Friday, May 31, 2002
Malibu -- Noon

Brenda had come up from the beach thirty minutes earlier with Jessica to change and then feed the baby. Jonathan had been asleep in the playpen under the umbrellas and Brenda was grateful for the effect of the ocean air on him. He had cooed from the first moment they had hit the beach the day before. Jessica had been initially unnerved by the sound of the breaking waves when she had been introduced to the beach yesterday. Soon thereafter, the baby had found the sea gulls and the family sand castle building contest to be entertaining enough to remain content in the playpen under the umbrellas. Jessica was not a fan of the water at all and had voiced her loud opposition when Jax had dipped her toes into Jillian's bucket of water. Jonathan, on the other hand, squealed with laughter at the feel of water being drizzled over his feet this morning. His only protest had been to the hat on his head but Jonathan had quickly forgotten about that as the ocean air lulled him to sleep.

Jessica fussed slightly as Brenda lifted the baby to her shoulder. Brenda rubbed circles against her daughter's back until she was rewarded with a burp. "That's it, pumpkin, now you'll feel better." The baby laid her head against Brenda's neck and sighed softly. Brenda smiled and kissed the side of Jessica's face. "Now, remember what we talked about, you promised to be good for Grandmom and Grandpa and to keep those tantrums to a minimum."

As the violet specks in Jessica's dark eyes seem to gleam, Brenda laughed out loud. "Yes, I'm talking about you." The baby cooed in return causing Brenda to shake her head. "Oh, you are going to give us a run for our money, Jessica Noelle. You're already way too aware of the power of those eyes."

She then carried the baby back into the master bedroom and placed Jessica in the center of the floor on a blanket with her toys. As Brenda flipped on the CD player, she spoke to her daughter. "Mommy has to finish packing so we'll sing to keep you content. You can practice your dancing."

Brenda put the suitcase on the bed and began singing along with the show tunes in her quest to find the perfect number for the Nurse's Ball. She had to laugh to herself at the memory of the eye rolls Jax had given her on the plane as she and Jillian had watched old musicals on the VCR during the entire flight to the west coast. As Brenda continued singing and packing, Jessica babbled and flailed her arms and legs in the air. A moment later, Brenda heard the sound of approaching footsteps in the hall as well as the music of her son's laughter. She turned around as John and Jonathan stood in the doorway.

"Guess who's awake?" John bounced the baby in the air as Jonathan gurgled.

"There's Mommy's little man," Brenda murmured with a beaming smile. "You had such a good nap. Mommy is going to have to figure out a way to bottle this ocean air."

A deep chuckle escaped from John's chest. "Something tells me that Jillian will have some ideas about that."

Brenda grinned at John in return. "I have no doubt about that and it could keep her occupied for awhile while we're away."

"Don't worry your pretty head about the sheila or the joeys, we'll have a jolly old time," John retorted with a gleam in his eye. "Of course, not as GOOD of a time as you and Jasper."

Brenda cleared her throat and flashed John a grin. "If you say so."

"I say so," he replied with a nod. "Now, Jane is getting a bottle ready for this one so you can finish up here and Jax says he will be in with Jillian in just a few minutes. She's in the pool now getting rid of most of the sand. Then, you and Jax need to start thinking about getting out of here while there is still something left of your anniversary."

She walked over to John and kissed him on the cheek and then did the same to Jonathan. "Thank you Dad. Thank you for everything."

"Thank you for making my son so happy," John murmured to her and then smirked. "Now, get moving. That's an order."

"Yes, sir," Brenda responded with a quick salute. "I'll start a bath for Jillian and then I'll finish packing so we can get out of here at 3:00." A gleaming light sparkled in Brenda's eyes as she recalled the significance of that hour from six years earlier. "3:00 will be just perfect."

As Brenda went into the bathroom and drew a bath for Jillian, John added one more item to his list of orders. "And one more thing, my dear," John quipped as he eyed the suitcase on the bed. "You don't need to fill even half that suitcase. In fact, I think my son would be even happier if you failed to pack a thing."

Soft laughter fell from Brenda's lips as she came out of the bathroom and shook her finger at John. "Well, I understand that he's a chip off the distinguished block."

"Soooo, Lady Jane's been bragging again," John said as he winked at Brenda. He then waved his hand while Jonathan grasped three of his fingers. "One day, a very lucky lady will be saying the same things about you, my boy."

Jonathan responded with a loud babble and John and Brenda both laughed. Brenda shook her head and leaned down to speak to Jessica. "Humility is not the strongest suit of the Jacks males but we love them anyway. Now, the females in the family are just perfect."

"Well, they're certainly perfect for the Jacks males," Jax announced as he walked into the bedroom carrying Jillian.

A big smile covered Brenda's face. "So my two fish are back? And Jillian, your lips are only slightly blue this afternoon from the arctic."

"We're going to get Mommy in that water, Jillian, and show her that it's not cold," Jax declared as he put Jillian down.

"Excuse me, that may as well be ice water," Brenda rebutted. "If I wanted to be a popsicle, I would sleep in the freezer."

Jillian scampered over to Brenda as the hood on the terrycloth robe moved up and down. "It's only a little cold, Mommy, but it's sooo fun and Daddy's a good splasher. I wanted to swim more but Daddy says it's time to come inside."

"Yes, it is and now you have to take a bath to wash off all the suntan lotion and the sand." Brenda fingered Jillian's damp curls. "Then we'll have lunch and you'll be all ready to help Grandmom and Grandpa when Mommy and Daddy leave later this afternoon."

John looked down at Jillian. "Yes, she's going to be a big help and we're going to have a great time. We'll barely know you're even gone."

"Grandpa's gonna take me to see the sea gulls and Marie's got crackers for me to feed them," Jillian excitedly declared.

Jax tweaked Jillian's nose. "I know you're going to have a lot of fun with Grandmom and Grandpa and you can feed the sea gulls their dinner tonight."

"Yes, you can go out on the beach later when the sun is going down and feed the gulls. You've had enough sun today," Brenda added as she came out of the bathroom after turning off the bath water. "And we know that you're going to be on your very best behavior just like we talked about yesterday."

Jillian bobbed her head up and down. "I'm gonna be a good girl."

"I know you will be, sweetheart," Brenda answered in return. "Now, I have your bath all ready in the big bathtub as a treat for you."

"Oh, I like the big tub," Jillian chirped. "Can we put the bubbles on? Please Mommy."

"Yes, we can put the bubbles on and you can take your bath while I finish packing. Jessica and I are singing so you can help us."

"I'm helping Daddy practice lots of songs." Jillian sighed loudly as she looked first at Jax and then at Brenda. "He doesn't like Mary Poppins and the penguin song."

Brenda immediately chewed the inside of her mouth to suppress her mirth. "I know. Daddy doesn't want to sing `Jolly Holiday' like Bert and Mary and the penguins did in Mary Poppins."

John erupted into laughter and Jax shot him a glare before locking eyes with Brenda. Memories of the numerous viewings of Mary Poppins made him cringe at the thought of the whimsical song and dance number. "There will be no songs which need penguins for accompaniment."

"But honey, you'd look so handsome in the attire of that era," she teased. "The hat and then the red and white striped jacket..."

"Forget it," Jax responded as Brenda's composure began to falter as she failed to hide her grin. "I will not look like the Good Humor man or a candy cane."

Brenda stood on her tiptoes and placed a kiss on Jax's cheek. "Okay, no Good Humor man or candy cane." She then flashed him a devilish grin. "How about a kilt? That's it, we could do something from Brigadoon?"

Jax swatted Brenda across the bottom as she giggled and then scurried away from him. "You are in for it, Mrs. Jacks."

"I'd better be," Brenda murmured with a smoldering glance before taking Jillian's hand. "Let's go, sweetie, while the water is still warm. Cold baths and showers are no fun as your father will tell you, especially if occurring within the next few days."

Jax tipped his head and met Brenda's gaze. "For your mother either, princess. Trust me, popsicles aren't part of any plans."

"Promises, promises," Brenda mouthed to Jax with a sexy lift of her eyebrow as she lead Jillian into the bathroom.

Even though his view of part of Jax and Brenda's interchange had been shielded, John snickered aloud. He was well aware of the sparks that so often flew between them. "Son, this peanut and I will leave you and your shelia to your entertainment." John then headed toward the door with Jonathan and laughed again. "Just remember, there are still minors present and more importantly, they are present because of the consequences of `entertainment' which began just like that."

Brenda peeked her head out the bathroom door as John walked out the bedroom door into the hallway. "Trust me, that is definitely NOT part of the plan for this weekend. We'd all be moving straight into Ferncliff otherwise."

Jax shook his head and smirked as Brenda winked at him and began to help Jillian out of her robe and bathing suit. He leaned down and picked up Jessica from the blanket and then heard Brenda shriek. "Jillian..."

"Mommy, it's the baby frog from the plants next to the pool," Jillian exclaimed at the sight of the small frog that had jumped into the sink from the pocket of her robe. "I want him to sleep with me and Roo-Roo tonight so I'm carrying him in my pocket."

Brenda exhaled deeply and made a face at the thought of the slippery creature. "He is sleeping in the plants outside, NOT in your bed." She then turned to face Jax who had hurried into the bathroom at the sound of her shriek. "Strike what I said before about moving to Ferncliff, we already live in an asylum."

Jax laughed and gave her a beaming smile. "I wouldn't have it any other way."

"Nor would I," Brenda answered with a sigh of contentment as she looked between Jax, Jessica and Jillian. She then flashed Jax a lopsided grin. "Now, about those penguins...."

They both laughed as Jax squeezed Brenda's shoulder and she helped Jillian into the tub. Even the frog seemed content to stay put and enjoy the scene. It was indeed the bigger and better life they had all dreamed about.

Malibu -- 2:00pm

As Brenda sat with Jane and the twins in the den, Jax was in the bedroom getting dressed after his shower. He expected John and Jillian back in the next few minutes from the mysterious errand they had been so secretive about on the beach this morning. After making sure he had everything he needed, Jax then fastened the zipper on the garment bag. Jax placed the bag on the bed next to the suitcase which Brenda had finished packing after she had showered and changed. He locked the suitcase and surveyed the bedroom for anything they had inadvertently left behind before checking his watch and smiling at the thought of the approaching three o'clock hour.

There would be no jet waiting for them at three o'clock this time but he and Brenda would begin their trip at the same moment they had commenced their journey six years earlier. So many things had changed since that fateful day and the start of their life together but some things had remained exactly the same -- like the way his heart would flutter at the sound of her angelical laughter or the way his breath would catch in his throat at the sight of her anguished tears. He loved her more than life itself and Jax fully understood now that even on that day six years ago, he could never have truly walked away from her. Jax knew that he would have been a mere shadow of himself as his heart and soul would have been forever in her possession.

Today, the thought of ever walking away was beyond absurd for either of them. Even if robbed of their earthly life, it would be impossible to ever truly be apart. They were one person now in so many ways, put on the earth to share their life. Where one ended and the other began was indistinguishable. Jax glanced down at his wedding ring as the sunlight shining through the window caught the glitter of the gold. The gold band was the embodiment of he and Brenda and their love together -- sparkling, solid and continuous.

Jax let out an extended sigh of contentment as he picked up the suitcase and garment bag and headed out the bedroom door. As he stepped into the hallway, Brenda pressed her hands against Jax's chest and nudged him back into the bedroom. "We need to stay in here for a few minutes," she murmured as she shut the bedroom door.

Jax put the suitcase and bag back on the bed and flashed her a cheshire grin. "What's this, you can't even wait another few hours to have your way with me?"

"This is definitely a NO," Brenda replied as soft laughter tumbled from her lips and she stroked Jax's arm. "Jillian and Dad are back and the princess wants to surprise us with something so we need to stay here until it's clear."

Jax pushed the garment bag off to the side and cleared a place on the bed where he sat down and then pulled Brenda into his lap. "Is this another one of those cases of mother's intuition?"

"More that our daughter has a big mouth and still uses a stage whisper when speaking of her secrets," Brenda retorted with a grin.

"Oh well, the ravishing will have to wait until the end of the evening then," Jax declared with a sigh.

Brenda feigned a look of surprise. "You mean you're actually going to wine and dine me first and then take advantage of me?"

He let out a mock groan and then spoke. "I figured I HAD to feed you first since supposedly this is some type of celebratory moment." Jax nuzzled his nose behind her ear as he continued. "Don't look so disappointed. You'll still be ravished." His teeth then nipped slightly at Brenda's earlobe and she could feel his smile against her hair. "All night, if you're on your good behavior and say please."

"My best behavior? That's quite a relative term, Mr. Jacks," Brenda murmured while she tilted her head to give Jax better access to her neck. "Something tells me that you're not referring to the definition of good that we use for Jillian."

"Not a chance, Mrs. Jacks," Jax said as his lips nuzzled against the soft skin of her neck.

Brenda managed to pull herself away from the sensual assault of Jax's mouth and speak to him in a serious tone. "Well, if I don't find anything else better to do before 3:00, I guess I'll meet you. At least I'll get a decent meal and get to eat in peace rather than juggling a wiggling child in one arm and trying to appease a screaming infant with the other."

A big smirk covered Jax's face as he gazed at her. "So now you just want me for an evening of sustenance and silence?"

Brenda flashed him an adorable grin as she shrugged her shoulders. "It's been six years, the rest is just over-rated."

"Over-rated? I'll show you over-rated," Jax baited as he shoved the garment bag unceremoniously onto the floor and then rolled Brenda from his lap onto the bed. His palms moved to Brenda's face before Jax's mouth took her prisoner. Brenda felt the air being drained from her lungs as his lips made love to her. Her hands clutched at the hair covering the back of Jax's head while she moaned into his mouth at the passion ignited by the kiss. Brenda could feel the band around her ponytail loosening as her head rolled against the bed. Jax's hands moved from her face and pushed apart the material of the denim shirt she wore over her white tank top. Her head pressed even further against the mattress as Jax's hands roamed over her tank top and cupped her soft curves.

Brenda's fingers found their way to the buttons of Jax's pale aqua shirt and her hands molded against his strong chest. She arched her back so that her chest pressed deeper into the palms of Jax's hands as his tongue captured hers as his hostage as well. Hearing her whimpers of pleasure and feeling the intensity of his own arousal, Jax knew that the prelude to the evening had to come to an end before there would be no turning back. He released her lips and caressed Brenda's face before dropping baby kisses along her cheeks, chin and jaw line. A grin formed on his lips as he kissed the corners of her mouth. "I guess this means that I'll see you at 3:00."

Brenda reached out and stroked his jaw line. "Not if I see you first." She then kissed him sweetly on the mouth as a radiant gleam shined through her eyes. "Happy Anniversary Jax."

"Happy Anniversary Brenda," Jax whispered in return as he rested his forehead atop hers.

A knock then sounded at the bedroom door and John's voice followed. "We're back so it is time for you two to get a move on. Are you two about ready?"

Jax helped Brenda back into a sitting position on the bed as she covered her mouth to muffle her laughter. He reached down to retrieve the garment bag from the floor. "Yes, Dad, we'll be right there."

Brenda got up from the bed and quickly smoothed over the material of her shirt and re-fastened the band securing her ponytail. She then opened up the bedroom door and smiled at John. "Everything's packed and we're all set."

"Jillian's waiting for you both in the den with Jane and the twins," John announced as he entered the bedroom. "I'll get the bags for you."

"Dad, I've...," Jax began but John immediately interrupted him.

"You've both got your hands full getting yourselves together," John retorted with a snicker as he looked between Jax and Brenda. "Son, you might want to start by buttoning up that shirt of yours and Brenda, even that tan on your face does not hide the flush of your cheeks." John rolled his eyes slightly before lifting the suitcase. "Young love and a chip off the old block....I knew that I had to be the one to come back here rather than Jillian."

Brenda put her hand to her face as she laughed out loud and Jax shook his head and chuckled.

John moved toward the door and muttered aloud as he walked past Brenda. "What did I tell you, you don't need any of these clothes."

Ten minutes later, Jax and Brenda walked into the hallway outside the den and saw Jillian scurry back into the room at the sight of them and call out, "I see them, I see them." They paused for a moment before entering the den and when they walked inside, Charles and Marie had joined John, Jane and the children. Jillian was standing just around the corner with Lady at her side. Clenched between her teeth, the dog had the string that was tied to a heart shaped helium balloon and Jillian held onto two Happy Anniversary balloons with one hand and a pink construction paper card with the other.

"Happy Anniversary! It's a party!" Jillian exclaimed as a bright grin covered her face.

"Look at all this," Brenda replied with a beaming smile. "You and Lady did all this for Daddy and me?"

Jillian bobbed her head up and down as she pointed to the coffee table. "Look, we got cake too and flowers."

"A heart cake decorated with pretty pink flowers," Brenda said as she walked over to the table. She leaned down and smelled the bouquet of roses and lilies. "These flowers smell wonderful. Everything is so beautiful and Daddy and I are so surprised."

"Princess, thank you for the party." Jax took the balloons from her hand. "Did you pick out the balloons to give us?"

She nodded her head and beamed. "Uh-huh, the babies are too little to tell the lady at the store." Jillian then handed Jax the card. "I made a card and put heart stickers all over it. Grandmom helped me spell Jonathan's name."

Brenda took the balloon's ribbon from Lady's teeth before turning toward Jax. "Let me see those hearts." She looked at the card with him and then flashed Jillian a big grin. "What a very pretty card and your letters are so straight. Thank you so much."

Jessica immediately let out a wail from the playpen in the corner of the room. Jax chuckled and walked over to the playpen. "We didn't forget about you, pumpkin. Thank you Jessica." He then turned to Jonathan who was sucking on his fingers in the swing. "And thank you too, peanut."

Jillian clapped her hands together. "Now we get to eat cake."

"That's the best part, isn't it?" Brenda took Jillian's hand and they sat down on the couch in front of the cake. "Did you help Marie make this?"

"I helped squeeze the little bottle and then Marie stirred it all up and the icing was all pink," Jillian explained as she looked over at Marie who smiled at her. "It tastes sooo good and the cake inside is chocolate."

Brenda picked up the knife and server as she spoke to Jillian. "We'll cut everyone a piece and since you and Marie did such a good job, we'll leave the rest of the cake here with you to eat over the weekend as a special treat. Does that sound good?"

"Real good," Jillian replied as she licked her lips. "Look at the piece with the big flower."

She put the select piece on a plate and handed it to Jillian. "Here you go, sweetheart," Brenda murmured as she kissed Jillian's cheek. "It's all for you."

"Ooohhh, I got the flower," Jillian chirped as her face glowed with joy. I like anniversaries."

"We do too, Jillian," Jax echoed as he winked at her.

Brenda cut several slices of cake and Jillian helped serve them while Jax rocked Jessica as she began to fuss before her afternoon nap. Jonathan remained content in the swing as everyone finished their cake and the party came to an end. Jax and Brenda then took the twins into the nursery and put them to bed. Jessica was out like a light immediately and Jonathan managed to find a comfortable position and his thumb after Brenda had rubbed his stomach and sung to him for a few minutes.

Jax turned on the music to the mobile over Jonathan's crib as Brenda leaned over and kissed the baby. She did the same to Jessica and then stood between the two cribs and looked down at her tiniest angels. "Mommy and Daddy will be back soon and we love you so much." She then felt Jax's hands on her shoulders and Brenda patted his hand with her palm as she whispered to him. "I'm all right, just a little ragged around the edges."

Jax wrapped his arms around Brenda's waist as he whispered into her ear. "What did I tell you a long time ago about chinks in your armor?" He kissed the side of her face. "They give you power and they make you utterly irresistible."

Brenda's face brightened as she stroked Jax's forearms with her hands. She glanced down at his watch. "I have to get out of here. It's almost ten minutes to three, I need to meet someone."

"Lucky guy," Jax said as he smiled against her hair.

"Very," Brenda acknowledged with a nod of her head as she turned around to face him. "There's only person luckier on this earth and that's me."

Jax hugged her and then they both murmured a loving good-bye to the twins before leaving the nursery. Jillian met them in the hallway with a slight frown on her face. "Grandmom says it's time for you to go on your trip."

Jax lifted Jillian into his arms. "Yes, it is but we'll be back on Sunday night before you go to bed and you're going to have such a good time with Grandmom and Grandpa."

"You're such a big girl now and you're going to be such a good helper with the twins and Lady," Brenda remarked as she caressed Jillian's arm. "You can tell us about all the fun you had when we come back."

"I'll tell you which sea gulls were loud when I feed 'em the crackers," Jillian declared.

"That will be perfect," Brenda responded with a nod. "Then Daddy and I will tell you about our trip."

John and Jane were waiting in the main foyer as Jax, Brenda and Jillian arrived. Charles had already put the bags in the car so everything was packed except the balloons and flowers. Jax put Jillian down and she scrambled over to the closet door where John had tied the balloons around the doorknob. "Here's the balloons to go with you."

Jax untied the balloon ribbons while Brenda lifted the basket of flowers from the credenza. "Okay, we have the balloons and flowers and your card is in my purse so we can hang it up on the trip," Brenda replied with a smile.

"And you will take care of the cake for us, won't you, princess," Jax asked as he flashed Jillian a smile.

"I'll eat more for dessert," Jillian proposed with a grin.

Brenda laughed softly. "You may eat the cake when Grandmom says you may so you remember that, just like you remember about being on your best behavior."

Jane stroked the curls atop Jillian's head. "Grandpa and I know that Jillian will behave herself. We're going to have a wonderful time together with just us and the twins."

"And Lady too," Jillian added as everyone laughed.

Jax leaned down and hugged Jillian. "You and Lady have a wonderful time and we'll see you on Sunday. I love you princess."

"Bye Daddy, remember to look for pretty shells and to put on lots of lotion," Jillian responded with a weak smile. "And your hat."

"We love you and we're going to miss you, sweetheart, but we'll call you tonight before you go to sleep." Brenda kissed both of Jillian's cheeks and hugged her. "And I'll remind Daddy about the shells and the suntan lotion and the hat."

Jax and Brenda said good-bye to John and Jane and then left the house with the balloons and flowers. The top was down on the blue convertible and they waved at Jillian as she stood at the door waving good-bye to them. Brenda then blew her a kiss as they pulled out of the driveway and Jillian disappeared from their sight. It was only then that Brenda stopped holding her breath and felt her anxiety start to dissipate.

Jax reached over and squeezed her hand. "Are you okay?"

"Yes, just a bit of adjusting to the fact that this weekend is only us." Musical laughter escaped from her lips. "I just hope I remember what that is."

He chuckled in return. "We'll figure it out and have a hell of a good time in the process."

Brenda turned to him and smiled. "That I don't doubt. Now, how about telling me where we will be having this good time?"

"My darling wife, you know the answer to that question," he retorted with a smirk. "You really must do something with that impatient streak."

"Very funny," Brenda replied as she flipped down her sunglasses. "We'll just see how effective your patience is this weekend, Mr. Jacks."

A devilish grin covered his face as Jax responded to her. "Oh, you know how I do love a challenge, Mrs. Jacks."

Brenda shook her head at him but then had to smile at the "little boy" grin on Jax's face. It was time to sit back and enjoy the ride and admire the view and he was the main attraction.

Ninety minutes later, after enjoying a tour of some of the sights along the coast, Jax pulled the car into the port area. Brenda had seen the signs for transports to Catalina Island as they headed through Long Beach. She had wanted to visit the island after hearing Jax speak of it and he had obviously remembered that. Brenda smiled as she realized that Jax had arranged for them to spend time there on this trip.

Jax looked over at her as he turned off the engine. "Now, see what a little patience can do, these ninety minutes just intensified the reward." He then traced his finger along her jaw. "Unless you've changed your mind about wanting to see Catalina?"

"No, I want you to show it to me, all of it," Brenda murmured with a radiant beam on her face. "Thank you, it's perfect."

"I aim to please," he retorted with a wink.

Brenda nodded her head and raised her right eyebrow. "You certainly do and I'm counting on several reminders of that this weekend."

Jax gave her a smoldering look as he got out of the car. "You're impatient and naughty, oh this is going to be some weekend."

He helped Brenda out of the car as two employees from the port's marina arrived to unload the bags and to park the car. Jax signed the paperwork and the employees directed he and Brenda where to meet the captain for the private launch. Jax took Brenda's hand and they headed toward the marina.

The captain was waiting for them and Jax introduced Connor to Brenda. After a few minutes, Jax and Brenda boarded the boat and shortly thereafter, they were relaxing on deck as the cruiser made its way into the Channel. Brenda sat in a lounge chair with Jax as the sunshine, breeze and sea air surrounded her. "We're not even there yet and it's already so wonderful."

Jax rubbed Brenda's back as she sat on his lap. "I have to ask you something. Would you mind terribly if we didn't reach the island until tomorrow?"

Brenda's eyes narrowed in confusion. "And stay where tonight? We've already left shore."

"I thought we would just stay somewhere along the Channel," he replied in a steady tone.

"Along the Channel?" Brenda was starting to think that he had been in the sun too long. "Honey, we're in the middle of water on a boat that doesn't have any cabins and the Ritz Carlton is the other way."

Jax shrugged his shoulders. "You'd be surprised what you can find in the middle of a waterway."

Brenda again gave him a puzzled look and then glanced up to see a few miles further up the Channel, a sight that she thought had to be a mirage. "No, it can't be."

The corner of Jax's mouth curved up into a smile. "Can't be what? You mean it can't be a boat that you and I have been on before on the most unforgettable night of my life?"

"Oh my God, the Isabella." Her voice was filled with emotion.

"Accept no substitute," Jax replied.

She looked up at Jax and asked, "Did you have her brought all way from the Mediterranean?"

His eyes sparkled in the sunlight. "What if I told you that she found her way here on her own?"

Brenda took a deep breath and beamed. "That yacht is pretty magic so I may just have to believe you."

"She wanted to be with us." Jax flashed Brenda a smile. "Yachts have minds of their own you know."

"Oh Jax, I don't believe this." Brenda shook her head as she felt tears stinging her eyes. "I don't know what to say."

"All I need to know is that you're okay with this," Jax replied as he tipped Brenda's chin so that she was looking into his eyes. "It's been a long time...."

"Three years and a lifetime ago," Brenda whispered. "But this is now and there is no place on this earth that I would rather be with you tonight than on that magical yacht."

Jax's eyes sparkled as he hugged her. "Then that's where we'll be."

She laid her head on his shoulder. "Jax, I love you so much."

"I love you too, sweetie," Jax responded in return as the scenery and the day seemed to become even more incredible with each passing moment.

The Isabella -- 8:15pm

Brenda sat at the dressing table in her silk stockings and white satin teddy as she put on the final touches of her make-up. She had spent the past hour getting ready for their evening, including soaking in a jasmine bath and curling her hair. It was such a rarity for her to have any time to pamper herself anymore and Jax had insisted that she do so now. He had left her alone in their cabin to indulge herself and had taken his evening attire into one of the guest rooms to give her some privacy. At 8:30pm, they would meet on deck and their anniversary celebration would continue.

As she looked into the mirror, Brenda smiled at the image of the stateroom behind here. It was still unbelievable that they were on the Isabella again and she wondered when Jax would ever stop amazing her. There were so many wonderful memories of their past voyages on the majestic yacht and she knew that this trip would be no different. Brenda had forgotten how much she had missed the blissful moments aboard the Isabella, especially those times that celebrated the anniversary of their marriage and first journey together on the regal vessel. Tonight, Brenda swore she could feel joy from the Isabella herself, it was as if the yacht were smiling at them.

Brenda had sensed it from the moment she and Jax had stepped aboard the yacht two hours ago. There had been such an aura of jubilation surrounding them and it had seemed to intensify with each passing moment as the Isabella had skimmed across the Channel toward Catalina. When they had reached a point just off the coast of Avalon, the principal town on the island, the anchor had been lowered for the evening and the joy was even more evident. Between that joy, the beauty of the island as twilight began, and the feeling in Brenda's own heart, she knew that this would be an anniversary that she never would forget.

As the Isabella had sailed toward Avalon, Jax and Brenda had spent the time on deck enjoying the view. Along the way, Jax had pointed out various noteworthy sights and then had told Brenda more about what to expect on the island itself when they reached port tomorrow. They had then called Jillian to wish her a good night and had heard all about how the gray sea gull with white spots had not wanted to share the crackers with his friends. When Jax and Brenda had told her that they were on a boat and would visiting a new beach tomorrow, Jillian had reminded them to look for shells. After they had said good night to Jillian and had spoken to Jane about the twins, Jax and Brenda had gone to the cabins below to start preparations for the evening.

Now as Brenda dabbed perfume on her pulse points and in the valley of her chest and then checked her make-up one more time, she felt both nervous and excited. She got up from the bench at the dressing table and walked over to the bed to get her gown. Not knowing what Jax had planned for the weekend, she had packed a white cocktail dress as well as a black evening gown. After arriving on the Isabella, she had decided to wear the black gown this evening. When Brenda had finished her bath and come back into the bedroom, she had found a garment bag on the bed and had opened it up to find a gorgeous white gown, threaded with silver and pearl accents. Jax continued to have far superior skills in choosing her wardrobe than any designer or personal shopper with whom she had ever been associated.

Brenda stepped into the gown and easily zippered the dress. She stood profile at the mirror and smiled. The gown was sleeveless and curved just below her neck in the front while dipping low in the back. It was too low in the back to wear a bra but her teddy would work underneath and Jax would have one less thing to remove later. The dress clung to Brenda's hips, accentuating her curves, and the gown had a high slit in the center of the back that showcased her shapely calves. The sexy, white strappy sandals she had packed were perfect for the dress and thanks to two days on the beach and Jonathan's aversion to napping anywhere but in the fresh air, Brenda had picked up enough color in the past several weeks for the brightness of the white dress to emphasize just how bronzed her skin was.

She looked at the clock by the bed and saw that it was just before 8:30. Brenda also caught sight of the anniversary card from Jillian that Jax had tacked to the wall and she felt a sudden flutter of her heart. She wondered how many people were fortunate enough to ever find their prince and then be made to feel like a princess every day by him as they lived happily ever after. Brenda gently touched the curls framing her face and then took a deep breath before leaving the cabin to meet Jax on deck. She did not want to spend one more minute away from her prince this evening.

Brenda walked up the stairs and upon stepping onto the deck, gasped out loud at how much it had been transformed in an hour. There were sprays of white roses, gardenias and water lilies in every corner along with hurricane lamps to provide the closest thing to candlelight that the sea breeze would allow. A beautiful table was set with china, crystal and silver in the center of the deck. Soft music played through the stereo system and on a table along the wall, a silver ice bucket, two champagne flutes and a small version of their wedding cake were placed next to the flowers and the three balloons from the children. To complete the splendor of the scene, Jax stood at the rail and the starlight seemed to sparkle through his eyes as he stood there looking too handsome for words in his white dinner jacket.

She could feel tears brimming her eyes as she saw Jax. "This isn't fair," Brenda murmured out loud.

Jax crossed the deck to reach her after gasping softly himself at the sight of her. "What isn't fair, my love?"

"I actually have the chance to put on make-up for the first time in what seems like months and it's going to be ruined in the first five minutes." Brenda swallowed the lump in her throat as she shook her head at the wonder of the scene again. "And it's all your fault."

A broad smile appeared on Jax's lips. "Sorry."

"No, you're not," Brenda retorted as she sniffed back her tears.

Jax's smile became a grin as he then reached out and touched Brenda's face. "No make-up could do you justice anyway." His eyes drank in the sight of her. "You're magnificent, Brenda, simply magnificent."

"The dress....it's so beautiful....so perfect," Brenda stammered a bit from emotion and the sensation of his loving caress of her face. "I love you so much. Thank you Jax. Thank you for all of this."

Jax took her into his arms. "I love you too my darling and thank you for giving me the most incredible six years of my life."

Ninety minutes later, they had finished a delectable meal of oysters rockefeller, Caesar salad, lobster-stuffed tenderloin, truffled potatoes, and brandied carrots. Jax had gone below to see the crew off for the evening and Brenda stood at the rail as the lights of Avalon sparkled before her. It was almost as if the small seaside town was a twinkling enchanted land in a fairytale. The moon was full tonight and its beams shimmered off the water as if the Channel were a sea of diamonds. The deck was encompassed by the glittery glow of the water below and twinkling of the stars above as if magic wands had scattered fairy dust into the night air. Brenda sighed in pure bliss, it was a fairytale setting for their life of happily ever after.

Jax returned to the deck and simply watched her at the rail. It was the same image from six years ago but Brenda was at such a different place now in her life, they both were. He thought he knew then how much loved her and how happy they could be but it was not even a flicker of what they had together now. Brenda turned around from the rail and Jax was mesmerized by the sight before him. She looked like an angel as the luster of the moon and stars encircled her. Jax did not know how anything could have ever looked more exquisite. "Talk about not being fair."

Brenda flashed him a smile. "What's not fair?"

"You," Jax replied as he shook his head. "Stealing all the limelight from the sea, stars and moon with your radiance. They may as well be invisible."

"Even if that were true, I have a feeling that the heavens would forgive us tonight," she replied in a soft voice. "They'd simply be sharing their splendor as an anniversary gift to us."

Jax made his way across the deck. "Well, they are our only guests for the rest of the evening. We're alone as the crew has gone ashore for the night."

"Why does that sound familiar?" Brenda asked as she beamed at Jax before pushing his dinner jacket from his shoulders and untying his black bow tie. She unfastened several of the buttons on his shirt and then kissed his chest before hugging him tightly.

Jax hugged her back and then stood behind her as they both stood at the rail looking out into the beautiful night. "Fish, moon, stars, I give you Mr. and Mrs. Jacks --- again."

A soft laugh fell from Brenda's lips. "Is this the star gazing part of the evening's activities?"

"Exactly," Jax responded as he slid his arms around Brenda's waist. "Now, if memory serves me correctly, next is a swim in the moonlight, then bed, then breakfast in bed and then a swim in the sunlight for variety's sake." He rested his chin on Brenda's shoulder and sighed in mock disappointment. "Since you say the Pacific is much too cold for you to swim then I guess we only have bed and breakfast in bed as activities for the rest of the voyage."

"Oh, I know that would just kill you," Brenda teased before smugly smiling. "Actually though, you're not getting any younger so it just may kill you."

The quiet and tranquil setting was quickly halted with the sound of a shriek as Brenda found herself being dangled above the Pacific in Jax's arms. "Mrs. Jacks, you were saying that you did indeed want to take a swim in the moonlight?"

"No," she squealed. "I was saying how young and virile and absolutely irresistible my husband is."

"Just checking," Jax retorted with a chuckle as he stepped back from the rail so that Brenda was now safely in his arms above the deck.

Brenda loosened the tight grip of her arms around his neck. "That was not funny."

"But you're so cute when you're panicked," Jax remarked as a cheshire grin covered his face.

"You make me crazy," Brenda murmured as Jax lowered her feet back down to the deck. The CD then changed and the music of Cole Porter began wafting through the night air. "More of my favorites, maybe we could find something for the Nurse's Ball."

Jax rolled his eyes at the mischievous look on her face. "Now, who is making who crazy?"

Brenda laughed at the expression on Jax's face and kissed his cheek. "I'm just teasing you, honey. No more talk about the Nurse's Ball."

"Thank you," Jax replied as he held his hand out to her. "Mrs. Jacks, would you give me the honor of this dance?"

She nodded her head and took his hand. "This and every other dance, Mr. Jacks."

Jax closed the space between them as they began gliding to the music. Brenda felt like heaven in his arms and her laughter sounded like the serenade of angels as he twirled her around the deck and then dipped her as the song ended. The next selection began to play and Jax tightened his embrace as they floated to the soft and slow melody. Brenda felt his eye roll as Jax recognized the song from her marathon musical session on the plane three days before. She lifted her head from Jax's chest and put her finger to his lips. "Shhh, this one's simply from me to you." Brenda lowered her head against his shoulder and began softly singing to the music.

While I give to you
And you give to me
True love, true love
So on and on, it'll always be
True love, true love

As the melody continued, Jax felt a rapid flutter inside his chest as the love in Brenda's voice shot straight to his heart. She was still such a wonder to him and her love and devotion to him and their family meant more to Jax than anything else in the world. In the beginning, he thought she had taught him to feel again but now Jax fully understood that he had never actually known the magic of true love until Brenda had walked into his life. Now, the thought of living without that or her was inconceivable. He pressed his lips against Brenda's forehead as her voice and the final words of the song touched his very soul.

For you and I have a guardian angel on high with nothing to do
But to give to you and to give to me
Love, forever true

He stepped slightly away from Brenda as the music ended. "You have no idea what that meant to me. Thank you my darling."

"Believe me, it meant the same to me," Brenda responded as she stroked Jax's face with her palm. "One of the nuances of love."

Jax brought her hand to his lips and kissed each finger. "Oh, how I love you." He then took her hand and led Brenda to the table along the wall. "I think this deserves a toast."

Brenda grinned as Jax poured sparkling mineral water into the pair of champagne flutes. "Honey, you really could be drinking champagne. You don't have to worry about me."

"French champagne, French mineral water, same difference," Jax bantered as he poured from the bottle that had been chilling in the ice bucket. "Besides, I don't need alcohol around you. You are completely intoxicating."

"Thank you," Brenda murmured as she took the glass from Jax.

Jax raised his flute to her. "To my beautiful wife. Thank you for teaching me to believe in magic and the wonders of love. You've given me a life built on a love stronger than steel, more forceful than the currents of the ocean, more glowing than the moon and stars and more eternal than the sun."

Brenda let out a jagged sigh at the emotion in his words. She took a deep breath and lifted her glass. "To my wonderful husband. Thank you for showing me that love doesn't hurt and that it makes us stronger and more capable of surviving anything as long as you let the love guide you. You've taught me how to dream and that we don't need a map of the future. We've made it up as we've gone along and it's led us to this."

He smiled and touched his glass to hers. "Happy Anniversary Brenda."

"Happy Anniversary Jax," Brenda whispered back as her face beamed with joy.

They sipped from their glasses and then Jax picked up his dinner jacket from the chair and helped Brenda put it on as the night air began to get chilly. Jax then saw her eyeing the cake and he smiled to himself as he spoke in a serious tone. "Since you already had cake today courtesy of Jillian's party, I'm sure you don't want any now so I can take it to the galley for tomorrow."

"I don't think so," she corrected him. "You promised me a gourmet meal and that is not complete without dessert."

Jax felt his mouth curve into a smile. "According to whom? I don't recall Emeril or Julia Child ever saying that."

"According to Brenda Barrett Jacks and I am the only one that you should be worried about right now," she quipped.

He tilted his head as he look down at her. "Why is that?"

"Because if I don't get dessert out here, you don't get any down below. And yes, I mean down below in reference to our cabin AND down below in reference to there," Brenda chirped as she patted her hand against Jax's stomach.

"I seriously doubt that," Jax retorted with a devilish glint in his eyes. "As you said earlier, I am young, virile and absolutely irresistible to you."

Brenda glared at him as she picked up the knife for the cake and began waving it in the air. "Oh really?"

"Oh, you want to cut the cake, great idea," he replied.

"That's not exactly what I had in mind with this knife," she murmured as Jax snickered. He then covered her hand with his and pressed the knife through the cake. A small velvet jewelry box peeked through as Jax lifted the cut slice with the cake server.

"Oh my God," Brenda crooned as Jax handed her a plate with the piece of cake.

He looked down anxiously at Brenda as she leaned against the table, dipping her finger into the icing of her cake. "What do you think?"

"I'm very excited," she announced as she tasted another morsel of icing. "I never get the piece with the flower on it and I have it now since Jillian isn't here."

A sigh escaped from Jax's lips. "The box Brenda, the box."

"Oh, the box," she muttered while still sucking the icing from her fork. "This icing is sooo good."

"You know, I'm going to have to look for a more appreciative audience," he groaned.

"No, I don't think so," Brenda declared as she swallowed a piece of cake. Jax grabbed for the plate and she raised the fork to him. "Hey, just remember who has the fork."

She took the box and wiped the icing from it with a napkin. Brenda smiled at the anxious "little boy" expression on Jax's face. She envisioned spending the next several decades watching Jax and Jonathan share that same look. Brenda then lifted the lid to the box and felt her breath catch in her throat momentarily at the sight of the glittering earrings. "Oh Jax, they're absolutely beautiful. I've never seen anything like them."

"That's pink sapphire -- rare, precious and exquisite just like you. And the diamonds -- strong, sparkling and forever just like us." Brenda felt her cheeks blush at Jax's compliment to her and tears creep into her eyes from his words about their relationship. Jax then flashed her a smile as he saw the rosy glow of her cheeks. "Yes, I knew that was the color."

Brenda's voice shook a bit with emotion. "What color?"

"Your color," Jax answered as he touched her cheek. "It was actually the color of the sapphire that caught my eye. I always thought that pink was your color. There is nothing more beautiful than the way it tinges your cheeks when you're happy. It's as if God made it specifically for you."

"Just like you," Brenda replied as her face lit up even more. She touched his lips softly with hers. "I love you, I love the earrings. Thank you. Thank you for everything."

Jax kissed the tip of her nose. "You're most welcome."

Brenda dabbed the tears from her eyes. "Okay, it's your turn." She reached into the basket of Jillian's flowers and pulled out a small velvet box of her own and handed it to Jax. "Happy Anniversary."

Jax grinned at her hiding place and then opened the box. He took a deep breath before speaking. "Oh my... Brenda."

She felt tears stinging her eyes again at his reaction. "I wanted something special and told Sergio what I had in mind and he worked his magic."

"They're incredible," Jax said in an emotional tone. He pulled out the onyx cufflinks and fingered the crushed diamonds on each. The face of one cufflink had a diamond inlay in the shape of the sun while the other had the image of a crescent moon. "They're absolutely perfect."

Brenda stroked Jax's hand. "On this yacht six years ago, you vowed to love, honor and cherish me in the moonlight and, as the sun broke through a few hours later, you vowed that I would fall in love with you and that it would be painless. Those promises meant more to me then than anything in my life ever had and that still holds true today. You've seen to it that all those pledges were kept, just like every pledge you have ever made to me. I know as surely as the sun will rise in the sky every morning and the moon soar in the sky every night, that you will try with everything you are to keep any promise you ever make to me. I want this gift to always remind you of that."

Jax felt a lump form in his throat at the intensity of the love in Brenda's words. "You really did it this time, Brenda. You've completely overwhelmed me. I can't even come up with the words."

"You don't need any," Brenda declared with as a radiant beam covered her entire face. "Just seeing that look in your eyes is everything I could ever want."

He kissed her forehead and then her cheeks and nose before capturing Brenda's lips in a lingering kiss. "Thank you my love." Jax kissed her again and then caressed her cheek as their eyes locked in a smoldering gaze. "All I want to do is show you just how much I love you."

"Who's stopping you?" she responded with a sexy lift of her right eyebrow.

"Just remember, we've got a long night ahead of us and patience will definitely be rewarded," Jax said with a wink.

She waved her finger at him. "You just remember that too."

He gave her a gleaming smile and then pressed the button on the remote to turn off the stereo below deck. Brenda replaced the lid of the cake server to cover the cake for the night and then picked up the earring box as Jax reached for her hand. "Shall we?"

Brenda grasped his hand and nodded. "I'd follow you anywhere."

"Oh, so you do want to take that swim in the moonlight," Jax teased.

"You'll need to be real patient if you keep that up, like next year patient," Brenda said as she swatted him across the behind with her free hand.

"If I told you how sexy you would look doing that with a whip, would you hold it against me," Jax asked as he lifted Brenda into his arms and captured her lips again as he carried her down the steps toward the cabin.

As each kiss became more intense, Brenda tucked her right hand inside Jax's shirt and fingered the hair covering his chest. She moaned into his mouth as they reached the cabin and Jax sat down on the bed with Brenda across his lap. Jax's tongue traced her lips and Brenda opened her mouth to give him access. His tongue flicked against the roof of Brenda's mouth before taking control of her tongue in a sensual tango. Brenda moved her right hand from around Jax's neck and threaded her fingers through his hair. She tugged at his golden locks as Jax increased the tempo of his roving tongue inside her mouth. The sparks between them were as blazing as an inferno.

When Jax was finally forced to break the kiss to re-fill his lungs with air, he lowered Brenda against the pillows. Only the soft light of a small bedside lamp and the moonlight from the two windows along the side of the yacht illuminated the room. Soft ringlets framed Brenda's face as the rest of her hair fanned out against the pillow. Her lips were red from the torrent of kisses and her chest rose and fell as she tried to return her breathing to a semblance of normalcy. Jax exhaled deeply at the sight of her.

Brenda reached up and traced Jax's jaw line with her index finger as his eyes flickered with desire. The soft light in the room accentuated the luster of his blonde highlights that were even more noticeable after two full days in the sun. She cupped Jax's cheek with her palm and he turned his head so that his lips could caress the soft skin. Brenda smiled and whispered to him. "I love you."

Jax stroked her hand with his and murmured back to her. "I love you more." He then kicked off his shoes before scooting down the bed a bit so that her feet were now across his lap. He unfastened the strap of her right sandal and removed the shoe as his hand massaged her toes and the ball of her foot. Brenda closed her eyes and moaned at the feel of his touch. Jax repeated the pampering to her left foot and then his hands began massaging her right leg from her ankle up to her calf. His fingers glided over the silk of her stocking as he rubbed the firm muscles. Brenda moaned again as Jax dropped a path of baby kisses which followed the trail of his hands.

His fingers pushed the material of her dress up her right thigh and Jax smiled as his fingers felt the lace of a garter at the elastic band of her thigh-high stocking. "You're full of surprises tonight, I see."

Brenda's eyes fluttered open as she spoke in a throaty voice. "I know how much you enjoy treasure hunts."

"That I do, and I can commandeer even the most well buried treasure," Jax said as his fingers slowly shimmied the garter down her thigh as his lips moved up her leg. His lips and hands met just above Brenda's knee where Jax's clutched the lace of the garter between his teeth and wiggled the band down her calf.

Brenda giggled as Jax worked the garter over her foot and then lifted his head with the lace dangling from his teeth. "And to think I used to be afraid of pirates."

"But now you know the fringe benefits of spending time with fellow marauders like me," Jax quipped. His hands moved up the silk stocking on Brenda's left leg and as his fingers reached the elastic, there was no hint of lace. At the sight of Brenda's sexy smile, Jax's fingers worked their way up the bare skin of her leg and were rewarded with the feel of lace at the very top of her thigh. "Testing my exploring skills this evening? That will be twenty lashes for you, my fair maiden."

"Only twenty," Brenda exclaimed with a pout.

"Well, since we're on the high seas, I'll make it thirty," he countered.

Brenda propped herself up on her elbows as Jax wriggled the silk stocking down her right leg. "Oh good, now I can tell everyone just how nefarious you are."

She then sat up and tried to reach for Jax who quickly lowered her back down against the pillows. "No, my lovely maiden, I'm still hunting for all thou fine treasures. I have to search every last inch of thou to see what may be hidden among thou assets."

Brenda flicked her tongue along her front teeth as Jax removed the stocking from her left leg. "And what about thy assets, Captain? I've heard whispers about thy resources down under." Her right foot quickly dipped into Jax's lap and Brenda wiggled her toes in search of his riches. "Oh, thy jewels," she squealed as Jax grabbed her roving foot.

"Thou are no maiden," Jax muttered as she flashed him a smoldering look. "Thou are absolute Jezebel."

Brenda sat up and threw her arms around him. "Aren't you a lucky sea wolf?"

"That I am," Jax murmured as their lips met again in a series of passionate kisses that became more blazing by the moment.

Brenda's hands roamed over his chest as the bottom buttons of his shirt gave way and then she pressed her chest against his bare skin. Jax could feel the fullness of her soft curves through the material of her dress and he groaned into Brenda's mouth as he felt the stiffness of her responsive points against him. He eased them off the bed into a standing position without their lips ever breaking contact. When he finally released her mouth, Jax took Brenda's right arm and left a trail of kisses from her fingers to her shoulder before coming down the inside of her arm for the return path. When he reached her pulse point, Jax gently sucked the soft skin and then attended to her left arm in the same fashion.

She cradled Jax's face in her hands and pulled him into another scintillating kiss. She sucked his bottom lip and pressed her leg further against him, feeling the mounting scope of his arousal. At the intense throbbing between his legs, Jax broke the kiss and turned Brenda around so that her back was to him. She pulled back her hair to give his mouth access to her neck. Jax then dropped kisses along her bare back in the shape of a heart, before tracing a path all the way down her spine. Brenda whimpered aloud at the sensation of the sensual caresses of his lips. As Jax reached the material of Brenda's gown just above her waist, his palms slid down her hips and then back up her curvaceous backside. His fingers then lowered the zipper and Jax slid it from her shoulders and watched the material plunge down her curves and then softly swish as it hit the floor.

Brenda turned around and Jax took her hand as she stepped out of the dress. His eyes trailed down the plunging neckline of the satin and lace teddy to the valley between her supple curves. The top swell of her orbs peeked out from the lace of the teddy and the tanned skin of Brenda's chest looked even more bronzed next to the luster of the white satin. She felt her knees weaken at the lustful look in Jax's eyes that now resembled midnight blue storm clouds. Brenda wet her dry lips as Jax murmured to her. "Baby, you're so beautiful and oh, how I love you."

"Show me," Brenda whispered as her velvet pools radiated with love.

Jax instantaneously closed the space between them and his hands slid down the satin of her teddy to rest at her waist. Their lips joined as Brenda pushed the shirt from Jax's shoulders. Her right hand then weaved its way through the back of Jax's hair while her left hand curled around his neck. Jax lifted her into his arms as Brenda wrapped her legs around his waist and he carried her to the bed. He laid Brenda against the stack of pillows and moved over her as his legs straddled hers. Jax dipped his head to her chest as Brenda arched her back to give his mouth access to savor the hills and valley of her chest. Brenda's fingers clutched Jax's hair as she whimpered when his lips trailed up her chest before capturing her mouth once again. As their kisses became more ravenous, Brenda's right hand stroked the taut muscles of his chest.

Her hand then moved down to his waist and Brenda unhooked the buckle of Jax's belt. Her fingers roamed lower and felt the stiffness of him. Jax gasped aloud as her hands explored him and he then scooted off the bed long enough to quickly step out of the trousers. He returned to the bed where he moved on top of Brenda once again. As their lips met, Brenda locked her arms around Jax and then rolled over so that she was now on top of him. Jax groaned in pleasure as she nuzzled his neck and then dipped her tongue into his ear. Her mouth then worked its way down his chest, relishing the taste of each morsel of his soft skin. Brenda's tongue flicked against his right point before her teeth closed around it and nipped the turgid peak. Jax struggled to maintain an even breathing pattern as she continued her sensual assault on his left point and then he fought to keep his sanity as Brenda's tongue plunged into his navel. He then closed his eyes as Brenda massaged his chest before trailing her finger to Jax's face where she stroked the softness of his lips with her finger.

Jax pulled himself into an upright position and Brenda straddled his lap. He kissed her fully on the lips before caressing the side of her face and her jaw line with his mouth. His lips moved along her neck and Brenda tangled her fingers in Jax's hair as he nibbled on her right earlobe. After kissing both of her shoulders, Jax kissed his way down the center of her chest where his tongue then swept the sensitive skin between her orbs. He pushed the spaghetti strap of the teddy down Brenda's shoulder as his fingers caressed the fullness of her right orb. His mouth and tongue then took over and Brenda whimpered softly as Jax teased her aroused peak with his tongue. He kissed the rosy tip before his mouth clamped around her more strongly. Brenda threw her head back as his teeth nipped at the stiff point. She breathlessly called out Jax's name when her left orb received the same treatment.

Jax claimed her mouth again and this time Brenda's tongue begged entrance. As her tongue delved into his mouth, she immediately commandeered Jax's tongue in a tango of her own, increasing the tempo with each stroke. His arousal was at its height as he strained against his black boxers and as Brenda pressed her hips against him, Jax felt the flames raging through his loins. That was all of that he could take and keep his wits enough to prolong the evening for both of them. He pushed Brenda down against the mattress as his fingers moved up the inside of her thighs to reach the snaps of her teddy. One tug and the barrier of the material was gone. He could sense the damp heat of her feminine treasure without even the merest of touches. The teddy was quickly dispensed with as Jax pushed it over Brenda's head. Jax then purred as he watched the passion intensify in Brenda's eyes at the nearness of his fingers to the place she craved his touch the most. He teased and tempted her with his sensual caresses.

Brenda writhed against the comforter at the bottom of the bed as Jax continued his sweet torture. Brenda cried out in ecstasy at the sensation and Jax smirked as her eyes closed over from the pleasure. As his touch gave her what she craved, Jax could feel the tremors escalating within her body and soon thereafter, she found gold in a shower of pleasure.

He tenderly kissed her lips as the aftermath of her release overtook her. After a few minutes, Jax lifted her into his arms and moved her to the head of the bed so she was now on her stomach against the pillows. She moaned in mild protest but Jax put his finger to her lips. "Remember, a mighty pirate must search every inch of thou magnificent assets." His hands moved over Brenda's back, rubbing lazy circles over her shoulder blades before trailing down her back and kneading the sides of her chest. Jax's hands moved lower and Brenda began murmuring unintelligibly as his palms slowly cradled the taut muscles of her hips and then gently massaged the firmness of her behind. Brenda giggled as Jax dropped baby kisses at the back of both of her knees, they were tickle points that he knew oh so well. His carnal path ended with Brenda's feet where Jax massaged her heels and then kissed each toe. He loved watching Brenda's face as his mouth savored each digit as Brenda's feet were definite erogenous zones for her. She moaned several times as his warm mouth caressed each toe and when Jax's latest treasure hunt had been completed, Brenda sighed in sheer bliss as he laid down next to her on the pillows. "You are just too good at this, Captain Adonis."

Brenda propped herself up on her elbow and stroked the waves of hair that fell along Jax's forehead. She then traced her finger along Jax's forehead and then down his nose and chin before gently tracing over both of his lips. Her lips then made the same path before trailing along Jax's jaw line and moving around his left ear. Brenda traced her tongue along the rim of his earlobe and then blew softly into his ear. She heard Jax exhale sharply and smiled as her teeth again nipped at the skin of his chest. Brenda then straddled him again and leaned down so that her stiff peaks trailed a path down his chest. Jax twisted against the pillows as she pressed the full weight of her soft curves into his chest. Brenda straightened up and then leaned down again to flatten her aroused points against his and Jax felt the breath catch in his throat at the sweet torture. Jax's hands flailed up to fondle the softness of her chest again but Brenda caught them in mid-air. "Patience, my darling," she murmured as she kissed the inside of his palms.

Her tongue then snaked down the center of his abdomen, flickering against the soft blonde fuzz until it reached his navel. Once again, her tongue dove into his navel before continuing on until it met the waistband of his black satin boxers. The material did little to conceal the bulge straining to be set free. Brenda lifted her head up and smiled at Jax. "Time for all the treasures to be found." Brenda saw that Jax's control was quickly slipping and gave him a short reprieve to gather his wits. She pushed the boxers down his legs and then knelt between his legs. "Now, where were we?"

Brenda gave Jax a healthy dose of her own game of sensual torture. Jax groaned aloud and Brenda smiled as his head thrashed against the pillows. She brought an end to the game by showing Jax the same paradise he had provided for her earlier. As Jax found his way back to earth, Brenda massaged the back of his head and then his neck and shoulders. It had been so long since they had spent hours pleasuring one another, it was almost as if they were enjoying each other for the first time again. Brenda kissed Jax's neck and then sucked softly on Jax's shoulder. Her hands then moved to Jax's back again before rubbing the strong muscles of his butt. Jax lifted his head and groaned. "You have some hands, Jezebel."

"I told you that you were lucky," Brenda teased.

"The luckiest and richest man on the seas and it has nothing to do with money or power," Jax responded.

Brenda laughed softly as she swatted Jax's backside. "Yes, it has to do with this asset but that means I'm the lucky one."

"You've got quite an asset there yourself. Quite a few actually," Jax said with a sexy grin as he turned his head so that it was inches from Brenda's left orb. He lifted his arm and caressed her skin with his hand before kissing the center rosebud that hardened immediately.

"So you're back in the hunt?" Brenda's hands then roved down the inside of his thighs and Jax rolled to his side to face her. She lifted her eyebrow as she saw the evidence of his aroused state. "Yes, you most definitely are."

Jax grabbed Brenda as her giggles bounced off the walls. Their lips then joined in a searing kiss as Jax rolled Brenda onto her back. Soon his mouth moved from her lips to her chest as he tasted the sweetness of each rosebud as Brenda moved her hands up and down the muscles of his behind. Some assets they were indeed. When neither could stand one more minute of the anticipation that had been building for days, Jax moved over Brenda and whispered, "I love you," to her before their bodies mirrored their hearts and became one. She gasped at the deliberate slowness of the final stages of their paradise together. Even as she joyously accepted his loving embrace, Jax fought to delay the final gratification of their incredible evening together.

Brenda implored her mind to hold onto some shred of sanity as she wanted to feel every molecule of the love. She forced her eyes to stay open as Jax's gaze never wavered, even as he moved in and out of her, taking her to places she did not even know existed. She tightened her own muscles around him to feel every degree of the power and speed behind each move. Brenda lifted her hips and arched her back to give Jax access to reach her very soul with his love but it was almost as if they were floating above the earth the connection felt so wondrous. Brenda whispered her love for him as Jax moved over her and he responded with loving words of his own. They moved together as if they had been choreographed to soar like an angel. Her fingernails clawed down Jax's back as her ears began ringing with the sound of a symphony and the smell of roses, a cozy fire, chocolate and the mountains combined with Jax's musk and inundated her nose. As her mind began flashing with colors as though it were a prism and her body behind to quake from her head to her toes, Brenda fought to keep her eyes on Jax's face. As she truly met his eyes, Brenda knew that Jax was experiencing the exact merger of images. She smiled with joy and murmured his name and Jax did the same as their bodies were then simultaneously flooded with loving warmth.

Twenty minutes later as the wee hours of the morning were now underway, Jax kissed Brenda's forehead and both of her eyelids as her head rested on his chest. As she was about to doze off, Brenda murmured to him. "Happy Anniversary, my beloved pirate."

Jax wrapped the blanket more tightly around Brenda with his left hand as his right hand is clutched against her chest, entwined with her hand. Jax lifted their entwined hands and brought her hand to his lips and kissed each finger. "Happy Anniversary, my precious treasure."

For you and I have a guardian angel on high with nothing to do
But to give to you and to give to me
Love, forever true
Love, forever true

Sunday, June 2, 2002
Catalina Island -- 12:30pm

Jax walked back onto the pier after speaking with Dimitri to confirm the afternoon plans for the launch's return to the Isabella. Thereafter, the Isabella would make the return cruise through the Channel to anchor once again off the shores of Long Beach, where the private boat would meet Jax and Brenda to take them ashore for their return to Malibu this evening. He looked inside the window of the corner shop and shook his head with a smile as he saw Brenda holding more trinkets. She was incorrigible but such a joy to watch. Brenda's energy and excitement were contagious and seemed to intensify with each passing moment. Jax had relished every single minute of the past two days and he was not sure he had ever felt closer to Brenda. He knew he could barely keep his eyes off of her either as she just seemed to glow even more with the beauty surrounding her. This afternoon she looked delectable, dressed in a pair of tight blue capri pants and a pink cropped sweater that laced and tied all the way down the back. Her hair was loose so the breeze gently tossed the curls around her face and Brenda's silky skin was now even a deeper bronze.

As the brilliant sun climbed higher in the sky, Jax sat down on the bench along the pier. He savored the smell of the sea air and the calming effect of the gentle breaking of the whitecaps along the docks. His mind drifted back to the anniversary celebration two evenings ago and the hours of the glorious love they had shared that night. Yesterday morning had been equally as tender and loving as Brenda had risen just before dawn for her morning date with her breast pump. She had then donned his shirt from the evening before and quietly had left Jax sleeping in bed as she went to the galley to put the milk in the freezer. As the first light of the new day had just begun to surface, Brenda had then wandered up on deck to watch the sun rise over the ocean. As she had reached the top step, Brenda had looked up to find Jax waiting for her there. Jax was sitting in a lounge chair, dressed in his black boxers and his navy blue terrycloth robe. He had flashed Brenda a smile as he held out his hand to her. Brenda beamed brightly as she moved across the deck and into his arms. Jax had a blanket from the cabin ready for her and Brenda sighed at the fact that he knew her better than she knew herself at times. He had wrapped the blanket around her and as they watched the sun come up over the Pacific, Brenda recalled the memories of the first glow of the sunrise they had seen together as husband and wife. After enjoying the sunrise, Jax and Brenda had returned to their cabin and enjoyed one another.

As Jax now waited for Brenda outside the "Pirates Cove" shop on the pier, his mind filled with the images of just how enjoyable yesterday morning had been. Brenda had taken control and set the pace from the first minute they had returned to the cabin. She had pushed him down onto the bed and then straddled his lap before claiming his lips with her own. She quickly had shed his shirt from her shoulders and Brenda had then used her full round curves to caress every inch of Jax's body. Jax did not know how he had remained lucid as her soft skin had stroked up and down his body. He had tangled his fingers through her silky tresses as Brenda had worked her magic. When her hand took over and began to caress him, Jax had gasped for air and Brenda then finally put an end to his torture. She moved over him and welcomed their union of body and soul. As she gripped Jax's well sculpted shoulders and the tempo of her rhythmic dance had escalated, Jax cradled the firm curves of her bottom. Jax had groaned in ecstasy and then had cried out to her as his body then responded with an eruption of all the love inside him. She had joined Jax in paradise a moment later and they had fallen back against the pillows, entwined in each other's arms.

After recovering from their morning delight, Jax and Brenda had slept in each other’s arms and then enjoyed brunch on the Isabella before heading into Avalon for the afternoon and evening. They had taken a glass-bottom boat trip to the Lover's Cove Undersea Gardens and had seen the colorful marine life below. Next, it had been a private tour of the interior of the island where Brenda had been overwhelmed by the wildlife and the cascades of vibrant hues from the vast array of flowers. As the sun had set, they had dined overlooking the ocean last night before taking the launch back to the yacht for the evening. Once aboard the Isabella, they had soaked in a warm bath together before making love until the wee hours of the morning. This morning they had shared breakfast on deck before heading into Avalon for the last afternoon of their weekend.

Jax felt the smile widening on his lips as the memories of the past few days flashed through his head again. They had both needed the time away so much and he knew that neither would ever forget this very special anniversary celebration. Jax's smile became a huge grin as Brenda came out of the emporium and waved animatedly at him. As Brenda walked over to the bench, he shook his head and rolled his eyes in mock disdain. "Now, who was it that said I should go to the dock with the bags since she would NOT be buying anything else?"

"But honey, you have to see this," Brenda replied in an excited tone. "Look at what I found for the kids." She pulled out the three light blue T-shirts. "A Cuddle from Catalina. Aren't they just precious?"

Jax nodded his head as his mouth curved into a smile. "Adorable."

"It's the first thing they will all have to match," Brenda said in a bubbly tone. "Jillian will love it, especially with the shells on it."

Jax flashed her a smirk. "Jillian will love anything that is called a present, like some other people I know."

Brenda winked at him. "I can't wait to see them all wearing them. We'll have to get a picture on the beach tomorrow."

"Hopefully before Jonathan uses the shells on his shirt for target practice," Jax quipped.

"No, his projectile range is Olympic caliber now, he aims for Jessica," Brenda retorted with a laugh.

Jax chuckled aloud. "Can you blame him? She tries to roll over on him at least once a day now."

Brenda shrugged her shoulders. "It's not her fault that she is much more adept at rolling over. He'll learn to get out of the way."

"Do I detect a bit of favoritism here?" Jax asked with a cocked eyebrow. "Is this going to become a habit of rooting for the women versus the men in the household?"

Brenda shook her finger in the air as she put down the bag. "Only to the point of making things even. After all, Jonathan crowded her and helped himself to more than his share of meals during the first eight months of their existence. Now Jessica is just getting back at him and showing him she won't be pushed around."

"Something tells me that no one is going to push the pumpkin around," Jax proclaimed with a hearty chuckle. "She already has no problem letting everyone know exactly what she does and does not like."

Brenda snickered as she plopped down in Jax's lap. "You can say that again. She's still not much bigger than a little wiggleworm but she has the roar of a lion. Of course she is flipping over like a pancake, she barely weighs more than one. Now, the peanut..."

"The peanut has to work hard just to get those chubby legs up in the air," Jax remarked as he finished Brenda's thought.

Brenda stroked her fingers against the material of Jax's navy blue Polo shirt. Well, he is my roly-poly little man and he's almost as cute as his daddy."

"Well, that's only fair since the princess and the pumpkin are almost as beautiful as their mother. He sighed dramatically. "Of course, Jillian did have to inherit your penchant for those confounded musicals."

She looked up at Jax with a smug smile. "And just think, three days from now we have a whole return flight to watch several more."

"I CAN'T wait," he groaned. "Then with the two of you starting Mommy and me ballet classes for the summer, I might as well be living in a musical revue."

"My poor baby," Brenda murmured as she rubbed her cheek against Jax's face. "She is so excited."

He rubbed circles along Brenda's back. "Yes, she is. Although I think a big reason for that is the fact that she will have you to herself for a few hours a week without the munchkins." Jax nuzzled his lips against her neck. I know how rewarding some time alone with you can be."

"I love seeing her so happy," Brenda said with a gleeful tone. "She's going to love the sand castle and sea shells globe we found for her birthday."

Jax nodded and then cocked his head as he teased her. "I'm sure she will if her mother has enough patience to keep it hidden for almost another four months."

"Hey, I demonstrated my patience quite well the other night," Brenda countered as she tapped her finger against Jax's chest.

"Well, you demonstrated several things quite well, Mrs. Jacks," Jax declared with a devilish glint in his eye.

Brenda laughed softly. "Well, Mr. Jacks, you weren't so bad yourself. There was only one thing missing and I've taken care of that for the next time you decide to go on a treasure hunt."

Jax flashed her a sexy grin. "And what is that, Jezebel?"

She then reached into the bag and pulled out the black eye patch she had found in the Pirate's Cove shop. "Here you are Captain Adonis," Brenda chirped as she held up the patch to Jax's right eye. "You look so sexy in it and this way I'll know it's you the next time you show up to take me as your prisoner." Brenda then gave him a coy wink. "If I recognize you, I'll know just what to pack."

"Now, I thought we agreed that you'd be commissioned as a pirate the next time," Jax crooned in a voice that made Brenda's body temperature rise. "So, when you have your way with me in your search for worldly treasures, I'll expect you to wear it. And I mean only it, nothing else will be necessary."

Brenda's cheeks blushed with a pink tinge as she smiled. "After another long marauding lesson, I will be happy to oblige."

"Just as I suspected," Jax whispered as his fingers touched her earlobes where Brenda wore the pink sapphire and diamond earrings. "A perfect match."

She took Jax's hand and squeezed it. "Not as perfect of a match as we are."

"Of course. That would be impossible," Jax confirmed as he tenderly kissed Brenda's knuckles.

Brenda wrapped her arms around Jax's neck. "Have I told you how much I love you?"

"Not in the last thirty minutes," he said with a sharp exhale.

"How remiss of me," Brenda stated as she stroked Jax's hair. "I love you."

Jax touched his forehead against hers. "I love you too, sweetie. I want the whole world to know that." He then rose from the bench and spun Brenda around the dock as several onlookers watched.

She squealed as the sun sparkled off the ocean surrounding them. "Jax, you're completely insane. People are staring."

"I love this woman," Jax exclaimed to the smiling couple as he finally set Brenda's feet back on the ground.

Brenda caressed Jax's arm as she shook her head and addressed an adorable older couple gazing at them from the bench across the pier. "Sorry, he's crazy but I married him so now I'm stuck."

"Lucky you," the lovely woman said with a smile. "We saw you at dinner last night and couldn't help noticing how happy you were. Honeymooners?"

"No, but it's our anniversary -- six years," Brenda replied with a beaming grin. "We're Brenda and Jax."

"Mary and Peter. Congratulations, we remember those days well," the soft voiced woman responded with a tilt of her head.

The distinguished gentleman took his wife's hand. "Fifty-six years here and I'm still as crazy as I was fifty years ago."

"Then you're an extremely lucky man," Jax remarked as he addressed Peter and then flashed a radiant smile to Mary.

A luminous glow covered Mary's face as she adjusted her hat and spoke to Brenda. "You be sure to hold onto that one."

Brenda threaded her arm through Jax's and winked at Mary. "Don't worry, I plan to."

"That's enough consorting with a pair of seasoned relics. You two, go off and savor the rest of the day," Peter declared as he waved his walking stick. "Enjoy the view and young man, that means the ocean and the island too, not just your stunning wife. I have to remind myself to take an occasional gander at the other sights myself whenever my enchanting Mary is around."

"Peter Joseph, you still are such a charmer," Mary crooned as she patted his hand. She then turned toward Jax and Brenda. "It was delightful meeting you. All the best to you both although I don't think you're going to need it. After all these years, I know something special when I see it."

"Thank you," Brenda murmured as a broad smile covered her face. "All the best to you as well."

Jax tipped his head to Mary. "It's been a true pleasure." He then winked at her and turned to Peter. "You be sure to keep your eye on this lovely lady."

Peter snickered. "I will definitely do that. I'll also give you some advice young man, there are cozy bicycles built for two, right around the corner. Make use of one before you need one of these," he advised as he waved them off with his walking stick. "Now scoot you two."

Jax and Brenda bid good-bye again and held hands as he picked up the bag from the opposite bench. As they headed up the pier, Brenda turned back and waved again to Peter and Mary with a smile. She then sighed as she threaded her fingers through Jax's and leaned her head against his shoulder. "They were wonderful. Do you think we'll be like that fifty years from now?"

"No doubt about it," Jax replied as they walked along the corner. "But right now, there's a bicycle with our name on it."

Brenda bit down coyly on her bottom lip. "First one there gets to pick the color," she exclaimed as she bolted away from Jax.

"You little sneak," Jax muttered as he raced after her.

Mary bobbed her head and smiled as she watched Jax and Brenda disappear around the corner. Peter took her hand again as he spoke. "And to think as special as they are now, it's still only the beginning for them."

"Last night I thought they were special. Today, I know they've already found magic," Mary murmured with a contented sigh. "The next fifty years will be true love at its best." Peter nodded as he stroked her hand and he and Mary sat there recalling the memories of their own magical life. It had been heartwarming to see a glimpse of themselves from fifty years earlier and they had no doubt that Jax and Brenda would be just as happy as they had been together all these years.

Malibu - 6:30pm

Brenda secured the band on her ponytail as Jax pulled the convertible out of the marina. It was now time to head back to Malibu after the incredible afternoon they had spent together in Avalon. The last several hours of their weekend had passed having fun, laughing and just treasuring the time spent with one another. She knew that it would be a trip that they would look back on years from now and still smile and feel every ounce of the love that they had shared. She looked over at Jax who was watching her from the corner of his eye. He reached over and tenderly stroked her cheek as he smiled and Brenda flashed him a grin in return. No words were needed, both knew just how special and magical their time together had been and exactly how full their hearts were.

What if I never knew
What if I never found you
I'd never have this feeling in my heart

As they headed north, Brenda caught sight of a two bicyclists and was instantly brought back to their jaunt on the bicycle built for two this afternoon. They had ridden all through the quaint seaside town on the tandem bike and had passed Peter and Mary by the docks and waved to them again. Brenda had reached the bicycle rental spot first after ducking under some low barriers used to separate the area from the zone used by the tours. Jax had claimed she had cheated but she protested and had then chosen a bright blue bicycle for them to ride. Of course, Brenda had to first threaten to opt for the bright pink one as she had reminded Jax that pink was her color. Her giggles had quickly given her away when she had reacted to the priceless expression on his face and Jax had retaliated shortly thereafter by tickling her as they had headed down a steep hill.

How did this come to be
I don't know how you found me
But from the moment I saw you
Deep inside my heart, I knew

As he maneuvered the car along the road, Jax's eyes drifted to the left and he saw Brenda looking in the same direction. There were miles of beaches and Jax's thoughts drifted back to their time on the beach this afternoon. After the bicycle ride, they had stopped at a small cafe and had picked up a picnic lunch for the beach. It was a beautiful day for the beach with sun, mild temperatures and a steady breeze and they had shared lunch and then searched for pretty seashells as per Jillian's instructions. They had walked along the beach holding hands and had laughed and hugged and talked about everything and nothing together. Jax had raced Brenda down the beach and his victory had forced Brenda to take off her shoes and run back up the beach with him along the edge of the surf. She had shrieked when the cold water had first hit her feet but Jax's raucous laughter at her reaction had provided Brenda the incentive to run even faster the rest of the way up the beach. The shock of the cold temperature had soon eroded but Brenda then realized it was because her feet were numb. As they later headed off the beach thereafter, Jax had rewarded Brenda's efforts by giving her a piggyback ride off the beach. She had laughed and nuzzled her lips along Jax's ear as she had murmured her love for him.

Baby, you're my destiny
You and I were meant to be
With all my heart and soul
I'd give my love to have and hold
And as far as I can see
You were always meant to be,
My destiny

Brenda changed the station on the radio as they moved closer to Malibu. She began singing along and laughed to herself at the image of she and Jax on the pier late this afternoon. They had gone to rent a remote control boat but before they had reached the shop, music had blared from one of the boats moored at the nearby dock. Brenda had begun singing along with the music and her feet felt as they had been beckoned to move so she had started dancing. Jax had adored the sight of the look of joy on Brenda's face and he had taken her into his arms and then twirled her along the pier as they danced together. It didn't matter who saw them or what anyone else thought, she felt perfect in his arms as always and he wanted her there forever.

I wanted someone like you
Someone that I could hold on to
And give my love until the end of time

But forever was just a word
Something I'd only heard about
But now you're always there for me
When you say forever, I believe

Brenda snuggled closer to Jax and closed her eyes as she relished the feel of the gentle breeze. She could smell the ocean air and she was quickly transported back to their return voyage of the Isabella through the Channel. They had spent the ninety minutes on deck as Dimitri had sailed the yacht back to Long Beach. Olympia had prepared an early light supper for Jax and Brenda and after they had finished, Brenda had stood at the bow of the boat to take in the whole view as they moved toward the coastline. Jax had immediately moved behind her and had locked his arms around Brenda's waist and they had stood there treasuring their final moments on the magical Isabella. As the yacht neared the port and its docking point for the evening before it set sail again on its long journey home, Brenda had turned away from the rail to face Jax. She had murmured words of love and gratitude for the anniversary trip he had given them and then had hugged him tightly as tears of joy rolled down her cheeks. Jax rocked her gently in his arms and she silently thanked the heavens for the hopes and dreams and life of happily ever after they now had.

Baby, you're my destiny
You and I were meant to be
With all my heart and soul
I'd give my love to have and hold
And as far as I can see
You were always meant to be
My destiny

Fifteen minutes later, Jax winked at Brenda as they reached the property and he turned the car into the driveway. She sat up and ran her hand through her hair as they reached the circular driveway. Charles was waiting for them and then the french doors immediately opened and Jillian scurried out the door with John behind her. She waved furiously and squealed and John held her other hand. "Mommy and Daddy, here I am."

Brenda waved back and blew her a kiss as Jax pulled the car to a stop and called out to Jillian. "Hey princess."

Charles opened the door for Brenda and she darted out of the car and scooped up Jillian in her arms. "Hello Jillian. We missed you."

"Mommy, I got baby crabs in sand and water in my bucket," she chirped. " I saved 'em for you."

"Oh, thank you," Brenda said with a smile. "We'll look at them tomorrow before we go to the beach."

Jax greeted Charles and handed him the keys to the car and then moved over to the Brenda and Jillian. Brenda handed Jillian to Jax and he kissed Jillian's cheeks. "Princess, did you have fun?"

"Uh-huh Daddy, me and Grandpa gived crackers to the sea gulls after dinner," Jillian replied in an excited tone. "The gray one didn't come so they shared."

"Sharing is always good," Jax declared as he put Jillian down.

Brenda hugged John. "Thank you. You don't look any worse for the wear."

"Of course not. As soon as Dad saw the car, he knew his sentence was over," Jax quipped as he patted John on the back.

John chuckled out loud. "We managed just fine. Jane didn't even have to pull out the whiskey to get Jonathan to sleep," he teased with a wink.

"Let's go inside and see Grandma and you brother and sister now," Brenda suggested as she took Jillian's hand. "We missed you all so much."

"We missed you too," Jillian added. "Jessica cried but I singed and Grandma played the music so she stopped."

"Thank you sweetheart," Brenda responded as the four of them went inside.

Jane was in the den with Jessica in her arms. They were looking out the window at the sea gulls and Jonathan was playing with his squeaky plastic giraffe on a blanket on the floor. Brenda came around the corner and beamed. "Where are my babies?"

As Jane turned from the window to greet Brenda, Jessica started flailing her arms and fussing. "Yes, I see that I've been replaced," Jane answered with a soft laugh. "I know you want your mommy."

Brenda took Jessica from Jane and hugged her against her shoulder. "Mommy and Daddy are here and I know that Grandma, Grandpa and Jillian took very good care of you."

Jonathan began squeaking louder than his giraffe and then laughed when Jax picked him up and tossed him up in the air. "Hey peanut, you feel heavier than when we left."

Brenda grinned brightly as she kissed Jessica's head and met Jax in the center of the room. "There's Daddy, pumpkin." She then reached out and caressed Jonathan's cheek. "Hello big boy. We missed you and your sisters very much."

Jax quacked at Jessica and she coyly smiled and buried her head against Brenda's neck as Jax stroked the back of her head. "I see you, Jessica."

"Let's go sit down with you big sister," Brenda suggested and then motioned to Jillian to move to the couch.

Jillian scooted onto the sofa and Brenda sat on one side of her and Jax sat on the other. Jane smiled as she saw the looks of joy on everyone's faces. "You two look wonderful," Jane remarked as she sat down on the chair next to John. "We missed you but I'm so happy that you had some time to celebrate."

"It was an incredible trip," Brenda murmured. "Thank you both so much for allowing it to happen."

"We owe you one, Mum and Dad," Jax stated as he flashed Jane a big grin.

Jane nodded her head and smiled. "You're most welcome. It was a pleasure and Jillian was a very big help."

"Whose children did you take care of?" Jax teased.

Brenda rolled her eyes at him and laughed as she spoke to Jillian. "We're so proud of you for helping with the babies and for remembering all the rules."

"Me and Roo-Roo were good," Jillian quickly offered. "We ate cake." She then reached out and touched Brenda's ear. "You have pretty pink sparkles."

Brenda nodded and a radiant glow covered her face. "Yes, aren't they beautiful? Daddy gave them to me for our anniversary."

Jillian bobbed her head up and down. "Daddy, they're sooo pretty."

"Thank you and Mommy gave me some beautiful cufflinks that sparkle too," Jax said as he shifted Jonathan in his lap.

Jillian covered her mouth as she giggled and then whispered loudly to Jax. "I saw them but it was a secret so no telling," she added as she put her finger up to her mouth to imitate that she had to be quiet.

"Well, you did a great job. Now speaking of presents," Jax announced as Charles then walked into the den with the bag that Jax had asked him to bring from the car. "I think there may be something for you and your brother and sister. "

Jillian clapped her hands together. "Yeah, presents!"

"Daddy found you some pretty sea shells but we'll see them outside tomorrow when we look at your crabs." Brenda put Jessica onto her shoulder and reached into the bag. "But here is something for you now." She pulled out a bracelet made from tiny conch shells.

"Oh, it's sooo pretty," Jillian exclaimed as Brenda fastened it on her arm.

Brenda winked at Jillian. "We don't have any bracelets for Jessica and Jonathan but do you think they'll like these?" She held up socks with seashell designs for Jessica and sailboat designs for Jonathan.

"They'll like 'em lots," Jillian affirmed with a smile.

“Now look at we have for all three of you," Brenda crooned as she pulled out the three T-shirts. "What do you think about these?"

Jillian held the shirt up to her and looked at it and then looked at the two infant T-shirts sitting on Brenda's lap. "They're the same but mine's bigger."

Jax nodded his head as he tweaked Jillian's nose. "Yes, they match. Now you and Jessica and Jonathan can dress in the same shirts on the beach and at the pool."

"They're just adorable," Jane commented. "Jillian, the color almost matches your eyes and look at the shells and the sailboat."

Jillian beamed brightly. "Can we wear 'em now?"

"Tomorrow when we go on the beach," Brenda responded. "But, let's just slip it over your shirt now and see how it fits."

"Okay," Jillian answered excitedly as scooted off the sofa and Brenda helped her put on the shirt.

"You look so cute," Brenda declared. "And you know what else? The shirt says `A Cuddle from Catalina' which is where Mommy and Daddy's trip was so you know what that means."

Jillian giggled loudly. "Hugging time." She climbed back on the sofa between them and hugged one arm around Jax's neck and the other around Brenda's. Brenda laughed as Jessica grabbed her hair and Jonathan started squealing as the sound of Jillian's giggles. Her gaze met Jax's as he chuckled and Brenda's eyes were filled with pure love and joy. Jax flashed her a grin in return and sighed contentedly. Life with her was everything he could have ever wanted and more.

Oh baby, you're my destiny
You and I were meant to be
With all my heart and soul
I'd give my love to have and hold
And as far as I can see
From now until eternity
You were always meant to be
My destiny

SONG CREDITS: "True Love" by Cole Porter
                              "Destiny" by Jim Brickman, Dane Deviller, Sean Hosein