Author's Note: Hooray, I've updated. And I'm just spitting out filler chapters by the truckload aren't I?

Chapter Five: Compromise

After a long several hours of driving, Lisa, Ashley and Kyle had stopped by a small restaurant to eat. Things went on somewhat smoothly until Lisa's phone started ringing.

"Hello?"

And all too familiar voice answered, "Hello, Leese." Jackson's voice was cold and impatient. "I'm pretty sure you've been waiting for this call now."

Lisa's stomach knotted. Kyle and Ashley watched on with intense curiosity, both desperate with hope for Jake and Cheryl.

"Jackson, listen to me. I swear that I never told the police or anyone in my family about this."

"First off, stop lying. You're really bad at it. Second, I'm not calling about you; I'm calling because of the brats you spat out."

"Whatever they did, don't hurt them, Jackson! I swear to God, if you did anything to them-"

"You know, Jake really is a lot like you. And don't even get me started on Cheryl. You really must have a lot of patience, because they sure are quite stubborn."

Lisa desperately tried to keep herself together in the small diner, running to the bathroom where she would have some privacy. "Please Jackson, they're just kids."

"Oh, I beg to differ on Jake though. If you were in my shoes right now, you probably won't think so highly of him."

"Just cut to the chase, Jack. Why are you calling me?"

"It's simple- my patience is wearing thin, as fun as your kids are. I've decided that we're all going to be meeting in the Best Western Hotel in Delray Beach the day after tomorrow. The room number is 4080."

Lisa snorted. "You've got to be kidding me."

"It seemed appropriate."

Lisa's heart started beating five times its normal rate. She was worried, and scared. But she had to save her son and daughter. "Okay, I'll meet you there. But if you done anything to my kids, I'll make sure you'll wish you were back in prison."

"Fair enough. Bye." And with that, Jackson hung up.

Lisa closed her phone and for no apparent reason, she began to cry. 'Why? I've worked so hard, and now it's all gone straight down the tubes. Haven't I suffered enough? Wasn't carrying Jackson's child enough punishment?' Tears kept pouring down Lisa's face. She cried for everyone- her Cheryl, for the suffering she was going through. She cried for Jake, for lying to him. She cried for Ryan, who didn't deserve the pain he was going through right now. And finally, Lisa cried for herself, because her best simply wasn't good enough.

"Come on, Lisa, you have to push!" one of the nurses, named Ellen, yelled.

Lisa screamed as she followed the doctor's orders. "I feel like I'm splitting in half!" However, after several tense moments, she felt it slip out, and the piercing cry of a baby was heard.

"Congratulations, Mrs. Reisert, it's a boy!" the doctor said.

All those months had been hard to put up with, but Lisa finally felt one of the burdens lifted off her shoulders as she saw her new son. And everyone bought the lies she told them. Even though she felt guilty, it would pay off in the long run. No one would ever know.

"Do you want to hold him?" Ellen asked.

"Yes," Lisa answered with a weak smile. She held her arms out and gently held her new son, Jacob. He was no longer crying, but was now smiling. His smile was very much like hers, full and wide. However, Lisa also was shocked at how much Jake looked like his father. He had the same blue eyes and although he didn't have much of it, Lisa could see a few strands of dark brown hair. It was almost too much.

However, Lisa also saw how Jake's eyes were happy and innocent, free of the cold darkness held in Jackson's. She was determined not to let her child remind her of Jackson. It amazed her how something so beautiful and wonderful could be created from one so terrible. But it wasn't Jake's fault Jackson was his father, she would love him all the same.

After Jackson hung up, Cheryl was screaming, "I wanted to talk with Mommy!" Jake had to hold her to keep her quiet; he didn't want their mother to think they were hurt.

"Oh, be quiet would you? Or else I'll cut your tongues out. You'll get to see her again, and when this is all done and over with, you'll be living together, happily ever after again."

Jake finally had it. "Would you just shut up and leave Cheryl out of this? I'm getting sick of your empty threats. If you're going to kill me, then fine. Go ahead and do it. I won't stop you. I'm not afraid. But stop saying you will when I know you won't. You aren't going to kill me or Cheryl, so stop acting like a righteous know-it-all."

Jackson didn't reply, but about half an hour later he spoke. "You know what, Jake? I think you just grew up a bit."

Lisa, Kyle, and Ashley were back in the car, getting ready to go to the next town before meeting with Jackson. A heavy sensation filled Lisa's stomach. She was worried and almost felt sick. Ashley was the first to notice.

"Um, Mrs. Reisert, are you okay?"

Lisa just couldn't lie anymore. Before she could get a hold of her self, she replied, "No, I really am not okay."

Kyle was concerned and tried to comfort Lisa as well, "Hey, Mrs. Reisert, it'll be okay. We'll meet him and get Jake and Cheryl back, and then the police will come and arrest him-"

"No, I…" Lisa took a deep breath before speaking again, "Look, I need to tell you something very important about Jake. Can I trust you both?"

Ashley was shocked. "O-of course, Mrs. Reisert. Jake's our friend. If there was something wrong with him, we don't want to be the last ones to know."

"It's really not easy to say this. I've been keeping it a secret for so long. Even Jake doesn't know about this."

Kyle reassured Lisa, "Just take your time."

Lisa took a deep breath and revealed it. "Ryan isn't Jake's real father,"

A few moments of an awkward silence followed before Ashley broke it. "Okay, that's pretty shocking, but why are you telling this to us now?"

"Because Jake's real father is holding him and Cheryl hostage."

If it were possible, Kyle and Ashley's jaws would've dropped to the ground. Kyle choked, "Oh God, you don't mean…" He couldn't bring himself to say it.

"Yes. Jake's true father is Jackson Rippner."

A/N: (laughs evilly) Oh yes, the secret is slowly pouring away. I'm hoping for Ryan (Lisa's husband, in case you forgot) to come back in his own chapter, possibly the next one or the one after. I'll just have to wait and see. Oh, and Happy Thanksgiving!