CIRCLE OF LOVE-Loyal Convictions

by Kathleen

AUTHOR'S NOTE: Thank you for all the feedback on this story. This chapter is dedicated to Kris and her wonderful agent, Deb, who provide inspiration through the extraordinary emotion and romance of Kris' stories.

Happy Holidays to everyone. I hope to have Chapter 11 completed before New Year's.

RATING: "PG"

The "NC-17" version of this chapter has been forwarded for distribution via the "NC-17" mailing list (HelenO@aol.com). You can also contact me directly at kathsheeh@aol.com to receive a copy.

CHAPTER 10 -- Loyal Convictions

Wednesday, May 9, 2001

The Jacks Residence -- 2:15pm

Five minutes had passed since Charlie had revealed that Addie was the leak in the assault against J & J Jacks and the sound of the silence on the terrace was almost deafening. Jerry's eyes had been affixed on Jax the entire time while Brenda tightly held his strong left hand between both of her delicate hands. Jax's face showed no expression but Charlie's one word response of "Addie" was reverberating over and over again in Jax's head. He then squeezed Brenda's hand and she released her grasp.

Brenda started to get up to leave the three men alone. Jax then grabbed her hand again. "Don't go."

Brenda gave him a quick reassuring smile and Jax then stood up from the porch swing and walked over to the corner of the terrace.

Jax turned and looked at Charlie. "Tell me exactly what you found?"

Charlie relayed the results of the investigation. "We found evidence of remote access to the private data base. The breach was detected by the new security software installed after hours last night. Evidence of previous instances of outside access was also found."

Jerry took a deep breath. "Why was that not picked up by the previously installed detection software?"

Charlie cleared this throat. "On Monday night after Peterson informed us of the probability of the internal leak, activity detection devices were installed on all modems as a secondary security measure. Activity was detected on the modem to your private data base but the network's security device did not pick up a breach to the data base."

Jax folded his arms in front of him. "How is that possible?"

Charlie continued. "Last night we closely monitored the modem and network activity and found that an anti-detection program began functioning two minutes before access to the data base was made and then ceased operating eight minutes later, two minutes after the access had ended."

Jerry rubbed his eyes. "So software installed on our own network prevented the breaches from being detected?"

"Yes. The software is some of the most sophisticated I have ever seen and it enabled the modem activity to bypass the detection devices for that ten minute period."

Jax felt the knots in his neck increasing. "And this anti-detection program was installed where?"

Charlie exhaled slowly. "Only on the private database. And you know how limited internal access is to that. The passwords have been changed this week and there is evidence that there was access made before and after the change."

Brenda watched as Jax's eyes clouded over before he spoke again. "Did you trace the phone records for the incoming calls to the modem?"

"Yes, calls were made from an office at the Port Charles Towers."

Jerry shook his head slightly. "Sommerville & Case?"

Charlie nodded. "Yes, the calls were made from Addie's late husband's law firm."

Brenda felt as if a hole was being burned through her stomach as she watched Jax raking his hand through his hair. He then paced up and down the side of the terrace before he turned to Charlie again. "Addie has been working for the company for ten years. What possibly could be her motive? She has more money than she could ever spend from William's estate and she has never voiced a problem with her position at J & J Jacks."

Charlie cleared his throat. "Has Addie mentioned to you that she is involved with someone?"

Jax shook his head. "I know she has been seeing someone but I am not aware of the specifics. William has been dead for over two years and I know she began seeing people socially about a year ago."

"Well, she is evidently very serious about a new man in her life. They have been together for about six months but they keep a low profile. There is a good reason for that."

Jerry raised his eyebrow. "What reason?"

"The man in her life is now going by the name of Rex Taylor." Charlie then looked over to Jax. "Jax, does that name ring a bell to you?"

Jax shook his head. "No, but what do you mean he is now going by that name? What was his name?"

Charlie hesitated slightly. "Rex Harrison."

Jax felt his jaw ache. "Any relation to George Harrison?"

Charlie nodded. "His son."

Jerry turned to Jax. "George Harrison? As in the George Harrison that owned the majority interest in the grocery store chain in Western Europe we took over? Harrison, the one who refused to give up even when the rest of the shareholders sold him out and it ended up costing him everything he owned in the end and he still came away with nothing?"

Jax took a deep breath. "Yes and he killed himself two months later."

Jerry shook his head. "The man was terminally ill."

Jax moved his head slightly. "Yes, but his family always thought I may as well have pulled the trigger myself."

Charlie spoke to both Jax and Jerry. "I think Addie's feelings for Rex Harrison are ample motive knowing how the Harrison family feels about J & J Jacks."

Jax leaned against the terrace wall and shook his head. "No, I don't believe it. There has to be another explanation here."

Jerry sighed deeply. "Jax, I know how hard this is but..."

Jax's jaw tightened even more. "No. There is something else here."

Charlie exhaled slowly. "Jax, she has motive and opportunity and she is trusted with information that only a handful of people have. I wish there was another explanation."

Jax felt his fingernails piercing the skin of his palms as he clenched his fists. "Charlie, you have only given me circumstantial evidence thus far."

Charlie nodded. "Yes, Jax but there is a mountain of it and it explains so much. This is not as simple as innocently revealing some information. Security codes were bypassed, software was installed, information was tampered with. There had to conscious disclosure here."

There was a fire blazing behind Jax's eyes. "Charlie, I understand you are just doing your job but you don't know Addie Sommerville the way I do. It is going to take a lot more than this to convince me that she sold us out. Something just does not make sense here and I am going to need to see this for myself."

Jerry rubbed his temple and then walked over to Jax. "Jax, I understand what you are saying but we have to operate as if the worst is true. However it happened, there has been a major breach, several of them."

Jax loudly sighed. "Whatever my feelings are, I am not going to jeopardize the company any further than it has been. I realize what has to be done."

Jerry patted Jax on the shoulder. "Okay."

Jax turned to Charlie. "We will set up the new private data base here. Besides the four of us here, only Julia, Dad and Mum will know about it. The private data base at the office will be updated enough to not arouse suspicion. I will keep Addie out of the loop for the time being."

Jerry continued. "We will need all the security clearances changed as well as another sweep for the anti-detection devices and listening devices. We also need access to the offices of Sommerville & Case and a twenty-four watch on the comings and goings of the office staff."

Charlie nodded. "We will have access inside the office this evening and all entrances are under surveillance as we speak. We really need to keep Addie under close watch."

Jax swept a strand of hair from his forehead. "I will deal with Addie. She will be out of commission for the rest of the week. That way, we can get some real answers."

Jerry turned to Jax. "How do you propose to do that?"

Jax stroked his chin. "I will call her this evening and tell her that I am working here tomorrow and I need her with me. Then tomorrow afternoon, I will arrange for the Ontario office to call concerning the export problems and I will send her to personally review the situation for me while I am stuck here dealing with the crisis."

Charlie took a deep breath before he spoke. "I know how disconcerting all of this is. Are you sure you want to handle this yourself?"

Jax nodded. "Positive. Just leave Addie to me. You take care of the rest and be prepared to get some answers."

Brenda noticed the look of concern which passed between Charlie and Jerry before Charlie spoke again. "Okay. I will get back to the post at the hotel and get right on it."

Jerry deeply sighed. "Jax, I don't think this is such a great idea. I think you need to take a step back."

Jax's eyes looked like steel. "No, I will handle it. Period."

Jerry's voice had an edge to it. "Jax..."

Jax turned quickly and stared straight through Jerry. "This is not up for debate."

At that moment the sound of a light tap on the terrace door was heard. Everyone turned around and saw Jillian at the door with Corrine standing behind her. "I am awake everybody."

Brenda started to get up. "I will take her out front."

Jax shook his head. "No, I will get her." He then spoke for Jerry's benefit more so than Brenda's. "Jillian and I will walk Charlie out and then the three of us can spend the rest of the afternoon together. We are finished here for now."

Jax opened the terrace door and lifted Jillian into his arms. She waved to Brenda and Jerry before she and Jax walked Charlie through the house and out the front door.

Jerry shook his head. "Brenda, he is in big trouble."

Brenda felt her own jaw tightening. "Why? Because he finds it hard to believe that someone who has helped him through some very difficult times, both personally and professionally, would stab him in the back?"

Jerry sighed in exasperation. "Not you too. For God's sake, you heard Charlie. These aren't reckless accusations."

"Jerry, you know all of Jax's strengths and weaknesses. What is his greatest talent?"

Jerry rolled his eyes. "Brenda, he is too close to this."

Brenda folded her arms in front of her. "You did not answer my question. What is the biggest asset he brings to a transaction?"

Jerry began pacing again. "Fine, he can generally read people. But no one is perfect, especially when they don't want to believe the worst."

"Jerry, that man understands people better than anyone I have ever met. Five years ago I thought he could just see through me, but it is everyone. He reads people like a book and that is what makes him so damned good at what he does."

Jerry walked over to Brenda. "Brenda, what happens if he is wrong here? What do you think that will do to him? He needs to accept the fact that the evidence could be true because in all likelihood it is."

Brenda spoke deliberately. "What happens if he isn't wrong? Are you prepared to destroy someone who has given years of loyal service as an employee and years of support as a friend? He is not prepared to be judge and jury at this moment. How can anyone be?"

Jerry sighed again. "You are just like Jax in that you aren't jaded enough to realize that people betray each other and stab each other in the back every day."

"No Jerry, I am well aware of that fact. But we are not talking about people here in a vacuum. We are talking about Addie who has been a loyal employee and confidante and friend in the good and bad. Don't you think she is owed even the benefit of the doubt?"

Jerry took a deep breath. "I am not recommending that she be put in front of a firing squad now but I also don't think Jax should be handling this himself. If this blows apart for J & J Jacks..."

Brenda interrupted him. "Jerry, I am going to make one thing perfectly clear. Someone else is going to have to worry about J & J Jacks. I am only worried about one thing and that is your brother. If we lost this house and every other material possession we owned tomorrow, it would mean nothing to me as long as he was all right."

"Brenda, he is not thinking clearly. This has all stirred up so much from the past."

Brenda shook her head. "You are wrong. I know how rough this has been on him but I also know that he is a brilliant businessman and an even better judge of character. If he believes there is something else involved here, then there is. I have no doubt about that. He will get to the bottom of this."

Jerry had to smile at her staunch support. "Well whatever happens, at least I know that he will have someone there for him."

Brenda exhaled loudly. "Always. You leave Jax for me to worry about."

Jerry nodded as he patted Brenda on the shoulder. "I will leave him in your very capable hands. I am going to get out of here and give him some space. Since I have been away for a week, maybe I can convince my wife to come home early and worry about me."

Brenda shook her head. "Good luck. You have that groveling routine down my now so that should do the trick."

Jerry rolled his eyes as he walked into the house to head home. A minute later, Jax and Jillian appeared from the front yard. Jax walked up the path alongside the terrace and Jillian was giggling as she sat on his shoulders.

Jax came up the steps and Jillian waved. "Look at me Mommy. I am sooo high in the sky."

Brenda grinned broadly. "I see you. My goodness, you are very tall."

Jax walked over to the swing and bent down as Brenda lifted Jillian from his shoulders. Jillian bounced up and down in Brenda's lap. I was high just like the giraffe at the zoo."

Jax sat next to Brenda on the swing. "Yes, the giraffe is very tall. He has to be tall to eat the leaves from the very, very high branches of the trees."

Jillian nodded. "Giraffes have long, long necks."

Brenda kissed Jillian's hand. "Yes, they do."

Jillian sighed. "Poooor giraffes."

Jax smiled. "Why are they poor giraffes?"

Jillian held her hands out in front of her as she spoke. "Because when they have a cold, their throat hurts sooo much. It is so long and giraffes can't eat Sucrets."

Jax bit the inside of his bottom lip to stop his mirth. "They can't?"

Jillian shook her head back and forth. "No, not even Children's Sucrets. Not even the cherry ones."

Jax wrapped his arms around Brenda and Jillian as the swing gently rocked back and forth in the beautiful spring afternoon air. Jax smiled as he realized that a little girl and a giraffe with a sore throat could temporarily cure whatever ails you.

The Jacks Residence -- 7:30pm

Jax sat on the edge of Jillian's bed as she sat in Brenda's lap. They were reading one of the new books Brenda had picked up last week in California. Jax had already read it once over the phone to Jillian the night before last.

Jax helped Jillian turn the last page of the book and Jillian spoke. "The End."

Jax smiled brightly. "Yes, that is the end."

Jillian clapped. "Goofy is so funny. Can we read it again?"

Brenda shook her head. "No, not tonight. It is time for you to go to sleep now." Brenda looked over at Jax. "Daddy needs to go to bed too. He is very tired."

Jillian reached over and patted Jax's hand. "Daddy, you can say your prayers with me so you will be all ready to go night-night."

Jax smiled. "Okay princess."

Jillian scooted off of Brenda's lap and knelt down on the floor. She patted the carpet next to her. "Daddy, you bend here."

Jax knelt down on the floor next to Jillian. Jillian looked over at him. "Daddy, now you put your hands together just like this." Jillian held her hands together and Jax imitated her.

Brenda sat in the rocking chair and watched them. Jillian spoke to Jax again. "Now Daddy, all you do is talk to God. You can't hear God talk back to you but Mommy says he whispers to us when we are asleep and our hearts hear him."

Jax nodded. "Okay. Why don't you start?"

Jillian took a very deep breath before she began her recitation. "God bless Daddy and Mommy and Jamie and Lady and God bless Grandmom and Grandpa. And God bless Aunt Julia and Uncle Jerry and Aunt Lois and Uncle Ned and Brooke and Anthony and God bless Aunt Robin."

Jax looked at Jillian. "Are you finished?"

Jillian began to nod but then abruptly stopped. "I forgot. God bless all the horses and the swans. Oh, and all the giraffes with sore throats. And God please don't let work make Daddy sad anymore. Amen."

Jax smiled at her. "Done?"

Jillian bobbed her head up and down. "All done. Now you can talk to God."

Jax softly sighed. "Okay."

Jillian then moved closer to Jax. "Daddy, remember to close your eyes so that the angels can tell God you are not peeking. God listens with his eyes closed so he can't see you but the angels are always watching to see if you are peeking."

Jax looked down at Jillian. "The angels are watching?"

Jillian nodded. "Yes, Ingo told me when we were at the beach. The angels are always watching."

Jax gave her a lopsided grin. "Well, if Ingo said it then it must be true. He is a great fan of the angels."

"Yes Daddy. Ingo loves the angels."

Jax closed his eyes. "God bless Mommy and Jamie and Grandmom and Grandpa and Aunt Julia and Uncle Jerry and all the Ashtons and Aunt Robin. And God bless Lady and all the other animals. And lastly, God bless Jillian, our own little angel on earth. Amen."

Jillian beamed as she looked up at Jax. She then turned to Brenda. "Mommy, Daddy says I am an angel."

Brenda smiled as she and Jax helped Jillian into bed. "Yes, he did."

Jillian held Roo-Roo in her arms as Brenda covered her with the sheet. "Mommy, now I am an angel princess."

Brenda smirked at Jax and then kissed Jillian on the forehead. "You think so?"

Jillian nodded. "Yes Mommy." Jillian then looked up at Jax. "Right Daddy?"

Jax leaned over and kissed her. "That is right Jillian. You are our angel princess."

Jillian sighed contently. "I like that."

Brenda secured the sheet again. "Good night angel princess."

Jax stroked her cheek. "Sweet dreams Jillian."

Jax and Brenda left Jillian's room and Brenda spoke quietly to Jax in the hall by the staircase. "I know you have phone calls to make but after that, you need to try to get some rest."

Jax gave her a slight smile. "That does not come very easily these days. I need to get a status report from Charlie and then call Addie about tomorrow."

Brenda took both his hands in hers. "What can I do to make this easier for you?"

Jax brought her right hand to his lips. "Nothing. You are already doing it by just loving and supporting me and helping Jillian deal with all of this."

Brenda's eyes gleamed with love. "Jillian and I love you very much and we will be there for you always."

Jax cupped Brenda's face with his hands. "And there are not enough words in the English language for me to explain how much that means to me."

Brenda smiled. "Do you want me to sit with you while you talk to Charlie and Addie?"

Jax shook his head. "I am all right but thank you." Jax kissed her forehead. "Thank you from the bottom of my heart."

Brenda softly sighed. "Okay. Just call me if you need me."

Jax wrapped his arms around her waist. "Believe me, it is not a question of need. There will never be a moment that I don't need you."

Brenda hugged him tightly and then Jax began to descend the steps to make his calls from the office downstairs. Brenda called out to him. "Remember we love you."

Jax turned to face Brenda. "I do and I love you." He blew her a kiss before reaching the foyer and disappearing from her sight.

Brenda took a deep breath as she closed her eyes and said a silent prayer asking for God's help for Jax and herself during this difficult time.

An hour later, Jax had finished with his phone calls and everything was set for the surveillance and monitoring tonight and the plans for Addie tomorrow. Brenda then finally convinced Jax to try to get some sleep. She was certain that Jax's dreams had haunted him for the past several days as memories of the betrayal and danger surrounding the crisis had flooded his mind. Sleep had become more torturous than restful for him.

Brenda knelt down on the bed beside Jax as she rubbed his shoulders, neck and back. His muscles were as tight as she had ever felt and the knots in his neck and shoulders were bigger than the size of marbles. Her hands slowly but firmly worked the knots out and eased the stiffness in his muscles. Brenda finally felt him relax as her fingers massaged his lower back. He was on his stomach, facing her with his arms stretched out under his pillows.

Brenda spoke softly to him. "Go to sleep my darling."

Jax softly moaned as he began to drift off to sleep. "Brenda, I love you."

"I love you baby. Sweet dreams Jax."

Jax's words came just as sleep overtook him. "No dreams. Please don't leave me."

Brenda's breath caught in her throat as she wrapped her arms around Jax and rested her head against the middle of his back. "Jax, I am not going to leave you. I promise."

Tears rolled down Brenda's cheeks as she lifted her head and whispered into Jax's ear. "Dream about us tonight, just you and Jillian and me. Only us, my darling."

Brenda held Jax even more tightly. "After this is all over, we will get away, just the three of us. No phones, no faxes, just us. We'll go to New Orleans and we can take Jillian on her first river boat ride up the Mississippi. And we can have her portrait painted in Jackson Square and we will dance in the rain again. Jax, we are not leaving you, not for one minute. I promise."

Brenda softly kissed the side of Jax's face and whispered to him again. "I am right here baby and I love you."

Brenda curled up as closely as she could to Jax and slid one hand under his pillow while the other rested on his back. A few minutes later, Jax shifted in his sleep and he rolled onto his side. Without ever leaving his state of deep slumber, Jax's arms reached for Brenda and pulled her closer to him. Jax sighed contently as he rested his cheek against Brenda's head.

Brenda smiled as a stray tear rolled down her cheek. She knew that God had whispered to Jax's heart and in turn, answered her own prayers as well.

Thursday, May 10, 2001

The Jacks Residence -- 8:30am

Jax put the phone down as he sat at his desk. He and Jerry had just finished a conference call with Charlie concerning the details of last night's monitoring. There had been no activity at the offices of Sommerville & Case after hours and the modem activity for the private data base had been minimal. Access had been made but the connection had then been immediately terminated. It was deemed by Charlie's experts to have been a test to ensure that there had been no detection and thereby no tampering with the interloper's clandestine access to the network.

Jax leaned back in his chair as he thought back to his conversation a half hour ago with Paul Hogan. The business day had ended in Australia and there were more rumblings about the impending contract negotiations. Paul was managing to keep a handle on matters for the time being but Jax knew that time was their biggest foe now in Australia. If the contracts were lost, there would be a domino effect and the company was not in a position to withstand that now. New financial information was available and it had been downloaded into the new private data base which was being kept in one of the upstairs guest rooms. Fictitious financial information was being logged into the private data base at the office to not arouse suspicion.

Jax looked at his watch. Addie would be at the house in twenty minutes. The day was just starting but it already felt as if it were endless. The corner of Jax's mouth involuntarily curled up into a smile as he remembered awakening two hours before to find Brenda asleep next to him still dressed in the same clothes she had been wearing last night. She had never left his side once he had fallen asleep. Brenda had jokingly told him this morning that she had found a benefit to having security positioned outside the house. When Sean had called from his post to check in for the night, Brenda had asked him to let Lady in for the night. It had enabled her to stay with Jax.

Jax looked up to find Brenda standing in the doorway watching him. He held his hand out to her. "Come here sweetie."

Brenda walked into the office and sat down in Jax's lap. "Honey, are you okay?"

Jax sighed as he rested his chin on her shoulder. "I am better now."

Brenda gently threaded her fingers through his golden locks. "I know how difficult today is going to be for you. What do you want me to do? Jillian is dressed and is watching Barney in the den. Do you want us to stay here or should I go to L&B and take her with me? I can work from either place."

"Stay here. Spending some time with Jillian is part of the reason why I told Addie I wanted to work at home today."

Brenda nodded. "Okay. Whatever I can do, just let me know. I know how much you just want to ask her to tell you the accusations are not true."

Jax took a deep breath. "Yes, but it can't happen that way. I need to figure out a way to determine if she has any idea whatsoever about what is going on with Harrison. I can't believe she does but I realize how damaging the evidence looks. I know Jerry and Dad think I am looking at this situation through rose-colored glasses but..."

Brenda shook her head. "They are wrong. You are a very fair man and you have worked very hard to surround yourself with people who you can trust and rely on in a time of crisis. Addie has never given you any reason to doubt her. How could you just give up on her now without confirming the truth? Your mother told me that she feels the same way when I spoke to her last night."

Jax flashed her a big grin. "Jerry mentioned that you informed him that he did not know what the hell he was talking about when he voiced his opposition to my views on this subject."

Brenda shrugged. "I just call them like I see them and your brother and your father are wrong in this case. They will get over it."

Jax squeezed her shoulders with his hands. "You remind me more every day of Lady Jane. You are getting just as feisty."

Brenda laughed softly. "Thank you. I consider that a tremendous compliment."

Jax smiled. "It was meant as one."

Brenda rested her forehead against his. "I will have to compare notes with her when she comes into town for the weekend."

Jax let out a ragged sigh. "The weekend...." Jax lifted her chin so that she was looking directly into his eyes. "Brenda, I know that everything is spinning out of control right now but whatever happens, I am going to be here for you. I have not forgotten what Sunday is and I know it will not be an easy day for you."

Brenda smiled slightly. "We will deal with Sunday when it comes. We have a few hurdles to get over before that."

Jax kissed her forehead. "That does not mean I can't worry about you. Besides all of this mess with J & J Jacks, you have had your own pain to deal with. I am well aware that next week is the anniversary of Jimmy Martin's death and I know it has not been easy planning Lucy's baby shower, especially with Mother's Day just three days from now."

Brenda put her fingers to Jax's lips. "Shhh. I know how agonizing last Mother's Day was for both of us. I shut you out, I shut everybody out but that is not going to happen this year. We are going to get through this one together but before that, we have some other obstacles to overcome."

Jax kissed Brenda's fingers. "I love you. Please remember that in case I don't say it enough over the next several days."

Brenda snuggled against him. "I will and I love you too."

The door bell then rang and Jax took a deep breath. Brenda kissed him softly on the lips and then scooted off his lap. "We'll be here and we love you."

Addie walked into the office as Brenda reached the door. Brenda smiled at her. "Good morning Addie. Thank you for coming so that Jillian and I can steal a few moments with Jax during the day."

Addie returned Brenda's smile. "You are quite welcome. I know it has been difficult for all of you lately. Hopefully all this will be over soon."

Brenda nodded. "I hope so too. I will leave you and Jax to get to work." Brenda turned and blew a kiss to Jax. "Good-bye darling. We'll be in the den if you need us."

Jax waved. "I will see you later sweetie."

Addie sat down in the chair in front of Jax's desk. "Good morning Mr. Jacks. Are you ready to begin?"

Jax nodded. "Yes, Addie. I am ready to start getting some answers."

The morning quickly passed as Jax reviewed the latest information from the European holdings. Everything being sent to Jax had been first seen by Jerry and/or John and the most sensitive information was sent only to the data base hidden upstairs. As the noon hour arrived, he received the anticipated call from the Ontario office concerning the export problems. He immediately had Addie make arrangements to travel to Ontario late this evening so that she could oversee the situation for him personally.

Addie was now alone in the office as Jax had gone into the dining room to have lunch with Brenda and Jillian. Addie had declined the invitation to join them for lunch to continue her work. As she was finishing up some data compilation for her trip to Ontario, Addie looked up and Jillian was tiptoeing into the room.

Jillian put her finger to her lips as she walked toward Addie. "Hi Miss Addie, I am being real quiet."

Addie smiled. "Yes, you are. Can I help you with something?"

"I came to get Roo-Roo for our nap. He was sitting with Daddy and watching him work but it is time to go to sleep now."

Addie leaned over and lifted Roo-Roo off the side of the desk. "Here he is and he is quite handsome. I remember when my little girl had a special friend. He was a giraffe."

Jillian smiled. "Does the giraffe take naps with her now too?"

Addie shook her head. "No, Erin left him at my house to keep me company. She is away at school now."

Jillian hugged Roo-Roo. "Do have her picture? Daddy has my pictures in his wallet."

Addie nodded and reached over and pulled her wallet from her purse. "Here she is. This is Erin."

Jillian grinned at Addie. "She has pretty long hair like my Barbie Doll."

Addie laughed. "You are right. She does look like a Barbie doll."

Jillian looked at the other pictures in Addie's wallet. "Who is that man?"

Before Addie could answer Jillian's question, Brenda walked into the office. "Jillian, Addie needs to do her work."

Addie looked up at Brenda. "She is fine. It has been a long time since I have a curious little girl around me."

Jillian pointed at the pictures sitting in Addie's lap. "Ms. Addie is showing me her pictures. That one is Erin. But I don't know who that man is."

Addie spoke to Jillian. "That man is my friend Rex."

Brenda nonchalantly moved closer to Addie to get a glimpse of the picture. "He is quite handsome. Can I presume he has a special place in your life now?"

Addie nodded. "Yes, he is very special. His name is Rex Taylor and he means a great deal to me."

Brenda sat down in the chair next to Addie and pulled Jillian into her lap. ""Well, don't keep me in suspense. Tell me all about him. This old married woman misses hearing about the romance of the dating game."

Addie laughed. "Well, the details are not as enticing as those found in a Red Brook Inn scene in a Kris Ruggiero novel."

Brenda grinned and then became aware of Jax's presence in the doorway. She shot him a look and he stepped back into the hall, undetected by either Addie or Jillian. "Let me be the judge of that. Tell me all about him."

"He is a wonderful man. I met him several months ago when I was in Rome on vacation. He was also on holiday and we kept running into one another. It turns out he had lived in London but he was moving to the States, Vermont to be exact and it just all fell into place."

Brenda smiled. "My goodness, you both were away from home and you managed to find one another. It must have been fate."

Addie smiled. "I tell Rex that all the time. A great deal of the events in our relationship have been pure coincidence. It is so unlike my past with William. They are so different."

Brenda nodded her head slightly. "That can be good. I guess this means Rex is not a lawyer."

Addie shook her head. "Not even close. He is a writer and he won't even go near the entrance to the law office. He hates the whole subject of big business and the social scene that comes with it. He prefers to spend his time outside of the city so he is rarely in Port Charles for any length of time. He is in the middle of a long term project for a magazine series so I don't expect him in town for several weeks. He is writing away in his cabin in the woods amidst the peace and quiet."

Brenda maintained the smile on her lips. "Sometimes quiet is the best thing."

Addie smiled again. "It makes him happy and that makes me happy."

"That is wonderful, Addie. I know how hard it has been for you since William died, especially with Erin away for her freshman year at Stanford."

Addie sighed. "Yes, it has been a very rough few years with William's illness and then his death. This job has been my salvation at times and Mr. Jacks has been wonderful. That is why it is so upsetting to see the problems now."

Brenda patted Addie's arm. "I know and I really appreciate all the help you have given Jax." Brenda looked down at a sleepy Jillian and then back at Addie. "I see I have a very tired little girl here so I am going to find Jax and take Jillian upstairs for her nap and let you get back to work."

Addie put the photos back into her wallet. "Okay. I will see you later."

Brenda walked out of the office with Jillian in her grasp. Jax met them in the foyer and lifted Jillian into his arms. He and Brenda walked up the staircase to Jillian's room and Jax eased Jillian onto the bed and Brenda tucked the blanket around her. They tiptoed out of her room and moved down the hallway.

Brenda spoke quietly to Jax. "How much of our discussion did you hear?"

Jax exhaled deeply. "Enough."

"I don't believe for a minute that she is knowingly betraying you but I have no idea what is actually happening."

Jax nodded. "I don't believe it either, especially after just hearing her talk to you. It only means we have more questions rather than answers."

Brenda took his hands in hers. "At least you can give Charlie some more information."

Jax kissed Brenda on the cheek. "Thanks to you. What would I do without you?"

Brenda smiled. "I don't plan on ever finding that out. And to be perfectly honest, Jillian opened the door for me to speak to Addie about Rex."

Jax broadly grinned. "Well, I will have to kiss her when she wakes up. My two princesses make quite a team."

"No, the three of us make quite a team."

Jax smiled and pulled her into his embrace. Today had suddenly become a little easier.

The Barrett/Jacks Penthouse -- 9:00pm

Julia entered the den just as Jerry finished his call with Jax and John. They had reviewed the latest information collected during the day and discussed the new procedures Charlie's associates were using to monitor the access to the data base.

Julia walked over to Jerry. "Anything new?"

Jerry clicked off the phone. "Status quo. Jax and I are going to talk to Charlie later this evening to coordinate the details for tonight."

Julia sat down on the chair next to Jerry. "Is everything set in Ontario?"

Jerry nodded his head. "Yes. Charlie has made arrangements for the hotel in Ontario to fax him the telephone log from Addie's room anytime there is any activity. She has just checked into her room."

Julia smiled. "Jerry, I know you are still worried about Jax."

Jerry sighed deeply. "He is more convinced than ever that Addie is not actively involved in this but there is a mountain of evidence that will have to be discounted to show that."

"Well, I am hoping that Jax is right about this."

Jerry took a deep breath. "Believe me, I want nothing more than for Jax to be right on this. He has been betrayed by so many of the people closest to him. I know the idea of it possibly having happened again is killing him."

Julia stroked Jerry's upper arm. "Jerry, Jax has worked more closely to Addie than anyone. It has been ten years and he feels that he knows her. That counts for something."

Jerry looked straight at Julia. "So I am just being an unreasonable bastard?"

Julia shook her head. "I am not saying that."

Jerry folded his arms in front of him. "It sure as hell sounds like that is what you are saying to me."

Julia sighed in exasperation. "You are doing what needs to be done to protect the company as best as you can while you are waiting for answers. All I am trying to say is that Jax is doing the same thing. He has instituted the necessary measures but he has also kept an open mind about Addie."

Jerry sarcastically laughed. "And I am a narrow minded ogre?"

Julia glared at him. "Jerry, stop it."

Jerry rolled his eyes. "Have you and Brenda been comparing notes? Is this beat up Jerry week?"

Julia's voice took on an angry edge. "Jeremiah Jacks, why are you acting like such a jackass?"

Jerry spoke through clenched teeth. "What have I told you about calling me Jeremiah? I am not a two year old."

Julia shook her head. "Then stop acting like one. What is wrong with you this evening?"

"There is nothing wrong with me."

Julia exhaled slowly. "Jerry, please. I know how difficult this is for you. We are all going to get through this."

Jerry got up from his chair. "I am going to go take a walk and clear my head."

Julia frowned slightly. "Jerry, I'm sorry."

Jerry closed his eyes for a moment and then turned around and spoke to her. "I am sorry too. This has been a rough few months for all of us and it will get worse before it gets better."

Julia's mouth curved into a small smile. "I am here if you need to talk."

Jerry returned her smile. "I know. I will be back shortly."

"Okay. I love you."

Jerry winked at her. "Ditto kiddo."

Jerry walked out of the den and Julia raked her fingers through her long blonde hair. It was definitely a very stressful time for both of them and she knew Jerry was right, it was going to get worse before it got better.

An hour later, Jerry had returned and was on the phone with Jax and Charlie. Julia had gone upstairs as Jerry continued his telephone conversation. There had been one call from Addie's room thus far and it had been made to a residence outside of Burlington, Vermont. The number was registered to Rex Taylor.

Everything was confirmed for the surveillance this evening and Jerry and Jax were about to complete their call with Charlie when Charlie's other line rang. He put Jerry and Jax on hold for a moment and then came back with some news. Rex Harrison had been under surveillance since his role in the assault had been discovered the day before. Charlie's contact had just called to inform him that Harrison was now in Port Charles, having just arrived in town forty-five minutes ago.

Jerry spoke up on the call. "Where is he?"

Charlie read the information off the notes he had just jotted down while talking to his contact. "Harrison has checked into the Valley Inn, a small hotel on the outskirts of town under the name of Richard Jones."

Jax tapped his fingers on his desk at the house as he spoke. "When was Addie's call to Burlington?"

Charlie cleared his throat. "Thirty minutes ago."

Jax continued. "And how long did the call last?"

"The phone call lasted almost twenty minutes making it seem that a conversation actually took place rather than a mere message left on an answering machine. There is no evidence that there is anyone else living in the Burlington cabin."

Jerry rubbed his temples. "Now what the hell is going on?"

Jax sighed deeply. "Now the question is whether or not Harrison is forwarding his calls to a cell phone and is in Post Charles unbeknownst to anyone, including Addie, or is this just another ploy to keep us guessing."

Charlie nodded. "I already have someone making arrangements to get the phone records from the Valley Inn. We will watch Harrison like a hawk. My gut tells me he will be making a move soon."

Jax rubbed his eyes. "Especially since arrangements have been made for Addie to stay in Ontario at least through the weekend. He has at least seventy-two hours before she returns to town."

Jerry leaned back in the chair. "I am sure he is here to make some sort of move. We just need to be prepared for it."

They finished up their call and arranged to meet in the morning to discuss further strategy. Charlie told both Jax and Jerry that he would contact both of them if Harrison made any type of move tonight.

Jerry hung up the phone and turned out the lights in the den. He walked upstairs and found the bedroom empty. The bathroom door was slightly ajar and the light was on. Jerry walked over to the door and eased it open. He found Julia relaxing in the bathtub amidst a whole sea of bubbles.

Jerry entered the bathroom. "Using Jillian's bubble bath again?"

Julia removed the washcloth from her eyes and lifted her head from the wall. "You caught me."

Jerry took a deep breath. "I am very sorry about before. Things have been very tense today."

Julia nodded. "I know they have."

Jerry moved over to the tub and knelt down beside it. "Are you sure you are really in there? All I see are bubbles."

Julia raised her right eyebrow. "I guess you will just have to check for yourself."

"I guess I will." He rolled up the sleeve to his oxford shirt and then dipped his hand into the warm water. He picked up Julia's right foot and lifted it out of the water. Bubbles slowly slid from her foot to her calf to her thigh. Jerry's hand followed the path of the bubbles.

Julia smiled. "See, I am here."

Jerry nodded. "I think I will just check to make sure the rest of you is here. You could have melted in all these suds."

Jerry lifted up her left foot and again his fingers traced the path of the slithering suds. He then lifted her right hand from the water and smiled as her right breast peeked out of the tub of bubbles.

Jerry returned her arm to the tepid water and his fingers brushed against her stomach before finding her left hand and raising it from the water. Again he grinned as her breast responded to the coolness of the air and the warmth of his gaze. Jerry lowered her arm back into the water and then dipped both of his hands under the water and caressed her.

Julia moved her hands to Jerry's face and cupped both of his cheeks. She brought his lips to her own and captured them in a scintillating kiss. Her hands then moved to the front of his shirt and she ripped it open. Jerry released her lips and quickly stood up. He shed his shirt and then unbuttoned his jeans and pushed them down his legs. A moment later he stepped into the bathtub and pulled Julia to him. Their lips met again as Julia moved to his lap and straddled his legs.

As the intensity of their kisses increased, the fires of their passion engulfed them. Jerry's mouth savored the taste of her. Jerry moaned as he cupped her bottom with his hands and drew her to him. Splashes of water hit the bathroom floor as they shared their love.

They murmured words of love to each other as cool bath water surrounded them. The flames in their hearts generated more than enough heat to keep them warm and cozy.

Sunday, May 13, 2001

The Jacks Residence -- 11:00am

John and Jane had arrived in town on Friday evening and were spending Mother's Day weekend with Jax, Brenda and Jillian. Their trip to Port Charles had also enabled everyone to meet face to face with Charlie to discuss the latest developments in the attack on J & J Jacks. It had been a frustrating two days as Harrison had failed to make any discernible moves. Harrison had not left the hotel since his arrival into town and had not had any visitors.

The outgoing phone log from Addie's hotel room in Ontario continued to show calls being made to the Burlington cabin. Charlie had two men watching the house and no activity had been detected since Harrison had left the residence. Charlie's men were convinced that no one else was present in the Burlington home which lent credence to the idea that Harrison's calls were being forwarded to him. On Friday afternoon, Jax had orchestrated the need for Addie to be in the Ontario office again on Monday so she was staying in Ontario until then.

It was still a wait and see game and the anticipation was continuing to create anxious moments for everyone. There were major questions as to why a full scale attack had not been launched. It was too quiet and every day seemed as if J & J Jacks was more of a sitting duck. The stress was getting to everyone but today was going to be a day devoted to family rather than business.

Jax stood at the french doors and looked over the vast grounds. He saw Brenda, Jillian and Jane as they were strolling through the rose gardens which a few weeks from now would be bursting with color and full blossoms. Lady was scurrying in front of them. Jax smiled as he watched Jillian walk between Brenda and Jane. Jillian was holding hands with both women and skipping as they continued their path. The corner of Jax's eye caught the sight of the sun shining brightly upon the glass gazebo. That vision brought back a stream of memories.

Jax stepped out onto the terrace as he recalled the Mother's Day morning three years earlier when Brenda had first seen her crystal palace. He laughed to himself as he remembered her joy and excitement at the realization that she now had a glass gazebo which was identical to the summer house used in The Sound of Music. Inside the red heart designs on the french doors, the date of May 10, 1998 was etched as a remembrance of Brenda's first Mother's Day and Jillian's gift to her. Brenda had spent so much time in the gazebo over the next year and a half until they had lost Jamie. Then it had been almost a year before she could bring herself to walk through the doors of the gazebo again.

Jax sighed in satisfaction when he saw that Brenda was heading toward the gazebo. He could not help worrying about her today, especially on top of everything else that had been happening over the past two months in their lives. The memories of last year's Mother's Day, when Brenda had completely shut down, were fresh in his mind. It had been the beginning of her subsequent emotional collapse several weeks later. He breathed a sigh of relief in the fact that they were beyond that now. There were still periods of intense pain and sadness but they were facing those moments head on.

Jax sat on the short stone wall bordering the terrace as he thought back to this morning. Brenda had been restless during the night and had arisen before him. When Jax had awakened, Brenda's head was resting on his chest and his arms were wrapped around her. He had gently rubbed her back and when she had turned to face him, there had been a distinct look of sadness in her eyes. Brenda had just gazed at him for a moment before she then asked him to please make love to her. Jax kissed away the tear that had escaped from the corner of her eye and then made sweet and gentle love to her. He had completely fulfilled her physical needs, but more importantly, Jax had fulfilled her emotional need to love and to be loved. Their tender and sensual lovemaking had helped to ease the pain in her heart for a time this morning.

Lady barked and Jax was brought back to the present. He watched as Jillian now ran in front of Brenda and Jane. Jillian was trying to keep up with Lady who was chasing after a butterfly. The butterfly was flying in a circular pattern and was causing Lady to scamper in all directions, making the overzealous pup almost dizzy. Jillian was giggling and squealing as she tried to catch up with Lady.

John walked out onto the terrace and robustly laughed as he watched the antics of Jillian and Lady. "Too bad Lady is not a boomerang so that she would come right back to the child."

Jax smiled. "Yes, but that would take all the fun out of it."

John stood beside Jax as Lady finally collapsed in the middle of the plush green grass. "You are right son, all the fun would be gone."

Jax watched Jillian run over to Jane and Brenda. They started walking around in a circle playing ring around the roses and finally, the three lovely Jacks ladies were on the ground. Jax's grin grew as he saw Brenda reach over and grab Jillian and start tickling her.

John put his hand on Jax's shoulder. "That is quite a picture."

Jax's voice was full of emotion. "Yes, it is."

"Jax, how is she?"

Jax exhaled slowly. "She is doing as well as can be expected. I just wish she didn't think she had to be so brave all the time."

John sighed. "You definitely have a brave one there."

Jax nodded. "She is the most courageous woman I have ever met."

John squeezed Jax's shoulder. "I know it is rough day. I remember how difficult this time was with Lady Jane, even several years later. You both just have to take it one moment at a time."

"I know and I am glad Mum is here for her. I think Brenda really needs a mother today and Mum is the closest thing she has ever had to one."

John smiled. "Lady Jane thinks of both Brenda and Julia as her daughters so the feeling is mutual."

Jax took a deep breath. "I am sure today is not an easy day for Julia. She was not herself yesterday."

John shook his head. "I know it is not easy. Jerry said something to Lady Jane yesterday about how depressed Julia was."

Jax sighed in frustration. "I just wish there was some way we could stop the pain suffered by those we love."

"Son, unfortunately that is an impossibility."

Jax watched as Brenda, Jane and Jillian entered the gazebo. "I know, but that does not make it any less desirable."

Meanwhile, Brenda and Jane had sat down on one of the mahogany benches in the gazebo. Jillian was dancing around the center of the crystal palace as Brenda and Jane watched her. Lady was still recovering in the grass from her endurance contest with the butterfly.

Jane noticed Brenda's silence. "Dear, is it too difficult for you to be in here today?"

Brenda took a deep breath. "I want to be in here but I have to admit that it is not easy today."

Jane took her hand. "If it will help to talk, I am right here."

Brenda smiled. "I know you are and I am grateful." Brenda paused for a moment. "Besides the nursery, I think this place best symbolizes my being a mother."

Jane nodded. "I understand that. This was your first Mother's Day gift and it means so much to you. I know how much time you spent here."

Brenda looked over at Jillian who was now sitting on the grass next to the gazebo as she played with Lady. "The entire summer and fall that I was pregnant with Jamie, I would come out her with Jillian. She would play with her blocks in the middle of the floor and I would talk to Jamie. I think I had his the first eighteen years of his life already planned out."

Jane held Brenda's hand tightly. "I know you see this as being a special place for you and your children. It should be."

Brenda swallowed hard. "Children..." Her voice wavered. "How many children do I have? Someone just asked me that again last week. I never know how I am supposed to answer it. What is the socially acceptable response? Am I supposed to say I have one child or two?" Tears began running down her cheeks. "Do they mean children that I actually tucked in every night or children I held in my arms and in my heart?"

Jane put her arms around Brenda. "Let it out love. Let it all go."

Brenda clung to Jane. "Both of my children should be here today. And yes, I do have two children, not just one."

Jane rocked Brenda gently. "Of course you are a mother to two children."

Brenda's voice shook with emotion. "It still hurts so much at times."

Jane nodded as she held Brenda. "I know it does, love. No parent should ever have to bury a child. It is not supposed to be that way."

"But some times it is." Brenda finally caught her breath. "I'm all right. Today is just harder than I thought it would be."

Jane reached into her pocket and pulled out a handful of tissue to hand to Brenda. "Of course it is, especially when you are worried about everyone else. Even brave warriors like you can only be strong about three hundred and sixty days of the year."

Brenda dabbed her eyes with the tissue. "I see you have been speaking with Jax."

Jane smiled. "Jax loves you and he knows you are trying to protect him now because of everything he is facing. He also thought that maybe I could be of some help to you today."

Brenda nodded. "You are and I am going to talk to him about all of this later today but I wanted to get my head prepared for it first."

"Jax understands that. He is just trying to help you as best as he can."

"I know he is." Brenda gave Jane a small smile. "Have I thanked today for bringing him into this world?"

Jane wiped away a stray tear from Brenda's cheek. "Your eyes say it continually. Seeing how much you love Jax gives me more happiness that I could ever say. It will help you through the terrible pain of today."

Brenda watched Jillian rolling on the grass with Lady. "It's as if that place in my heart, the one which holds my love for Jamie, has been replaced by that overwhelming huge open wound again today. I feel the old hurt again trying to overpower the love."

Jane took a deep breath. "I know and it will be like that at times. But then the pain subsides again and then all you have is the love."

Brenda brushed away the hair from her face. "It was the same way on Christmas Eve but the next day, only the love was back. I guess I should be thankful for that."

Jane nodded slightly. "I know it is hard to be thankful for anything concerning your pain, but arguably there are some."

Brenda smiled as she looked directly at Jane. "I can tell you one thing I am grateful for. You have been just like a mother to me through all of this. I don't know what I would have done without you."

Jane smiled in return. "I may have lost my time on this earth with Jeannette but I certainly feel as if I have a daughter in you. I just had to wait almost thirty-five years after Jeannette to finally have a daughter that I could take care of until I see Jeanette again."

John and Jax had walked down to the gazebo area and Jillian had run over to greet them. Jax lifted Jillian into his arms and then he and John approached the gazebo. As they reached the gazebo, Jane hugged Brenda. "Happy Mother's Day Brenda."

Brenda's tears returned but this time they were tears of joy rather than of sorrow. "Happy Mother's Day Mom."

Bright smiles appeared on both Jax and John's faces. In the end, love and happiness still surrounded them all.

The Jacks Residence -- 2:30pm

Jax, Brenda, John, Jane and Jillian had eaten lunch on the terrace and then Jax and Brenda had taken Jillian upstairs for her nap. After Jillian had fallen asleep, Jax left Brenda so she could spend some time alone to watch Jillian. Brenda had sat in the rocking chair by Jillian's bed and watched her sleep for more than half an hour before she left the bedroom. Jane was reading upstairs in the study as John was resting in the guest room. Brenda waved to Jane as she passed by the study on the way to join Jax downstairs.

Jax smiled as she walked into the den. "Is she still sleeping peacefully?"

Brenda sat down next to him on the couch. "Yes, like an angel. She is so beautiful."

Jax gently threaded his fingers through her hair. "Just like her mother."

Brenda softly sighed. "Do you know how much I love that precious little girl?"

Jax's eyes shined with love. "Yes, I know sweetie."

Brenda bit her bottom lip. "I don't know how I would have gotten through all this without her, without both of you. I love you both so much."

"We love you too, sweetie." Jax put his arm around Brenda's shoulder. "How are you doing? Really."

Brenda rested her head against Jax's shoulder. "I will be all right. Today is not my best day."

"I know, baby." Jax kissed her softly on the forehead. "With everything you were going through at this time last year, it is really your first Mother's Day in deal with this."

Brenda nodded her head against him. "I know. Last year I was not dealing with anything."

"Is there anything I can do for you?"

Brenda turned her head slightly so that she could look directly at Jax. "You have been doing it. I know how much you worry about me and how difficult today has been for you because of that."

Jax stroked her cheek with his thumb. "I just don't want you to think that you have to be brave every minute. And I wanted you to have some time alone with Mum today. I know that there are some things that I just can't fully understand that the two of you can."

"It has been such a time of conflicting emotion. Here I am feeling overwhelming love and joy about being blessed with Jillian and at the same time mourning Jamie all over again. And then I think about Julia and Jerry and all the other people in this world who are doing everything they can to have the opportunity to experience the joy we have with our children. Life is so complicated at times."

Jax nodded. "I know baby. Some things will never make sense or be fair."

Brenda gazed up at Jax as she rubbed his chest with the palm of her hand. "You are right. I just needed time to sort some things in my head and to understand how I was feeling."

Jax pulled Brenda closer to him. "Whatever you need is what I want for you."

Brenda's eyes glistened with unshed tears. "Jax, there is no one in this entire world that could love me the way you do. There is no one on this earth that could make me feel as treasured as you do."

Jax's entire face lit up when he smiled. "I think that is one of the most incredible things you have every said to me."

Brenda lifted her head and gazed directly into Jax's eyes. "I hope so. I meant every word from the bottom of my heart."

Jax caressed her face with his hand. "I just want to love you forever."

Brenda turned her cheek into the warmth of his palm. "You gave me a lifetime guarantee of that and I am going to hold you to that. Just try to get out of it Mr. Jacks."

Jax grinned as he placed feather kisses on her forehead and then both of her eyelids. "Whatever you say, Mrs. Jacks."

Brenda hugged Jax and then rested her head against his chest. Jax rocked her back and forth in his arms as he rested his chin on top of her head. A few minutes later, Brenda released Jax from her embrace. "Will you do something with me?"

Jax brushed a loose curl from Brenda's cheek. "Just name it, my love."

Brenda smiled. "I need to be close to Jamie today. Will you come outside to the garden with me? I want to spend some time out there before Jerry and Julia come over for dinner."

Jax grasped her hand and stood up. "Shall we?"

Brenda smiled as she stood up. She and Jax walked out through the terrace doors and ambled through the tulip gardens. When they reached the tiny tree, they sat down on the stone bench beside it. Brenda rested her head on Jax's shoulder as she sat silently and looked at the tree. The gentle breeze rustled through the branches as the spring sunshine beamed upon the tree.

Jax gently massaged Brenda's neck as they sat in the garden. After several minutes, a small white bird flew from the tulips to the pine tree. The bird fluttered its wings as it sat on the highest branch of the tree. The little bird then began singing.

Radiance beamed from Brenda's face. "There is the little bird again. Listen to how he sounds."

Jax smiled. "It is just beautiful."

Brenda looked at up at Jax. "I am so glad you have finally seen our little friend. Jillian and I have seen him every day since I came back from California a week ago."

Jax listened as the bird continue to serenade them. "I guess the bird feels at home here."

Brenda smiled brightly. "I'm glad. It makes me feel as if Jamie has more people around who love him." Brenda nervously sighed as she lowered her eyes. "I guess that sounds really crazy."

Jax lifted up her chin so that her gaze met his. "It is not crazy. Whatever feels right to you is right."

Brenda shook her head slightly. "Even if that means talking out loud to a tree."

Jax gave her a lopsided grin. "Yes, even if that means talking out loud to a tree."

Brenda snuggled closer to him. "I feel the closest to Jamie out here."

Jax stroked her cheek. "That was the idea."

Brenda nodded as her head rested against Jax's chest. "It was. Being out here makes me feel as if he is still near me."

Jax kissed the top of her head. "Brenda, Jamie will always be with us. He's a part of us forever."

Brenda swallowed to rid her throat of the lump which had formed in it. "My heart knows that but today my head is having some trouble with that idea. I miss him so much."

Jax lowered his head so that their foreheads touched. "I know, my darling. I would do anything if I could just stop the hurt..."

Brenda put her finger to Jax's lips as tears clung to her eyelashes. "Shhh. You have been there for me more than anyone else could ever have been. Look how far we have come."

Jax brushed the tears from her eyes. "We've gotten there together."

Brenda nodded. "Yes, we have. We needed each other and Jillian and even Jamie was there to help us in some way."

Jax wrapped both of his arms around Brenda and held her. A few minutes later, Jax and Brenda turned around as they heard the sound of footsteps. They looked up to see Jane and Jillian walking down the steps of the terrace. Lady was ahead of them bounding up the path.

Jillian waved. "Mommy and Daddy, I am all done my nap. Now I can blow my bubbles."

Jax grinned at her. "Yes, you can. Did you thank Grandmom for helping you with your shoes?"

Jillian bobbed her head up and down. "Yes, Daddy."

Jane smiled. "Yes, Jillian thanked me for helping her with her shoes. Now I am going to check on Grandpa to see if he needs help with his shoes."

Jillian giggled. "Grandmom is funny."

Jane patted Jillian's head before she turned to walk back into the house. "Tell your Grandfather that some time for me."

Jillian stood in front of both Brenda and Jax. "Mommy, are you talking to Jamie's tree?"

Brenda softly laughed. "Yes, I am talking to the tree."

Jillian brightly smiled. "Mommy, was the white birdie here?"

Brenda nodded. "Yes. Even Daddy saw the bird today."

Jillian grinned as she faced Jax. "The little birdie is so pretty. It looks like snow."

Jax smiled. "Just like snow." Jax looked at the bottle of bubbles in Jillian's hand. "Do you want some help opening your bubbles?"

Jillian held out her hand which held the bottle of bubbles. "Yes Daddy." Jillian then quickly added, "Please." Jillian looked over at Brenda who gave her a big smile.

Jax opened the bottle's cap and passed Jillian the wand. "Here you go princess. Show us how many bubbles you can make."

Jillian began blowing very hard on the wand, so hard that she was causing the soap to spray all over the place without ever forming into a bottle. "There are no bubbles Mommy."

Brenda smiled. "Sweetie, remember how I showed you to make lots of bubbles without blowing on them?"

Jillian's face suddenly showed a look of recollection. "Oh yes Mommy. I have to spin."

Jillian dipped the wand back into the bottle and the began twirling around with the wand. Dozens of bubbles began to float through the air.

Jax flashed her a huge grin. "Look at all the bubbles."

Jillian squealed as she dipped the wand again. "Here are some for you Mommy."

Jillian again immersed the wand in the soap. "And for Daddy."

Jax laughed. "Bubbles for everyone."

Lady came scurrying by them and Jillian turned to the pup. "Lady, here are your bubbles."

Jillian then held her arms up to Jax. "Daddy, please put me up way high."

Jax handed the bottle of bubbles to Brenda and lifted Jillian into his lap. Jillian's eyes were wide. "Daddy, way, way high. Please."

Jax stood up. "Okay, you are way high now. What do you want to do?"

Jillian reached over his shoulder with her wand. "Mommy, I need more soap and then I will be all ready."

Brenda lifted the bottle so that Jillian could dip the wand. "Ready for what sweetie?"

"I need to be real, real high so I can give Jamie his bubbles. Heaven is very, very tall."

Brenda's heart was overflowing with love at that moment. "Yes, heaven is very, very tall."

Jax and Brenda's eyes locked as Jillian giggled and fanned her arm back and forth to send a sea of bubbles into the air. They simultaneously were overcome by the memories of a day almost four years ago when Ned and Augustin had honored them all with a song on Jillian's christening day.

I am your child

Wherever you go, you take me too

Whatever I know, I learned from you

Whatever I do, you taught me to do

I am your child and I am your chance

Jillian handed Jax the wand and he blew bubbles toward her as she giggled. She caught the bubbles in her hand and then popped them, squealing as the suds spattered all around.

Whatever will come, will come from me

Tomorrow is won, by winning me

Whatever I am, you taught me to be

I am your hope, I am your chance

I am your child

Brenda held Jillian and they danced around the garden as a stream of bubbles followed them. Then Brenda held the wand in front of both of them and Jillian helped her blow bubbles up to the sky.

Whatever I am, you taught me to be

I am your hope, I am your chance

I am your child

The bottle of bubbles was put aside as Jax and Brenda sat back down on the bench and Jillian crawled up into Brenda's lap. Brenda's hands wrapped around Jillian's waist as Jax put his arm around Brenda's shoulder. They laughed and Brenda looked toward the sky. A lone bubble was slowly drifting upward and she smiled. Jamie was sharing in the love and celebration of the day too.

Wednesday, May 16, 2001

J & J Jacks -- 3:30pm

Jax, Jerry and Charlie sat in Jerry's office suite. They were discussing the activities of the past three days before Jax and Jerry headed to the Port Charles Hotel for the hospital's fundraiser for Kanga's Kradle.

Charlie was reviewing the most recent events. Rex Harrison had checked out of the inn on the outskirts of Port Charles late Monday afternoon just as Addie had boarded the plane from Ontario to head back to Port Charles. Harrison had then met her at the airport and had spent the night in Port Charles before going back to Vermont yesterday morning. Harrison and the cabin were under twenty-four hour surveillance but there had been no activity since his return.

Finally information was being gathered but more questions were being created each day. Harrison had made a move on his last night in town. Earlier that evening, he had his one and only visitor while at the inn. The visitor's identity was immediately recognized when the surveillance tapes were reviewed. Ted Wilson had been seen throughout the past week coming and going from the offices of Sommerville & Case. He was one of the office clerks, and his employment had begun six months ago just before the initial foundation was being put into place for the onslaught against J & J Jacks.

Later that evening, Harrison had then gone to have dinner in a nearby restaurant. He had discreetly passed two small envelopes to the waiter along with his credit card upon paying the dinner bill. Charlie's contact had seen the transfer but had orders not to tip Harrison of the surveillance so the contact simply followed Harrison back to the inn and alerted his three other associates of the waiter's activity. Patrick, one of Charlie's associates, had begun the immediate trailing of the waiter who had left the restaurant shortly after Harrison had departed. The other two associates lagged behind Patrick in his pursuit, Randie by two minutes and Chris by four minutes in case they were needed. Patrick was in constant contact with them both so that they could be ready for whatever could be necessary.

The waiter was trailed to a truck stop twenty miles outside of town where he made a phone call from a telephone booth and then went into the rest rooms of the gas station. Patrick relayed the waiter's activity to Randie by phone and then left the truck stop. Randie, who was waiting at a convenience store a mile further up the road, double-backed to the truck stop and picked up the surveillance of the waiter. Chris, the third member of the team, was a mile down the road waiting in the parking lot of a fast food restaurant. He headed for the truck stop as soon as Randie radioed him to say she was leaving the truck stop behind the waiter.

Chris pulled in front of the small store attached to the gas station where he could have a bird's eye view of the door to the rest rooms. He went into the store and grabbed a soda and a map and went back to his car. He opened the map and feigned his study of it as his eyes continued to watch the side mirrors. A few minutes later, he watched as a dark green car pulled up to the gas station. The driver got out of the car and walked into the rest rooms. Less than a minute later, the driver reappeared and got into his car and headed back toward the highway with Chris following behind him. Chris followed him all the way to the wharf area on the lower east side of Manhattan. It was there that Chris had to stop his pursuit in fear of detection.

Randie had followed the waiter back to Port Charles and he was later identified as Lenny Butler. He was a long time employee of the restaurant and was deemed immediately to be a mere messenger who would have no details beyond drop-off instructions. The identity of the recipient of the drop-off was found to be Paul Langan. Langan was known around town as someone who could be called to handle anything and everything for a hefty price. He could have been working for anyone so his identity did not shed much light on the situation.

Charlie had also collected additional information on Rex Harrison over the past several days. His finances were tighter than that of Frank McBride or Stan Peterson. The Harrison family had lost much of its fortune over the past few years of George Harrison's life. The take-over of the grocery store chain in western Europe was the nail in the coffin, both literally and figuratively, for George Harrison and the empire he had built and then seen ebb away due to numerous bad business decisions over the last few years of his life.

Jax looked over the dossier on Harrison. "If you look at these dates and the troubles we have had in Europe, it is evident that Harrison has been funding the strikes and slow-downs from his own funds."

Jerry nodded. "What little he has of them."

Charlie looked at both Jerry and Jax. "He is extremely cash poor. His biggest asset is the manor house and its grounds in Cheshire but these days, the liquidity of that is sketchy."

Jerry tapped his hand on his thigh. "Again, it is apparent that Harrison has no where near the funds necessary to launch a full scale take-over. Even when combined with McBride and Peterson, there is not enough there. That is why there had to be a big fish."

Charlie raised an eyebrow. "A fish with resources and the ability and research to pull the partners together."

Jax drilled his fingernails against the arm of the chair. "Do you see a pattern here?"

Jerry tilted his head. "What type of pattern?"

Jax squinted his eyes slightly as he thought. "This whole situation. From all appearances, the troubles in Australia were funded strictly by McBride and the troubles in Hong Kong by Peterson and now the troubles in Western Europe by Harrison. The North American problems have been generated more from political and media pressure than from financial means. Does that sound like a true partnership?"

Jerry folded his arms in front of him. "Are you implying that there is a double-cross in the works here?"

"It's happened before."

Jerry chuckled. "That it has. I have been guilty of that myself on more than one occasion."

Charlie looked up from his reports. "Dangle the carrot by promising a big return and then pull the double-cross after all the ground work has been laid and then go in for the kill alone?"

Jax nodded his head. "Either that or force your partners to expend all their own resources and then go in for the kill against them and your original opponent when they all are strapped for cash."

Charlie gave Jax a look of bewilderment. "Would the partners really not see that coming, especially when they realize they are the only ones putting up the funds?"

Jax got up from his chair and stood at the window. "McBride, Peterson and Harrison are hellbent on vengeance. Sometimes that clouds your judgment."

Jerry nodded. "And that vengeance can be manipulated by others to achieve their own goals. Whoever assembled this group knew they were vehement enemies of the Jacks family."

Charlie shook his head. "The building of the space shuttle needed less expertise than some of these corporate raiding maneuvers."

Jerry grinned. "Nor was building the space shuttle half as much fun as some of these raids."

"I must say that I have never been bored with the Jacks brothers." Charlie then looked at Jax. "I will see what we can turn up once we figure out who the hell is involved here."

Jax leaned back in his chair. "Good. I just think we need to keep our minds open to that possibility."

Charlie then cleared his throat. "Anything more to help determine the situation with Ms. Sommerville?"

Jax sighed. "No, nothing."

Jerry took a deep breath. "Jax, didn't she seem slightly unnerved to you this morning and then even more so when Charlie did the sweep earlier this afternoon?"

Jax's head began throbbing. "Maybe."

Charlie exhaled slowly. "The security files on the fabricated data base did detail the sweep for this evening after hours rather than during the business day."

Jax nodded. "I am aware of that."

Jerry spoke softly. "Do you think this is a mere coincidence, especially when combined with the fact that yesterday Charlie let us know in front of her that the leak was definitely from one of the three U.S. offices?"

Jax's eyes narrowed. "Honestly, yes. Jerry, you are well aware of my feelings on this. Until someone gives me concrete proof or I hear it from her own lips, I won't believe she is deliberately behind this."

Jerry frowned slightly. "Jax, I was simply asking a question."

Jax's eyes narrowed. "Now, you know my answer." He then turned to Charlie. "What about the matchbook from the cafe in Quebec that was found in Harrison's room at the inn?"

"Nothing yet. We know Harrison is a pipe smoker but the matchbook was found behind the dresser and there is no proof that it was not there when he checked into the room. I have someone on it."

Jerry stood up and began walking around the office. "What about the information on Ted Wilson from Sommerville & Case?"

Charlie shifted in his seat. "A gambler who had hit a string of bad luck with the horses several months ago and lost about everything before miraculously landing on his feet four months ago."

Jerry leaned against the wall. "Does losing almost everything include his ability to keep his legs unbroken?"

Charlie nodded. "Oh, yes. His legs and much more."

Jax sighed deeply. "So he is taking care of the inconspicuous laptop in the law office and ensuring that Harrison gets all the data from it in exchange for still breathing?"

"That would seem to be the case."

Jax shook his head. "We have only a few weeks before the Melbourne supplier contacts come up for renewal. It is the same time period for the labor contracts in Western Europe and the tariff issues for Asia come up. If we are not on the offensive before then, the game is over."

Jerry took a breath. "Jax is right. We are going to have to take some risks now and try to cause a mistake by McBride or Harrison or whomever is running this show. We can't wait any longer."

Charlie nodded. "Agreed. Now you just need to figure out the best angle to pursue."

Jerry sat back down. "I am generally a huge risk taker but this time, we have to tread lightly. We need the biggest return with the least risk involved. That is the issue."

Jax raked his hand through his hair. "I need one card, that is all. Right now we can't even get in the game. We need a break somewhere."

Charlie's phone then rang. He picked it up and spoke briefly before hanging it back up. "That was my contact in London. Harrison is moving money. Everything he has in cash will be moved tomorrow."

Jax sat up in his seat. "Where?"

"We will have that tomorrow once the London banks close."

Jerry took a deep breath. "Maybe we just caught our break."

Jax's eyes had a tiny glint in them. "Maybe we did."

The Port Charles Hotel -- 9:00pm

A string quartet was playing in the grand ballroom as dinner had now been completed. The entire hospital board as well as the chiefs of all hospital departments, the administrators and the faculty from the PCU Medical School and members of Port Charles society were in attendance for the fundraiser sponsored by the General Hospital Board of Directors for Kanga's Kradle.

Brenda was speaking to Amanda Barrington and Edward in the corner of the ballroom. She quickly looked over her shoulder and gave a bright smile to Jax who was standing with Ned at the nearby bar set-up. Jax winked at her before she turned her head again to address Amanda.

Ned took a sip of his brandy. "How is she? I know Lois was worried about her over the weekend when we were in Bensonhurst with Gloria."

Jax's spoke in a low voice. "It was rough."

Ned sighed softly. "I'm sorry."

"Thanks. It was difficult but she came through it like I knew she would."

Ned nodded his head. "She is one tough lady."

A smile lit up Jax's face. "Tough as nails and soft as satin."

Ned looked over at Brenda and saw that two other board members had joined Amanda and Edward in speaking with her. "She has them eating out of her hand and Grandfather is the first in line with a spoon."

Jax chuckled. "I would be jealous if I did not know that Brenda finds nothing attractive about cagey and crafty businessmen."

Ned rolled his eyes. "Just like she finds nothing alluring about men with egos the size of the Grand Canyon."

Jax patted Ned on the back. "Exactly old chum."

Ned shook his head. "You are a piece of work."

Jax grinned as he raised his snifter of brandy. "Thank you. I will return the compliment one day when you deserve it."

Ned cleared his throat. "After that comment, I have no idea why I am even feeling benevolent enough to say this..." Ned then looked to see who was nearby before he spoke. "The grapevine has been running rampant."

Jax took a deep breath. "What have you heard?"

Ned lowered his voice. "I spoke to our Paris office and heard some rumblings about impending work slow-downs."

Jax nodded. "Thank you."

Ned took another sip of his drink. "I have to protect that ten percent that you manipulated back from ELQ."

Jax smirked. "It is actually about ten and half percent."

Ned shook his head again and turned to join Lois and Lila. Before he walked away he turned to Jax and lowered his voice again. "Keep your eye on Germany."

Jax nodded and downed the rest of his brandy as Ned walked across the ballroom.

Across the room, Julia was sitting at a table as Jerry walked over to her. "Would you care to dance?"

Julia shook her head. "Thanks but not now."

Jerry sat down next to her. "Are you okay?"

She nodded. "I am fine. I just have a headache."

Jerry caught sight of a glowing Lucy and Kevin sitting with Gail and Lee at a nearby table. Jerry exhaled sharply as he realized the cause of Julia's sudden headache.

Jerry covered her hand with his. "Do you want to go home?"

"No." She looked over at Lucy who was now standing up with Kevin getting ready to leave.

Kevin and Lucy walked over to the table. "We just came to say good night."

Jerry stood up and shook hands with Kevin. "Good night. It was nice to see you again."

Lucy smiled. "You too. My back cannot withstand these heels any longer. Kevin warned me not to wear them but I did not listen. They go so perfectly with the dress."

Julia took a deep breath. "You look lovely, radiant in fact."

"Thank you Julia. Have a wonderful rest of the evening."

Jerry sat down and watched as Kevin and Lucy said their farewells to Brenda. He looked over at Julia. "Do you want to go outside onto the terrace?"

Julia shook her head again. "No thanks."

Jerry wet his suddenly dry lips. "Julia, I know that this is difficult for you..."

Julia swept the hair from her face. "I need to go fix my hair and I have not had a chance to speak with Lila this evening."

Jerry sighed in exasperation. "Julia.."

Julia quickly rose from her chair. "I will see you later."

Jerry shook his head as Julia quickly moved across the room. Brenda walked over and stood next to Jerry. "Hey."

Jerry smiled weakly. "Hello."

Brenda sat down next to Jerry. "She is not doing very well is she?"

Jerry shook his head. "No. Since the weekend, she has been more and more shut off."

Brenda sighed softly. "I know how difficult Mother's Day was for her."

Jerry nodded. "It was. I remember last Mother's Day when she was so worried about you. The only happiness she felt that day was from her dreams about celebrating the holiday this year for herself. Now she has convinced herself that will never happen."

Brenda took a deep breath. "I'm sorry. I know that seeing Lucy just a few weeks away from delivery is not making things any easier for her either."

Jerry rubbed his temples. "I thought she had been dealing with matters very well but now I realize that I have been so wrapped up in all the problems with the company that I missed some things."

Brenda squeezed Jerry's shoulder. "We all miss things."

"She won't even talk about it now. She practically ran across the room to get the hell away from me."

Brenda patted Jerry's hand. "Give her a little bit of time. You both are under a great deal of much pressure right now from so many different places."

Jerry loudly sighed. "I should sue you for withholding pertinent information."

Brenda gave him a look of bewilderment. "Excuse me?"

"All those months you were plotting and crusading for me to surrender my bachelorhood, you never told me that I would be expected to give up my sanity."

Brenda laughed as she linked her arm through Jerry's and leaned her head against his shoulder. "You never had any sanity to give up."

Jerry groaned as he put his arm around Brenda.

Jax approached them from behind and folded his arms together as he stepped in front of them. "Well, if this isn't a sight."

Jerry shrugged. "I told you that Brenda would wise up one day and realize what she was missing out on with me. I hate to break this to you but Julia, Brenda and I are leaving the country to go to some place where polygamy is in vogue. We will send you a postcard."

Jax shook his head. "Don't bother. If Brenda ever chose you over me or anyone else on this earth, she would have to be de-programmed from the brainwashing she had undergone."

Brenda extended her hand to Jax. "That could never happen."

Jerry rolled his eyes. "This is my signal to exit. You two have those goo-goo eyes again."

Jax smirked. "Thank heavens. I thought you would never leave."

Jerry shook his head in amazement as he went to try to find Julia. Brenda stood up and took both of Jax's hands. "Now that we are alone, what can I do for you Mr. Jacks?"

Jax brought her hand to his lips. "Dance with me."

Jax and Brenda danced as the string quartet continued to play. The room was filled with guests but for Jax and Brenda, it was empty except for the two of them. It seemed as if they were floating on air as they whirled across the dance floor. They continued to dance as the music filtered through the room. It was magic and heaven all rolled into one.

Two hours later, the evening had come to an end and Jax twirled Brenda one more time under the stars and by the fountains in the front of the house. They laughed as they entered the house to relieve Emily of her babysitting duties.

Jax walked Emily to her car and thanked her again as Brenda shut out the lights in the den. Jax walked back into the house and met Brenda in the foyer.

He wrapped his arms around her waist. "Have I told you lately how beautiful you look this evening?"

Brenda nodded. "Numerous times."

Jax grinned. "How about how much I love you?"

Brenda smiled. "Many times for that as well but I could never tire of hearing it."

Jax gazed directly into her eyes. "I love you Brenda Jacks. I love the way you love me and the way you love our daughter. I love how you have loyally supported me and stood behind my convictions."

Brenda sighed. "I have done nothing more than you have ever done for me."

Their lips united in a kiss of searing passion and overwhelming love. They separated and Jax put his arm around Brenda as they started up the stairs. At that moment the doorbell sounded.

Brenda looked at the clock in the hall as it began to chime for the midnight hour. "Emily must have left something behind."

Jax turned around and walked to the door. He looked out the glass panel next to the door and then grabbed the brass door handle. Brenda turned just as Jax opened the door.

There was a sound of surprise in his voice. "Addie."

She stood directly under the porch light. "Mr. Jacks, I have to speak to you."

To be continued [ Sorry Helen :-) ]

SONG CREDITS: "I Am Your Child" by Barry Manilow