Return to Stories PageJack & Jennifer Alternate Days Story
Part 5:
(Written by Sandra)
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Jennifer is sitting on the couch, dreaming of the moment when Jack gave her that special locket. She grabs hold of the locket and moves it towards her face. She reads the inscription again: "To My Beautiful Jennifer, I Love You Now and Forever, Love Jack." Reading those beautiful words brings tears to Jennifer's eyes. She has never felt more in love with Jack than she does at this moment. Jennifer begins to think of the possibility of Jack going back to prison. But the thought is too painful for her, and she quickly pushes it to the back of her mind. "No!" she thinks, "I refuse to allow myself to feel so hopeless about Jack getting out of prison. What Jack needs now, more than ever, is faith. And I'm the only person that can convince him to feel that kind of faith and confidence. I must remain strong for him."
With that courageous thought, Jennifer decides to go upstairs and speak to Jack. She approaches the door to Jack's room. The door is half-closed. Jennifer peaks through the gap to spy on Jack. She notices that Jack is taking some papers out of the top part of the closet. She remembers what Jack just told her downstairs -- that he had some papers that he wanted to go over with her. Jennifer didn't even want to look at those papers. To look at those papers would be to acknowlege the painful likelihood that her life with Jack was over. Jennifer opens the door and decides to confront Jack about those papers.
Jack turns around and notices Jennifer in the room. His face lights up when he sees her, if only for a split second. No matter how sad or lonely Jack has felt through his life, looking at her beautiful face never failed to warm his heart or put a smile on his face.
Jennifer seems very serious. "Jack, I know what you're doing with those papers. I'm hear to tell you that I don't want to look at them -- I refuse to look at them."
Jack seems a bit shocked that Jennifer is being so unreasonable. In his mind, he believes that Jennifer is denying reality when she refuses to even open up her mind to the possibility that he could be in jail tomorrow. "Jennifer," he says, "this is for your own well-being. It's for your future. You have to face facts. You have to....."
Jennifer interrupts Jack. "I am facing facts, Jack. The fact is that you and I belong together. I can't even imagine my life without you. I refuse to look at any stupid papers until we know for certain that you're going back to jail. And you're not, Jack. I have faith..."
Jack gets a bit mad. He can't stand to see Jennifer setting herself up for a painful disappointment. He has to convince her of the truth. He decides that it's better to be as direct and forthright as possible, even if it means hurting her feelings. "Listen, Jenn, I think it's time you stopped being so optimistic about this. The reality is that our future together depends on the testimony of two people who happen to be "DiMeras". The likelihood that they will admit the truth about Peter being alive is zero to none. I'm sorry, Jenn. I know we made love. And, like I told you before, it was the most beautiful thing in the world for me. I'll never forget those special moments with you. But to be honest, it doesn't matter! It doesn't change the fact that I'm most likely going back to jail! It's time you found the courage to get over me and move on with your life."
Jennifer is furious. She's had enough of Jack's "reality" talk. The pain of hearing those words, from the man she loves, is too much for her to bear. She shouts with tears in her eyes, "How could you say those awful words to me after those wonderful moments we shared last night? How could you even tell me to just get over you -- like you were some kind of meaningless 'one night stand' for me?! I love you so deeply, Jack -- so much that it hurts! Can't you see that?! Can't you see that no matter where you are, I will never stop loving you?!"
She runs out of the room with tears in her eyes. Jack stands there in silence. Tears begin to form in his eyes. He looks up at the ceiling and feels like a piece of garbage. "Dammit, Jack," he says to himself, "How could you be so stupid?! How could you give Jennifer so much hope and then take it all away from her in less than one day?! You fool! You stupid fool!" He pauses for a few short moments to think carefully about his next move. He begins to think about his beloved Jennifer, all alone, crying about losing him. Suddenly, it dawns on Jack that what Jennifer needs most right now is not a "reality check". What she needs is Jack's loving arms holding her close and reassuring her that everything will turn out okay. Even if he doesn't believe it, in his heart, he still must find a way to make his last day with her as special and wonderful as possible. And maybe, he thinks, give Jennifer some wonderful last memories of her time with him.
He walks out of the room towards Jennifer's bedroom. There he finds her lying on the bed with tears streaming down her face. Jack quietly walks into the room without Jennifer noticing him. She is too caught up in her grief to notice anything in her surroundings. He approaches her bed, and Jennifer's back is facing him. He can't stand to see her in so much pain. Tears are still in his eyes. He leans towards her and gently strokes her hair. "Jenn...." he says
"Go away!" Jennifer screams back at him, with her back still facing him. She's in no mood to talk to him right now. Those bitter words Jack said to her, a moment ago, are still fresh in her mind. She can't believe that, after everything they've been through, he could be so unfeeling and tell her to 'get over him'.
Jack is slightly taken aback. But he knows that Jennifer doesn't mean that. He knows that what she wants most is to hold him close and never let him go. "Jennifer," he quietly begins, "I know I hurt you terribly when I just told you to 'get over me'. But I only said that for your own good. You know how deeply and passionately I love you. I just..." He pauses for a moment, because he feels as though he's about to try to convince her yet again to give up on him. He starts to cry and says, "Dammit! Why couldn't the circumstances be different for us? Why are we being punished like this? Why do I feel so much guilt when I hold you in my arms and make love to you? It's not fair, Jenn! I spent three years of my life doing everything in my power to win back your love. And now that I finally have your love, my guilt and worries prevent me from accepting it. I've shut down my feelings for you so that I could protect you -- so that I could convince you to move on with your life. But it just kills me to be so distant and cautious with you. You know as well as I do that nothing in this world would make me happier than to stay here with you and Abby....."
Jennifer is listening, and tears are still streaming down her face. She still feels so much pain in her heart. But she knows that Jack is feeling just as much pain as her. She turns around to face Jack. He looks into her eyes. He can't help but be affected by her pain and his deep love for her. He leans down and kisses her gently on the lips. "I'm so sorry," he whispers, with his face still very close to hers, "I should never have said those awful words to you. It was stupid of me to expect you to 'get over' me. I know your love for me is too strong for you to do that..."
Jennifer is still teary-eyed. "I understand, Jack. I know how painful it must have been for you to say those words to me. I know how much you love me..." Jennifer senses the intense sadness in Jack's eyes. She wants to make his pain go away. She puts her hand around the back of Jack's head and pulls his face closer to hers. They share a very passionate and intense kiss. He then lies next to her and puts his arm around her to console her. Her head is leaning gently against his chest. She can feel the tender warmth from Jack's body. Jennifer feels so peaceful and secure lying so close to Jack. He leans his head down and gently kisses her on the top of her head. She closes her eyes and, for this one moment, she forgets about all the pain that she has deep within her heart....
A short while later...
Jennifer wakes up from her short nap. She unwraps herself from Jack's arms and watches him sleep. She could stare at his handsome face for hours. "He looks so peaceful and calm," Jennifer thinks, "How can I wake him up when he looks that way?" But then, Jennifer realizes that she must make the most out of her last day with Jack. She leans over and kisses him on the side of his face. "Jack," she says, to wake him up.
Jack opens his eyes. He looks at Jennifer's eyes and smiles. She smiles back at him. "I must have fallen asleep..." he says.
"Yeah," she replies as she strokes the side of his face, "I'm sorry I woke you up. You looked so peaceful. But I guess I didn't want to waste a moment with you." She pauses for a moment and then says, "Listen, Jack, I was thinking -- maybe we could do something special today. Something to create some wonderful memories."
Jack smiles back at her. "Yeah, Jenn. That sounds like an excellent idea. We have a whole day ahead of us. So let's make the most of it." He sits up and kisses Jennifer on the lips. "I have an idea," he says to her, "But I don't want to tell you. I want it to be a surprise."
Jennifer smiles back with a surprised and eager look on her face. "What kind of surprise, Jack?"
"You'll see," he says, with a playful grin on his face. He quickly gets up from the bed and walks towards the door. Before he walks out, he turns towards her and says, "Here's the plan. I want you to meet me at Salem Place, at Johnny Angel's, in about an hour. Okay?"
Jennifer is still smiling and is really looking excited about Jack's surprise. "Alright, Jack. If you say so."
"Then it's a date," he smiles. As he's about to walk away, Jennifer says, "Thank you, Jack."
Jack turns around and looks at Jennifer with a slightly confused look on his face. "For what?" he asks her.
"For being there for me when I needed you most. For being my best friend. I love you so much, Jack."
Jack looks back at her and smiles, "I love you too, Jenn. I'll never stop loving you." He pauses then says, "So don't forget our date. Okay?"
Jennifer smiles back, "How could I forget? See you then." With that comment, Jack leaves the room.
A quarter of an hour has passed and Jennifer is running around her home getting ready for her date with Jack. She puts on a beautiful summer dress. It's the same dress she wore when Jack and her were first seeing each other. It was one of those dresses that never went out of style. She knew it was one of Jack's favorite dresses for her. Before she walks out the door, she looks at herself in the mirror and fixes her hair. She wants to look perfect for the man that she loves. Moments later, she quickly leaves the house....
About fifteen minutes later, Jennifer arrives at Salem Place Mall. She walks over to Johnny Angel's and has a seat at the table. She looks around for Jack. Suddenly he walks behind her and pushes her hair aside to kiss her gently on the back of her neck. She's startled for a second, unsure of who's behind her. Then she quickly turns around, and notices Jack.
"Jack," she playfully slaps him on the arm and grins, "You scared the hell out of me. Don't do that again!"
"Sorry," he laughs. "But I saw you there in your beautiful dress and I couldn't help but kiss you. You're just too hard to resist"
Jennifer smiles, "Alright, I forgive you, Jack." There is a short pause and then she continues, "So, are you going to tell me why you had me come down here?"
Jack has a sexy grin on his face, "Yeah, I will. Eventually. But be patient, Jenn. You'll find out soon enough..."
Jennifer teases, "Jack, you know I don't like secrets. And you know I can't wait too long to find out what's going on..."
Jack laughs and replies, "Well, my plan for you today involves something wonderful and romantic. But I don't want to ruin the surprise."
"If you say so, Jack," she smiles.
Jack smiles back at her and they both walk to his car. Jennifer is really eager and curious to find out what Jack's surprise for her might be. "Whatever it is," she thinks, "it'll be special to me." Any moment with Jack is special to her....
Finally they arrive at the "surprise" destination. They are in a beautiful park on a sunny afternoon. The sky is as blue as ever, and the grass is a deep shade of green. Jack gets out of the car and walks over to Jennifer's side. He opens the door and walks her out of the car. He then takes her hand and leads the way for her. They walk towards a more quiet area of the park. Jennifer is getting very curious now. Finally, they arrive at their destination and there, to her great surprise, is a picnic basket and picnic blanket. Such a simple gesture, but it means the world to Jennifer.
"Jack, this is so wonderful!" she smiles. "How did you manage to pull this all together?"
"I had some help from a certain woman," he says. "Laura helped me get everything ready for this special day with you."
"Any day with you is special to me, Jack," she smiles. She embraces him and kisses him gently on the lips.
Jack and her are holding each other closely. They look into each other's eyes and feel an enormous sense of love for each other. They kiss each other passionately. Then they stop to sit down on the blanket. Jack packed champagne and all of Jennifer's favorite foods in the picnic basket. Jennifer is just so happy to spend such a wonderful time with Jack. She tries to watch what's happening very carefully. She doesn't want to ever lose memories of this precious day she's spending with him. A short while later, they eat and drink.
"Jack, this picnic is so wonderful," she says to him, as she gazes into his blue eyes. "You've made me very happy today. I'll treasure these wonderful memories of these times with you forever."
"I'm so glad to hear that, Jenn. I just wanted to make this day as special and memorable as possible," he replies with a loving smile on his face. He leans over and kisses her softly on the lips. Jennifer leans her head down so that she is now lying on the picnic blanket. Jack follows her down so that he is now lying next to Jennifer, and continuing to kiss her. They are feeling such an enormous sense of love for each other. It feels so right, to be so close to each other -- to share these special moments together. It is, as if, they are the only two people in the world....
A few minutes later, Jack stops kissing Jennifer and sits himself up on the blanket. He is stroking her arms gently and says with a smile on his face, "I have another surprise for you, Jenn."
Jennifer smiles back and says, "Really? This day has been so wonderful as it is. I can't imagine what other surprises you have in store for me."
"You'd be surprised to know how many more wonderful things I have in store for you." He gives her a sexy wink and then shouts out, "Alright, you can bring her out now."
Jennifer looks completely surprised. She looks around to see who this "she" is. Suddenly, from behind a tree, Abby and Laura appear. A big smile appears on Jennifer's face. Abby runs over to Jennifer and Jack who are still sitting on the blanket.
"Hi Mommy! Grandma took me out of classes today so I could spend the day with you and Daddy!"
Jennifer looks at Abby with a big smile on her face and says, "Well, sweetie, normally, I wouldn't want you to miss school. But because today is such a special day for you, me and your Daddy, I guess we can make an exception to that rule."
"Yay!!" Abby screams with delight. "I can stay with you and Daddy. Thank you Mommy!" She gives Jennifer a big hug. Jack is smiling. He's so glad to see the two people he loves most, with such a happy and delightful expression on their faces. He turns towards Laura and thanks her for picking up Abby from school. Jennifer thanks her too. Laura smiles back and replies, "It was no problem at all. The three of you deserve to share this special time together." Laura leaves the park.
Abby goes over to Jack and hugs him, "Daddy! I'm having so much fun today! Thank you for letting me spend this day with you and Mommy."
"You're welcome, sweetheart," he smiles and gives her a kiss on her cheek. "I wouldn't have it any other way. Nothing makes me happier than sharing these wonderful moments with you and your Mommy. I love the two of you so much" He hugs Abby again, and looks at Jennifer with a loving gaze as he's embracing his daughter. Jennifer smiles back and strokes Jack's arm. The three of them are, once again, able to enjoy this time together. Jack and Jennifer know their time together, as a family, is precious. They intend to make this one of the happiest days for their daughter and for themselves....
Later on....
The sun begins to set in the sky. Jack, Jennifer and Abby all have had a wonderful day as is obvious from the smiles on their faces. Jack suggests that they head back home before it gets too dark. Jennifer agrees. The three of them head back home. As they arrive through the door, Jennifer is stunned to see the dining room table beautifully decorated with a romantic, candle-lit dinner. She turns around towards Jack and is speechless.
"Jack!" she smiles, "You never cease to amaze me. I didn't think that today could be any more special and wonderful than it's already been. You're so sweet." She hugs him tightly and kisses him on the lips.
"The night is still young," he says to Jennifer, with a sexy glimmer in his eyes.
"Abby," Jennifer says, "why don't you go upstairs and get ready for bed? Daddy will be there in a moment to tuck you into bed." Abby agrees and runs upstairs.
Jennifer moves closer to Jack and looks directly into his eyes. "I can't believe you went to all this trouble for me. You didn't have to. The moments I've shared with you today and last night were so wonderful. I didn't expect you to do anything more. You've been so kind and loving to me already..."
"Jennifer," he says as he's gently caressing her face, "I'd do anything to see that beautiful smile on your face. I love you more than words could ever say..." He leans his face towards hers and they share another passionate kiss. After the kiss he say, "Jenn, I'm going upstairs to tuck Abby into bed. When I come back downstairs, we can have that romantic dinner together."
"Okay," she smiles. "I'll go upstairs too and put on another dress for this dinner."
Jack and Jennifer head upstairs. About ten minutes later, Jennifer arrives downstairs wearing a sexy black dress. She dims the lights in the room. She turns on the tape and "their" song, "Unbreak My Heart", is playing quietly in the background. It's perfect, she thinks. Then she sits on the couch and waits for Jack to arrive. She hears his footsteps on the staircase and turns around. There, on the staircase, she sees Jack looking as handsome as ever. He's wearing a dark suit and tie. He smiles at her and looks breathtaken by her beauty.
"Wow!" he says with a huge smile on his face, "You look sensational, Jenn!" He leans over and kisses her on the lips.
"Thank you," she replies with a smile on her face, "And you look very handsome in that suit," she says while giving him a sexy grin. They kiss again. Jack suggests that they begin dinner. As they are dining they continue to look into each other's eyes and hold their hands across the table. Their body signals are communicating the enormous amount of love and desire they feel for each other.
A short while later, their dinner is almost finished. While Jennifer is sipping her champagne, Jack asks her a question.
"Jenn, could you do me a favor?"
"Sure, Jack. What is it?"
"Could you get me a bread roll from the basket? I just figure you're closer to the basket than I am."
"Alright then, " she replies. Jennifer reaches into the basket and cannot find any roll of bread. But there, in the corner of the basket, she is stunned to find a diamond ring. She picks it up and lifts it towards her face. Her eyes begin to light up. She feels so much happiness at this moment.
"Jack!" she says with a huge smile and look of surprise on her face.
Jack smiles and stands up to walk towards the chair where Jennifer is sitting. He moves closer towards her and bends down so that he is looking directly at her face. He puts his hands on her hands and gazes directly into her eyes.
"Jennifer," he begins, "you are the most beautiful and most gentle woman that I have ever known in my entire life. Before I met you, I was nothing. But the very moment that we met was the moment when my life changed for the bettter. You fell in love with me and gave me the kind of confidence in myself that I never had. You made me feel like a special person -- like I mattered. The day we married was one of the proudest and most wonderful moments in my life. The only moment that could match that was the day the doctor handed our beautiful daughter, Abigail, over to me. As I looked into Abby's face, I felt so much love and pride for her and for you. You made me the happiest man alive. I can never thank you enough, Jennifer Rose, for giving me all these wonderful blessings in my life....."
"Jack, I..... " she says. She is so speechless, she hardly knows what to say.
Jack continues, "But unfortunately, Jennifer, I made a terrible mistake. I did something that I spent many years later regretting. I walked out on you and Abby because of the guilt and pain, that I felt, when I discovered that I was unintentionally responsible for our daughter's illness. I just couldn't stand to look at my face in the mirror, let alone, you...."
"Jack, it's not necessary to talk about the past...."
"Jenn, it's okay," he says gently as he strokes her face. Tears are in his eyes. "I need to say these words to you." He pauses, takes a deep breath and continues, "The truth is that the biggest mistake I ever made in my life was walking out on you and Abby. I can never forgive myself for being so hurtful to you and our daughter. But I want to make things right between us. I want to erase all the pain that I caused you. I want to go back to that special time in our lives when we were happily together. Jennifer, I love you and Abby more than life itself. Nothing would make me happier than spending the rest of my life with the two of you together...."
Jennifer is looking at Jack with tears in her eyes. She is so overwhelmed with emotion. On the one hand, she feels complete and total love for Jack as well as enormous happiness and joy. On the other hand, she can't help but think that this could be her last precious moment with Jack before his trial. She remembers what Jack had said to her before about 'moving on' with her life.
"Jack," she says softly, "I thought you wanted to wait until you heard the judge's verdict, before you would make this kind of commitment to me."
"I know. My mind kept on telling me that pushing you away was the best thing for you. I always thought that you deserved much more happiness than I could ever give you. But when I saw the pain and hurt in your eyes, this morning, it felt like I was being stabbed in the heart. I couldn't stand seeing you in so much agony. It was then that I realized that, no matter what happens to me tomorrow at that trial, we are bound together for life. We are soulmates. I can't expect you to bury your deep feelings of love for me -- how could I even think such a foolish thing?! I know your love for me is too strong to be denied. I feel the exact same way about you. I know that our deep love for each other will give us the strength we need to get through any problems we might face. I'm gonna fight, Jennifer -- I'm gonna fight like hell to find the proof I need to get out of jail. I won't let the DiMera's come between us!"
"Jack," she smiles as she strokes his arm, "I'm so relieved to hear you say that. I've been waiting so long to hear that kind of confidence and determination in your voice again. That's the Jack that I remember." She puts her arms around him and kisses him. After their kiss, she pauses and then says in a more quiet and serious voice, "I love you so much. I'm just sorry it took me so long to realize it. I regret all those hurtful things I said to you... All those times I doubted you. It was the pain of losing you that made me act that way towards you. I didn't trust you, Jack, because I felt so much grief when you left me and Abby. It took me so long to realize that this pain was masking all the deep feelings that I still had for you within my heart...."
Jack feels so much hurt thinking about the terrible mistake he made when he walked out on her almost three years ago. "I'm so sorry, Jenn," he says, "I'll never forgive myself for hurting you when I ..... "
Jennifer interrupts him by putting her hand on his mouth. She continues speaking to him in a loving voice, "No, Jack. Please, let me finish..... The truth of the matter is that I never stopped loving you. It took me so long to realize that. Even though I was with Peter, I could never forget about you. And when you returned to Salem, all those feelings that I buried deep within my heart, were brought to the surface. Every time I looked into your beautiful blue eyes, I could feel all these powerful emotions in my heart. As much as I tried to deny it to you, and to myself, the fact was that I've always loved you. It was only last February, before you went to jail -- when I discovered the enormous sacrifice that you made for Abby and me -- that I finally realized the kind of wonderful man that you've become. It was then that I was finally able to recognize these deep emotions that I still had for you. My only regret is that it took me so long to finally admit the truth to myself and to you. So much time was wasted hiding my feelings for you. But it doesn't matter, Jack. Only the future matters. And I want to spend the rest of my life with you. Nothing would make me happier than to renew our wedding vows."
Jack feels so much love and happiness at this moment. He has an enormous smile on his face. He grabs her in his arms and they kiss each other passionately. They are so overwhelmed with happiness that tears are forming in their eyes. They have never loved each other so strongly as they do at this very moment. He gently places the diamond engagement ring on her finger as tears roll down her face. Then he gazes into her eyes. The look in his eyes tells her that he'd like nothing more than to hold her close all night and make love to her. The look in her eyes is just as intense. Although the trial is tomorrow morning, Jack & Jennifer kiss each other passionately, determined to share one more special night together....
To be continued....
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