Two days after Parker found out she was pregnant, she chased Jarod
into one of the old run down buildings in town. With her gun cocked
and ready, she walked in quietly. Hearing a noise, she leaned
back against a wall and took a deep breath.

"Jarod, I know you are in here," she called out.
No answer. She yelled again. "You can't hide from me."
She continued walking, looking around
hoping to see him.

She was headed up some stairs when someone grabbed her from behind.
"Shh.." the man's voice said as he placed
his hand over her mouth. "It's me." He let go.

She turned around. He hugged her tight and she pulled away.

"What are you doing? I thought you wanted to see me."

"I do. We have to talk but not here. The sweeper team
is not far behind me."

"Okay, meet me at the Super 8 room number 251 in Milton at 10:00
p.m. Don't be late."

"I won't. Now get out of here before someone sees you."

About that time, Parker saw Willie coming toward the stairs. "Go.
Get out of here."

"I'm going. Be careful." He kissed her neck and left.

********

10:00 p.m.
Super 8 motel

There was a knock on the door; Jarod peeked out the hole at saw
her standing there. The door opened and he pulled her inside.

"What's this about?" she asked as he shut the door behind her.

"I need to talk to you."

"I need to talk to you too."

"You go first."

"No, you can go first. I can wait."

"No, you go. I can wait."

They looked at each other and started to talk. "Go ahead."

"No, go ahead."

"At the same time," she bargained.

"I'm pregnant. Marry me," they said at the same time.

"I know," he said as she answered, "What did you say?"

"I know," he said again.

"How did you find out?"

"I got a message on my email. I think someone has been watching you.
Besides you have been pulling away from me when I try to hold you."

"What does that have to do with anything? Who has been watching me?"
She changed the subject.

"I don't know and to answer your other question, I can tell you are
gaining some weight." He paced.

"Jarod, wait a minute."

"What?"

"What did you say a few minutes ago?"

"Marry me."

"Marry you? I can't."

"Why?"

"Because I can't."

"Yes, you can. You are carrying my baby. I want to be a
part of my baby's life."

"You can still be a part of your baby's life without me marrying you."

"No, I can't."

"Yes, you can."

"No, I can't Melissa."

"What did you call me?"

"You heard me, Melissa. It is still your name, right?"

"I know but I haven't heard you say it in a while. I thought
you forgot it."

"I could never forget you name."

She looked at the clock sitting on the table. "It's midnight.
I have to go."

"No, stay."

"I can't."

"Please. For me," he replied while placing his arms around her waist.

She pulled away. "Well, it is late."

"Thanks."

They got ready for bed. Jarod laid down beside her as she laid on her
side facing the wall not him. He placed his hands on her side.

"Melissa."

"Yeah."

"Well, it's been a while...uh...well...what I am trying to say is...."

"What is it, Jarod?"

"Can I make love to you? I have missed you."

She rolled over to face him.

"It is okay, isn't it? To touch you, I mean."

She looked into his eyes. "Yeah, it's okay to touch me. I have
missed you too."

Jarod kissed her lips.

*********

The next morning, Jarod woke Parker. "Good morning. Time to rise
and shine, sleepy head."

"What?"

"Time to get up."

"You sure are in a good mood."

"Yeah. Now, come on. We are going to be late."

"Late. Where are we going?"

"Shopping."

"Shopping. Why are we going shopping?"

"You will see. Now come on." He pulled the covers back and dragged
her out of bed.

She got dressed and they headed out the door. He took her hand as they
walked down the street to a jewelry store.

"What is this?"

"A jewelry store."

"You will see."

"Jarod, I'm not going in there until you tell me why we are here?"

"I told you. I want to marry you."

"Jarod, I told you, I can't."

"Melissa, listen to me. I love you and I know you love me. You are
carrying my child. I want marry you."

"I don't think this is a good idea."

"At least, go in and look. Please. For me."

"If I go in there, will you leave me alone."

"For now."

"Okay." He took her hand and as they entered the store.

"Can I help you sir?" the man behind the counter asked expectantly.

"Yes, we are looking for a wedding set." Jarod answered as Parker slowly
started around the counter.

"Oh, we have all kinds. What kind are you looking for?"

"I don't know. What do you think, honey?"

"Oh, I don't know. Something simple," she replied as she rolled her eyes at
the way he was talking to her.

"I like this one." Jarod pointed at a diamond ring with several small
stones surrounding it.

"I don't know, honey, that might be too big," she said sarcastically.

The man behind the counter said, "I will let you two discuss this for a
moment while I go check on that couple over there."

"Thanks," Jarod replied as the man left.

He pulled Parker closer to him. "Honey, what are you doing?"

"Jarod, I told you I don't think this will work."

"Trust me." He kissed her forehead and she let out a sigh.

The man walked back to them, "Are you ready?"

"Yes, I think so. She has decided on this one." Jarod pointed at a
small simple diamond ring.

"Okay, sir. But that really doesn't look like a wedding ring."

"I know sir, but that is what she wants."

"Okay, let me get your ring size." He took Parker's ring finger and
sized it. "There you go."

He walked away. Jarod turned to her, "Are you sure that is
what you want?"

"Yes, I don't want daddy or anybody else to notice it."

The sales clerk came back to them. "Sir, you are in luck. I have
that size in my stock."

"Thanks, we'll take it."

Jarod paid for the ring and they left.

"Jarod."

"Yes."

"I'm sorry."

"For what?"

"For being that way toward you. I do love you. I do want you to be a
part of our baby's life."

"So, this means you will marry me."

"Can I think about it some more?"

"Yes." He handed her the ring.

"No, you keep it until I decide."

"I want you to." He handed the ring back to her again.

They walked back to motel and gathered her things.

"Call me tomorrow," she ordered as she left.

"I will."

********

Mr. Parker walked into his daughter's office.

"Angel, I have been looking for you."

"Daddy. I'm glad you found me. I have some things to tell you."

"Let me go first."

"Okay." She watched her father take a seat in front of her.

"Angel, I want to know when you were going to tell me you are having a baby."

"What...how did you know? Are you having me followed?"

"No."

"Then, how did you...?"

"Well..."

"You are. How dare you?" she raised her voice.

"Answer me. When were you going to tell me?"

Broots and Sydney were walking by Parker's office and heard
shouting. They peeked in.

"Parker, are you okay?"

"Yes," she answered loudly.

"Well, I guess we will be going," Broots said nervously.

"Stay," she yelled.

They look at each other and froze. Mr. Parker stood up. "Who
is the father?"

"I can't tell you."

"Why not?"

"Because."

"Tell me who the father is!" he shouted.

"No!"

"Why are you trying to protect him? Do I know him? Does he work here?"

"No!"

Broots could see the anger in her eyes. He wanted her pain to go away.

"I'm the father," Broots said, swallowing hard.

Parker, Sydney, and Mr. Parker's heads turned sharply and glared at him.

"What?" Mr. Parker shouted.

"Yeah, she didn't want to tell you," Broots said as he moved closer to
Parker, placing his arm around her shoulder.

"He's not the father," Parker shouted and quickly removed his arm.

"Now honey, you don't have to hide it anymore. He knows the truth."

Parker gave him a look that could have killed him.

"Daddy, he's not the father."

"Then who is?"

"You really want to know?"

"Yes."

Sydney shook his head no and Mr. Parker saw it.

"You knew all along."

"Well..."

"Daddy, leave him alone. He was only doing what I asked." She walked
over to Sydney. Then faced her father. "I think it time you learned the
truth." She paused. "It is embarrassing actually, I don't know who the
father is."

"What? You're a...."

"A what, daddy. I am saying it was a one-night stand. I can't even remember
his name. I'm sure he doesn't know mine."

"So, you're saying it was a one night stand."

"Yes! Listen to me. I met him a club. We got to talking and drinking.
Then we went back to his place to talk some more and one thing lead
to another. I wouldn't say I am a whore. It was one mistake. How come
when a man does that is a stud or something and when I woman makes a mistake
she is considered a whore."

"She has a point," Sydney spoke out.

Mr. Parker glanced over at him then back to his daughter. "Well, now
what are you going to do? You know your mother wouldn't be
proud of you over this."

"What so you mean, what am I going to do and don't bring my mother into this?"

"The baby."

"Well, I am going to give it up. What else?"

"I think since you want to give it up anyway, you should have it here
and turn it over to the Centre."

"Why? So, Raines can do who knows what to this child."

"You don't want it anyway."

"But I don't want it to be screwed up like everything else associated
with this place."

"It is final. You WILL have this baby here and turn it over to us when
it is born." He walked out.

Parker lashed out. She shoved the things off her desk and screamed.

Sydney walked over to her. "Don't worry we will come up with something."

"So much for that plan of yours." She laughed as a tear fell
down her cheek.

"Are you really giving it up?" Broots asked.

"No, Broots."

He sighed. "Thanks goodness."

Sydney faced her. "Parker, that plan would have worked if you got to
use it. Now, we move onto plan B."

"Oh, and what is that plan?"

"I don't know yet," he whispered.

Parker looked up. "Leave me alone. I have some thinking to do," she
replied as she shoved them out of her office.

"Broots, wait."

He turned around.

"Thanks for covering for me but you could have gotten
in trouble for that."

"I know. I just wanted him to leave you alone." He hung his
head and walked out.

Parker went back to her chair, stared at the telephone, then began dialing.

"Hello."

"Jarod."

"Parker, are you okay?"

"Yeah. We need to talk."

"Okay. When?"

"I don't know. It might be too dangerous. Forget it." She hung
up the phone.

It wasn't long until it started ringing. She sat there let it ring five
times before picking it up.

"What?"

"Don't hang up on me."

"I'm sorry. Jarod."

"Yeah."

"Yes."

"Yes to what?"

"To your question."

"What question?...Oh, that question. You will...You will marry me."

"Yes, but I still need to talk to you."

"Okay, I will meet you at your house tonight."

"Okay, be careful."

"I will."

She hung up he phone, wondering if she did the right thing. She looked
at a picture of her mother holding her when she was a baby. A tear fell from
her eye to her cheek, "Oh mother, I wish you were here."

********

The next day Broots sat in the chair directly in front of Mr. Parker's
desk. Neither man said a word. Broots sat there with his mind wandering.....

What have I done to Debbie?...She doesn't
have a mother now and I just my have lost her
a father. I'm going to die...I'm going to die....>

Mr. Parker cleared his throat. Broots jumped.

"Tell me, Mr. Broots...." he paused for a moment. Rising from his seat
and walking over to Broots. "What kind of relationship do you
have with my daughter?"

Broots swallowed hard, "Well....uh...you see...ummm...
Mr....uh...mmm...Par...Parker...your daughter...and I...well..
.we have a friendly...relationship."

"Define friendly, Mr. Broots." Mr. Parker took a step closer to him.

Looking up, "We take care of each other?" Broots answered hoping
that answer would satisfy him.

Mr. Parker looked down at Broots again and took a deep breath. "Mr..."

The phone began to ring. Neither man moved.

"Sir...."

"Yes."

"May I please be excused now? I have work to finish on the search of
Jarod." Thinking, he was saved by the phone.

Mr. Parker walked away, letting the phone ring. Went to the window and
stared out, cleared his throat one more time, "This is not over."

"I know sir," Broots replied nervously.

"You may be excused."

"Thank you." Broots got up from his seat and hurried out the door
before Mr. Parker changed his mind.

"Broots!" Sydney yelled.

Broots kept going.

"Broots!" he yelled again. This time he caught up him. "Where are
you going in a hurry?"

"Anywhere."

"Sydney, do you know what.....?" he whispered as Parker came to the men
standing in the hall.

"What's going on out here?"

"Nothing." Broots answered.

"Broots was about to tell me what he was doing in your father's office?"

"No, I wasn't," he replied and turned to walk away when
Parker's hand stopped him.

"You were in my father's office?"

"I didn't want to be, honest."

"What did he want?"

"He wanted to know what kind of relationship we had."

"And you said..." "Damn it Broots."

"What? What was I supposed to say?"

"I wish you haven't said anything to begin with."

"I'm sorry. I thought I was helping."

"Well, you didn't." She walked away from the two men standing in the
hall and headed for her fathers office.

Broots turned to Sydney. "What did I do?"

"Nothing Broots. It's her hormones."

"Great. Hormones."

Sydney laughed and walked off. Broots shook his head and
caught up with Sydney.

The End!