Jack & Jennifer Alternate Days Story

Part Four:

(Written by Mystic)

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'Ouch! This water is too hot.... Now it's too cold.... Ah, finally... just right,' Jennifer thinks to herself as she's preparing for her turn in the shower. It had been so hard for her to tear herself away from Jack that morning, but the day had to go on. She hated this though. She would like nothing more than to lay in that bed with Jack all day and all night for the rest of their lives. No other thought could make her happier... As she ran the soap against her body, she began to think about the events that took place last night and this morning. Events that had, no doubt, put Jack and Jennifer's relationship at a whole new level. They were completely together now, the way lovers should be. They were linked to one another -- body and soul. There was no turning back now.

Jenn picked up the bottle of shampoo, as more images of the past night entered her mind. Her night with Jack, that she had been dreaming about for so long, finally happened. And it was nothing short of amazing. No other man could ever make Jennifer feel the way Jack had. Last night just emphasized the fact that they were soulmates. She knows that even though this was not their first time together, it may as well have been. The feelings expressed were more real, the passion was more intense. This was the way she had always wanted Jack to be -- and last night intensified this fact. The road to this was definitely filled with ugly twists and turns, but the fact that they could overcome them and finally find themselves in each other's arms signified to Jenn that they truly did belong together. It was a sign that Jack and Jennifer's hearts were intertwined together, and nothing would or ever could change that.

As the steam from the shower continued to float in the air, Jennifer began to think of Mickey's phone call that morning. She just could not believe that Jack's trial was beginning tomorrow. 'How did that happen?' Jennifer wonders. This was a nightmare. She never expected it to happen so suddenly. 'I keep telling Jack that everything is going to be all right, but is that the truth?' Jennifer thinks to herself. She is so terrified to even imagine the thought of Jack returning to jail that she shakes her head and tries to change the subject in her mind. Deep inside, she knows that today is either the "beginning of a new beginning for them" or the "beginning of the end for them". As depressing the thought of the latter is, she knows that it may be the cold truth. Suddenly overwhelmed with many sad and terrifying thoughts, she quickly turns the knobs to the left as the shower water stops. She doesn't want to waste anymore time. She grabs a towel, wraps herself up, and runs out of the bathroom and into her bedroom.

a short, short while later.....

Jennifer is studying herself in the mirror. She is dressed up casually in a short, light gray dress. She picks up her brush and begins brushing her hair one more time. Thinking it might get a little cold later on, she grabs a white sweater from her closet and leaves her room. On her way down the stairs, she can hear Abby's voice. She's laughing. Jennifer smiles to herself, but then her smile slowly disappears. She thinks, 'Jack can't go back to jail. If he does, Abby will lose her father. That can't happen. Oh God, please don't let that happen.' Taking a deep breath, she forces a smile on her face as she makes her way down the rest of the stairs. She walks through the living room and heads for the dining room. There she finds Jack and Abby seated at the table eating pancakes. Jennifer smiles at the sight. Abby is wearing her school clothes, and Jack is now dressed up too. He's wearing blue jeans and a light blue shirt that beautifully brings out his baby blues. Jennifer doesn't make her presence known. She peeks around the corner and watches them both in silence.

"So you like your pancakes, Abby?" Jack grins as he looks at Abigail.

"Yes, daddy. They're good!" Abby says. Jack smiles and continues to watch Abby. He begins to think about what a fool he had been to ever abandon Jennifer and his daughter. He knows that at the time he believed he was doing what was best for his family, but realizes now that the best thing he could have done was to stay. Things might have been very different now. He knows that he could have spared Jennifer a lot of pain. His mistake had brought so much unhappiness to her life. He would never forgive himself for that. He knows that he can't change the past, and should think about the future. 'But what future will we have if I'm sentenced back to prison?' he wonders. 'If that happens, then we have no future.' He continues to watch his daughter. 'Abby, I can't even bare the thought of losing you... You and your mommy,' he thinks to himself.

"Daddy?" Abby says, bringing Jack back to reality.

"Yes, sweetheart?" he says.

"When will I get to be a flowergirl at you and mommy's wedding?" Abby asks.

This question catches Jack a little off-guard. He hesitates for a moment before answering. "Uh... Abby, I hope very soon. I'm praying that it will happen very, very soon." Abby, satisfied with his answer, continues to happily eat her pancakes. Jack, on the other hand, is not too pleased with his response. He wishes he could give her a definite answer. He knows that marrying Jennifer would make him the happiest man alive. In a way, she still feels like his wife to him. He loves her like she still was. But he knows that a wedding for them would symbolize a new beginning. It would be a way to start anew and to forget about all the things that have happened in the past. Images of Jennifer looking beautiful in a wedding gown fill Jack's mind. He then pictures Abigail standing next to her, wearing a pretty, little flowergirl dress. 'My beautiful Jennifer and my beautiful Abigail," Jack thinks. 'Will that day ever come?'

Jennifer is still standing around the corner, listening in on their conversation. Abby's question had affected her. She would love to officially be Jack's wife again. Nothing would make her happier. Even though she already thinks of Jack as her husband and might even refer to him as such, she would like it to be official under the eyes of God. But of course, she knows that the dream of her and Jack getting married again might be just that -- a dream. She prayed with all her heart that her dream would come true. There was no guarantee, but she was not about to give up on her dream.

Jennifer finally steps into the dining room, making herself visible to Jack and Abby. Jack looks up and sees Jenn. A warm smile appears on his face. He puts his arm around Abby and says, "Look Abby. Doesn't your mommy look beautiful?"

Abby smiles and nods. She says, "Mommy, come here and have pancakes with me and daddy."

Jennifer smiles at Abby and says, "I'd love too, sweetie." Jack, still smiling, gets up and walks over to Jenn. He gives her a soft, quick kiss on the lips. He then takes her hand and leads her to the table. He says, "Here's a chair reserved just for you." Ever the gentleman, he pulls it open as Jenn sits down. "Thank you," Jennifer says. Jack begins to serve Jenn her batch of pancakes as she quietly watches him. She notices that Jack's eyes are filled with happiness, but there's also a bit of sadness mixed in. She understands how he's feeling because she feels the same way. How do they deal with today, knowing that it may be the last they ever get to spend together as a family? That's the question both Jack and Jennifer were thinking, but both were too afraid to ask it.

After serving Jenn her pancakes, he smiles at her and says, "Bon apetit." Jennifer smiles at him but still says nothing. She stares into space (in this case, space = pancakes). Jack sits down in his seat and stares at Jenn, sensing that she's a bit reluctant. Not wanting the mood to get too sad, he tries to joke around. "Jenn, are you afraid to try the pancakes? I made them so we already know that they're a chef's dream." He grins at her, waiting for some type of reaction. Jennifer genuinely laughs and says, "Jack, I've always loved your modesty." Jack smiles at her, happy that he got her to laugh.

"What is modesty?" Abby asks. Jennifer and Jack look at each other and smile, admiring Abby's curiosity.

"Sweetie, modesty is something your father hasn't quite mastered," Jennifer begins to joke, playfully trying to get Jack mad. Jack puts on a phony hurt look on his face. "I beg to differ," he begins. "I am a very modest person, Abby."

Jennifer gives in and says, "He's right, sweetie. I was just kidding. Your father is very modest...... sometimes." She quickly looks at Jack and he smiles. "Your father is also very honorable and very loving. He'd do anything for you, Abigail." Jack's smile gets a little smaller as he stares at Jenn. He finally turns to Abby and says, "Your mommy's right, princess. I would do anything for you." Jack looks at Jenn again. "And for your mom."

Jennifer puts her hand on Jack's hand and smiles lovingly at him. She knows that what he says is the truth. Abby asks if she can go to her room and get her bookbag ready for school. Jack and Jenn tell her she can so she leaves the table and starts to run upstairs.

Back in the dining room, Jenn is still holding Jack's hand. Sensing that Abby is now upstairs, she says quietly, "Jack, that was very sweet of you to say." He looks at her and says, "I meant every word, Jenn. There's nothing I wouldn't do for you and Abby.... I'd die for either one of you in a heartbeat."

Jennifer senses tears starting to form in her eyes. Jack's words were so real and true. "I know you would, Jack," she says. "And I'd do the same for you."

Jack smiles warmly at her as he brushes a tear away that had just fallen down Jenn's left cheek. He leans towards her and kisses that same cheek. He pauses for a little while, studying her face. "Jenn, you seem a little tired."

Jennifer smiles at him and says, "I am a little tired. How could I not be after last night?"

Jack smiles back and looks down at the table, almost trying to avoid Jenn's eyes. Finally, he looks back up at her and says, "Jenn, about last night..... well, it was so special to me. More special than I can ever say. I don't think I've ever felt as close to you as I did last night when I was holding you and making love to you. It was so very special to me. And that time will always be kept here....." Jack takes Jenn's hand and holds it against his chest where his heart is. ".....right here in my heart."

Jennifer stares at him for awhile, taking in the moment. After a pause, she says, "Thank you, Jack."

"For what?" he asks.

"For saying that. Hearing you say those words to me touches me in a way you'll never know..... I love you so much, Jack," she finally says after a moment's pause. There is so much she wants to say to him, but those three words pretty much summed it all up. She loves Jack. She loves him with all her heart. That's the most important thing for him to know. "Please know that I'll always stand by you and I'll always love you. I never have stopped loving you, and I never will stop loving you. You're stuck with me, Jack -- like it or not," she begins to tease. Jack smiles at her, hanging on to every word she says. "Now and forever, Jack. Like it or not, you are stuck with me now and forever," she firmly finishes.

Jack, still smiling, says, "Oh, I like it very much. And I won't argue with you..... Maybe we should put it in writing?" Jennifer laughs and says that won't be necessary. She is a woman of her word. Jack, knowing of her strong loyalty, agrees that her word is enough to last a lifetime. He leans closer to Jennifer again and kisses her passionately on the lips, something he wanted to do the moment he saw her in that dining room. Jennifer doesn't hold back and returns the kiss just as passionately.

The kiss is interrupted by the sound of a school bus beeping it's horn. "Oh!" Jenn says. "The school bus is here to pick up Abby! Where is she anyway?" Right then, Abby comes hopping down the stairs, bookbag on her back, all ready to go. Jack and Jennifer scurry into the living room to say goodbye to her.

"Come here, sweetheart," Jack says to Abby. Abby runs over to him, as Jack kneels down in front of her. "You have a good day at school, you hear? I want you to have lots of fun. I'll be there to pick you up later, okay?"

"Okay, daddy. I love you," Abby replies.

"I love you too," Jack says to her. Realizing that this may be the last time he sends Abby off to school, sadness takes over. Not wanting Abby to pick up on his sadness, he quickly hugs her, then stands up and leads her over to the front door.

Jennifer has the door open, signaling to the bus driver that Abby is on her way. She kneels down and gives Abby a hug also. "Have a great day, sweetie. Daddy will be at school later to pick you up," she tells Abby. She hugs Abby tight one more time before sending her off to the bus. Jack watches sadly as Abby leaves. When the bus is no longer in sight, Jack turns around and slowly walks back into the living room. Jennifer closes the front door and follows him. "Jack," she says quietly. "Are you okay?"

Jack turns around and faces Jennifer. His eyes are filled with sadness. He takes a deep breath and says, "It just hit me that this might've been the last time I saw Abby off to school."

"Jack, don't think like that," Jennifer tells him. "I refuse to believe that. We have to stay hopeful that tomorrow will turn out in our favor. We have to..." Jennifer heard herself saying the words, but she knew that she was doubtful. Jack could sense it too. Neither of them say anything for awhile. They're both lost in their own thoughts.

Finally, Jack says quietly, "Uh, Jenn..... there's something I want to give you."

"Yeah? Well, you can make it payable to Jennif -- " she begins to laugh. Jack smiles and laughs along with her. Then he walks over to the desk and opens up a drawer. He pulls out a little jewelry box. He hands it to Jenn nervously. He says, "I bought it for you a few days ago and couldn't find the right time to give it to you. And now since......." He stops, not wanting to finish that sentence. "Well, I just feel that now's the right time."

Jennifer smiles at him as she slowly opens up the little box, her hands shaking. Inside, she finds a gold necklace with a little heart pendant. It looked so precious and so valuable. "Oh, Jack," Jenn whispers. "This is so beautiful."

Jack smiles, relieved that she likes it. "It's a locket. Open it," he says quietly. Jennifer opens up the little heart. On the left side is a mini picture of Jack, Jennifer and Abby. On the right side is a little inscription. She reads it out loud:

Jennifer looks up at Jack with tears in her eyes. Jack is looking at her nervously. "Jack," she begins. ".......I don't know what to say." Just when she thought he couldn't get any more romantic, he has to go and do something like this.

Jack smiles at her. "You don't have to say anything," he says. "Just know that this is a gift to you from me..... from my heart. I just hope you like it."

Jennifer looks at him like he's crazy. "I love it," she tells him. She stares at it some more and then looks at Jack and smiles sweetly. "Will you please put it on me?" Jack smiles and, without a word, takes the box from Jenn's hand and gently lifts the neckace from it. Jennifer turns around and lifts up her hair. Jack carefully puts the necklace around Jenn's neck and fidgets around with the clasps. Finally, he gets it. He turns Jennifer around and studies her. "How does it look?" she asks.

Jack smiles and says, "It looks perfect on you..... You know, I got this locket because it reminded me of you -- soft and delicate. And very, very beautiful." Jennifer, very touched by his words, moves closer to him and kisses him. She suddenly stops and says, "Wait a minute. When did you find the time to go out and buy me this necklace, Jack? You haven't really left my sight since you've been back home."

Jack smiles. "Oh, I found the time. When you were sound asleep one night, I snuck out of the house to buy you this special something." He begins to laugh. "Actually, it was fairly late at night when I got to the jewelry store and the owner guy was already closing up. I already knew which necklace I wanted so I convinced him to open the shop up again for me so I could buy it. It took a few times for me to repeat the same argument about why he should engrave the locket that night though."

Jennifer laughs. "How many times did it take you to repeat your argument and make him give in?

"Four," Jack answers.

"Four times? Fourth time's a charm?" Jenn says, smiling. "That takes a lot of endurance."

Jack leans closer to Jenn and says, "Doing it four times is my specialty."

Just then, the doorbell rings. "I'll get it," Jack says as he starts walking towards the front door. He opens it and finds Mickey standing on the doorstep. "Mickey," Jack says. "Come on in."

"Hi Jack," Mickey says as he steps inside. "How are you doing this morning?"

"As well as can be expected," Jack answers.

"Uncle Mickey! Hey!" Jennifer says as she walks over to him and gives him a hug.

Jack then says, "Jennifer told me about the trial being moved up to tomorrow."

Mickey nods. "Yeah, look, I'm sorry about that Jack. I really thought it'd be a few more weeks until your trial began."

"So how's the defense coming along for tomorrow's trial? Do you think there's a good chance for the judge to release Jack for good?" Jenn says.

"Well, it really all depends on Kristen and Stefano's testimony," Mickey answers.

Jennifer says, "What?! You mean our best defense is for Kristen and Stefano to tell the truth about Peter?! Uncle Mickey, you know that's not going to happen. There's gotta be something else that can persuade the judge to rule in Jack's favor. Don't you think we have enough evidence that Peter's alive with mom and Marlena's testimony?"

"Jenn, I don't know. When you come right down to it, Laura and Marlena's testimony is circumstancial. It still isn't definite proof that Peter is alive. I know it seems like a long shot for Kristen and Stefano to confess. Especially Stefano. But maybe Kristen will want to redeem herself and start to tell the truth," Mickey suggests to them.

"Come on, Mickey," Jack says. "Do you really think that Kristen could be redeemable after all the horrible things she's done?"

"Jack, I don't know. I'm just saying that they are our best shot at winning this thing. I'm going to do all I can to get the judge to rule in our favor, but I honestly don't know what our chances will be without Stefano or Kristen's confession," says Mickey.

"Well, thanks for being honest Mickey," Jack says. He turns away. Feelings of despair take over as he realizes that his only hope is Kristen and Stefano -- two people he loathes. He knows that the chances of him being acquitted are slim to none. Jennifer walks up behind Jack and puts her arms around him. "Don't worry, Jack," she says quietly. "This isn't over yet. There is still a chance that you'll be found innocent. Please don't give up hope."

Jack turns around and puts his hands on Jenn's arms. "I'm trying not to, Jenn. But to think that my whole future lies on what Kristen and Stefano will say on that witness stands tomorrow........ well, I don't even want to think about it." Jennifer, knowing exactly how Jack feels, leans closer to him and hugs him. She hugs him really tight, not wanting to let go. Tears start welling up in her eyes now. The situation seemed hopeless.

"Jack, Jennifer," Mickey says quietly, hating to interrupt them. "There's still a chance for you. I really think that Kristen will confess about her brother. There's no point in her lying about it now. She's already lost John so why would she continue to lie. But, I really don't know how tomorrow will turn out. I'm sorry. I'll do everything I can to convice the judge that Peter is alive. Everything I can."

"Thank you, Mickey," Jack says as he walks towards him and shakes his hand. "I really do appreciate all your help."

"I wish there was more I could do Jack," Mickey says, apologetically. "We'll just have to wait until tomorrow morning to see how this all turns out." Jack nods. Mickey looks at his watch. "Well, I gotta go to court and take care of something. I'll see you both at the courthouse tomorrow at 9:00, okay?"

Jennifer nods. "Okay, Uncle Mickey." She gives him a hug goodbye.

"Bye Mickey," Jack says. "See you tomorrow." Jack shows him to the front door. After Mickey walks out of the door, Jack closes it behind him. He turns to Jenn and looks at her, his eyes illustrating that he feels it is hopeless. Jennifer, not wanting Jack to act this way, walks over to him and takes his hands in hers.

"Jack, please don't give up hope," she tells him as she leads him over to the couch. They both sit down, close to each other. "Remember, there's still a chance that Kristen will confess."

"Yeah, well I'm not counting on it," Jack says.

Jennifer lets go of Jack and puts her hands on her face. The situation seems so hopeless that she doesn't know what to think anymore. Silence proceeds as they both don't know what to say next. Finally, Jack gets up. "Jack, where are you going?" Jennifer asks.

"I'm gonna get some papers I want to go over with you. Just in case I do go back to prison tomorrow, there are some things we have to talk about so I know you'll be able to manage here on your own," Jack answers.

"Jack, don't even say that! You are not going back to prison tomorrow!" Jenn says, upset.

"Jennifer, we have to face reality. The odds of me being set free are not good. We have to face it. And the worst part is that last night I gave in to my feelings and made you think that there might still be a chance for us," Jack says.

Jennifer, visibly hurting, stands up. "Jack, don't ever say that again! Last night was the best night of my life. Being with you was so wonderful. I will never, ever regret it. Don't you ever regret it either!"

Jack looks down and sighs. After a moment, he looks at Jenn and says, "I'm sorry. I didn't mean it to sound that way. Jenn, what happened between us last night was so very special to me. I could never regret it. Please don't ever think that I do, because I don't." He brushes his hand against Jenn's cheek. Then he says, "The only thing I regret is the fact that I could have been stringing you along, letting you dream about a future that we may never get to have. I don't want to hurt you. I'd rather die than see you hurt." Jennifer stares at him tearfully, but says nothing. After a pause, Jack says, "I'm going to go get those papers." He turns away and heads for the stairs.

As Jack is walking up the stairs, Jennifer slowly walks back over to the couch and sits down. Her mind is a wreck -- not knowing what to think anymore. Tomorrow morning would be arriving very soon. It already seemed like Jack had given up hope. Feeling the pressure, Jennifer leans back on the couch. She doesn't know what to think anymore. Would tomorrow turn out in their favor? Well, whatever the case, Jennifer knew that today might be the last day they get to spend together. And even though she doesn't want to think about that possibility, she realizes that it may be true. So she knows that she has to make today count. She has to make today special for her and Jack. Because as fate might have it, it could be their last.......