Somewhere Between Hell and a Turning Point

A Pretender fanfic by Miss Howard

Part 7

The Truth at Last

"Okay, Sydney…what kind of dressing for your salad?" Missy asked engrossed in setting the table.

"Italian is fine," he answered quietly.

"Jarod," she called, "how are the steaks coming?"

"Almost done," he answered. "Would you hand me a platter?"

Missy reached for the platter above the sink and walked it over to Jarod standing at the back door. She glanced back at Sydney, "I get the feeling he wants to talk but I can't get him to open up to me."

"Keep trying," is all Jarod offered.

She walked over to him and knelt down in front of him, "Syd," she began quietly, "talk to me."

He glanced up at her, "I don't know how to say this, Missy. You've been through so much."

"The truth, Sydney. That's all I'm asking for. Always the truth."

She stood up and waited.

Sydney stood up and walked over to the French doors leading to the balcony on the back.

"I've always wanted the best things in life for you, Missy." He whirled around to face her. "Haven't I? Haven't I always tried to do the best things for you? To make you happy?"

"Sydney," she started, "just say it. Whatever it is, we'll get through this as a family. You've always been like a father to me, Syd. My mother trusted you, as do I. Just tell me."

"I—"he started, "I've recently discovered some of your mother's things."

"My mother's things?" she repeated.

"Yes. They were stored in a warehouse and when the government cleaned it out…I just happened to be there when they were going through some of it."

She looked hopeful, "and you found something?"

Jarod eased the door open, "May I join you?"

"Jarod…Sydney said that they found some of my mother's things in a warehouse," she said excitedly.

He put the platter of steaks down and stood beside his wife.

"I found her diary," he continued. "In it she described," he paused as if to ask permission to continue. "Are you sure you want to hear this?"

She nodded.

"She described what it was like behind closed doors with Mr. Parker. What he did to her. How he abused her."

Missy reached out for Jarod. "That bastard," she whispered.

"She wrote of fear, desperation and abandonment. And that she didn't want that for you or for the other children."

"She was always trying to rescue the children."

"There were letters."

"Letters?"

"I brought a few with me. To help you understand," he said, pulling two envelopes out of his jacket pocket.

Missy stepped toward them and gingerly took them out of his hands.

"Mom," she whispered, as if to acknowledge her.

"Jarod, would you feed Jake for me? I want to be alone for a while."

"Of course."

"Parker…"

She turned around to face him.

"I promised to take care of you…always. Remember that."

Missy sat on her favorite sofa and slipped off her shoes. She gently opened the faintly scented envelope and slid the letter out and opened it.

My darling daughter…

How excited I was to find out that you were a girl! Someone to always be there for me and whom I can be there for as well. To share in the beauty of the world and not the ugliness that is out there. I want to show you everything. Paris in the springtime, London in the winter. We'll go to Madrid and Cairo and Brussels. We'll pick flowers and paint pictures. We'll sing and laugh and dance. We'll share everything! I am so looking forward to being your mother.

Always my love,

Mom

The second one was dated just before she was born.

My darling daughter…

I must tell you of the two men that will always been in your life.

First there is the man that will raise you, Mr. Parker. He's a chameleon, my love. A chameleon! Beware of him. He doesn't speak the truth. He never has and he never will. He is evil. The Parker legacy is utmost in his mind and he's willing to do anything and everything to make it come true. Do not trust him…ever.

Secondly, there is your real father. The man that loved me to create you, my daughter. He is my light. My protector. My love. No one must ever find out. I feel that they would hurt you both if the truth were ever discovered. He will always be with you and protect you. Not because he knows but because of the promise he made to me. A promise he will never break.

Always my love,

Mom

A single tear slid down her cheek. "Oh, mom," she cried.

"More salad, Syd?" Jarod asked.

"No, no, thank you." He glanced toward the living room once more. "I'm worried about her, Jarod. How do you think she's doing with all of this?"

"She's a strong woman, Syd. You know that. She'll be okay."

Sydney saw Missy standing in the doorway. "Missy," he said, starting toward her.

"And you didn't know?" she whispered.

He shook his head. "Not until I read her diary and the letters. I suspected. That's why I never left. But I honestly had no concrete proof until these things surfaced."

"You're my father," she said softly.

He nodded.

"Daddy," she whispered and fell into his arms.

"Mon chérie," Sydney cried.

Feedback is always welcome.