10.18 When One isn't Enough

Parker and Portland returned home with not one, but three babies. It was almost enough to make any one else cry, Parker just beamed, "I suppose the baby room is too small."

It was true. The baby's room was designed for just one baby. Portland thought it would be easier to care for the babies if they were all together. That night Parker disassembled his exercise equipment and moved it into the smaller bedroom. The triplets now had a room to themself.

Portland felt better now that she wasn't hauling the extra weight around. Parker saw her in a different light. Not only was she beautiful but she was now the mother of his children. He wrapped her in his arms, "I think is time we make it official."

The wedding couldn't come fast enough for Portland. In addition to caring for the triplets, Portland made last minute preparations for the wedding itself.

On the night before the triplets aged up, as the sun was setting, Portland had her fairy tale wedding with her perfect prince.

Parker knew the best way to end a perfect wedding, he also didn't want to wait for Portland to come to bed.

Notes: Triplets? FML.

10.17 Pathways

Parker came home from the first mission he had failed. After avoiding a very close run-in with the cops, Parker escaped unharmed. However, in the scuffle he had left behind the one thing he had came for. The don would not be happy.



Parker ran to get his mind off things. With Portland's delivery coming at any time, Parker stayed on alert. "Hon, my back hurts I'ma take a bath," Portland called through the door. Parker grunted a response.

"Parker, PARKER," Parker heard his girlfriend's panicked scream throughout the house. He slide off the tredmill and ran through the house faster than he ever had before. "I need to go. I HAVE to go," she ordered.

To say he didn't panic would be a lie. But he quickly grabbed her things and followed her to the car. The car raced towards the hospital. Parker tried to go in the delievery room with her, but the doctors wouldn't let him, "You'll have to wait."

Parker felt like hours had passed. All he could think of was her screams. Parker paced the poorly decorated waiting room.

"Mr. Harder," Parker was jolted from his nap by a doctor, "there were some complications but." How could he have fallen asleep? Hours had to have passed. "Ms. Wilkins requests your presence." Parker grinned from ear to ear. He followed the doctor down the narrow hall. The doctor stopped at a closed door, a muffleled baby's cry awaited him behind it. Parker opened the door ready for whatever was on the other side.

10.16 Trust

Portland postponed the wedding. Verbally she told everyone she didn't want to look fat in her dress. Portland knew the truth. Lauren's comment had affected her. "He'll only leave you sooner."

She tried to take her mind off it with various home improvement projects. Apparently when Parker moved in, decorating the whole house was optional. The bedroom for the baby had terribly outdated wall paper and carpet. Portland entered her first instint was paint it all blue, for she wanted a boy. But she knew Parker would kill her especially if they had a little girl.

While Portland fought her own internal battles, Parker was battling his own at work. Being a criminal was easy, getting alone with your partners in crime was another story. Especially when your evil cohert was the father who never wanted you. Although he could avoid his father at work easily, on the streets was a different story.

His father like to remind him of it daily. "Rumor on the street is you have a little family," Derik whispered in his ear, "don't let it get out. If you know what's good for them."

Parker returned home to find Portland crying over the stove. He rushed to her side to comfort her. "Don't touch me," she sobbed, pushing Parker away. Parker pushed her lightly on the counter and cupped her face, "Love, love, what is wrong?" Portland continued sobbing.

"Your mom came by," Portland sobbed. Parker immediately felt over protective like he never had before. "She. She" Portland contiuned sobbing, "She said you'd leave me sooner." Parker tried to comfort her, "Portland, shhh. I see." Derik's word echoed through his head, "Rumor has it you have a little family." Portland continued sobbing, "don't let it get out." Parker wrapped his arms around her. "Portland, I will never leave you. I will never leave our child."

Parker held her close, "Let me tell you about my life." It was one thing to trust Portland with his heart. But to trust her with his secrets would be a whole different level.

10.15 ... Not Looking Back

Portland woke from a nap nauseous. It could have been dinner the night before, as they came home and ate something from Parker's fridge. Which reminded her to clean it out. Upon cleaning it out, Portland found the Dim Sum from last night with a layer of mold on it. Ewww, she thought as she was carrying the bag to the trash.

Although she could blame the morning sickness on dinner, the couldn't explain the body changes. It was time to come to terms. She was pregnant.



Later that day, the house's doorbell rang loudly, startling Portland. Parker was the only person she was expecting, and he had a key. Outside a single white haired woman pressed the button again. "Hello," Portland said, opening the door. "Who are you?" The woman inquired. Portland was outraged. This woman showed up on her doorstep asking her who she was. She had to be crazy.
"I live here," Portland retorted.


The woman looked over her, "Sorry, I thought my son lived here." The woman turned to leave. "Wait," Portland called after her, "what is your son's name?" The woman stopped, "Parker." Portland was stunned. She really never talked to Parker about either of his parents before. Standing here with this woman made her realize how little she really knew about Parker.


"I'm Portland, Parker's fiance," Portland said, motioning for her to walk in. Inside, Portland could see the family resemblance. Lauren looked around the house, "Your pregnant." The woman's question was more of a statement. Everything about this woman was bothering her. "Yeah," Portland agreed, "but it happened after he proposed. We might have celebrated too much." Lauren smirked in a condescending way.


The woman was making her uncomfortable, and Parker wasn't home yet. "Why don't I have Parker call you," Portland asked in an attempt to rush the woman away. "No bother," Lauren sneered, "He'll just leave you quicker. Don't expect him to stick around." With her final words Lauren left. Portland clutched the portable radio willing to throw it at the other woman's head has she not left.

Portland could feel lunch coming up. She blamed it the other woman upsetting her. However, this time she wasn't lucky, as she soiled her shirt in the living room.



After changing yet again, Portland found Parker in the hallway. Late as usual. "We need to talk," were the first words out of Portland's lips. "My boss kept me, I swear, I'll call him," Parker protested. He knew he'd eventually have to tell Portland he was a criminal; he just hoped it wouldn't have been this early. Portland shook her head.
"What then?"


Portland looked Parker in the eyes, "Parker, I'm pregnant." Parker stopped in shock, "What?" Portland enclosed her arms around her belly, tightening her shirt. Parker could tell she was bigger. Parker squeaked in delight. "This is.. mine?" he asked, rubbing her belly. "We'd better rush that wedding."

10.14 Moving Forward...

Portland and Parker were inseparable. Inseparable to the point that Portland had more than just a drawer at Parker's house. Parker knew his feelings for Portland, and it was time to push their relationship to the next level.

"I see you back there," Parker called once he arrived at the beach. Portland giggled, standing up, "I'll get you my pretty," she crackled, quoting the famous Wizard of Oz.

Parker took her into his arms. He couldn't describe the feelings he had, but they were so much better than the loneliness he was used to. "What's the plan?" Portland inquired, looking at her watch.


Parker looked at her thoughtfully. It was his night. The two alternated date night planning. It helped keep their relationship spicy. "You forgot," Portland gasped. Parker could see the disappointment on her face. "No, no, no I've just been busy," Parker protested. Lying was a part of his job. He hoped he was good at it. His life depended on it.


"Well I have," Parker said reaching behind his back for his wallet. "Oh hell," he said as it fell to the boardwalk below. "Forgot your money," Portland sighed. Parker could tell she was let down.


"Yeah but I remembered this," he said pulling the small box out of his back pocket.



Instead of finishing date night with dinner and a movie, the two lovebirds went back to Parker's house to celebrate in their own way.

10.13 ..Before Beginning Again

After dinner, the couple went to the ocean. They sat and talked and laughed. Parker had never felt so real with someone. He could trust her like he could no one else. The sun rose before either of the started to yawn. "I suppose we should get some sleep," Portland said, a single yawn escaping her lips.

Parker leaned in, pulling her closer, "Why don't you come back to my place. It's across the street." Portland giggled but indulged him.

They couldn't keep their hands off each other. Especially when they made it into the house. He was more than happy to shead her clothes, leaving a trail of laundry to the bedroom. As they fell into bed exhaustion consumed them.


They cuddled together. Safe in each others arms. Every inch of Parker wanted to go farther. But as his body geared up for more, his mind was shutting down.


"Good morning," Portland whispered. Parker answered her with a quick kiss. She was beautiful, even more so when she'd just waken up.


Pinning him to the bed, Portland made the first move. Her kisses were sweet, in no time Parker was ready to give all of himself to her.

10.12 Tie up Loose Ends...

A life of crime wasn't very different from Parker's everyday life except now he was paid to do it. It was good as long as he stayed on everyone's good side. He was currently the get away driver for an art thief. At least the wheels were better than what he started with. It seemed petty, but at least Derik wasn't threatening him with his life.


After deciding to move from his grandmother's house, Parker found many paintings hiding in the basement. Along with the paintings, Parker found deeds to all of the business's his grandmother owned. And as much as he hated art, he felt the family paintings should be in the Sunset Institute of Modern Art.
Parker never understood what people saw in art. As a matter of fact, he tried to stay as far away from the place as he could. After a little pep talk, Parker walked into the museum and placed his uncovered art. He was about to walk out the door when a painting caught his eye.
It was exactly as he remembered it. The painting immediately took him back, back to a time when he was happy. When his mom loved him and everything was simple. "It's beautiful," a woman chimed in. "Yeah," Parker said without noticing. Shocked, Parker jumped back.


"Sorry," the woman said, "I didn't mean to scare you. Name's Portland." Portland extended her hand. Parker looked at her, trying to catch his breath. "Parker," he said in a daze. There was something about her. Something different. The two walked around the museum. Portland gushed over the different paintings. Parker never told her that the creators were his family.

They neared the end of the tour, but Parker wasn't ready to leave her side. He wanted to spend more time with her. "Hey, why don't we do dinner?" Parker asked cautiously. Part of him wanted her to say No. He wanted her to turn around and walk away. He knew he shouldn't drag her into his life of crime. On the other hand, something about her made him want her. Made him want to give it all up, hop towns. "Sure," she obliged.