Saturday, February 2, 2002
The Jacks Residence -- 9:30am

The sun was beaming down on the remnants of the snowfall from earlier in the week. The snow seemed to glisten brilliantly in the sunshine and for the first time all week, the sky was crystal blue and there seemed to be joy in the air. Until now, it had been a week of everything but that.

Over the previous weekend, Jessica had been much more cranky and unhappy than usual. Brenda had been convinced that something was wrong as Jessica was just not herself. On Monday, she was worse and Jax and Brenda took the baby to see Simone. Simone sensed Jessica's lethargy and asked Brenda to keep a careful watch on her and to bring the baby back the next day to be examined again. On Tuesday, her appetite and lethargy were worse and Jessica had spiked a fever and by that afternoon, Simone had admitted her to General Hospital for tests and careful observation.

Two days of tests, IVs, and careful monitoring ruled out an infection and Jessica had finally begun to perk up. Her fever had broken after twenty-four hours and when there had been no recurrence after two days and a return of Jessica's appetite, Simone had released her yesterday afternoon. Jessica's illness had been diagnosed as a virus and Simone was going to see her again on Monday to ensure that the baby had continued to improve. It had been a very rough few days for both Jax and Brenda. Brenda had only left Jessica for a few hours each day to feed and spend some time with Jonathan and Jillian and Jax had stayed with Jessica during those times. Julia had come to the house to stay with Jillian and Lois had taken Jonathan home to care for him while Jessica was in the hospital. The emotions of the difficult time waged war on everyone, especially Brenda, who battled fears of having her life pulled out from underneath her feet again. Even with Jessica safely at home now in her own bassinet next to her brother, Brenda still had to remind herself to breathe at times.

Jax wondered how often Brenda had needed to remind herself of that over the past several minutes. To help everyone settle back into a routine this first day home from the hospital, Lila had invited Brooke and Jillian for breakfast. Jax had gotten Jillian ready to go while Brenda had fed Jessica and Jonathan. Reginald had then picked up Jillian a half hour ago and Jax had hoped that Brenda would get some sleep while he took a shower and the twins were sleeping. Jax would have skipped the shower to ensure that Brenda had gotten some rest but he was in need of the icy cold water this morning. He was beginning to think that he was the sex-crazed stallion that Brenda had often jokingly referred to him as. Even amidst the emotional upheaval of the past several days, his body still only needed the mere feel of her skin to react. Holding Brenda in his arms all night as she tossed and turned against him had been heaven and hell at the same time. Just when he thought he had survived, matters were made worse this morning as Jax had come back into the bedroom as Brenda cradled Jonathan at her breast to nurse. He had immediately turned around and walked down the hallway before he had started drooling right there. These past several months had been the coldest and longest winter of his life.

The icy shower had provided at least a temporary reprieve for the loss of his sanity. Now, he silently stood just inside the bathroom door and watched Brenda sitting on the bed leaning over Jessica's bassinet. At that sight, Jax knew that there had been no rest for Brenda, not physically or emotionally.

Jax dried his wet hair with a towel as he quietly padded across the bedroom in his bare feet. He hung the towel over his shoulders as he sat down on the bed beside Brenda. "You couldn't get any rest I see," Jax whispered to Brenda as he stroked her hair.

"No." Brenda sniffed back the tears that were still just below the surface from the past several anguishing days. "I don't want to close my eyes and not be able to see her."

"It's okay, baby." Jax wrapped his arms her and gently rocked Brenda in his arms. "We're all going to be all right."

Brenda buried her head into his chest. "I'm sorry but I'm scared."

Jax kissed Brenda's forehead. "Of course you are, that's our little pumpkin in that cradle." Jax tilted Brenda's face up so that she was looking at him. "But she IS going to be all right."

She turned her head toward the bassinet and gazed at their soundly sleeping little angel. "She's so little, like one of Jillian's porcelain dolls."

"But she has those Barrett and Jacks genes in her," Jax responded as his hand massaged the back of Brenda's neck. "You know how stubborn and determined that makes her."

A small smile curled up in the corner of Brenda's mouth. "You forgot crazy."

Jax flashed her a lopsided grin. "That goes without saying."

"Well, she is eating better and at least seems soundly sleeping finally," Brenda murmured in a slightly trembling voice.

"Jessica's had a rough several days and she needs to rest." Jax caressed Brenda's cheek. "So does her mother."

Brenda sighed deeply. "Jax, I just don't know..."

"Sweetie, you need it." Jax fluffed the pillows and then motioned for Brenda to lie down. "I'll rub your back so you can relax and Jessica is right here."

"Jonathan," Brenda mumbled as her eyelids fought to stay open.

Jax gently massaged her shoulders. "He's right outside the door in his bassinet but I'll move it in here so that you'll have them both right beside you."

"Thank you," Brenda nodded her head against the pillow. "Lila will take care of Jillian for us."

"Yes, she will," Jax murmured into Brenda's ear. "Now you get some sleep and have sweet dreams."

Brenda turned her head to look up at him. "Come lie down with me and get some sleep too."

Jax leaned down and kissed the side of her face and then got up from the bed and walked into the living room area of the suite. Jonathan was still sleeping soundly as Jax quietly wheeled the bassinet into the bedroom. He placed the bassinet next to Jessica's and Brenda's eyes fluttered open. She smiled and mouthed a "thank you" to him and then held her hand out to motion him to come to bed.

Jax took off his robe and draped it over the chair as he got into bed wearing only a pair of black silk boxers. His body immediately spooned Brenda's and Jax wrapped his arms tightly around her waist. Brenda eased closer to him as she covered his hands with hers and murmured to him. "I love you."

"I love you too, baby." Jax nuzzled his cheek against her ear. "Dream Madrid."

Sleep overtook Brenda as one final whisper fell from her lips. "Dream Madrid."

The rising sun streamed through the skylight in the master bath as Brenda shifted against her pillow. Her eyes fluttered open and she tried to focus on the clock beside the bed. She was in a fog still but she did realize that it was after 11am and that the twins had actually allowed them to get more than an hour's nap. Brenda moved slightly and then immediately felt Jax's arms tighten around her waist. She turned her head around to see that Jax was still soundly sleeping. A bright smile covered Brenda's face at the thought that even in a deep slumber, Jax had reached for her and needed her to be close to him.

As she studied his features, Brenda wondered if there had ever been a more beautiful man put on this earth. She loved him so much and as each week went by, she was realizing just how little private time together they had shared over the past several months. She missed it. She missed him. As Lois would say, "the good old sex drive is back, alive and kicking." That wasn't it, well that wasn't all of it. The vivid dream she had awakened to over the weekend before Jessica had become very sick put a stop to Brenda's ability to deny anything about the return of the good old sex drive.

Brenda could feel the steady beating of Jax's heart and she closed her eyes for a moment to relish in the beauty of it. When she opened her eyes again, she could not help but to touch his face and her finger gently caressed his cheek and then trailed down his jawline. His lips looked so soft and full and inviting and Brenda felt the stirrings deep within her soul of the need to have those lips roam over every inch of her. Brenda buried her head into the pillow and muttered, "Yes, the good old sex drive is alive and kicking." She then groaned as she wondered which year it would be before something could be done about it.

She lifted her head and peaked at the bassinets again and found both babies still peacefully sleeping. Brenda then felt Jax's lips nuzzling her neck. He tightened his arms around Brenda again and whispered to her. "Did you get any sleep?"

"Yes," she murmured in response. "I just woke up a few minutes ago."

Jax shook his head as he looked at the clock. "Well this is a feat, having both of them asleep for more than fifteen minutes." He smiled at Brenda. "When do you think that will ever happen again?"

"July 4th possibly, if we are lucky ." Brenda sighed as she touched Jax's cheek. "They'll sleep through fireworks and the celebration but through nothing else."

"Speaking of celebrations," Jax remarked, "I don't want you to wear yourself out about next weekend. We can postpone it or at least scale back the plans."

Brenda put her finger to Jax's lips. "It's okay, honey. I want to do this. I'll use it to get my bearings back and Julia took care of some of the arrangements for me before she left for London yesterday." Her eyes gleamed with love as she looked at Jax. "I want everyone to celebrate with those two angels over there and Jillian is looking forward to what she somehow believes will be a public swim in the baptismal font for the twins."

"If you're sure," Jax said as he kissed Brenda's fingers. "We can always do it later in the month when things are less hectic. We have to take Jess back to see Simone and then you have your own 6 week follow-up appointment with Lynn this week."

"Jax, I'm not sure things will be less hectic for years," she retorted with a wink. "Besides, Thao told us on the phone last week that he is ready to take on his godparent duties as are Robin, Lois and Ned. Gloria and Carmine will be here and Augustin and Serafina are between tours that weekend. Except for Paola and the Contessa, everyone can be here so let's just keep the plans as they are for right now, pending what Simone says on Monday about Jessica."

Jax tucked a strand of Brenda's hair behind her ear. "You're amazing, do you know that?"

"It's easier when you've spent the past several years with such an amazing man." Brenda stroked the muscles of Jax's upper arm. "Remind me to thank Jane and John again when they arrive this week from Brisbane." She let out a jagged breath as she continued. "I was not exactly coherent in speaking to them over the past few days."

"Brenda, Mum was most upset that she was too far away to be here for us." Jax put his arm around her again. "She wanted to be able to help you."

"She did," Brenda replied with a nod. "She always makes me feel better. It's just something else Jane has in common with her son."

A devilish grin appeared on Jax's face. "So that's it, Jerry has been over here making you FEEL better? I'm going to have to kill him now."

"Stop it," Brenda warned as she hit Jax with a pillow. "And no one had better be making you FEEL better either."

"So this is how it goes?" Jax choked back his laughter as he continued to tease her. "You're always teaching Jillian that she needs to share but you don't heed your own advice. Talk about being fickle."

"You want fickle," Brenda spoke in a hushed whisper as to not wake up the twins. "Here is fickle." She then swatted him across the face with the pillow.

Jax grabbed the pillow from Brenda and then pinned her underneath him. "That's enough of that. You've been very naughty."

A soft moan came from deep within her throat. "Haven't I?" She sexily lifted her eyebrow. "I know how much you enjoy that."

"Yes," Jax replied with a shaky voice. "More than you'll ever know."

Brenda felt the warmth flooding her cheeks as well as certain other parts of her body. "I should get dressed before the twins get up."

"Jillian will be here any second as well." Jax murmured to her but neither of them made any effort to move from the clinch they were enjoying.

The clock in the downstairs foyer then chimed for the noon hour just as Reginald rung the doorbell to bring Jillian back from her morning with Lila. Corrine answered the door and helped her off with her coat before Jillian scampered upstairs to find Jax and Brenda. At the sound of Jillian's approaching footsteps in the hallway, in tandem Jax and Brenda muttered out loud. "Thank heavens."

Jillian came to the door and Brenda waved her inside. As Jax put on his robe, he motioned for her to be quiet since the babies were asleep. She climbed onto the bed and hugged Brenda. "Mommy, we had big waffles with strawberries and whipped cream all over 'em."

"That sounds so yummy." Brenda brushed back the curls from Jillian's forehead. "Did you remember to thank Grandma Lila?"

Jillian bobbed her head up and down as she put her hand in the pocket of her blue corduroy jumper. "Yes, and for the peppermints too." She pulled out six peppermints. "I got some for you and Daddy too but not for the babies since they can't eat candy. They don't get a present this time."

Jax exchanged a look with Brenda and then helped Jillian sit between them on the bed. "I know the babies have been getting a lot of presents just like you did when you were born."

"For your christening too," Brenda reminded her. "Your pretty angel night light and music box in your bedroom were from Grandma Gloria and Grandpop Carmine."

Jillian smiled. "I like the night light, it's pink."

"Yes, it is," Brenda patted Jillian's hand. "Now it is the twins time to have their christening so there will be more presents coming for them."

"When do I get presents?" A soft sigh fell from Jillian's lips as she asked.

Jax's mouth unconsciously curved up into a smile. "Well, you still have a long time for your birthday and even longer for Christmas but Easter is not that far away."

Jillian exhaled in relief. "That's good. I like presents."

Brenda laughed softly as she kissed her. "So does Mommy but we'll just have to wait until it is our turn to get presents. Now it is Jessica's and Jonathan's turn."

"Okay," Jillian said with a less than an enthusiastic bob of her head.

"Princess, I have an idea. Come over here and tell me if you like it." Jax pulled Jillian onto his lap and whispered into her ear.

A radiant beam crossed Jillian's face as she listened to Jax. "Oh Daddy, I wanna go."

Jax nodded. "Why don't you go ask Mommy if she thinks it is a good idea."

Jillian climbed over to Brenda. "It's a secret so I'll whisper it." She then excitedly murmured to Brenda.

"Sweetie, I think you and Daddy have a great idea." Brenda flashed Jillian a big smile. Jessica and Jonathan would love to have a special present from their big sister."

"Daddy, Jessica and Jonathan will like it," Jillian said as she moved back to Jax. "We can to the store and I can buy presents."

Jax tweaked Jillian's nose. "If Mommy doesn't need us, we'll go to the store this afternoon after your nap."

Jillian clapped her hands. "The babies are gonna be surprised."

The sound of Jessica's shrill cry interrupted the quiet of the room. Brenda scooted off the bed and picked up the baby. "What is it, pumpkin?"

Jessica's cries continued as Brenda kissed both of her cheeks. Jax rubbed the baby's back. "Jess, Mommy has you now."

"Daddy and Mommy are here." Brenda rocked Jessica in her arms. "It's all right, sweetheart. You were just scared and lonely."

"It's okay, baby." Jillian stroked Jessica's arm. "Don't cry."

Jonathan began to fuss at the commotion and Jax leaned down and lifted him from the bassinet. "Hey there, peanut."

Brenda cradled Jessica against her cheek. "Look, Jess, there's Jonathan. We're all here now."

"It's not scary, Jessica," Jillian softly spoke as she caressed the skin under the baby's chin. "We're home."

Jax winked at Jillian as he sat down on the bed next to Brenda. "Yes, we're home, princess, and we're all going to be okay."

Brenda leaned her head against Jax's shoulder and whispered to him. "We're all going to be okay."

The Jacks Residence -- 4:45pm

At the sound of the doorbell, Brenda warned Lady to be quiet as they sat in the den. The dog trotted out of the room to investigate as Brenda placed Jessica on her shoulder to burp her. Brenda massaged the baby's back as Corrine greeted Jerry at the front door. A few moments later Jerry walked into the den with Lady following behind him.

Jerry spoke in a low voice at the sight of Jessica on Brenda's shoulder. "Hey there."

"Hello," Brenda responded with a smile. She lifted Jessica from her shoulder. "Jess, look who's here. Uncle Jerry came to see you."

A chuckle fell from Jerry's lips as Jessica stretched and yawned. "A real thrill, isn't it, kid?"

"Sorry," Brenda said as she checked Jessica's bottle. "She was not very happy to be awakened for her bottle but Simone says we need to fatten this one up."

Jerry looked down at Jonathan as the baby slept in the bassinet on the other side of the room. "Her brother could teach her a few things about eating, you should be calling him moose."

Brenda laughed softly. "Yes, Simone was very happy with the results of Jonathan's appetite at his check-up last week. He would eat twenty hours a day if I would let him."

Jerry rolled his eyes. "I can see it a few years from now, Jonathan and his father fighting over plates of food."

"Of course," Brenda replied with a nod of her head. "You know the Jacks men, always in competition about something."

"What a picture. He will be just another opponent for Jasper to be bested by yet again." Jerry sat down on the chair next to the sofa. "Speaking of the lowly one, where is he?"

Brenda glared at Jerry. "I don't know about any lowly ones but Jax took Jillian shopping."

"Shopping?" Jerry snickered loudly. "Buying bonbons for the munchkin now?"

"You are in some mood this evening." Brenda smugly smiled as she shifted Jessica in her arms. "Would that by chance have anything to do with a certain blonde being in London now?"

Jerry sighed deeply as Brenda continued to question him. "A certain blue-eyed blonde with legs that look as though they could stretch for miles?"

"You think you are so smart." Jerry turned his attention to Jessica whose eyes had fluttered open once again. "I beg you not to take after that mother of yours."

Brenda chewed on the bottom of her lip to control her mirth. "I just call them like I see them and you are such an easy read, Jeremiah Jacks."

"That's enough from you, sheila." Jerry lifted his eyebrow as he spoke to Brenda. "Get back to Jasper and that other chatterbox that has the misfortune to look like you."

Brenda smiled to herself at the sight of the expression on Jerry's face. "Since Jillian is still having a difficult time about all the gifts that the twins are getting, Jax suggested that they go to the store so that Jillian could buy her own gifts for Jonathan and Jessica."

Now it was Jerry's time to laugh. "As if that will work," Jerry muttered. "She'll still want the gifts to be for her, this is Roo we are talking about, not some model child."

"Hush," Brenda swatted Jerry's arm. "If it brings a few days of peace, it will be worth it, especially with the christening next weekend and more gifts on their way."

Jerry continued to chuckle. "I can just see the rugrat now, she'll be taking those bestowed gifts back for herself before the week is out."

Brenda shook her head. "Stop trying to pass off your own antics on your goddaughter. Jane already told us all about the koala that you gave to give Jax before it somehow just mysteriously disappeared three days later."

"That blasted woman," Jerry uttered with a loud exhale. "Is nothing sacred anymore?"

A huge grin covered Brenda's face. "To a mother, NO." She reached out and patted Jerry's hand as she spoke through her giggles. "Is the little koala still under your bed? Jax told me all about him."

"You are evil, do you know that?" Jerry folded his arms against his chest. "You and that little brother of mine deserve each other."

"Thank you for the compliment." Brenda brushed away the tear which rimmed her eye as she laughed. She then took a deep breath and touched Jerry's arm. "And thank you for making me laugh, there hasn't been much of that lately."

Jerry squeezed Brenda's hand. "I know you've all had a bloody rough time of it over the last few days but that joey is going to be boxing the ears of that moose brother of hers before you know it."

"I know that but it's been a long five days. It's been a long month actually." Brenda looked down at Jessica who was now soundly sleeping in her arms. "And she's still so little, she looks so fragile to me right now."

"So she'll be dainty and small like her mother," Jerry said with a shrug. "Certain Jacks men I know think those characteristics are quite enchanting and rather adorable."

Brenda batted her eyes at Jerry's teasing. "It's a wonder I haven't scared everyone away over the past few weeks, especially the Jacks men."

Jerry waved his hand as he shook his head. "I see this postpartum condition is still messing with your mind. That big oaf of a brother of mine is so ga-ga over you now it is beyond pathetic." He groaned in mock disgust. "If I hear him tell one more person how incredible you are, I'm going to lose my lunch."

"Thank you," Brenda murmured as she bit her bottom lip. "Some days these hormones just make me crazy and I'm convinced that any other woman in this world would make a better wife for Jax now." She exhaled sharply at the look on Jerry's face. "I know, Jax tells me I am nuts too."

"Completely," Jerry responded in agreement. "Are you more of a pecan or a macadamia nut?"

Brenda shook her finger at Jerry. "Now you know all about my obsession with cashews, I would have to be a honey roasted one since I am so sweet."

"My brother really did marry a lunatic," Jerry replied with a snicker.

"Exactly, which is why you and I get along so well together." She flashed Jerry a smile and cleared her throat. "That is quite enough about me, tell me about you."

Jerry attempted to dodge the real motivation behind the question. "Nothing special, just getting ready to collect my winnings tomorrow from Jasper when I mop the floor with him in the racquet ball tournament."

Brenda smirked at him. "I am not talking about racquet ball and you know it." Her voice took on a more serious tone. "How are you doing, really?"

"I don't know." Jerry looked directly at Brenda. "How's that for an answer?"

"It's an honest one." An extended sigh escaped from her lips. "I have an idea about how hard this is and I'm so sorry about that but in the end, you will be thankful for it."

"Sometimes I am not so sure about that." He rose to his feet and began pacing in front of the couch. "Sometimes I don't even believe that it is me sitting in there in those sessions with Melanie. I don't even recognize my own voice."

Brenda nodded her head. "I was so afraid of what was going to come out of my mouth at times. I thought I had lost control of everything." She met Jerry's eyes. "In reality though, it will be the complete opposite. After everything is out, you will finally have control."

Jerry took a sharp intake of air. "You and Melanie could do infomercials together."

"You'll see, Jerry," Brenda answered with a smile. "It will just take some time."

"Patience, my strongest trait," he said glibly. Jerry then spoke again as he looked out into the darkness of the evening. "But I do have to admit that I see a difference in Julia now. She's not the same person she was before her sessions started with Melanie three months ago."

Brenda moved Jessica to her shoulder. "Does that worry you at all?"

"Shouldn't it?" He paused a moment before continuing to speak into the shadows of the night. "Are we even going to be the same people after all of this?"

Brenda moistened her lips. "Do you ever consider that you'll be better people, better for yourselves and for each other?"

Jerry rested his hand against the glass of the french door. "Sometimes I don't know what to think except that Julia is not the same woman she was when we started."

"No, she's not. Neither are you though. I can clearly see the changes in you, Jerry." Brenda continued in a soft tone. "So can Jax. You're not trying to close yourself off like you had been doing. That brick wall is coming down again."

Jerry turned around to face Brenda again. "Are you two studying Dr. Freud on the side now?"

"No," Brenda replied with a shake of her head. "But we do love you and we just want you to be happy."

"Happy?" Jerry threaded his fingers through his hair. "That is quite a concept to consider these days."

Brenda sighed softly. "That doesn't mean it can't happen if you work hard enough for it, if you both do. You love each other, that's quite a start."

His voice was barely above a whisper. "Is it? Sometimes I have to wonder."

"It is," Brenda murmured in return. "I'm as sure of that as I am that you're the best thing that ever happened to my sister and that she's the best thing that ever happened to you. In my heart of hearts, I know that will get you through this together."

Jerry's gray-blue eyes gazed at her. "You're such a sap, do you know that? No wonder you were captivated by Jasper's sentimental mush. You both are going to be in insulin shock one day from all the dripping sweetness of it all."

"Aahh, Jerry, I always knew just how much you cared," Brenda retorted with a smirk. "Just like I know that part of this disposition is because of how you miss Julia already and she has been gone for less than thirty-six hours now." She gave Jerry a teasing wink. "But that's all right, when I talked to Julia earlier, she sounded worse than you do."

"Oh really?" An involuntary smile formed on the corner of Jerry's mouth. "What do you expect since she is surrounded by all those uptight Brits?"

"Why didn't I think of that?" Brenda shook her head as she stood up to put Jessica in the bassinet.

Jerry watched as Brenda kissed the baby's cheek before gently placing Jessica in the cradle. Brenda then covered Jonathan with his blanket in the other bassinet and picked up the baby monitor from the table. She turned around and motioned for Jerry to follow her out of the den and headed for the door. Jerry could not refrain from smiling at Brenda as he followed her out into the hallway. "Those joeys are pretty lucky, you know."

"We all are," Brenda whispered with a bob of her head.

A devilish grin appeared on Jerry's face as they moved toward the foyer. "Yes, but the joeys get the added bonus of those honeydew melons every day."

Brenda elbowed Jerry in the side before he darted away from her in the foyer. "You cad."

Jerry spoke between his laughter. "I can just imagine what they are thinking every morning, `Is that all for me?' I don't even know how you can walk anymore."

"Ha, ha," Brenda groaned. "That is quite enough."

The concept of "enough" was foreign to Jerry. "There is one thing I want to know. When you lie in bed, have you ever tried using them to write your name on the ceiling?"

"Jeremiah Jacks, you are in for it now." Brenda chased Jerry into the dining room and then into the kitchen.

The sound of Jerry's laughter echoed in the kitchen as Jax and Jillian came through the door from the garage entrance. The laughing was then replaced with an "Ouch!" as Brenda struck him in the chest with a spatula she threw from the counter.

Lady then became caught up in the frolics as she started barking to protect Brenda from Jerry's antics. "Get him, girl, jump up on him and lick him right in the face."

"Get away from me, you beast." Jerry attempted to sidestep the zealous dog as his teasing of Brenda continued. "Hey, I just call them like I see them and they're definitely honeydew melons."

Jax's voice then sounded through the air. "I don't even want to know what this is about."

Brenda turned around to face Jax and Jillian. "Believe me, you don't."

"Yum-Yum honeydews," chimed Jillian. "Where are they, Mommy? Can we have some for dessert?"

Jerry was choking back his suppressed laughter. "Maybe for Daddy but I'm not sure about you."

Jax used his elbow to knock Jerry into the corner as he walked by him. Jax then spoke to Jillian. "Princess, your Uncle Jerry is just being twisted and seeking extinction again. Don't pay him any attention."

Brenda cleared her throat. "Uncle Jerry is just doing more of his teasing."

"No teasing Mommy anymore." Jillian lifted her chin in the air as she carried the small shopping bag past Jerry. "Daddy's gonna make you take a nap."

A loud chuckle fell from his lips as Jerry shook his head. "Jasper, you've already corrupted and brainwashed the child. Now we will have to bring in the incense and drums to rid her of those spirits."

"Why are you even here?" Jax spoke in mock disgust as he let Lady out into the back yard.

"He's lonely and bored," Brenda answered on behalf of Jerry. "I do think that joining Jessica and Jonathan for a nap would do him a world of good."

Jax slapped Jerry on the back. "Either that or find him some friends but even we don't have enough money for that."

Jillian sighed loudly. "Uncle Jerry, if you play nice, you can have friends come over to your house but not if you tease ALL the time."

Brenda laughed softly as she squatted down beside Jillian. "Thank you Jillian for reminding us. Now tell me what you and Daddy did this afternoon."

A bright smile lit up Jillian's face. "I rided the pink horse two times and went up and down."

"You rode the carousel?" Brenda beamed at Jillian. "Two times?"

"Yes, Mommy, and Daddy rided the pretty black one just like Dream and Star." Jillian touched Brenda's face as she continued. "It was so fun."

"I'm so glad," Brenda murmured as she stroked Jillian's curls. "What else did you do?"

Jillian rubbed her hands together as she looked over Brenda's shoulder at Jax. Jax winked at her as he spoke. "You can show Mommy the surprise."

An infectious squeal passed from Jillian's lips as she bent down to pull out the surprise from the bag. "Mommy, I got the babies a present."

"A present from their big sister?" Brenda caressed Jillian's cheek. "Let me see."

"This is Jessica's, see the bag," Jillian asked as she pulled out the pink gift bag designed with pink bows. "The nice lady helped me make it pretty."

"Oh, it is so beautiful." Brenda held the pink handles of the bag. "What's inside for your sister?"

Jillian pulled out the small white stuffed animal. "See, it's a bear and it's sooo soft."

Brenda fingered the plush fur of the toy. "Oh Jillian, Jessica is going to love it."

A proud grin appeared on Jillian's face. "It's white just like Snowflake."

"Yes, it is." Brenda put her arm around Jillian. "It's perfect."

Jillian then opened up the blue bag covered with a balloon design. "Mommy, this one's for Jonathan."

Brenda flashed Jillian a radiant smile at the sight of the light brown reindeer. "Look at this one, a reindeer."

Jillian bobbed her head up and down. "Just like Rudolph but he doesn't got a red nose."

"Your brother is going to be so happy." Brenda hugged Jillian. "Thank you so much for the wonderful presents."

Jax moved beside them and helped Brenda back to her feet before lifting Jillian into his arms. "Jillian picked them out all by herself and she did such a great job."

"You are very good at picking out presents, sweetheart." Brenda rubbed Jillian's arm. "Now Roo-Roo will have some more friends too."

Jerry added his input. "But Roo-Roo is still king since he was here first." He smugly smiled at Jax. "The eldest always have priority rights."

Jillian nodded her head and grinned at Jerry as Jax rolled his eyes at him. "Jerry, your own insecurities are showing up again. It's always age before beauty anyway so you'll always be allowed to go first."

Brenda grinned at the two of them before she turned to Jillian. "When the babies wake up you can give them their special presents."

"They're going to love them," Jax added as he hugged Jillian.

Brenda picked up the gift bags and rested them on the table. "Since we have some new special friends living here, they have to have names." She looked up at Jillian in Jax's arms. "Jillian, since the babies are too little to name them, I think you should choose."

"That's a great idea," Jax replied with a beaming grin. "Princess, what do you think good names would be?"

Jerry offered his suggestion. "How about Cheeseburger and French Fries? You sure like those two things."

Jillian giggled. "No, you eat that, it's not a name."

Brenda held up the reindeer. "What do you think for this one?"

"Mickey Mouse," Jerry proposed.

A bewildered look crossed Jillian's face. "He's not a mouse so he can't be Mickey."

"Don't even listen to Uncle Jerry," Jax murmured to her. "He can't even tell the difference between a reindeer and a mouse so he is of no help."

Jillian turned to Jerry. "He's a reindeer like Santa has, just like Rudolph." Her face suddenly brightened. "That's a good name."

"Rudolph it is then." Brenda turned the reindeer so that it was facing toward her. "Hello Rudolph, welcome to the family."

Jillian giggled again as Brenda picked up the white bear. "Now how about this one, Jillian?"

Jax squeezed Jillian's shoulder. "What's a pretty name for such a nice bear?"

Jillian stroked the ear of the bear. "She's soft and shiny like snow, just like when me and Daddy make snowballs."

"She's pretty like the snow too," Jax responded with a nod.

She looked down at Brenda. "Snowball is a pretty name like Snowflake, right Mommy?"

Brenda's eyes sparkled as she nodded. "Yes, it's beautiful, Jillian."

A big smile illuminated Jillian's face. "Hi Snowball, Jessica will see you when she wakes up."

"Rudolph and Snowball," Jerry muttered. "What a pair."

Jax began to chuckle. "This coming from someone who gave my koala the `creative' name of Ala and then stole it three days after giving it to me as a gift?"

"Very funny, Jasper." Jerry rolled his eyes at Jax. "I never stole the koala. I was just saving it for when you became wise enough to appreciate it enough...which was never."

Jillian shook her head. "No, Daddy told me. He let you keep Ala under your bed so you wouldn't be sad." Jillian wrapped her arms around Jax's neck. "Daddy's sooo good."

Jerry choked. "Look what you have done to her."

"Quite perceptive, isn't she?" Jax smugly smiled at Jerry as he kissed the top of Jillian's head. "Thank you princess."

Brenda and Jillian giggled at the looks between Jax and Jerry and Jillian turned to speak to Brenda. "Mommy, Daddy and Uncle Jerry are so funny. Now I have a brother and we can be funny too, and a sister."

"Yes, you do, sweetheart," Brenda murmured as she put her arms around Jillian. "We're very, very lucky."

Jillian beamed as she looked at the reindeer and bear peeking out of their respective bags. "Roo-Roo's lucky too, Rudolph and Snowball are here now and they can be funny too."

They all laughed as Brenda wrapped her arms around Jax and he nuzzled the side of her face. Jerry winked at Brenda as she flashed him a big smile and he felt the same love in the house he always did. As always, that love was reassuring and an instantaneous motivator to continue to dream about the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. In this house, the pot was already securely cemented to the floor and it was filled with more than gold, it was filled with all the precious gifts of heaven and earth.

Saturday, February 9, 2002
The Jacks Residence -- 10:15am

As predicted, the week had been hectic but Brenda and Jessica had breezed through their follow-up doctor's appointments so the celebration was going on off as scheduled. The house was a flurry of activity this morning in preparation for the christenings at noon. Upstairs, the family was getting dressed for the ceremony while downstairs, Josee and Corrine oversaw the rest of the staff in conjunction with the arrangements for the party later this afternoon. Only Jessica and Jonathan seemed immune to the commotion surrounding the day.

Jillian scampered into the guest suite, carrying her black patent leather shoes. "Grandmom, I got my shoes for you."

"Thank you, Jane replied with a big smile. "Come sit on the sofa and I'll help you put them on. Is Aunt Robin with your mother?"

"Uh-huh, she's helping so Mommy could put her milk in the bottles for the babies in church." Jillian climbed onto the sofa and handed Jane the shoes. "Mommy made my shoes all shiny too."

Jane nodded her head. "They look beautiful and so do you. That dress is so pretty."

"Aunt Julia buyed it for Christmas for me." Jillian beamed as she spoke. "Daddy says it's like my eyes."

Jane touched the blue velvet skirt of the dress. "Yes, the color matches your eyes and Daddy's too."

Jillian bobbed her head up and down. "Mommy says me and Daddy's eyes are like the ocean with sparkles."

"Your mother described them perfectly," Jane said as she buckled Jillian's shoes. "We'll have to wait to see what color Jessica and Jonathan's eyes turn out to be."

"Daddy says Jessie's got big eyes just like Mommy." A quiet giggle fell from Jillian's lips. "He says no boys can talk to Jessie. Not ever."

The sound of John's laughter filled the room. "That sounds just like that Daddy of yours. We will just have to talk to him."

Jillian turned around and waved to John. "Hi Grandpa. Grandmom helped me get all pretty for church."

"That you are," John responded as he helped Jillian off the bed. "You look as wonderful as a hot fudge sundae with whipped cream."

"With a cherry on top?" Jillian asked.

John took Jillian's hand as he spoke, "With two cherries on top."

A bright smile illuminated Jillian's face. "Oh boy!" The sound of a car door was heard from outside and Jillian looked out the window. "Uncle Jerry's here and Aunt Julia's in the car too."

Jane expelled a contented sigh as she looked out the window and saw Jerry helping Julia out of his car. She put her arm around Jillian. "Why don't you and Grandpa go downstairs to see Uncle Jerry and Aunt Julia and I'll go see what your mother needs."

Jillian nodded to Jane and the turned to John. "Okay, let's go, Grandpa." Jillian reached out and took his hand. "I wanna twirl my dress for Uncle Jerry and Aunt Julia."

Jane followed John and Jillian out of the guest suite and then headed to the nursery where she found Brenda and Robin dressing the twins. "How are the guests of honor doing?"

"Being their typical willful selves," Brenda exclaimed as she wrapped up Jessica in a blanket. "Your grandson can't deal with having his feeding schedule interrupted by even five minutes and Jessica has chosen today to see just how much milk she can spit up. At this rate, we will be walking up the aisle dressing her in her gown in hopes of sparing it from a shower of sour milk."

Jane flashed Brenda a reassuring smile. "They will both be the star attractions whatever they do."

Brenda smiled in return. "Thank you for helping Jillian to get dressed, at least one of us is done."

"You're welcome," Jane responded as she caressed Jessica's face. "John just took her downstairs to meet Jerry and Julia."

"Did they come together?" Brenda asked with a hopeful lilt in her voice.

"Yes, they did," answered Jane. "They both sound so much happier and more at ease when I have spoken to them lately."

Brenda bobbed her head. "I think they are too and they're just taking everything one step at a time."

Robin shook a rattle in front of a fussing Jonathan. "Matt and I saw them having dinner at The Outback this week and they both looked very happy to us."

Jane crossed her fingers in the air. "We'll all keep good thoughts and hope that they can get through this."

"Hey there," Robin lifted Jonathan from the infant seat as he began to fuss louder. "Your mother says you have to wait to eat till it's time to go."

"Maybe then he will sleep through the whole service." Brenda handed Robin the pacifier. "This should work for about ten minutes of peace."

Jane moved over to the changing table. "Brenda, let me take her and then you can go get dressed."

"Jane, I can't let you do that," Brenda said as she picked up Jessica from the changing table. "You look beautiful and curdled milk will not work as an accessory with that outfit."

"I'm an old hand at this," Jane murmured as she extended her arms toward Jessica. "Over the first few months of his life, Jax decorated every spot in the house with sour milk." She laughed at the memories. "John used to think he was trying to hit every target on some type of baby obstacle course that Jax had designed."

Jessica squeaked softly and Brenda laughed at her. "Yes, Grandmom's talking about your daddy."

"So this is why my ears were burning," Jax declared as he walked into the nursery. "You're telling all my secrets to our children."

"Honey, you know that secrets are no fun," she replied with a smile. A soft sigh fell from Brenda's lips at the sight of Jax dressed in her favorite navy blue Italian suit. The cut of the jacket seemed to accentuate his well sculpted chest and the narrowness of his waist.

A lopsided grin appeared on Jax's face. "Of course not, not until they aren't secrets anymore."

She winked at Jax. "Exactly." Brenda hugged Jessica against her chest. "Daddy is so smart."

"Brilliant," Jax acknowledged as he looked at his watch. "So brilliant that I know that it's time for a certain beautiful brunette to get dressed."

Brenda lifted her eyebrow as she spoke. "Oh, you don't like the bathrobe? It fits better than anything else these days."

"Jessica, come see Grandmom." Jane took the baby from Brenda. "Your mother needs to get dressed for you and your brother's big day."

Jonathan spit out his pacifier and began fussing. Robin moved the baby to her shoulder and began walking him around the nursery. "That's enough of that, it's still not lunch time yet. We'll take a walk while Mommy gets ready."

Jax took Brenda's hand. "It's time to make a break for it while we can."

Brenda shook her head as Jax pulled her out into the hallway. "There is no need to rush, there is not enough make-up in Port Charles to get rid of these circles under my eyes and Jessica's unscheduled bath canceled any hopes I had to curl my hair."

"Maybe I want a few minutes alone with my wife today and this is probably my only shot," Jax whispered as he gave her hand a gentle squeeze. "Besides, you look radiant. All anyone is going to see when they look in your eyes is pure joy."

Brenda smirked as she threaded her fingers through his when they entered the master suite. "Good, maybe no one will notice the fact that I'm still wearing a maternity dress since none of my other dresses fit me."

Jax put his hand over Brenda's mouth. "Are we going to go through this again?"

She snickered into the palm of his hand and Jax uncovered her mouth. "No, there is nothing I can do about it now so what's the point? I threw my tantrum two days ago when I tried on everything in the closet anyway."

Jax chuckled at the thoughts of Brenda's tirade from two nights before. "I remember it well." He cleared his throat. "So does Lady since she fled the room halfway through it."

"But you just remember what I said, if there ever is a next time, you're the one having the baby. She shook her finger in the air. Then we'll see who is the one laughing about temper tantrums."

"That we will," Jax acknowledged. "Of course, medical science will be having a field day too but that is beside the point."

Brenda rolled her eyes at him. "Completely beside the point."

Jax laughed as they reached the bedroom area of the suite. "You're crazy, do you know that?" He helped Brenda off with her robe and smiled as she stood there in her slip. The satin seemed to mold to the fullness of her breasts while the lace flaunted the round swell of creamy white skin which created the unending cavern between her breasts. "And so damn sexy."

"I'm crazy?" Brenda choked back her laughter. "Look what all these months of celibacy has done, a house full of people, a maternity slip, dark circles and slippers turn you on. You really are mad."

He nuzzled his lips behind Brenda's left ear. "About you? Yes." Jax then stepped back and cradled her face with his hands. "I love you, Brenda. I love you so much that I could spend the next fifty years trying to explain just how much and there wouldn't be enough time."

"Jax..." Her eyes misted over as Brenda's voice shook with emotion. "I love you so much. In the chaos, I know that I haven't said that enough to you in the last month but I adore you."

"You're such a silly one," Jax whispered as his thumb traced her lips. "Don't you know how many times you told me you loved me over the past few weeks? Every ounce of love you gave to our children divulged it. Each gentle touch you gave them and every whispered word of love to those angels meant even more to me." His eyes gleamed with devotion as he continued. "And I would not give up a second of the glorious chaos of this family that you have given to me."

Tears spilled from Brenda's eyes and she swallowed the lump in her throat. "Which stars in the heavens collided so that I could find you?"

Jax wiped away her tears. "The same ones which sent me to search for you."

"Great, now I'll have red eyes with black circles under them." She then rested her hands against the middle of his chest. "I'll look like Jerry's licorice sticks."

"That's perfect then, you always have looked delectable." Jax's face lit up as he hugged Brenda tightly against his chest. He then heard small footsteps and saw Jillian peek her head into the door. With Brenda's back to the door, Jax silently motioned for Jillian to come inside.

Jillian entered the bedroom, holding onto the tightly bound ribbon around the box to pull the large box behind her. "Mommy, we got you a present."

Brenda stepped out of Jax's embrace and turned around. "Jillian, what is this?"

"Me and Daddy got it for you." Jillian saw Jax's look and completed her announcement. "Jessica and Jonathan got it for you too but they couldn't come to the store."

Brenda helped Jillian lift the box onto the bed. "Did you bring this big box all by yourself?"

Jillian shook her head. "Uncle Jerry helped me but he has to hold Jessie for Grandmom."

"You are getting so big now," Brenda murmured as she caressed Jillian's arm. "Where's Grandmom now?"

"Getting a new diaper for Aunt Julia to change Jonathan." Jillian scrunched up her nose and frowned. "Jonathan stinks."

Brenda sighed in exasperation. "Jillian Jacks, Daddy and I have asked you not to say that and we mean it."

"Mommy, I forgot," Jillian said in response. She then looked up at both Jax and Brenda. "Can I say he smells cause he does? Really bad."

Brenda simply shook her head and Jax had to control the snicker that threatened to erupt from him. "Jillian, there are some things that should not be talked about and a baby's diapers and bad smells are part of those things. We have to be polite so let's not say anything about it from now on. Do you understand that?"

"Yes, and I'll remember." Jillian bobbed her head in understanding and then turned to face Brenda. "Now Mommy has to open her present."

Jax nodded as he pulled a pocket knife from his trousers. "Yes, she does since we have to leave here shortly."

The ribbon was cut and Brenda began to open up the lid. "What is this going to be?"

Jillian squealed as Brenda removed the lid and saw the silk dress. "It's pretty, Mommy."

"It is so beautiful," Brenda exclaimed as she took the ruby red dress from the box. "Thank you so much."

Jax rubbed Jillian's back as he grinned at Brenda. "Princess picked it out all by herself. She wanted you to wear it with your heart necklace."

"Mommy, it's like the sparkly red heart," Jillian declared. "It matches like my dress and eyes."

"It's perfect," Brenda whispered as she thought about the four heart pendant with the ruby center that Jax had given her when the twins were born. Each heart represented one of their children with Jamie, the center heart, holding everyone together with the bright ruby. "Thank you."

Jax held her hand. "Why don't you put it on so we can see how beautiful you look?"

Brenda ran her hand down the soft material and smiled. "It's so lovely, I'm not even going to ask what size it is."

Jax choked back a snicker as he shook his head. "Brenda, please just put on the dress."

Jillian scooted off the bed. "I wanna get the necklace."

Brenda slipped on the dress and Jax buttoned it in the back. It was a sheath style so it showed off her curves without accentuating the after-effects of the pregnancy. She then kicked off her slippers and turned around. Even in her stocking feet, Brenda looked stunning. Jax took her hand and kissed it. "You are ravishing, Mrs. Jacks."

"Mommy, you look sooo pretty." Jillian looked down at Brenda's feet. "Are you gonna wear shoes?"

"Yes, we have to wear shoes." Brenda flashed Jillian a bright smile. "Would you please get my black shoes for me from the closet? The shiny ones."

Jillian beamed at Brenda. "Like my shoes."

Brenda nodded. "Yes, shiny like your shoes."

"Jillian, I'll take this while you get the shoes," Jax said as he took the velvet jewelry box from Jillian. He removed the ruby pendant and fastened it around Brenda's neck. Jillian put the black patent leather pumps on the floor and Brenda stepped into the shoes. When Brenda turned around, both Jax and Jillian's faces lit up.

"You're too radiant for words," Jax murmured.

Jillian sighed contently. "Mommy, you sparkle like Cinderella. Grandpa's gonna whistle at you."

"You both are too kind," Brenda replied with gleaming eyes. "I love you for it."

"We love you too," Jax countered as he stroked Jillian's curls. "We'll go make sure everyone is ready while you finish up."

Jillian took Jax's hand. "Mommy, Grandpa says the camera's all ready for the pictures."

Brenda winked at her. "Great, I'll be right down." She watched Jax and Jillian leave the suite and Brenda sat down at the dressing table. Her hands were still trembling slightly from the overwhelming joy and love she had felt over the past several minutes. She knew it was going to be a day of that and Brenda closed her eyes and thanked the heavens for all of it.

Twenty minutes later, they were in the living room taking the family photos the same way they had the day of Jillian's baptism. The ruby heart of Brenda's necklace seemed to gleam to the lens of the camera as if it were a firefly. The photos were going to truly capture the entire family and all of the Jacks family angels.

The Jacks Residence -- 3:00pm

The celebration was in full swing as music, food and drink flowed throughout the house. In what Brenda could only chalk up to a miracle, both Jessica and Jonathan had been perfect angels for the ceremony. There had been no Mt. Vesuvius eruptions from Jessica and Jonathan's appetite had been satisfied with the bottle he had immediately before the ceremony. Jonathan had slept through the entire service while Jessica had been so enthralled with her surroundings that she had merely cooed as Father Baccio baptized her. As they left St. Elizabeth's, Ned had taken all the credit for charming Jessica into her angelic behavior while Lois had held her during the ceremony. Jax had slapped Ned on the back and congratulated him for now inheriting the honor of being called at 2:00am every day to charm Jessica back to sleep.

Now that the party was fully underway, Jillian was having a good time with the multitude of children at the party. Besides her usual play group of Brooke, Anthony, Serena, Lulu and Georgie, Steve and Abby Williams had come into town from Spring Meadows for the festivities and Kayla and Colleen were with them. Jillian had been disappointed that Tron had not accompanied Teddi but Teddi had explained that Tron was in school. Kevin, Lucy and Bryndie were also in attendance at the gathering and Bryndie had exercised her seven month old lungs in church before Lucy had taken the baby into the vestibule. During Bryndie's outburst, Jerry had whispered to Scott that Bryndie obviously had inherited her mother's big mouth. Scott had then murmured to Jerry that poor Kevin was never going to have a chance to get a word in edgewise with the two women in his life. Both Jerry and Scott had started to chuckle until Julia and Francesca had elbowed both of them into silence during the service.

Jessica had fallen asleep in the car on the way home and once they had returned to the house, Brenda and Lois had taken Jessica upstairs and undressed her. The baby had awakened so Brenda had fed her and then put Jessica to bed for a nap. Jonathan had cat napped in the car but once they had arrived home, he was not about to miss the festivities especially since he temporarily had sole share of the limelight with Jessica asleep upstairs. Jonathan was being cuddled, kissed and fussed over by everyone and was thoroughly enjoying the attention. When Brenda was able to join the party, Jax saw her descending the stairs and met her in the foyer.

Jax took Brenda's hand to lead her into the living room. "Is Jess okay?"

Brenda nodded. "Yes, she's had a full day already and is out like a light." She looked around the living room to find Jonathan. "Where's Jonathan?"

"Being utterly captivating it seems. Take a look," Jax replied as he flashed her a big smile and motioned toward Lila and Edward in the corner of the living room.

Jonathan was cradled in Lila's arms and Brenda could not tell which one of them was more mesmerized with the other. A radiant beam covered Brenda's face as she and Jax moved to across the room toward Lila. "What a beautiful picture you two make."

"Oh, my dear, he is so handsome." Lila looked down at Jonathan again and his eyes seemed to twinkle at her. "And those eyes are so enchanting."

Edward rolled his eyes in mock disgust. "Lila, you are allowing another confounded Jacks to charm the socks off of you. Don't let those blue eyes fool you, that child is a shark just like his father."

"Only a shark, Edward," Jax asked with a devilish grin. "I must be slipping if you are not calling me a piranha."

Edward waved his finger in the air as he spoke to Brenda. "As I have told you from the moment you let this scoundrel in the door, just give me the word and within an hour, I'll have an order from Judge Clancy barring him from anywhere near you or those children."

A dramatic sigh escaped from Lila's lips as Lois and Ned joined the group. "If only I had kept Judge Clancy's private telephone number for all these years."

Jax winked at Lila. "I'll get it for you before you leave."

"Thank you Jax," Lila murmured in a soft voice. "You are such a fine gentleman."

The entire group laughed as Edward bellowed. "Lila Quartermaine, you are unbelievable. Does it merely take a sparkling pair of eyes and a tight pair of pants to make you lose your common sense?"

"No, Edward, but have you seen how Jax looks in those pants from the back?" Lila gave him an innocent look and then winked at Brenda. "My dear, be sure to have several more pairs of pants made exactly like that for him. They're a real winner."

Brenda nodded and gave Lila the okay sign. "Aren't they just perfect?"

A round of raucous laughter then bounced from the walls of the living room. Lois had to speak between her choking bouts of mirth. "Lila, tell him you are not blind or dead so of course you notice fine specimens."

Jerry came over to the commotion with a camera. "Grandpa Eddie, you look even more sourpussed then usual. Scowl for the little birdie like the devil incarnate we all know you are."

"Get away from me you, miscreant," Edward blustered. "You Jackses are the scourge of the earth."

"Such a compliment coming for a fellow member of the pestilence society? Jerry deeply chuckled. "But at least we have the charm, you are just a rodent."

Brenda put her hands together to signal a "T" for a cessation of the battle. "Okay, time-out everyone." She then smiled at Jonathan as he reached to touch Lila's face with his little fist. "We need a picture of this little boy with his Grandma Lila."

"What fun are you?" Jerry exhaled sharply. "I'll take the picture but Eddie get your ugly mug out of the way. I don't have another lens and that face will certainly break this one."

Julia smiled to herself as the antics continued. Teddi and Thao made their way over to the scene. Teddi questioned Julia. "Something tells me this is the rule rather than the exception in connection with the dealings of this group."

"Oh yes, this is the standard entertainment for every gathering of these scoundrels," Julia replied with a nod of her head. "I have yet to figure out who gets the most enjoyment from it."

Jerry overhead Julia's remark and smugly smiled as he responded to it after taking the photo of Lila and Jonathan. "Come on, kiddo, you know I do everything better than Eddie over there, and that sure as hell includes enjoying myself."

"I seem to remember you crowning yourself king of that in Monte Carlo once," Thao said as he folded his arms. "Just like Caesar declaring himself ruler."

"Yes, but I'm not stupid enough to let my alleged friends successfully conspire to kill me." Jerry shook his head, "No, I am plotting my own conspiracies."

Thao shrugged his shoulders. "You also have no friends."

Teddi rolled her eyes as she stood next to Julia. "I would have brought Tron if I had known that this was going to be such a playground."

"Tron is too advanced for this," Julia murmured in return.

"Gentlemen, and I do use the term loosely, what trouble are you causing now?" Augustin's deep voice resonated throughout the air. "I am sure neither of you are up to any good as usual."

"I am sure of that as well," Jax retorted as he and Brenda came over to the assembly. He carried Jonathan in his arms facing everyone. "My son already has enough going against him with Thao as his padrino."

Jerry sighed loudly. "I don't know how you let Brenda talk you into that one, Jax. I can only hope that Robin's influence can save that child from being ruined for life."

Thao waved off Jerry's comments. "Well, if Jillian has survived this long with you as the padrino from hell, then this bambino will have no trouble with me."

Augustin leaned down and whispered to Teddi. "Didn't we warn you to run for the nearest gondola when we met you and the buono a nulla ("good for nothing") in Milan for New Year's?"

"Yes, you did," Teddi murmured in response. "I knew that one day this stubbornness would haunt me."

Brenda had been standing next to Teddi and exchanged a smile with her at the response. With Thao in Hong Kong so frequently now, Brenda knew that he and Teddi had been spending time together and it was good to see them both happy. Brenda then looked around for the missing member of the illustrious group. "Did we scare off Serafina?"

Augustin shook his head, "No, she had a better offer. Jillian and the children are teaching her the game of Simon."

"Oh, Simon Says." Brenda laughed softly. "That is Jillian's new obsession."

Augustin took a deep breath. "Knowing Sera, she is also sneaking a peak at that beautiful daughter of yours."

Jax looked toward the entrance into the living room and chuckled. "I think she is doing more than peaking."

Augustin exhaled sharply at the sight of Serafina carrying Jessica into the room with Jillian leading the way. He turned to Brenda. "Please take that baby away from her before I never stop hearing about how wonderful having a baby would be."

Thao patted Augustin on the back. "I think having a little bambino or bambina would be perfect for you. Doesn't everyone else agree?"

The sound of Jillian's voice stopped Augustin's caustic retort. Jillian came up to Brenda, "Mommy, Jessica's awake."

"I see that," Brenda smiled as Serafina reached the group.

Serafina rocked Jessica back and forth in her arms. "Jane found this little angel awake and I was bestowed the honor of bringing her to her Mama."

Brenda smiled at the gurgling Jessica. "Hello pumpkin, Aunt Serafina has you. She sang to you and Jonathan earlier today with Uncle Augustin." Brenda looked up at Serafina as she continued. "We could not have asked for a more wonderful gift. Grazie."

"Prego," Serafina replied in return. "It was our great pleasure."

"It most certainly was," Augustin added with a nod. "But you can express your gratitude by taking the bambina before Sera flees with her."

Serafina scowled at Augustin as she handed Jessica to Brenda. "She is a treasure." Serafina then touched Jillian's face. "So are all the bambini. I hear you are a wonderful sorella -- sister -- to the bambini."

Jillian touched Brenda on the sleeve. "Mommy, Aunt Sera teached me a new word. She says I'm bellow."

Augustin winked at Jillian. "Si, molto bellow, very beautiful."

Jax caught Jillian's attention with his gaze. "Jillian, what do you say to Aunt Serafina and Uncle Augustin for saying such nice things to you?"

"Grazie," Jillian said with a giggle. "That's how you say thank you in Itralian. Grandma Gloria teached me and Brooke too."

"Italian, princess," Jax murmured to correct her.

Serafina bent down and kissed Jillian on both cheeks. "Prego Jillian. Do you remember what that means?"

Jillian bobbed her head up and down. "You're welcome."

Jerry shook his head and groaned. "Corrupted by these Europeans already."

Jonathan decided he had been sociable enough for the day and he suddenly let out a loud cry. "It's okay peanut, Uncle Jerry makes us all feel the same way." Jax lifted the baby to his shoulder and smugly smiled at Jerry. "Even a six week old does not appreciate your feeble attempts at humor."

Gloria carried Anthony over to see Jonathan. "Anthony, Jonathan's crying." She stood behind Jax and smiled at Jonathan. "What's the matter with the little chipmunk? Are you starving already?"

"He thinks he is," Brenda retorted as she moved next to Gloria.

Gloria took Jonathan's hand. "My Luigi was the same way, thought the boy was going to drown himself."

Brenda cooed at Jonathan. "Hey peanut, that sounds just like you."

"Shhh Jonathan," Jillian declared. "It's a party and you're SO loud."

Jerry chuckled as he tugged at the ribbon in Jillian's hair. That's it, Roo, you show that younger brother of yours just who's boss."

As Jonathan continued to fuss, Jax smirked at Jerry. "Yes, we see just how much the younger brother listens, don't we?"

Julia motioned for Brenda to hand Jessica to her so that Brenda could be free to take Jonathan. Brenda passed Jessica to Julia. "Jess, here's Aunt Julia. Show her how much you've grown in the past few days."

Jax patted Jonathan's back and kissed the side of his face before giving him to Brenda. "Here's Mommy, so you won't starve."

"Oh, you're all right." Brenda cuddled Jonathan against her face. "All this noise from such a little boy."

Jillian sighed loudly at the sight of Jonathan trying to suck the side of Brenda's face. "Jonathan's hungry again, Mommy. He eats more than Daddy now."

The group laughed at Jillian's remark and Jane then appeared with bottles for both of the babies. "It sounds like dinner has been ordered."

"Thank you Jane." Brenda looked down at Jonathan as she took one of the bottles from Jane. "Grandmom's looking out for you and your sister."

Brenda sat down on the couch and Jonathan began eagerly sucking on the nipple of the bottle. Thao shook his head and laughed. "Look at him eat."

With a nod of her head, Brenda reminded Thao of her warning. "I told you that your godson was going to be something else." She then motioned for Julia to sit down next to her. "Jessica, show Aunt Julia how much better you're eating now."

"Jessica, are you ready for dinner?" Julia watched as the baby focused on her face. "We haven't done this before."

"Jessica is much more well mannered than her brother." Brenda flashed Julia a reassuring smile.

"What a relief," Augustin remarked with a sigh. She's more a Barrett than a Jacks."

Jillian scooted onto the couch next to Julia. "I'll help you, Aunt Julia, just like Mommy lets me." Jillian stroked the skin under Jessica's chin. "Jessica likes that."

"She certainly does," Julia winked at Jillian. "Thank you so much."

Brenda saw that Lucy and Kevin were getting ready to say their good-byes so she looked up at Robin. "How about feeding your godson the rest of his bottle while Jax and I go say good-bye to Lucy and Kevin?"

"Certainly." Robin sat down in the chair next to the couch and Jax helped Brenda hand the baby to her. Jonathan voiced his dissension at the momentary halt to his dinner. "Jonathan, it's only me, and your bottle is still here."

Brenda looked over at Jessica who was quietly having her dinner. "Great, a new victim found to feed her. Just be forewarned, she sometimes turns into a volcano." Before she and Jax went to speak to Lucy, Brenda turned around to face Jerry and failed to suppress the grin from appearing on her face. "Just ask Jerry."

Jillian covered her mouth as she giggled. "One day, Jessica got Uncle Jerry all full of milk when she spit up. It was funny."

Jerry rubbed Jillian's head to tease her. "That's enough from you, Roo, isn't it time for you to go to bed now?"

"No bed," Jillian answered with a shake of her head. "It's a party."

The party continued for another hour and then good-byes and thanks were shared by all. Steve and Abby Williams were heading back to Spring Meadows and Jane was going to meet them later in the week before heading back to Alaska. Jane was overseeing the spring breeding and foaling season with Abby this year since Brenda would be tied up with the twins. Brenda promised Steve and Abby that they would get to the cottage and the stables as the first trip for the twins some time in the coming few months. The Cerullos were staying in town until the following day as were Augustin and Serafina and Thao and Teddi. Augustin and Serafina were heading to Monte Carlo for a performance at the end of the week while Teddi and Thao were traveling to Rome and London respectively for some business.

The Baldwins, Scorpios and Spencers said their good-byes and then the Quartermaines followed suite. After Jessica had been fed, Jerry had taken a picture of Lila with the baby as well as one with Jillian and Lila had reminded Brenda that she wanted copies of all the pictures with her great grandchildren. Jerry had taken pictures of the twins with their respective godparents and then Ned had taken over the reins as photographer and had taken several pictures of the entire Jacks family while the twins were content. The Ashtons and Robin and Matthew then said good night and thanked Jax and Brenda for being included in such a special celebration.

Brenda kicked off her shoes and collapsed onto the couch with Jessica drifting to sleep against her chest. Jillian walked in with Roo-Roo in her arms and imitated her mother by removing her shoes and collapsing against the other end of the couch. "Whew! I'm tired."

A bright smile covered Brenda's face as she saw Roo-Roo resting against Jillian's chest. "It's been a long day for us, hasn't it?"

"Uh-huh," Jillian groaned. "Now Roo-Roo has to dry."

"Dry from what," Brenda asked as she leaned over to take a look at Roo-Roo's wet forehead.

Jillian's eyes twinkled as she spoke. "From getting basstied so he can have godparents too."

"Oh, I see." Brenda could not control the beaming grin spreading across her face. "Where did he have his christening?"

"In the sink in the bathroom," Jillian exclaimed. "I remembered not to touch the water in the potty like Daddy told me."

"Thank you," Brenda said with a smile. "Who was there with you?"

"Brooke and Anthony and they're godparents so they can take care of him too." Jillian took a breath and then continued. "Snowball and Rudolph came too since they're friends but not the babies, they were taking a nap."

Brenda nodded. "That is very nice and so special for Roo-Roo."

"We had a party too and I'm tired." An exaggerated sigh fell from Jillian's lips. "Being a mommy is hard."

Brenda nodded her head. "Yes, it is but it's also very, very special."

With Jonathan in tow, Jax had come down the steps from the nursery. He stopped at the entrance to living room at the sight of Brenda and Jillian on the couch and then listened to the story about Roo-Roo. Jax then whispered to Jonathan. "Hey peanut, do you know how lucky we are to have those three people in our lives? One day, you're going to find out and you'll never stop thanking the heavens."

Jerry and Julia had appeared in the foyer from the dining room and had silently witnessed the scene and had heard Jax's murmurings. When Jax moved into the living room, Julia took a deep breath as she turned to Jerry. "Melanie asked me what I think life is supposed to be. That is it."

Jerry nodded his head in understanding. "I know."

"Do you see how they look at each other, how they can sense each other?" Julia let out a jagged sigh. "I don't know why I never fully comprehended it before. That's what everything else comes from. It's step one and you can't get to step two or three without it." She closed her eyes momentarily. "I'm sorry."

"For what?" Jerry's voice was barely above a whisper.

"For being so lost that I did not know what was up from down." Julia pushed a strand of hair from her forehead. "For moving further away from you rather than closer to you. You were the one I needed, but I only seemed to be able to dwell on all the rest. Without you, the rest would have meant nothing anyway."

Jerry cleared his throat. "Julia, I don't know if there will ever be a rest. You have to be able to live with that, we have to be able to live with that possibility."

Julia exhaled slowly. "I know and that is what I need to be able to prove to you, to prove to myself."

"When you trust it yourself, the rest will follow." Jerry locked eyes with her for a moment. "Until then, we'll both keep working on all of it."

Jane came out of the dining room at that moment and was instantly aware of the gaze and non-verbal communication exchanged between the two of them. Jerry and Julia said good night to her and then went into the living room to say good-bye to Jax, Brenda and the children.

Jerry spoke in a low tone at the sight of a sleeping Jessica on Brenda's chest. "We're heading out." He motioned to Brenda to stay put. "Don't get up."

Julia moved to the sofa and kissed Jillian and Brenda good-bye before gently touching Jessica's back. Jax rose from the chair and kissed Julia good-bye and then she kissed Jonathan's cheek. Jerry hugged Jillian and then kissed Brenda as he stroked Jessica's head. He patted Jax on the shoulder and did the same to Jonathan as Jerry said good night.

"They seem to really be working together to resolve everything," Brenda whispered as she flashed Jax a big smile. "Another reason to celebrate the day."

Jax sat down again and reached out his hand and Brenda linked her fingers through his. "One of many."

Jillian popped her head up from the pillow at the other end of the sofa. "Daddy, Roo-Roo had a party too."

Jax winked at her. "WOW! Another reason to celebrate the day then."

Brenda and Jax exchanged a gaze so full of love and joy that it could have lit up the darkest abyss ever found. Also for the first time today, Jax and Brenda did not look around for Snowflake when the sound of the familiar tune of "Lyrica Angelica" seemed to stream through the air. They now fully understood that the music was in their hearts and would be there forever.

Thursday, February 14, 2002
The Jacks Residence -- 5:30pm

As he pulled the car through the gates to the entrance to the property, Jerry began chuckling again about the parallel plans of Jax and Brenda. Now, even their conspiracy plots were identical. Sitting beside him, Julia also could not suppress her own laughter at the events leading up to the evening. She also would have traded everything else that she could ever have in life to share the same unequaled closeness with Jerry that Jax and Brenda had together.

Jerry shook his head. "So neither of these two had any clue what the other was doing?"

"Evidently not," Julia responded as she looked over at him. "Brenda called to see if I would come over to baby-sit while she surprised Jax with an evening out and when she said she was going to ask you to come over to help, I told her I would speak to you about it."

"And my brother tells me that he is going to ask you for help with the kids while he surprises Brenda and asks if I would be another set of hands and I tell him that I'll speak to you about it." A sharp exhale escaped from Jerry's lips. "Those two are something else."

Julia let out an extended sigh. "That they are. They also have something that very few people could ever even dream about."

There was a moment of uneasy silence before it was broken by the sound of Jerry's voice. "Well, I wonder how long it will take them to realize that they even conspire in tandem."

"Whenever it is, I'm sure you will enjoy it." She cleared her throat and turned to face Jerry again. "Thank you for doing this with me."

"Hell, the sentimental fools need a break," Jerry said with a shrug. "Besides, it will be a night of entertainment tormenting Roo."

Julia fought to stop the grin from forming on her lips. "Why have you decided that it is your role in life to pester the child?"

"Hey, I'm toughening her up for the battles she will wage later in life." Jerry nodded as he pulled the car into the circular driveway. "It is all for her own good."

Julia tapped her fingers against the dashboard. "Well, by my estimation she will be outmaneuvering all of us by next year so then what are you going to do?"

Jerry parked the car and turned to Julia. "Sit back and reap the benefits of my work as I watch the show." A smug smile then covered his face. "Then I have the moose and the turtle on which to impart all my wisdom."

"After you impart all your wisdom, what are you going to do the other twenty-three hours of the day?" Julia had not missed a beat before uttering the retort.

"Point awarded," Jerry announced as he slapped his hand on the steering wheel. "See how well I prepared you."

"I really do worry about you," Julia declared as she opened the car door. "These delusions of grandeur must be such a burden on you."

The sound of his chuckle resonated through the air as Jerry got out of the car. "We all have our crosses to bear in life."

The front door of the house then opened and Jillian called out to them. "It's heart day and Daddy gave me a present."

"What did you get?" Julia asked as she came up the front steps.

Jillian pulled the pencils and pens from behind her back and handed them to Julia. "Pencils and markers with hearts on them."

"Look at these," Julia said as she looked at each pencil. "This one even has a heart shaped eraser."

"Your Daddy was wrong, Jillian," Jerry needled her as he walked into the house. "Tell your father that you were supposed to get a diamond heart necklace."

Jillian shook her head. "No, I like my pencils and Mommy's got necklaces in her jewelry box."

"Barely in the door and already attempting to cause trouble I see." Jax addressed his brother as he came down the steps.

"Moi?" A mock look of innocence covered Jerry's face. "Jasper, you must be mistaken."

Jax rolled his eyes at Jerry as he helped Julia off with her coat. "When it comes to you, that will be the day."

As Julia looked up at Jax, she passed the pencils back to Jillian. "Is Brenda upstairs?"

"Yes," Jax responded with a nod. "She thinks that Josee made a special dinner for us so she's feeding the twins in hopes that they will sleep during dinner."

"So that's the plan?" Jerry bit the inside of his lip as he questioned Jax. "When she gets down here, you whisk her away?"

Julia finished Jerry's thought. "And Jessica and Jonathan will already be settled for the next hour or so and Brenda will be able to leave them?"

"That's the idea," Jax acknowledged. "We'll get out of here and you all can enjoy Josee's special dinner."

"Me too." Jillian licked her lips. "The potatoes have lots of cheese and there's cimmanon on the apples."

Jerry teased her. "You like cimmanon now? The cinnamon is going to be so upset."

Julia rested her hands on Jillian's shoulders. "Uncle Jerry is just being a big tease, we'll just give his apples to you at dinner."

Jillian brightly grinned as she looked up at Julia. Then Jillian turned to speak to Jerry. "No apples for you, you teased."

A snicker escaped from Jerry's lips. "Well, since I already lost the apples, I can just keeping teasing you now." His snickers grew louder. "ALL night."

Jax bent down and whispered into Jillian's ear. Jillian chortled as she then muttered her "borrowed" retort to Jerry. "Then Lady will lick your face for her dessert." She covered her mouth with her hand as she giggled. "ALL night."

Julia tried to muffle her laughter as Jax chuckled at his brother's rolling eyes. Jerry took a sharp intake of air. "So, now you're into tag teaming. I guess I am just too much competition."

"You are not too much competition for anyone including your own ego." Jax smirked at Jerry. "How the mighty have fallen."

"And to think that this is the thanks I get for volunteering my valuable time to do you a favor." Jerry shook his head and sighed deeply. "I really must need to get my head examined."

Jax slapped Jerry on the back as he walked by him. "Like they say, the mind is the next thing to go after the body so you are simply proving them right. Your body went a long time ago." As Jax headed toward the den, he turned to Jerry. "I do appreciate your time and I will gladly repay you for it. Would you like bourbon or scotch?"

"Both and bring me the bottles," Jerry remarked as Jax snickered again at him. "I need something to get through an evening in this asylum."

"No need to fear," Jax spouted as he was half way down the hall. "I'm bringing in Lady from the yard now so you will have good company."

Jillian walked up to Jerry and spoke through her giggles. "You and Daddy are funny."

"No," Jerry thought to himself, "We are both completely insane from months of celibacy." He was waiting for the Guinness Book of World Records to call any day now to alert them that the libidinous Jacks men had been entered into the books for the longest dry spell of their careers. Either that or the highest number of cold showers ever. Well tonight, Jax was going to drop out of those contests and Jerry would be declared the victor. It was probably the only competition Jerry had ever wanted to lose.

Jerry came out of his daze and laughed at Jillian. "Now who is funny?" Jillian's giggles became squeals as he suddenly flipped her over his shoulder. "Roo, how come you look like a chimpanzee hanging from a tree?"

"Aunt Julia, I'm swinging." Jillian shrieked with pleasure.

Brenda twisted the red scrunchie around her ponytail as she came down the steps. "What are you doing to my daughter?

"Mommy, I'm upside down," Jillian answered.

"I see that." Brenda sighed dramatically. "I must really be crazy to trust my children with you."

With Julia's help, Jerry flipped Jillian back into his arms. "As if you would know otherwise, there is definitely something in the water in this house which makes everyone a loon."

"Where's Jax?" Brenda's eyes roamed down the hallway. "Did he ask you any questions about why you were here?"

Julia maintained her poker face as she shook her head. "Jax went to get the dog and no, he did not question why we're here."

"Okay, good." Brenda sighed in relief.

Brenda then nervously smoothed out the material of her sweater set. At least she had found something in her closet that fit, well almost fit, the pants would stay up without fastening the top button and they were not too dressy so as which to arise suspicion in Jax about the evening. Her outfit consisted of a sleeveless red silk and cashmere blend shell with a matching long cardigan and a pair of black silk pants. When she had looked in the mirror before coming downstairs, Brenda had flashed back to the image of a similar ensemble she had worn on the Isabella the night of their wedding. That had to be a good sign Brenda surmised, she had ended up out of her clothes later that night as they had made passionate love under the stars. She and Jax would survive without the stars this evening but Brenda did not think she could survive another night without loving every inch of him and being loved back in return. Whatever it took, the long, cold winter was going to meet the warmth of springtime tonight.

Julia cleared her throat as she recognized the longing look on Brenda's face. Julia was quite familiar with that look these days as well and at least one of them deserved to have it erased this evening. "Brenda, is there anything you need us to do before you get ready to leave?"

"No," Brenda replied as she came out of her wistful reflections. "I can't thank you enough for doing this. Josee has made one of her special dinners so you can eat whenever you're ready. Jax thinks it will be our dinner and that the plans to get the twins in bed were to enable us to have a quiet dinner for the three of us. Jessica and Jonathan just fell asleep so you may have ninety minutes of peace if they cooperate."

"So that's the plan?" Jerry could barely maintain his composure as he repeated the same question he had asked of Jax not fifteen minutes earlier. "When Jax gets in here, you whisk him away?"

Again Julia continued Jerry's thought just as she had done when they had spoken to Jax. "And Jessica and Jonathan are settled now for the next hour or so and you can leave them without too much worry?"

"That's the idea," Brenda replied with a nod.

"It's the same blasted answer." Jerry could not stop the snicker from tumbling from his lips. "Good God, you two must have rehearsed this in your twin telepathy training."

Jax came out of the den with Lady trailing behind him. "What are you talking about?" He then took another step up the hallway and caught sight of Brenda standing by the stairs. Jax felt his breath catch for a moment at the sight of her. Didn't she remember what that ponytail did to him? A smile then involuntarily formed on his lips at the thought that Brenda did indeed remember and what that would mean for the evening. He muttered to himself. "God, please let her remember what it does to me."

As she stood in the foyer, Brenda felt her own breath catch at the sight of Jax. He had on his tight navy blue dockers with a soft cotton, denim shirt and a dark sapphire crew neck sweater. Between the sweater's embellishment of the blue of his eyes and the accentuation of his well sculpted butt by the trousers, Brenda was not sure which one was making her mouth water more at the moment. She murmured under her breath. "Baby, Spring is here."

Jerry watched the two of them and they looked like a cross between sex-starved teenagers and the two lovers creating the greatest love story the world had ever seen. Somewhere inside himself, Jerry knew that they were both which made them even more special. The scene was not doing anything constructive for his own sex starved condition however so Jerry decided to put all four of them out of their misery.

"Okay, you two," Jerry announced to the group. "Get it over with and just spill it."

"What?" Brenda choked on her question and Jax's eyes opened widely as he was responded in unison with Brenda.

Jerry flashed an incredulous look to the two of them. "Get your mind out of there for a moment, I am talking about the surprise which has to be announced."

Again in unison, Jax and Brenda began speaking to the other. "I have a surprise..." They both stopped in mid thought at the realization that the other was speaking. The dead silence lasted for several seconds before Jax and Brenda both started speaking once again. "Tonight, I planned..." Again their voices resonated in stereo and then quiet came over both of them in yet another instance.

Julia started laughing. "This is too much for words."

"Good Lord," Jerry declared as he rubbed his temple. "Have either of you ever been able to finish a sentence around the other?"

Jillian looked up at all of them as if they were crazy. "Mommy and Daddy, when are you gonna leave for your surprises so me and Aunt Julia and Uncle Jerry can eat our special dinner?"

"Thank you Jillian," Jerry muttered with a sharp exhale. "Someone in this house who can use a complete sentence."

"You too?" Jax and Brenda pointed to each other as they asked the question in tandem. They both then laughed as they received confirmation that they had duplicated each other's conspiracies.

Brenda hugged Jax and then hugged Julia and Jerry. "You two kept your mouths shut through all of this." She then bent down and hugged Jillian. "You were such a good secret keeper."

Jax punched Jerry's arm. "No wonder you told me that you would talk to Julia about all this. You wanted to see this scene."

"Why not? You could take this on the road," Jerry responded with a shrug.

"I'm not sharing her with anyone." Jax put his arm around Brenda and softly kissed her on the lips.

"Me either," Brenda echoed. "Home is all we need."

Jerry waved his hand in there. "Okay, the insulin level in here is getting way too high. It is time for you two to go bother someone else and for us to eat that special dinner." He smugly smiled at Jillian as he spoke. "Those apples have my name on them."

"No apples for you," Jillian said with her hands on her hips. "I get yours."

On that note, Jax took Jillian into the kitchen to wash her hands for dinner while Jerry fixed himself another drink. Brenda and Julia went upstairs to check on the babies and Brenda gave Julia the phone numbers and notes she had written out about the twins. Jillian did not have school tomorrow due to the long weekend for President's Day on Monday so Brenda had told her she could stay up a little later than usual to help Julia and Jerry take care of the twins.

Fifteen minutes later, Jax helped Brenda on with her coat and they kissed Jillian good-bye and said they would come in to kiss her good night when they came home later. She promised that she would be a good helper with Jessica and Jonathan. Jerry and Julia took Jillian into the dining room for dinner as Jax and Brenda walked out onto the front steps. Virgil was waiting in the driveway with the limousine.

Jax kissed Brenda's hand. "Where to, Mrs. Jacks?"

"I don't know." Brenda threaded her fingers through his. "I don't want to mess up your plans."

"Whatever you want, I want." He smiled brightly at her as the stars twinkled above them.

Brenda returned his smile with one that lit up her entire face. "It doesn't really matter where we go, does it?"

"No," Jax answered with a shake of his head. "Anywhere you want."

"I just want you." Brenda laughed softly as she pulled out a set of keys from her pocket. "I think my sister figured we had plans to make no plans. On the way out, she slipped me the keys to the loft and said it was ours."

A throaty chuckle escaped from Jax's lips as he pulled out the key ring from his pocket. "Well my dear bother handed me the keys to the penthouse, he even told me he had the maid change the sheets and it was cheaper than the hourly rates down the street."

Brenda covered her mouth as she burst into giggles. "Do we have the label, sex-starved, written all over our faces?"

"Yes, among other places, I do believe so." Jax said with a devilish grin.

"Jax.." Brenda laughed again as her arms wrapped around Jax's waist and then slowly eased down to mold against his tight cheeks. "Well, we will certainly have to tell those siblings of ours that they have their own mastery of twin telepathy."

He nibbled at Brenda's ear. "Oh telepathic one, tell me what I'm thinking now."

"My governesses and the headmistresses at the boarding schools taught me to never make such comments." Brenda gave him a sexy wink. "Aren't you lucky that I never listened to any of them?"

"Very lucky," Jax whispered as he kissed her eyelids.

Brenda struggled to find her voice at the feel of his body pressing against her. "Virgil is going to think we're going to stand here all night salivating at this rate. Let's just go with your plans and I'll call Reese from the limo and..."

"Reese?" Jax paused as he choked back his laughter. "Don't tell me that your plans included arranging for the penthouse at the Port Charles Hotel."

Brenda's laughter was muffled as she buried her face against Jax's leather jacket. "I figured dinner and dessert all under one roof."

Jax's eyes gleamed with love and desire as he cradled her face in his hands. "I must admit that with regard to this aspect, I do like my plan better. Dessert and then dinner."

"How about a compromise?" Brenda purred. "Dessert and then dinner and then dessert again?"

"Sold!" Jax captured her mouth with his lips. "I love you."

"And I love you," Brenda murmured as she kissed him back. "I'm going to show you just how much."

"Let's go." Jax took her hand and they hurried to the limousine. As he helped Brenda slide onto the seat, Jax looked up to the stars and grinned. "Good night ole man winter."

The Port Charles Hotel/The Jacks Residence -- Evening

As the doors to the elevator closed after the stop on the tenth floor, Brenda locked her arms around Jax's neck. "Finally, I thought they would never leave."

Jax chuckled as he eased Brenda against the rear wall of the elevator. "I think that woman was waiting for you to pounce on me."

"Hey, I am not the one drooling here." She played with the hair on the back of Jax's neck. "I kept my clothes on in the limo and in the elevator." Brenda recognized the look on Jax's face. "Oh, all right so what that it was easier for me to keep my clothes on in the limo since I was on the phone with Julia checking on the twins, I still think I should get a gold star for that."

He kissed the corners of Brenda's mouth as his passion filled voice questioned her. "Where would you like me to put it?"

"Anywhere you so desire," she responded with a soft moan.

Their lips melded together as Jax's hands slid beneath Brenda's coat and roamed over the curves of her hips. The kisses became more intense and the opening of the elevator doors to the penthouse floor went completely unnoticed. Also unnoticed was the concierge, Claude, who was standing in the foyer awaiting the elevator. As Jax and Brenda continued their shower of kisses, Claude remained silent and stepped off to the right side of the foyer. Claude stayed there until the elevator doors started to close when he then hit the sensor to force the doors open again. The sound of the doors reopening jarred Jax and Brenda from their embrace and they stepped away from one another and found Claude holding the doors open for them.

Jax cleared his throat. "Claude, thank you."

"You are welcome, Mr. Jacks." He smiled at Jax and then at Brenda. "Good evening Mrs. Jacks. It is so nice to see you both again. Congratulations on the new additions. How is your family?"

"They are incredible, thank you," Brenda responded as she wondered how flushed her face was. "It is wonderful to see you as well."

Jax regained his bearings. "We missed you when we were here for a few days over the holidays. I trust your vacation was enjoyable."

"Yes, very much so." Claude stepped to the right and motioned for Jax and Brenda to exit. "I don't want to hold you up. Please enjoy your evening and call me if there is anything you need."

Jax nodded his head as Claude moved into the elevator. "Thank you Claude. Have a good evening."

Brenda shook her head as the elevators door closed behind them. "It's so reassuring that our reputation remains as tarnished as ever in this place."

A cheshire grin formed on Jax's lips. "Well, some things in life are just meant to be."

"True," Brenda exclaimed with a sigh. "At least in this instance, my clothes are in one piece unlike the last time Claude met us in that elevator."

"You had been forewarned before we went to the beach about just how delectable you looked in that halter top and just how flimsy that material was." Yearning gleamed in his eyes. "In fact, I vividly remember you changing into that top after I told you that."

Brenda shrugged her shoulders as she flashed him a bright grin. "Yes, and you love that about me."

"I love everything about you," Jax murmured as took her into his arms. "Let me show you just how much."

Their lips united again as Jax and Brenda slowly moved their way across the hall to the door of the penthouse they had called their home for almost the first full year of their marriage. Jax fumbled to find the key in his pocket as his mouth tasted every inch of Brenda's mouth. They finally released each other's lips as Jax found the key and opened the door to the suite.

As they entered the room, Brenda felt a wave of happiness spill over her. There had been so many glorious moments in the penthouse for them and tonight there would be more memories. Brenda had not been able to concentrate on any of those magical times when they had stayed at the penthouse seven weeks ago before the twins had been discharged but now those moments could be savored. She felt Jax's hand squeeze her shoulder and Brenda turned to him and smiled.

Jax helped Brenda off with her coat before taking off his own jacket and putting the cell phones on the table where they could easily get to them. Brenda stood in the center of the room and looked around at the candles and the flowers as soft music filtered through the air. A fire had been built in the fireplace and the table was elegantly set for two and positioned in front of the wall of windows so that the moonlight could be enjoyed. "Reese and Claude did their usual magnificent jobs."

"They sure did," Jax murmured in response. "They knew we wanted this evening to be special."

"All I need is you to make it that way." Brenda stepped toward Jax with outstretched arms. "I just love you so much."

Jax enveloped her with his arms. "Oh, sweetie, I love you too."

"This feels so good," Brenda whispered with a contented sigh.

As the music from the CD player continued to waft through the room, Jax rubbed small circles on Brenda's back. "May I have this dance, Mrs. Jacks?"

Brenda reached up and touched Jax's face. "I would be honored, Mr. Jacks."

Jax kissed the fingers of her left hand before taking it in his right hand. His left hand rested at the small of Brenda's back and she laid her head against his chest as they seemed to breeze across the room as if they were floating on a cloud. With the only illumination in the room provided by the gleaming moonlight streaming in through the window and the flickering flames of the candles and fireplace, Jax and Brenda were surrounded by a beaming radiance that only was surpassed by the glow of love emitted from their hearts.

I could stay awake just to hear you breathing
Watch you smile while you are sleeping
Far away and dreaming
I could spend my life in this sweet surrender
I could stay lost in this moment forever
Well, every moment spent with you
Is a moment I treasure

Brenda moaned softly as she nuzzled her nose against Jax's neck. She loved the scent of him, a combination of clean and woodsy with a touch of musk. It was so manly and so Jax. Brenda nibbled at the skin of Jax's neck to savor the taste of him and then made a path with her lips from his neck to his left ear. Jax has begun his own exploration as he dropped baby kisses along her forehead and then continued the trail to her eyelids, then nose, cheeks and then chin. Only Brenda's lips were left yearning for the caress of Jax's mouth and her lips groaned into his ear voicing their ache at being neglected. Brenda could feel the devilish grin on Jax's face as he continued to ignore her soft and inviting lips. She decided it was her turn to be wicked and Brenda heard Jax suck in a breath as her tongue dipped into his left ear. Then in the next instance, Brenda pressed her body closer to Jax and shifted her hips back and forth. Now it was much more than a grin she sensed from Jax as Brenda felt him against her.

As his excitement grew at the feel of Brenda's enticing movements, Jax decided that two had to play at this game. His right hand moved to her stomach where Jax then slipped his hand under the silk cashmere of the sleeveless shell. His fingers stroked the satin material of her bra before dipping into the valley of her chest and caressing the soft skin. He could immediately feel the arousal of her points through the material and echoing whimpers of pleasure fell from both of their lips. Brenda relished the touch of his gentle yet passionate caress while Jax felt his arousal strain even more against his boxers at the discovery that Brenda's chest had blossomed considerably.

I don't wanna close my eyes
I don't wanna fall asleep
'Cause I miss you, babe
And I don't wanna miss a thing
'Cause even when I dream of you
The sweetest dream will never do
I'd still miss you, babe
And I don't wanna miss a thing

At Jax's continued caressing of her velvet skin, Brenda closed her eyes and felt her breathing become labored. She tangled her fingers through the back of Jax's hair and moaned in ecstasy. She could feel heat coursing through her body and Brenda whimpered loudly as flames began to center at her most sensitive zone. Brenda rocked her hips against Jax's body again and she heard Jax gasp out loud before his hands cradled her face and pulled her lips to his. The kiss was demanding and blazing as their passions had reached the boiling point. As his tongue plunged into her mouth, Brenda gave him free entry and then her tongue dueled his for control of the tango they performed. She moaned into Jax's mouth one last time before he murmured against her lips, "I'm going to undress every inch of you." As she cried out in excitement, Jax's hands moved to her hips and Brenda leapt into his arms. Their lips never parted as Brenda wrapped her body around him so as to never let go. Jax grabbed the phones off the table as he carried Brenda up the steps to continue their dance in bed.

Jax lowered Brenda against the pillows and sat down beside her on the bed. He continued to shower her with kisses as Brenda stroked the strong muscles of his upper arms. When he released Brenda's lips, Jax reached down to her feet and removed her shoes. He tenderly massaged her stocking clad feet and Brenda closed her eyes and purred like a kitten. Jax moaned himself at the sound of her bliss, her feet had always been such an erogenous zone for her and had loved to watch her react to the pleasure. Jax moved back toward the top of the bed as he unfastened the two bottom buttons of Brenda's pants. Brenda sat up as Jax slid the silk pants down her legs and then tossed them onto the chair next to the bed. She recognized the gleam in Jax's eyes as he saw the silk thigh high stockings she had worn. She had only put them on for the sheer pleasure of Jax taking them off of her. Slithering them down her legs was always a seduction with a slow, long and delicious climax just like their lovemaking was.

Lying close to you
Feeling your heart beating
And I'm wondering what you're dreaming
Wondering if it's me you're seeing
Then I kiss your eyes and thank God we're together
And I just wanna stay with you
In this moment forever, forever and ever

Jax edged up the bed further and then grasped the back of her thighs to move Brenda's legs across his lap. As he did, Jax's hands roamed to caress the curves of her hips and firmness of her bottom. Brenda's breathing became faster as her right leg then became his prize as Jax's fingers danced their way from the tip of her toes to the top of her thighs where the silk material ended. His nimble digits moved back and forth, slowly and then briskly and up and down each inch of her leg until Brenda thought she was going to start panting. Jax's lips then followed the sensual path his fingers had just taken as he kissed his way up and down the silk.

Brenda's panting did start as she felt his teeth nibbling at the top of her thigh as Jax began to peel the silk stocking down her leg. She grasped the satin material of the comforter as Jax's mouth reached her foot and then besieged it with kisses before taking each toe, one by one into his mouth, and sucking them. Jax grinned at the cry of his name that echoed from her lips as Brenda shifted against the pillows while his mouth and tongue made love to her foot. The eroticism of the action had always made her like putty in his hands as Brenda could feel the sweet torture all the way to her core which craved the same treatment. Jax lifted his hand to her upper thigh to temporarily halt the drive of her hips as he began to work his same magic on her stocking clad left leg.

I don't wanna close my eyes
I don't wanna fall asleep
'Cause I'd miss you, babe
And I don't wanna miss a thing
'Cause even when I dream of you
The sweetest dream will never do
I'd still miss you, babe
And I don't wanna miss a thing

Brenda controlled her breathing enough to sit up and capture Jax's mouth with hers as his hands slid the cardigan sweater down her arms. It was his turn to moan now as he saw just how perfectly the silk and cashmere material of the shell molded against the fullness of Brenda's chest. As his tongue danced with Brenda's, Jax's hands moved to her sides and caressed the ampleness of her soft orbs. His palms roved to the center of her chest where they cupped each firm breast. She moaned into Jax's mouth as his hands moved over her body. Jax shifted himself at the discomfort of is own arousal but he was determined to finish everything he had started before he took them to paradise. He released Brenda's mouth long enough for his hands to push the shell over her head.

Her fingers threaded his golden tresses again as his hands effortlessly unhooked the front fastener of Brenda's black satin bra. Jax whispered sweet nothings to her as Brenda pushed his head against her chest. She whimpered as his hands gently caressed her skin, squeezing and kneading the fullness of her chest. Jax's mouth then continued the exploration as Brenda was at her breaking point. The feel of his tongue dancing against her caused an utterance from the depths of her soul. She pressed her body against Jax's chest and moved up and down. As she heard Jax groan, Brenda slid her hands under his sweater and pushed it up his chest. Jax quickly discarded it and Brenda tore open his denim shirt, with two buttons giving way to her zealous action. Her breasts now roamed up and down the bare skin of Jax's chest as she freed his arms of the cotton shirt.

I don't wanna miss one smile
I don't wanna miss one kiss
Well, I just wanna be with you
Right here with you, just like this
I just wanna hold you close
Feel your heart so close to mine
And stay here in this moment
For all the rest of time

Her hands then went to his belt where Brenda quickly unhooked it before unbuttoning his trousers. Jax quickly kicked off his shoes and shed his trousers and Brenda purred at the enticing bulge cloaked by the navy satin of his boxers. Jax regained his momentarily loss of control and pushed Brenda back against the pillows as his mouth teased her nipples again. He had still not undressed every inch of her as he had promised so Jax's fingers dipped under the elastic of her panties and slowly slid the black satin down her legs. Brenda raked her fingernails down Jax's chest as she ground her hips against him. "Patience, baby, I am not finished with you yet," Jax whispered into her mouth between kisses. He traced his tongue along her bottom lip before his mouth began a path down her chest again. Jax left a trail of kisses from her chest to her feet and on the return path, his lips explored the inside of her legs. Brenda grabbed the material of the comforter in one hand as she moved against the bed. The feel of his tongue caused Brenda to loudly scream his name. "Jax....Please." The sound of the passionate desire in her voice was the end of Jax's battle on his own control. He slid the boxers down his legs and moved on top of her.

Don't wanna close my eyes
Don't wanna fall asleep
'Cause I'd miss you, babe
And I don't wanna miss a thing
'Cause even when I dream of you
The sweetest dream will never do
I'd still miss you, babe
And I don't wanna miss a thing

His mouth captured her again as Jax positioned himself over her. With a murmur of, "I love you," his body united with hers. In tandem, they whimpered at the ecstasy. The fire was caressing every sensual inch of her throbbing heat and the force of his each passionate move was fanning the flame even more. Just when she thought her ache for release could not climb any higher, Jax knocked the passion meter off the charts as he slowed the force of his movement so that they were caresses of her very soul. His name echoed over and over from her lips as she sensed the building waves to a crest of ecstasy that would open up paradise. Jax felt the tremors of her body and moved her hands over her head to grasp the stability of the headboard. "Open your eyes, Brenda, I want to see heaven in your eyes."

A cry fell from Brenda's lips as her eyes fluttered open. There was nothing but overwhelming love and desire in her brown pools of velvet. "I love you, Jax," she cried out as Jax gripped her arms as she felt the waves crashing inside her. Spasms traveled through her entire body as the warmth of the desert sun washed over her. Her eyes flashed with fire and blazing passion as she saw heaven. She lost complete control as a scream escaped from the depths of her soul. Jax held onto her hands tightly as he groaned at the delirium he was feeling from the reaction of Brenda's body beneath him. His breathing had become panting as he neared his own paradise. Jax's control now was lost as with one more powerful motion, he called out Brenda's name and joined her in paradise. He moaned in pleasure as Brenda's arms moved to embrace him. They rode out the final waves together as heaven was there for both of them in each other's eyes.

Jonathan was stuffed and content as he sat in his infant seat. Jessica was also cooperating now after a period of fussing and the baby was now beginning to drift off to sleep in Julia's arms. Jillian was kneeling next to the coffee table in the den as she drew pictures with her new heart markers. Jerry then came into the room with a cup of milk for Jillian and her favorite graham crackers.

"Dessert for me," Jillian said with a bright smile.

Jerry looked over at Jonathan and pointed toward him. "Roo, you better watch that brother of yours, he will be stealing your food before you know it."

Jillian giggled. "Daddy says he's gonna look like a chipmunk."

"Gonna look like one?" Jerry chuckled deeply as he put the cookies and milk on the table. "That moose already looks like he has five acorns in each cheek."

"Would you please stop calling Jonathan that," Julia rolled her eyes at Jerry. "I don't think Brenda appreciates that at all."

"Oh, she does not care." Jerry's voice had a teasing tone to it. "It's not like I am calling him Atilla the Hun. Well, not yet, we'll see what happens when he gets a little older."

Julia switched Jessica to her left shoulder. "You are impossible." Jessica bobbed her head a bit and looked around at the light. "Jessica, don't pay any attention to him."

Jerry sat down in the chair. "Now that one's been a turtle since the first time I ever saw her."

A sigh fell from Julia's lips. "God help me for even asking but why?"

"She's been trying to poke that head up from the get go. Then she tries to bury it as if she is hiding it in a shell." Jerry motioned to Julia as the baby was burying her head into Julia's neck. "I rest my case, pop up and then hide. A turtle."

Julia patted Jessica's back as she shook her head at Jerry. "I don't know where you come up with these things."

Jillian looked up from her artwork. "Grandpa says Uncle Jerry got bumped on his head so he's silly."

"Roo, don't you know that your grandfather is so old now that his brain is oatmeal." Jerry took a sip of his drink. "If your grandmother was not there, he would not even remember to take his clothes off before getting into the bathtub."

"Grandpa don't take a bath with his clothes on," Jillian replied. "You have to take your clothes off."

Jerry nodded. "You know that and I know that but Grandpa is too old and full of oatmeal to remember."

"Nu-uh." Jillian shook her head back and forth. "There's no oatmeal in his head. You eat that for breakfast. You're teasing again."

"Yes, he is." Julia winked at Jillian. "But you are so smart that you know that."

"I'm smart, Uncle Jerry," Jillian announced. "Daddy says I don't have straw in my head like you."

Jerry leaned down toward Jillian. "Your father is just a big tease. He is the one with straw in his head." He pointed at Lady who was asleep in the corner of the room on her rug. "Even that beast has more brains than your father."

"My Daddy's smart," Jillian spoke with a definite tone of conviction in her voice. "No teasing!"

Julia spoke in a whisper. "Yes, he is Jillian and Uncle Jerry is not going to tease you anymore right now."

"Jessica's sleeping," Jillian said quietly as she saw the baby asleep on Julia's shoulder.

Julia nodded. "Yes, so we need to be quiet right now." She turned to Jerry. "Especially you."

"Jonathan's still got his eyes open." Jillian took Jonathan's hand and played with it for a moment. He was still awake but had the glassy eyed look that signaled that it would not be much longer before Mr. Sandman paid a visit.

The clock struck quarter past eight and Julia smiled at Jillian. "Sweetheart, it's almost time for you to get to bed. Why don't you put your markers back into the box and come upstairs with me. You can help me change Jessica and put her in the cradle and then I'll help you get into your pajamas. "Uncle Jerry will stay here with Jonathan."

"And Lady too," Jillian added. She then looked over at Jerry. "No teasing the doggie."

"Me?" Jerry put his hand on his chest. "I never tease."

Jillian exhaled loudly. "You're not being good."

Jerry lifted Jonathan's infant seat onto the coffee table. "Hey Moose, tell your sister that I don't tease."

"He can't talk," Jillian retorted as she closed the box of markers. "He's a baby." She leaned over and kissed Jonathan's forehead. "He's gonna tease you so be ready."

A snicker fell from Jerry's lips as he watched Julia and Jillian leave the den. He leaned over and muttered to Jonathan. "Moose, you're going to have to watch out for that one. She has way too much Barrett in her and they can drive you mad faster than we Jacks men can eat so what does that tell you?"

Twenty minutes later, Jillian was dressed in her ballerina pajamas and Julia was brushing the tangles from her curls. Jerry came up the stairs with Jonathan asleep in the infant seat. As Jerry passed by Jillian's bedroom, he stopped outside the door to watch the scene. Jillian turned around and waved to him. "Uncle Jerry, I got my ballerina pajamas on."

"They are very pretty." Jerry put the infant seat down on the floor and surveyed the room. "You really like ballerinas, look at your lamps and these pictures on your wall."

Jillian scooted over on the bed and pulled back the bedspread, exposing her ballerina sheets. "Look, my pillow too."

"Very nice," Jerry said as he nodded his head.

"Mommy's taking me and Brooke to see the ballerinas." Jillian spoke with complete excitement. "They twirl all over and are sooo pretty."

"Just like the glow bugs," Jerry replied as he gave her a wink. "Remember them?"

Jillian bobbed her head up and down. "I remember, they flew all over the jars." She then started giggling. "You put one in Aunt Julia's shirt and she sprayed you with the hose."

Memories of that day suddenly flashed through Julia's mind. It had been so long ago and so much had changed since then for all of them. She looked over at Jerry who too was recalling the events of that end of summer day well over a year ago now. They locked gazes for a moment until Jonathan fussed momentarily in his infant seat.

"I'll get him ready to go to bed for awhile." Julia murmured as she finally broke eye contact with Jerry.

Jillian tapped Jerry on the arm. "Can you read me my story? It has a kangaroo in it just like Roo-Roo."

"A kangaroo?" Jerry tickled the skin under her chin. "Of course."

Julia picked up the infant seat and Jillian kissed Jonathan good night before climbing under the covers for her story. Jonathan was quiet now and Julia could not help but stop and outside the door and listen to Jillian's laughter as Jerry imitated the sound a kangaroo made while eating. She could never tire of seeing him with Jillian. Parts of him which he tried to keep hidden most of the time seem to freely come to the surface around Jillian. Julia remembered how Jane and John said the same about her when she came into Jerry's life. Jax and Brenda had also told her that. As she walked down the hall to the nursery, Julia wondered if she could still have the same effect on him.

Fifteen minutes later, Jerry had finished Jillian's book and she ready to say good night. Jerry went to get Julia from the nursery to say good night and he stopped at the door at the sound of Julia's whispers over the cradles. "Good night sweethearts. Mommy and Daddy will be back later. They're so lucky to have you but they know that. You're lucky to have them too."

Jerry stepped back from the nursery and went back around the corner before he turned around to come down the hallway. Julia was coming out of the nursery when reached the room. Jerry quietly cleared his throat when he saw her. "Jillian wants to say good night."

"Okay," she murmured in return. "Jessica and Jonathan are both asleep for the moment so maybe they'll stay settled until Jax and Brenda come back."

"We'll manage either way." He fished his hand into his pocket. "I've got earplugs."

An involuntary smile formed on Julia's lips as they walked back to Jillian's room. When they got there, Julia sat down on the bed and hugged and kissed Jillian. "Good night sweetheart. Mommy and Daddy will be here when you wake up and I'll see you over the weekend. Maybe we can go see the ice skaters again."

"I wanna go," Jillian exclaimed with a radiant smile. "We can get hot chocolate."

"Yes, we can." Jillian stroked Jillian's cheek. "I'll talk to Mommy about it tomorrow."

Jerry tweaked Jillian's nose and then kissed her cheek. "Night Roo, dream about all those kangaroos and koalas."

"Okay." Jillian then sat up in bed. "Uncle Jerry, can you come with us to see the skaters? It's soo fun and they go real fast."

Jerry smiled at Jillian and then his eyes locked with Julia's once again. He nodded his head. "Jillian, I can come with you if one thing happens."

Jillian questioned him. "What happens?"

"Your Aunt Julia brings her ice skates." He then looked up at Julia. "Then I'll show both of you ladies how to really skate."

"This I have to see," Julia responded as soft laughter fell from her lips. "You've got a deal."

Jerry flashed Julia a lopsided grin and then put the covers over Jillian. "Roo, I'll be there."

Jillian clapped her hands under the covers. "Yeah!"

"Okay, now it is really time to go to sleep." Julia kissed her again and then moved to turn on the night light before turning off the lamp. "Sweet dreams, Jillian."

As Jerry and Julia reached the hallway, Jillian's voice called out to them one last time. "You have smiley faces, I like that."

"So do we,Jillian, so do we," Julia whispered back into the dark.

Jax picked up a shrimp from the tray of food. "Here sweetie, you haven't eaten enough."

Brenda was sitting in Jax's lap on the bed as she explored his chest with her mouth. "I'm doing fine at the moment."

Jax shook his head at her. "I can see that but nibbling on my chest is not exactly going to meet the daily dietary requirements for you."

"Since when have I ever done that anyway?" Brenda gave him a sexy grin before she took his right point between her teeth.

"Well, that's beside the point," Jax sighed contently at the sweet torture her mouth was bestowing on him. "I want to get some food inside you."

She shifted in his lap and felt his arousal. "There are other things I need more right now."

A deep gasp fell from his lips as her hips rocked against him. "Brenda..."

Her hand moved between his legs. "You're so perfect." she murmured as her fingers worked their magic.

Jax twisted against the pillows as he felt his breathing quicken. "Baby."

"I don't want food inside of me," Brenda murmured as she straddled him. "I want you there. Her eyes gleamed with passion. "I've had enough dinner, it's time for dessert again." She looked down at his growing excitement. "You're obviously UP for it."

"With you around, it would be difficult not to be," Jax responded as he caressed her chest. "You are such a vixen."

Brenda shifted off of his lap. "Yes, so let me earn my title." She stroked the place his body craved her touch the most. "You are so beautiful." She then lowered her lips to trail to continue her sweet torture.

Jax closed his eyes and held onto her shoulders to support his spinning delirium. He groaned in ecstasy as she then took him to new heights of pleasure. He then gasped for breath as his control reached the edge. "Brenda..."

She kissed Jax and then straddled him once again. "I'm right here, baby." Brenda eased her body atop him as they joined as one. Jax grunted as she clutched his shoulders for support and then rocked her hips up and down. Brenda lifted her body to heights where their connection was about to be broken before she would lower herself on top of him, deepening their connection in one fluid motion. Jax felt his world spinning from the pleasure she was giving him.

I don't wanna close my eyes
I don't wanna fall asleep
'Cause I'd miss you, babe
And I don't wanna miss a thing
'Cause even when I dream of you
The sweetest dream will never do
I'd still miss you, babe
And I don't wanna miss a thing

Brenda moaned through her soft pants. "Come on, baby, I'm right here. Let go."

Jax pressed his chest against her body and groaned as her peaks traced against his skin with each drive of her hips. He cradled her butt and met Brenda's movements with a lift of his own hips. Brenda whimpered through her words. "That's it, baby." Thereafter, in one mind bending moment, they came together and cried out each other's names as heaven was seen once again on this magical night.

They collapsed against the pillows still joined together in body and soul. Brenda rested her head against Jax's chest as she closed her eyes and savored the feel of him. "I love you." Jax stroked his fingers down her arm as she laid on top of him. "I love you, Brenda."

Don't wanna close my eyes
Don't wanna fall asleep, yeah
I don't wanna miss a thing

SONG CREDITS: "I Don't Wanna Miss A Thing" by Aerosmith