Kiss of Life-Chapter 1&2 (JB)

by Christina on February 19, 19100 at 00:15:24:

I could not resist...I needed to start another story because so many are swimming around in my head...lol. This is a Jax and Brenda story and if I offend anyone with my portrayal of any other characters. I would also like to thank Crystal because she inspired me to write a new story. Hope you like...I have not decided whether or not this will go on a mailing list. Feedback is much appreciated.

Kiss of Life-Chapter One

December of 1990…

Fifteen-year old Jasper Jacks rolls his eyes as his father and brother, John and Jerry, and a man named Harlan Barrett looked over contracts to merge John’s distribution company and Harlan’s steel factory. Jax had wanted this trip to Darien, Connecticut to be a learning experience and learn more about J&J Jacks of Alaska and so had his father and brother…until they had arrived at the Barrett estate and Jax was looked upon as a child and seemed like a nuisance.

“Harlan, do you think if we bring in Whelen’s company, we will save more money on the merger?” John asks as Jerry concentrates on the paperwork. His brother was twenty-one and was already making multi-million dollar deals and had skipped college in order to carry on the family legacy that John Jack’s had built so effectively. Even since he was seven when his father had brought him to Madrid on business, Jax had also wanted to be part of his father’s company but now that seemed like a dream very far away.

Jax listens to his father’s question to Harlan and jumps in, “Dad, don’t you think it would be better if…” before John cuts in. “Jasper, this is a very large deal,” Jerry says looking annoyed and Jax clenches his fists. Harlan smiles politely and says to Jax, “Jasper, why don’t you look around the land…it is quite beautiful…you may even run into one of my daughters if you are lucky.” Jax bites his tongue and wanted to scream, “I did not travel all the way from Alaska to meet your daughters!”

Jax nods and takes one look around the room. It was richly decorated in dark, masculine colors and dark green velvet drapes hung from the windows. One day he would have a place like this and people would answer to him and no one would look down upon him. “I think I will take a walk,” Jax mumbles and walks out, not fully closing the door. He could hear his brother laughing and saying, “Silly kid…always wants to be part of the action.” Harlan chuckles and responds, “My darling Julia is the same way…she is a CEO in the making.” The three men all begin to talk about the deal again and Jax storms out of the house.

The ground was covered with six inches of snow and more was falling gently through the clouded sky. The Barrett estate was quite large…almost as large as the Jack’s estate. Jax walks around the house and stops to pet the horses standing in the stables. “Well, you are a beautiful thing now aren’t you?” Jax whispers to the horse who nays in appreciation as Jax strokes the chestnut mane.

He walks out and takes a deep breath…it was so cold, he could see his own breath. He hears a high-pitched bark and turns to see two tri-color collies running into an opening between two shrubs that looked like it led to a garden.

Jax walks over and peaks into the entrance. It was a garden and it was stunning, even with everything dead but it was all covered in sparkling, fresh snow. Jax steps in quietly and looks around until he looks in the far left corner where a small, white cement bench sat and there was a small girl sitting on it, petting the dogs.

He could not see her face but her long, raven hair with thin streaks of gold shined against the stark white winter landscape. She looked from the back like she was ten or eleven. “Duncan and Kyle, would you like some treats?” the girls says softly pulling out two dog biscuits and throwing them to the side and she stands up. It was the sweetest voice he had ever heard. She turns around but her eyes are closed as she tries to catch snowflakes on her tongue and she did not see Jax. He knew he should leave right then and there but he could not take his eyes off of her. Her hair fell like a black, silk curtain against her golden and rose cheeks. Small snowflakes coated her dark eyelashes and the shoulders of her navy peacoat. A small brown mole sat strategically above her lip.

“Got one!” she giggles in delight as the snowflakes hits her pink tongue and she dances around in a circle, with her eyes remaining closed the whole time. Jax knew his time was running out and he begins to walk out and then he quickly glimpses to see the girl glaring at him with her night eyes. “I am sorry,” Jax says. But she did not even listen, she ran past him like the wind and he called out to her several times but she never turned back. All he could see was her hair streaming behind her and her small legs tracking through the snow as fast as she could as the two dogs followed after her. He sighs and walks back towards the house to wait for his father and brother so they could return to Alaska…

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Ten years later…June of 2000

Jax rolls his eyes as Chloe, his girlfriend, straightens his tie. “Chloe, I do not even want to go to this wedding,” Jax groans as Chloe picks a piece of lint from his dark navy suit. “Jax, darling…you know your father and brother cannot attend and the Jack’s and Barrett’s have been in business together now for almost ten years,” Chloe says smoothing her honey blond hair.

“Chloe, I know but I do not even really know Julia Barrett, I have never met Harlan’s other daughter and I cannot stand Harlan Barrett,” Jax says in his deep Australian accent as they walk towards the entrance of the Barrett mansion. “Jax, it is a measly two hours of your time…relax,” Chloe says ringing the bell. Usually he loved Chloe’s good manners and etiquette but today he was a downright annoyed man and just sighs in exasperation.

“Jasper, so glad you could make it,” Harlan says as the maid opens the door and ushers Jax and Chloe in. “Yes, well father and Jerry were upset they could not but this deal in Los Angeles is huge,” Jax says shaking Harlan’s hand. “Ah, no need to explain…I know how important business is,” Harlan says with a smile. “Harlan, this is my girlfriend, Chloe Morgan…she is a designer for Christian Dior,” Jax says smiling at Chloe. “Nice to meet you, Chloe,” Harlan says with a dazzling white smile.

Harlan turns and sees his wife, Veronica running around the house and says, “Please excuse me, I need to check on Julia.” “Of course,” Jax says. “Nice to meet you Miss Morgan,” Harlan says kissing her hand. “Nice to meet you too,” Chloe says smiling brightly. “He seemed very charming and nice,” Chloe says once Harlan is out of earshot. “If you like sharks,” Jax says shaking his head.

Chloe and Jax turn around and Chloe cries out, “Nicolette!” A young woman with cropped, short auburn hair and clear green eyes lights up and responds, “Chloe, dear!” Nicolette walks over and Chloe introduces Jax. “Jax, Nicolette and I were in the same sorority at Sarah Lawrence,” Chloe says gushing. “Chloe, you have not changed a bit except you are even more beautiful than ever…I am here because I do PR work for Barrett Industries,” Nicolette says beaming. Jax smiles politely and interrupts, “Honey, the wedding does not start for another half-hour, I think I am going to take a walk and you and Nicolette can catch up.”

Chloe gives him a strange look and the replies, “Okay, just be back in time.” “I will,” Jax says kissing her forehead and walking through the hall. He peeks into the room where he had been as a teenager and he had been rejected as a businessman. He had vowed he would one day prove everyone wrong and he had. He was twenty-five and had attended Dartmouth College and now ran his own corporation. He did not need J&J Jack’s of Alaska, he built a company all on his own merit.

He and Chloe had met a year ago at a dinner party for one of his associates and one of her friends. They were a match made in heaven in the business world. She was the very successful designer who hoped to run her own company one-day and he, a young business tycoon. The union was great and he and Chloe were the hot topic in all the magazines since they had moved into a penthouse together in New York City.

He loved Chloe…she was smart, beautiful, and understood the stresses of working constantly. He was content and he knew that soon Chloe would be expecting a proposal especially after today, seeing Julia Barrett married off to Ned Ashton, another businessman. Jax sneaks out the back door and looks around the land.

Last time he had been here, it was covered in snow and he had ventured around because he had been so angry with his father and brother. He walks by the stables and smiles when he sees the same horse he had petted those ten years ago, still chomping away on hay.

He looks toward the garden entrance and a sense of déjà vu overcomes him. He had walked into the garden and had seen that beautiful little girl sitting on the bench. It had almost been like a dream and many times after that incident; he had questioned if it had even happened. But now he knew it had to have because he could not stop himself from walking to the garden.

Unlike the last time he had been in here in the dead of winter, the garden was in full bloom. Bunches of white, red, pink, and peach roses sat in one corner and lilac and hydrangea bushes on the opposite side. Pink and purple tulips lined the pathway to the center where a cherry blossom tree sat. Jax looks in the corner where he had seen that girl and almost loses his breath when he sees the same midnight hair and the golden skin with his clear, blue eyes.

There must have been an angel by my side

Something heavenly led me to you

Look at the sky

It's the colour of love

There must have been an angel by my side

Something heavenly came down from above

He led me to you

He led me to you

It had to be her…the same thick mane of brown hair except this time it was curled and honey skin with hints of rose in them. Her lithe figure was hugged by a simple, sleeveless, chiffon, yellow sundress that reached her ankles and soft yellow strappy sandals. He had not even seen her face yet he knew it would be even more beautiful than the last time he had seen it. The way those brown ringlets skimmed her bare back and how her hands were locked behind her back as she gazed at the white rose bush.

Jax takes a deep breath and suddenly the wind picks up and howls in the air, the flowers and trees gently sweeping with the air. He could see the young woman shiver and she turns and looks at him with her eyes a more deep chocolate than he remembered and her face indescribably perfect. He looks across the garden at her and smiles as she looks at him with confusion painted on her exquisite face and some sort of recognition in her mysterious eyes.

Music from this chapter…
“Kiss of Life” by Sade on her “Best of Sade” album

chp 2

Tell me what you think and then I will decide if this will go on mailing list only, just the board, or both!

Kiss of Life-Chapter 2

He felt like he was in a dream…here he was in this beautiful garden, just memorizing the most perfect looking woman he had ever seen. He could see so many emotions boiling in her eyes as she looked at him. Jax opens his mouth to speak until he is interrupted by Harlan’s deep voice.

“Brenda Veronica Barrett, Julia and your mother need you now!” Harlan yells at the entrance. Brenda nods and runs past him as Harlan gives Jax a strange look. “Harlan, I was just admiring this garden and I ran into your daughter,” Jax says with his heart pounding. “That Brenda…always in here daydreaming when she comes home from college,” Harlan says chuckling as he motions Jax out of the garden. Jax glances back at the spot where that woman had stood only a minute earlier…and now, he knew her name.

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“Jax, I thought you had run away!” Chloe whispers as he sits next to her. The wedding was taking place outside by the Barrett’s large pond. Lawn chairs had been set up and pink silk fabric led a path over the grass down to the pond where Ned was waiting. “Sorry, I was just looking around the estate,” Jax says taking her hand in his. “Nicolette asked us to stay at her house tonight in the next town over so she can show us around, what do you think?” Chloe asks softly. Jax clears his throat, ready to object but then the wedding music starts and Chloe puts her finger over his lips.

Ned was beaming, his dimples deepening at each beat of the music. Ned’s little cousin Emily comes down the aisle as the flower girl, sprinkling the path with white and pink rose petals. Ned’s half-brother, Dillon, who was making faces as he went down the aisle, followed Emily. The guests laugh in appreciation. The bridesmaids and their male companions walk down and Jax turns to see the maid of honor. There she was…again.

She was no longer dressed in the yellow sundress but a silk, pink strapless, knee-length dress and a bouquet of pink and white roses sat in her delicate hands. She smiles slightly as she walks slowly down the path. He watched every step she took and continued to watch her every movement as her sister walked down the aisle. “Julia looks breathtaking…I love her dress…I think it is a Vera Wang,” Chloe whispers into Jax’s ear. Jax nods in agreement but he was only half listening. He was watching Brenda still, even though he could only see a glimpse of her back.

Julia and Ned glow as they recite their vows and everyone claps in delight when they kiss passionately and Ned tips Julia over. As everyone claps loudly, Chloe says, “Nicolette is having the Barrett’s over for dinner tomorrow night and we are more than welcome to stay… how about it, sweetie?” “Sounds perfect,” Jax responds with a smile. He would get to see Brenda again and that was all that mattered.

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The reception was lovely and the food and champagne was exquisite. Jax had to be careful because Chloe had caught him gazing off at Brenda numerous times, but he just excused it as him being extremely tired. He looks when he hears a spoon hit a flute and he sees Brenda standing up. “I want to say first of all that I never thought there would be a man who could make Julia so happy and Ned, you have done this,” Brenda says beaming a grin towards Julia and Ned, dimples and all. She had finally given a full-fledged smile and he had never seen anything more beautiful. Her smile made her whole face light up.

Jax’s daydreaming is broken by Brenda’s voice again. “And me being the Journalism major that I am, I thought reading a poem that I have written to the two of you about the love I see would be nice.” Brenda takes a deep breath and the tables grow silent as she begins to read…

To feel as much as I feel with you --
The greatest passion I have felt.
Erase my sadness
Draw my smile,
Make pleasure sparkle on my face, in my eyes.

To love as much as I love with you --
An unending romance of you.
Take my love
Draw from its depths
For the sunshine you most desire that you need.

To care as much as I care with you --
The essence of true commitment I crave.
Through the weakness
I will surrender
My tender heart to you, to hold within.

To share as much as I share with you --
The most vulnerable I have become.
No instinct to run
Not taken to flight,
Only snuggling closer to the core of you.

I feel, I love, I care, I share...
With you, for you, only for you,
Because of you.
You touched a chord within my soul,
And I will never be the same.
I am who you see before you now
Because you love me.

The guests remain silent and Julia and Ned are smiling as brightly as can be and both stand to embrace Brenda. They sit down and Jax looks over and sees tears streaming down her face. She had read the poem with so much eloquence and feeling that it must have affected her quite a bit. She sits down and her teardrop lands on the tablecloth as she sips her water nervously and looks around.

“Time to dance!” Ned yells to the group and he and Julia scurry over to the dance floor to dance to “My Girl” by the Temptations. “Jax, I am just going to touch up my makeup…be back in a sec,” Chloe says grabbing her purse and leaving the table. Jax nods and sees almost the whole reception was grooving on the dance floor and Brenda was still at her table as he was. She was looking down at her lap with a frown on her face and tears in her eyes. He wanted so badly to walk over to her and say something to bring that smile back but he knew that would be too aloof.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

She could feel his blue eyes piercing at her and she was afraid to look up. It was the same man she had seen in the garden earlier today and she felt like she had seen him before today. Those eyes were so distinctive…she had never seen such a blue in her life. But why was he always staring at her. He was sitting next to a pretty blond who was obviously his girlfriend or wife but she kept feeling as if he was watching her.

She smoothes her brown curls and looks up slowly…he was gone. She sighs in relief and takes a bite of her salmon mousse and closes her eyes. She had so dreaded coming to this wedding. The last thing she wanted to do was return to this house and the prison it felt like. She did not even have to live back home this summer…she had gotten an internship at People Magazine and was living in a small apartment in New York City with her friend Robin.

“Two more days and then you can go back,” she whispers to herself and then she feels a tap on her shoulder. “Hannah!” Brenda says trying to smile at her annoying older cousin. “Have you checked out Jasper Jacks?” Hannah says giggling like a schoolgirl. Really, this girl was twenty-four and she still acted like she was thirteen. “Um, no…why?” Brenda asks rolling her eyes as Hannah points. “Brenda Barrett…look at the man…he is a God,” Hannah says directly pointing towards the blond man who had been staring at her only moments earlier. He was now dancing with the blond woman again but he catches her looking at him and he smiles with the dimple deepening in his chin.

Brenda turns her head and says, “He is okay…if you like those types.” Hannah laughs and says, “Brenda, you need your eyes checked and not only is he a total Adonis but he has his own company and went to an Ivy League college.” Brenda replies sarcastically, “And he probably has been having his parents buying his way into everything his entire life.” “Oh Brenda, you are so pessimistic!” Hannah says taking a bite of Brenda’s salad and running off to find another lust object. When would people understand that looks, power, and money were not the key to happiness?

Brenda looks to see her father talking to this Jasper character and suddenly bells start ringing in her head…his father was John Jacks of J&J Jacks of Alaska and he had a brother named Jerry who had dated Julia when she was in college at Yale. The Barrett’s and Jack’s had been doing business for years now. They had even been at the house numerous times though Brenda had always disappeared to the garden to avoid the company. She could not believe it had taken this long to figure out the name Jacks and realize the connection. “That is why I felt strange…I have heard the name so many times,” Brenda says to herself in her head. She sighs and watches as Julia throws her bouquet and Ned slings the garter belt and she stands up…enough was enough…she needed to get out of here for a bit.

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She had disappeared…again. Jax looks over to the table and she was gone. The party was beginning to grow thin and Julia and Ned were getting ready to leave for London on their honeymoon. Chloe kisses his cheek and says, “Darling, Nicolette and I are going to have tea with Veronica back at the house…do you mind waiting?” Jax looks into her hazel eyes that were so empty with emotion and he replies, “Of course Chloe…I am going to check out Harlan’s horses…I am interested in purchasing the breed he has.” Chloe smiles brightly and says, “Wonderful…see you soon,” and brushes her lips against his. He reciprocates and suddenly he was wishing it were not Chloe’s red lips but pink ones that curved mysteriously and midnight eyes he could gaze into forever.

Chloe and Nicolette prance off together, following Mrs. Barrett. Jax shakes his head and walks out onto the lawn and can see the stables off in the distance. He walks…faster and faster and soon enough he is standing once again in front of the garden entrance. Now the air was cooler and he shivers as he takes his first step in. He looks up and sees a pale moon and stars filling the darkened blue sky. He then looks in the direction of the rose bush and there she was as she always was.

She was sitting on the bench like she had when he had seen her for the first time and she was looking up at the sky, humming gently as fireflies swirl around her and she laughs softly and tries to catch one. He smiles and laughs out loud without even realizing it. Brenda flips around and squints as him.

“What do you want?” she says crossing her arms in anger. “I…Uh…just wanted to take one last look at the garden before I left…it is stunning,” Jax says placing his hands in his pockets. “You were in here earlier today and have been staring at me all night…what do you want with me?” Brenda yells looking like she was ready to kill. Uh oh…she had noticed the looks as more than just browsing around. “Listen, I just realized today that you are Harlan’s other daughter and I have never met you even though our families have been doing business for so long now,” Jax says trying to smile.

“So you decided to spy on me?” Brenda asks shaking her head. “No, I just wanted to say hello,” Jax says in confusion at her anger. “Fine…I am Brenda Veronica Barrett, twenty-one years old, I attend NYU, and I am a Journalism major…that good?” she says arching her right eyebrow. “Well we are certainly the spitfire now aren’t we?” Jax says shaking his head. “And damn proud of it!” Brenda yells back. Her cheeks were now filled with color as if fire had overtaken them and her eyes…blacker than he had ever seen. She was actually pretty cute when she was mad but now he was aggravated at her rude nature.

“Listen Miss Barrett…I was just trying to make polite conversation with you…sorry you took it the wrong way,” Jax says throwing his arms up in the air. “Well you should be Jasper Jacks!” Brenda says flipping back to the tree, her back to him. Jax opens his mouth to respond until he realizes she had just said his name. “So you do know who I am?” Jax says with a small smile of victory. “Yes, and not because I tried to find out who you are but someone told me,” Brenda shoots back, turning around with her hands on her hips.

He wanted to laugh because she was nothing like he had imagined…he thought she would be soft spoken and as feminine as they come but she was strong and determined which now intrigued him even more. “You are such a spoiled brat…do you really think every man who looks at you is out for something?” Jax says running his hand through his blond waves. “Spoiled brat? Ha! Let’s see I paid my way through high school and now college…I have not taken a dime from my parents since I was fourteen…can you say the same thing Jasper?” Brenda asks with a look of satisfaction on his face.

He bursts out laughing and responds, “Actually Miss Barrett…I paid for my college by myself as well and I have built a company from the ground up without any money from my family so don’t be so smug!” Brenda’s mouth drops open and her eyes gleam under the full moon at him. “Well I guess I am wrong but that does not mean I have to like it,” Brenda says rolling her eyes at him. “What do you like?” Jax asks with a smile.

“What do you mean what do I like?” Brenda says in confusion. “What are your favorite things…for instance, you must love flowers or why else would you be in here so much?” Jax asks with a knowing smile. “You do not know the reason I come here and it is none of your business and neither is anything else I like!” Brenda shouts back. “Well I bet I know you like snowflakes on your tongue and feeding your collie’s!” Jax screams back at her. Brenda’s eyes widen and suddenly she remembers where she had seen Jasper Jacks before.

Haven't we met?
You're some kind of beautiful stranger
You could be good for me
I've had the taste for danger

If I'm smart then I'll run away
But I'm not so I guess I'll stay
Heaven forbid
I'll take my chance on a beautiful stranger

I looked into your eyes
And my world came tumbling down
You're the devil in disguise
That's why I'm singing this song

Bridge:

To know you is to love you
You're everywhere I go
And everybody knows

To love you is to be part of you
I've paid for you with tears
And swallowed all my pride

Chorus:

Da-da-da-dum da-dum da-dum da da da-da dum
Beautiful stranger
Da-da-da-dum da-dum da-dum da da da-da dum
Beautiful stranger

If I'm smart then I'll run away
But I'm not so I guess I'll stay
Haven't you heard
I fell in love with a beautiful stranger

I looked into your face
My heart was dancing all over the place
I'd like to change my point of view
If I could just forget about you

(bridge)

I looked into your eyes
And my world came tumbling down
You're the devil in disguise
That's why I'm singing this song to you

Suddenly she was transported back in time to ten years ago and she was eleven again and sitting in this garden on a winter day and she had seen him. He was obviously older than she was but he had such a caring face and those blue eyes against the white snow had scared her and she ran and she was about to do the same thing. She looks at him with tears in her eyes and runs past him. “Brenda, wait…I am sorry!” Jax yells into the silence of the night.

Music from this chapter
“Beautiful Stranger” by Madonna