Our story begins in Port Charles, New York, on a stormy night in May. Jasper "Jax" Jacks was in attendance to yet another chaotic Quartermaine party. One Quartermaine was tough enough, but a room full of them was a nightmare! When no one was looking, he quietly made his escape. He made his way to the south lawn of the Quartermaine property where there was a rose garden. Amidst the rose garden stood a beautiful gazebo. Jax walked up to the gazebo and listened to the sound of the rain that had begun to fall. In the distance, he could hear music playing from the main house. Jax took a sip of his champagne and welcomed the sound of the rain and music in lieu of a Quartermaine. Jasper Jacks was obviously one of PC's finest. He was a shrewd businessman in the corporate raiding business. Edward was very wary of him, knowing that Jax had already attempted once to take over his company, ELQ. He was Australian, and of course, had that beautiful accent that made all the women swoon, among other things. And, he was one of PC's most eligible bachelors, although it was quite certain that he would not be getting married anytime soon. His fiancée, Brenda, had passed on several months ago in a tragic car accident. Jax's heart was still healing, and he never intended on getting involved with anyone romantically ever again. That is, until he saw her...
Chloe Morgan, distant cousin of Lila Quartermaine, world-famous fashion designer, and hopeless romantic, set off for Port Charles to meet the couple she had admired her whole life: Lila and Edward Quartermaine.
All throughout her childhood, she had listened to the wonderful story of their fairytale romance, as told by the love letters that they had written, which were held for safekeeping by Chloe's Aunt Eleanor. Eleanor shared with Chloe the wonderful love her cousin Lila had with Edward, and that she decided never to marry on the account of never finding a man as wonderful as Edward. When Eleanor passed on, she gave the letters to Chloe, who treasured them very much. Chloe read and reread every letter until she had memorized them all. She even kept the love letters in a box by her bed. Chloe had always dreamed of meeting them, but she hadn't a clue as to what to say or how to go about it. Then, her opportunity came. Felicia, who was writing the memoirs of Lila Quartermaine, sought out the elusive fashion designer in London in attempt to get her hands on the love letters.
Chloe and Felicia became fast friends, as they both were so enchanted by romance of Lila and Edward. The party where they met, the south lawn where they first laid eyes on each other, the love they shared… Chloe couldn't pass up an opportunity to meet the woman she adored her entire life, so she insisted on coming back to Port Charles with Felicia.
To say that Chloe was surprised when she met the Quartermaines was an understatement. Chloe couldn't hide her shock during her first encounter with them. They were doing what they did best: arguing. However, her trip to Port Charles was well worth it when she finally met Lila face to face. She was everything that she had imagined: warm, friendly, and completely nonjudgmental.
And although Edward tried to deny it, he couldn't fool Chloe. Chloe knew that deep down inside, beneath that rough business exterior, he was a true romantic at heart. The Quartermaines welcomed Chloe into their home with open arms. She hadn't even been there very long when Lila asked Chloe to vote her proxy at the next ELQ board meeting. Chloe's head was spinning as she wondered how in the world did she get herself involved in a voting at a board meeting. Fortunately, Ned stepped in to give Chloe the 411 on the board voters.
If Chloe had thought that the board meeting was maddening, she was in for a real surprise at the party that night. What had started out as Edward badgering her about voting his way for the board meeting soon turned into an all-out shouting match between the family members. Chloe had had enough! She quietly picked up her champagne glass and managed to slip out the door unnoticed. Once outside, she remembered that it was raining, but she would take getting wet over hearing the Quartermaines quarrel any day. Chloe managed to find her way to the rose garden and ran for the shelter of the gazebo. Once there, she noticed that the heel to her shoe was broke. "Perfect! Broken heel, soaking wet, and trying to run away from a pack of maniacs!" Chloe mumbled to herself. Chloe casually turned around and suddenly gasped when she realized she was not alone in the gazebo. Lightening flashed, and within that moment, she saw him…
At first, Chloe was embarrassed that she was caught talking to herself, but that soon passed. Jax walked over to Chloe and they introduced themselves. They laughed when they realized that they were both seeking an escape from those crazy Quartermaines. "I heard the south lawn calling, so I ran!" Chloe said. Jax filled Chloe in on how the Quartermaines operate, and he even managed to fix her shoe. Of course, he had to test the shoe first, just to make sure it was truly fixed, so he held out his hand, and Chloe took it. Jax pulled her closer to him and they began to dance to the sound of the rain and the music from the house.
After the dance, Chloe told Jax that he did wonderful work, but it was too bad that she didn't wear shoes more often, which Jax replied by saying that everything was better barefoot. But alas, they could not stay in the gazebo forever as they heard the call of the south lawn. Removing their shoes, they made a mad dash to the front door.
Jax and Chloe barged into the house, soaking wet and laughing loudly. Edward was not too pleased when he realized that that "cutthroat" had made acquaintances with sweet and innocent Chloe. He chided Jax for bothering Chloe, but Chloe insisted that she was just fine, in fact, better than ever. Jax enjoyed being a nuisance to Edward as he purposely dripped water on the floor and told the old man about how he told Chloe all about the Quartermaines. Chloe was laughing the whole time and she thanked Jax for the "rescue."
Edward suggested that go Chloe upstairs and change or she would catch her death, and he suggested that Jax go home and perhaps he would catch pneumonia. "He doesn't mean that." Jax assured Chloe with a smile. Ned offered to give Chloe a tour of Port Charles the next day. Chloe said that that would be lovely and headed upstairs. After Edward grumbled some more, he and Ned went to go mingle with the guests. As Jax headed for the door, a soft voice stopped him.
"Jax, Jax!" It was Chloe. She stood at the top of the staircase, still in her soaking blue dress and with a towel draped around her shoulders. "You really did save me tonight." She said.
"It was my pleasure." Jax answered. Chloe started back up to her room, but not before glancing at Jax one more time. After Chloe left, Jax just stood, staring at the top of the staircase. What was it about her that made him smile? He wondered to himself…
To be continued...…