Everyone laughed, including Stefan and his stuck up wife Mary. Jax took Natasha on his lap and smiled. ''Are you ready for your gift little princess?'' He asked the 3 year old girl and saw her eyes sparkle as she nodded her head yes. ''Merry Christmas Tasha'' He murmured, sliding a wrapped box on her laps.
''Mewwy Chwistmas Uncle Jax'' the little girl said as took the gift. She sat on the floor to open it and gasped when she saw the little doll. ''Mommy, daddy! My baby!'' she exclaimed and ran into her uncle's arms to thank him with a great big hug and kiss.
''How did you know she wanted this doll more than anything else?'' asked Emily with a smile
''More so, how did you know where to find it?'' Nikolas inquired next. ''I looked everywhere for it and even my uncle's contacts couldn't find it. They said it had been discontinued!''
Jax laughed and watched the little girl rocking her doll to sleep. ''well, it is discontinued. I happen to know someone who bought one for her daughter before the little girl didn't want it anymore. It was just luck that led me to have it. But I that knew she wanted it, she asked Santa Claus when we went to see him, remember?''
Nikolas was laughing happy to see his daughter so happy with her doll. ''Well, anyway, thanks for buying it for her. It was really nice and unnecessary''
''Don't be ridicoulous, it was my pleasure to buy it for my little Goddaughter''
The rest of the evening went slowly, as Jerry played with his little cousin, and the men talked business while drinking a glass of scotch. ''Mr. Cassadine?'' asked Mrs. Lansburry as she walked in ''Mrs. Cassadine is here to see you''
''Send her in''. Immediately after Stefan agreed to receiving his mother, the atmosphere in the study became as cold as the Ice Princess. ''I wonder what she wants'' Nikolas commented just as his grandmother walked in.
''Greetings. everyone'' Helena said with the biggest smile on her face. ''Merry Christmas to all''
Jax instinvely moved to Jerry's side, putting his arm around the boy's shoulders protectively. ''Merry Christmas, Helena'' Jax replied with a voice he hoped sounded casual. Whenever that woman was in the same room as Alexis' son he grew nervous although he didn't know why.
''Is that little Jeremiah?'' Helena asked as she cupped the boy's chin with her hand. ''My, you are growing to be as handsome as your daddy. Too bad you don't have his dimples''
''Back off, Helena'' Jax replied through his teeth just as Stefan ordered his mother to state her business.
''Well, I came to wish my darling grandson, the prince, a very Merry Christmas and because I won't be in Port Charles for the New Year, I wanted to give him my fondest wishes of health and happiness. May all the best happen to you for the year 2008''
Nikolas was growing nervous. Whatever she was leaving Port Charles for could only mean trouble. ''Where are you going?'' he asked in a little voice. When she didn't answer, he repeated his question. ''Where are you going, Helena?''
''I'll only be visiting friends who can't come to me, my darling boy.'' She smiled sweetly at him. ''Oh I forgot you aren't a boy anymore, you are a married man, with a beautiful little daughter.''
''STAY AWAY FROM HER!'' Emily said as she saw that evil woman walking to her daughter and she quickly picked her up. ''Emily's right,'' Nikolas repeated. ''How many times have I told you to stay away from Natasha?''
''I'm sorry, my prince'' Helena said, bowing in front of him, as she always did to remind him of the power he had over everyone. The only thing Nikolas hated. ''She is just so beautiful, not a parasite like her namesake--''
''You will not talk about my deceased sister in front of her son and husband,'' Stefan said, suddenly cutting her off. ''You will not talk about my sister at all. The only reason you are still free is because I failed to prove that you had something to do with her death''
''Poor Stefan'' Helena hissed ''You can't do anything right. You said so yourself, you failed, again'' An evil laughed filled the room, leaving everyone chilled. ''I'll be going now, and I will get in touch with you Nikolas, my sweetheart, as soon as I come back'' Helena turned and walked out of the room.
As soon as the door closed behind Helena Emily started to walk back and forth to try and calm a crying Natasha. ''Lady Cwuella'' Natasha said through her tears, getting the adults to laugh. ''You are right sweetheart, she is Cruella, but she won't hurt you. She will never hurt you, do you understand?'' Emily whispered to her daughter, while the little girl played with the button of her mom's dress. Natasha slowly nodded and took a flock of hair out of her mom's face. ''I wuv you mommy'' She whispered near her mom's face as she slowly stopped crying. ''I love you too, Angel'' Emily whispered back and the girl wrinkled her nose. ''I'm Natasha Paige Cassadine mommy!'' The little laughed.
''Hey Tushy, wanna come with me to bug Mrs. Lansburry for some cookies?'' Jerry asked as he took his little cousin from her mother's arms and put her down. His father had asked him to take her out of the room while Nikolas spoke his mind about the evil woman. ''If we're lucky, she might even let us have two!''
''Don't give her too much or she won't eat her dinner'' Emily warned a little too late as the door closed behind them. ''Ok, Nikolas, tell us what's on your mind'' Emily said to her husband before she walked to him and locked her arms around his.
''I don't like knowing that Helena is going out of town'' Nikolas started. ''Last time she went out of town, it was when my brother disappeared''
''I believe you are mistaking Nikolas. Last time she disappeared was when Alexis died'' replied Stefan
''You said you thought she had something to do in my wife's death. Why is that?'' Asked Jax
''Because Helena hated Alexis'' Stefan started. ''And she always said she would get rid of everything that shouldn't have existed. That is including me. But she never could before Nikolas was of age, and after that she was too old, I believe. But something she said struck me though. What was that about Jeremiah not having his father's dimples?''
Jax had to think fast, because no one had ever questioned him being Jerry's father. He made sure of that. If the truth about Jerry's paternity had to come out, he knew the Quartermaines and the Cassadines would fight each other to death for the boy and he would be left with a shattered heart. He slowly shook his head in disbelief and looked at Nikolas.
''Helena seems to think that Ned is the boy's father, or so I gather.'' Jax answered coldly.
''Did you get a paternity test done when Jerry was born?'' Nikolas asked Jax. He believed Jax to be the boy's father, but he knew Stefan would ask the question and with his past efforts in trying to take Jerry away, Nikolas was afraid that Jax would panic and run.
''When your wife told you she was pregnant, did you ask her if you were the father?'' Jax asked Nikolas.
''Of course not!'' Emily answered at her husband's place
''And when Natasha was born,'' Jax countered back ''did you ask to have a paternity test done in case the baby was Juan's?''
''No, I didn't'' Nikolas answered, proud to see Jax was shutting his uncle's questions down the drain before Stefan could even ask them.
''That's because you trust Emily. I did the same with my wife. She told me her affair with Ned was over, and she said she loved me. That is enough for me and I won't insult her memory by having a paternity test done on a boy that is more a Jacks than I am!''
Stefan didn't comment. He just stared at his former brother-in-law and nephew. Something just happened between them but he couldn't figure out what.
Meanwhile, Jax should've remembered not to leave his son alone in a big kitchen, because Jerry loved to play with all the stuff and mix together different kinds of food, which always ended up creating a mess. The boy sat Natasha on the counter and she was peacefully watching him, slowly eating her cookies. Natasha was more of her father's daughter, quiet and peaceful, compared to the ball of energy her mother was.
''You see that Tushy?'' The boy asked his little cousin, ''This is my homemade energy shake, like all the wrestlers uncle Jerry likes so much drinks. Wanna taste?'' He asked and put the drink under the little girl's chin and she quickly shook her giggling head.
''Smells like poop'' She laughed and tried to push his head away. ''Me no wanna drink poop''
Jerry was laughing, pretending he wanted her to drink it. ''Come on Natasha, darling doll,'' the boy said and she laughed louder, kicking the lower cabinet with her feet. ''It won't hurt you and even make you strong like your uncle Jax, don't you wanna be strong like him?''
''Of course you should be like him, my darling'' they heard from the door and Jerry quickly moved in front of his little cousin, making shielding her with his body to protect her from Helena.
''Nikolas told you to leave'' Jerry said, hoping that his voice wasn't shaking. ''He also told you to stay away from Natasha''
''Such a courageous boy, born from weak parents, how can that be?'' Helena asked herself out loud.
''My father is courageous, and so was my mother, before you KILLED her!'' Jerry answered her with his unshakeable belief in his father. ''My mum and dad could've been taking you down. That's why you killed her!''
''And who told you that?'' Helena asked. She was getting tired of that kid.
''Dad told uncle Jerry and uncle Stefan!'' Jerry hissed
''Well, didn't your father ever tell you that it wasn't polite to talk back to your elders?'' She asked sweetly.
''Yes he did, but he didn't tell me how I should talk to people as old as the Parthenon!''
Jerry was about to say something else but he heard Natasha cry and ask for her mommy. Never taking his eyes off of Helena, he whispered to his cousin ''Don't worry, you'll go see mommy. I'll make Cruella leave''
''You'll make me what?'' Helena asked as she came closer and Jerry backed away, sliding his little cousin on the counter with him.
''OH, IT'S TRUE SINCE YOU ARE SO OLD THAT YOUR HEARING ISN'T AS GOOD AS IT WAS, RIGHT MRS. CASSADINE?'' Jerry screamed at the top of his lungs, getting his plan to work as he saw Stefan, Mary, Nikolas, Emily and his father rush through the kitchen doors.
''What are you still doing here?'' Nikolas asked through his teeth. ''Are you waiting for me to stop the payments of your monthly pension?''
Helena knew those weren't empty threats. ''No, I forgot something and went back to get it, and I got lost in the corridors''
She saw her grandson's whore take her great-granddaughter in her arms to console the child, and Jax put himself in front of his son, as if she would physically harm the boy. ''Can someone show me the right way to the launch?''
She saw everyone look at each other and finally her grandson spoke. ''I will take you to the launch and make sure you get on it'' He said coldly.
''I'll see you later my darling boy'' She said, looking directly at Jerry. ''You too darling Natasha''
''She won't see me again, will she dad?'' Jerry asked in a little voice, finally showing how scared he had been of being one on one with her.
''Don't worry, Jerry. She won't come near you again. That I can promise you''
But Jax knew, as he made his promise, that he would have to work overtime to make sure of that promise. It was clear Helena had an agenda, and that she needed Jerry to carry out her plans.
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