Parker woke from a nap to see a man's figure in the corner. "Who's there?"

"I didn't mean to startled you."

"Ben? What are you doing here?"

"I came to check on you. I'm sorry. I will go downstairs now."

"No, come back." He sat down on the bed. "What were you doing in the corner?"

"I never had a chance to watch my little girl sleep or even to check on her at night. So I came in, just to make sure you were okay."

"Oh. Where's Jarod?"

"He had to go out. He will be back shortly." He held her hand. "How are you feeling?"

"Fine. I guess. It's driving me nuts just laying here."

They heard a noise coming from down stairs. "I bet that's Jarod. I'll be back."

Ben headed out the door.

******

"How is she doing?"

"Fine. She wanted to know where you were."

"What did you tell her?"

"That you had to stepped out."

"Good. You didn't say a word."

"No."

"I'm going to get this up stairs."

"When are you to show it to her?"

"I guess I could now. Do you want to give me a hand?"

"Sure."

******

Jarod stuck his head in. "Are you asleep?"

"No."

"I have something for you."

"What?"

"Close your eyes."

"Jarod! I'm closing my eyes." Her voice changed.

"Okay, then I guess you won't get your surprise." He looked her with those sad brown eyes.

"Fine!" She shut her eyes. "This better be good."

Jarod and Ben came in and sat it down on the floor next to her.

"You can open your eyes now."

Parker saw this beautiful oak finish rocking cradle.

"Jarod...where did you get this?" She exclaimed.

"I had a someone make it for me."

"Who?"

"I can't tell you everything."

She looked up at him with one eye brow raised.

"Okay, he owed me. I helped him out once so, he returned the favor. What do you think?"

"I love it." She smiled.

"I had him make it wider so we can put the twins in it at the same time. I thought we could leave it by the bed until they get bigger and we could put them in their own room."

"Thank you, Jarod." She hugged him tight.

"You're welcome." He kissed her on the forehead.

The phone rang and Parker reached for it.

"I better get going." Ben said as she had the ear piece to her ear.

"Wait." Parker grabbed his arm. "Thanks for checking on me."

"You know I couldn't stay away from my little girl." He kissed her hand and headed out the door. Jarod followed.

"Thanks for staying with her."

"It's my pleasure."

"When is your next treatment?"

"Tomorrow."

"If you need a ride let me know."

"I can get someone else to take me."

"Ben!"

"You have your hands full with Melissa."

"I can always get a sitter for her."

"I'll let you know. Bye."

Jarod shut the door and headed back up the stairs.

******

The next morning, Parker watched Jarod as he shaved, combed his hair, and brushed his teeth in the mirror. She was so jealous that he was getting out of the house.

"Where are you going?"

"I'm taking Ben for his treatment."

"Oh."

"Don't worry I have Simone coming by."

"Jarod, I DON"T NEED A SITTER!"

"Too bad you have one coming."

Her bottom lip stuck out like one of the kids.

"Honey." He walked over to her and sat down next to her. Her hand flew up in his face. "You know someone has to be with you at all times."

She covered his lips with her hand. "Why?"

"Because you won't stay in bed."

"I will too."

"No, you won't."

"Yes. I. Will."

"I don't want to fight. So, rather or not you like it, you have a sitter." He got up and left.

"I will too!..." She yelled. "...stay in bed."

******

Doorbell rang. Jarod opened the door.

"Well...does she know?"

"Yeah and she is not very happy."

"I don't blame her. I wouldn't want a sitter either."

"She will get over it."

Simone looked around. "Where are the kids?"

"Emily has them. She should be bringing them back in an hour. Then you will have five kids." He was referring to Parker.

"Angelo went too."

"No, he's upstairs. Thanks. See you soon." Jarod hurried out the door.

"Simone is that you!" Parker yelled.

"Yes." She entered the room.

Parker stared up at the ceiling. "You know I don't know why Jarod called you. I will be fine until he gets back."

"I didn't mind. Besides, I haven't seen you in a while."

"Fine." Parker sat there a few minutes then decided on another approach. "So, what have you and Broots been doing?"

"Not much."

"Seen a good movie lately?"

"No."

"Been anywhere interesting?"

"No."

'Damn I'm getting nowhere' Parker thought. "How's work?"

"Legacy is fine. Don't worry about it."

"I'm not."

Simone figured she might as well tell Parker what she has been dying to know. "I guess I better tell you now."

"What?" Parker turned to face her.

"Well, Broots and I..."

"Yeah." Parker was getting impatient.

"He asked me to marry him." Simone said blushing.

"What did you say?"

"I told him...."

Parker stared at her. "Told him what?"

"Yes."

"Really? You told him yes."

"Yeah but don't say anything. He wants to get you and Jarod together."

"I won't."

"But I have a little problem."

"What?"

"Debbie."

"What about her? I thought you were getting along great."

"We do. It's just that we don't have a...how can I say this....the relationship that you two have."

"You will have to give her time. We have been through a lot. She is like my daughter."

"I know. I hear that a lot from her."

"She is almost grown. It won't be long until she is out of the house."

"I know."

They heard the door open and voices coming from down stairs.

"I bet that is the kids. I'll be back." Simone left.

******

Parker stared at the clock. It was 3:00 and she hadn't seen Jarod in a while. She was beginning to worry that something had happen to him or her father. Then Jarod walked in.

"Where have you been?"

"I told you I took Ben to his treatment."

"I know but that was a long time ago."

"He wasn't feeling well."

"How is he doing?"

"Better."

"No, really."

"It's true. I stay with him a while. I tried to get him to come back with me and he wouldn't."

"Why? He knows he can stay here."

"He knows. He just didn't want you to see him that way."

"I'm worried about him. I hate that I can't see him as much as I like too."

"He knows. He is more worried about you."

"Why? I'm fine."

"I tried to tell him that."

Jarod sat down next to her. He took her hand. "I think you two have finally found the father daughter relationship you both have been searching for."

"I hope so."

Jarod reached over and kissed her. "I love you."

"I love you too."

"I hate to leave you again but I promised Ben that I would check on him again."

"Go. Tell him that I love him."

"I will." He got up, turned toward her again. "I won't be gone long. Catherine is watching everyone until I get back and that includes you."

She rolled her eyes at him.

The End!