Friday, August 30, 2002
The Jacks Residence -- 3:45pm

The summer months were quickly coming to a close as the beginning of the long Labor Day weekend had now arrived. Summer had been a pleasant one in Port Charles between the excitement over Robin and Matt's wedding plans for November as well as the opening of the final phase of the dock renovation. The Jacks family had spent the sunny days of July and August between Port Charles, the cottage in Spring Meadows and a trip to Alaska for the twin's first visit to the homestead. Jessica and Jonathan were thriving eight month olds and were now providing almost daily entertainment with their new tricks and discoveries. After enjoying her summer fun, including "Mommy and Me" ballet classes with Brenda, Jillian was now eagerly anticipating her first day of kindergarten the following week as well as her upcoming birthday. Brenda was making her own plans for the fall with her return to some of the administrative duties at Kanga's Kradle after an extended maternity leave. Meanwhile, Jax had been busy with the North American operations of J & J Jacks as well as the undertaking of his new pet project. He had spent the first part of the week on the west coast laying some groundwork toward his efforts to form a strategic joint venture for his latest take-over prey.

The past few days had included many last minute activities in preparation for the chaos of the following week. The weekend would also be a busy one between a cookout at the Ashtons as well as some planning with Robin for the wedding. Brenda was glad that the weekend was finally here and that Jax had returned from Los Angeles the night before last. Since the summer session of ballet classes had ended and it would be three weeks before the fall session began, Brenda had promised Jillian they would have their own class at home in the meantime. Between the hectic activities of the week and Jessica and Jonathan's lack of cooperation, the "home" class had not yet been held for the week. This afternoon was not much better, especially since Jonathan was cutting a tooth and had not slept well for the past two days, but Brenda had vowed to Jillian that they would practice this afternoon. It was about the last thing Brenda's body felt like doing but Jonathan had finally surrendered to sleep so class was underway.

As Brenda led Jillian through the practice of the first and second positions, Jessica laid on a blanket and gazed at the toys of her activity gym in the corner of the guest room. The room had become the makeshift studio after Jax and Virgil had moved the rug and some of the furniture out of the room to free up a large open space along the mirrored wall. The sounds of Tchaikovsky's "Peter and the Wolf" wafted through the room as Jillian had donned her pink leotard, tights and ballet slippers and now held the first position of her feet. Brenda flashed Jillian a smile and then adjusted the shoulder of her own black leotard. It had been a feat in and of itself getting changed into the outfit while holding a fussy Jessica to prevent her from waking up Jonathan.

"Okay, one more time. First position with your arms," Brenda instructed as Jillian watched her in the mirror. "Remember what Ms. Virginia said, `Arms like you're holding a big barrel in front of you.' Good, now bring your hands down a little lower. That's it, Jillian."

Jillian held out her arms and kept her heels together and her toes pointed out. Brenda nodded and smiled. "Perfect. Now, second position with your feet. Not too far apart and keeps those toes pointed. Watch mine. Okay, now your arms."

"Remember how we practiced with your fingers and where your thumb goes," Brenda reminded her doting pupil. Jillian spread apart her fingers as she held her arms out to the side. She adjusted her hands slightly to match Brenda's position. "Princess, that's beautiful."

A radiant beam appeared on Jillian's face. "Can we point again?"

Brenda looked over at Jessica who was still occupied with the gym on the floor. "Okay, and then it will be time to finish up."

Jillian practiced her toe pointing and Brenda helped her with Ms. Virginia's exercises to remember her right foot from her left. Jessica's distraction with the gym was waning and she began to fuss. Brenda cooed at the baby as she guided Jillian through the end of the exercises.

"Jessica, listen to Peter," suggested Jillian. "You like this song."

"Pumpkin, here's Snowball for you to cuddle," Brenda crooned as she gave Jessica the white bear. "Just a few more minutes. Mommy needs to stretch for a minute and then do those awful sit-ups."

Jillian got down on the exercise mat. "I'm gonna count for you, Mommy."

Brenda let out a deep sigh and stretched before she joined Jillian on the mat. "Okay, let's get this over with."

"Eight...., nine...., .....ten," Jillian counted as she held down Brenda's feet.

"Thirteen," Brenda said with a groan.

"No, Mommy, you forgot eleven and twelve," Jillian corrected her.

"Thank you for pointing that out," Brenda responded as she exhaled deeply.

Jillian bobbed her head up down. "Now it's thirteen...., and fourteen...., and fifteen,.... Daddy practiced with me so I can help you count to twenty-five."

Brenda moved her upper body off the mat again. "Remind me to tell Daddy JUST how much I appreciate that," she sarcastically replied. Jessica then let out a squawk and Brenda spoke to the baby. "Yes, you remind me as well, pumpkin."

There would be no need for any reminding as Jax had started the Labor Day weekend early and had silently come into the hallway outside the guest room ten minutes earlier. He had remained quiet and undetected as he continued to watch them. The scene was way too entertaining, not to mention much too enticing with Brenda in a black leotard, to miss a moment of it.

The twenty-five sit-ups finally finished, Brenda got up from the mat as Jessica began to fuss. Brenda cooed at her and Jillian tickled the baby's feet. "Watch me and Mommy stretch, Jessica, and listen to the music."

"Okay, right arm all the way up ....... and all the way down," Brenda instructed as Jillian followed her movements. "And again, up. Stretch those fingers too and then slowly come down. Then up one more time... and down."

Jessica's boredom was getting more intense as she began to fuss again and worked to get into a sitting position. Brenda lifted up her left arm while watching both Jillian and Jessica. "Okay, now the left arm, slowly up and stretch."

They went through their side stretches and Brenda spoke to get Jessica's attention again. "Just another few minutes, pumpkin. You do your exercises too and get yourself up. Then we'll dance."

Brenda and Jillian then began their leg stretches and Jessica settled down enough for Jax to remain an undetected observer outside the doorway. Brenda was facing Jessica to keep her entertained so the mirror was not in her sight line. On the other hand, Jax had a full view of all the sights. The leotard melded to the curves of Brenda's hips just as it did to the fullness of her chest. Jax's thoughts immediately went to just how round and full Brenda's orbs were and how soft they had felt to his fingers and lips when they had made love last week before his west coast trip. Being away from Brenda had not become any easier even after more than six years together and Jax knew that neither of them ever slept well when they were apart. Jax then heard his breath catch as Brenda's leg stretches showcased the toned muscles of her calves. He remembered exactly how silky the skin of those calves had been as she had arched her body against his when they had last made love. That had been a long ten days ago but it may as well have been ten weeks for as much as Jax craved her touch.

Jessica squawked as she worked determinedly to sit up. A grin covered Jax's face at the sight of his youngest daughter's tenacious streak. She and Jonathan had been sitting up for a month now but were still in the learning process of being able to pull themselves up without the use of the other for balance. John had managed to snap the most adorable photo of Jessica and Jonathan in Alaska as they perfected their sitting lessons. The twins had been on a blanket in the grass and Jonathan had leaned forward enough in his sitting position to enable Jessica to inch her way into an upright position against him. Just as Jessica was cooing at her feat, Jonathan had lost his balance and both of them had toppled sideways onto the blanket. Jillian had called it the humpty dumpty photo and it hung in the angel room as a permanent memento of the shenanigans.

Jessica's defiant fuss and then loud babbling caught Jax's attention and he peered more around the corner to see the youngest Jacks female proudly sitting up on the blanket. She had found that Snowball was a most useful friend in her feat and Jessica flailed her arms in victory as Brenda and Jillian clapped.

"That's my girl," Brenda said in a lilting voice as she scooped Jessica into her arms. "Now that we have all done our exercise, we can dance."

"I'm gonna twirl with Roo-Roo," Jillian chirped as she picked up the kangaroo from the mat.

Brenda spun Jessica around and the baby laughed. "You like that? When you get to be a big girl like your sister, you can learn to pirouette like Jillian will soon."

Jillian began dancing around in big circles as her giggles bounced off the walls. Jessica cooed and Brenda's own laughter erupted at the girls' antics. It all sounded like music from the heavens to Jax who heard his own heart sing at the scene.

When I found you're my place to land,
Lose my touch, you're my hand
The one I hold onto
If you run out of reasons to try, love enough both for you and I
Be the one you can run to
I'd rather go through any pain love puts us through,
Then to spend one day without you by my side
If you ever leave me, will you take me with you?
If you're ever lonely, I want to be lonely too
My home's beside you, no matter where you may go
My love's inside you, even more than you know

Brenda kissed Jessica's probing fingers and bounced her up and down in the air. "Can you say Mama?

"Daddy says she's gonna say Dada first," explained Jillian with a snicker. "Cause he's so cute."

"We'll see how cute he is," countered Brenda as Jessica patted her hand against her mother's cheek. "Mama. Can you say Mama?"

Jax fought back his mirth at Brenda's actions.

Jillian continued spinning and then leaned down with Roo-Roo. "I'm dipping like Daddy."

"No, this is a Daddy dip," Jax exclaimed as he came up from behind and scooped Jillian into his arms and dipped her toward the floor. "Is this what my three girls do when I'm not here?"

Jillian squealed with delight. "Daddy!"

"No, it's Ingo," he teased. "You know, the one that you and Brooke oohh and aahh about ALL the time and like so much."

"No, you're my Daddy," Jillian replied between her snickers. "Me and Roo-Roo love you lots."

Jax lifted Jillian up so that her deep blue eyes met his. "Okay, then I certainly wanted to be the daddy."

"You comed home early," Jillian murmured as she wrapped her arm around Jax's neck and pressed her cheek against his. "Mommy, Daddy's early."

Brenda felt her heart flutter at the sight of the two identical pairs of loving eyes glistening at her. "Yes, princess, isn't it wonderful?" She shifted Jessica in her arms. "Look who's here, Jess."

Jessica babbled as she coyly buried her face against Brenda's neck. "I see you, pumpkin," Jax declared and the baby squealed and kicked her legs excitedly. He laughed as he lowered Jillian to the floor.

Brenda walked over to Jax and kissed him as he caressed Jessica's fine blonde hair. "This is a nice surprise."

"With Jerry and Julia in Maine for their anniversary and the holiday weekend here, I told Addie to have everyone head home," Jax responded with a grin. "Besides, I was away most of the week and missed spending time with my favorite people."

"We missed you too," Brenda countered with a beaming smile.

Jillian touched Jax's leg to get his attention. "Aunt Julia is gonna bring me back some shells when Uncle Jerry drives the new boat back."

Jax gave her a big grin. "Uncle Jerry will try to sail the new boat but we'll have to ask Aunt Julia how well he does. He showed you a picture of the boat, it's called a schooner and it has very tall sails. It also has gold letters with its name, `Scoundrel,' which is absolutely perfect for something belonging to him."

"Julia thought so too," Brenda asserted with a snicker. "And she reminded us to keep Jonathan away from him to prevent Jonathan from getting rogue lessons."

"Speaking of Jonathan, where is the peanut," Jax asked through his mirth. "Did he finally crash after no sleep last night?"

Brenda nodded her head and sighed. "Finally, but not after fighting it every step of the way."

"Jonathan's crabby cause he's getting a new tooth," Jillian announced. "Mommy had to keep the music real quiet when we practiced so he wouldn't wake up."

"I know it's been a rough few days," Jax said as he looked down at Jillian. "Do you think maybe it would help Jonathan if we went to the park for dinner and had a picnic?"

Jillian's words came out in a flurry. "Oh, yes, Jonathan would like that lots. He likes to swing too and he wants us to have snow cones for dessert."

"Snow cones for dessert?" Jax bit back his grin. "Thank you for reminding me of that, I had forgotten how much Jonathan liked for the rest of us to have snow cones for dessert." He exchanged a look with Brenda. "Does that sound good to you, Mommy?"

"It sounds perfect to me," Brenda responded with a smile.

Jax nodded his head. "I'll have Josee pack up dinner and once Jonathan wakes up and we get ready, we'll go."

"Jillian, you need to change and now that Daddy is here, I can finally take a shower and get dressed," Brenda declared as she put Jessica back down on the blanket with Snowball.

"I gotta get my shorts," Jillian exclaimed as she scurried toward the door.

"I know you are excited but you are not to wake up your brother," Jax advised his anxious daughter as he grabbed her hand. "We will have plenty of time to swing after he wakes up."

Brenda spoke in a loud whisper. "And put your clothes in the hamper, not on the floor."

"Okay," Jillian chirped as she disappeared out the door.

Brenda shook her head and laughed at the fleeing image of pink. "She is something else."

"That she is," Jax affirmed as he stroked Brenda's upper arms. "Then we have her mother."

Her question came out in a throaty tone. "What about her mother?"

"Hmmm," Jax murmured as he unfastened the clip in her hair. "Where should I begin?"

"Jax, I need to take a shower and get changed," Brenda whispered as his gaze made her stomach flip-flop.

His lips caressed Brenda's forehead. "Why change? I like the view."

Brenda exhaled deeply as Jax dropped baby kisses against the side of her face. "Jax, I need to get undressed."

"Why didn't you say so? Here I am -- at your service," Jax purred as his hands moved down her back and molded against the shapely curves of her hips.

Soft laughter fell from Brenda's lips as she placed her hands on Jax's chest. "I don't think that would be wise." She glanced over at Jessica who was babbling with her bear. "We do have children in the audience."

The sapphire of Jax's eyes glimmered as he gave her a sexy grin. "How do you think we got them in the first place?"

"Jasper, that's enough," Brenda crooned as she shook her head at him.

"Au contraire. I haven't even gotten started yet," Jax informed her as he nuzzled her left ear.

Brenda felt the breath catch in her throat at the pleasure her ear was receiving. "Honey, this is going to be a problem." As the warmth of Jax's tongue caressed her earlobe, Brenda stammered. "Such... such a problem."

"Fine, we've spent entirely too much time not doing this," Jax declared as he cradled Brenda's face in his hands and lowered his lips to meet hers.

She moaned into Jax's mouth as he deepened the kiss. Brenda's eyes fluttered open as the tip of his tongue then traced her lips. "Jax....."

"Yes, my love," Jax whispered as he nibbled at the corners of her mouth. "Is there another problem?"

Brenda mustered the self-control to take a step back from his passionate assault. "Yes, you're going to drive me insane."

His mouth curved up into a smile. "That will just make us even then since I am completely mad about you."

"We'll have some time to be mad about each other this weekend, I promise," Brenda replied as she rubbed her palms along the muscles of his chest.

"I'm going to hold you to that, Mrs. Jacks," Jax pledged as a devilish glint appeared in his eyes. "Otherwise, you will just have to pay the price."

Brenda tilted her head to the side as she looked up at the grin on Jax's face. "And what may I ask is the price?"

Jax leaned down and loudly whispered into her ear. "I'm going to make sure that Jillian remembers that sixteen and seventeen come before eighteen since you failed to remind her of that when she counted your sit-ups."

"You sneak," Brenda wailed as a flash of fire burst from her eyes. "I'll sixteen and seventeen you." Before Jax realized what was happening, she forcefully pushed her palms against him chest and knocked him backwards so that he landed on the bed. "There's sixteen," she muttered and she then pushed Jax against the bed again. "And seventeen."

"Now, sweetie, those were more like push-ups not sit-ups," Jax managed to announce between his fits of laughter. "Remember, it's the stomach muscles..."

"That's it," Brenda groaned as she grabbed a pillow and began swatting him with it. "This is for sixteen and this is for seventeen," she proclaimed as she swat him again. She continued to pound the pillow against Jax's chest as he pulled her down onto the bed with him.

The pillow became trapped between them as his arms pressed Brenda's body against him. The music of his snickers became the melody in the room and Jessica joined in with her animated giggles at the sound. Jax's palms then moved to cradle Brenda's face as he flashed her his trademark grin. "See, even the pumpkin agrees with her daddy. You're so adorable."

Brenda felt the breath catch momentarily in her throat at the look in Jax's eyes. The devotion and warmth in those pools of blue could still make everything else in the world stop for her.

In a world of anger and lies, I find peace in your eyes,
A flame in the darkness
Through all space and time till every star refuses to shine,
You know where my heart is
I'd rather go through any pain love puts us through,
Then to spend one day without you by my side
If you ever leave me, will you take me with you?
If you're ever lonely, I want to be lonely too
My home's beside you, no matter where you may go
My love's inside you, even more than you know

She exhaled softly and Jax smiled at her as he loosened his embrace. Brenda shook her head as she pushed herself up from Jax's chest. "And this is for those eyes of yours that I can't ever tear myself away from." She took the pillow from between them and then made a gesture as if to swat Jax with it again before quickly tossing it onto the bed. Her body then snuggled against his as Brenda leaned down and captured his lips in a lingering kiss.

Jessica then squealed as she flailed her hand against the squeak toy on her activity gym. Jax felt Brenda smile against his mouth as the baby brought them out of the moment of passion. He kissed the tip of her nose and pulled them into a sitting position on the bed.

"You really do make me crazy," Brenda sighed as she threaded her fingers through Jax's. "And you still need to be punished."

Jax's eyes sparkled in a devilish gleam. "I can't wait."

Jillian then scrambled into the guest room again. "I'm all ready." She then looked at Brenda's attire. "Mommy, you didn't get undressed yet so we can go to the park."

Jax flashed Jillian a smile. "Princess, I was telling Mommy the same thing, she has to get undressed. I even told her that I would help her."

"You are in SO much trouble," Brenda muttered under her breath so that only Jax could hear her. She then turned to Jillian. "I'm going to go take a quick shower now and then I'll get dressed. By then, Jonathan should be awake and we can go."

"Then we can eat snow cones," Jillian added.

Brenda got up from the bed and nodded. "Yes, we will do that. You watch Daddy now and make sure he behaves." She lifted her eyebrow at Jax before turning her head back toward Jillian. "It is a VERY tough job."

"I'm gonna watch him," Jillian promised.

Jax lifted Jessica from the blanket and the baby snuggled her head against his cheek. He then turned toward Brenda and Jillian as a cheshire grin covered his face. "You can help me, Jillian. We're going to help Jessica say `Dada' and teach her all about her cute Daddy."

Jillian giggled at Jax and Brenda narrowed her eyes as she pointed her finger at him. Jax simply flashed her another grin and Brenda mouthed, "SO punished tonight," to him before she headed out the door. He laughed out loud as he kissed Jessica's cheek. Tonight was going to be some sentencing hearing.

Maine/Port Charles -- 9:30pm

Jerry came up the steps from the galley with a bottle of wine in one hand and two glasses in the other. He stopped as he reached the deck at the sight of Julia at the rail. Her hair looked like spun gold as she stood there in the moonlight and even after three days on the boat, the sight still astounded him. It was still hard to believe there had been an anniversary to celebrate after the pain and anguish of the previous year but the past four months had been their strongest ever.

Julia brushed back the hair from her face as the breeze came off the glistening water. They were anchored for the night in a cove far enough from the coast of Swans Island that there were no lights to interfere with the brilliance of the moon and the stars. It was as if the rest of the world were a million miles away. Julia then turned around to find Jerry standing there. He lifted up the bottle of wine and Julia nodded as she sat down on the bench along the stern. Jerry sat down beside her and poured Julia a glass. "Here you go."

"Thank you," Julia said as she flashed Jerry a smile and sipped the wine.

Jerry watched Julia trace her finger around the rim of her glass as he poured himself a drink. She had been quiet all evening and Jerry recognized the reflective look which had crept into her eyes. He had seen Julia's contemplative gaze more often than not over the past few weeks, especially since the last consultation with the fertility specialist that Lynn Meadows had recommended.

He took a drink and then reached out and touched Julia's hand. "Are you okay?"

"I'm okay," she replied with a reassuring nod.

"Do you want to talk about it?" Jerry stroked his fingers along her right arm as he continued. "Julia, whatever you ......"

Julia put her glass down and then raised her fingers to Jerry's lips to stop his words. "Not now, not here." She looked up at the star filled sky and then back at Jerry. "It's too beautiful of a night and it's been too wonderful of a trip."

Jerry kissed her silencing fingers. "If that's what you want...."

"We agreed, remember?" Julia patted his hand as she spoke. "This time is just for us, everything else will just have to wait."

An exaggerated sigh escaped from Jerry's lips in mock agitation as he placed the wine glass next to him. "I can't believe I agreed to anything which required a romantic long weekend, especially with the college football season kicking off tomorrow. It must have been a very weak moment."

"One of several," Julia retorted as a grin covered her face.

"Jerry Jacks in the same sentence with weak moments," Jerry murmured as his fingers tangled through her tresses. "How did I ever allow that to happen?"

"Maybe for the same reason I am here on `The Scoundrel' with a scoundrel," Julia proposed in a whispered voice. "Who would have ever thought?"

"Well, my magnetism is completely irresistible so that was no real surprise," he countered with a devilish smirk. "On the other hand, the idea of me involved with a straight laced, perfectionist society snob is just too outrageous for words."

"Excuse me, but the shock in all of this is the fact that I was able to put up with you for even five minutes," she rebutted. "You are the obnoxious egocentric miscreant."

"See, I told you I had irresistible charm," Jerry responded with bob of his head. "Lucky for you, you didn't stand a chance to withstand my immeasurable allure. Otherwise, you would have been stuck with some romantic gusher like that impaired brother of mine. A complete death sentence."

"That would have just killed me I know," Julia declared with a roll of her eyes.

"I'm telling you, Shakespeare was a wuss and no matter how big or beautiful the bouquet of flowers, they're dead a week later," he informed her. "Sentiment is completely overrated and I saved you from all of that."

Julia could not stop her mouth from curving into a smile, he was beyond ridiculous but so damned adorable. "So, I'm supposed to be grateful to you for rescuing me from the worthlessness of romance?"

"You catch on just like THAT," Jerry exclaimed as he snapped his fingers. "Privileged to have me and smart too, what a lucky woman you are."

She flashed Jerry a smug smile. "And to think, I actually had the audacity to try to resist you."

"It was impossible," Jerry declared as he picked up his wine glass and raised it to her. "But you sure as hell did your best to delay the inevitable."

Julia lifted her glass. "Well, anticipation does wonders for the elevation of performance so it was the least I could do, being the perfectionist that you claim I am."

"How cavalier of you, and you call me egocentric, " Jerry muttered in a sensual tone as he clinked his glass against hers. "Snob."

"Scoundrel," Julia pronounced in a throaty voice as her glass touched his.

"You'd better believe it," Jerry whispered as he leaned in for a kiss.

Julia sighed with pleasure as he deepened the kiss. As Jerry released her mouth, she murmured aloud. "How lucky can one woman get?"

"You're about to find out," Jerry pledged as he set his glass down and then took the glass from Julia's hand. "And you know how the curs of the world like to leave their marks."

His lips nestled against Julia's neck as she sighed. "I knew I should have listened when Edward warned me about getting shots before this trip."

"Too late now," he responded with a snicker. "And I do bite," Jerry reminded Julia as he nipped at her ear, "Fortuitous for you."

"So egocentric," she groaned as Jerry's nibbling mouth trailed down her neck.

"Such a prude," Jerry countered as his lips merged with hers.

As the erotic union of mouths and tongues continued, Julia curled her arm around Jerry's neck and entwined her fingers in the back of his hair. Jerry's arms wrapped around her and pulled Julia deeper into his embrace as his hands roved up and down her back. His right hand then slipped under her silk sweater and Jerry's fingers stroked the soft skin of Julia's back. As his hands moved to the front of her chest, Julia's body responded to the nearness of Jerry's touch. A moment later, Jerry had firsthand knowledge of her desire as his fingers felt the turgid peaks through the lace of her bra.

When Julia pressed her chest deeper into the cradling grasp of his palms, Jerry felt the burning heat intensify in his loins. It was time to slow down these trains before the deck became the site for the passionate collision, just as it had last night. He drained Julia's lungs of their last gasp of air with a scintillating kiss and then nipped at the corners of her mouth. Once she had recovered from the blazing assault, Julia looked at Jerry with an ardent gaze.

Jerry rose to his feet and extended his hand to her. "You have a date with your scoundrel."

Julia's stood as her eyes lowered briefly to the deck below where they had shared an inferno of passion the evening before. "And you call me the snob."

"You aren't the one with the brush burn on the back of your thigh," Jerry remarked as he lifted his eyebrow.

"What else would you have expected after calling me a prude," she retorted in a musical voice. "You were begging to be proven wrong....and you were."

A mischievous grin covered his face. "That was the whole point."

"Exactly, so you deserved everything that you got," Julia replied as her eyes sparkled at him. "Not that I recall hearing any protests last night."

"Then we'll just have to see if you can keep that record intact," Jerry murmured as he kissed her and then led Julia towards the stairs.

"And you complain about me trying to be a perfectionist," she teased as they reached the top of the steps. "We'll see about that now."

Jerry's seductive tone made Julia's knees feel weak. "No, tonight you're going to reap all the benefits a scoundrel can give." His lips nuzzled against her ear as Jerry emphasized his intent. "And I mean ALL of them."

Once down the stairs, their lips united again as they made their way into the cabin. There were no protests from Jerry as Julia unbuttoned his shirt and then touched her lips against each inch of exposed skin of his chest. Standing in the center of the room, he slid the sweater over Julia's head and his trail of kisses led from her stomach to the valley between her breasts. Jerry turned his head so that his cheek rubbed against her right orb and even through the satin, he felt the tip stiffen. Julia tipped her head back and moaned as Jerry's thumb slipped inside her bra and felt the aroused peak. With each stroke of his thumb, the rosy point became more rigid and Jerry's mouth took Julia's as hostage as her bra became the next piece of clothing to hit the floor.

Their kisses continued as they collapsed onto the bed. When there was no oxygen left between them, Jerry released Julia's swollen lips. Her shimmering sapphire pools met his blue gray beacons of desire as his palms cupped the weight of her chest. Julia gasped for air at the gentle kneading motion of his hands and then she whimpered aloud as Jerry's mouth took over the pleasuring of her right orb. Her hands moved to the back of Jerry's head and pushed him more against her chest as he sensually assaulted her aroused peak.

Every time our eyes meet, something inside me
It's almost more than I can take
Baby, when you touch me, I can feel how much you love me
It just blows me away
I've never been this close to anyone or anything,
I can hear your thoughts, I can see your dreams
I don't know how you do what you do, I'm so in love with you
It just keeps getting better
I want to spend the rest of my life with you by my side
Forever and ever
Every little thing that you do
Baby, I'm amazed by you

After inflicting the same sweet torture on Julia's left orb, Jerry captured her lips again. The rocking of her hips beneath him was already driving Jerry mad and he groaned against her mouth as Julia's right hand found his aroused heat. Even through his jeans, the intensity of Jerry's desire was evident. As self-preservation, he returned her passionate assault with one of his own as Jerry pressed his body against her own burning heat. Soft moans fell from Julia's lips at the inferno forming between her legs.

Both on the brink of combustion, Julia's skirt landed on the floor, quickly followed by Jerry's jeans. Jerry nuzzled his mouth against her neck as his hand found her warmth. Julia drove her hips against his baiting fingers and Jerry whispered to her as his fingers touched the spot she craved his touch the most. As Jerry indulged her every fantasy, he whispered to her. "That's it, isn't it? How do you like your scoundrel now?"

Jerry received his answer as Julia cried out as his caresses pushed her over the cliff. He wrapped his arms around Julia and dropped baby kisses along her jaw line before moving to her lips. "I love you," Jerry murmured as he kissed the corners of her mouth. Julia finally found the strength to open her eyes as she ran her hands up and down Jerry's back. "Oh, how I do love my scoundrel," she whispered as only the moonlight sparkling through the porthole illuminated the cabin. Julia then touched her lips to his and pulled Jerry into a flaming kiss before rolling over so that she was now on top of him.

The smell of your skin, the taste of your kiss
The way you whisper in the dark
Your hair all around me, baby, you surround me
You touch every place in my heart
Oh, it feels like the first time, every time
I want to spend the whole night in your eyes
I don't know how you do what you do, I'm so in love with you
It just keeps getting better
I want to send the rest of my life with you by my side
Forever and ever
Every little thing that you do,
Baby, I'm amazed by you

The kiss quickly became a passionate shower of caresses of mouths and tongues. Jerry's fingers threaded through Julia's hair as his tongue trailed along the roof of her mouth. Her tongue swept against his and Jerry groaned at the feel of the silky tip. His groan turned into a gasp as the inside of Julia's thigh moved against his manhood. At the response, Julia's pressed her leg against him again and Jerry's arousal intensified. When her hand then did its own exploring of him, Jerry's control was gone and he flipped positions so that Julia was now beneath him.

Julia pushed the boxers down his thighs and Jerry kicked them from his feet. He moved on top of Julia again and she arched up so that her turgid peaks pressed against his brawny chest. Jerry pushed Julia back against the pillows again and took her right rosebud into his mouth. His tongue flicked against it before he savored the sweet taste of her. Julia writhed her body beneath him and then opened her thighs in invitation. "Jerry, please," she beseeched in a ragged voice. Jerry immediately answered her pleas as he entered her in one fluid motion. He stilled his movements and Julia ground her hips in begging action. Responding to her, Jerry moved up and down over her as he loved every inch of her. Julia curled her toes against the sheets as the tremors began within her and she called his name as she found heaven again. Jerry stopped her unintelligible murmurings as his mouth fused with hers before he entered heaven himself. Prisms of light flashed through their minds as their bodies flowed with showers of loving warmth.

As he heard Julia's breathing slow down, Jerry wrapped his arms tighter around her waist in their spoon position. She moaned softly and smiled as he kissed the back of her neck. Julia's eyelids fluttered open and she stroked his hands with her palm. "I love you, my scoundrel." Jerry smiled against her head. "Likewise, dear snob."

Every little thing that you do
Every little thing that you do
I'm so in love with you,
It just keeps getting better
I want to spend the rest of my life with you by my side
Forever and ever
Every little thing that you do,
Every little thing that you do,
Baby, I'm amazed by you

As the evening came to an end in Port Charles, Jax sat down on the edge of the bed and tapped his fingers against the comforter as he waited. When the sound of running water once again emerged from the bathroom, Jax groaned and collapsed against the mattress. He shook his head as he thought just how much Brenda was milking this sentencing hearing. She had been in the bathroom for what seemed like an eternity and Jax was more than ready to serve his punishment. Jax got up from the bed and walked over to the bathroom door. His bare feet padded across the carpet and his robe fell open to reveal his bare chest and the midnight blue boxers he wore.

He rapped his knuckles against the door. "Sweetie." Silence followed and Jax knocked louder. "Sweetie, are you almost finished?"

The only response that ensued was the sound of the water pressure being increased as Brenda turned on the cold water. Jax muttered out loud and she smugly smiled in the mirror.

"Now, who is looking to be punished," Jax countered as he turned the doorknob and immediately found that the door was locked. Jax failed to choke back a chuckle as he stood there. "You are enjoying yourself, aren't you?"

"I can't hear you," Brenda retorted as she bit back her own laughter and turned off the water.

"A thousand pardons," Jax crooned. "Your Honor, I am begging for your compassion."

"Much better," Brenda proclaimed as she unlocked and then opened the bathroom door. "Now, back to this begging. What did you have in mind?"

The corner of Jax's mouth curved up into a smile as he stood there. "I'm here to throw myself on the mercy of the court."

Her eyes roved from the top of Jax's head to his toes and then back up his body again. "Go on."

Jax stood in front of her and stroked the terrycloth of Brenda's robe as he ran his hands down her arms. "I am asking for the benevolence of the court."

She took a step away as Jax's hands moved toward the tied sash of her robe. "We'll see just how repentant you are."

"Extremely repentant," Jax whispered as his fingers traced the side of Brenda's face.

"And your remorse," she questioned as their gazes met.

"Completely remorseful," Jax replied as he brought her hand to his lips.

Brenda tilted her head to the side as she lifted her right eyebrow. "I'll have to judge that for myself after I hear this begging for mercy."

Jax grinned as he closed the distance between them. "I've been told I can beg with the best of them."

"We'll see about that," she declared as Jax's hands pulled the hair free from her ponytail. "Those are high aspirations to live UP to," she bantered with a giggle. "Such HARD goals to achieve."

Jax tossed the barrette onto the nightstand before he scooped Brenda into his arms. "Trust me, I am up to the challenge." His lips caught Brenda's in a full kiss before she turned her head away and laughed.

"No addressing the court without permission," she teased as Jax sat down on the bed with her in his lap. "I don't recall hearing any begging." Brenda shifted in Jax's lap and her thigh brushed against his arousal. "Well, there's some pleading." With a glint in her eye, her right hand dipped down and followed the same path that her thigh just had. Brenda felt the intensity of his desire increase at the touch of her hand. "Now, that's begging."

Jax lowered Brenda against the pillows and his mouth overtook hers to stop her mirth. The palms of his hands moved from Brenda's back to her chest and cradled the fullness of her curves through the terrycloth of her robe. Soft murmurs fell from Brenda's lips as his thumbs traced her center peaks. It was much too soon to lose control of the courtroom so Brenda took charge again as her tongue swept into Jax's mouth. He groaned as her body writhed beneath him and pressed against him. Jax released her lips and buried his head into her neck as his mouth caressed her skin. Brenda's fingers threaded through his golden tresses as Jax's hands reached for the sash of her robe. It was then that the sound of soft cries were heard from the baby monitor.

An impish grin covered Brenda's face as Jax groaned against her chest. "Listen, to your son. Is that Dada that he's saying? Yes, I think it is. Isn't that sweet?"

"You are milking this for all it's worth, aren't you?" Jax muttered as he pulled himself away from Brenda. "Now you have even gotten the peanut into your plot."

"You had better hurry," she said with a snicker. "If he wakes Jessica up, this court will be in recess for the rest of the night." Brenda tapped her finger against her cheek as she continued. "But that would result in some real begging so that has its pluses."

Jax looked at the smirk on Brenda's face and shook his head as he tied the belt of his robe. "You ARE milking this for all it's worth."

Her laughter bounced off the walls. "Now, don't dawdle, your begging friend is in a hurry." Brenda's words came amidst her mirth. "You can walk, can't you?"

"Who's looking for punishment now," Jax retorted as he waved his finger at her.

"Speaking of punishment," Brenda added as she took the barrette off the nightstand and pulled her hair into a ponytail again. "Now, you're going to have to start all over again convincing me just how remorseful you are."

Jax simply glared at her as Brenda fell against the pillows in her joviality. Her cheeks were still flushed and Brenda's eyes glimmered brighter than the shimmer of the blue satin sheets around her while she giggled. As he walked out of the bedroom, Jax mumbled to himself about how even her laughter was sexy.

Twenty minutes later, a bottle had soothed Jonathan's teething gums and the baby was sleeping soundly again. Jax leaned over Jessica's crib and covered her with a blanket and then left the nursery to check on Jillian. Lady lifted her head from the basket at the foot of the bed as the door opened. Jax beamed as the moonlight showcased Jillian's dreaming smile and he pulled the door shut and headed down the hall to face his penalty.

He entered the bedroom and suppressed a chuckle at the sight of Brenda completely under the comforter. By all appearances, she was sound asleep but Jax was well aware of the little games of the lady magistrate. For effect, Jax let out a frustrated sigh and mumbled, "You are killing me here," under his breath. He then agitatedly stomped out of the bedroom and disappeared into the living room area of the master suite. A minute later, Jax returned to the bedroom and smirked as Brenda shifted in her "sleep" to foster her subterfuge. He unfastened the belt of his robe and collapsed onto the bed with a groan. Jax then turned out the bedside lamp and pounded his pillow as he laid on his side. He could sense Brenda's smile even in the darkened room and Jax felt his body respond to the enticement of the game. He moved over to her and spooned her body. His arousal pressed against the back of her thigh as his right arm wrapped around Brenda's waist. Jax rolled his eyes at the extent of her ploy as he felt the terrycloth material of Brenda's robe. His lips then nuzzled Brenda's neck before his left hand launched Jax's counterattack.

"Aaahhh," Brenda shrieked as she jerked her head away from the ice cube in Jax's hand.

"Oh, you're awake," Jax chortled as the moon shined on the bed from the skylight. "What a surprise that is."

Brenda rolled over so that she landed on top of him. "You're in contempt of court."

"That makes us even with you and your judicial misconduct," Jax retorted as he linked his arms around Brenda's waist.

"You are going to know the full wrath of justice now," Brenda threatened as she grabbed the ice cube that had landed beside the pillow in all of the flurry.

His eyes darkened to the color of the night sky as Jax spoke. "I can't wait to FEEL all of Lady Justice."

"Fine, you can start with her ice princess traits," Brenda replied as she trailed the ice cube against the muscles of his bare chest.

When the chilling path made its way to his right nipple, Jax growled and in one swift move, flipped Brenda over so that he was now on top of her. The ice cube harmlessly landed on the rug next to the bed as Jax pressed his body against hers.

A moment later as Brenda traced her right foot up Jax's left calf, he looked down at her and shook his head. "Brenda Jacks..."

Musical laughter erupted from Brenda as Jax rolled away from her and pulled back the satin sheet. "You're wearing my wool socks? As her mirth continued, Jax pulled the tie of her terrycloth robe and the material fell open to reveal the long flannel maternity nightgown that he had not seen since she had been eight months pregnant with the twins. "You are the devil in disguise, do you know that?" Jax pulled the socks from her feet and his eyes bored into hers. "I'm going to have to extract my own revenge now."

She lifted herself up from the pillows and pushed Jax's robe from his shoulders. "I told you that you were in big trouble." Her hands roved over the sculpted brawn of his chest and Brenda's lips then followed the path of her fingers. "Prepare to serve your punishment."

As Brenda levied her retribution, Jax pulled the clip from her hair for the second time this evening. Her curls spilled over her shoulders as Jax moaned at the feel of her warm lips against his chest. When her tongue flicked against his nipple, Jax felt his breath catch in his throat and pushed Brenda down against the pillows. His mouth overtook hers and his hands cupped the firmness of her chest through the flannel. Brenda whimpered into Jax's mouth as his tongue then traced the rim of her lips. Both felt their breathing strain as Brenda's lifted her hips to press against him. The heat was burning against their skin, even with the flannel material between them.

Jax grunted as Brenda's fingernails dug into the skin of his back. Her kisses were filled with fire and the grinding of her hips was too much for him to bear a minute longer. Devil, vixen and angel all wrapped into one, and she was all his, now and forever. Jax's mouth and tongue begged for mercy as his manhood made the same pleas against her feminine warmth. Brenda's own control was at the breaking point and she sat up as Jax rid her of the robe. She then lifted her arms as he pushed the flannel gown over her head. Even in her passion-induced state, Brenda saw the hunger in Jax's eyes at the sight of the black satin chemise that had been covered by the flannel. He lowered his head to the valley between her breasts and Jax kissed the soft swells peaking out from the satin. The chemise then quickly joined the rest of the discarded clothing and Jax shed his boxers before covering Brenda's body with his own. As their lips met in a torrent of passion, her arms wrapped around him and Jax wanted time to stop. Her murmurings of love and desire made Jax's heart skip a beat.

And I can't remember life without you, the way it used to be
Feels like a million years away
Hold me till the angels sing
Tell me every little thing
Promise me forever from this day

As their mouth and tongues moved together as one, Jax made their union complete as he entered her. He groaned with pleasure at the feel of her welcoming warmth. Brenda whimpered in her own ecstasy as Jax brought them into paradise. She arched her back as Jax's whispered and showed his love for her. Unintelligible murmurs escaped from Brenda's lips as Jax whispered loving words to her while his body dramatized the extent of his devotion. As her world became a blur of brilliant colors and the tremors of her body began, Jax moved Brenda's arms over her head. She turned her head into the pillow and called out Jax's name as the heavens opened up for her. Jax cried out his love for her as paradise came in a shower of passion.

As the night of love turned into the wee hours of the morning, the lovers remained in each other's arms. Brenda stroked Jax's chest with her fingers as he began to drift off to sleep. She lifted her head and smiled at the blissful expression on Jax's face. She softly kissed his lips and whispered, "I love you" before she rested her head on Jax's chest again. She quickly joined him in peaceful slumber as they both dreamed about the love they shared.

If you ever leave me, will you take me with you?
If you're ever lonely, I want to be lonely too
My home's beside you, no matter where you may go
My love's inside you, even more than you know
Even more than you know
Even more than you know
Even more than you know
Even more than you know

Monday, September 16, 2002
The Jacks Residence -- 6:00pm

Amidst a stack of folders, Brenda sat on the floor in front of the couch in the angel room. Not slated to start back with her administrative duties at Kanga's Kradle for another two weeks, an emergency with the latest grant applications had come up over the weekend and demanded Brenda's attention. Fortunately Maggie had been available to spend the day with the twins so that Brenda could get to the office. Now Brenda was at home grappling with the same issues before the Friday application deadline. To help the situation, Lois had offered to take Jillian after school so Virgil had dropped her off and Jax was picking her up on his way home from the office. Brenda had come home an hour ago and was trying to keep the twins entertained while she continued to review the annual budget figures. Jessica and Jonathan were sitting on a blanket in the middle of the floor with pieces of oyster crackers in front of them. Both babies were occupied as they practiced their pick up skills.

At the sound of Jonathan's babbling, Brenda looked up to see her son stuffing the cracker into his mouth. "That's Mommy's big boy."

She looked over at Jessica who was steadfast in her attempt to get the cracker through her fingers. "Pumpkin, you'll figure this one out. Your brother's hearty appetite just makes him a pro at anything to do with food."

A sigh fell from Brenda's lips as she continued to watch the twins. "Mommy missed you both so much today. You know that, don't you? Even when I'm not with you, I'm thinking about you."

Brenda reached over and caressed the cheeks of both of her little angels. "This is all going to take some getting used to when Mommy goes to back to work...if Mommy goes back to work," she murmured as her voice trailed off. All day, she had experienced feelings of guilt, conflict and anxiety over the thought of leaving the twins. Brenda was pulled out of her daze at the sound of her name being called out from down the hall. "Mommy, where are you? Me and Daddy are here."

"We're in here, sweetheart," Brenda called out. She closed the file on her lap and smiled at the twins. "Jillian and Daddy are home."

Jillian scampered through the door. "Mommy, I'm home."

"Come here and give me a hug," Brenda said as she held her arms out.

Jillian hugged Brenda and then handed her the work folder. "I got stars on my math for counting."

"Let me see," Brenda crooned as she opened the folder. "Look at those gold stars. Daddy and I are very proud of you."

"Yes, we are," Jax agreed as he came into the room and winked at Jillian. "See, I knew counting your grandfather's quarters after winning his games would help you."

She giggled at him. "Grandpa says I'm good at the counting game."

"That you are," Jax responded with a nod before bending down to talk to the twins. "How are the peanut and the pumpkin doing tonight?" He chuckled at Jonathan who was chewing the last morsel of a cracker. "Peanut, it looks like you have gotten this game down to a science."

"Of course, there is food involved," Brenda remarked as she looked up at Jax.

Jax leaned over and kissed Brenda. "Hey there sweetie."

"Hi honey," Brenda murmured with a smile as she passed Jax the folder. "Did you see all the gold stars?"

Jax tousled Jillian's curls as he sat down on the couch behind her. "Excellent job, princess."

Brenda squeezed Jillian's hand as a beam covered her face. "Now, tell us all about your day at school."

"A new little girl came today," Jillian exclaimed. "Her name's Maria and she has a real pretty ribbon in her hair."

"That's wonderful," Brenda said as she stroked Jillian's hand. "You'll have another friend."

"Did Maria and her family just move here," asked Jax.

Jillian bobbed her head up and down. "Uh-huh, Mrs. Carlson says Maria used to live next to Mickey and Minnie in Florida and now she's gonna see snow when it gets cold."

"That will be so much fun for Maria," Brenda stated as she leaned over to pick up a fussing Jonathan. "Maybe you can show her how to use the sled when it snows?"

"I wanna show her," Jillian squealed as she clapped her hands together. "We can go `whoosh' like Uncle Jerry says."

Jax lifted Jonathan from Brenda's arms so she could pick up Jessica who had decided she was lonely on the blanket by herself. "We will go `whoosh' when the snow comes and it will be very nice for you to show Maria how to use the sled."

Brenda bounced Jessica on her lap. "Anything else exciting at school?"

"Oh, Zach's mommy brought in his bunny for show-n-tell. It's so soft and its name is Fluffy. Mommy, you can bring Lady for my show-n-tell in two days," Jillian announced as she held up two fingers.

Brenda let out an extended sigh before reaching over and taking Jillian's hand. "Sweetheart, I'm sorry but this is not a good week for me to bring Lady to school. Remember I told you about the work Keesha and I have to do this week?"

"But Mommy, Lady will be so good for show-n-tell," Jillian said with a frown. "She's soft and everyone can pet her just like Fluffy."

"I know Lady will be great for show-n-tell. The next time it is your turn, I will bring her, I promise." Brenda felt her heart ache at the look on Jillian's face. "We'll even put on her special jingle bell collar to show everyone."

Jillian looked up and her face brightened a bit. "Her red one for Christmas?"

"Yes, the red one," Brenda confirmed with a nod. "And we'll find something special for you to bring for this show-n-tell."

"I know what would be special," Jax murmured as he leaned down and whispered into Jillian's ear. He then looked at her and asked, "What do you think?"

Her eyes lit up and Jillian excitedly spoke. "Yeah, the big shell I finded at the beach. You can hear the ocean."

"That's a conch shell, Jillian, and Mrs. Carlson can pass it around so everyone can listen to the ocean," Jax suggested.

"Daddy has such good ideas," Brenda asserted as she flashed Jax a grateful smile.

Jillian sat up on her knees and touched Brenda's cheek. "But next time, you take Lady in the car and bring her for me to show the kids. Mommy, remember that."

"I'll remember, I promise," Brenda pledged as she pulled Jillian into her lap. "Thank you for understanding about Mommy's work this week."

"That's okay," Jillian chirped. "Lady'll look pretty in her jingle bell collar. She has to get a bath too so her hair will be really, really soft."

Jax flashed Jillian a grin. "What a good idea and I bet Mommy would just love to give her one when it comes time for your next show-n-tell. Remember the last time Mommy gave Lady a bath?"

Loud giggles erupted from Jillian as she looked between Jax and Brenda. "Lady jumped up and pushed Mommy into the bath tub and she got all wet."

"Yes, Mommy was the one that got the bath," Jax choked out through his mirth.

"Neither of you are the least bit funny," Brenda proclaimed as she shook her head at them.

"We couldn't help ourselves," Jax murmured as he leaned over and kissed the top of her head. "You looked so adorable with that soap in your hair."

"And your nose," Jillian informed her. "And Daddy took such a good picture of you."

She glared at Jax and then looked back at Jillian. "Don't remind me about that picture. I'm still trying to find the negative to burn."

A smirk covered Jax's face as he mouthed to her. "Never."

Brenda shot him a glare and then saw that it was almost 6:30. "Jillian, it's just about time for dinner so you need to go wash your hands."

"Yum, Josee's making meatballs for me," Jillian announced as she smacked her lips together. "And spaghetti."

"She sure is so go get ready and we'll come get you in a few minutes," Brenda advised as she helped Jillian get up from the floor.

Jillian scampered out of the room and Jax reached out to squeeze Brenda's shoulder. "She's okay, now, what about you?"

"I don't know," Brenda muttered as she kissed Jessica's cheek. "It's really hard sometimes."

"Sweetie, I know it is," Jax responded in a comforting voice. "I know how much you want to be here as well as how important Kanga's Kradle is to you."

She exhaled sharply. "It's only going to be two to three days a week and Maggie will have the babies there with me when Jillian is at school so part of this is silly."

Jax lifted Brenda's chin up to look at him. "But?"

"But I keep having this vision of us sitting in juvenile court ten years from now with all of them," Brenda said with a sigh.

"Well, that could happen from them merely being in the same gene pool as Jerry," Jax teased.

"Jax, this isn't funny," Brenda declared as she swatted his leg.

"No, but you are," Jax countered. "Brenda, our children could not ask for a more loving and nurturing mother. The fact that you want to help other children and their families who are facing the worst times of their lives is only going to make our children more generous and loving."

Brenda nervously ran her fingers through her hair. "Jax, if these children are anything like I was growing up, they are going to need all the help they can get. You don't even know a tenth of some of the stunts I pulled."

"Oh, I can imagine," Jax replied with a shake of his head. "I've seen you in action, remember?"

"It just scares me sometimes," she said with a deep breath.

Jax caressed the back of her neck with his fingers. "I know it does, because you only want the best for our children. Guess what, they already have it with us. Jillian has her tantrum moments and her streaks of stubbornness but she is not a devil princess.... Well, not the majority of the time."

Brenda's mouth curled into an involuntary smile. "I know. Fortunately, she is only YOUR daughter part of the time."

Jax flew Jonathan like an airplane as the baby laughed. "Peanut, tell your mother that only the females in this household are stubborn. You and I are simply perfect."

Jonathan took that moment to flail his arms and loudly coo and Jax's raucous laughter made Brenda groan. "Get over yourself, both of you."

The phone then rang and Jax put Jonathan on his other shoulder and reached over to grab the phone. "Hello.....Yes, Mrs. Carlson, this is Jasper Jacks. What can I do for you?"

At the sound of Mrs. Carlson's name, Brenda's eyes widened so that they looked like saucers and she felt an ache form in the pit of her stomach. It had only been two weeks since school had started and here was already a call from the teacher. Images of all of her own trips to the head mistress' office filtered through Brenda's mind. She stood up with Jessica in her arms and began pacing around the room.

Jax continued to speak on the phone for what seemed like an eternity. Brenda could not ascertain what the problem was from Jax's end of the conversation and it was driving her completely over the edge. Finally, Brenda heard Jax say that they would speak to Brenda about the situation and then he ended the call with Mrs. Carlson.

"What?" Brenda's voice betrayed her emotions.

"Come with me," Jax said as he took Brenda's hand. "You really need to hear this."

Jax ignored Brenda's request for information as they headed down the hallway and then reached Jillian's room. Jillian walked out of the bathroom and showed them her hands. "All clean."

"That's good, princess," Jax said as he guided Brenda to sit down on the bed. "Come over here and sit with us for a minute. We need to talk to you."

Jillian climbed up on the bed as Jax sat Jonathan on the floor with a toy and then took Jessica from Brenda and placed the baby on the carpet beside her brother. "Daddy, what do you wanna talk about?"

He sat down on the other side of Jillian. "Mrs. Carlson just called on the phone. She wanted to talk to us about what happened at school today with Maria." Jax tucked a curl behind Jillian's ear. "Why don't you tell us what happened on the playground?"

"Maria was crying so I said she could play with me and Grace." Jillian bobbed her head back and forth while she spoke. "We were playing jump rope."

Jax gave her a smile. "Why was Maria crying?"

Jillian let out a dramatic sigh. "Cause Reggie and Cindy said she couldn't hold the jump rope since she doesn't have fingers. It made Maria really sad."

"What did they mean when they said Maria doesn't have fingers," Brenda asked.

"Her arm's like Trey's is," Jillian answered immediately. "You know, Mommy, the doctor made it special for her just like the doctor made Rose's new leg. Remember when we bringed Rose balloons at the hospital?"

"I remember," Brenda murmured as she caught her breath. "Did you tell Maria about Trey and Rose?"

Jillian's eyes glimmered like stardust as she nodded her head. "Uh-huh, and all about us playing at the picnic cause the doctors made them all better and you and Keesha helped. Maria says the doctor helped her too with her new arm."

Brenda felt tears creep into the corners of her eyes. "That's called a prosthesis and, yes, the doctor made it special for Maria."

Jillian nodded her head. "So now Maria can jump rope and ride a sled just like Trey. Maria can jump real fast and Mrs. Carlson said me and Maria can share a table now."

"I'm so glad that you're already such good friends." Brenda put her arm around Jillian and saw the happiness on Jax's face. "You and Maria are very lucky to have each other."

"That was why Mrs. Carlson called," Jax apprised them. "Mrs. Santana asked about contacting us. It seems that Jillian and Maria are already making plans."

Jillian patted her hand on Brenda's knee. "I saw Maria's mommy after school and she smiled at me."

Jax stroked the top of Jillian's head. "We're very proud of you for helping Maria feel better, princess."

"When I get big, I'm gonna help the doctors help the kids, just like Mommy does. Then nobody gets sad," Jillian declared animatedly. "Then I'm gonna be special like Mommy and Keesha."

"You're already very special," Brenda whispered through her tears as she hugged Jillian to her. She reached out and took Jax's hand. "Daddy and I are so lucky to have you and Jessica and Jonathan."

"We're all very lucky," Jax murmured in return as he reached down and scooped up Jessica and Jonathan in his arms. Both babies babbled and Jillian giggled aloud in accord. Jax flashed Brenda a beaming grin as the consensus was unanimous.

The Barrett/Jacks Penthouse -- 8:15pm

Jerry drained his glass of scotch as he stood at the cathedral window in the den. Evening had turned into night as darkness had overtaken the last trace of color in the sky and he was waiting for Julia to come home. Six months ago, he would have feared that Julia would never open that door again but Jerry had complete faith in them now and had understood her need to be alone to clear her head after this afternoon's session with Melanie. It had been another emotional day after another physically and emotionally draining two weeks. Upon their return from the sailing tour, the reality of life had immediately intervened again with three trips to the clinic for more tests and two more visits with the specialists. Each event only brought more dilemmas as with every turn, life was only throwing them more roadblocks.

He turned away from the window and looked down at the stack of medical journals, research studies and informational books that sat on the coffee table. With her customary penchant for diligence, Julia had found every resource available to her on the subject and had poured over every last detail, recommendation and opinion as she looked for something to help guide their decision. In reality, there were not enough resources in the universe to make the decision any easier and she knew it. If there had been, Jerry would have traveled to the center of the earth to find them. Now all he could do was to be there for her as she grappled with the conflicting thoughts and emotions of her heart and mind. Jerry knew that Julia had already come to a resolution on some level but she was preventing the decision from surfacing until she was fully prepared to accept it.

The sound of keys in the front door prompted an extended exhale to escape from his lips. Jerry walked across the room to meet Julia in the hallway but she came into the den before he had even reached the door. At the sight of Jerry, Julia did not utter a word but simply opened her arms out to him and Jerry felt the relieved sigh against his chest as he pulled her into his embrace. An involuntary smile formed on Jerry's lips at the solace Julia felt in his arms.

Jerry spoke against her ear as he rubbed Julia's back. "I'm right here, kiddo."

"Don't let go," Julia whispered as she tightened her arms around him. "Please..."

"I'm not going to let go," he murmured. "Well, at least not until Monday Night Football starts but you have a whole half hour," Jerry joked and then sighed in relief when he felt Julia's shoulders relax against his chest.

He then took a step away from Julia and met her gaze. "Are you okay?"

Julia moistened her lips before she responded. "No, but I'm going to survive this. We're going to survive this."

"No doubt," Jerry affirmed with a nod of his head.

"I just needed some time to really hear myself," Julia told him as she sat down on the couch. "Especially after everything you said when we were with Melanie this afternoon, actually after everything you have said for the past year. You've known what we've needed to do."

"No," Jerry contradicted her with a shake of his head. "I only knew that I didn't want to see you turning yourself inside out for what you thought I needed."

Julia looked up at Jerry as she spoke. "I just needed to find somewhere that I could really hear myself."

He sat down on the couch next to her. "Where did you go?"

"I don't even know how I got there, but I ended up at the park." Julia shook her head as she sighed, "Do you know how many children are in the park after school?"

The question was rhetorical and Jerry simply listened as Julia continued. "I didn't leave though, for some reason, I couldn't. I wasn't trying to escape anything just like I wasn't trying to avoid you after the session. I just needed to be ready...."

Jerry broke his silence with his query. "Ready for what?"

Her eyes roved over the stack of medical journals. "I can't do this anymore. We can't do this anymore."

"What can't we do," he asked, knowing full well the answer but understanding how much Julia needed to be able to say it out loud.

"All of it," Julia responded as she closed her eyes. "The tests, the injections, the work-ups, the medications, the procedures, the clinics....everything."

He spoke to Julia in a calm tone. "Is that what you really want?"

"No, but we don't always get what we want," she replied in a slightly trembling voice. "Some things just have to be accepted. Otherwise, everything else will be lost and that can't happen here."

Jerry grasped her fingers inside his palm. "What will be lost?"

"You....Me....Us," Julia whispered. "I won't lose that, not after everything we have been through over the past year. I know how hard this has been for you and I love you for supporting me in all of this but you deserve a wife, not a lab study. You made your position clear months ago and I wouldn't allow myself to believe you."

"Please don't do this because of me," Jerry entreated before Julia interrupted his statement.

"I'm not," Julia declared as she shook her head. "It's just as much for me. Jerry, sometimes I feel like I'm going to lose my mind with all this. Between the stress and the drugs and the continual bad news at every turn, it's been two years of pure hell and it's not going to get any better. We both know what every test and every specialist have said. As difficult as it is for me to admit, the perfectionist is not perfect. It would take a miracle for me to be able to have a baby and I can't put our lives on hold any longer. I'm afraid of what it will do to us, what it will do to me. I can't do that to either one of us. It's time to put an end to this and accept the situation for what it is." She took a deep breath and exhaled slowly. "No more tests, no more drugs, no more doctors......There, I said it."

Jerry flashed her a reassuring smile as he spoke. "Yes, you did."

Julia swallowed the lump in her throat and murmured, "Melanie was right, the world didn't stop."

"And we're both still here," Jerry stressed as he took her hand. "That's not going to change."

"I believe that, I really do," she proclaimed in an emotional voice. "I just wish I had understood that a year ago when you tried to convince me of it. Anger, guilt and self pity really are effective blinders."

He squeezed Julia's hand. "You had every right to feel all those things."

"I'm still going to have some of those moments," she confessed. "Like Melanie said, it's all part of the grieving process. It still seems strange to grieve for something you never had but grief is what it truly is." Julia hesitated a bit before she continued. "Because of that, I need a little time before we decide what we do next. Right now, I don't think I can contemplate much beyond today."

"Then, we won't. All that matters is what we have right here, right now. You're the only thing that means anything to me and it's been like that from the start." Jerry's eyes never left Julia's face as he continued. "There is no family without us, whether it is the two of us or ten of us, it has to center around you and me. Nothing else has any real significance."

Julia sniffed back the tears that threatened to break free. "If you're going to suddenly get romantic and poetic on me, then I'm afraid that the world really is coming to an end."

Jerry pulled her into his embrace. "I have to protect you from being completely overcome by my prose and charm but I figured, once every three years or so, you can handle it."

"So, you're trying to protect me from myself," Julia questioned as she rested her head against his shoulder. "I guess I have to thank you for that," she murmured before stroking her hand against his chest.

"Thank you for letting me even try," Jerry whispered in return as he kissed the top of her head. "I'm going to be right here, Julia. You can count on that."

"I'm going to be right here too," Julia pledged as a tear escaped from the corner of her eye. "What else are families for?"

Jerry brushed away her tear with his thumb and kissed Julia's cheek before wrapping his arms even more tightly around her. Monday Night Football may have already started but he was never letting her go.

Saturday, October 5, 2002
The Jacks Residence -- 3:00pm

With Robin and Matthew's wedding just a mere eight weeks away, the dining room had been turned into wedding central. Preparations were fully underway now as boxes of invitations, response cards and envelopes cluttered the large rosewood table. Felicia and Robin had used their calligraphy skills over the past two weeks and addressed the envelopes for the two hundred invited guests. This afternoon, Brenda, Lois and Julia were stuffing, sealing and stamping the envelopes for the mailing of the invitations next week. Jillian and Brooke were doing their share as they intermittently brought stacks of each stamped invitation set for Robin to cross off the master guest list. Fortunately, Anthony and the twins were providing their assistance to the process by napping upstairs.

Lois ran the sponge over the adhesive of the envelope as she looked up at Robin. "So, are you getting nervous?"

"No," Robin replied and then took a deep breath when she looked over at Brenda. "Well, not really."

A grin covered Brenda's face as she stamped the next envelope. "She only slightly hyperventilated at the dress fitting last weekend."

"That's enough from you," Robin said in mock irritation. "All of us don't get engaged and married in less than twenty-four hours. You didn't have time to be nervous."

Julia smiled as she handed Lois an envelope. "Brenda barely had time to breathe before crossing time zones."

Lois shook her head and snickered. "I still can't believe that even blondie could talk you into that one. That was a stretch, even for you."

"I seem to recall you marrying Ned without exactly a LONG engagement," Brenda reminded her. "Does eloping to Maryland ring any bells, Lois Marie?"

"Hey, we had a real wedding with all the trimmings," Lois responded with a fading voice. "It just was a little later."

"As in after you were already married and legally bonded," Brenda added through her soft laughter. "It certainly seems that being nervous would be somewhat moot at that point."

Lois flicked her fingernails against the table. "So, we both had a trial run before the fancy-smancy wedding. At least we didn't make our friends suffer through years of waiting, unlike SOME people at this table."

Brenda folded her arms against her chest. "Now, whoever do you mean?"

"I'm pleading the Fifth," Julia declared as she refused to lift her gaze from the envelope she was stuffing.

"Me too," Robin echoed as she concentrated on her list of names.

Jillian and Brooke then came back into the dining room after having a drink in the kitchen. "Aunt Robin, time to get more piles?"

"Yes, you two have perfect timing," Robin exclaimed. "You and Brooke can hand me another stack from your mother. We are just about finished. Thank you for being such a help."

"We're going to help at the wedding too," Brooke announced as she passed a pile of envelopes to Robin.

With a bob of her head, Jillian agreed. "We're gonna sprinkle the flowers all over and Georgie's gonna help too. I'm gonna do a good job since I'm five now."

"All three of you are going to look so beautiful and do a good job," Lois crooned as she sealed the last two envelopes.

"Aunt Robin has a white dress too and she looks like Cinderella," Jillian offered with a big smile.

Brooke nodded her head. "The dress is so pretty."

Robin returned Jillian's smile. "Everyone is going to look pretty. The photographer is not going to know who to take a picture of first."

"I like pictures," Jillian said as she put the envelopes on the corner of the table. She then looked over at Brenda. "Mommy, I wanna show the new pictures from my party."

"We can look at the pictures in just a few minutes after we get cleaned up in here." Brenda looked at her watch. "Daddy and the guys should be home very shortly from their game."

Julia rolled her eyes. "That is if there is anything left of them after trying to destroy each other."

"All over a small blue racquetball," Robin commented with a jagged exhale. "And they say we are obsessed."

Lois flipped back the hair from her forehead. "At least we haven't been called to come bail them out after a disturbing the peace charge."

"Yet," Brenda reminded the group, prompting the clamor of laughter throughout the room.

Fifteen minutes later, the last of the invitations were put away and Jillian and Brooke were in the den watching a movie. Brenda and the others checked on dinner and walked into the foyer just as the racquetball brigade arrived as Jax, Jerry, Ned and Matthew came through the front door.

Lois put her hands on her hips. "Of course, you show up now, all the work is done."

"Timed that perfectly," Ned smirked. "Another flawless plan."

"Just like I called it," Jerry boasted with a devilish grin.

Jax closed the door behind them. "No, you wanted to stand in the bushes and peer in the window to see if things were clear as if that ever worked for you. It was Matthew's idea, not yours."

A chuckle fell from Matthews's lips as he slapped Jerry across the back. "I told you that driving around the Quartermaine's property that last time would do the trick."

"The worst has happened, they have turned Matthew into one of them," Robin lamented with a sigh as she looked at Brenda, Julia and Lois.

"Yes, an unavoidable drawback to all this," Brenda acknowledged as she shook her head. "We counter it by limiting their time together. This was the ration for the month."

Julia added her views. "And chasing that stupid blue ball around a jail cell brings out the worst in them."

"Speaking of that, I don't see any stitches, bruises or broken limbs," Lois pointed out.

"Tsk, tsk," Robin voiced as she clicked her tongue against the roof of her mouth. "You guys are really slipping."

Jerry's eyes sparkled in a devilish glint as he leaned over and spoke to Robin in a stage whisper. "Hey, I've got SOME bruise to show you if you're interested."

Without missing a beat or Jerry's intent, Robin sighed. "I've had such a good day today, there's no need to turn it into a disappointing and underwhelming occasion."

Julia tipped her head to Robin in ovation as Brenda then high-fived her oldest friend.

"Ding, ding and down for the count," Jax choked through his mirth.

"That's twice today, Jer," Matthew chided. "As if losing the last two games weren't bad enough."

Jerry waved his index finger between Julia and Brenda. "And to think, Robin used to be virtuous until the two of you and the Brooklyn babe over there corrupted her."

"Brooklyn was too tame for this group and we're the Port Charles Pistols now," Lois advised him as she stressed her Brooklyn accent. "You've been warned before."

"I told you that we needed a brick for that thick skull of his," Brenda exclaimed. "Back to the whip."

"Now, you're talking," Jerry replied with ah rubbed his hands together. "Who wants to start?"

Brenda stepped forward. "The potatoes just finished boiling so you can go in and whip them for dinner."

"There's also whipping cream in the refrigerator," Robin added. "After finishing the potatoes, you can throw some sugar in the cream and get at it for the strawberry shortcake I brought for dessert."

A smile covered Lois' face. "That's perfect since it will give you some practice before the wedding. Now you will be a pro when you spend the day with Ma making the wedding cake."

Julia leaned over and murmured to him. "How do you like that whip idea now, dear?"

"The four of you obviously drank your lunch," Jerry replied as the foyer again erupted into laughter.

"Speaking of that, I'll start tending bar," Ned offered once he was able to speak through his mirth.

Jillian then peaked her head out of the den. "Daddy, you're here and nobody came to see me and Brooke." She scurried up the hallway and low-fived Ned and Matt as she passed them heading into the den. The timer in the kitchen went off and Robin went to check on the roast as Jillian came into the foyer.

"Sorry Jillian, we were having to remind Uncle Jerry again about how silly he is," Jax explained to her as Lois and Brenda then went upstairs at the sound of both Anthony and Jonathan awakening from their naps.

Jillian dramatically gestured with her hands. "Uncle Jerry, you need to come to school with me and learn not to be silly."

"But then I wouldn't be able to do this anymore," Jerry retorted as he swooped Jillian up and immediately flipped her over his shoulder as he dangled her by her feet.

Excited giggles bounced from the walls as Jillian squealed. When Jerry pulled her back up, she reached out and touched his face. "You're silly but that was fun."

"I'm a fun guy, unlike your father," Jerry boasted as he tickled Jillian.

As Jillian took issue with Jerry's statement, Julia felt the smile form on her lips at the sight of them together. There were more and more smiles these days at such a sight rather than the plaguing feel of the breath catching in her throat. Melanie had been right again, it was so much easier to think and really listen to one's heart when not hindered by what seemed like the weight of the world on your shoulders.

"I gotta show everyone the pictures from my birthday party," Jillian chirped as she looked at Jerry. "Grandpa taked one when you gived Jonathan icing on your finger and Grandmom said you weren't being good."

"I'm that kid's favorite now," Jerry gloated as he laughed. "He would have starved with that awful green and orange mush your mother feeds him."

Jillian giggled again as Jerry put her down. "That's sweet potatoes and peas and I tasted them. They're so yucky."

"See, now you know I'm fun AND smart," Jerry proclaimed. "Jonathan knows too and Jessica will be next."

"You gotta see the pictures," Jillian repeated as she grabbed Jerry's hand. "Come look with me."

"Sure, we'll see how I'm the most handsome in the family," Jerry teased as Jillian led him down the hallway.

Julia watched the two of them disappear into the den and she shook her head in amazement. Watching Julia over the past few minutes, Jax had seen the emotions cover her face. He moved next to Julia and touched her shoulder. Julia looked up at Jax as she spoke, "He really loves her." She then shook her head again as the situation became even clearer. "He loves her in ways he's never loved anyone."

"Yes, he does," Jax affirmed with a nod of his head. "Just like the way you love her and Jessica and Jonathan. All three of them love you back the same way."

The words tumbled from Julia's lips via her heart. "That's all that matters." She closed her eyes as the next heartfelt confession was murmured from her lips. "The rest of it means nothing."

Jax squeezed Julia's shoulder. "Jillian, Jessica and Jonathan have a very smart aunt."

The sound of Jonathan's squealing reinforced the point as Julia turned around to see Brenda and the baby on the landing right behind her. Jonathan excitedly flailed his hands and cooed as Julia looked at him.

"I think somebody needs to see his Aunt Julia almost as much as she needs to see him," Brenda suggested as she placed Jonathan in Julia's arms.

Jonathan touched his hand to Julia's mouth and babbled as she gave him a curious look.

Brenda beamed at her son and then turned to Julia. "He is asking for his fingers to be kissed, it's his latest trick."

Julia kissed Jonathan's fingers as they pressed against her lips and the baby squealed in excitement. "Aren't you a sweet baby?"

"Nine months old and already after the ladies," Jax crooned. "What a kid."

"At least he has great taste in women," Jerry asserted as he made his presence known from his vantage point in the hallway.

Brenda and Jax exchanged a look and immediately headed toward the den as Jerry stepped into the foyer. Jerry flashed Julia a smile. "You two look pretty good there, Mrs. Jacks."

She bobbed her head and returned Jerry's smile. "We feel pretty good here."

Jerry put his arm around Julia and tickled Jonathan's foot with his other hand. As the baby laughed out loud, Julia heard the contented sigh fall from her lips. Life suddenly had one less hurdle to overcome.

SONG CREDITS: "Amazed" written by Marv Green, Aimee Mayo and Chris Lindsey, performed by Lonestar
"If You Ever Leave Me" written by Richard Marx, performed by Barbra Streisand and Vince Gill