After a few moments, Sydney heard a voice that sounded hauntingly familiar, as if from another time, speak, as the door opened.
'What happened? Did you forget your key? Hope you didn't crash the...'
Sydney stared into the much older face, of the once dead, Catherine Parker. She just stared at him, her eyes as wide and luminous, as those of her daughter, Mallory.
'Sydney. You're the last person I expected to see.'
'I was counting on that. May I come in?' Sydney said in a calm tone.
'Sydney, now is not...'
'Catherine, Jarod and Mallory are like my own children. It has been a long journey for all of us. A journey I intend to see through to the end. And right now, it has stopped at you. I will not let you hurt either one of them. Now, may I come in?'
Catherine moved aside and let Sydney step in. Catherine slowly closed the door, then turned to face him. Sydney silently appraised her.
She looked good, which he did not mean as a compliment. For a woman that had caused her daughter so much anguish and emotional turmoil, should not look as if she didn't have a care in the world. Sydney squinted at her. Nor should she look like she had plastic surgery!
'Sit down, Sydney. Can I get you something to drink?'
'Let's skip the pleasantries, Catherine. Why am I looking at you right now? Why? Why did you do this? And what is going on between yourself and Major Charles? Why did you leave your children?'
'That's a lot to answer without sitting down first, Sydney. Please....just sit down and I'll tell you.'
Sydney slowly nodded, then eased into the nearest chair. Catherine walked over to the couch and sat down. Her hair was short, cropped into a fashionable style. She was dressed comfortably.
There was an uncomfortable silence. Sydney rubbed his hands together impatiently.
'Catherine! I am not leaving until you talk to me! Tell me how we have come to this point!'
'Please don't yell at me!'
Sydney stood up.
'You know, Jarod and Mallory are the ones that should be confronting you, not me! And Ethan as well, remember him? Jarod and Mallory found him a little over two years ago! How could you have faked your death, not once, but twice! Was Raines in on it as well? What, Catherine?! What happened?! The Centre is no more, so you can't hide behind that anymore!'
Catherine Parker stood up, then walked over to a purse. She pulled out a wallet, opened it up, then walked back over to Sydney. She pointed at a picture.
'It all begins with her.' Catherine Parker said, her voice breaking.
Sydney looked at the picture and furrowed his brow. He didn't understand what he was staring at . Sure, he knew who it was. It was a picture of Catherine Parker and Mallory.
'I don't understand.' Sydney said.
'You think that's a picture of myself and Mallory. It isn't.'
Sydney looked at the picture again, then at Catherine.
'Of course it is! I've known your daughter all of her life!'
'No, Sydney. That's Melanie, Mallory's twin sister.'
Sydney squinted at her, and practically threw the wallet at her! Catherine seemed surprised at the abrupt gesture.
'What the hell are you talking about? Mallory's twin is Lyle....the son Raines stole from you.'
Catherine closed the wallet and shook her head.
'I know all about him. He is not my son. And that footage of my giving birth to Mallory and him, was doctored by Raines.'
Sydney began to shake his head.
'I don't understand, Catherine! What do you mean Lyle is not your son?'
'I was there, Sydney, remember? I had two little GIRLS! Identical twins! I didn't have a boy. But this Lyle...he was Mr. Parker's real son...by some woman that he was having an affair with in the Centre. The woman was killed, when she began to make demands on my husband, asking for him to leave me. Believe me, I would've gladly turned him over to her.'
Sydney closed his eyes, weighing in the enormity of the little he had learned so far. He then opened his eyes.
'So, this baby, this Melanie, was taken from you? Like we saw on the DSA?'
Catherine Parker nodded, swallowing convulsively. She then looked past him and out of the window. Major Charles and Brian had returned. Sydney turned and looked out of the window.
'To make a long story short, Raines revealed the fact that Melanie was alive, to me. I was offered the chance to raise her...to create a new life for myself, if I just left Ethan and never came back for Mallory. At the time, I figured being allowed to raise one child, was better than none at all.'
Sydney looked her up and down, still unable to believe this incredible story! The door opened, and Major Charles and Brian walked in. They stopped short. Brian smiled at him.
'Sydney?' he asked.
Sydney covered, smiling back at him. Major Charles looked at Catherine, who nodded at him. The Major then looked at Sydney.
'Sydney...what brings you to Anchorage?' he asked, eyeing Brian nervously. But Brian didn't notice.
'Yeah, are Jarod and Mallory alright? Mallory looked kind of stressed at the wedding.' Brian said.
Sydney glanced at Catherine, then looked at Brian.
'No, everything is fine. I just needed to see the Major here for a moment, alone.'
Brian looked around the room. He felt the tension, and was concerned. Catherine walked over to him.
'You're going over to Lindsey's house tonight, right?' she asked, touching his shoulder.
Brian nodded, still looking from Major Charles to Sydney.
'I was planning to. But if you'd rather I stay here...'
'No!' Major Charles said quickly, putting a hand on his back and pushing him a little.
'Yes, Brian, go get ready and I'll drive you there myself.' Catherine said, putting on a bright smile.
Brian still looked around at the three of them.
'Is everything alright?'
Sydney nodded at him.
'Everything is fine. Go. It was nice seeing you again.' he said, trying to keep the emotion out of his voice. He truly was Jarod all over again.
Brian nodded, then headed for the stairs. Catherine watched him for a few moments, before turning back to Sydney and Major Charles. Sydney spoke.
'You both still have a lot to answer for.' he stated.
'You had no business coming here.' Major Charles said sternly.
'Neither of you have any business raising Brian.' Sydney retorted. He then focused in on Catherine.
'Jarod and Mallory have to be told. I hope the both of you don't try and run, or lie. Mallory needs to know about her sister. Lyle, despicable as he is, needs to know that you are not his real mother. And Jarod...Catherine, you knew where Jarod was...that means you knew too, Major. And you did nothing to save him.'
'You don't understand, Sydney!' Major Charles almost growled. 'You can't go running back to my son, or Catherine's daughter, with any wild tales!'
'Wild tales? That's rich! As if I could begin to make anything like this up!'
Catherine Parker spoke.
'Please, Sydney, let us be the ones to tell Jarod and Mallory the truth.'
'You've had over thirty years to, Catherine.' Sydney admonished.
'Sydney, how the hell do you think I felt, knowing I'd left my daughter at that place! Every day that I looked at Melanie, I wondered what Mallory was doing at that moment in time! To think that my little girl had a baby and had it snatched from her...like I did...it damned near broke my heart!'
'Thinking you were dead nearly broke Mallory's. And now she's going to find out that not only did you not die, but that you abandoned her and chose to raise another little girl instead of her!'
Sydney then turned to Major Charles.
'And you! All of those stories about searching for Jarod...you knew where he was...and if you didn't learn it from your wife, then you learned it from Catherine. And neither of you made a move to remove your children from that place.'
Major Charles moved so that he could put an arm around a sobbing Catherine.
'There is more to the story, Sydney. And it's for us to tell to Jarod and Mallory, not you. When they return from Hawaii, we will tell them everything. But for now, I'm going to have to ask you to leave. Now!'
Sydney stared at both of them for the longest moment, before turning and walking out of the front door. He then stood on the porch.
He would not be able to sleep until this was all out in the open. What would he say to Jarod and Mallory when they called to ask about Abigail? Would he be able to sound normal? He breathed in deeply, before stepping off of the porch.
****
HAWAII
The sun was slowly going down, as Mallory sat up against the headboard of her bed. Jarod was asleep, his head resting against her breasts.
They were both naked and bathed in sweat. Mallory absent mindedly massaged Jarod's scalp, as her eyes focused on the ocean, out beyond their terrace.
The doors were open, and a soft wind wafted in to caress them both. Mallory was glad she agreed to come. She was glad for this time together with her husband.
During their lovemaking, she had been unable to focus on anything but Jarod. The feel of his skin, on hers.
But right now, Mallory's thoughts flitted back to Lyle...and their baby brother. She could not live her life, knowing that poor kid was in Lyle's custody.
She hadn't wanted to broach the subject with Jarod, but she wanted for her and Jarod to adopt the boy, or, find someone who would.
Mallory was still thinking along those lines, when Jarod began to stir. Her fingers were still ensnared in his hair, when he lifted his head and kissed one of her breasts. His eyes then looked up and met hers.
'What were you thinking about?' he asked softly.
Mallory smiled down at him.
'What makes you think I was thinking about anything, boy genius?'
'Boy genius? In case you haven't noticed, Mrs. Russell, there is nothing boyish about me.'
Mallory sighed, removing her hand from his hair.
'Oh believe me, you're a boy in a man's body. It is part of your charm.'
Jarod raised up to kiss her, when he stopped and turned his head towards the terrace. He frowned. Mallory looked over there as well, her guard up.
'What? Did you see something?' she asked, looking around the room. Damn! Would she ever stop expecting to see her gun lying nearby?
'Stay here!' Jarod ordered, getting up. Mallory jumped up as well.
'Jarod, if you're going out on the terrace, at least put some clothes on!'
But Jarod didn't have time for clothes. And he was going to wish he had!
For somehow, even though they were twelve stories up, a photographer had managed to hide on their terrace and snap pictures of the two of them! He had been hiding behind a huge, potted palm tree! He managed to get a shot of Jarod, just as he was coming towards him!
Jarod grabbed the guy, wondering where the hell he thought he was going to escape to?! He then shoved him into the bedroom! The man fell to the floor.
Mallory managed to pull on a flimsy robe, before jumping up off of the bed to stand beside Jarod. She handed him a robe, which he finally put on.
'Who are you?!' Jarod demanded to know. Mallory said nothing, but eyed the little looking man in disgust. She suspected he was some low life tabloid reporter! Ever since the goings ons of the Centre became public, plus the trial, Jarod, herself and anyone connected with them, were now fodder for the media.
'Please! Don't hurt me! I had no choice!'
'What do you mean, 'you had no choice'?! Who the hell are you, and why are you bothering my wife and I on our honeymoon?!' Jarod seethed. Mallory tossed her hair.
'You two are the biggest thing since...since JFK Jr. and Carolyn.' he squeaked. Mallory snorted in response! She wouldn't go that far! Jarod didn't quite get it.
'That would be the deceased son of the 35th president of the United States?' Jarod asked.
Mallory moved in front of Jarod, reached down and snatched the man's camera from out of his hands!
'Please! I have to get those pictures to my boss! She'll kill me if I don't!'
'Tough titty!' Mallory snapped, opening up the back of the camera. The reporter reached up to grab the camera from her, but Jarod kicked him back with his foot!
'The tabloids aren't going to get their kicks off of us!' Mallory snapped, destroying the film. She then threw it, and the camera, down at the man. She looked at Jarod.
'Get rid of him, 'honey', then join me in the shower.' she ordered, sauntering off towards the bathroom. The door slammed shut. Jarod stared longingly after her, before coming to his senses and reaching down to grab the man's shirt collar.
'Wait, please! I don't work for a tabloid! A woman hired me to take these pictures of the two of you. I should've never taken her case...I'm afraid of what will happen to me if I don't bring her back something!'
Jarod slowly let go of the man. He got up on his own.
'Tell me who this woman is.' Jarod ordered.