[ Follow Ups ] [ Post Followup ] [ Fan Fiction Message Exchange ] [ FAQ ]
 

Posted by Victoria L. on July 10, 2000 at 13:05:48:

Hey, GH is on, so I'm going to have to fly through this post, LOL! ;-) Enjoy it.
Victoria L.

Chapter 34

Six months later...Fall

Jax rolled over, hoping to find Brenda still in bed with him. She wasn’t.
He opened one eye, and then the other, the light shining in from the
windows adjacent to the bed.
“Brenda?” he said, sitting up.
“Right here, honey,” Brenda said, coming into the bedroom, and
walking into the bathroom.
“Why are you up so early?” Jax asked, glancing at the clock, and
realizing that nine o’clock wasn’t that early, but it was definitely early for a
Saturday morning. Brenda was brushing her teeth in the bathroom, and
having a particularly difficult time leaning over the sink to rinse her mouth
out. When she finally managed it, she smiled at Jax.
“Because we’re going to go visit Denise today, remember? She got back
yesterday from that trip scouting locations for Java House, and she took that
precious baby of hers with her. So now Carly and I are going over to visit
her.”
“Do you really think you should, Brenda? I mean, you’re nine months
pregnant, the baby could come any day.”
“I know that,” Brenda said, waving a hand. “I’ve been pregnant before,
Jody was two and a half weeks late. Plus I was nauseated all morning with
him, and I feel perfectly fine right now. I’m in need of some serious girl talk,
anyway.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?” Jax asked, getting up and following
Brenda as she went downstairs. Moving into his house had been the only
logical thing, it was so much larger than her own.
“I just meant,” Brenda said, stepping over Jasmine’s toys, “that I’ve been
up to my ears in toys and dresses, and getting Jody ready for his first day of
school, and getting Victoria ready for the all important and crucial day of 1st
grade, this being the first GRADE you understand, that she now has attached
to her t*tle as queen of the world, and a whole load of other ‘mom’ stuff. I just
want to hang out with my friends.”
“Well I don’t hang out,” Jax pouted, leaning against the island in the
middle of the kitchen.
“Aw, you’re so sweet for being Mister mom,” Brenda said, kissing him
on the cheek, “and I love you for it. I know we both work, and if you want to
go out with the guys from the PTA,” she snickered, “then you’re more than
welcome.”
“Hey,” Jax said, “I’ll have you know that we have some very interesting
games of Go Fish at those meetings.”
“Oh, let’s face it sweetheart, we have caught that dreaded disease that
wreaks havoc on 1 out of 2 American homes across the country.”
“And what disease is that?” Jax asked. It wasn’t as if he didn’t really
know, so they said it together-- “Boredom.”
“We’re boring,” Brenda said, drinking a glass of water, “and we have
been since our honeymoon.”
“Our honeymoon,” Jax sighed. “That was the last time I’ve seen you in
a bathing suit, you know,” he laughed, as she threw a dish towel at him.
“Fiji was beautiful,” Brenda agreed, “but we were both too anxious to
get back here to kids, and carpools and mini vans, and domesticity
personified.”
“It wasn’t my idea to come back a week early,” Jax said, shrugging.
“Come on, Brenda, stay here with me today.” He moved to stand behind her,
and wrapped his hands around her stomach. His arms went around her
easily, but she certainly filled the space. She leaned back slightly against him.
“Listen, I’m fine, the baby’s fine,--”
“My baby boy is kicking up a storm,” Jax said, moving his hands up and
down.
“He can hear you, that’s why,” Brenda said, “and he’s saying, ‘Daddy,
don’t be a big chicken, I promise you can handle three kids by yourself, mom
does it all the time’.”
“Very funny, Brenda. I just want to spend some time with you. I’m at
work through the week, and you’re at Java House on the weekends, when it’s
busiest, I might add, and I don’t want you working that hard--”
“Okay,” Brenda said, “we have to be a Denise’s at 10:00, and I’m going
to be late.” She slapped her hands against his chest and stood on her tip toes
to kiss him. “Now, I think Jasmine’s up, ever since her birthday party
yesterday she’s been flying high. Victoria’s in there with her, and they’re
keeping themselves occupied. I’ve already given them breakfast, so you
should have a few hours of peace. You know Jody’s got the sniffles, so he
might be a little cranky today.” Brenda continued rattling off things for Jax to
do as she went upstairs and got ready to go to Denise’s. Jax sat on the bed,
and got dizzy watching her go back and forth. He had never seen a woman
enjoy pregnancy as much as Brenda. It didn’t seem to bother her very much
at all. He hoped labor would go as well.
“Brenda, I’ve been thinking about baby names,” Jax said, when she
finished dressing, and was on her way out the door.
“Any suggestions since we know we’re having a boy?” Brenda asked.
“You know, when Denise asked me if I minded her naming her son Daniel, I
thought at first that I would, but now I’m glad that she did. He would have
loved that.”
“I’ve been sort of thinking,” Jax said, “I don’t really want us to name our
son after anyone. I know we were thinking about my father, and things like
that, but I want our son to come into this world with his own ident*ty, and
Victoria has been killing me to make the name start with V.”
“So what have you come up with?”
“Vincent,” Jax said. “It sounds strong, and confident, and I want our
son to be that way. With a mother a strong as you, I’m sure he will be.”
“Wow, Daddy,” Brenda said, moving to hug him. “That sounds really
great. I like it. Vincent it is.”
“Really?” Jax asked. “No researching origins and Latin roots?”
“Very funny,” Brenda said. “Listen, I think it’s a great name, and if you’re
really serious, I’m all for it.”
“Wow,” Jax said, walking her to the car, “every decision should be so
easy. Promise me you’ll call me if you feel anything,” he asked, still holding
her in his arms. Suddenly, he felt the muscles in her tummy go taut and rigid.
“Brenda, are you all right?” he asked, stepping back. She appeared unaffected.
“I’m fine, why?”
“Are you having a contraction?!”
“Yes,” she said.
“Okay!” Jax said, springing into action.
“Honey, where are you going?” she asked, as he helped her around to
the other side of the car.
“We have to get you to the hospital!”
“Jax, I’m not having this baby today.”
“What?” he asked, standing still, but his hands on her shoulders to
steady her.
“I’ve been having contractions on and off for almost two weeks now.
But we went to the doctor, remember?” she asked, nodding her head with
him, as recognition crossed his face. “And remember, Dr. Meadows said
everything was fine, it was just a contraction here and there, I didn’t have any
yesterday, and this is the first one all day. It’s over now, it’s fine, I’m fine.”
“You’re sure?” Jax asked.
“I’m positive. Now, I’m going to go. I’ll call you when I get to Denise’s
okay?”
“You’d better,” Jax said, “and use the elevator, will you? I don’t like all
those stairs in that new apartment building of hers.”
“Jax,” Brenda said, kissing him, “I love that you’re so protective, but I
don’t want you to really be worried. I’m telling you, I’m just fine, and I’m
going to continue to be just fine. You’d better go back in now, the kids are
going to have the house in ruins in about five minutes.”
“It only takes five minutes?” Jax asked, as Brenda laughed, got in the car
and drove away.

Denise’s apartment

“Oh, how cute is he?!” Carly asked, holding Denise’s son in her arms.
“It makes you want one, doesn’t it?” Brenda asked, laughing.
“H#ll no,” Carly said. “I baby sit enough for you people. I know what
it’s like when these things have their bad days. Besides, there is no way Jason
and I are ready to be parents.”
“Or anything else for that matter,” Denise said, sitting down beside
Carly. “When is that man going to put a ring on your finger?”
“Please don’t even go there,” Carly said. “That is a topic of conversation
for another day entirely.”
“I agree,” Brenda said. “I don’t want to talk about stupid men.” Both
Denise and Carly looked at Brenda in surprise.
“Since when do you think men are stupid?” Carly asked, chuckling.
“Since they get women pregnant and then leave us to do all the work!”
Brenda said, her breathing becoming labored.
“What on earth--” Carly said, looking at Denise, who just smiled.
“What’s going on?” Carly whispered.
“It seems that I am the only one who has ever been around Brenda
when she’s in labor,” Denise said, getting up.
“She’s in labor?!” Carly asked, moving away from Brenda, who looked
like she was about to tear Carly’s head off. “The pain starts that fast?!”
“Well it can,” Denise said, moving to take Brenda’s hands in her own.
“Do you want to get up, sweetie, or do you want to sit there a minute?”
“Let me just sit here for a second,” Brenda panted, “let me let this one
pass.”
“Don’t you have to time these things or something?” Carly asked,
scooting farther still down on the couch.
“Well yes, and we will in the car,” Denise said, “but Jody came so fast
the last time, we’d better get her to the hospital. She has that look about her.”
“Women get a certain look?” Carly asked.
“Brenda does,” Denise said, smiling. “Kind of like a rabid dog or
something.”
“Hey!” Brenda said, “don’t talk about me like I’m not here!”
“In a few hours, Carly,” Denise said, “she won’t know who you are,
she’s going to be so delirious.”
“Delirious?!” Carly asked. “What?”
“Brenda doesn’t handle pain well. Now, Brenda,” Denise said, focusing
her attention on Brenda’s face, “I want you to look at me, and only me,
okay?” Brenda nodded. “I’m going to call the hospital and page Dr. Meadows.
She remembers how fast Jody was, so she’ll know to come right away, okay?
And then I’m going to call Jax. We’ll get you to the hospital right after that.”
Denise tossed Carly her watch. “Can you time them?” she asked. Carly held
the watch in one hand, and bounced baby Daniel in the other.
“Okay, are you having one right now?” Carly asked.
“Yes!” Brenda said through clinched teeth.
“Your hospital bag is in the car, right Brenda?”
“It’s in the trunk,” Brenda said. “My keys are in my purse.”
“You’re starting to sound like a normal person again,” Denise chuckled,
as she dialed the hospital. “Hello? Yes, can you page Dr. Meadows please?
Her patient Brenda Jacks is on her way to have a baby. Yes. We’re about
fifteen minutes from the hospital. And we’re coming right now, yes. Okay,
thanks. They’re ready for us, Brenda.” Brenda wasn’t hearing anything, she
was just focusing on getting through her contraction.
“I can’t believe they’re so intense so soon,” Brenda said.
“How long have you been having contractions?” Denise asked.
“On and off for like almost two weeks,” Brenda said. “I had one here,
and a few in the car--”
“How many is a few?” Denise asked.
“Ten or twelve.”
“Ten or twelve?! Brenda, you should have gone straight to the
hospital!”
“Oh, don’t yell at me, please,” Brenda pouted, “They stopped as soon as
I started walking, and they didn’t come back until just now, I promise. And
you remember how late Jody was, I didn’t think the baby was coming now.”
“Yeah well it’s coming all right,” Denise said. “Can you stand up?”
“How fast are those contractions coming, Carly?” Denise asked.
“It looks like she’s only had the two so far,” Carly said.
“They were about ten minutes apart in the car over here. They weren’t
intense at all, but I had to pull over a couple of times.” Denise rolled her eyes.
“You would think you’d know the protocol, Brenda. Come on, I’ll call
Jax when we get to the hospital.”
“You’re not mad at me, are you?” Brenda asked.
“No, I’m not mad at you,” Denise said, “I’m afraid of you. Promise me
something, will you?”
“What’s that?” Brenda asked.
“That you won’t kill me or break my hand.”
“As long as you two promise not to leave me!” Brenda wailed, stopping
in her tracks when the contraction became too painful.
“Carly,” Denise said, “can you get the baby’s things? I’m going to put
Brenda in the car. The baby seat is right there, and there is his diaper bag. I
have about four bottles in the refrigerator, but just grab two because I’m
nursing, all right? Can you handle it and come on behind us in your car?”
“Yeah,” Carly said, “and I’ll call Jax, too. I’ll be right behind you guys,
okay?”
“Stop talking!” Brenda screamed. Carly yelped a little and stepped back.
“Oh, I’m really sorry, Carly!” Brenda called from down the hall when the
contraction had stopped. Carly just shook her head and looked down at
Denise’s son.
“I hope for Jax’s sake that they’ve already done that epidural when he
gets there!”

One hour later...pre-epidural....

Jax rushed onto the maternity floor of General Hospital. He ran into
Denise at the nurses’ station.
“There you are!” she said. “I was just about to call the house. Where
have you been?”
“I had to call Mum to watch the kids. She’s bringing them up when I
call her and tell her Brenda’s had the baby. Now what about Brenda, is she all
right?”
“Well...” Denise started to say. “She hasn’t had the baby yet, so you
didn’t miss it.”
“Oh, Thank God,” Jax said. “I really didn’t want to miss it, but I was so
scared that I would when I had to wait for Mum to get there. So what room is
she in?” Carly approached just then, her face red with embarrassment. She
handed Denise her son.
“What’s the matter with you?” Denise asked.
“Well, I didn’t know there were so many combinations of cuss words,”
Carly said, looking down.
“You’ve been with Brenda?” Jax asked. Carly nodded. “Can you tell me,
how is she?”
“Oh, she’s vocal,” Carly said, nodding. “Very vocal. You know, I paged
Lois, she was leading a Group meeting, and she’s with her now.” Jax nodded.
“That’s good, she loves Lois. Well, I’d better get in there and be with
her.”
“Uh, just a second, Jax,” Denise said. “Did Brenda ever talk to you about
her labor with Jody?”
“Not really,” Jax said. “She just told me he came very quickly, so I’d
better go in there.”
“Well just hang on,” Denise said. “I want to make sure that you’re
prepared.”
“I’ve had two daughters already, Denise,” Jax said, smiling. “I think I’m
pretty much ready.”
“Yeah well, you’ve never had a kid with Brenda, so you’re going to
want to listen to me,” Denise said, sitting Jax down in a chair. “Have you ever
heard the expression, ‘mean drunk’?”
“Sure,” Jax said.
“Okay, well, Brenda gets sort of mean when she--”
“Sort of mean?” Carly asked, incredulously.
“Okay, really mean,” Denise allowed. “But as soon as the contraction
passes, she’s back to the same old Brenda. She has really intense contractions,
Jax.”
“Well what about the epidural?” Jax asked.
“She’s definitely having it,” Carly put in.
“Right, but she hasn’t yet, when the doctor checked her, she was two
centimeters.”
“But they’re going to give it to her soon, right? Oh, Dr. Meadows,” Jax
said, stopping her as she came down the hall way. “How’s Brenda?”
“She’s fine, she’s just fine,” Dr. Meadows said. “A little vocal as usual,
but she’s coming along just fine. I just checked her and she’s six centimeters
already, and that’s in less than an hour, so she’s making incredible progress. If
she keeps going at this rate she should be delivering this baby, I’d say by two
o’clock.”
“Really?” Jax asked, his eyes getting wide as saucers. “I’d better go in
there and be with her.”
“Oh, Jax!” Denise exclaimed as he went down the hall. “Whatever you
do, don’t speak.”
“What?” Jax said.
“And DON’T say that you love her. Whatever you do.”
“That’s ridiculous,” Jax said, waving a hand and going on down the hall.
Carly let out a low whistle, and looked up at the ceiling.
“Didn’t anybody tell him?” Doctor Meadows asked.
“Oh, he’ll find out,” Denise said. “Come on Carly, let’s go to the waiting
room.”
Jax came in, to find Brenda with her eyes closes and her jaw line
obviously clinched. He looked at the monitor, and could see she was having
pretty big contraction.
“Brenda, sweetheart, I’m so--”
“Where the h#ll have you been?!” Brenda asked through gritted teeth.
“Well, I uh--”
“Oh, shut up!” Brenda said, wiping the sweat from her forehead.
“Don’t you dare speak when I ask you a question.”
“Okay,” Jax said softly, backing up, but still standing near the bed.
“Where is that doctor?!” Brenda asked. Looking around the room and
not even registering Jax’s presence. Soon the contraction left her, and she
relaxed, smiling at Jax. “Hi baby,” she said, holding out a hand to him. “I’m so
glad you’re here. Did you bring the kids with you?” Jax just shook his head,
almost afraid to come near the bed. “What’s wrong?” she asked, laying back
and sighing. “Boy, I tell you, those contractions don’t play. I had forgotten
since Jody, you know?” Jax just nodded.
“Is there anything I can get for you--”
“You can get the friggin’ doctor!” Brenda exclaimed. “Right now!”
“It’s okay, I’m right here,” Dr. Meadows said, coming into the room.
“Thank God,” Brenda said. “Please tell me that I can have the epidural
now. Please.”
“Well let me check you,” Dr. Meadow said. After a few moments, she
looked up at Brenda. “Okay, you’re completely effaced, and you’re still six, so
we’re going to try a Jacuzzi bath to get you more comfortable, see if that helps
the back pain you said you were having.” Brenda’s eyes grew wide.
“Why are you suggesting a Jacuzzi bath?” she asked.
“Well your husband called me from his house and told me that you had
been discussing a drug-free birth--”
“WHAT?!” Brenda asked, turning and giving Jax a look that would have
made weaker men faint. “Where did you get that, Jasper?!” she asked,
pronouncing every syllable of his name.”
“Brenda, sweetheart, you remember that talk we had about how nice it
would be to experience a drug-free labor--”
“I think you must have been talking to yourself, Jax,” Brenda said. “I
was obviously just throwing the idea around.”
“Maybe the two of you want to discuss this privately,” Dr. Meadows
began.
“Don’t you move!” Brenda said.
“Now Brenda, honey, I distinctly remember you saying that--”
“Come here!” Brenda said, wiggling her finger at Jax.
“I don’t think that--”
“MOVE!!!” Jax was at her side in moments. She grabbed a fistful of his
shirt and pulled him to her. She spoke to him as softly as she could muster. “If
you don’t tell this doctor that I want my epidural--look at me, that’s it--if you
don’t tell her that you must have been hallucinating when you heard me say
that I might try a drug-free labor, then if I ever get off of this table, I swear on
everything that is good and jolly, I will murder you in your sleep, is that
clear?” Jax’s face grew ashen white and nodded as Brenda released him. “Okay
then, thanks sweetie.”

Five minutes later....

“And here is Dr. Russell, she’s the anesthesiologist, and she’ll be giving
you the epidural.”
“Oh, I love you,” Brenda said, holding out her hand for the doctor. “It’s
incredible to meet you. Do you mind telling me what your first name is?”
“It’s Piper, why?” the doctor asked.
“Piper,” Brenda said, “I think I might name the baby after you.”
“But Brenda, we decided on Vincent, remember--”
“WHY are you still talking?!” Brenda asked.
“Okay,” Dr. Russell said, “I think we’ll go ahead with that epidural.
Brenda, do you think you could sit up for me?”
“Anything you need, doctor, just make this pain go away!”

Post epidural....

“Oh, thank you a really lot,” Brenda said, lying on her side and shaking
her doctor’s hand. “Really, thank you so very much. You’re a saint.”
“More than happy to help,” Dr. Russell said. “Good look with your
baby.” Brenda nodded as Dr. Russell left.
“Good news,” Brenda, “Dr. Meadows said, a few moments later. “You’re
nine centimeters, one more to go. You’re moving fast.”
“Bless your heart,” Brenda said. “And sweetie?” she called to Jax, who
was sitting in a chair across the room from her. “I’m really sorry about
before. I really love you, and I didn’t hurt your feelings when I made that
little joke about murdering you, did I?” Jax immediately softened towards
Brenda when she looked up at him with those big brown eyes of hers. He
couldn’t refuse her anything. He leaned down to kiss her, and just before
their lips met, Brenda’s head flew to the side, and saw Denise coming in. “Oh,
Denise, I love you. Is that for me? I will if you $100 if you say that’s for me.”
“Oh this is for you all right,” Denise said, “but we’ll discuss my fee later,
you’re too vulnerable right now.”
“You brought her Italian Ice?” Jax asked. “But I thought the doctor said
you couldn’t--”
“Shut up,” both Denise and Brenda said. “Read the label, babe,” Brenda
continued. “100% RDA of Vitamin C, see? And fat free, too. Oh, you brought
me orange, my favorite flavor? Have I told you how much I love you?” Denise
just laughed.
“Jax, your parents are in the waiting room, so are all the kids.”
“You’re not leaving, are you?” Brenda asked, grabbing Denise’s hand.
“No, I’ll stay with you, I’ll come back when you’re ready to push.”
Brenda nodded.
“Well, I think that’s right about now.”
“I’ll call the doctor,” a nurse said, who had come to check Brenda.
“Okay Brenda,” Dr., Meadows said, coming into the room, “I hear
someone’s ready to have a baby. The last time I checked you, the baby was
really nice and low,” she said, moving Brenda into position, and checking her
once again. “Oh, and I see now it’s at zero station, so that’s really good,
whenever you feel like you have to push--”
“I want to push now!”
“Okay, you can go ahead, remember what I’m saying though. Take a
deep breath, blow it out, another deep one, hold it, and push, count ten, and
let it out, cleansing breath, another deep and hold okay?”
“Got it,” Brenda said, breathing deeply and pushing.
“One, two, three, four...” Jax and Denise helped Brenda to count and
push. Fifteen minutes later, her son was making his appearance in the world.
“Oh my God!” Jax exclaimed. “Look, Brenda, look!” Brenda opened her
eyes to see her son coming out of her.
“Oh my God!” she sobbed. “He’s here! He’s here!”
“It’s a boy!” Dr. Meadows exclaimed, putting the baby on Brenda’s
chest so they could bond immediately.
“Hi, sweetie,” Brenda said, crying openly. “We’ve been waiting so long
for you! Yes we have, oh, you’re beautiful!”
“Yes he is!” Denise said, snapping pictures as Jax and Brenda rejoiced
over their new baby.
“Look, daddy!” Dr. Meadows said, handing Jax the scissors to cut the
umbilical cord. As he did so, and they took the baby to clean it up, weigh it
and record its prints, Jax held Brenda.
“You’re amazing!” Jax said. “I’ve never seen anyone give birth so fast.”
“Oh yeah,” Brenda breathed, “my record time with Jody was six and a
half minutes.”
“You’re kidding!” Jax said.
“Oh no,” Dr. Meadows said, “I was there, remember? I barely had time
to catch that kid before he came sailing right on out.”
“What a woman,” Jax said, kissing her forehead. “I’m so proud of you,
Brenda. Thank you so much, love. For having my baby. I love you. You’re
amazing.”
“We’re amazing,” Brenda said. “I love you, too.” Just then, the nurse
brought baby Vincent back to his mother and father. “Hi baby,” Brenda said.
“Welcome to the world.”
end chapter 34

Posted by Victoria L. on July 10, 2000 at 21:31:18:

Here's the last chapter, guys, it's been a wild and wonderful ride!
Victoria L.

Chapter 35

Six months later....
{Jax and Brenda have been married for a year, it is their first wedding
anniversary, and their son, Vincent, is now six months old. Jasmine is now 3
and a half, Victoria has just turned seven, and Jody is five. They opened three
more Java Houses in New York but have maintained their base in Port
Charles. They have gotten a few letters from Gwyneth, but have heard
nothing in the past month.}

Anniversary Night.....

“Wow!” Jax said, rolling onto his side and cradling Brenda in his arms.
“You know, the day that Vincent was born, you told me if you lived through it,
I’d never touch you like that again.”
“And believe me, I meant it,” Brenda said, chuckling. “No, I’m only
kidding. I love you, you know that, right?”
“I know it, sweetheart,” Jax said. “This has been an incredible year.”
“Can you believe it?” Brenda asked. “We’ve been married for an entire
year! Married. Think about how huge that is. I mean all the people and
places there are in the world, and you and I had the good luck to find each
other and spend the rest of our lives together. So many people never get
that.”
“I know what you mean,” Jax said, dragging his fingers lazily through
Brenda’s dark tresses. “I only wish that everyone could be so lucky.”
“Tell me about it. Hey you know what I was just thinking?” Brenda
asked.
“What?”
“There’s something we used to do all the time, and we haven’t done it
in forever!” Jax rose his eyebrows, and smiled suggestively. “Not THAT,”
Brenda said. “I let you do that tonight.”
“Okay, well, I can’t think of anything else, so why don’t you let me in on
it.”
“I’ll tell you why you can’t think of what it is that we used to do,”
Brenda said. “It’s because you’ve become this stogy old dad, that’s why.”
“Okay, I am not so far gone, mother of the year, that I don’t know how
to have fun.”
“Yeah, right,” Brenda snorted, and started to laugh. “I’ll bet you $1,000
you don’t have the guts.”
“Well if you’d just tell me what you’re talking about,” Jax said,
exasperated. “Come on.”
“Okay, okay, okay,” Brenda said, giggling and sitting up, drawing the
covers up around her. “Are you sure?”
“YES!” he said, letting his hands settle on her thighs.
“Okay!” she said, springing from the bed, and dragging the covers with
her. He put on boxers and followed her as she skipped down the stairs. He
knew right away where she was going, and smiled shaking his head.
“Only because we have the house to ourselves,” Brenda said, waving a
bottle of vodka in front of him. “You get the shot glasses, I’ll get the salt,
lemons and lime!”
“Brenda--”
“Put your money where your mouth is, sailor!” Brenda said, when Jax
leaned down to kiss her neck.
“We can’t.”
“Why not?” she asked.
“Because,” Jax said, “you might be, you know--”
“What, pregnant?” Brenda asked. “Don’t you think we have enough
children?” When Jax sighed, she kissed him on the cheek. “Come on now,
don’t be mad at me. I know you want a football team, but you don’t really like
me when I’m in labor, remember? Anyways, I know I’m not pregnant.”
“How do you know?” Jax asked. Brenda looked at him like he had two
heads.
“Have you ever heard the expression ‘a woman knows’? Trust me, I
know what I’m doing, and I think you know I would never put a child of mine
in jeopardy.”
“Yeah, but we haven’t exactly been careful in the protection
department, Brenda.”
“Jax, are you stalling or what?” Brenda asked. “I mean you know you
can’t win, is that the problem?”
“NO, that is not the problem,” Jax said, leaning down and pulling up a
bottle of scotch. “We have enough liquor here to get a good game going.”
“So what’s your problem? Chicken?”
“I am not chicken, Brenda. Just because you can drink ten men under a
table doesn’t mean you can drink ME under a table. I’m bigger than you,
remember?”
“Yeah, but bragging rights are mine this time, my friend, because if you
will remember, I beat your butt last time!”
“Hey, we did not declare an official winner, last time,” Jax said, “and I
had you beat by at least one match.”
“Whatever you say,” Brenda said, “this would be an opportunity to tie
with you, plus, last time I WON, so if I win tonight, then that means I beat
you! Come on,” she whined, “we haven’t had any time to ourselves, and
there’s nothing funnier than you when you’re drunk.” Jax looked at her in
surprise.
“At least I don’t sing,” Jax said. “Besides, we have to pick the kids up
early in the morning so Mum and Dad can fly back to Alaska. We’ve kept
them enough, don’t you think?”
“Please, they love coming down here and being with their
grandchildren. Like I said, you’re just afraid little ole me is going to beat
you--once again.”
“Okay then,” Jax said, “you’re on!”
“Oh baby,” Brenda said, “you’re going to be so sorry!”

The next morning.......
“Oh, boy am I sorry,” Brenda said, pulling her hands from Jax’s grasp as
he tried to pull her off the living room floor. “Honey, please,” she said, “can’t
you take your parents to the airport by yourself?” Her own voice sounded
like thunder in her ears. “Why is it so bright in here?”
“Sweetheart, you lost the bet last night, don’t blame me, you should
have known a man twice your size, if not more, could drink more than you.”
“I beat you twice before,” Brenda said, crawling back underneath the
covers. “Don’t you love me enough to leave me alone?”
“Brenda, I am taking my parents back to the airport myself, but I can’t
keep track of two kids, a toddler and an infant, and help them with their bags
too. Don’t you remember what I told you? You were going to come with me
to get the kids, everyone comes back here, I drop you off with the kids, and
then go on to the airport with Mum and Dad. Brenda?” he asked when she
didn’t respond after a minute.
“Don’t talk so loud,” Brenda said. “Okay, okay, okay. I’m getting up, I’m
getting up.”
“All right, I’ll be downstairs, you have fifteen minutes.” Jax dropped
Brenda back on the bed and walked downstairs. He counted to ten, and then
walked back up, seeing Brenda still lying on the bed. He started to move
towards her, when a hand shot straight up in the bed, ordering him to stop.
The hand was followed by a head that looked something like his wife, though
her hair obscured her eyes.
“I promise you I’m coming,” she said. Ten minutes later, a completely
different Brenda appeared. She looked decent enough, Jax thought, handing
her the sunglasses before she could ask for them. “Bless you,” she said, when
he poured her a cup of coffee.
“You know, my head doesn’t feel any better than yours, but if you’d
like, I could make you one of my famous hang over cures.”
“NO thank you,” Brenda said, “unless you want to make me throw
up--again.”
“All right, all right,” Jax said, “come on, let’s go. You’re okay to drive,
aren’t you?”
“My motor skills are in perfect order, Jax,” Brenda said, “I just hope that
all the kids are still tired, and they’ll sleep all the way back here.”
“I think you can count on an argument with Jody and Victoria. Jasmine
will fight for attention and our precious Vincent will scream at the top of his
lungs because he’s constantly being disturbed.” Brenda sighed, knowing he
was right. He handed her the keys to her own car. “Can you follow me?” he
asked.
“Yeah, I’m fine,” Brenda said. “Let’s go.”

Forty-five minutes later, Jax and Brenda were back at their house to
drop off Brenda and the kids. Brenda stood in the driveway, saying her
good-byes while holding Vincent in her arms and letting Jasmine hold on to
her leg. Jody was chasing Victoria around the car with some green thing, and
Brenda spoke over her shrieks.
“I’m going to miss you both so much,” she said, hugging John and Jane.
“When’s your next visit?”
“Oh, not for a long time after sitting with this brood,” John joked.
“Oh, hush, pa,” Lady Jane said. “We’ll be around, you just call us if you
need us.”
“Oh, you can count on it,” Brenda said. “Have a safe trip.”
“We will, love,” Lady Jane said, “bye, dears,” she said, kissing Vincent on
the fore head, and hugging Jasmine, Victoria and Jody.
“All right, let’s go so you don’t miss your flight,” Jax said. He kissed
Brenda on the lips. “See you later,” he said.
“Okay,” Brenda said. “Oh! I have to go, I hear the phone ringing inside.
You guys be careful, okay?”
“We will, take care now,” John said, “don’t let the little monsters get the
better of you.”
“I think I can handle it,” Brenda yelled, coming into the house. She
made sure all of her children were in, and then she closed the door, hurrying
to the phone. “Hello?” she said, only to hear a dial tone. She sighed. “Oh well,
they’ll call back I guess.” She was about to go into the living room when she
saw the light blinking on the answering machine. When she pressed the
button, the noise made Vincent begin to fuss. She moved into the kitchen to
get him a bottle, and then had to shout to the other children to be quiet as she
listened to the machine. “Jody, Victoria, you do NOT want to make me come
in there!”
“I don’t want to watch Teletubbies, mom!” Victoria called. “It’s for
babies.”
“Jasmine is a baby, let her watch and I’ll give you five bucks!”
“What about me?” Jody asked.
“I’ll double it if you leave your sisters alone!” Brenda stopped yelling
long enough to hear the last message. It was a distinctly British male voice,
but she had never heard it before in her life.
“Mr. and Mrs. Jacks?” the voice said, “I’m afraid I’m not good on these
contraptions. This is a highly strange request, but my name is Richard
Winslow, I live in London, England. I’m a lawyer. This is awful news to have
to give over the phone, but--Ms. Gwyneth Stonecypher has passed away. The
circumstances surrounding her death--well, it’s not something I want to
discuss over the phone. If you could return this call, my number is--” Brenda
gasped and ran to take down the number as she fought shock and looked to
see if Victoria or Jasmine could hear. She was glad they couldn’t. The
message continued. “Mr. and Mrs. Jacks, I hate to inform you of this, but I
should think a trip to London might be necessary. It is only to settle a few
matters. You see, Ms. Stonecypher left everything to the minor children
Victoria and Jasmine Jacks. To get everything in order, please call me--” the
machine cut off Mr. Winslow mid sentence. At the sound of the beep, Brenda
slumped down in her chair, utterly shocked. She didn’t move or have a single
thought until Vincent began to fuss.
Brenda looked down at him, tears welling up in her eyes. “On no,” she
whispered to herself.
“Mom!” Victoria yelled coming into the kitchen. When she saw the
look on Brenda’s face, she stopped in her tracks. “What’s wrong, mommy?”
she asked.
“Nothing, sweetheart. Listen, can you do me a favor? I need to go call
your daddy, and I want to put the baby down first. So will you stay down
here and watch your brother and sister, please?”
“Sure, mommy.”
“Okay, I’ll only be about five minutes, but you have the baby monitor
down here, and you know it goes both way, kind of like a walkie talkie,
remember?” Victoria nodded.
“Sure mom, I watch them all the time, go ahead. I know what to do.”
“Okay, Victoria,” Brenda said, kissing her on the top of the head and
then going quickly upstairs. She burped Vincent, and when he began to
settle, she put him down and picked up the phone to call Jax.
“Jax, here,” he said into the phone.
“Baby, it’s me, Brenda. Where are you?”
“I’m on the road, on my way back to you. Mum and Dad nearly missed
their flight, but they made it in time.”
“Oh, I’m sorry about that,” Brenda said, the tears and desperation on
her voice. When Jax came to a red light, he focused on her.
“Brenda, hon, what’s wrong? Is it the kids?”
“No, no, we’re all fine,” Brenda said.
“Denise? Carly?”
“No,” Brenda said, “we’re all good, but--but I got a phone call. A
message, actually. It was from London.”
“London?” Jax asked, as he turned onto the street where he and Brenda
lived. “Why would someone be calling from London?” he asked, not even
fathoming that it could be Gwyneth. “Honey, I’m on our street, I’ll be there in
a minute.”
“Okay,” Brenda said, hanging up the phone. He pulled into the
driveway and hopped out in moments. He rushed into the house, wading
through Jody and Victoria.
“Stay down here for just a few minutes, kids,” Jax said, bounding up the
stairs. Brenda was in their room when he came in. “What’s happened?” he
asked as Brenda flew into his arms and wrapped her arms around his neck.
“It’s Gwyneth,” Brenda said, crying. “That phone call was from some
lawyer--she--she’s dead, Jax. She’s gone.”
“What?” Jax asked. “What do you mean she’s gone?”
“Here,” Brenda said, “listen to the message.” She played it for him again,
and he sat down on the bed in shock and disbelief.
“I don’t know what to say,” Jax said.
“What do you think we should do?”
“Well Mr. Winslow said come to London, so that’s what we’re going to
do. I’ll call him up right now and set things up.”
“Okay,” Brenda replied softly. Jax started to walk out of the room, and
then turned around to hug her. She cried softly against his chest for a few
minutes, and then sighed. “Go do what you need to do,” Brenda added. “We’ll
be downstairs.”

England, one week later....

Jax and Brenda found Mr. Winslow’s office easily. They walked down
the street, Jax holding an umbrella over his wife and daughter. Victoria had
been the only one old enough to come along with them, and to give John and
Jane a break, Denise was watching Jody and Jasmine, and Carly and Jason
were watching Vincent. Jax and Brenda felt bad putting their kids off on
other people, but there was no one that they trusted more, and this trip was a
little too difficult emotionally to try and manage four kids.
“I’m so grateful you could come,” Mr. Winslow said, shaking both Jax
and Brenda’s hands, and then leaning down to shake Victoria’s. “I’m afraid
this is some very bad news, but I have some good as well, to perhaps make
this situation bittersweet.”
“You said in your phone message that she left everything to the girls?”
Brenda said.
“Yes, she had quite a large estate, actually. A rather beautiful manor.
The name is Hartfield Manor.”
“My goodness,” Brenda said. “I had no idea she was that wealthy.”
“Well, Ms. Stonecypher spent most of her time in her flat in the city,
but she went to the country quite often. Her caretaker, Mr. Fitzpatrick can
show you around---”
“Show us around?” Jax asked. “What about Gwyneth?”
“What about Ms. Stonecypher, sir?”
“Well she’s passed on,” Jax said, clearing his throat. Victoria squirmed
in his lap and leaned against his chest. “Aren’t there--you know, things to be
done, plans to be made?”
“Well yes but that’s no concern of yours, I’m sure--”
“No concern of ours?!” Jax asked.
“What my husband means,” Brenda said, leaning over and giving Jax a
look, “is that Gwyneth really didn’t have any family, and I’m sure we were her
closest friends--at least I believe so. Who else would there be to handle her
funeral arrangements?”
“I’m afraid I can’t give out that kind of information,” Mr. Winslow said.
“I am only following the instructions of the will and they were very specific. I
am to take to you the estate, inform you of everything that your daughters
have inherited, which is every item on the property, including the property
itself. Mr. Fitzpatrick will show you around, as I’ve said, and you may consult
with him on any other matters concerning the estate. Though I will say that I
visited the property myself a few weeks ago, and Ms. Stonecypher kept the
place in excellent condition. I trust you’ll have no problems with it.”
“So you can’t tell us anything else?” Brenda asked, standing up as Mr.
Winslow moved to the door.
“No, I’m afraid I can’t.”
“Can’t? Or won’t?” Jax asked.
“Jax, honey, come on, let’s just go.”
“I have my car,” Mr. Winslow said. “If you’d like, I can drive you out
there myself. Here are the directions, you’ll find them quite easy to follow.”
“That won’t be necessary, thank you,” Jax said, “We have our own car.”
“All right then. Well you have my number, if there’s anything else I can
help you with, do let me know.”
“Thank you,” Brenda said, shaking his hand. Jax just picked up Victoria
and walked out the door. “If we do need anything else, we’ll call you,” Brenda
added.
“I am sorry for your loss,” Mr. Winslow replied before closing the door
behind her.

Hartfield Manor, two hours later....

“Jax, this is an incredible place!” Brenda said, as they pulled to a stop in
front of a manor that looked more like a very small modern castle.
“Does a princess live here?” Victoria asked. “I know not a real princess,
but gosh, daddy, doesn’t it look like a princess could live here?”
“It sure does, Victoria,” Jax said, taking her hand, and putting his arm
around Brenda’s waist.
“Should we go in?” Brenda asked. “I don’t see Mr. Fitzpatrick
anywhere.”
“Maybe the door’s open,” Jax said, looking around. Neither one of them
noticed Victoria walk up to the door. Just as she put up a hand to try the
knob, it came open to reveal Mr. Fitzpatrick. He was a burly man that looked
to be in his fifties. He had shock white hair, but a merry face, and a kind
manner. Victoria immediately liked him.
“And who might you be, young lass?” he asked.
“I’m Victoria,” she said, shaking his hand. “That’s my mom and dad, my
aunt used to own this place.”
“You’re Gwen’s niece then?” he asked. “I should have known it, you
look the very picture of her.”
“Excuse me,” Jax said, extending a hand, “are you Mr. Fitzpatrick?”
“I am indeed, but you may call me Riley,” he said. “It’s an honor to meet
you, sir, and you, ma’am.”
“Brenda Jacks,” Brenda said, shaking his hand. “And this is my husband
Jasper Jacks.”
“Good to meet you both. Well, if you’d like to follow me, I’d be happy
to show you around.”

Once the tour was over, Jax and Brenda were exhausted, and so was
Victoria. Jax carried her.
“This was an interesting tour, I had no idea this place had so much
history,” Jax said. “I can’t believe she left this to my daughters.”
“You know,” Mr. Fitzpatrick said, “I have to say that this place would
catch a pretty penny, but Ms. Stonecypher loved it so. Of course it’s not my
place to tell you what to do with your own property, but I’m sure she’d want
it to stay in the family. I know that you folks live in New York, but--”
“How did you know that?” Jax asked.
“Oh, uh, Ms. Stonecypher talked about you a lot, and did most of her
correspondence with you from here. All the lovely things she sent your girls,
some of the shawls my own lovely wife made.” Jax nodded.
“Well then, would you be able to tell me why she stopped writing
completely and sending things the last few weeks.”
“Oh, I’m afraid I can’t, sir, you see, my wife has taken ill, and I’ve been
at her side the past month, now. Ms. Stonecypher spent all of her time here, I
can tell you that, though. Aye, she had wanted a retreat of sorts, so she told
me that I didn’t have to come back for a while. I can tell you that she was a bit
under the weather herself. It happened shortly after she broke things off with
a young fellow she had been seeing. I don’t know if that had anything to do
with her being a bit under the weather, but she was in an awfully sad mood.
No one was more surprised than me when she died. I got the call just a few
more days ago, myself.” Jax nodded.
“Could you tell me the gentleman’s name?” Jax asked, feeling a bit
defensive.
“Aye, Andrew Langworthy, I believe.”
“Well, thank you friend, for being so helpful. I’m sorry, but have you
seen my wife?” Jax asked, turning around and not seeing Brenda with him.
He shifted Victoria in his arms. She was getting heavy, and she was fast
asleep.
“She is perhaps still upstairs,” Mr. Fitzpatrick said. “If you’d like to put
the little one in the car, I’ll go up and fetch your wife, and send her right out.”
“That’ll be great, thanks,” Jax said. “Listen, I don’t know what we’re
going to do as far as this property is concerned, but you can be sure we’ll
keep it in the family. I know she would have wanted it that way.”
“Yes sir,” Mr. Fitzpatrick said.
“We’ll be in the country a few more days,” Jax said. “And we’ll make
sure and let you know what our plans are.”
“Fine, sir, just fine. And thank you. Gwen always said what kind
people you were.” Jax nodded as he went out, carrying Victoria.
Upstairs, Brenda was having the shock of her life. Jax hadn’t
particularly been interested in Gwyneth’s bedroom, but Brenda was, and
she’d hung behind as everyone else went downstairs. She went into
Gwyneth’s room, and it appeared to have been empty for weeks. Brenda
glanced around for a few moments, and was about to go back down, when
she noticed a small laptop that was in the corner. It occurred to her that Mr.
Fitzpatrick might have used it, but why would he have it on in her room?
Brenda moved quickly to the computer, and saw an email sitting there,
looking as though it were about to be sent. She glanced once more at the
door to see if anyone was in the hall. Finding no one, she sat down to read
the email. It was about to be sent to Jax’s office in Port Charles.
“Dear Jasper,” Brenda read to herself. “I hope this email finds you and
your family well. I’m afraid I have not been well in a long time, and long for
an old friend to tell my troubles to. Things have not been good lately. I’m
worried, and I fear something may--” Brenda gasped as the screen suddenly
went black. She looked around and realized that the power had gone out.
She got up quickly and was at the door as Mr. Fitzpatrick was coming in. She
backed him out into the hall.
“Your husband and daughter are waiting downstairs,” Mr. Fitzpatrick
said.
“The power went out,” Brenda said, sighing. “I was frightened, I’m
sorry.”
“Aye, it happens often, lass, but it’s nothing to worry about. I’ll restore
it once you’ve gone.” Brenda nodded and hurried downstairs, feeling a bit
wary of Mr. Fitzpatrick.
“Are you all right?” Jax asked, when Brenda finally came out the front
door.
“Yes,” Brenda said, getting into the car. When Jax got in, he looked at
her strangely.
“What have you been up to, Nancy Drew?” he asked.
“I don’t want to talk about it just now,” Brenda said. “I’ll tell you when
we get back to the hotel.” Brenda glanced in the back seat to see that Victoria
was lying down, asleep.
Mr. Fitzpatrick watched as Jax and Brenda drove away, and then
answered the ringing cell phone.
“Hello? Yes sir, Mr. Winslow, they’ve gone. Aye, that young wife of his
was a bit suspicious, but the gentleman was a bit too occupied in his sadness.
I don’t think they’ll be returning though. I’m sure they’ll leave the place in my
capable hands.”

Port Charles, one week later.

Jax and Brenda had left Hartfield Manor in Mr. Fitzpatrick’s care for the
time being. They certainly weren’t about to move to England, and they didn’t
want to sell the place, and it seemed like the most logical solution.
That night, as Jax and Brenda got ready for bed, Brenda sat at her
vanity, deep in thought, as she continued to massage her own hands, long
after the lotion was rubbed in.
“Penny for your thoughts,” Jax said, grabbing a brush and brushing her
hair.
“You know what I’m thinking about,” Brenda said. “Gwyneth, and this
whole thing--”
“I don’t know why you insist on thinking about it,” Jax said. “You’ve
been spending too much time with Nancy Drew.” Brenda looked up at Jax in
the mirror.
“Come on, Jax. That guy, Andrew something? He didn’t check out,
right?”
“We just couldn’t find him, Brenda.”
“Since when can’t YOU find someone if you’re looking for them? And
what about that email? She sounded so unhappy, I don’t know, maybe even
scared.”
“Mr. Fitzpatrick told me that she had just broken up with Andrew, and I
told you that. That explains the email.”
“Well who handled her funeral?” Brenda asked, challenging him.
“Oh, Brenda, come on, we’ve been over this and over this.”
“Why wouldn’t she leave instructions to call us? Who did she know in
London well enough to handle her funeral arrangements? She had no family,
you used the contact she left you at headquarters to see if the Bishop knows
about it, and as far as you know, he’s missing too, and is completely unaware
that his own daughter is dead. And what about Victoria and Jasmine? Doesn’t
he care about them?”
“He may have been on the good side of things, Brenda, but he never
proved to me that he gave a d@mn about either of his daughters, so I don’t
much care where the man is.” Brenda sighed.
“I guess it all makes sense.”
“Of course it does,” Jax said, leaning down to kiss her neck. “Now, let’s
turn off the lights and go to sleep.” Brenda nodded, and stood as he kissed
her hand, and pulled her over to the bed. “Are you tired?” he asked. She
nodded.
“Would you mind just holding me?”
“Of course not,” Jax whispered, spooning his body with hers. “Now,
close your eyes, love, and go to sleep.”
 

The End
 

Now, I know what you're all thinking---"WHAT?! There's got to be more! Many of you suggested that I do a sequel, and after
tossing the idea around for a while, I've considered doing it. I'm afraid more of this story won't be coming back--for awhile, but
I will be doing a sequel, appearing sooner rather than later. I have to say thank you to so many people, Maureen, Janis, Kathy
W, Rosanne, Andrea and OH so many more of you whose kind and uplifting emails and helpful suggestions made this story
much greater than it would have been without you, so I thank you for reading and letting me know what you enjoyed, and even
what you didn't. It's so appreciated. Much love.
Victoria L.
PS, for all the kiddies out there, I'm not condoning drinking, Jax and Brenda were having fun--OF AGE fun. ;-)
end entire story