Fairy Tale 223-234
by: Belle
"Lois Marie! Ned! Brenda! Everyone - welcome!" Gloria Cerullo cried as she raced down the steps from her porch towards the car where Jax and Kieron were unloading everyone's overnight bags.
"MA!" Lois screamed, throwing her arms around her mother. "I'm so happy to see you!" Ned gave him mother-in-law a hug and kiss.
"Brenda sweetheart, give me a hug." Gloria reached over and hugged Brenda tightly. She drew away and looked at the gorgeous man standing next to her. Smiling at him, she stuck out her hand. "And you must be Brenda's fiancee Jax." she turned to Lois, "Darling you described him perfectly. All you had to say was that he looked like a god and I would have pickedhim out anywhere."
Jax blushed. "You're very kind." he flashed her his most charming smile. "Mrs. Cerullo, thank you for inviting all of us."
"You're more than welcome. But don't call me Mrs. Cerullo - it makes me feel old - call me Gloria." she took one of both Jax and Brenda's hands and looked at the two of them. "Whatever you're doing Jax, it's obviously wonderul. Brenda - I've never seen you look more beautiful. Your face and eyes are glowing with love and happiness."
Jax blushed, and Brenda smiled even brighter. Wrapping her arms around his waist, she gushed "he treats me like a princess."
Jax kissed the top of her head. "How else should I treat you? You are my princess, and a very beautiful and lovable one at that."
"Ohhh...." Gloria sighed, placing her hand over her heart and smiling at Lois. "You two are so adorable together. I can already tell that this marriage is going to last forever." She turned to see Kieron and Juliet standing behind everyone, and missed the look JAx gave Brenda that said "this marriage thing is getting out of control." Brenda just raised an eyebrow to silence him. "Lois Marie! Where are your manners? Introduce me to your friends!"
While Lois introduced her mother to Kieron and Juliet, Jax took Brenda by the hand and led her over to the car to get their things.
"Bren...Do you think this entire fake engagement thing is getting a little out of control?" Jax asked nervously.
Brenda froze at the mention of the word 'fake'. She and Jax had been so close these past few days that she'd almost forgotten that they weren't really engaged. Seeing them together on the news, and hearing him sing the song for her at the Bar had only made everything seem more real. Looking up at him, she raised an eyebrow. "No." she said simply.
"you don't?" Jax asked increduously. He glanced over at Gloria. "Because I know how close you are to the Cerullos and how close Sonny is to the Cerullos and...."
"honey - Gloria is thrilled about our engagement." Brenda brushed a lose curl off his forehead and grinned."Besides - she never thought Sonny and I were any good for eachother. So don't worry - relax, have fun, and - enjoy the pasta." Giving him a sensual kiss on the lips, she turned on her heel and began to follow Juliet and Lois into the house, leaving a very confused Jax behind her.
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"This pasta is amazing Gloria." Jax praised as he tasted the homemade penne and spaghetti sauce that Mrs.Cerullo had made.
Gloria beamed. "Thank you."
"My ma is the best cook in Bensonhurst." Lois bragged, grinning at her mother and passing the garlic bread down the table. It was later that evening, and Jax, Brenda, Lois, Ned, Kieron, Juliet, Gloria, and Carmine were seated around the table eating the Italian feast that Gloria had prepared: spaghetti, garlic bread, salad, roasted chicken, grilled vegetables and tiramisu for dessert.
"My daughter's prejudice." Gloria said humbly, blushing. She looked around the table. It was so wonderful to have Lois home with all her friends. And is was especially great to see how happy Brenda was. These past few months Lois had told Gloria how traumatized and obsessed Brenda had been with Sonny and she had been really worried about her daughter's best friend who had become a member of their family. At the moment, Jax was leaning over whispering something in Brenda's ear and she was smiling softly, her eyes looking at him with love. They were involved in a intimate conversation and Lois caught her mother watching them and they both exchanged a smile.
"So Jax...." Gloria said, interrupting them and pulling J&B out of their dream world. "Tell me about the moment when you first knew you were in love with Brenda."
Jax choked on his wine. Brenda wrapped a concerned arm around his shoulders and patted him on the back. "Honey are you okay?" she murmered, glancing at Lois and Juliet hopelessly out of the corner of her eye.
"I...uhhhh.....I...." Jax took a gulp of water. "Excuse me - what was your question again?"
Gloria opened her mouth to repeat her question, but Lois interrupted her. "Ma - why doesn't *Brenda* share her story with us first?" she stared intentionally at her flustered best friend. "Bren...."
"Uhhhh...." Brenda glanced at both Juliet and Lois who were just looking at her encouragingly. "Well...." she was flustered and speechless - two of the things she hated most. She took a deep breath and looked at Jax who was watching her intentely - waiting to hear what her answer would be. Their eyes met and for a moment, time seemed to stand still. As his blue eyes gazed into hers, Brenda was again shocked by the connection and magnetic intensity that ran between the two of them. It gave her confidence, and smiling briefly at him, she turned to the rest of the table and began to speak. "Part of me thinks I fell in love with Jax the moment I saw him. Or-" she laughed and grinned at Jax. "the moment I kissed him at the Outback. But the moment I knew that I was truly in love was in Colorado after we'd made his grandmother's famous chocolate cake and were sitting on the couch waiting for it to come out of the oven." she smiled dreamily to herself. "he was telling me about his childhood, and how much he'd loved staying with his grandmother, and how she'd taught him how to dance. He dragged me to my feet and we danced right next to the couch in our pajamas to Near You Always." she looked at Jax, love shining in her dark eyes and shook her head slightly, a small smile spreading across her lips. "And I looked up at him and suddenly I knew that I loved him with my entire heart, mind and soul and I just wanted to be near him - always and forever." When she finished speaking, there were tears brimming from her eyes and she looked over at Jax and smiled. Jax just looked at her - unable to smile or frown - in fact, Jax was unable to do anything because he was still trying to absorb and sort everything that Brenda had just said. Brenda turned to everyone else and giggled. Juliet and Lois had tears in their eyes and were oohing and ahhing about how romantic it was. Even Ned and Kieron had to smile although they were rolling their eyes about N&J's reaction to Brenda's declaration.
"Oh honey - I'm so happy for you. You're really found *the* one." Gloria reached over and hugged Brenda tightly - her eyes were also filled with tears of happiness. She smiled lovingly at Jax. "Alright JAx, I do believe it's your turn now."
Jax didn't respond because he didn't even hear her. He was off in his own world trying to comprehend everything that Brenda had just said. She was unbelievable. He couldn't get over what an amazing actress she was - modeling was definitely *not* the field she should be in. Why - with performances like these, this woman could win an Oscar! How could she be so convincing? If Jax didn't know better, he'd believe that she was madly, completely, head over heels in love with him. "Maybe she is...maybe she's telling the truth...maybe she's started having feelings for you just like you've started having feelings for her." a little voice kept repeating over and over in his head. "maybe you should tell her how you feel...." No! He couldn't do that. Jax realized. He couldn't forget about Sonny and how obsessed and desperately in love Brenda was with him. He could never tell her how he felt - he could risk losing her and their ffriendship, not to mention humiliating himself.
"Jax....." Gloria repeated. "I think Lover Boy over here is in a dream world."
Kieron laughed. "It happens to him all the time. You should have seen him in Alaska - every two minutes, I practically had to smack him to bring him back to consciousness." he threw a piece of garlic bread at him. "Hey pal - come back to earth. Your angels sittting right next to you."
Brenda shot Kieron a dirty look and kissed Jax's cheek. "It's okayhoney - I get the same way all the time."
Brenda's kiss drew Jax out of his spell and he shook his head, trying to clear his head. "I'm sorry Gloria - what were you saying?"
Gloria smiled. "I was just saying that it's your turn to tell us about when you knew you loved Brenda."
"Uhhh......" Jax stuttered, blushing a deep shade of red and looking nervously around the table.
Kieron looked strangely at his best friend and laughed. "I believe that was your answer last time Mr. Groom-to-be. Now I want to hear the real story!"
From: May2622
"Yeah me too." Ned joined in. Lois and Juliet both looked at each other nervously, and then they both glanced over at Brenda but she was just looking at Jax patiently waiting for him to answer. She sensed his hesitance, and reached under the table, taking his hand in her's and squeezing it gently. He looked at her and they exchanged a private smile. Jax looked into her eyes' and saw her urging him silently to say something. Not wanting to disappoint her, he turned to everyone else and took a deep breath. "When did I start loving Brenda?" he repeated shaking his head slightly as he glanced over at her. "I don't know if I can pin it down to an exact moment - it kind of crept up on me and grew until I just couldn't avoid it anymore." he smiled unknowingly, "and the funny thing is I didn't want to avoid it anymore because it was the most wonderful, pure and perfect feeling I've ever experienced. But - if I had to pick an exact moment, I'd have to say it was when we were playing Monopoly and she beat me." he laughed. "actually she killed me, and I just looked at her, and I realized I'd met my match - my soulmate."
He stopped speaking when he realized that all the women at the table were practically sobbing. "Jax - your charm with women is legendary - but this is ridiculous!" Ned teased, looking at Lois, Brenda, Gloria and Juliet who had tears running down their cheeks and goofy smiles on their faces. Juliet and Lois both tried to catch Brenda's eye, but she was in her own world, gazing at Jax and glowing with love and happiness. Jax looked at her bashfully, surprised by how honest he'd been and feeling completely exposed. Their eyes met and Brenda just smiled. She didn't trust herself to do anything else.
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The first thing Brenda realized when she woke up was that the bed was shaking. "Oh my god...." she thought to herself, trying to open her eyes. "we're having an earthquake." The next thing she realized was that Jax was laughing. Thinking that something was definitely wrong b/c Jax was jumping on the bed, she forced her eyes open and sat up, groggily pushing her hair out of her face. "Honey - what are you -"
"Weeee!!!!!!" a little girl's voice rang out in the air, and the next thing Brenda knew she felt two tiny arms wrap themselves around her neck and soft hair against her cheek.
Brenda drew away and looked into the adorable face of a girl around the age of 2 with dark hair and beautiful green eyes.
"Morning sweetheart." Jax greeted her, kissing her on the head, and wrapping his arm around her.
Brenda looked up at him half smiling/half questioning. "Good morning, ummm....honey - why is there a little girl in our bed?" she looked over at the child who had gotten off her lap and was jumping up and down again, singing and laughing.
Jax reached over and scooped the squealing child into his arms. "She's ours' for the day!" he cried, ticking the little girl.
"She's *ours* for the day?" she asked cautiously, kneeling on the bed and looked at Jax swinging the girl around.
"Yup!"
Brenda took a deep breath. What had she missed? "Okay.....well, ummm...who is she?"
"Oh!" Jax looked a little startled. "I'm sorry - I thought you'd recognize her." he apologized. Carrying the child back to the bed, he put her down on his lap. "Maria Cerullo - meet Brenda. This is Lois' niece. Lois and Ned wanted to spend the day with Lois' brother and his wife, so I volunteered that you and I would baby-sit."
Brenda smiled slightly and tried to calm the butterflies that were flying around in her stomach at the thought of taking care of the little girl. "Great...." she murmered looking scared.
Jax sensed Brenda's hesitance, and moved next to her, placing Maria on her lap and wrapping one arm around Brenda's shoulder, stoking her arm softly and trying to give her some reassurance. "Don't worry sweetie - she won't bite." he teased.
Brenda relaxed a little, Jax's touch and words calming her nerves. "Hi Maria...." she whispered quietly, touching the child gently as though she was afraid she might break.
"Pretty lady..." Maria said, touching Brenda's face and hair and giggling. She took some of Brenda's hair in her hands and put it over her head. "Me pretty lady too..."
Brenda burst into laughter. "Yes you are Maria - you're a very pretty lady. And you know what? You look a lot like your Aunt Lois."
"Brenna." Maria pointed at Brenda. "Brenna - Jax - Brenna - JAx.'' she giggled. "Maria." she pointed at herself.
"She's so smart Jax!" Brenda cried happily.
Jax nodded. "I know. And she has a great eye for beauty - she knew the real thing the second she saw it." he smiled at Brenda and looked into her eyes. For a moment they both gazed at eachother, and Brenda couldn't remember having ever felt as happy as she did right then and there on the bed with this bouncy 2 yr old.
Maria got up and started bouncing on the bed again, singing her own version of "Under The Sea" from the Little Mermaid. Jax drew himself away from Brenda and laughed. "Well - I think we'd better get this little munchkin out of the house, or we're going to get seasick." he touched Brenda's face lightly. "Why don't you get in the shower and get dressed? When you're ready, the three off us will go on an adventure."
"Too bad you can't come with me..." Brenda whispered suggestively in his ear, getting off the bed.
Jax laughed. "Parenthood - the things we're going to have to put up with." grinning he added. "I'm glad it's only for a day, and I'll have you to myself tomorrow morning."
"Me too." Brenda said kissing him on the lips and pulling herself reluctantly away. "I'd better go now or I'll never get in the shower, and then we may traumatize this little tot. I do believe children under 17 aren't supposed to see R rated films..." Laughing to herself, Jax hit her on the bottom and she ran into the bathroom, shutting the door.
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The next scene is accompanied by the 1950s song "My Girl."
I've got sunshine - on a cloudy day...
When It's cold outside, I've got the month of May
I guess you'd say - what can make me feel this way?
My girl, My girl, My girl
Talking 'bout My girl...
My girl
It begins with a scene of J&B sitting in a restaurant with Maria. She's sitting on Jax's lap, and he's trying to feed her pancakes, but she keeps picking pieces up and throwing them at either him, Brenda or the floor. Jax is making an airplane with the spoon and Brenda's laughing hysterically at the two of them.
I've got so much honey - the bees envy me
i've got a sweeter song, then the birds' in the trees
Well - I guess you'd say - what can make me feel this way?
My girl, My girl, My girl
Talking 'bout My girl...
My girl
The scene shifts to an arcade where Jax is busy playing games to win this stuft bear that Maria keeps pointing at. Brenda is holding the little girl in her arms, and she's smiling and yelling for Jax to throw the ball higher or harder. Her face is over the little girl's shoulder, and her cheek pressed against Maria's. Jax wins the game and gets the bear. He turns around and sees Brenda smiling joyfully, hugging Maria who is laughing and clapping her hands. The sight of them together is so beautiful that Jax smiles, rushes over and gives the little girl the bear. He kisses her on the forehead, and then looks up at Brenda. Her eyes are shining with laughter and she grins at him. Jax leans forward, and kisses her tenderly on the lips, wrapping his arms around the two girls as he and Brenda continue to kiss. After a few moments, they both pull away, smile at eachother, "Let's go" Jax mouths. Brenda nods and puts Maria down. The little girl reaches out for Jax and Brenda's hands, and the three of them walk together, swinging Maria in the middle.
Hey hey hey -
Hey hey hey -
Ohhhhh.....
I don't need no more
Fortune or fame....
I've got all the riches baby- one man can claim
Well - I guess you'd say -
What can make me feel this way?
My girl, My girl, My girl
Talking 'bout My girl...
My girl
I've got sunshine on a cloudy day - when it's cold outside - i've got the month of may
I've got my girl, my girl, my girl
My girl, My girl, My girl
Talking 'bout My girl...
My girl
The final scene if of the three of them at a playground. Brenda is sitting on a swing with Maria on her lap, and Jax is pushing both of them. Then they're playing hide and seek. We see Brenda hiding in a tire tower, and Maria covering her eyes and counting with Jax. Jax and Maria start running around the playground, and when they find Brenda, Maria runs over and throws her arms around her, Jax picks both Brenda and Maria up and races around the playground, Brenda kicking her legs and laughing hysterically with Maria. Next they're sitting on a bench eating ice cream cones. The scene ends with Jax watching Brenda holding a sleeping Maria who's snuggled against her.
"I think you've made a friend for life." Jax said, brushing Maria's cheek gently with his finger.
"Isn't she adorable?" Brenda murmered, stroking the little girl's hair and smiling.
"She is." Jax agreed. "And you were right about her being smart." he laughed. "She fell asleep in my favorite place - your arms." he raised an eyebrow. "If you aren't careful, I might get jealous."
Brenda giggled and sighed. "I had a wonderful day..." she murmered. "I never thought being with a child could be so much fun."
Jax wrapped an arm around Brenda's shoulder, and she rested her head against his shoulder. "you're going to be a wonderful mother."
"Do you really think so?" Brenda asked eagerly, picking her head up and looking at him expectantly.
"Definitely. Just look -" he nodded towards Maria who had a small smile on her face as she slept soundly. "you're a natural."
Brenda touched Maria's face gently and smiled. "You know, I've always worried about having children because I had such a horrible childhood, and I don't want to hurt my kids in the same way my parents' hurt me." she furrowed her eyebrows. "Truthfully, I've always been scared of kids - I was afraid they would all hate me or realize that I'm very unexperienced with childcare."
Jax ran his fingers through Brenda's hair and smiled. "I've always thought that people who had bad childhoods either followed in their parents' footsteps, or became incredibly wonderful parents because they want to give their kids the all the love, attention and security that they never had."
"And what kind of parent do you think i'm going to be?" Brenda asked, looking up at him, vulnerabilty showing in her dark eyes.
Jax reached over and touched her face with the side of his thumb. Shaking his head slightly he smiled. "Brenda Veronica Barrett -" he said softly - "You are going to be an amazing mother because you are passionate, intelligent, loving and one of the most caring people I've ever met. Your children will be very lucky."
Brenda's eyes filled with tears. "Thank you." she whispered, snuggling into his shoulder.
"You're welcome." Jax whispered back, smiling and kissing her.
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"Bren - where do you want me to put my bag?" Juliet called into J&B's bedroom in the penthouse where Brenda was busy unpacking. It was the day after J&B took Maria to the park, and everyone was back in Port Charles. At least - almost everyone was in Port Charles. Jax and Kieron, upon hearing about Gianni Versace's death, had rushed to Florida to meet with Donatella about buying the company and letting her oversee all design and artistic areas. Prior to his death, Jax had been planning a takeover, and he wanted to make the transition as smooth as possible. Since both Kieron and Jax would be gone for a couple days, Brenda had invited Juliet to stay at the penthouse with her so they could have some girl time.
"Put it wherever you want." Brenda yelled back. "When you're ready - why don't you come upstairs and talk with me while I unpack?"
Juliet took her lap top out of her bag and placed it on the coffee table. Turning it on, she called back. "I'll be up in a second - I'm just checking my e-mail." Scanning down the e-mail list, she furrowed her brow when she saw mail from an unidentified user. Clicking on the mail, she was surprised when it was something she had to download. Clicking again, she tapped her fingers impatiently on the table as she waited for the image to appear. What she saw caused her to gasp with fear. It was a picture of a dart board with her face on it. A dart was pinned on the center of her forehead. The dart board was imposed on an image of a famous Vermeer painting. A painting that Juliet wanted to forget. Fear ran through her body and she swallowed, trying to calm her bouncing nerves. "Just wait until Kieron gets back." she whispered to herself. "there's nothing you can do right now. It's probably just a cruel joke." Hitting the exit button, a message came up asking if she wanted to save the image. Her hand trembled as she held the mouse of YES, shaking her head she thought, "Kieron has so much to worry about - not this now." and she clicked NO. Shutting her computer, she headed upstairs.
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"Hey Bren - where's Juliet?" Lois asked as she walked into Brenda's bedroom later that evening.
Brenda looked up from the pile of boxes on the floor that she was sorting through, trying to decide what things she wanted to keep at the penthouse, and what she wanted to put into storage. "Hi!" Brenda's eyes lit up when she saw Lois. "Jules is in the shower. She just has to get dressed and then she'll be ready to go for dinner." Ned was meeting with his grandfather about ELQ, so Lois had suggested that the three of them have dinner and then watch movies.
"Great." Lois smiled and sat down on the bed. Looking around the room which was now completely redecorated. The bedspread was from Laura Ashley - pale lavender flowers with a dark purple border. The curtains were also lavender and there were purple cushions on the white couch next to Jax's desk. ABove the bed was a Monet waterlillies painting - an original, and a picture of Brenda was on Jax's desk. Lois shook her head. "You and Jax are looking *very* engaged these days." she smiled. "My ma is *so* happy for you."
Brenda grinned and sighed. "I know. Before we left she took me aside and told me that she could tell Jax and I would last forever, and that as much as she loves sonny, she always knew there was someone better for me just waiting for me to find him. Oh Lois - I love him so much."
"and he loves you." Lois said smiling. "I'm positive of it. I'm sure you'll be working things out any day now." she kneeled on the bed. "So Bren - what I needed to talk to you about -"
"Oh my god!" Brenda exclaimed, pulling something out of the brown box and laughing. "I can't believe this is in here! I haven't seen it in so long!"
Lois got off the bed and walked over to see what Brenda was holding in her hand. IT was a small figure carved in ivory with a mother of pearl disk on it's tummy. It looked slightly worn, and Lois couldn't really see what was so incredible about it. "Wow...." Lois said unenthusiastically. "What is it?"
Brenda stroked the figure affectionately, a reminicent smile spreading across her face. "I found it on a beach when I was twelve..." she giggled. "actually, I didn't find it - it was left for me by my Prince Charming."
"Prince Charming left you a little ivory man on a beach? Bren - have you been drinking?" Lois looked at her friend concerned.
"Lois!" Brenda cried pouting. "Here's the story." she smiled. "Be patient. Man - I can't believe I never told you about this."
"Told me about what?!" Lois practically yelled.
"Okay!" Brenda raised an eyebrow and laughed. "When I was 12, my father took Julia and I to the coast of Australia so he could take over this town. Anyway, Julia and I were forced to stay on the boat, because the people on shore hated my dad, and I got very restless. So - one day, I snuck off the boat into town. I walked into this bar to ask for a drink of water, and someone there recognized me and kidnapped me - locking me in the wine cellar. Somehow, I escaped into this alleyway and I was almost caught when this boy - this prince charming - rescued me and took me through a secret tunnel to the beach. When we got to the beach, he kissed my hand, and wished me luck and disappeared out of my life forever. On his way back into the tunnel, he dropped this little figure, and since then I always carried it around with me. Until I moved into Sonny's - I thought I'd lost it. How funny that i'd find it here with Jax..." Brenda smiled wistfully. "It's so strange because I felt this connection to the boy on the beach that I never felt with *anyone* until I saw Jax..."
"That's so sweet." Lois murmered, smiling.
Brenda grinned and put the figure in her purse. "Yeah - it is." she looked back at Lois. "So Lo - what is it that you wanted to talk to me about? I'm sorry that I cut you off before."
"Oh yeah!" Lois cried, she took a deep breath. "It's L&B. We're having some problems." Brenda opened her mouth to cry something out, but Lois held her hand up to stop her. "It's Sonny - he's having problems with the Government, and he wants to get out of being our partner. He said that he doesn't want to hurt L&B and.....well, I'm not sure if I should tell you this but...Lily doesn't want him working with you."
"Oh." Brenda said quietly. Then she smiled. "Well, that's fine with me. It's better for me too if I'm not with him. The only thing that worries me is that he's having problems with the government. I wish he could just be happy."
Lois nodded in agreement. "Anyway - what worries me is money. We need a new partner - fast. Someone who's going to be willing to work with us, but still give us artistic control. *And* someone who doesn't want to buy us out -" she laughed. "which leaves your lovey out, and Ned is already Eddie so he can't help us...."
"Ladies - look no further - help *and* money is on the way."
Lois and Brenda both whirled around when they heard Juliet's voice. Their friend was standing in the bathroom doorway, wearing a bathrobe and grinning. "What did you say?" Lois asked, thinking that Juliet helping them out was too good to be true.
"I said -" Juliet stepped into the room and wrapped her arms around Brenda and Lois. She grinned. "Where do I sign my name?"
To Be Continued....
PREVIEW OF NEXT INSTALLMENT: Brenda has a confrontation with Sonny....Juliet takes Brenda and Lois on a "girls' trip" to an luxurious spa to celebrate their new partnership....Ned, Jax and Kieron suffer with their girlfriends'/wive's absence and embark on a trip of their own....Juliet and Brenda receive necklaces from a secret admirer to wear with their dresses for Jerry and Caroline's wedding....Sonny sends Brenda an emergency fax which Jax receives.....Jax has to make an important decision when he's faced with the reality that Sonny wants Brenda to run away with him...
AS ALWAYS - Comments/opinions/suggestions are appreciated. I love hearing from you guys!
- Belle
J&B Reuniters - Sonny never, JAX FOREVER!
J&B Angels
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