Saturday, August 25, 2001
The Barrett/Jacks Penthouse -- 11:30am

Jerry stopped abruptly as he took his first step inside the penthouse. He looked around the room and listened but nothing had changed since he had left three hours earlier. The penthouse was still dark, still silent and still very empty. The nightmare had not ended, Julia was still gone.

He let the door close behind him and Jerry walked toward the den. Every muscle in Jerry's body ached after tossing and turning all night and then spending the past three hours taking out his frustrations on a punching bag and the rock climbing wall at the health club. Jerry collapsed into the leather chair and let out a deep sigh. He turned his head and caught sight of the pieces of the broken lamp in the corner. The lamp had been the casualty of his torment last night after Julia had walked out the door. Now the scattered fragments were just a reflection of his shattered heart.

Jerry looked out the window as the haze and humidity continued to wield their oppressive force over Port Charles. It was as miserable outside as it felt inside the empty penthouse. In the sixteen hours since Julia had walked out the front door, Jerry had received quite an education. It had been during those hours that Jerry had learned just how loud the silence could be and just how empty a room could feel. And just how much pain the human heart could suffer.

Those torturous hours had also given Jerry the chance to relive the events of the previous few months, especially those of the past several days. As hard as Jerry had tried to shut out the memories, the more intense they had become. It was if he was watching the downward spiral of his relationship with Julia in slow motion. He had seen it coming but Jerry could not prevent it from happening. All of the symptoms adding up to a dreaded malady -- the breakdown in communication, the silence and avoidance, the denial, the guilt. But the past ten days had been the proverbial straw.

Jerry's deliberation was suddenly interrupted by the ringing of the telephone. He looked at the phone for a moment as it continued to ring. Jerry grabbed it on the seventh ring. "Jacks here."

Jane spoke to him. "Hello son, it's just your dear old mum."

He exhaled sharply and silently cursed himself for answering the phone. "Hello Mum. So you were able to tear the phone away from the old man?""

Jane frowned slightly as she immediately recognized the feigned composure in his voice. "Yes, I arm wrestled him for it."

"Good for you." Forced laughter fell from Jerry's lips.

She sighed softly. "Jerry, how are things there?"

Jerry swallowed the lump in his throat. "Oh, you know, Mum, hectic as ever. Trying to keep Jasper out of trouble and the numbers up to keep Dad off our backs."

Jane's tone became concerned. "What else, Jerry?"

"The weather feels like the Amazon rain forest," Jerry added.

Jane cleared her throat. "Jeremiah Jacks, this old gal has been living in Alaska long enough to recognize a snow job when she hears one."

"Not now, Mum." His voice was not much louder than a whisper.

"Jerry?" Jane felt her stomach churn at the sound of defeat in his voice. She did not recall ever hearing that tone in Jerry's voice. "I know how difficult things have been so if you or Julia need...."

He interrupted Jane's statement. "Julia's gone."

"What?" Jane tried to comprehend his news.

Jerry sighed loudly as he covered one side of his face with his hand. "She left me and went back to the loft."

Jane swallowed hard before speaking. "My dear boy, I am so sorry."

"She walked out of here and I didn't even try to stop her." Jerry was speaking more to himself than to Jane. "Mum, I'm so tired of trying and getting knocked down for the effort."

Jane felt the tears burning her eyes. "What can I do to help you, to help both of you?"

"Nothing, Mum. You can't and Brenda can't and I don't even know if I can do anything." His voice was filled with emotion. "She won't let anybody. Especially me."

"Julia's in pain, Jerry, you both are." Jane controlled the anxiety in her tone. "People do things when they are hurting that they would never do otherwise."

"She left, Mum." Jerry shook his head. "Do you know that two weeks ago, she actually had me promise not to leave her?" He sarcastically laughed. "I guess it was my mistake that I did not ask her to promise the same."

Jane wiped away the tears which were creeping from her eyes. "Jerry, I can't tell you how sorry I am."

"Two years, Mum." There was a slight tremble in his voice. "Two years and this is where we are."

Jane could have sworn she felt her own heart being ripped out of her chest at the pain in Jerry's voice. Jerry and Julia's second anniversary was a mere three days away and Jerry's obvious anguish over that fact was almost too much for Jane to bear. She finally found her voice again. "Jerry, your father and I will come tonight."

"No, Mum. Please don't." Jerry's tone was firm. "I know you want to help but you can't. Nor can Jax or Brenda as much as all of you want to try."

She softly exhaled. "Do Jax and Brenda know?"

"Yes," he quickly responded. "Julia evidently spoke briefly to Brenda last night and Brenda called this morning. I told her I would speak to you and Dad today and that we all needed some time."

"Whatever you want, son," Jane murmured as she dabbed her eyes with a tissue. "We love you, both of you and whatever you need, you just ask and it is yours."

Jerry sighed heavily. "I know, Mum, and I love you all but I've got to find my way out of this one."

Jane nodded her head. "I understand but you have to understand we are not going to stop thinking about you or being concerned about you."

"I'm counting on it." He took a sharp intake of air. "Mum, I have to go. I'll talk to you later."

Jane managed to control her emotions again. "Good-bye Jerry. We love you, son."

Jerry ended the call and hung up the phone. He raked his hand through his hair and took another deep breath. At least that was over -- the news was out. He knew that Jane was already on the phone with Jax and Brenda and that the family would be circling soon. Jerry reached over and unplugged the phone, he had no desire to speak to anyone else today. It was not as if he expected Julia to call.

He rose from the chair and walked over to the window. The windows were clouding up from the sweltering temperatures outside and the air conditioning inside the room. Unfortunately the images in his head were not the least bit murky. Scenes from the past ten days continued to filter through Jerry's mind. The end had started that night when Julia had returned home after fleeing from the office following her chance meeting with Brenda earlier that day. Jerry had replayed their conversation over and over again in his head.

Julia had quickly responded to his inquiry about how things were possibly different now after her retreat from the office. "Everything has changed and I know what I want to do."

Jerry had rubbed his eyes and then shaken his head in confusion as he spoke to her. "What do you want to do?"

"I want us to be parents and I'm ready to do that." Julia had then looked at Jerry with such a pleased expression on her face.

His eyes had immediately widened in bewilderment at Jerry's response. "What?"

"I want us to have a baby to love. I know I can't give you one but we can still raise your child together." Julia had further explained herself. "We'll begin to make arrangements for a surrogate tomorrow."

Jerry's response had come quickly and forcefully. "No, Julia, we won't."

Julia had looked at him in disbelief and then muttered out loud. "I see. I guess raising your child was something only I wanted."

"Julia, don't." When she had turned to flee the living room, Jerry had grabbed Julia's arm and spun her around to force her to look at him. He could not believe what she was saying, the issue had been discussed and immediately dismissed months ago. "Julia, you are panicking and not even thinking. That is not an answer to what is going on here."

She spoke in an emotional tone. "And what is?"

"We need help, Julia. There is so much that is not being said." His eyes were flooded with anguish. "To have a baby or not to have a baby is not the problem here."

"I guess I am then." Julia had responded in an almost inaudible whisper.

Jerry had removed his hand from her arm. "Julia, we are in the same room and we may as well be three thousand miles apart most of the time. That is the brunt of our problem, not whether we can have a child or not." He had sighed in frustration. Don't you see what this has done to us?"

"I get the message loud and clear, Jerry." Her jaw had tightened as she spoke. "I am so sorry to have troubled you then." Julia had then walked out of the living room and disappeared into the bedroom for the rest of the night.

As the hazy skies loomed overhead, Jerry looked out over the city. It was as if he were watching life move on without him. He did not know what to feel or how to act at this moment. At times during the past several hours, his heart had felt as though it were being shredded to pieces. But at other points, Jerry could not feel anything but a wave of numbness and emptiness. He could not decide which sensation was worse but Jerry knew that he detested them both.

Jerry leaned his forehead against the glass window pane as he relived the events leading up to the past evening again in his head. After the episode about the surrogate, the next ten days had just gotten worse. Arguments and accusations had then led to avoidance and silence between the two of them. Julia's paranoia about Teddi and Tron had reached new levels and Jerry's attempts at patience and understanding had ended abruptly when Julia raised the issue of Jerry and Tron's paternity. Jerry unleashed an entire week of frustration and anguish that evening and then stormed out of the penthouse himself. After that, it was as if both were too tired to fight anymore.

Jerry and Julia were coming apart at the seams, at home, and in the office and everyone knew it. It was as if everyone was a witness to the beginning of a train wreck for which no one could do anything to prevent. Every event had culminated into the scene last night when Jerry had come home and found Julia packing her bags. There had been no screaming or yelling as apathy was the chief feeling between them. It was as if Jerry had expected it and was just waiting for the move to be made.

He was too tired and frustrated to do anything but make one last comment to Julia as she prepared to walk out the door. Jerry closed his eyes as he remembered the last thing he had said to her.

"Julia, leaving is not the answer to any of the questions that I believe us to have. But your questions are obviously not the same as mine."

Julia had responded in an emotional whisper. "No, they don't seem to be."

As Jerry stood at the window now, his heart ached again as he realized that the truth of those statements was the saddest and most terrifying part of this all.

The Jacks Residence -- 10:30pm

Brenda walked into the master suite from the bathroom after finishing her shower and dressing for bed. She picked up her hairbrush from the dressing table and then moved across the dark room to the living room area of the suite. Brenda sat down in the chair and propped up her feet on the ottoman. She sighed as she leaned her head against the back of the overstuffed chair. It had been a terrible week and this morning's phone call with Jerry about Julia's exodus from the penthouse last night had upset Brenda tremendously. Watching Julia's life spin completely out of control was excruciating.

As she sat in the dark, Brenda could not get her mind off of Jerry and how angry and helpless he had sounded this morning. Jerry had told her that he needed to be alone and Brenda had honored that request. She had done the same for Julia even though it hurt like hell to sit idly by and watch Jerry and Julia's lives unraveling before her eyes. Brenda knew that there was nothing she could do for either Jerry or Julia right now but that could not stop her from worrying about them. Nothing could ever do that.

Flashes of lightning illuminated the dark room momentarily as the storm clouds began to roll though this oppressive August night. The heat had been stifling for three days and the humidity had seemed to seep through the walls even with the air conditioning constantly running. Finally the rain was coming and there was a hope that the sultry heat and humidity would be washed away. Unfortunately the summer storms could do nothing to relieve the emotional anguish in Port Charles this evening. As she sat there, Brenda wondered when and if that suffering would ever be assuaged.

Jax stood silently at the door of the room and watched Brenda sitting there. The flickers of light from the approaching storm shimmered off the black satin of her nightgown. Even in the minimal light, he could see her sunken shoulders and the pained expression on Brenda's face. It was a rough time for all of them, even his mother had sounded uncharacteristically distressed today when she had called him to find out how Jerry really was. Jax knew that matters were not going to magically be resolved anytime soon and he was very worried about Brenda. This distress was not good for her or the twins and he decided that maybe they should think about getting away for a few days.

As another roll of thunder was heard in the distance, Jax quietly entered the room and stood behind Brenda's chair. He placed his hands on her shoulders and began massaging her neck and shoulders. Her muscles were tight and Brenda moaned as Jax's fingers stroked her tense body. "That feels so good."

Jax caressed Brenda's cheek with his thumb and then returned to his massage. "Sweetie, you are all knots."

"I know," Brenda said amidst another series of moans. "But your hands are like magic."

He continued stroking Brenda's shoulders. "I'm worried about you, Brenda."

"I know and I love you for it." Brenda reached up and covered Jax's hand with hers.

Jax sat on the arm of the chair and squeezed Brenda's shoulder. "I understand how upset you are and how much you love Julia and Jerry."

"They were there for us, Jax." A flash of light brightened the room again. "I just want to do the same for them."

"Of course you do," Jax said as he nuzzled his nose against the side of Brenda's face. "But this is so hard on you and I'm worried."

Brenda took a deep breath. "They love each other and look where they are. It scares me so much."

Jax whispered to her. "Why, sweetie?"

"Jax, it makes me realize again how close we could have come to going through the same thing." Her voice quaked slightly as she continued. "I shut you out for so long, it would have been so easy for you to walk out that door."

"Hey," Jax said as he lifted Brenda's chin so that she was looking directly into his eyes. "That is not going to ever happen. We made a promise to one another." Jax tenderly caressed her cheek with his palm. "Remember?"

She nodded and one corner of Brenda's mouth curved upward into a smile. "Of course....Nobody leaves."

"Whatever happens, nobody leaves." Jax's smile lit up the dark room.

She completed the vow they had made so many years ago. "Not me, not you. Not ever." Brenda wrapped her arms around Jax's chest and pulled him toward her. "I wish Julia and Jerry had made the same pledge."

Jax kissed the top of her silky tresses. "We all do but now Julia and Jerry have to settle this."

Brenda held onto Jax and closed her eyes at the comforting sound of his steady heartbeat. "I just hope love is enough. Sometimes it isn't."

"All we can do is be there if they need us." Jax rubbed her back for a moment. "In the meantime, I think we need to get away for a few days. How about a trip to the cottage next weekend if Dr. Meadows approves when we see her next week?"

A sigh of contentment escaped from Brenda's lips. "That sounds perfect. I wanted the chance to check on Midnight before she foals." She smiled. "It's the first foal we have had where both the mare and stallion are ours."

"And you will have another champion on your hands." Jax winked at her. "So if Lynn gives us the go ahead, we will be there." He then leaned over and picked up the hairbrush from Brenda's lap. "Now you need to think about you. Let me brush those gorgeous curls of yours." Jax then began brushing her hair.

"Aaahhh." Brenda murmured as she tilted her head to give Jax free access. "This feels like heaven."

A grin appeared on Jax's face as he felt the muscles in Brenda's neck begin to relax. "That's it, baby, let all that tension float away."

A boom of thunder roared through the sky as the storms moved closer. "It sounds like tension is a problem out there as well."

"A mere conflict in the atmosphere." Jax smiled as he turned around and looked out the window over the bed. The wind was picking up as the branches on the trees were swaying back and forth. Jax had loved to watch thunderstorms develop ever since he had been a child. Raging across the Outback, the storms were strong and powerful and the intensity of them had always invigorated Jax.

"You and your thunderstorms." Brenda moaned with pleasure again as the bristles swept through her thick locks. "I know how enticing they are to you. You probably want to be out there now smelling them as they approach."

Jax nodded. "Yes, the smell of an approaching storm was always very appealing but there are many other temptations in my life now."

Brenda lifted her right eyebrow as Jax finished brushing her hair. "And what could you possibly be referring to?"

Jax flashed Brenda a lopsided grin. "I now have a tempest in my life with the excitement and vitality and wild energy of the fiercest storm."

She spoke in a seductive whisper. "Sounds dangerous."

"Very dangerous." The flash of lightning which illuminated the room showcased the desire in Jax's eyes.

Brenda leaned toward him so that her lips were just a mere inch away from his mouth. "How do you ever manage such an impassioned force?"

Now it was Jax's turn to speak in a throaty whisper as his tongue rimmed the edge of Brenda's left ear. "I just surrender."

Brenda then put his statement to the test as she captured Jax's mouth with her own. His words rung true as Jax immediately surrendered to the passion. Brenda locked her arms around Jax's neck as he rose from the chair with her in his embrace. Brenda immediately wrapped her legs around Jax's waist as he cradled her butt with his hands.

Their kisses became more demanding as they reached the bed. Jax eased Brenda beneath the satin sheets as he crawled into bed with her. His tongue quickly gained entrance to her mouth and immediately joined hers in an erotic dance. Brenda's hands moved under Jax's shirt and roamed over the taut muscles of his abdomen while his hands moved over the black satin material of her nightgown. He finally released Brenda's lips long enough to pull the shirt from over his head and step out of his khaki pants. Dressed only in his black satin boxers, they looked like a match set as Jax laid down beside Brenda again.

He dropped a trail of feather light kisses beginning from the top of Brenda's forehead to her chin. Brenda threaded her fingers through his golden locks as Jax's mouth tasted very inch of the skin covering her shoulders and neck. The trail of caresses continued down her chest and over the satin of her nightgown. When Jax reached her stomach, he inched up the material of her negligee and uncovered the creamy skin of her abdomen. He reverently stroked Brenda's stomach with his hand and then lowered his head and placed baby kisses on the temporary home for the children growing inside her.

Brenda gasped at the feel of his soft, warm lips on her skin. She could feel the love racing through her as Jax tenderly caressed her. Somewhere inside her, Brenda knew that the twins could fell his love as well. It never ceased to amaze Brenda how Jax constantly made her aware of how much he loved the children they had created together. After his soft kisses, Jax lifted his head and Brenda reached up and cradled his face in her hands. As the room again became illuminated with flashes of lightning, Brenda could see the passion and the love emanating from his azure eyes.

Brenda stroked Jax's cheek. "Oh, how I love you."

"I love you, my darling." Jax leaned in and caught her lips in a scintillating kiss.

When their lips separated Brenda looked up again and trembled slightly at the laden desire in Jax's eyes. He was the only man, who, by just looking at her, could make Brenda feel as if she was being made love to. At the sight of his blazing pools of hunger, Brenda felt waves of desire coursing through her. As Jax moved between her thighs, Brenda's legs involuntarily parted. She could feel the passion surging through her core as Jax's fingers slid the satin of the nightgown up her chest and exposed her full breasts. His thumb encircled her skin and rubbed the hardened nub before his teeth lightly nibbled on the sweet morsel. Brenda whimpered with pleasure as she arched her head back against the pillow.

The heat between her legs intensified as Jax's mouth fully tasted each taut peak. Brenda's fingernails dug into the bare skin of his back as Jax continued his sweet torture. She shifted beneath him and Brenda could feel the rigidness of his arousal brush against her thigh. The mere feel of her flushed skin caused his passion to intensify even more and Jax's breathing became labored. As his hands moved sensually down her stomach, his fingers dipped beneath the waistband of her panties. She urged him on and Jax slid the panties down her tanned legs.

As loud thunder echoed in the sky, Jax kissed her again. Brenda could feel her heart racing in her chest and hear the sound of Jax's panting as both of their arousal levels reached their limits. She tasted the hunger in his kisses, saw the love in his eyes and felt the desire in his touch as Jax pushed the nightgown up her chest again to lift it over her head. As he murmured words of love to her, somewhere in her ecstasy Brenda heard another sound. It sounded like.....

FOOTSTEPS. Reality finally registered and she somehow found her voice. "JAX!"

Almost simultaneously, the sound of rapidly approaching footsteps and a small voice were then heard by both of them. "Mommy!"

Jax rolled off Brenda and somehow managed to pull her panties back up her legs with one swift tug. It was a miracle in and of itself, he certainly had much more experience getting Brenda out of her clothes, then into them.

Brenda caught her breath and quickly pushed her nightgown back down her chest. "Jillian, Daddy and I are in here."

Jillian pushed open the partially closed door to the bedroom area of the suite. "It is loud and Roo-Roo is scared. The room is shaking."

Jax took a deep breath in an attempt to calm his heavy breathing and then flicked on the light by the bed. "Come on in, princess."

Jillian raced into the bedroom with Roo-Roo tightly in her grasp and climbed up from the foot of the bed. Brenda held her arms out to her and Jillian moved into them. She looked up at Brenda. "Mommy, your face is all pink."

Brenda coughed. "Mommy's just a little warm tonight, Jillian."

"I'm not warm." Jillian said and then she turned to Jax. "Daddy, you breathe like Lady when she chases the rabbits all around the yard."

Jax cleared his throat. "Daddy is a little warm too, that's all."

"Maybe you and Mommy need some ice," Jillian suggested as she innocently looked at the two of them. "That will make you cold."

Jax choked back his laughter. "Jillian, we will remember that next time."

Another streak of lightning flashed through the window which was then followed by a loud clap of thunder. Jillian tightened her hold around Brenda's arm and Brenda stroked the top of her head. "It's all right, sweetheart. Mommy and Daddy are here with you."

"Roo-Roo wants to sleep here with you," Jillian muttered as she looked up at Brenda.

Brenda smiled at her. "You can tell Roo-Roo he can stay here and I am sure he wants you to stay here too."

Jillian bobbed her head up and down. "Yes, he wants me to stay with him in the big bed."

"Okay." Brenda exchanged a look with Jax. "You can crawl in between Daddy and me until the storms are over."

Jax helped Jillian slide under the sheets between them. The pal between his legs had already gone to bed for the night, hearing Jillian's voice had quickly seen to that.

Brenda leaned over and kissed Jillian's forehead. "Roo-Roo can go to sleep now."

The room again became illuminated with a flicker of light and then the windows and French doors shook from the intensity of the subsequent thunderous boom. Jillian sat up again. "It is sooo loud."

"Some of the angels are bowling again I guess and making lots of strikes," Brenda said as she tweaked Jillian's nose. "All those pins falling are sure loud."

Jax flashed Jillian a big grin. "And playing flashlight tag so you are seeing the flickers of light with the lightning."

"And the angels are jumping through the sprinklers too so it is raining," Jillian said with a giggle.

Jax winked at Jillian as she snuggled next to him again. "That's right so you can tell Roo-Roo he can go to sleep."

A moment later, the sound of Lady's cries was heard from the hallway. Brenda sighed as Lady whimpered again. "Another member of the peanut gallery."

Jillian sat up again. "Lady is scared too. She doesn't like thunder."

Jax laughed as Brenda rolled her eyes. Allowing Lady to sleep in Jillian's room the night that the dog had saved Jillian from the bee swarm had now become a nightly habit for the animal and Jax never failed to tease Brenda about it.

Brenda shot Jax a glare and then called out to the dog. "Lady, Jillian is in here. Come on in."

The dog scampered into the master suite and lifted her head to rest on Brenda's side of the bed. Brenda shook her head. "No, you are not coming up here. Lay down right there."

"We're having a slumber party." Jillian smiled at the dog. "And you and Roo-Roo don't have to be scared. We're all here and the angels are just bowling."

Brenda kissed Jillian again. "And it is bedtime for all of us. Good night."

"Night Mommy and Daddy." Jillian said as she yawned. "And night Lady."

"Good night, princess," Jax said as he flicked off the light. He rested on his right side and his hand draped over Jillian.

Brenda shifted on her left side and watched Jillian's heavy eyelids succumb to sleep. Brenda extended her arm over Jillian's chest and joined hands with Jax. Jax smiled at Brenda and she whispered "I love you" to him. He returned the sentiment and gazed at Brenda until she drifted off to sleep herself. The evening had not gone as had been originally planned but as Jax laid there with Jillian and Brenda and the two growing angels inside her, he knew that tonight just exemplified that there was more than one way to share one's love.

Tuesday, August 28, 2001
J & J Jacks Hong Kong -- 5:45pm

Jerry looked out the window of the conference room at the bustling city below. Everything and everyone seemed to be moving by him, beneath him, and around him while Jerry felt completely entangled in a web and unable to break free. It had felt like that for a few weeks now but especially over the past five days since Julia had left the penthouse. Five days had suddenly seemed like a lifetime at times.

They had not spoken nor seen each other since Julia had walked out the door on Friday evening. She had meetings scheduled in Boston yesterday and today for J & J Jacks and was not returning to Port Charles until late this afternoon Port Charles time. Meanwhile Jerry had received word on Sunday night that the officials from the Chinese government were arriving in Hong Kong three days earlier than originally planned. The meeting between J & J Jacks and the government officials concerning the trade and tariff issues had been re-scheduled for tomorrow afternoon so Jerry had left Port Charles yesterday morning for Hong Kong. He had come straight to the Hong Kong office upon his arrival in the city this morning.

Jerry had been relieved in many ways to have something to focus on. The weekend in the empty penthouse had been torturous, Julia's ghost seemed to be everywhere. He heard her and felt her throughout the house and at times, Jerry was afraid he on the verge of losing his sanity. On Sunday night when the trip to Hong Kong had been moved ahead by three days, Jerry had immediately picked up the phone to call Julia to tell her his amended travel plans. It was a force of habit and then it suddenly dawned on Jerry that he did not even know if there were any customs at this point between them. He realized she was still on her way to Boston then and then decided to call her voice mail and leave the information about his trip. It was the easiest and safest solution in the emotional state he was in at that point.

Now Jerry was more than ten thousand miles away from Port Charles and the tangled web of his personal life but the problems and agony had followed him across the Pacific Ocean. Julia filled his thoughts day and night and he could not help but wonder how much she was thinking about him. When Jerry had called his voice mail before getting on the plane for Hong Kong yesterday, he had found a message from her. Julia had said that she had arrived in Boston safely and that she had received his message and wished him a safe and successful trip. She ended her message telling Jerry that she loved him. Jerry had lost track of how many times he had listened to the message just to hear Julia's voice. She sounded as forlorn as he felt.

He looked at his watch for the first time in hours and realized the time on the east coast. It was after midnight now and therefore, August 28th on the east coast. Now their anniversary had arrived for both Jerry in Hong Kong and Julia in Boston. A fresh wave of pain stabbed through his heart at the thought of this day two years earlier. It had been a milestone Jerry never really anticipated experiencing but, before the day was even half complete, he knew it was going to be the most incredible day of his life to that point.

"Jerry Jacks getting married? The world is most certainly coming to an end." Jerry could still hear Thao's words and laughter ringing in his head from that afternoon. Two years before that, Jerry would have been chuckling right along with Thao but Julia had changed his best laid plans and intentions forever. Besides, Brenda had made it her lifetime project to see that he and Julia were joined in matrimony and the woman had the persistence of a mountain lion. And the claws too as Jerry remembered very well how Brenda had reacted to the news of his decision to forgo his Valentine's Day proposal. He was not interested in the traditional romantic sap and had much better ideas. Brenda did not even attempt to hide her skepticism.

For a time, Brenda's doubt proved to be true. Valentine's Day became a complete disaster when Jerry had become tied up on a mining fiasco in South America and ended up forgetting the day all together. Julia was fit to be tied and refused to even speak to him for the next week thereafter. Besides reminding him that he was a complete jackass, Brenda had told Jerry that he was going to have to get on his hands and knees and beg now with a diamond ring between his teeth. That was sure as hell not going to happen so Jerry had to come up with a full scale alternative. An idea came to him and the timing was perfect since World Safari Day was the week after Valentine's Day.

Even in the state of things now, Jerry could not help from smiling at the image of Julia's face when he had shown up at the loft carrying his elephant gun and dressed in his full safari attire complete with mosquito netting and boots. Julia had slammed the door in his face just like Brenda had told him she would. Jerry was not about to give up especially since Jax had warned him if he did, he had better hire a bodyguard because if it came to a battle between Jerry and Brenda, the diminutive lioness would tear him to shreds.

Jerry had simply then gone to Rose Jenkins' next door loft and knocked on the door. She had answered the door with a roll of the eyes as she spoke, "I see you are in the doghouse again or maybe a better term would be lion pit in that get-up." He had winked at her in response, "So it seems." Jerry had then waved to the astounded woman as he walked through her sliding glass door and then climbed off her balcony. Rose Jenkins had come across many a lunatic in her seventy years on this earth but none more charming than Jerry Jacks. She had a soft spot for his gray blue eyes and had decided a long time ago that putting up with Jerry's antics was a small price to pay to see Julia's face light up around him.

Meanwhile, Jerry had scaled the Jenkins balcony and was then perched atop Julia's window ledge. He had tapped on the window and the French doors to Julia's balcony had then opened. She had stepped out to see him hanging there with his elephant gun slung over his shoulder and the netting wrapped around him. Julia had quickly decided that he had really lost his mind now and he was taking hers right with it.

"What do you think you are doing?" She spoke with her hands on her hips. "Get the hell down from there."

Jerry smirked at her. "Does this mean I have been given the honor of entering your lair?"

She sighed in exasperation. "Get in here before you fall and kill yourself."

"Aaahhh, I knew you were worried about me," Jerry said as he swung to the balcony from the ledge.

Julia shook her head. "No, I just don't want the tabloids reporting that I was in the company of Spiderman before his death when they describe your demise."

Jerry walked over to her. "You are such a charmer." He then kissed her on the cheek as he headed for the door.

"You are not bringing that thing in there," Julia said as she pointed to the elephant gun. "Leave it out here."

Jerry sighed. "I can't part with it for the time being but don't worry it is strictly a mount, not functional anymore so it is harmless."

"I would not say that," Julia muttered as she folded her arms against her chest. "I could always hit you over the head with it."

Jerry flashed her a smug smile. "Cave woman tactics, Miss Barrett? That fits into my plan so very well."

"Get in the house before the whole neighborhood sees you in that outfit." Julia shook her head as she walked inside behind him.

Jerry laughed as he walked into the loft. He rolled his eyes at the sound of the John Tesh CD playing in the living room. "Julia, I need trumpets not a piano. This is the day to celebrate safaris and the prized spoils of the hunt not an afternoon of blasted concertos."

"I don't even know why I am talking to you." Julia exhaled sharply. "You have completely lost your mind."

Jerry nodded. "That's why I'm here." His words then seemed to be spoken more from his heart and soul than his lips. "I've lost it all -- mind, body, soul and heart -- and I did not even realize I was the one being held captive."

There was something in the look in his eyes as he spoke that made Julia's knees weaken. She slowly sat down on the couch. "What?"

"The hunt," Jerry responded with a bright smile. "All these years in search of something and never quite knowing what that was until now."

Her heart was suddenly pounding as it was ahead of her mind in understanding the powerful meaning behind Jerry's words. "And what is that?"

"This....You....Us." Jerry shook his head as if he were still comprehending his own discoveries. "Believe me it just about blew my bloody mind but this hunt is over and there is no possible escape." A sigh of almost relief fell from his lips. "I don't even want one."

Julia nervously wrung her hands together to keep them from trembling anymore than they already were. "Jerry, I don't know what to say."

"I don't either." Jerry took her hand as he sat down beside her. "I'm not a poet or a romantic or a composer but as unbelievable as it sounds, and right now for the first time in my life, I wish I were."

Julia took a ragged breath as tears rolled down her face. "You don't have to be any of those things. God help me, I love you just like you are. Even in that damn get-up."

He took a deep breath. "God help both of us. Julia, I love you and I will forever if you'll let me."

"Let you?" Her voice shook with emotion. "That's all I want."

Jerry then picked up the rifle that was at his feet and handed it to Julia. "This is for you then."

A bewildered look appeared on Julia's face. "Jerry, what are you doing?" She swatted the gun back toward him.

Jerry chuckled as he shook his head. "No, not the gun." He handed the gun back to Julia. "Open the cap."

She rolled her eyes at Jerry and pulled out the cap. "Now what?" Julia sighed again as she waved the cap in her right hand.

Jerry shook his head at Julia and laughed. She was not amused and went to swat his arm with her right hand. As she did, Julia's eyes caught sight of the sparkle inside the cap. Julia gasped as she turned the cap over and saw the sapphire and diamond ring clipped inside. "Oh my God."

Jerry took the cap from her trembling hand and smirked. "You can call me Jerry." His mouth curved into a smile as the next selection of the CD began to play. "Well, I guess this song is tolerable in this one instance."

"What?" Julia's ears were ringing from the rapid pace of her heartbeat and she had not even heard the music. The lyrics finally registered in her head.

Looking out, I see
And I know just how much you're a part of me
I see you and I, together in life
So there's nothing I wouldn't do to make you my wife

Jerry took the ring from the cap and held it in front of Julia. "I love you and I want to spend the rest of my life with you." He exhaled softly. "Will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?"

"Yes." Her tears began again and Julia fought to speak amidst her tears. "I love you."

Won't you give me forever to show
All of the love I have here for you
And if you give me my reason for living
To love you, I love you, I do

Jerry took her left hand and slipped the diamond and sapphire ring on her finger. "Julia, give me forever."

Her voice was filled with emotion. "You have forever, Jerry."

As Jerry pulled her into his arms and their lips met, the last verse of the song echoed amid their thoughts and dreams.

Won't you give me forever to show
All the love I have for you, all the love I have for you baby
And if you give me my reason for living
To love you, I love you, I do
To love you, I love you, I do
To love you, I love you, I do

As the sound of a taxi horn blared outside the conference room window, Jerry covered his eyes. The present and all the torment surrounding it were back. He shook the images out of his head from that day but he could not rid the pain he felt in his heart. He sighed heavily and murmured under his breath. "Where is forever now, Julia?"

The conference room door opened and Teddi walked inside and stopped at the profile image of Jerry looking out the window. "Jerry, is something wrong?"

Jerry laughed to himself as he turned to face Teddi. "I think the better question would be is something right."

"I'm sorry." Teddi moved across the conference room and stood beside him. "Is there anything I can do?"

"Yes, I need to get the hell out of here. Jerry stood up from his seat. "How about letting me cash in that rain check for dinner with you and Tron?"

Teddi nodded her head with a smile. "Consider it cashed."

Jerry returned her smile and they walked to the door. He turned around and took a deep breath at the memories which had just flooded his thoughts. Jerry flipped off the light and closed the door behind him hoping that would shut off the remembrances in his minds for the rest of the evening as well.

The Loft -- 6:45pm

Julia shifted in her chair again as she tried to focus on the second quarter earnings statement of the east coast shipping divisions. The television and stereo were both playing as Julia attempted to occupy her mind with something other than the significance of today. Nothing was working, nothing had all day. She had barely been able to survive the late morning meetings with the financial backers concerning the Boston waterfront project. When the meetings were finally completed, Julia had then spent the entire flight home trying to think of anything but the events of two years ago. It was fruitless.

As she arrived back in Port Charles this afternoon, Julia could not deal with the idea of going to the office even though she had originally planned on it. She had an early breakfast meeting tomorrow with Edward and Justus about the Charles Street Foundation and needed some data that Brian and Alicia were compiling this afternoon. Julia had called Sally and asked that she send a messenger to the loft at the end of the day with the reports. It was the first time that Julia had acknowledged to anyone at J & J Jacks that she was no longer at the penthouse. Saying it out loud to Sally had made the reality of the situation even more clear and even more painful.

For the past three hours, Julia had been attempting to live with the ache in her heart and the confusion in her head. The loft had been such a happy home for her for the eighteen months she had lived there before the wedding but today it seemed to only be a prism for her to re-live the past. All the days and nights Jerry had been at the loft with her and all the love and laughter they had shared plagued her today. Everything seemed to haunt her today and Julia knew it was all due to the anniversary.

Julia looked around the living room, it was not even furnished the same as it had been then but it did not matter. She had held onto the loft after the wedding and had kept most of the furnishings there so that it would be furnished for occupancy. After the wedding, she had leased it to a married couple who were third year residents at General Hospital. They had both received fellowships two months ago at Johns Hopkins and had left when their lease had ended last month. Now Julia was back in residence there and even she could not believe it at times.

As Julia took a deep breath and looked around the living room again, her mind replayed the events of Friday evening when she had left the loft. Some hours of the day Julia thought it was the worst mistake she had ever made and at other times, she thought it was the only logical choice at this time for both Jerry and herself. She wasn't being fair to him or to herself the way it had been over the past several months and Julia thought this was the only answer until she could collect her own thoughts. Until she did, she could be of no help to Jerry or their relationship.

She knew Jerry was in total disagreement with her decision to leave but he had let her go. To him it was running away but to Julia it was the only way to salvage what was left. Whatever the motivation, it had been the hardest thing Julia had ever done. It would have been so easy if she did not love him so much but Julia loved Jerry more than she had the day they were married. And Julia knew in her heart that he loved her deeply, it was her head that caused her apprehension and worries. And her infertility problems had underscored all the doubts and frustration and clouded every thought and feeling she had experienced for months. In the end, Julia decided leaving was the only way for either of them.

Today that provided little comfort and she had been unable to shake her thoughts of Jerry for little more than a few minutes all day. It had felt like their wedding day from the first moment Julia had awakened and her mind had refused to let go of the memories no matter how hard she had tried. Julia knew that her heart was in control now and her heart would never allow her to give up the recollections of that glorious day. As painful as the images were to recall now, it would have been even more excruciating not to remember them.

Julia brushed the hair away from her face and then closed her eyes. She could almost smell the gardenias and roses that had been arranged outside the crystal gazebo in Jax and Brenda's yard. Ivory rose petals had created an aisle through the lush green grass and between the rows of ivory chairs in the garden. The guest list included seventy-five family members, friends and close business associates. She could see Brenda and Lucy to the left of her at the flower laden entrance to the gazebo. Brenda had been more radiant than the bright candles as she glowed from the joy of her pregnancy. Julia could feel Jerry's hand in hers as Jax and Scott stood beside him. John and Jane were sitting in the front row and Jillian was on Jane's lap. Julia still could vividly remember the sight of Jillian waving at her as she walked down the aisle and loudly whispered to Jane that Julia was "Cirella" which was Jillian's name for Cinderella at that time.

The ceremony had begun just as the sun was setting and the brushes of pink that had painted the sky had accentuated the dusty rose and ivory color scheme of the wedding. Julia could still remember the feeling she had when Jerry slipped the sapphire and diamond wedding band on her finger. When the ceremony had ended, the moonlight and twinkling stars had joined the candlelight to provide an almost magical translucent aura around the wedding party and guests. Julia had never seen anything more beautiful in her life.

Julia let out a ragged sigh and quickly rose from the couch. As she paced around the room once again, Julia could hear the music from the piano and the string quartet. It made her think back to the early days of planning for the wedding when Lucy had suggested in jest that the ceremony be held in the ballroom at the Port Charles Hotel with fountains, ice sculptures and doves and roving violinists at a reception for five hundred people. Julia had seen Jerry turn five shades of gray before he started breathing again and she, Lucy and Brenda laughed uncontrollably at his gullibility. Julia shook her head as she was reminded just how little laughter she and Jerry had shared over the past several months.

A tear rolled down her cheek and Julia reached into her pocket and pulled out the tissue. It had certainly not been the first tear of the day, nor would it be the last. The tears brought even more memories to her as Julia recalled Jerry's surprise for her during the reception. They were about to have their first dance and she had chosen Moonlight Sonata for the pianist to play as their accompaniment. As they moved to the center of the dance floor to await the music, the sound of a recognizable voice filled the night air. Julia had looked up to the terrace where the piano had been placed and gasped softly at the sight of John Tesh sitting at the piano and James Ingram with a microphone in his hand.

John Tesh then announced that Jerry had arranged for their presence as a gift to Julia and that they were performing "Give Me Forever." James Ingram then informed the guests of the significance of the song in that it had been playing the background when Julia had accepted Jerry's marriage proposal. Julia was not even sure how she was still standing but she melted into his arms and they began to dance.

With this ring, I vow
And I promise that I'll never let you down
To family and friends and the Lord up above
I will swear I'll be true to you
And give you my love

Her tears had flowed continuously throughout the song and the dance. Julia could remember seeing Brenda standing there and she was crying as much as Julia was. Jerry had asked Julia if the tears meant she was happy and she had tightly held onto him as she nodded against his chest. As the music continued, Julia had realized she felt more happiness at that moment than she had ever experienced. Jerry then made Julia laugh through her tears as he sighed in relief and whispered that his quota for sappy, romantic gestures had been met for the next year.

Won't you give me forever to show
All of the love I have here for you
And if you give me my reason for living
To love you, I love you, I do
Oh baby, I'll love you
Forever and forever
Oh, I do

She was overcome with emotion as the music echoed in her mind. So many things were so different now but the love was still the same and today that hurt beyond description. The sound of the ringing doorbell jarred Julia from her intense memories. She blew her nose and dried her eyes and then flicked off the television before walking to the front foyer. Julia opened the front door expecting a messenger but instead found Jax standing there with her reports.

He sighed to himself at the obvious tears in her eyes. "These are from Brian."

"Thank you. Come in." Julia sniffed back her tears. "This is a surprise, the boss making deliveries."

"You caught me." Jax gave her a small smile. "I wanted to see how you are."

Julia caught her breath. "Not great at this moment but I will manage." Her voice shook slightly. "Today is a lot more difficult than I thought it would be."

Jax put his arm around her. "I know it is for both of you. I'm sorry."

Julia nodded. "I didn't even know what to do about that and selfishness won out and I tried to call him this morning from Boston while it was still evening there but I could not get through. Then my battery went out and I did not have the extra one with me at the meetings. Now it is tomorrow morning there."

"I talked to him just before midnight Hong Kong time and he said he had tried you for two hours and the circuits were all jammed." Jax sighed heavily. "I'm sorry again."

"What luck we have." Julia swallowed the lump in her throat. "Do you think that means something?"

"No," Jax said as he shook his head. "You make your own way in this life and so-called fate and luck, whether good or bad, take a back seat to that."

"I hope so," Julia said in a deflated tone. "I don't feel very lucky."

Jax took Julia's hand. "Come home with me and stay with us tonight. Brenda and Jillian would be so happy to see you."

"I can't, but I love you for asking." Julia took a deep breath. "I need to do this, as hard as it may be at times, and I just have to hope Jerry understands and forgives me for it."

He took a sharp intake of air. "Okay, just know we are there whenever you need us."

"I do," Julia said as she hugged Jax. "Please tell Brenda that I'm okay. I know how worried she is but she has other things she needs to focus on now. I've told her that but I'm not sure it does any good."

Jax exhaled slowly. "She is very worried about you and many other things. We are going to the cottage on Friday morning for the long weekend to try to ease some of that stress."

"I'm glad and I'll be around the office to take care of things until you get back." She then patted Jax's hand. "Now, you should get home to be with Brenda and Jillian."

Jax kissed Julia good-bye. "Take care and remember we love you and we're here."

"I love you too." Julia managed a small smile. "Give my love to Brenda and Jillian. She opened the door for Jax. "Good night."

Julia leaned against the door as it closed behind her. She took a few deep breaths before walking into the living room again. Her heart ached as she sat down on the couch with the file Jax had brought from the office. As Julia went to open the file, she became aware of the song playing on the radio. It was the last verse but the words were still such vivid reminders.

Won't you give me forever to show
All the love I have for you, all the love I have for you baby
And if you give me my reason for living
To love you, I love you, I do
To love you, I love you, I do
To love you, I love you, I do

Julia's tears began again as she remembered the promises they each had made. She pulled the file against her and hugged it to her chest. Suddenly Julia did not know what forever meant. She did know what love meant and tonight, it hurt.

Friday, August 31, 2001
J & B Stables -- 11:00am

The jeep pulled up to the stables and Abby, Steve and Kayla walked over to meet Jax as he stepped out of the vehicle. Lady wagged her thick tail at the sight of the Williams family and their German shepherd, Duke. Steve then helped Jillian out of the back seat and then Lady jumped out to explore the lush green field. As Jax opened the passenger door for Brenda and assisted her from the seat, Abby smiled to herself at the sight of Brenda's new profile and the glowing smile on her face. It was such a wonderful sight to see again.

It had been two months since the Jackses last visit to the stables but Brenda had shared the news of the pregnancy with Abby earlier in the week. Once she had received the approval from Dr. Meadows to spend the Labor Day weekend in Spring Meadows, Brenda had called Abby to announce the news before arriving at the stables. At nineteen weeks now, there was no way to hide the pregnancy so Brenda had decided that it was better not to surprise anyone since Jillian would be present. Steve and Abby had been with J & B Stables since Jax and Brenda had purchased the stables a few months before Brenda's pregnancy with Jamie so Steve and Abby had been with Jax and Brenda through the good times and bad and were relieved that the good times seemed to be back now with such a flourish.

Kayla and Jillian took each other's hands and then immediately ran off to the adjacent field of wild flowers with Lady and Duke while the adults caught up with one another. Cyclone was in the training corral so Jax and Steve walked over to the fence to speak to McKenzie while she exercised the stallion. Meanwhile Abby hugged Brenda and then smiled brightly as she took a step away from Brenda and admired her new figure.

Abby laughed softly. "You're right, I would have noticed a few changes in your appearance."

"You're kidding?" Brenda joined in the laughter. "I went to bed one night last week with a small mound at my waist and woke up the next morning with a hill there. I'm waiting for the mountain to arrive."

"I remember those mornings with Kayla and Colleen." Abby said with a smile.

Brenda nodded. "I recall them as well but this time it was so much more noticeable."

"Twins will do that I understand." She and Brenda began walking toward the field where the girls were playing.

"I still can't believe it sometimes." Brenda sighed softly as she spoke to Abby. "I don't think it really has sunk in yet."

Abby's eyes widened. "I think that is to be expected. You would have had to pick me up off the floor with that news and Steve probably would still be unconscious."

Brenda looked down at her growing stomach. "Something tells me reality is going to be impossible to overlook soon when I am as big as a house. Make that two houses."

"I would not worry about that for a moment." Abby shook her head as she grinned. "Brenda, you look absolutely radiant and Steve and I could not be happier for all of you."

"Thank you." Brenda exhaled slowly. "It has been difficult at times but I feel a little less anxious most days."

She flashed Brenda a reassuring smile. "I'm so glad. And I hope this weekend helps ease that even more."

Brenda folded his arms against her chest. "That was Jax's main motivation for us coming up for this weekend."

"How long are you staying?" Abby watched Kayla and Jillian picking the wild flowers.

"Until Tuesday," Brenda responded as she waved to Jillian and Kayla. "This will be the last trip for me and Jillian starts school in two weeks."

"I can't believe it is that time already," Abby said as she shook her head slightly. "Has she started asking questions yet about your new look?"

"Yes," Brenda said with a roll of her eyes. "She asked me last night if I was hiding a balloon in my shirt. I am not sure if she was referring to my breasts or my stomach but Jax thought she was hysterical."

Abby laughed softly. "Why does that not surprise me?"

"I wanted to wait as long as we could before telling her but I guess time is up." A soft sigh fell from Brenda's lips. "Last night, Jax and I decided we would tell her this weekend when the time seems right."

Abby looked over at the stables. "Well, I think Midnight will be more than ready to allow Jillian a chance to see the newest addition to the menagerie here to give her some experience on the issue."

Brenda smiled. "Steve told me last night that she was about ready. I am crossing my fingers that we will be here. I think I am looking as forward to it as Jillian is."

"You should be. It took you almost six months to identify Midnight as a perfect bloodline to breed with Dream." Abby smiled as Steve and Jax approached them. "I know I can't wait to see this foal."

Steve raised his eyebrow as he neared the women. "I see Ms. Midnight is the topic of discussion."

Brenda nodded as Jax came behind her and put his hands on her shoulder. "That she is. How is she today?"

"Wants no part of me or Cal and is as irritated as a hornet's nest," Steve said with a shrug. "Abby and McKenzie are still welcome in her box."

A bright smile again appeared on Brenda's face. "Now I am sure she is about ready."

Abby nodded with a smirk. "Yes, indeed, at this point, all males are useless to her."

Brenda returned her grin. "And we sure know that feeling."

"We all do," Jax said as he kissed the top of Brenda's head.

Duke and Lady trotted by them with Jillian and Kayla following behind. Jillian looked up at Jax and Brenda. "I want to see Midnight and the box before I ride the pony."

Brenda took Jillian's hand. "We can go see her but do you remember what Daddy and I told you this morning?"

Jillian bobbed her head and put her finger to her lips. "I have to be real, real quiet and stay far away from her."

"That's right," Jax said as he winked her. "Midnight does not feel well right now and she needs quiet."

Jillian continued. "And Lady has to stay out of where the box is."

Brenda nodded. "Very good. The box has to be clean for the foal when it is born so it won't get sick."

"Can we go see her? I will tiptoe," Jillian said with a plea.

She tickled Jillian's chin. "We will go and Lady can stay with Duke." Brenda turned to Abby. "We will be back in a few minutes."

Abby nodded. "Kayla and I will go get Silhouette and Ebony so the girls can ride before lunch."

"Thanks." Jax then pointed at the dog. "Stay Lady. We will be back." Jax, Brenda and Jillian walked to the barn and Jax slowly approached Midnight while Brenda held Jillian in her arms just inside the barn door. The horse neighed deeply almost as if she were growling and then began to pace around, kicking the hay around the enclosed box.

"Someone is not very happy," Jax said as he observed the mare's irritated behavior.

Brenda cleared her throat. "Someone has been carrying around a foal for over eleven months now, would you be?"

Jax walked over and took Jillian from Brenda's arms. "I know just another thing we males can never fully understand."

"Exactly." Brenda squeezed his arm as she gingerly moved closer to Midnight. "How are you, girl?"

The mare neighed again but this one was much friendlier and sounded much more like the usually personable Midnight. Jax murmured to Brenda. "Just be careful."

Brenda leisurely walked around the box as she closely eyed the animal. She immediately noticed the shrinkage of muscles and enlargement of the Midnight's udder, obvious signs of the mare's impending foaling. She also observed the size of the mare's abdomen. They knew months ago that the foal was going to be large but even Brenda was surprised at just how large Midnight's swollen abdomen was. "It's okay, girl. It will all be over very soon."

Brenda tentatively extended a handful of fresh hay to the animal and Midnight slowly moved over to her and took it. Brenda gently rubbed the mare's head and then walked back to Jax and Jillian.

Jillian whispered loudly. "Mommy, her tummy is sooo big."

"Midnight is going to have a very big foal." Brenda whispered back to her. "It is going to be a very big filly or colt."

Jillian looked up at the lights which had been installed around the box. "She has lights hanging over her box."

Jax nodded. "Midnight has lights for when the foal comes so everyone can make sure she and the foal are okay."

"There's lots of hay and sand all over too," Jillian murmured as Jax held her.

"That's right -- so Midnight and her foal have a nice soft bed." Brenda smiled at Jillian's fascination of the scene.

Jillian then beamed brightly. "Just like baby Jesus in the hay."

Brenda was slightly taken aback, Jillian still amazed her at times. She quickly smiled and stroked Jillian's cheek. "Yes, just like baby Jesus in the manger."

"Good. Then Mommy and Daddy will be happy." Jillian sighed contentedly as she patted Jax's chest.

Azure met crystal blue as Jax's eyes met Jillian's. "Why will we be happy, princess?"

Jillian's eyes widened as if she were bewildered that Jax even had to ask. "Because Jamie and the other angels will be here." She sighed loudly. "Daddy, don't you remember the story and the angels with baby Jesus in the hay? You don't see the angels but they are there."

"I remember." Jax looked down at Brenda and then at Jillian. At that moment they both shared the same radiance in their faces, it was if one was the mirror of the other. He squeezed Brenda's shoulder with one hand and held Jillian with the other arm. "And you're right, all the angels will be here."

Brenda smiled broadly at Jax while Jillian hugged her arms around his neck. Jax looked over at Midnight and then back at Brenda and Jillian as he grinned to himself. In his heart at that moment, he knew that all the angels were already there.

J & J Jacks -- 8:45pm

Julia swiveled her chair and pulled a file from the drawer of the credenza behind her. The file joined the numerous other reports on her desk as she prepared to put the finishing touches on a proposal for the second phase of the Boston riverfront project. The office had been quiet for hours as everyone else had left to start the Labor Day weekend. Julia was taking advantage of the quiet to try to make up for all the time that she had seemed to lose this week. She had struggled all week with her concentration and motivation levels and that was something Julia had never before experienced. It was just another aspect of her life that now scared her.

Her professional life had never been a source of concern for Julia in the past. It had always been the one stable part of her life but now even that was in jeopardy. Julia found herself second guessing every decision she made and every thought she had. Her personal life was starting to carry over into her professional career as Julia's self doubts were infiltrating every aspect of her life now. As Julia had told Jerry before she had left the penthouse the week before, she felt as if she were not in control of any part of her life and that had to stop.

But it had not stopped, if anything the problem seemed more magnified now. The day of their anniversary had been pure torture and Julia was still aching from the memories of it. The experience had made Julia begin to realize that Jerry may have been right when he had accused her of trying to shut herself off to any emotion over the past few months. Julia had been unable to protect herself from the pain and anguish concerning the anniversary and Chinese water torture would have looked like a picnic in comparison to the torment she had suffered that day.

Julia looked over the data again and made some additional entries on her laptop. As difficult as it was to concentrate, it was better than the alternative of going to a quiet, empty loft. The three day weekend was going to be long enough as it was. She had spoken to Brenda briefly yesterday and Brenda had extended Julia the offer once again to join them for the weekend in Spring Meadows. She had appreciated the offer but had politely declined. Julia knew that the problems that she and Jerry were facing were one of Brenda's biggest worries now and that Jax had suggested the trip to the cottage to get Brenda away from the stress and worry.

Of course Brenda was not the only one who was worried. Jane had called Julia over the weekend to let her know that she and John were thinking about her and were there if she needed them. A part of her had expected Jane to be incensed but Jane had expressed none of those feelings. Jane's concern made Julia feel even more guilty and more bewildered. Just as Brenda had, Julia had come to love John and Jane as if they were her own parents and when Jane had told Julia that she and John hated the fact that two of their children were suffering, Julia had become so upset that she had to end the call. It was just another instance in the emotional roller coaster ride Julia's life had become.

Julia sighed as she looked out the window. Night had fallen over the city and she felt the familiar sense of loneliness setting in for the evening. The nights had become so long and so quiet. She knew that her productivity for the evening had reached its maximum so she shut off her laptop and closed the files on her desk. As she threw the reports in her briefcase, Julia murmured out loud about hopefully getting some work done over the weekend at the loft. The sound of the term, "the loft," still sounded foreign to Julia.

It had dawned on Julia earlier in the day that she always referred to the loft and spoke of it as simply "the loft". It was never described as home anymore. Two years before the loft had been home, and a happy one, but now it was merely a place in which she was living. The penthouse was home and Jerry was home but she had banished herself from both and Julia wondered if she would ever experience a feeling of home again. Would it even be possible after everything that had happened? Would she ever have the courage again to dream about home?

Julia quickly rose from her chair in an attempt to stop the echoing in her head of those thoughts. She grabbed the laptop and her briefcase and almost ran out of the office to escape her own reflections. She shut out the lights in her office suite and headed to the back entrance door. As Julia reached the back entrance, she heard footsteps in the hallway outside the door. She froze and listened again. There was silence but then Julia saw a shadow move outside the door. Julia felt her heart rapidly beating in her chest as she quietly set the briefcase and laptop on the floor.

At the sight of motion outside the door again, Julia turned to reach the phone to alert security downstairs. As she did, Julia heard the jiggling and turning of the doorknob. She quickly looked around to grab something to protect herself with and grabbed the metal security bar from the window which prevented it from being pushed open from the outside. Julia stepped behind the door just as it opened. As the door began to close, Julia raised the makeshift weapon over her head and then swung the metal pole forward.

He saw the pole coming at him from the side and grabbed it before it hit his shoulder. "Jesus Christ!"

Julia finally remembered to breath. "Jerry, you scared the hell out of me."

"You? I am the one that was almost decapitated here." Jerry put the security bar back in the window track.

She took another deep breath. "Why didn't you let me know it was you?"

Jerry sighed in exasperation. "How the hell was I supposed to even know you were here? There are no cars in the garage so I expected to find this place empty."

Julia shook her head in frustration "I had no idea you were even back in Port Charles today so I certainly was not expecting you to be coming through the door."

"Was I supposed to get your permission before I crossed the city limits?" His voice had a definite edge to it.

"That was not what I meant." Julia exhaled sharply. "I just didn't know you were back so I was surprised to hear someone coming in here."

"Fine." Jerry waved his hand in the air. "I'm back."

There was then an awkward silence between them. They each avoided the other's eyes and it suddenly felt as if there was an impenetrable wall between them. They were three feet apart from one another but they may as well have been on different continents. Such seemed to be the norm these days.

Finally Julia spoke. "How were the trade and tariff meetings? You look tired."

A deep sigh escaped from his lips. "The meetings were a success and thanks for your concern but it really is not necessary."

"Don't say that." Julia's jaw tightened. "I am concerned."

"You have a really strange way of showing it." His words were delivered in a sarcastic tone.

"I'm sorry, you're tired." She turned and picked up her briefcase. "This is obviously not the time for us to be discussing anything."

Jerry shook his head and laughed. "Good luck finding a time that is. I don't know what you want from me, Julia."

"I don't know either." Julia exhaled sharply. "And I don't know what I want from me and that's even a bigger problem." Her voice was filled with emotion as she continued. "But I know I don't want this."

"And you think I do?" The emotion in Jerry's voice matched that heard in Julia's words.

Julia shook her head. "I know you don't but this is what we are now. Do you know how much that scares me?"

Jerry sounded like a scared little boy when he responded to her. "It all terrifies me, Julia."

She felt a sob catch in her throat. "I love you. Do you know that it is killing me to see you go through this?"

"Then why are you doing it?" His words sounded as pained as the expression on his face.

Julia bit her bottom lip. "Because we'll destroy everything we've ever had if I don't."

"Julia, I just...." Jerry felt the anger building up inside him again and he was too tired to deal with it. "You're right, now is not the time to talk about this."

"Okay." Julia blinked back the tears which had formed in her eyes. I'm going to go now."

Jerry raked his fingers through his hair. "Your car is not here, how are you getting hom......back?"

Julia was well aware of the look on Jerry's face when the term "home" had almost slipped out. "Carlton will get me a cab. It is best this way."

"Sure it is." Jerry sighed in agitation.

She took a deep breath again as she picked up the laptop. "Good night."

"Good night." Jerry then watched her walk through the door.

Julia exhaled sharply at the sound of the door closing behind her. She leaned against the door and closed her eyes as the tears rolled down her cheeks. On the inside of the office, Jerry slumped against the door as the pain in his heart engulfed him. At that moment, both Jerry and Julia could only wonder whether love's trials would ever become love's triumphs for them again.

Monday, September 3, 2001
J & B Stables -- 12:00am

Brenda held onto both Jillian and Kayla's hands as they quietly entered the barn. Fortunately the night was mild and the lights in the barn made the area even warmer. Both girls were wide awake and were fighting to keep their excitement in check. They had been waiting all day to see the arrival of the foal and Midnight was now in the last stages of delivery. The mare was lying on her side in the center of the box and everyone was awaiting the first sign of the foal's front foot.

Midnight had been under watch for the past several hours so the girls had gone to bed at the Williams' house while Jax, Brenda and Abby took shifts sitting with the mare. When the mare had reached the final stage of labor, Brenda had gone up to the house to get Jillian and Kayla while Kenzie had stayed with a sleeping Colleen. Earlier in the evening, Steve had traveled to Saratoga Springs with Cyclone for a breeder's show so Jax and Brenda's visit to Spring Meadows was perfect timing for help with the mare.

Jax waved to Jillian and then walked over to Brenda and the girls. He picked up both girls and sat them on the wide ledge of the window so that they could have a better view of Midnight. Both Jillian and Kayla leaned forward to see the mare straining as another contraction hit. Jax put his finger to his lips to remind the girls to speak softly as to not disturb Midnight.

Kayla gasped softly and pointed. "Look, there it comes just like in the horse book."

"It looks like my big, white balloon," Jillian said as she gaped at the sight of the amnion.

Brenda patted Jillian's arm. "Remember that Mommy told you that is the special sac which kept the foal warm in Midnight's stomach."

Jillian nodded and then her mouth flew wide open as the right front foot of the foal appeared, piercing the membrane as it emerged. A minute later the left front foot appeared. Jax looked over at the girls and both were completely mesmerized by the events transpiring before them.

Brenda walked over to the box with Abby and they waited as the mare shifted at the start of a series of strong contractions. Midnight thrashed a bit and both women spoke to the mare in an attempt to calm her. After a few minutes, the foal's head began to appear, resting atop the front feet just as expected. Abby quickly brushed away the fragments of the membrane from the head to allow the foal to breathe freely.

Kayla whispered to Jax. "I see a big nose."

"Daddy look, there's a tongue." Jillian pointed again at the foal.

Jax then took a step closer to the box as the head was now fully present and the shoulders and chest of the foal were being delivered. They knew that the foal was going to be large but the chest on the animal was the biggest Jax had ever seen in a foal. "Look at the size of that chest."

Brenda suddenly felt deep sympathy pains for the agony that the mare was going through at the moment. "That foal has to weigh over a hundred and fifteen pounds."

Midnight began to shift again and Brenda and Abby both moved closer to the mare. Brenda knelt at the head level of the mare while Abby stayed close to Midnight's legs to prevent the horse from injuring herself. "It's okay, girl, you can do this."

Jillian tapped on Jax's arm. "Midnight just needs a little nap. She looks tired."

"Yes, she is very tired but Midnight will be as good as new soon," Jax whispered with a smile.

The mare rested for a few minutes and then the rest of the foal's lower body began to emerge. Once the foal's hind legs had been delivered, Midnight then shifted again. Brenda sighed in relief. "Look at the size of him."

Jax flashed Brenda a huge grin and then turned to the girls. "Well, ladies, you have a new colt to make friends with."

Kayla quietly clapped. "And another boy for Dream and Cyclone and Comet to play with."

"Yeah," Jillian uttered as she beamed. "Colts are boys and fleas are girls."

Jax chuckled softly. "Fillies are girls, princess."

Brenda stepped into the box to ensure that the colt was not in distress while Abby checked Midnight. After ensuring that all was under control at the moment, the women exchanged huge smiles and took a few steps away from the box. The mare then began to move to a sitting position.

Kayla's eyes were wide open. "She wants to sit up now."

Abby nodded at Kayla. "Yes, Midnight wants to see the foal, we all got to see him before she did."

Jillian bent forward to whisper to the mare. "Midnight, look at him, he is sooo pretty even with sand and dirt all over his fur."

"He's as black as Midnight and has that same mane as Dream." Brenda rubbed Jillian's back as she spoke. "He is beautiful, isn't he?

"That he is." Abby took a deep breath. "He is also the biggest colt I have ever seen in a thoroughbred."

"She certainly had her work cut out for her." Brenda involuntarily wrapped her arms around her stomach and grimaced slightly. "Poor thing. I am sure Dr. Bailey will have some stitching to do when he comes in the morning."

A look of slight uneasiness appeared on Jax's face. "Are you all right?"

Brenda nodded her head. "Sympathy pains." She then moaned slightly under her breath at the thought of the mare's experience.

Jax winked at Brenda and then wrapped his arms around her as they watched Midnight and her colt in the box. After some time, the colt began to make awkward movements to get to his feet. Jax lifted Jillian into his arms and Abby helped Kayla stand on the ledge to watch the activity.

"Daddy, he wants to get up." Jillian's voice was excited.

Jax nodded. "Yes, the colt wants to walk and he is also hungry so he needs to eat."

Kayla turned to Abby. "Can we help him walk?"

"No, we can't." Abby said with a slight shake of her head. "But he will do it on his own very, very soon."

After numerous attempts, the colt finally made it to his feet. He soon collapsed from his lack of balance but then quickly stood up again. The colt was now free of his mother as the umbilical cord had broken naturally from his active movements.

"Aaahhh," Jillian gasped. "He's standing all by himself."

Kayla giggled. "He looks like a weeble the way he wobbles."

The colt trembled as his front feet began to slide outward but he quickly regained his balance. He simply stood there for a few moments looking as if he were overwhelmed by his achievement. Midnight lifted her head again and looked at him. She then slowly rose to her own feet and stood beside the wobbling colt. Immediately, Midnight began nuzzling and licking the colt's head.

"Midnight is kissing the colt just like Tabby does with her kittens," Kayla said with a smile.

Jillian's face lit up like a candle. "She's giving him a bath."

Brenda took Jillian's hand. "She's his Mommy and she loves him."

The girls looked at the mare again and saw her lick off a clump of dirt from the colt's forehead. Once the dirt was gone, the patch of white fur on the colt's forehead was clearly visible.

"Look at the star," Jillian said as she pointed at the colt.

Kayla gasped softly. "Just like Black Beauty."

Brenda took a step toward the box and a huge grin appeared on her face again. The colt did indeed have a five pointed mark on his forehead very similar to a star. It was the same mark she remembered having seen on Mr. Majestic's head almost twenty years before. The colt shared the same striking mark as his great, great grandfather.

Jax spoke softly to Brenda as she turned around to face them all again. "It's the same mark, isn't it?"

"Yes." Brenda bit her bottom lip slightly. "I thought Dream looked like him but this colt even has the star." She sighed in sheer contentment. "He is going to have the heart of a champion."

Jax kissed Brenda on the forehead. "He already does."

The colt took his initial step and Kayla gasped. "He walked."

"He is so smart," Jillian said with a grin.

"Yes, smart and beautiful." Brenda looked over at the box and saw the colt making his first attempts to nurse from the mare. "Okay, girls, I think it is time for us to go and let Midnight and her colt have some time alone."

Abby nodded her head in agreement. "Yes, it is. Kayla, McKenzie is going to stay with you and Colleen tonight while Cal and I stay here to make sure Midnight and the colt are okay."

Kayla hugged Abby good night and then Brenda did the same. "Congratulations, we got through the first one."

Abby laughed softly. "Yes, and he is going to be something else I can feel it to."

Jax squeezed Abby's shoulder. "I'll be back first thing in the morning to relieve you but call if you need anything tonight."

Jillian waved good night to Abby and to Midnight and the colt. Jax and Brenda then took both girls out of the barn and they headed back to the house.

As they walked, Kayla rubbed her hands together. "What's his name gonna be?"

"We still have to decide about that." Brenda turned to Kayla and Jillian. "Do you girls have any ideas for us to think about?"

In unison the girls spoke. "Star." Kayla giggled. "It would match his head."

Brenda nodded. "It certainly would and it is a very good name."

"I have an idea," Jax piped in. "Since he looks so much like his great, great grandfather with that star, how about Majestic Star? You could call him Star for short."

"Perfect." Brenda smiled radiantly as she looked up at Jax. "You are so smart, Mr. Jacks."

"I try," Jax muttered as a smirk appeared on his lips.

They reached the house and gave McKenzie the good news. She was looking forward to having another champion stallion to train. They said good night to Kayla and Jax lifted Jillian into his arms as they headed to the car.

Jillian gasped and then spoke quickly to Jax as they approached the jeep. "Daddy, we forgot the balloons."

A curious look was displayed on Jax's face. "What, princess?"

"Balloons for Dream." She patted her hand on Jax's chest as she spoke. "He is a Daddy and we have to put them in his stall. Just like when Aunt Lucy and Uncle Kevin had Bryndie. But these have to be boy balloons since Star is a boy not a girl like Bryndie. Remember, Daddy?"

"I remember the balloons." Jax said as he fought to suppress his mirth. "We will do something for Dream tomorrow."

Brenda controlled her laughter. "Jillian, we will do that but right now we have to get to bed. It is very, very late. But tomorrow we will bring Dream something special, maybe some sugar or some big carrots."

Jillian yawned as Jax fastened the seat belt around her. "Okay, tomorrow."

Jax and Brenda got into the jeep and they headed back to the cottage. Jillian was quickly succumbing to her weariness and Brenda whispered to her. "Go to sleep, sweetheart. We will talk about seeing Dream tomorrow."

"Okay, Mommy." She sighed softly. "Now I have to remember to ask God to bless Star too in my prayers." Jillian's eyelids closed and she murmured as she began to drift off to sleep. "Then Jamie can take care of Star too."

Brenda immediately turned her head toward the back seat but Jillian was already asleep. Asleep with an expression on her face that would have fit any description ever given for an angel. The smile on Jillian's lips and peace on her face were the epitome of those worn by a cherub.

Jax reached for her hand. "She said he'd be here and she was right. Didn't you feel him?"

"I did." Her words came out in an emotional whisper. "I just didn't realize how much she did until this very moment."

"Then tonight was even more incredible than we could have imagined." Jax smiled as he spoke. "And I know that the miracles are just beginning."

Brenda took another look at a peacefully sleeping Jillian and then leaned her head against Jax's shoulder. The stars glimmered in the sky as the jeep wound its way to the warm, cozy cottage nestled in the woods. At that moment, the private retreat could easily have been heaven on earth.

The Cottage -- 3:15pm

Jax swayed back and forth in the porch swing as he enjoyed the perfect weather on this late summer afternoon. All the windows of the cottage had been opened and the gentle breeze was softly billowing the curtains. He looked at his watch and figured that Brenda would be back from the stables soon and then noted that it was about time for Jillian to awake from her nap. Jillian's bedroom window was on the front of the cottage one level over Jax's head and he knew that Lady would alert him when Jillian stirred. Lady had become a better signal than any child monitor they had ever had.

Jax yawned and outstretched his arms, it had been a long day already. While Brenda and Jillian had slept in from the late night, Jax had risen before dawn and left the cottage to relieve Abby and Cal from the night shift. Later in the morning, Brenda and Jillian had joined Jax just as Dr. Bailey had arrived for his examination of both Midnight and Star. After he had assisted the veterinarian with his services, Jax had returned to the cottage with Jillian for her nap. Brenda had stayed at the stables to handle some administrative matters with McKenzie for the next month of competitions.

The foal had tipped the scales at a very healthy one hundred eighteen pounds and had passed his first examination with flying colors. As had been expected due to the size of the colt and the difficulty of the foaling, Midnight had required some stitches and antibiotic injections. The mare had become very agitated at the presence of Dr. Bailey and very protective of the colt. Brenda and McKenzie had tried to calm Midnight down but the mare was anxious and distressed. Finally Brenda had asked Jax to hold Star in front of Midnight while Dr. Bailey performed the procedure. From outside the barn window, Jillian and Kayla were wide-eyed at seeing Jax lift Star into his arms. The sight of the colt before her eyes had immediately seemed to pacify the mare and she calmed down. Thereafter, Dr. Bailey had quickly completed his work and Midnight was able to return to her motherly watch over her newborn.

Now as the breeze rustled through the trees, Jax caught sight of a doe carefully watching her fawn as it was feeding in an open clearing a few hundred feet from the driveway. It reminded him again of the scene this morning with Midnight's agitation about not being able to have her foal in her sight. Brenda had been so certain that all the mare needed was to see her foal. When Jax had brought the foal to Midnight, the mare had immediately stopped thrashing and bucking. Brenda had been right, a mother could never truly rest if she thought her young was being taken away.

Jax could not help but grin as he thought about the beam on Brenda's face when Midnight had become soothed at the sight of her foal. Brenda had worn the same smile almost the entire four days since they had arrived in Spring Meadows. She seemed at peace and more relaxed than she had been in months. Her tranquillity had even filtered into her sleep as Brenda had awakened yesterday morning knowing she had dreamt about the twins. She could only remember a few flashes but Brenda's eyes had rimmed with tears at the mere realization that there had been a dream to forget. Seeing Brenda in such a serene state had generated the same spirits in Jax. The cottage was their retreat and it was just what both of them had needed.

The sound of Lady's playful bark then echoed through the open window overhead. Jax chuckled to himself at the sound of Jillian's voice. "Lady, time to get up now and have my dessert. Me and Mommy made them with orange juice this morning." He went inside and met Jillian carrying her tennis shoes from the bathroom. Jax lifted her into his arms and carried her downstairs into the kitchen where Jillian put on her shoes while Jax took her dessert from the freezer.

With Jax following behind her, Jillian walked onto the wide wrap-around porch as she tightly held onto the plastic cup Jax had just given her. Slushsicles had become Jillian's favorite summer treat and Brenda had promised that Jillian could have one after her nap. Jax sat down on the porch swing and then steadied it before lifting Jillian into the space beside him. Lady had also followed them out of the cottage and trotted down the steps to go explore.

"Did Mommy come home yet from the horses?" Jillian dipped her spoon into the orange slushsicle and scraped away some of the ice from the center of the cup.

"Not yet, but she will be back in just a few minutes," Jax said as he fingered Jillian's curls.

She looked up at Jax. "Mommy has to make sure Midnight and Star are all better after their shots."

Jax nodded. "Yes, Mommy will do that."

Jillian brought the spoon to her mouth and smacked her lips together as she tasted the cold treat. "Uuhhmm."

Jax chuckled to himself. "Is your slushy just how you like it?"

Jillian put her hand to her mouth as she giggled. "It's not toooo hot."

He continued along with the game which had become their custom. "It's not toooo cold."

In unison they spoke. "It's juuussst right."

"Just like the baby bear's porridge in The Three Bears," Jillian replied as she began giggling again. "Mommy thinks we are sooo silly when we say that."

Jax laughed and then looked up at the sound of the tires driving over the gravel in the driveway. "Well, look who is here to tell us that we are silly."

"Mommy!" Jillian waved her spoon at the car. "Here we are."

Lady wagged her tail as Brenda got out of the car and waved back to Jillian. "I see you. Hello."

Jax stood up as Brenda reached the steps to the porch with Lady following behind her. "Hi sweetie."

"Hi honey." Brenda kissed him and then leaned over and kissed Jillian on the cheek. "How was your nap, sweetheart?"

Jillian smiled as she responded. "Good. Lady was sooo tired she was breathing sooo loud just like Grandpa when he snores."

Jax shook his head as he laughed. "Jillian, nothing is that loud. Grandpa sounds like a chain saw."

"Ha, ha Daddy," Brenda said as she petted Lady's head.

Jillian put another spoonful in her mouth. "Are Midnight and Star all better?"

"Yes, they are and now Star is spending time with her Mommy." Brenda squeezed in between Jillian and the side of the swing. "Okay, all in."

"I'll sit in your lap Mommy and we'll all swing." Jillian crawled onto Brenda's lap which was now almost non-existent. "Mommy, I'm sliding off. Where is your lap?"

Jax covered his mouth to hide his laughter as Brenda took a deep breath and smiled at him. She tightened her grip on Jillian and then nodded at Jax. "Jillian, why don't you sit on Daddy's lap and we'll put your slushy down for a few minutes. Mommy and Daddy want to talk to you."

"Come here, princess." Jax reached out his arms to Jillian while Brenda put the slushsicle on the table beside the swing.

Jillian crawled into Jax's lap. "I'm not sliding now, Daddy."

"I'm glad, Jillian." He smiled at Jillian and then took Brenda's hand in his.

Brenda squeezed Jax's hand for strength. "Jillian, Mommy and Daddy have something to tell you and it's very important."

"What, Mommy?" Jillian gave her a wide-eyed expression.

Brenda took a deep breath. "Jillian, Mommy's tummy is getting bigger because there are babies sleeping inside it. You are going to be a big sister."

Jillian's mouth formed an "O" as she looked up at Brenda. "Like Midnight had Star inside her tummy?"

"Yes, just like that," Brenda said with a nod.

Jillian continued. "And like Aunt Lucy when Bryndie was in her tummy?"

Jax stroked Jillian's cheek. "Yes, Jillian. It is just like Aunt Lucy except for one thing, Mommy has two babies in her tummy."

Her voice shook with excitement. "Mommy has two babies?"

Jillian's enthusiasm was contagious and Brenda brightly smiled at her. "Yes, two babies. Twins."

"Just like Flopsy and Mopsy in Peter Rabbit." Jillian clapped her hands together.

Jax chuckled. "Yes, you could say that, Jillian."

Jillian clapped again and looked down at Lady who was lying in the center of the porch. "Lady, Mommy's gonna have two new babies."

Jax rubbed Jillian's back. "Are you happy, princess?"

"Oh, yes, Daddy." Jillian said as she bobbed her head up and down. She then climbed halfway onto Brenda's lap. "Open your mouth, Mommy. I want to see the babies in your tummy."

Brenda laughed. "Sorry, sweetheart, but you can't see the babies until they are born in the hospital."

"Let's go to the hospital right now, Daddy can take us." Jillian went to scoot off the swing.

Brenda grabbed her. "Jillian, the babies can't be born until they grow big and strong so we still have a long time before Mommy goes to the hospital. We have to wait."

Jillian groaned. "When can we go to hospital?"

"In almost five more months." Jax flashed Jillian a big grin. "But we get to have your first day of school and your birthday and Halloween and Thanksgiving and Christmas and some snow before then to help make it not seem so long."

She sighed loudly. "That is sooo long."

"I know." Brenda lifted Jillian's chin. "But remember Mommy and Daddy told you that Galaxy won't have her foal until the spring when the snow is all melted and that is even longer to wait."

Jax winked at Jillian. "Until then, you can talk to the babies and help Mommy when she is tired."

Jillian smiled again. "I want to talk to them now." She leaned over and spoke to Brenda's stomach. "Are you awake? It's Jillian and I'm this many old." Jillian held up three fingers. "But I'm gonna be this many on my birthday and it's coming." She then held up four fingers. "Lady is here too. She's a dog and sooo soft and she likes to chase the rabbits."

A radiant smile brightened Brenda's face. "They heard you and they are so lucky to be getting a big sister like you."

Jillian looked over at the slushsicle on the table and an idea dawned on her. She reached over and picked up the cup and took a heaping spoonful. "Mommy, open your mouth. Here is some slushy for the babies. Orange juice will make them grow real fast just like me and Daddy."

Brenda opened her mouth and Jillian fed her a few spoonfuls of the cool treat. "Thank you Jillian. The babies will love it." She then took Jillian's hand and placed it on her protruding stomach. "The babies are in here and they are growing bigger every day."

Jillian squealed with delight as she turned to Jax. "I touched them, Daddy."

Jax nodded and then kissed Jillian and Brenda on the cheeks. "I know you did, princess."

She sighed heavily again and leaned her head against Brenda's chest. Jillian beamed as she put her hand on Brenda's stomach again. "Hurry up and grow real fast then you can be home with us."

Brenda whispered out loud. "Home with us." She placed her left hand over Jillian's as it rested on her stomach. "We'll all wish for that, sweetheart."

"We all will." With a huge beam on his face, Jax scooted closer to Brenda and Jillian and took them in his arms. He placed his hand on Brenda's stomach covering her hand as it covered Jillian's. "And they'll be home with us."

Brenda snuggled closer to Jax as they relished the intimacy of the moment. Love had triumphed over every trial and heaven had once again found a home on this earth.

SONG CREDITS: "Give Me Forever" by John Tesh and James Ingram