Jarod watched his daughter as she was sprawled on her bed fast asleep. He pulled the bed covers over her and pushed strands of her hair behind her earlobe. He prayed that she would not be a replica of her mother. Miss Parker supposedly was the daughter of the most powerful man at The Centre. She grew up as another man's daughter which was no consolation. The two people Jarod hated the most in his life were Raines and Mr. Parker.

Once upon a time, he thought Miss Parker was the one he had wanted to share his life with. But, that was once upon a time. She hurt him so deeply, that his feelings for her had changed drastically.

Fashblack

This was not what Parker had expected, but who can blame Jarod. She kept her secret for two years. She angered him so much that his heart pounded so hard it felt as if it had exploded out of his chest.

"Why, Melissa? Why now? What makes you think after a couple of years, you think you can come into my life, unexpectedly, unannounced and uninvited to tell me you have this one teeny weeny secret you've kept from me. That I have a daughter! A daughter! Why didn't you tell me?"

"Jarod, I'm sorry, I'm so sorry."

"Damned it, you deprived me from everything. From seeing her at birth, from hearing her first word, which I'm assuming it was "mama", since she had no idea of what a father is! You deprived me of everything!"

Miss Parker had never seen him cry before, until that very day. He wiped his eyes and picked up the closest item, which was a book and threw it against the wall. She nervously picked it up, but dropped it suddenly at the sound of his voice.

"Leave it!" He hollered.

"Jarod, I came home because I wanted Kayla to know her father and you to know your daughter. I look at our daughter and she reminds me so much of you. I know I can never make it up to you, the lost years, but, just love her."

"I've never had a family of my own and..."

"Jarod, now you have. You have Kayla and hopefully me. I love you."

"You what? Love me? You have a funny way of showing it, darling! I don't need your kind of love. I'll love my daughter and I'll give her a life I never had, you don't have to worry about her. I won't be a father like "daddy"! Or whomever the hell your father is!"

"Let me explain, please. I had gone to a routine physical, besides I wasn't feeling well. I was always exhausted. It never occurred to me that I could be pregnant, until my doctor ran those extra tests."

"Yea! And it never occurred to you to tell me of your condition! Fuck! Look, never mind explaining to me, you don't have to justify any of your doings! It's just plain to see that you fucked up, Parker!"

"No matter how many times I've turned on you, pointed my gun at you, you've never sworn at me before, Jarod. Never."

"I just never said it loud enough! So, I'll say it again . And I'll say it loud and clear! Fuck!"

End Of Flashback

Miss Parker unpacked her bags and headed to her guest room. Margaret had just gotten out of the shower, sat on the bed and patted the sit next to her. She held on to Parker's hand and squeezed it tightly.

"Does Jarod know you're back, dear?"

"I miss Kayla so much, but, maybe I should wait until morning to give him a call. I need to gather my thoughts. I just don't exactly know how to tell him about you. I should really call Sydney first, don't you think?"

"You do what you think is right, Melissa dear."

"Jarod said a lot of hateful words to me. I guess I deserved it. After how I've treated him. What I'm afraid of is that he won't want a life with me. I'll just be the mother of his child and nothing more." Miss Parker laid her head on Margaret's shoulder and weeped.

"Give him time, dear, it will take some time. I promise you it will be alright."

They say time heals everything. What if the one that needs healing can't find the time to forgive?

TBC - Chapter 5