Disclaimer: I don't own but just think the fun I could have if I did.
Arthur's note: I want to thank Terri and Greg for the help they have given me.
The next morning, Parker woke up in a better mood. She went into her daughter's room, bent down to where her face was next to hers.
"Good morning, sunshine."
"Mommy," Catherine pulled the covers over her head.
"I thought we would spend some time together today."
"Can we later? I'm sleepy."
"We could but the answers to those questions you want to know will be answered in the next few minutes, not later."
Catherine peeked out form under the covers. "You're going to tell me what I want to know."
"Only if you get up now," Parker whispered in her ear.
"You promise?"
"I promise."
Catherine came out from under the covers and looked for some clothes to wear.
"I'll meet you down stairs," Parker said as she headed for the door.
Jarod stopped Parker half way down the stairs.
"What are you doing?"
"Taking your advice."
"Oh, and which advice are you taking?"
"The advice about talking to our daughter."
"Oh, I see. It would do you both some good." Jarod moved in closer to kiss her.
Parker backed off. "Wait a minute."
"What?"
"Are you trying to steal a kiss?"
"Yes, if you would quit moving."
Parker leaned in to kiss him. Catherine came out of her room.
"Mommy, I'm ready."
Parker leaned back from Jarod, looking into his eyes, "Okay," she answered Catherine. "We'll be out on the beach if you need something." She told Jarod as she gave him a kiss. She took Catherine's hand as they walked down the stairs.
******
Parker and Catherine sat down in the warm sand watching the waves come in. Not a word was spoken for some time.
"Mommy, I thought you were going to telling me who that man was?"
Parker's head turned toward Catherine, "That man....oh yes...he was trouble."
"Mommy."
"Okay, he was looking for revenge."
"On who?"
"On me."
"Why? What did you do?"
"Nothing."
"Then why did he come after you?"
"Well, because of something your grandfather did."
"My grandfather?!" Catherine was puzzled. "Mommy."
"Yeah?" Parker spoke softly.
"Where are my grandparents?"
Parker sat there for a moment, not saying a word, staring across the ocean.
"Mommy!"
"Yeah."
"I thought you said..."
"I am but this is hard for me."
"What is hard?"
"Telling you what you want to know. I always knew someday I would have to tell you but..."
"Mommy." Catherine put her hand into her mother's. "It's okay."
Parker turned her head, "Okay, what do you want to know?"
"That man last night had a gun. Was he going to shoot you?"
"Yeah. He was."
"Have you ever shot someone?"
Parker took a deep breath, "Yeah."
"Why?"
"It's a very long story."
"You said you would tell me what I wanted to know."
"I know and I'm beginning to regret that."
"Mom!"
"Okay, I listened to my father. He fed me lies and I believed them for so long until your father helped me see the light."
"My grandfather."
"Yeah."
"Speaking of grandparents, are you going to tell me why I never see mine? Well, I know that your Mom and dad died but what about dad's?"
"It is where it all gets complicated?"
"How?"
"Well, you see your father was stolen when he was around your age."
"Stolen."
"Yeah. This place I worked for took him when we were children. And when we grew up your father escaped and it was my job to bring him back at any cost."
"Why?"
"Because he knew things."
"What kind of things?"
"Well, he is a very intelligent man and they would have him perform sims."
"Like me and daddy would do."
"Yeah but he found out bad things and left."
"I don't blame him."
"Me either."
"So, you never brought him back, right?"
"That's right. Even though it has been close a few times."
"So, dad doesn't know where his parents are?"
"No but he keeps searching."
"Good," Catherine said softly.
"Mommy, why don't you like Uncle Broots?"
Parker laughed. "I do like Uncle Broots."
"Then why do you give him a hard time."
"Because I like to."
They sat there for a moment watching the seagulls fly by when Catherine looked up at her mother, "Mommy, I'm glad you married daddy."
"Me too," Parker answered softly. She faced Catherine, "Ready to go back."
"Yeah."
They walked back in house. Jarod was sitting on the couch watching TV with the other two. Catherine went up to him, hugged his neck and whispered in his ear, "Daddy, I hope you find grandma and grandpa soon."
He looked over at Parker as Catherine pulled away and headed up the stairs. "Thank you," he called out to her.
Parker walked toward the kitchen when Jarod stopped her. "What did you two talk about?"
"Lots of things."
"I figured that but what did you tell her about me?"
"What she wanted to know. Why? Is there a problem?"
"No. Just surprised." He walked away. Then turned around, "Oh, I forgot. Simone and Sam are coming by later."
********
Later in the afternoon, Jarod let Simone in.
"Is Melissa here?"
"Yeah, she's upstairs with Catherine. She will be down in a minute. Have a seat."
They took their seats and waited for her to join them.
"How's she doing?" Simone finally asked to break the silence.
"Better, I think," Jarod answered.
Parker came down the stairs. "Hey, when did you get here?"
"I just got here."
"Where's Sam?"
"He's coming."
Parker sat down on the couch beside Simone.
"How is Broots holding up?" Simone asked as she picked up a magazine.
"I don't know. I haven't seen him in a while. I'm getting worried." Parker replied as she lowered her voice.
The door bell rang and Jarod sprung up to answer it.
"Sam, it's about time." Parker responded as he walked through the door.
"Sorry. I got here as fast as I could."
"Let's get down to business," Jarod said as he took the chair that faced his wife. "You said you wanted to rebuild."
"Yeah. This time we start out to help people and keep it that way," Parker stated.
"You know I'm all for it," Jarod answered as he picked up a notebook.
"Well, we are going to need a name."
"How about something to be dedicated to Sydney?"
"Or your mother?" Simone added.
"I don't know."
"What about something like The Sydney Green Institute?"
"No," Parker answered shaking her head.
"I got it," Jarod said excitedly.
"Well...." Parker responded.
"Legacy."
"No!" Parker stated quickly.
"Why?" Jarod asked.
"Because."
"'Because' isn't an answer."
"I don't like it."
"Why?"
"It just reminds me of..."
"What? Your father." Jarod finished.
She glared over at him.
"Legacy, after your mother."
"I don't know."
"I like it," Simone replied.
"Honey, you want to rebuild and make a difference in people's lives. That is what your mother tried to do. I think we should call it Legacy after her. We will be remembering her legacy."
"Okay. But we are going to need some more people to help," she finally agreed.
Jarod stood up, paced the floor with his hand on his chin. "I know just the person." He stopped to look at her.
"Who?" Parker asked.
"I'll tell you if he accepts the offer."
"No, tell me now," she ordered.
"No, I'll tell you if he accepts the offer."
"Why don't you tell me now."
"Because I don't want to get your hopes up until I know for sure."
Simone and Sam looked over at each other. "I think we should get going."
"I'm with you," Sam added.
They got up and headed out the door while Jarod and Parker discussed who would be joining them.
*******
It was late and Parker was turning off lights as Jarod headed up the stairs. On her way back toward the stairs she heard a knock at the door. Peeking through the peephole, she saw Broots standing there.
"I know it's late," he said as she let him in.
"It's okay. How are you doing?"
"I'm....okay." He took a seat on the couch. "I'll only stay a minute."
"Stay as long as you want." She sat down beside him.
He sat there a minute not saying a word. Parker looked over at him, "Did Janie get off okay?"
"Yeah." Broots sat there staring at the wall. "Parker...Maybe I should go." He stood and headed back toward the door.
"Broots...wait." She touched his arm.
"Yeah," he replied as he turned back to face her.
"I'm here for you...I mean if you want to talk."
"I'm sorry. I better get going."
"Broots, wait."
"What?"
"You will be okay. There will be other women."
"I don't know. I think I'm through."
"Broots, you can't say that."
"Why not?"
"Because Broots...I fought being with Jarod for a while. Even though, he made me happy and I was afraid of that. You will find someone who will make you happy too."
"What if I don't?"
"You will. Trust me," she said as she placed her arm around his shoulder.
"Maybe I will give it another try but not for a while."
"I understand." She gave him a hug.
"Thanks," he said quietly. "I better get home before Debbie gets too worried."
Parker locked the door after he left and went up the stairs. When she got half way there she saw Jarod smiling.
"How long were you there?"
"Long enough."
He took her hand and wrapped one arm around her. "You did a good thing for Broots."
"He would have done the same for me."
"True, but would you have let him?"
"I don't know....maybe." They entered the bedroom. Jarod sat on the edge of the bed while Parker undressed.
"Jarod."
"Yeah."
"I love you."
"I love you too." He looked over at her.
"What?"
"Nothing."
"Can't I tell you I love you?"
"Yeah...but...."
"But what?"
"What do you want?"
"I want to know who you are going to get to help us run Legacy."
"Good night," he said as he turned off the light and laid down on the bed.
"Jarod."
He didn't answer.
"Jarod."
"What?"
"Give me a hint?!"
"Good night."
"Fine." She laid down beside him, facing the wall for a moment then turning toward him. She kissed his cheek as her fingers made circles around his shoulder.
"I'm still not going to tell you," he stated.
"What? Can I help it if I love my husband?"
"I know you love me but I will tell you in due time."
She gave him another kiss, "Fine! Good night." She laid her head down on his pillow as she hugged him tighter before closing her eyes.
The End!