Fairy Tale-45 to 55
by: Belle
****************
It's two days later and Brenda is sitting at the Gatehouse with Lois drinking coffee and describing her trip to Paradise Island with Jax. The two friends are seated on the couch in front of the coffee table chatting away.
"Okay -" Lois began. "So now that you've told me all about the resort and the food and the dancing, gambling, *shopping* etc - I want to know the gorey little details - about let's say, "Lois tapped her face with her long fingernails in mock consideration - "let's say about you and Jax!"
"Lois!" Brenda shrieked laughing. "I've already told you - there is *no* me and Jax. We're just friends."
"Just friends, huh?" Lois repeated skeptically. "Cause you see Bren - sweetie, when I was talking to you on the phone in the Bahamas - I could hear you guys flirting - and there was nothing "friendshippy" about it."
Brenda flushed as she remembered she and Jax falling on top of one another on the couch. Shrugging it off, she tried to act nonchalent. "Oh yeah - well, that's just the way he is. Truly Lois - we're only friends. I already explained to you how Jax is *pretending* to be interested in me so that I can make Sonny jealous. "
Lois rolled her eyes. "Honestly Bren - I wish you would get over that already."
" Lois - whether you like it or not, I love Sonny - and I'm going to get him back." Brenda could feel anger growing within her, and she was just about to go into a long tyrade about how she and Sonny were meant to be together, when there was a loud knock on the door.
"I'll get it." Lois cried, relieved that she had somehow escaped having to hear another "Sonny and I are meant to be together" lecture. She swung open the door and saw the most gorgeous man she'd ever seen. Jax stood there in a pale blue button down shirt with his black Hugo jeans. In his arms were a pile of flowers. Pink tulips and white roses. He smiled when he saw Lois and peaked past her to ensure that Brenda was indeed there.
"Hello." he said, extending his hand. "I'm Jasper Jacks - and you must be Lois Cerullo Ashton - Brenda's best friend. Here- these are for you." he handed the white roses to a somewhat dumbfounded Lois.
"Hiiiiii......Thank you." Lois finally gained control of her thoughts and smiled.
"I hope I'm not intruding." Jax said as he stepped into the house. "I was looking for Brenda and someone said I might find her here. So - since I've been wanting to meet you, I thought I'd stop by and try my luck - " he smiled flirtatiously at Brenda. "and here she is." he walked over to where Brenda was sitting and handed her the pink tulips. "I would have bought you roses also, but you mentioned loving tulips - and I thought these were a beautiful color."
"Oh Jax! They're beautiful." Brenda's face lit up as she stared at the lovely pink tulips. Pink tulips had always been her favorite. As a little girl, she had spent hours walking through her father's garden, but he had never let her touch the pink tulips. She couldn't believe that Jax had remembered that she loved tulips.
"I thought you'd like them." he responded, ruffling her hair playfully. Brenda smiled and stood up next to Jax, giving him a quick peck on the cheek. They both looked at one another, grinning. Lois arched her eyebrows and took out a vase to put the roses in.
"Look at the two of you." she said laughing. "You're just so *cute* together."
"Lois......." Brenda warned.
"We are aren't we?" Jax laughed, hugging Brenda tightly. "Too bad it's all an act, huh Bren?" he rolled his eyes. "Speaking of this "act" where is your great love - the "mad mobster", I haven't met him yet."
"Sonny's been away on business." Lois informed him, giving him a look that told him she thought Brenda's obsession was just as absurd as he did.
"But - he's coming home this afternoon." Brenda cried clapping her hands happily. "And *we* are going to find him and make him miserable." Brenda threw her arms around Jax's neck and laughed. Jax didn't say anything. Brenda pulled away, and looked at him critically. Slapping him on the stomach, she said "JAX? Aren't you excited?"
"Brenda - I can hardly contain myself." Brenda looked up at him with big puppy-dog eyes and pouted. He laughed and pulled her hair. "Just kidding sweetie- come on - let me see that gorgeous smile."
Brenda smiled against her will - she had wanted to play out her disappointment as long as she could, but somehow she just couldn't resist smiling when Jax looked at her that way.
"HELLO! You guys - ummm....there are more than two people in this room." Lois cried, jumping in between them and laughing.
"I'm sorry Lois." Jax chirped. "Well - what I really wanted to ask the *two* of you is what you would think about having dinner tonite. The two of you, maybe your husband Ned, and me." Jax smiled flirtatiously. "Of course - if Ned can't make it, I would be more than happy to dine alone with two beautiful women."
"That sounds great!" Brenda cried. "What do you think Lo? Jax and I can tell you *all* about our vacation and Jax can meet Ned. OH!! Let's eat at Luke's, okay? I'm sure Sonny and Lily will be there."
"Oh goody." Jax teased.
"Sure - that sounds fine." Lois replied. "Jax - would you like something to drink or eat or anything?"
"Yeah - if you don't mind I would love a glass of orange juice or something."
"I'll go get it. Bren - do you want anything?"
"I'll have the same." Brenda answered.
While Lois went into the kitchen, Jax and Brenda sat down on the couch and chatted about what they had done after they had dinner the previous night. Jax picked up the picture album lying on the coffee table, and began to leaf through it. He was examining the pictures of Lois' neice when she came back carrying a tray of muffins and juice.
"Lois - who's this little girl?" he asked, taking the glass of juice. "she's adorable." Brenda giggled at how he pronounced adorable with his Australian accent - it was adorable.
Lois looked surprised. "Oh! That's my neice Maria. Isn't she precious? She lives in Bensonhurst with the rest of my family. She's the daughter of my brother Joey and his wife Paula."
Jax smiled and looked at Lois carefully. "She's absolutely beautiful. In fact - she has the same gorgeous blue eyes that you have. I can definitely see the family resemblence. Do you have a big family?"
"Yes!" Lois declared happily. "I have an amazing family. My ma gave birth to seven children. Let's just say she was a very busy woman."
"Well - obviously she did a wonderful job." Jax said smiling. Putting the album on the table, he laughed. "Personally, I'm not sure how my own Mum did it. She raised 3 boys and one girl. Juliet - my baby sister, was no problem, but Jerry, Justin and I were absolute terrors."
Brenda smiled wistfully. "It sounds like you love your mother a lot."
"My mum is the most amazing woman in the world." Jax declared earnestly. Lois and Brenda looked at one another and sighed. "Someday - you'll both have to meet her."
"I'd love that." Brenda said quietly, clearly she was missing her own mother and was a little sad that she didn't have her own family to talk about. Jax picked up on her sadness and gave her a hug.
"Remember how I told you that you remind me of my mum?" he said. "Well - you can be part of my family, okay? Though I can't say that you'll be another sister to me." he looked at her with exaggerated suggestiveness, causing both her and Lois to burst into laughter.
Lois just watched them and felt renewed hope. For the first time in months, Brenda seemed happy. Truly happy. "Please god, "she prayed to herself, "please let Brenda get over Sonny and realize that the man of her dreams is right in front of her."
***********************************************
"Now Ned - promise me you're going to behave." Lois pleaded. She and Ned were seated at Luke's, waiting for Jax and Brenda to arrive for dinner, and Ned was trying to convince her that Jasper Jacks was nothing but bad news.
"Lois! I'm not going to promise anything. Listen - it's obvious that Jax has completely won you over with his charm and good looks, but believe me, when you get down to it that man is as ruthless as they come."
Lois arched an eyebrow and looked at Ned skeptically. "Ruthless? You - Ned Ashton - are complaining to me about someone behaving ruthlessly? What is this? Did Jax steal a business deal from ELQ? Is that what you have against him?"
"I can't believe you're defending him!" Ned cried. He leaned across the table and took Lois' hand. "Darling - the Jacks brothers go well beyond the Quartermaines when it comes to business deals. They are sharks - seriously. Jax is one of the richest men in the world. How do you think he's made so much money? Not by being an all-round "great guy."
Lois shook her head. "I don't care about Jax's little "business deals" - you have to see him with Brenda. He cares about her - I can tell. And *you* aren't going to mess this up. Bren - is our best friend, and I don't want her chasing Sonny for the rest of her life." Lois caressed Ned's cheek softly. "I want her to find her soul mate - her true love, like I did, and be happy."
Ned softened as this declaration, and smiled, "And you think that Jasper Jacks may be Brenda's "true love."
"Yes." Lois stated simply. "So - please, for one night - look beyond the business issues and try to look at Jax with unbiased eyes. You might even like him."
"That's doubtful." Ned snorted.
"What's doubtful?" Brenda asked, coming up behind him with Jax at her side. She looked absolutely breaktaking in a white crocheted tank dress with her hair pulled back in a messy french twist. Jax was wearing a black suit with white shirt and charcoal grey and black tie.
"Uhhhh......" Ned stuttered, trying to think of how to respond.
Lois covered for him. "Ned was just saying that it was doubtful that the two of you would stand us up." she said smiling, and gesturing for them to sit down.
"Oh!" Brenda laughed. "Lois - you silly girl. Of course we would never stand you up. You're my best friends, and Jax is my best guy." she giggled as she said this, and Ned looked at her like she was crazy. He hadn't seen Brenda laugh for what seemed like years. Gaining control of herself, Brenda leaned towards Ned, "Ned - this is my new friend Jasper Jacks, Jax - this is Lois' husband and my good friend, Ned Ashton."
Jax extended his hand, "Ned - it's nice to see you when I'm not sweating over losing to you."
"I feel the same way." Ned said, lying through his teeth. "I'm glad you and Brenda have become friends. She means a lot to me." He said this deliberately, looking at Jax intently and sending him a message that said "if you hurt her - I'll kill you."
Jax understood the message, and laughed, wrapping a possesive arm around the back of Brenda's chair. "Now I see that Brenda doesn't need an older brother - she has you to take care of her."
Lois sensed tension, and jumped in. "Yes - that's right. Ned and I are Brenda's surrogate family, and she is a part of our family." she smiled at Jax. "Did you know that it is because of Brenda that Ned and I are married? She was the "best person" at our wedding."
"No - I didn't know that." Jax said. "Brenda is full of surprises - it seems I learn something new about her everyday. Did you know that she is an incredible gambler!"
"Jax!" Brenda cried, covering her face. "Don't tell them that. Ned will haul me off to the nearest casino and have him placing bets for him."
"Maybe that's why Sonny found you so useful." Ned said bitterly. He hated Sonny Corinthos and his involvement with Brenda had always annoyed him intensely. Brenda was like a sister to him, and he worried about her.
"NED!" Lois hissed. "Please." she glared at him angrily and he muttered, "sorry" to Brenda who looked a little shocked.
Jax squeezed her leg under the table and smiled at her sympathetically. "Well - one thing, I'm sure Sonny didn't love Brenda because of her cooking talents." he said, recalling the atrocious breakfast she had tried to make him the previous morning. "It probably had more to do with her great tenacity and love of life."
Brenda smiled at him appreciatively, and Ned even found himself grinning. If Jax was only pretending to like Brenda, he was one hell of an actor. Maybe Lois was right - perhaps Jax was the right guy for Brenda.
"Anyway -" Lois said, changing the topic. "Brenda - you are never going to believe what I arranged for L&B while you were gone."
"Oh -goody. Tell me, tell me...." Brenda rubbed her hands together excitedly and leaned forward.
Lois sat back and grinned. "I booked ALL 4 ONE to play at Luke's next Friday night, courtesy of L&B Records." She turned to Ned and placed one hand on his shoulder. "Eddie Maine is going to open, so this show should be a gigantic plug for us."
"All 4 One?" Brenda repeated. "Lois - this is great!"
"You and Lois own L&B Records?" Jax asked surprised.
"Yup." Brenda said. "I'm B - and she's L."
Jax rolled his eyes. "I kind of figured that part out sweetie."
"Well in case it was too complicated for you, I was just trying to help."
Jax gave her a sexy pout.
"Oh - poor baby. Did I make you feel stupid?" Brenda purred, leaning over and stroking Jax's face. "Maybe this will make it all better." She kissed his lips tenderly. The kiss took them both by surprise because it seemed so completely natural. It wasn't done on purpose or to make someone jealous.
Lois bit her lip and looked at Ned. They both held back laughter and comments.
"Better?" Brenda whispered sexily in Jax's ear.
"Maybe." he said huskily. Whispering in her ear, he said, "It may need a little more practice."
"Practice my foot." Brenda responded giggling.
Less than ten feet away, Sonny stood with Lily fuming. He had walked into Luke's just in time to see Brenda - *his* Brenda kissing the same man he had seen her with a week before at the Outback. Now they were whispering and giggling to eachother while drinking champagne with Ned and Lois.
"Sonny - let's go to our table." Lily pleaded. She too had seen Brenda kissing a devestatingly gorgeous man, but that wasn't what bothered her. She was upset because she had seen the look on Sonny's face - the jealousy in his eyes. Clearly he wasn't over Brenda yet.
"Okay honey." Sonny consented, trying to act unphased by what he had just witnessed. HE and Lily were seated at a table directly across from where Jax, Brenda, Lois and Ned sat. He nearly tripped over his chair because he was staring so hard at Brenda. Lily shriked, and the commotion caused Brenda to come out of her flirtatious haze and notice that her "true love" had just entered the restaurant.
"Well - it looks like this evening is just about to get started." Jax whispered to her, nodding towards Sonny and Lily. "Should I throw you down, and make passionate love to you on the table?" he joked.
Chills danced up Brenda's spine at his suggestion eventhough he had said it in jest. "What would Ned and Lois think?" Brenda asked.
"Well, I'm not sure what Lois would think." Jax whispered. "But Ned would probably haul me outside and give me a lecture on proper decorum. Sonny over there would probably have me bumped off."
"Jax!" Brenda said slapping his arm. "Sonny would never do that."
"He's a mobster Brenda. Regardless of the fact that you love him, nothing is ever going to change that." He looked into her eyes seriously, and for the first time, Brenda realized that she didn't have the power to change who Sonny was. This terrified her.
"If I eat one more bite I swear I'll explode." Lois declared, covering her stomach with her hand and sighing.
"Not me!" Brenda chirped. "I do believe I'd like some dessert - where's the menu?"
"Where *do* you put all that food?" Jax asked increaduously, looking over her slender, fatless body.
"I was just about to ask the same question." Ned added. "I'm stuffed also."
"Well......good! More tiramisu for me." Brenda smiled and wiggled around in her chair, preparing to eat another course.
"You are insatiable." Jax said, caressing her face with his thumb and laughing. "The best tiramisu in the world is made in a tiny village in the North of Italy - I'll have to take you there sometime. But - until then, I guess this will have to do."He gestured for the waitor to come over so that Brenda could order.
Meanwhile, Brenda looked over at Sonny's table where he and Lily were busy eating and talking. Jealousy filled her as she watched Lily caress Sonny's face. Jax saw the longing on her face, and whispered in her ear, "Let's dance - we'll give Sonny something to be - howw do you like to put it? Miserable about. Come on." Excusing themselves from the table, Jax lead Brenda onto the dance floor where the Elvis Presley ballad - "I Can't Help Falling In Love With You" was playing.
Brenda wrapped her arms around Jax's neck and held him close to her. She could hear the beating of his heart against her chest, and she felt a calm sweep over her.
Wise men say.. Only fools rush in.... But I Can't Help - Falling in love with you.
Like the river flows -
Gently to the Sea -
Baby - don't you know.....some things, were meant to be.
Brenda looked over at Sonny, yet to her great disappointment, he seemed unphased. Unbeknownst to her, seemed was the key word. Inside, Sonny was burning with envy, but he wasn't about to let Brenda see what she was doing to him. Brenda couldn't keep the pain out of her eyes, and when she looked up at Jax, he was suddenly able to see through all her feigned confidence into her soul. He saw the hurt and insecurity that both Sonny and her father's rejection had caused. He saw her need for approval and
acceptance. But most of all, he saw her need for love. At that moment, more than anything in the world, Jax wanted to ease all her pain. To show her what a wonderful person she was, and make her happy. He looked intently into her eyes, searching for how he could help her. She looked down, causing a tendril of hair to fall into her eyes. Jax reached up and brushed the hair away.
"Brenda - you are so sweet." he whispered. Brenda's lower lip trembled as she involuntarily pressed her body closer to his. Jax's mouth quivered over hers. He willed himself not to kiss her. They stood there for what seemed like eternity, lips trembling, body's swaying in harmony to the song. "Please - kiss me." Brenda whispered. Upon heariing her words, Jax couldn't fight himself anymore. Pulling her to him, he kissed her as passionately as he ever had. All the tension of that evening suddenly exploding as they clung to eachother.
"Holy toledo!" Lois yelled, her mouth dropping over as she watched Jax and Brenda kissing passionately.
"That is some kiss." Ned declared, looking at Lois surprised.
"That's a little more than a kiss." Lois said. "Wow - it doesn't even look like they're stopping anytime soon." Lois couldn't help smiling. She hadn't planned on things heating up this quickly.
Everyone in the restaurant (including a bitter Sonny and frustrated Lily) turned to watch the amorous couple on the dance floor. Jax and Brenda however were oblivious to the commotion they were causing. In both their minds and hearts, all they could think or feel was one another, and the closeness they felt to eachother in every way - emotionally, spiritually, and mentally. All thoughts of Sonny vanished from Brenda's mind. Eventually, Jax broke away. "Do you think that made Sonny choke on his wine?" he asked quietly.
"Sonny?" Brenda murmered, slowly opening her eyes and returning to planet earth. "Who's Son - Oh! Sonny!" she shook her head a little, glancing up at Jax and smiling embarrassed. "Mr. Jacks - it seems you've taken my breath away." Brenda glanced over at Sonny who's eyes were blazing red.
Jax followed Brenda's gaze and laughed when he saw the look on Sonny's face."It looks asthough we've taken Sonny's breath away also. I'd say our mission was definitely accomplished."
The song ended, and Jax followed Brenda back to the table, where her tiramisu was waiting. Ned and Lois tried to act natural, and pretend that they hadn't just witnessed the "love scene of PC history." Jax and Brenda also tried to pretend that nothing had happened or changed. Yet they both know that it had happened, and something had changed. Brenda watched Jax talking with Ned and Lois about his family and business, and suddenly she wondered what it would be like between them if there was no deal. If Jax was hers, not only for a couple weeks, but for eternity. A longing she had never felt filled her heart, yet she chased it away. She had heard about Jax. He was the world's most elusive bachelor, and he was only hanging out with her now as a favor. Still, she couldn't help remembering the way he had just kissed her. It had been more than a kiss. It had been asthough there souls were touching. She knew he had to have felt it too. SIghing, she sat back and watched him and Ned bantering about the DKNY takeover Jax had completed in the Bahamas. Just as discouragement was about to wash over her, Jax glanced over, and gave her a lopsided smile, the one she only saw him give to her, and suddenly she felt renewed hope. The funny thing was - she wasn't even sure what she was hoping for. But somehow she knew that when she found it, her life would never be the same.
**************************************************
"Jax? It's me."
"Brenda?" Jax whispered groggily, wiping his eyes and struggling to sit up in his bed. "Are you okay? What time is it?"
"Oh - I'm fine." Brenda replied perkily. "It's uhhh.....it's about 2 a.m."
"Two a.m.!" Jax cried.
"That's what I said." Brenda responded in a sing-songey voice. "So - how are you?"
"I'm tired Brenda - *very* tired."
"Oh." Brenda grimaced. "Are you angry Jax? Because you sound a little upset with me."
"I'm not angry. I'm just sleepy. So - if you're okay, not dying or having your life threatened in any way - would you mind explaining to me why you're calling me in the middle of the night?"
"I can't sleep." Brenda whined.
"Well 'sweetie', seeing that we aren't sleeping together - I'm not sure how I can help you with that."
"Jax - I realize we're not sleeping together - obviously." Brenda said frustrated.
Jax laughed. "I certainly hope so. Though - if we *were* sleeping together, I doubt you'd be getting much shut eye anyway - so......" Jax trailed off suggestively.
"Very funny Jax. Stop playing with me."
"Is that what I'm doing Brenda? Am I playing with you?"
"STOP!" Brenda cried laughing. As much as she hated to admit it, his flirtations had tingles running all over her body. It was quite alarming. Part of her wished that she was "not sleeping" with him. Calming down she tried to explain why she'd chosen to wake him up. "It's just that - I always feel calmer when I'm with you and I was hoping that talking to you would help me fall asleep."
Sighing Jax got out of bed and began to walk towards the kitchen to get something to drink. Clearly Brenda wasn't going to let him go to sleep any time soon. "Brenda - I'm hurt. I bore you so much that just talking to me is going to make you fall asleep?" Jax teased.
"JAx - you know that's not what I meant!"
"Yeah, I do." Jax said, letting her off the hook.
"You do?" Brenda asked hopefully.
"Of course," Jax replied, pouring himself a glass of orange juice. "Being with you gives me peace for some reason also."
"Oh good. Because here's what I was thinking........."
***********************
Ten minutes later there was a knock on Jax's door.
"It's open!" Jax yelled from the couch where he was lying down reading the Wall Street Journal.
Brenda swung the door open and skipped into Jax's penthouse. "Hi!" she cried energetically. She looked *very* perky for two thirty in the morning. She was dressed in black sweatpants and a low white tanktop. Her hair was in pigtails and she was carrying a pillow and black backpack. Jax laughed when he saw her because she looked like she was a kid going to a sleepover.
"What's so funny?" she asked, dropping her bag and pillow on the coffee table and placing her hands defiantly on her hips.
Jax got off the couch and walked over to her. Tugging playfully on her pig tails he said, "Nothing's funny - you're just cute."
The delighted smile on Brenda's face told him that he'd said the right thing. Dancing around excitedly, she grabbed her bag and announced, "Wait until you see everything that I brought with me." she reached into her bag and pulled out a box of cookies and muffins that Ruby had made and a stack of movies. "Which one do you want to watch first?" she asked, holding up Braveheart and Sleepless in Seattle?"
"First?" Jax repeated. "Bren - it's two-thirty. The way I see it, we'll be lucky to get through the opening credits."
"Jax - just humor me, okay? Besides - the way I've been sleeping later, I'll probably be watching the sun rise while weeping over Sleepless in Seattle." She looked at him pleadingly, her lower lip sticking out in what, although it was supposed to be humorous, was a very sexy pout. Jax couldn't fight that.
Jax sighed, and pointed to Braveheart. "Just come lie down, my little night owl." Jax joked, moving over to one side of the couch, making room for her. She grabbed an oatmeal raison cookie from the box, popped the movie into the VCR and settled onto the couch.
"You comfortable?" Jax asked, trying to rearrange his legs so that they'd both be able to see the TV.
"I'm perfect." Brenda replied, folding her legs underneath her and taking a sip of her coke. "How are you?" she checked, turning around and looking at him concernedly. "Am I crushing your legs?"
"Well - for being awake in the middle of the night, I'm doing surprisingly well." Jax kidded. "These late-night visits of yours seem to be becoming a habit."
Brenda laughed and blushed. "I know. I'm sorry Jax. Do you think I'm a nuisance?"
Jax shook his head, and smiled bashfully. "No - in fact, I kind of like you being here with me." He blushed when he said this, and Brenda thought it was the most adorable thing she'd ever seen.
"Me too." she said, snuggling into him, so that her head was resting against his shoulder. She giggled. "I mean - I like being here with you." as she said this, she yawned, which caused Jax to burst out laughing.
"I can see my effect on you is already working." he picked up the remote control and pressed play. "Maybe we should get this movie started."
"Hmmm......" Brenda sighed, feeling very calm and peaceful. "I love this movie." She pulled the chenille blanket up around her and Jax.
"I'm sure that has nothing to do with the fact that Mel Gibson's in it." Jax commented dryly, shifting his arm so that it wrapped around Brenda's shoulder and she could more comfortably lie against him.
"It doesn't." Brenda claimed. "I just think it's so romantic. Lovers meet as children and connect. Years later they meet as adults, and fall madly in love." she sighed dreamily. "Only in the movies. Besides -" she said, turning around and poking him in the stomach, "why would I need Mel Gibson when I have you?" Having said this, she laughed, and returned to her "snuggled in" position, watching the movie.
"Do you really want to have me, Brenda?" Jax thought to himself. He wanted to ask her this question, but he was terrified of her answer. He was her best friend - her pal. THat was all. And - that was all she was to him. After having his heart trampled by Miranda years ago, he had sworn to never love again. And he certainly wasn't about to fall in love with someone who was madly in love with someone else. Not if he could help it.
**