Author's Note: I've never titled any of my chapters before, but in a recent review I receive from Mercy (Gemini-M), she said these beautiful words. So, this is dedicated to you, Mercy! Thanks!

Chapter 10 - Love Is Never Easy

Miss Parker hurt Jarod terribly by her cruel words. "It's someone else's mistake". How could she? Here stood the man whom she cried for over the past several months. The person she thought was gone forever, had suddenly appeared back into her life. He was the father of her much loved unborn child and yet, instead of him being welcomed with opened arms, she slashed him to pieces.

She had waited for such a long time to have someone love her. To love someone was also to respect that someone. Fate was so cruel to have found her love in Jarod. The one person she supposedly was not allowed to have felt anything for, against all rules, she had truly fallen deeply in love with. She'd often wondered if they had met in another lifetime, somewhere in time, if they had once been soulmates. That would have explained their undying connection to each other. Whether they were perfect together or not, they were destined to be with one another, "For All the Day Of Their Lives."

This time it was Miss Parker who wiped his tears. "I'm sorry. I-I didn't mean that. It's just that you hurt me when you didn't want me with you...I'm sorry. Please forgive me. I thought I'd never see you again."

She caressed his face. Her arms twined around his neck. He stood still and had not reciprocated her embrace. He moved his head away from her, but, she persisted, and as she inched herself closer, she clung on. He felt her hardened stomach against him.

Jarod released his breath slowly. He laid his hand onto her belly. His childhood memories sent him back in time for several seconds. "Where do babies come from, Sydney?" He was merely a child when he had caught Sydney off guard with his questions. "Do all mommies love their babies? Did my mommy love me? How about daddies? Do you love me, Sydney? Why can't you love me?"

Parker cupped his face. "Where are you? You're a million miles away."

He tenderly kissed her. "I'm right here. I'm here where I belong. Love is never easy, Melissa." He knew their love had been forbidden from the very beginning. "I'm sorry for the heartbreak I've caused you."

"We never asked nor expected this. It just happened. It was so hard when you were gone. I wanted to shout it out to the world about our baby. You weren't here to share the joy. I'd speak to him every night. It's like he could hear me, understood me. I'd feel little flutters and then his kicks."

"He?" His eyes sparkled at her.

Parker pulled away from him, smiled and held his hand as she led him into the bedroom. Sonogram pictures of their baby were fanned atop the dresser. "Sit," she commanded.

Jarod flopped himself on the bed. "Okay. What are you hiding behind your back?"

She sat on him and held out the photos. He was quiet, but repeatedly looked at the five shots of their baby.

"See, right there?" Parker pointed to the last photo. The pretender nodded. "You can clearly see that little pecker of his," she laughed. "That's your son."

"I just want to hold on to my family tonight. I'll always be here to protect the both of you. You believe me, don't you?" He pulled off the ribbon which held up her hair and ran his fingers through. "I do love you, the both of you."

"We know. We love you, too." A lone tear fell down her cheek.

Jarod kissed it away. His promise of protecting his family was sealed with a kiss. It was warm and tender. The love they shared was so great, not even "The Centre" could have pulled them apart. A lifetime of happiness was all they'd ever asked for.

"Will I have children of my own, Sydney? Will someone ever love me? Like in fairy tales? Forever after? Sydney? Happily?"

TBC - Chapter 11

Author's Note: I'm so sorry this was such a short piece. Next chapter will be much longer.