Thursday, November 28, 2002
The Barrett/Jacks Penthouse -- 11:00am

Jerry finished his perusal of the sports section and dropped it in the vicinity of the coffee table. The newspaper landed on the rug near the business section that had been tossed aside fifteen minutes earlier. Jerry paid no attention to the litter of newspaper around him as he finished his mug of Turkish coffee. He sat the mug down on the end table beside him and opened up the real estate section of the paper. As he began reading, Jerry heard Julia's approaching footsteps.

"Look at this place," Julia groaned as she entered the den. "What have you done?"

Jerry looked up from the newspaper. "What?"

Julia shook her head as she picked up the scattered paper from the floor. "You want a social worker to come over here and see this place looking like this?"

"It's Thanksgiving Day, Julia," he responded. "No social worker is coming over here today."

"You don't know that," Julia countered as she then muttered to see the coffee mug on the table. "We don't know when someone will show up here."

Jerry grimaced as he watched Julia go into her cleaning machine mode. "No one is coming today and even if someone did, I did not let out the mosquitoes, rats and other vermin so we're safe."

"That is not the least bit funny." Julia grabbed the mug from the table as she spoke. "Look at this table. Why do you have such a problem with the concept of a coaster?"

"You and Rose have cleaned this penthouse from top to bottom every day for the past week," Jerry said with a sharp exhale. "It does not even look like anyone lives here."

With her hands on her hips, Julia glared at him. "Without notice, a social worker is coming over here to observe how we live and I can't believe this is what you want him or her to see."

"What are you talking about," he groaned. "The place looks more like a museum than a home. Only ghosts could live here like this."

"You just don't get it," Julia stated as she shook her head.

Jerry then moaned himself as the sight of the dust cloth in Julia's hand. "Not the dust police again. There has not been enough time for any dust to accumulate since last night."

"This attitude of yours makes me ask myself if you even care what a social worker even thinks," Julia declared in an angry voice.

"That's quite enough," Jerry remarked. "You are being..."

"I am being what," Julia retorted as a flash of fire shot through her blue eyes. "Ridiculous? Crazy? Stupid?"

"Don't put words in my mouth," Jerry returned with a deliberate tone.

Her voice shook with emotion. "That's what you're thinking though, isn't it?"

Jerry sat up in the chair and took a deep breath before he spoke. "I think we both need to take a step back. And I mean, right now."

Julia locked eyes with Jerry as she stood in front of the leather recliner. After a few moments of silence, Julia let out a deep sigh and shook her head. "Jerry..."

"I know how much pressure and stress you're under right now," Jerry murmured as he looked up at her. "It's going to be okay."

"I'm sorry," she whispered back to him. Then, forgetting she was still holding the dust cloth, Julia then moved her hand to push a strand of hair from her face. "Ugh! I am crazy," she lamented.

A grin appeared on Jerry's mouth as he reached out and pulled Julia into his lap. "Yes, and now covered with those bloody dust mites too but I still love you."

She looked around the den and cringed slightly at the sight of the glistening brass fireplace tools that she had asked Rose to shine twice in the past three days. Julia then sighed aloud at the glow of the wax on all the tables, chair and sofa legs and anything else wooden in the room that she had been constantly polishing over the last week. "This place does look like velvet ropes should be surrounding it as the next tour group arrives."

"Kiddo, no one could ever accuse you of doing anything halfway," he replied with a chuckle.

"Please just gag me with the dust cloth the next time I become overzealous," she requested of him.

"Now that sounds like fun," Jerry responded with a wink.

She rolled her eyes at him and then a serious expression covered Julia's face. "It's only been a month in this process and we could still be sitting here like this in a year. That's a great deal of opportunity for me to become a complete lunatic."

Jerry flashed her a smirk. "You mean you could declare all out war on the dust mites and blitzkrieg this place?"

"I'm serious, Jerry," she answered with a worried sigh. "I don't want any of this to come between us. We've come so far and have so much to be thankful for ..."

He put his hand to Julia's mouth. "No more of that talk. Nothing is going to come between us because we won't let it happen." Jerry then clicked his tongue against the roof of his mouth. "Now, that's your last warning. Next time, I will use the dust cloth to gag you."

"Me and my big mouth," Julia muttered as she wielded the dust rag against his chest.

"I'll hold onto this for safekeeping," Jerry gloated as he took the cloth from her. "You set yourself up for this, Mrs. Jacks. Don't blame me."

"True, and there are still so many other things to blame you for anyway," Julia countered as she leaned over and looked at the table where the coffee mug had left a ring. "Like coffee mug rings on tables because you are too lazy to use a coaster."

Jerry shrugged his shoulders at her. "I looked and there were none here. You probably have them in the `To be polished for the fourteenth time' box for Rose on Monday."

Julia reached over and took the coaster from beneath the TV remote on the end table and then eased herself out of the chair and picked up two coasters from the coffee table. "Oh my goodness, look what we have here," she said with a smug smile as she waved a coaster in front of him. "Here is your lesson for the day. This is a coaster," Julia said as she held up one. "Oh, and look at this, another coaster," she declared as she showed him the second one. Julia then held up the third one. "Now, what could this be?"

"Hey, you agreed that this place looks too much like a museum so I was just doing my part in making this room looked lived-in," Jerry offered with a telltale smile. "I was only trying to help you out, babe. The newspapers were my contribution as well."

"Don't help. We're going for the lived-in look, not a pigsty," she retorted.

"Whatever you say," Jerry teased as he then waved the dust cloth at her. "While you still can."

The ringing of the doorbell stopped Julia in her plans to show Jerry exactly what he could so with a coaster. "Who could that be on Thanksgiving morning?"

"Since I don't have bionic eyes, I bet we have to answer the door to find out," Jerry said as he rose from the chair. He caressed Julia's shoulder as he walked by her. "It's okay, kiddo."

As Jerry left the den and walked into the foyer, he mentally told himself that there was no way a social worker would make a visit on Thanksgiving. He was glad he was not saying it aloud to Julia because it suddenly did not sound very convincing.

He opened the door to find John and Jane outside in the hallway. "Mum...Dad," he murmured and then found the voice to call out to Julia. "It's the outlaws."

"In the flesh," John acknowledged with a laugh.

Julia heard the air escape from her lungs as she walked into the foyer. "John and Jane, good morning," she managed to articulate as she reached the door.

Jane saw the looks of what appeared to be relief on both Jerry and Julia's faces. "Sorry to drop by without notice but we were out for a power walk in the park and thought we would say hello."

"Translation, you want the old man to walk down the twenty flights of stairs to the lobby," Jerry added with a grin.

"That too," Jane affirmed with a nod. "You know your father and how much he will overindulge at dinner this afternoon."

"Speaking of dinner, what is that delectable smell," John asked as he took a whiff of the aroma coming from the kitchen.

"That's cinnamon/pumpkin pie baking in the oven -- from Jane's recipe," Julia responded with a smile.

Jane piped in immediately. "No, you are not having any before we all have dinner."

A soft laugh fell from Julia's lips at the look on John's face. "Don't worry, I'll be sure it gets to Jax and Brenda's safely this afternoon. Then you can fight Jillian for the first serving."

"Miss Jillian was helping her mother in the kitchen prepare Thanksgiving dinner when we left," John informed Jerry and Julia. "The little sheila was very proud of her placing of the marshmallows on the sweet potato casserole."

"Yes, and master Jonathan was already squealing that he was not getting samples of everything before it was cooked," Jane announced through her mirth.

"I can't believe you left Brenda to deal with dinner alone, especially since the loon gave Josee the entire week off," Jerry said in aghast. "We will be eating cereal for Thanksgiving dinner."

Jane took off her coat and admonished her eldest son. "Jeremiah, I think you have tormented Brenda more than enough about cooking Thanksgiving dinner. You know how important this is to her."

A smirk covered Jerry's face. "I have barely started with the she-devil. This is payback time for the years of torture she has put me through."

A deep chuckle escaped from John's lips. "Well, that sheila has gotten the better of you on more than several occasions."

"This is a very big deal for Brenda and the first Thanksgiving dinner she is preparing herself," Jane reminded him.

"I know, and the perfect chance for me to get some revenge," Jerry responded with a sigh of contentment as he took Jane and John's coats. "We all heard the story about her first attempt at Thanksgiving dinner so I have all this ammunition."

Julia rolled her eyes at Jerry's antics. "Jerry, that was five years ago when Brenda had barely any experience with cooking at all and it is not as if you have never eaten Brenda's cooking before."

"No matter to me, it still happened," Jerry offered in a smug tone. "And I'm never going to let her forget it."

Jane folded her arms in front of her. "You'll be lucky to get the scraps that the dog is given at the rate you're going, mister."

"And in a contest, I'm going with Lady as the victor," Julia apprised Jerry. The oven timer then sounded and she headed to the kitchen. "I'll get that and bring out some coffee for everyone."

"I'll help you, dear," Jane offered as followed behind Julia. "John, persuade the menace to be on his decent behavior today or he will go hungry."

Inside the kitchen, Julia removed the pie from the oven and sat it beside the chocolate pecan pie she had baked earlier this morning. She then started the coffee maker and turned around to see Jane motioning for her to join her at the table. "Come sit down and tell me how you are doing."

"It's that obvious, I see," Julia murmured as she sat down.

"Both you and Jerry seem a little distracted...I apologize if we interrupted something," Jane lamented in a regretful tone.

"No, I was having another anxious and obsessive moment and just about driving Jerry over the edge again," Julia declared with an extended exhale.

Jane covered Julia's hand with her own. "This is a very trying time for both of you and some days are going to be better than others."

"It's only just started, Jane. It could be months or longer before Lindsay even hears about a possibility." Julia's voice was almost a whisper as she continued. "I don't want to drive Jerry away with these moments of doubt and anxiety."

"You know my son as well as I do and the walls of Jericho have nothing on him. He is not going to be driven away from you and more importantly, you would never let that happen." Jane patted Julia's hand as she spoke. "You both have worked much too hard to be where you are now and neither of you will ever forget that."

Julia flashed Jane a smile. "I'm not going to let him go."

"Neither of you will," Jane responded with a smile of her own.

"We have so much to be thankful for today and you and John's support is just part of it," Julia confessed. "Last Thanksgiving, Jerry and I weren't together and we were all still holding our breaths about Brenda and the twins. Now look where we all are."

"That's right, my dear," Jane agreed with a bob of her head. "And just remember that you and Jerry did not find each other until the moment was right for both of you. When the time is right, you, Jerry and your child will be brought together too."

Julia felt a sense of peace wash over her as she leaned over and hugged Jane. "Thank you for such a beautiful sentiment and I know in the end, all the worry and waiting will be worth it. I'll have to put that in my journal tonight."

"Are you finding it helpful to put your feelings down as Melanie suggested," asked Jane.

"Yes, I do," she answered with a nod. "Hopefully, one day we'll have someone to share it with and he or she will know just how much they were wanted."

Jane flashed her a reassuring smile. "You'll all find each other and it will be the beginning of an even better life than you can imagine."

A few moments later, Julia carried out a tray of coffee into the den and everyone sat down to visit. John took a sip of his coffee and turned to speak to Julia. "My dear, what is this that Jerry is telling me about you looking for a brass and furniture polish company to purchase?"

Julia lifted her eyebrows at Jerry as he sat there in mock innocence. "That is only after the Chinese water torture company I am starting for husbands who are owed their just desserts. Jerry is the poster husband."

"And his father is standing right behind him in line," Jane interjected as she shook her head at both John and Jerry. "Two peas in the proverbial bad pod."

John and Jerry simply shrugged and toasted their coffee mugs together and Jane and Julia both rolled their eyes at them. Some things never changed.

The Jacks Residence -- 4:00pm

The entire Jacks family was together for Thanksgiving dinner. The Redskins/Cowboys game was just about to start as Jax, John and Jerry voiced their differing opinions about the end result. Jillian was telling Julia all about the upcoming ballet recital while Jane was helping Jessica make tracks around the den with the toddler's new found walking skills.

"Me and Claire and Kate are gonna be snowflakes and we get to twirl in the wind," Jillian gushed to Julia.

"Oh, snowflakes are so pretty," Julia acknowledged with a smile. "I can't wait to see you dance."

Jillian spoke in an excited tone as she continued. "The big girls are the wind and some are gonna be Christmas trees and Brooke's a red flower and Sasha's the snow queen. She gets to wear sparkles on her head."

"Everyone is going to look so beautiful," Julia exclaimed as she stroked Jillian's curls. "We'll have our cameras ready and we can't wait to see your recital."

Jillian held up two fingers. "Two more weeks and then it's time. Mommy says everyone will wave at us, even Grandpa Edward."

"I did not hear anything about any kangaroos in this recital," Jerry remarked. "How can I wave when there are no kangaroos?"

"No kangaroos in the snow," Jillian muttered with her hand on her hip. "They like the sun and hot so they can eat the leaves. Uncle Jerry, you forgot again."

Jax laughed aloud. "That's absolutely right, princess. Uncle Jerry forgot just how smart you are and how much you know about kangaroos."

"Daddy showed me all about them in the books and on the computer," Jillian replied with a smile. "I got a special kangaroo page for me and Roo-Roo to look at when we push the mouse."

"You've turned her into such a geek," Jerry said with a roll of his eyes as he finished his plate of hors d' oeuvres.

"That jealousy's showing again, big brother," Jax declared as he took a sip of his drink. "You should be used to your niece outsmarting you by now."

"I should say so, since she has been doing it for years now." Jane interjected as Jessica cooed for another lap around the den. "Jess will be next since she has plenty of those Barrett genes in her as well."

Julia waved at a beaming Jessica as she teetered by. "Thankfully she has them so that she can put up with certain people in this family."

"I know, putting up with Jasper was always such a chore," Jerry uttered in a smug tone. "I've been telling Mum from that first day that she should have taken him back to the hospital and gotten a good baby."

Jillian gasped at the sound of Jerry's statements. "No, Daddy was a good baby and Grandmom wasn't gonna give him back."

"That's right, Jillian," Jane said with a bob of her head. "Grandpa and I were waiting a long time for a special baby like your daddy, just like we did for Uncle Jerry." She then reassuringly caressed Julia's shoulder as she led Jessica past her. "Babies wait just for the special time to come home to their families and when they do, all the waiting is forgotten."

Julia nodded and smiled at Jane's comforting words.

Meanwhile, Jillian looked over Julia's shoulder at Jerry. "And no teasing Roo-Roo about kangaroos in the snow. He doesn't like cold."

Jerry shrugged his shoulders in innocence. "Me? I never tease."

"You're doing it again," Jillian lamented with a sigh.

Julia squeezed her hand. "I know, we just have to ignore him. Why don't you go upstairs and get your new ballet slippers so I can see them?"

"Okay, I'll be back," Jillian chirped as she scurried out of the den.

Julia shook her head at Jerry. "She is going to eat you up and spit you out when she gets older and I can't wait to see it."

"I'll be selling tickets, it will be priceless," Jax countered with a sly grin.

"You all are living in a dream world," Jerry rebutted as he reached down and put another four large shrimp on his plate.

Julia exhaled sharply at the sight. "Jerry, dinner is in an hour. You are not going to starve."

"Just stocking up in case Brenda sets fire to the kitchen again," Jerry responded as he then grabbed a few proscuitto wrapped melon balls from the tray. "Even she could not charbroil the hors 'd oeuvres."

"I heard that," Brenda chimed in as she carried Jonathan into the den after his diaper change. "I have not set the kitchen on fire...well, I haven't in years."

Jerry flashed her a smirk as he dipped a shrimp into the cocktail sauce. "It's okay, Brenda. Last year we missed the charcoal since you were off your feet roasting the joeys so Josee made the entire meal." He then turned to Jax. "You still have poison control and the fire department on speed dial, don't you?"

Brenda shot him a glare. "No one is forcing you to stay, you know? KFC is open in town and I bet if you asked nicely, they would arrange the chicken in the shape of a turkey. Or better yet, give you a mirror."

"Dinner is fine, Jerry. Brenda actually defrosted the turkey and the cranberry sauce is not even black this year," Jax teased with a smirk.

"You stay out of this, Jasper Jacks," Brenda said in a matter of fact voice before murmuring to the youngest member of the Jacks males. "Jonathan, heaven forbid if you picked up your father or uncle's sense of humor."

"Or his grandfather's," Jane added as she and Jessica tottered past the couch and Brenda put Jonathan on the floor to crawl after them.

Julia softly laughed as she looked over at Brenda. "I will lay odds that Jerry is the last person sitting at the table eating the so-called `charcoal' anyway."

"I'm a gambling man but even I wouldn't wager against those odds," John said with a chuckle. "The boy was born with an iron stomach as was his brother."

Brenda leaned down to grab Lady's rawhide bone that a salivating Jonathan was heading for. "The youngest Jacks male thinks he has inherited the same stomach."

"Foiled again, young man," John snickered as Jonathan looked up at Brenda with a pout and then shrieked so that the whole room knew of his predicament.

"We all may be fighting the dog and the joey for the bone once we see what dinner looks like," Jerry chided as he got up to pour himself a drink.

Brenda tapped her foot as she spoke. "You really are not needed here."

Jerry shook his head as he reached inside the pocket of his sports coat. "No, I had to bring the supplies." He then began emptying the pockets. "I have bicarbonate of soda, anti-nausea pills and then ipecac if things get really dicey with this meal."

Julia groaned out loud and grabbed the bottles from Jerry. "Give me this stuff. You have completely lost your mind and should be locked in the car."

"No, I think Jer will get the privilege of feeding Jonathan tonight instead," Brenda announced with a click of her tongue against the roof of her mouth. "We'll see who is fighting who for dinner then."

Jerry lowered his voice as he spoke against Brenda's ear. "Don't worry, babe. I have it on good authority that my brother did not marry you for your cooking skills. There are some other skills of yours that send him around the bend."

Brenda then whispered back to Jerry. "Yes, just as I have it on good authority that my sister did not marry you for THOSE skills." She cocked her right eyebrow as she stepped away form him. "POOR Julia. At least Jax can order take-out. "

Jax bit back his laughter at the gleam in Brenda's eyes and the look on Jerry's face. Jillian then came back into the den with her ballet slippers and put an end to the planned retort. Brenda simply smiled and waved at Jerry as she walked toward the door. "I'm going to go check on the turkey."

"Better get the fire extinguisher first," Jerry suggested with a sneer.

Brenda rolled her eyes at him as she left the den. Jerry snickered as Jane shook her head at him. "You will be lucky to get a TV dinner at this rate."

"She loves it," Jerry boasted. "At least I am entertaining, unlike that stick in the mud brother of mine that she married. Something else for Brenda to be thankful for today --- Me."

Jax laughed softly as he finished his drink. "We'll see how thankful you are when this evening is over and Brenda is finished with you. Trust me, the turkey will be better off than you will be."

The table was filled with the Thanksgiving turkey and all the trimmings as Brenda lit the candles and everyone came into the dining room for dinner. She exchanged a glare with Jerry as he checked the kitchen for fire damage before he moved over to the table. Jax pulled out the chair for Jillian as she excitedly took her place at the table. Jane put Jessica in the high chair positioned next to Brenda's seat while Julia carried in Jonathan. The hungry toddler was already babbling at the sight of his high chair and the onset of dinnertime.

Jerry took the meat fork from beside the turkey platter and scraped the tines against the golden skin of the breast. Julia looked at him with confusion. "What are you doing?"

"Checking to see if it is spray painted over the charcoal," he replied with a telltale smirk. "This looks edible so you can let us in on the secret, the Port Charles Grille delivered the entire meal."

"No, Mommy cooked, and I helped her," Jillian uttered in support of her mother.

"Thank you princess." Brenda then simply smiled as she lifted the high chair from beside Jax's seat and moved it to right beside Jerry's chair. "Here is your seat, peanut. Uncle Jerry is going to have such a good time feeding you."

"I don't want to deprive the joey of sitting next to his sister," Jerry immediately stated.

"No worry there as you are doing nothing of the kind," Brenda offered as she moved to her chair. "They have to be split up since Jonathan tries to steal the food from Jessica's tray."

John chuckled as he saw Jane to her seat. "There's no stopping the lad is there?"

"Or the lass since Jessica then tries to use her spoon to stop him," Jax added as he put Jonathan in the high chair.

"Why does this all sound so familiar," Jane asked with a shake of her head as she looked at both Jerry and Jax.

Jonathan began to shriek and banged his palm against the tray that caused Brenda to bite back her mirth. "Jerry, that's your cue. It is feeding time."

Jerry looked over at Jonathan who shrieked again. "Look at your sister over there," Jerry remarked as he pointed at a quiet Jessica. "She is minding her manners and waiting to be served."

The only response that Jerry's words caused was Jonathan's pounding of both of his hands against the tray and then the rest of the table laughing out loud.

"I see how much manners mean to you," Jerry muttered as he picked up the bowl of cooled food that Brenda had set aside for Jonathan.

"A word of advice, Jerry. Shovel," Brenda advised with a beaming grin as Jax pulled out the chair for her.

Jax then grabbed the knife and began to carve the turkey as he baited his brother. "But only fast enough that he does not choke or you'll be wearing it."

"I did live here when Roo was eating food from the table and you two think I am totally clueless about this," Jerry groaned as he put a piece of turkey and two halves of a green bean on Jonathan's tray.

Julia spoke as she passed the chestnut stuffing around the table. "Actually, I think it is more than two of us who think you are clueless about this, dear."

"Your input is not necessary or desired, Julia," Jerry proclaimed with a scowl.

"The sweet potatoes and marshmallows," Jillian chimed in as Jane dished some onto her plate. "I helped Mommy make these."

"There you go, pumpkin, you like these," Brenda crooned as she put some carrots and turkey in front of Jessica. She then looked over at Jerry and sighed. "You're already falling behind in the job."

Jonathan squawked loudly and Jillian shook her head at Jerry. "Uncle Jerry, you gotta be real fast, Jonathan's done."

Jerry put some more food on the tray that Jonathan grabbed for before Jerry's hands were even pulled away. "Jeesh, kid. Does your mother starve you?"

"He's a growing boy," John commented as he took a roll from the basket.

"Have you ever seen how you eat," Jax queried with a chuckle as he handed Brenda the platter filled with dark and white meat.

"As if you are one to talk," Jerry replied with a shake of his head as he put more food on Jonathan's tray. "And today, I'll be lucky if I can eat three bites with the garbage disposal over here."

"Poor Jerry, all that charcoal you will be missing then," Brenda murmured in mock sympathy.

Jerry shot her an evil look that was then interrupted by Jonathan's pounding against the tray again. Jerry grabbed a roll and broke it in half and handed it to the shrieking child. "There, suck on that and maybe we can get some peace for a few minutes."

"That's not gonna keep him quiet," Jillian said with a sigh as she put down her glass of milk.

As predicted by his astute oldest sister, the peace lasted for a whole sixty seconds before Jonathan dropped the roll and squealed again. Jax snickered as he spoke. "Nice try, Jer, but he's smarter than that already."

Brenda smiled at Jessica as she fed her a spoonful of mashed potatoes and then turned to grin at Jerry. "He wants real food and bread does not cut it."

"We need to set some ground rules here, young man," Jerry declared as he met Jonathan's bright blue eyes. "You sister over there is being a polite and quiet young lady."

Jonathan responded with a screech and a pound of the tray again. Julia leaned over and touched Jerry's shoulder. "I think that means that Jonathan's rules are that he eats before you do."

"It also means that he has no desire to be a polite and quiet young lady," Jax goaded as he saluted Jerry with a fork full of food.

Jerry glowered at Jax and then took a large serving spoon and dished a generous helping of peas onto Jonathan's plate. "Have at it, kid. Chase those peas all around your tray."

Brenda nodded her head and gave Jerry the `okay' sign as she stifled the cackle that threatened to break free from her throat. "Good move, Jer."

Jerry gave Jax an insolent smirk and finally took the first bite of his own dinner. He did not even look up to see Jax and Brenda mentally counting in their heads to the number ten nor did he realize that Jane was covering her mouth with her napkin to keep herself from laughing.

He heard the laugher and saw the amused expressions fifteen seconds later as two peas hit him in the face, one striking the side of his cheek and the other the tip of his nose. He looked at the treacherous members of his family and then turned toward his miscreant nephew just in time to be hit with two peas squarely in the center of his forehead.

"Bull's eye," Jax exclaimed as a cheshire grin covered his face. "Congratulations, peanut."

"Oh, did I neglect to mention that Jonathan hates peas," Brenda choked out through her mirth.

"Uncle Jerry, he smushes them in his fingers and just throws them," Jillian offered as she gestured toward Jonathan.

Jerry moaned as he flicked a pea from his shoulder. "No, Jillian, you are kidding me?"

John finally recovered from almost choking on a mouthful of food when Jonathan began his target practice. Julia still had her face buried in her hands as she laughing so hard, she was crying. She reached over and showed Jerry the pea she plucked from his shirt collar. "Honey, green is really not your color."

Jerry shook his head in contempt of them all as he then reached down to prevent Jonathan from getting to any additional weapons. "Listen you, toddler delinquent, you are in for a rude awakening."

Jonathan simply looked at the grinning and chuckling rest of the table and began clapping for himself in patty-cake mode as he squealed with glee. Jerry shook his head at the toddler and then quickly turned to see Jessica imitating her brother's actions as she clapped and cooed along with him in their newest game.

"Now you have corrupted your sister too," Jerry lamented. "You both are going to reform school."

"With all the practice you had there, you can show them the ropes then," Jax remarked as he grinned at the entertaining youngest members of the family.

Jillian smiled at both Jonathan and Jessica as she clapped along with them and sang in a lyrical voice. "Yeah! Yeah!" The twins quickly babbled their own version of the same sound as they got more animated in their game.

The family joined in on the game as the adults clapped at the playful show. Even Jerry could not stop the smile from covering his face as Jessica and Jonathan basked in the attention and rewarded everyone with toothy grins. It was just another entertaining holiday for the Jacks family.

Sunday, December 8, 2002
General Hospital -- 3:45pm

As they waited for Simone to return from radiology, Brenda stroked Jonathan's silk spun tresses as she slowly rocked her sleeping angel in the chair. Jax provided his own loving comfort as he gently massaged Brenda's neck and shoulders with his hand. Simone had told Jax and Brenda that she did not think that Jonathan's arm was broken but it had still been a harrowing afternoon for mother and father. Jonathan's latest attempts at climbing had resulted in his falling and hitting his right arm solidly against the coffee table. On the way down, the daredevil had also managed to bite his tongue so that the sight could drive up his mother's panic even more. Now, he was sleeping as if nothing had ever happened but Brenda still could feel her heart beating at almost twice its usual pace.

Jax looked down at his blissfully napping son and shook his head. "Someone does not look any worse for the wear."

"Of course not. Thankfully there is not a mirror in here for us," Brenda murmured as she looked over at Jax.

"Well, he is getting his introduction to bumps and bruises," Jax said with a smile. "And not even at the hands of a sibling."

Brenda sighed aloud. "And I am getting my introduction to the daredevil behavior of the Jacks genes."

Her thoughts drifted off and Jax felt the muscles tighten in Brenda's neck. "What is it, sweetheart?"

"Visions of the next thirty years of risk-taking and dangerous stunts, times three." She felt the air completely leave her lungs. "I'll never make it."

Jax chuckled softly as he caressed Brenda's face. "You'll get used to it. Bumps, bruises, blood and some broken bones are all part of the fun."

"As I said, I'll never make this," Brenda repeated as she hugged Jonathan even tighter against her chest.

"I know how heavy he is, do you want me to take him," Jax asked.

"No," Brenda snapped before sighing in exasperation at her emotion. "I'm sorry, honey. I just need to feel him in my arms right now."

"You don't apologize for loving our children and wanting them to be safe. The peanut's okay, sweetie," Jax whispered to Brenda in a voice laden with love. "He has some very tough and brave genes in him."

Brenda let out a deep breath before she spoke. "Yes, which also means that he will be trying to stand on a toy again tomorrow to get onto the couch."

A big grin formed on Jax's face as he leaned over and placed a kiss on Jonathan's forehead and then on Brenda's. "And we'll all get through it."

"Well, at least Jessica uses the dog for her ladder, it's a much softer landing," Brenda muttered.

"For everyone except Lady," Jax countered with a soft chuckle.

"So, she earns some points back for digging in my tulip garden," Brenda replied with a lift of her eyebrow. "And the Jacks women show off their brain power once again since Jillian used to use pillows to climb, not a truck with wheels on it."

"There's my feminist back," Jax teased as squeezed Brenda's shoulder. "And those attempts to stomp down the Jacks male brainlessness that Jerry gives us all a bad name about."

"Yes, but I don't think anything I say is going to persuade this Jacks male to stop torturing his mother," she retorted with a sharp exhale.

Jax nodded his head. "I think that's an accurate thought."

"I'll have to get some tips from your mother to find out how she survived this with the two of you," Brenda declared as she shook her head. "I see what you and Jerry do to each other now, I don't think I can bear to know what you did to each other growing up."

"I beat the bloody pants off of him all the time," boasted Jax. "Don't let anyone tell you otherwise."

Brenda rolled her eyes at him. "Sure, honey." She then shifted Jonathan in her arms. "Now, a helmet and shoulder, knee and every other kind of padding available are looking better and better for this one."

"Well, it will get him used to it for when he plays soccer and rugby," Jax informed her.

"Soccer and rugby with those hooligans like you and Jerry play, forget it," she choked. "Oh God, I can feel my hair turning gray as we sit here."

Jax sat there and failed to suppress his laughter as he watched the expression on Brenda's face. This coming from the woman who relished the thought of trees and cliffs in front of her and she tried to beat him down the expert slopes of the Matterhorn. Brenda muttered at him and then kicked at Jax's foot since her hands were too occupied to slug him.

Simone walked in on the scene and stood in front of Jax and Brenda and had to stop herself from laughing at the sight of the two of them. "What did I miss?"

"I'm getting ready to have a nervous breakdown and Jax is about to need an x-ray himself," Brenda declared with a groan.

"Well, at least it's convenient that you are both in the hospital already," Simone remarked with a teasing smile. "Now, we'll just have to find someone to pick up Jonathan since I'm ready to release him."

"So, his arm's really not broken," Brenda queried in an imploring tone.

"Just a sprain and he'll have a nasty bruise," Simone said in a reassuring tone.

Brenda did not pause for a breath as she continued. "And his tongue? No stitches or anything to worry about?"

Simone shook her head. "As I told you, the tongue is the fastest healer in the body so once you get past the initial bleeding, the body is already starting the healing process."

"Getting past all that blood is a lot easier said than done," Brenda proclaimed with a shudder. "It was everywhere."

"Yes, they do have to do that. Was Jillian upset about the sight," Simone asked.

Jax choked back a chuckle. "No, she took it in stride."

Brenda shot him a look. "That is an understatement. To quote Ms. Jillian as she ran around, `Oh, wow, look at all the blood, look at how red it is, it matches Jonathan's shirt. He's bleeding like a fountain.' She is obviously not my daughter is this regard."

"I'm thinking she is destined for a field in medicine," Jax retorted. "That or she will become a vampire."

"I'll keep my fingers crossed for medicine," Simone declared as she rubbed her hand up and down Jonathan's legs as he awoke. "Hey there handsome, you tell Mom that your going to be as good as new. In other words, as mischievous as usual."

"I'm not sure if that is a comfort for his mother or not," Jax joked with a bright simper.

Brenda lifted Jonathan up to her face and he immediately reached out his right hand to try to grab for her earring, causing Brenda to laugh in relief. "That's Mommy's big boy, as devilish as ever."

Jax rubbed the toddler's back. "Hey, peanut. You ready to go see your sisters?"

Jonathan flashed Jax a toothy grin as he snuggled against Brenda's neck and Simone tickled the skin under his chin, causing him to laugh. "He sure looks ready to me. I'll go sign all the paper work and then you can check out with Arleen at the desk in a few minutes."

"Thank you so much, Simone," Brenda murmured in an emotional voice. "Thank you for everything, including the recommendation for the adoption book for Jillian."

"I think it will make things much easier for her to understand about what is going on with Julia and Jerry," Simone stated.

"I am sure it will and we appreciate you taking such good care of Jonathan....and us," Jax echoed as he put his arm around Brenda.

Simone tipped her head to them. "You're very welcome and just please remember, it's all part of being a growing toddler."

"We should call Julia now and tell her everything's fine," Brenda told Jax as Simone left the examining room. "I know she's been worrying."

"I'll go outside and call and tell her that we'll be there to pick up the girls shortly. But first I need to do this," Jax announced as he wrapped both of his arms around Brenda and hugged her.

Brenda rested her head against Jax's shoulder as Jonathan rested his head against hers. "Thank you, that's so much better."

"For me too, sweetheart, for me too," Jax whispered in return as they stood there and reveled in what a good day this had suddenly become.

The Barrett/Jacks Penthouse -- 4:15pm

Julia knocked on the guest room door once again and tried to not turn into a completely hysterical aunt. Hopes for outright panic were fading fast as there was still no response from inside the room. Julia still could not believe what had transpired over the last half hour and how she and Jerry had completely blown this one. Somewhere between trying on hats and make-up and this moment, Jillian's confusion over Julia and Jerry waiting in her words, "for another mommy's baby" had hit full-scale panic mode. As a result, Jillian was now determined that Jessica was not going to be 'that' baby and as of ten minutes ago, Julia and Jerry had found themselves locked outside of their own guest room with Jillian and Jessica inside.

Jerry came into the hallway carrying a screwdriver and muttering to himself. "What is it with the obstinate Barrett women and their locking themselves into a room? Now I understand why Jax disengaged every door lock in that house."

"What are you going to do," Julia whispered as he approached the door.

"I can't safely break the door down so I'm going to undo the lock from the outside with this screwdriver and then have quite a little talk with the devil princess," Jerry responded.

"Jerry, she is upset and confused enough as it is," Julia reminded him. "I don't think we should force her out that way, she will be liable to think we are after her."

Jerry gestured toward the door. "What do you suggest we do to get her out of there then? I have seen lionesses less protective of their cubs than this one is of her sister at this moment."

Julia knocked lightly on the door again. "Sweetheart, are you okay in there? Is Jessica still sleeping? Mommy and Daddy should be calling very soon and they are going to ask how you are."

They heard footsteps coming toward the door and then Jillian's hushed tone. "Jessica's still sleeping and I'm watching her for Mommy and being quiet with Victoria."

"Aren't you and Victoria getting hungry and thirsty," Julia asked. "Do you want me to bring some milk and crackers for you?"

"We're waiting for Mommy, she will bring them," Jillian said emphatically. "Then Mommy is gonna take Jessica home."

"Of course Mommy is going to take you and Jessica home, along with Jonathan and Victoria," Julia responded immediately. "Jillian, no one is going to ever take you from your mommy or your daddy, you know that."

Jillian spoke through the door again. "But Uncle Jerry said some other mommy is gonna have the baby in a hospital but you're gonna bring it home when I get a cousin. Mommies take care of babies, they don't give them away." She then hurried back over to the bed where she was dressing Victoria and keeping an eye on Jessica.

Jerry shook his head as he muttered under his breath again. "Jesus, we really screwed up this one."

"In spades," Julia exclaimed as she let out an emotional sigh as she rested her head against the door. "Brenda told us point blank how confused Jillian was and how she and Jax were going to talk to Simone about it and we end up making things ten times worse."

Jerry drummed his fingers against his knee. "She was nonstop questions and obviously we gave her the wrong answers, we will just have to rectify that."

"We can't do anything through a door, we have to get her out of there," Julia murmured in frustration.

"All right, all right, we just need to figure a way out of this," Jerry countered. "No five year old is going to outmaneuver the two of us."

"She's already doing that," Julia said in exasperation.

"A temporary situation," Jerry countered. "She's smart as a whip but not that good."

Julia gave him a look of doubt and then she and Jerry both flinched as the phone rang. "Oh God, that's Jax and Brenda. What are we going to tell them?"

"I'll handle it," Jerry replied as he hurried down the hall to grab the phone in the master bedroom. He realized he had been in shark-infested waters and stranded in the desert and those phone calls to Jax were much less stressful than this one would be.

A minute later he returned and Julia looked up at him. "Well?"

"It's handled. Jonathan is fine and we have forty-five minutes to pull this off," Jerry announced to her.

Julia still felt as though her heart was beating outside her chest. "What did you tell him?"

"That we had a J-16 here," Jerry answered as he began to conjure up an idea.

"Translate please, you two make up more of these codes every week," she declared with a sigh.

Jerry further explained. "A keg of dynamite which I need to be diffused but if that fails, he is to come in with the bomb squad."

"Dynamite is the perfect description for this fiasco," Julia murmured to him.

Jillian then came back over to the door. "Was that my Mommy and Daddy on the phone? Is Jonathan's arm all better?"

"Yes, sweetheart. Dr. Simone said that Jonathan is okay and in a little while, everyone will be here," Jerry told her.

Julia proceeded to speak through the door as Jerry motioned for her to continue the conversation. "Jillian, I know how happy you are that Jonathan is okay."

Jerry handed Julia the screwdriver and then moved back down the hallway. "Take this in case you need it. I'm going out onto the terrace."

"We could all have dinner if Jonathan is not too tired," Julia suggested to Jillian through the door. "Do you want to come help me make something? What do you think Jonathan would like best?"

Jillian bit down on her lip in uncertainty and then looked over at Jessica who was beginning to move in the playpen. "No, I hafta stay with Jessica in here until Mommy comes."

Julia ran her hand through her hair in distress. "Sweetheart, please you have to believe me, Uncle Jerry and I are not going to take Jessica from your mother and father. Your mommy and daddy would never let anyone take any of you from them."

"But how are you gonna get a baby if one isn't in your tummy," Jillian asked. "Babies hafta grow in a mommy's tummy, just like Jessica and Jonathan and when Aunt Lucy had Bryndie."

"Jillian, Uncle Jerry and I want to try to explain that to you," she explained. "But we need to be able to see you and sit with you. It's a hard story to tell so we need to practice with you to make it easier for you to understand."

Jillian tilted her head as she spoke. "Practice like I do at dance class for the show?"

"Just like that," Julia affirmed. "Uncle Jerry and I have a lot of practicing to do and we need you to help us be able to explain all this to you. You know how much we love you, don't you?"

"Uh-huh," Jillian whispered as she bobbed her head up and down. Jessica then fussed as she woke up from her nap.

Julia stood up in front of the door. "Is Jessica all right, Jillian?"

"Yes, she just waked up." Jillian walked over to the playpen and handed Jessica her stuffed bear. "She wanted Snowball."

"Honey, Jessica is going to need her diaper changed and to have something to drink so I need you to open the door for me so I can do that." Julia put the screwdriver against the knob in case this latest plea did not work. "Please Jillian, you can watch Jessica the whole time while I take care of her."

Jillian bit her lip again and then looked up at the sound of tapping against the window. "Uncle Jerry's outside standing on the window." She raced over to the window and spoke to him through the glass. "How did you get out there?"

"I flew like Superman," he informed Jillian.

Jillian shook her finger at him. "You're gonna fall, Daddy says if it's too high, you get hurt."

"Roo, it's cold out here," Jerry said as he steadied his balance on the ledge. "How about letting Aunt Julia in so she can open the window for me?"

"It's getting dark outside and you didn't wear a coat," Jillian further reminded him. "You're gonna get a cold."

Jerry nodded his head and shivered at the gust of wind that then blew as if on cue. "I think you're right so Aunt Julia had better let me inside, I'm stuck out here and it's windy. We can all have something warm to drink and we'll talk about everything."

Jessica started fussing again and was standing up with her arms in the air to be released from her playpen jail. Jillian looked at both Jessica and Jerry and then moved over to the door. "Aunt Julia, you have to get Uncle Jerry inside, he's stuck." She then undid the lock and opened the door for Julia. "See him."

"I see him," Julia responded as she hurried over to the window and pushed open the lock. "You have lost your mind. Come in here before you hurt yourself."

"I told him he was gonna hurt himself," Jillian repeated as she looked at him.

Jerry lifted his eyebrows to Jillian as he climbed through the window. "Now it's time to talk and explain things again."

Jessica shrieked as her patience was completely gone for any more time in the playpen. Julia walked over to her and spoke to Jillian as she did. "Jillian, I'm going to take Jessica to my room and change her and then we'll all go get something to drink in the kitchen. That's a promise and you know what that means."

"Uh-huh, I know," Jillian said in a small voice. "You're gonna bring her back."

"That's right, so we'll see you and Uncle Jerry in a few minutes." Julia then walked out of the guest room and headed down the hallway.

Jerry reached out and touched Jillian's face. "Roo, things are pretty confusing for you, aren't they?"

Jillian did not answer for a moment but as an uncertain look covered her face, she nodded her head. "Aunt Julia says we need to practice."

"That's a good idea and since your mother and father will be here soon, we'd better get started." He took Jillian's hand as they walked toward the door. "Let's go see if we can make some hot chocolate and find the marshmallows for you and Aunt Julia."

"I hafta get Victoria," Jillian announced as she turned back toward the bed where the doll was sitting. "A mommy can't leave her baby."

"Of course not," Jerry murmured to her. "Victoria needs to come too."

Fifteen minutes later, Jerry was sitting at the kitchen table with Jillian as Julia made Jessica a bottle of apple juice and poured hot chocolate for the rest of them. He had made sure to unlock the front door so that Jax and Brenda could come inside without delay in case the keg of dynamite was about to explode. Jerry and Julia looked at each other with uncertainty about this undertaking as they had begun this discussion again with Jillian as she dropped marshmallows into everyone's cups. Jillian finished and as she sat with Victoria in her lap, she looked up at Julia. "So, God made you special like Maria?"

"Like Maria," Julia inquired in confusion. "How am I like Maria, honey?"

"Mommy and Dr. Simone said that Maria is special cause God made her arm different from everybody else's," Jillian returned. "Now you're special too since your tummy can't have a baby inside."

Julia was taken aback at the sentiment and a smile involuntarily formed on her lips. "I guess you could say it that way."

"I think that is a perfect way to say it," Jerry told Jillian. "Thank you for helping us practice."

Jillian grinned but then a puzzled look cropped up on her face once again. "But where do you get a baby then so I can have a cousin. The baby has to come from its mommy's tummy."

"This is where you have to really listen and we have to practice so we all can understand," Jerry warned her. "Sometimes, a mommy and a daddy can't take care of their children so they have to find other people to adopt the babies and be the mommy and daddy."

"And the babies are taken care of and get all the love they need," Julia explained. "You don't have to worry, no one takes any baby away from its parents, it only happens when the parents can't take care of the baby and have to find someone to adopt it."

"But why," Jillian asked as she intently listened.

Jerry took a deep breath before speaking. "Sometimes a mommy and a daddy just aren't able to take care of a baby. Sometimes they're just too sick or too young to be able to take care of a baby so they find someone who will be able to take care of the baby and love it just like your mommy and daddy love you."

Jillian exhaled aloud. "You mean if the mommy and daddy hafta go to heaven like Jamie?"

"Yes, sweetie, like that," Julia answered as she stroked Jillian's arm. "That is what happened to Emily and then Aunt Monica and Uncle Alan became her mommy and daddy."

"Emily says she has two mommies, one in heaven and Aunt Monica," Jillian chimed as she blew on her hot chocolate.

"That means Emily and all the other children who are adopted are very lucky, they have two mommies that love them," Julia explained. "The mommies who had them in their tummies loved them so much that they found another mommy to take care of them when they couldn't."

Jillian let it all begin to seep into her head. "What else?"

Jerry looked down at her. "Well, sometimes a mommy and daddy can't take care of their baby, they don't have any food or a place to sleep or clothes for the baby and they want their baby to have those things with a family who has that."

"If you don't eat, you get sick," Jillian exclaimed.

"Yes, so that is why the mommy who has the baby in her tummy decides to let the baby be adopted by another family," Julia told her. "She wants her baby to be happy and loved and not be sick."

"Mommy and Daddy aren't sick and we have lots of clothes and food," Jillian said in a relieved voice.

Julia nodded her head. "Yes, and you and Jessica and Jonathan were all sent to your mommy and daddy to be a family. Nothing is ever going to change that, do you understand that?"

"That's right, Roo. You are stuck with your mommy and daddy forever," Jerry declared. "Even when they are crazy and silly, you are going to have to keep them."

"Mommy's always gonna be my mommy, and Daddy's always gonna be my daddy, even when I'm big," Jillian confirmed in a steadfast tone. "Mommy says I'm gonna be Daddy's princess even when I'm all grown up like Emily."

Jerry nodded his head. "Even when your father is bald like Grandpa, you're going to be his princess."

Julia rocked Jessica in her arms and smiled at her before looking at Jillian. "Your mommy and daddy are going to love and take care of you and Jessica and Jonathan always. That's what families do."

"Do you understand that," Jerry asked her. "Aunt Julia and I are not going to keep Jessica, she already has a mommy and a daddy that can take care of her. I'm sorry that we confused you so you were afraid."

"You scared us when you locked the door to the guest room. You know the rules about that, your mommy and daddy told you all about them," Julia reminded her.

Jillian lowered her gaze. "Mommy told me to take care of Jessica and.."

Jerry reached over and lifted Jillian's chin. "We know and we all needed practice in talking and understanding this so we all made mistakes."

"But now you understand better and know that you and Jessica and Jonathan have your family already so there can't be any locked doors," Julia stated in a reassuring tone.

"No more locked doors," Jillian affirmed with a bob of her head. "And when you get a baby, you'll take care of it and be a family too then," she declared.

"Yes, but we have to wait until the baby finds us," Julia informed her.

Jerry exchanged a look of relief with Julia. "That's the most important thing for you to remember, Roo. No one is going to take a baby from its family, like Jessica or Jonathan. Adopted babies are looking for a mommy and daddy to take care of them so they can all be a family."

"Oh, like Annie in the movie too," Jillian added with a smile. "She waited for a family and then Daddy Warbucks and Grace found her."

"Just like that," Julia replied with a smile of her own.

"Grandma Gloria says that God makes families so we have to say it in our prayers. We need to ask God to have the angels hurry and find the baby for your family." Jillian gave Jerry a pointed look. "Even you, Uncle Jerry. We'll practice prayers, it's really easy."

Jerry shook his head at her ability to tug at the strings of his heart. "All right, I'll think about it."

"Good," Jillian chirped as a sigh of contentment was expelled from her lips. "When the baby finds you for its family, I get a cousin."

Jessica finished her bottle and looked across the room and began babbling at the sight of her parents and brother in the doorway. It had been a very enlightening last three minutes as Jax and Brenda had stood there.

"Mommy and Daddy are here," Jillian exclaimed with a beaming grin. "Did Dr. Simone make Jonathan all better?"

Jax nodded his head. "Yes, she sure did. Your brother is going to be fine as long as he stops climbing on trucks for a while."

"There are my girls," Brenda said as she walked across the kitchen and put down the bags of Chinese take-out. "It sounds like you've had an interesting afternoon."

"Yes, that goes for all of you," Jax echoed as he carried Jonathan over to the table and caught Jerry's eye. He then looked over at Jillian. "At dinner, we'll talk about all of it."

Jillian rubbed her hands together as she smelled the food. "Okay Daddy, we already practiced so we're all ready. Aunt Julia and Uncle Jerry are waiting for a baby to find them to be a family."

Brenda exchanged a smile with Julia as she took Jessica from Julia's arms. "We're all waiting for that."

"When you take Jessica and Jonathan home, I gotta stay here and spend the night with Uncle Jerry and Aunt Julia to help," Jillian announced.

"How do you need to help," queried Jax.

"I hafta help Uncle Jerry practice his prayers and talk to the God," Jillian replied with a tip of her head. "Then the angels will find a baby real fast so I can get a cousin."

Jax shook his head as a simper covered his face while Jerry reached over and tweaked Jillian's nose.

After dinner and a long discussion about the problems and corresponding punishment the next time Jillian decided to lock herself in a room would entail, Jax and Brenda had gathered up their belongings and their brood and headed home to leave Jerry and Julia some peace and quiet and the penthouse still more or less intact. They had reminded Jillian that she had school tomorrow so there would be no spending the night, even to help Uncle Jerry talk to the angels. Julia had promised Jillian that she could spend some time with them the following weekend. After hearing that and asking Jax twice how to spell the word "practice," Jillian had left the penthouse satisfied.

Jerry rubbed Julia's neck as she took a deep breath. "Kiddo, it was some day, wasn't it?"

"That is an understatement," Julia retorted. "Maybe we ought to take off all the locks now to be prepared. Oh, but then I can't lock you out when you become even more obnoxious than usual."

"Is that an attempt at a sense of humor, Julia," he asked. "It did not work if it was."

Julia shrugged her shoulders at him. "As if your sense of humor is anything to speak of."

"Well, this will make quite an enlightening journal entry for you," Jerry remarked as they headed out of the foyer area.

"Yes, how we need to practice explaining how we are waiting for a family," Julia replied.

"This way, we'll have it down perfectly before we need to use it on the munchkin," Jerry suggested.

Julia smiled and hugged Jerry. "Thank you. I'm going to go get the journal right now and tell the munchkin what his father said."

Jerry could not help smiling as she contentedly moved toward the bedroom. A minute later, he heard Julia's voice call out to him from the bedroom. He walked down the hallway and when he entered the bedroom, Julia was sitting on the bed, holding Jillian's doll, Victoria, in one hand and a note in the other.

As a tear ran down her cheek, Julia handed the note to Jerry. He looked down at the paper and read the blue magic marker printing aloud.

AUNT JULIA AND UNCLE JERRY

YOU PRACTICE WITH VICTORIA TO BE A FAMILY

XXOO
JILLIAN

Jerry swallowed the lump in his throat as he put the note down. "One day I'm going to have to stop letting that kid get to me."

Julia smiled through her tears and threaded her arm through Jerry's. "She's going to make someone a very lucky cousin."

"She sure is," Jerry agreed as he kissed the top of Julia's hair. "She sure is."

Saturday, December 14, 2002
The Barrington Auditorium /The Jacks Residence-- 6:45pm

Brenda refastened the bobby pin to secure the hair pulled up on Jillian's head as Lois helped Brooke straighten her tights. The recital was set to begin in fifteen minutes and there was a flurry of activity backstage.

"Is my hair all ready now, Mommy," asked Jillian as she held the snowflake hair band in her hand.

Jillian held out the headpiece to Brenda. "Time for my snowflakes."

"Okay, here we go," Brenda crooned as she carefully slipped the band around Jillian's head. "There, what do you think?"

A small gasp fell from Jillian's mouth as she looked in the mirror. "Oh, it's so pretty and Brooke has pretty flowers on hers."

"I think our poinsettia and snowflake look perfect," Lois announced with a smile.

"They certainly do," Brenda exclaimed as she leaned down to both girls. "We are so proud of both of you."

Lois looked at her watch. "It is almost time, are you both ready?"

"I am," Brooke uttered in an excited voice.

"Me too," Jillian agreed as she trembled in anticipation.

Brenda looked over at the assistants beginning to gather the first groups to be on stage. "It looks like Miss Virginia is almost ready for both of you to line up."

"Is Daddy keeping your seat so you can watch," inquired Jillian.

"Yes, Daddy and Uncle Ned are saving us seats so we will all be watching both of you, " Brenda affirmed with a nod.

"You have your own little cheering section with everyone out there," Lois remarked.

Brooke bobbed her head. "Great grandmother and great grandfather and then Grandma and Grandpop. And Aunt Monica and Uncle Alan and Emily."

"And Grandpa and Grandmom and Aunt Julia and Uncle Jerry," Jillian added. "Uncle Jerry still says he wants a kangaroo to dance in the snow but I told him he was silly."

"We know what a tease he is," Brenda commented as she caressed Jillian's cheek. "Aunt Robin and Uncle Matt are here too to see both of you."

"Uncle Matt says he is going to clap the loudest so we should wave at him first," Brooke told them amidst her giggles.

Lois rolled her eyes. "He really has been totally corrupted by this group."

"That he has," Brenda echoed as she saw Miss Virginia motioning for Brooke and Jillian. "It's time for the poinsettias and snowflakes to get ready."

"We hafta go," Brooke proclaimed as she let out a deep sigh.

Brenda hugged Jillian tightly. "Sweetheart, you have a wonderful time. That's all that's important."

"Have fun, baby," Lois expressed as she blew Brooke a kiss.

"Mom, Anthony's the baby, not me," Brooke corrected her.

Lois waved her daughter off. "You're always going to be my baby. Get used to it."

"Wave to us, Mommy," Jillian chirped as she scurried over to join her fellow snowflakes, Claire and Katie.

Brenda and Lois bid the girls good-bye and then went to their seats before the recital began.

"How are the prima ballerinas doing back there," Ned inquired as he secured the video camcorder on the tripod.

"Raring to go," Lois told Ned as she sat down next to him.

Jax took Brenda's hand and helped her into her seat. "Is the princess still excited?"

"Yes, and she wants us all to be sure to wave," Brenda replied with a beaming smile.

"I'll do more than that, I have the perfect accompaniment," Jerry murmured as he leaned over from the seat behind Brenda.

Julia shook her head as Jerry reached into his coat pocket. "No, you don't."

Jerry found only empty space inside the pocket. "Julia Jacks, what have you done?

"You were not going to bring that ridiculous kangaroo kazoo here and embarrass your niece," Julia said as she turned to Jerry. "And good luck ever finding it again."

John chuckled as he readied the camcorder. "Son, why does that sound so familiar?"

Ned snickered as he turned around and ribbed Jerry. "Poor Jerry, did you lose your favorite toy?"

Matthew joined in on the fun. "And you lost it to a girl."

"Watch it, mister," Robin muttered to him.

"That's my brother for you," Jax chided as he turned around and slapped Jerry's knee. "Such a role model."

Brenda stifled her laughter as Jax immediately leaned forward and avoided Jerry's attempt at a chokehold. The lights then dimmed as the performance was set to begin. As a hush fell over the crowd, Jax took Brenda's hand and she laced her fingers through his as they exchanged radiant smiles. With more excitement than the ballerinas awaiting their entrance onto the stage, the loving family and friends prepared to be dazzled.

Dazzled they were and an hour later, the finale of the Winter Pageant began as the stage was filled with various members of Ms. Virginia's ballet program. The poinsettias plied along to the music as the snowflakes twirled through the air. The pine trees bobbed as the wind dancers whirled throughout the forest. While the Snow Princesses danced, the Snow Queen emerged in all her glory on center stage. Sasha pirouetted among her royal subjects and as the last measures of the melody played, the ballerinas performed their final moves. The concluding notes of the music were then met by the clamor of resounding applause from the audience.

The exuberant young ladies took their bows as their efforts were rewarded by their appreciative fans. The auditorium was filled with flashes of light from cameras and shouts of "Brava" from the audience. Sasha was presented with a bouquet of white long stemmed roses from her father while her fellow ballerinas then each received their white sweetheart bouquets from their doting dads.

Brooke leaned down and received her flowers from Ned. "Everybody's clapping, Daddy."

"Because you all were wonderful, sweetheart," Ned said as he hugged her.

"Daddy, I twirled," Jillian whispered with a beam as she took her flowers from Jax.

Jax kissed her on the cheek as Brenda snapped the picture. "You were our beautiful princess up there."

After the flowers were all received, Sasha led the ballerinas in a final bow around Ms. Virginia as she was presented a cascading bouquet of her own from her pupils. Another round of applause broke out from the crowd as the wonderful evening came to an end.

The clock struck nine and Jillian yawned as she slipped under the covers. Jax flashed her a smile as he turned off one of her ballerina lamps.

"How is my ballerina princess," Jax questioned as he knelt down beside Jillian's bed.

"So good," she chimed. "The music is so pretty and I can feel it right inside here," Jillian stated as she patted her chest.

Jax fingered the curls around Jillian's face. "That means you truly love it and you can hear it all the way into your soul. It's like it's a part of you."

"Like when you say that Mommy and Jessica and Jonathan and me are parts of you," Jillian asked with a wide-eyed expression.

"Just like that," he responded with a nod. "All of you are right in here and you always will be," Jax murmured as he tapped his fingers over his heart.

Jillian let out a soft sigh. "That's cause we're a family. I want Uncle Jerry and Aunt Julia to have one too."

"We all do so we'll just keep hoping for that," Jax affirmed as he stroked her cheek.

Jillian lifted up her arm and watched her charm bracelet sparkle in the light. "I love my new ballerina, she's so pretty."

"Not as pretty as my ballerina," Jax uttered in a melodious tone. "It's time to take your bracelet off now but I'll put right on your nightstand."

"Thank you Daddy for my charm," Jillian crooned as she held out her arm for Jax to unfasten the bracelet's clasp.

"You're very welcome, sweetheart," he returned with a twinkling smile. "You know how much I love my princess."

"Love you too, Daddy," she gushed. Jillian then looked up to see Brenda standing in the doorway. "Mommy, you look so happy."

"I'm always happy watching two of my favorite people," Brenda informed her as she walked into the bedroom.

Jillian yawned again and Jax tucked in the blanket around her. "It's time to say good night."

Brenda leaned down and kissed Jillian's forehead. "You had a very big day today and have another one tomorrow."

Jillian bobbed her head up and down. "Aunt Julia's gonna take me to the store to get presents for you and Daddy and Jessica and Jonathan. And Lady, she gets a Christmas present too, she's not a beast like Uncle Jerry says."

"Lady will be happy with her present on Christmas morning, I'm sure," Jax said as he kissed Jillian good night.

"Presents have to be a secret," Jillian reminded them. "You can't see them till Santa Claus comes."

"We'll remember, " Brenda whispered to her. "Good night, sweetie. You were a beautiful ballerina."

Jax turned off the other ballerina lamp and then put his arm around Brenda. "Sweet dreams, princess. We love you."

"Nite-nite," Jillian mumbled as sleep overtook her.

Brenda rested her head against Jax's chest as they stood there and watched the smiles cover the face of their princess as she dreamt of sugar plum fairies. This was a moment to hold onto forever.