The Magic Continues-12-
by Deb
Alexis was tired from her flight back from New York, but she needed to figure out what she was going to tell Jul and Maggie about Jerry. After hearing the news about the existence of her daughter he had taken off, so they would probably never have to deal with him in person, but she wasn’t sure if she should tell them anything about him or not. As she reached the penthouse door she decided not to tell them about him it would just eliminate any possible complications. Opening the door she could hear laughter from Maggie, Jul and someone else. From where she was standing she could see Jul and Maggie at the table and coming out of the kitchen wearing an apron and carrying a huge plate of pancakes was Jerry.
He saw her and got a big grin. “Darlin, you’re just in time for some of the world famous Jacks family sourdough flapjacks.”
Jul got up, taking the briefcase from her shocked mother she pulled her to the table. “Mom you won’t believe it. Jerry had someone fly in from Alaska just to bring some of his mother’s sourdough mix.”
Alexis found herself stunned by Jerry’s presence. “What are you doing here?”
He put the pancakes on the table and smirked. “I’m making breakfast.”
Alexis turned to Jul and Maggie. “Excuse us.” She grabbed his arm and he let her pull him out the door and into the hallway shutting the door behind them. In an angry whisper she again asked him. “What are you doing here? And don’t you dare give me that ‘I’m just making breakfast’ routine.”
“Have I ever told you how beautiful you look when you’re angry?” He replied and when it looked like she was going to explode Jerry took hold of her hands, partially for his own protection. “Lexie, I just wanted a chance to meet the rest of my new family.”
“What did you tell them about us?”
“Just that I loved you and wanted a chance to meet them.”
Inside Jul and Maggie were still laughing. “Jul, I think your mother has had enough time to spit and sputter, you had better go see if Jerry is still in one piece.”
“I can’t believe it. I have never seen Mom react to someone quite like that.”
“This should be interesting. I think your mother may have met her match.”
Jul bounded to the door, opening it she found Jerry and Alexis just a couple of feet away staring at each other. “Break it up you two. Breakfast is getting cold. And Mom before you try to get rid of him, you should know that Jerry is our guest. Aunt Maggie and I invited him.
Alexis couldn’t help cracking a smile. “I see that you have been applying the charm.”
Jerry grinned back. “And you thought I didn’t have any.”
He put an arm around her waist and she let him draw her back into the penthouse and to the table. Eventually with the food and chatter Alexis was able to loosen up and just enjoy the interaction between her favorite people. She was startled as she glanced from Jerry to Jul she had never realized how similar they looked. They both had such beautiful smiles and blue eyes. No wonder she had been so drawn to Jerry it would seem that she was attracted to the same looks even in the dark. She also noticed that Kodi had positioned herself between Jul and Jerry and they were both slipping her bits of pancake under the table throughout the meal. Kodi had always been cautious of strangers, particularly men and the only other people that she had taken to as quickly were Stefan and Ned. And then there was Maggie who would look at her with a bemused and all-knowing smile.
Alexis turned to Maggie. “What?”
“Now is not the time dear, but we are going to have to have a chat.” She chuckled as Alexis blushed.
Maggie and Jul got up clearing the dishes, they intentionally disappeared into the kitchen, leaving Jerry and Alexis alone.
Alexis took a deep breath. “After Athens I didn’t think that I would see you again.”
“Lex, I’m sorry that I didn’t get back before you left. There are things from my past that I had to deal with and there are things that we are going to need to come to terms with.”
“Obviously, there are things from my past that I have to tell you about.”
“Lexie, I know I have been selfish. I have only been thinking about myself and what I want. I realize now that there are other considerations and I will do whatever I can to make this work for all of us.” He reached forward and with his thumb brushed along her cheek. He put his hands around her face, pulled her forward and gently kissed her. “Just give us a chance and I’ll try not to rush things too fast.”
She smiled. “You being patient, that is something I will have to see to believe.”
He grinned back. “I said that I would try. The only thing I can guarantee is that I love you and I know we belong together.”
Jul had the kitchen door open a crack and she was peeking. As she watched her mom and Jerry she was swept by waves of conflicting emotions. She had never seen her mother so venerable and yet happy at the same time. So far she liked Jerry, but maybe he was just being nice to her to make points with her mom. He did seem to talk to her rather then at her or down to her, but it had only been a couple of days. He seemed to be dangerous, but the way that he looked at her actually made her feel safe and protected. She could tell her mom really cared about him and that made her feel a little jealous. It had always just been the three of them. Even though her mom had always been busy with school or her legal practice or Cassidine business Jul had known that she came first. What if Jerry now took up all of her mom’s free time and there wasn’t time for her? What was going to happen with her mom and Jerry and how would it effect her? Did she want to be part of it? Would she have a choice? Should she try to get them together or should she try to keep them apart? One way or another she would have to make up her mind, because from the looks between them there might not be much time left.
Jax answered the penthouse door saying. “You can’t be done already.” He stopped short as instead of Brenda there was his brother Jerry at the door.
“True, I have only just begun. Are you going to invite me in or not?”
Jax laughed and stepped aside so Jerry could come in. “So when did you get in?”
“A couple of days ago, but I figured you and Brenda could use the time alone. So where is my gorgeous new sister?”
“She is off to the hotel spa for the full works. She wanted some time to herself to relax. And what brings you back to Port Charles?”
“This is my home now or at least where my wife is.”
“So have you convinced her that she should keep you around?”
“I’m working on it, but first I have to get to know her daughter Juliana. I promised to be patient and not rush things.”
“That is something I’ve got to see.”
“Thanks a lot, that is just what Alexis said. I thought I would check in with you and see how bad things were with the company.”
“We do have a lot of problems and I could sure use the help if you have the time.”
It was several hours later when Brenda returned to find Jax and Jerry at the table both with laptops and surrounded by reports, files and reams of papers.
“Jerry, it’s great to see you. Have the two of you taken over the economic world yet?”
“No, not yet. Our personal lives are more important, so the rest of the world is safe for the time being. So does it feel like you are home?”
Brenda smiled at Jax. “It is beginning to feel like home. How about you and Alexis?”
“I’m working on it and I’ll check with you tomorrow for suggestions. You two have a nice evening.” Jerry kissed Brenda on the cheek as he headed out the door.
Brenda turned to Jax. “Did I come back too soon?”
“Never.” Replied Jax giving her a hug. “What do you what for dinner?”
“I have no idea why don’t you surprise me?”
“You go change and I’ll make a call.”
Jax called the Hotel Grill and ordered two of everything on the menu for a private dining room. An hour later he escorted Brenda downstairs. Coming into the dining room Brenda was stunned by all the food, she clapped her hands in amazement and started to do a Brenda dance, but she stopped in the middle turned to Jax and jumped into his arms. Jax was shocked and thrilled as Brenda wrapped her legs around his waist, throwing her arms around his neck she kissed him twice on the cheek.
“Thank you, thank you. You are wonderful.”
And just as soon as Jax was starting to enjoy Brenda in his arms she jumped down and faced the tables of food.
“Where do I begin?”
“Wherever you want, with whatever you want.”
Brenda proceeded to try everything.
“This is strange it’s called the same thing, but it is fixed two different ways. One is cut up and fried and the other is butterflied, rolled in hazelnuts and baked and they look so different. What is calimari? Do I like it?”
“Try it and see.”
“It’s good. What is it?”
“Squid.”
“That sounds like something slimy and icky.”
Jax laughed “Does it matter if you like it?”
Brenda giggled “I suppose not. Now, what are your favorites?”
“Let’s see, I like the Copper River salmon, smoked turkey, rigatoni with shiitake mushrooms, a little steak and my favorite oysters.”
Brenda proceeded to dish up a heaping plate with all of those items and bring it to the table.
“What service. Just for me?”
“You don’t know the half of it.”
Brenda pulled her chair next to his and holding the plate in her lap began forkful by forkful to feed him dinner.
Jax laughed between bites. “Brenda, I am capable of feeding myself.”
“Of course, but isn’t this much more fun?” The smile she gave him was dazzling.
“Absolutely.”
After Brenda’s last jaunt to the dessert table Jax pulled her into his lap.
“Well, any favorites?”
“I loved almost everything. I didn’t like the taste of the oysters, but I did like the funny feeling they gave me going down.”
Jax started to laugh. “They are good for you.”
“I thought you said that they were good for you?”
Jax laughed harder. “Well, that could be good for you, too.”
Brenda just raised a quizzical eyebrow. “One thing that I was drawn to, but didn’t like was caviar. When I saw the caviar it made me feel very warm and happy inside, but when I tasted it I didn’t like the taste.”
Jax got a slight blush. “Actually, I’m the one that likes caviar.”
“But if you like it and not me, I don’t understand why that one food would effect me that way.”
Jax looked slightly embarrassed. “You see, the last time we had it was on our honeymoon and you were what I spread it on.”
“And that was because you couldn’t afford crackers?”
“You weren’t complaining. Honestly.”
Brenda laughed. “I’m sure I loved being a plate. I must have been a very obliging wife.”
Jax got a smirk on his face. “Okay, but just remember you asked for this.”
“What?”
Jax dipped his fingers into the caviar and with his other hand he took hold of her wrist and turned it over. Starting at her rapidly rising pulse point he gently wiped and spread the caviar up her arm to the inside of her elbow. Her eyes got very large, watching as he licked his fingers with a devilish grin and realizing that this had the makings of being great fun.
Jax started slowly at her wrist , scraping the caviar off with his teeth, licking the area clean, sealing it with a kiss and moving up her arm. The taste of the caviar mixed with the slight salt on her skin, the softness of her skin slid under his lips, he could feel her increasing heart rate as it flowed through her delicate arm and felt her body begin to tremble in response to his continuing touch. By the time he reached the last of the caviar on the inside of her elbow she was all aquiver and put her head back enjoying all of the delightful sensations surging through her body. She moaned softly as Jax ran his lips up her arm to her shoulder.
Her voice was slightly husky as she asked. “More caviar, Mr. Jacks?”
He ran his lips to her neck and slowly worked his way to her jawline.
“No, I think I’ve had my fill of caviar for the night.” He murmured in her ear.
“Where exactly did you put the caviar on me, on our honeymoon?”
“All over your body.” Jax kissed along her jawline.
Brenda shivered. “However did I survive this all over my body?”
He replied as he brought his hands up to encircle her face. “I took very small bites and ate very, very slowly.”
He finally reached her mouth covering it with his and Brenda reacted and responded with longing to that kiss. Finally, Jax pulled away they were both breathless as they stared at each other amazed and thrilled by what they were feeling.
As her racing heart started to slow Brenda gasped. “Mr. Jacks, I would suggest that the next time we have caviar it should be at home.”
“My sentiments exactly, Mrs. Jacks.”
He got up carefully, put her down off his lap, took her hand and led her back to the penthouse. They were getting so close to getting everything back Jax was afraid to let their passion get out of control and have Brenda proceed faster and further than she was ready to.
It was so difficult for him to tuck her into their bed and go into the other room. The look that she gave him was almost more then he could take. That look was so full of longing and desire that it made him weak at the knees, but he still needed to see that familiar look of love.
Brenda couldn’t believe that Jax had left her there alone, she sat up, pulled her knees up to her chest, wrapping her arms around them and resting her head on her knees. It was so confusing with all the different feelings and trying to sort through them.
Jax had become the center of her world, but was it because she was clinging to him as a security blanket?
Jax was so patient and supportive, but how much longer could he actually put up with all of her mistakes and ignorance?
She felt like she was falling in love with him or was she remembering how she used to feel about him?
She knew that he had loved who she had been , but could he still love her if she never regained her memory?
If he couldn’t love who she was now he would never desert her, but she would die if she had to watch that look in his eyes fade away and she would become an obligation that he would feel like he had to take care of.
She did want to get her memory back, but if she couldn’t she had to figure out what to do. Which would be the best plan? To try to pretend that she remembered and become who she had been or to try to make him fall in love with who she was now?
Either way she needed more information about who she had been and what he had loved about her.
Jax was laying on his bed staring at the ceiling, he couldn’t stop thinking about Brenda being on the other side of the wall. He could still feel the softness of her body in his arms, the silkiness of the skin as he had caressed her and the taste of her kiss. He was never going to be able to go to sleep at this rate.
Jax finally gave up trying to sleep, he flipped on his computer and tried to concentrate on business. He found that he couldn’t concentrate on that either. Giving up he turned off the computer and headed to the front room maybe he would catch up on some reading. Jax paused at the door separating him from Brenda, he debated on whether or not to enter. Finally, he turned away and was walking towards the front room when he heard that bedroom door opening. Jax watched as Brenda came out of the room and walked over to the door of his room, she paused with her hand hovering over the doorknob. He approached as she hesitated and when she turned away from the door she almost walked into him.
“Jax, you startled me. What are you doing up?”
“I couldn’t sleep.”
“What about you?”
Brenda paused she was distracted by the sight of Jax, he was wearing only blue silk boxer shorts. She reached a hand forward and ran it along that beautiful chest of his.
“I wish I could come up with a good excuse, but I missed you and I wanted to see you.”
“Brenda, you don’t need an excuse.”
Jax looked down at Brenda, she had her eyes closed as she ran her fingers softly and gently along his chest. She opened her eyes and stared at him, saying quietly.
“This seems so familiar. Like coming home again or retrieving something that is part of you.”
Her touch was becoming more then Jax could stand. Just as he reached for her he saw a flash of pain pass through her eyes. She brought both hands up to her head and bent over in a grimace. Jax felt so helpless to see her in pain.
“Brenda, what can I do?”
“Nothing, it’s just a headache. It will be gone soon.” She tried to in vain to smile.
Jax picked her up and carried her back into their bedroom. He placed her gently onto the bed she looked so tiny there all alone. When she held up her arms to him, he laid down cautiously beside her. She moved next to him and placed her head on his chest. Jax pulled up the covers over them and tenderly stroked her head until she fell asleep in his arms. She was right this was like coming home again or getting back a part of you and he knew he could never give it up again.