Jarod walked into his living room, picked up a purple crayon, it was his daughter's favorite color. The corners of his mouth turned up and reminisced back. One day, left alone with Katherine, he frantically searched inside and outside of their home only to have found her as she sat quietly in the corner of his den as she drew stick figures on the wall.
Parker never asked for a better husband and father. He managed to prepare their nightly dinners even after a hectic day at the office as a financial investor. Parker tended to Taylor, while Jarod took care of Katherine. He bathed her and put her down to bed and read her bedtime stories.
"Daddy, read where the prince and the princess kissed and lived happily every after," she squeaked.
He laughed and she giggled. "You know this story already, sweetie, how about I read you another one."
"No! I like this one." Katherine held out her storybook to her daddy.
Their Saturdays were spent having picnics at the park, visits to the zoo or at the playground. Parker watched her husband walked hand in hand with the daughter he does not know is not his own.
This time it was not "The Centre" which pulled them apart.
Flashback
"She's not ours! Katherine's mine! Not yours!" Parker yelled out angrily, then gasped as she realized the words she blurted out. The "ice queen" suddenly emerged after years of hibernation.
"What the hell are you talking about?" She saw the veins on the side of his neck protruded out as Jarod hollered directly into her face.
"Sweetheart. I...I'm just tired right now, not making any sense." She laid her palm on his cheek to caress his skin and tried to calm him down.
He moved her hand away. "Cut the "sweetheart" crap!" He grabbed her arm and for the first time she was afraid of him.
"What the hell are you talking about?" He repeated. "Katherine's not mine?"
Jarod released his hold and Parker nearly lost her balance. "What the hell?" But, no words needed repeated as he read her eyes.
"I never meant for you to find out like this," Parker cried out.
"Who's her father? Damned it, Parker! Who!"
"I-I don't know. Just some guy I met after Carthis...at a bar...I barely remember that night. It was just one night. A month later, we got together. I-I'm sorry."
"And you were already pregnant. I was just some guy who you needed to be a father to your child." Jarod slapped his forehead with his palm. "Some genius! Should have thought something was wrong when you had given birth a month early. But then, women do have early deliveries...but not you! You were on time...because you were already knocked up before I ever laid a hand on you!"
Parker moved towards her husband. "Sweetheart, I'm sorry. I never meant to hurt you."
"All these years...these years...you made me believe she was mine. You made a fool out of me." Jarod leant against the wall and slowly slid down to the floor. He buried his face in his hands.
Parker crouched down. She cried and tried to comfort Jarod. He pushed her away. "Leave me alone. Get the hell away from me."
End Of Flashback
Katherine ran into her father's study. "Daddy!" The tiny figure looked up at her father. "Carry me."
Jarod picked up his daughter and hugged her tightly. Katherine cupped her tiny hands on the side of her mouth and whispered into his ears. "Mommy's crying."
"I know, sweetie pie. I know."
"Mommy's sad. Why?" The little girl asked worriedly.
"Well, sometimes mommies cry and daddies, too."
"All the time? Mommy cries all the time. Make her stop. Okay?"
It was a promise he couldn't make to his daughter. He hated Parker at that moment, for the recent turmoil in their lives. They were married in name only. He came home from the office just in time to tuck his little girl into bed. Taylor sat in his arms as they both stared at the television set until his son had fallen asleep, then carried him into his crib. Jarod then retired to the extra bedroom and slept next to nothing. That was his routine for the last of couple weeks since he discovered Parker's lies.
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There were no more laughter in the house. Barely anyone spoke. A mere "yes" and "no" were the extent of their conversations when asked a question. Unhealthy for the children to live in an unloved relationship between them, Jarod packed what necessities he needed and had made a decision to leave.
Parker walked into the bedroom. Her heart crumbled. The man she loved for all of her life was leaving. Shirts, slacks, underwear and socks laid out on their bed as he threw each item angrily piece by piece into his luggage.
"What...what are you doing?" Her eyes froze at the sight of his belongings on the bed they once shared.
"What the hell does it look like? You don't have to be a genius to know that I'm leaving you!" He shouted and held up a shirt in front of her.
"Sweetheart..."
He stopped his packing and glared at her. "Jarod! In case you've forgotten, my name's Jarod! You know...you've become "The Centre" with your secrets and lies."
"The children...what about the children? You're leaving them?"
"No, I'm leaving you! You think it's easy for me to leave the kids here? Huh? But, I can't...I can't stay. Truthfully, Parker...I can't stand the sight of you! The only thing we have in common are the kids. Other than that, I want nothing to do with you. I'll come by each night to tuck them into bed, but, I won't stay here. I can't stay in the same house. This is no longer a home. You broke that up with your lies!"
"Where are you going?" Her voice trembled as she spoke.
"I'll tell you when I get there! Do as you please...get pregnant for all I care! Sorry for your next poor sap!" He yelled.
They both turned their heads suddenly at the sound of Katherine's sobs who stood at the doorway as she watched her parents in a heated argument.
Parker clenched her teeth. "You woke her up! Baby, let's go back to your bedroom." She held on to her hand, but Katherine quickly pulled away and ran towards her father.
"Daddy?" She wiped her tears away.
Jarod sat on the bed and carried her onto his lap. "Sweetie, daddy has to leave for awhile. So, you be a good girl and watch your little brother for me, okay?"
Her head was pressed against his chest and she cried softly. "Don't you love me anymore, daddy? I'll be good. Stay with me."
He looked into those beautiful eyes of hers and cried. "I love you. Always. I just need to get away for now."
"Mommy, too?"
"No, mommy will be with the both of you. She won't be leaving you."
But, I am. He told himself painfully.
"Nooooooo! Take me with you. Pleaseeeeeeeeeee." Katherine begged. "Daddyyyyyyy! Meeeee!" She pointed to herself. "Stay with me! I'll be good!" She wrapped her arms around his neck and embraced him tightly.
"Hey. It's going to be alright. How about if I stay with you until you fall asleep? And I'll be back to tuck you in every night. Okay?"
"Nooo," she whimpered. Katherine turned to her mother. "Daddy doesn't love us anymore," she said tearfully.
"I love you, Katherine, you and your baby brother. Don't ever forget that. Alright?" Jarod kissed her wet cheek.
"And mommy, too?" The little girl stroked her father's face. Parker waited for his answer, but, there was none. She immediately walked out of the bedroom.
The living room was dark except for a light which came from the lamp post outside. Seated on the floor, Parker leant back against the sofa, she hugged her knees up against her chest, her head hung down as tears fell rapidly out. After about an hour, Jarod walked out of the front door, out of their house and out of her life.
She had wanted to run after him, to have pulled him back into to the house which they made into a home. She wanted to remind him of the laugher and the joy they once shared. But, Parker wasn't about to beg Jarod to have him stay in a loveless marriage. It was no marriage, when the love they shared no longer existed.
Parker kissed that love goodbye.
TBC - CHAPTER 3
