The Letter
By: G. Barton

Parker came home one day after work. It has been a week since she found out the truth behind Raines' death and her fight with Lyle. She walks in the door. Jarod is cooking dinner.

"Hey, you're home early." he said as she came through the door.

"Yeah, I am looking for some papers. Did I happen to leave them here this morning?"

"I haven't seen any. What are they about and I will help you look?" he asked.

"Some papers that daddy left before he died."

"No, I haven't seen them." Jarod replies.

"Okay, I am going to look in the bedroom. I may have left them in there." she gave him a kiss and walked away.

She gets into the bedroom. She finds a stack of paper in the corner. She goes throught them. "They're not here." she says to herself. She keeps looking. She opens a draw and finds some pictures of her and Jarod in their earlier years. She pulls them out and starts looking through them. She comes across a letter. Her name is written on the envelope so she opens it. She pulls out the letter and starts to read it.

My dearest Angel,

I writing this letter to confess some things to you. I only wish you were still here with me so I could tell you in person. But then again, I don't know if I could face you after this. The guilt as gotten so bad that I can't look at myself in the mirror anymore. I thought this letter would help bring me peace.

I want you to know that I always thought you were alive but I could never find the evidence to prove it. You did a good job of hiding but what should I expect, Jarod always managed to stay one step ahead of us. Even though I am writing this letter like you were gone, I never gave up on you. I may have given up on hunting you, but never you being alive. I knew you were finally happy and being with Jarod is what made you that way. I am sorry that I couldn't see that when you were here. Well, that is enough of that. Now down to the real reason I wrote you this letter.

I want you to know that I never told anyone about your marriage to Jarod. I had to honor that since you left me and never came back. I felt I had to do it for my granddaughter's sake. I'm sorry that I was never there for you. I only wish I could have been there for her but I understand why you wouldn't let me.

I know it seems that I was always setting you up for something. I never wanted to hurt you but I had to prove to the others that you could handle it because you were my daughter. I had to test your abilities on how far I could push you. I guess I just pushed too far this last time. I know now it was wrong but I didn't know how to raise a child alone. I did the best I could but now, I know it was wrong. I do love you. You are my Angel. I know I didn't always show it but I did. I didn't know Lyle was going to kill you or supposely kill you. That was never the plan. I send him down there to bring Jarod back. I knew if you went to protect him, he would follow to protect you and I was right. But shooting you was never in the plan. I just wanted Jarod back where he belonged. Now, I know that was wrong too. My granddaughter would have ended up like you, raised by one parent. In a way, I am glad Jarod ran off with you.

I also wanted to to tell you that I am sorry for taking your mother away from you at such a early age. I am not saying that I killed her but I do feel responsible for her death. I'm sorry you had to find about Lyle the way you did. I didn't even know myself for a while. I know someday you will learn the truth because you are like Jarod. You won't give up until you know everything. You see, I'm not your real father. Don't be upset with your mother. She didn't do anything wrong. In fact, she was innocent of the thing. The truth is I can't have kids and your mother wanted some so bad. I talked her into artificial inseminate. Raines and I were working on an experiment and we needed your mother. She carried the gene we needed to create a genius. The only problem was you were a girl not a boy. Raines wanted a boy because girls are so emtional. But when we found out she was having twins I thought this is our chance. Surely, one of you would be a boy and one of you were. The only problem was Raines told me my son was dead. He lied to to me. He had an idea and cut me out of the deal. Then he discovered Jarod. Jarod was his ticket to the experiment. So you see, I couldn't take you away from your mother. She loved you so much. That is why you were raised at home not at the Centre and why I had to push you so much. I wanted to prove to Raines that you were just as smart as anyone else that he could have chosen. The only problem was your mother found out. Once again Angel, I'm sorry.

I know you probably not want to hear this but I am going to say it again. I always believed you would come back to me. I never for once believed you were dead even when Sydney brought me you ashes. I never for once believed it was you and I still don't. The truth is I am still searching in my heart for you so wherever Jarod took you I know you are safe. If you do come back home someday you will find your house and office the same. I couldn't bear to pack your things or sale your house so, I left them the way you did the last time I saw you.

There is one more thing I ask of you before closing this letter. I know you are probably angry and/or upset with me but I want you to tell my grandchildren that I love them. I can imagine Catherine growing up and looking like you. As far as my other grandchild that I never seen, I am sure whatever you had he turned out beautiful too. I know you and Jarod created beautiful, smart, honest, and caring children unlike their grandfather. So, if you do decide to return home I hope you find this letter and I hope I am gone so I don't have to face you when you discover the truth behind your past.

I could tell more of your mother was coming out in you. Then, I knew I lost all control of you like your mother. I hope some day you can find it in your heart to forgive me.

Love,
your father

Parker read the letter and sat quitely in front of the window. Staring out with tears rolling down her cheek, Jarod walks in.

"Honey, did you find your papers?" he asked as he walked over to her. He could see the tears falling. He put is hand on her shoulder and said, "Are you okay?"

She didn't say anything. She kept staring out the window. Jarod saw the letter laying in front of her. He picked it up and started reading it. Parker got up and paced the floor. Jarod sat down. He couldn't believe what he just read. He walked over to her and put his hand on her shoulder again. She shoved it off and walked over to the wall. She doubled her fist and hit it. Knocking a hole in the wall. Then she slid down to the floor, crying. Jarod walked over to her and put his arms around her. She sobbed with her head buried into his chest. "I was just an experiment to him." she finally said.

Jarod holding her tight, said, "I know you are upset but I want you to know that you were the best experiment he ever did."

Parker looked up at Jarod. Not saying a word. Jarod said, "If he hadn't created you I wouldn't have you right now. We wouldn't have three beautiful children."

She laid her head back down on his chest. "I don't know why I let him get to me. Even dead, he won't leave me alone." she said softly.

Catherine and Kyle walked in and saw their dad holding their mom. They walked over to her and hugged her.

"I love you, mommy." Catherine said.

"Love you." Kyle said.

"I love you too." she whispered without looking up.

"Why don't you two go wash up for dinner? I will be there in a minute." Jarod said. Catherine took her brother's hand and lead him away.

Jarod said, "Why don't you rest awhile? I will save you something to eat." He picked her up and laid her down on the bed. She laid there silently. Jarod walked out.

"What is wrong with mommy?" Catherine asked.

"It's nothing. She will be fine. Now, what do you?" he said trying to change the subject while fixing their plates. After dinner Jarod got things picked up and washed.

Parker was asleep on the bed. She rolled around and woke suddenly. She had a dream about her father. She got up, grabbed her purse and keys, and headed out the door. Jarod had the kids in the tub. He heard the door shut. "I'll be back." he said as he went to see what was going on. He opened the door and saw Parker getting in the car.

"Where are you going?" he yelled.

"I'll be back shortly. I have something to take care of." she said as she yelled back at him.

"If you wait a minute I will go with you." he said.

"No, I have to do this alone." she said as she put the car out of park and left.

Jarod went back inside. He was worried about her. He got the kids cleaned and tucked in bed. He sat up a while waiting on her. Then finally gave up and went to bed.

*********

Parker walked up to the tomb stone. She sat down beside it. "Daddy, I came to tell you some things." she started saying. She took a deep breath and started again, "I'm sorry that I had to find out this way. I was very angry at you but then Jarod told me something. He said I was the best experiment you did. I guess he was right. I am only sorry that you took mom away. Deep down I know she found out the truth, but killing her was a bit much don't you think. I also know mom was planning on leaving with me. I feel that this is the real reason she is gone, not her finding out the truth. You didn't really want me but you didn't want her to take me either. As a mother, I know what you will do to protect your children but I don't think killing the other parent was a solution, only a problem. You were right about one thing. Jarod did do a good job of hiding his family. I love him and my kids. I'm only sorry that I couldn't stand up to you and tell you the truth." She gets up and walks over to the other side of the grave. "I'm sorry mom. I love you." she says softly. She turns and walks away.

She gets back in her car and drives around before going home. She walks in the house and goes to the bedroom. She changes clothes and slips in the bed. She puts her arms around Jarod and lays her head on his shoulder. He moves and says, "Do you feel better now?"

"Yes." she whispers.

"Did you tell him everything you wanted to?"

"Yes. How did you know?" she asked.

"Because I know you used to visit your mother's grave and tell her everything."

"I love you, Jarod." she says. She gives him a kiss and falls asleep.

"I love you too." he whispers. He holds her tight as he fell back to sleep.

The End!

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