May 31, 2023
The Jacks Residence -- 9:00am

My darling Jax,

I can close my eyes and envision this exact moment twenty-seven years ago. That morning in my room at Kelly's, or my cell as you astutely compared my existence to that of a hostage, changed everything for me. You changed everything for me and gave me a bigger and better life than I ever dreamed possible. You enabled me to believe in hopes and dreams and trust you and most importantly, trust my own heart. You said you were as sure as the sun that I would love you but my love is even more assured than that. It's as steadfast as the stars are in the heavens each night and as unfailing as the universe itself. I love you, Jasper Jacks, and I'm going to spend the rest of my life showing you how much.

Today is now even more special, thanks to the first truly spectacular gift we gave one another -- that beautiful little girl who now is an incredible young woman that makes us prouder every day. When Jillian came into this world, right into your loving hands, I didn't think that life could bring me any more joy but it has. You've given me so much and our children have enabled us to see everything that life and our love can bring. When our grandchildren come into this world, we'll be blessed with even more. I can't wait to experience that joy with you. Until then, we'll share every moment as we await that delight.

Happy anniversary, my darling.

All my love,
Brenda

Brenda stepped out of the master suite and leaned against the doorway room as she watched Jax standing outside the closed door of Jillian's bedroom. It hadn't been her bedroom for most of the last several years but over the last week, it had come alive again with Jillian's graduation from Johns Hopkins Medical School and return to the house. Now the room, that once had been adorned with ballerina lamps and a pink canopy bed, was the site of a slumber party from the night before. Laughter and animated conversations had emanated from the room each time Jax had passed by and the sounds had made him smile.

Today, all of their children would be home for the first time in almost three months when spring breaks had last brought them all back to Port Charles. Once the festivities surrounding today were over and she returned from a two-week trip around the Greek Isles, Jillian's time in Port Charles would be more permanent as she had accepted an internship at General Hospital beginning in July. Jessica and Jonathan had missed Jillian's medical school graduation due to their own exam schedules but for the next two months, they would remain in Port Charles. Jonathan had traveled the farthest away as Los Angeles and the appeal of the Pacific Ocean had lured him to the business program at UCLA. Jessica had gone north instead and was enjoying her time in New England at Radcliffe where she was studying pre-law. Both she and Jonathan would be entering their senior years in the fall and both would be spending the summer at J&J Jacks working in different areas of the conglomerate.

Brenda walked into the hallway and put her arms around Jax's waist. "Hey, are you okay?"

"Yeah, I'm just trying to figure out where all the years went," Jax murmured as he turned to face Brenda.

"I don't know where they went either, honey," Brenda replied as she met his gaze. "They all grow up so fast."

He let out a jagged sigh. "It just seems like days ago that she was standing on my feet and learning how to dance."

"And tonight, you're going to dance with her at her wedding." Brenda reached up and caressed Jax's face. "But she's still going to be our little girl....always."

"You're right," Jax said in a hushed tone. "She'll always be our little princess even after she has her own."

The bedroom door then opened and Jessica came out just as Brooke threw a pillow at her. "Is the pig here yet?"

Jax bit back a grin at Jessica's feeble attempt to sound annoyed while her eyes lit up in anticipation of seeing Jonathan again. "No, but I expect your brother and Jeremy very shortly. The flight was due to arrive a half hour ago."

Janelle fell back against her cousin Jillian's bed. "Great, a double dose of their obnoxiousness. I pity all the girls at UCLA with them both there now."

Brenda smiled at her nineteen year old niece who had entered Jerry and Julia's lives as another gift, two years after Jeremy had become part of the family. From the time they were pre-school age, it had been obvious that Jonathan and Jeremy had been cut from the same cloth. "Your brother and Jonathan have always made life interesting."

"Wait until Anthony gets here later," Brooke said with a groan. "The Three Tormenting Musketeers will be at it again."

"They're still no match for us," Jillian said as she flashed her oldest friend a simper.

"They have no chance," Jessica agreed. "All of them are chauvinistic pigs."

Janelle rolled her eyes as Jillian and Brooke exchanged a look. "You sure talk about Anthony an awful lot for someone who considers him a pig."

"Yes, I'd love to have seen you defend that point on your debate team at Radcliffe this semester," Brooke goaded.

Jessica glared at all three of them as Brenda turned her head to hide her smirk. From the time that Anthony had been seven and Jessica had been six, they had been at odds. Now, fifteen years later, there was no denying what they meant to one another, even though neither was willing to admit that aloud at the moment. Brenda and Lois could not have been more thrilled and it had been no surprise when their children had just happened to choose neighboring universities to attend in New England. Anthony had just graduated the week before but would be starting graduate school in the fall at Harvard so the close proximity would continue as Jessica finished her senior year at Radcliffe. Her hopes were to attend Harvard Law School the following year so Anthony and Jessica were not making any plans to put any distance between themselves.

As Jessica then went after Janelle and Brooke with a pillow, Brenda called into the room. "Just don't kill anyone in there. You all have places to be tonight."

Jax closed the door to lessen the din of the hilarity as he chuckled aloud. "Some things never change."

They then heard the sound of suspicious clattering from down the corridor. "Speaking of things never changing," Brenda sighed as she walked down the hallway toward the bedroom. "Justin Jacks, what are you doing in there?"

"Mom, I'm just getting everything ready for when Jonathan comes, just like he told me to," Justin explained as he finished tying the tin cans together. "We have to get everything ready for Ben's car tonight."

Jax fought to suppress his mirth at the sight of the shaving cream, balloons, tin cans and streamers that his 12 year old son was packing into the bags. In the middle of the room beside him, laid Duke and Duchess, the two eight year old golden retrievers that had become the household guards after Lady after served them all so well for fourteen years.

"You and your brother are conspiring from 3000 miles away," she muttered and then elbowed Jax. "They are much too much like you and Jerry."

"Come on, Ma, you gotta chill," Justin exclaimed. "We wouldn't be brothers if we didn't do this to the magpie?"

As Brenda opened her mouth to speak, the front door opened and Jonathan's voice wafted up the stairs. "Where is everyone? The boy wonder is home."

Jax laughed loudly and Justin raced by them, followed by the dogs. "Jonathan's back."

"Hey tadpole, you look like you actually grew," Jonathan announced as Justin descended the stairs. Where are the magpie and the mule?"

Jeremy followed that up with his own question. "And where's the toad?"

"The magpie, the mule and the toad, otherwise known as Jillian, Jessica and Janelle respectively, reached the stairs. "It's the pig and he brought the piglet with him."

Brenda could not hold back the smile at the sound of the terms of endearment used by her eldest son and nephew. "Well, we are back to living in a zoo."

"As you said, some things never change," Jax responded with a wink as he put his arm around Brenda. They walked to the top of the stairs and smiled at the sight of the family hugs and usual bantering in the foyer.

"Look at your tans," Janelle remarked as she shook her head at the two of them. "Do you ever go to class?" She rolled her eyes at her older brother who was combining his business studies with filmmaking. "I'm sure that movie you made for your final exam was bimbos on the beach and you two surfing."

Jeremy shrugged his shoulder as he smirked at her. "You just stick with your snobs at Tufts and draw your little buildings," he exclaimed in reference to Janelle’s plans to be an architect.

"Yes, you and the mule there could go on tour together with your attitudes," Jonathan suggested.

"At least we did not pick schools based on what you and the piglet did. All you do out there is try to pick up cheerleaders and play on the beach," Jessica retorted. "I'm sure they all know what pigs you are by now."

"They knew about what a mule you were from the first day up there," Jonathan countered. "What crusade are you on this week? Saving the world from ink spots?"

"Just because you wouldn't know a social cause if one hit you over the head, does not mean they are worthless," she rebutted.

"It's good to see the debate club back," Jax declared as he and Brenda came down the steps. "I hope you both were as proficient on those exams this week as you are with each other."

Jessica tipped her head. "No problem with mine. I am not spending half the day on a surf ski."

"No, you are on your soapbox instead," he countered before turning to Jax and Brenda. "Hey you guys," Jonathan said with a grin as he hugged them. "Happy anniversary."

"Thank you," Brenda said as she threaded her hands through Jonathan's hair. "Please tell me that are getting this hair cut before this evening."

"You mean that's still on," Jonathan joked as he looked at Jillian. "If so, how about spikes?"

Jillian looked at the grandfather clock. "Yes, it's still on, pig, and we'd better start to get ready to go to the salon. You are more than welcome to come to have those spikes permanently chopped."

Jeremy sighed in mock relief. "Thank God, you made an appointment for everyone. Now the toad can look presentable."

"Go back to your sty, piglet," Janelle said as she smacked her brother as she flared her deep blue eyes at him. Her blonde hair complemented a porcelain complexion while Jeremy's sandy brown hair and blue eyes showcased the golden brown of his tan. They were beautiful and had the fortitude and resilience of both their parents.

Jonathan laughed at Janelle and then grabbed Jillian's left hand to check her engagement ring. "Magpie, you mean that doctor of yours hasn't had his head examined yet and called this off? Another one is going to bite the dust and Ben seemed like such a nice guy. Now, he will never be able to get a word in edgewise."

"Thank heavens he is not a Neanderthal like you who is only interested in what someone looks like in a bikini," Jillian informed him as she started to follow the girls up the stairs.

"Take a look in the mirror, and tell me what he is interested in," Jonathan announced. "You've got Mom's curves and the good doctor sees that Mom still has hers so figures you will as well."

Justin added his two cents. "And we all know how Dad still drools over those curves."

"Justin, that's enough of that," Brenda said with a grimace.

"Oh, there's that look, tadpole," Jonathan mocked with a chortle. "The, 'Why did I ever let you talk me into having another child' look that Mom gives Dad all the time about you."

"Come on, Mom," Justin said as he snickered. "We had biology in school and talking is not what brought me here."

"Justin Jacks," Brenda yelled as Jonathan, Jeremy and Justin could barely get up the stairs they were laughing so hard.

"He won't be a teenager for nine more months and he is worse than Jonathan was. You Jacks men will be the death of me yet," Brenda muttered.

A big grin appeared on Jax's face as he pulled Brenda to him. "Well, we all do know a beautiful woman when we see one. You're just as beautiful as the day I married you."

"That notorious charm of the Jacks men, and all of you have it," she sighed with a smile. "And Justin looks even more like you than Jonathan does which is not playing fair at all."

"Sorry but all's fair in love and war as they say," Jax murmured. "And how I do love you."

Brenda exhaled a shaky breath at the devotion in Jax's eyes. He still looked at her as if she were all the treasure in the Crown Jewels. "I love you so."

Their lips met in a lingering soft kiss as Jax held her. A few moments later, Justin and Jonathan called out from the top of the stairs. "See what we said about those curves and Dad still drooling."

Brenda turned around to face them. "Now you both are going to get it," she pledged as she raced up the stairs after her two hooligan sons.

Jax chuckled aloud as Jonathan and Justin then scrambled down the hallway as Brenda followed them. It was some life they had together, a life more incredible than even he had ever imagined and Jax knew it was still getting better.

The Jacks Residence -- 4:00pm

My sweet Jillian,

In just a few hours, we will begin our life together. In reality, it will be as if my life is just starting because I don't think I ever truly lived until I met you. You made me feel things I never had before and showed me a part of life that I never knew existed. I remember how my parents told me what it would mean to truly love someone and how it could never be understood until I had experienced it myself. I think that was the most sage piece of advice that they have ever given to me. What I feel for you and what you have made me discover about myself, cannot be expressed in words. When I vow to take you as my wife this evening, know that the pledges are spoken directly from my heart but that my love for you is a thousand times greater than the mere words can convey.

When I first saw you that afternoon three years ago, it was your eyes that immediately drew me to you. In the sunlight, they were so bright and the sky that day was crystal clear and matched them so perfectly. I remember going to sleep that night and not being able to get them out of my mind. Then the next day when we saw each other again and your spirit and tenacity outshined even the brilliance of the sapphire, I knew my life would never be the same again. It hasn't been and I'm going to spend the rest of our lives loving you and thanking everything above for bringing you into my life. They don't do your eyes justice but these sapphires were the closest that the nature could provide. I love you.

Happy wedding day.

Yours forever,
Ben

The house was abuzz as the photographer, florist and other attendants had arrived. The wedding was at 6pm at the historic chapel downtown with the reception following at the ballroom on the waterfront. It was a large affair between family, friends and some business associates of both the Jacks and Bradley families. Ben's family had a connection to Port Charles with a shipping company that used the harbor as well as ties to General Hospital through its pharmaceutical holdings. Jillian had met Ben two thousand miles away, however, on a trip to Cheyenne, Wyoming three years earlier when she had traveled there to look at some horses for the stables. She was the equestrian of the family while Jessica had been born to be on a mountain, whether skiing down it or climbing up it, and Jonathan had been drawn to the water. Justin was still finding his niche but Jax already considered him to be the most well rounded athlete of the family. Justin had taken after his older siblings from the start and had a tennis racquet and golf club in his hands before he was four years old.

Ben and Jillian had actually begun their relationship as adversaries as both had decided to bid on the same set of horses during that trip. A true Jacks negotiator, Jillian had prevailed in the end and later had ended up running into Ben in the hotel. They had exchanged words and several smoldering glances before retreating to their respective wings in the hotel. The next day, they had met again on one of the trails. That encounter had led to Jillian challenging Ben to a race that he had won by a nose on a horse he knew was a full step above hers in bloodlines and performance. She had impressed him yet again and it was then that Ben knew that Jillian Jacks was something special. She had come to the same conclusion in discerning that what most would consider arrogance was actually Ben's complete belief in himself. He was always looking for obstacles to challenge himself and that was something that the Jacks family had instilled in her from the start.

It wasn't until two days later that she and Ben learned that they both were attending medical school at institutions less than fifty miles apart. He was a year ahead of her at Georgetown in Washington, DC while she was in Baltimore at Johns Hopkins. His plans were for cardiovascular surgery, a field in which his grandfather had gained notoriety, while Jillian's aims were for pediatric oncology as she had been forever touched by the children she had known through Kanga's Kradle. After they returned to school the next month after meeting in Cheyenne, their relationship had begun and Ben and Jillian had never looked back. They were as eye catching of a pair as Jillian knew her parents had been. Ben was ever taller than Jax and his sandy blonde hair and blue eyes perfectly complementing her dark hair and features and petite frame. It had been a lonely last ten months for them since Ben had started his internship at General Hospital so they were separated while Jillian finished at Johns Hopkins but today their life together would begin. Ben's internship had ended with his shift last night and both he and Jillian would report to the hospital on July 1st to start his residency and her internship.

Jax opened up the french doors to the balcony off the master suite so that the photographer could set up some his equipment there. He stepped out onto the balcony and took in the sights. It could not have been a more beautiful day for his princess and her prince as the sun was shining and the sky was as clear blue as her eyes. The tulips were all in bloom and Jax immediately was brought back to the day of Jillian's birth when he had asked the gardener to plant them. Jessica and Jonathan's rose gardens would be in blossom in a month and Justin's offering to the grounds were beds of crocus that had marked the start of the spring every year. Justin had come into the world during a snowstorm shortly after Jax's fortieth birthday and had been destined to keep his parents young and the house alive for years to come.

Before turning to go back inside, Jax's eyes drifted to Jamie's pine tree next to the tulip gardens. The tree was over twelve feet tall now and would be eye level with the balcony in just a few more years. The sight of it flourishing in the ground had continued to bring them peace over the past twenty years. Jax and Brenda knew they had an angel continually watching over them and that enabled the love to continue growing in their hearts for the son they had but could not now hold. With a smile, Jax walked back into the suite, knowing that Jamie would be with his big sister and the rest of them on this very special day.

"Dad, can you help me with this tie," Justin asked as he entered the bedroom.

Jax grinned at his son who was donning his first tuxedo. "Sure, I'll show you a little trick with these."

Justin stood in front of the mirror and Jax showed him how to straighten the bow tie. "Just like that."

"Thanks Dad," Justin said in a trailing voice. "Jillian's really getting married in a little while."

"Yes, she is," Jax echoed as he met his son's blue eyes. Jillian and Justin had been close from the moment he had come into their lives. The thirteen year age difference had made her protective of him in the early years and now he felt as if he was her protector. "I know how much you're going to miss her but she and Ben will be living downtown so she'll be in town now."

"Jillian said she'll take me up in the plane when they get back from their honeymoon and I'm done with school," Justin gushed. "She said we can go to Coney Island and ride all the roller coasters. Just the two of us."

Jax grinned at the brightness on his son's face. "I'm glad and I know you two will have a very special time together."

The photographer came into the suite with the attendants following behind him. Jessica waved her hand at Justin. "There you are, tadpole. Now we just need pig and piglet up here and that swine, Anthony."

"I'll go downstairs and get them," Jax offered. "Is Jillian ready yet?"

Brooke nodded her head. "Yes, we just finished. Aunt Brenda is in there with her now."

"She's still trying to stop crying from receiving Ben's gift," Janelle said with a contented sigh. "They are just so perfect together."

"I'll go get the beasts and then check on Jillian," Jax replied with a peaceful exhale of his own as he left the suite and the attendants took their places on the balcony.

Inside Jillian's room, Brenda stood behind her as Jillian took one last look in the mirror as Ben's sapphire and diamond earrings glistened brightly. "I guess I'm ready."

"You look so beautiful," Brenda murmured in an emotional voice. "I want this day and the rest of your life to be everything you could ever want."

"If Ben and I have half of what you and Dad do, it will be," Jillian replied as she turned to face her mother.

Brenda sighed softly as she smiled. "Ben is a wonderful man and you two love each other so much. Just always hold on, hold onto that and to each other."

"We will. You and Dad taught us so much about love and commitment. That's why I wanted this day to be the start of our life together," Jillian explained as tears crept into the corners of her eyes. "I'm just so happy you were willing to share the day with us and give up celebrating this anniversary alone together."

"There is nothing your father and I want more than to have our children happy and we are honored that you wanted to use our anniversary date to begin your life with Ben." Brenda dabbed away the tears at her daughter's eyes. "Besides, you'll see that every day's a celebration. Your father and I will be in Malibu in a few days so we'll still have our alone time after you and your Ben are on your own special trip together."

Jillian moistened her dry lips. "I know how protective Dad is of us so I'm so glad he realizes just how incredible Ben is."

"He sees the way Ben looks at you, he treasures you, as you do him and that means everything to your father and me," Brenda stated in a lilting voice. "We just want you to be truly loved and happy."

A beam covered Jillian's face. "We were spoiled in seeing how you and Dad look at each other. When Ben came into my life, everything changed and it was like destiny had a hand in it."

"I know, sweetheart," Brenda said with a smile. "Ben reminds me of your father when I met him. Never mind the blonde hair and the blue eyes and the build, but his whole presence and how he looks at life. You two make quite a pair."

"Just like you and Daddy," Jillian added with a nod. "Now we have a B&J to go with the J&B. We already talked about the double B initials for the children in the Bradley family like the double J's in the Jacks family. If I didn't love him so much, it would be scary."

"You're both going to be so happy," Brenda crooned as her finger lightly grazed Jillian's cheek. "I love you and couldn't be prouder than I am at this moment of you."

Jillian hugged Brenda as she felt her emotions overwhelming her. "I love you too, Mom."

Brenda saw Jax then appear in the doorway and she flashed him a huge smile before kissing Jillian's cheek. She whispered to her daughter as they separated. "I'm going to leave you alone with your Dad now. He loves you so much."

Jillian brushed away her tears as Brenda walked to the door. As she met Jax in the doorway, Brenda squeezed his hand and then kissed his cheek before leaving him with their daughter.

Jax walked into the room just as Jillian turned to face him. He felt the breath immediately catch in his throat at the sight of her. She was even more radiant than he had imagined.

Jillian looked at her father and frowned a bit at the look on his face. "Dad, is something wrong?"

"You look so much like your mother," he finally managed to voice. Other than her blue eyes and two inches more in height, Jillian looked like Brenda's twin. "Princess, you are so beautiful."

"Oh, Daddy," Jillian whispered as she felt the tears forming again.

"You haven't called me that in almost fifteen years," Jax reminded her as a grin appeared on his face.

Jillian returned his smile. "It just seems right today."

Jax took her hand as he spoke. "I wish your grandfather could be here to see you today. He would have been so proud of you, just like the rest of us."

"I wish he were here too," Jillian echoed as she picked up the handkerchief from the dressing table. "Grandmom gave me the handkerchief he gave her on their wedding day so that he's a part of today."

"I'm so glad," Jax said as he brushed back a curl from her shoulder. "Your grandfather would have wanted you to be so happy and for your life to be filled with nothing but love and joy. That's all I want for you too, princess."

"Ben and I are going to be so happy and we're going to do everything we can to have the wonderful life that you and Mom and his parents have together," Jillian assured him as she then showed him her earrings. "Did you see what he just sent me as a wedding gift? Aren't they the most beautiful things you've ever seen?" Her voice began to shake with emotion as she continued. "And the note he sent with them was the most wonderful thing he has ever done for me."

"They're beautiful, almost as beautiful as you are, princess," Jax told her. He then reached into his pocket and pulled out a black velvet box. "I hope you don't mind if I join in on the gift giving."

"Dad," Jillian murmured as the tears threatened to come again. "You and Mom have done so much, you shouldn't have done this."

"It's the last gift I can give you like this," he explained. "In another few hours, your Ben will have the honors."

Jillian smiled at him and then choked back a sob as she opened the box to find the companion sapphire and diamond bracelet to the earrings Ben had just sent her. "Oooh, Daddy," she stammered as her fingers trembled.

"That charm bracelet doesn't fit anymore and a princess should have a bracelet on her wedding day," Jax crooned as he took the bracelet from the box and fastened it around her wrist. "Your Ben clued me in on his gift and loves you enough to let me share in it."

Jillian hugged Jax tightly and he kissed the top of her head. "You take care of each other and that and your love will get you through anything that life brings."

"We know and Ben and I will spend every day reminding each other of that," Jillian pledged when she finally stepped back from his embrace. "Then we'll teach our children that just like you and Mom taught us."

"Those children of yours will bring you more love and joy than you could ever dream about," Jax confessed as he squeezed Jillian's hand. "You have given your mother and I so much, just like your brothers and sister have. We love you, Jillian, and you're always going to be our little princess."

"I love you too, Daddy," Jillian whispered through her tears as she tightly hugged him again. Jax held her for a moment and then stepped back and used the handkerchief to dab away Jillian's tears.

Justin then appeared at the door and provided a distraction from the emotion as his mother had planned. "Mom says it's time for Jillian's pictures."

"Okay, that sounds like your cue," Jax told her with a smile.

Jillian turned around and Justin got his first real look at her. "Jillian, ..... you really do look like a princess."

She laughed softly as Jax held out his arm to her and looked at his son. "Justin, I think a princess deserves two escorts."

When they exited the bedroom, Justin held out his arm to Jillian and she was escorted down the hallway by both of them. They made such a handsome group as Justin was already as tall as Jillian and was expected to be even taller than Jax in a few years. Brenda stood at the master suite door and felt her face light up like a Christmas tree at the sight of them coming toward her. The first and last angels they had brought into the world and the man who had given them to her. Today was one of those days that would live in their hearts forever.

Forty-five minutes later, the limousines were in the driveway, awaiting the wedding party and the rest of the family. The photographer had just finished his work at the house with the final pictures taken out in the gardens of Jillian and all her attendants. Ben's two sisters had completed the bridesmaid group and his niece would serve as the flower girl. Jerry and Julia had arrived and he was leading Jonathan, Jeremy, Anthony and Justin in their usual bantering.

Jane came into the living room and Jonathan whistled at her. "Look at you, Grandmom, dressed to the nines."

Jeremy gave her a thumbs up sign. "Those men will be after you tonight for some dancing."

"I expect my grandsons to fill up my dance card," she informed them as Jerry helped her sit in the chair. "I made sure Jillian put the chicken dance on the list."

"That's perfect for this group," Julia acknowledged with a smile. "Make sure you get your eldest son out there too."

"And when the waltzes come, Justin's going to be my first partner," Jane boasted as she pointed at her youngest grandson. "We've been practicing."

At the look on Justin's face, Jonathan and Jeremy burst out laughing at the memory of those days when they had their own waltz lessons from Jane. "Another plus for not being the tadpole in this family."

Jillian came inside through the front door and shook her head at the group in the living room. Julia got up and hugged her. "Oh, you look simply incredible."

"You're wearing that rag, Roo," Jerry goaded as he looked his watch. "The ceremony starts in forty-five minutes and you're not even dressed yet."

"I'll make you a deal, I'll change while you go grow some hair," Jillian suggested. "The photographer's flash will be bouncing off that shiny head."

Janelle had come in behind Jillian and now offered her own input. "Yeah, Dad, how come Uncle Jax still has his hair and you don't?"

At the sound of Jeremy's snicker, Jerry glared at the both of them. "I pulled mine out dealing with you two animals."

"Great job then," Jillian chirped as she gave Janelle and then Jeremy a high five. "You both learned all my lessons well."

Jerry waved his finger at his niece who had gone toe-to-toe with him from the very start. "I knew my wedding gift to Ben should have been a lifetime supply of tape to cover your mouth."

"Aunt Julia has it all for you," Jillian acknowledged with a deep sigh. "She really is a saint and Sister Sare is already putting her up for canonization for putting up with you for all these years."

Jax chuckled out loud as he entered the scene and put his arms around Jillian. "And just think Jerry, she's back in Port Charles now so she'll even have more time to torch you."

"Does this mean I can sell tickets," Justin asked and Jillian then proudly gave him the okay sign as everyone laughed. She had taught him well too.

It was time for everyone to head to the church and Jane, Jerry and Julia went with the guys in the first limo. Jax helped Jillian into the second car as Brooke held her train. The other attendants then took their places and Jillian rolled down her window and waved at her parents as the limo pulled out of the circular driveway.

Brenda sniffed back an onslaught of tears as she watched the car disappear up the private drive. Jax turned to face her and lifted his hands to Brenda's face. As his thumbs brushed away the two tears that had escaped from her eyes, Jax cast her a bright smile. "Are those sad or happy tears?"

"A combination of the two," Brenda admitted with her own beam.

"It's some day, isn't it" he queried.

Brenda bobbed her head as Jax's hands rested on her shoulders. "It sure is. One of the best."

"Do you have any idea how beautiful you look today? Between you and Jillian, no one is going to be able to take their eyes off of either one of you," Jax declared as his blue eyes lit up in the sunshine.

"Your eyes are the only ones I care about," Brenda whispered as she caressed his jawbone. "They are filled with more treasuring love every day and there are no words to explain what that means to me. I love you Jax. Happy anniversary."

His voice sounded like the music of angels. "I love you too, Brenda. Happy anniversary."

"Now we have a daughter to see pledge her love and a new son to welcome to the family," Brenda proclaimed.

Jax took her hand as the moved toward the limo. "Yes, we do, Mrs. Jacks. Let's go." He waved to Virgil to start the car and Jax helped Brenda inside. He moved in next to her and their hands never broke contact the entire ride to the church. As the union of their hearts and souls had exemplified so many years before, Jax and Brenda had truly become two halves of one whole and now their daughter would be making the same journey.

The Jacks Residence -- 11:45pm

My beautiful Brenda,

If I concentrate and close myself off to the rest of the world, I can hear the sweet melody of the church bells along the Mediterranean as they celebrate this night with us. That is the only sound I have heard in my heart today. Twenty-seven years of love, joy, devotion and commitment to each other and all I want to do is wake up the next morning so I can love you even more than the day before. You held my heart when I recited my vows to you before that sleepy, Anglican minister in the moonlight but now I don't even own my heart, you possess it in full and there is no chance that it could ever be returned to me.

As we watched our daughter exchange vows with her life partner, all I could see was you. The way the light dances in your eyes when your heart overflows with joy, it still makes my heart sing. The same way your laugh seems to come from your toes all the way to your mouth so that your entire body senses the rapture. Your whole face beams when you're happy and there is nothing in this world that moves me more or makes my soul feel as alive as that. It's you, Brenda, only you, that has ever made my breath still at the mere sound of laughter or sight of a smile. I can only hope that Ben and Jillian can give each other what you have given to me. You are my love from now until the end of time.

Happy anniversary Brenda.

Eternally yours,
Jax

Brenda sat on the bed and removed her shoes as Jax opened up the balcony doors to let in some of the light breeze from the gorgeous night. It had been an incredible day for all of them and the evening had brought an extraordinary close to it all. The wedding and reception had been everything that Jillian and Ben had hoped and that was all that both families had ever wanted for the couple. Jax and Brenda had returned home fifteen minutes earlier and Justin was already asleep. Jessica's room was quiet as she unwound from the hectic past week of exams, travel and the wedding festivities. Only the soft murmur of music from Jonathan's room could be heard now as everyone had said good night.

Jax turned around and took a deep breath at the joy covering Brenda's face. "That beam still out sparkles every star in the sky, Mrs. Jacks. And it continues to make my heart melt, more every day."

Brenda's smile grew even more as she got up from the bed. "You make my heart melt just like Jillian and Ben did tonight."

"She was so happy," Jax said in a hushed tone as he reached out to hold Brenda's hands.

"Yes, she was. Happier than I have ever seen her," she said with a soft sigh. "That's all we could have ever wanted for them."

Jax' eyes glimmered with love as he spoke. "They can't be as happy as we've been, no one can. But they can be a close second."

Brenda flashed him another radiant smile. "Yes, a very close second." She saw by the clock that there were five minutes left to this anniversary. "Before this day is over, just know how much I love you and how much our family means to me. You're everything I ever needed. Happy anniversary darling."

"You all mean the same to me," Jax echoed as he brought Brenda's hand to his lips. "I just need you, nothing else matters. Happy anniversary sweetie."

Jax kissed her hand again and then led Brenda onto the balcony where she melted into his arms. To the music of their hearts, they slowly danced as the stars and the moon provided their spotlight. Love had healed all things and that love ensured that their story had a happy ending.

I need you like water, like breath, like rain
I need you like mercy from heaven's gate
There's a freedom in your arms that carries me through
I need you
Oh, yes, I do
I need you
I need you

SONG CREDITS: I Need You by Leann Rimes