Fairy Tale 235-247
by: Belle
"Jules - are you sure you're going to be able to do this?" Brenda asked as she poured her frosted flakes into a bowl. It was the next morning, and after an evening of talking about Juliet buying Sonny out, Lois, Juliet and Brenda were eating breakfast in the penthouse.
Juliet shook her head and poured herself a cup of coffee. "Brenda Barrett soon-to-be Jacks, you're going to have to learn to have some faith in your family." she teased. Sitting down she looked intently at both Lois and Brenda. "I am *positive* that I'm going to be able to do this. In fact - I already called my lawyer this morning, and he's getting in touch with Sonny's lawyer Valentine about drawing up some papers. I want to get this taken care of as soon as possible."
"I'm impressed." Lois praised. "You Jacks' are good."
Juliet just grinned. "The way things are going, the deal should be done in a few days and then the three of us will be partners. I am so excited - I've always wanted to go into the Record Business and who better to work with than my future sister-in-law and best friend?"
"And you're sure that Bren and I can still have artistic control?" Lois checked.
"Of course." Juliet nodded her head. "Technically, I'll be a silent partner, and the two of you will have the power to make all the decisions," she laughed. "but you know I'm going to put my two cents in from time to time...it will just be up to you guys to decide if you want to listen to me."
"This is going to be perfect." Brenda got up and walked over to the refrigerator for some fruit salad.
"Oh! I almost forgot!" Juliet cried. She ran into the den and returned a second later with two envelopes. She handed one to Brenda and the other to Lois. "I had these sent this morning. Open them."
Brenda and Lois both looked at her curiously, and opened the envelopes. "Four days at the Wilshire Spa! Oh Jules! This is great!" she threw her arms around Lois and Juliet dancing around. "When are we going?"
"Today." Juliet smiled. "I know it's the last minute, but Jax and Kieron are away on business, and I want to celebrate our new partnership. We'll leave as soon as Brenda and I are done being fitted for our bridesmaids' dresses."
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"Why aren't you looking bright eyed and bushy-tailed this morning?" Kieron teased when Jax walked into the hotel lobby the next morning - his clothes wrinkled, hair messed up and eyes bleary from not getting any sleeped.
"You don't look so hot yourself." Jax responded. Kieron in fact looked worse than Jax - he looked asthough he hadn't sleeped in days.
Kieron sighed. "It's strange, but I just couldn't sleep with your sister's annoying snoring, kicking and babbling." he laughed to himself. "The peace and quiet was just too much for me."
Jax laughed. "Same here. Brenda doesn't snore or kick - but she *definitely* babbles - awake as well as when she's asleep. I just couldn't sleep without her."
"I can't take another night of this Jax." Kieron shrugged. "The deal with Versace is done, and our lawyers can take care of the rest - what do you say we head back tonight instead of three days from now."
"You read my mind." Jax shook his head. "Why don't you call the lawyers' and I'll call Bren and Jules to tell them we'll be home for dinner."
"Perfect." Kieron agreed. "I'll meet you in the lobby in an hour."
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Brenda walked along the docks, smiling and humming happily to herself. She'd just finished getting fitted for her dress for Jerry and Caroline's wedding, and now she was heading over to Kelly's to meet Juliet and Lois so they could all leave for the spa. "I should really call Jax." she thought to herself. She sat down on the bench across from the water, placed her black overnight bag on the ground and pulled her cell phone out of her purse. She dialed a number and rested the phone on her shoulder, smiling to herself as she thought about talking to Jax. Eventhough he'd only been gone for a day, she really missed him, and she was thrilled about going to the spa because it would make being away from him more endurable. "Yes - may I have Jasper Jacks' room please. Sure I'll hold..." Brenda held her left hand out in front of her and watched as her diamond ring sparkled in the sun shine. "What? Oh - he's not in the room? Okay - well I''ll call back later. Thanks." She hung up the phone, and frowned. She'd call later because she wanted to talk to him in person. Sighing, she got up and was just about to pick up her bag, when she heard someone behind her.
"Trying to escape while Candy-boy is out of town?"
Brenda groaned inwardly. "What are you doing here Sonny?"
"What? And now I can't walk around the town I live in without checking in with you or your Richie-Rich fiancee?"
Brenda rolled her eyes. "That's not what I meant sonny - now, if you wouldn't mind...I'm supposed to meet Juliet and Lois at Kelly's and I don't have time to argue with you about senseless things."
Sonny stepped over and blocked her way. "Just give me a minute Bren -" he looked down at her. "I think you owe me that."
"I stopped oweing you anything the second you married Lily Rivera." Brenda snapped.
Sonny smiled. "Still bitter are we? I knew it - Brenda, Brenda, Brenda....when are you going to give up this ridiculous fascade and admit that you still love me - not this guy *JAX*."
"Oh Sonny - let it go already." Brenda rolled her eyes and looked at him with disgust. "Live your own life - *without* me. I'm Jax's now - and there's nothing you can do about it."
"The only reason you want Jax is because you can't have me." Sonny declared. He reached over and touched her face, Brenda backed away.
"Sonny - if that's what you need to believe fine. It doesn't matter to me anymore." she reached down and picked up her bag. Stepping onto the bench so he wasn't in her way anymore, she hopped over the railing. "Now if you'd excuse me - I have better things to do than argue with you. Give Lily my best."
Brenda walked into Kelly's with a smile on her face. Sonny was truly out of her heart - Jax had freed her of the obsession, leaving her entire heart, soul and mind for loving him.
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"Juliet Jacks - this was the greatest idea you've ever had." Brenda exclaimed as she layed down on the double bed in her room of their luxurious suite. The three women had just gotten back from an aerobics class, and they were getting changed to head over to the pool to cool off. It was 3 p.m. and they had been at the spa since noon. After eating lunch on their private deck, they'd scheduled massages, facials, manicures and pedicures to have throughtout the next four days. The suite Juliet had reserved was incredible. It took up the entire top floor of the resort, had three bedrooms, three bathrooms, a den, kitchen and a private patio with a jacuzzi. Juliet had purchased packages for the three of them that included everything the spa had to offer, so the options were limitless.
Juliet walked into Brenda's room wearing a pale blue bikini and matching floral sarong tied around her waist. She shrugged her shoulders and grinned. "what can I say? I'm a genius?"
"And oh so modest." Lois added, joining the women. She was wearing a black bikini with a cute black cover-up. She saw Juliet give her a little pout, and she hugged her. "I'm just kidding Jules." she glanced over at Brenda who was still wearing her work out clothes. "Bren - why aren't you dressed?"
"Because I'm *so* tired from that workout, that I've just been lying here resting." Brenda explained, burying her head in her pillow and sighing.
Lois and Juliet rolled their eyes at eachother. "Well - get your lazy, little, Deception model, famous behind off the bed and get changed!" Juliet cried giggling.
Five minutes later, Brenda walked into the den where Lois and Juliet were waiting, dressed in her creme bikini and cover-up. "Jules - have you heard from Kieron?" she asked as she spread suntan lotion on her legs and arms.
"No - not yet." Juliet wrinkled her nose. "I've called the hotel three times but he hasn't returned my messages."
"I haven't heard from Jax either. Do you think we should be worried?" Brenda looked concerned.
Juliet shook her head. "Definitely not - they've probably been in meetings all day."
Lois gave Brenda a hug. "Don't worry - Jax is fine. Now let's go have some fun!"
* * * * *
The next scene is accompanied by the song "Girls Just Wanna Have Fun."
It starts at the pool where we see Brenda, Juliet and Lois swimming and splashing each other, then sunbathing and chatting while drinking strawberry daiquiris. Next - they're all wrapped in towels, laying on tables, getting massages and talking to eachother. Next, they're sitting in chairs, having their hair, nails and toenails all done at the same time. First we see Brenda - who's hair is being blown dry laughing hysterically as the hairdresser keeps pulling her hair in wild and bizarre styles. Second is Lois whose hair is being highlighted while she *shows* the manicurist how to do her nails. LAst is Juliet wearing a mud mask and trying to read an articlein Cosmo about J&B's engagement through cold cucumber slices.
The next scene shows them shopping for new clothes. Juliet trying on a white sundress, Lois modeling a black pants suit and Brenda skipping around in a pale yellow flowered minidress. The scene ends with the women walking into their room carrying tons of bags, with their hair and make-up all done. They collapse on the couch, laughing and giggling.
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"Bren?" Jax asked hopefully as he answered the phone. It was 3 a.m. and he hadn't slept for more than 3 seconds the entire night.
"No such luck. It's Kieron."
Jax sighed and frowned. He'd been hoping that maybe if he heard Brenda's voice he'd be able to get some sleep. This was ridiculous. "Hey Kier - what's up? It's the middle of the night."
"Can't sleep." Kieron sounded just as frustrated and upset as Jax felt.
"Oh - I'm sorry. Why?" Jax feigned innocence.
"You know exactly why and I believe you're suffering from the same thing best pal - so don't mock me." Kieron was obviously *very* irritated and sleepy and did not feel like being teased by Jax.
"I don't know what you're talking about Kieron. I was here sleeping and then you call and wake me up..." Jax lied.
"So you were sleeping, huh?" Kieron played along with Jax's game.
"Hmmmhmm..." Jax tried his best to sound groggy.
"Okay."
Jax was taken aback by how easily Kieron had given in, and was just about to respond when he heard a knock at the door. "Hold on a sec." he said into the phone, getting off the couch in the den, flipping the TV off and walking to the door.
"Do you always sleep on the couch with the TV, all the lights and your computer on?" Kieron raised an eyebrow and shut his cell phone walking by Jax into the penthouse. "The game is over Jax - admit it, you haven't slept one wink tonight."
Jax shook his head and frowned. "Okay - I admit it." he sighed and sat down on the couch, "I just can't believe that we came all the way home and they went to a spa for the rest of the week!"
"I know..." Kieron groaned, laying his head against the back of the couch and closing his eyes. "Jax I'm telling you, I can't take another night of this. This is now TWO nights in a row that I haven't slept. I'm going crazy! On the way over here, I kept seeing Juliet everywhere I looked - crossing the street, holding the door for me at the hotel, standing in the elevator. I'm hallucinating!"
"Man - and I thought I had it bad." Jax smiled at Kieron sympathetically.
Running his hands through his hair, Kieron blinked his eyes a couple times, and got off the couch heading up the stairs into the little den. He noticed a blue mat lying on the floor with Jax's shoes and T-shirt on top of it. "Hey Jax - what's this?
"uhhh...nothing...that's nothing..." Jax jumped off the couch and raced over, hoping to pick the mat up before Kieron saw it. It was too late, when he reached Kieron, he was leaning down reading the words.
"Yoga mat? YOGA mate?" Kieron burst into laughter. "You were doing yoga?" He was laughing hysterically and pointing at Jax.
"I was uhhhh -" Jax tried to think of an excuse, but finally elected to just tell the truth. "Brenda is a yoga fanatic and every morning she makes me do yoga with her." he shrugged. "It always helps me relax and I usually feel calm afterward, so I thought maybe it would help me fall asleep." he ran a hand through his hair. "Of course without Brenda it didn't work. All I felt was sore and incredibly ridiculous."
Kieron took deep breaths, trying to calm down. He walked over to the couch and flipped the television back on. The first thing he saw was Brenda's face. Although Jax had turned the TV off, he hadn't stopped the VCR and the tape of Brenda's interview with Regis and Kathie Lee promoting Deception was still playing. He raised an eyebrow and looked at Jax who was holding something behind his back. "Jax...." Kieron got up and pinned his best friend against the wall. "What's behind your back -" he reached behind, and pulled out a box of Frosted Flakes. "Okay - now *this* is really too much." He held the box up and laughed. "You were in this room, doing yoga, eating *Frosted Flakes* and watching Bren on TV? Man - you need help."
"Okay! Enough Kier." Jax glared at him, snatching the box of Frosted Flakes out of his hands and turning the VCR off. "I was having problems sleeping....and by the way - I happen to *like* Frosted Flakes."
"Since when?" Kieron asked disbelievingly.
"Since, since...." Jax sighed and shook his head. "Since Brenda left." He walked past Kieron and suddenly turned wrinkling his nose. He sniffed the air a couple times, and then walked closer to Kieron, sniffing him. "Are you wearing perfume?" he cried laughing.
Kieron turned bright red. "No! It's, it's it's...."
"Hand creme called Fruity Fun?" Jax suggested, laughing even harder.
"No! It's, it's bubble bath and it's called Fuzzy Peach - not Fruity Fun."
Jax nearly fell over. "BUBBLE BATH? *You* were taking a *bubble bath* with Fuzzy Peach? Oh my god!"
"Listen! It's the same as you and Bren. Juliet loves bubble baths, and sometimes when I'm really stressed, I take one with her, and it always makes me feel sleepy, so I thought -"
"you thought it would help you fall asleep." Jax finished.
"Yeah." Kieron nodded his head. He smiled. "But my bubble bath alone, lacked -"
"Kieron." Jax held up his hand. "Please don't go there. Eventhough you're my best friend, Juliet is still my baby sister and I can't handle that."
"Okay." Kieron consented. He sat down on the couch and covered his head with his hands. "Man - what are we doing?" he groaned. "How did this happen?"
"I don't know..." Jax shook his head. "I -"
They were interrupted by a pounding on the door. "NED." they both cried, looking at each other and running down the stairs.
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"I don't believe we're doing this." Jax said, shaking his head. It was an hour after Ned had arrived at the penthouse, and he, Ned and Kieron were in Ned's Black Jeep Cherokee driving to the Spa. "Here we are, three of the most powerful men in the world, driving to Vermont in the middle of the night to see our girlfriends and wife that have been gone for less than a day? I don't know about the two of you, but I'm kind of embarrassed."
Kieron stuck his head between the two front seats and slapped Jax on the shoulder."Hey - don't think about this as an embarrassing surrender, think about it as a much needed vacation for some R&R." he grinned. "You're going to love it Jax - it's a *spa* which means you can probably work on your yoga."
Ned burst into laughter. "You do yoga? I should have brought my camera - I could have had serious blackmail material here."
Jax turned around and glared at Kieron. "I wouldn't talk Mr. *Fuzzy Peach*."
"Mr. Fuzzy Peach?" Ned repeated, glancing at Kieron in his rear view mirror.
"Kier takes bubble baths now." Jax laughed. "His favorite type is 'Fuzzy Peach.' " He sniffed the ear. "Doesn't he smell *delightful*"
Kieron shot Jax a look that could kill.
Ned just rolled his eyes and raised both eyebrows. "You two are getting really weird. I don't know what love has done to you, but...."
"Okay - enough talk about bubble baths and yoga, I think we should decide what we're going to do when we get to the spa."
"Yeah." Jax thought for a moment. "I don't know how the girls are going to react when we show up - I think they were really looking forward to some time together."
Kieron laughed. "I know they were looking forward to 'girl time', but I bet they miss us just as much as we miss them. In fact - I'm sure that at this very moment, they're packing to come home. We'll probably get there just in time to keep them from leaving."
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"Okay Jules- it's your turn to make up a question." Lois shifted on the couch, fixing her nightgown. It was 4 a.m. and the three women were sitting in the den in their pjs chatting. They'd had a wonderful evening. After dinner, they'd gone for a walk around the grounds and then had coffee and dessert while they listened to a Jazz band perform. Then they had returned to their suite, taken showers and washed up. It had been a very relaxing day, and it was great spending time just with the girls.
"Hmmm...." Juliet bit her lip while she thought about what to ask. She rested her head against the arm of the chair she was sitting in and traced her finger absentmindedly along the pattern on her white and black boxer shorts. "Okay." she straightened herself up and smiled. "If you were stranded on a desserted island and could only bring *one* thing - what would it be?" she saw the kinky smile on Brenda's face and threw a pillow at her. "Besides my brother - we'll pretend that Ned and Jax are wwith you guys. What material thing would you bring?"
"Nailpolish." Lois answered without any thought. "Definitely nail polish. All I need to be happy is my Nedly and a bottle of Quick and Dry."
Brenda tapped her fingers against her chin, thinking. "I'm not sure. I think I'd bring my cellular phone so I could call all of you...or...." she got a devilish look on her face -" or I'd bring my new black negligee since that would keep Jax *and* I happy."
Lois and Juliet rolled their eyes and the three women laughed.
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It was early the next morning, and upstairs in their suite, Juliet, Lois and Brenda were getting ready to have breakfast and then go to an aerobics class. They were happily chatting about their plans for the day, and the make-up artist they were going to see that afternoon. Meanwhile, Ned, Jax and Kieron arrived in the lobby of the resort....
"I really think this is a bad idea." Jax muttered, looking around the spa, half praying that he wouldn't see Brenda, the other half dying to catch a glimpse of her beautiful face.
Kieron took him by the arm and led him over to the registration desk. "We didn't drive for 5 hours on a narrow/windy road to chicken out. Come on - I for one can't wait to see them."
Jax looked over at Ned, who was also being dragged along by Kieron. He had a nervous look on his face also, and Jax could tell that he was having second thoughts. "What do we do?" Jax mouthed to Ned behind Kieron's head.
Ned nodded over to the door outside. "Make a run for it." As Kieron talked to the woman at the desk, Ned and Jax were just about escape through the doors, when they heard, "JAx?Is that you?"
Ned, Kieron and Jax all turned around instantaneously. "Ned?" Lois cried. "Kieron?" Juliet whispered. "What are you guys doing here?" The three women asked simultaneously laughing.
Ned and Jax looked at eachother and then glared at Kieron who was actually looked flustered himself. Brenda, Juliet and Lois all had their arms crossed and they were watching the men, waiting for their answer. "I guess you wouldn't believe that we wanted to take a mud bath?" Kieron suggested weakly.
"Oh god - it's all over now." Ned moaned.
Jax watched as the women laughed hysterically. "Yes..." he agreed. "I'd say that we're definitely toast."
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"Look Jax! There's a yoga class at noon, if we hurry through brunch, maybe you can make it." Kieron teased.
Jax looked at the schedule of activites Brenda had given him, and laughed. "Wow Kier, there's a bathing beauties session at the same time. Maybe you can give them some tips on bubble bath fragrances."
Ned rolled his eyes, and Juliet, Lois and Brenda just looked at eachother strangely. It was 11:45, and the six friends were having brunch on the veranda overlooking the pool and garden.
"Bathing beauties? Yoga? What are you guys talking about?" Lois asked, looked at Ned confused.
"Sweetheart - you don't want to know." he laughed and wrapped an arm around her shoulder smiling.
"Well - I don't know about Lois, but *I* want to know." Brenda declared, taking a bite of her salad and leaning her head against Jax's. She was sitting on his lap, one arm wrapped around his shoulders, while he had one arm securely planted around her waist.
"Okay..." Ned began, ignoring the glares he was receiving from both Jax and Kieron. "The scoop is that when Kieron arrived at the penthouse, he interrupted Jax doing yoga, eating Frosted Flakes and watching a tape of Brenda on TV." Lois and Juliet burst into laughter. Brenda giggled herself, but when she saw the embarrassed blush on Jax's face she stopped laughing and hugged him. "Meanwhile -" Ned continued, "Kieron had just finished bathing in Fuzzy Peach bubble bath." This announcement caused more laughter, this time from Brenda and Lois, while Juliet tried to savor Kieron's ego.
Brenda kissed Jax on the cheek and whispered in his ear, "That is the sweetest thing I've ever heard."
"How sweet?" Jax teased.
"I'll show you later." Brenda promised. Jax sighed. As much as he hated to admit it, any humiliation and teasing that he had to endure for this escapade was worth having Brenda back in his arms. He couldn't get over how good she smelled, how beautiful she looked, and how his entire body, mind, heart and soul felt complete the moment he saw her. What does this all mean? he wondered to himself. He sat back and watched her laughing and talking. He loved the way she'd look over at him occassionally and smile a smile that was meant just for him. Their eyes would meet, and he could feel them communicating without any words - speaking in a language that only they could understand. The language of love. As the word *love* tumbled around in his mind, Jax felt like he'd been hit by an lightening bolt. "Love" He loved Brenda. Sure - he'd considered that it was a possibbility, but he'd never actually admitted it to himself. But all of a sudden, it was undeniable. It was just like he'd said the other day at the Cerullos. It had been building up inside of him, and now it was just there - the most sure, true and pure feeling he had ever had. He loved Brenda Veronica Barrett. With all his heart, mind, body and soul. Now the only question was - what was he going to do about it?
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"I have a fax for a Ms. Brenda Barrett." the bell boy standing outside the door said to Jax.
"Brenda's in the shower, but you can give the fax to me and I'll make sure she gets it." Jax reached for the piece of paper, but the boy stepped away, looking unsure of himself.
"Uhhhhhh....I don't know sir - the fax is marked confidential, and it's for Ms. Barrett."
Jax grinned. "Well, I appreciate your carefulness, but Ms. Barrett is my *fiancee* and I will give it to her." he took the paper, gave the kid a big tip and shut the door. Walking over to the desk, he looked at the paper curiously. Fear knawed at his stomach as he rememebered all the strange e-mails, faxes, and telephone calls he'd been receiving recentely. What if this psychopath had moved on to terrorizing Brenda. Jax held the fax up to the light, trying to see if he recognized the handwriting, when he saw the signature - SONNY. Anger burned through his veins at the thought of Sonny writing to Brenda. Temptation took over, and before Jax even realized what he was doing, he'd unfolded the fax and was reading what it said:
Brenda - You were right when you said that you are the woman I love, have always loved, and will always love. I married Lily to save myself, and I'm sorry because I hurt you, myself and Lily in the process. The way I see it, there's only one way out of this mess. I know you still love me and that you're only marrying Jax to try and forget me, but that's not necessary anymore. We can be together, just like you've always wanted us to be - truthfully, just like i've always wanted us to be. Lily is in Puerto Rico visiting her father and if you want to run away with me, meet me at the Pier one week from tonight at 10:30 p.m. I'll be waiting. If you don't come, I'm going to move to Puerto Rico with Lily. I can't handle seeing you anymore. I love you. - Sonny
Sonny wanted Brenda to run away with him? Fear overcame Jax as he tried to imagine his life without Brenda. He looked at the fax in his hand. If she saw this, she would leave him, and if she didn't - Sonny would be gone forever. Jax's heart ached. What should he do? He couldn't lie to Brenda or hinderance her happiness. Eventhough life without her would be hell, he loved her so much that he could endure anything as long as he knew she was happy. He was refolding the fax, when he heard Brenda coming down the stairs from the bathroom. She was wearing a fluffy bathrobe, and her skin smelled like vanilla/almond lotion. "Hmmmm..." he sighed, as she wrapped her arms around him and pressed her cool cheek against his. He leaned down and kissed her tenderly on the lips. He ran his tongue gently along the crease of her mouth, causing her to open herself to him and let her tongue entertwine itself with his. The kiss intensified as Brenda's hands ran through JAx's hair to the base of his neck, pulling him closer to her. Jax could feel the fax in his hand cutting his heart in two, and he reluctantly pulled away when the pain became too much for him to bear.
"honey - what is it?" Brenda asked concerned by the stricken look on his handsome face. When he failed to speak, she noticed the white piece of paper nearly crumpled in his hand. She looked at the paper and then back at Jax's face. "Is this for me?" she asked curiously reaching for the paper.
Her eyes met his, and for a moment, JAx held the paper so tightly that she couldn't take it from him. Her eyes were so beautiful, so trusting - he felt that she could see his soul, and he let go. "Yes..." he whispered. "It is."
To Be Continued....
PREVIEW OF NEXT INSTALLMENT: Brenda stalls going to Sonny by saying she wants to wait until after Jerry and Caroline's wedding....Brenda and Juliet receive mysterious opal necklaces to wear with their bridesmaid's dresses (sorry I misposted this preview last time)....Jax and Brenda bond before walking down the aisle....During the reception Jax tells Brenda they need to talk about their future after the wedding....J&B are interrupted by an intruder who changes their lives forever...
Okay everyone, i'm going away for a long weekend, so I won't be posting for awhile. Probably next Monday or so. I hope everyone has a great weekend. :-) Talk to you soon!
- Belle
J&B Reuniters - Sonny never, Jax forever
J&B Angels
IRFC