Wednesday, March 20, 2002
Hong Kong Office -- 4:30pm

Teddi finished looking over the preliminary financial report on the end of the year earnings for the Asian subsidiaries. The numbers were not exemplary by any means but there had been a stable upward trend since the new management team had been put in place. It would take months to rebound from the damages that Tracy Quartermaine's assault had inflicted but the Asian holdings were on the road to the prosperity of two years ago and Teddi could not help but to feel proud of all the hard work she and her team had done over the past nine months. The effort had been well worth it as Teddi realized that her life was more content and balanced than it had been since Tsao had died. The association with J & J Jacks had been the perfect outlet to help Teddi take back her life again and she wished that everyone around her could experience the same sense of contentment.

Her thoughts immediately went to Jerry and the obvious unhappiness and internal conflict he had been struggling with since he had shown up in Beijing almost two weeks before. The meetings with the government had been relatively successful and the concessions that J & J Jacks had agreed to could easily have been handled by the subsidiary managers. Jerry, however, had decided to return to Hong Kong with her in order to oversee the implementation of such changes by the managers. Teddi immediately recognized the true motivations behind Jerry's decision, she had firsthand experience with the definition of retreat. She also fully understood now just how futile and costly it was and Teddi decided it was about time that someone else knew that as well.

Teddi pushed the chair back from the desk and walked out of her office. She went around the corner to the office Jerry had been using but found it empty. She then moved down the hallway to the conference room and there Teddi found Jerry. The conference table was covered with print-outs of the earnings and losses of the individual subsidiaries but Jerry was sitting in a chair facing the window. Jerry was not even aware of her presence in the room as it was evident that his thoughts were very far away. Teddi was well aware of just how far away those thoughts were now.

Teddi moved toward the window as she spoke. "Funny thing about those thousands of miles of separation, the mind is oblivious to the distance."

Jerry was slightly startled by the sound of her voice and muttered without turning around. "Not now, Teddi."

"When do you suggest then?" She stood directly behind the chair. "A week? A month? How about five years from now when you have reached the depths of misery?"

He swiveled the chair around and his jaw tightened. "That's enough. Drop it."

Teddi folded her arms in front of her as she laughed slightly. "Is that glare supposed to scare me? My, my, your memory is slipping." Another snicker fell from her lips. "There is not much that scares me and you sure as hell are not on that list."

Jerry spoke through gritted teeth. "I can see you are in one of your royal pain in the ass moods.”

"Oh good, your memory is back." Teddi smirked as she saw the steam building up in Jerry. "Maybe now you'll start fighting back."

"Theodora, you are treading dangerous waters," Jerry cautioned. "I suggest you think better of it."

"I always enjoyed the danger. So did you." Teddi got right into Jerry's face as she continued. "Are you afraid of that now too?"

Jerry bolted out of his chair. "Now you've done it."

"Good, now rant and rave at me," she responded in a determined voice. "Rant and rave at the world, Jerry. Damn it, do something."

"What the hell has gotten into you?" Jerry felt his temples beginning to throb. "You're out of control, Teddi."

"No," Teddi replied with a nod of her head. "You are the one out of control, Jerry, and you're doing nothing to stop it."

Jerry shot her a withering glance. "You don't have a freaking clue what you are talking about."

Teddi laughed again out loud. "How could I forget? The immortal and invincible Jerry Jacks is beyond experiencing what we mere humans do."

"This conversation is beyond ridiculous," Jerry retorted with a wave of his hand.

"You're the one who is being ridiculous." Teddi's voice lowered as she continued. "You don't think I know what you're doing. You don't think I have been in the same miserable place you are now?"

Jerry took a deep breath and immediately saw the sadness behind Teddi's eyes. "Teddi, I can't."

Teddi shook her head and sighed. "No, you WON'T and there's a big difference there."

"You are so insufferable," Jerry exclaimed as he collapsed into the chair again. "You sound just like...."

"Julia?" Teddi moved in front of him as she leaned against the bookcase. "Can you even say it?"

"JULIA," Jerry repeated with a definite edge to his voice. "Are you satisfied?"

"Not yet," Teddi retorted. "Now why are you here being miserable and a pain in the ass with me instead of dealing with all of this and being as insufferable to Julia as she is to you?"

Jerry took a deep breath. "Teddi, you don't know. Everything's changed."

Teddi nodded her head slightly. "Yes, some of it's changed but some of it hasn't. You love each other and you're not giving enough credit to that."

"Damn," Jerry said with a groan. "So now you're a therapist. I have one, thank you."

"That's not going to work, you know me better than that." Teddi looked Jerry straight in the eyes. "You're afraid and you are taking the retreating stance. Believe me, I know all about that."

Jerry rolled his eyes. "Believe it or not, Theodora, you don't always know what you are talking about."

A smug smile crossed Teddi's lips as she spoke. "Yes, but in this case I do. It doesn't take much effort when I am merely looking at a mirror of myself from a year and half ago."

"It's not the same, Teddi," Jerry murmured.

"It shouldn't be but it is," Teddi remarked. "You're mourning something that's still alive. Do you know how unfair that is? To both of you?" She heard her voice quake slightly. "Do you know how absurd that seems to me?"

Jerry let out a jagged exhale as Teddi continued. "Look at what you're doing, you're miserable and you are holding onto the pain for dear life instead of the love. Isn't that what you accused Julia of months ago? Don't you realize what this is costing you? DO you have any clue how much time you've lost?"

Her words and the emotion behind them were piercing straight through to Jerry's heart. "We've both changed, I don't know if we can get it all back."

"We all change, Jerry, we're supposed to." Teddi moistened her dry lips. "Look how much you changed after you left London almost nine years ago. You were right then, you couldn't face the obligations and emotions of a committed relationship then but when Julia entered your life, all that changed. You can't just give up that now. Neither of you can."

"Teddi, you make it sound much more simple than it is." Jerry rubbed his throbbing temple. "What if it just can't be fixed?"

"Jerry, I'm not saying that you can snap your fingers and everything will be bliss. Every day will be a challenge but since when have you ever backed down from that? And I know enough about Julia to know that she shares the same characteristic." Teddi sighed deeply. "She could never have put up with you for five minutes otherwise. I sure as hell hope she drove you crazy from the start."

The corner of Jerry's mouth involuntarily curled up into a smile. "She did. She was so exasperating...." He cleared his throat. "Those Barrett women are the only ones to rival you in the infuriating and insufferable departments and they are teaching that niece of mine to be just as maddening."

"No wonder I found all three of them so remarkable from the start," Teddi stated with a small smile. She then moved the discussion back to her original intent. "Now, you have yet to answer me as to why you are still here. You sure as hell are not fixing things staring out a window or spending hours on the playstation with my son."

Jerry muttered as he raked his fingers through his hair. "Teddi, I have to sort some things out."

"Fine, do that." Teddi looked him squarely in the eyes again. "You need to do that but you're not doing that here. This is nothing more than an avoidance stop. If you can't do it in Port Charles, then find somewhere that you can. Then you will stop being my headache and give that privilege back to Julia again."

"Your insolence is so 'charming' Theodora," Jerry quipped with a shake of his head. "I can only hope that you are making that cad Thao's life as miserable as you are making mine right now."

Teddi winked at him. "A lady never tells."

Jerry leaned back in his chair and smirked. "Well, then spill it, you sure as hell are no lady."

"That must be true," Teddi said with a shrug of her shoulders. "Otherwise I wouldn't do this."

Jerry realized that the chair was tipping over too late to stop it as Teddi brushed her hands together after flipping over the chair. "Maybe that'll knock some sense into you," she declared as she walked toward the door with Jerry still sprawled out on the floor. "I will let Tron know that you will call him tonight to say good-bye and that he will see you when we stop in Port Charles on our way to Switzerland in May. Good night."

Jerry rubbed the back of his head and cursed under his breath. She had some hell of a nerve. Jerry then remembered saying the same thing to Julia when she had pushed him out of bed after he had dumped a bowl of ice on top of her one night shortly before he had finally asked her to marry him. Julia had merely stepped over his sprawled out body on the floor and showed no concern for the nick in the back of his head caused when he hit the edge of the nightstand. When he had protested and called foul about her disregard of his injury, Julia had simply tossed him a piece of ice and told him to use it in good health. Jerry had known at that exact moment that Julia was the only woman who could ever make him completely happy.

As Jerry stood up and picked up the chair, he knew somewhere deep inside him that Julia still was the only one for him. As much as he hated to admit it, Teddi was right, he was avoiding so much by staying in Hong Kong and sheltering himself from his feelings. He needed to find a place to think about all of it, the good and the bad, the blissful and the painful. Tonight, he would decide where that place was and tomorrow, he would make the journey. A deep sigh escaped from Jerry's lips as he realized that it would be the most important journey he had ever taken. But as Teddi had so astutely reminded him, life was too short to avoid it any longer.

The Jacks Residence -- 5:45pm

Brenda turned on the music box to Jonathan's swing and tickled the skin under his chin as the baby contently surveyed the surroundings of the den. Jessica was beginning to fuss in her infant seat while Jillian was putting together her alphabet puzzle on the floor. Sitting on the table beside Jillian was the small paper cup holding her most prized possession of the day. She anxiously awaited Jax's return home to show it off.

Brenda lifted Jessica out of the seat and nuzzled her nose against the baby's stomach. "Somebody needs a dry diaper and another change of clothes."

Jillian looked up from the puzzle. "How many minutes till Daddy comes?"

"Soon sweetheart," Brenda said as she laid Jessica down on the changing pad. "While we're waiting, please bring me another sleeper for your sister from the diaper bag next to the door."

Jillian got up and scurried over to the other side of the room. "Can I pick?"

Brenda smiled and nodded her head. "Yes, you can pick whichever one you want."

"The balloon one," Jillian responded as she held up the white sleeper dotted with the pink, yellow and blue balloon design. "It's pretty."

"Yes, it is," Brenda replied as she unsnapped the Winnie-the-Pooh sleeper Jessica was wearing. "I remember when you were a baby and how pretty you looked wearing the balloons."

A bright smile appeared on Jillian's face as she put the sleeper next to Jessica. "I weared the balloons too, Jessica."

Brenda made faces at the fussing Jessica as she took off the baby's wet diaper. "Now you're going to feel better, pumpkin."

Jillian scooted closer to Brenda. "Mommy, I wanna sing and put the powder on like me and Daddy."

"Okay," Brenda responded as she adjusted the top of the jar to control the release of the talc. "Here you go."

A soft giggle fell from Jillian's lips as she took the powder and then she began to sing her little song as she shook the jar. "Sprinkle, sprinkle little jar. Fluffy powder don't fly far."

Brenda applauded and then clapped Jessica's hands together in praise of Jillian's powdering skills. "Very good sweetheart." Brenda smiled to herself at the memory of Jax and Jillian composing their "powdering song" the week before when both Jessica and Jonathan had experienced several very cranky days. The composition had been a means to entertain Jillian during the difficult week as she had asked on numerous occasions that the twins be returned to the hospital and traded for quieter babies.

Jillian laughed. "I like me and Daddy's powder song and Jessica does too. She's not crying no more."

"Jessica does like it," Brenda said with a wink as she slipped the baby's legs into the sleeper.

She watched Brenda fasten the snaps of the sleeper and then Jillian touched the baggy material of the sleeper at Jessica's feet. "Jessica needs bigger feet."

"Your sister still has some catching up to do but Dr. Simone says she and her feet are getting bigger and stronger every day." Brenda lifted Jessica into her arms. "Jessica still has a long way to go before she is a big girl like you."

Jillian looked over at the swing as Jonathan remained content. "Jonathan has big feet cause he drinks all the time. Uncle Jerry says he's gonna call him Porky Pig."

Brenda rolled her eyes slightly and looked over at Jonathan. "Peanut, we are going to tell that Uncle Jerry of yours that you are not Porky Pig." At that precise moment a loud burp fell from Jonathan's lips and Jillian covered her mouth as she loudly laughed. Brenda shook her head at Jonathan. "I'm trying to defend you and you are being no help."

The sound of Lady's squeals in the yard and the opening of the garage door were then heard. Jillian shrieked, "Daddy's home." She scampered to the door and then raced back to the coffee table to retrieve her prized possession from the cup. "I hafta get the surprise to show Daddy."

"You can show Daddy but no running in the house," Brenda declared as she looked down at Jillian. "Daddy and I don't want you getting hurt."

"I remember," Jillian answered as she grabbed the paper cup and the photo next to it and then hurriedly walked out of the den toward the foyer.

A moment later, Brenda heard the excited bark of Lady and footsteps on the terrace. Brenda laughed as Jax and Lady then emerged through the french doors. She smirked at Jax as he kissed her and greeted the twins. "You are going to be in trouble with a certain princess."

The sound of Jillian's feet trotting up the hallway resounded through the room and she then appeared in the doorway. "Daddy, you came in wrong."

A chuckle escaped from Jax's lips. "Sorry princess but Lady wanted to see you so I brought her inside."

Jillian moved in front of Jax. "Daddy, I hafta show you the surprise. Look!" She dumped the contents of the cup into her hand. "It's my tooth. It fell out but it didn't hurt. See!" Jillian opened her mouth into a broad grin and showed Jax the hole in the front of her bottom row of teeth.

"You lost your tooth?" Jax smiled as he leaned down in front of Jillian and took the tooth from her hand. "Should we try to glue it back in your mouth?"

"No Daddy," Jillian muttered with a shake of her head. "I have to put it under my pillow so the tooth fairy can come."

He flashed Jillian a look of feigned confusion. "The tooth fairy?"

Jillian bobbed her head. "Yes, and she's gonna bring me money when she finds the tooth under my pillow tonight."

"Money?" Jax stroked the side of Jillian's hair. "Well, I guess we won't use any glue then."

"No glue and Mommy says I'm gonna grow a new tooth." Jillian took her index finger and touched the bottom of her mouth. "Right here, Mommy?"

"Right there," Brenda confirmed as she fastened Jessica into the infant seat again and rested it on the coffee table.

Jax kissed Jillian's cheek as he took off his coat. "You have had an exciting day, haven't you?"

Jillian nodded. "Uh-huh and Mommy took my picture for Grandmom and Grandpa to see. And Uncle Jerry." She handed Jax the photograph. "Mommy he-mailed it on the computer and Grandpa says he's gonna give me some shiny quarters when he comes."

Jax snickered as he winked at Jillian. "Oh, Mommy he-mailed the picture? Is that the same as e-mailing it?"

"E-mailed it," Jillian responded with a laugh. "Mommy let me push the button and me and Roo-Roo said hi to Uncle Jerry in the letter."

Brenda motioned Jillian over to the couch. "Sweetheart, why don't you and Daddy come sit here and you can tell Daddy what you wrote before dinner is ready."

Jillian grabbed Jax's hand. "Come on, Daddy, sit down with me and Mommy."

"Lead the way, princess." Jax looked over and saw Jonathan dozing in the swing as he moved to the couch. He tickled Jessica's feet as he passed the coffee table. "Hey there, pumpkin. You can listen to what your sister wrote too and then tell your brother later since he's in dreamland now."

Jillian let go of Jax's hand and patted the cushion of the couch. "Sit here, Daddy."

Jax sat down and reached out to pull Brenda onto the seat beside him. "Okay, your turn," he announced as he scooped a giggling Jillian into his lap. "Now tell me what you and Roo-Roo said to Uncle Jerry in your letter."

"Mommy helped us." A beaming smile covered Jillian's face as Jax had one arm around her and the other arm around Brenda. "We said hi and I told him my loose tooth fell out after I came home from school. And it bleeded a little and now my tongue can go in the hole."

Jax gave her a big grin. "Uncle Jerry will like that, he likes to hear about blood."

"Uh-huh, he likes those movies that Aunt Julia says are yucky." Jillian turned her head and looked over at Brenda. "Mommy says there yucky too."

"Very yucky," Brenda nodded in agreement.

Jillian looked up at Jax again. "I told Uncle Jerry that Jonathan spit up all over the rug yesterday too."

"I'm sure that Uncle Jerry will be thrilled to read about that too," Jax remarked with a lopsided grin.

"And I telled him dinner is lots of spaghetti and meatballs and then I blowed kisses to the computer so Uncle Jerry could get them and me and Roo-Roo said bye." Jillian exhaled loudly. "I want Uncle Jerry to come back so he can play with me."

Brenda caressed Jillian's chin. "He will, sweetie. I know you miss him and Uncle Jerry misses you very much."

"Of course he does," Jax added as he tweaked Jillian's nose. "He has too much fun teasing you not to be missing you."

Jillian's eyes lit up. "Grandma says I'm good at teasing Uncle Jerry too."

"That you are, Jillian," Brenda replied with a laugh.

A loud chuckle fell from Jax's lips. "And you sing better than Uncle Jerry too." He tickled Jillian's stomach. "Of course a frog sings better than Uncle Jerry does....Ribbit"

"Daddy, you're so funny." Jillian covered her mouth with both of her hands as she giggled.

Brenda smiled at Jax and stroked his hand as it rested against her shoulder. She then glimpsed over at Jessica who had drifted off to sleep. "Jillian, are you and Daddy ready for dinner since the babies are actually sleeping?"

With a pat of her stomach Jillian exclaimed, "Yes. My tummy's hungry for spaghetti and meatballs and lots of cheese." She looked up at Jax. "Daddy, is your tummy hungry too?"

"Very hungry for spaghetti and meatball all covered with cheese," Jax responded with a nod. He then winked at Jillian. "Maybe we'll even sing so you can tell Uncle Jerry that we don't sound like frogs."

Jillian clapped her hands together. "Daddy, you and Mommy can sing with me about being on top of spaghetti."

"We'll do that," Jax affirmed as he helped Jillian off the couch and then took Brenda's hand to help her to her feet.

"Yeah! We're gonna sing," Jillian murmured with a beaming grin as she took both Jax and Brenda's hands.

Brenda turned on the baby monitor as they walked toward the door and exchanged a loving glance with Jax as Jillian began to hum her spaghetti song.

Two hours later, Jillian was sitting on her bed after her bath while Jax was finishing reading from her Madeline book. Jillian was turning the pages of the book as Jax sat next to her on the bed as he fed Jessica a bottle. Brenda was in the rocking chair nursing Jonathan as she listened to the final pages of Madeline's latest adventure. When Jillian turned the last page, she murmured her customary finale to story time, "The end."

"What a nice story," Brenda remarked as she moved a satisfied Jonathan to her shoulder and buttoned up her shirt. "Now you need to go to the bathroom and brush your teeth and then it is bedtime. I need to change Jonathan's diaper and then I will be back so Daddy and I can tuck you in."

"Okay," Jillian announced. "Now I don't have as many teeth to brush."

Jax laughed as Jillian grinned broadly to show him her bottom row of teeth. "That's right, it may take you five seconds less time to brush your teeth now."

Jillian's spoke in an excited tone. "After my teeth are all brushed, I have to put the lost one under the pillow."

"Your tooth is on the nightstand all ready to be put under your pillow for the tooth fairy." Brenda patted Jillian's hand and smiled. She then rose from the rocking chair as Jillian scooted off the bed and headed toward the bathroom. Brenda stroked Jessica's cheek before taking Jonathan to the nursery and Jax moved to the rocking chair to feed Jessica the last ounce of her bottle.

Five minutes later, Jillian emerged from the bathroom and stood in front of Jax. "See Daddy, my teeth are all clean and sparkly."

"I see that," Jax replied as he took the empty bottle from Jessica's mouth and patted the baby's back to burp her. "They look beautiful."

Jillian took off her slippers, took the tooth from the paper cup and climbed onto the bed as Jax pulled back the ballerina bedspread. "I got my tooth ready."

Jax flashed her a lopsided grin. "Mommy will be right back and then you can put it under your pillow."

A moment later, Brenda's voice and footsteps moved up the hall and she walked into the room with the portable phone in her hand. "Jillian, someone wants to talk to you."

Brenda winked at Jax and he nodded in understanding as she handed the phone to Jillian. Jillian sat up as she took the phone. "Hello?"

"Well, if it isn't snaggletooth. Did you lose a fight with that furry beast again and get your tooth knocked out?"

Jillian's entire face lit up. "Uncle Jerry, I lost my tooth. Did you see my picture?"

"That could not have been you," Jerry responded. "You don't have holes in your mouth."

"It is me. Stop teasing," Jillian warned. "I'm holding my tooth so I can put it under my pillow."

"Put it under your pillow? It's not going to get back in your mouth like that," he teased.

"Not in my mouth," Jillian explained. "The tooth fairy is gonna bring me money under my pillow."

Jerry smirked into the phone. "Bring you money? For a tooth?"

"Yes, cause I didn't even cry," she answered. "Even when I was bleeding."

"Maybe I can take some of mine out then and get some money," Jerry suggested.

Jillian exhaled sharply. "Uncle Jerry, you have big people teeth, not baby teeth. The tooth fairy only comes to kids."

"Why?" Jerry could not help smiling. "I should even get more money, my teeth are bigger than that little one of yours."

"You have to be good to get money," Jillian retorted. "You are not good since you tease so NO money. And you sing like a frog."

Brenda hid her mirth as she giggled against Jonathan's cheek. Jax laughed loudly as he rocked Jessica.

Jerry rolled his eyes as he chuckled at his niece's rebuttal. "I sing like a frog?"

Jillian bobbed her head up and down. "Yes, Daddy told me. He sings better, you croak like the frog." She started giggling as she spoke and Jax's voice joined with hers. "Ribbit, ribbit"

Brenda shook her head at their antics while Jerry did the same half a world away. "You and your father need major help."

"Daddy helped me sing the spaghetti song," Jillian replied. "He don't sing like a frog."

A dramatic sigh fell from Jerry's lips. "I see your father still has you conned about him. When I get back there, I will have to tell you the real things about him."

Jillian's voice took on a softer tone. "Can you come back soon so we can eat spaghetti again?"

Jerry took a deep breath. "I'll be back soon to see you and that hole in your mouth. I know it's your bedtime so I'm going to say good night."

"Nite-nite Uncle Jerry," Jillian murmured. "Roo-Roo says nite-nite too."

Jerry smiled. "Good night to Roo-Roo too and that munchkin brother and sister of yours."

"Nite Uncle Jerry. Say night to Daddy." Jillian passed Jax the phone.

Jax winked at Jillian as he spoke into the receiver. "Is this the frog?"

"You are still a lousy example of a brother I see," Jerry muttered.

"Coming from you that is supposed to mean what?" Jax countered.

"Very funny." Jerry snickered to himself. "She's in rare form as usual."

A big grin covered Jax's face. "Would you want anything less?"

"Not a chance," Jerry responded in complete sincerity. "Not a bloody chance in hell. Now you get that tooth under her pillow so that the tooth fairy can come and reward her well."

"Thanks Jer," Jax murmured. "Take care."

"Kiss those munchkins and even that maddening wife of yours for me." Jerry rolled his eyes at the memory of Brenda's pointed remarks during their conversation before he had spoken to Jillian. "God help you with that one."

Jax snickered and caught Brenda's motioning to him. "The maddening one sends her love and so do the munchkins and I. Good-bye Jerry."

Jillian looked up at Jax. "Uncle Jerry saw my picture, Daddy. And my tooth."

"Yes, he did." Jax switched Jessica to his other shoulder. "Now everyone has seen it so you can put it under your pillow."

Brenda lifted up the pillow and Jillian placed the tooth in the middle of the sheet. "All done, Mommy." Brenda lowered the pillow and smiled at Jillian. "Okay, now the tooth fairy will know that your tooth is there."

Jillian rubbed her hands together. "Now the tooth fairy will come."

"But you have to go to sleep first," Jax said as he helped Jillian get under the covers. "That's my girl."

Brenda leaned over and kissed Jillian and Jillian grasped Jonathan's hand and said good night to him. Jax kissed her and Jillian said good night to Jessica.

"We love you princess," Jax and Brenda whispered together as they moved to the door and Jax turned out the light.

Jillian's smile was evident from the dim glow of the night light. "Uncle Jerry says I'm a snaggletooth."

Jax grinned. "Sweet dreams snaggletooth from Uncle Jerry."

Brenda slipped her arm through Jax's and flashed him a smile as they entered the hallway. It was the end of another day of their happily ever after.

Saturday, March 30, 2002
The Jacks Residence -- 11:30am

Jax rubbed Jonathan's back as the baby experienced a new round of hiccups. "Hey peanut, those hiccups have you again, don't they?"

As he walked around the den with Jonathan, Jax looked over at Jessica in her swing and saw her beginning to get agitated. "What's the trouble, pumpkin? We have a big day ahead of us so you don't want to start fussing now do you?"

On cue, Jessica began crying and thrashing her arms around. Jax shook his head and smiled. "So this means you do want to fuss?" Jessica began crying louder and Jax moved in front of the swing and began tickling her feet and stomach. Her cries only became louder so Jax quickly put Jonathan into his swing and then lifted Jessica from hers.

"It's okay, Jess, Daddy's got you." Jax kissed Jessica's cheek as tears trickled down it. "Look at those tears. What's the trouble, sweetie? Do you miss Mommy? She and Jillian will be back very soon."

Jax felt Jessica's body tense up as she continued to cry. It was the same behavior she had experienced during several difficult days earlier in the month. Jax tried to remember what Brenda had finally found to pacify Jessica. "Daddy's so sorry you're not happy, pumpkin. What did Mommy do?" A thought finally came to him. "I remember, you liked Mommy's piano playing. You won't like Daddy's so let's find someone who can play." He opened the cabinet and pulled out a Jim Brickman CD. "Here's something I bet you'll like."

Jax put in the CD and Jessica's wails slowly became mere fussing. "Do you like that?" Jax nuzzled his nose against Jessica's cheek. "Has your Mommy already seen to it that you have inherited all her artistic and creative tastes?" Jessica's body began to relax and she moved into her customary snuggle position against Jax's neck and shoulder. Jax grinned as he held her closer. "You're just like your Mommy, aren't you?"

The doorbell rang and Jax looked down at Jessica. "I need to go answer the door, you want to come along for the ride? We'll be right back to the music." He looked over at the swing to see Jonathan seemingly fascinated with the toy hanging in front of the swing. "Peanut, we will be right back." Jax left the den and quickly reached the foyer where he opened the door to find Julia.

Julia smiled at Jessica. "I see your daddy still has baby-sitting duty this morning."

"Yes, he does." Jax shifted Jessica to the other shoulder as she started to fidget. "Brenda and Jillian should be back shortly from brunch with Lila."

Jessica began to fuss again and Jax motioned for Julia to follow him toward the den. "The musical connoisseur thinks she needs to hear the piano and she has the temper of her mother."

"I've seen that temper... on both of them," Julia said with a smile as they headed down the hallway.

Jax patted Jessica's back as they returned to the den. "I told you we'd be right back to your music."

Julia walked over to the swing. "Hello there, Jonathan, are you being a good boy today?"

"As long as he has a full stomach, the peanut is generally satisfied," Jax responded with a chuckle.

Julia shook the keys dangling in front of Jonathan as she spoke to Jax. "Are you all ready to head up to the cottage?"

"Just about," Jax answered with a nod. "The Suburban already looks like we are moving but I left room for your gift. The gallery delivered it an hour ago."

"Good," Julia responded as she sat down on the couch. "Are you sure you don't want to wait for her to open it once you are in the cottage. I don't want to spoil anything for her."

"No, I want you to see her open it. She has seen the photos and drawings of the addition that the architect sent so this will just give her an even better idea." Since Jessica was settled now, Jax sat her in the infant seat sitting on the floor next to the couch. "You are not going to spoil anything."

"She is going to love everything you have done and I'm happy that you are getting away for a few days now that Jillian is on spring vacation from school." Julia flashed Jax a smile. "I know how much Brenda has been looking forward to being in Spring Meadows again and celebrating her birthday there tomorrow will be perfect."

"Julia, are you sure you don't want to change your mind and join us?" Jax sat down on the couch next to her. "Maybe it will do you some good to get away for a few days."

She reached over and patted Jax's hand. "Thank you, but no. This is your time and you need to take advantage of every minute you can be together."

"I know these last few weeks have not been easy but for what it's worth, I think you're doing the right thing." Jax's voice was soft and reassuring. "I know how easy it would be to contact Jerry or to go try to find him."

Julia brushed back a strand of hair from her forehead. "I would be lying if I said the thought never crossed my mind in a weak moment but I know that would be the worst thing to do."

Jax flashed her a lopsided grin. "Only the actions count, not the thoughts. Otherwise Jerry would have been buried alive numerous times over by the both of us as well as my parents and your sister."

An involuntary laugh fell from Julia's lips. "Truer words were never spoken." She reached out and grasped Jax's hand. "Thanks."

"You're welcome," Jax replied as he squeezed her hand. "I don't know exactly where Jerry is right now but I do know that he is trying to sort things out in his head. As hard as it is to do, just give him all the time he needs."

"I'm going to try," Julia affirmed. "If I start feeling desperate, please promise me you will remind me of that."

"That's a promise," Jax vowed with a wink.

Julia hugged him. "Thank you. Thank you for everything."

"There's no need." Jax hugged Julia back and his eye caught sight Brenda and Jillian outside the french doors on the terrace.

As they came inside from saying hello to the swans in the greenhouse, Brenda reminded Jillian to be in her quiet voice in case the twins were sleeping. Brenda exchanged a look with Jax and he smiled and signaled that Julia was fine. Brenda returned Jax's smile and peeked over Jax's shoulder to see Jonathan asleep in the swing and then saw Jessica in the infant seat. Jax and Julia got up from the couch and Jax took the box from Brenda's arms and the small bag from Jillian. Julia hugged Brenda and then Julia and Jillian took the coats to put away in the front foyer closet.

Brenda recognized the CD playing and laughed as she knelt in front of Jessica. "Jessica Noelle, you made Daddy pull out the music, didn't you?" The baby clenched her fists together and gurgled a bit and Brenda kissed Jessica's hand. "Don't even try to look cute and get out of it. You were Miss Feisty again, weren't you?"

"Not quite," Jax answered as he sat back down on the couch and reached over to stroke the back of Brenda's hair. "But the music was a pre-emptive strike before she decided to throw a two hour temper tantrum in the car the entire way to Serenity Springs."

"What a smart Daddy," Brenda remarked as she made faces at Jessica. "We are not ready for a repeat of the three day cycle of that temper, are we?" Brenda looked up at Jax as she moved Jessica's arms to the timing of the music. "How was my little man?"

A lopsided grin covered Jax's face. "Perfect as usual. We know who's disposition he inherited."

"Yes, your mother's," Brenda retorted with a smug smile as she stood up. "I just hope he ends up with her eyes as well rather than someone else's I know."

Jax quickly pulled Brenda into his lap. "You're not fooling anyone, Mrs. Jacks. Our son's eyes are even deeper blue than Jillian's ever were and I have heard you try to sweet talk him and his genes about keeping them that way."

"Mr. Jacks, your hearing must be going in your old age," Brenda murmured as she choked back her laughter. "Why would I want to have to look at another dimpled chin and set of turquoise eyes?"

"Old age? You are going to pay for that one, Ms. Almost Birthday girl" Jax then startled tickling Brenda and she laughed into her hands as to not wake up Jonathan.

Julia and Jillian stood at the door of the den and Jillian giggled at her parents' antics. "Mommy and Daddy are gonna kiss again."

Julia smiled at Jillian. "They are?"

Jillian bobbed her head. "Mommy and Daddy always kiss when Daddy tickles her." She pointed through the door and giggled as Jax and Brenda's lips united in a lingering kiss. "See, they're kissin'." Jillian happily sighed as she looked up at Julia. "Mommy and Daddy kiss aaalll the time."

With Jillian's statement, Jax and Brenda laughed against each other's lips and slowly broke the kiss. Brenda wiped her lipstick from Jax's lips as she winked at Jillian. Jillian scampered over to the couch. "Aunt Julia came over to say happy birthday to you Mommy before we go to see the horses."

Brenda nodded. "I know she did and I'm so happy to see her."

Jillian turned to face Julia who had sat down on the chair next to the couch. "Grandma Lila had a birthday party for Mommy too and Aunt Lois and Brooke and Aunt Monica and Emily came." Jillian licked her lips as she continued. "We had big waffles with chocolate and lots of whipped cream, just like me and Mommy like. Reggie put a smiley face on me and Brooke's waffle."

Jax shook his head as he chuckled softly about Brenda's choice of breakfast food. It had been six years since they had shared their first breakfast together and Brenda had not changed from her penchant for a breakfast filled with sugar and zero nutrients. He flashed Jillian a mock look of surprise. "You mean Mommy didn't eat yogurt and bananas for breakfast?"

Jillian giggled. "Mommy says yogurt and bananas are yucky."

"No, she really likes them," Jax said with a devilish glint in his eyes. "Tomorrow for Mommy's birthday, you and I will make them for her for breakfast."

"I don't think so," Brenda said with a smirk. "Daddy is much too smart for that, isn't he, Jillian?" As Jillian nodded, Brenda nuzzled her lips against Jax's ear and whispered to him. "Daddy knows if that's breakfast, that dessert we have been dreaming about will definitely not be on the menu."

Jax snickered to himself and then turned to Jillian as she patted his hand. "Mommy got new vases with tulips and roses in the glass, Daddy. Inside the glass so you can see them," Jillian reiterated.

"Yes, you have to see these." Brenda reached over Jax's shoulder to get the bag that Reginald had packed the gifts in. "The pattern of roses is hand blown into the glass and Lila wanted something special for Jessica and Jonathan's roses when their rose garden starts to bloom."

"Brenda, it's gorgeous," Julia acknowledged as Brenda took the rose vase from the box.

Jax nodded. "Lila still has impeccable taste... except when it comes to Edward of course."

Brenda pulled out a shorter vase hand blown with pink, white and yellow tulips. "And this one's from Monica and Emily."

"For me and Mommy's tulips," Jillian chirped.

"They will look beautiful in there, princess," Jax declared. "And in just a few weeks, the tulips will be blooming."

Jillian started to giggle as she coyly looked at Brenda. "Lady likes to chew them up."

"Lady won't be chewing one petal if she knows what is good for her," Brenda warned with a lift of her right eyebrow.

A round of giggles fell from Jillian's lips. "Mommy'll squirt her with the hose again."

"You and Mommy will guard the tulips," Jax announced. "Now Princess, I need to go get Aunt Julia's gift for Mommy, why don't you come with me?" As Jillian excitedly agreed, Jax lifted Brenda from his lap and discreetly pinched her bottom as he moved her further down the couch.

Brenda shot Jax a smoldering look as he left the den. She then turned to Julia and reached out to touch her hand. "Are you okay?"

"Yes, and please don't worry about me. Not this weekend." Julia squeezed Brenda's hand. "You need a break. You've barely left this house in the past five months, doctors' appointments and hospital stays don't count."

Brenda laughed out loud at the accuracy of that statement. "Well, I've missed the cottage and Spring Meadows a lot so I'm just glad that the weather will be clear and the kids aren't sick and we can go for a few days."

The doorbell then rang and Brenda immediately heard Jillian announce she was getting it. Julia shook her head at her niece's enthusiasm about just about everything these days. "Someone else is excited too."

Brenda nodded. "Yes, she is looking forward to seeing Kayla and Colleen and of course riding Silhouette."

Even with her choice of music playing, Jessica's patience for the infant seat waned and Brenda lifted her from it as she started to fuss. "You're fighting that sleep again, aren't you, pumpkin?" Brenda rocked the baby against her shoulder. "We're going to go in the car later and see a special place."

Jillian came into the den with a box in her hand. "Mommy, the man just bringed this for you."

Jax walked into the room behind Jillian. He carried the crate and placed the gift in front of Brenda. "Here you go, compliments of Julia."

"Let me take Jess from you," Julia offered and she reached out and took the baby.

"What is all this?" Brenda took the box from Jillian and sat it on the end table beside the couch. "We'll open up Aunt Julia's present first."

Jillian rubbed her hands together. "It's sooo big."

"Let me open it for you," Jax said as he removed the bolts and the two sides of the crate separated.

"You can help Mommy take the paper off it. Just be careful sweetie." Brenda and Jillian then began to gently unwrap the protective paper.

"Mommy, it's sooo pretty," Jillian exclaimed as the painting was unveiled. "It's like the cottage."

"Jillian, it is the cottage -- with the new rooms -- the new bedroom upstairs and the playroom downstairs." Brenda turned to Julia with a beaming smile. "Thank you so much Julia. It's so beautiful and you know how much I have always loved Thomas Kinkade's work but I never thought he would be using our cottage in a piece."

Julia's face brightened at Brenda's obvious joy. "It's a beautiful cottage, Brenda, Thomas Kinkade even traveled to Spring Meadows and saw it for himself. Of course it was covered in snow then so he needed several photographs from the spring and summer to understand the true setting," Julia said with a laugh.

Brenda was still mesmerized by the masterpiece. "Jax, look how incredible this is."

"It is truly magnificent," Jax said in all sincerity.

"He has captured it perfectly -- the dogwoods, the lilac bushes, the lilies, the tulips and the azaleas. You can see the stream off to the side." Brenda sighed in pure contentment. "I adore the extra touches, the gazebo off to one side and the stone bridge off to the other and then lanterns up the stone walk." She hugged Julia and spoke in an emotional voice. "It is just perfect. I will treasure it always."

Julia's voice wavered a bit as well. "I'm so glad you found the little house you always dreamt about on those piles of leaves so long ago."

Brenda grasped Jax's hand. "I'm so lucky, I'm living the whole dream."

Jax smiled at Brenda as he took his thumb and brushed away a tear from the corner of her eye. Brenda took a deep breath. "Okay, that's enough of that or I will be a complete mess and we'll never get out of here."

"Mommy, there's another present for you," Jillian reminded Brenda.

"That's right," Brenda responded as she took the box from Jillian. "Let's see what this is." She opened the box and found the packing receipt. "It's from Uncle Jerry."

"Be careful, it may be alive," Jax warned.

Brenda looked up at him and laughed. "Oh, it's from Ming Lee's designer collection, I think we're safe." She turned to Jillian. "Why don't you take off the ribbon and open the lid for me?"

Jillian removed the gold silk ribbon and lifted the lid from the ebony box. She separated the gold tissue and pulled out the contents. "Ooooh, it's soft."

"That's silk, Jillian." Brenda pulled out the black silk pantsuit with fresh water pearl buttons and smiled. She had admired a similar one to it that Ming Lee had designed for the Fall line but Brenda had foregone the idea of buying it since she was in the middle of the pregnancy. "Uncle Jerry remembered."

A smile appeared on Julia's face. "It's gorgeous."

Jillian dug into the box again. "Look Mommy."

"A belt to match. See the pearls," she pointed out to Jillian.

"Well wonders never cease," Jax quipped. "My brother actually passed the gift test."

Jillian put her hand in the box again for another check. "Mommy, here's a paper."

Brenda folded the outfit back into the box and then took the paper from Jillian. "It's a note." Brenda read the note to herself and shook her head. "Happy birthday to Port Charles' own dairy queen. Ming Lee had your pre-spawning measurements so this outfit is for when the dairy is dry and those honeydews become grapefruits again. Or are they coconuts? Whichever, put it away. Otherwise, Jasper will have a heart attack watching all the men drool over your jugs. On second thought, wear it. Jasper needs the jump start. Happy milking, Jerry. P.S. Say hello to snaggletooth and the calves." Brenda muttered under her breath and she laughed to herself. "He forgets I know what car he drives. Let's see, one tube of lipstick should be enough for the hood."

Jax took the note from Brenda and perused it. "I see I spoke too soon, another failed gift. And a death wish."

He handed the note to Julia who simply shook her head as she read it. "Well, at least I know he's all right and the same obnoxious person he's always been."

"What did Uncle Jerry say," Jillian asked.

"He wished me a happy birthday and said to say hello to you and the babies," Brenda responded. "Now tell me, Jillian, which color lipstick do you think Uncle Jerry would like best, red or deep burgundy?"

"Red," Jillian responded excitedly.

Brenda nodded and smirked. "Perfect choice -- white car, red thank you note."

Jax and Julia loudly laughed as Brenda took the note and put it back into the box. This one was going to be saved for posterity and for blackmail purposes and a tube of red lipstick would be put away for safekeeping, just in case.

Springs Meadows -- 4:00pm

Jax maneuvered the Suburban around the curves as they reached the outskirts of Serenity Springs. He looked in the rear view mirror and saw that Jessica was still soundly sleeping in her car seat while Jonathan was wide awake next to her in his. As always, Jonathan was content to be in constant motion. Jillian was asleep in the back seat with a wall of two pillows and a rolled up sleeping bag between her and Lady. Jillian's head was nestled against her pillow as she leaned against the wall with Roo-Roo next to her. Jax looked over at Brenda, who had drifted off to sleep herself thirty minutes earlier. He could not help beaming at the sight of the smile on Brenda's lips. Her smile had seemed to grow more with each mile as their travels brought them closer to the cottage.

Jax looked back in the rearview mirror again and smiled at Jonathan's contentment. "Hey peanut, you'd be happy if you were moving all the time, wouldn't you? Something tells me you'll be the next pilot in the family."

Jonathan wiggled a bit and voiced a small peep which was his new sound for the week. Jax laughed at his son. "I take that as a vote for yes."

Brenda blissfully sighed in her sleep and Jax felt his own sense of happiness at the sound. He looked back at Jonathan again and spoke to him. "Now that it is just you and me, how about your first lesson on the women? When you get older, beware of those small, dark and inescapable ones until you're ready to have everything you ever wanted. Before you know it, she will be your whole life."

As Jax slowed the vehicle down as the curves became more windy, Brenda roused from her sleep. She sat up in the seat. "I'm sorry that I was such lousy company. I can't believe I fell asleep."

"You can't?" Jax turned his head slightly to flash her a smile. "You were packing bags until 12:30 this morning and then Jessica was up at 1:30 and Jonathan at 2:00 and then both of them before 6:00am. How you don't fall asleep standing up is still a wonder to me."

"You're up as much as I am so we are both zombies half the time," Brenda responded with a sigh. "Welcome to the loony bin."

Jax chuckled quietly. "There's no place else I'd rather be right now."

"Me either," Brenda murmured as she rested her hand on Jax's thigh. She turned to look into the middle and back seats and blew kisses to Jonathan and smiled at the sight of Jillian and Jessica sleeping. "At least the residents have been on their best behavior."

"That they have," Jax agreed with a nod of his head. "They're going to love it here just as much as we do."

Brenda looked at the buds on the trees and the bushes as the road ascended the hill alongside town. It had rained over the past few days but the sun had returned this morning and was glistening from everything now. "It's so beautiful. Spring is really well on its way." She rolled down the window slightly. "You can even smell it in the air."

Jax's eyes roved to the middle seat again and caught sight of the huge basket of flowers on the floor. "Are you sure that your nose is not confusing spring with the smell of the flowers from your adoring client?"

Brenda stifled the grin threatening to cover her face. "You know that Ingo and the guys always remember my birthday."

"Of course, he remembers. The guy is a walking wonder as the fans and press say. Between his magazine covers, talk show appearances and competitions, I don't even know how the guy finds time to write his music." Jax exhaled deeply. "It's a wonder how you and Lois ever can reach him, first you have to figure out whether to call the mountains or the beach."

Brenda bit the inside of her bottom lip to refrain from laughing. "Mr. Jacks, if I didn't know better, I would think you were jealous."

"Jealous," Jax repeated with a groan. "That's bloody absurd. So the guy can kayak, surf and ski and has the fans and the media clamoring for him, I'm supposed to be jealous?" Jax shook his head. "Why should I be? Just because Jillian moved Mickey Mouse's picture to hang the photo of the two of them together and the guy sends you some flowers?"

Deep laughter erupted from Brenda. "Jasper Jacks, you are jealous." She leaned over and linked her hands around Jax's upper arm. "Oh honey, that is SO sweet but so silly."

Jax muttered as he kept his eyes on the road. "I am not jealous, Brenda. That is crazy."

"Sorry," Brenda murmured as she cleared her throat and fought back a smirk. "I must have been mistaken since there is absolutely no reason for you to be jealous of anyone on this planet."

"Wipe that grin off your face, Mrs. Jacks." Jax rolled his eyes and exhaled sharply. "If you were playing poker, you would be broke."

Brenda snickered and then rested her head against Jax's shoulder. "This is so perfect already. I've missed us being us. I've missed it so much with everything else over the past few months."

"So have I," Jax whispered as he placed his arm around her for a moment. "We're going to find time for us here."

Jillian stretched in the back seat and her eyes fluttered open. Out the window, she could see the small log cabin in the woods. She sat up and her eyes gleamed as she squealed. "I see the logs, it's almost time."

Brenda turned her head and put her finger in front of her mouth as she nodded and whispered to Jillian. "Just a few more minutes, sweetheart. You had a good nap, just like your sister."

Lady rose from her sleeping position and stood up in the back seat as sounds of the wildlife activity within the dense trees caught her attention. Jillian petted the dog's ears as Jonathan began to fidget in his car seat. Brenda reached over and tickled his feet to appease him for a moment before he started to fuss.

Jax looked at the baby in the mirror. "Hey peanut, just a few more minutes and then you can get out of that thing and stretch those legs and arms."

Jonathan's fussing quickly changed into noises that sounded more like small peeps. Brenda rubbed his feet. "I don't know what happened but that's much better."

Jillian then squealed again as she giggled. "Lady's licking his head."

Brenda looked up and Jax glanced into the mirror again and they saw Lady's tongue stroke the top of Jonathan's head as the dog stood directly behind the car seat. Jillian continued to giggle. "She kissed his head again."

"Lady, no!" Brenda snapped her fingers at the dog and then looked down at Jonathan again who seemed amused by the activity. The baby made a peeping noise again and then found his fist and started sucking on it. "Great, you obviously could care less about being slobbered on."

Jax chuckled as Lady sat down and rested her head atop the back of the seat in front of her, directly in the middle of the two car seats. He turned to Brenda as shrugged. "What's a little drool between family members?"

"A daily occurrence it looks like now," Brenda answered. She then watched Jessica yawned and then slowly open her eyes. Brenda grinned at her. "Hey there, pumpkin. You woke up just in time."

Jax smiled again as he saw the radiance on Brenda's face as they rounded the last curve before the private road to the cottage. Jillian was straining to sit as upright as possible to see everything out the windows. "Look, a mommy and a baby deer."

Jax turned onto the private road and saw the deer far off in the clearing. "That's a doe and her fawn and they're eating the grass."

"Aren't they beautiful, Jillian?" Brenda sighed happily as she felt a sense of tranquility already.

When they reached the final groves of trees before the clearing, Brenda unconsciously held her breath in anticipation of seeing the cottage again. With the first sight of the house, Brenda sat there still holding her breath as the entire scene came into view. She had seen the exact image of the sight before her but it was not until this moment that she understood it all. It was all there, just like the Thomas Kinkade painting had captured. It hadn't just been the cottage he had painted, the entire scene was now before her. All of it -- the stone walkway and steps with black and gold lanterns lining them on both sides; the window boxes filled with flowers on all the front windows; the white gazebo in the clearing behind the house to the left and then the stone bridge over the stream to the right of the house.

When Brenda finally was forced to breathe, her breath came out in a struggling gasp. Jax caressed the back of her neck as he stopped the Suburban. "Don't you stop breathing on me now."

Jillian pressed her nose against the window. "Mommy, it looks so pretty. Like in a book."

"Jax...." Her voice was an almost inaudible whisper and Brenda's gaze moved to Jax's face. " All of it...."

Jax reached out to touch her cheek. "It's what you dreamed about, isn't it?"

A tear spilled down her cheek as she nodded. "It's impossible for someone to be loved this much."

Jax shook his head. "Impossible? Never heard of the word. Nor have my parents, the gazebo is their gift to you." Brenda lunged forward and wrapped her arms around Jax's neck as she cried. Jax rocked her gently in his arms as his lips nuzzled against her forehead. "Does this mean you like it?"

Brenda nodded her head against Jax's chest and tightened her grip around his neck as her emotions had taken away her voice for the moment. Jax rubbed circles along her back. "It's okay, baby. Dreams and wishes are supposed to come true. Remember the magic lamp?"

"Of course," she managed to squeak out.

"Look what it gave us," Jax continued. "All of us."

Brenda caught her breath again and pulled back slightly from the embrace. "That was some magic, I asked for a day and I was given a lifetime with my prince."

"Even more magic than that, I got my wish as well," Jax murmured as he cupped her cheek with his palm. He then looked back to see three sets of smiling eyes staring up at him and Jax whispered to Brenda. "We all did and that magic is never going to go away. It's here for eternity and beyond just like your fairytales."

Brenda's face beamed with joy as she spoke through her tears. "Once upon a dream...."

Jax kissed her hand and smiled. "They lived happily after."

Sunday, March 31, 2002
The Cottage -- 7:30am

Brenda nestled her head deeper into the goose down pillow and sighed. She stretched her arms up and then opened one eye to get a quick glimpse of the sun shining through the window. Brenda yawned as she nestled back against the softness of the pillow and pulled the quilt over her shoulder. The bed was so warm and cozy and Brenda smiled as she rolled over to the other side of the bed. When her arms met nothing but the quilt, Brenda's eyes fluttered open. Her gaze made a quick trail around the room and all was quiet. Brenda caught sight of the clock on the nightstand and she realized it was after 7:30 and that the twins should have been up over an hour ago.

As she bolted up in bed and threw back the quilt, Brenda heard Jax's murmured voice. "Climb back under those covers, birthday girl."

She exhaled in relief as she saw Jax moving toward the bed as he fed Jonathan a bottle. "It's my two gorgeous men. Good morning."

"Good morning," Jax whispered as he sat down on the bed and then kissed Brenda fully on the mouth. "Happy birthday my love."

"Thank you." Brenda smiled at Jonathan. "Hello my sweet baby. Does Daddy have you?" She leaned over and kissed Jonathan's forehead. "How did Daddy keep you quiet this long without feeding you until now?"

Jax shook his head. "This peanut just woke up fifteen minutes ago and Jess is still sleeping."

"Still sleeping?" Brenda sat up again and spoke in a slightly alarmed voice. "She should have been awake at least an hour ago. I have to go check her."

Jax held out his arm to stop her. "Sweetie, Jess is fine. I just checked on her and the monitor is right here. Jillian is listening in her room too while she finishes something for a certain special someone." Jax massaged Brenda's neck and felt some of the tension subside. "Something tells me that all our angels already know just how special and restful this place is and they're enjoying the peace and quiet."

The sound of a bark and the thud of four scurrying paws resonated outside the bedroom door. That din was then followed by the scampering of small slippered feet along the carpeted hallway. "Lady, sshh. You're tooo loud. It's only rabbits, like Flopsy and Mopsy."

Brenda's soft laughter echoed in the room as she climbed out of bed. "So much for peace and quiet."

Jax turned up the volume of the baby monitor and heard Jillian and Lady in the nursery which had been added to the upstairs level. "Lady, you smelled the floor already. There's no rabbit here." Jessica then voiced her displeasure over the early morning ruckus. Jillian shook her finger at the dog. "You're in trouble, Lady, you waked up Jessica."

Brenda walked into the nursery. "That's right, Lady, the rabbits were here first. You are the uninvited guest."

Jillian beamed at Brenda. "Mommy, it's your birthday and you waked up."

"Good morning sweetheart," Brenda said as she hugged Jillian. "Thank you for helping Daddy with Jessica and Jonathan while I was sleeping." Brenda crossed the room and lifted Jessica from her cradle. "Hello pumpkin. You slept so well last night." She put the baby on the changing table to quickly change her. "You're going to eat in just a minute and we'll see Daddy and Jillian and Jonathan."

"I gotta get something in my room," Jillian announced. "Lady, come on."

"Slow down," Brenda cautioned as Jillian headed out of the nursery. Brenda fastened the snaps on Jessica's pink sleeper and lifted the fretting Jessica into her arms. "Okay, let's go see Daddy and eat."

Jax turned off the monitor and put Jonathan's empty bottle on the nightstand as Brenda carried Jessica into the bedroom. "Morning Jessica. How's Daddy's little girl."

"Starving," Brenda replied as she sat down on the bed and quickly unbuttoned her nightshirt and leaned back against the pillows. "Okay sweetie, breakfast is served."

Jax rubbed Jonathan's back and grinned at the abnormally zealous appetite of his daughter. "Jess, you're giving your brother a run for the eating title this morning."

"You tell Daddy that it's been over five hours so you're entitled." Brenda kissed Jessica's hand. "If you and your brother are going to continue sleeping for five hours stretches during the night here, we're going to stay here for a looong time. We'll have to move the offices and everyone here."

A chuckle rolled off Jax's lips. "I can just see Edward out here now, he LOVES the fresh air so much. You know how it interferes with his quest for the cantankerous title."

"True," Brenda said with a quiet laugh. She reached over and traced Jax's jawline with her finger. "It was a bad idea anyway. I don't want to share this place with anyone but us. No one else exists when we're here."

Jax nuzzled his lips against Brenda's finger. "If you say that one more time, Mrs. Jacks, we definitely won't be leaving here."

"I love you," Brenda murmured as she leaned over for a kiss.

"I love you too, sweetie," Jax responded with another kiss.

Jillian and Lady then entered the bedroom "We're ready now, Mommy."

Brenda flashed her a big smile. "Ready for what, sweetie?"

"For your birthday," Jillian replied as she climbed atop the bed. "I have a present."

"You have a present for me? What a sweet princess you are," Brenda said as she scooted closer to the side of the bed.

Jillian wiggled between Jax and Brenda. "There's no room."

Jax laughed at Jillian's frustration over the queen size bed as opposed to the king size one in the master suite. "This bed is not as big as the one at the house, princess, so we have to sit closer with everyone here."

"It's cozy, Jillian, and nice and warm when it's cold outside," Brenda remarked.

"Okay," Jillian acknowledged. "And it's got pretty hearts."

Brenda looked up at the carved hearts on the posts of the sleigh bed. "Yes, it's very beautiful."

Jax eyed the small brown paper bag Jillian held behind her back. "Jillian, I bet Mommy would like to see her present."

"I would love to see it," Brenda affirmed. "I wonder what it could be?"

"I don't know," Jax answered with a shake of his head. "It's a surprise to me too."

Jillian excitedly beamed as she handed Brenda the small bag. "Maggie and Josee helped me when you taked the babies to Dr. Simone."

Brenda surveyed the artwork on the outside of the bag. "Look at the pretty flowers."

"I drawed them for you," Jillian responded with a coy smile. "All by myself."

"Very pretty." Brenda opened up the bag and dug her hand inside. "Let's see what is in here." She pulled out the gift and a bright grin covered her face. "Look at my beautiful necklace. Thank you so much sweetheart."

"You made that for Mommy?" Jax stroked the top of Jillian's head. "You did such a wonderful job."

Brenda gently fingered the raw rigatoni noodles which had been dribbled with glue and colored glitter and hung on a red piece of ribbon. "They are so sparkly and you know how much Mommy likes red."

"They're really, really big spaghetti noodles but you don't eat 'em since Josee didn't cook 'em." Jillian's face was lit up like a Christmas tree as she continued. "Maggie tied the ribbon so they wouldn't fall off."

"It's perfect, Jillian." Brenda held the necklace out to Jax. "Would you do me the honor, honey?"

"It would be my pleasure," Jax announced as Brenda turned her head and he carefully put the necklace over her head. "Let's see how gorgeous you look."

Jillian clapped her hands together. "Oh, Mommy, you look sooo pretty."

Jax turned Jonathan to face Brenda. "Peanut, look at Mommy's beautiful necklace that Jillian made for her."

"See Mommy's necklace, Jessica," Brenda whispered as Jessica finished nursing. "Do you like the pretty glitter?" Jessica let out a small coo as Brenda lifted her up.

Jillian smiled as she attributed the baby's cooing to the necklace rather than having a satisfied appetite. "She likes it."

Brenda leaned over and kissed Jillian's cheek. "Of course she does and Mommy loves it. Thank you sweetheart."

Jax lifted Jonathan to his shoulder. "Now that Jonathan and Jessica have had their breakfast, how about some yogurt and bananas for my two princesses?"

"Very funny, Mr. well-balanced meal," Brenda muttered with a sigh. "This is sugar and zilch nutrients here."

A lopsided grin appeared on his lips. "Okay, how about some french toast then?"

"Doused in syrup and powdered sugar and you have a deal," Brenda replied with a smirk. "With a side of bacon and all those yummy nitrates as well."

Jax rolled his eyes. "You really need some help. You know that, don't you?"

Brenda batted her eyes at him. "But you love me just like I am." She finished burping Jessica and scooted toward the side of the bed. "Now what about that maple syrup?"

Jillian sat up on her knees and smacked her lips together. "Yeah, Daddy, and lots of powdered sugar."

Jax lifted up Jonathan so that the baby was eye level with him. "Peanut, you have got to grow up very quickly to help me in these gang up on Daddy tactics of your mother and sister." He then loudly whispered into Jonathan's ear. "And remember what I told you about those batting eyes, you can't look at them or it is over."

Brenda laughed out loud and her eyes danced with joy as she smiled at Jax. "Okay Daddy, we're ready." She helped Jillian down from the bed and they met Jax at the door. Jillian turned around and smiled brightly at Jax and he winked at her. She took Brenda's hand as they descended the stairs. "Let's go, Mommy."

They reached the bottom of the stairs and Brenda's eye caught sight of a huge red bow around an unfamiliar furnishing in the corner of the living room. She stopped short and Jillian smiled as she looked up at Brenda. "Mommy, it's your present from me and Jessica and Jonathan. It's lots of pictures like the angel room. Do you like it?"

"Yes," Brenda replied in a soft murmur. She crossed the room and stood with her mouth open in front of the photo room divider. There were photos from the wedding on the Isabella, the christenings, Jillian's first ride on Silhouette, Christmas festivities, the trips to Malibu and Alaska and various shots of Jillian and the twins plus a very special photo of Snowflake sitting atop the pine tree. Brenda reached out with the tip of her finger and touched a brand new picture of Jax and the children which had obviously been taken within the past several days.

Jax put Jonathan in his swing and moved beside Brenda. He brushed his thumb along her cheek. "You're raining all over your beautiful necklace."

"I guess I am," she whispered through her tears as Jax took Jessica from her and put her in the swing. "It's beautiful."

"They're beautiful," Jax countered as he motioned to the three children. "And you're incredible, Brenda Barrett Jacks."

"No," Brenda murmured as put her arms around Jax. "We're incredible." She turned her head to smile at Jillian and the twins and then gazed at Jax again. "Thank you for our beautiful life together."

Jax moved his hands down her back. "Thank you my darling."

Brenda then flashed him a devilish grin. "Okay, now where is that french toast and maple syrup?"

"And powdered sugar," Jillian added with a grin.

"You are both impossible, Jax retorted as he swatted Brenda across the butt and then tweaked Jillian's nose.

Brenda and Jillian exchanged thumbs ups signs and Jax chuckled deeply at their antics as he headed toward the kitchen. He knew his princesses were just in the infant stage of their lifetime of collaboration and the battles had just begun for him. Jax smiled to himself at the knowledge that he was going to enjoy every moment of it.

The Cottage -- 10:45pm

After having enjoyed a quiet and relaxing twenty minute soak in her lavender bath, Brenda worked the towel up and down her legs and arms. She stood in front of the bathroom mirror and patted the slight bulge in her stomach that still remained from the pregnancy. The last twelve pounds were stubbornly hanging on and Brenda figured two pounds were part of her new bustline and ten pounds were on her waistline. After feeling as though she had been hit by a truck after trying to start back with a daily routine of sit-ups the week before, Brenda decided the bulge may be there forever.

As she ran a brush through her soft waves, Brenda knew that Jax didn't seem to mind her new curves. In fact, he had vast carnal experience with every inch of her enlarged chest. She had missed Jax sharing a bath with her but one of the few drawbacks to the simpleness and age of the cottage was the very small bathtub, especially as compared to the huge sunken tub at the house. From past experience in the tub at the cottage, it was confirmed that size definitely does matter and that the bathtub was too small for anything beyond bathing unless bumps, bruises and several minutes of mopping up the floor were the desired effect.

Tonight the bath was to be her luxury for some solitude and relaxation. Jillian had fallen asleep as soon as her head had hit the pillow. She had been in full motion from the start of the day as she and Brenda had checked the status of the budding plants in all the flower beds around the yard. Then Jillian and Jax had taken Lady for a long walk along the stream before the family headed into town to visit the stables and the inn. Once the afternoon arrived, she and Kayla spent it together running through the fields, visiting the horses and riding the ponies. The twins had also had their own share of activity during the day. They had taken their first trip to the Spring Meadows Inn for a visit with the owners, Bill and Betsy. Betsy had then insisted that the twins stay with her in the residence upstairs while Jax, Brenda and Jillian enjoyed a quiet lunch together at the inn's restaurant downstairs. Later in the afternoon, Jessica and Jonathan had spent an hour with Abby while Jax and Brenda had taken Cyclone and Dream out for a short ride together. Abby had made a birthday cake for Brenda and everyone had sung to her and enjoyed the dessert after Jax and Brenda returned from the ride.

The evening had been quiet as the family had come back to the cottage to relaxed and spent time together. The afternoon sun had been warm but the evenings were still cool so Jax had built a fire in the stone fireplace in the living room. After an early dinner, they had toasted marshmallows over the fire, just like they had done for Jax's birthday two months earlier in the fireplace at the house. Jax and Brenda had played one game of chutes-n-ladders with Jillian and then she had taken her bath and gone to bed. Jessica and Jonathan had been fed forty-five minutes ago and Jonathan had fallen asleep almost immediately thereafter. Jessica was restless but Jax had told Brenda that he would try to get the baby to sleep while she relaxed in the tub.

While she stood in front of the mirror now, Brenda let out a deep sigh as she closed her eyes and could envision the feel of the warm water against her skin. She could still smell the gentle fragrance of the lavender. It had been such an incredible day and now all she could think about was how incredible the night could be. It had been months since her mind and body had felt so relaxed. Each nerve ending of her body seemed to be on full alert in anticipation of being engulfed in flames. Every sense was heightened as she yearned to be played like a harp with each sensual pluck of the strings as the symphony reached crescendo after crescendo until the final note was heard and breathless pleas for an encore were made.

Brenda fanned herself as the heat from the smoldering embers within her exceeded the warmth of the steamy bathroom. "You are really going over the edge here," she mumbled quietly. "Assuming you can stay awake for this feast you are hyperventilating about, one non-sleeping child and the feast is just another pipedream."

The pipedreams had been a necessity during the last three months of the pregnancy and during the first several weeks thereafter and they had somehow survived. However, since their Valentine's Day celebration when their appetites were finally satiated again after the very long and cold winter, the feasts had been few and far between. Just the thought now of their hunger for every morsel of each other and the few occasions that those cravings had been satisfied was enough to almost send Brenda off the charts. She knew that Jax had questioned his own sanity at moments when his ravenous appetite was forced to go unquenched again. Brenda knew that tonight they both would lose their minds if their hungers were not satisfied, especially her sanity after seeing how the tight denim of Jax's jeans fit around his muscular thighs. Then for complete distraction, there were those well-sculpted pecs and his large, strong hands that Brenda was mesmerized by as Jax guided Cyclone around the trail during their ride. To make it all worse, he had given her smoldering looks all afternoon and the blue in his eyes had darkened with more desire with each one. The gaze Jax had given to her as she had licked the birthday cake icing off her fork had caused Brenda's temperature to instantly rise.

"Stop getting distracted or Jax is going to think you drowned in here," Brenda reminded herself. She took a deep breath and slipped the black satin and lace negligee over her head. The slinkiness of the soft material as it slid down her skin only served to sharpen the reaction of every fiber within her. Brenda adjusted the thin strap of the gown and then put on the long, matching satin and lace robe to the set. She took one step back from the mirror to see how the ensemble looked on her. The plunging neckline of the negligee and the perfectly positioned lace areas over the swell of her chest certainly made a statement. The high slit up the side of the gown also made an impact.

Brenda ran the brush one last time through the soft waves of her hair. It had been such a perfect day and the only way she wanted it to end was with a slow, long and delicious feast in the loving arms of the man who had made it all possible. She opened the bathroom door and could see that the bedroom was dark except for the flickering of orange light along the wall. Brenda smiled as heard the quiet crackling of firewood. She took a few steps into the bedroom before the fireplace came into view and her breath caught momentarily in her throat at the sight of Jax sitting in front of the fire. He was surrounded by pillows and a down comforter and wearing only the bottoms to his midnight blue pajamas. The shimmering of the firelight off his beautiful face and brawny chest forced Brenda to have to remember to breathe. And the inferno burning in his eyes surpassed the radiance of the flames in the fireplace. Brenda silently begged the heavens and Mr. Sandman to keep a spell over the children for just a few hours.

His voice was soft and completely seducing. "Hey there Aphrodite."

"Hello Adonis," she quietly murmured as Jax stood up and crossed the room.

Jax's gaze moved from Brenda's radiant face to the plunging valley between her breasts. "You look too incredible for words."

"A gift from Robin for my birthday," Brenda responded as her gaze met Jax's.

"Now I know why I have always loved her," Jax said with a bright smile as he took Brenda's hands in his own.

A musical laugh fell from Brenda's lips. "Jess went down finally?"

Jax nodded his head. "Yes, and I won't tell you what I promised her in return for her cooperation."

With a blissful sigh, Brenda melted into his arms and rested her head against Jax's chest. "This feels so good. Jax, I want you so much."

"Want doesn't even begin to describe how I feel about you." Jax nuzzled his lips along her ear. "Tonight we're both going to get everything we want."

Brenda felts shivers run up her spine at the sound of Jax's sensual voice. She dropped a baby kiss on the center of Jax's chest. "You're all I want. Only you. Forever."

His hands moved up to Brenda's face and tipped her head to meet his desirous gaze. "You have me, baby. Happily ever after, remember." Jax lowered his head and their lips met in a lingering kiss.

The kiss turned into kisses, soft and sweet and each one more delectable than the one before. Jax's hands moved to her chest where his fingers gently pushed the satin material from her shoulders. The robe slid to the floor and Jax released Brenda's lips long enough to take a step back to look at her. He had a full view now of the lace which barely concealed the fullness of her creamy white orbs. The plunging neckline looked evidence just how deep the valley was between the swell of soft and supple skin. The silky skin of her sexy thigh also caught his eye as the high slit of the gown framed it perfectly. Jax moaned at the view and then his eyes blazed even more at the sight of Brenda's rosy buds becoming stiff peaks simply from the way he was looking at her. Brenda ran her tongue over her dry lips and sighed softly at the effect Jax could have on her body with a mere look. No man had ever aroused her the way that Jax did -- one touch or look and her body would become engulfed in flames that only he could extinguish.

Their lips joined again and Jax's hands wrapped around Brenda's waist. As his hands slid along the satin of the negligee, they moved to the sides of her breasts and cupped the weight of them. Brenda moaned into Jax's mouth as his fingers gently kneaded the fullest part of her breasts and she felt her peaks become even more turgid as they rubbed against the lace of the gown. Her hands moved up and down the strong muscles of Jax's back and she could feel the intensity of his own arousal against her. She traced the outside of Jax's lips with her tongue and then gained entrance into his mouth with a sweep of her tongue. Jax's tongue danced along hers and he growled at the pleasure bestowed by the sensual tango.

Jax's strong hands slipped down Brenda's back and gripped the curves of her butt. Brenda pressed her body even closer to his and wrapped her legs around Jax's waist just as he lifted her into his arms. Their lips never parted as Jax padded across the carpet with her and reached the comforter in front of the fireplace. He eased her down onto the feathery softness of the pillows and finally released her mouth to gaze at her. Brenda's dark pools of velvet were rimmed with passion and her cheeks were flushed with the fire burning within her. As her silky tresses fanned out on the pillow and the shadows from the flickering flames flashed across her porcelain skin, Jax was not sure how anyone could have ever been more beautiful. "I love you Brenda and I'm going to show you just how much."

I am amazed
When I look at you
I see you smiling back at me
It's like all the dreams come true
I am afraid
If I lost you girl
I'd fall through the cracks and lose my track
In this crazy, lonely world
Sometimes it's so hard to believe
When the nights can be so long
And fate gave me the strength
It kept me going on

Brenda extended her arms to him and cupped Jax's cheeks with the palms of her hands as their lips met in a scintillating kiss. When the kiss finally ended, they were breathless and their bodies were raging with fire. Jax began a trail of kisses from Brenda's forehead to her nose and cheeks and then along her jawline. The path continued along her neck and then to the skin behind her ears before her shoulders became the recipients of his sensual caresses. Brenda's chest became the next target of Jax's passionate assault as his mouth traveled down the plunging neckline of her gown. His lips and tongue found the valley between her breasts and explored every inch of the sweet skin. Brenda's rosebuds became even stiffer points and Jax's thumb stroked them through the lace of the negligee. Brenda cried out and tried to sit up but Jax kissed her again and forced her back down onto the comforter.

He scooted down to her feet and lifted her right foot and began softly stroking it. He massaged the ball of her foot and then her toes while Brenda sighed with pleasure. He gave her left foot the same sensual treatment before he began a trail of kisses up her right leg. As his hand slid the satin of the nightgown up her leg, Jax's mouth moved up the outside of her leg. "You still taste of lavender." When Jax reached the top of her thigh, his kisses made a return path down the inside of her right leg. The outside of Brenda's left leg was then paraded with kisses before the return path down her left inside thigh. The satin material of the negligee was then slid completely up her body as Jax slipped the gown over her head leaving her before him in a pair of black satin panties and the glimmering firelight. "You are so beautiful, my angel," Jax murmured as he kissed each finger of her right hand. "So beautiful."

You are the love of my life
And I'm so glad you found me
You are the love of my life
Baby put your arms around me
I guess this is how it feels
When you finally find something real
My angel in the night
You are my love
The love of my life

All of Brenda's efforts to provide her own form of passionate assault were thwarted for now as Jax was enjoying the gratification of pleasuring her completely. She threaded her fingers through the back of Jax's hair as his hands stroked her breasts. His lips then took over as Jax kissed every inch of her supple skin. Brenda moaned when Jax's tongue flicked against her chest and then whimpered when his mouth explored every inch of her as she shifted against the pillows from the ecstasy of each warm stroke. Her breathing was becoming more rapid as Jax made love to her chest. The sweet torture had taken away her ability to think as soft purrs involuntarily fell from her lips. When his mouth finally left her breasts, Jax dropped kisses along her stomach. Brenda gripped a handful of Jax's blonde hair when his tongue plunged into her navel causing her to cry out in pleasure. Jax smiled as his mouth seized her lips Brenda again, knowing that her pleasure had not yet begun.

Jax's fingers dipped beneath the elastic waistband of her and settled in the softness of her warmth. He moaned himself at the evidence of her arousal. Brenda spread her legs out further as murmurings of Jax's name escaped her lips. Jax whispered to her in return, "That's my sweet girl." Brenda rocked her hips back and forth and Jax increased the pace of his strokes. "Oh God, don't stop." Jax watched the torrents of passion cross her face. "That's it baby, let me love you." As Jax felt the tremors beginning to reverberate throughout her body, he freed his hands and slid the panties down her legs in one swift move. "I know what you want, Brenda, so let me give it to you." Brenda gasped for breath as Jax's tongue took the place his fingers had been a moment before. Every fiber of her being was flooded with the onslaught of passion and she called out Jax's name again. Brenda gripped her hands against the pillows as her entire body trembled as she exploded in a shower of flames that could never be doused.

Now here you are
Midnight's closing in
You take my hand as our shadows dance
With moonlight on your skin
I look into your eyes
I'm lost inside your kiss
I think if I'd never met you about all the things I'd miss
Sometimes it's so hard to believe
When a love can be so strong
And fate gave me the strength
And kept me going on

With both the firelight and the moonlight casting shadows around them, Jax spooned Brenda's body with his. His hands were wrapped tightly around Brenda's waist as her breathing slowly began to return to normal. Jax nuzzled his lips along her earlobe. "I love you baby." Brenda covered his hands with hers. "I know and I love you so very much." She turned her head to look up at Jax. "I'm going to show you just how much I do as soon as I can feel from the waist down again." A devilish grin covered Jax's face. "So even out of practice over the past several months, I passed the test." Brenda flashed him a smug smile. "Do you want me to crown you king?" He winked at her. "You already did me one better than that or did I misunderstand all those references to God a little while ago." Soft laughter fell from her lips. "It's a wonder I could even speak so I take no responsibility for anything I said." Jax shook his head and managed to keep a straight face as he spoke. "No. I am definitely holding you to that promise to eat yogurt and bananas in the morning." Brenda grabbed the pillow and swatted it against Jax's chest. "Now who is just begging for no dessert tonight?" She hit Jax again with the pillow and then grabbed the blanket from him and scooted away from Jax. "Tsk, tsk, tsk. Poor starving man and no slow, long or delicious dessert." Jax lunged for Brenda but she alluded his grasp. "Now you have to catch me."

Jax chuckled at the sight of his Aphrodite running around the small bedroom in nothing but all her glory. This was no contest, at least in the master suite there were a few places to move to extend the chase for a few seconds but the cottage bedroom was much too small and he could not picture her running down the hallway in the buff with Jillian's bedroom two doors down. Jax rose to his feet and shook his finger at her. "You know you want me to catch you." Brenda shrugged as she moved around the chair. "Of course, but you know how much I love to drive you to the brink before hitting the jackpot. Or is that Jaxpot," she retorted with a giggle. "That's it, this game is over," Jax announced as he went in for the kill. Somehow she managed to leap over the side of the chair in one jump and allude him again. He shook his head at how his little nymph never ceased to amaze him. "Okay, you have been getting way too much practice leaping into my arms all these years." Brenda shot him a big smirk. "Hey we use what we have. You use those stilt legs to run, I use my normal size ones to leap." Jax rolled his eyes at her. "Fine, then these stilt legs will just get you now." He quickly moved around the chair and Brenda's only recourse was to jump onto the middle of the bed. Jax smiled in victory. "Okay, now you're trapped." Brenda shook her head and returned his victorious smile as she sat held her hands out to him. "No, I'm right where I want to be."

You are the love of my life
And I'm so glad you found me
You are the love of my life
Baby put your arms around me
I guess this is how it feels
When you finally find something real
My angel in the night
You are my love
The love of my life

Jax enveloped Brenda with his arms and moaned at the feel of her orbs against his chest. He kissed her softly on the mouth and then sat her down of the bed. He picked up the pillows and from the floor and handed them to Brenda who put them back onto the bed and then slipped under the quilt. Jax stepped out of his pajama bottoms and boxers and slid into bed as Brenda drew back the covers. She wrapped her arms around Jax as he moved on top of her. "I love you Jax. More than you'll ever know." He kissed her eyelids. "I love you Brenda. You're the love of my life." Their lips united again and the inferno within each of them soon engulfed every sense and every nerve ending. Soft moans rolled off their lips as each stroke and every caress brought their bodies closer to the boiling point. Brenda's nails dug into Jax's back as his mouth savored the taste of each breast again. Jax's whimpers of pleasure were heard as Brenda moved on top of him and traced his velvet skin, sending his thoughts into oblivion.

As his control threshold reached the apex, Jax rolled Brenda onto the pillows again and moved on top of her again. With another sweet murmuring of love to Brenda, Jax joined her in one fluid motion. He slowly moved deeper within her, lifting them higher into the clouds with each stroke. Brenda ground her hips against his and arched her back with each movement as she wanted Jax to be given back every ounce of pleasure that he was providing to her. Her words of love heightened Jax's desire even further and his love became stronger and the pleasure more delicious with each movement. When he felt the spasms of Brenda's body beginning anew, Jax fought to maintain his own control and breathing as he whispered to her. "Open your eyes, angel, I want to see you." Brenda fought to force her eyes open and saw the blazing fire in Jax's smoldering pools of blue. "I love you Jax," she murmured just as she split into a million pieces. As Jax's felt her body react and saw the gleaming passion in Brenda's eyes, he called out her name and his heaven came as fireworks exploded throughout every inch of his body. When his breathing became under control, Jax tightened his embrace of Brenda and covered her with the quilt. "Happy birthday my love." He kissed her forehead and stroked her hair. "Get some sleep, baby. Dream about happily ever after." Brenda sighed as she began to drift off to sleep. "I have it already. You're the love of my life."

You are the love of my life
And I'm so glad you found me
You are the love of my life
Baby put your arms around me
I guess this is how it feels
When you finally find something real
My angel in the night
You are my love
The love of my life
My angel in the night
You are my love, the love of my life

Monday, April 1, 2002
Julia's Loft -- 12:15am

The far-off sound threatened to interrupt her sleep and Julia put her head under the pillow in hopes it was part of the dream. The noise did not stop and finally roused Julia enough for her to realize it was not part of a dream. She turned over and grabbed the receiver beside the bed. "Hello."

"Watch out, that's a tarantula on the pillow."

"What?" Julia muttered before screaming as she comprehended the message. She dropped the phone and turned on the light to find nothing on the pillows but the pillowcases.

His laughter echoed from the dangling phone receiver. "Bloody hell, Julia, you are so damn easy with this."

She was now wide awake now and completely irritated. "Whoever you are, you need some serious help."

Jerry shook his head. "Julia, do you see what time it is? Happy April Fools' Day."

"Jerry?" She sat back down on the bed and sighed partly in relief and partly in trepidation. "I should have known."

"Yes," he affirmed. "Score one for me. You never were a big fan of the day or even understood the concept of it as I remember."

Julia wet her suddenly dry lips as she thought about April Fools' Day three years before when Jerry had proposed. After the previous two years of his pranks, she had not even believed that the proposal was real until after they had been in a huge argument about it. Only Jerry Jacks would think that proposing on April Fools' Day was romantic.

She found her voice. "Are you all right?"

"I'm not in jail or drunk if that's what you're asking." Jerry took a deep breath. "Sorry, I know that is not what you're asking.... No, I'm not all right but now I realize that I can't be until some things are dealt with."

Julia was confused. "Isn't that what you are doing now?"

"Yes and no," Jerry sincerely replied. "There is only so much which can be done in a vacuum."

She sighed softly. "Jerry, I'm sorry but I really don't understand what you're saying."

Jerry raked his fingers through his hair as he muttered to himself. "That makes two of us since I don't know what the hell I'm saying either." He exhaled sharply and his voice was a quiet almost whisper. "I need you, Julia."

Julia felt her breath catch in her throat for a moment. "What do you need me to do?"

"Come here." Jerry cleared his throat and his voice was more controlled. "Some of this can only be figured out by the two of us. Will you come?"

Her stomach flip-flopped. "Yes. Where are you?"

Jerry looked out at the white beach and the blue water. "Fiji." He hesitated for a moment before he continued. "You know the place."

Julia's hand shook as she held the receiver while her mind was flooded with memories of their honeymoon. "Yes, I know the place." A small smile involuntarily formed on her lips. "I'll be out of here in the morning."

"There's a flight at 11am," he said softly.

"I'll be on it." Julia took a breath to calm down her emotions. "Thank you."

Jerry swallowed the lump in his throat. "Okay, I'll let you go. I'll be at the airport. Good night."

"I'll see you then. Good-bye Jerry." With that she hung up and collapsed against the pillows. There would be no more sleep tonight as she thanked the heavens for the chance to make her own dreams for happily ever after a reality.

SONG CREDITS: "Love of my Life" by Jim Brickman and Michael W. Smith