Sunday, December 15, 2002
The Jacks Residence -- 12:30pm

Jax came through the front door after dropping Jillian off to spend the day with Julia and Jerry for their Christmas shopping expedition. The house was quiet and he saw that the box of decorations was gone from the foyer. Jax looked up and saw the gold ribbons laced around the banister and correctly presumed that the twins had cooperated with their naps so that Brenda could finish the last of the holiday decorating. The house looked like the winter wonderland it had imitated for their first few Christmases until the holidays had taken on a melancholic component after the loss of Jamie. This year was the first since then that the joy and spirit of the season seemed to completely overtake the house again. Even with elf Jonathan trying his best to wreak havoc on the trimmings, the house was their own special version of the North Pole. The sights and sounds made elf Jessica squeal with glee as she was awestruck by the glittering lights and tinsel and Jillian was more excited than Jax had ever seen her.

With Jillian out for the rest of the day and Jessica and Jonathan asleep, Jax wondered what mischief Brenda was involved in now. He had found her suspiciously searching around the bedroom closets two days earlier and was sure her penchant for gift hunting had been renewed. Jax had laid the groundwork to test his theory and he was sure the results would not disappoint him. He was equally as sure that Brenda would not be disappointed with his surprise plans for the end of the week. It was indeed time to celebrate the season once again. Speaking of celebrating, the quiet house had given Jax his own ideas on how they could spend the afternoon. Jax hung his coat in the closet and then grabbed a helpful prop for his plan before he quickly climbed the stairs in search of a certain Mrs. Claus.

As he walked through the quiet upstairs hallway, Jax saw that the attic door was ajar. When Jax approached the door, he heard the sound of footsteps from above. Jax rolled his eyes in full understanding of what he would find in the attic and then he quietly crept up the steps. As he had expected, Brenda was in the corner rifling through boxes. Jax silently moved across the floor until he stood directly behind her.

Jax's undetected proximity to her allowed him to whisper so that the feel of his breath tickled against Brenda's ear. "Looking for something?"

Brenda was so startled by his presence that the box she held slipped out of her hand, sending a spray of styrofoam packing materials all over the floor. "Jax....What are you doing up here?"

"What am I doing up here?" Jax folded his arms as he stood before her. "I think the better question is -- what you are doing up here.....beyond snooping, of course."

She stammered in response. "No, I was ....was just.....checking."

Jax shook his head and chuckled. "And you call our son, 'little devil.' You are the incorrigible one in this house."

Brenda narrowed her eyes as she spoke. "I thought you had errands to run."

"Translation, you thought you had time to rummage through the attic in hopes of finding your Christmas gifts. What do you have to say for yourself, Mrs. Jacks," Jax asked with a lopsided grin.

Brenda fidgeted as she glared at him. "I take the Fifth."

"You are too precocious for words," Jax chided her. "Jillian has more willpower than you do and she is bouncing off the ceilings at points."

She patted Jax's arm. "Just a little hint on where I can find one."

"You actually think I would ever keep gifts in this house knowing your proneness for impishness?" He shook his head and laughed. "Not a chance."

"Gifts...as in more than one...as in several," Brenda speculated in a lilting tone.

He responded with a straight face. "Of course -- Mum, Dad, Jerry, Julia and then some special things for the elves, thereby several gifts."

Brenda exhaled in frustration. "Just one little clue is all I'm asking for, Jax."

"Fine, Ill let you in on a little secret." Jax then leaned forward to speak softly into her ear. "There aren't any since you've been so naughty."

"That's not the slightest bit funny," Brenda said in a clipped tone as she crossed her arms in front of her.

"What about you, Kris Kringle?" Brenda's left eyebrow arched up as she tapped her foot against the floorboards. "Telling me to stay out of the attic and dropping little hints about surprises. You set me up for all of this."

Jax could not suppress the smirk from forming on his lips at the sight of Brenda's stance. "Sorry, my adorable one, but you make it much too irresistible."

Brenda fought to ignore the alluring twinkle in his eyes as she scolded him. "We'll see how adorable you think I am when I show you JUST how resistible you are."

His words were murmured in a throaty whisper. "You know how much I enjoy a challenge." Jax took a step toward Brenda and grazed her cheek with his fingertips. "Correction, how much we both enjoy a challenge."

"You're pretty sure of yourself, aren't you?" Brenda queried as Jax took another step closer.

"The only thing I'm more sure of is you, Mrs. Claus." The light in his eyes seemed to illuminate Jax's entire face as he spoke.

Brenda felt the fluttering of her heart at the emotion behind his words. "What does that mean?"

"That means I have my Brenda back and it feels like Christmas in this house again," Jax crooned as he took both of her hands in his.

The breath caught in her throat at the significance of Jax's words. "Does it really feel like that?"

Jax pressed their entwined hands against his chest. "Yes, sweetie, it does. We all feel it, especially me. You brought all the magic back."

"No," Brenda said with a shake of her head. "I didn't know what magic was till you found me and changed my life. Then I was afraid that some of it was gone forever when we lost Jamie but your love helped me find it all again."

"As yours did mine," Jax replied in return as he kissed each of her fingers. "You made me feel alive again with the way you love me and those beautiful angels of ours, all four of them."

"I love all of you so much," Brenda murmured as she melted into Jax's arms. "Even that son of YOURS who is out to destroy every piece of ribbon he can get his hands on."

Jax swatted his hand against her shapely bottom. "No, he is simply following in the footsteps of his misbehaving mother and doing things he shouldn't."

She took a step out of Jax's embrace. "You want to see how resistible..."

Her words were interrupted as Jax put his finger in front of her lips. "No resisting or you'll be breaking the main rule of the North Pole." Jax then showed Brenda the mistletoe from downstairs that he had just removed from his pocket. "Now kiss me, Mrs. Claus."

Brenda tilted her head up as his lips softly caressed hers. Jax's arms then moved around Brenda's waist as his mouth covered hers. His kisses drained the air from her lungs as Brenda locked her arms around Jax's neck. After the passionate onslaught ended, Brenda looked up at Jax as he continued to hold the sprig of mistletoe tied to the ribbon. "And just how long do I HAVE to kiss you to be in compliance with this rule."

"If we're lucky and the elves cooperate, the next two hours," Jax stated in a voice that was as smooth as silk as he pulled Brenda deeper into his embrace.

Brenda clicked her tongue against the roof of her mouth as she looked up at him. "In the middle of the day, how decadent that would be."

"I know," Jax muttered as his hands roved down her back. "Your favorite type of pastime."

Her voice quaked slightly as Jax's palms cupped the curves of her backside. "When's the last time we shared that pastime in the middle of the day?"

"Long before any twin elves came and they want to rectify that," Jax announced with a sexy grin as he waved the mistletoe in the air. "The peanut ripped this down for a specific reason this morning so we could all share naptime this afternoon."

"Oh, he did?" Brenda laid her palms against the brawn of Jax's chest. "So we're already contributing to the delinquency of a minor?"

"Yes, and it's purely scandalous," Jax murmured as he nibbled the skin along Brenda's neck. "Aren't you so proud?"

Her sexy laughter filled the air. "Infinitely." Brenda took the mistletoe from Jax's hand and then dangled it in front of him. "You know what to do, shameful Santa."

Jax pressed his body against hers and lifted Brenda so that her feet were off the ground. His mouth made love to hers as Brenda's fingers raked through his hair. She moaned as Jax's tongue rimmed the inside of her lips. When he finally released her lips, Brenda slid down Jax's body until her feet touched the floor again.

"My turn," Jax purred as he motioned for the mistletoe.

"You like to send me off on treasure hunts for invisible gifts," Brenda reminded him as she tilted her head toward the stack of boxes. "Now it's your turn for hide and seek." With that, she shoved the ribbon down the front of her sweater and darted toward the stairs.

Jax followed behind a giggling Brenda and grabbed her as she reached the bottom step. He lifted Brenda's feet off the ground and threatened to toss her over his shoulder as they moved into the hallway. As Jax's hands continued to rove all over her, Brenda fought to stifle her squeals for fear of waking up Jessica and Jonathan. Jax finally put her feet back onto the ground when they reached the nursery door. Brenda quietly pushed open the door and smiled at the sight of the blissfully sleeping twins.

With naptime in full glory, Brenda reached her arms around Jax's chest as she followed behind him down the hall. Jax held his hands against hers and Brenda rested her cheek against his back as they hurried toward the master suite. When they reached the doorway to the bedroom area, Brenda pressed her chest against Jax's back. As they neared the bed, Jax spun around and captured Brenda's lips in a flaming kiss. While his tongue teased the corners of her mouth, Jax backed Brenda toward the bed until the back of her knees met the mattress edge. Jax then eased her onto the bed as their mouths never broke contact.

I peered through windows, watched life go by
Dreamed of tomorrow, but stayed inside
The past was holding me, keeping life at bay
I wandered lost in yesterday
Wanting to fly but scared to try

As their mouths continued their fervent caresses, Jax's hands pushed the sweater up Brenda's chest. His palms roved over the satin cups of her bra before his fingers caressed the top swell of her soft orbs. Even through the satin, Jax could feel the aroused points. His mouth released her lips and Jax sat up and then eased Brenda into a sitting position on the bed. He whispered, "I love you," as he dropped lingering kisses on her cheekbones and the tip of her nose. Brenda murmured, "I love you back," as she nuzzled her lips behind Jax's left ear. While she then gently sucked the skin of his neck, Brenda unbuttoned Jax's shirt and pushed it from his shoulders. Jax's hands roamed over her chest again and Brenda lifted her arms as Jax pushed the red sweater from her chest. The mistletoe and its ribbon peaked out from the cavern between her full curves as her black satin bra held the holiday trimming in its place.

Jax eased Brenda against the comforter again as his palms massaged the fullness of her breasts. His lowered his head and Jax's mouth began worshipping every inch of her chest. Lips, teeth and tongue made a path from her neck to the mistletoe before the flower was nudged away and Jax's tongue took its place. Soft moans escaped from Brenda's lips as Jax's tongue dipped under the satin material of the bra. Brenda clutched handfuls of his golden locks as Jax's nimble fingers quickly unhooked the front fastener of the bra and her round swells were freed, only to become prisoners to his touch. Jax's right palm stroked her left orb as his mouth provided the pleasure to Brenda's right orb. Her mouth and lips went dry as his thumb flicked back and forth against her left peak while his tongue stroked against the rosy point of her other full swell.

Then someone like you
Found someone like me
And suddenly, nothing is the same
My heart's taken wing
I feel so alive
'Cause someone like you found me

Amidst her whimpers, Brenda shifted her hips underneath Jax. She could feel the fire raging within her and as her thigh pressed against Jax, Brenda knew exactly how much the flames of passion had engulfed him. Even through the denim of his jeans, she felt his body respond even more with her touch. At the sense of the intensity of Jax's arousal, Brenda felt the inferno building from her very core. His hand then went to the button of Brenda's own jeans and he quickly slid them down her legs as he knelt beside her. Her matching black satin panties quickly followed suit before Jax shed his own jeans and navy boxers.

He slid Brenda under the sheets and sculpted chest met soft curves as their lips joined again. As his tongue gained entrance into her mouth, Jax lowered himself over her. He groaned into Brenda's mouth as their bodies joined. Jax then lifted himself over her again, breaking their connection momentarily. Brenda's frustrated murmur then became a whimper of pleasure as Jax joined them again. Brenda's sensuous moans were driving Jax wild as their passion intensified during their stolen moments together.

It's like you took my dreams, made each one real
You reached inside of me and made me feel
And now I see a world I've never seen before
Your love has opened every door
You've set me free
Now I can soar

Brenda rocked her hips to take them closer to their own version of paradise. Her fingernails dug into Jax's back as Brenda arched her back to him. Unintelligible murmurs escaped from her lips as the fires of love burst forth within her. Jax continued his slow caresses as he delayed his own journey to nirvana. He left a trail of baby kisses along the side of Brenda's face as she returned to earth.

With a semblance of coherence having returned to Brenda, Jax began to steadily bring them both toward paradise this time. With Jax moving them closer and closer to the gates of heaven, Brenda gripped the heels of her feet against the mattress. The breath caught in her throat as Jax's hands moved underneath her butt and pulled him to her. As Brenda reached back to clutch the sheet for steadiness, Jax's love erupted within her. While her name fell from his lips, Jax grasped Brenda's hands and threaded his fingers through hers as their love allowed them to soar above the heavens together.

For someone like you
Found someone like me
You touched my heart
Nothing is the same
A new way to live
A new way to love
'Cause someone like you found me

As they laid there still savoring the bliss from their physical union, Brenda purred in pure contentment as she stretched her body like a cat against Jax's chest. "Talk about magic."

"We're magic, baby," Jax echoed with a deep rasp as he kissed her forehead.

"That we are," Brenda sighed as she traced a path along Jax's chest with her fingers. "Remind me to kiss Jonathan for his orchestrated plans for shared naptime."

Jax caressed the silky skin of Brenda's back as he spoke. "And Jessica for staying in dreamland and Jillian for her little shopping spree to give us some time just for us."

A bright smile covered Brenda's face. "She was so excited about today. Her whole face lit up just talking about going with Julia and Jerry."

"Like somebody else I know when she's happy," Jax murmured as he continued to caress her back. "We'll see what you both look like next week."

"What about next week?" Brenda asked as she lifted her head from Jax's chest.

"Let's see, it starts on Monday and ends on Sunday," he replied with a devilish smirk.

"Jasper, stop torturing me," Brenda warned as she tapped her finger against his chest.

Jax managed to get the words out amidst his mirth. "But your petulance makes it so easy to do." He then moaned through his laughter as Brenda elbowed his stomach. "All right, all right."

Brenda exhaled loudly in frustration. "All right, all right, WHAT?"

"I should have known this Manhattan trip on Friday would be a bad idea," he muttered with a sigh.

"Manhattan for what?" she excitedly inquired.

"To see the decorated store windows on Fifth Avenue and give Jillian her first carriage ride through Central Park before listening to the two of you hum the entire score of The Nutcracker that night at Lincoln Center." Jax rolled his eyes in mock disdain as he looked at her. "It's for Jillian but since Julia offered to stay here for the night with Jonathan and Jess, I am stuck with you tagging along with us."

Brenda felt her breath catch in her throat and then simply shook her head in amazement. "You remembered.....It's been... three years since we've spoken about it."

He pulled Brenda into his arms and held her tightly at the memories of their conversation from that Christmas Eve morning, only hours before life changed forever. "I remember exactly how special we wanted Christmas to be for our children."

Brenda's voice trembled with emotion as she spoke. "All those dreams....I never thought I'd be ever be able to dream or feel again but your love changed all that."

"Love heals all things, remember?" Jax rested his forehead against Brenda's hair. "You told me that in New Orleans and life has continued to remind us."

"And how I do love you," Brenda proclaimed as she pulled away from Jax enough to meet his gaze. "More with every passing hour of every passing day."

Jax softly kissed her lips. "I know the feeling and it's all part of the magic of all of us."

"Jillian's going to love this trip," Brenda pledged as she struggled with emotion. "She'll love it almost as much as she loves you."

"What about her mother?" Jax asked as he brushed away a tear from the corner of Brenda's eye. "Will it make her happy?"

"Yes, happier than anyone has a right to be," she answered with a smile that made Jax's heart sing. "I still don't know what I ever did to deserve you."

He flashed Brenda a radiant beam in return. "We found each other and we're never going to let go."

"Never," Brenda whispered as she snuggled her head against Jax's neck and pulled his arms more tightly around her. He kissed the side of Brenda's face and they held each other as they celebrated the love within their hearts.

Someone like you
Found someone like me
And suddenly nothing will ever be the same
My heart's taken wing
I feel so alive
'Cause someone like you loves me
Loves me

The Barrett/Jacks Penthouse -- 4:15pm

Jerry shuffled the bags in his hand from the shopping spree as he opened the front door. A giddy smile covered Jillian's face as she securely held onto the box from Wyndham's as Julia followed behind her into the foyer of the penthouse.

As Jerry closed the door behind them, he shook his head and laughed. "Holding onto that box tightly enough, Roo?"

"It's my new, special dress," Jillian retorted as she turned around to face him. "Mommy and Daddy are gonna like it."

"Of course they are," Julia affirmed as she led Jillian into the den. "You are going to look beautiful."

Jillian flashed her a huge beaming simper. "Thank you for my pretty dress. And the special bow for my hair."

Julia put down her shopping bags and returned Jillian's smile. "You're very welcome, sweetheart."

"Now you just need to tell your father he needs to take you somewhere special to wear it," Jerry said with a smirk. "I know, tell him you want to go find Maria in Salzburg. He'll just LOVE that idea."

"Mommy says Maria's doesn't live there now," Jillian informed him with a sigh. "That was a long time ago....like when you were a little boy in school."

Julia choked back her mirth as she saw the withering look on Jerry's face. "Yes, and that was a very looong time ago." She then turned to speak to Jillian. "Honey, I'm sure they'll be a special time for you to wear your dress very soon. Your daddy likes special surprises for you."

Her head bobbed up and down as Jillian finally put down the dress box on the couch. "Uh-huh, Daddy likes to surprise me and Mommy. He keeps good secrets, even when Mommy wants to know her presents."

"That mother of yours thinks she has to know all her surprises, doesn't she," Jerry asked as he put down the shopping bags next to the coffee table.

"Yes," Jillian responded with a giggle. "Daddy says, 'No way' and then laughs at Mommy when she asks him to tell."

"Your mother always wants to know what her surprises are," Julia commented as she helped Jillian off with her coat. "But we know how good you and your father are at not telling her about them."

Jillian nodded as she dipped her hand into the shopping bag and pulled out the small black box. "I'm not gonna tell Mommy about her present." She opened the box and fingered the tortoise shell adornment. "The combs are gonna look pretty in her hair."

"They will look very pretty, Jillian," Julia acknowledged as she touched Jillian's cheek. "You picked out such nice presents for everyone. We'll get them wrapped up so you can take them home and hide them until Christmas morning."

Jerry came back into the den after putting the coats in the closet. "Even a present for that beast of a dog." He then rustled through the shopping bags and found the present in question. "A red and green candy cane toy for a dog. Lady's not going to buy you anything so why did you buy that beast a gift?"

"Lady's a good dog and she likes to play with toys," Jillian stated as she went over to him and squeezed the plush toy. "See, it squeaks and it's soft so we can play in the house."

"Your sister will steal it like she does all the other ones," he interjected with a chortle. "Jessica likes to torment the beast which moves her up in my book."

"Jessie likes to squeeze them and make noise," Jillian explained as she searched for her sister's gift in the bags. "I played the big xylophone at school and now Jessie has a baby one to play with the stick."

Jerry pulled out the box for Jillian. "She'll also have a weapon when that brother of yours misbehaves around her. I give her two days to pop him one."

"Daddy says Jonathan's like Curious George in my book," she said with a giggle. "Mommy says he's a little devil."

"Your mother's right, he's just like his father, such a devil. I saw Jonathan trying to undecorate the Christmas tree," Jerry goaded as Jillian removed the next box from the bag. "Now he's gonna use that train to run over Roo-Roo."

"Mommy says Jonathan's gonna be able to pull toys when he walks all over by himself," Jillian explained to Jerry. "When he doesn't wobble and have to hold onto the table."

A snicker fell from Jerry's lips as he imitated Jonathan's teetering. "I saw him yesterday and he looked like your mother put her scotch into his milk."

Jillian giggled and Julia glared at him. "Jerry, that's quite enough."

"I just call them like I see them and he looked like a drunken sailor," Jerry countered with a laugh. "The poor kid inherited his father's clumsiness."

"Daddy's gonna like his present," Jillian exclaimed as she continued to empty the bags and put the wallet on the table. "It's soft and Daddy can put in all the pictures of me and Mommy and the babies."

"I still think that pink purse would have been perfect for your father," Jerry offered as he leaned closer to Jillian. "You know how much he loves to wear pink."

Jillian's eyes rolled back as she spoke. "Daddy doesn't have a purse and he likes blue, NOT pink."

Jerry shook his head at her. "He's just fooling you, he takes your mother's purses all the time when she's not looking."

"No fibbing," Jillian declared as she shook her finger in the air. "Santa Claus is watching."

"I'm Santa Claus' favorite and talk to him all the time," Jerry announced with a shrug. "I tell him if all the munchkins should get any gifts under their trees. That means I'm keeping a list about you too so it's almost time for you to bring me my slippers and dinner for your good deed of the day."

"You're not an elf or Santa's helper," Jillian said in a deliberate voice.

"I call him on the phone all the time," Jerry informed Jillian as he then leaned down and whispered to her. "I have his cell phone number so I can tell him when you're naughty and when you're nice."

Jillian clicked her tongue against the roof of her mouth as she looked over at the mantel where the stockings hung. "Your stocking's gonna have coal in it."

Julia patted Jillian's back. "That is exactly what Uncle Jerry is getting since he's always in trouble because of his teasing. Now Uncle Jerry can help you wrap all the presents to take home and later we'll finish decorating the tree."

"I don't know why anyone is wrapping presents here," he queried. "They would have done a fine job of that at Wyndham's."

"You know that Jillian wanted to wrap her own gifts," Julia said as she pulled out the box of wrapping paper, bows and tape. "Now you can help her do that while I get dinner."

Jillian rubbed her hands together in excited anticipation. "Uncle Jerry, you hafta cut the paper with the big scissors and then we wrap. I wanta use the paper with the pretty bells and then put bows on the boxes. But Mommy says not too much tape."

"Have fun, you two," Julia said with a smug smile as she waved and left the den.

Jerry glowered at the empty doorway as Julia disappeared from his view. He then felt a tug of his forearm and looked down to see Jillian gazing up at him. "Uncle Jerry, time for the scissors. It's gonna be so fun."

"Sure it is," Jerry muttered as he rolled his eyes and grabbed a roll of wrapping paper.

"No, Uncle Jerry, the one with the bells." Jillian picked up another roll of paper as she spoke. "That one's got stockings, not bells."

Jerry took a deep breath and silently cursed Julia as he exchanged paper with Jillian. "SO much fun."

She picked up the wallet box and put it down on the coffee table. "Daddy's present first. You cut and I have the tape and then we'll eat licorice."

"Licorice?" Jerry feigned ignorance as cut a square of paper. "Why would we want to eat licorice?"

"Cause we like it," she replied with twinkling eyes. "You like the black kind and I like the red ones so we share."

A smile threatened to form on Jerry's mouth at the sound of her reply. "You have it all planned out I see. What happens if there isn't any licorice here?"

"There's licorice." Jillian immediately scurried over to the leather recliner and dipped her hand into the side pocket and pulled out the bag of licorice. "See, there's lots of them."

"How did you know about that bag," he asked with a lift of his eyebrow.

Jillian exhaled before she answered. "I watched just like Mommy sees Daddy's secret places." She then surveyed the contents of the licorice bag more closely. "Yum, lots of red ones for me."

"You have way too much of your mother in you," Jerry declared as a grin covered his face. "Your father is not going to know what hit him."

Twenty minutes later, Julia peered around the corner at the sound of Jillian's giggles. Inside the den, Jerry was sitting on the couch as he held the ends of the paper across the plush candy cane for Lady while Jillian tried to tape the ends shut. Both of them had sticks of licorice hanging out of their mouths and there were scraps of wrapping paper scattered on top of and underneath the coffee table. The other four gifts had been 'creatively' wrapped and were piled on the floor beside the table.

Jerry squeezed the paper around Lady's toy and a squeak resounded throughout the room as Jillian laughed harder. "Uncle Jerry, I gotta put the tape on."

"Well, get to it then," Jerry countered as he continued to squeeze the toy, making the taping job much more difficult. "Let's see how talented you really are."

More and more tape was pulled from the dispenser as Jillian tried in vain to affix the tape. Jerry snickered louder at the sight of his determined niece. "Tsk, Tsk, look at all that tape you have there. You said to use only a little, remember?"

Julia stepped into the fray as Jerry continued his torment. "Jillian, we'll show him just how talented we are." With that, she began tickling Jerry's vulnerable spot under his arm, forcing him to let go of the gift. "Get it, Jillian."

Jillian affixed the end of the lengthy piece of tape across the wrapping paper. "All done but there's too much tape."

"We'll put that to good use," Julia remarked as she tore off the surplus and proceeded to use it to seal Jerry's mouth shut. "There we go. Perfect."

Jillian put her hands in front of her mouth as she giggled. "Uncle Jerry's taped too."

"Good job," Julia affirmed as she gave Jillian a high five and grabbed the licorice bag. "Now we can go get ready for dinner and I get the black licorice." As she and Jillian reached the door, Julia turned back to Jerry who was ridding his face of the tape. "Aren't you really sorry now you didn't shave this weekend, dear?"

Jerry shook his head and groaned at the laughing twosome as they disappeared into the hall. There were way too many Barrett genes in his life these days.

Tuesday, December 24, 2002
The Jacks Residence -- 7:00am

As Brenda sat against the mahogany headboard, she gently stroked Jax's hair as he slept. She had been awake for thirty minutes and had simply been watching Jax sleep. She looked up at the skylight and saw the first rays of the sun shining through the glass. Brenda shook her head and a small smile escaped from her lips at the sight. It was the first Christmas Eve in three years that there had been even a trace of the sun and from the looks of the bright blue sky, it was going to be a beautiful day. Brenda sighed softly in relief, even Mother Nature was doing her part to make today be more joyful than sorrowful.

The first seven hours of this memorable day had been spent much differently than they had been over the past two years. After the clock had chimed in the midnight hour to start the day, there had been fewer tears as Jax and Brenda had found it easier to focus on the love that had created Jamie rather than the sadness of his loss. Then, in the wee hours of the morning, just as the emotions from the memories had threatened to become too much, Jonathan had awakened in need of some comfort. When she and Jax had gone to the nursery and Brenda had picked up Jonathan from his crib, Jessica had begun babbling to join the late night party. Jax had laughed as he lifted Jessica from her bed and then had exchanged a look with Brenda as they both realized they had been sent a reminder of all the joy their life entailed. After rocking and cuddling their smallest angels back to blissful slumber, Jax and Brenda had been able to get some peaceful sleep themselves as the sorrow of the day ebbed its way into the background once again.

When Brenda had awakened this morning, the visions from her dream had continued to play in her mind. They weren't the images from the torture of three Christmas Eves ago but instead were the jubilant memories of the trip to New York from a few days before. It had been an incredible twenty-four hours and Brenda did not think that Jillian had ever been happier. Between her wide eyed wonder at the festively decorated store windows, to the excitement of visiting the Santa at Macy's to relive her own version of "Miracle on 34th Street," to her complete awe at the music and dancing of "The Nutcracker," Jillian had been mesmerized the entire journey. Even the carriage ride in Central Park had added its own special moments as large, fluffy snowflakes had swirled around them to set a majestic scene for their special time together.

Now, as the sun continued to shine through the skylight, Brenda smiled as she looked down at Jax again. When she had roused from her sleep, Jax had stirred at the feel of her moving out of his embrace. Brenda had quickly shifted herself into a sitting position and then had eased Jax's head to rest against her lap. Jax had not awakened but his right arm had automatically moved to protectively wrap around the outside of Brenda's thigh. Brenda's hand continued to stroke the hair falling loosely against Jax's forehead before she let her fingers graze lightly against cheek. She felt the fluttering of her heart as she watched Jax's mouth then curve up into a smile. When Jax's eyes slowly opened and glistened as he looked up at her, Brenda did not think she had ever seen anything quite so blue.

"Hey, sweetie," Jax murmured as he took Brenda's hand in his.

"Good morning," she returned with a bright grin.

Jax's palm moved to cover Brenda's hand that was caressing his cheek. "Is it really?"

"Yes," Brenda answered with a slight bob of her head. "The sun's shining, Jax."

"I see it, my love." Jax turned his head to kiss the inside of her palm.

Brenda let out a jagged exhale as she shook her head in wonder. "I never thought it would ever shine or that it would truly feel like Christmas again on this day but today, it does."

The light in Jax's eyes twinkled as he spoke. "I think someone made sure it was this way. That's what last Christmas Eve and those first few minutes of Christmas morning were all about."

The memories of the previous Christmas Eve, with all the worry and fear and then the reward of their two miracles, flashed through Brenda's mind as her voice filled with emotion. "A gift from our own angel."

"The most loving gift possible," Jax whispered in his own trembling tone. He then sat up and put his arms out to Brenda. "Come here, baby."

Brenda melted into his arms and rested her head against Jax's shoulder. "I would do anything to have Jamie right here with us but I know he's never truly left us."

"No, and he never will," Jax explained as he rubbed Brenda's back. "And Jessica and Jonathan, along with Jillian, are never going to let us forget that."

"Just like they reminded us last night," Brenda offered as her body relaxed against him. "They knew we needed a little help to remember that."

Jax smiled as he rested his chin atop her head. "That and they were craving the spotlight as usual."

Soft laughter fell from Brenda's lips as she unwrapped her arms from Jax's neck and looked at him. "Well, that has been their forte from the first moment they were born so what else is new?"

"Along with Jillian, they have made their own indelible impact on us and everything we have together," Jax declared as his arms rested against her waist.

Brenda nodded her head. "The last year has given us so much. It has enabled us to get to this point now and brought all the magic back of life. We can't ever forget that."

"I know and I know how much you want our children to understand that." Jax then leaned over the side of the bed and pulled out a gift wrapped box from underneath. "I have something I think will help with that."

"What's this," Brenda asked as Jax put the box in her lap.

Jax brushed the hair from Brenda's face as he spoke. "A reminder of just how much magic our son wanted us to have again."

In contrast to her usual frenzied exuberance in the opening of a gift, Brenda took a slow, shaky breath before her fingers were even able to touch the box's lid. From the emotion behind Jax's words, to the love in his eyes as he spoke, Brenda knew her heart was about to be moved beyond comprehension. Knowing Brenda as well as he knew his own soul, Jax was cognizant of everything she was feeling at the moment. Jax lovingly caressed her face as he whispered to her. "Sweetie, it's okay to feel."

Brenda sighed at the words of assurance and removed the lid from the box. Under the tissue paper, she uncovered a leather bound scrapbook with the words, "Love and its Magic," embossed in gold on the cover. As she lifted the book and Jax moved the box from her lap, Brenda felt her heart flutter inside her chest. Her fingers reverently stroked the leather as Brenda rested the book on her lap. Brenda then took a deep breath as she opened the cover.

Any attempt to control her emotions that Brenda could have ever considered would have been for naught at the sight of the first page. Placed there was a photograph of Jillian standing in front of Jamie's decorated pine tree from last Christmas. Atop the tree, Snowflake was perched and next to the picture, one of the bird's feathers was affixed to the page. Underneath that photograph was the family picture taken the first night the twins had come home from the hospital. Jillian sat between Jax and Brenda on the couch as he held Jonathan and Brenda held Jessica. Adjacent to that photograph were Jax's handwritten words -- Love has blessed us with miracles and an angel watching over us all.

On the opposite page were the memories of the twins' christening day with photos of the godparents holding their precious charges and then a family picture of the entire Jacks clan from that day. The pictures were separated with a piece of the white satin ribbon that had been tied around the bottom of each baptismal candle. Again, Jax's handwritten sentiment appeared at the bottom of the page -- On this day, all the world's joy was right here with all of us.

Tears trickled down Brenda's face as she looked at Jax. "I don't have the words..."

"Nor do I," Jax murmured to her. "A long time ago, you told me that I had never written a love letter to you from my soul. You were right but the words don't exist to truly capture what I feel for you or the children you have given me. This was the only way I could think to do it and even this, does not do it justice."

The tears became a deluge as Brenda hugged Jax and felt her heart overflowing with more love than could ever be quantified. "Oh, Jax....You're still like make believe to me."

"No, baby, I just love you," Jax crooned as he held her and placed a kiss on top of Brenda's head.

Brenda sniffed back her tears as she pulled away from him. "No, there is no such thing as JUST loving me. No one has ever been loved so well."

"Then no one ever realized what true magic is," Jax replied as he pulled out the needed kleenex that he had knowingly placed in the gift box. "Here you go, my beautiful rain queen."

"With my red nose and eyes as usual," Brenda choked out as she wiped away the tears. "This day seems destined to bring that about but you made them tears of joy today."

Jax moved to take the scrapbook from her while he let out a mock sigh. "Well, to save my gift from being showered, we'll save the rest for later when you're not doing your rain dance."

"No way," Brenda countered as put her hands over Jax's. "This rain queen is going to savor every moment of seeing her royal prince and princesses." She then shook her head in amazement as she looked at Jax. "I can't believe you did this."

"It wasn't only me. You saved the mementos in the cedar chest and Mum helped me put it all together," Jax said as he opened the book again. "You've shared so much of your feelings in your journal, I thought we could combine everything together and fill this up as the years go by with all the special moments we share."

The rain shower began again as Brenda tightly clutched Jax's hand. "Don't you know that every minute we have together is a special moment because of you?"

"That's all I ever wanted," Jax affirmed with a radiant smile before he teased her. "Now, if you're going to keep raining, I'll go show this to Jillian since she'll be up any minute."

Brenda pinched his cheeks between her fingers as Jax laughed and then she kissed him before they finished looking at the scrapbook together. It contained pictorial mementos of the series of firsts for the twins -- the visit to the cottage with a family picture on the porch swing; the trip to Malibu with a shot of Jax and all three children on the beach; and the journey to Alaska with a picture of Jillian holding the twins on her lap. Secured to the pages were the pressed petals of the first blooms of Brenda and Jillian's pink and white tulips as well the first buds of Jessica's "American Beauty" and Jonathan's "John F. Kennedy" roses from the garden.

Then came a photo from Jillian's fifth birthday party and her first gold star from kindergarten, proceeded next by a picture of her dressed as a Tinkerbell for Halloween. To continue the "winged" theme of the holiday attire, butterfly Jessica and bumblebee Jonathan sat on either side of Jillian in the picture. Thanksgiving brought about another Jacks family photo and that was followed by a picture of Jillian dressed in her snowflake costume from the holiday ballet recital. The last memento in the scrapbook was a picture of Jillian sitting with Jonathan and Jessica on either side of her on the bottom step of the decorated staircase in the foyer. Brenda had not even seen the photo before as Jax had taken it a few days earlier while she was finishing her shopping with Lois and Robin. With Jillian wearing her Santa hat, Jonathan's fingers tugging at the ribbon of the banister's gold bow and Jessica cooing at the gold star in her hand, the photo caught the essence of the holiday feel of the house. Jax's words under the keepsake provided the final expression of emotion -- It's Christmas again, with all its magic.

Brenda closed the scrapbook and hugged it against her chest before she wrapped her arms around Jax's neck and buried her head into his shoulder. He whispered to her and then reminded Brenda in jest that his pajama top was not a handkerchief, even for a rain queen. Brenda choked back a sob as she swatted his arm with her hand and Jax chuckled as he tightened his arms around her again.

"Thank you for the most incredible love letter ever written," Brenda squeaked out through her emotion.

"Thank you for helping me see my own soul so I could," he murmured against her ear.

As Brenda took another tissue to wipe away the emotion of the moment, the sound of babbling and approaching footsteps came from the hallway. A radiant beam covered her face as she sat up. "I hear elves."

A thud then reverberated from outside the door, followed by Jillian's voice. "Jonathan, you gotta hold on or you'll fall again."

Jax laughed as he got out of the bed and walked over to the door just as Jillian was leading a bottle drinking Jonathan into the bedroom. Jessica was teetering behind them as she was mastering walking on her own.

"Daddy, we're all awake," Jillian chirped as she saw him.

"I see that," Jax said with a grin as he picked up Jonathan and stroked Jillian's cheek. "Good morning to all of you."

Jillian scampered over to the bed with Jessica's bottle and climbed in next to Brenda. "Mommy, Grandmom said to tell you she changed Jessica and Jonathan's diapers and she's gonna make us cinnamon french toast for a special breakfast."

Brenda kissed Jillian good morning. "Oh, our favorite. We're so lucky to have Grandmom and Grandpa here with us."

Jessica teetered in and excitedly babbled as she saw Jax. "Hey there, pumpkin, you're really on the move there, aren't you?"

The toddler continued toward the bed as Brenda clapped her hands and held out her arms to Jessica. "Let me see my big girl."

Jessica squealed as Brenda lifted her onto the bed and handed her the bottle. Jax sat down next to them with Jonathan in his lap and Brenda stroked the curls on top of her son's head as she smiled at him.

"Mommy, the sun's in the sky so it'll be warm when we decorate Jamie's tree," Jillian proclaimed as she laid on the pillows and looked up at the skylight.

"It sure will be, princess," Brenda declared with a smile.

"You don't have to stay in bed so you can help this time," Jillian happily chimed. "Jessica and Jonathan are gonna see the tree too."

Jax reached over and clutched Brenda's hand as he spoke. "We all will see it so it's going to be such a special day."

Jillian clapped her hands together as she excitedly exclaimed again. "And one more day till lots of presents 'cause it's Christmas."

"It's already here, Jillian," Brenda asserted in a hushed tone as she laced her fingers through Jax's. "It's already here."

Someone like you
Found someone like me
And suddenly nothing will ever be the same
My heart's taken wing
I feel so alive
'Cause someone like you loves me
Loves me

The Barrett/Jacks Penthouse -- 4:30pm

Julia ended her call with Brenda and reached over to the end table to replace the portable phone in its cradle. She was relieved to hear Brenda sound so in control and at peace today. It was such an emotional day for everyone now and the serenity in Brenda's voice helped to calm Julia's worries. The memories of the anguish from three years ago would never be forgotten but Jax and Brenda had found a way to live with their loss and concentrate on life's joys. It was something they all were learning to do now, especially Julia.

She sat down in front of the fireplace again and leaned back against the couch. The quiet of the room helped her compose her thoughts as Julia looked down at the journal beside her. Between the message of the season itself and the emotion of today in particular, it had been a reflective afternoon. The holidays again were proving to be the most difficult time for her and Jerry had sensed Julia's meditative mood earlier. He had given her some space and had made his phone calls from the den to finalize a deal in the Anchorage office prior to the end of the business banking day there before the holiday.

As Julia looked over at the twinkling lights of the Christmas tree in the corner, her gaze moved to the star at the top of the tree. She softly sighed at the sight of the glimmering crystal and the remembrance of Jerry placing it in its crowning position on the top branch. Between that memory and the reassuring words that Brenda had just offered, Julia finally found the words she wanted to share. With a small smile, Julia picked up the journal and allowed the feelings from her heart to spill over onto the page.

It's Christmas Eve and we are waiting for you. I never realized just how much was missing from Christmas without you until I had a taste of it with your cousin Jillian here. Jillian is waiting for you too so that she can have her own very special cousin. When we unpacked the decorations and found the star for the top of the tree, Jillian made sure I remembered to make a wish upon it. That was the easiest wish ever made as I wished for you to be here when your father puts that star on the tree next year. When that happens, it will truly be Christmas for all of us.

Your Aunt Brenda reminded me today that you have a very special angel watching over you and he is just waiting for the perfect moment to send you to all of us. When that day comes, we will all be a family and you will see just how much love there is waiting for you here. Until then, our love for you will continue to grow and I will wish on every star I see.

A slow exhale was expelled from Julia's lungs as she closed the journal. Julia then leaned back against the couch and shut her eyes to savor the first trace of serenity she had felt today When she opened her eyes again, Julia realized that Jerry had been silently watching her as he stood just inside the doorway.

"I firmly believe that you were a cat burglar in another life," Julia uttered as she pushed back the hair from her face.

"Come on, I could never have been anything so mundane," Jerry corrected her as he walked toward the couch. "An international jewel thief or espionage specialist would have to have been it. Something to keep Scotland Yard, the CIA and Interpol completely stymied for decades."

Julia tilted her head as she looked up at him. "Such lofty expectations for someone to whom the CIA directors now send their holiday greetings."

"That's just a trap since they don't believe for a moment that I am in this podunk town for its charm." He sat down next to Julia and shook his head as he looked at the Christmas tree. "Just like they would never believe I would ever willingly be within a hundred yards of a silver and crystal factory disguised as a Douglas fir."

Julia rolled her eyes at him. "Enough about that tree. It looks beautiful."

"Oh, there's actually a tree in there," he asked with a mock look of surprise on his face. "How could you tell?"

"Jerry, the claws and teeth of those dead animals are not going on there," Julia declared with a lift of her eyebrow. "This is not some hunting lodge."

Jerry shook his head again at the tree. "There aren't even any strings of popcorn on it. You call that a Christmas tree?"

"Might I remind you of the popcorn on the tree two years ago after all your whining," she remarked. "Within four days, the popcorn was three quarters of the way gone since you ate it right off the tree."

"A minor point," Jerry contended with a shrug.

"Not when three days before Christmas, there was nothing left but dental floss." Julia rolled her eyes again as she continued. "Such a festive holiday decoration."

Jerry threw another log on the fire as he spoke. "You and your sister and this fixation on the term, 'festive.' At least this poor tree was spared a covering of lace, unlike the one at Brenda's version of North Pole Jacks."

"That's a Victorian tree, Jerry," Julia replied when he sat beside her again. "It is supposed to have lace on it."

"Not in my definition of decorating," Jerry countered with contorted expression. "Jasper must have to swig down a bottle of Mylanta every morning to even walk in that living room."

Julia flashed him a pointed look. "This from the man who thinks leopard spots and zebra stripes make perfect matching accessories."

Jerry shook his head and sighed. "I'm telling you, they would have been perfect in here. If you only knew what you were missing."

"I know exactly what I am missing, thank you, and that's being accused of having no taste," Julia's next statement came out in a hushed voice. "Just like I know what you are doing now."

"Yes, I'm trying to help you to cultivate some refinement in your choices," Jerry answered with a wave of his hand. "You know what they say about broadening one's horizons."

Julia reached over and touched Jerry's hand. "Nice try, but your guise is as transparent as the crystal ornaments you were just mocking," she quipped with a smile. "I really do appreciate it but you don't need to distract me. I'm okay."

"Are you really," Jerry asked as he stroked his fingers against her hair. "It's not an easy day, Julia, .....for many reasons."

"No, it's not," Julia affirmed with a shake of her head. "And with that in mind, I'm as okay as I could expect to be today."

Jerry's hand ran down Julia's golden locks and then massaged her neck. "Did you check in with Brenda?"

"Yes, she sounded good," Julia replied as a relieved expression covered her face. "They're getting ready to go to the Children's Mass to see Brooke. They decorated Jamie's tree and then spent the afternoon stopping Jonathan from ripping down the bows and Jessica from pulling all the lights off the Christmas trees."

A deep chuckle fell from Jerry's lips. "In other words, the usual."

"Yes, and I don't know that Brenda or Jax ever thought anything could be normal again on this day," Julia murmured. "It helped to put some things in perspective for me."

"Like what," Jerry questioned.

Julia exhaled sharply before responding. "That some Christmas Eve we won't be sitting here waiting for the chance to stop our child from undecorating the tree."

"It'll happen, Julia," Jerry pledged as he took her hand. "I don't know when but one day it will. I have to believe that."

"I have to believe it too," she acknowledged in an emotional voice. "But until then, this waiting.... it feels as if...."

"As if every single day is Christmas Eve," Jerry probed as he finished her thought. "And that Christmas will never come."

Julia felt the air being expelled from deep within her lungs as she sighed in relief. "Yes...and all the emotion that goes along with that." She then looked over at Jerry and spoke in a deliberate tone. "But I know how far we've come to get to this point."

"That means a lot," Jerry affirmed with a bright smile.

As she nodded, Julia returned his simper. "It means everything and I'm trying to concentrate on that."

"Easier said than done, I know," Jerry said as he squeezed her left hand. "Especially today."

"We'll get through it," Julia professed as she moved her other hand over Jerry's. "We have each other and our families."

"And the journal," Jerry added as his eyes glanced over at the chestnut colored leather.

"Melanie was right, it helps to channel some of the emotion," Julia avowed before she let out a jagged sigh. "Now we just need it to be Christmas and blessed with a child to share it with."

Silently, Jerry then stood up and walked up to the mantel. As Julia watched him, he reached behind the clock and pulled out a small wrapped box. He returned to his place beside her in front of the fire and handed the box to Julia. "I know it's Christmas Eve but I wanted you to have this today."

Julia gave him a curious look. "What's this?"

"Something I hope will help you make those wishes until Christmas is here," Jerry told her as the blue of his eyes sparkled.

She then unwrapped the silver foil paper to find a black velvet jewelry box. As Julia opened the box and saw the necklace, the gasp from her throat came simultaneously with her tears. Her fingers trembled as she reached down to touch each glimmering point of the Waterford crystal star pendant. When Julia then looked up at Jerry, she could not find even a trace of her voice. She simply collapsed into his arms as her tears continued to fall.

Jerry held her tightly for a minute before he muttered aloud. "Those ARE happy tears, aren't they? You know I still don't get that concept at all."

The combination of her tears and laughter at Jerry's remark caused Julia to choke on the words that finally came. "Yes, you idiot."

"Just checking," Jerry replied in a goading tone as Julia pulled back from his embrace. "I had to be sure you suddenly didn't develop an aversion to that crystal obsession of yours."

"There's no way you're going to bait me away from the sentiment of this moment," Julia whispered as she wiped away her tears. "This the sweetest thing anyone's ever done for me."

"Bloody hell," Jerry groaned as he rolled his eyes. "Not this romantic mush."

Julia ignored his feigned disgust as she looked down at the pendant. "I can't believe you did this for me. I'm never going to forget this moment." Her voice began to tremble again as she tried to take the necklace from the box.

"Look at this, you're shaking," Jerry murmured as he took the box from Julia's hand. He removed the necklace and unhooked the clasp as Julia turned her head and Jerry fastened the necklace around her neck.

Her fingers lovingly touched the crystal star as Julia's eyes met Jerry's gaze. "You're the most loving man I've ever met."

"Don't you dare tell me I'm turning into Jasper," Jerry warned as he took Julia's in his arms.

"I will leave that to your mother and Brenda when they hear about this tomorrow," Julia pledged with a smile as she rested her head against his shoulder. "But one day, I'm going to have the honor of telling our child all about this."

Jerry grumbled again as he held her. "I really need to get my head examined."

Julia shook her head as she looked up at him. "No, that would not help. This one was straight from your heart and I'll love you forever for it."

"Well, I guess I'll have to love you back then," Jerry confirmed as he stroked Julia's cheek. "Merry Christmas Eve, kiddo."

"Merry Christmas Eve to you," Julia echoed in return before her lips joined with his.

With the flickering light from the fire and the glimmering luster of the crystal tree ornaments as a background, the light beaming from the star pendant bathed Jerry in Julia in brilliance as they celebrated how much that life had already given them.

Wednesday, December 25, 2002
The Jacks Residence -- 8:30am

Christmas morning had arrived in all its splendor with the den as the center of activity this year rather than the living room. It was the safer locale as the tree had been decorated with the mischievous elves in mind and the train set under the tree had provided entertainment for everyone. Jax leaned down and picked up a wad of wrapping paper from the corner and then carefully stepped over the puzzles, book and assorted toys in the middle of the floor. Brenda was on the other side of the room shifting through the empty boxes for instruction manuals and other materials that needed to be saved.

Jax shook his head as Jonathan knocked over the stack of blocks while at the same time, Jessica pounded down on the toy organ she had found under the tree. Jillian was on the couch as Jane helped her try on the ice skates from Santa while Lady barked for John to toss her the new ball that had been left for her. Between the noise of the barking, Jonathan's shrieks at the sight of the falling blocks, Jessica's singing to the organ music and Jillian's giggles as she tried to lace up her ice skates, the din in the room moved up three decibels from its level just forty minutes earlier. It had been bedlam then as the den had replicated a miniature version of FAO Schwarz when the elves had found their gifts. Now the scene was closer to a madhouse and the sights and sounds could not have been sweeter.

Jax moved behind Brenda and whispered against her ear. "Do you think you may have gone just a TAD overboard, Mrs. Claus?"

"Mr. Claus, I am not the one who bought antique carousel horses for our daughters and a wagon for our son," she murmured back in a teasing tone. "A wagon, I might add, that will be too heavy for Jonathan to pull for at least three years."

"He and Jess will enjoy riding in it until they can pull it themselves," Jax retorted as he wrapped his arms around Brenda's waist. "And they'll have a goal to shoot for already."

Brenda softly laughed as she turned her head to look up at Jax. "I guess I should be thankful that you didn't buy a kayak for Jillian."

"No, that's her birthday gift," Jax bantered in response as a smirk covered his face. "And Jessica gets her skis over the weekend when we have the birthday party."

Brenda playfully patted Jax's cheeks as she groaned at him. "So, this means that spoiling all of them rotten will be the norm?"

"Of course, that's a father's prerogative," he crooned with a devilish glint in his eyes. "Just like spoiling their mother is."

"Well, when you put it that way, I guess I will just have to accept it as fact," Brenda sighed in mock disappointment.

"Oh, you poor thing," Jax replied with a smug smile as he kissed the corner of Brenda's mouth.

"Mommy, look at my skates," Jillian called out as Jane helped her to stand up.

Brenda flashed her a grin. "They're beautiful. We'll have to go to the pond soon and try them out."

"We can race Daddy," Jillian chirped in enthusiasm. "And go real, real fast and win."

"We will definitely have to do that," Brenda affirmed with a nod to Jillian and then a smirk to Jax.

Jax shook his head at the taunting look on Brenda's face. "Jillian, remember what I told you last time about how your mother likes to bend the rules?"

"I was using my own rules," Brenda corrected him. "If they didn't match yours, why is that my problem?"

Jax rolled his eyes at her and then turned his head in the direction of the deep chuckling coming from the center of the room. John looked up from the stack of blocks he had just built for Jonathan. "Son, didn't I tell you years ago that you'd met your challenge in Brenda?"

"No, I'm sure you used the term, 'thorn in my side,' to describe her," Jax teased.

"Aren't we in such fine holiday spirit," Jane declared with a laugh as she helped Jillian sit back down on the couch.

As if on cue, and with a loud squeal, Jonathan swung his arm around and toppled the tower of blocks onto the rug. His face was covered with a proud beam as he looked at everyone for attention.

Brenda clapped her hands together and returned the toddler's grin. "You and your Daddy are so funny, next time you can try that with the blocks piled on Daddy's face."

Jillian giggled at Brenda while Jessica then began another chorus of her lilting. "Okay, you two," Jax said with a moan. "You don't always have to take your mother's side."

"Yes, they do," Brenda exclaimed with a wink to Jillian. "Girl power," Brenda cheered as she lifted both of her arms up, with her thumbs raised toward the ceiling.

Jillian then joined in on the chant with same arm movements. "Girl power."

Together, Brenda and Jillian repeated their mantra as they coaxed the youngest team member to join them. "Girl power." Jessica jabbered in response as she clapped her hands in patty-cake style, the closest imitation she could muster to date. Brenda and Jillian clapped in unison with Jessica before Jillian reached over the back of the couch and high five's with Brenda.

John choked on his mirth at the amusing scene. "Jax, you and this lad are going to have your work cut out for you with this crew."

"You're telling me," Jax replied as he grabbed Brenda from behind and pulled her against his chest. "And the peanut and I are stuck with them all."

"Aren't you two lucky," Brenda cooed as she placed her hands on Jax's arms at her waist.

"The two luckiest men in the world," Jax murmured against Brenda's cheek as he kissed the side of her face.

She flashed Jax a smile that could have lit up ten Christmas trees. "We're just as lucky." Brenda then turned to speak to Jillian who was putting her skates back in the box. "Sweetheart, do you think you are ready for some breakfast yet?"

"No, I hafta get my presents and give them to everybody first," Jillian announced in an emphatic tone.

"Okay, you tell us what you want us to do," Brenda proposed. "Remember Grandmom and Grandpa's gifts from you and Jessica and Jonathan are under the living room tree and you wrote the tags for them."

"I remember. Now Mommy and Daddy, you hafta sit here," Jillian indicated as she patted the couch pillow. "Grandpa can sit on the chair next to Grandmom and I'm gonna get the presents and bring them to you."

Jax and Brenda followed their orders as Jillian scurried around the sofa and opened the closet door. She disappeared inside the closet and then appeared again, clutching the shopping bag from her excursion with Jerry and Julia. Jillian raced over to the couch and her giddiness overflowed. "I hided the presents really good, just like Daddy does."

"You're a great hider," Jax said as he flashed her a beaming grin.

"Mommy, this is yours," Jillian chirped as she pulled out the gift. "And this one's yours, Daddy."

Brenda stroked Jillian's cheek. "Thank you sweetie. Now why don't you put the gifts on the floor next to Jess and Jonathan and see what they'll do."

Jillian leaned down and put the gifts next to the twins. Jonathan continued his focus on the blocks for the moment but Jessica immediately turned her attention to the gift. She beat her hand against the box and then shrieked for someone to assist her.

Jax snickered as he reached down and starting tearing the paper for Jessica. "Impatience for your gift, I see. We know who you inherited that from, pumpkin."

Brenda shrugged at him as Jessica began tugging at the gift's wrapping. "As if there is a problem with that."

Jillian quickly went to the living room and then returned with the gifts and eagerly handed them to John and Jane. "These are your presents from me and Jessica and Jonathan."

"That's right," Brenda acknowledged with a bob of her head. "When Aunt Julia and Uncle Jerry come later, Daddy and I will give Grandmom and Grandpa their gifts."

"Look at how nicely these gifts are wrapped," Jane offered.

"Uncle Jerry helped me but he teased all the time," Jillian informed them as she pulled the last gift from the bag.

"Uncle Jerry teasing you," John queried with a chuckle. "I can't even imagine that."

Jillian nodded her head as she walked over to the dog. "He really teased about Lady's gift. I gotta open hers." She tore open the paper and squeezed the candy cane toy. "Lady, here's your present."

The dog dropped her football at the sound of the squeak and barked once in enthusiasm before taking the candy cane and trotting off into the corner with it.

Jax put his thumb up to Jillian. "I think that means Lady really likes your gift."

"Okay, everybody can open," Jillian gushed as she stood there. She then leaned over and pushed the gift closer to Jonathan. "Jonathan, you too."

Jonathan dropped his block and dug his fingers into the side of the paper and tugged away a strip of it as everyone laughed at his sudden zealousness.

"Are you gonna open the presents," Jillian asked with a trace of impatience in her voice.

"Of course, we are," John replied as the sound of paper being torn away from boxes then resonated throughout the den.

Jillian fidgeted back and forth as she awaited the reactions from everyone. Jane's came first as she found the silk scarf and framed family photo. "Look at this pretty scarf and how beautiful this picture is of all of you."

"Jillian picked out the scarf herself," Brenda advised Jane with a smile.

"It has pretty blue to match your eyes," Jillian remarked as she touched the scarf. "And you can put the picture on the wall at your house so you always see us."

Jane spoke as she hugged Jillian. "I know just where I'm going to put it. Thank you Jillian. And you too Jessica and Jonathan," Jane added as she looked down at the twins on the floor.

John was next to offer his gratitude for his gifts. "Look at these cufflinks and this photo of you and your brother and sister."

"They say JJJ for your name, just like Daddy's," she explained about the cufflinks. "The picture's for your desk so you can see me, Jessica and Jonathan when you work on the computer."

"That's just what I need to see when I'm working," John stated as he kissed Jillian's cheek. "Thank you, little sheila."

Jillian giggled at the endearing term as she moved over to the couch to watch Jax and Brenda open their gifts. Brenda removed the lid from the small box and sighed in happiness. "Aahh, look at these beautiful combs." She took one from the box and immediately pushed back the curls of her hair and secured the comb. Brenda did the same to the other side of her hair with the second comb and turned to Jillian. "How do they look?"

Jillian clapped her hands together as she joyously exclaimed, "Oh, Mommy, they look so pretty."

"They look just beautiful," Jax pronounced in agreement as he winked at Jillian.

"Thank you, sweetheart," Brenda murmured against Jillian's curls as she hugged her tightly.

"Now Daddy," Jillian announced as she sat on Brenda's knee next to him.

Jax opened his gift and flashed Jillian a big grin. "Just what I needed." He opened up the wallet and nodded his head. "Now I can fit all the pictures in it."

Jillian beamed as she reached over and touched the fine Italian leather. "It's soft too, just like you like it."

"Exactly like I like it," Jax affirmed as he then tickled the skin under Jillian's chin. "Soft just like you right there, princess."

Jillian giggled loudly as Jax tickled her again before he kissed the top of her head and thanked her. Brenda looked down at the twins who had succeeded in partly tearing away the paper from their gifts. "Why don't we help your brother and sister open their gifts now so they can play."

Jillian got down on the floor with her and opened Jessica's xylophone and Brenda opened Jonathan's truck. Jessica began patting her hand against the toy as Jillian tore open the plastic bag holding the batons. "No, Jessica, you use these sticks to play the music. Remember, just like at Dr. Simone's office"

"What a nice xylophone. Show her what to do and then try putting just one in her hand," Jax suggested.

Jillian played each note of the xylophone's scale and then offered Jessica the baton. "You play it now."

Jessica looked at the stick and then clutched her fist around it. As she went to put it toward her mouth, Jillian stooped her as John laughed. Brenda smiled at Jillian as she gave her some advice. "Now, why don't you try taking her hand and showing her what she needs to do."

Jillian guided Jessica's hand to the xylophone and helped her strike the baton against the keys. "Just like that, Jessica. You hit it with the stick you, don't eat the stick."

The toddler stared at the colored keys of the toy for a moment. She then finally moved her right hand down as the rubber end of the baton made contact with the xylophone. It was a soft din but the next swat made stronger contact and the sound rang out. Jessica's face became covered with a smile as she squealed. Her squeals became much louder when she heard the applause from her audience.

Jax shook his head at her antics. "Another shy child in this house."

"Let's see what you think of this, peanut. This is a special present from Jillian," Brenda told him as she pushed the train engine toward him.

Jonathan babbled as he touched the train and then smiled as he pushed it and heard the click-clacking of the wheels. Jonathan crawled over to the engine and pushed it again as he laughed along with the sound.

"I think that's means he likes it a lot," Brenda told Jillian. "And in a few weeks, we'll put the cord on it so Jonathan can pull it when he walks."

"You did great, princess," Jax crooned as he put his arm around Jillian. "They were all wonderful presents."

"Oh, I forgot," she then suddenly pronounced. "I got more presents from Sunday school." Jillian then hurried over to the tree and picked up the paper bag that had been stapled shut. She ripped the bag open and took out the lunch bags that had been decorated with glitter and crayon. "These are yours too," Jillian happily declared as she passed out the gifts.

Brenda opened the bag and smiled as she pulled out the hand-made ornament. "Look at the beautiful snowflake."

"Sister Sare helped us to make them with the scissors," Jillian proudly uttered. "See the red ribbon is so we can hang it on the tree."

"And they even have our names on them," Jax remarked as he looked at his.

"Mrs. Ryan made the names on the computer but we stuck on the stickers," Jillian explained.

Jane smiled at her. "When we go back home, we can hang them on the window."

"We sure can," John affirmed. "Then it will look like it's snowing inside just like it is outside."

"Oh boy," Jillian excitedly chimed as she then took out the last bag. "Mommy, this one has the snowflakes for the babies, they'll rip them so you hafta open it."

"We're going to have such a beautiful tree with all these on it," Brenda lilted as she opened the bag. She pulled out the snowflakes and Brenda's momentarily caught in her throat at the sight of Jamie's name on the third snowflake.

Jax smiled at Jillian as his arm went around Brenda's shoulder. "They're beautiful, Jillian, and your sister and brothers thank you for them."

Jillian returned Jax's smile with a radiant beam. "Sister Sare helped me make a real special one for Jamie so you and Mommy would be real happy."

"It's very special," Brenda replied as she fingered the gold glitter along the snowflake. "And Daddy and I are very happy," she then said as she hugged Jillian.

"Thank you Jillian for making today a very happy one," Jax said as he stroked her hair.

"It will blow away outside on Jamie's tree so you can put it somewhere special," Jillian commented as she touched the snowflake.

As Brenda exchanged a smile with Jax, she caressed Jillian's cheek. "I promise, I'll find somewhere extra special for this."

As Jessica and Jonathan then began zealously jabbering at their gifts again, Brenda laughed at them. She and Jillian went over to the tree with the snowflakes and everyone picked the spot for their ornament to be hung. Jillian picked the perfect place for Jessica and Jonathan's snowflake and Brenda smiled as Jonathan's hung next to Jamie's little stocking in the middle of the tree.

"Now, can we have breakfast and Josee's special coffee cake," Jillian asked as she licked her lips.

"We sure can," Jax responded with a wink as he picked up the twins from the floor. "You lead the way."

Brenda carefully put Jamie's snowflake into the pocket of her robe and then took Jonathan from Jax as they headed out of the den. She kissed Jonathan's cheek as he clutched one of his blocks in his hand. A smiled covered Brenda's face as Jax's arm went around her shoulder and she thought of how later this evening, the very special snowflake would be secured in its very own special place.

The Jacks Residence -- 12:45pm

The past few hours had been as busy as the earlier morning ones had been. After breakfast, everyone had gotten dressed in their new Christmas outfits. Jillian and Jessica looked like twins as both wore red corduroy jumpers with holiday blouses underneath. Brenda had donned the Chanel ensemble Jax had given her this morning and Jax and Jonathan both had on new sweaters that they had found under the tree. Later in the morning, Robin and Matthew had arrived for their Christmas visit before they headed to Syracuse to spend the rest of the day with Matt's family.

The house was much quieter now as Jillian walked up the hallway from the den. Jillian's attention was centered on the hand held computer game she was playing. As part of her Christmas gift from Robin and Matthew, the game had been Jillian's focus since they had left fifteen minutes ago. Jane and Brenda had gone upstairs to put the twins down for their naps while John and Jax were on the computer, printing some of the digital camera photos taken this morning.

Brenda came down the stairs and saw Jillian in the foyer. "Are you having fun with Aunt Robin and Uncle Matt's gift?"

"Uh-huh," Jillian replied with a bob of her head. "Daddy showed me how to make the frog jump."

"Where is Daddy," Brenda asked as her eyes then caught sight of the large red foil box under the living room tree.

"He and Grandpa are making the pictures on the computer." Jillian's gaze then followed Brenda's into the living room. "What's that big box?"

A curious smile covered Brenda's face. "I don't know, let's go see."

Jillian scurried into the living room and looked at the top of the box. "There's no tag on it."

Brenda examined the four sides of the box. "There's no tag on the sides either."

"Maybe it's on the bottom," Jillian suggested.

Brenda put her hands around the sides of the box and cautiously lifted it slightly to determine its weight. "It's not too heavy so I'll lift the box and you get down and look."

"Okay," Jillian excitedly said as she got down on the floor. "I'm ready."

Brenda lifted the box. "Do you see anything?"

"Yes, there's a note taped to it," Jillian replied. "It's got lots of words."

"Can you read any of the words," Brenda asked.

"It says, 'You Are Incorrigible, Mrs. Claus,' which you have just proven once again," Jax declared as he stood inside the doorway.

A groan was expelled from Brenda's lips as she muttered under her breath. "Jasper Jacks, you are in for it."

Jillian scooted to a standing position while Brenda put down the box. "Daddy, look how big the box is."

"Yes, it's a big box," Jax affirmed as he tweaked Jillian's nose.

"Is it your big surprise for Mommy," Jillian questioned.

A pondering look appeared on Jax' face as he inwardly smirked at the sight of Brenda's expression. "I'm going to have to think about that now. Do you think Mommy should have a surprise?"

"Oh, yes. Mommy likes surprises," Jillian replied in an emphatic tone.

He handed Jillian the photos from this morning's gift opening. "Okay, you and Mommy can look at these while I think about it." Jax bit back his laughter at the glare Brenda gave him as she sat down on the couch next to Jillian. Brenda's expression quickly turned to one of pure joy as she saw each picture.

"Look, Mommy, Jonathan's laughing cause he dumped his puzzle all over the floor," Jillian chimed. "And Jessica's kissing her Glowworm baby."

A happy sigh was expelled from Brenda's lungs. "Here is a picture with you with your carousel horse."

"It's so pretty and Jessica hugged her horse too when Daddy picked her up and showed it to her," Jillian responded in a giddy voice as she looked at the next photos. "There's Daddy and his new coat we got him and you and your new jacket Daddy bought for you."

Brenda looked over at Jax to see him grinning at her. She rolled her eyes at her inability to be miffed at him for more than sixty seconds. Seeing Brenda's eye roll and the accompanying blush of her cheeks just made Jax's grin broaden even more. That tinge of pink in her cheeks now matched the color of the pink sapphire and diamond bracelet Brenda had found in her stocking this morning as a mate for the earrings Jax had given her for their last anniversary. Brenda had been thrilled with her gifts but Jax knew she had been just as exhilarated at his reaction to finding the note in his stocking with the information on the surf ski she was having specially made for him in Australia. It would be ready in mid spring and Brenda had already told Jax that it would be perfect timing for him to christen the kayak in Hawaii for their anniversary trip.

Jillian reached the last photo with Jane and John sitting with the three grandchildren. She then looked over at Jax. "Okay, Daddy, is it time for Mommy's big surprise now?"

Jax tapped his finger against his right cheek as the left side of his mouth curled up into a smile. "Since it's been such a good day, I guess Mommy can open this now."

Jane and John came into the living room as Jax placed the gift in front of Brenda on the coffee table. "What's this, another gift?"

"Otherwise known as another means for your son to torture me," Brenda declared in response to Jane's query.

"One is only tortured because she sets herself up to be," Jax reminded Brenda as he brushed his finger against her nose.

Brenda cast him a glowering stare but then excitedly put her hands on top of the wrapped package. "Jillian, why don't you help me open this?" They tore off the paper and Brenda lifted the lid from the box. She then looked over at Jax with a lift of her right eyebrow.

"There's another box inside," Jillian exclaimed.

"Your father thinks he's very funny," Brenda announced as she pulled out the box wrapped in green foil. Jane shook her head while John choked back his mirth.

After putting the first box on the floor, Brenda and Jillian unwrapped the gift to find a smaller box inside again. Jillian looked over at Jax who was simply smirking at Brenda's withering glance. "It's a box again. This one's blue."

The pattern was repeated as once again, a smaller box was found inside the gift. John mumbled under his breath at the sight of the fire in Brenda's eyes. "Son, this had better good or that sheila of yours is going to make herself a widow."

Jillian was giggling at the adventure while Jax sat in utter enjoyment of the scene. He had married the most passionate woman he had ever met and Brenda was proving it once again. Whether it was during the throes of their sensual lovemaking, in her exhilaration of receiving or giving a gift, or when she was completely exasperated with him, Brenda's flaming eyes would mirror the passionate emotion of her soul. That fire was completely enticing and made her completely irresistible to him and Brenda was showing that passion in spades at the moment.

The front door then opened as Jerry and Julia came into the foyer. They walked into the living room and Jerry saw the smug smile on Jax's face along with Brenda's murderous glare. "This looks like it's going to be fun."

Jillian raced over to them. "Uncle Jerry and Aunt Julia, Daddy got Mommy a surprise of lots and lots of boxes."

Jerry roared with laughter as he walked over to Brenda. "You're not funny either," Brenda told Jerry as he kissed her cheek. "But Merry Christmas anyway."

"Sorry, I had to bring him," Julia said as she hugged Brenda.

Brenda winked at her as she saw the crystal star pendant around Julia's neck. "That's okay. He earns his keep once in a while."

More Christmas greetings were exchanged as Jax took the coats and the shopping bags of gifts the Julia and Jerry had brought. Jerry and Julia then sat down on the opposite couch to watch as the entertainment began again.

"Here's a little one," Jillian proclaimed as she pulled out the silver foiled box.

Brenda looked at the multitude of boxes and the wads of wrapping paper around them. "You are going to pay for this," she murmured as she met Jax's gaze.

"I'm counting on it," Jax mouthed back to her as he returned to his seat.

An amused grin covered Jane's face as a sense of peace overwhelmed her. They had made it all the way back from the sadness that life had caused them as only love and joy could be felt in this house today.

"Oh, another box. What a surprise," Brenda stated as she removed the gold box.

"Listen Mommy, it's making noise," Jillian declared.

Brenda shook the small box and indeed, something moved against its sides.

"I thought you were going to put the coal lump in the silver box," Jerry bantered as he looked at Jax.

Jax shook his head. "No, I decided it looked better with the gold."

"I'm telling you that warped sense of humor you share is going to cost you both," Brenda warned Jax and Jerry as she ripped the foil from the box.

Brenda lifted the lid and Jillian reached inside. "It's all wrapped up Mommy." She carefully took the tissue paper wrapped contents from Jillian and Brenda then uncovered the small porcelain bouquet of flowers.

Jillian smiled as she spoke. "That's pretty and you can put it with your other flowers in the cabinet so it doesn't break."

"Yes, they're edelweiss and they go with the other special flowers I have from Daddy -- the tulips and the roses," Brenda told her.

Jax then motioned for Jillian to come over to him as he pulled a small envelope from his pocket. "Princess, I forgot to put this with the gift for Mommy so could you please take it to her?" He then flashed Brenda a devilish grin. "Sorry, but I couldn't find another box in the house to fit."

"I was going to thank you but now...," Brenda moaned as she narrowed her eyes at him.

Jillian handed Brenda the envelope. "Here Mommy. What's inside?"

"I'm going to open it and see," Brenda said as she opened the note and read it to herself.

Brenda,

I told you when the heavens brought you into my life that I wanted to make all your dreams come true. At that moment, that promise meant more to me than anything ever had and it only means more to me now. This will take care of a dream you've had since you were a little girl and one that you have now passed on to that precious princess of ours. You can climb a mountain and dance in fields of edelweiss and sing through the streets -- anything your hearts desire. Whatever that is, watching your faces will give me a new benchmark with which to measure happiness and that will make all my dreams come true. Then, you'll just have to decide what your next dreams will be because I have no intention of doing anything but spending the rest of my life making them come true.

Merry Christmas sweetheart.

All my love,

Jax

Jax was not sure if it was the squeal or the tears that came first from Brenda but there was little time to discern that as she catapulted into his arms. He held Brenda tightly against his chest as he whispered against her ear. "Does this mean I'm forgiven for torturing you?"

"Just this once you are," Brenda answered as the tears rolled down her cheeks. "Thank you so much."

Jillian hurried over to Brenda with the envelope and the tickets to the Annual Spring Music Festival. "What are these, Mommy?"

Brenda bit down on her bottom lip and managed to get out the words. "Daddy's taking us to Salzburg, princess, when you have your Easter vacation."

"Can we sing on the boat like Maria did with the kids," Jillian asked as she trembled with giddiness.

A radiant beam covered Brenda's face as she hugged Jillian against her chest. "Yes, sweetie, we can." When Jillian danced in euphoria as she moved to Jane and John and showed them the tickets, the tears streamed down Brenda's face again.

Jerry let out an exaggerated groan. "What is this with happy tears and Barrett genes?"

"Just get used to it," Julia advised as she wrapped her hands around his upper arm.

"That's right, Jerry, get used to it," Brenda exclaimed as she wiped away her tars. She then leaned over toward the couch and murmured to him. "Or should I say, Jasper."

A scowl covered his face as Jerry waved his finger at Brenda. "Bite your tongue, that's blasphemy." He then directed his attention to Julia. "And trust me, we are never going to any music festival in Salzburg."

"But it's gonna be so fun, Uncle Jerry," Jillian explained as she climbed next to Julia on the couch.

Jerry shook his head. "I don't think so, not unless you're a geek like your father is."

She frowned at Jerry. "You're teasing again." Jillian then caught sight of Julia's necklace. "Oh, you have a star and it sparkles."

Julia held the pendant out so that Julia could get a closer look. "Uncle Jerry gave this to me as a special present."

"It's pretty and you can make lots of wishes," Jillian gushed.

"That's right, lots of wishes and Uncle Jerry can be so sweet when he's not teasing," Julia told Jillian with a wink.

Jerry cringed. "Why must you use that word, 'sweet,' I will never know."

"Especially when describing you," Jax harassed as he pulled Brenda into his lap. "Why Julia would want to deal with you at all is beyond me anyway."

"Hey, you worry about how your own wife putting up with you and you with her," Jerry cautioned. "I hope she drags you through every abbey, concert hall and each mile of the Alps and makes you sing every step of the way."

Brenda wrapped her arms around Jax's neck as she spoke. "Awww Jerry, does that mean you think we'll always make beautiful music together."

Jerry rolled his eyes and grimaced. "You two truly deserve each other."

"Thanks Jerry, we feel the same way," Jax retorted as he pressed his cheek against Brenda's and they both flashed gleaming smiles at Jerry.

Jillian giggled at Jerry's expression and the rest of the family joined in with laughter as the magical sound rang throughout the house. The holidays had found them all together again and nothing could have been more special.

The afternoon and evening hours had passed as gifts were exchanged, dinner was served and the entire Jacks family had shared their time together. It had been a full and joyous day for all as the last hour of Christmas now approached. John and Jane had said good night and Jax had made his final check downstairs and let the dog in for the night. Now, Lady followed behind Jax down the hallway as they headed toward Jillian's room. Jax stepped inside the room and the dog made her way to the bed at the foot of Jillian's bed. A smile covered Jillian's face as she slept in a pair of new pajamas with Roo-Roo on one side of her and a new doll on the other. Her carousel horse was in the corner, the perfect place according to Jillian, so that the moon could shine off the horse's gold reins. That was exactly what was happening now on this clear, crisp Christmas night with a glowing moon in the sky. The moon beams cast a luster off the gold reins that made the room look as though fairy dust shimmered throughout it. Jax smiled as he backed out of the door and thought that everything today was indeed magic.

When he saw the light in the hallway coming from the angel room, Jax knew just what he would find there. He walked down the corridor and there was a robe clad Brenda sitting at her desk as the moon shone all around her. There was the scrapbook in front of her as well as a bottle of glue. Jax took two steps inside the room as Brenda pressed down the photo at the bottom of the page. She then picked up a pen and inscribed her thoughts.

Brenda never turned around but she had felt Jax's presence since the second he reached the doorway. "It's okay, you can come in."

"I didn't want to disturb you," Jax said as he moved over to the desk.

"You wouldn't have disturbed me," she replied with a luminous smile. "I just wanted to capture the memories of today before any of the magic was gone."

Jax looked down at the newest completed page of the scrapbook. At the top was the date and then a picture of the entire Jacks family in front of the living room Christmas tree from this afternoon. Underneath it was a picture from this evening of Jillian holding Jessica and Jonathan in front of her in the wagon. All were dressed in their Christmas pajamas and the photo was taken in front of the Christmas tree in the den. As the shot captured all the children laughing, it also included Jillian's snowflakes and Jamie's stocking hanging on the tree. Brenda had found the very special spot for Jamie's snowflake between the two photos and at the bottom of the page, she had allowed her heart to speak.

Merry Christmas to all our angels. You've filled our hearts with love and joy and brought magic back to us again. This day will be with us forever.

Jax stroked Brenda's hair as he beamed at her. "That's perfect."

Brenda sighed in pure contentment as she got up from the chair and moved into Jax's loving embrace. "Merry Christmas Jax."

"Merry Christmas baby," Jax echoed as he held her.

Even the brilliance of the moon shining around them could not compare to the luminescence of the love emanating from their hearts. It was purely magic.

SONG CREDITS: Someone Like You by Frank Widhorn and Leslie Bricusse