Time After Time, 11 & 12

by: Annie

Jax practically pounced on Jennie as soon as she returned from the doctor's office. "What did the doctor say?"

Jennie looked at him. He was way too excited. Something was up. "She said I'm pregnant. Surprise!" She was not in the mood.

"Well did she say if they might make an early appearance?"

"No, in fact she said I would almost certainly go full term, unfortunately. I believe her exact words were 'tight as a drum'. I have another week at least."

"Well then, I guess it would be safe for you to go out of town overnight." He tried to be adorable, smiling sweetly.

She was afraid to ask. "Why would I want to do that? I just started my maternity leave, it's not supposed to be vacation."

This was not going to be easy. He mustered all his enthusiasm. "So you can come with me to the Annual Nurses' Ball in Port Charles, Friday night. Won't that be fun!"

"Are you insane? I can't go to a ball, especially not like this!"

"Like what?"

"Like this." She turned sideways and pulled the fabric of her dress tighter to emphasize her 8 1/2 months pregnant stomach.

"There's no rule against pregnant women attending, Jennie."

"Would you be serious? I'm saying that no one wants to see a fat ugly whale walking around a ballroom."

He walked over and held her face in his hands. "You are not fat, you're pregnant, and you look beautiful."

"Stop it Jax." She pulled away and lowered herself onto the sofa, suddenly feeling tears welling up.

"Stop what?" He sat down beside her. "It's the truth."

"No, it's not. You're just trying to convince me to go with you."

He shook his head. "Have I ever lied to you?"

She turned her head to look at him and their eyes met, now caught in a gaze that reached deep inside both of them. "No." She whispered. She turned away, "There's no way I could find anything decent to wear, that fits, in 2 days.

"Have you looked in your closet lately?" Jax said with a Cheshire grin, jumping up and bounding into her bedroom.

"Oh no." She sank back into the sofa. He already had it all planned out. She was going to lose this one.

Jax came back holding a black velvet dress with a high waistline, scooped neck and back, short sleeves and full skirt that looked to be about knee length. The neckline was outlined with rhinestones. From behind his back he pulled out pair of matching low heeled black velvet shoes.

Jennie sighed. "How am I supposed to get there, hmmm? I can't fly, you know."

"I know. That's why we're taking a train. We should arrive in Port Charles mid-afternoon, giving us plenty of time to rest up before the evening. Okay?"

She gave up the fight, if he was willing to go through all that, there must be a reason. "Fine. Why is this so important to you? It doesn't seem like your idea of fun."

"It's not, but I'm sponsoring it so I have to go, having you there will make it bearable. And I think you'll have a good time, which you desperately need." He smiled and winked at her. "They're going to have dancing this year, dinner and entertainment. You'll love it. Besides, it's for a good cause."

"All the people there know you don't they? If you show up with me, they're all going to think we're together. They're going to think you're responsible for my condition."

Jax considered this and pictured the reactions of Port Charles' most notable citizens to his showing up with a very pregnant woman. He could see them counting the number of months he had been out of town and jumping to the most scandalous conclusion, which he knew they would. He had run broken hearted straight into the bed of another woman. What fools. "You're right, they will! That's all the more reason to go." He grinned, almost exited about pulling one over on PC society.

"What about Brenda?" She asked carefully.

His grin disappeared. "My sources say Corinthos has gone on 'business' to Puerto Rico, and since Brenda was never one to give up a trip to the beach, it's pretty safe to say she won't be there.

************

--------------------

They checked into their suite at the Cosmopolitan Hotel. Jennie had been able to sleep on the train so when they were settled, Jax made a few calls and soon people began arriving prepared to give Jennie the royal treatment. She got a massage, a facial, a manicure, her hair and make-up done. She was pampered from head to toe and loved every minute of it. Her smiles delighted Jax.

As soon as they walked into the ballroom lobby, Jennie excused herself and headed for the ladies' room for the millionth time that day it seemed to her. Jax wandered over to the doorway and perused the crowd. There were all the same faces, some had switched partners but not much had changed from what he could see.

"Well, hello stranger!"

Jax turned to put a face with the vaguely familiar voice behind him. "Hello Amy. How have you been?"

She smiled at him, he was still as breathtaking as ever. "Oh fine, just fine. I haven't heard much about you, though, since you left town. How long as it been and what have you been doing with yourself?"

"About eight months, and I've been keeping busy. Living in New York is much more convenient for business, among other things." He wondered what was taking Jennie so long when she appeared at his side, taking his arm with her left hand. Jax held back his laughter as he watched Amy's eyes move from Jennie's wedding rings to her stomach. They practically popped out of her head.

"Jennie Jacks, this is Amy Vining. She's one of the best nurses at General Hospital."

Jennie greeted her with a smile. "It's nice to meet you, Amy."

Amy's mouth dropped open when she heard Jennie's last name. "Huh? Oh, yes. You too. Um, I have to go talk to someone. Have a good time." Amy turned and made a beeline for the ballroom.

"Bye, Amy." Jax laughed. This was too perfect. He pulled Jennie to the edge of the doorway so they could see inside without being seen. "Watch this."

They watched as Amy made her way across the whole room going from table to table, spreading her latest scoop. People started scanning the room looking for Jax and his pregnant 'wife'. Jennie was amazed. "Wow, I thought you were exaggerating."

"Nope, and Amy is the Queen of the tongue waggers."

She elbowed him in the ribs. "You are enjoying this way too much."

"Who me?" He grinned innocently. "I never realized how strange this town was until I left. Everyone knows everything about everybody, unless they're related, then they know nothing."

"Yeah, right." She shook her head.

The music started playing and couples began filtering onto the dance floor, swaying to the old standards. "Would you care to dance?" He asked her, taking her hand and bowing.

"How can we do that?" She sighed disappointedly. "You wouldn't be able to get your arm around me."

"Like this." He stood in front of her and slightly to her left in sort of a half tango position, took her right hand in his and slid his left arm around her back. "See?"

Jennie smiled in delight. "Hey, how about that! You are amazing Jasper Jacks."

"You're just now figuring this out?" He grinned, but Jennie saw a slight blush in his cheeks.

She smiled at him. "No, I already knew. Come on let's dance." She took his arm and they walked between the tables to the dance floor at the front of the room. A buzz of whispers followed them but they didn't notice as they began to sway to the music.

Jax looked down at her smiling face and felt a tug on his heart. She looked so beautiful tonight and didn't even realize it. Her hand felt so good in his. He hoped she would have a good time tonight.

Jennie rested her head on Jax's shoulder and closed her eyes. Even though he had practically forced her to come here she was glad she did. It had been so long since she danced with anyone. It felt good to have his arm around her and the music was fabulous.

A vocalist made his way to the bandstand and started singing.

In this world

of ordinary people, extraordinary people

I'm glad there is you

In this world

of overrated pleasures and underrated treasures

I'm glad there is you

I live to love

I love to live with you beside me

This role so new

I'll muddle through with you to guide me

In this world

where many play at love

and hardly any stay in love

I'm glad there is you

She pulled back to look up at him, but he was gazing across the room. She followed his gaze and saw a pair of tiny brunettes coming from the backstage area followed by two men in dark suits. One of the women smiled and waved and began heading their way. Jennie gasped when she finally recognized who she was and turned quickly back to Jax who had released her hand and waved back. Jennie couldn't believe it. After she cheated and lied and broke his heart he was actually glad to see her?

"Hello Brenda, Robin." He greeted them happily.

"Hi Jax, it's good to see you." Brenda smiled up at him sweetly

Face to face with Brenda for the first time, Jennie's protective instincts kicked in. She brushed her bangs from her face slowly with her left hand slightly wiggling her ring finger and moved her right hand from it's resting place on her stomach to extend it to Brenda. "Hi, I'm Jennie, Jennie Jacks." She emphasized the 'Jacks', hoping Brenda would jump to the same conclusion that everyone else had.

Before Brenda could respond, Jax gently grabbed Jennie's left hand, knowing very well what she was up to. "I'm sorry, where are my manners? Jennie, this is Brenda Barrett and Robin Scorpio." He gave Jennie a sideways glance of warning.

"Hello Jennie." Brenda smiled and shook Jennie's hand. Jennie felt the urge to strangle her for causing him so much pain, but smiled through her teeth. Brenda continued. "Jax it's been so long since I've seen you. Jennie, would you mind if I borrowed your dance partner for a while so we can catch up?"

Before Jennie could open her mouth, Jax answered. "Of course she wouldn't." Jennie noticed that Jax and Brenda were staring at each other and it made her scared for him. She couldn't stand to think of him being hurt.

Robin jumped in the conversation, trying to help Brenda out, "I'm gonna go sit with Uncle Mac for a while, Jennie would you like to join us?"

Jennie looked up at Jax. He could see her fear for him in her eyes. He gave her hand a reassuring squeeze and smiled at her. "Tell Mac I said hello."

Jennie heard a quickly whispered "I'll be okay." as he kissed her on the cheek. She followed Robin. The buzz of whispers was even louder now as they made their way across the ballroom. She was worried about Jax, but tried not to panic, he was strong and would be okay as he said. She felt a little better. Robin introduced her to Mac and Felicia as they sat down.

Felicia decided to ask the question on everybody's mind. "So Jennie, how long have you and Jax been...."

"Friends." Jennie finished for her, no longer in the mood for playing games. "Since December, we met at my wedding to his cousin." She quickly changed the subject, not wanting to get into her sob story with these people. "Where's Skippy?"

"Skippy?" The others asked in unison.

"Yeah, Brenda's mobster boyfriend. Isn't that his name?"

Mac spit out his drink, Felicia covered her mouth to keep from laughing out loud and Robin looked at Jennie disapprovingly. "His name is Sonny and he's out of town." She scolded.

"Oh, sorry." Jennie raised an eyebrow at this little miss perfect.

Robin rattled on. "If it weren't for Sonny Jax would be dead. And he's not a mobster, he just deals with dangerous people. He's really a saint. So are the people who work for him. My new boyfriend works for him. His name is Mickey. He's in the hospital. He's worked for Sonny for a long time, but I never really noticed him until Sonny told me he was his friend and was going to train him to be his second in command. Then he sounded really attractive. Unfortunately on that day Mickey got shot and is in a coma. I visit him everyday. We've never spoken since he's unconscious but that's okay. I know he loves me. I can feel it."

"Okaaaay." Whatever. Jennie turned toward the dance floor and saw Jax and Brenda still dancing even though the song had changed. She prayed that Brenda wouldn't hurt him again.

Jax and Brenda had been dancing in silence, still adjusting to the surprise of seeing each other. "So why aren't you in Puerto Rico?" He asked her as they continued to dance.

"Sonny wouldn't let..." She stopped herself. "It was best that I didn't go. That's okay because I really wanted to come to this too." Jax nodded in understanding. "Sooo, who is Jennie? She seems very protective of you."

"Yes she is." He smiled at the thought. "Remember I told you about my cousin that died? She's his wife, or widow I should I say. Anyway, we've become good friends. She's helped me a lot."

"And you probably told her all about us. That explains things. I'm glad you have friends." After a moment she asked, "Are you happy Jax?"

He chuckled. "Now there's a question. I'm doing fine Brenda, if that's what you're asking. Business is good and I even manage to have fun once in a while. Jennie makes sure I'm well fed and never lonely. That's pretty good don't you think? What about you?"

"Oh I'm great! Really. Sonny's the best and we're really happy."

"Who are you trying to convince, Brenda, me or you?"

Damn, he still knew her so well. "Okay, we have our share of problems but so does everybody else, so it's good, really." She let out a deep breath. "I just wish that you hadn't gotten hurt so badly. I really am sorry about that Jax. I think about it a lot. I wish I could go back and stop myself from doing what I did, and make myself tell you the truth about how I felt instead. I regret that more than anything in my life."

Jax turned away from her gaze. "I should have known it would have never worked for us anyway. I believe you loved me, but you still loved Sonny more. I tried to put that aside and accept you anyway, but I should have known it would come back to haunt us in some way or other. I survived, though."

"You shouldn't have had to. I wish I could make it up to you, but I don't think that's possible."

"No, it's not really. You can make a start though by being my friend. Can you do that?" He grinned.

She smiled up at him. "You bet I can." She leaned against him as they continued to dance and her smile faded. Sonny would never allow them to be friends like they had been before. How did she ever let him go?

After a minute he pulled away from her. "Jennie's probably lost her mind by now. I better go find her. You coming?"

"Oh. No, I have to help Lucy backstage. Maybe I'll see you later on though, okay?" She said sighing slightly. Probably not a good idea though with Robin, Reynaldo and Joseph hanging around.

"Sure." He answered, knowing it was highly unlikely.

"Bye Jax."

"Good-bye Brenda." They turned away from each other and went their separate ways.

************

"I'm glad there is you" from the "Perfectly Frank" CD by Tony Bennett

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Subject: Tiem After Time, 11 & 12

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