The Dilemma of Parker

Chapter17

Parker had enjoyed spending three hours smashing things. William had tried to join in but Richard had stopped him indicating to let Parker do it. Parker hadn't even noticed that Richard and William not smashing anything. She was to engrossed in the smashing to worry about what the others were doing. As the timer went off, she turned around seeing Richard and William standing there. "Well that was fun" Parker sang out. "Yeh for you" William mumbled earning an elbow to the stomach from Richard.

Parker felt great after smashing the room. She felt free and like a weight had been lifted off her shoulders. "I so will be doing that again" Parker stated. "Next time maybe we could actually do it too" William grumbled. "Huh?" Parker asked. "Well you kinda smashed the entire room by yourself" William stated smiling at Parker who genuinely had been so absorbed in the smashing she hadn't taken any notice of things around her.

Parker looked around the room before looking back at William and the Richard. "I did all that?" She asked seeing how there wasn't one thing that hadn't been smashed in the room. "Yep, feel better?" Richard asked. He wanted to pull Parker into a hug but didn't want to push his luck. He knew he had made progress with Parker, she no longer stayed away from him, but he also knew that she still had her walls up around him because of how he had hurt her. "Actually I feel great" Parker stated smiling up at Richard.

"So what changed between you two?" William asked wrapping his arm around Parker's shoulder and walking towards the car. Parker shrugged her shoulders. Nothing really changed they just talked and she got to understand why Richard had been angry. Parker just wanted a parent that actually loved her and wanted her. She had always seen Will as a brother and now it was actually true. The little girl inside Parker, just wanted to be loved and so she decided to get to know Richard. He had seen the damage when other people hadn't and that was a huge thing for Parker.

Richard nudged Parker getting her attention just as he unlocked the car causing Parker to push Will back and race to the car jumping into the front passenger seat, poking her tongue out. "Seriously, dad that's not fair" William whined causing Parker to laugh at her brother. "Come on Will, I'll take you to a uni bar and buy you a beer" Parker sung back to her brother. "I don't think I want to take my sister to the pub" William mumbled back causing Richard and Parker to chuckle at the faces that William were pulling. "Come on Will, we can go go-karting and then to the pub or are you both to old for that?" I'll even be your wing woman" Parker teased.

Richard and Will both glared at Parker causing her to laugh as father and son were almost identical in looks. "I am not old missy" Richard stated pointing a finger at Parker. "I'm hurt you think I am old, dad yes, but me? That's a low blow Parker" William complained. "I will show you both that I am not old" Richard grumbled before getting into the car. "Sure old man" Parker teased before giving Richard directions to the go- karting place.

After the three of them went go-karting which Richard actually won, Parker was ready to head back to the dorms, she was absolutely exhausted. She had not slept well the night before. "Let's get some dinner and then I'll take you home" Richard stated. Parker just nodded in agreement and didn't try to get the front seat again. Both William and Richard knew she was fading fast. "What do you want to eat?" William asked Parker. "Something cheap, I usually just grab food from the dorm as it's free" Parker mumbled causing Richard to frown. He didn't like the fact that Parker was counting coins while her brothers lived a life of luxury and so did he and Will.

"Parker who is paying for your university degree?" Richard asked. "Scholarship and I pay a subsided housing. I work a few days a week too" Parker mumbled trying to stay awake. William swung around to look at Parker who was now sound asleep. "Shit dad she is asleep and I don't know how to get into her dorm" William told his dad. "She can stay with us tonight. She didn't sleep last night and today was a lot for her" Richard stated smiling at the fact that Parker seemed to trust them both enough to let her guard down and sleep.

As Richard pulled up at the hotel they saw Leon, Jude and Tanner with their bags. William was unsure of what to do seeing they would have to carry Parker out of the car. Neither Richard nor William wanted to wake her up. They had even stayed silent on the drive back not wanting to risk her waking.

Richard got out of the car opening the back door and taking the seatbelt off Parker. "Parker, come on sweetheart, you need to wake up" Richard said quietly. He wanted to give her the chance to wake up so she wasn't startled. She didn't rouse at all. "Dad, I'll carry her up" William offered. "Just let me try to wake her so she doesn't get startled" Richard stated. Both William and Richard could feel the eyes of the three boys on them.

Parker was not waking up even when Richard shook her gently. "Here dad, I'll grab her" William reiterated. Richard nodded, and stepped back. "Parks, I'm going to pick you up" William said before grabbing Parker out of the car gently and carrying her bridal style towards the entrance of the hotel. Richard walked in front of his children wanting to get Parker up to bed.

"Wait, what's wrong with Parker? Why are you carrying her?" Leon asked coming closer to William and Parker. Richard stepped in front of William and Parker. "It's not your concern, leave my daughter alone. You have all done enough" Richard stated firmly but quietly not wanting to cause a scene or wake Parker. "Oh she is your daughter now?" Tanner spat. "Don't start this now. Dad let's just get Parker to bed" William stated.

Jude stepped forward pushing Parker's hair from her face. William was watching wanting nothing more then to protect his sister. "Just let her sleep" William stated. Richard was holding the lift open for William. Jude leant forward and kissed Parker on the forehead just like he use to when she was younger. "I'm so sorry Parker, I hate that I hurt you. Please stay safe baby sister" Jude mumbled before looking at William. "Look after her like I should of. Can you tell her I love her and am sorry? Give her my phone number? Please" Jude stated before going to get in the car. Tanner and Leon looked on. Leon was angry at himself and everything that had happened, Tanner was sad but he and Jude had convinced Leon to let Parker be happy and go back to the NT. Leon and Tanner headed to the car before driving off not knowing if that was the last time that they would see of Parker at all.