Chapter 20

"Thanks for bringing me with you." Taylor said meekly as Chyna removed her handcuffs and led her into a small room in the state prison.

"Taylor, between you and me you and Randy have both gotten a raw deal. Especially you. I think this visit would be good for both of you." Taylor nodded. It was not the first time Chyna had bent the rules for her. That day, the authorities at the camp thought she had an appointment with an OBGYN.

They were led to a room that was very clean and had fresh paint. There were some tables and some vending machines.

Taylor waited in the small room until Randy was led in wearing the normal orange uniform she had seen him in everyday in the mill.

"Taylor?" He was surprised to see her sitting at the table. He grinned and hurried towards her. She stood and let him take her into his embrace. He glanced at Chyna who sat in the corner flipping through a magazine and did not have to ask how. It was close to Christmas and he only had one wish when his former case worker asked him what he wanted if he could have one thing. She would have gone out and bought him anything she could have reasonably afford but Randy only wished to be able to be in the same room with the people he loved.

"Oh, Randy, you really shouldn't be in here." Taylor wanted to cry when she saw the big bruise under his eye.

"It's not as bad as it looks."

Taylor sat with her hands clasped in front of her at the table. Randy sat down across from her and took them in his hands.

"I've missed you."

"I know you didn't kill Ron and I know you didn't attack the others." Taylor sighed. "And I think Warden Walker knows it too.'

"Walker has never cared for me. This is making his year." Randy smiled. Taylor did not understand how he could still smile knowing there was a possibility he would never get out of jail. It was the worst feeling in the world.

The door opened and they turned to see a woman in her early forties walk in with a little girl who had to be younger than ten.

"Mom." Randy smiled and went to hug her.

"Oh, I'm so glad this is the last Christmas …" she began to sob but choked them back quickly.

"Mom, don't worry. I'll be home next Christmas. I promise."

"Son, don't make promises you can't keep."

Taylor walked over to Chyna.

"Ready."

"yes." She turned and smiled at Randy who excused himself from his family and hurried across the room.

"You're leaving. Already?"

"Oh, I shouldn't Randy. It's your family."

"No come on. I'm expecting a very special visitor and I want you to meet him."

"Okay." She smiled and accompanied him back to where his mother was setting down the large pan she had brought in with her. It was filled with cookies and cakes and it smelled wonderful. Taylor never had visitors of her own and it felt good to be included. John didn't bother to invite her to meet his parents when they came to visit him and they came every week.

Randy pulled a chair out for Taylor and sat down and they talked. Randy's mother was so sweet and his little sister had his personality. They waited for ten minutes before the door opened and a spirited little boy ran away from the woman who held his hand.

"Daddy!" he yelled with a big smile. Randy stood up and scooped him up in his arms.

"Hey, buddy." The woman who had brought the little boy walked up to the table. "Thanks for bringing him."

"It's not a problem. I think it's good for him to see his real family." The pretty blond told him. She sat down at the table.

"Adrian, this is Taylor a very good friend of mine." He told his son.

"Is she your girlfriend dad?" Adrian spoke like he was grown and he didn't seem to like the idea of his father having a girlfriend.

Randy chuckled.

"No." he told him. "But she's real nice." Randy didn't say that he wanted Taylor to be his girlfriend.

"Hi." He waved at Taylor. "I brought my blocks, Dad, you want to play?"

"I'd love to." Randy said and the lady handed him a large bag filled with lots of building blocks. Randy and Taylor walked to a clear area by the window with Adrian and sat down on the floor. Adrian poured out his toys and Randy lay down on his side and they all played with the blocks. Adrian acted like a little engineer, directing them on where to place blocks.

"Here?" Randy joked with his son.

"No!" Adrian playfully slapped his own little head. "Right here daddy." He moved Randy's hand and directed him to place a triangle shaped block on top of a tall tower he had built. Randy placed it on top and the entire thing fell over.

"OH!" They all said in unison. Randy then picked up his son and tossed him into the air as Randy lay on his back. He then brought him to his chest and hugged him.

"I love you buddy."

"I know." Adrian said. "I love you too." He began to pick up his blocks because the foster mother had said it was almost time for them to go.

"Jackie thanks again for letting me see him." Randy kissed the woman cheek and she smiled. Taylor felt jealous.

"Randy, I won't be able to bring him for a few weeks.

"I'm going to come and see him this weekend" Randy's mom said with a smile.

Taylor had hated to see everyone leaving. She had felt like she was part of their family. They were so close and even though their Christmas feast had only been some homemade cookies and cake, they smiled and laughed. No exchanged gifts and everyone seemed to smile while watching Randy and Adrian play.

"Mom's doing great. She's not wheezing anymore and she doesn't seem as tired as she did before." Randy mused as Jackie picked up his son. Randy gave him one last big hug before they left.

"You're little sister is getting to be a handful." His mother laughed as she watched the young girl talking to Chyna.

"Ya that pink hair is something else." Randy laughed. "And I seem to remember you had a fit when I wanted to dye mine blue."

"OH, Randy, I don't have the energy I did when you were little. Besides she makes good grades and she's never in trouble. It was what she wanted for Christmas. The only thing. So I bought the dye and did it myself."

"They were right. The baby gets away with everything." Randy joked then put his arm around Taylor.

"Well, baby. I have to go if we are going to catch the bus before it passes by. I love you sweetheart."

"I love you too Mom." Randy gave her a big hug and kiss. "Hey, you." He playfully punched his little sister's arm. "You better tell that boyfriend I'm coming home soon.'

She cut her eyes.

"I don't have a boyfriend. I'm only eight." Randy gave her a hug. "Take care of yourself kiddo."

"You too."

He watched them walked out.

"That's my family." He said with pride. "What did you think about my kid?"

"He's cute. Looks just like you." Taylor was being honest. Adrian had the same steel blue eyes and tan skin and his facial expression was just like his fathers.

"Best mistake I ever made." Randy smiled. "When I get out of here and get a job, I get custody of him."

"That's great Randy." Taylor said, then realized that Randy had yet to let reality sink in.

"Ya, I'm shocked the judge is allowing it, but I guess any blood relative is better than foster care and I am his father and parents have rights they really can't take away. Since my record will be sealed and I messed up as a kid the judge thought it was only fair to give me a chance."

"I'm happy for you, Randy. I really am. You're going to have a great life."

"It would be better if you were part of it." He mused. He motioned for her to sit down at the table. He took her hand. "I love you Taylor." He dipped his hand into his breast pocket and pulled out a gold ring with a heart shaped sapphire with tiny diamonds encrusted on the band.

"Randy …" She couldn't believe he was doing what he was doing. He dropped down to his knee and held the ring out.

"I know I have been a jerk, but that's not me. I mean I'm not like that, not out there. I want you to be my wife." He slipped the ring on her finger and it fit perfectly. "I had my mother bring this to me. It was the only thing of value my grandmother had. I want to start a new life and put all this behind us."

"If you get out of here, you'll be going home in four months and I'm dating John." She told him even though she had decided to break it off with John; she didn't want him to think that she would run to him. "And what you did before …"

"Don't answer me right now, Taylor. Just wait. Three years from now on January fourth, I'm going to be waiting outside that gate. Give me your answer then."

"Orton, times up." The officer called from the door and Randy gave her a smile and patted her hand. He kissed her cheek and he walked away. She wasn't sure she would ever see him again.

Taylor was still stunned when she returned to the complex. John put his arm around her as soon as she walked up to the group. Randy's words still echoed in her mind. But she couldn't marry Randy. How could she tell him without hurting him?