His mental state changed from loving something or someone so much to totally hating it immediately. Robert Bowman, aka Mr. Lyle became a confidential informant, in layman's term, "SNITCH" for the prosecution in exchange for leniency on his terms and conditions in his sentencing of the attempted murder on Jarod's life. What he felt for Jarod had not implied personal hate or ill feelings towards the "pretender". There had been no justifications for his actions. Lyle's intent was without just cause and had resulted harm to another. He blamed "The Centre". It was a senseless malicious act in his mental condition that motivated him to have tried to take the life of an individual without provocation. Instead of being given the maximum amount of time in prison, he was sentenced to a minimum of five years in exchange for having informed authorities of every illicit doings brought upon "The Centre".

Chairman of The Board, Mr. Parker, Mr. Raines and the Triumverate whom ultimately had control charge of "The Centre" were no longer in existence. The State Penitentiary was now their newfound home.

JMPJMPJMJMPJMPJMPJMPJMPJMPJMPJMPJMJMPJMPJMPJMPJMPJMPJMPJMPJMPJMPJMPJMPJMPJMPJMP

"I'm not a child, I can feed myself." Jarod mumbled as Parker fed him a forkful of mashed potatoes.

"I know. But, I need the practice. Now, say "ah".

Obediently, he opened his mouth. "That's my good boy."

Jarod took a gulp of his water. "Put the fork down? The only thing that kept me going were you and the baby. I love you and I give you my word I always will." He gently caressed her tummy. "I love you both. I never imagined I'd live through this. I was so afraid. I was ready to give up. I've always been the one who helped others. But, I couldn't help myself. The bleeding, the pain was something I never experienced. I was so tired. But, you were here with me all the time. You never left my side. I could feel you. You never gave up on me. I could hear everything you said and it kept me going."

"So, remind me again why you love me so much?" Parker brought her hands to his face and kissed him tenderly. "You've always been a part of me. Now this baby will be a part of us. Sydney and Broots fixed up the nursery. And Debbie helped out, too, with the baby's things when he finally arrives. She's even offered to babysit, if we have plans for the night."

He smiled. "Plans for a night out? No more looking behind our backs, around the corners, no need to look everywhere. And we can thank Lyle for that. He brought down "The Centre".

"I almost lost you because of him, that little weasel. Bastard." She shivered at the thought of losing Jarod.

"Shh, look at me. I'm fine. We're now free from "The Centre". Pleasant thoughts, honey? Think pleasant thoughts, alright? That's what an expectant mother should do, so I've heard. And I'm finally coming home."

Parker sighed a sigh of relief and whispered. "Finally. Home to me."

JMPJMJMPJMPJMPJMJMPJMPJMPJMPJMPJMPJMPJMPJMPJMPJMPJMPJMPJMPJMPJMPJMPJMPJMPJMPJMP

Broots and Debbie waited at Jarod's and Miss Parker's house for the "pretender's" homecoming. A "welcome home" banner hung against their living room wall. Blue and silver helium balloons floated throughout the air. A surprise luncheon had been planned. Sydney had accompanied Parker to the hospital for she was now unable to drive because of her expanding waistline.

Jarod suffered a slight case of sleeplessness due to the excitement of going home. The morning arrived and he waited anxiously dressed in his blue jeans, tee shirt and his leather jacket. But, he never made it home. Instead, he found himself back into a hospital gown surrounded by a doctor and a couple of nurses. They tended to their patient who was painfully laid back onto the bed. Moans were heard throughout the room.

Parker's eyes met Jarod's. Tears ran down her face. One felt bodily pain and the other, inner pain of watching helplessly.

"This is it." He told her.

"Jarod!" She grabbed his hand tightly. "Don't you dare leave me!" She screamed.

"I'm still here, honey."

"You promised everything was going to be alright! You liar! You think this is easy for me? I never expected this!" She cried.

"I'm sorry. Honey, I'm so sorry. But, everything will be over soon."

"Over? It's never going to be over. I'm never going to forget this day!" She weeped and looked at the nurse standing by. "Do something!" Parker then turned to Jarod. "Wake me up. Make all of this go away!"

"It's not a dream. This experience is real." Jarod spoke calmly.

She yelled at him. "Fuck you! Remind me to never have you touch me again! Ever! You think I like spreading my legs before this guy!" She pointed to the doctor.

"Hey!" Jarod threw a cold wash cloth on her face.

Parker screamed. "What the hell did you..." Her scream lasted much longer and painfully than the other times.

"Okay, honey. The baby's going to be here soon. Real soon. Remember your breathing techniques? Okay. Now, inhale. Okay, exhale. You're doing just fine, honey."

"And I said fu...ahhhhhh." The mother-to-be yelled at the top of her lungs. She then panted heavily as sweat dripped down from her forehead. "What did I get myself into?" She spat out.

"Are you ready for the big one? Okay, honey, just push."

"Push? Our baby's a giant!" She hollered. Her patience and strength were gone. Parker heard chuckles from Jarod and the medical staff. She so wanted to have pulled out her 9mm at that very moment.

"It's time! Sweetheart! He's coming!" She was in a semi-upright position. With the help of Jarod and her nurse on each side of her, Parker pushed her hardest. Finally, her baby's head had appeared. The infant was rotated sideways so that his shoulders could easily be emerged. Then, he quickly slipped out. He took his first breath and screamed. His umbilical cord was clamped and then cut.

The baby was first placed in his daddy's arms. Jarod cuddled him briefly before he laid him onto his mommy's abdomen. Parker touched his wrinkled pink skin. "Isn't he just beautiful?" She raised her head to Jarod and smiled. He bent down and feather-light kissed her. She looked at her child. "You were worth every bit of pain. And thank you for waiting until your daddy got better to come out into this world."

Overwhelmed with emotions, Jarod brushed his tears away as he watched his family, the family he never imagined of having at all. It was only in his dreams, a dream which was now a reality and he would never trade it for anything in the world.

TBC - Chapter 15