Chapter 21
Major Charles sat on the bottom step of his staircase, and looked down. Jarod was across the room sitting on a couch. His body language was stiff and angry.
Major Charles had just called Brian's cellphone and told him there was an emergency. He hated scaring his son like that, but, in many ways, the boy should be scared. His life, the one he had built here with him and Cathy, would never be the same again.
Sydney made his over to him. He stood with his hand on the railing.
'I know hard this has to be for you.'
Major Charles looked at at Sydney.
'If you know how hard this is, then why don't you stop my son from making the biggest mistake of his life?'
'Maybe I don't agree that it would be. You have to understand that all of those years Jarod was kept a prisoner at the Centre, caused a sort of abhorration in him, for secrets and lies. He just feels very strongly about Brian living here with a woman who the world thinks is dead...and I don't think what you said about his mother helped matters either.'
'Jarod is going to have to deal with what Marina Derevko really was. After I found out about her betrayal, she was never Margaret to me again.'
Sydney nodded slowly.
'Have Catherine and you discussed how you're going to explain all of this to Ethan and Emily? And what is Catherine going to tell Melanie?'
Major Charles looked down again and shook his head. Sydney folded his arms.
'Don't you think that Emily and Ethan will have the same feelings of resentment and abandonment, that Mallory will have, if they all find out about the life Catherine and you have been living in secret, all of these years?'
Major Charles looked up again.
'I was actually thinking of taking a cue from Jarod, and not saying anything to them. Neither Emily, nor Ethan, has ever met Catherine. Maybe it's best if it stays that way.'
Sydney's eyes widened.
'You can't be serious? You consider Catherine your wife...what do you plan to do? Hide her in a backroom whenever Emily or Ethan visits?'
'That's none of your concern. What I am worried about is how Brian is going to feel, when he learns he's about to be uprooted! He's made a lot of friends and is just settling into school. Jarod should leave him here.'
Sydney looked over at Jarod, who had taken out his cellphone to place a call.
****
Mallory tasted some of the dressing she had fixed. She knew it was missing something, but what?
She was in the kitchen, fixing the celebratory dinner she had planned, for Brian's arrival tonight. Abigail was sitting in a high chair, near the table. There was a small TV running on a shelf nearby.
Mallory looked over at Abigail, then took a bit of the dressing and ground it into a fine paste. She then put it on a spoon and took it over to Abigail. Her little mouth opened, as she took the food in. Mallory watched her carefully.
'Okay honey, what do you think? Can I leave it the way it is?'
Abigail swallowed the dressing, then kicked against the high chair. Mallory suspected her daughter wanted more. She wagged the spoon at her.
'Ah, ah, ah! Don't be greedy my dear! Your father would kill me if he knew I was sneaking you this stuff, instead of baby food.'
Actually, in the short time that Jarod and her had lived in this house, Mallory had discovered that he was actually quite a good cook. But then again, he was a genius. He could read a cook book and get all of the specifications correct.
But she had picked up some things from just watching him. And she had never been a total ditz in the kitchen. But she always knew she could use some improvement. Mallory didn't want Brian to get here, and find that his mother couldn't cook worth a damn!
The kitchen phone rang, just as she peeked into the oven at the turkey. Mallory had been feeling very Thanksgiving like lately. She thought a traditional Thanksgiving dinner tonight, even though the holiday itself, was months away, would kind of break the ice...and maybe make Brian feel welcome.
Mallory closed the oven door, then looked at the caller I.D.. It was Jarod's cell. She picked it up.
'Talk to me, my darling.' she answered, as she looked for something to stir mashed potatoes with.
'I definitely like that greeting better than 'what'.' Jarod said, smiling. She sounded like she was in a good mood.
'Well my testy days are over.' Mallory said, still searching for some sort of spoon. She turned and looked back over at Abigail. A spoon was on the table near her.
'Well let's hope not. They're part of your charm.' Jarod answered, turning his body towards the window. He was looking for any sign of the car that Brian had left in.
'So, what's going on? How did Brian take the news?'
'We're waiting for him to come back from a friend's house, so I can tell him.'
'How did your father take it?' Mallory asked. She picked up the portable and walked over to the table. She picked up the spoon, then made her way back to the mashed potatoes.
Jarod eyed Major Charles and Sydney.
'Not well. Not well at all. I don't think he's going to be much help with this.'
Mallory set the spoon down.
'Jarod, I don't mean to pull an 'I told you so', but this is why I wanted to come with you.'
'Mallory, things got pretty heated here. I'm sorry to say this, but I glad you were not here.'
Mallory said nothing to that. She picked up the spoon and stuck in into the mashed potatoes.
'Well what happened?' she asked.
Jarod didn't know what to tell her. What was he supposed to say? That the mother you thought had been dead all of these years, had been shacked up with his father? That neither one of them bothered to get a divorce from their respective spouses? That Lyle is not her brother, but she does have a twin sister with blonde hair?
Jarod decided to compromise. He looked over at his father and Sydney again, before standing up and looking out of the window.
'My father has re-married. Actually, he's been married all of this time.'
Mallory's eyes widened, and she turned towards Abigail.
'Married? You mean he divorced your mother?'
'No.'
'Oh God, Jarod! You have got to be kidding me! I am so sorry!'
Jarod closed his eyes briefly. Somehow, he felt Sydney's eyes on his back. He told himself he was doing the right thing by keeping silent.
'Well, now I'm more determined that ever to bring Brian home. We're just waiting for him to return from a friend's house.'
Something occurred to Mallory.
'This woman that your father is married to? It's not that Cathy woman, is it? The one that Brian was going on and on about at our wedding?'
Jarod licked his lips.
'Yes, her name is Cathy.'
'You've seen her?' Mallory asked.
'Uh, yes.' Jarod answered, as the car Brian left in, pulled into the drive. Sydney walked over and parted the curtain slightly.
'He's back.' Sydney said.
Mallory heard the comment.
'Jarod, was that Sydney? Is he with you?'
'I have to go,' Jarod said, ignoring her question. 'But Brian and I will be home tonight. I love you and give Abigail a kiss for me.'
'Jarod! Was that Sydney's voice I....'
But Jarod hung up. Mallory slowly put the phone down onto the receiver. This habit Jarod had of taking control of situations was hard to get used to, but she was willing to yield some, as long as he was upfront with her.
That had been Sydney she heard in the background, she knew it! Mallory picked up the phone again and dialed Sydney's home phone number. She would get Michelle to tell her whether Sydney left with Jarod or not!
Why would Jarod allow Sydney to accompany him to Alaska, but not her? It didn't make any sense! Mallory waited impatiently for the line to pick up. It never did and the answering machine kicked in. Mallory slammed the phone down!
She turned and looked at Abigail.
'Your daddy has a lot of explaining to do.' she said.
****
Brian walked into his house and looked around frantically. Major Charles, who was still sitting on the steps, got up quickly and went over to him.
'What is it? It's not Cathy, is it? That fever that she had last month....is it back? Is she in the hospital?'
Sydney and Jarod exchanged glances. Brian did seem to be aware of Catherine Parker's medical problems, despite the fact that she had given them the impression, that Brian's being there had 'miraculously' cured them all.
'No, son. I'm sorry if I scared you. Jarod would like to talk to you about something important. Something that could not wait.'
Brian looked at Jarod. It was odd to look at someone and know that that was what you were going to look like, when you got older. It was like staring into the future. And most people could not do so.
Brian nodded. He hoped this would be quick though. He needed to call Lindsey back. Even though school had just barely started, he had already asked her to Homecoming. When he got his father's call to come home right away, he had teasingly told her that he would call her for her answer. Brian knew it would be yes.
'Okay.' Brian said, looking at Jarod. 'What did you want to talk to me about?'
Sydney looked at Jarod.
'I'm going to go see if 'Cathy' is alright? I'll leave you two alone.'
But Brian caught that.
'Is something wrong with Cathy? Where is she?'
Major Charles put an arm around Brian.
'She's just very sad, that's all. I'm going to be in the other room, okay?'
Jarod glared at his father! That 'Cathy is very sad' line was cute! And he could see that his father wouldn't have the decency to help him with Brian's transition. Fine!
Jarod watched as Major Charles disappeared into another room and Sydney walked up the stairs. Jarod then looked at his son.
'Let's sit down, Brian.' he said, feeling as if he were dealing with a stranger. Jarod had not had any real one on one contact with the boy, since they rescued him the Centre, years ago.
Brian sat down next to Jarod on the couch. Jarod rubbed his palms together.
'Do you remember, years ago, when we were in that cabin, and I introduced you to ice-cream?'
Brian smiled slightly.
'Yes.' he answered, wondering what the heck was going on here? He hoped Jarod would be quick with this, since he had to call Lindsey!
'And do you remember that you asked me where you came from, and who your parents were?'
Brian did not like remembering that part. For as the years passed, he now had a good understanding as to how he came to be. But, that did not disturb him as much as it used to. Brian figured that if he was a clone of Jarod, then in a way, Major Charles was his father as well.
'Uh, yes, I remember. What's wrong?'
'Why does anything have to be wrong?' Jarod asked.
'Because my father just left the room...he looked as if he wanted to cry and Cathy is upstairs, as if she doesn't want to be down here. Does it have something to do with that place? The Centre? I thought all of those people were in prison?'
'No, Brian, it has nothing to do with the Centre. That place is gone. You never have to worry about them again.'
'Then what's going on?' he asked. He was picking up a vibe. And it was not a good one.
Jarod took a deep breath. He had come determined to do this. There was no turning back now.
'Brian, I discovered that I was wrong about you. I found out that you do indeed have parents. You are not a clone.'
Brian just stared at Jarod, unable to breath. He slowly stood up.
'I don't understand,' he said slowly,'everyone has told me that I look like you at this age...I was in that place for so long...I was stolen from my parents? Just like you were?'
Jarod slowly stood up and placed a hand on Brian's cheek.
'Yes, you were stolen from your parents.'
Brian suddenly realized what was going on! He backed away from Jarod.
'My parents want me back, don't they? That's what's going on here! My real parents found out where I was and they want me back, don't they? That's why Dad looks so upset! And Cathy is too upset to even come downstairs! That's it, isn't it?!
Brian's voice began to get loud. Major Charles came out of the other room. Sydney and Cathy, who had reapplied her make-up, came downstairs as well.
'Yes, Brian, your parents do want you back. I found out that I am your father, and that Mallory, my wife, is your real mother. We just found out ourselves that you are our son. I am here to take you back to Delaware....so we can be a family.' Jarod said in one fell swoop.
Brian began to back away. Mallory...Ms. Parker...that woman that tried to help him when he was a Centre prisoner...he danced with her at her wedding to Jarod. She was his real mother?!
Brian backed away, until he stood by Major Charles's side.
'Look, I'm glad I'm not a clone. And I like you...and your wife. Maybe I can visit this summer...but I live here now. I'm not coming with you.'
Jarod looked at Major Charles, who was patting Brian's back. Jarod then looked at Sydney, who walked over to him.
'Jarod, I don't think you're going to be able to get him to leave with you. And it is quite obvious that Catherine and Major Charles, are not going to make this a smooth transition.'
'What do you suggest?' Jarod asked, at a loss. How had he thought that his son was going to passively accept this change in his life, and leave with him? Somewhere, in the deep recesses of his mind, Jarod had thought that Brian would be overjoyed.
'I think we have to tell Mallory the truth...all of it. Brian needs to see that both of his parents want him.' Sydney said solemnly.
Jarod looked at Sydney.
'I'll call her.'
****
Mallory peeked into the oven, to look at the turkey, when the phone rang. She closed the oven door and walked over to the phone, snatching it up.
'What?'
'What happened to hello?' Jarod asked.
'I'm glad you called me back! Is Sydney there with you?'
Jarod took a deep breath.
'Yes.'
'Jarod! Why would you ask Sydney to accompany you and not me?'
'Honey, things are not going as well as I would have hoped. I think Brian needs to see that both of his parents need and want him.'
'Okay, I'll find out what the next flight out is...and I'll bring Abigail too...is he very upset?'
But Jarod was not concerned about that at the moment.
'He'll be fine. He just needs to see us both to be convinced. At least that's what Sydney thinks. And my father hasn't helped the situation.'
'Or his 'wife' I bet!' Mallory snorted.
'Mallory, when you arrive, there is something I need to tell you, before we see Brian.'
Mallory began to get the same feeling she got before, when Jarod asked to go to Alaska alone. He had been hiding something from her. But, she didn't think she would get any answers from him over the phone.
'Does this concern our past?'
'Yes.' Jarod said, almost brokenly. Why did another secret have to pop up like this? And it was such a damning one! He prayed that Sydney was right about his wife. He prayed that she was strong enough to suffer this betrayal! Mallory was still dealing with her father's part in stealing Brian from her. How was she going to react to her mother's being alive?
Mallory heard the catch in his voice, and new it was something bad. Something that was already hurting him. She took a deep breath and decided she was going to be strong, no matter what this news was.
'I'll call you back with my flight number, okay?'
Jarod nodded on his end.
'Okay.' he said hoarsely.
'Jarod, whatever this news is, we will get through it. We will get through it and convince Brian that he will be happy with us. Okay?'
Jarod nodded again.
'I wish I had your optimism.'
'I'm full of sunshine, remember? I'll call you with my flight number...I love you.'
Jarod turned away from Brian, Sydney, his father and Catherine Parker.
'I love you too.' he said, hanging up. Jarod then turned back to face them. His gaze centered on Catherine.
'I hope you're ready. Because the time has come for you to face the daughter you ran out on, again.'
Brian looked at Cathy with confusion. What was Jarod talking about now?
****
Lyle peered out from behind his curtains, as he watched the CIA agents, watching his house. Damn that Sidney Bristow!
He looked behind him at Lisa and Bobby. Lisa. Little did she know, that he had been in her room last night, watching her while she slept. He wanted her, but now, no thanks to Sidney and his big mouthed sister, he had no privacy to really get to know his young nanny better.
Lyle let the curtain drop. He would come up with a place the two of them could be alone together, and soon. It would have to be soon. Lyle did not know how much longer he could wait, until he was able to show Lisa, just how much he cared for her....
Major Charles sat on the bottom step of his staircase, and looked down. Jarod was across the room sitting on a couch. His body language was stiff and angry.
Major Charles had just called Brian's cellphone and told him there was an emergency. He hated scaring his son like that, but, in many ways, the boy should be scared. His life, the one he had built here with him and Cathy, would never be the same again.
Sydney made his over to him. He stood with his hand on the railing.
'I know hard this has to be for you.'
Major Charles looked at at Sydney.
'If you know how hard this is, then why don't you stop my son from making the biggest mistake of his life?'
'Maybe I don't agree that it would be. You have to understand that all of those years Jarod was kept a prisoner at the Centre, caused a sort of abhorration in him, for secrets and lies. He just feels very strongly about Brian living here with a woman who the world thinks is dead...and I don't think what you said about his mother helped matters either.'
'Jarod is going to have to deal with what Marina Derevko really was. After I found out about her betrayal, she was never Margaret to me again.'
Sydney nodded slowly.
'Have Catherine and you discussed how you're going to explain all of this to Ethan and Emily? And what is Catherine going to tell Melanie?'
Major Charles looked down again and shook his head. Sydney folded his arms.
'Don't you think that Emily and Ethan will have the same feelings of resentment and abandonment, that Mallory will have, if they all find out about the life Catherine and you have been living in secret, all of these years?'
Major Charles looked up again.
'I was actually thinking of taking a cue from Jarod, and not saying anything to them. Neither Emily, nor Ethan, has ever met Catherine. Maybe it's best if it stays that way.'
Sydney's eyes widened.
'You can't be serious? You consider Catherine your wife...what do you plan to do? Hide her in a backroom whenever Emily or Ethan visits?'
'That's none of your concern. What I am worried about is how Brian is going to feel, when he learns he's about to be uprooted! He's made a lot of friends and is just settling into school. Jarod should leave him here.'
Sydney looked over at Jarod, who had taken out his cellphone to place a call.
****
Mallory tasted some of the dressing she had fixed. She knew it was missing something, but what?
She was in the kitchen, fixing the celebratory dinner she had planned, for Brian's arrival tonight. Abigail was sitting in a high chair, near the table. There was a small TV running on a shelf nearby.
Mallory looked over at Abigail, then took a bit of the dressing and ground it into a fine paste. She then put it on a spoon and took it over to Abigail. Her little mouth opened, as she took the food in. Mallory watched her carefully.
'Okay honey, what do you think? Can I leave it the way it is?'
Abigail swallowed the dressing, then kicked against the high chair. Mallory suspected her daughter wanted more. She wagged the spoon at her.
'Ah, ah, ah! Don't be greedy my dear! Your father would kill me if he knew I was sneaking you this stuff, instead of baby food.'
Actually, in the short time that Jarod and her had lived in this house, Mallory had discovered that he was actually quite a good cook. But then again, he was a genius. He could read a cook book and get all of the specifications correct.
But she had picked up some things from just watching him. And she had never been a total ditz in the kitchen. But she always knew she could use some improvement. Mallory didn't want Brian to get here, and find that his mother couldn't cook worth a damn!
The kitchen phone rang, just as she peeked into the oven at the turkey. Mallory had been feeling very Thanksgiving like lately. She thought a traditional Thanksgiving dinner tonight, even though the holiday itself, was months away, would kind of break the ice...and maybe make Brian feel welcome.
Mallory closed the oven door, then looked at the caller I.D.. It was Jarod's cell. She picked it up.
'Talk to me, my darling.' she answered, as she looked for something to stir mashed potatoes with.
'I definitely like that greeting better than 'what'.' Jarod said, smiling. She sounded like she was in a good mood.
'Well my testy days are over.' Mallory said, still searching for some sort of spoon. She turned and looked back over at Abigail. A spoon was on the table near her.
'Well let's hope not. They're part of your charm.' Jarod answered, turning his body towards the window. He was looking for any sign of the car that Brian had left in.
'So, what's going on? How did Brian take the news?'
'We're waiting for him to come back from a friend's house, so I can tell him.'
'How did your father take it?' Mallory asked. She picked up the portable and walked over to the table. She picked up the spoon, then made her way back to the mashed potatoes.
Jarod eyed Major Charles and Sydney.
'Not well. Not well at all. I don't think he's going to be much help with this.'
Mallory set the spoon down.
'Jarod, I don't mean to pull an 'I told you so', but this is why I wanted to come with you.'
'Mallory, things got pretty heated here. I'm sorry to say this, but I glad you were not here.'
Mallory said nothing to that. She picked up the spoon and stuck in into the mashed potatoes.
'Well what happened?' she asked.
Jarod didn't know what to tell her. What was he supposed to say? That the mother you thought had been dead all of these years, had been shacked up with his father? That neither one of them bothered to get a divorce from their respective spouses? That Lyle is not her brother, but she does have a twin sister with blonde hair?
Jarod decided to compromise. He looked over at his father and Sydney again, before standing up and looking out of the window.
'My father has re-married. Actually, he's been married all of this time.'
Mallory's eyes widened, and she turned towards Abigail.
'Married? You mean he divorced your mother?'
'No.'
'Oh God, Jarod! You have got to be kidding me! I am so sorry!'
Jarod closed his eyes briefly. Somehow, he felt Sydney's eyes on his back. He told himself he was doing the right thing by keeping silent.
'Well, now I'm more determined that ever to bring Brian home. We're just waiting for him to return from a friend's house.'
Something occurred to Mallory.
'This woman that your father is married to? It's not that Cathy woman, is it? The one that Brian was going on and on about at our wedding?'
Jarod licked his lips.
'Yes, her name is Cathy.'
'You've seen her?' Mallory asked.
'Uh, yes.' Jarod answered, as the car Brian left in, pulled into the drive. Sydney walked over and parted the curtain slightly.
'He's back.' Sydney said.
Mallory heard the comment.
'Jarod, was that Sydney? Is he with you?'
'I have to go,' Jarod said, ignoring her question. 'But Brian and I will be home tonight. I love you and give Abigail a kiss for me.'
'Jarod! Was that Sydney's voice I....'
But Jarod hung up. Mallory slowly put the phone down onto the receiver. This habit Jarod had of taking control of situations was hard to get used to, but she was willing to yield some, as long as he was upfront with her.
That had been Sydney she heard in the background, she knew it! Mallory picked up the phone again and dialed Sydney's home phone number. She would get Michelle to tell her whether Sydney left with Jarod or not!
Why would Jarod allow Sydney to accompany him to Alaska, but not her? It didn't make any sense! Mallory waited impatiently for the line to pick up. It never did and the answering machine kicked in. Mallory slammed the phone down!
She turned and looked at Abigail.
'Your daddy has a lot of explaining to do.' she said.
****
Brian walked into his house and looked around frantically. Major Charles, who was still sitting on the steps, got up quickly and went over to him.
'What is it? It's not Cathy, is it? That fever that she had last month....is it back? Is she in the hospital?'
Sydney and Jarod exchanged glances. Brian did seem to be aware of Catherine Parker's medical problems, despite the fact that she had given them the impression, that Brian's being there had 'miraculously' cured them all.
'No, son. I'm sorry if I scared you. Jarod would like to talk to you about something important. Something that could not wait.'
Brian looked at Jarod. It was odd to look at someone and know that that was what you were going to look like, when you got older. It was like staring into the future. And most people could not do so.
Brian nodded. He hoped this would be quick though. He needed to call Lindsey back. Even though school had just barely started, he had already asked her to Homecoming. When he got his father's call to come home right away, he had teasingly told her that he would call her for her answer. Brian knew it would be yes.
'Okay.' Brian said, looking at Jarod. 'What did you want to talk to me about?'
Sydney looked at Jarod.
'I'm going to go see if 'Cathy' is alright? I'll leave you two alone.'
But Brian caught that.
'Is something wrong with Cathy? Where is she?'
Major Charles put an arm around Brian.
'She's just very sad, that's all. I'm going to be in the other room, okay?'
Jarod glared at his father! That 'Cathy is very sad' line was cute! And he could see that his father wouldn't have the decency to help him with Brian's transition. Fine!
Jarod watched as Major Charles disappeared into another room and Sydney walked up the stairs. Jarod then looked at his son.
'Let's sit down, Brian.' he said, feeling as if he were dealing with a stranger. Jarod had not had any real one on one contact with the boy, since they rescued him the Centre, years ago.
Brian sat down next to Jarod on the couch. Jarod rubbed his palms together.
'Do you remember, years ago, when we were in that cabin, and I introduced you to ice-cream?'
Brian smiled slightly.
'Yes.' he answered, wondering what the heck was going on here? He hoped Jarod would be quick with this, since he had to call Lindsey!
'And do you remember that you asked me where you came from, and who your parents were?'
Brian did not like remembering that part. For as the years passed, he now had a good understanding as to how he came to be. But, that did not disturb him as much as it used to. Brian figured that if he was a clone of Jarod, then in a way, Major Charles was his father as well.
'Uh, yes, I remember. What's wrong?'
'Why does anything have to be wrong?' Jarod asked.
'Because my father just left the room...he looked as if he wanted to cry and Cathy is upstairs, as if she doesn't want to be down here. Does it have something to do with that place? The Centre? I thought all of those people were in prison?'
'No, Brian, it has nothing to do with the Centre. That place is gone. You never have to worry about them again.'
'Then what's going on?' he asked. He was picking up a vibe. And it was not a good one.
Jarod took a deep breath. He had come determined to do this. There was no turning back now.
'Brian, I discovered that I was wrong about you. I found out that you do indeed have parents. You are not a clone.'
Brian just stared at Jarod, unable to breath. He slowly stood up.
'I don't understand,' he said slowly,'everyone has told me that I look like you at this age...I was in that place for so long...I was stolen from my parents? Just like you were?'
Jarod slowly stood up and placed a hand on Brian's cheek.
'Yes, you were stolen from your parents.'
Brian suddenly realized what was going on! He backed away from Jarod.
'My parents want me back, don't they? That's what's going on here! My real parents found out where I was and they want me back, don't they? That's why Dad looks so upset! And Cathy is too upset to even come downstairs! That's it, isn't it?!
Brian's voice began to get loud. Major Charles came out of the other room. Sydney and Cathy, who had reapplied her make-up, came downstairs as well.
'Yes, Brian, your parents do want you back. I found out that I am your father, and that Mallory, my wife, is your real mother. We just found out ourselves that you are our son. I am here to take you back to Delaware....so we can be a family.' Jarod said in one fell swoop.
Brian began to back away. Mallory...Ms. Parker...that woman that tried to help him when he was a Centre prisoner...he danced with her at her wedding to Jarod. She was his real mother?!
Brian backed away, until he stood by Major Charles's side.
'Look, I'm glad I'm not a clone. And I like you...and your wife. Maybe I can visit this summer...but I live here now. I'm not coming with you.'
Jarod looked at Major Charles, who was patting Brian's back. Jarod then looked at Sydney, who walked over to him.
'Jarod, I don't think you're going to be able to get him to leave with you. And it is quite obvious that Catherine and Major Charles, are not going to make this a smooth transition.'
'What do you suggest?' Jarod asked, at a loss. How had he thought that his son was going to passively accept this change in his life, and leave with him? Somewhere, in the deep recesses of his mind, Jarod had thought that Brian would be overjoyed.
'I think we have to tell Mallory the truth...all of it. Brian needs to see that both of his parents want him.' Sydney said solemnly.
Jarod looked at Sydney.
'I'll call her.'
****
Mallory peeked into the oven, to look at the turkey, when the phone rang. She closed the oven door and walked over to the phone, snatching it up.
'What?'
'What happened to hello?' Jarod asked.
'I'm glad you called me back! Is Sydney there with you?'
Jarod took a deep breath.
'Yes.'
'Jarod! Why would you ask Sydney to accompany you and not me?'
'Honey, things are not going as well as I would have hoped. I think Brian needs to see that both of his parents need and want him.'
'Okay, I'll find out what the next flight out is...and I'll bring Abigail too...is he very upset?'
But Jarod was not concerned about that at the moment.
'He'll be fine. He just needs to see us both to be convinced. At least that's what Sydney thinks. And my father hasn't helped the situation.'
'Or his 'wife' I bet!' Mallory snorted.
'Mallory, when you arrive, there is something I need to tell you, before we see Brian.'
Mallory began to get the same feeling she got before, when Jarod asked to go to Alaska alone. He had been hiding something from her. But, she didn't think she would get any answers from him over the phone.
'Does this concern our past?'
'Yes.' Jarod said, almost brokenly. Why did another secret have to pop up like this? And it was such a damning one! He prayed that Sydney was right about his wife. He prayed that she was strong enough to suffer this betrayal! Mallory was still dealing with her father's part in stealing Brian from her. How was she going to react to her mother's being alive?
Mallory heard the catch in his voice, and new it was something bad. Something that was already hurting him. She took a deep breath and decided she was going to be strong, no matter what this news was.
'I'll call you back with my flight number, okay?'
Jarod nodded on his end.
'Okay.' he said hoarsely.
'Jarod, whatever this news is, we will get through it. We will get through it and convince Brian that he will be happy with us. Okay?'
Jarod nodded again.
'I wish I had your optimism.'
'I'm full of sunshine, remember? I'll call you with my flight number...I love you.'
Jarod turned away from Brian, Sydney, his father and Catherine Parker.
'I love you too.' he said, hanging up. Jarod then turned back to face them. His gaze centered on Catherine.
'I hope you're ready. Because the time has come for you to face the daughter you ran out on, again.'
Brian looked at Cathy with confusion. What was Jarod talking about now?
****
Lyle peered out from behind his curtains, as he watched the CIA agents, watching his house. Damn that Sidney Bristow!
He looked behind him at Lisa and Bobby. Lisa. Little did she know, that he had been in her room last night, watching her while she slept. He wanted her, but now, no thanks to Sidney and his big mouthed sister, he had no privacy to really get to know his young nanny better.
Lyle let the curtain drop. He would come up with a place the two of them could be alone together, and soon. It would have to be soon. Lyle did not know how much longer he could wait, until he was able to show Lisa, just how much he cared for her....