As soon as Thomas had pulled up to the back of the house, he jumped out and opened the door for Jax and Brenda. Still holding Brenda in his arms, Jax got out and headed straight for the house. Thomas opened the door for them, and as soon as they were safely inside, headed through the house to head off the welcoming committee while Jax took Brenda up to their suite.

Just as Thomas got to the foyer, the front porch crowd was coming inside. Thomas headed straight to Benton and Mrs. Kelly. "Brenda is fine everyone. Mrs. Kelly, could you get dinner ready for them? Nothing heavy, just make something simple. Thanks. They've gone up to their suite and won't be coming down again tonight. Benton, Jax will call when they are ready for dinner. Would you take it up to them when he calls?"

"Of course, come on, Megan, I'll give you a hand with dinner. Thomas, will you be staying for dinner?" Looking over at Thomas who indicated he would be staying, Benton then indicated to Mrs. Kelly they should get started. He could tell Thomas had no intention of revealing any more information about their employers. Benton knew Jax and Brenda would fill them in when they were ready. At least Brenda was home and okay, that was the important part.

As Benton and Mrs. Kelly headed for the kitchen, Thomas turned his attention to Travis and the security guards. "Travis, everything is fine here. Brenda just fainted, that's all -- no emergency. Why don't you release the men and head on home? Everything is fine here. I'll be staying for a while myself, so there is nothing to worry about." Thomas looked over at Travis, who gave no indication he was ready to leave, but he did release the guards back to regular duty.

"I think I'll hang around for while, just in case." Travis seemed unwilling to take Thomas's word that there was no problem. He fully intended to wait until Jax told him exactly what had happened this afternoon that had caused Jax's panic call.

"You're welcome to stay Travis, but I have to tell you that neither Jax nor Brenda have any intention of coming downstairs at any time tonight. Nor do they plan to give any explanations of what happened. I'm sure Jax will get in touch with you when he's ready to explain." Thomas thought he had made it very clear that Travis was not needed at the house, but he still didn't seem to plan on leaving.

"Well, if Jax isn't coming down tonight, why don't you tell me what happened this afternoon? Obviously it was something major, since Jax is not the type to call for security unless it's an emergency. Since you were here when it happened, why don't you explain it to me so I can write it up in my report." As he had been talking, Travis walked into the parlor and sat down to wait for Thomas to explain. Thomas slowly shook his head as he followed Travis into the parlor and sat across from him.

"Actually I wasn't here when it happened. All I know is that Mrs. Kelly called this afternoon to tell me that Brenda had fainted and Jax was taking her to GH. She asked me to meet them there in case they needed anything. I got to the hospital at just about the same time as they did. Dr. Monica Quartermaine and her crew took Brenda into a treatment room, and I waited with Jax in the hallway outside it. A little while later Dr. Quartermaine came out, talked to Jax for a minute and told him it was okay to go in and see Brenda. When he came back out, he told me she was going to be released and I offered to drive them home since Jax had sent the car away. On the way home, Jax told me they were going to call it a night and asked for dinner to be sent up when they were ready. That's it." Thomas had no qualms about the couple of white lies that he had just told Travis. When Jax and Brenda were ready to reveal the reason for Brenda's fainting spell, they would do so. It was not Thomas's place to tell, nor was it any of Travis's business at this point.

Travis was anything but satisfied with Thomas's explanation of what had happened. As he was about to ask a whole series of questions, he looked into Thomas's eyes and realized that what he had just been told was all the information he was going to get out of Thomas tonight. "That is all you are going to tell me, isn't it, Thomas?" Travis asked.

"What do you mean, Travis? That's all that happened. I have no idea what was said between Jax, Brenda, and her doctors. When they were in the car on the way home, neither of them said anything other than what I told you. I'm sure Jax will let you know the details when he's ready. One thing I do know for a fact is that there was no criminal act involved in any of this. It was just a case of Brenda becoming ill and needing medical care." Satisfied that he had stonewalled Travis, probably to the point of frustration, Thomas was glad he worked directly for Jax and not Travis, because this was going to cause some ruffled feathers in the chain of command at the Security Department -- he was sure.

"Okay, I can take a hint. I'll wait to hear from Jax for the details. Just tell me one thing. If there is no security problem, why are you hanging around?" Travis thought he had caught Thomas.

"Oh, that's easy. I'm hungry and Mrs. Kelly is much more my kind of cook than the one at the PC Grill. Besides, I offered to man the phone tonight so that Jax and Brenda would not be disturbed."

Again Travis had to admit defeat. He wasn't going to get any more information from Thomas, and he just had to face it. He'd have to wait for Jax to tell him, whenever that would be. "Can you at least tell me if Jax will be in the office tomorrow?"

"I honestly don't know. He didn't say anything to me one way or the other." This time Thomas was telling the truth; he didn't know what Jax's plans were for tomorrow. He could guess that they would not include leaving the house, but he wasn't sure. "I'm sure he'll let you know tomorrow, Travis. In the meantime, don't worry -- they are both fine and nothing criminal happened here this afternoon.

While all this had been going on downstairs, Jax had carried Brenda up to their suite. He set her gently down on the couch, went back to close and lock the doors, and started to light a fire in the hearth. Brenda had taken off Jax's topcoat while he was lighting the fire and thrown it on the nearby chair. Once the fire was going, he turned back around to her as she held out her hand to him, indicating that she wanted him to come join her on the couch. He took a seat with his back against the arm of the couch, facing the fire, and Brenda scooted herself between his legs, leaning against his chest. She wrapped his arms tightly around her and they sat there for several minutes, neither one saying anything.

Jax began to slowly move his hands across Brenda's abdomen, as if trying to let the baby she was carrying know that he was there. Brenda snuggled more closely into his embrace as she sighed. Her sigh brought Jax out of his thoughts. "Are you okay?" he asked as he tilted his head around to look at her face.

"I'm fine. I was just thinking about how happy I am. You promised me when we got married this time that things would only get better as we grew together, and I have to admit you were right. I have to tell you I was scared at first, considering all the mistakes we both made the first time. But I knew how much I loved you, and the longer we are together, I can feel how much you love me. Now we have a baby on the way. I can't imagine our lives being any more perfect. We are going to be a family, Jax!" Brenda tilted her head up to kiss him. Jax willingly returned the kiss. As Brenda snuggled into his arms again, she couldn't resist the urge to yawn.

"Getting tired?" Jax asked. "Why don't you go draw yourself a hot bath, and I'll go talk to Benton about dinner?" Jax moved to get up from the couch but Brenda held his arms in place around her. "What?"

"Before you go, promise me something." Brenda turned to face him, with the beginnings of a smile on her face.

"What?" Jax asked, not sure where she was heading, but getting the distinct feeling that he was going to like it wherever it went.

"That you'll join me as soon as you get back. That tub is so big, I'd feel better with my own personal lifeguard on duty. After all, I do have a child to think about, you know." She looked at him with that expression that she knew he could never resist.

"When you put it that way, how can I refuse? You go run the bath, and I'll be back up before you know it. Do you want me to tell Benton and Mrs. Kelly about the baby?" Jax knew that Thomas had not said anything to anyone about what he knew. He trusted Thomas more than anyone, except for Brenda. He would say nothing to anyone until Jax gave him the approval.

"Can you hold off until tomorrow? I'd like us to tell them together. I know they're going to be happy, especially Mrs. Kelly," Brenda said.

"Sounds like a plan. Tell you what -- you go run the tub, and I'll go talk to them about dinner. I'll have Benton set up dinner in the sitting room, while we are in the tub. Okay, Mrs. Jax?" Jax had crawled out from behind her and extended his hands to help Brenda up from the couch as he was talking.

"Sounds good to me. Hurry back." Brenda stood up on tiptoes to kiss Jax on his nose, then headed toward the bathroom to run their bath. Jax stood for a minute, watching her walk away. He then headed downstairs to make their dinner arrangements.

Jax came back into the suite a few minutes later and could hear the water still running in the tub. He stopped just inside the door of the suite and couldn't resist the urge to smile as he thought about all that had happened today. This would have to go down as the second happiest day in his life; the first being the day he had married Brenda for real, a few months ago. When he heard the water turn off, he started toward the bathroom removing his clothes as he went. By the time he reached the door to the bathroom, he was wearing nothing but a smile, especially when he saw Brenda waiting for him in the tub, surrounded by a cloud of bubbles. Jax walked quickly over to the tub and joined her.

They sat soaking for a long time, just wrapped up in each other and their love for one another. Their reverie was interrupted only when one of them adjusted their position. Eventually, they were forced to admit it was time to get out of the tub. Most of the bubbles had disappeared, and the water was beginning to cool. Jax was the first to get out. He quickly dried himself off and wrapped a fresh towel around his waist. He held up a large fresh bath blanket for Brenda as she stepped from the tub. He wrapped the blanket tightly around her as she stood close to him, cocooned not only in the towel but in his arms as well.

The sound of the rumble of Brenda's stomach caused both of them to burst out laughing. Brenda was the first to recover her composure, "I guess someone is trying to tell us something. Why don't you go check on dinner and I'll get something on?" Holding on to the towel with her elbows, she picked up Jax's royal blue robe for him to slip into as she was talking. He slid the robe on and removed the towel, as he wrapped the robe around himself and tied the belt.

"Don't take too long. Or put on too much…" the twinkle in his eyes made the meaning of his words perfectly clear. He bent down and kissed her quickly on the top of her head, pulling the towel from around her as he ran from the room, closing the door behind him.

Brenda couldn't stop laughing, as she picked up the towel to finish drying herself off. She reached for the gown she had brought into the bathroom with her and looked at her reflection in the mirror after she put it on. She wondered how much longer she would be able to wear it before the baby began to show. She softly rubbed her hand across the fabric covering her abdomen. The baby -- she loved the sound of those words. She already loved this child, even though it wouldn't be born for another 8 months -- probably because she loved its father so much.

Just then Jax tapped lightly on the door. "Brenda are you ready? Dinner is here."

"I'm coming." Brenda picked up the gown's matching coat and put it on. After checking her hair one last time in the mirror, she opened the door to find Jax standing there, waiting for her. He took both of her hands in his and looked at her, from the tip of her toes up to her hair, appreciating the sight in front of him, but causing Brenda to blush. "Jax, please, why are you looking at me like that?"

"You are the most beautiful woman I've ever seen, that's why." Jax kissed her gently on the forehead.

"I hope you still feel that way in about 6 months, when I'm as big as a house!" Brenda said with a chuckle.

Jax pulled her close to him and wrapped his arms loosely around her. "Brenda, you'll be even more beautiful to me then because you'll be carrying our child. Don't you know that it isn't what your body looks like that makes you beautiful to me? It's what's in here." Jax tapped her chest above her heart as he spoke. He kissed her again, just as her stomach growled. "I think this had better wait until you've had some dinner, don't you?" Jax laughed.

"I think you're right. Just don't forget where we left off!" Brenda kissed Jax once more, as she headed toward the sitting room and dinner, anxious for what would come after.

Benton had set dinner up on the table by the window. As Thomas had suggested, Mrs. Kelly had prepared something light but filling for them. As they finished their dinner, Jax and Brenda were able to watch the stars come out. They spoke very little during dinner, both seeming lost in thought about the future, and neither wanting to disturb the other.

Brenda was the first to make a move. She got up from the table and stood by the window. Jax got up and stood behind her, wrapping his arms around her waist and leaning his chin on the top of her head. "What are you thinking about?" he asked. He was pretty sure he already knew.

"Nothing in particular; I was just watching the changing colors of the sky and feeling happy. I don't know of any other way to describe it. Jax, I have everything life can offer: a husband who loves me; a child on the way; a beautiful home; and last, but not least, the beginnings of a new business that offers me a challenge. What more could a woman want?" She snuggled back against his chest as she spoke.

Jax could tell there was something she was leaving off though, "But… I know there is a but there somewhere, Brenda." He looked down at her to wait for her answer.

Brenda turned around in his arms, never letting them break their hold on her body. "You know me so well, don't you? You're right, there is a 'but.' I was just thinking that there are so many things that our baby won't have because of the actions of others." Jax didn't like the far-away expression that came across Brenda's face.

"What do you mean?" he asked.

"Well, this child won't have any grandparents or aunts and uncles to share their life with. My father is dead, and we have no contact with either of your parents because of what your father did. On top of that, my relationship with Julia is tentative at best, and you can forget about Jerry, so who does that leave for our child to call family?" Jax could see the unshed tears welling up in Brenda's eyes.

"Brenda, look at me. Our baby will have plenty of people in their life. I know we aren't close to any of our blood relatives, but that doesn't mean this child will want for a family. Think about it. When it comes to an uncle, I can't think of a better candidate than the man who took charge of things downstairs when we came home. Thomas has stood by me through everything, and he's never been judgmental or controlling. He's been here whenever we needed him, both of us. Today is a good example. He came as soon as Mrs. Kelly called, no questions asked and he waited with me when I was terrified not knowing what happened to you. I know he will always be there for our child as well. He's the kind of person I'd want to influence our child's development. Don't you agree?" He waited for Brenda to answer.

"You're right. Thomas is exactly what I would want an uncle for our child to be. But, Jax, who else is there?"

"Well, how about Lois? I admit she's not here in Port Charles, but she's still a very big part of our lives, as is Ned. Regardless of all our sparring, you have to know that we'd both be there for the other if the need arose. Don't forget Brooke Lynn in this picture, as well.

"So, let's review this 'non-family' for our child. We have Uncle Thomas, Aunt Lois and Uncle Ned, Cousin Brooke Lynn… Along with that, who else would be a better grandmother than our own Mrs. Kelly -- what with her cookies and milk snacks and her protective attitude towards us. Imagine how she will treat our child. We have quite a special family for this child, and don't you forget it." Jax pulled her close to him and hugged her for a minute, feeling her relax against him.

"How do you always know the right thing to say to make me feel better? Besides, there is always the chance that someday there will be others rejoining our family." Brenda looked up at Jax and saw a quick glimpse of sadness flash across his face as he thought about what she had meant.

"For now let's just enjoy being us, okay?" Brenda gently ran her hands across Jax's chest, pulling his robe open slightly and placing a kiss on his chest.

Jax was pretty sure he knew what Brenda meant by that statement, especially when she pulled out of his embrace, took his hand and headed toward the bedroom. He willingly followed, stopping for a second to sweep her up into his arms and close the door behind them, so they wouldn't be disturbed when Benton came to remove the dishes.

Jax gently set her down on her feet next to their bed, wrapping his arms loosely around her. "Do you know how much I love you, Brenda?" He looked deeply into Brenda's eyes, trying to see into her heart.

"I think I have a pretty good idea. You've shown me in so many ways, especially in the past few months, that I feel like you are a part of me -- especially now." Brenda reached her arms up around his neck. "Jax, this baby is the proof of our love for each other. I don't mean we need to prove anything to anyone, but every time we look at our child, we'll each be able to see the love of the other in our child's face. Am I making any sense?" Brenda felt like she had been babbling.

"You are making perfect sense. You just explained exactly what I am feeling so much better than I ever could." Jax leaned down and kissed her softly on the lips. He kissed her once, and then again and then again, each time a little more passionately. By the time he broke the kiss, they were both eager for more.

Jax backed away slightly to be able to look into Brenda's eyes. His hands came up to brush softly across her shoulders, his fingers sliding lightly beneath the open edge of her silk robe, but going no further. He realized then that he was looking in her eyes for permission to continue. Brenda quickly understood what he was saying, even without a word being spoken, and reached up to slide her robe off, leaving his hands touching her bare shoulders, fingering the thin straps of her gown. Once the robe slid quickly to the floor, Jax pulled Brenda close to him again, kissing her repeatedly with increasing passion.

As their kisses grew in intensity, Brenda could feel Jax against her. His hardness rubbing against her caused Brenda to moan softly as she eagerly opened her mouth to his tongue. As they stood beside the bed, growing more and more intimate with each other, Brenda felt her control waning. She increased the intensity of her kisses, running her fingers through the hair along his neck, as she caressed his lower body with her own. Suddenly she broke the kiss to catch her breath. When she looked into his eyes, she could see that his hold on reality was as weak as her own right now. Not knowing a single reason for them to hold back, Brenda removed her hands from around Jax's neck and took a small step back from him. Never breaking eye contact with Jax, she slowly reached for the straps of her gown and pulled them down her arms, allowing the gown to fall to the floor. Still looking directly in his eyes, she reached for the belt of Jax's robe and quickly untied it. She slowly slid the robe from his shoulders and let it fall to the floor with hers, leaving them both standing there naked and aroused.

Jax was the first to break the silence when he hoarsely whispered, "Brenda, are you sure this is okay?"

Taking Jax by the hand, Brenda took the few steps backward that were necessary to reach the bed. When the backs of her legs were pressed against the side of the bed, she reached her arms up around his neck before she spoke, "I'm positive Jax. You heard Dr. Meadows when she said that we should go home and celebrate our child. I can't think of a better way to celebrate than by doing what we did to create that child in the first place." Brenda smiled as she wrapped her arms tightly around his neck, pulling herself up so that she could wrap her legs around his waist.

Jax had to agree as he lay down on the bed with Brenda still wrapped beneath him. As Jax began to kiss her again Brenda slowly rubbed her center against his hardness, nearly driving him over the edge. When he could no longer control his need, Jax slowly entered Brenda's eagerly waiting body. He was delighted at how ready she was for him. As he moved slowly within in her, he was unaware that he was holding back. Brenda knew though. She also knew why he was holding back and slowly slid her hands down his back to encourage him to let himself go. "Jax, please! You don't have to hold back! Just love me!" Brenda said hoarsely as she arched herself up against him.

Jax looked down at her, seeing the passion glazing her eyes, as he moved slowly within her. "Are you sure, Brenda? I don't want to hurt you…or the baby." Jax kissed her again with a passion that he could never remember feeling before.

Brenda eagerly arched herself against him as she quickly answered his question. "I'm sure, Jax! Please!! Just love me!" With that said, they both let themselves go to enjoy the intensity of their lovemaking. Eventually Brenda could hold back no longer and gave herself over to her climax. As Jax felt her tighten around him, he found his release within her, again and again -- and yet again -- before he was spent.

When they finally were able to regain their sense of reality, Jax slowly slid out of her, rolling to his back and pulling her over in the protective hold of his arms. When Brenda felt her change of position, she slowly moved her head over his heart while wrapping her arm securely around his ribs and placing her leg between his so as not to break the intimacy of their bodies against each other.

As Jax softly ran his fingertips up and down Brenda's back, his concern for her returned. "Are you okay?" he asked, the concern obvious in his voice.

"I'm fine. I think being pregnant makes it even better." Brenda answered dreamily. She could not remember ever feeling this satisfied -- or this exhausted. She found herself quickly drifting off to sleep, to dream of what they had just done and about the future they faced with their child.

Jax found himself drifting off to sleep as well, knowing the night would be filled with wonderful dreams of their life ahead.

As the young couple slept peacefully, wrapped in each other's arms, she stepped slowly from the shadows, a soft smile on her face. This was what she had waited for. They were truly happy now. This child would be the beginning of a new life for them -- She was going to make sure of that. If Brenda ever needed her help, she made a silent promise to be there for her, no matter what it was. As the young couple dreamt on in peace, she faded back into the shadows, knowing there would be no bad dreams tonight -- only dreams of the future.

March 17, 1999

8:45 A.M.

Brenda woke suddenly when she realized that she was alone in bed. She glanced over and saw only Jax's pillow next to her. Sitting up quickly, she looked around the room, realizing too late that it may not have been a very good idea, when her stomach started to churn. Jumping quickly out of bed, she ran for the bathroom, not bothering to grab her robe on the way. When she came out a few minutes later, she found Jax standing by the bed, holding a small tray with a cup of tea and some dry toast on it.

Seeing the expression on Brenda's face as she came out of the bathroom, Jax realized that he had gotten back too late. Brenda had already experienced her first case of morning sickness, and by the looks of things, it had not been pleasant. As his eyes slowly made their way down her naked body, he found himself less concerned about her discomfort and more aware of his own at seeing her standing before him, naked. His mind quickly shot back to the pleasures he had enjoyed giving to and receiving from her last night. As a satisfied smile crossed his face, he cleared his throat, bringing himself back to the present. He set the tray down on the bed and picked up the robe Brenda had dropped on the floor last night. He held the robe open for her as he walked toward her, "I think you may need this," he said as he wrapped the robe around her, tying the belt loosely around her waist. Brenda leaned her forehead against his chest as he tied the robe. "Bad, huh?" he asked.

"It wasn't pleasant, but I'll survive. Thanks for the robe. I didn't exactly have time to dress." She slowly raised her head, noticing for the first time the tea and toast he had brought up. "Is that for me?" she tilted her head toward the bed as she spoke.

"Yeah, I had hoped to get back before you woke up, so that you could get something in your stomach before you got out of bed. Think you can get a little bit down?"

"I think so. Jax, thank you." She wrapped her arms around him and squeezed him tightly.

"What was that for?" he asked.

"For last night, for this morning, for being you, my husband." Brenda stood on tiptoes and kissed him softly on the chin before breaking her hold on him. "I think I better have some of that dry toast right about now. Then can we go downstairs and tell Benton and Mrs. Kelly?"

"Of course. They are both concerned about you, you know. I have a feeling Mrs. Kelly knows though, especially when I asked her to fix you the tea and toast. She had this look on her face that I've never seen before." Jax smiled as he watched Brenda chewing on her toast, taking the first bite rather tentatively, and when that stayed down, taking another and another, until it was obvious that she was hungry -- a lot hungrier than the two slices of toast he had brought would satisfy. "Why don't we head down?" He held out his hand to her, and the two of them started downstairs.

Jax and Brenda entered the kitchen, much to the surprise of both Benton and Mrs. Kelly. After seating Brenda at the worktable, Jax was the first to speak. "I know you didn't expect to see us in here, but we wanted to tell you both something, and we didn't want to wait. You two know that in the short time that we've been together, Brenda and I have come to think of you both as family. Well, what we have to say should be shared first with family." Jax was standing behind Brenda, and he placed both of his hands on her shoulders as he spoke. "Come November there will be another member of this family: Brenda and I are going to have a baby."

Before Jax even finished saying the words, Mrs. Kelly let out a yell and Benton was smiling from ear to ear. "We knew it, Jax. Well, actually Megan here knew it as soon as Thomas brought you two home last night. Congratulations!"

Mrs. Kelly came over to them, wiping the tears from her cheeks with her apron as she approached. "Congratulations, children! This is the best news ever! I promise you, Jax, I will make sure Brenda eats healthy and follows her doctor's instructions." Mrs. Kelly could not control her excitement, hugging both of them again and again.

"I plan on keeping you to that promise, Mrs. Kelly. For right now though, would it be possible to get some breakfast? Brenda has already had her first bout of morning sickness, and we don't want to face that again any time soon, so she needs to put some food in her stomach." Jax squeezed Brenda's shoulder gently as he spoke.

"Of course! You two go on in and take a seat in the breakfast room. I'll bring the food out in a minute." Mrs. Kelly quickly went back to her stove to finish the breakfast she had been preparing, mumbling to herself about revising menus to more healthy foods. Jax and Brenda slowly left the kitchen, arms wrapped around each other.

After finishing breakfast, Brenda and Jax had lingered at the table reading the brochures Dr. Meadows had given them yesterday about pregnancy and diet. When Brenda reached to pour herself another cup of coffee, Jax stopped her. "Hold on Brenda. You're not suppose to have more than two cups of coffee."

Brenda could not keep from laughing. "Jax, are you going to watch everything I eat for the next 8 months?"

"You can't blame me for worrying, can you?" he asked, cocking his head to one side to look at her with a silly smile on his face that caused her to laugh again.

"Of course not! Would it make a difference if I told you Mrs. Kelly told me when she brought it out that this was decaf?"

"In that case, I guess one more cup won't hurt you. It does say in this pamphlet that you should increase your milk intake though. Maybe we should have Mrs. Kelly increase her milk order?"

"Jax, stop! You don't have to worry about every little thing I eat. Honest! I'll be careful. Are you going to hover over me like this for the entire time?" Brenda got up and came around to sit in Jax's lap.

"Probably! I know I'm going overboard, Brenda, but this is the first time I've ever been a father, and I want to be involved in every part of this child's development." Jax placed one of his hands gently on Brenda's abdomen as he spoke.

"I want you to be involved. Just let me be me along the way as well, okay?" Brenda lifted his face so she could look into his eyes as she spoke.

"Okay, that's a deal. What do you want to do with the rest of today?" Jax asked.

"I hadn't really thought about it. I kind of thought I'd take it easy today, maybe call Lois and tell her the news. Is that okay?"

"Sure, we probably should tell everyone we want as soon as possible, since I'm sure it'll be in the papers by this afternoon. After all, there were a lot of people in that emergency room when I brought you in last night, and I'm sure at least one of them was a reporter, from somewhere, covering some accident or something. Since neither of us is exactly low profile, I'll bet our arrival, especially under those circumstances, drew their interest. I wouldn't be surprised if it's in the gossip or society column of this afternoon's papers."

Brenda could not disagree with what Jax had just said. They were high profile people, which unfortunately meant that they had very little privacy. After kissing Jax on the tip of his nose, she got up. "I think I'll go upstairs and call Lois to tell her. What are you going to do?"

"Benton told me that Travis was here last night, wanting to know what had happened. Apparently Thomas didn't tell him anything, which left him pretty frustrated, so I'd better call him and fill him in. I'll meet you upstairs after I finish my call. Give Lois my love, will you? And ask her to give Brooke Lynn a kiss for me." Jax pulled her back to him and snuggled his face against her heart, quickly kissing her on her neck.

After talking to Travis for almost an hour and explaining about Brenda's pregnancy, Jax finally came upstairs to shower. When he entered their suite he found Brenda still on the phone with Lois, talking about everything from pre-natal vitamins to where to get the best maternity clothes. He laughed softly as he headed into the shower. When he came back out, Brenda was just ending her call. She came over to him as he was putting on his shoes and kissed him on the cheek.

"What was that for?" Jax asked.

"That was from Lois. She said to congratulate you on finally doing something right - her words not mine." Brenda could not help but laugh at the expression on Jax's face. She wished she had a camera so she could have shown it to him.

"Thanks, I think! Why don't you go take your shower? Then we can figure out what we want to do with the rest of the day." Jax swatted her gently on her bottom to encourage her to get going.

"What do you mean -- the rest of the day? Aren't you going to work today?" Brenda was not able to keep the excitement out of her voice.

"I wasn't planning on it. Is that okay with you?" The smile on Jax's face let Brenda know that he was looking forward to spending the day with her as much as she was with him.

"You bet!" she yelled as she bent down and kissed the top of his head. "I'll be right back!"

Jax and Brenda spent the rest of the day together -- reading the morning papers together, after Brenda finished dressing; going for a walk after lunch; and finally settling down in the parlor to read the evening papers.

While reading through the Port Charles Herald, Brenda's heart sank. Jax had been right. Right there in black and white in the society column was the information from General Hospital concerning their visit there last night, including the information about her pregnancy. She looked up at Jax with tears brimming in her eyes.

When Jax happened to glance up from his paper he saw the expression on her face and the tears starting to run down her cheeks. "What's wrong, honey?" knowing the answer before he even finished the question.

"You were right, Jax. It's in the paper already. In the society column, no less! How can they do this? Just invade our privacy like this?" Brenda could not stop herself from crying. She couldn't understand why this was bothering her so much. It's not like she didn't expect it.

When Jax saw how upset she was, he came over and sat next to her, pulling her into his arms to comfort her. "Brenda? Are you okay?"

All she could do was nod her head. She felt silly getting so upset about something like this. She wasn't sure what upset her more, seeing the information about her pregnancy in the paper or her overreaction to seeing it.

Jax held her for several moments before speaking again. "Must be those hormones kicking in, huh?" he asked, trying to make light of what they had both read in the brochures this morning about fluctuating hormones causing mood swings and tears with only slight provocation.

Brenda looked up at him and smiled, "I guess so. I can't think of any other reason to be acting like this. I'm sorry, Jax."

Jax just smiled at her and pulled her closer to him. They just sat there for a while until she calmed down again.

John and Jane were sitting in the living room reading the evening paper when Jane let out a scream. John and Jerry both dropped what they were reading and looked up.

"What's all the noise about?" John asked.

"We're going to be grandparents!" Jane said.

John was not sure he had heard her correctly, "What did you just say?"

A very somber Jane quietly repeated what she had just blurted out. "I said we are going to be grandparents in the fall. Jax and Brenda are expecting a baby!" Jane was unable to keep the anger out of her voice; anger not at Jax or Brenda, she realized, but at her husband and the son sitting in front of her. Here was her first grandchild about to be born, and she would miss out on everything because of what they had done that had driven Jax away. Suddenly it dawned on her that she had been a part of the estrangement as well. She thought back to her last visit to Jax and Brenda. It had gone very badly. She had said things that she had not intended to say, and now it was too late to take them back. Jane could no longer keep a handle on her tears. She ran quickly from the room so her family would not see her cry.

As Jane ran from the room, John and Jerry sat staring at each other. John picked up the paper Jane had been reading, and there in black and white in the society column of the Port Charles Herald was the simple statement that Mr. and Mrs. Jasper Jacks recently found out they are expecting a child in the fall. John just stood starring at Jerry. What did they do now? This was not how things were supposed to go. He and Jane were supposed to be back in Jax's life by now. How had things gotten so out of control? There had to be a way to at least get Jane back into Jax's life before the baby came. Besides, once she was back in touch with him again, they would have an open line of information on his business dealings as well. John shook his head slowly. That was a stupid thing to even consider. That was how this had all started in the first place -- business!