Sunday, April 14, 2002
The Jacks Residence -- 11:45am

It was a lovely Easter morning as Jax parked the car and everyone headed up the front walk. Jillian walked between John and Jane as Jax and Brenda carried the twins in their infant seats. "Grandma, Uncle Jerry and Aunt Julia are comin' to see us."

"Yes, they are," Jane said with a nod as she held onto Jillian's hand. "I know how much you have missed them. We've all missed them and it's so good to have them back home now."

John piped in then and looked between Jane and Brenda. "And we're not going to gang up on either one of them about their trip, are we?"

"John, I have no idea why you're looking at me," Jane countered with a raised eyebrow.

Brenda shrugged her shoulders. "Or me either."

"I can't even imagine," John retorted as he rolled his eyes slightly. "I don't think they need help from either of you."

"I beg to differ," Brenda rebutted. "They still aren't living under one roof so they continue to require assistance."

John let out a deep sigh. "Do I need to remind either one of you about curiosity and the cat?"

Jane exhaled sharply. "Don't get your knickers in a twist, John Jasper. Heed the behavior of your son here and just worry about yourself."

Jax began humming lowly and John glared at him. A loud snicker then fell from Jax's lips. "Come on, Dad, if I've learned one thing from you, it is to avoid any attempt to temper the spirit of certain women in my life."

Brenda leaned in and loudly whispered to John. "It would be useless anyway and you did not raise a fool for a son. He's completely outnumbered now by the spirited females in his life." She then winked at Jillian. "Right, Jillian?"

"Right, Mommy," Jillian exclaimed with a bob of her head as she began to skip around the fountain.

Brenda cautioned her excited daughter. "Jillian, slow down before you slip and fall in those new shoes."

Jillian looked down at her shiny patent leather Mary Janes. "I like my Easter shoes, Mommy. Me and Brooke showed Grandma Gloria at church."

"Yes, you did," replied Brenda with a soft laugh at the memory of Jillian and Brooke showing off their new Easter dresses, bonnets, purses and shoes in front of church two hours earlier.

"You and Brooke looked beautiful, princess," murmured Jax with a wink. "As do Mommy, Jessica and Grandma this morning."

John shook his head in agreement. "Yes, all you ladies look lovely." He then eyed Jonathan as Brenda carried the infant seat. "And young man, that's quite a feat since you woke your mother up and gave her no peace this morning."

"I'm sorry if Jonathan woke you up," Brenda said with a sigh. "This week, he seems to have forgotten when his nights and days are again."

Jane waved her hand at Brenda. "Don't worry about John, even being hit in the head with a boomerang would not wake him up, dear."

"That's true," Jax remarked with a snicker as they reached the front door. "We have tested the theory on numerous occasions."

Brenda laughed with the rest of them as they moved inside the house to the living room. "Well, we are going to see how long we can keep this one awake now since he slept all through mass."

"Of course he did, he'd been awake since three thirty this morning." Jax leaned down so that his face was in front of Jonathan as the infant seat sat on the table. "Peanut, how many times do we have to tell you that 4:00AM is not playtime?"

Jonathan responded with an infectious laugh and Brenda tickled his toes which only made the baby's laugh grow louder. "Yes, I know, you think that cute face and charm are going to negate your less attractive qualities." With his father's twinkling eyes, the baby flashed Brenda a coy smile. "You're going to be big trouble, I can see that already."

A deep chuckle escaped from John's lips. "Well, you could move his cradle to church since that obviously put him to sleep." He then looked at Jessica sitting beside Jonathan. "Then this little sheila could be there to practice for her first performance at Carnegie Hall."

Jax took Jessica's hand as she flailed it toward him and cooed. "Yes, pumpkin, we all heard you singing this morning in church."

"You liked those alleluias," Brenda responded as she sat down on the couch and beamed at Jessica. "And you didn't quite know what to make of that organ, did you? You and your big sister sang so beautifully even if your eyes looked like giant saucers every time the organ was played."

"Mommy, I singed with all the kids," exclaimed Jillian with a radiant smile as her Easter bonnet slipped from her head. "Me and Brooke singed and clapped when Sister Sare told us it's time."

Jax took Jillian's hat from her and then kissed the top of her head. "We all heard you and you and Brooke were wonderful."

Jillian opened up her purse and pulled out the pink foil covered egg. "Sister Sare gived this to me and Brooke and all the kids for singing." Jillian spoke in an almost whisper as she giggled. "She says it's her favorite -- chocolate. Yum-yum."

"Sister Sare is a very special nun," Jax said as Jillian showed him the candy. "Did you remember to thank her when she gave it to you?"

"Uh-huh," Jillian confirmed with a bob of her head. "Sister Sare says she liked my shoes too." She held her foot out to show everyone her shoe again. "Sister Sare weared pretty, shiny shoes like me but they're real, real tall like Mommy's."

A lopsided grin appeared on Brenda's face. "Yes, Sister Sare has very pretty shoes." Brenda caressed Jillian's neck. "Speaking of shoes, in a few minutes, I want you to change out of those shoes and your dress and tights."

Jillian's mouth turned into a pout. "But Mommy, I like my dress and shoes."

"I know you do but you can't be running around outside in your good clothes and shoes." Brenda pulled Jillian into her lap. "Remember that you are going to have the Easter egg hunt this afternoon outside and I don't want you to fall in those shoes and hurt yourself."

With a continued frown, Jillian looked at the twins in their seats. "Do Jessica and Jonathan get to wear their new Easter clothes?"

Jax held back at his smirk at Jillian's jealous thoughts. "Jessica and Jonathan have to get changed too since they will be outside hunting with us."

"Aunt Julia and Uncle Jerry didn't see my pretty Easter dress," Jillian lamented.

"They will be here soon to see everyone and then we'll change. Mommy and Daddy are changing too." She then stroked Jillian's curls. "You have your new Flopsy and Mopsy socks the Easter Bunny brought you in your basket. Would you like to wear them?"

"Yeah," Jillian responded with a small smile. "Can I still wear my Easter hat too when I hunt? Please Mommy?"

Brenda tweaked Jillian's nose. "Yes, you can wear your hat and your bunny socks."

She hugged Brenda tightly. "Thank you Mommy."

"You're welcome, sweetheart." Brenda returned Jillian's hug and then looked out the bay window to catch sight of Jerry's car pulling into the circle around the front fountain. She pulled away from the embrace. "It looks like we have company."

Jillian turned around and quickly moved in front of the window. "Aunt Julia and Uncle Jerry, here I am," Jillian announced as she waved to them. She scurried toward the door and then hurried back. "Daddy, my hat."

"Of course," Jax replied with a wink. "Every lovely young lady needs a pretty hat." He placed the hat back on Jillian's head. "Perfect, you look beautiful."

Jillian looked up at Jax with her hands on her hips. "Daddy, Did you remember and put the ribbon in the back THIS time?"

Brenda turned her head to hide her grin as Jax chewed on his bottom lip to suppress his. "Yes, princess. I remembered to put the ribbon in the back THIS time just like Mommy does it."

As Jillian smiled and then quickly headed to the foyer, John and Jane both laughed softly. Jax shook his finger at Brenda and mouthed to her as he followed Jillian to the door, "She is YOUR daughter."

Jax opened the front door and Jillian raced to hug both Julia and Jerry before they even were able to get through the doorway. As they finally were able to come inside the house, Julia touched the pink ribbon on Jillian's hat. "Jillian, what a beautiful Easter bonnet and such a pretty pink ribbon to match your dress."

Jillian twirled in the center of the foyer. "See my dress and my shoes."

"Who are you hiding under that big hat?" Jerry asked with a look of mock confusion. "What did you do with Roo and her overalls?"

She pointed at herself. "It's me, Uncle Jerry. I'm Jillian and I'm all dressed for Easter and church."

"Let me see," Jerry replied as he tilted up her chin. "Open your mouth and let me see that snaggletooth."

"Aahh," Jillian warbled as she opened her mouth widely. "See, there's my hole. A little tooth's growing there."

Jerry tickled her behind the ear. "You better tell it to hurry and catch up to those BIG other teeth."

They had joined everyone in the living room now and John, Jane and Brenda greeted Jerry and Julia. Only Jax had seen them since their return from Fiji when they both had been in the office briefly at the end of the week. Brenda picked up Jonathan from his infant seat and sighed softly in relief at the peaceful and happy looks on both Jerry and Julia's faces. She had spoken to Julia twice on the phone since her return and Jerry once since then. Brenda had managed to avoid playing a game of "Twenty Questions" with either one but she knew her willpower would only last so long. She did know that they had seen Melanie together two days before. Between that and the sound of Julia and Jerry's voices on the phone, Brenda had discerned that the trip had been availing for both of them but they were still a major step away living under separate roofs.

Jillian sat down in the chair with Julia and reached up to touch her bronzed cheek. "You look pretty, Aunt Julia. You've got brown on your face."

"Aunt Julia has a tan from the sun," Brenda replied as she noticed that Jerry's tan was even darker than Julia's. "Remember that Uncle Jerry and Aunt Julia were at the beach?"

She looked up at Julia again. "Did you pick up the baby shells in the sand?"

"Yes, lots of shells." Julia then leaned over and whispered to Jillian. "If you ask him, I think Uncle Jerry has a little surprise we brought you from the beach."

Jillian's mouth opened wide and she darted over to Jerry. "Uncle Jerry, do you have my surprise?"

Jerry put his hand to his head as he pretended to deliberate the question. "I don't remember. We'll have to check." He emptied the left hand pocket of his trousers and pulled out a set of keys. "How about this for a surprise?"

Jillian shook her head. "No, not keys. A surprise from the beach."

"Let's see what's in this one then." He emptied the other pocket and showed Jillian his wallet. "This must be it."

"No, not that," Jillian remarked with a sigh. "The beach."

"Not interested in a wallet?" Jerry turned and smirked at Brenda. "You can't be your mother's daughter then." In the spirit of the holiday, Brenda refrained from flashing him a gesture behind Jillian's back and Jerry had to laugh out loud at the expression in her eyes.

Julia motioned for Jillian to come to her and she lowly whispered into her ear. Jillian beamed and then scampered back to Jerry. "Uncle Jerry, it's in your coat pocket."

Jerry reached into his jacket pocket and pulled out a small satin pouch. "Oh, you mean this?"

"Yes, my present." Jillian giggled in glee as she took the pouch. She brought it to Julia and Julia untied the ribbon and dumped the contents into Jillian's outstretched palms. "Oh, oh, look. It's a shell necklace and it's pink."

"It's pink because those are special kinds of shells called coral," Julia offered as Jillian gave her a wide-eyed grin.

Brenda carried Jonathan over to Julia and Jillian. "Jillian, it's so pretty and such a nice gift. What do you say to Aunt Julia and Uncle Jerry?"

"Thank you Aunt Julia," Jillian exclaimed as she suddenly hugged Julia. She then scooted off Julia's lap and skipped to Jerry and hugged him as well. "Thank you for my surprise, Uncle Jerry."

"You're very welcome, Roo," Jerry said as he stroked the skin under her chin.

Jillian handed him the necklace. "Can you put it on my neck?"

Jerry twirled her around a few times as she giggled loudly and then fastened the necklace around Jillian's neck. "There you go, Roo."

"Well, look at you," Jax murmured as he smiled at Jillian while rubbing Jessica's back. "Now you really look like a princess."

"A very beautiful princess," added John.

Jillian coyly smiled and sat back with Julia again. "I got to show Sister Sare at church, she likes shells from the beach."

"Sister Sare?" Jerry rolled his eyes and grimaced slightly. "I thought she was more into dolls with little pins?"

Brenda jabbed Jerry with her elbow as Jax chuckled out loud. "That's only for you, Jerry, and what do expect after you made a fool out of yourself three years ago."

"Hey, it was not my fault, how was I to know she was a nun," Jerry replied with a groan. "No nun is supposed to look like that."

Brenda shook her head at him. "Look like what? She was at a black tie dinner for Kanga's Kradle."

"Sorry, but no nun I've ever seen wore heels or had legs that looked like that," Jerry replied. "And Ward set me up." He then pointed at Julia. "And then you told the woman what was going on and sat back and watched the whole thing laughing."

Julia shrugged her shoulders. "You set yourself up for all of it."

"Exactly, you played right into Justus' hands by boasting that you could pick up any woman in a skirt," Jax countered with a hearty laugh. "You never told him that members of the Daughters of Charity were exempt from the contest."

Jerry scowled at Jax. "Some family support you gave me. You gave the woman more ammunition to fire at me and there is only so much one can say to a nun, even one dressed like that."

Jax rocked Jessica against his shoulder. "Just because you're doomed now to never get by St. Peter does not mean I'm going to follow in those footsteps. This brother thing only goes so far."

"Well, at least one thing came out of it," Jane declared. "The Daughters of Charity got one healthy donation."

John snickered as he spoke. "Yes, Sister Sare sure finagled that one, didn't she, son?"

"Glad to see you all are still finding humor in this three years later," Jerry snorted. "The woman's probably not even a nun, that sweet and innocent angelic facade around the rest of you is just an act. That woman would not know what a halo was if one hit her in the face. She's really some torture specialist for the CIA."

Jillian shook her head at him. "No, she's Sister Sare."

Julia hugged Jillian against her chest. "That's right, Jillian, we all know Sister Sare's a nun. Even Uncle Jerry knows that now, he's just a little slow."

"He can run with Lady so he's fast," Jillian replied.

"We'll work on that," Julia answered with a bob of her head. She looked over at Jerry and a smug smile crossed on her lips. "Uncle Jerry would love that I am sure."

"Yeah!" A big smile covered Jillian's face as she patted her hand against Julia's arm. "Can you stay home and not go to the beach so you can watch?"

Julia nodded her head. "I'm going to stay now and not go to the beach."

She turned to Jerry. "Uncle Jerry, can you stay home too?"

"Yes, Jillian, I'll be here too. Not at the beach," He flashed her a lopsided grin. "Aunt Julia and her non-existent sense of humor will be here as well."

With a bright beam, Jillian clapped her hands together. Joyous smiled covered everyone's face and at that moment, it was unclear who in the room looked the happiest.

The Jacks Residence -- 3:45pm

The daffodils and jonquils fluttered in the breeze as the afternoon sun ensconced the back yard with brilliance. The faces of the purple and yellow pansies seemed to dance in the air as they lined the walkways leading to the terrace. Springtime was flourishing in Port Charles as the plum and pear trees had just begun to blossom in the groves alongside the gazebo and Brenda and Jillian's tulip gardens were starting to bud. In just a few short months, the rose gardens, planted in honor of Jessica and Jonathan's arrival into the world, would be in full bloom and the grounds would be a sea of vibrant colors.

The back yard was currently the site of the annual Jacks family Easter egg hunt. As Brenda snapped a photo of Jax helping Jonathan uncover a yellow plastic egg from the tulip garden, Jillian squealed and scrambled around the evergreen after spotting a fluorescent pink plastic egg hiding beneath the branch. Jillian excitedly placed the egg into the basket that Jerry held for her as Julia and Jessica moved around Jamie's tree and found the bright orange egg hidden there. John used the video camera to capture the memories as Jane played referee in instances when a judgment had to be made as to who reached an egg first.

Brenda smiled as she captured a shot of Jessica's curious expression as Julia shook the candy-filled egg in front of the baby's face. Jane laughed at her granddaughter's bewildered look and moved next to Brenda. Jonathan's laughter was then heard and Brenda and Jane looked over to see Jax bouncing the baby over to the azalea bush to retrieve another egg. The giggles mixed with small coos as the youngest Jacks thoroughly enjoyed being jostled against his father's shoulder during the hunt. Jonathan seemed to be rewarding everyone with more laughter as each day passed and Brenda found it to be one of the most incredible sounds she had ever heard. Even with his bouts of late night playtime, Jonathan was the calmest and happiest baby she had ever seen and he reminded Brenda of Jax more and more every day.

Jane watched as a luminous glow covered Brenda's face. "They make quite a pair, don't they?"

With sparkling eyes, Brenda nodded at Jane. "I'm so glad that you see it too. I used to wonder if my mind was playing tricks on me when I saw Jonathan's smile and had to blink to be assured it was not Jax looking back at me."

"I know all about that," Jane responded as she touched Brenda's arm. "I had to pinch myself when I held him three days ago and those dancing eyes looked up at me. Suddenly it was thirty years ago and it was my Jasper."

Jillian squealed as she dropped another egg in the basket and called out to Brenda and Jane. "Mommy and Grandma, I got another purple one."

"That's my girl," Brenda answered with a wink. "You show everyone what a wonderful hunter you are."

"Do you hear that, peanut," Jax asked of his son as they headed to the dogwood trees. "We'll show them who can hunt."

"Not so fast, blondies," Julia retorted as she grabbed the blue egg under the dogwood for Jessica's basket. "Miss Jessica has her own share of hunting skills."

Jax chuckled as Jessica cooed in her stroller and then stuck her fist in her mouth as if to bask in victory. "Flaunting victory, now who does that remind me of?"

"I heard that," Brenda announced with a lift of her right eyebrow from across the lawn.

Jillian caught a glimpse of a large yellow egg in the pansies along the sidewalk. "I see one, Uncle Jerry."

"Go get it before your father and that little brother of yours steal it," Jerry advised.

As Jillian scampered toward the flowers, Lady appeared from the side yard and caught sight of the rounded yellow object. There was the tennis ball she had been playing with earlier this morning with Jax and Jillian. The dog raced over and picked it up in one fluid movement and then darted away.

"No Lady, that's my egg," Jillian shrieked as she ran after the dog. "You can't eat it."

Jerry sighed in exasperation as he chased after Lady. "You crazy beast, drop that thing."

A deep chuckle fell from Jax's lips as he watched Jerry in pursuit of the dog. Lady was in her element now as this was her favorite game. She was well trained in it as well as was evidenced now by her racing around each evergreen in the center of the yard. When Jerry thought he had outsmarted the animal by hiding behind the last bush, Lady headed the opposite direction and scurried toward the fountain.

Jax turned Jonathan to face the action. "Jonathan, do you see that? That's Uncle Jerry being outsmarted by the dog."

Lady barked and Jillian's giggles drifted through the breeze as Jerry bellowed after the four-legged ball of fur. "Brute, you are going to pay for this."

Julia shook her head as she stood with everyone. "Some things never change."

"Nor do certain sons become less thick-skulled," added John with a snicker as he kept the video camera running.

Jillian giggled again as she turned to look at Jax and Brenda. "Lady's winning again."

Brenda smiled at her. "We see that, you taught Lady to play this game very well." She then snapped a picture of Jillian grabbing her bonnet as a gust of wind threatened to topple the hat from her head.

Meanwhile Lady reached the fountain and sat down at the stone wall holding the egg in her mouth as if it were a trophy. Jerry muttered as he approached and shook his finger at the dog. "You are nothing more than a brainless beast. Give me that egg."

The dog closed her mouth tightly around the egg in defiance. Jerry grumbled again and then lunged to grab her collar. Instantly realizing what would happen next in Lady's game of "possum," Jax's raucous laughter began immediately. True to form, Lady leapt into the air as soon as Jerry's hands neared her collar and three seconds later, the spray of water hit Jerry as Lady landed in the fountain.

A cheshire grin covered Brenda's face as she too had realized what would occur and had captured every moment on film. Jane covered her mouth as her mirth overtook her and Julia could not even stand up straight as her laughter erupted. Jillian scampered over to the fountain in excitement. "Uncle Jerry, Lady won. She got to base first." She then took her egg basket from him. "I'll hold my basket, I don't want wet eggs and you're all wet."

Jerry wiped away the water dripping down his face. "I see that, Jillian."

"We all see that," Jax remarked with a chortle as he stood behind Jerry.

"Uncle Jerry, now you're holy," Jillian said in an enthusiastic flurry. "Father Sean shook lots of water on us in church today and Grandma Gloria says we're all holy."

Brenda rubbed Jillian's back. "Remember that Father Sean talked about how special that water was today. The water in the fountain is not the same."

"Oh, yeah, I forgot," Jillian replied as she looked up at Brenda. "Not the rain or shower water, only church water we make crosses with."

Jerry looked at Lady and then at Jillian again. "Well, I think you had better take that animal to church with you because she certainly needs some of that water. She is a true beast."

A huge grin was plastered across Jax's face. "Why? Because she outmaneuvered you?" Jax then turned to Lady who was wagging her tail as she stood in the center of the fountain. "Girl, you're still champion."

Lady woofed in contentment and then walked over to the side of the fountain and dropped the egg into Jillian's outstretched hand. She jumped out of the water and then shook, showering Jerry again with a spray of droplets. Another chorus of snickers resonated through the air.

"What a perfect image forever in the archives," chided John as he lowered the video camera.

"I know exactly where this shot will go on the wall," retorted Brenda as she snapped yet another picture of the drenched Jerry. "We'll blow it up and it will be perfect."

Jerry glared at her. "You are an evil woman."

Brenda shrugged her shoulders and murmured to him. "See what honeydews do for a dairy queen."

Jerry cleared his throat knowing full well Brenda was still getting him back for his birthday note to her. "You're never going to forget that, are you?"

"Not a chance," Brenda replied with a devilish glint in her eyes.

Julia turned the stroller so that the sun was not shining in Jessica's eyes. "You're lucky she's not calling The Port Charles Herald with news for the front page tomorrow."

"Hey, that's enough from you," quipped Jerry. "Cruella does not need any other ideas." He then turned to Jax. "Why do you let that creature use a perfectly good fountain for her own private bath?"

Jax smirked and pointed to Jillian. "Ask the princess there, it was her idea."

Jillian flashed a radiant beam to Jax and Jerry. "It's a doggy bath just like the birdies have one." She pointed to the nearby birdbath. "See, now Lady can get all clean too."

"Perfect," Jerry groaned in sarcasm. "Now she is Bob Barker and Gloria Steinham all rolled into one. You must be so proud."

"We are, thanks," Brenda replied as she then pointed to the egg baskets. "Look at all the eggs everyone found."

Jillian looked at Jessica and Jonathan's baskets and then held out her basket for everyone to see. "Look how many eggs I got."

"Count them for us, Jillian," Jax said as he leaned down next to her.

"1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9," she counted off. "I got nine eggs."

Jax held out Jonathan's basket for her. "How many are in here?"

Jillian counted off again. "Jonathan's got eight."

"What about Jessica," Julia asked as she handed Jillian the basket.

"Seven eggs in here," Jillian responded with a beaming smile.

Brenda returned Jillian's beaming grin. "Lots of good hunters today and all the eggs were found. Do you know what that means?"

Jillian bobbed her head and bounced up and down in her dance. "I can open one now and eat aaalll the candy."

Jax chuckled. "Yes, princess, you can open one egg and eat the candy."

She picked up a pink egg and Jax held his hands under the egg as Jillian twisted it open. Jillian rubbed her hands together in anticipation as the candy fell into Jax's palms. "Oh, oh, jellybeans and gumdrops."

"You can eat that but then no more until later," Brenda murmured as she stroked Jillian's face. "It's almost time for dinner."

Jillian looked up at Jerry. "Uncle Jerry, you gotta dry or you can't sit on the chairs." She held out a purple gumdrop to him. "You can eat this so you don't get hungry."

"You're too kind, Jillian," Jerry muttered in sarcasm. "Feeding a gumdrop to a prune."

Julia rolled her eyes at him. "Believe me, you're not going to melt, Jeremiah."

"Exactly," Jane said as she stifled her laughter. "With this sun and breeze, you will dry in no time."

Brenda pushed the stroller back and forth as Jessica began to fuss. "I'll tell you what, we'll go inside and get everything set for dinner and Julia can stay out here with you to make sure you don't evaporate."

"My dear, that sounds like a plan," Jane announced with a conspiratorial nod of her head that John and Jax recognized immediately. "John and Jax can feed these little ones while Jillian helps us in the kitchen and by the time we're finished, you'll be suitable for the dining room chairs."

The corner of Jax's mouth curved up into a smile as he stared at Jerry. "Jerry suitable? That will be a first."

"Jasper, keep wishing and maybe one day you will develop a sense of humor," Jerry quipped.

Brenda touched Jax's arm as she saw the beginning of another game of one-upmanship between the brothers. "Time out you two. The newest members to the Jacks family competitions are getting hungry."

Jax looked down at Jonathan who was busy sucking on the collar of Jax's shirt. "Okay, peanut, we'll get you the main course. Your mother and grandmother have all the plans made." He then shot Brenda and his mother a look while John simply shook his head at the two of them.

"We'll lead the way, sweetheart," Jane remarked as she took Jillian's hand and ignored the knowing looks of John and Jax.

Jillian bobbed her head up and down and then pointed to Lady with her free hand. "Lady, you dry with Uncle Jerry. Aunt Julia will watch you too."

The dog sighed out loud as she laid down in the center of the grass to bask in the sun. Jerry groaned as he shook his head. "That beast thinks she is royalty."

"As champion, she is," Jax affirmed as he turned to head to the house and deeply chuckled. "From now on, you can bow to her."

Jerry muttered under his breath to prevent Jillian from learning quite a lesson. Julia tried to turn her head to hide her mirth but Jerry recognized it immediately. "Go ahead, Julia, harass me too. I wouldn't want you to miss out on the fun."

Julia sat down on the stone bench and bit her bottom lip to suppress a snicker. She coughed in her attempts to do so. "No, I have something in my throat, that's all."

"You are about as subtle as Lady Jane and Brenda's `little plan' was," Jerry declared with a scowl as he sat down on the bench beside her.

A laugh fell from Julia's lips. "Well, Brenda has been uncharacteristically silent on the subject of us since we came back into town so she must be ready to have a stroke now."

"Yes, between her and Lady Jane, I'm expecting one to combust before the day is over." Jerry's mouth formed a huge grin. "I hope they're both driving my father and Jax crazy."

She placed the palms of her hands against the middle of Jerry's chest. "Does their `little plan' bother you?"

"No," Jerry murmured with a slight shake of his head. "But I think the better question is whether you're going to be bothered by this."

At that, Jerry scooped Julia up and pulled her into his lap, against his drenched clothes. She struggled against him and shrieked which only caused him to laugh and pull her more into his dripping embrace. "Now, Julia, you're not going to melt."

Julia's eyes glistened with a combination of slight agitation and an overwhelming degree of desire. "Jerry Jacks, you're going to pay for this."

"And how will I do that?" Jerry responded in a throaty voice.

Julia wrapped her arms around his neck and whispered into Jerry's mouth as her lips met his. "Let me melt your heart."

Jerry groaned into her mouth as her lips teased and then seized his own. Within seconds, and to the delight of two pairs of discerning eyes staring out the kitchen window, two hearts and souls were melding into one.

Friday, April 26, 2002
J & J Jacks -- 11:15am

Francesca heard the muttered expletives and then the immediate slamming down of the receiver from the inside of Jerry's office. The corner of Francesca's mouth turned up into a smug smile as she picked up her own phone and buzzed Sally in Julia's office.

"Mission accomplished," Francesca whispered as her smile became a grin. She replaced the receiver in the handset and tapped her fingers against her desk. She and Sally had spent enough time dealing with the ongoing game between their obstinate and misguided bosses. If Jerry and Julia would not get their act together and stop playing this "together but not really together" game, their loyal assistants would do it for them. It was perfect timing since Julia was due back from her overnight trip to Toronto later this afternoon and Jerry had been a bear to deal with for two days. Francesca was sure that half of Jerry's attitude problems could be resolved if the man would ever get his sex life back. The man was obviously losing his mind and she was not about to lose hers putting up with him. It had definitely been the time to bring in the "big guns" and from the sound of it, their "ringer" was already wreaking havoc on Jerry's bullheaded way of thinking.

Thirty seconds later, Jerry stormed out of his office. He charged by Francesca's desk in such a hurry that he caught the edge of her "in-box" with his forearm, sending the tray and papers across the room. Francesca looked up at him with her arms folded in front of her. "Do we have a problem?"

Jerry grumbled another expletive as he glared at her. "No, I just won the Publisher's Clearing House Sweepstakes and am going to be on TV in the next commercial."

"Wonderful," she quipped. "Now remember that you will look like an amateur if you look directly into the camera while speaking. And don't wear that god awful striped shirt of yours."

"Great, another one to add to the list of irritating females of the day." Jerry sharply exhaled as he reached down to pick up the strewn papers. "Is there a contest I don't know about?"

Francesca laughed out loud. "This coming from the man who was born with the term `irritating' stamped on his forehead."

"You're heading over Niagara Falls without even a barrel, Francesca," Jerry retorted as he dropped the stack of papers and tray in the center of her desk. "Just because you hoodwinked poor Baldwin into marrying you, does not mean you're not expendable."

Her laugh became almost raucous. "Pleeaassee make my day and fire me." Francesca dabbed the moisture around her eyes as her mirth continued. "Actually, it would make my year."

With a huff and another scowl, Jerry stomped out of the office and headed down the hall. Francesca sighed victoriously as she leaned back in her chair. It was always great to see a plan come together.

Down the hall in his office, Jax perused the morning Wall Street stock trading. His palms were itching for a new target to acquire. As Jax studied the reports, he immediately saw that for the second time this week and the tenth day in the last month, the Premiere Entertainment numbers were showing a downward trend. The losses of the recently formed company had not been inordinate nor unexpected to the trained Wall Street observer but Jax's gut instinct told him that all was not well in Hollywood. It had been a gamble when Premiere had acquired the motion picture studios, production companies and the recording companies in one fell swoop the year before. Now, there were subtle signs that there had been some stumbling blocks. As Jax turned away from the computer monitor, he noted that Premiere would definitely be on the top of the list for more research.

At the sound of the door being abruptly pushed open, Jax looked up from his notes. Before Jax even had the chance to speak, Jerry had entered the office and closed the door behind him. "You have to do something with that shrew you made the foolish mistake of marrying."

Jax tossed his pen atop the desk. "Excuse me?"

"That completely maddening wife of yours who is making it her goal in life to give me a stroke." Jerry felt the steam coming from his ears as he stood in front of Jax's desk. "You have to put a stop to that dragon lady."

For the third time already this morning, Jerry found someone laughing at him. "You must be joking."

"I sure as hell am NOT joking," Jerry replied with a deep sigh. "Do you know that after spouting off at me like a raving lunatic that she actually hung up on ME. The woman is a maniac and YOU have to do something about her."

Jax suppressed his mirth long enough to speak. "I am not going to do anything. Even if I could, why on earth would I want to quell even one second of those ravings? I happen to adore them."

"Good God, now both of you are insane," Jerry murmured as he shook his head.

A deep chuckle fell from Jax's lips as he sat there. He knew that this moment would be here, sooner rather than later. Brenda had always allowed those around her to know her emotions and feelings on every issue that mattered to her but she had somehow managed to keep those feelings about Jerry and Julia remarkably in check over the past few weeks. She had obviously reached the breaking point and Jerry did not stand a chance, especially today. Jessica had been up half the night and Brenda was in full PMS mode. She had told Jax at dawn that he had chosen a great morning to leave the house early for a breakfast meeting because she was about to transform into complete witch mode.

A bright smile involuntarily formed on Jax's lips at the thought of some of those vexing PMS moods of hers. Brenda was hell on wheels at times and could have taken on the world on those days. Often she did. He would never forget the misfortune of a reporter for one of the New York City tabloids who had chosen a PMS day to call into question the sincerity of Brenda's motives behind the creation of Kanga's Kradle. When she had finished tearing the reporter apart, Jax did not think that there was enough of him left to place in a shoe box to send back to Manhattan. On those vexing days, Brenda was even more relentless, tenacious and stubborn than ever. Even as difficult as some of those instances were, she was so damned sexy in that mode that Jax often wondered how that much passion could be found in one person. Her eyes would flash every emotion that she felt and it was as if the chocolate velvet pools became beacons of light. Jax smiled again as he reflected on how each emotion, mood, and "maniacal" ranting of his bewitching princess gave him "his" Brenda.

Jerry looked at Jax and rolled his eyes again. Even after all these years, Jax still wore "the Brenda look" when he was thinking about her. In terms of his brother's lovesick expressions, Jerry had vacillated over the years as to whether they made Jax the most pathetic sap in the world or the luckiest man on earth. Right now, Jerry was definitely opting for the pathetic sap title. He had to in order to stop hearing the ravings of a certain lunatic in his head. There was no way he was going to let the shrew win. He was not dragging his feet about reconciling out of only the fear of the risk involved. He knew what he was doing, he was certain of it.... well almost certain of it. Jerry took a sharp intake of air as his temples began to throb. He muttered to himself. "Great, the sorceress probably cast some spell on me through the phone lines."

The sound of Jax's voice interrupted Jerry's thoughts. "Something tells me that the real problem here is that some of those so called `ravings' hit way too close to home for comfort."

"Don't you start," Jerry warned as he shook his finger at Jax. "I can still take you, little brother."

"Okay, Jer, it's time to wake up now," Jax responded with a glint in his eyes. "Although my knocking some sense into that thick skull of yours just may be the answer to your problems."

Jerry glowered at him. "Who says I have any problems?"

Jax's tone became serious as he leaned back in his chair. "You know, Jerry, you don't have to be the maverick all the time, wearing that detached and dispassionate mask and acting as if nothing is wrong. You don't need to protect us, especially to the detriment of yourself."

Jerry took a deep breath. "What is this, Jasper? Are you now practicing counseling on the side?"

"No, Jerry, I'm just trying to be there for you just like you've been there for me whenever I've needed you." Jax exhaled slowly before continuing. "I know you're afraid and that scares the hell out of you. It's okay to be afraid though. Believe me, we all are at some point and Julia is just as scared as you are. You can help each other, Jerry, you can get through this together."

"They must be comparing notes, all of them... Melanie, Brenda, Julia and now Jax," Jerry thought to himself. "Damnit, now he would never get those words out of his head."

Jax watched Jerry's face as the scope of his words sunk in. "Jerry, don't let the fear command your thinking. It's costing you and Julia so much time and none of us know when we're going to run out of that."

Jerry was caught off guard a bit at his brother's emotional words and stammered. "Jax...."

"Just think about it, Jerry," Jax murmured. "We all just want you to be happy."

There was then a knock at the door which provided a well timed distraction from the intensity of the conversation. "Come in."

The door opened halfway and Francesca stood in the doorway. "I'm sorry to interrupt you both." She then motioned toward Jerry. "Brenda Jacks asked that I find you. She has something very important to speak with you about. Should I...?"

Jerry interrupted Francesca's question. "Tell her I'm not here." He sighed out loud as he welcomed the diversion. "In fact, tell the Wicked Witch of the West that I'm in Mexico now."

"Buenos dias seņor," Brenda announced as she pushed the door fully open and walked into the office, surveying its surroundings. "Mexico es muy bonito."

Jax bit back his laughter as Jerry rose from his chair and stared at Brenda. "How did you get here? I just talked to you fifteen minutes ago, scratch that, you ranted at me fifteen minutes ago."

Brenda flashed him a smirk. "The benefits of traveling on a broomstick from the west. They're supersonic now, haven't you heard?"

"You're just priceless," Jerry said with a roll of his eyes.

"Thank you," Brenda countered. "Jax tells me that aaalll the time too."

Jax chuckled out loud before addressing Brenda. "This is a surprise, sweetheart. Before the next round starts, may I ask where your sidekicks are?"

"The walls were caving in on me so we ventured out," she answered with a beaming smile. "Sally and Carol are spoiling them in Julia's office and I am sure they could use a hand," she replied with a signaling nod of her head. "I told Sarah I'd pick up the kids today since I was out so we have to be at school in forty-five minutes to get Jillian and Max from their field trip."

"I'll go check on the chaos in Julia's office," Jax said as he noticed Jerry's cringe.

Brenda then turned to Jerry and glared at him. "You sit down and then don't move."

Jax then saw the telltale beacon of light in her eyes. "Jerry was going to be dead meat," he thought as he walked around the desk. He crossed the room and met Brenda near the door. Jax quickly kissed her and then whispered into her ear. "For some reason, Jillian does like him so try to leave something of him to salvage for her."

Brenda shrugged her shoulders and winked at Jax as he left the office. She then walked in front of Jerry's chair and leaned against the desk as she folded her arms in front of her chest. "Now, about you..."

Jerry moved to sit up in his chair and Brenda reached out and put her hands on his shoulders. "What did I say about not moving?"

"The woman was a complete maniac," Jerry thought. "And what was going on with her eyes? The only time he had ever seen anything that fiery was when he had run across a black panther in the jungle as it was primed for an attack. He was almost afraid of her and how could that be? Even now with those cantaloupes, he pondered, a stiff wind could still blow her away like a kite."

She stood there and watched the emotions flash within Jerry's eyes. Brenda knew he was struggling and she certainly knew what that felt like. He had even more of a heart tugging "lost little boy" expression on his face than she had ever seen on Jax. "Oh, well," she thought, "I'll save the second half of the witch mood for another day." Brenda cleared her throat and put on a serious expression. "I have something to tell you, Jeremiah Jacks, and you are going to sit there and listen."

"Just get the ranting and raving over with so you can get back on that broomstick with your flying monkeys," Jerry groaned at her.

"Fine," Brenda replied. She leaned back against the desk and looked at him. Her expression immediately softened as she spoke. "I love you, we all do. Especially that man I plan to spend the rest of my life loving more every day." Brenda paused for a moment as Jerry's face bore a look of surprise. "Jax adores you, Jerry, and it hurts him to see you struggling with yourself so much. It hurts all of us, especially that little princess who just wants to see her Uncle Jerry and Aunt Julia not be sad."

Jerry sat there and felt a huge lump form in his throat. She was supposed to be raving like a lunatic, not plucking his heartstrings as if they were a harp. What was it about these Barrett women that made him border on insanity?

Brenda reached out and laid her fingers atop Jerry's hand. "Do you know what I want for those beautiful children in the other room?" She smiled as Jerry's eyes signaled for her to finish her thoughts. "I want them to adore Jillian as much as Jax adores you. And one day when she is struggling with life, I want Jillian to understand that Jessica and Jonathan, and those who are lucky enough to share their lives, will be there for her even if she doesn't think she needs them or their well meaning advice."

Her mouth curled up into a bright smile as she continued. "I know how scary this is for you, for both of you, but time is just slipping away and none of us can ever get that back. We don't know when tomorrow won't come, are you willing to take that chance? You love each other so much, you belong together, Jerry. You don't see yourself when you're with Julia, how the light dances in your eyes. Just like Julia doesn't realize how much more at ease with herself she is when she is with you. The rest of us see that though and it's so difficult to sit back and watch the two of you be so close yet still a step away from being together. We love you. You let me see sides of Julia I never knew existed and I'm not ready to give that up. We just want the two of you to have all the happiness and joy that is waiting for you both and it's right there in front of you, ready to be grabbed and then never let go."

Brenda paused as she met Jerry's eyes. There was definitely something special about those Jacks eyes. She spoke in a comforting tone. "That's all we want for the two of you. As you know, I have a very big mouth so I have to do the ranting and raving or combust before everyone's eyes which won't be pretty." She winked at him before proceeding. "The bottom line is that you need to just let yourself be happy." Brenda moved beside him and squeezed Jerry's hand. "Don't let that thick skull of yours make all the rules, sometimes your heart really does have the answer." She leaned down and kissed Jerry's cheek and then murmured to him. "Remember that before the Wicked Witch returns to take prisoners." Without another word, Brenda headed toward the door.

Twenty seconds later, Jerry was alone in the office with only his emotions and thoughts racing through him. "The shrew did not play fair at all and she had weaved her spell like an accomplished sorceress," he thought as a sigh escaped from his lips. Now, he knew he would never stop hearing her words in his head or stop feeling the pull of his heartstrings from the impact of her speech as well as Jax's. Jerry threaded his fingers through his hair and muttered aloud. "Damn, what a pair they made. They could both sell ice to the Eskimos."

J & J Jacks -- 3:40pm

Sally completed downloading the reports from Julia's Toronto meetings and was printing them off so that they would be ready when Julia came back into the office later this afternoon. She looked up at the clock and figured that the shuttle flight was still about thirty minutes outside of Port Charles. Gavin was already on his way with the car to pick up Julia from the airport. Now all would be perfect if the blockhead down the hallway had let some things seep through his thick skull. Jerry had left the office two hours before and Francesca knew that he had no appointments scheduled so they were all hoping he was spending the time to think and finally get with the program. Otherwise, she and Francesca were going to have to convince the maintenance department to allow the elevator to get stuck between floors next week with a certain two bosses trapped inside. It seemed to work in the movies but Sally feared Jerry would find a way to climb out before any real progress was made, even if it meant climbing fifteen stories down an elevator shaft.

The reports finished printing and Sally compiled them in a binder and rose from her seat to bring them into Julia's office. As she did, she heard the agitated sound of Jerry's voice calling her name from the hallway. Sally hurried to the door and Jerry almost ran her over in his frenetic movement. "I left my cell phone here and couldn't call from the garage. Have you heard from her?"

Sally felt her stomach do a somersault at the ashen look on Jerry's face. "What?"

"Julia," he stammered. "I pulled into the garage..... a report came over the radio.....an Aerotravel shuttle went down thirty minutes ago heading for Port Charles from Pierson."

The breath in Sally's throat seemed to be disappear as she shook her head. "No, I've heard nothing from her this afternoon. Her flight was supposed to take off from Pierson forty-five minutes ago."

"The same flight," Jerry's mind screamed. He grabbed Sally's phone and punched speed dial for Julia's cell phone. After six rings, all Jerry heard were the voice mail instructions and he slammed down the receiver. "Get on the phone to the airport and see what you can find out," he directed.

Francesca then raced into the office after being buzzed by Carol from the main lobby. "Francesca, call Aerotravel and use Julia's office." He scrambled toward the door. "I'll have Carol keep trying the cell phone while I see what I can find out."

Jax met Jerry in the corridor. "Don't think the worst, Jer. I'll get Sam on the phone and find out what the FAA is saying and Addie is contacting CNN to see what is being reported over the news wires."

Jerry sprinted into his office and threw open the door of the credenza to reveal the television. He flipped on the remote and ABC was already in its special report coverage. Radar contact with an Aerotravel flight M80 had been lost one hundred ten miles north of Pierson and a ball of fire had been reported from a witness on the ground ten minutes later. ABC had a remote crew en route to the crash site but preliminary reports from those closest to the scene were that they were looking at a major disaster.

"Julia...," Jerry mumbled as he felt a pain rip through his chest and grabbed the phone. Again to no avail, he tried Julia's cell phone again. He then called his contact at Aerotravel who was in the midst of dealing with the chaos. The passenger manifests for the flight had not been received in his office yet so he could offer Jerry no information at this point. The crash site was situated in a remote area so the information from the scene had just started to come into the disaster office. Those initial reports deemed the situation on a scale of one to five with ascending levels of catastrophe, as a grade three disaster.

Ten minutes later, there still had been no information gathered that brought comfort to anyone. Heavy black smoke was visible over in the sky as the ABC news crew wound its way toward the site. Jerry felt his hands shaking as he again heard the voice mail come on when he dialed Julia's cell phone. It had been almost twenty-five minutes since he had heard the news report on the radio and Jerry felt himself becoming unglued. His ears were ringing as all Jerry could think about was all the time he and Julia had been apart and how they had argued two days before when he had pulled back after getting too close to her again. "What if this was it? What if there is no tomorrow for us?" He was not sure he even remembered how to pray anymore but Jerry had given that a try as he had asked that this not be how his life with Julia ended.

Jerry felt as if he would go insane within the next ten minutes. He had to get out of there and do something. He decided he had to get to the crash site. Jerry grabbed his phone from the chair where he had inadvertently left it before his venture out of the office to clear his head. He headed for the door as Jax came through the doorway. "Where are you going?"

"I have to get up there," he responded with a trembling voice.

Jax grabbed him by the arm. "No, that's not a good idea."

"I'm not going to sit here waiting," Jerry replied. "I can't."

"You can't go there either," Jax countered with an understanding look. "They'll never let you near there and seeing it would not help you anyway. As hard as it is, we just have to wait."

Jerry shook his head. "I can't wait, I feel like I'm going crazy already."

"You don't have any bad news now, don't you forget that. We'll call Sam again and see what he can do about those passenger manifests," Jax suggested.

Jerry looked back at the television screen and saw the thick black smoke and the first overhead shots of the crash site. The aircraft had broken into at least three large pieces. He felt his breath catch in his throat as he muttered aloud. "But there certainly wasn't any good news yet either."

Jax picked up the phone to call Sam again and wondered how long he could hold Jerry at bay. He had a similar situation with Brenda who had promised she would not panic for at least another fifteen minutes when he had called her at home to ensure she heard the news from him rather than a television report. Fortunately Lois had been at the house visiting with the children when Jax had called Brenda and had promised Jax that she would stay with Brenda until there was any news.

Jerry stared out the window at the sky as the clock in the main lobby struck four o'clock. Each passing moment seemed to pierce his heart even more. He wanted to scream, it hurt so much. Jax and Brenda's words of just a few hours ago about the preciousness of time chimed in his mind so loudly that he thought his head would explode. Just when Jerry knew that he could not take one more second of it, the chimes were replaced by a low ringing tone. It took him a second to realize it was his the sound of his cell phone. Jerry ripped the phone from his pocket and pressed the button as his voice revealed the intensity of his emotions. "Julia?"

"Yes, it's me," she responded in a trembling tone. "Oh dear God, I'm here."

"Thank God." Jerry felt his lungs shudder as he exhaled. "Are you all right? Where are you?"

"I'm still in Toronto," she announced in a wavering voice.

He felt Jax's hand on his shoulder as Jax walked by him to give Jerry some privacy. "What the hell happened there?"

Julia finally felt her breathing returning to normal. "I was running late from the meeting and we hit a terrible traffic jam on the way to airport and I missed the three o'clock shuttle. Jerry, do you know what would have happened without that traffic jam?"

"I know, kiddo," Jerry said in a low voice. "It scared the life out of me."

"I'm sorry," Julia offered as her voice shook with emotion again. "I tried to call from the cab to leave a message but the battery went on my phone and I didn't have a back-up with me. Then when I got to the airport, it was complete chaos with the news of the accident and it has taken me almost thirty minutes to even be able to use a phone." A tear rolled down her cheek as she swallowed back more. "I'm so sorry for scaring all of you."

"Don't worry about that," he instructed. "You're safe, that's all that matters."

"Those poor people and their families," Julia remarked with obvious emotion.

He exhaled slowly. "I know, it's terrible." Jerry shook the thoughts of what "might have been" from his head. "Listen, I want you to arrange to get to the airfield on Toronto Island. I'm coming to get you."

"Toronto Island? That strip is smaller than a postage stamp," Julia nervously murmured.

"I'm not going to let you come back here alone and Pierson will never give me clearance right now." Jerry's tone then became less serious. "Are you questioning my piloting skills now?"

"No, of course not," she replied with a jagged breath. "I'll be waiting for you."

Jerry nodded against the phone. "You do that. I'll be there in less than two hours. Just hang on."

"Jerry, please be careful," Julia asked in an almost pleading voice. "I love you."

Jerry felt his mouth curve up into a smile. "I will and I love you too. I'll see you soon."

He hit the end button on the phone and then punched the intercom for Francesca to have her call the airport to have the jet ready. Once he hung up the receiver, Jerry walked over to the window again and looked up at the sky. It had even been a longer period when Jerry could remember giving thanks the last time but he gave it his best effort as well. With those thanks, Jerry made a promise to the heavens and to himself that he would now value time as the greatest gift available. Jerry smiled as he murmured to the sky. "Yes, I know. My brother and his ranting other half were right but that's just between you and me."

Toronto Island/Port Charles -- Evening

Julia got up again from her seat in the small lounge area. She had been unable to sit still since her arrival at the airfield. Her mind has been racing since she had made her way to the island. It was now approaching six o'clock and her nerves seemed more frazzled than they had been two hours earlier. Julia paced across the dark brown carpet of the lounge and surveyed the trickled of passengers moving throughout the terminal. The earlier suspension of service at Pierson and the resulting bedlam from the loss of the Aerotravel flight had caused the re-routing of several charter flights to the Toronto Island facility. The small airport was seeing more flight activity than it had in over three years. As a result, there were delays in the arrival and departure of flights as the control tower monitored much heavier traffic than normal.

Still without an operating cell phone, Julia had spoken to Sally from a public phone upon her arrival on Toronto Island. By that point, Jerry was already in the air on his way to meet her. Now as she paced back and forth in front of the wall of windows, Julia watched the clock on the wall slowly measure off time. She knew that the passing of a few precious moments or the sight of a bottle-necked traffic jam were never going to be viewed in the same way again. So much had been taken for granted, especially over the last year, and that had to change now. At that moment, all Julia wanted was the chance to get back what she had lost and cherish every second of the time she had to accomplish that.

As her mind replayed the ABC News report she had heard in the taxi on her way to Toronto Island, Julia felt her legs beginning to shake again. She collapsed in a seat in the corner of the lounge area and buried her face in her hands. All Julia could think of was two days before when how she had argued with Jerry after he had pulled away when they had been on the verge of giving into their passion. He was still so afraid of giving himself to her but he refused to admit it to her. Now, Julia would have given almost anything just to hear Jerry's voice. She had never realized until almost three hours ago just how much she needed him. Even after all the pain and regret and the bumps in the road, Jerry still was first in her thoughts and paramount in her heart and Julia knew with every ounce of her being that the reality of that would never change. Tears rimmed her eyes at the thought of the devastation of the day and how life could be a very tough teacher.

As her emotions started to overtake her, Julia sensed his presence. She looked up and even through her misting eyes, she saw Jerry quickly moving toward her. All her pent up feelings broke free and Julia began to openly sob. His strong arms grabbed her and held on securely as she trembled in his embrace.

Jerry rocked her slightly in his arms as he murmured against Julia's ear. "I'm here and you're all right."

"It could have happened," she murmured through her tears. "We had that argument before I left......and there's still so much I have to say to you."

"We'll both say it," Jerry whispered as he rubbed her back. "It's okay, baby. I've got you."

Julia continued to shake in his grasp. "Please don't let go."

"Kiddo, I'm not going to let you go." He kissed the side of Julia's face and tightened his arms around her. "Not ever."

"I love you," Julia said as she sniffed back a fresh wave of tears. "Get used to hearing that a lot because I'm never going to stop telling you."

Jerry loosened the hold of his arms around her and stepped slight back from Julia. "I won't get tired of hearing it and I love you very much." He reached out and brushed away a tear running down her cheek. "It was less than thirty minutes of waiting for word and I thought I was going to die right there."

Julia wrapped her arms around Jerry's neck and hugged him tightly. "I'm sorry, my darling. I'm so sorry."

He kissed the top of Julia's head. "We're going to deal with this together." Jerry then stroked his fingers along her jaw line. "But first, I'm going to take you home and we're going to get through tonight."

Tears clung to Julia's eyelashes as Jerry leaned in and caressed her lips with his. After then leaving sweet kisses at the corners of Julia's mouth, Jerry put his arm securely around her. "Let's go home, kiddo."

Julia leaned her head against Jerry's shoulder as he grabbed her bag and they headed toward the gate. It was astounding as to how the paths before them had become so much clearer in a matter of hours. Life's lessons and a few "know-it-all" relatives proved to be a most powerful team.

Brenda hung up the phone and grabbed a tissue from the nightstand to dry her runaway tears. She laid her head against the softness of the down pillows and sighed again in relief. It had been such an emotional day and her hormones were the least of it. She heard footsteps and looked up at see Jax approaching the bed with a tray in one hand and a heating pad tucked under the other. He placed the tray on the nightstand and sat down beside Brenda. Jax tucked Brenda's hair behind her right ear. "Are you okay, sweetie?"

Brenda sniffed back her tears as she bobbed her head. "I am now." Her voice cracked a bit as she spoke. Jax, we're all so lucky."

"I know," he acknowledged as his thumb brushed away a tear from her cheek. "How's Julia?"

"Still a little shaky but I know that Jerry is there for her." Brenda's mouth curved up into a smile. "She's back home at the penthouse with him."

Jax nodded. "I gathered from my brief conversation with Jerry." He gave Brenda a cocky grin. "I know how happy that makes you."

"I just want everyone to be as happy as we are," Brenda replied with a slow exhale.

"Impossible," Jax countered in a soft murmur. "But they can be the second happiest couple on earth."

She sat up and wrapped her arms around Jax. "Okay, the second happiest couple." Brenda hugged him tightly. "I love you so much, I don't think I've said it to you tonight."

"I love you too, sweetie," Jax replied in return as he rest his check atop her head. Now I think you should drink some tea and then get some sleep before the late night playground starts with one of the munchkins." Jax then plugged in the heating pad. "This will help and I even snuck some of the lemon and honey cookies from Jillian's stash for you as comfort food."

Brenda stroked the back of Jax's head with her hand. "She counted them before she went to bed since she knows all about the raiding you've been doing out of the cookie jar."

"Notice that she always blames me for eating the cookies," Jax retorted with a mock groan. "As if she has never seen you devour an entire plate of them."

"Mint cookies, yes, but not every single cookie type known to man like someone I know," Brenda countered with a smug smile. "Mr. Jacks, you are the one who has developed a complete weakness for sweets." She laughed softly. "Mr. Yogurt now is Mr. Sweet Tooth."

Jax shrugged his shoulders and flashed her a cheshire grin. "See what you've done to me after all these years." He nipped at Brenda's earlobe as he spoke. "My sweet tooth has been exposed to such delectable confections that it now has to be satisfied all the time."

"Oh, really," Brenda whispered in a throaty voice. "What punishment that must be for you?"

"Torture," Jax responded in a voice that could melt a glacier as his lips nuzzled her neck. "And it's a lifetime sentence with no parole, pardon or sentence commutation possible."

Brenda heard the raspiness of her breath as Jax's lips and tongue continued to sample all of her sweetness. "Then I guess there's nothing more to do but to appease those torturous cravings and somehow save Jillian's cookies at the same time." She gasped out loud as Jax's tongue flicked inside her ear. "We can't deprive the poor child of her favorite cookies."

"Of course we can't," Jax said as he grinned against the side of Brenda's face. "But what about your comfort food and this heating pad I brought for your ailing stomach?"

"Let them find their own sweets to satisfy," Brenda answered in an emotional laden voice as she caressed Jax's face. "You're all the comfort and warmth I'll ever want or need."

Jax's eyes locked with hers before his mouth overtook Brenda's lips. As he lowered her against the pillows, their bodies melted together to join their hearts and souls in oneness.

Julia stood in front of the mirror in the bathroom after her honeysuckle bath. She had been gone from the penthouse for eight months but her favorite bath beads were still in the vanity as they had been since she and Jerry had moved there. Before this evening, she had not been back to the penthouse in months but it looked almost exactly as it had when she had left, even the coral lamps were there that Jerry always threatened to throw off the balcony. Jerry had read Julia's thoughts when she had walked in and surveyed the place. He had then told her that every time he considered changing anything, something inside him would prevent it. He admitted that maybe a part of him always expected her to be back and now she was. So much had changed in just a few short hours.

Now as she stood in the bathroom, Julia felt herself becoming slightly unglued. Her nerves had still not recovered from the events of the day and she was exhausted, physically as well as emotionally. On top of all that, Jerry had brought her back to the penthouse, calling it "her home" once again. When he had first said those words to her, Julia was afraid to allow herself to digest the true meaning behind them but on the trip back to Port Charles, he had said them again and Julia thought her heart was going to beat out of her chest with joy. Julia knew they still had issues to resolve between them and that she still was earning Jerry's trust back but this was such a big step to overcome the last hurdles facing them. When Jerry had asked her if she wanted to go back to the loft and get anything, Julia had immediately said no. She knew that part of her response was due to fear that Jerry may change his mind once they were inside the loft again. She had her overnight bag that would give her everything she needed for the night.

As joyous as she was about their progress, it did not stop her from being frightened. On the trip back, Jerry had told her that he was scared himself and Julia had immediately been overwhelmed with emotion as he had trusted her with that admission. Now as she stood in the bathroom in her bare feet and a nightgown, those fears came back again. Her head knew that it was ridiculous, they had shared a bed for years and just three days ago they were practically ripping each other's clothes off in her living room but somehow that did not help her rapidly beating heart at this moment. When the image of Jerry's bronzed sculpted chest popped into her head, Julia felt as if the air had disappeared from the bathroom. When she looked into the mirror, her cheeks were slightly flushed and she began fanning herself and taking deep breaths. She blushed even more when she chided herself for acting like a school girl and then remembered Brenda's words on the phone suggesting that she take everything just one minute at a time.

After a few minutes, Julia had calmed herself down enough to move. She knew that if she hadn't, Jerry would be checking to see if she had climbed out the window to flee. Julia put on her robe and took a few deep, cleansing breaths before opening the bathroom door. She was surprised to find the bedroom empty. She padded across the floor and looked out the window to see the clouds rolling into the night sky. Jerry then quietly entered the room and stood in the doorway. Julia heard his footsteps and turned around to look at him. His shirt was unbuttoned, allowing her a peak of his chest again, and Julia only hoped that her face did not resemble the color of a beet.

After a few seconds of silence, Jerry moved into the room. "Did the bath help?"

"Yes.....I feel a bit like a prune but other than that," she added to inflect some levity into the conversation.

"You don't look like a prune," he offered. "You look tired though."

Julia let out a slow breath. "We've all had better days."

Jerry nodded his head in agreement. "Yes, we have. I think you need to get some rest." He turned back the covers on the bed. "Why don't you lie down and I'll lock up."

She flashed him a small smile. "Okay."

"Do you need anything from the kitchen?" Jerry asked. "Would tea help?"

"I'm fine, thanks," Julia responded as she slowly moved away from the window.

Jerry smiled and headed out of the bedroom, taking short breaths as he did. It stunned him how nervous he felt but the day had been such a myriad of emotions, Jerry realized he should have expected it. He didn't recall ever having those feelings around a bed before, however, and now it just added to the whole exhausting day. Of course, that did not stop the electric current that was now coursing through his body with the sight of Julia standing there in a long bathrobe. Even being exhausted, he wondered how he was going to spend the night in bed with her without combusting?

Once Jerry left the room, Julia took the opportunity to slip off her robe and slide into bed. She realized he was as nervous as she was and all that Julia could hope was that one day they would look back at this and laugh. Everything was going to need some readjustment time, even the physical side of their reconciliation, she realized. She turned off the bedside lamp and sighed aloud. As soon as her head hit the pillow, Julia realized she was even more exhausted than she had originally thought. Her mind was still racing but her body was craving rest. She only hoped she could turn off her thoughts long enough to give in to her body's needs.

A few minutes later, Jerry entered the room again and felt his breath catch in his throat slightly at the sight of Julia curled up under the blanket. She was real and she was safe and she was in their bed once again. He quietly slipped out of his shirt and jeans and then turned off the other lamp before getting into bed next to her. The dip in the mattress caused Julia to stir from her drowsy state and she opened her eyes and looked at him. "Jerry, about tonight..." she mumbled in a small voice.

"It's okay, I'm just going to hold you, " he whispered to her as he pressed his body against her back. "You need to sleep. Tomorrow, we'll talk."

Julia snuggled against him and sighed as she felt his arms move around her waist. It felt so good that her anxiety quickly dissipated from her thoughts. Jerry sensed her deeper breathing and murmured to her again. "That's it, just get some rest. I'm not going to let you go."

"I love you," Julia said in a very faint voice before slumber overtook her.

Jerry felt his own body surrendering to sleep as he wrapped his arms more tightly around her. "I love you too." His lips pressed softly against the side of her face. Welcome home, Mrs. Jacks."

Saturday, April 27, 2002
The Barrett/Jacks Penthouse -- 8:15am

The drizzle that had begun at dawn had now changed into a steady rain. Jerry had been awake before the first droplet had fallen from the clouds and now the continuous raindrops created an almost rhythmic beat as they spattered against the windows. As if to provide musical accompaniment, the sound of the rain falling on the balcony reverberated as each bead seemed to bounce off the slate patio. Now, the percussion section of the orchestra continued to make its presence known as rumbles of thunder rolled overhead.

Jerry propped himself up higher on his elbow as Julia shifted slightly in her sleep. It had been the first time she had moved in over two hours. Julia had slept so peacefully in a deep slumber as Jerry had held her most of the night. Jerry had watched her for hours before drifting off himself and then had awakened before the light of day to savor the sight and feel of her in his arms. Part of him was petrified at the joy that holding her again brought to his heart but there was also such a sense of peace and relief and that felt so much stronger than the fear. Jerry wondered then if the peace had always outweighed the fear; he was relatively sure that it had but the fear had preventing him from seeing that as well. The past day had forced him to realize just how much the fear had cost him, how much it had cost both of them.

Now as he gazed down at her again, Jerry felt his heart flutter. Just seeing her again in their bed had stirred so many emotions as well as so much of a response from his body. Jerry had suffered through one particular bodily response most of the night as the feel of her body against his had awakened every inch of him. His arousal had intensified as the night became morning as the warm softness of her body seemed to snuggle deeper into his embrace. Even the smell of her was stimulating as her hair and skin still smelled like honeysuckle from her bath. When Jerry did not think he could take one more minute of the torture without detonating, he gently released Julia from his embrace. His arms immediately felt barren without her but the distance allowed Jerry to better watch Julia sleep. The months apart had not changed her sleeping habits as Jerry immediately sighed in contentment at the sight of how her mouth still curled up into a small smile as she slept. She was still as beautiful as ever, especially now as her hair feathered across her cheek and glistened like spun gold.

As Jerry reached out to brush away the stray tendril, a loud clap of thunder boomed in the sky. Julia's eyes flashed open and her body jolted slightly against the pillow. Jerry tenderly cupped the side of her face with his palm and whispered to her. "It's okay."

In her startled state, Julia had reached out and her hand had made contact with a firm muscle on his chest. She felt the sparks immediately as her eyes closed briefly and she exhaled sharply. "Sorry."

"Are you all right?" Jerry asked as he gazed down at her.

"Yes, thanks to you," she responded with a nervous smile and bob of her head. "You were there for me, I felt your arms around me all night."

He moistened his dry lips. "I was where I wanted to be."

Julia cleared her throat and then continued. "Are you really sure?"

Jerry's expression took on a hint of confusion. "Sure about what?"

"This...." Julia let out a jagged sigh and then looked up at him. "So much happened yesterday and sometimes things are said or done in those moments and then things look so different in the light of day."

"What are you saying, Julia?" His voice was soft and composed. "Are things different for you?"

"No," she responded with an immediate shake of her head. "But I don't want the emotions and stress of yesterday to force you into something you aren't ready for."

Jerry sat up in bed as he spoke. "Is that what you think I'm doing?"

"I just want you to be sure," Julia answered as she propped herself up against the pillows. "I love you and I need you and I don't want to spend another minute without you, but if you still need time..."

Jerry interrupted her. "Yesterday, we learned a lot about time and how it must be treasured. It doesn't play by any rules nor have any guarantees nor can it be turned back to start over again. It's a very powerful thing and it can be your ally or your adversary depending on how much you respect it." He traced the soft skin along her cheekbone with his thumb. "I don't want to waste another second of it."

"I don't either," Julia murmured in an emotional voice. "We've done enough of that for a lifetime." She then swallowed the lump that had crept into her throat. "I know this isn't going to be easy."

"It still scares me, Julia," Jerry said after a shaky exhale. "It scares the hell out of me at times."

She nodded her head and her voice trembled a bit as she spoke. "I'm scared too." Then Julia looked up at Jerry with searching eyes. "Maybe it will be easier if we're scared together."

A small smile crept onto Jerry's face. "Maybe it will." He rolled his eyes in mock sarcasm. "So I guess we'll get gold stars from Melanie next week for figuring something out for ourselves."

Soft laughter involuntarily fell from Julia's lips. "Won't that be a shock to her?"

"I will definitely have to bring up those stars," he interjected. "The curly-topped munchkin can't be the only one boasting about hers."

"I've missed this so much," Julia murmured as she rested her head against the pillows. "I've missed you so much."

Jerry nervously ran his fingers through his hair. "Nothing ever felt the same after you left, it was if I was in a constant state of limbo." His voice lowered a bit. "You were all I ever wanted."

She reached up and took his hand. "I love you so much, I never stopped."

"I love you too and I know how much you love me," Jerry affirmed in reply as he threaded his fingers through hers.

"I'm so glad," Julia said as the brightness on her face suddenly illuminated the room.

As the radiance remained on Julia's face, Jerry just gazed at her for a few moments. There was something so calm beneath the surface that seemed to flash through her eyes and it was so appealing. He lifted his free hand and pushed back a loose curl that had fallen against Julia's forehead. "You're so beautiful. Do you know that?"

"I don't know about that but I do seem to feel everything when I'm around you," she answered. "You're the only one who ever allowed me to see certain parts of myself." Julia squeezed his hand in hers as she continued. "I never truly realized that until I walked away and then I didn't know how to get anything back."

Jerry lifted Julia's hand to his lips and dropped a soft kiss inside her palm. "We both had our own issues to resolve, some of which we're still working on." His eyes then locked with hers as he completed his thought. "But I don't have any intention of either one of us facing anything alone again."

"I'm not going to walk away," she professed in a poised yet soft tone. "No one could even drag me away from you now. I promise that with everything inside me."

Jerry's words were completely sincere. "I could never survive that again."

"I could never survive hurting you like that again," Julia replied in an emotional voice. "I mean that."

Jerry pulled her into his embrace. "I know you do." He kissed her softly on the forehead and Julia hugged him tightly against her. Neither wanted to let go as their bodies craved the warmth and touch of the other. Julia's hand stroked the hair at the base of Jerry's neck as Jerry's hands slid up and down her back. His lips caressed her forehead again and then moved to her temple as Jerry began a path of kisses down her face. Julia moaned aloud and her body seemed to nestle deeper into Jerry's arms creating electrical current that shot through him. "God, you're beautiful." As his hands moved from the center of her back to stroke her side, Julia gasped out Jerry's name when his fingers paused to gently squeeze the curves of her chest. "Jerry......oh Jerry."

Well, here we are again
I guess it must be fate
We've tried it on our own
But deep inside we've known
We'd be back to set things straight

I still remember then
Your kiss was so brand new
Every memory repeats
Every step I take retreats
Every journey always brings me back to you

After all the stops and starts
We keep coming back to these two hearts
Two angels who've been rescued from the fall
After all that we've been through
It all comes down to me and you
I guess it's meant to be
Forever you and me
After all

A fire began raging within her and Julia pressed her body deeper against Jerry's solid chest. Even through the fabric of her satin nightgown, Julia's arousal was evident. Jerry's mouth then captured hers as his hands now caressed and stroked each orb fully. He pushed Julia down against the pillows as his tongue dipped into her mouth and immediately took command. It swept and stroked each millimeter of her mouth and lips before taking Julia's tongue hostage. Jerry moved against her as his body responded fully to her warmth and enticing movements beneath him.

As the hunger and passion in their kisses threatened to stop their breaths completely, Jerry released Julia's lips and balanced himself over her. The light in her eyes looked like a raging inferno of blue and violet and her lips were swollen from the sensual onslaught of kisses they had shared. The heat between his legs throbbed even more at the sight of her looking so seductive. Julia then touched her finger to his lips as she gazed up at him with searching eyes. "Jerry, I want you so much but I want you to be sure."

"I've never been surer of anything in my life," Jerry muttered in a sensual tone. "God, how I want you." He seized Julia's lips again and lowered himself fully on top of her. Julia then knew just exactly how much he wanted her as the stiffness of his masculinity pressed against her thigh. She moaned into his mouth and Jerry shifted his hips against her again causing her to whimper out loud. The sounds she would vocalize before he brought her to the brink enticed Jerry as much as anything else.

To the outside world, her appearance was one of calm, cool, collected and conservative but inside the bedroom, Julia was like the molten lava of a volcano waiting to erupt in flames and scorching heat. Now Jerry was going to give her everything she would plead for in those rousing moans and breathless whimpers.

When love is truly right
It lives from year to year
It changes as it goes
And on the way it grows
But it never disappears

After all the stops and starts
We keep coming back to these two hearts
Two angels who've been rescued from the fall
After all that we've been through
It all comes down to me and you
I guess it's meant to be
Forever you and me
After all

As his body pressed against hers, the satin of Julia's nightgown hiked up to her thighs. Jerry fingers clutched the soft material and pushed it further up her body before finally sliding it over Julia's head. He moaned at the sight of her chest and his thumbs caressed the taut skin as Julia closed her eyes in ecstasy. When his mouth lowered to her, Julia cried out from the pleasure. She clutched the hair at the back of Jerry's head and pushed his mouth deeper into her chest. His tongue took over, followed then by his teeth, as Julia screamed out his name. Short pants fell from Julia's lips as she lifted her hips in search of what her body craved.

Jerry whimpered himself as his manhood throbbed even more at the sensation of the grinding force of her hips. His lips found hers again and Julia's tongue initiated the dance in this round of the tango. Taking that lead, she rolled to the side bringing Jerry with her as her hand dipped inside the waistband of his boxers. His tongue claimed hers and Jerry made love to her mouth again with kisses that brought her to a state of intoxication. His hands caressed every inch of her chest before moving to her black panties. The material quickly slid down her long and silky legs and Jerry's boxers then joined the panties on the floor.

Jerry lowered himself over her again and Julia's eyes were clouded pools of passion and desire as she murmured to him. She lifted her hips again to mimic the pleas she whimpered. He fought the scorching urge to give her what they both wanted and explode on impact. Paradise had to be reached slowly this time after she was taken to the brink and then brought back again only then taken higher than she had ever been before the volcano within her erupted. Julia lifted her hips again as Jerry kissed her face. A scream escaped from her lips as Jerry remained motionless inside her. The weight of him, made her efforts to lift her hips more difficult but she continued to rock her hips against Jerry, pleading with him to engulf her in flames. Jerry's own control threatened to shatter as he slowly moved within her, delving deeper into her soft warmth with each sensual motion. Julia clawed at the tanned skin of Jerry's back as their union increased. Unintelligible murmurings echoed from the walls as the fire raged within her.

Oh, it just fills my touch
Though I needed you so much
After all what else is living for

After all the stops and starts
We keep coming back to these two hearts
Two angels who've been rescued from the fall
After all that we've been through
It all comes down to me and you
I guess it's meant to be
Forever you and me

Just as she reached the brink and closed her eyes to feel the full force of paradise, Jerry changed courses and slowed down his pace. He struggled to maintain his own control long enough to take her so far into paradise that they would never reach ground again. His hands and mouth caressed her chest again and Julia fought to breathe as her senses were overtaken with the ecstasy Jerry was giving to her. Her hands moved down his back and cradled the firm muscles of his behind. Jerry's movements inside her picked up pace again and Julia felt his muscles tighten and then release with each movement. She tightened her own muscles with each movement seeking to complete the union of their bodies even more.

As his control finally reached its breaking point, Jerry captured her lips and then pushed Julia's arms over her head to grasp the headboard for support when they exploded into paradise. Jerry groaned aloud as he felt the first tremors of her body beneath him. With murmurings of Julia's name falling from his lips, Jerry brought her to the brink again. He took her higher and higher as she whimpered and met each move with a rock of her hips. Her entire body began to shake and Jerry's eyes locked with hers. "That's it, come to me, baby." She wailed out her love for him before the scream that Jerry had dreamt about hearing again, reverberated through the bedroom. Rushing fire flooded Julia's body and each tremor within her increased the engulfing the flames even more. Jerry's control was quickly gone as he murmured words of love and then erupted within her, feeling his own body spasm as it experienced its own raging inferno.

As their breathing began to return to normal and the tremors in their bodies dulled to only mild sparks coursing through their veins, Julia lifted her head from Jerry's chest. His eyes were closed and she dropped baby kisses on each eyelid and then his cheeks. Jerry's eyes opened as Julia kissed him softly on the lips. "I love you."

He gave her a sexy wink. "I sorta got that impression."

She laughed softly and laid her head down against him chest again. "We're supposed to be like this. Together, just you and me."

"I know," Jerry whispered as he tenderly stroked her shoulder. "Even after all that we've been through, it's still forever."

After all the stops and starts
We keep coming back to these two hearts
Two angels who've been rescued from the fall
After all that we've been through
It all comes down to me and you
I guess it's meant to be
Forever you and me
After all

SONG CREDITS: "After All" by Tom Pitchford and Dean Snow