Jingle bell Jingle bell Jingle bell rock!
Jingle bell swing and jingle bells ring!
Snowin' and blowin' up bushels of fun!
Now the jingle hop has begun!

She felt his hands in her hair. Playing, stroking. She felt the warmth of his body against her, and instinctively she knew he'd been awake for hours just watching her. She stretched luxuriantly and then turned in his arms to gaze at him.

"Hi," she said, gracing him with a stunning smile to greet the Christmas morning.

"Hi," he said.

She stretched again, thinking she could definitely get used to waking up and feeling this incredible every morning. She wondered if late-night lovemaking always led to mornings of bliss. She propped herself up on one elbow next to him and gazed around the bedroom. "Hey how did we get here?" she asked, laughing a little. "The last thing I remember was us downstairs . . ." her eyes darkened beautifully, "making a fire," she added.

"Three fires," Jax reminded her, holding up three fingers.

Her smile was slow and beautiful. "Yeah. Three fires," she whispered. "Last night was so incredible. I kept thinking that I had another perfect nickname for you besides my Agent Adonis. I was thinking 'the Phoenix' would describe you pretty perfectly," she said, her smile turning very sexy. "You know what they say about the Phoenix, don't you, Jax?" she asked, running her hand down his chest.

He laughed and kissed her and caught her hand. "Yes, as a matter of fact I do. And you are getting so bad."

"Me?" she asked innocently. "Hey, you're the one who made these blinding sparks fly through my body and touched my very soul three times," she whispered, recalling last night's lovemaking with shivering tingles of pleasure. "So you have no one but yourself to blame for the fact that I was completely, utterly, and absolutely enraptured," she decided, tapping her fingers against his chin.

"I'd be happy to be held accountable for that," he said, laying back and folding his hands behind his head on the pillow. "But believe me, sweetie, you were not the only one seeing, feeling, and shooting off sparks until they blinded you. You've got quite a few bragging rights of your own," he murmured with an 'I'm-the-happiest-man-alive' smile touching his lips. "I will say only this - you inspire me to heights unimaginable, Brenda."

"I know!" she said with that mischievous little smile no man could resist. "I remember vividly your breathless requests for an encore," she murmured, kissing him slowly. Then she rose her lips from his. "Hey, did you know that the girl Scott was hitting on at the Crystal Ball was Bastian Reese's partner?"

"She was hitting on him. And, yes, I knew that."

Brenda was laughing. "You know the two of you -- you are like two peas in a pod. He said the same thing about her being the one hitting on him, but I know what I saw. He likes her, you know."

Jax nodded. "I suspect as much."

"That's a problem, right?"

"Yes, a little problem," Jax said. "But potentially it could be an enormous problem."

"Just remember that he deserves to be as happy as you are, Jax."

Jax glanced at her. "What does that mean? You actually think I should encourage him to romantically pursue this felon? This is career suicide for him, Brenda. He's already losing his objectivity."

"Well, it's only career suicide because she's a jewel thief, right? Suppose we can get her to turn over a new leaf and leave the life of crime behind? Then there's no conflict of interest for Scott."

"Well that's a big 'if'", "Jax murmured. "And even if we could get her to miraculously change her ways and turn in her partner, are we supposed to just let her go unpunished for everything she's done?"

"We could make her give everything back," Brenda suggested.

Jax smiled at her a little bit. "There would be nothing to give back, sweetheart. Thieves of the caliber of Bastian Reese and his partners steal specific priceless items that their buyers have expressed interest in. So the minute they have it, it's sold for a ton of money, and Bastian and his crew just take the cash and go off living the life of luxury on their ill-gotten gains until the next challenging heist comes along for which their services are requested. That's part of why they're so difficult to apprehend. They only pull off about one or two major thefts a year and then they just disappear - blending into the ranks of the rich and the famous. That's why it's so important that you at least know what he looks like."

"Do you think my knowing that really makes any difference, Jax? I mean, he hasn't tried to find me or come after those Swiss bank account numbers he left with me, ever since the safe house incident. He can't possibly know where I am, or that I'm married now, to an FBI agent, of all things. I just really don't think we'll ever find him, " she admitted.

Jax took her hand and kissed it. "Maybe we won't," he agreed, as it was a very definite possibility. "But today he should be the furthest things from our thoughts anyway," he added with a disarming smile. "Because it is Christmas day in the Jacks house - our very first Christmas together -- so everything else can just wait." His smile made her feel like dancing on the air; his kiss made her feel like flying through it. "Merry Christmas . . . my love," he said softly, kissing her lips once more and then kissing the tip of her nose.

Brenda's eyes lit up with delight. "Merry Christmas, my love," she echoed, tossing her arms around him happily and giving him an enthusiastic series of kisses.

Jax laughed at her excitement, utterly charmed by her, their conversation about jewel thieves forgotten for now. "Are you ready for my family to descend upon us later on?" he asked.

Brenda nodded. "As a matter of fact, I am. I'm even ready for Ariel and her drama queen mother and drunken sister that you told me about."

Jax threw back his head and laughed. "Brenda, do me a favor and don't go around calling them that."

Brenda giggled. "Why not? You don't think it has a sort of ring to it?" He laughed again and she snuggled into his arms. "I'm just joking, you know. Private things between us will always stay private with me," she assured him.

He kissed her. "I know. Same with me."

"Why does Ariel's sister drink so much?" Brenda asked him. "Is something missing in her life?"

"Happiness, I think," Jax said. "It's sort of common knowledge that her husband is constantly having affairs."

"Her husband is the producer you told me about?"

"Yes. I think Ariel and Flossie always had this plan that Ariel would marry me and Flossie would marry Jerry, and we'd all live together and be very happy and pretentious and have these superficially wonderful, but emotionally unfulfilling lives. Needless to say, neither scenario ever happened."

"Well, one almost happened," Brenda reminded him. "You almost did marry Ariel."

"In my line of work, 'almost' doesn't count for very much. In my heart it doesn't count either," he told her. "You know I remember when I was eight, going to this party in Virginia Beach with my parents and Jerry and my cousins. I remember thinking that so many of the adults who were there were acting like they wanted to be with someone else. I remember thinking how bizarre that was. And how I never wanted that to happen to me. I never wanted to be with someone who made me long to be with someone else. I wanted to find that one person who would make me never want to be with anyone else. Seventeen years later, while working on an assignment I thought I'd hate, I found her. There may have been obstacles in the way, but I still found her. And I love her. And she loves me. And that's all that matters."

She smiled at him. "I do love you," she said, tossing her arms around him once again.

"I love you, too." Jax glanced at his watch. It was 10:05. "But I think I just realized the one problem with having you as a part of my life," he added.

"Problem?" Brenda said, pulling away from him. "Did you say problem?"

Jax nodded. "Yes. The problem is that you're interfering in my workout regimen."

Her lips curved into a pretty smile of amusement. "I am?"

"Uh huh," he relaxed against the pillows again. "You see, I should have been up hours ago running laps around my property, but what was I doing instead? Watching you. Just laying here watching you sleeping, and thinking about how much I love you and how happy you make me, and how you complete me. And then I was thinking how I wished you were awake so I could orchestrate a merger between my lips and those luscious lips of yours," he said, running two fingers along her soft lips. "And, of course, that led to thoughts of all sorts of other types of mergers between you and me . . ."

She laughed and kissed him.

"And even now," he continued, "I should be getting dressed and doing a hundred laps in the pool, but all I want to do is stay here wrapped around you like this," he murmured, pulling her down on top of him in his arms and wrapping his arms around her.

"And this is a problem, you say?" she said.

"It's a big problem, Brenda," he insisted, his eyes sparkling sapphire with playfulness. "Unless I can invent new ways to get my workouts accomplished by somehow incorporating you in them. Like maybe, I can bench-press you," he said, curving his hands around her waist and lifting her above him and then lowering her back down onto him again. He did that a few more times, as Brenda marveled at the sheer strength he possessed. It was as if she were light as a feather to him. "No, this is not going to work," Jax decided as Brenda convulsed in laughter on top of him as he lowered her down again.

"Yeah, that's way too much of a turn on for me," she agreed.

"For me, too," he said as he kissed her, his hand sliding beneath the soft, silky fabric of her short satin pajamas. "Maybe I could do push ups over you. What do you think about that?" he suggested with a look that would have caused great scandal in an era long past.

Brenda laughed out loud and then brushed her fingers along his chest. "Do you want to get some exercise right now?" she asked him, kissing a path up his chest.

"I never say no to exercise," he said, drawing her down to him for a seductive kiss.

"Good! Then I'll race you downstairs to open the PRESENTS!!" she squealed with glee as she flew out of his arms and went charging down the hallway towards the spiral staircase, her laughter echoing after her.

A grinning Jax got up to follow her, thinking that life had never, ever been this good. And he was going to hold onto this feeling and this woman for all he was worth.

Rockin' around the Christmas Tree
At the Christmas party hop
Mistletoe hung where you can see
Every couple tries to stop
Rockin' around the Christmas tree
Have a happy holiday
Everyone dancing merrily
In the new old fashioned way

Discarded wrapping paper lay scattered all over the living room in a pretty mess of shiny red, green and white, as 'Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree' blasted merrily from the CD player. In the midst of the wrapping paper and presents sat Jax and Brenda, laughing as they tossed ribbons and bows at one another.

Brenda got Jax a remote-controlled, black, Nikko military Humvee vehicle; two watches: a TAG Heuer 6000 series watch and an Omega Seamaster professional diving watch; and some fabulous shirts and sweaters in varying shades of blue, gray, and green to highlight his eyes. He teased her that she would probably steal into his closet and wear them more than he would. Aside from the stunning ruby heart necklace he'd given to her last night, Jax also got Brenda a charm bracelet, dangling with tiny, three-dimensional yellow-and-white-gold hearts; a video phone; a portable digital notepad for her to use in her classes; and a Compaq laptop with a monogrammed leather carrying case.

Jax was laughing as Brenda draped shiny green and red ribbons and bows around Xander's neck as the little tiger protested at being prettied up in this manner. It shook its head to toss off Brenda's makeshift garland of Christmas ribbons, and ran over to Jax to escape any further attempts at being dressed up like a Barbie doll.

"Oh, come on. Don't be a scrooge, Xander," Brenda said as Jax watched her with an entranced smile. "Here, look at what I got for you!" she enticed the little jungle cat as she pulled out an orange, bouncing Tigger toy and placed it in front of the curious tiger. "I got you a baby brother!" she announced as Jax laughed as he watched the orange toy bouncing up and down, while Xander growled at it, not knowing what to make of the bouncing, orange thing.

The doorbell rang and Jax got to his feet, still laughing. "That'll be Scott," he said, going to answer the door. "By the way, you missed a present over there, Brenda. That one's for you, too," he said, pointing to a box wrapped in satiny blue with a big white bow.

Brenda was tearing through the discarded wrapping paper mess to get to her gift when Scott and Jax came back into the living room.

"I got it!" she said, holding the box in both hands.

"Well, I see you guys are exceeding the limits of fun as usual," Scott said, as he regarded the mess of wrapping paper and bows and ribbon all over the place and saw little Xander growling uncertainly at a bouncing, orange toy, while a finger-snapping jazz version of "Let It Snow!" came on the CD player.

Brenda looked up and smiled at both men. "Merry Christmas, Scott!" she said, her holiday spirit just bouncing off the walls with animation. Then she nodded her head to two boxes to the left of the tree. "Those are for you," she told him.

"And these are for you guys," he said, depositing his gifts for them under the tree. "Happy holidays," he added, kneeling down to plant a kiss on her forehead as both he and Jax watched her tear open the gift she was holding in her hands when they had entered.

She lifted the top of the box and began to remove the item inside, staring at it in bewilderment.

"Umm . . . it's a globe," she said.

"Wow, Jax, you gave her the whole world," Scott said with a grin.

Brenda smiled with delight. "Oh, is that what it is?! Symbolic of you giving me the world in my hands?" she asked, gazing at Jax with eyes shining with love.

"Yes," Jax said. "Although there is a more practical reason I gave it to you as well," he added. "I'd like you to tell me where you'd like to go on your honeymoon, because I am going to give you one, even if it is a month after the fact. If you're feeling adventurous, we could just spin the globe, and wherever your finger lands is where we'll go," he said, enticing her to do it that way.

"A honeymoon!" she said excitedly. Then she arched her dark brows thoughtfully. "But if we leave it up to a spin of the globe, we could end up going to Antarctica, Jax," she warned him.

He shook his head. "I have a lot more faith in your spinning ability than that," he said.

"Okay," Brenda said, taking a breath and laughing as she spun the globe around and closed her eyes.

"What if she misses land altogether and lands on a body of water? You could end up spending you honeymoon floating aimlessly in the Adriatic Sea. Or she could land on the bloody equator, and then what are you going to do?" Scott whispered loudly to Jax, as Brenda laughed, trying not to let him distract her.

Her eyes still closed, she reached her hand forward, stopping the spinning orb.

"So, when do you guys leave for Siberia?" Scott teased.

Brenda opened her eyes and glanced down at where her finger had landed.

"So, where are we headed?" Jax asked her, his voice quiet, his smile devastatingly beautiful.

Brenda's squeal of delight let the whole house know it was a destination very much to her liking before she even named the location. Her eyes slowly rose to meet Jax's.

"Venice!" she breathed

"California?" Scott messed with her.

She laughed. "No, you jerk -- Italy!" Then her eyes went back to Jax. "Have you ever been there?" she asked, thinking it would be wonderful if it were a new experience for both of them.

"Yes," he told her. "But nothing will compare to being there with you."

Brenda leapt up from where she was kneeling in front of the globe and shot into his arms.

"Happiness overkill alert," Scott groaned as he flopped onto the couch. But the truth was that the evidence of their love left him feeling strangely hollow inside, as if something very significant were missing from his own life. He could tease them about being so besotted with each other until the end of time, but the secret truth was that he wanted to feel that way about someone, too. And wanted someone to feel that way about him.

Jenna sat in her rented limousine parked across from the airport, keeping a watchful eye out for Bastian. There was quite a lot of traffic at the airport this Christmas Day, and she wanted to make sure she did not miss Bastian's arrival, as her intent was to follow him and see what it was that had drawn him to this town. Something told her it was not just some beautiful woman, or some business partner. Something told her that whatever it was, it was something deeply personal to Bastian. Undoubtedly it was none of her bloody business, but the curiosity had a hold of her and was not about to let go. Besides, she needed some new distraction to take her mind off of that damned FBI agent, who was a far too intoxicating part of her thoughts far, far too much.

11:19a.m. - Jax's home

Xander raced to get out of the way as the black Humvee and the camouflage beige DPV flew across the living room, zigzagging in and out of obstacles Jax and Scott had set up to make the race that much more difficult. As they maneuvered the turn past the fireplace, the Humvee slammed into the bouncing Tigger, knocking the laughing toy over, but also giving the Desert Patrol Vehicle an opportunity to fly by and take the victory.

Scott reveled in his victory while Jax reminded him that he'd won the first race, so they were technically tied.

"Best two out of three?" they both said eagerly, but then Brenda was there grabbing the remotes from them, her arms folded.

"Boys, I'm really happy you're enjoying the toys I got you -- really I am. But, we are having guests here later on, and that means we have to clean up our Christmas mess in here, get the food ready, and get dressed. Come on, you guys, it's almost noon. Jax, didn't you tell me everyone would start showing up by around three o'clock? That's just a few hours away. We have to get moving, guys."

"Okay," Jax said, rising to his feet.

"All right, all right," Scott relented also. "You need me to do anything?"

"Can you go out to the florist and pick up some Poinsettias for the dining table?" Brenda asked. "Jax told me his grandmother loves Poinsettias."

"I'm on my way," Scott said, grabbing his jacket and leaving the house.

"You're trying to impress my grandmother?" Jax asked, helping her pick up the discarded wrapping paper and tossing it into a large trash bag.

"No," she said. "I'm not going to try to impress anybody, Jax. I'm just going to be myself and hope that's good enough. Unless . . . you want me to try to act differently. . "

"I never want you to act differently," he assured her.

"Good," she said, relieved. "I'm just getting the Poinsettias because you told me your grandmother likes them, so I thought it would be nice to have them here. We could give her one to take home with her when she's leaving, too."

Jax nodded. "Do you remember the rundown I gave you on everybody?" he asked her.

"Yeah," she said, as she dumped some more paper and bows in the trash bag. "Your dad will probably like me; red wine gives him a headache; he loves Broadway; and he and Scott's dad are always arguing about movies. You guys call them the Siskel and Ebert of your family. Your mom probably likes me by now; she's into horticulture and will be looking for any signs of unhappiness between us." She glanced over at him and smiled. "Which means she'll be looking in vain."

"Very much so," he agreed.

"You want me to stay away from your brother and your cousins because they'll probably like me a little too much," she continued.

"I didn't mean for you to literally stay away from them," he said with a grin. "But I just don't want them to fall hopelessly in love with you, which will result in me having to sentence them all to permanent exile."

"You know . . . I actually sort of like that tiny, little jealous streak in you," she confessed, with a flash of dimples. "Let's see, your brother and cousins are in the habit of speaking their minds freely at these family gatherings, so I shouldn't be shocked at anything that comes out of their mouths."

"I said to try not to be shocked," he said with a laugh.

"Umm … your grandma claims to be a vegetarian, has probably made up her mind not to like me, but you're sure I can change that."

"I am sure," he affirmed.

"What do you mean by she claims to be a vegetarian?" Brenda asked, gathering another armload of wrapping paper and dumping it into the bag.

"Well, she isn't really one. But she will tell you she is, hoping to make you uncomfortable if you don't have anything prepared that she can eat," Jax explained. "It's an old trick of hers."

Well, she's going to be out of luck today," Brenda said. "First of all, I'm not cooking anything -- we're having it all catered; and secondly, I made sure to order tons of vegetable alternatives to everything on the menu," she told him proudly.

He grinned at her. "Have I ever told you that you are a genius?"

She laughed and they both stopped what they were doing and shared a spontaneous kiss.

"Continue," he said sitting on the edge of the couch and holding her on his lap, his cheek brushing against her hair.

"Ariel hates eggnog, but her parents love it. Her father collects Picassos, which by the way, Jax, I personally think are hideous."

He laughed. "Are you going to tell him that?"

"If he brings it up, I'm not going to lie," she said.

Jax laughed again, loving her more with each minute. This was bound to be an unforgettable day.

Scott walked into Vodel's Florist to pick up the Poinsettia plants for Brenda. It was one of the few stores open on Christmas Day, although the sign indicated they'd be closing down at 3pm.

As Scott went in search of the plants, Father Shamus O'Malley was at the other end of the counter talking to the clerk, trying to see if he could get some assistance in locating the address of the person who'd sent him the lovely gift basket.

"I would love to help you, Father, but this was paid for in cash. I don't have the address of the sender," the clerk said apologetically.

"Oh, dearie me," Father O'Malley murmured. "Where is me Christmas miracle when I be needed' it so very badly?" he beseeched, staring up at the ceiling. And then his eye caught sight of the dark-haired male sliding three Poinsettia plants onto the other end of the counter by the cash register. A dark-haired male he recognized! Father O'Malley's vivid blue eyes lit up with surprise. "Why, it's me Christmas miracle as I live and breathe!" he said, clicking his heels together with delight. "Lad!" he shouted.

Scott glanced over at the sound of the merry shout that appeared to be directed at him. He could not believe who he saw approaching him. It was that crazy priest! What the heck was he doing here? Seeing the priest in Virginia Falls made Scott very wary and thinking that the feisty priest was once again out to get Jax somehow. As the priest continued to approach, his face beaming, Scott regarded him with a wary, unreceptive glance.

"Oh, blast ye, lad, why ye be scowlin' at me as if I'm the grim reaper himself come to take ye away in me morbid black coach!" Father O'Malley scolded. "Hear me out, boy, and ye'll see why I rushed me self to yer lovely, little town as fast as the wings 'o the plane could carry me to help yer blonde friend and his lady love."

"To help them?' Scott asked baffled.

And so Father O'Malley confided in Scott the fact that Jax and Brenda were not quite husband and wife in the eyes of the law.

"So you lied, Father? You lied to Jax?" Scott asked him.

"Oh, no, lad. Lyin' 'tis a sin, ye know. No, I did not lie, I simply allowed him te believe what he felt I was inferrin'. He believed it because he wanted to, ye see."

"Because he wanted to? No, I think he believed it because you were very convincing, as I recall," Scott contradicted. "And so, now you're telling me Jax and Brenda aren't even married?"

"Well, te tell ye the truth now, lad, that is a very interestin' question, for ye see, in some countries them just sayin' they're married makes it legal. Why in ancient Mesopotamia . . ."

"Let's just stick to this country and this century please," Scott requested. "Are they married or not?"

"In this country, no, not quite. But I'm here te make it right, as I told ye. Now, will ye be a good lad and stop yammerin' yer objections in me ear, and help me hatch a way te bring about the legal unification of those two? Yer me Christmas miracle, Scotty boy, ye can't escape yer fate."

Scott sighed and felt the absurd urge to smile. In many ways this crazy little priest was the irresistible force one heard about in science class. "I know the mayor personally," Scott said. "I can get him to issue a license, I'm sure," he said pulling out his cellular phone to call the mayor.

"Wonderful! Now ye have te trick them into signing it, lad. I won't have them bein' upset on this glorious Christmas day by discoverin' they were not officially bound."

"Then how exactly do you intend to marry them without telling them why?" Scott asked him.

"Ye leave that te me, lad. I've got my part worked out; ye just see te yours. Get the license, get them te sign the license, and then find me another witness, fer I'll be needin' two of ye. And then I'll meet ye back at young Jasper's home in an hour sharp. Make sure you're there before me now, lad. Just scribble down some directions for me and I'll get a cab there just fine."

"You're sending around a petition to save the three-legged sloth on Christmas Day?" Jax asked, as he watched Brenda sign something Scott had placed in front of her. "What the hell is a three-legged sloth, and why should we want it saved?"

"It's a whole balance of nature thing, Jax. And I figure everyone is in a good mood today, of all days, so it's the perfect day to get signatures," Scott said, praying he would not burst into insane laughter. Saving the three-legged sloth? What had ever possessed him to come up with that excuse! Every time Jax mentioned it, Scott was thisclose to dissolving into laughter.

"Jax, sign it," Brenda said, handing him the pen. "You know if someone had a petition to save the white tigers, you'd sign it," she said.

Jax just shook his head and scribbled his signature down. "My grandmother will laugh you out of the country if you try to get her to sign that thing," Jax warned Scott.

But Scott had grabbed up his petition and was headed back out again.

"Where are you going?" Brenda asked.

"I just have to pick up something. I'll be right back. You need anything else?" He offered.

"Lemons," Brenda requested.

"Okay. See you in a few," he said darting out the door.

Jax stared at the closed door, thinking that Scott reminded him of that rabbit in Alice in Wonderland, who was always running around claiming to be late for something or other.

"Okay, Jax honey, listen out for the doorbell. The caterers from The Grille should be here with the food in a few minutes. I'm going to go upstairs and get dressed," Brenda said in a rush of words, and then she leaned up on her toes and kissed him and then was off dashing up the stairs.

And hour later the grandfather clock chimed 1:30, and the Jacks house was filled with all sorts of sumptuous aromas, as the food was heating up in the ovens and on the stove. Scott sat in the living room, glancing every few seconds at his watch, Lois Ashton sitting across from him. She had stopped by to drop off the lasagna she had made for Brenda, but Scott, remembering that they would need another witness had convinced her to remain just a few more moments so she could say hi to Brenda herself.

Meanwhile Jax, dressed in a handsome dark blue suit with a sapphire tie, was putting Xander away in the jungle. Jax shut the French doors and was headed back down the stairs, when Brenda emerged from the bedroom, looking absolutely scrumptious in a gorgeous, form-fitting dress of burgundy velvet with thin spaghetti straps and a low-cut back. A thin, matching stole elegantly wrapped around the lower portion of the golden complexion of her arms. She wore her tall, dark curls loose, and scattered it with faint hair sparkles so that every slight movement of her head caused resplendent bursts of firelight to shimmer throughout the rich, glossy darkness. Her shoes were high-heeled, burgundy satin with an elegant ankle-tie, and the beautiful ruby-and-diamond heart sparkled dazzlingly against the smooth, soft skin of her golden throat.

"I'm afraid I'm going to have to arrest you," Jax said, coming up behind her and sliding his arms around her waist.

Brenda felt a rush of sweet warmth at his embrace. "What's the charge?" she asked.

"Possession," he said.

A soft laugh escaped her lips. "Of what?"

He gently turned her face towards him. "My heart," he whispered.

Their intense gaze of love was broken by the sound of the doorbell chimes.

Brenda smiled brightly up at him. "The guests are arriving, you think?" she asked.

Jax checked his watch, the TAG watch Brenda had given to him for Christmas. "It's kind of early, actually," he murmured, as he slid his hand into hers and they walked down the stairs together.

"Oh, hi, Lois," Brenda said, upon seeing her neighbor in the living room.

"Hi ya, Brenda. I brought over my famous lasagna, as promised. And I just wanted to stick around a bit to see you and wish you and Jax a merry and a happy. The house looks fabulous, girl! Did you do all of this yourself?"

The doorbell rang again.

"Want me to get that?" Scott offered, already knowing whom it was.

"It's okay, I got it," Jax said as he opened the door, his eyes widening as he saw how stood on the other side.

"Good day to ye, lad! Merry holidays and Happy Christmas, and all of that jolly good stuff. Might I come into yer stunning residence?"

Jax blinked as Brenda peered out from behind him to see whom it was.

"You?" Jax said, still baffled by the sight of the familiar leprechaun standing before him. "What are you doing here? How did you find us?"

"Be happy to fill ye in, lad, but it's a might cold out here, so if you'd just let me in to warm me self by yer invitin' fire."

Jax stepped aside to allow the priest entry. "I'm sorry. Come in," Jax said, shooting a glance to Scott who just shrugged as if it were all just Greek to him.

"Hello, lovely lass," Father O'Malley greeted Brenda. "I'm not sure if ye remember me, my dear. Ye were a bit out of it upon our first encounter," he chuckled as he shook her hand. "My, but ye are as lovely as the sunrise over the lush, green hills in me native Ireland. A lucky man ye are, Mr. Jacks," the priest said as he relieved himself of his coat and went to warm himself by the fire a bit. "Might I have a seat?' he asked, his attention on Jax.

"Of course," Jax said. "Might you tell me what you're doing here?"

"Would you like something to eat? Drink?" Brenda offered.

"Oh, no thank ye, my dear. I've come here for one reason and one reason only."

"That reason being?" Jax prodded, while Scott gazed nonchalantly about the room.

"Why, te thank ye fer yer lovely gift basket, Mr. Jacks. And te give ye a gift in return," Father O'Malley said, as he opened up his little valise and pulled out his Bible. He reached into his pocket and pulled out his spectacles and cleared his throat. "Now I'll be needin' the bride and the groom, of course," he said, gesturing for Jax and Brenda to stand together in front of him. "And two witnesses. The two of ye will do nicely, if ye don't mind," the priest said, gazing at Scott and Lois.

"You're going to marry us again?" Brenda asked, confused but delighted by the prospect. After all, she had, as Father O'Malley stated, been quite out of it at wedding #1. She barely remembered doing anything but laughing throughout the ceremony. And she never did get her kiss from the groom.

"Yes, pretty lady, I am," Father O'Malley told her with a bright smile.

Jax was immediately suspicious, as he detected the urgency behind the priest's calm, smiling facade and dancing, blue eyes.

"This is so romantic!" Lois said, and she gave the priest a spontaneous hug. "You are such a nice man, to come all the way out here just to give them such an awesome Christmas present as a renewal of their vows."

"Well, these two are just so near and dear te me," Father O'Malley said, avoiding Jax's increasingly suspicious aquamarine gaze. "Shall we begin?"

Jax knew something was up. He also knew that the snowy-haired priest was not going to leave this house without accomplishing his mission - getting them married.

Jax bent forward and whispered to the man: "So, padre . . .it will be legal this time, won't it?"

Father O'Malley had suspected that the blonde lad would figure things out in two shakes of a lamb's tail, but he decided he would neither confirm nor deny anything. And so he just gave Jax a cherubic smile and simply acted as if he had not heard him. "Rings off, please. Let us begin!"

And this time Brenda was cognizant of every moment of the ceremony, of every sacred vow, every word spoken. This time she got her magical kiss from the groom as the Christmas lights twinkled all around them. And she got a great big hug -- almost of relief it seemed -- from the lively old priest, as well.

"Well, god speed te ye, children. Me work is blessedly accomplished here," Father O'Malley said, crossing himself and giving a grateful smile up to the cathedral ceilings. "A Merry Christmas to ye all. I'll be on me way now."

"Oh, no, don't go," Brenda sad taking his arm. "Please, Father O'Malley, I really would love it if you stayed to have Christmas dinner with us. You came all the way from Port Charles; won't you just please stay? Just for dinner?"

"'Tis sweet as honey of ye to offer me such generous hospitality, pretty lass, but I've got a flight to catch," he begged off, thinking Jax would likely wish him out of his house pronto.

"My pilot can take you home whenever you wish," Jax offered. "My wife would really like you to stay for dinner, Father O'Malley." He paused and favored the old priest with a smile of truce. "And so would I."

Father O'Malley smiled broadly, his deep dimples sinking into his chubby cheeks. "Well, truth be known, children," he said, taking off his coat again, "me belly has been growlin' ever since I walked in here, and me senses were assaulted by the delicious aromas floatin' out from yer kitchen!"

Lois laughed and whispered to Brenda. "The man is a hoot! Hey, I gotta go. Ned and I are having company, too. Have a great dinner, okay? And I'll see ya tomorrow. I wanna talk to ya about something."

"Okay. Merry Christmas, Lois," Brenda said, as they shared a hug and Lois said her good-byes to everyone else and then left the mansion. As Brenda led the talkative Father O'Malley into the kitchen to get some hot apple cider, Jax walked over to Scott, who was sitting at the foot of the steps already knowing that Jax knew.

"I take it the three-legged sloth petition got filed all right?" Jax asked, leaning against the wall.

"Yep," Scott nodded. "The mayor pulled a few strings to get everything legal and binding. He's very fond of this particular cause."

Jax nodded. "Thanks," he said, and Scott glanced up to see the hint of a smile on Jax's lips.

"Anytime," Scott said, and he meant it.

Then they both heard the sounds of someone just outside the front door, complaining about all of the snow and how 'bloody cold it was.' And how could Jax ever choose to live in a climate like this?

"You're grandmother's here," Scott said, and Jax just nodded. Then they both laughed as neither one of them made a move to answer the door.

Jenna yawned, as boredom from staking out the airport was getting to her. She ran a tanned hand through her auburn hair and willed herself to be patient. Her eyes caught the eyes of the limo chauffeur, who was old enough to be her grandfather, checking her out. She gave him an 'in your dreams' look, and he turned red and glanced away as she too glanced away, her green eyes once again searching the front entrance of the airport to see if Bastian had arrived yet. Snow had begun to fall, and she frowned, hoping it would not interfere with her ability to spot him.

And at last she saw him, catching a glimpse of his dark auburn hair just before he tossed on the hood of the black parka he was wearing. He was not alone. Two men were with him, and the first thing Jenna noticed was how happy and carefree Bastian was with them. They piled into a waiting limo and it took off.

"Okay, let's go," Jenna said, tapping the partition that separated her from her driver. "Just follow that Mercedes limo in front of us please."

John, Jane, Jax's grandmother, and Jax's Aunt Meredith were all in the living room, watching as Brenda laid out a sumptuous spread of dinner appetizers in front of them.

"Oh my, that looks delicious," John said, smiling at Brenda. He'd been nothing but sweet and embracing since his arrival, and Brenda realized that so far Jax was right on the money about everyone's reactions to her. His father loved her on the spot; his mother seemed very willing to foster a good relationship with her, and yet did also seem to be looking for any signs that all was not well. His grandmother shot Brenda a lot of accusatory glares and seemed to be befuddled when Brenda would just smile sweetly at her in return. His Aunt Meredith, who was his mother's sister, was also very sweet and had been chatting amicably with Brenda ever since taking her coat off.

Ariel, her sister, and brother-in-law had all just arrived, and no sooner had Jax shut the door than the bell rang again, and it was Ariel's parents and Scott's parents. Brenda, who was sitting in between Jax's Aunt Meredith and Father O'Malley glanced up at the new arrivals, who were entering the living room. Scott's parents, whom she had met previously when she was at Scott's house a few weeks ago, greeted her warmly. Ariel's parents regarded her with a look that was a mixture of cool resentment and alarm. Ariel's sister was pleasant enough, and her sister's husband was charming and friendly. Ariel herself was cool and phony, as she did her best to act cordially to her ex-fiancee's wife, who, Ariel was burnt to realize, made a stunning hostess.

Jax maneuvered himself behind Brenda, his hands resting gently on her bare shoulders. The women surrounded her, while Scott and Ariel's father stood a bit off to the side and Scott's father and Father O'Malley were sitting in the arm chairs by the Christmas Tree, comparing opinions on the movie classic "Casablanca."

"So, Brenda," Jax's grandmother said, "I suppose it is your great fear of little Xander that has causes him to have to be locked away tonight?"

The older woman was again unhinged by the beautiful smile this angelic-looking, young home-wrecker sent her way. Did nothing rattle this gal?

"Oh, no. I love Xander," Brenda said. "It was my understanding from my husband that some in attendance here tonight might be afraid of him, which is why we put him away upstairs. Would you like me to go get him for you?" she offered, knowing full-well from Jax that his grandmother was one of those terrified of the little jungle cat.

Jax's grandmother stuttered a protest, "Oh - n-no, that's quite all right. We wouldn't want to disturb the little beast - er - the sweet, little cat."

"It would be no bother at all," Brenda assured her, and she heard Jax's soft laughter behind her. "I'll just go up and get him," she said, making a motion to rise.

"No!" came the combined voices of Jax's grandmother, Jax's mother, Ariel's mother, and Ariel.

"Really, dear. I, for one, would rather you keep Xander up there in his jungle," Jane said with a laugh. "I confess to being nervous around that little tiger. I can't seem to get past the fact that it is a tiger. I do so admire your lack of fear of him," Jane said, patting Brenda's hand as Ariel stiffened.

"I find him delightful, myself, " Jax's Aunt Meredith said. "I suppose I'm used to wild animals, though. My son had a wolf once," she laughed.

"Oh, and do you remember the time the boys would collect those dreadful spiders?" Jane said, she and Meredith both laughing, and Scott's mother laughing, too, as if they were all familiar with this story.

"I sure remember it," Flossie said, stirring her vodka tonic. "I particularly remember that big, ugly gray one that got loose and ended up in Ariel's Barbie doll's pink corvette."

Ariel rolled her eyes, the memory not a fond one, obviously.

"Oh, oh! And what about the time when the boys had the audacity to bring home those jellyfish and asked us if we could cook them for dinner!" Scott's mother said, as the women shared gales of laughter, and Jax, too, laughed at the memory of the outrageous childhood antics of him, his brother, their cousins, and Scott.

"Oh, yuck, Jax! You did?" Brenda laughed, as he just smiled at her and shrugged, his fingers playing with the shimmering, tall curls in her hair, while Ariel watched in silent fury.

"Oh, yes, he certainly did. I wanted to beat those boys senseless that afternoon," Jane laughed. "I remember my sister, Kay, just about fainted with the horror of it all, but we were all just so grateful none of the boys had gotten stung picking up those gruesome sea slimes." She turned to Brenda, again patting her arm fondly. "Brenda, if you and Jax have sons, you're really going to be in for it, if they turn out to be anything like their father!" she warned her, with an embracing smile.

And Jax knew that his mother had been completely won over by Brenda. His grandmother, however, was still putting up a fight, fighting off all urges to like her grandson's pretty, young bride.

"Brenda, I must inquire of you as to what's on the menu for tonight?" Jax's grandmother asked her. "I'm a vegetarian, you know," she announced with a triumphant smile. But the young girl did not falter in the least as if the announcement had no bearing on anything at all.

"You know, I always prepare for that possibility," Brenda said, crossing her legs. "I mean you never know these days, there are so many vegetarians, right? It's always best to just be prepared, I always say."

Jax's grandmother blinked back her surprise. "You mean to tell me you actually have vegetarian alternatives for dinner tonight?"

Brenda smiled and nodded. "Lots of them. So I hope you brought your appetite, grandmother. Can I call you grandmother?"

Jax nearly choked on his champagne. Brenda was incredible. And his poor grandmother was at a loss as to how to get the upper hand with this spirited, young beauty. Not only that, now his grandmother would be forced to eat all of that vegetarian food and act as if she liked it!

"Oh, bon appetite, mom," Jane murmured, covering her mouth to stifle her laughter at her mother's predicament.

Lauren Woodwiss, mother of Jane, Kay and Meredith, grandmother of Jeremy, Jasper, Lance and Trey, knew she had met her match in this outrageously pretty, young girl who had come between Jax and Ariel. And she didn't know quite what to do about it.

"Come with me, grandma," Brenda said, offering Jax's grandmother her hand. "Let me show you the fabulous assortment of vegetarian entrees I have just for you," she said, knowing that once Jax's grandmother got into that kitchen she would be assaulted head-on with the savory aroma of the rich roast beef, the turkey, the lasagna, the chicken cordon bleu, the shrimp scampi, the rice pilaf, the candied yams. She would confess to not being a vegetarian, Brenda was sure of it.

Jax knew what Brenda was up to and whispered to her. "She'll never confess, sweetie. She's too stubborn to do that. She will eat that rabbit food and act as if it's filet mignon."

Brenda laughed, and her soft lips touched his cheek. "She'll confess," she predicted as she led Jax's grandmother into the kitchen.

As they went into the kitchen the doorbell rang, and Jax opened the door to a swirl of cold air and snowflakes and the welcome sight of his brother and his cousins, who all came stomping inside.

Some distance away, Jenna sat in her limo debating what to do now. How unbelievably strange that Bastian would come to this glorious, hilltop mansion, which was in the very same vicinity of the other mansion where the Crystal Ball had been held! And Jenna knew she was too far away to possibly be sure, but she could have sworn that the person who opened the door for Bastian and his two companions had borne a shocking resemblance to that blonde FBI agent. But why on earth would Bastian ever go anywhere near an FBI agent - especially the very one who was after him? And there was no FBI agent on the planet who could ever afford to live in a place like this anyway, so she had to be wrong about that. She drummed her fingertips against her chin as she pondered what to do. She would leave, she decided. After she got a closer look.

Inside, Jax was happily catching up with his brother, whom he saw maybe five times a year tops, and his cousins, whom he saw even less than that.

As Jax and Scott were describing how close they had come to nabbing Bastian Reese, Jerry snorted in disbelief.

"Is that a myth, little brother? An urban legend you're trying to spin for our amusement?" Jerry grinned.

"Yeah, Jax, seriously," Lance added. "No one is ever going to catch him," he said slowly.

"I am," Jax contended, undeterred by their lack of faith.

Trey smiled at Jax and Jax smiled back at him. He knew that of everyone present, Trey and Scott understood him and what drove him more than the others did.

"You need to give it up and get a more realistic goal," Lance insisted. "Like finding the Loch Ness monster," he added, and then he halted mid-sentence as he spotted the sparkling band of gold on Jax's ring finger. "Wait a minute, Jax. What the hell is that?"

Trey glanced at what his cousin was looking at, and he saw the wedding band, too. "Yeah, Jax, what the hell is that?" Trey murmured.

Jerry laughed at the puzzled, shocked looks on his younger cousins' faces. "Hey, don't look at me," he said, holding up his hands innocently. "He swore me to secrecy, so he could shock the living daylights out of the two of you with this news. But if it's any consolation, I haven't laid eyes on the new Mrs. Jacks yet either."

"Jax, you're married ?" Trey asked.

"And it's not Ariel?" Lance added incredulously.

Back in the kitchen, Jax's Grandmother was salivating over the delicious spread of food and turning her nose up at the vegetarian alternatives, as Brenda ran down the menu for her. Her stomach rumbled with desire for the savory meats and flip-flopped in revulsion at the vegetarian dishes.

"So, what would you like to start with grandmother? The broccoli and lima bean soufflé or maybe the Artichoke hearts and cauliflower bisque?" Brenda asked, and she saw Jax's grandmother struggling to keep her appalled smile at bay.

"You are deliberately provoking me, young lady," Lauren accused.

"Oh, yes," Brenda confessed, easily, and Lauren Woodwiss could contain her laughter and admiration no longer.

Her merry laugh was deep and resonant, and she took Brenda by surprise by spontaneously giving her a great, big hug. "I'm not a vegetarian, my dear!" she said, still howling with laughter as tears of mirth streamed down her face. "And I'd rather be strung up by my toes over a sea of ornery sharks than eat anything as ludicrous as an artichoke heart and cauliflower bisque!"

Brenda was laughing, too, and she knew that Jax's grandmother's confession was her way of throwing up the flag of truce between them. Brenda hugged the laughing, little woman and said: "I love your grandson with all my heart."

Lauren, still unable to stop the laughter that had been pent up inside of her for so long, nodded and smiled. "I can see that." Then she finally was able to sober a bit, the laughter giving way to a serious moment. "I can see that he loves you with all of his heart, as well." She grasped Brenda's hands. "I've always wanted him to marry Ariel, you know. Always. I thought they were just perfect for one another. The day I heard they were engaged was the happiest day of my life." She shook her head, "But I was wrong. Very wrong. You're the one who's perfect for him. You're the one he wants. You're the one he loves. And the birth of your first child together is going to be the new happiest day of my life," she said, tapping Brenda fondly on the chin. "Forgive my bad behavior, Brenda, I beg of you. And know how happy and honored I am to have you in my family. And how lucky I think my Jasper is to have found you."

The apology, the asking of forgiveness and the compliment was enough to bring tears to Brenda's eyes. Jax's grandmother's gray eyes shone with tears, as well.

"So, this means I call you grandmother?" Brenda asked again, as they both burst out laughing and shared another hug.

A stunned Scott watched them, thinking that Brenda had won over Jax's stubborn grandmother in record time!

"Hey, Brenda," Scott said. "Come on out. Jax's brother and cousins are here," he said.

"Yes, sweet, wicked, little child. Go and meet the rest of your family," Jax's grandmother said, kissing Brenda on the cheek and then gazing at the array of unappetizing vegetarian dishes and howling with laughter once again as Scott looked at her as if she had lost her mind.

Still laughing, as well, Brenda excitedly followed Scott back into the living room and walked over to Jax, who pulled her towards him and happily introduced her to his brother, Jerry, his cousin, Lance, and his cousin, Trey.

"So, now all of the people I love most in the world, know each other," Jax said with a grin of perfect contentment.

Brenda stifled a gasp as her shocked, brown eyes stared and locked with the very beautiful and equally shocked, gray eyes of one of the men she had just been introduced to.

Brenda couldn't believe her eyes. It was him!

She blinked, but unbelievably he was still there.

Bastian Reese!