Good morning, angels!  This continues my J&B adaptation of Catherine Coulter’s novel, “Afterglow.”  Previously, Jax’s ex-wife Miranda had brought their children to California for Christmas.  She asked Jax to watch the children so she could to go Hawaii for the holidays with her new boyfriend.  Brenda’s parents also made the decision to go to Hawaii for Christmas and leave Brenda and Jax alone.  This chapter opens at the Ashton’s annual Christmas Eve Open House.  Enjoy!! -------------------- Jan

 

A Bad Case of Lovin’ You

 

Chapter 16

 

          Wassail! Wassail! All over the town,

          Our toast it is white and our ale it is brown;

          Our bowl it is made of the white maple tree

          With the wassailing bowl, we’ll drink to thee.

 

          Here’s to our horse, and to his right ear,

          God send our measter a happy new year

          A happy new year as e’er he did see,

          With my wassailing bowl I drink to thee…….

 

          RJ and Ellie Jacks smiled broadly as a polite round of applause rewarded their efforts.  “Wow, kids!” Ned exclaimed, coming to pat the youngsters on the back, “that was really……..something!”

 

          “Yeah,” Jean Cichon echoed dryly, “I have to admit that it’s pretty rare these days to find someone who can sing all TEN verses of the Gloucestershire Wassail carol!”  She shot Jax a sly smile, which he returned with a nod of thanks.

 

          “Well,” RJ intoned seriously, “mother always did try to encourage us to learn the classic carols.”  He leaned towards Jean and Andrea.  “She told us it just about made her nauseous listening to people croon that awful ditty about chestnuts and the open fire again and again.”

 

          Andrea nodded, amazement written on her face.  “Yeah – nauseous.”  She leaned back and arched an eyebrow at Jean.  “That Nat King Cole guy always has that effect on me, too.”

 

          Lois blessedly interrupted the musical entertainment when she appeared in the Ashton’s living room.  She looked positively angelic with her wavy black hair flowing around her shoulders and young Christopher in the crook of her arm.  “So,” she smiled as she came up to the group gathered around Jax’s children.  “What did I miss while I was changin’ Christopher’s diaper?”

 

          “Welllll,” Jean drawled, taking another glass of eggnog that Greg offered, “RJ and Ellie were just entertaining us with the Gloucestershire Wassail song – all *ten* verses!”

 

          “Wow……sounds like somethin’ guaranteed to get us all in the Christmas spirit to me!”  She whispered something to Ned and he went in search of more eggnog. 

 

          “Actually, Mrs. Ashton,” Randall interrupted, “the Gloucestershire Wassail song tells the story of an old English custom of passing the wassail, or health-bowl, on New Year’s Eve.”  Lois nodded and raised an eyebrow.  “Its origins have nothing to do with the Christmas Feast and more to do with the coming of the New Year.”

 

          There was an awkward silence, but then Andrea raised her glass in toast.  “And THAT was after they sang all six verses of Good King Wenceslaus for us!”

 

          “Awwww……”  Lois looked around at the forced cheerful faces.  “…….Nuts!”  She took a glass of eggnog that Ned brought, carefully segregated to the side of all the others.  “I’ll bet my Nedly’s glad he didn’t have to follow something like that with his version of “Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town.””

 

          “Would that be the Ed Ames and the Ames Brothers version, Dr. Ashton?” Ellie asked.  “Mother always used to play it for us on the Reader’s Digest Christmas Music Collection.”  There was another collective “ohhhhh” reflecting varied reactions from the assembled grown-ups.

 

          RJ leaned closer to Ned to confide, “She was fortunate enough to have the eight-track tape version.  The sound quality was excellent. It was always the highlight of our Christmas preparations.”

 

          Everyone passed awkward looks around but Ned finally spoke up.  “No,” he smiled, “more like the Jackson Five version, Ellie.”

 

          Ellie frowned but then a voice was heard from behind Ned.  “And whose part will you be singing tonight, Ned?  Germaine’s?  Or Janet’s?”

 

          The group laughed loudly as Brenda appeared between Ned and Lois.  She was clad in a black wool bolero jacket trimmed in leopard fur.  “Now Brenda, you know it’s the Gloved One or nothing for me!” Ned replied.  He slid Brenda’s coat down her arms to reveal a red velvet mini-dress trimmed in silver bugle beads.  “Don’t you look festive tonight?”

 

          Jax quickly moved to Brenda’s side.  “Step away from the beautiful woman, Ned,” he growled.  “Don’t you have something in the kitchen you need to check?”

 

          “Ned cooked tonight?”  Brenda turned to Lois.  “Didn’t you guys consider hiring a caterer for this big crowd?”

 

          “Are you kidding?”  Lois passed Christopher to Brenda for a minute as Ned handed her a tray of appetizers.  “My Nedly wouldn’t have missed cookin’ all the stuff for this shindig for the world!”

 

          Brenda didn’t miss RJ and Ellie’s wide eyes.  “Do you mean…..”  RJ turned back to Ned as he held a shrimp halfway to his mouth.  “…..Did YOU cook all of this, Dr. Ashton?”

 

          “Yes, RJ.  It’s kind of a hobby of mine,” Ned answered.

 

          “Dr. Ashton feels that cooking relieves some of the stress after working at the hospital all day, RJ,” Jax explained.

 

          “But mother says that women are supposed to be the ones who cook and make a welcoming home,” Ellie piped up.  “And the men bring home a paycheck and relax by watching public television.”

 

          “And here all these years Greg’s been telling me it’s *football* and Baywatch that they watch,” Jean quipped, punching him in the arm.  “I guess that’s because we’re not married …..”

 

          “….YET!” Jessie Moore chimed in.  There were warm greetings exchanged and holiday wishes as Ned took her coat.  “I’m sorry I’m so late getting here, but Jake just wouldn’t get in the car with his antlers and bells on, so we had to do a quick costume change outside in the bushes.”

 

          “You put a reindeer costume on your child?  Or your husband?” Brenda asked quietly.

 

          “Sweetie, Jake is Jessie’s dog!” Jax murmured to her gently as everyone shared a laugh.  “She always brings him as the designated representative from the North Pole to the Ashton’s Christmas Open House.”

 

          Brenda apologized to Jessie and shared the laugh with everyone, but Jessie just patted her arm.  “Don’t worry about it, Brenda.”  She leaned back to check that RJ and Ellie were out of earshot.  “I’m just sorry I missed hearing more of *mother’s* favorite little sayings.”  Jax shook his head at the community groan.  “Where is the old battleaxe tonight, Jax?”

 

          “Somewhere far from here, I hope,” he groaned, wrapping an arm around Brenda.  When Ned announced that the buffet table was open, the crowd quickly moved in that direction.  Jax seized the opportunity and pulled Brenda aside.  “So you didn’t tell me – exactly why were *you* late this evening, Ms. Barrett?” 

 

          “Oh, just some last minute shopping I had to take care of,” she answered mysteriously.

 

          Jax kept his arm around her waist as they moved towards the dining room.  “And just who would that shopping have been for, hmmmm?  Anyone I know?”

 

          “Welllll,” Brenda drawled, “I’m not saying anything specific, but maybe if you took me out in the hall under the mistletoe I might let you see one of your presents……early……on a live model.”

 

          Jax waggled his eyebrows suggestively.  “I seeee…..and have you been a good little girl this year, Ms. Barrett?”

 

          “Nooo, but I thought that was the way you liked it!”  When Brenda lowered her eyelashes to give Jax a sultry look, he grabbed her arm and pulled her in the direction of the hallway.  RJ and Ellie came around the corner just in time to see their father disappear with Brenda.  When they tried to follow him, Jessie popped up from a chair and grabbed their arms.

 

          “SAY, kids!  I’ve got an idea!  Why don’t we go find Jake and then he can help you lead all the kids through the buffet line!”  She turned wide eyes to Andrea and Jean, clearly telegraphing a call for matchmaking help.

 

          “That’s right!” Andrea chimed in.  “You know, my two sons, Noah and Benjamin, are younger than you guys.  They might be shy about getting in line with all the rest of the grownups.”

 

                Andrea elbowed her husband, Scott, who caught onto the scheme.  “Yeah!  They’re not big kids like you two, and they might need some company.”  He winked at Andrea.  “Come on, I’ll show you guys where they are and then we’ll mount a search party to find Jake, the cold-nosed reindeer.”

 

          As they left, Jean called after them with a smirk.  “I told Greg to take Jake outside to do his thing, Scott!  Watch out for piles of reindeer doody!”

 

          The three women watched the children go through a doorway.  “Whew…..”  Jean sank into a chair.  “That was close.”

 

          Jessie perched on the armrest.  “I know.  How are Jax and Brenda ever going to get some time alone over the holidays with those kids around?”

 

          Andrea giggled as she took a piece of homemade white chocolate from a serving plate.  “Oh, it can be done…..Scott and I are living proof!”

 

          Jessie grabbed the plate from Andrea before she could take another piece and set it in her lap.  “So….in the meantime, is everything set for the presents for Jax and Brenda?”

 

          “I took Jax to pick up Brenda’s gift the day before yesterday,” Jean replied, swiping the plate from Jessie.  She smiled and wrapped an arm around it proprietarily.  “She should love it.”

 

          “And Brenda and I picked up Jax’s gift late yesterday,” Andrea countered.  “We were afraid it might not be finished by Christmas but Brenda raised enough heck that they worked overtime.”  She tried to steal one more piece of candy from Jean, but suddenly Jessie snaked a hand out to take the plate away from both of them again.

 

          “So now, all we have to worry about is the ex-wife.”  Jessie sighed.  “Why do I think that might be our biggest problem of all.”

 

          The other two sighed and nodded in agreement.  “That could be true.”  Jean suddenly smiled and winked at her matchmaking partners.  “We might need reinforcements……but I think I know exactly who we can count on!”

 

***********************

 

          Frosted window panes, candles gleaming inside

          Painted candy canes on the tree

          Santa’s on his way, he filled his sleigh with things

          Things for you and for me

          It’s that time of year, when the world falls in love

          Ev’ry song you hear seems to say,

          Merry Christmas, May your New Year dreams come true…

          And this song of mine, in three-quarter time,

          Wishes you and yours, the same thing, too.

 

          “Wow, Dad!  Did you see this?  Did you see what Brenda got me?”

 

          RJ Jacks could barely contain his excitement as he cradled a brand new baseball glove and ball in his hands.  “I wasn’t able to get all the Dodgers players to sign it,” Brenda groused, “but I managed to convince someone pretty important to take a minute out of his busy schedule…..”

 

          “Kevin Brown!”  Jax was even more excited than his son as he stared at the glove.  Then he suddenly frowned.  “How did you manage to get Kevin Brown, the richest man in baseball, to sign a glove for you?”

 

          “Wellll,” Brenda drawled, embarrassment staining her cheeks, “I didn’t really get him to sign it.  It seems that Kevin is quite a fan of Lois’s, so *she* talked him into autographing the glove for her.”

 

          “Why is he a fan of Mrs. Ashton’s?  Is she a famous writer, too?”  Ellie was still struggling with the big bow on her box, trying to keep from breaking the ribbon.

 

          Brenda smiled and reached over to help Ellie.  “Mrs. Ashton is a model, Ellie.  Apparently Kevin buys some of the magazines that run the ads Mrs. Ashton’s been in.”

 

          “I *thought* she was a model,” RJ announced seriously as he slipped his glove on and pounded it with his other fist.  “She’s really beautiful.”

 

          {And what am I?  Chopped liver?}  Brenda tried to keep the embarrassment from showing on her face.  Jax felt her mood change subtly and leaned down from his easy chair to whisper in her ear.  “But you’re *beyond* beautiful, love.”

 

          She grinned up at him as she sat on the floor with RJ and Ellie next to the Christmas tree.  “Thanks.  I needed that.”

 

          He rubbed her back with a cross of affection and consolation.  “Have I told you how much I love my Christmas present?”  Brenda had been totally stumped when it came to buying Jax a gift.  Then after talking to Andrea, she remembered that the day Jax took her and the kids sailing, they had taken a picture in front of the “Cutting Edge.”  She blew off the rest of the pictures on the roll of film and then after it was developed, she took the photo to a specialty shop.  The artists there enlarged the photo, mounted it on thick wood, and then cut out the scene with a jig-saw.

 

          She smiled as Jax fingered the three-dimensional photo-sculpture lovingly.  “I had to nearly break some arms to get them to finish mounting it in time for Christmas, but I can be a very determined woman when I need to.”

 

          Jax winked lewdly at her.  “I think I already knew that, Ms. Barrett.”  Their lips came closer for a kiss but just then, Ellie’s shriek caused them to jump apart.

 

          “A BEAR!!  Brenda got me a teddy bear!!”  Tears gathered in Ellie’s eyes.  “I’ve never had a teddy bear before.”

 

          “Not just any bear, Ellie,” Brenda laughed.  “Look at what she’s wearing.”

 

          Ellie’s eyes grew even wider as she examined the detail on the fluffy white bear.  “She’s got pink docksiders – just like mine!  And she’s wearing an outfit just like the one I wore when we went sailing with you and dad!!”

 

          “That’s right.”  Brenda scooted closer to Ellie as RJ found another box with the children’s names on it and started tearing at the wrapping.  “There’s this great place in the mall called “Build-a-Bear” where you can dress the bear up in any kind of outfit you want.”  She pointed discreetly to an envelope still in the box the bear came in.  “I also found out that there’s a “Build-a-Bear” shop in Boston, so that’s a gift certificate.”  She elbowed Ellie in the ribs and winked at her.  “After all, us girls…..and girl bears…..can *never* have enough clothes!”

 

          Just then, RJ managed to get the wrapping off the box and opened it.  “Dad, look!”  Then he frowned.  “What’s this?”

 

          “THAT,” Brenda explained, “is a hand-held arcade game, RJ.  It’s called Game Boy, and your dad and I managed to get one of the new Pokemon games for it.  We thought that maybe you could think of us after you’re back in Boston when you play it.”  Jax placed a hand on Brenda’s shoulder and squeezed it tightly.  “But….you have to share it with Ellie!” she added sternly.

 

          “Here, RJ, let me see.”  Ellie moved over to where RJ sat trying to get the back off the game to put in batteries.  “You know you’re hopelessly obtuse when it comes to mechanical devices.”

 

          Brenda shrugged her shoulders and smiled.  “Speaking of hopeless, I guess I should go into the kitchen and see if dinner’s just about ready.”  She rose from the floor but Jax kept hold of her hand.

 

          “Do you need any help?”

 

          She laughed loudly.  “Are you kidding?  Even *I* can manage to re-heat a Christmas dinner with all the trimmings prepared by a restaurant and delivered to my door!”

 

          RJ looked up from the video game.  “You mean you didn’t cook dinner?”

 

          “No, RJ,” Jax replied.  “Brenda’s parents sent her an entire meal, catered by a restaurant, just for her Christmas present.  Wasn’t that nice of them?”

 

          “Yeah, but…..”  RJ shook his head.  “I don’t think I’ll *ever* understand life in California.”

 

          Brenda pulled away from Jax and started towards the kitchen.  “Why is that, RJ?” she called over her shoulder.

 

          He looked back down at the game.  “Because here, men like Dr. Ashton cook because they *want* to, and women don’t cook, even though they’re *supposed* to!”

 

          Brenda froze in her tracks and slowly turned back to the group next to the tree.  Jax saw the warning rockets in her eyes and was off the couch in a flash.  “SUPPOSE…..!!!!”  He shook his head strongly at Brenda, frowning at the same time.  She got the hint and took a deep breath before continuing.  “Supppppose I ask your dad to help me in the kitchen, kids.  Would that be OK?”

 

          Jax was at her side before she even finished the sentence.  RJ and Ellie waved distractedly at them, both too involved in putting the batteries in the video game to care what their father was doing.  He got Brenda out to the kitchen and just as she was about to explode into a feminist lecture, Jax pulled her into his arms and gave her a bone-melting kiss.

 

          When they finally came up for air, Brenda opened her eyes lazily.  “Do you know how long it’s been since we’ve been together?”

 

          “Five days, fourteen hours, thirty-seven minutes…..”  Jax glanced up at her kitchen clock.  “…..and twenty five seconds.”  He rose an eyebrow playfully.  “But who’s counting?”

 

          She pulled him farther into the kitchen and ran her hands up and down his chest suggestively.  “Have I told you how much I liked my Christmas present?”

 

          Jax stared down at the floor and blushed a little.  “Well, I have to admit that I had *no* bloody idea what a Debrett’s was when Jean suggested it.”

 

          “Let’s just say that now I won’t have to go to the library and spend hours in dusty reference rooms anymore,” Brenda replied, nibbling on Jax’s neck.

 

          “Soooo, if that’s really true, instead of *telling* me how much you like my gift, why don’t you *show* me.”  Jax wrapped his arms around Brenda as she melted into his embrace, hooking one leg around his.  His hands strayed to cup her bottom and pull her even harder against the proof of his desire for her.  As he trailed kisses down the side of her neck, Brenda tipped her head back and moaned softly, threading her fingers through the soft hair at his nape.  Jax’s hand softly caressed her bottom and was moving towards the hem of her sweater when ……

 

          “Um, Brenda, can you show us…..”  RJ stopped short in the entrance of the kitchen, video game in hand.  Brenda tried to pull out of Jax’s embrace, but this time he held her fast.  “I’m sorry,” RJ whispered, but then he gave his father a look of disapproval.  “You have your hand on Brenda’s behind again, dad.”

 

          Brenda felt the embarrassment creeping up her neck and turning her face beet red, but Jax was nonplussed.  “Yes, RJ, I do.”  He pulled her even closer.  “As a matter of fact, I happen to like putting my hand on Brenda’s behind.”

 

          Just when she thought things couldn’t get any worse, Ellie appeared in the doorway.  “Did you find out…..”  She looked between her brother and her father.  “Uh-oh…..what’s going on, RJ?”

 

          “Dad was kissing Brenda and putting his hand on her behind again, Ellie.”  RJ’s monotone made him sound like he was reciting the Pythagorean theorem.  “He says he likes to do that.”  Brenda buried her head on Jax’s shoulder, certain that things couldn’t get any worse.  She was wrong.

 

          “Well, that makes sense, since she’s been looking at his behind all afternoon,” Ellie answered.  Brenda felt the room start to spin.

 

          RJ frowned.  “But why…..how…..”

 

          Ellie shook her head at her brother.  “Completely clueless, like I said.”  She smiled at Brenda and Jax and took RJ by the arm.  “Come on, RJ.  I’ve got the directions figured out now.  We don’t need their help and they’re…..busy.”

 

          They disappeared from the doorway as quickly as they had shown up.  Brenda put a hand to her chest and finally looked back up at Jax.  “Did that really happen or am I in the Twilight Zone?”

 

          “It did, love,” Jax chuckled in reply.  “You know, it seems I have a lot to be thanking you for this Christmas.”  He traced a finger around her face.  “You brought laughter into my life, and sunshine into my soul…..”  Raised voices from the other room interrupted his speech.

 

          “It’s my turn!  I know I can do better than that!”

 

          “It is not!  You tried it first!  Besides, I told you before that you were a loser at these kind of games!”

 

          “Am not!”

 

          “Are too!!”

 

          “DAD!!  Ellie is calling me names and won’t let me have a turn playing our new video game!!”

 

          Jax draped his arms around Brenda’s waist and smiled heartily.  “But most of all, thank you for giving me……”

 

          “GEEK!!”

 

          “TWERP!!”

 

          There was a loud thud, then the sound of rustling wrapping paper. 

 

          “DAD!  Ellie punched me in the nose!!”

 

Jax laughed softly and looked into Brenda’s eyes.  “……for giving me normal children.”

 

********************

         

          “Brenda’s nice, dad.”  RJ Jacks’s eyes were at half-mast as Jax tucked him into bed. 

 

          “And would that have anything to do with the fact that she gave you a certain baseball glove?  And that you’re so fond of it that you insist on sleeping with it?”

 

          “No,” Ellie chimed up, holding her bear with similar fervor.  Then she gave Jax a sly smile.  “Although she sure did pick nice stuff for me and RJ for Christmas.”

 

          Jax returned her smile and rose to tuck Ellie in.  “Well, I guess I would have to agree that she has excellent taste.  She agreed to be my girlfriend, didn’t she?”

 

          He was still tucking the covers in around Ellie when RJ broke the silence.  “Are you going to marry Brenda, dad?”

 

          Jax froze.  He tried to keep a straight face.  “I don’t really know, RJ.  I haven’t asked her.”  He looked back at RJ and felt stirrings of panic.  His son’s face clearly lacked the enthusiasm it shone with minutes earlier.  “We’ve only been dating for a few months, and I’m not even sure she’d have me if I asked her!”

 

          “That’s funny.”  Ellie’s voice was philosophical as Jax went to turn out the light.  “Why would Brenda be stupid enough to turn you down if you asked her to marry you?  I mean, you’d be the perfect husband.  What’s not to like?”

 

          “From your lips to God’s ears, Ellie,” Jax smiled.  “Now why don’t you two just forget about it all and try to get some sleep.  It’s been a long day.”  He turned out the lights and was standing in the hallway after a chorus of “good-night’s” when he heard RJ’s voice again.

 

          “Ellie – do you think mom will get married to the Colonel?”  Jax caught his breath.

 

          “I’m tired, RJ.  Go to sleep and we’ll talk about it all tomorrow.”  He heard the sound of Ellie rolling over in the bed, but Jax continued to hold his breath.

 

          “OK.  But I just think I’m getting a little scared about this all, you know?” 

 

          Sugar plums danced in the heads of the Jacks children that Christmas night.  But it took their father a long time to get to dreamland as he continued to wonder just what scared his son more – Miranda marrying Herbert, or him marrying Brenda.

 

************************

 

          Two days before Miranda and Herbert were scheduled to return from Hawaii, Mother Nature smiled on the Jacks family.  Some gloomy, rainy days had followed the Christmas holidays, but that Thursday a bright, beautiful sun rose in the east.  The temperatures quickly warmed and by lunchtime, Jax proclaimed the climate perfect for sailing.

 

          RJ and Ellie were excited as they rode in the backseat of Jax’s SUV.  Meanwhile, the grown-ups in the front seat were engaged in a secret round of hand-holding.  They hadn’t had any time alone since his children had arrived, and Jax was seriously beginning to wonder how monks kept their sanity.  Brenda, meanwhile, never knew until that day just how erotic it could be to have a man stroke her palm with his first finger, lightly tracing words that brought a blush to her cheeks.

 

          “Wow, Brenda, you’re really excited about going sailing, aren’t you?” RJ chirped from the back seat.

 

          “Of course she is, silly,” Ellie answered before Brenda could take a breath.  “She loves to go sailing.  Just like we do.”

 

          “But look how red her cheeks are,” RJ countered.  “And she’s even breathin’ faster and everything -- and we’re not even near the marina yet!”

 

          Brenda pulled her hand away from Jax’s quickly and gave him a critical look from the corner of her eye.  But she was saved from trying to explain her flushed face and rapid breathing when RJ whined loudly.  “Aren’t we there yet, dad?”

 

          Jax was about to tell his son to quit whining when he heard the video game start up.  He looked at Brenda and whispered to her, “Now there’s something I never thought I would hear.”

 

          “What -- the Pokemon game starting up?”

 

          “No, silly -- the sound of my children, whining just like normal kids.”  He patted her hand and let out a deep breath.  “Ahhh.....life is good.”

 

          The words were no sooner out of his mouth than another beeping noise was heard, and it wasn’t coming from the video game.  Brenda frowned but then turned to Jax with disappointment written on her face.  “Oh, nooooo......tell me that isn’t what I think it is!  I thought you said you weren’t on call!”

 

          Jax pulled over to the side of the road and unclipped his beeper from his belt.  “I’m not.”  He frowned at the number but reached for his cell phone.  “But it’s Cedars beeping me, alright.”  He tried to glance towards Brenda as he dialed.  “I’ll just find out what it is and tell them I’ve got other plans.....”

 

          Brenda tried to be patient but one look at Jax’s face when he hung up answered her question.  “Ohhhhh, Jax.....”

 

          He turned halfway back towards the children so he could speak to everyone at once.  “I’m sorry, gang, but that was the hospital.  There’s been a huge traffic accident, and there aren’t enough doctors with the holiday to handle all the injured.”  He shook his head in disgust.  “Some idiots still indulging in too much holiday cheer.  Anyway, we’ll have to cancel our plans for today because I really need......”

 

          Jax started to re-think his joy at the sound of whining when the chorus started up from the back seat.  “Oh, dad......you PROOOOOOOMISED!!!”

 

          “I’ve got an idea.”  Brenda put out a hand, asking for quiet.  “Why don’t you swing by the hospital, and then I’ll take the car and take the kids sailing myself.”  She saw Jax’s hesitation immediately and rushed on.  “I’m a good sailor, and we’ve all been sailing together......and then I can just take the kids back to your place, and give them dinner.  Maybe you can hitch a ride home with Ned later or something.”

 

          His hesitation was rapidly fading to consideration.  “Welllll, I guess it could work.....”

 

          “Come on, Jax.  I really think I can handle this!”  Brenda put on a stern face.  “Although I’m making it clear right now that I’ll be the captain, and there’s very stiff penalties for mutinies on MY ship!”

 

          “Like?.....”

 

          Brenda leaned further towards the back seat.  “Like.....forcing you to watch Barney’s new Christmas special three times in a row!  With the sound turned up ALL THE WAY!!”

 

          “We’ll be good, dad, HONEST!!”  RJ and Ellie vied for who could protest their good behavior the loudest.

 

          Jax shook his head.  “All right.  I guess it sounds like a plan.”  He turned back around and re-buckled his seat belt before turning the car around.  RJ and Ellie were busily involved in their game a few minutes later when he reached for Brenda’s hand.  “Thank you -- again.”  She blew him a silent kiss.  “I seem to be saying that a lot lately.”

 

          “Well,” she drawled in a quiet, suggestive voice, ”maybe after the kids leave, I’ll let you *show* me just how grateful you are!”

 

          “It’s a deal!”  Jax’s eyes started to sparkle again and he turned back to negotiate his way towards Cedars and duty.

 

*********************

 

          The clock on the VCR read 2:14AM when Jax let himself in the front door as quietly as he could.  He closed the door behind him with an exhausted sigh.  {Now I remember why I always hated the holidays so much.  Drunken drivers taking the lives of innocent people.}  He shoved his keys back into his pants pocket and turned out the small light that Brenda had left burning in the living room for him.  When he passed the kitchen, he noticed another small light and a note on the table.

 

          He went to the refrigerator and took out a small jug of orange juice.  After taking a few sips, he sat down with a sigh and read the note.

 

Dear Jax,

          We had a wonderful day sailing.  The kids were great, and did exactly as I told them, so there was no Barney torture tonight.  I ordered pizzas for them and we all sat and watched music videos until they almost fell asleep in the living room.  I called the hospital and Jessie told me you would be late, so I put them to bed.  All that fresh air was getting to me, too, so I’m sleeping in your bed, Papa Bear.  Wake me when you get home.

 

                                                                   B.

 

          Jax smiled at the note.  He tossed it in the waste can and then turned out the kitchen light after finishing his juice.  The door to the children’s room was opened a crack, but when he took a peek inside, he could see they were out like lights.  Loud snoring from RJ caused him to chuckle, and he pulled the door further shut.

 

          When he entered his bedroom, he caught his breath.  She was more like Sleeping Beauty than Goldilocks.  Brenda hadn’t been kidding when she said the fresh air got to her -- she was sprawled across the bed sideways, on top of the bedspread.  He came closer to her and sat down next to her head, but she only wrinkled her nose, rubbed it with her finger, sighed loudly, and then went back into a deep sleep. 

 

          Jax felt the stirrings of passion, but then the strain of battling to save lives kicked in.  He went into the bathroom, quickly brushed his teeth, and put on his pajama bottoms.  When he returned, he found Brenda had shifted places to occupy about 2/3 of his side of the bed.

 

          He slipped the bedspread from beneath her as gently as he could, and then climbed into what was left of the bed.  “Brenda, sweetie, move over,” he whispered.

 

          She opened one sleepy eye.  “Jax?”  Brenda tried to sit up but only managed to prop herself on one elbow.  “Jessie said it was pretty bad.....”

 

          “Shhhhh....go back to sleep, sweetie.  We can talk in the morning.”

 

          Brenda closed both eyes again and smiled angelically.  “Morning.  Late.  Sleep.  Nice.”  She plopped back against the pillows but Jax managed to snare her before she could take more than her share.  Pulling her into his embrace, he quickly joined her in the blissful arms of sleep.

 

******************

 

          The sun was streaming through the window.  Brenda could hear birds singing and the sound of the trash truck coming up the street.  She opened one eye and then remembered where she was.

 

          {I should go make breakfast.  I should at least put on a pot of coffee.  Jax is probably still worn out, so I could feed the kids and let him sleep in.  I should......}

 

          “WHAT THE BLOODY H*LL DO YOU THINK YOU’RE DOING!”

 

          Jax sat straight up at the sound of a woman’s shriek.  As Brenda sat up beside him, she rubbed her eyes.  When she cleared them of sleep, she opened them to find a petite brunette, standing next to the bed with arms akimbo.

 

          “I KNEW YOU BECAME A PERVERT SINCE MOVING TO CALIFORNIA, JAX,” Miranda wailed, “BUT SINCE WHEN YOU DO HAVE SEX WITH YOUR .....YOUR .......”  She sputtered with righteous indignation while a tall, dignified-looking man stood in the doorway observing the scene.  “...... YOUR SEEDY *BIMBO* WITH YOUR CHILDREN IN THE NEXT ROOM??!!”

 

 

          To be continued.......

 

          Music credits:  “Gloucestershire Wassail” is a traditional English melody.  “The Christmas Waltz,” lyrics by Sammy Cahn, music by Jule Styne.