Circle of Love
by Kathleen
AUTHOR'S NOTE: Thank you for all the feedback on this story. Please continue
to let me know what you think.
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 8 -- When You Wish Upon A Star
Saturday, March 31, 2001
Spring Meadows Inn -- 7:45am
It was a beautiful early spring morning as the sun shined over the countryside.
Jax, Brenda, Jillian and Lady had arrived early yesterday evening in Spring
Meadows for the weekend. It was a combination pleasure and business trip
as Brenda's birthday would be celebrated and plans would be finalized with
Steve and Abby for the start of the spring show and racing seasons for the
stables. Jillian was anxiously awaiting seeing Kayla again since it had been
almost three months since the girls had spent any time together. Kayla was
ready to have someone other than her two year old sister Colleen to play
with at the stables.
Jillian awoke and sat up on the daybed in the living room area of the suite
at the Spring Meadows Inn. Jax and Brenda were asleep in the adjoining bedroom.
As soon as Jillian had stirred, Lady got out of her doggie bed and began
crying and scurrying around the living room.
Jillian pulled away the covers. "Lady, it is time to get up for Mommy's
birthday."
Jillian scooted down from the bed and started to scamper toward the bedroom.
She then turned around and ran back to the daybed. "I forgot my slippers."
As Jillian put on her slippers, Lady began running around the room again.
Jax shifted in bed and opened his eyes. He smiled as Jillian ran into the
bedroom and over to the four poster bed.
"Daddy, Mommy's birthday is here."
Jax nodded as he lifted Jillian onto the bed. "Yes, today is Mommy's birthday."
Lady started to bark and Jillian put her finger to her lips. "Lady, quiet."
Brenda's eyes fluttered open and Jillian crawled over Jax's chest to reach
her. "Mommy, it is your birthday!"
Brenda looked toward the window and saw the sunshine streaming through it.
"It certainly is."
Jillian hugged Brenda. "Happy Birthday Mommy!"
Brenda kissed Jillian on the cheek. "Thank you sweetheart."
Jax leaned over and kissed Brenda softly on the mouth. "Happy Birthday my
love."
Lady began barking again and Jillian giggled. "Mommy, Lady is saying Happy
Birthday too."
Brenda sat up as she laughed. "Thank you Lady. The entire inn can hear you."
Jillian patted the blanket covering Brenda's legs. "Now it is time for your
present."
Brenda smiled. "Okay. Mommy loves presents."
Jax looked over at Jillian. "Jillian, do you want to go get the present for
Mommy?"
Jillian bobbed her head up and down. "Yes, I will get it."
Jax helped Jillian down from the bed. "Do you remember where it is?"
Jillian nodded. "I remember. It is in a good hiding place."
Jax grinned. "Okay, go get it and you can also give Lady one of her toys."
Jillian scurried into the living room area of the suite and Lady trailed
behind her. A few moments later Jillian returned to the room as she tried
to hold the pink tulips behind her back with one hand and carry the card
in the other.
Jillian ran over to the bed. "Here Mommy. This is your present."
Brenda took the flowers and the card form her. "Jillian, they are beautiful
and Mommy's favorites."
Jillian pointed at the card. "And I drew some on my card too."
Brenda looked down at the pink splotches on the card. "I see them and yours
are even prettier than these flowers. Thank you Jillian for the wonderful
present and card. I love them."
Jillian beamed and looked at Jax. "Mommy loves them Daddy."
Jax flashed her a huge grin. "I know. You did a great job."
Brenda put her arms around Jillian. "The gift is perfect Jillian. Thank you
so much."
Jax rubbed Brenda's back as she hugged Jillian. "Mommy, you are going to
have to wait to see our other gift until after breakfast. We have to take
a little trip for it."
Brenda tilted her head as she looked up at Jax. "Take a little trip to where?"
Jax shook his head. "No clues."
Brenda sighed. "But that is no fun."
Jax chuckled. "I am so sorry."
Jillian began giggling. "I know what the surprise is."
Brenda's eyes widened. "You do? Then you can give me a hint."
Jillian moved her head back and forth. "No, it is a secret."
Brenda caressed Jillian's cheek. "Just one little clue for Mommy."
Jax shook his head in amazement. "Brenda, I can't believe you are trying
to gain information from your own daughter."
Brenda shrugged. "Well, you won't tell me and you know how impatient I am."
Jillian put both of her hands in front of her mouth as she spoke. "No Mommy.
It is a big surprise."
Brenda moaned and Jax laughed as he rubbed Jillian's shoulder. "Jillian, you are a great secret keeper."
Brenda sighed. "Fine, I will obviously get no information out of this group
so I will just have to wait."
Jax kissed Brenda on the lips again. "Poor baby."
Brenda rolled her eyes. "I think it is time for breakfast so we can hit the
road on this little trip."
"I am hungry Mommy."
Brenda smiled. "Well, I need to get the tulips back in water and we need
to all get dressed and take Lady outside before breakfast."
Jillian touched a petal of the tulips. "These are pretty."
Brenda picked up the tulips. "Yes, they are. Soon there will be a whole garden
of them in the yard. Do you remember your tulips Jillian?"
Jillian moved her head up and down. "Yes, they are the white ones and Mommy's are the pink ones. They are right next to Jamie's tree."
Brenda bit her bottom lip slightly as she nodded. "Yes, the tulips are next
to the tree."
Jax cleared his throat. "Jillian, why don't you go into the bathroom and
then we can get dressed and go downstairs for breakfast."
"Okay Daddy."
Jax helped Jillian down from the bed and he and Brenda watched her as she
scampered into the bathroom. Lady followed Jillian and sat outside the bathroom
as Jillian closed the door.
Jax then turned to Brenda. "Sweetie, are you okay?"
Brenda fought to catch her breath. "Yes."
Jax put his arm around her. "You were restless last night. There are quite
a few memories to get through today."
Brenda's voice was faint. "I know." She then turned and looked at Jax. "I
dreamt about Jamie last night. He was in my arms again."
Jax used his thumb to gently wipe the tear from the corner of her eye. "It
was two years ago today that we decided the time was right to have another
baby so we are going to think about Jamie even more than usual today."
Brenda took a deep breath. "You are right." She then closed her eyes for
a moment. "And now two years later, I can't imagine ever having the courage
to make a decision like that again."
Jax kissed the top of her head. "Shhh. Brenda, don't. We are just taking
this one day at a time. If you feel differently a year from now or five years
from now, your heart will let you know."
Brenda bit her lip again as she looked up at him. "But what about your heart?"
Jax lifted her chin with his right hand. "My heart is right here." Jax then
gently rested his left hand against the middle of her chest. "You are in
possession of it so whatever you feel, I feel. Whatever makes you happy,
makes me happy. I can't be happy if you are not."
Brenda traced Jax's jawline with her hand. "You are the best gift I could
ever receive. It's as if I wished upon a star and all my dreams came true.
I don't know what I ever did to deserve you."
Jax grinned. "So I guess this means you don't want the gift Jillian and I
have for you."
Brenda softly laughed as she buried her head into Jax's chest. "Let's not
get carried away here."
The bathroom door flew open and Jillian appeared. "I am all done."
Jax laughed. "Glad to hear it."
Brenda pushed the blanket off of her legs. "Then it is time to get dressed
and have breakfast and then Mommy can get her present."
Jillian giggled as she raced over to Brenda's side of the bed. "You will
love it Mommy."
Brenda rubbed Jax's hand with her right hand and then caressed Jillian's
cheek with the other. "I am sure I will. I do know just how much I love you
and Daddy."
Jillian smiled. "We love you too Mommy." Lady then barked to get everyone's
attention. "And so does Lady."
Jax and Brenda laughed as they sat there. Today had stirred up some sad memories
but it also had provided them with love and joy.
Spring Meadows -- 10:30am
As the Jeep Grand Cherokee wound its way along the road, the first signs
of spring were apparent. The trees were beginning to bud and the birds were
singing as Jax maneuvered the jeep along the country lanes. They had left
the inn ten minutes ago and Brenda's patience about the unveiling of her
gift was already wearing thin.
She folded her arms in her lap. "You still won't tell me anything? Not even
one little clue as to where we are going?"
Jax shook his head. "No clues. Brenda, has anyone ever told you that patience
is a virtue?"
Brenda huffed. "Has anyone ever told you how lonely the sleeper sofa is in
the suite?"
Jax chuckled. "About as lonely as you would be in that king size bed."
Brenda sighed. "That's right, neither of us is very good at that."
Jax laughed again. "We are both miserable at it. We lasted about two hours
the last time."
Brenda smugly smiled as she turned to face him. "Yes, but you were the one
who caved first and crawled into bed with me in the guest room."
Jax rolled his eyes. "Fine. I have no willpower when it comes to you."
Brenda muttered under her breath. "That makes two of us." She then gently
patted Jax's thigh. "Just one hint then."
Jax smirked as he rested his hand on her thigh. "Not a chance Mrs. `That
makes two of us' Jacks."
Brenda swatted at Jax's arm. "That is quite enough from you."
Jillian looked up from the book she was reading in the back seat. "Daddy,
are we there yet?"
Jax looked into the rear view and watched as Jillian showed the pictures
in her book to Lady who was sitting in the dog carrier. "In just a few minutes
princess."
Jillian grinned. "Mommy, in a few minutes you can see your present."
Brenda turned around and smiled at Jillian. "Thank you sweetie. You are so
much more helpful than your father."
Five minutes later, Jax pulled onto a private drive and stopped the jeep.
He reached into his pocket and pulled out a handkerchief. "Okay Mommy, time
to cover your eyes."
Brenda glared at him. "Jax, you are going to blindfold me?"
Jax stifled his laughter as he nodded. "I certainly am."
Jillian giggled. "Mommy, you look like you are going to play the donkey game
with the pin like we did at Serena's party."
Jax chuckled. "Jillian, that game is called pin the tail on the donkey."
Jillian excitedly spoke. "Mommy, are we going to spin you all around before
you play the game?"
Brenda muttered as Jax tied the blindfold on her head. "No, we most certainly
are not."
Jax could not stop his laughter. "Jillian, that is a great idea. Maybe we
should do that. We can twirl Mommy in circles."
Brenda lifted her hand and found Jax's face. She raised her head to him and
whispered. "Mr. Jacks, if there is any spinning involved, you should be warned
that my willpower is much stronger when you are in a suite five floors below
where Jillian, Lady and I are staying."
Jax turned the key in the ignition and started the car again. "Duly noted
Mrs. Jacks."
Jax drove up the drive and then two minutes later he put his finger to his
mouth to signal Jillian to remain quiet. He stopped the car and unbuckled
his seat belt. "Brenda, stay where you are."
Jillian clapped. "We are here Mommy."
Jax opened the car door and unfastened Jillian's seat belt and lifted her
out of the car. "Lady, we will be back for you in a minute." He put Jillian
down on the cobblestone path and then unlocked Lady's crate and sat the dog
on the grass. Jax then opened Brenda's door and unhooked her seat belt. He
helped Brenda out of the car.
Jax could not help smirking. "Brenda, no peeking."
Brenda grabbed Jax's arm to steady herself. "If I fall and break my leg,
you will have to wait on me hand and foot."
Jax chuckled. "Thank you for the incentive. I will be sure you don't even
slightly stumble."
Jillian ran ahead of them with Lady trailing behind her. Jax led Brenda straight
ahead for several steps and then stopped. Jillian ran over to them as Lady
sniffed the grass around them.
Jax stepped behind Brenda. "Are you ready for your present now?"
Brenda sighed deeply. "Yes. I am ready now."
Jillian stood in front of Brenda. "Mommy, it is right here. It looks even
prettier than it did in the picture Daddy showed me."
Jax untied the blindfold. "Happy Birthday from Jillian and me."
Brenda's jaw dropped as she stood in front of the cottage. The cottage was
surrounded by what seemed to be acres of trees. There was a small wishing
well in the front yard. The cottage was built from wood and stone and had
a huge porch swing sitting on its front porch.
Jillian beamed as she looked up at Brenda. "Mommy, it looks just like the
dwarfs house in Snow White."
Brenda finally found her voice. "It certainly does."
Jillian took one of Brenda's hands. "Do you like it Mommy?"
Brenda reached for Jax's hand with her free hand. "Mommy loves it."
"Mommy, there is a swing and it is on the porch not in the yard. Can we swing
on it now?"
Brenda nodded. "Yes."
She tried to move her legs but they seemed to be cemented to the ground.
Jax put his arm around her and helped Brenda move toward the steps. They
walked up the wooden steps and all sat in the swing. They gently rocked back
in forth as the breeze rustled through the trees. Brenda was still stunned
and looked around to see that trees surrounded them on all sides. There were
song birds everywhere and their melodies sounded like music from heaven.
After a few minutes, Jax stood up and walked over to the front door and put
the key into the lock. Jillian scooted off the swing as Lady climbed the
stairs to the porch. Jillian took Brenda's hand again. "Mommy, we can go
inside too. Daddy says we can stay here now when we visit the horses."
Brenda stood up and walked over to the front door. Jax opened the door and she stepped into the beautiful open room. The hardwood floors were in mint condition. There were two rocking chairs in front of the fireplace but the rest of the room was empty. The fireplace was made from stone and took up almost one whole wall. There were huge windows all around the room and several window seats. The sunlight flooded the room with warmth and brightness.
Jax could not help smiling as he watched Brenda survey her surroundings.
She walked around the room and her face showed a look of complete and utter
joy. "It is so beautiful."
Jax's smiled brightened even more. "Is it close to the home you wished for
when you were a little girl dreaming on those piles of leaves?"
Jillian beamed brightly as she looked up at Brenda. "Did you make a wish on a star like in the Pinocchio song?"
Brenda smiled. "Yes sweetie, I made a wish on a star." Brenda unconsciously
wrapped her arms around herself. "It is perfect. Everything is perfect and
more than I could have ever wished for."
Jillian imitated Brenda's arm wrap. "It hugs me Mommy. It makes me feel all
warm inside."
Brenda caressed Jillian's cheek. "Then it is perfect for all of us."
Jillian smiled and then went chasing after Lady who was investigating the
new home. Jax stood beside Brenda as she walked over to the fireplace.
Brenda gently rubbed her hand on the back of one of the rocking chairs. "These
chairs are beautiful."
Jax looked down at her. "The man who built this house was quite a master
furniture maker. There are a few pieces that he decided had to remain with
the house because it would not be a real home without them. The porch swing
and the rockers are a few of pieces of his work."
Brenda walked into the kitchen. It had a huge bay window and a breakfast
nook in the corner. In the nook, a hand carved table and four chairs were
positioned. They were also furnishings that made the house a home to the
former owner. The other remaining rooms on the main floor were a small dining
room and a powder room.
Brenda walked up the wooden staircase and surveyed the two small bedrooms
and bathroom. The last room on the second floor was a large master bedroom
and bath. In the master bedroom was the last piece of hand carved furniture
which remained in the house. It was also the finest piece of artistry. There
in the corner stood a huge sleigh bed hand carved from pine.
Brenda gasped as she saw the bed. It was covered with a beautiful handmade
quilt with matching pillow shams. "Jax, that bed is incredible."
Jax put his arms on her shoulders. "The owner actually carved it in this
room. It can't be removed from this room unless it is cut apart and destroyed.
The former owner would never let that happen so it was a condition of sale
that the bed frame remain here always."
Brenda sat down on the bed. "And this quilt is so lovely."
Jax pulled the card form his pocket and handed it to Brenda. "This goes with
the quilt, linens and new mattress."
Brenda opened the card and read the birthday wishes. "So Julia and Jerry
knew about this too."
Jax nodded. "You were the only one kept in the dark, my darling. You are
the birthday girl, remember?"
Jillian stood in front of Brenda. "Are you surprised Mommy?"
Brenda shook her head in amazement. "Yes sweetie, I am very surprised and
very happy."
Jillian crawled into Brenda's lap. "We are all happy just like Snow White
and the dwarfs."
Jax sat down next to Brenda and Jillian. "Princess, we are always going to
be happy."
Jillian looked up at Brenda. "Mommy, is this home now?"
Brenda smiled. "Jillian, home is wherever you, Daddy, Mommy and Lady are.
So when we all come to visit the horses, this will be home."
Jillian sighed contently. "I like home."
Brenda hugged Jillian. "So do I sweetie, so do I."
At this moment, they were home and it could not have been sweeter. It was
a place filled with love and warmth where wished and dreams would all come
true.
The Cottage -- 8:00pm
Jax, Brenda and Jillian had spent the afternoon at the stables and Jillian
had played with Kayla as Jax and Brenda met with Steve and Abby about the
show schedule. Kayla had asked Jillian to come for dinner and to spend the
night. Abby had surprised Brenda with a birthday cake when Jax and Brenda
had dropped Jillian off at the house. Jillian and Kayla led everyone in singing
and helped Brenda blow out the candles. Abby had also offered to take Lady
for the night to join their menagerie of two dogs, two cats and two rabbits
so Lady was also part of the sleep-over.
After Jax and Brenda had left Steve and Abby's house, they had gone back
to the inn. Betsy, who owned Spring Meadows Inn with her husband Bill, had
prepared a picnic basket for dinner and gathered some supplies and boxed
them up so that Jax and Brenda could spend their first night in the cottage.
Bill and Betsy were going to miss having the Jacks as frequent guests of
the inn but they were thrilled that Brenda was so happy with her gift. They
had grown very fond of Jax and Brenda and considered them like a son and
daughter and they loved Jillian as though she were one of their own
grandchildren. The inn was less than twenty minutes away from the cottage
and only ten minutes from the stables so Bill and Betsy knew that Jax, Brenda
and Jillian would still be close by when they were in town.
Betsy had been the one to inform Jax that the cottage was going to be put
up for sale. Bill and Betsy were long time friends of Dan and Debbie Matthews
who had built the cottage and lived there for almost twenty years until Dan's
health problems required them to relocate to a warmer climate. Dan and Debbie
had experienced so much bliss in the cottage and Betsy knew that Jax and
Brenda would be just as happy there. When Dan and Debbie had met Jax last
month about the possible sale of the cottage, they knew from the first instant
that he was the perfect buyer for the home they had loved so much. The way
he talked about Brenda and the love that shined in his eyes was all that
they needed to see. When Jax had shown them a photo of Brenda and Jillian,
Dan and Debbie had seen the same love radiating through Brenda's eyes. They
saw Jax and Brenda as they had been when they were first starting out and
realized that the search for the perfect family to call the cottage "home"
was over. Dan, Debbie and Jax made a handshake deal on the cottage that very
same day.
Now the cottage would be Jax and Brenda's home in the country. They had come
back to the cottage almost an hour ago after leaving with the supplies from
the inn. Betsy had packed candles, towels and flashlights as well as a kettle
and other kitchen supplies and some scones, juice and tea for breakfast along
with the picnic supper. Bill had given Jax four lanterns from the inn's terrace
as well as some blankets and a portable radio. Brenda had excitedly thrown
some things in an overnight bag and grabbed the vase of pink tulips from
the suite before leaving for their camp-out at the cottage.
Jax and Brenda had finished their light supper and were sitting on a blanket
in front of the fire in the living room. Dan had left a cord of seasoned
firewood at the cottage for Jax and Brenda and the early spring nights were
still chilly so Jax had built a fire. The candles and two of the lanterns
sat around the room and the radio was tuned to station which played nightly
love songs and dedications. Jax stoked the fire as Brenda finished up her
phone call. She and Jax had just called to say good night to Jillian and
to be sure that Abby knew how to reach them.
Brenda put the cell phone down next to her as she leaned against Jax's chest.
"Jillian sounds like she is having such a good time."
Jax wrapped his arms around Brenda's waist. "Yes, she does. They have gotten
along so well from day one."
Brenda happily sighed. "I am so happy that she has friends here. I want to
spend as much time here as we can."
Jax kissed Brenda on the top of her head. "That was the idea. A nice retreat
in the country not too far away from Port Charles in distance but very far
away from the pace and frenzy of life there."
Brenda turned her head so that she was facing Jax. "It is perfect and I love
you so much for it. It can be a place for the three of us to just be together."
Jax reached up and gently touched Brenda's cheek. "I know there will be some
wonderful moments here."
Brenda turned her face into his palm. "Anywhere and anytime you and/or Jillian
are with me, there will be wonderful moments. Just like today and just like
right now."
Jax smiled and the candlelight danced in his deep blue eyes. "I love you
Brenda more than I can ever say and there is no place I would rather be than
right here with you this moment."
Brenda kissed his palm and then took his hand in hers. "It is the perfect
way to end a birthday even if it was not the original plan." She raised her
eyebrow at Jax as she spoke. "Are you sure that you did not arrange ahead
of time with Abby to offer to take Jillian and Lady for the night so that
we could spend the first night in the cottage alone?"
Jax chuckled as he shook his head. "No, I had nothing to do with that. Of
course, Abby and Steve are aware of our penchant for enjoying each other's
company."
Brenda slightly blushed. "I would say we took care of making that pretty
obvious within the first week we hired them to run the stables."
Jax smiled smugly. "Now they are sure to knock before entering the barn when
we are around."
Brenda covered her eyes with her hand. "They are just added to the list of
people who know we are sex maniacs."
Jax put his arms around Brenda again and began nibbling on her ear. "I have
been called so much worse than that."
Brenda closed her eyes and lifted her hand to caress the back of Jax's neck.
"Is it time for dessert already?"
Jax traced the tip of his tongue inside her right earlobe. "It sure is."
Brenda moaned. "Good. I am famished."
Jax took her face in his hands and captured her mouth with his lips. The
kiss was powerful and demanding and Brenda was completely lost in the desire
running through her. She wrapped her arms around Jax's neck and her fingers
threaded through his soft hair. Their kisses became more smoldering as the
embers glowed in the fireplace.
When Jax finally released her lips, Brenda was almost dizzy. Her heart was
beating rapidly in her chest and she felt as though she had been kissed from
head to toe. Jax turned and checked the fire. The flames had died down in
the fireplace while just beginning to rage within him. He partially closed
the doors to the fire screen so that the fire would gradually die out. As
Brenda leaned back on her elbows and caught her breath from the intoxication
of their kisses, Jax blew out the candles around the room. He left the two
lanterns burning to provide light in case they needed to come downstairs
during the night. Jax then lifted Brenda into his arms and carried her up
the stairs.
Their lips again united as they entered the bedroom. The other two lanterns
that Bill had given them from the inn were on the window ledges shedding
a soft light onto the bed. Their lips never parted as Jax sat down on the
bed with Brenda in his lap. Brenda softly moaned as Jax's tongue delved into
her mouth and claimed hers. She was trembling with desire for him as Jax
lifted her from his lap and laid her down beside him on the bed.
Jax released her lips as he leaned over her and ripped open her denim blouse.
A button hit the hardwood floor and rolled into the corner. Jax lowered his
head and began to drop baby kisses down her chest. He rested his cheek against
the satin covering her breasts as he pushed the blouse from her shoulders.
He dropped it onto the floor and his fingers then quickly unfastened the
front clasp of her ivory satin bra. His right hand tossed the bra as his
left hand caressed the fullness of her right breast. Brenda could feel the
blood coursing through her veins as Jax's fingers danced along her skin.
Brenda trembled at the pleasure he was giving her. Brenda clutched at the
hair on the back of his neck as Jax's mouth explored every inch of her. He
repeated the same sweet torture as Brenda whimpered from the ecstasy.
As he lifted his head from the sweetness of her chest, Brenda reached for
the button of his shirt. Jax grabbed her hands and pushed them against the
quilt. "No baby, not yet. Dessert is being served in more than one course
tonight. This one is only yours."
Brenda tried to raise her arms but Jax's hands held them down. "Jax. I want
you."
Jax lifted his head slightly as he placed warm kisses down her stomach.
"Patience, my darling."
His hand found the button and zipper of her jeans and he unfastened them.
His hand reached inside to feel the soft satin of her panties. Brenda sat
up and Jax's lips captured hers again as he eased her back onto the soft
mattress. His hands pushed the jeans down her thighs and Brenda moaned into
this mouth. Jax pulled slightly away from her and he pulled the jeans completely
free of her legs. His hands moved over the satin of her panties again and
Brenda began to whimper as her heat was raging like an inferno inside her.
The panties were quickly peeled away from her body with one tug. Jax's hands
moved up the inside of her thighs as he lifted up her legs and spread them
apart.
Brenda tried to sit up but she had no feeling from her waist down. Jax stroked
her stomach. "Sit back baby. Dessert is coming and so will you."
"Shhh baby." Jax kissed the inside of her thighs as his fingers reached up
and stroked her. As his fingers danced around her in pulsating circles, Brenda
could barely keep herself from catapulting from the bed. She could not open
her eyes as waves of warmth overtook her. Brenda found the energy to move
and she pressed her body harder against his fingers.
Her voice was barely audible as her breathing was ragged. "Jax now. I need
you with me."
His lips reached her warmth. "I love you baby and I am going to show you
just how much. I am right here for you. Let go." Brenda trembled as she felt
his lips stroke her. She was engulfed by the feeling of sunshine entering
every ounce of her body. It felt as though she was being lulled by the rolling
crests of waves of the ocean as Jax's tongue danced inside her. Brenda cried
out as her fingers grasped at the material of the quilt underneath her. Every
fiber of her body tingled as the evidence of her pleasure was released. Jax's
name echoed from her lips over and over again as her body responded with
a force that she had never before experienced. It felt like the Fourth of
July inside her.
As the light from the lantern continued to shine on the bed a short time
later, Jax leaned over Brenda as she slept. He had placed her under the sheets
and quilt to rest between courses. She looked so beautiful with the dim light
radiating off her face. Jax pushed a loose curl from Brenda's forehead and
her eyes fluttered open.
Her voice was laden with desire. "Jax."
Jax kissed her on the forehead. "Hello my darling."
Brenda snuggled closer to him. "I love you."
Jax stroked her arm. "I love you too and we have all night to show each other
just how much."
Brenda smiled. "That was incredible."
Jax kissed her on the corner of the mouth. "You are incredible. I promise
the second course of dessert will be just as appetizing."
Fire burned in Brenda's eyes. "I have no doubt." Jax chuckled as Brenda wrapped
her arms around his neck and pulled him to her. "Okay, I am starving ad I
know you are as well."
Jax covered her body with his. "I am so lucky that you have such a sweet
tooth."
Brenda kissed the tip of his nose. "I am so fortunate that you are such a
masterful chef."
Jax kissed her forehead. "I love you my darling and I just want all your
wishes to come true."
Brenda then looked out the huge window and saw the stars twinkling in the
sky. They were the same stars she had made so many wishes upon. "They already
have, my love."
Brenda surrendered her lips to his as the flames from the lanterns continued
to flicker. A thousand lanterns could not have generated the heat and flames
of the passions that were shared throughout the night. And the little cottage
had never been so filled with so much love. It was a birthday celebration
but in actuality, it was more a celebration of love.
Sunday, April 1, 2001
Spring Meadows -- 10:30am
Jax had awakened to the bright sunshine pouring through the window in the
bedroom several hours earlier. He had slipped quietly out of bed and gone
downstairs into the kitchen to get the breakfast that Betsy had sent with
them last night. He had boiled water for tea and taken the fruit and juice
from the refrigerator and added them to tray of the scones that Betsy had
made.
Brenda had stirred from her blissful slumber as Jax crawled back into bed.
He nestled against her body and she awoke with a smile on her face that filled
the whole room. Jax greeted her with a long, lingering kiss and then served
her breakfast in bed. They fed each other from the sumptuous banquet fulfilling
one hunger while at the same time, arousing another. Once breakfast was finished
and one aspect of their appetites was satisfied, they quenched their thirst
for each other.
Jax and Brenda had enjoyed a delectable feast of the senses as they made
slow, sensual love. It was a beautiful Sunday morning and for those few hours,
the world only consisted of Jax and Brenda. This morning felt like a revisit
to the days when Jillian was a baby and still taking morning naps and every
Sunday morning was spent the same way. During that time, Sunday mornings
had been spent enjoying each other's company, laughing and making love. Those
hours spent together were the most precious of the week for Jax and Brenda
during that time period.
Now as this particular Sunday morning was quickly coming to an end, Brenda
nuzzled her nose against Jax's neck. She dropped warm kisses behind his left
ear as she laid against his chest. Jax's strong right hand cradled the back
of her head as his fingers gently threaded through her thick brunette locks.
His left hand molded against her chest cupping her left breast. Jax gently
caressed and squeezed the firmness of her warm skin.
Brenda's breath tickled Jax's ear as she softly spoke. "I could not have
asked for a more wonderful first morning in this cottage."
Jax hugged her tightly against him. "It is still your birthday weekend, my
love."
Brenda sighed contently. "It reminds me of those incredible Sunday mornings
when Jillian was just a baby."
Jax nodded. "Those were some unforgettable moments."
Brenda rested her head against Jax's chest. "I miss those Sunday mornings.
But our first morning in this lovely cottage will be something I always
remember."
Jax kissed her bare shoulder. "What about your first night in this cottage?"
Brenda lifted her head and gave him a lopsided grin. "The first night in
this cottage was nothing short of extraordinary."
Jax moved his index finger slowly over her full lips. "It was and yet it
can't even begin to show you what I feel in my heart for you."
Brenda exhaled slowly as she flashed Jax a huge smile. "I know, my darling.
If I had a hundred years, I still could not tell you everything that I feel
in my heart for you."
Jax caressed her cheek. "I love you Brenda, more every day."
Brenda covered his hand with hers as it rested on her cheek. "And I love
you with everything I am and everything I do. I thank God everyday for bringing
you and Jillian into my life."
Jax kissed Brenda on the forehead and then softly on both of her eyelids.
"We are going to have such a wonderful life together."
Brenda smiled as she looked around the room. "We are and this cottage is
going to be a big part of our life, I can just feel it."
Jax wrapped his arms around her again. "I want you to be so happy here."
Brenda looked directly into the pools of sapphire gazing at her. "I will
be happy wherever we are. As incredible as this cottage is and as much as
I love it, it means nothing in the end. The same goes for all the rest of
our homes. The only real home I need is you and Jillian."
Jax returned her smile. "You are right. I now realize when Mum, Jerry and
I were living in the car waiting for Dad to send for us that the car was
really home. It was home because we were there together."
"Together." Brenda spoke the word with the same reverence she would use if
she were reciting a prayer. "I think that is one of my favorite words in
the whole English language."
Jax kissed her tenderly on the lips. "And it's going to be forever, Brenda."
Brenda hugged him as radiance beamed from her face. She caught of glimpse
of Jax's watch on the window sill behind the bed. "It is getting late and
we still need another component to meet the definition of together. Two if
you count a certain four-legged fur ball that likes to dig up my flower beds."
Jax chuckled. "You mean our little canine angel."
Brenda lifted her eyebrow. "She is not little and she certainly is not an
angel."
Jax tweaked her nose. "Yes, but Jillian adores her and so do you."
Brenda let out an exasperated sigh. "Yes, she is too adorable for her own
good. It is impossible to stay mad at her. It reminds of some other member
of the household."
Jax gave her a look of feigned confusion. "Who in the world could that be?"
Brenda shook her head. "Honey, modesty does not become you."
Jax grabbed Brenda and began tickling her. Brenda started swatting him as
laughter overtook her. "Jax, stop it. We are late already."
Jax continued tickling her. "You should have thought about that before you
spoke."
Brenda fought to catch her breath between her hysterics. "Jax, please."
Jax scooped her up into his arms dragging the top sheet along with her. "Since
Jillian will be waiting for us, you can try to convince me of your remorse
in the shower."
Brenda giggled as she wrapped her arms around Jax's neck and kissed the sides
of his face. "I have been told that I can be very persuasive."
Jax grinned as they headed into the bathroom. "I am counting on that."
They entered the shower stall and the sound of the stream of water hitting
the tile was immediately followed by the sound of soft moans and murmurings
of love. In the end, Jax was most convinced.
Two hours later, Brenda and Abby were outside the training area at the J
& B Stables. Jax was checking on Cyclone's training run on the nearby
training course. Jillian and Kayla were running in the grass field with their
giant bubble wands and Lady was scampering alongside them.
Brenda looked down at her clipboard. "So we just need to look over the final
registration forms when we get into the office. Is there anything that needs
to be done about your travel?"
Abby shook her head. "No, your contact at the travel agency has seen to
everything. I am set to leave in three weeks before the first event of the
championship series."
Brenda smiled. "Good. Are you sure you are comfortable being on the road
for two weeks away from the family?"
Abby nodded. "Yes, I will miss them but I work with these horses every day
so it would be disastrous to send one of the hands with them and McKenzie
can't do it all. Dream and Cyclone have been so taken care of by such few
people and the last thing we need before this series is to set either of
them off."
Brenda sighed. "McKenzie will have her hands full with Cyclone as it is if
he stays in the mood he is in now. I just know how hard it is to be away
from home so I want to be sure you and Steve are okay with this."
Abby took a deep breath. "I appreciate your concern. Mom and Dad are coming
into town to help Steve with Kayla and Colleen and there will be so much
work to do at the events that my time will be limited for being lonely."
"Okay. Then we are set."
Abby looked at her watch. "I need to call and get one last piece of information
for the Pleasant Hill show. You can meet me in the office when you are ready
to go over the registration applications."
Brenda nodded. "I will wait for Jax and give the girls a few more minutes
and then bring them both inside with me."
Abby left for the office and Jax came up to the rail after watching McKenzie
take Cyclone through his practice course. Jillian and Kayla then ran over
to the fence to see Jax and Brenda.
Jillian was giggling. "Daddy, did you see what Lady did to the bubbles?"
Jax grinned at her. "What did Lady do?"
Jillian waved her gigantic bubble wand and a huge bubble floated into the
air. Lady jumped up on her hind legs and opened her mouth and bit down on
the bubble. As the bubble popped, the soap sprayed in all directions and
then Lady shook her head and coughed.
Everyone laughed and Jillian giggled even louder. "See Daddy, Lady ate the
bubble."
Jax patted Jillian on the head. "Yes, Lady did eat it."
Jillian scrunched up her face. "Bubbles taste yucky. Lady is one silly dog."
Brenda winked at Jillian. "Yes, she is one silly dog."
Lady then ran across the field chasing a butterfly and Jillian sighed. "Lady
chases and tries to eat everything."
Kayla shook her head. "Lady is so funny.
Jax jumped over the rail. "I will go get your silly dog while you and Kayla
stay with Mommy."
Jillian nodded. "Okay Daddy."
Brenda took Jillian's hand. "Abby and I just need to look over the registration
forms one last time in the office."
Jax turned to Brenda. "Wait for me."
Brenda smiled. "Always. We'll be right here waiting for you."
Jax walked toward the field and turned around for a quick glance at the scene behind him. Brenda and Jillian were waving and smiling brightly at him. His heart flip-flopped in his chest and his mouth curved into a huge grin. All was well with the world today.
Barrett/Jacks Penthouse -- 9:00pm
Julia and Jerry were in the kitchen and Jerry standing in front of the
refrigerator with one of the two doors open.
Julia put a kettle of water on the stove to make iced tea. "Jerry, what are
you looking for?"
Jerry's voice was muffled since his head was completely in the refrigerator.
"Something to eat, what else would I be looking for in a refrigerator?"
Julia sighed. "Dinner was an hour ago, you can't be hungry already?"
Jerry opened the door to the other side of the refrigerator. "I can and I
am."
Julia shook her head. "You eat more than any two people I know."
Jerry shrugged. "Is it my fault you hang out with people who don't appreciate
good food?"
Julia rolled her eyes. "You are letting all the cold air out of there. Didn't
your mother ever tell you about the inefficiency of keeping a refrigerator
door open?"
Jerry turned his head and gave her an incredulous look. "Damn, Lady Jane
must have skipped the lessons on appliances when Jax and I were growing up.
You will have to point out the error of her ways the next time we see her."
Julia let out an exasperated sigh. "Real funny."
Jerry smirked. "I thought so." He then poked his head back into the refrigerator.
"Jerry, there is nothing in that refrigerator that was not there two minutes
ago."
Jerry took the can of whipped creme from the refrigerator. "Something tells
me that those relaxation tapes you listen to are not working."
Julia glared at him as he gave her a lopsided grin. "They did wonders until
I lost my mind and married you."
Jerry closed the refrigerator door. "Sweetheart, at least on that day you
won the prize -- me."
Julia folded her arms in front of her. "Yes, the booby prize."
Jerry opened the tupperware container filled with brownies and took two brownies
from the tray. He squirted whipped cream all over the brownies and then took
one in each hand and took a bite from each of them.
Julia shook her head in amazement. "You are unbelievable."
"Sweets for the sweet." Jerry chuckled before taking another bite from each
brownie.
Julia looked at the partially closed lid on the tupperware container sitting
on the counter. "What is it that prevents you from ever properly closing
these containers?"
Jerry shoved the last piece of both brownies into his mouth and opened the
lid to the container again and took out the last two brownies. He then knocked
the empty container into the sink. "Okay, no need to close it now."
Steam looked like it was going to come out of Julia's ears. Jerry chuckled
again as he squirted a thick layer of whipped cream on a brownie and then
put the other brownie on top of it to make a sandwich. he then smirked at
Julia as he took a bite. "Uhm, uhm good. Utterly delicious."
Julia groaned and walked over to the whistling tea kettle. She took it off
the stove and prepared to make some iced tea. She opened the door to the
cabinet next to the refrigerator to get a pitcher and did not find one. In
fact, Julia found the cabinet filled with items which had been in the cupboard
over the dishwasher earlier today before she had attended a function of the
garden club with Lila.
Julia turned around. "Jerry Jacks, how many times have I warned you about
fiddling with these cabinets when I am out?"
Jerry spoke between bites of his brownies. "I would not need to fiddle with
anything if you had them logically organized."
Julia put her hands on her hips. "This kitchen was perfectly organized before
you wreaked havoc."
Jerry shook his head. "Organized, you must be joking? Julia, you just need
some guidance in setting up a kitchen."
"This coming from a man who can't even pair up his own socks for the laundry
or put the cap back on the toothpaste."
Jerry finished his brownie sandwich. "Don't forget the fact that I don't
follow proper decorum and squeeze the toothpaste from the bottom."
Julia began emptying the cabinet. "You know nothing about organizing a kitchen.
All you know how to do is mess one up and eat everything in it that is not
nailed down."
"Julia, it is ludicrous not to have the glasses in the cabinet right next
to the refrigerator."
Julia sighed deeply. "The glasses are staying in the cabinets over the
dishwasher."
Jerry shook his head. "They should be as close to the refrigerator as possible.
That way, the ice and drinks are right there."
Julia continued to unload the cabinet. "They are staying where they are the
easiest to put away after unloading them from the dishwasher. Of course,
if you want to hand wash and dry each glass and then put them away, you can
put the glasses wherever you want."
Jerry moaned. "Women. Try to be of a little help and look what happens."
Julia turned around and looked at him. "Don't help and stay out of my kitchen."
Julia sighed again at the sight of brownie crumbs and drizzles of the spray
from the whipped cream on the counter. "Look at this mess. You are just
hopeless."
Julia turned her back on Jerry again as she continued to swap the contents
of the two cabinets. Jerry grabbed the can of whipped cream and moved behind
her.
Jerry put his left arm against Julia's chest. "Since this kitchen is all
ready such a mess, why not just add to it."
Before Julia could turn around, Jerry had begun squirting the can of whipped
cream. His right hand came in front of her as his left arm held her against
his chest. As Julia squealed, Jerry squirted the whipped down the front of
her blouse. The spray from the whipped cream sprinkled the counter and floor
and Julia's face with traces of the sweet treat.
Jerry lost his hold on one of her arms and Julia was able to get away from
Jerry long enough to turn around. She tried to grab the can of whipped cream
but all she managed to do was to cause it to squirt into the air spraying
them both with the sticky fluff.
"Jerry Jacks, you are in for it."
Jerry laughed. "What are you going to do, spray me to death?"
Julia lunged for the can again and this time managed to knock it out of his
hands. It rolled across the floor as Jerry grabbed both of Julia's arms.
He shook his head as he spoke to her. "Julia, now look at the mess you have
made."
Julia started struggling to break free from his grasp but the harder she
tried, the stronger his hold became. Also, the more energy she used, the
more intense the passion within her became. It had quickly become a game
of foreplay. Jerry's body was pressed against hers and the struggle over
the can of whipped cream was now just a fervent preview of what was to come.
Jerry saw the desire in her eyes and branded her lips with his kisses. All
signs of struggle were immediately gone, having given way to the desire pent
up inside her. Julia surrendered her lips to him as her hands grabbed the
cotton material of his shirt and rested on his chest. Jerry licked the morsels
of whipped cream from her lips as they moved to the chair at the kitchen
table.
Jerry sat down in the chair as Julia straddled him. Julia kicked her shoes
off. As their lips remained joined, Jerry moved his hand up her leg and under
her skirt. He tugged at the waistband of her panty hose and then the elastic
of her panties. Julia released his lips momentarily and slid off his lap
to remove the stockings and underwear. Her skirt hit the floor and then her
hands moved to the button on Jerry's jeans. He quickly pushed them down his
legs as Julia straddled him again.
She stroked him and gently caressed him as Jerry moaned softly.
Julia ran her hands through the back of his hair as their kisses became more
intense. Jerry's control was slipping and he began pressing his body against
her. Julia finally decided to end the torture. Together they shared their
love.
Jerry dropped a kiss in the valley between Julia's breasts. His tongue had
just taken care of most of the whipped cream which had been squirted down
her blouse. "Something tells me that you don't REALLY want me to stay out
of your kitchen."
Julia rested her cheek on top of Jerry's head as they remained in the chair.
"I guess I am just a glutton for punishment."
Jerry wrapped his arms more tightly around her waist. "There are certainly
worse things you could be."
Julia kissed the top of his head. "That is true. We can both remember that
when we are putting the cabinets back to their original state of organization."
Jerry looked around and saw the remnants of the whipped cream sprayed all
over the kitchen. "I really like the mess."
Julia looked down at him and smiled. "I will admit, it does have some
advantages."
Friday, April 6, 2001
J & J Jacks -- Noon
Jax sat at his desk and looked over the preliminary report from Charlie Chan
for the fifteenth time since he had received it a week ago. Jax threw the
folder on the desk in frustration. Nothing concrete had shown up but something
was amiss.
It had been the same type of conclusion Andrew had found ten days before
when he and his staff had spent three days in the Hong Kong plants checking
and double-checking the inventory. There had been some significant discrepancies
found but they were too blatant to convince Jax and Jerry that the major
damage and undermining of the Asian holdings were being orchestrated solely
from within the plants. The inconsistencies were immediately deemed suspect
due to their conspicuous nature. They were too sloppy and easily discovered
to be anything more than a false lead to throw Jax and Jerry off the track
of the real culprit.
Jax tried to relax his clenched jaw. He hated the feeling this whole thing
was giving him. Something major was going on but he had no idea what. Jax
did not even know who his opponent was. Accordingly, he could do nothing
to stop the damage until the enemy showed more of his hand. And right now,
the nemesis was having too much fun playing hide and go seek to sit down
at the table and show Jax and Jerry his cards. The situation was becoming
more frustrating every day and much more dangerous for J & J Jacks.
Jax looked down at the phone and shook his head. Late one night earlier in
the week Jax's phone, as well as all of the other phones in the office, had
been checked for wiretaps. There had been none found but Jax knew that there
was no proof that the listening devices had never been present. Additional
security measures had been implemented and the most advanced detection software
for security breaches had been installed on the computer network. Jax had
contacted Thomas Magnum to work with the head of security for J & J Jacks
to ensure that the company was as protected as possible from infiltration.
Magnum had advised that both Jax and Jerry's residences also be checked for
security breaches. Jax knew it had to be done but the thought of it caused
him great anguish. The idea that a business foe of J & J Jacks could
have been anywhere near the sanctity of Brenda and Jillian's home made Jax's
blood boil. A full scale search of the house yesterday yielded nothing but
the fact that a search had to be done at all disturbed Jax more than anything
in this whole matter.
Jax was pulled out of his deep thoughts as his private line rang. "Jax here."
"Mrs. Jacks here. You know, the one you steal the blanket from every night."
Jax grinned as he leaned back in his chair. "I would not have to steal the
blanket if you would give me my fair share."
Brenda shook her head as she sat at the computer in the office at the house.
"I thought we were equal partners in this marriage so why is your fair share
of the blanket everything but one little corner of it?"
Jax choked on his laughter. "That little corner is quite enough for you."
Brenda sighed. "It barely covers up my shoulder."
Jax nodded as he spoke. "Exactly. That way you have to curl up with me to
keep warm."
Brenda smiled. "I see. Well, Edward always does warn me to be on the look-out
for your ulterior motives."
Jax smirked. "I am not sure if the old goat wants to know what some of my
ulterior motives are when it comes to you."
Brenda grinned as she cleared her throat. "I would imagine that to be true."
Jax laughed again. "We won't put it to the test. I would not want the man
to have heart palpitations."
"I am sure Lila and the rest of the family would appreciate that."
Jax chuckled. "Some days that may be debateable."
Brenda shook her head. "He is just Edward being Edward."
Jax sighed. "Yes, the old coot is just being an old coot."
Brenda smiled. "And we would not have it any other way."
Jax took a deep breath as he realized the tension in his jaw had dissipated.
"To what do I owe the pleasure of this phone call Mrs. Jacks? I thought you
would be diligently working on the heartthrob's, I mean Ingo's, appearance
in Orlando and subsequent tour."
Brenda cradled the phone receiver against her shoulder. "You are my only
heartthrob. Well, there is also Mel Gibson but we will overlook him for this
conversation."
Jax rolled his eyes. "Okay. So to what do I owe the pleasure?"
Brenda spoke softly. "I know you have a meeting shortly with Charlie but
wanted to see how you are. I know yesterday was very difficult for you when
Magnum was here with his crew."
Jax exhaled deeply. "I am okay."
"Are you sure?"
Jax sighed as he leaned on the desk. "There is no way that my business is
going to infringe on you and Jillian's safety."
Brenda closed her eyes at the sound of the pain in his voice. "Jax, it hasn't."
Jax took a deep breath. "Not as of this moment, but I have no guarantee that
it won't tomorrow. I made a promise to you when you left a life of danger
and fear..."
Brenda interrupted him. She spoke in a determined tone which contained a
hint of anger. "Jasper Jacks, stop it. Don't you think that way for one second.
It is not the same. It is not even close."
Jax felt his jaw tightening again. "Brenda, I can't allow this to touch you
or Jillian."
Brenda swallowed hard. "Jax, do you think for one second I believe you could?"
Jax ran his hand quickly through his hair. "Brenda, I have no idea what or
who we are even up against."
Brenda's voice softened. "That is why you have people working day and night
to find out the answer to that. And when you find out, you will do what you
have to do to stop this. I have no doubt, not one."
Jax could not help but to smile. "Mrs. Jacks, you make one hell of a
cheerleader."
Brenda bit her bottom lip. "It's easy when you have such a talented and
incredible hero to support."
Jax shook his head in amazement. "I can't tell you what that means to me."
Brenda's eyes reflected the depth of her love. "I know honey." She glanced
down at her watch. "I had better let you get ready for your meeting. Just
remember we are here for you. Always."
Jax again brightly smiled. "Brenda, I love you."
Brenda sighed contently. "I love you too Jax."
Jax hung up the phone just as Jerry knocked on the door to say that Charlie
Chan had arrived. Jax motioned him in and Jerry escorted Charlie into the
office and then closed the door behind them. Jerry and Charlie took a seat
in the chairs in front of Jax's desk.
Jax picked up the preliminary report. "Have you been able to find out anything
more? Anything at all?"
Charlie shook his head. "Not much. As you have already determined, the inventory
was tampered with. We found the missing equipment and supplies in a warehouse
outside of Hong Kong. Registered name was easily traced. Too easily."
Jax exhaled slowly. "We know who the fall guy was on that one but he was
not of much help. He says he does not even know who he was working for and
I believe him."
"As do I. Chen's son needed surgery and he moved the equipment in order to
get the money for the operation. No personal contact with the person who
made the request. Chen was well chosen which may be where the insider came
into play, at least partly. Someone knew Chen would have no choice but to
say yes because of his son."
Charlie took a deep breath. "Whatever the ultimate goal in all of this is,
someone has spent an awful lot of time and money to keep it under wraps."
Jax folded his arms in front of him. "No one is talking?"
Again Charlie shook his head. "No. My whole network has come up empty and that is unbelievable."
Jerry tapped his fingernails on the desk. "This makes no sense. It is as
if they are baiting us?"
Jax sighed. "They are but why? What are they trying to prove?"
Charlie spoke up. "Something has to give. And when it does, they will slip
up and give us an opening."
Jerry leaned back in his chair. "But will it be too late then? We are expending
so many resources to try to protect all of our holdings because we don't
know what they will do next."
Charlie looked at the report again. "Full security checks on all the employees
are underway as well as investigations of every major competitor which has
publicly acknowledged its conflicts with J & J Jacks over the past year."
Jax cleared his throat. "There are quite a few on that list."
Charlie looked at both Jerry and Jax. "I understand that so it would be so
much more efficient if we had a smaller target group at least to start with.
Do either of you have a gut feeling about who could be behind this?"
"Peterson is right in the middle of all this. I don't believe for a moment
that he is the captain of this team but he has to be involved."
Jerry nodded. "I am sure of that as well. Now we know that things were mismanaged
during his entire tenure in Hong Kong. He had to know he was going to be
let go so I am sure he made alternate arrangement for when that time came."
Charlie sat back in his seat. "Now we just have to find him."
Jax looked over at Charlie. "Yes, and that is what we are paying you very
well to do. No one just disappears. We need him found and I mean now."
"Understood. I will double the manpower this afternoon. If he is as sloppy
as he was running the Asian operations, it won't be long."
The words fell quickly from Jax's lips. "It can't be. We are running out
of time, I can feel it."
Charlie closed his file. "Then I will get on it this moment. I will be here
until tomorrow and then I am going to Hong Kong myself to coordinate matters."
Jerry . "I will touch base tomorrow."
Charlie stood up. "Have you put in extra eyes and ears in all locations?"
Jax nodded. "Yes but we still have no clue as to where the war will be waged
next."
Jerry showed Charlie to the door and then returned to his seat. "How long
do you think we can keep Dad out of this?"
Jax rubbed his temple. "Not much longer. I wanted to wait until we at least
knew what we were up against but we may not have a choice."
"What do you think they are doing?"
Jax licked his suddenly dry lips. "Trying to kill us slowly as they pick
us apart, piece by piece. The quick death is no fun I guess."
Jerry smacked his hand on the desk. "Who the hell is this?"
Jax shook his head. "I don't know but I don't like this. I don't like this
at all."
"Nor do I but it is not going to work. Charlie will find Peterson and then
we will have some answers."
Jax leaned back in his chair as he remembered his earlier conversation with
Brenda. "And then we will do what we have to in order to stop them."
Jerry nodded in agreement. "Damn right we will brother."
The Jacks Residence -- 7:00pm
Jax walked into the house as Jillian and Brooke scampered into the foyer.
Jillian stopped and ran over to Jax. "Daddy."
Jax lifted Jillian into his arms. "Hello princess. Are you and Brooke having
fun?"
Jillian bobbed her head up and down. "Yes, Daddy. We had to get graham crackers
for our tea party."
Jax smiled at Brooke. "Chocolate graham crackers I see?"
Brooke looked up at Jax. "Aunt Brenda said we could have one before Mommy
comes back from the hospital. Grandmom Lila hurt herself."
Jax nodded. "Yes, but I hear she is going to be just fine."
Jillian sighed. "Mommy said the doctors will make her all better."
Jax smiled and then put Jillian down. "She will be all better. Where is Mommy?"
Jillian grinned. "She is playing with Anthony."
Brooke shook her head. "He was fussing again. He misses Mommy."
Jax took both girls by the hand. "Let's go see how he is doing now."
They walked into the den and found Brenda sitting on the floor with Anthony.
Anthony was hitting the buttons on his talking Winnie-the-Pooh game.
Jillian scurried over to Brenda. "Daddy is home."
Brenda smiled as she looked up at Jillian. "I see him." Brenda turned to
face Jax. "Hi Daddy."
Jax knelt down next to Brenda and Anthony. "Hi Mommy." Jax kissed Brenda
fully on the mouth. "Any more news on Lila?"
Brenda took a deep breath. "Lois called about a half hour ago and said she
and Ned would be leaving the hospital soon. Fortunately nothing is broken
but they are keeping Lila overnight just as a precaution."
Jax took off his suit jacket and sat next to Brenda on the floor. "That is
a relief."
Brenda nodded. "Fortunately Emily was with her when she fell and was able
to ride to the hospital with her while everyone else met them in the emergency
room."
Anthony began fussing again. Jax shook his head. "I understand from Brooke
that we have an unhappy guest."
Brenda passed a plastic block to Anthony. "Lois says he is cutting another
tooth and has been very clingy for the past few days."
Brooke looked up from the tea party set up between she and Jillian on the
other side of the room. "Daddy says Anthony clings to Mommy now just like
the ivy growing on Grandma Lila's house."
Jax grinned at Brooke. "Anthony just misses your Mommy."
Jillian sighed. "He is just a little baby not big girls like us."
Jax winked at Jillian. "That is right. You and Brooke are young ladies now."
Both Brooke and Jillian coyly smiled and Anthony began to fuss again.
Brenda looked at Anthony. "I know you are tired sweetie." She stood up and
spoke to Jax. "I am going to go get him a bottle so he will be ready for
bed when Lois and Ned come to take him home."
Jax built a tower with the blocks as Anthony watched him. As Anthony knocked
down the tower, Jax built it up again. Jax spoke to Brooke and Jillian as
he and Anthony continued their game.
"So what did you girls do this afternoon?"
Brooke smiled. "We played on the swings and the sliding board."
Jillian giggled. "Mommy let Lady come with us and she tried to climb up the
sliding board. Mommy had to get her down and said Lady was silly."
Jax laughed. "That does sound silly."
Jillian giggled again. "I told Lady that doggies can't slide."
Jax grinned as he built another tower. "What else did you do?"
Brooke poured a cup of tea. "We watched Cinderella."
Jillian began singing the song from the movie that the mice and birds sang
as they sewed Cinderella's dress together. "Daddy, I love the mice."
Brooke happily sighed. "I love the glass slipper. It is so sparkley."
Jax smiled at both girls just as Anthony decided he was tired of the block
game. He began to fuss and then started crawling toward the fireplace. Jax
scooted over to block his path which only made Anthony fuss louder.
Jax lifted Anthony into his lap. "All right big guy, your bottle is coming
in a minute."
Anthony cried louder so Jax stood up and walked him over to the french doors
and showed him the patio and terrace lights. "Do you see the lights Anthony?
And can you see the moon in the sky?"
Anthony stopped crying and began talking to the lights outside the doors. Jax rubbed the baby's back. "You like those lights I see."
Jax then lifted Anthony higher into the air and Anthony began laughing.
Brooke stood up. "He likes you Uncle Jax. You make him laugh."
Jax smiled as he looked at Brooke. "Well, I like him too."
Jillian got up and walked over to where Jax was standing. "Make Anthony laugh
again Daddy."
Jax lifted Anthony into the air again and the baby began squealing and laughing.
Brooke and Jillian giggled right along with him.
Brenda stood just outside the door to the den as she watched the scene unfold.
She quickly stepped back into the hall and leaned against the wall for support.
Brenda closed her eyes as a shiver traveled through her entire body. It was
back again. That momentary stab into her heart had returned.
The piercing wound never really left but once in awhile it had to remind her that it was still just below the surface and that its anguish went deeper than a bottomless pit. The slash was sharper than a scalpel incision and it left behind scars that would never go away. It was quick but it also felt as if it were lethal.
Brenda caught her breath. Her mind began to wander to what Jamie would look
like being lifted into the air by his father. What would his laugh sound
like? He would be fifteen months old now. She could see the cleft on Jamie's
chin, a feature he had inherited from Jax. Seeing it as she held Jamie in
her arms had been her undoing that day in the hospital. He looked so much
like Jax as she held him. And now...
Brenda opened her eyes and took a deep breath. She was not going to torture
herself anymore with this right now. She knew the memories were bound to
happen. Although it was less than a week before his first birthday, today
was the first time Brenda had taken care of Anthony at the house. And it
was just a reminder of what might have been. Lois had avoided putting Brenda
in such a position but Brenda had insisted this afternoon when Lila had fallen.
She had been in control until this point but seeing Jax with Anthony had
triggered all the feelings again. It just proved once again how much pain
was still there.
Brenda took another deep breath and ran her hands through her hair. She composed
herself and walked to the door leading to the den. Just as she walked into
the room, the doorbell rang.
Brooke smiled. "That is Mommy and Daddy."
Brenda returned the smile. "I am sure it is. Let's go meet them."
Brooke and Jillian followed Brenda to the door and greeted Ned and Lois as
they came inside. They all went to the den and Jax handed a squealing Anthony
to Lois. Lois sat down on the couch with the baby.
Brenda handed Lois the bottle. "How is Lila?"
Ned sat down next to Lois. "Grandmother is resting comfortably. She was very
lucky."
Jax poured some drinks. "How is Edward handling things?"
Ned sighed. "You know Grandfather, he is blowing a gasket about anything
he can."
Lois began feeding Anthony. "He was so worried. You can say a lot of things
about him but he loves Lila with all his heart."
Jax handed Ned his drink and sat down on the chair next to Brenda. "I will give the old coot credit for having great taste in women.
Brenda nodded. "He certainly does. I am just so relieved that she will be
all right."
Lois smiled. "So are we. And we are very grateful for you pitching in with
the kids. "Was Anthony awful or just terrible?"
Brenda shook her head. "He was just a little fussy, nothing horrible."
Ned rolled his eyes as he looked down at Anthony. "I think your Aunt Brenda
is giving you way too glowing of a report. You have been a devil the past
few days."
Brooke walked over to Ned. "I was good Daddy."
Brenda grinned. "Yes, she was. She and Jillian even set the table for dinner."
Ned put his arm around Brooke. "I am very glad to hear that. Did you and
Jillian have a fun afternoon and evening?"
Brooke moved her head up and down. "Yes, we played on the swings and watched
Cinderella."
Lois grinned. "Cinderella again? You both really like that movie don't you?"
Brooke sighed contently. "Yes Mommy. I love it."
Jillian stood in front of Brenda. "Me too Mommy. Remember the big castle
where the Prince lives?"
Brenda looked down at Jillian. "Yes, it is very pretty." Brenda then winked
at Lois who nodded in return. Brenda cleared her throat. "Brooke and Jillian,
would you like to see the castle where the Prince lives?"
Both girls spoke in unison. "Oh yes."
Lois smiled. "And would you like to see Cinderella wearing her beautiful
dress?"
Again the girls spoke together. "Can we? Where?"
Brenda took each of the girls by the hand. "Well, we were wondering if you
wanted to come with us to Disney World when we go to see Ingo and the Angels."
Brooke gasped. "You mean where the castle is like they show on TV with all
the fireworks?"
Brenda nodded. "That is the place."
Jillian spoke excitedly. "Where Mickey and Minnie live?"
Brenda laughed. "Yes, where Mickey and Minnie and live."
Brooke shrieked. "Yes, I want to go."
Jillian began patting Brenda's leg. "Please Mommy, can I come?"
Lois laughed. "Yes, you can both come."
Jillian beamed. "And Daddy and Uncle Ned and Anthony and Lady too?"
Brenda ran her hand through Jillian's hair. "Lady is going to stay here with
Emily but everyone else will come."
Lois smiled. "Even Grandmom Gloria so she can take care of Anthony when he
gets tired."
Brooke clapped. "When can we go? Tomorrow?"
Ned laughed. "Not quite honey. Mommy and Anthony are in a few days but we
will not meet them for seven days."
Jillian turned to Jax and held out her hands and counted out seven. She then
held up seven fingers. "That is this many days Daddy."
Jax nodded. "You are exactly right princess."
Jillian began dancing in place and Ned almost choked as he took a sip of
his drink. "Good Lord, she just did the Brenda dance."
Lois started to laugh. "You are right, she did."
Jax nodded. "She is definitely her mother's daughter."
Ned shook his head. "Look out world, there is another Brenda Jacks on the
loose."
Brenda threw a pillow from the chair and hit Ned in the face with it. Everyone
laughed and Jillian climbed into Brenda's lap. "Mommy, I am just like that
football player on TV."
Brenda looked down at Jillian. "What sweetie?"
Jillian grinned and spoke exuberantly. "I'm going to Disney World."
Brenda hugged her. "Yes you are sweetie."
Jax took Jillian's hand in his as Brenda held their little princess. Brooke
scooted between Ned and Lois on the couch as Anthony fell asleep in Lois'
arms. The smiles on the girls faces lit up the room. It was one of those
moments in life that was priceless and would remain in one's heart forever.
And for Brenda, a moment that would at least briefly numb the wound from
the earlier stab in her heart.
Sunday, April 15, 2001
Walt Disney World -- 10:00am
The spring tour for Ingo and the Angels began at SSW and then would move
to Daytona Beach and Fort Lauderdale next week. Lois and Brenda decided to
split up the tour duties and accompany Ingo for the first week of the group's
performances. Lois took the first shift so she, Gloria and Anthony had arrived
in Orlando five days ago to finalize the arrangements for the two SSW
performances for Ingo and the Angels. Since Brenda was taking the second
shift, she and Jillian would travel with Ingo tomorrow to Daytona Beach and
then onto Fort Lauderdale on Thursday before heading home to Port Charles
on Saturday. Everyone else would return to Port Charles tomorrow.
Jax, Brenda, Ned and Brooke had arrived in Orlando late Thursday night. On
Friday, Gloria had kept Anthony at the hotel so that Jax, Brenda, Ned and
Lois could spend the day at the Magic Kingdom with the girls. The girls had
been mesmerized by the sights, especially Cinderella's castle. Jillian had
been speechless for ten whole minutes which Jax remarked was a record, especially
considering the fact that she was Brenda's daughter. Jillian and Brooke had
squealed, shrieked and giggled the entire day as they scampered from one
sight to the other. The only drawback of the entire day was that they had
not seen Cinderella in the park.
Yesterday, Jax and Ned took the girls to Epcot while Brenda and Lois were
at MGM for SSW. They were fascinated by the jumping water fountains and they
spent the entire afternoon talking about the 3-D show so Jax and Ned took
them to see it for a second time. When Jillian and Brooke saw Brenda and
Lois later that afternoon at the hotel, they imitated the dance that the
Chinese dancers had performed outside the pavilion. Gloria watched all three
children last night so that Jax, Brenda, Ned and Lois could have dinner and
attend the evening concert and the street party. Today, Ingo's concert was
taking place in the late afternoon as the final event of SSW and Jax and
Ned were going to bring the girls to MGM to see the attractions and watch
part of the concert.
Earlier this morning, everyone had gone to the Disney Character Breakfast
at the Contemporary Cafe in the Contemporary Resort. After breakfast, they
had taken the monorail and had just arrived at The Magic Kingdom. They were
going to spend a few hours there so that the girls could return to their
favorite attractions before heading over to MGM later for the concert. Brooke
and Jillian were still talking about the character breakfast. They had been
quite overwhelmed as the Disney characters appeared at their table. It was
hard to tell whether Brooke or Jillian were more excited. they both were
speaking at warped speed and often at the same time.
Jillian held onto both Jax and Brenda's hands as they walked along Main Street
USA toward the attractions in Fantasyland. "Mommy and Daddy, did you see
how big Mickey's ears were?"
Brooke skipped along the pavement. "And so were Doopey's. Even his purple
hat did not cover them up."
Jillian swung her arms as they all walked. "They must be sooo cold in the
snow."
Brenda smiled at Jillian and Brooke. "Yes, Mickey and Doopey have very large
ears."
Brooke nodded. "And Minnie's white shoes were huge. Almost as big as the
bow in her hair." Brooke then turned to Lois. "Mommy, can I have a bow for
my hair just like Minnie."
Lois walked beside Brooke. "You want a red bow with white polka dots?"
Brooke bobbed her head up and down. "Yes, it is sooo pretty."
Ned looked at Lois as he pushed Anthony in the stroller. "See the trend you
started when you dressed her in a leopard spotted coat as a toddler."
Lois shrugged. "As opposed to the boarding school uniform Edward wanted to
put her in at that age."
Brooke looked up at Ned. "Daddy, I loved my coat. Mommy still has it in the
closet."
Jax choked back his laughter. "Nedley, you are very quiet all of a sudden."
Ned glared at Jax. "That is enough from you."
Brooke asked again. "Can I have a Minnie bow?"
Jillian spoke excitedly. "I want a bow too Mommy?"
Lois smiled at both girls. "I will get you both a bow before we leave."
Jillian and Brooke squealed as Ned rolled his eyes and the group reached
Fantasyland. The girls ran to Cinderella's Golden Carousel as the music of
the band organ filled the air.
Jillian jumped up and down. "Mommy, I want the horse with yellow flowers."
Brooke turned to face Lois. "I want the horse with the Indian arrows Mommy."
Lois put her hand on Brooke's shoulder. "Okay. We have to wait for the ride
to stop."
Jillian spoke to Brenda. "Can we all ride Mommy? And can you ride on the
horse next to me?"
Brenda nodded. "We can all ride and I will sit next to you."
Brooke looked up at Lois. "Can Anthony ride too?"
"Yes, Daddy will hold Anthony and I will ride the horse next to you."
Brooke clapped and the carousel stopped. The music of the organ then changed
as everyone boarded the carousel. Jax put Jillian on the white horse with
yellow roses and Brenda sat on the horse beside her. Jax sat on the huge
white stallion behind them.
"Hold on tight princess."
Jillian beamed. "I will Daddy."
Brooke ran to the stallion with the quiver of Indian arrows on its back and
Lois lifted her onto the horse before mounting the horse next to her. Ned
sat a few horses away with Anthony on his lap.
The carousel began moving and Jillian giggled at the sound of the organ music.
"Brooke, it is the Pinocchio song."
Brooke laughed out loud. "It is."
Brooke and Jillian then began singing as the music of the organ continued.
"When you wish upon a star, make's no difference who you are...."
Brenda and Lois both smiled brightly as they watched the girls ecstatically
enjoy their ride on the golden carousel.
As the music from the organ came to the last few measures of the song, the
girls finished their singing.
Jax lifted Jillian off the horse and she shrieked as he spun her around.
The group then walked to Dumbo, the Flying Elephant and watched as Brooke
and Jillian enjoyed their flight. As they moved to Peter Pan's flight,
Winnie-the-Pooh and Tigger waved at the girls.
Jillian squealed as she pointed at Winnie. "Look there is Winnie."
Brooke quickly turned around to see him. "And there is the honey pot on his
head."
Jax looked at the character approaching. "And look who that is behind Winnie."
Jillian jumped and down. "It is Tigger."
Brooke tugged on Lois' shirt as Tigger approached. "Can he bounce Mommy?"
At that moment, Tigger overhead Brooke's question and began bouncing up and
down and waving to the girls. Jillian and Brooke giggled and waved back and
Anthony laughed out loud as Tigger bounced past him.
Jillian and Brooke rode on Peter Pan's Flight with Jax and Ned and then ran
over to meet Brenda and Lois who were sitting on a bench with Anthony. Lois
looked at her watch. "Girls, it is getting late and we need to get back to
the hotel soon so you can rest before the concert."
Brenda put her arms around Jillian and Brooke. "We can go on one more ride
and then we have to go back. What do you want to do?"
Both girls spoke at once. "Small World."
Brenda and Lois stood up. "Okay, let's go."
They all walked to the entrance of the attraction and Lois parked the stroller.
Jillian grabbed both Jax and Brenda's hands as Brooke led the way into the
musical boat ride. They boarded the boats and the girls were completely
mesmerized as they drifted through the several large rooms of stylized
Audio-Animatronics dolls. Jillian gasped when the boat passed the cancan
dancers and Brooke softly giggled when they moved toward the Dutch children
wearing wooden shoes.
Jillian hugged Jax's legs once they were outside again. "Daddy, that is my
favorite."
Jax lifted Jillian into his arms. "I am so glad you liked it."
Jillian began humming the melody and Brooke joined in immediately. They had
done the same thing on Friday when they had first taken the ride and had
sung the song all evening.
Ned put a sleeping Anthony into the stroller. "Okay, are we ready?"
Lois nodded. "Yes, we are. We just need to make a stop on the way out and
buy two Minnie bows."
Jillian looked at Brenda. "Mommy, can we see Cinderella's Castle one more
time?"
Brooke turned to Lois. "Please Mommy. Just one more time."
Lois smiled. "Yes, we will see it on our way to the shop."
Brooke held Lois' hand as Ned pushed Anthony toward the castle. Jax carried
Jillian as Brenda walked beside them. When they reached Cinderella's Castle,
the girls stood wide-eyed in front of the multi-spired storybook masterpiece
and smiled. As Brenda took their pictures, Jax and Ned motioned to her and
Brenda winked at them.
Brenda snapped a few more photos. "Okay girls, those will be great."
Jax and Ned stood together behind the girls. Jillian and Brooke turned around
and smiled.
Jax spoke to them. "Well girls, are you ready?"
Jillian and Brooke nodded. "Yes, we are ready."
Ned cleared his throat. "There is nothing else you want to see?"
Brooke frowned slightly. "I wish I could have seen Cinderella but we have
the picture of her in the book Grandmom bought for me."
Jillian sighed. "Mommy said maybe next time we come we can see her. But Mommy
said that won't be for a long time."
Jax smiled at the two of them. "Well, I guess you will just have to see her
now then."
Jax and Ned then both stepped away from each other and Cinderella appeared.
Brooke and Jillian both started jumping up and down. "It's Cinderella."
Brenda snapped photos of the girls as Lois nudged them toward Cinderella.
She curtsied in front of the girls. Both Jillian and Brooke shrieked. Cinderella
then stood between both girls and knelt down as Brenda snapped more photos.
Brooke found her voice first. "Do you have your glass slippers?" Cinderella
lifted up her dress slightly and showed the girls her slipper. Brooke gasped.
"Mommy, she has the slipper."
Jillian walked right up to her. "Are you a princess?"
Cinderella smiled. "Yes, I am."
Jillian pointed at herself. "So am I. I am my Daddy's princess."
Jax put his arms around Brenda's waist as they both stood there beaming at
the most important thing in their life. The words to what Jillian had deemed
to be "Mickey's song" were never more apparent than at that moment. "When
you wish upon a star, your dreams do come true."
The Grand Floridian Resort -- 7:45pm
After they had returned to the hotel after leaving The Magic Kingdom, everyone
had eaten lunch and then Jillian and Brooke had taken a nap. Brenda and Lois
left to meet Ingo at MGM and Jax and Ned stayed with the children. After
Jillian and Brooke had awakened from their naps, Jax and Ned took them to
MGM while Gloria stayed in the hotel suite with Anthony.
Jax and Ned took the girls to a few attractions at the theme park before
the concert began. Jillian and Brooke loved the Indiana Jones stunt spectacular
and the 3-D show. They also loved the oversized playground created from an
old movie set. Jillian and Brooke's favorite experience of the afternoon
was playing with props from some of the movies in the special effects exhibit.
They both had laughed uncontrollably when they opened the boxes which emitted
animal sounds.
Before the concert, Jax and Ned took the girls backstage to find Brenda and
Lois and the girls had waved to Ingo. Ingo blew kisses to both of the girls
before going on stage and Jillian and Brooke had just giggled. Jax and Ned
had rolled their eyes at the girls' reaction and Brenda and Lois had found
the whole scene utterly amusing.
After the concert had ended, Ingo coordinated tomorrow's schedule with Brenda.
She and Jillian would be meeting him in Daytona Beach in preparation for
Tuesday and Wednesday's concert. As security escorted Ingo and the Angels
to the vans, Jillian and Brooke waved good-bye to them. The girls had giggled
again as Ingo had shouted good-bye to his little sheilas as he left the backstage
area.
Once everything was coordinated with the tear down crew, Brenda and Lois
joined Jax, Ned and the girls and everyone headed back to the hotel for the
night. Once they returned to their suite, Brenda had ordered room service
and she, Jax and Jillian had sat down for a quiet dinner. Now Jax was giving
Jillian her bath as Brenda packed for tomorrow's travel.
As Brenda closed Jillian's suitcase, the bathroom door opened and Jax carried
Jillian into the bedroom. "Mommy, I am all clean."
Brenda smiled as she put the suitcase of the floor. "Great. I bet you are
tired too."
Jillian leaned her head against Jax's shoulder. "Having fun makes you sleepy."
Brenda softly laughed as she sat down on the bed. "I know it does, sweetie."
Jax sat down beside Brenda on the bed with Jillian in his lap. "Did you have
a lot of fun this weekend?"
Jillian smiled as she looked at Jax. "Lots and lots of fun, Daddy."
Jax hugged her against his chest. "Mommy and I are so happy about that."
Jillian looked at Jax and Brenda with bright eyes. "Did you have fun?"
Brenda rubbed Jillian's back. "Yes, we did. Lots and lots of fun."
Jillian lifted her head and spoke to Brenda. "Are we going to the beach
tomorrow?"
Brenda nodded. "Yes, we are going to the beach."
Jillian then looked at Jax. "But Daddy is not coming."
Jax stroked her cheek. "No, Daddy is going back home tomorrow but you and
Mommy will be home in just a few days after that."
Jillian sighed. "How many days?"
Jax smiled as he held up the fingers on his right hand. "Five."
Jillian held out her hand so that it pressed against his. "Five."
Jax nodded his head. "And you will be helping Mommy at the beach."
Jillian grinned. "Okay, Daddy. And you will be with Lady so you won't be
alone."
Jax chuckled. "Yes, I will be with Lady."
Jillian turned to Brenda. "Mommy, maybe Daddy can put Lady's bed in your
room so she can sleep with him and he won't be sad."
Brenda cleared her throat. "I think Daddy will be okay so Lady can stay
downstairs. But we will call Daddy every night to say good night to him."
Jillian leaned against Jax's chest again. "Okay."
Jax tightened his arms around Jillian. "Lady and I will be fine and you and
Mommy will be home very soon but thank you for worrying about me."
Brenda picked up a brush and began brushing Jillian's curls. "Daddy has to
work with Uncle Jerry and Aunt Julia and you and Mommy need to help Ingo."
"Daddy, did you hear all those ladies screaming when they saw Ingo. They
had big signs too."
Jax nodded. "Yes, I saw them. Those are women in Ingo's fan club and they
really like to see him."
Jillian smiled. "I like Ingo too." Jillian began to giggle. "Ingo closed
his eye at me."
Brenda laughed softly. "You mean Ingo winked at you."
Jillian nodded. "Yes, he winked at me and Brooke." Jillian then started giggling
again. "And he blew me kisses."
Jax moaned. "Now you remember when you are spending time with Ingo who your
favorite guy is."
Jillian gave Jax a bewildered look. "Who?"
The look on Jax's face was priceless and Brenda covered her face with her
hands to shield her laughter. She finally composed herself enough to speak.
"Jillian, Daddy meant to ask you who your favorite prince is."
Jillian smiled brightly. "You are Daddy and I am your princess."
Jax hugged Jillian. "Yes, you are."
Brenda reached over and picked up the book Jillian had picked out for her
bedtime story before she had taken her bath. "I think it is about time for
you to go to sleep so Daddy should start reading your book."
Jax began reading the story and within minutes, Jillian yawned and her eyelids
began to droop. Jax carried her into the adjoining bedroom and Brenda tucked
her under the covers. Jax handed Jillian Roo-Roo and while Brenda turned
on the new music box which played "When You Wish Upon A Star." Jax and Brenda
then kissed her good night. Jillian whispered good night to them before tucking
her hands under the side of her head. She softly sung a few lines of the
song along with the music box and then drifted off to sleep.
Jax and Brenda tiptoed out of the room and Brenda quietly shut the door.
Jax climbed onto the bed and extended his hand to Brenda. She crawled into
bed beside him and rested her head against his chest as he reclined against
the pillows. Jax kissed the top of her head.
Jax wrapped his arms around Brenda. "Sweetie, you must be exhausted."
"I'm okay. I just want to stay right here for a few minutes."
Jax rested his cheek on top of her head. "You can stay forever."
Brenda smiled. "I love listening to your heartbeat and I am going to miss
that so much when I am away from you."
"Baby, I am going to miss you too."
Brenda snuggled deeper into his embrace. "I am so glad that we were all here
this weekend. Jillian loved it."
A wide grin appeared across Jax's face. "She certainly did. And I know she
will enjoy spending some time with you over the next few days especially
at the beach."
Brenda drew circles on Jax's chest. "We should have some time tomorrow and
Thursday to spend a few hours. It will be wonderful but something will be
missing since you will not be with us."
Jax sighed. "I will just have to be lonely instead. I am just hoping I can
finally find some answers about this Hong Kong situation."
Brenda lifted her head from Jax's chest. "You will honey. And we will be
back together very soon. I made a wish upon a star"
Jax caressed her face with his palm. "So did I."
Brenda lowered her mouth to his and their lips met in a blazing display of passion. Amidst their kisses, they drank in each other's love and devotion. They knew when one of them had to leave, no matter for how long or for how far, the other would be right there waiting.
Sunday, April 29, 2001
The Jacks Residence -- 2:30pm
The April showers had dissipated and it was a beautiful, sunny spring day.
Jax pushed Jillian on the swings as Lady scurried around the playground area
in the side yard. Jillian squealed with delight as she flew higher through
the air. Jax's mind wandered and he exhaled deeply as he thought about the
past two weeks and how complicated everything had become since their last
morning in Orlando.
Things had begun as planned that morning as he, Gloria and the Ashtons had
returned to Port Charles and Brenda and Jillian had accompanied Ingo and
the Angels to Daytona Beach. The concerts had drawn record attendance and
Brenda and Jillian had found time for a few hours on the beach. When they
moved to Fort Lauderdale later in the week, Brenda finalized the details
for the two concerts there. Everything was set to enable Brenda and Jillian
to return to Port Charles over the weekend.
Unfortunately, things were not going so smoothly in Port Charles, specifically
at J & J Jacks. Two days before Brenda and Jillian were to return to
Port Charles, the European operations showed the first sign of trouble. Jax
had Paolo and Thao as his eyes and ears for the European holdings and Paolo
had called Jax and alerted him to the suspicious activity. Jax left Port
Charles the next morning under the guise of meeting Brenda and Jillian in
Florida for a few days. In actuality, he headed to Rome and went straight
to Paolo and the Contessa's home to meet with Paolo and Thao before anyone
was aware of Jax's presence in Europe. Brenda extended her stay in Florida
for two days to lend credence to Jax's "official" arrival in London three
days later.
Once he was officially in Europe, Jax had spent the week traveling between
the operations in London and Munich. Jerry was keeping a guarded watch on
the Australian holdings while Julia concentrated on the North American
businesses. Things were unstable in Europe but Jax had taken measures to
maintain control before leaving London late Friday night. Jax and Jerry knew
that the trouble was a warning shot to see how J & J Jacks would respond.
They had rallied but they knew the enemy was in the driver's seat and that
had to be stopped. It was time to get to Alaska and determine a full scale
attack with John. The problem still was that they did not know the identity
of their own adversary. Charlie Chan had finally found some useful information
and was flying to Alaska tomorrow to meet Jax, Jerry and Julia.
Jax, Jerry and Julia were leaving for Alaska later this afternoon and Jax
was trying to spend as much time as he could with Jillian before the flight.
When he returned from London yesterday morning, it had been almost two weeks
since Jax had seen her. Jillian had squealed and hugged him and showed him
the sand she had brought back to him from the beach. She then had modeled
the birthday hat she had worn for Anthony's first birthday party which had
been earlier in the week. Jax had missed Jillian so much that seeing her
temporarily erased all the problems about business from his mind. Now if
he could only see Brenda, it would be perfect.
To add more complications to the mix, Brenda's plans and schedule had also
encountered some problems over the past few days. L & B Records and Ingo's
tour were proceeding without difficulty but a snag had occurred with the
championship series events for the stables. Abby's father had become ill
forcing her to return to Spring Meadows two days ago. Brenda had to take
her place for the final week of the series events in California. As Jax was
flying to Port Charles from London Friday night, Brenda was heading to Los
Angeles. Jax had picked up Jillian from Jerry and Julia's house yesterday
and spent the past day with her. Brenda had arranged with Robin to stay at
the house with Jillian starting this afternoon until the California trip
was over or Jax returned from Alaska, whichever was sooner. Maggie would
take care of Jillian during the days as usual while Robin was in class or
working at the lab.
Jax shook his head to clear his thoughts and realized that the swing had
come to a complete stop. He had become so wrapped up in his thoughts that
he had forgotten to push it. Jax looked down at Jillian who was sitting there
looking up at him with sparkling blue eyes.
"Daddy, are you tired?"
Jax knelt down beside her. "A little tired, princess. I am sorry."
Jillian touched his face. "That is okay. Mommy says you have been working
very hard. Can I help you?"
Jax lifted her out of the swing. "Yes, how about a big hug?"
Jillian smiled brightly as she wrapped her arms around his neck. "Like this
Daddy?"
Jax kissed her forehead. "Just like that princess."
Lady came running over to them and Jillian giggled. "Lady wants to help too."
Jax grinned as Lady licked his hand. "I see that she wants to help."
Lady licked Jillian's face and Jillian squealed. "Lady licked me again."
Jax began tickling Jillian. "That is because you are so sweet, just like
cotton candy."
Jillian began giggling and then the sound of a car door was heard and Lady
began barking.
Jax stood up with Jillian in his arms. "I bet that is Aunt Robin."
Jillian smiled. "Mommy says if I am good, I can sleep in my Barbie tent in
Aunt Robin's room."
Jax rubbed noses with Jillian. "That sounds like so much fun. Let's go inside
and help Aunt Robin with her bags."
They met Robin in the foyer and Jillian hugged her. Lady cried and barked
until Robin gave her as much attention as Jillian had. Jax brought Robin's
bags into the house as Jillian told her about Brenda's call this morning.
"Aunt Robin, Mommy is with the horses and Kenzie."
Robin questioned her. "Kenzie?"
Jax winked at Jillian. "Jillian's name for McKenzie."
Jillian smiled proudly. "Kenzie likes my name for her."
Robin nodded. "So do I. What else did Mommy say to you?"
Jillian clapped her hands together. "Dream won a pretty ribbon yesterday
and Mommy is going to bring it back to show me."
Robin grinned. "A ribbon? That is wonderful and Mommy told me that Cyclone
won a ribbon last week."
Jillian clapped again. "Mommy says lots of ribbons and lots of colors."
Jax touched Jillian on the head. "Yes, McKenzie is becoming a real star."
Robin turned to Jax. "That is wonderful. I know Brenda is very happy even
though she does not like being away from you and Jillian."
Jax sighed. "She is happy and she, Abby, Steve and McKenzie have put in a
great deal of work for this. The timing is just not the best. I am so grateful
for your help."
Robin touched Jax on the arm. "Do not even mention it. It is my pleasure.
I told Brenda the same thing when I saw her Friday before she left."
Jax took a deep breath. "Is Brenda really okay? She sounded so terrible earlier
in the week with that infection. I was so worried it was going to be pneumonia
before we knew it."
Robin could not help smiling to herself at the love that was written all
over Jax's face when he mentioned Brenda's name. "She is much better. She
was very sick when she came back from Florida but those antibiotics work
wonders."
Jillian looked up at Jax. "Mommy is all better. No more coughing or sniffles.
I took care of Mommy for you Daddy just like you asked me to."
Jax caressed Jillian's cheek. "Thank you princess. Daddy is so proud of you and I know you are going to be extra good for Aunt Robin. Daddy will probably have to be away with Grandpa and Grandmom until after Mommy comes back."
Jillian nodded. "I will be good."
Robin put her arm around Jillian. "We are going to have so much fun until
Mommy comes home."
Jillian smiled brightly. "Mommy bought me a new movie and we can watch it
and eat popcorn before I go to sleep in the tent."
Jax flashed Jillian an lopsided grin. "Well, it sounds like you have so much
fun planned. You will have to tell me all about it when I come home."
Jillian reached for Jax's hand. "I will tell you all about it."
Jax looked at his watch. "Princess, it is about time for me to go upstairs
and finish packing so I can meet Uncle Jerry and Aunt Julia at the airport.
I am going to miss you so much and I will be back as soon as I can."
Jillian took a deep breath and courageously smiled. "Okay. I won't be sad."
Jax lifted Jillian into his arms. She was such a brave little girl, another
trait she had picked up from Brenda. "I love you Jillian."
Jillian hugged him. "I love you too Daddy." She then pointed to the picture
frame which was sitting on the table in the foyer. "Daddy, the picture."
Jax walked over to the table. It was only then that he realized that the
photo of he and Jillian was missing from its usual spot. The only picture
frame sitting on the table now was of Brenda and Jillian. "What about the
picture?"
Jillian looked into his eyes. "Put it in your suitcase so you can see me
and Mommy before you go to sleep. Then you won't be sad." Jillian smiled
at him. "Mommy took the other picture so she can put it right next to her
bed and see us. Now Mommy won't be sad either."
Jax kissed her cheeks and hugged her tightly. "Thank you so much. You are
really Daddy's little princess."
Jillian beamed. "Just like Cinderella."
Jax kissed her forehead. "Even better than Cinderella."
Robin's heart melted at the sight of Jax and Jillian. There was more love
between them than ever could have been put into words. It was like a dream
but it was even better. It was real.
The Jacks Homestead -- 9:30pm
Jax, Jerry and Julia had arrived at the house two hours ago. Jax and Jerry
had called John two days ago and apprised him of the looming danger to the
company. This evening Jax, Jerry and Julia had brought John and Jane up to
date on the latest situation in Europe and in the other areas of J &
J Jacks holdings. Jane had served dinner and now John was in the office with
Jax and Jerry. Since the business day had started in Asia and Australia,
the men were looking over the early reports from the subsidiaries.
John put down the reports. "Things are very quiet."
Jax glanced at the numbers again. "Too quiet."
John took his glasses off. "Exactly, my boy. A time-out in the game."
Jerry sat down in the chair at the computer. "Australia will be the next
target."
Jax nodded. "Count on it."
John sat back in his chair. "They are going to see how far we can bend without
breaking."
Jax ran his hand quickly through his hair. "Let's just hope that after Charlie
arrives tomorrow we have a better idea on the identity of our opponent."
John rested his chin on his hand. "Until we do there is no way to stay more
than a step ahead in the game and both of you realize what that means."
Jerry sighed. "We can't be on the offensive until we can stop being on the
defensive."
"Son, as they say, you can't win without the ball."
Jax took a deep breath. "Well, losing is not an option."
John grinned at the confidence in Jax's voice. "It most certainly is not."
Jerry looked up from the data. "Hogan is keeping an eagle eye on Australia
from the inside."
John's voice became serious. "Are the security controls in place?"
Jerry nodded. "Yes, the new detection software was installed last night and
the Asian holdings mainframe was infiltrated two hours later from a remote
terminal. The detection software was removed thereafter and will be re-installed
overnight again in the Hong Kong office to check for any new breaches of
the system."
John fingered his beard. "I am sure that there will be invasive activity,
just to check on the existence of new detection software if nothing else."
Jax checked the latest stock exchange information from Japan. "Since the
software will be installed for only long enough to check the detection shield
and then will be un-installed, we should have some time before our invaders
realize they have been discovered."
John looked at both Jax and Jerry. "Are you convinced of the trustworthiness
of your insiders and contacts?"
Both Jerry and Jax nodded. "We are and there are controls in place at all
the offices to see that it stays that way."
John looked at Jax directly. "And precautions have been taken elsewhere?"
Jax sighed. "Yes, the residences have all been checked and are clean. Charlie
is ensuring that they stay that way and will make another check here tomorrow."
Jerry looked over at Jax. "I really think this is a pure business game."
Jax's face reflected an expression of concern. "As do I, but we can't afford
the risk."
John cleared his throat. "No, we can't son."
Jerry's cell phone rang and he picked it up. He spoke for a moment and then
finished up with the caller. "That was Charlie. He is heading to the Hong
Kong airport now and will be here tomorrow afternoon. He expects more information
on the breach of the Asian subsidiary mainframe by the time he arrives."
Jax rubbed the muscles in his neck. "Maybe we can finally get somewhere then."
John nodded in agreement. "We will and then our opponent will realize what
a grave error in judgment they made. This game of cat and mouse will soon
become a full scale assault."
Jerry turned off the computer. "And they will rue the day they ever decided
to tangle with J & J Jacks."
Jax shook his head. "They won't even know what hit them."
John leaned back in the chair again and his mouth curved into a half smile.
"My boys, tomorrow the fun begins."
Ninety minutes later, everyone had gone upstairs for the night. Tomorrow
was going to be a big day. Jax had called Brenda to let her know about the
latest developments and to find out about today's results at the championship
series. Just hearing her voice had made him feel better. Brenda had been
thrilled at the successes of the weekend. Cyclone had shown well this afternoon
and both Dream and Cyclone were eligible for the finals to be held later
in the week outside of Carmel.
Jax had just taken a shower and gotten dressed for bed. His mind was still
racing from the events of the past few weeks and he was restless. He was
also lonely. Jax had spoken to her less than an hour ago but he needed to
hear her voice again. He needed to feel that fluttering of his heart again,
even if only for a few moments.
Jax picked up the portable phone on the nightstand and smiled as he looked
at the photo of Brenda and Jillian. He walked across the room and sat in
the chair which faced the huge window. The window overlooked the grove of
pine trees and the path leading to the stream. The winter snow had finally
melted so the moonlight shined down on the first signs of spring. The moon
was full and the night sky was full of stars.
Jax looked at the clock and then dialed the number and asked for Suite 1212.
The phone was picked up on the second ring. "Hello."
Jax's face immediately brightened. "Hey sweetie."
Brenda sat Indian style in the chair which sat at the window overlooking
the ocean. The moon and the stars created a beautiful scene over the Pacific.
"Hello honey. Do you feel any better after your shower?"
Jax rubbed his neck as he rested his head against the back of the leather
chair. "I am better now. Hearing your voice really can do wonders."
Brenda took a deep breath. "Robin said you looked tired. I am worried about
you. I bet your neck is full of knots and I can't be there to get rid of
them."
Jax smiled to himself at her astuteness. "I will be fine. I want to know
how you are. I don't want you getting sick again."
Brenda shook her head and smiled. "I am all right, I promise. Have you heard
that medical science has invented antibiotics?"
Jax chuckled. "I know I am being a pest about this. It is just that it has
been two weeks since I have seen you and I miss you so much and I just need
to know that you are really okay."
Brenda bit her bottom lip at the sound of the love emanating from his voice.
"I miss you too and I love you for worrying about me even in the midst of
all that you are handling. This will be all over soon and then we can be
together, just you and me and Jillian."
Jax exhaled slowly. "I love you too darling and when I called Jillian this
evening, I told her the same thing about us being together again soon."
Brenda reached over and picked up the photo of Jax and Jillian. "She had
a great time with Robin tonight and she told me you called her from the plane
to say good night."
Jax closed his eyes momentarily as he reflected on the love for his daughter.
"She is something else."
Brenda nodded. "Yes, she is. She was playing her Pinocchio music box and
singing the song to me."
Jax grinned. "She told me that she was making a wish before she went to bed
that we would all be together again soon."
Brenda looked out the window at the twinkling stars. "That is all my heart
wants as well. Wishing on a star has brought me so much thus far, it can't
hurt to do it now. I love you Jax."
When you wish upon a star,
Makes no difference who you are,
Anything your heart desires
Will come to you.
Jax's eyes sparkled as he gazed at the glimmering stars in the night sky.
"My heart shares the same dream and the same wish as yours. I love you Brenda."
If your heart is in your dreams,
No request is too extreme
When you wish upon a star,
As dreamers do.
As Jax and Brenda said good night, they each took one final look at the stars
above from their vantage points. They were more than a thousand miles away
from one another in actual distance but they could not have been closer in
their dreams and their wishes. The love they shared united their hearts and
eliminated any affect of the physical distance between them. Tonight, the
stars in the sky twinkled in honor of that love and those shared dreams and
wishes.
SONG CREDITS: "When You Wish Upon A Star" by Ned Washington and Leigh Harline
To be continued