Brenda and Juliet sat, Indian-style, facing each other on the porch swing, a pile of entertainment industry trade magazines in between them. It was late afternoon, a breezy, December dusk in New Orleans. Inside, the house was quiet, since just about everyone was out and about. John, Jane, and Jerry were at the office; Joanna was in court, trying a case; and Jax and Justin were off together, gathering information and allies for their hospital takeover venture. That left only Brenda and Juliet as the remaining family members left at home, and they were only there because their music college was closed for the long Christmas break.

     "Brenda, look at this one," Juliet said excitedly. "It says that Elton John and Tim Rice are starting a brand new production in the spring. It's tentatively called 'Beyond Camelot'. It's about some mystical muse of the forest that all men want to possess. And there's this six-man expedition team of knights sent by Merlona," Juliet laughed, "I guess that's the space aged Merlin. Anyway this expedition is sent to capture her as a prize for the king, who desperately wants her. But the first knight who is brilliant enough to finally trick her and capture her falls in love with her and ends up trying to protect her and earning himself a death sentence from the king for it. The story is about their escape beyond Camelot. It's futuristic - 'like Camelot circa the year 3000', this quote says. Wow, Brenda, this sounds really good."

     "Is he casting for it right now?" Brenda asked with interest. "Any good small parts for us? The ensemble, maybe?"

     Juliet waved her hand. "Brenda, we can do better than just being part of an ensemble. It says here that they're working on recording the concept album right now. He won't be casting for the roles in the musical until next month. You know, there actually is a part in here that sounds perfect for you," Juliet said, handing Brenda the trade magazine. "Down on the bottom left - the part of Zenith."

     Brenda gazed at where Juliet was pointing to. "The lead? Julie, have you lost your mind?"

     "No."

     "Yes. Come on, I'm nowhere near ready to try out for the lead in anything, let alone an Elton John production. I've heard about how he is with his plays, you know. That man is a perfectionist. I'd have to be… fabulous before I could seriously consider trying out for something of his or he'd laugh me right off the stage."

     Juliet crossed her arms. "Brenda Jacks, the only one who doesn't think you're fabulous already is you."

     "Wrong. If I'm so fabulous, why did I only get a 'B' on my final? Professor Mendes obviously only thought my version of Miss Saigon's "I'd Give My Life For You" was only passable."

     Juliet rolled her blue eyes. "Brenda, the woman is an idiot. You had the whole bloody auditorium in tears; everyone knew it was an 'A' performance. Look, you, of all people, know that half the staff at the college consider you public enemy number one thanks to your well-documented mischievous machinations. So you must take their grades with a grain of salt. Besides, you're the most spontaneous, impetuous, 'go-for-it' person I have ever known - besides Jax - so don't start putting these silly restrictions on yourself now. This part was practically written for you."

     Brenda read the breakdown of the role and absolutely loved it. "You're right," she said. "Okay, I'm going to go for it! It's not like I've never not gone all out for the things I really wanted," she added with a smile and her trademark spirited enthusiasm.

     "That's right - the acquisition of my brother's heart being a very fine case in point. And I'll be the first one to start the family betting pool that you will get that part," Juliet said with a smile. And then she checked her watch. "Oh, goodness, five o'clock. I have to go and meet Devon by the riverboat. Want to come with me?" Juliet offered, getting up from the swing.

     Brenda shook her head. "No. I know you want him all to yourself," she teased. "Anyway, I've been really procrastinating and haven't even packed for Colorado yet," she confessed.

     "Well, you'd better get a move on, Brenda. Our flight leaves obscenely early in the morning," Juliet warned her, and then with a wave she was off towards the ten-car garage to get her car and head down to the pier.

     Brenda gathered up the trade magazines in her arms and went inside the house. She breezed into the kitchen and dumped the magazines on one of the many marble counter tops, as she went to get some iced tea.

     Vince was preparing dinner, and Niles had just come in from the kitchen entrance, after walking the dogs.

     "Do you guys know what I love the most about New Orleans?" Brenda asked, swirling the ice cubes around in her iced tea.

     "I'd reckon the fact that Jax lives here," Vince guessed with a chuckle.

     Brenda smiled. "Okay, what I love the second most then," she said.

     "Oh, that would have to be my tofu, spinach and kelp gumbo," Vince said.

     "She said something she loves, Vincent, not loathes," Niles said.

     Brenda laughed at them. "The weather," she announced. "I love the weather. I love how, here we are in the middle of December, and it's 69 degrees outside!" she said and then pointed to herself. "And I can actually still wear all my spring outfits."

     "Well, you'd better get as much of the warmth as you can, missy, because you're gonna be freezin' your pretty, little buns off in Denver tomorrow," Vince warned her.

     Brenda nodded. "Yeah, I know. Jerry was torturing me this morning by letting me know how much snow they were getting in Denver. I actually have to go pack now," she said, grabbing up the trade magazines again. Then she paused and turned to Niles. "Hey, Niles, what can you tell me about this Aunt Violet?" she asked.

     "I can tell you that you will not like her," Niles said truthfully, dusting a speck of lint from his immaculate uniform.

     Brenda raised her brows in surprise. "Why do you say that?" she asked.

     "How can I put this delicately," Niles murmured, folding his hands together. "Well, I suppose I can't. She is a pompous, controlling, miserable, old hag, who dislikes most everyone, save the man you're married to."

     Brenda had to laugh, sure that Niles was pulling her leg with such unflattering remarks about Jax's aunt. "Oh, come on, that can't be true," Brenda insisted. "She can't be that bad. And anyway, if she likes Jax, then she's going to like me, too, since I'm Jax's wife, right?"

     Vince just grunted.

     "Wrong," Niles said to Brenda. "She will despise you the most of all, Miss Brenda. Mark my words, and do be careful around that notorious meddler."

     Brenda chewed on her lip, as she saw that Niles was not joking and appeared to be perfectly serious.

     "You mean all of this?" she asked. "She's that bad?"

     "Yes," Niles said. "And I would be remiss if I did not give you some advance warning of what you are undoubtedly in for once you enter the witch's gingerbread cabin."

     Brenda gazed from Niles to Vince. "Do you share this…er… opinion?" she asked the cook.

     Vince shrugged. "I've only met her once, years ago, and I was darn proud of myself for resisting the urge to stick my butcher knife in her back," he said, turning back to his dinner preparations.

     Brenda's eyes widened and then she gazed back at Niles. "But… really. How bad can she be? She's Lady Jane's aunt, right? She loves Jax - everyone says so. So that already wins her some points with me. And she's family…"

     "She's abominable is what she is, pardon my continued frankness," Niles said with a sigh. "You will discover this for yourself soon enough, I am certain. And you will be in my thoughts every night you must spend under the roof of that insufferable old woman," he said, patting Brenda's arm and then turning to leave the kitchen.

     Brenda suddenly grabbed Niles by the arm. "Okay, now you're scaring me. If she's as bad as you're starting to make me believe, then I'll need more than your nightly good thoughts, Niles. I'm going to need you to come with us," she decided spontaneously.

     Niles looked at her as if she were quite mad. "Oh, no, Miss Brenda. That would be highly inappropriate, I would think. Why, there is no need to take a butler along on such a trip. What reason could you possibly give Master Jax for requiring my presence?"

     Brenda shrugged. "Oh, you know me, Niles. I'll think of something," she said with a carefree smile. "If I make this work, you will come along, right?"

     "As detestable as it will surely be to be in the presence of that woman, I am at your service as always, Mrs. Jacks," Niles assured her with a fond smile, as he left the kitchen to go and pack for the trip.

     He had no doubt that Brenda would indeed be able to convince Jax and the rest of the family that she required the butler to go along with them to Colorado. The young lady was most remarkable and ingenious at achieving her goals, and his admiration and fondness for her only grew as the days passed by. She had such a wondrous zest for life, such an enchanting spirit, such a vibrant personality, and such a delightful penchant for mischief. And she loved Master Jax - loved him to distraction, almost as much as she drove him to it.

      She had brought an irresistible whirlwind of life force into an already lively household and an equally lively town, and Niles was quite honored to be her most loyal partner in mischief.

     Brenda sat on Jax's lap, facing him and feeding him some of the fresh fruit salad that Vince had made for dessert. They were out on the terrace off of their bedroom, and she had just popped a tiny piece of sweet cantaloupe into her mouth when Jax started to laugh at her request of a few seconds ago.

     "You've got to be kidding me, Brenda. You want Niles to come with us to Aunt Violet's? What on earth for? I can assure you that she doesn't need a butler. And they don't exactly like each other."

     Brenda swirled the fork around in the glass bowl of succulent assorted fruits. "I need him to be there, Jax," she said with a shrug, sliding a piece of tangy tangerine between Jax's lips.

     "For what?" Jax asked, and Brenda pouted slightly that he wasn't going to give into her with no questions asked.

     "Ummm… well, Julie and I were going through the trades this afternoon. Did you know that there's this new musical being put together? It's a really fantastic premise - it's about a Camelotish Kingdom in the year 3000 and…"

     A smile tugged at Jax's lips as he listened to his wife's rushed words. He folded his arms across his chest. "What does any of that have to do with Niles going to Colorado?" Jax interrupted her.

     "I was getting to that part," she insisted. "You see there's a part in this show that I think I'd like to try out for. The lead female role."

     Jax nodded. "That's fantastic, Brenda. You definitely should. But I still don't see what this has to do with taking our butler to Colorado."

     Brenda pressed her fingers against his lips. "If you would let me finish, you would see where I'm headed with this, all right? Okay, now the auditions start next month, and where Niles fits in is that… umm… okay… the part I'm trying out for requires a British accent, I think," Brenda invented. "And who better than Niles to work with me on acquiring one? The thing is these auditions are fast approaching, Jax, so you understand that I can't afford to lose out on any time I can have with Niles teaching me how to perfect a British inflection. If we go to Denver for a whole week, then I'll be missing out on a whole week of Niles'… umm… tutelage. So I thought the best solution would be for him to come with us," she finished, proud of herself for that tale. It was a convincing one, if she said so herself. And it sure beat risking hurting his feelings by telling him that it was the potential horror of his aunt that made her want one of her dearest allies at her side.

     Jax unfolded his arms and rested his hands on her waist. "I heard you and Julie do your 'My Fair Lady' routine at my mother's party that night we announced that we were married. As I recall, your British accent was pretty damn good already," he told her.

     Brenda shook her head. "No, Jax, that was a really exaggerated and comical accent, like it was supposed to be - the way Eliza Doolittle's was. I need to have a really genuine sounding British accent this time. Please, just let Niles come with us, okay? I think your parents could get along without him for just one itsy bitsy week, right?"

     "And you, of course, can't," Jax said, poking her in a ticklish spot along her ribs. She squealed out her laughter and squirmed about on his lap, trying to ward off his tickling fingers, which caused arousal to hit him hard. Brenda saw it both in his eyes and felt it in his lap.

     "Just say yes," Brenda said, putting down the bowl of fruit and sliding her arms around him. "If you say yes, I'll say yes," she cooed enticingly, running her tongue lightly along his ear.

     "Yes to what?" he asked her with a sly smile, as his hands slid slowly beneath her shirt, his fingers skimming with a playful sensuality along her stomach.

     "To making love right now," she whispered.

     "Hmm." His eyes turned from bright sapphire to dark cobalt with a hint of teal. "Well, I don't think I have to trade off yeses for that. I mean, it's not like you would ever actually say 'no' to making love with me," he bragged, laughing when she slid her hands around his neck in a choking gesture.

     "Okay, fine. But I meant yes to making love right out here," she told him, pulling her shirt off over her head in one quick, graceful motion. "Right in this lounge chair," she said, kicking off her sandals and sliding her hand behind her back where he heard the very arousing sound of her slowly unzipping the back of her short skirt. "Under the moonlight," she said next, shifting her position to allow herself the flexibility to slide the skirt off, and then facing him again, now clad in only her underwear. They were both taken by surprise by the feel of gentle rain falling on them as it began to drizzle lightly. "In the rain," she added with a sensual raise of her eyebrows as she kissed his throat and twirled her fingers flirtatiously in his hair.

     Jax was powerless against such a sweet seduction by one he so adored and lusted after, and a seduction in the rain, no less. "Oh, well, now that is something to bargain for - yes, you're absolutely right," he said. "So you get a yes from me in response to your request to have Niles come along with us." His hand slid down her smooth back, finding and unhooking the clasp of her bra.

     Brenda smiled happily at Jax's agreeing to allow Niles to be with them in Denver. "Oh, thank you, honey! It won't be a problem at all, Jax, I promise. You'll hardly even know he's there, and…"

     But she didn't get to finish her mile-a-minute sentences, as an increasingly aroused Jax acted upon his insatiable desire for his wife and silenced her with a ravenous kiss that was such an awesome display of passion that Brenda was literally dazed and would have slumped to the floor like a limp rag doll were his hands not wrapped around her, keeping her right there with him in the passionate cyclone. His kisses grew more fiery and sensual, filled with need and desire, his tongue doing the most sinfully wonderful things to her.

     The rain falling was a December rain, but it was New Orleans, so it felt like a spring rain - cool and wet and inviting and arousing. Love sizzled in the air, and hot passion was racing wild and unchecked through their veins, setting their blood on fire and causing all kinds of glorious chaos inside of them. They made love with a wild and reckless abandon. They made love until they were breathless, and exhausted and drenched from the rain, as they enthusiastically cried out their pleasures of ecstasy to the rain-soaked heavens above them.

     And then they did it all over again.

     Later, when they were warm and dry and snuggled together under the sheets in their bed, a sleepy, happy Jax heard Brenda asking him something and tried to remain alert so he could answer her. After the wild way they had taken each other over and over again outside, he couldn't believe she had the energy to talk. He barely did.

     "Jax, why does it seem that you're the only one who has anything good to say about your Aunt Violet?" he heard her ask.

     "She can be difficult," he confessed. "But I think she always means well. She just goes about things the wrong way, and she has a gruff exterior so she can put some people off fairly quickly. Can we talk about this some other time, sweetheart? I'd really like to be dreaming about you right now," he said sleepily.

     Brenda smiled as she saw his eyes blinking slowly, as he tried to stay awake. She learned over and kissed his eyelids. "Good night. I love you," she said.

     "I love you," he returned, and then he was out like a light.

     And he did dream about her.

     It was snowing in Denver when the Jacks clan of Jax, Brenda, Justin, and Juliet, along with Niles, piled into the red, rented Nissan Pathfinder truck for the drive out to Aunt Violet's secluded cabin.

     "Does she live in the wilderness?" Brenda asked, as they were on a stretch of road with no houses in sight and that brought forth all sorts of B-horror movie scenarios about isolated places.

     "Not exactly the wilderness," Justin said. "We prefer to call it hell."

     Juliet laughed, and Brenda also saw Niles chuckling quietly. Only Jax rolled his eyes in exasperation.

     "You'll have Brenda hating her before she even gets a chance to form her own conclusions," Jax said with a tinge of annoyance. "Just try to keep your opinions to yourself for a little while, Justin," he advised.

     "Well, it would be easier to do if the radio were working," Justin said. "When there is silence in a moving vehicle, I feel the need to share my thoughts with everyone."

     "Well, you can sing. Make your own bloody music," Jax suggested, as he turned off to an even more deserted-looking road.

     Justin hardly needed any more encouragement. The 23-year-old's voice filled the vehicle like some deep, angelic tones, as he started a song.

     "No matter what they tell us; no matter what they do. No matter what they teach us; what we believe is true… Take it, sis," he said, gesturing graciously at his younger sister.

     Juliet chimed right in, taking the next verse, as Niles, who was sitting in between them in the back reveled in the sweet serenade of such beautiful voices surrounding and serenading him. "No matter what they call us; however they attack. No matter where they take us, we'll find our own way back… Take it Bren," Juliet said, handing the next verse off to her sister-in-law.

     Brenda snapped her fingers and went right into the song, while Justin and Juliet did soft harmonizing behind her vocals. "I can't deny what I believe, I can't be what I'm not. I know this love's forever. I know, no matter what."

     Niles' eyes were shut as he reveled in the lovely tune and the three exceptional voices. Ah, yes, this was the life.

     Jax, glancing briefly at Niles, understood what he was feeling. It sounded like angels were in the car. It almost seemed a sin for all that beautiful talent to be in one single family.

     "Hey, you know, you guys should sing something for Aunt Violet," Jax suggested. "I bet she'd love that."

     Juliet and Justin groaned out their lack of enthusiasm for that plan in stereo, while Brenda just diplomatically zipped her lip and didn't say a word.

     When they finally reached their destination, Jax noticed that another car was parked in front of the cabin.

     "It looks like Aunt Violet has a visitor," he said, pulling up the parking break as everyone piled out of the Pathfinder.

     "A victim is more like it," Justin whispered to Brenda, but Jax heard him and scowled at his little brother.

     "Who would ever voluntarily visit her except family like us, who's forced to?" Juliet wondered, earning her a scowl from her brother as well.

     "Perhaps it's her dear friend, Satan, come by for a spot of tea," Niles suggested.

     Jax shook his head even though he felt laughter coming on. "Will you all just stop it?" He glanced at Brenda. "Sweetie, I know their descriptions of my aunt must have you anything but eager to meet her, but she really isn't as bad as all that," Jax tried to assure her. "You will keep an open mind and not be swayed by them, won't you?"

     Brenda smiled at him and nodded.

     "Oh, gallant defender of the evil one," Justin said, hurling a snowball at Jax. The playfulness of the moment hit them all, as snowball fire was exchanged all around, and Niles barricaded himself behind the Pathfinder for cover against the lively antics of the young foursome.

     When they finally made their way to the door of the cabin, Brenda whispered to Niles optimistically. "Maybe she won't be as bad as you remember her?"

     "Maybe she will be worse," Niles said.

     Jax's rap on the door was answered quickly, as a very tall, plump, silvery-haired woman in her early seventies opened it to greet the visitors. On first sight she looked highly unapproachable in Brenda's opinion, but then the woman looked at Jax and her entire expression changed.

     Her joy at seeing Jax was quickly followed up by shock at seeing his brother and sister and a strange young girl, and then all-out distaste at the sight of Niles, the butler.

     What was that infernal man doing here! This was probably Jane's damned idea, Violet thought sourly. Violet had only wanted Jax to come, but it would be just like little Jane, with her goody-two shoes, holiday spirit nonsense, to send two more of her offspring, a strange girl, and the damned butler.

     Violet hugged and kissed Jax, pecked Juliet aloofly on the cheek, tried to do the same to Justin, who extended his hand to her instead. She gave him what looked like a rude glare to Brenda, but then briefly shook his hand in greeting. She ignored Niles completely and gazed at Brenda curiously.

     "Well, hello, there," she said. "What a pretty little thing you are. You must be Justin's latest in a long line of girlfriends. A vast improvement over that dreadful actress," Violet said with a smile.

     Justin stared blandly at his aunt. "At the hope - I beg your pardon, the risk - of giving you a heart attack, Aunt Violet, I am still very much involved with that actress. Her name is Halle, by the way, but I understand that senility may be setting in with you, and it's difficult for you to remember these things."

     Jax closed his eyes and shook his head.

     Violet shot Justin a heated glare. "I am only 72, Justin. I can assure you that my wits are all razor-sharp," she said giving, him some kind of warning glance.

     "Aunt Vi, this is Brenda," Jax said, by way of introduction. "My wife," he added with a grin.

     Brenda visibly saw Aunt Violet's entire attitude towards her change with Jax's announcement. It was like having ice water dumped on you in the middle of a blizzard in Siberia.

     "Oh, Jax, you are so amusing!" Violet tittered, patting his cheek fondly with her large, plump hand, as she stepped aside to let them all in. "Now, enough of the tomfoolery. Who is she really?" She glanced at Juliet. "A friend of yours from that artsy school you attend, my dear?"

     "Yes, Aunt Violet," Juliet said. "And also my sister-in-law. Jax's wife."

     "We were married five months ago - in July," Jax said, sliding his arm around Brenda. "But then we went on a very long honeymoon, and my mother didn't tell you because she wanted me to personally surprise you with the news."

     "Yes, so I see," she said, smiling a bit too brightly, shaking Brenda's hand stiffly and then embracing Brenda in a crushing hold that actually hurt. Brenda pulled away from her, rattled and sore.

     "Nice to meet you," Brenda lied.

     "And you, too, my dear! Oh, to think Jax is married," she said, still managing to hold onto that overly bright smile. "What… er … wonderful news this is. I suppose poor Amber Stanton was crushed. But what a delightful surprise that you have a wife. I actually have a little surprise of my own for you, Jax."

     At that moment a woman about Jax's age, 25, with hair as gold as his and eyes the shade of blue velvet, came into the room. And all of the Jacks siblings seemed surprised and delighted to see her.

     Brenda noticed Aunt Violet's immense pleasure at the positive reaction of her nephews and niece to her surprise guest, and she also took note of the sharp, cool, triumphant, and almost pitying look she gave Brenda, as Jax and the blonde woman hugged and exchanged kisses on the cheek.

     "That is Amanda Carrington," Niles whispered to Brenda. "She is a family friend from Australia. She grew up with the Jax siblings. She also used to date your husband in high school before the family relocated to New Orleans," he added dryly, casting a disgusted look at Aunt Violet.

     For Brenda, Nile's words only confirmed her belief that Aunt Violet had intended this visit to be a yuletide matchmaking session, and that Brenda's existence and presence, most of all, had put a serious crimp in her plans.

     "Mandy, this is my wife, Brenda," Jax said, dragging Brenda out of her thoughts. "Bren, this is Amanda Carrington, a very good friend of the family's from Australia. We grew up together on the Gold coast."

     Brenda put on a gracious, dimpled smile and shook Amanda's outstretched hand.

     "Very nice to meet you," Amanda said, flashing her own dimpled smile in return.

     "You, too," Brenda murmured.

     "I tried to tell your Aunt Violet that when I was on holiday in England I'd read in the tabloids there that Jax had gotten married, but she said that was nonsense and that the British tabloids were fit only to line a birdcage with," Amanda said, her eyes shifting over to Jax and gazing adoringly at him.

     Brenda had forgotten how sick and tired she'd become of running into Jax's ex-girlfriends everywhere she turned. She put her hand to her head as if she had a headache, and she felt Jax's hand caressing the back of her neck.

     "Well, I guess she can't say that now," Jax said, kissing Brenda's lips.

     Brenda saw Jax's Aunt visibly stiffen and Amanda glance away as if she could not bear to see any evidence of Jax's love and affection for another woman, even his own wife.

     "Jax, I saw Thomas before I left, and he gave me something for you," Amanda said, tugging on his arm. "Let me show you."

     "Thomas? How is he?" Jax asked excitedly. "My god, I haven't seen him since he left Australia when we were twelve-years-old!"

     Amanda smiled. "Well, he's still a riot, that crazy man. He remembers every single adventure the three of us got into as kids. He still insists he won that duel that the two of you fought over me with chopsticks in your back yard when we were ten."

     Jax laughed out loud at that silly memory. "He did not win."

     "I know. But he won't remember it any other way. He's moved back to Australia now, he tells me, although the rest of his family is still in New Zealand. He couldn't believe it when I told him your family had moved to America right after you graduated high school. He's quite the ladies man now, you now. Although, I must say, Jax, he hasn't grown into quite the looker, you have," she added, touching Jax's face.

     Brenda wondered why it was that every female walking the earth had such damned compulsions to touch her husband.

     "And he told me to tell you he's still never found that gold you said your mother's ancestors had buried in the outback, either" Amanda laughed.

     "And I'll bet he hasn't found the love of his life either," Jax said. "Which is something I'm happy to say I have found," he added, winking at Brenda, who he sensed was not especially thrilled with the unexpected guest. He knew how frustrating it was for her to keep running into old girlfriends of his. He almost wished he had some kind of radar detector that could warn him when an old flame was around the bend so they could head in the in the opposite direction.

     "I'm very happy for you," Amanda said, smiling tentatively. "You look very happy."

     "I am," Jax said softly, gazing at Brenda.

     Amanda nodded and smiled. "Well, come on then. Let me show you what Thomas sent." And then she led Jax away to show him what Thomas had sent for him.

     Aunt Violet rudely left her other guests to fend for themselves as she followed the only two she seemed interested in, but not before sending Brenda another one of those condescendingly pitying glances which lit a flame to the kerosene of Brenda's ire. Aunt Violet also murmured something to Jax about why in heaven's name had they brought Niles along. And Jax had responded that Brenda wanted him there and that was enough reason for him.

     From the stiff reaction of her body it was obvious that the answer did not meet with Aunt Violet's approval.

     "You were saying?" Niles whispered to Brenda "About her perhaps not being so terrible as I remember?"

     Brenda stood, staring after the departing Aunt Violet, her lips pursed thoughtfully.

     "This is going to be a nightmare," Justin muttered. "You can just see her meddling hands in everything already. She obviously got Amanda up here, thinking Jax was coming here alone - and single. And she liked Brenda just fine when she thought she was my girlfriend. But did you see the way her attitude changed the minute she found out she was Jax's wife? Damn it all, that aunt of my mother's is as difficult to abide as ever. And now she's gone and dragged Amanda into her latest meddlesome machinations."

     "Do we have to stay the whole week?" Juliet moaned. "I mean, it was wonderful to see Amanda, but she can just come and visit us at home; we don't have to stay here. And you're right, Justin, her being here just reeks of Aunt Violet's interference. And I did notice Aunt Violet's change in demeanor when she found out Jax and Brenda were married." Juliet glanced at Brenda. "You don't like her, do you, Bren?"

     "Who?"

     "Well, Aunt Violet, I meant. Amanda is really so nice, Brenda. Don't hold Aunt Violet's matchmaking efforts against her. She really is a dear family friend." Juliet grinned. "She used to give me all of her Barbie dolls. And she even came to my rescue when those horrible brothers of mine buried me up to my neck in the sand once."

     Brenda managed a smile she did not really feel.

     "So you don't like Aunt Violet, do you?" Juliet repeated.

     "What's to like?" Brenda murmured, feeling as if she were trapped in some godforsaken place she didn't want to be in. Justin had been right in calling it hell. Brenda could tell that it was indeed going to be a nightmare to stay here. "I wish we could just turn around and leave right now," she said truthfully.

     "So do I," Justin agreed. "I can't imagine enduring an entire week of this. It's going to get bloody embarrassing. I say we all go to Jax and let him know how we feel about that later, in private. It should be majority rule, if you ask me. We can just dump off her gifts and get the hell out of here," he said, taking the suitcases and going to place them in the bedrooms. His sister followed him, and Brenda and Niles lagged behind a bit.

     "You were right to have me come along, Miss Brenda. You are going to need my services. There is no doubt about that," Niles told her gravely.

     Brenda sighed and nodded. "Before this night is over, I'm going to absolutely hate that woman, aren't I? Jax's favorite aunt. Just great," she sighed, her hands on her hips.

     "Oh, yes," Niles responded. But he needn't have bothered, for Brenda already knew it was true. "But please do not fret overly about this. I have every confidence that she will soon rue the day she sought to do your union with Master Jax in, Miss Brenda," Niles assured her.

     And the devilish twinkling of anticipation in his eyes made Brenda, despite her bad mood over the awful prospect of spending a week in the company of the horrid Aunt Violet and the Jax-besotted Amanda, smile.

(Song Credit: "No Matter What" written Andrew Lloyd Webber and Jim Steinman from Whistle Down The Wind)