Bachelor Jarod Chapter 9
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AN/ I don't really remember what is supposed to happen now… I think the two women left should meet the Bachelors parents. But that won't work considering Jarod doesn't know where his parents are so… I'll skip that part and just have them do something fun on their last dates with Jarod!
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Miss Parker awoke early. She stretched in her bed yawning.
She smiled as she remembered the last rose ceremony. Jarod had definitely chosen the right woman. But she wasn't sure she liked it. She couldn't stop thinking of how the other woman would react if Jarod picked Miss Parker. And worse, how Miss Parker would react if Jarod didn't pick her…
Maria and Miss Parker were friends and that complicated things a lot. Miss Parker didn't want to loose Maria. She never had a real 'girl-friend' before, but she was afraid that after their stay in the mansion their friendship would have to end.
Miss Parker prayed she would at least get Jarod. If he picked Maria, she would be completely lonely, all alone in this world, no man, no friend… Miss Parker didn't even want to admit it to herself, but she was terrified.
Miss Parker got out of her bed, got dressed and headed downstairs for the kitchen. She needed coffee…
"Good morning Andi!"
Miss Parker was greeted by Maria, and she had a cup of coffee in her hand. She gave it to Miss Parker.
"Good morning, thanks," Miss Parker was almost shocked. She couldn't believe someone could be that nice. No one had brought her coffee before. Oh my god! She's so nice.
"I'm so glad Lydia had to go home, now it's just you and me!" Maria smiled.
Miss Parker couldn't help but smile back. She thought of Lydia. Yes, she was glad she was out of the game. Lydia had been so angry when she didn't get a rose and poor Jarod had tried to explain why. And Miss Parker had gotten her share of nasty words too. It seemed like Lydia blamed her in some way. Miss Parker shook her head as she thought of her…
She looked at her friend. "Yeah," she said with a small smile.
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Maria was so happy; she was finally on her date with Jarod. Miss Parker was waiting at the house. This date would be rather short and Jarod would meet Miss Parker the same day. Maria was sure he used this dates as the final dates, the ones when he was supposed to make up his mind. Today one of them had to go home with a broken heart. She really hoped she wouldn't be the one. But at the same time she didn't want Miss Parker to be hurt…
This was the last time with the bachelor before the rose ceremony and Maria couldn't help but feel a bit sad. She didn't want to think of it but today could be her last time with Jarod – ever…
"What are you thinking?"
Maria looked up and met Jarod's brown eyes. She smiled a little. "I was thinking that this is… that this could be the end…" she answered. Please, tell me it's not.
"Or the beginning," Jarod reminded her. Maria wanted to believe that, but she wasn't sure. Jarod and Andi did obviously know each other more than any of the girls had known about. Would it be possible that Jarod could pick anyone but Andi?
Jarod saw her sad look and hugged her. "Don't think of that now, okay?" he whispered. Please don't be sad…
"Okay."
Jarod let go of Maria and smiled at her. "No let's go. We have a beach that is waiting for us!" Jarod knew Maria lived by the ocean, and he wanted to take her somewhere there she would feel at home, there she would feel comfortable and free.
Maria smiled. "That seems nice!"
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It was in the middle of the day and the sun was shining down at them as they were walking hand in hand across the beach. They sat down on a blanket under a palm tree and watched the waves hit the shore. It was so peaceful.
"Jarod, I want you to know that whatever your choice tonight will be, I've had such a great time with you. You're an amazing man; I want you to be happy. And of course I hope that I can be the one who'll make you happy… but I'll also understand if you pick Andi…"
"Thank you… that was really beautiful… it means a lot to hear you say that. And I want you to know that, I've enjoyed all of our dates so very much. And I'm sure today will be something to remember forever," Jarod smiled.
Maria nodded with a smile on her lips. "I think it will!"
Jarod leaned closer and kissed her. Firs the kiss was soft, but soon they were kissing passionately.
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Miss Parker met Jarod at a private airport. She couldn't figure out what he had in mind. But she felt nervous, and that's not because she realized they would fly somewhere, she was used to airplanes or choppers. Miss Parker just couldn't get the thought of Maria and Jarod together out of her mind. What if Jarod really liked Maria? What if he had already decided he'll pick her? Maybe he decided to do something special with Miss Parker so she would remember their last time together forever… did he want her to remember him?
Miss Parker shook her head, she shouldn't think like this. But she had to face the truth. Jarod had almost sent her home before, and that was because of the Centre. She had told him so many times, and she just prayed he believed her by now. She was ready to leave the Centre; all he has to do is ask.
Miss Parker followed Jarod to the other side of a huge building, and when she saw the red balloon she realized they weren't going to use a plane.
"Jarod, it that…" Miss Parker's voice trailed off as she looked at the massive thing. Wow this can be really great! Just Jar and me in a beautiful red balloon, how romantic!
"Yes it is!"
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Miss Parker looked down at the world. The view from the balloon was fantastic. Jarod sneaked his arms around her waist. Miss Parker couldn't help but smile as she felt his muscular body against her back.
"Beautiful isn't it?" she asked.
"Yeah, I wish this moment could last forever… just the two of us up here…" Jarod said softly. It can't get any better. Miss Parker agreed.
"Jarod can I ask you a question?" Miss Parker asked. "Have you already decided who you're gonna chose?"
"Jarod was quiet a while. He had been hoping she wouldn't ask that. He didn't want to talk about it with her. The truth was, he hadn't. He wanted to choose Miss Parker because he did love her, because she would understand him completely, she knew about the Centre, she knew about his life. He also realized that could be a problem. He wanted to pick Maria because she was so incredible nice, so easy to be around. Because he knew he could trust her. There was no Centre in her world. But in her case, that was the problem. How would he be able to tell her the truth? How would she react? Maybe he would put her in danger if he picked her…
Jarod realized Miss Parker was still waiting for an answer. "No, not yet," he said in a low voice.
Miss Parker just nodded. That was what she was afraid of.
"Baby, don't think of that now okay?" Jarod whispered. He suddenly realized he had told Maria the exact same thing, except the 'baby' word.
"Yeah you're right, I'm not gonna let that ruin our time together," Miss Parker said. She turned around facing him.
"I love you," she whispered. It was the third time she had told him that now. But she knew he had to hear she was serious about it. And she really did love him. It scared the hell out of her to admit the feelings she was having, all her life she had been fighting them and now when she didn't, there was a chance he would dump her. If he didn't chose her after everything they'd been through, after everything she'd told him, she was sure she would never dare to open up to anyone again – ever.
Jarod couldn't lie to her. "I love you too," he said. The wind was blowing in their hair as they shared a kiss. In that moment Miss Parker felt free, like nothing could come in her way. She was happy!
With a smile on her lips, Miss Parker looked out at the blue sky around them. She wondered if her mother could see her now. She hoped she could. I miss you mom…
When she turned her eyes to the ground beneath them, she came to think of Debbie. She had been the one who talked Miss Parker into this. "Thank you Debbie, for helping me make my dream come true," she said out loud. She knew Debbie would be watching this one day.
Jarod gave her a puzzled look, but decided to not ask. When Miss Parker turned to him again, he looked at her lovingly. "And thank you Andi, for letting me see your true self, for making my dream come true," he whispered so low only Miss Parker could hear him.
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The women arrived to the Mansion one by one. Maria was first. O'Donnell greeted her and accompanied her inside. It was time for the very last rose to be given away.
When Maria walked into the hall and saw Jarod stand there, she couldn't help but smile. Nervously she walked up to him.
"Hi!" she said.
"Hi, you look beautiful!" Jarod said, eyeing her red dress.
"So do you." Oh my god, this is it… please pick me!
Jarod smiled at her. He took her hands in his. "Maria," he started. "I said it before, but I want to say it again, thank you so much for being who you are. I've never met a woman like you, who is so nice and so genuine. I've had a great time with you every time we've been together. You always make me laugh, you make me feel special. I would be a fool if I don't pick you," Jarod made a pause. "But…"
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Miss Parker walked into the hall, she saw Jarod smile as she walked up to him. God, she'd never felt more nervous in her entire life!
"Are you alright Andi?"
Miss Parker shook her head. "No, I'm dying here, I'm so nervous," she smiled slightly. Shit, Jarod please don't hurt me now…
Jarod gave her a compassionate look. Of course she was afraid. He felt sorry for her. "You are so beautiful!" he smiled. She was wearing a thin icy blue silk dress which fit her slender body perfectly.
Jarod took her hands in his and gently squeezed them. "Andi, I have always known our lives have a bigger meaning than I run and you chase," he started, not caring about what the people who were going to watch would think. They would definitely be confused. But he needed to tell her this. "And I think we both know what that is, don't we?" Miss Parker nodded silently. "First, I was afraid you wouldn't open up to me, but you did and I saw the most wonderful person, a woman who can make me feel like no one else ever has. When we are together Andi, it's like the world around us doesn't exist," Jarod was quiet for a while."But…"
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TBC
AN/ So who should he pick? The choice is up to you! Please tell me. ;)