Day One
Russell's Residence

Parker rolled over in the bed to find Jarod gone. Raising up, she saw him in front of the mirror by the bathroom sink. She stretched before getting out of bed.

"What are you doing?" she asked as she wrapped her arms around his waist.

"Getting ready to leave." He ran his fingers over his chin as he moved in for a closer view.

"Do you have to?"

"I'm afraid so." He reached for the razor.

She grabbed his wrist to stop him, before making herself comfortable on the counter in front of him.

"What are you doing?" he asked.

"Don't shave."

"Why?"

"Because I love your whiskers."

"Oh you do, do ya?"

"Yeah...they feel...mmm...sexy." She ran her fingers down his cheek and around his chin.

He looked into her crystal blue eyes. "Well, I tell you what..."

"What?"

"I won't shave if you give me a kiss."

"You got it." She moved in closer to give him a kiss. Hearing tiny footsteps, she pulled back to find Kyle standing there.

"Mommy." He rubbed his eyes.

"Yeah," she replied as she jumped from the counter.

"I'm hungry and I can't reach the cereal."

"Okay. I'm coming." She kissed Jarod's cheek before following Kyle out.

It wasn't long until Jarod came down the stairs.

"Honey."

"Yeah."

"Have you seen my plane ticket?"

"No, because you won't tell me where you are going. Remember."

"Oh yeah," he said as he peeked around the corner. "I found it." He waved it in her face, smiling.

"When are you coming back." She walked into the living room.

"A couple of days."

"That long."

He looked over at her, "Are you going to drive me to the airport?"

"I guess so," she rolled her eyes, teasing him as a smile formed in the corner of her mouth.

******

The Airport
Jamaica

Jarod sat in the chair beside his wife.

"Jarod, why won't you tell me who you are going to see?"

"I told you I will if he accepts the offer."

"Come on tell me now." She grabbed his hand, squeezing it.

The plane is now entering the gate and they will begin boarding passengers soon.

"You know you never did give me that kiss."

"I'll give you a kiss...." she touched his lips gently. "I love you," she said as her lips still touched his.

"I love you too."

Flight number 207 to Orlando is now boarding in gate 47. First class passengers begin boarding then coach.

He pulled away. "That's my flight."

"I know." She held on tighter not wanting to let him go.

"I will call you when I get there."

"You better."

He stood, letting go of her hand, and began walking to the hallway. Parker grabbed him. She gave him one last kiss. "I'm going to miss you."

"Me too. Tell the kids I love them and will see them soon."

"I will." He pulled away again and started walking. He turned to see her still smiling. He waved before disappearing through the door.

Parker stood in front of the window and watched the plane take off before leaving.

******

Russell's Residence
Later in the evening

"Catherine, did you brush your teeth?"

"Yes, mommy."

"Kyle."

"Yeah."

"Sydney."

"Yes, Mommy. I did."

She walked down the hall. "Angelo."

She entered his room. He shook his head yes.

"Okay. Just making sure."

After getting everybody in bed, she sat down on her bed. With the lamp on, she picked up a book and began reading. Her eyes got heavy after a while but she just couldn't go to sleep. Something was missing. She looked over to the other side of the bed. It was empty. She reached for the light. Turning it off, she sat there a little while before laying down. She stared at the clock watching every minute go by. Then she rolled over and grabbed his pillow. Hugging it tight she could smell his scent. Taking a deep breath, she closed her eyes, picturing him there laying beside her.

She finally fell asleep when something woke her. She turned over to look at the clock.

"It's only been 15 minutes," she said to herself.

She got up and checked on all the kids. Before heading back to her room she walked past Catherine's room again. She tip toed in and laid down in her bed. She wrapped her arms around her. Waking her.

"Mommy...what are you doing in here?"

"I thought I heard you so I came to check on you."

"It wasn't me."

"Well,...can I stay in here with you for a while?" She didn't want to tell her daughter the truth.

"I guess so but you are going to have to scoot over."

"Okay." Parker moved over a little bit.

*****

Day Two
Russell's Residence

Parker was standing over the stove trying to cook some eggs when Kyle came down.

"Mommy, what's that smell?"

"I'm trying to fix you breakfast."

"Daddy don't burn them."

"I know," she snapped.

Kyle looked over at her as his bottom lip began to quiver.

"I'm sorry. I'm just not good at cooking some things that daddy is." She gave him a hug.

"I love you, mommy." He turned to walk away when he was called back in there.

"Kyle, I have asked you several times to pick up your toys and they are still laying in that corner."

"Mom, I have picked them up."

"No, you haven't what do you call that mess over there." She pointed.

He walked over there as she followed him. He turned around with his hands on his hips. "Mom, those aren't mine!"

"Don't give that tone of voice young man."

"I'm sorry. But..."

"No, buts."

"Mom!"

"What?"

"Those aren't mine."

"Then who's are they?"

"Daddy's."

"What?"

"Mom, I don't have that Star Wars character or that hot wheels car." He picked the car to show it to her.

"Oh," she replied taking the car from his hand and glancing down again. "Well,.... could you pick up them for me?"

"Okay." He began picking up toys while she gave up on breakfast and cleaned up the mess she made.

*****

Later in the afternoon Parker came down the stairs to hear Kyle talking to someone.

"Kyle, who are you talking to?" she asked as she went toward the back door. As she came around the corner she stopped dead in her tracks.

"Kyle, go to your room."

"But Mom."

"Kyle!"

"Okay," he replied as he hung his head and did what his mother told him to do.

"What are you doing here?" she asked the man standing in her doorway.

"Well,...it's good to see you again too."

"Answer me! What...are..you..doing...here?!"

"I came to warn you about Haven."

"Your a little late for that."

"Oh man. He didn't hurt you did he."

"Oh, like you care."

"I do."

"Spare me."

"Parker, I do care for you."

"Get out, Lyle."

"Parker, listen to me."

"I don't have to listen to anything you say anymore. I told you to get out!"

The three kids came down the stairs as they heard their mother yelling.

"Mom, are you okay?" Catherine asked.

"Get back to your rooms."

"Mom!"

"Catherine!"

"Okay." They headed back up the stairs but only half way. They wanted to know what was going on.

"Parker, listen if you won't hear me out at least let me stay the night."

Parker laughed loudly. "What? Why?"

"Because I have no where else to go."

"That sound like a personal problem to me." She walked toward the door to shut it.

"Parker, please!"

Parker grabbed his hand to free him from her doorway, which he was leaning against. He doubled over and she could see some blood covering her shirt.

"What happened?"

"I thought you didn't care."

"Fine." She closed the door again.

"Wait."

"I'm listening."

"I got into a fight with Haven. He told me he was going to get even since his sister failed to."

"And I'm supposed to believe you."

"Believe what you want but it's the truth."

"Lyle, you and the truth....just don't belong together." She turned around and then back to face him. "So what does this have do with you bleeding?"

"I tried to tell him to forget about it. It's over. He got angry and picked up a letter opener. When I asked him what he was going to do with that. He threw it at me. I laughed when he missed me. He pulled out a knife and came after me."

"It looks like he didn't miss."

"I guess you could say that."

"So you walked around several days...bleeding everywhere," she replied sarcastically.

"No...well...sort of."

Catherine came down the stairs again.

"Mommy."

"I thought I told you..."

"Mom! Please. Let him stay," her voice began to lower.

"Yeah, let me stay," Lyle added.

Parker looked over at Catherine which by this time had Kyle and Sydney standing beside her.

"Fine. One night. That it." She told Lyle as she faced him.

"Thanks." He came through the door.

Parker helped him to the couch. "There are going to be a few rules."

"I'm not a three year old."

"I know but I can't trust you. I'm only letting you stay because my daughter has this 'feeling sorry for people' that she picked up from her father. Lucky you."

"What are the rules?"

"No touching anything, no taking anything, which includes the kids. You stay on the couch and don't move and you can stay."

"What about the bathroom?"

"What about it?"

"Can I get up to use it or do I go on the couch?"

"Don't be a smart ass!" She walked away.

*****

Parker got her kids, including Angelo, ready for bed.

"Mom, why are we staying in your room?" Catherine asked as she watched her mother place a chair under the door knob.

"Because I would feel safer."

"Safer," Sydney repeated.

"Yes."

"I don't understand," Kyle stated.

"That man down stairs is bad."

"Bad," Angelo repeated after her.

"I don't trust him and I would just feel better if we all stayed in here."

"Okay," they answered as they all gave her a good night kiss.

Parker got them tucked in and reached for the light. Before turning it off she checked her gun which she laid in a drawer in the night stand. She didn't want to take any chances.

*****

Day three
Russell's Residence

The phone rang several times before Parker realized what it was.

"What?" she hissed.

"Honey?!"

"Jarod, I didn't know it was you. Sorry."

"I was going to let you know that I am changing my flight."

"Really?" She perked up.

"Yeah, I am coming in at 2 instead of 5."

"Good. I missed you. Are you going to tell me who the mystery person is?"

"Well,...."

"Jarod! You promised!"

"He wants to surprise you."

"Well, at least I know it's not Lyle."

"What?"

"Nothing."

"Did you say Lyle?"

"Uh no. When do I get to meet this mystery man?"

"Today. He is coming home with me. That's why my flight got changed. I have to go. Tell the kids I will be home later. Love you."

"I love you too." Parker hung up the phone. She turned to look at the clock. "Kids, wake up. You're going to be late for school."

"Mommy." They didn't move.

"Come on."

"Do we have to go?" They rubbed their eyes.

"Yes. I have a surprise for you."

"What?" They all asked.

"Your dad will be home by the time you get home from school."

"Yay."

"Now get ready for school." As they are getting ready she headed down stairs to what Lyle was up to.

"Can I help you with something?" she asked as she saw him going through the cabinets.

"Yeah, you got anything to eat around here."

"What do you want?"

"I don't care. Anything." He opened one cabinet and then another.

"Here." She shoved a pop tart at him.

"Thanks."

"Lyle, I want you gone in a couple of hours. Do you hear me?"

"Yeah, I hear you." He took a bite of the pop tart and went back to the couch.

*****

The Airport
Jamaica

Parker waited impatiently for Jarod's plane. She paced back and forth in front of the window. Staring at her watch, hoping the time would pass quickly.

Flight number 180 is now arriving at gate 37.

Parker stopped pacing and watched as the plane pulled up into it's gate. A few people began exiting, no sign of Jarod. She walked closer to the gate hoping to he would be there soon. She stared down at her watch when she heard, "Melissa."

She ran into his arms, giving him a kiss. "Oh Jarod. I missed you."

"I missed you too."

She looked over his shoulder. "Where is this mystery man?"

He turned around toward the exit. "He will be off in a minute. We were assigned different seats."

She hugged him tighter and gave him another kiss.

"Honey, did you miss me that much?"

"Oh yes."

"Hey, there he is."

Parker watched as he walked closer to her.

"Melissa this is..."

"Nicholas," she finished.

"Yeah, how did you know?" Jarod asked.

"Have we met before?"

"No, but your father told me a lot about you," she responded.

A woman walked up to them. "Nicholas, do you want me to get the bags?"

"No. I'll get them," he answered.

"Melissa, this is Michelle."

"So your Nicholas' mother."

"And you are the famous Miss Parker." She stuck her hand out.

"Yeah, I guess you could say that." They shook hands.

"Come on let's get our bags and head home. I can't wait to see the kids."

Walking out to the vehicle, Parker tossed Jarod the keys.

"You are going to let me drive?"

"Yeah."

Arriving at the house, Jarod was welcomed home by three kids.

"Daddy." They all jumped him, knocking him down in the floor.

"I glad to see I was missed."

"Not as much as Mom did," Kyle said.

"Uh."

"Shh..." Parker replied.

"What he talking about?"

"Oh nothing."

"Yeah. I can't wait to sleep in my own bed. By myself." Catherine added.

"Honey."

"What?"

He looked up at her.

"I couldn't sleep."

"At least we won't have to be locked up in mommy's room again tonight," Kyle stated.

"Melissa, what are they talking about?"

"Oh that. Well...we're talk later." She turn to Michelle and Nicholas, "Can I get you something?"

"No, I'm fine." Michelle answered.

"Michelle, you can have Catherine's room and Nicholas, you can have Kyle's."

"Thanks."

Jarod turned to his wife. "Can I see you in the kitchen for a moment?"

"Sure." She followed him.

"What are the kids talking about?"

"Well...you see Jarod...I had someone show up at our door step yesterday and I tried to make him leave but 'your' daughter insisted I let him stay."

"Who?"

"Lyle," she said very low as she walked out the kitchen very quickly.

"Lyle! You let Lyle into our home." Jarod stormed after her.

"Calm down. We have company."

"I can't believe you let Lyle stay here when I wasn't home. Do you know what he could have done to you or the kids?"

"First off, I am very capable of taking care of myself and our kids."

"I know that but..."

"But what?"

"But what if he had done something. I couldn't have lived with myself knowing he hurt one of you."

"But he didn't."

"Yeah, this time but what about the next time."

"There won't be a next time."

"You don't know that."

"Yes, I do."

"No, you don't."

"Oh really. Then what would you have done if he had hurt one of us."

"I would have killed him."

"You know, it's okay. He's gone now. Can we forget it?"

"Fine. But remind me to have a talk with our daughter."

The End!