It was nearly 10:00 when they had both showered and dressed. Jax had promised her a Christmas Eve she would never forget. She had been driving him crazy trying to find out what he had gotten her for Christmas. She had tried everything from bribery to begging, but neither anger nor even seduction had worked. All he would tell her was that it was a gift like she had never received before, and that she would have to wait until later this afternoon to get it.

When she finally came out of the dressing room, he was waiting for her with a cup of coffee and her favorite sweet rolls.

"Breakfast is served, my lady," he whispered as he kissed her gently on the cheek. "I have a full day planned for us so eat up."

"What exactly do you have planned, kind sir?" she asked, returning the kiss ever so softly.

"Well, I thought we'd spend the day doing some of your favorite things. We're going skating out at the pond by the cottage and then some cross-country skiing. Followed by a delicious lunch at the cottage, catered by Cafe Matese. Then, of course, there is the children's Christmas party at General Hospital. You promised Audrey that we would be there to help hand out presents to the children. After that it'll be time for your big surprise. Do you think you can wait that long?" he asked with a twinkle in his eye.

He knew she would spend the entire day trying to get him to give her her surprise early. He had to stand firm because he had been told just 30 minutes ago that her present would not be ready until 4:00 this afternoon. It was going to be fun watching Brenda trying to control her curiosity until then. Now that the day was actually here, he was a little nervous about whether or not he had made a mistake. In his heart he knew this was the perfect gift for her. It was something she had never really had before and he wanted to be the one to give her her first. He had to just keep remembering that until 4:00.

Brenda could not believe he actually expected her to wait ALL DAY for her present. She would have to see what she could do about changing the time schedule for today. She had to admit, though, that everything he had described would make this an absolutely perfect day, especially spending the entire day with him. Now if she could just persuade him to change the schedule. Oh well, the day was still young and anything could happen. He didn't know what he was getting himself into if he thought she would wait until this afternoon for her present. She smiled at him sweetly and grabbed both their jackets, "Well, what are you waiting for? There's a pond to be skated and hills to be skied," she laughed as she led him out the door of the penthouse.

Before Brenda even realized it, it was nearly noon. They had skated on the pond, with Brenda even winning 2 of the 5 races to which she had challenged Jax. After that they had skied over just about every hill and valley in a 2 square mile area around the cottage. By the time they got back to the cottage they were both pretty close to frozen and more than ready for a warm fire and a hot meal. As promised, Cafe Matese had set up a fantastic luncheon of Brenda's favorites, some of which Jax had actually taught her to enjoy.

When the meal was over, they sat cuddled together in front of a roaring fire. Brenda was sure this was the perfect opportunity to persuade Jax to give her her present early. She cuddled up close to him and began softly blowing on the side of his neck. She followed this up with soft kisses along his neck and up the left side of his face. Suddenly he grabbed her with both arms and plopped her down on the floor next to him. "Do you really think that will work?" he asked while laughing softly.

"Jax, I have no idea what you're talking about. Can't I thank my husband for the absolutely wonderful day he has created for me so far? Does there have to be an ulterior motive for my kisses?" she asked, looking at him with a face as innocent as a baby's.

"On any other day, with the possible exception of your birthday, I'd have to agree with you, but come on Brenda, it's Christmas Eve and I've already told you that you have to wait another 3 hours to get your gift. If you were me, wouldn't you be cautious, too?"

When she thought about it she had to agree. Oh, well, she tried. She would have to find the patience to wait for her present. At least she would enjoy the pleasure of watching the faces of the children at the hospital Christmas party. Jax looked up at the clock on the mantle and stood up. He reached for her to help her to her feet. She hugged him tightly when she was up. "What was that for?" he asked, a little confused.

"For just being you. You've made today the best Christmas Eve I've ever had. Just spending the day here with you. Jax, I know I make a big deal about material presents," she smiled at him as she said this, "but the best part of today has been spending it with my 'husband,' alone, doing the things we like to do with no phones or people or fancy material things. This is what I've finally come to realize makes the best Christmas." She was amazed at the look on Jax's face when she looked up at him. She was sure she saw tears in his eyes.

"Do you realize how much that means to me? I've known ever since we got back together that you love me. I've never asked you to prove it in any way, I just knew. But after what you just said there is no doubt in my heart that we have a future as bright as the sun before us." He hugged her tightly and gave her a soft kiss on the top of her head, inhaling the scent of her shampoo. He quickly pulled away saying, "We better get moving or we'll be late for the party. You don't want to disappoint those kids do you?"

"Not on your life. Besides the sooner we get to the party, the sooner it'll be time for my present," she smiled her ever present Brenda smile at him making him chuckle.

"Brenda, some things will never change, and I, for one, hope they never do!" He hugged her again and helped her with her coat. They headed out the front door to the car. They only had about 45 minutes to make it to the hospital for the party but the roads were clear and he knew they had plenty of time. His assistant would be at the cottage in a little while to wait for Cafe Matese to come clear away the remnants of lunch. Soon the cottage would be back just the way Brenda had left it the day of their wedding. As he drove back into town he was glad they had kept it. It made a perfect retreat for the two of them. He hoped they would continue to come here in the future, even after Brenda received her present this afternoon.

The General Hospital Christmas party was a rousing success. Alan had truly made the telling of the Christmas story his own. Even crusty old Edward Quartermaine had miraculously transformed himself into a kind and gentle Santa Claus for the day. After they had distributed most of the presents, Jax stood off to the side with Audrey watching Brenda amongst the children. He couldn't help but feel that she was having as much fun as they were, possibly even more. Audrey looked at him with a slightly confused expression, "What's wrong, Jax? You look a million miles away."

"Oh, nothing. I was just watching my wife out there with the children and thinking of all the time together we've lost because of other people's interference and my own stubbornness."

Audrey glanced over at Brenda with the children and saw her look over at Jax. "Would you like some advice from an older, wiser woman?" she asked.

"Well, I don't see an older woman anywhere around, but if you have some advice I'd be glad to listen," Jax replied as he gave her a smile that convinced Audrey that he was just a natural flirt, he didn't even have to work at it.

"Well, I would say that the last thing you need to think about is lost time and other people. You and Brenda have seen more trials than most couples, and look at you, you're together, you're happy, and, take it from me, you two are more in love with each other than any couple I've ever known. Just continue to do whatever it is that you're doing, and all the rest will just fade into memory." With that said, Audrey excused herself and went back amongst the children.

Jax thought about what Audrey had said, and had to admit she was right. He and Brenda had survived tremendous obstacles over the past couple of years and still come out together in the end. He made himself a promise that he would do everything in his power to make sure that life only got better for his darling Brenda.

He glanced at his watch quickly and, realizing the time, looked around for Brenda. His heart lurched when he didn't see her anywhere in the room. Suddenly he felt her arms circle his waist from behind. He felt her snuggle her head into his back. He pulled her around in front of him and wrapped his arms around her waist. She leaned back into his chest and sighed. "This has been the most amazing Christmas Eve in my life," she purred.

He turned her around to face him, "Even if you haven't received your gift yet?"

"Like I told you at the cottage, honey, I've finally learned what is important about Christmas. Being with you for this entire day, and being here with these kids has made me realize how I wasted a lot of time. Oh, don't get me wrong. I'm not saying that I want to chuck it all and live on the streets. I just mean that I now know that the thing that makes me the happiest is right here in front of me. Everything else is nice, but I could live without it. What I can't live without is you." She smiled softly as she looked into his eyes. "Okay, now that I've made my little speech what's next on the Jacks family Christmas Eve agenda?" she asked with a slight chuckle.

For a moment he was speechless. He had never known anyone who could switch gears as quickly or could make as much sense doing it as she just had. When he found his voice again he smiled at her, "Well, according to my fancy gold watch, a present from my beautiful wife, it's time for your Christmas present." With that said, he reached into his pocket and handed her a small box wrapped in angel paper.

"Oh, Jax, it's beautiful. It seems a shame to open it!" she said but she did anyway, causing Jax to laugh out loud. "What?" she asked, confused by his reaction. "Haven't you ever seen me open a present before?"

"Of course, I have. It just amazes me how quickly you tear through the paper. Those little kids have nothing on you when it comes to presents. Are you going to teach our kids to appreciate presents in the same way?" he asked, surprised that he had actually mentioned children. He had never thought about being a parent until this moment. It suddenly seemed like the next logical step in their relationship, but only when and if Brenda was ready. He knew she had a lot of issues about her childhood that they would have to talk out before they had children, but he was sure that it was just a matter of time before there would be a little raven-haired copy of Brenda pulling on his hand, begging her daddy to hurry and open his present so she could see it, just like his Brenda did every time.

"Of course. Could any child of ours do less?" Suddenly it occurred to Brenda that this was the first time she had thought about kids. She could tell by the look on Jax's face that he felt the same way. It was a strange feeling for her, but she suddenly realized that she liked the idea of being a family, especially with Jax.

"Well, are you going to open it or have you lost interest?" he teased her, knowing full well that Brenda NEVER lost interest in a present.

"Hold your horses. I'm not sure who's more excited by this present, you or me?"

She slowly opened the velvet box that she found inside the wrapping paper, expecting to find an expense piece of jewelry. Jax watched her face as she opened the box and had to smile at the look of confusion on her face. "What's wrong?" he asked in his most innocent voice. "Don't you like your gift?"

"It's not that. I'm just not sure what it is." With that she lifted her gift out of the box and held it up in the bright hospital lights. It was a beautiful, antique gold key on a blue, velvet ribbon. "What exactly is this?" she asked, totally confused.

"It's the key to our future," he said. "You have to come with me to find out what it opens. With that he took her by the hand and led her towards the elevator, waving good-bye and wishing merry Christmas to everyone on the way. When they got to Audrey, he leaned over and kissed her, whispering, "Thanks for the advice. I think I'll take it." He smiled at her as he and Brenda looked back at her from the elevator.

When they were alone in the elevator Brenda looked up at him "Where exactly are we going Jax?" she asked.

"To our future" was his reply. He could tell she did not understand his answer, but he could also see in her eyes the trust she had in him. She simply smiled and hugged him. They continued to hold each other until the elevator doors opened again in the parking garage.

As they walked to the car, he stopped and looked down at her, "Are you disappointed?" She had been very quiet since opening her gift, and he was afraid that he had ruined her day.

"In what -- my gift? Of course not. I was just thinking about what you said in the elevator, that we are going to our future. For the first time in my life I really feel like I have a future, and it's because of you." With that she stood on tiptoes and kissed him quickly on the lips. "Okay, Santa, lead on to the future!"

As Jax closed her car door and walked around to his side, he knew in his heart that her gift was right and they were indeed heading into their future. He started the car, confident in that future and their love. This was turning out to be the best Christmas on record in his book. He smiled and touched her hand as they drove out of the hospital garage and into their future.