Parker woke up next to Jarod. She didn't feel good but knew she had to go in. She bent down toward Jarod's sleeping body, kissed him. His eyes opened.

"See you later tonight."

"I'll be here. When are you taking leave?"

"I'm finishing up the week."

"Good. I love you."

"I love you too." She waddled out.

**********

Mr. Parker walked into his daughter's office.

"Angel."

"What?"

"I think you should stay here for the remainder of your pregnancy."

"What?"

"You are having the baby here, right?"

"No, I told you I am giving the baby up."

"Yeah, I know that. So if you stay here then we can take care of you."

"Daddy, you don't understand. You are not getting my baby."

"Angel, I thought we had a deal."

"I never made that deal with you. You are the one that made that deal with yourself."

"Well, I think it is in the best interesting of your baby for you to turned her over to us."

"Well, you thought wrong. There is no way in hell you are getting this child." Parker felt a sharp pain in her lower stomach. She tried to hold in the pain until after her father left.

He looked over at her. "Are you okay?"

"Yes, I'm fine. Why?"

"Because you look funny."

"I'm fine. Now if you excuse me I have a meeting with Sydney." She gathered up some papers, hoping her father would get the message.

"Okay." He left.

Parker picked up the phone, dialing Sydney's number. The pain began to get sharper. Finally, he answered, "This is Sydney."

"It's about time. It rang seven times."

"Parker, are you okay?"

"No, Syd. I need you to get me out of this place soon."

"What's wrong?"

"Syd, I don't have time to explain. Now, get over here."

He left his office and ran into Broots in the hall.

"Broots, I might need your help."

He followed him into Parker's office.

"What is it?" Sydney asked.

"Syd, I think the baby is coming."

"But I thought you were due for another two weeks."

"I'm not but I guess she is ready. You have to get me out of here. My father wants to keep her."

"How do you know?" Broots asked.

"He just left. Now, move it," she snapped.

Sydney helped her up from her chair. "Okay, hold onto me and we get out of here now."

"Thanks." They walked carefully toward the outside door.

Running into her father. "Great," she sighed.

"It's okay. I'll take care of it."

"Angel."

"Daddy." She squeezed Syd's arm as another pain came.

"Where are you off to?"

"Lunch," Sydney answered.

"This early."

"Yeah, we want to get a good table," she replied.

"Okay, see you later." He walked on by.

"That was a close one," Broots announced.

"Broots, where are you parked?"

"Over there, why?"

"Because I am further away. I believe you are closer."

"Oh no. Not in my car."

"Broots."

"Okay, fine." He helped her in the back seat.

"I'll drive," Sydney said, taking the keys.

"It's my car." Broots grabbed the keys from the old man.

"Broots, do you think you can drive calmly with her in labor?"

"You have a point. Okay." He handed Sydney the keys.

"You sit in the back with Parker."

"No way."

"Yes," Parker grabbed his shirt and pulled him in with her.

"Parker, don't make me."

"Broots," she hissed as another pain came.

"Okay, okay." Sydney slammed the car door. He got in the driver's seat and took off.

"Where is Jarod? He should be here." Broots replied nervously.

"Call him," she demanded.

Sydney handed Broots his phone. "What's the number?"

Parker grabbed the phone from him and dialed the number. "Here." she handed it back to him.

"Hello?" Jarod said softly, wondering who was calling.

"Uh..Mmm..Jarod?" Broots asked.

"Yeah."

"Parker is in labor."

"Where she is?"

"Right here."

"Where is right here, Broots?"

"In my car."

"Give me the damn phone!" she yelled. "Jarod, I need you."

"Okay, hold on tight. I will be there. Where are you?"

"We are coming up to Main and Fifth Street. We will come by and pick you up."

"No, I will meet you. Don't come here."

"Why?"

"Because I think they are watching the house."

"Then how in the hell are you going to come to me?"

"I will. Meet me on the corner of Hobson and Woodbine."

She hung up the phone. "Go to the corner of Hobson and Woodbine."

"Uh...Sydney." Broots said calmly.

"What?"

"I think her water just broke." He responded with his eyes open wide. "I can't stay back here." He started to climb up front when she grabbed his arm.

"Yes, you can," she decided, pulling him back down into the seat.

"Parker, please. I'm going to pass out."

"No, you're not. Breath with me, Broots." They both took deep breaths.

It wasn't long until Broots was out like a light. Parker shoved him, "Broots! Broots!"

"What is it?" Sydney asked.

"Great! He's out." She rolled her eyes. "How much longer, Syd?"

"We are almost there." He drove down the next street and stopped. Jarod hopped in.

"What's with Broots?"

"He passed out. Can you believe it?" Parker said as she breathed between pains.

"Have you called Jasmine?"

"No." She grabbed his arm letting go of Broots.

Broots came too. "What happened?"

"You passed out." Sydney said laughing.

He looked up to see Jarod. "Good, I can get up front now." He climbed over the seat.

"Where to now, Jarod?"

"I don't know. Keep driving."

Parker dug her nails into his arm. "Jarod, have I told you that I really don't care for you at the moment?"

"No, honey you haven't but I'm guessing you are going to now."

"Yeah."

Sydney drove by an old country vet's office at the outside of town.

"There!" Jarod yelled.

"Where here?" Sydney asked.

"Yeah."

Parker looked up. "Oh, no! I'm not having my baby at a vet's office."

"Honey, we have no choice. It is either here or the car."

"I would rather take my chances in the car."

"Please not in my car. Go in, please." Broots begged.

Jarod helped her out and to the door.

"Jarod, I really want to kill you right now."

He laughed.

"What's so funny?"

"You know how many times I have heard that and you haven't done it yet."

"Well, I'm going to this time."

"Sure, honey. Whatever you say."

Jarod knocked on the door. An old man with limp opened to the door.

"Hi folks. Can I help you?"

"Yes, my wife is in labor and I was wondering if you could help us?"

"Sure, come on in. I must tell you though I have never delivered a baby, only animals."

Parker glared at Jarod.

"It's okay," he whispered in her ear.

"I'm really going to kill you for this time, Jarod."

He helped her to a bed.

Sydney took the phone and began dialing.

"Who are you calling?" Broots asked.

"Her doctor."

"Good idea," Broots answered nervously.

"Jasmine, this is Sydney. Parker's friend."

"Yeah."

"I hate to bother you but she has gone into labor and we can't get to the hospital."

"Where are you?"

Sydney explained where they were and hung up the phone. Jarod helped his wife into the bed.

"Honey, how are you feeling?"

"How am I feeling?! I'm having a baby at a vet's office. How do you think I am feeling?"

"Sorry."

Broots listening to the yelling, "I've got to get out of here." He took off out the door.

"I never should have let you touch me!" she yelled in his ear.

"Calm down. Everything is going to be okay."

"Easy for you. You're not the one having the baby."

Sydney comes over to the bed. "What can I do?"

Parker grabbed his shirt. "You can kill me."

"Honey, it's not that bad," Jarod said trying to calm her.

"'It's not that bad.' How would you like it if something the size of a watermelon came out of you?"

"Okay, it's going to be bad." He quickly changed his words.

"My lower back hurts."

Jarod went over to her and began massaging her lower back.

"Don't touch me!" she growled between contractions. He quickly removed his hands. Turning toward Sydney, "Is Jasmine coming?"

"Yeah, she is on her way but I don't think she will get here in time."

The old man entered the room. "Here little lady, I found something for the pain."

She looked at him as he came closer with a needle.

"What is it?"

"Do you really want to know?" he answered.

Feeling another contraction coming on, "No."

He gave her the shot and she began to feel the labor pains easy up slightly. She turned to Jarod, "Honey, will you rub my back?"

"Damn, that's some good stuff. Can you give me some of that for later?" Jarod walked to the bed and began to massage her back gently.

The vet looked at him funny.

"He means to give it to her everyday." Sydney replied when he saw the look.

"Jarod."

"Yeah, honey."

"I feel like I have to push."

"It's show time," Sydney said.

Looking over at Sydney. "Do you want to help with the delivery or do you want me to?"

"You can," Sydney answered. He sat down beside Parker, holding her hand.

"Okay, push," the vet ordered as Jarod stood behind him.

Parker breathed heavily and pushed.

"I can see the head. Come on."

As she started to push again, Jasmine walked in with Broots.

"Oh man." Broots said as he hit the floor.

"I'll get him," Sydney said, leaving her side.

Jarod rushed to his wife's side as the vet let Jasmine take over.

"Your doing good, Parker. Push again."

She grabbed Jarod's arm and pushed. Soaked with sweat, "Jarod."

"What?"

"I'm sorry for what I said earlier."

"It's okay."

"Push again. You're almost there."

"I can't. I'm tired."

"Melissa, you have to. I love you." He kissed her sweaty forehead.

"Come on, one more and we are home free."

She looked into his eyes, "Ow...." she yelled as she pushed for the last time feeling the baby tear her as she exited Parker's body.

There was a baby crying. "You did it," he said smiling.

Jasmine laid the newborn on Parker's stomach while she cut the cord. "Would you like to hold your daughter?" Jasmine asked her.

Laying back against the pillow, with tears falling, "Yes," she answered tiredly. Looking at the baby on her.

She wrapped her up in a blanket and handed her to Parker. She counted her tiny fingers and toes as her newborn daughter held onto her pointer finger. "Oh, my God!"

"What?" Jarod answered wondering what was wrong.

"She looks just like you."

"Is that a bad thing?" he asked as he kissed his daughter's little head.

"No, it's just...."

"Shh...It's okay. I know. We will worry about it later. Right now, let's just enjoy our daughter."

Broots came to. "Is it over?"

"Yeah." Sydney said as he helped him off the floor.

"What did she have?"

"A girl."

After they got Parker and the baby cleaned up, Sydney pulled Jarod aside. "What is the plan?"

"Well, I am going to take her out of here tonight and move them somewhere safe for now. Then work on the rest of my plan."

"I appreciate your help, Sydney."

"It was nothing. You can go to my cabin, if you like."

"Thanks, but I have a feeling they will be watching it. I have to get her out of the state, far away."

"Where are you going?"

"I don't know yet."

"We have a few hours before it gets dark. I will come up with something by then."

"Let me know what I can do."

"You have done a lot. I'm afraid they will do something to you now, as it is."

"Don't worry about me. I got in too deep when she told me she was pregnant. I have to protect her and that baby. You are my only family."

"Thanks Sydney. I might let you help me get her out of town. Then you and Broots will need to head back before they get suspicious."

Jasmine walked over to them. "Jarod."

"Yeah."

"Please tell me you going to take care of them."

"Of course, I am. That's my family."

"Good because it is just a matter of time before they come."

"I know. We're leaving at dark. Thanks for coming."

"No problem. She is resting now. Everything looks fine. She and the baby are both doing great."

"Thanks. Now you should probably get out of here before all hell breaks loose."

"Call me and let me know where you are."

"I will. I will have Sydney call you when we are safe."

"You have a beautiful daughter."

"Thanks," he said as he made sure the coast was clear.

He watched Jasmine leave. "Okay, now where can we go," he said to himself.

*********

It was dark and Parker was still asleep. Jarod went over and picked her up.

"Where are we going?" she said sleepy.

"Shh...go back to sleep."

"Jarod."

"What?"

"Where is the baby?"

"Broots, has her. Go back to sleep."

She fell asleep again. Jarod put her in the back seat.

"Do you have everything?"

"Yeah. Let's go." Jarod shut the door.

Sydney drove off into the dark.

The End!