Roaring Love: Chapter 22

"Oh Brenda," Veronica sighs as she sees her daughters name in the hotel directory. Veronica gazes one more time at the ad for "Roaring Faces" with Brenda looking as beautiful as ever. "Now that she knew Brenda was only one floor beneath her, all the things she wanted to say to her daughter had escaped her mind. What would she say? What would she do? And most importantly, would Brenda want her mother back in her life after so long? "I am going to see her now," Veronica says grabbing her purse and heading into the hallway. She steps onto the elevator and takes a deep breath…the next few minutes would determine the rest of her life.

The elevator begins to go down and stops. Veronica looks up and begins to step out. She stops in her tracks…there was Brenda kissing the man she was engaged to, Jasper Jacks. Veronica looks down but she did not need to…Jax and Brenda were oblivious to anyone else on the elevator. Veronica was thinking to herself, "Please Brenda, turn around and recognize me and this whole thing will be over."

"White or pink tulips?" Brenda giggles as Jax nuzzles his face in her hair. "Whatever your heart desires…as long as you marry me, I don't care," Jax says kissing her neck as she laughs in delight. Veronica looks on…Brenda looked so deliriously happy and in love. Maybe she shouldn't cause trouble and reveal she was alive. "But she deserves to know," a voice echoed in Veronica's head. The elevator doors open to the main lobby and Veronica brushes past Brenda and Jax.

Brenda looks up right away. The touch of this woman's skin sent shivers through her body. "Excuse me?" Brenda calls out but the woman had already run out of the hotel. "Bren, what's the matter?" Jax asks with concern. "Um…nothing…I am just a little preoccupied thinking about the wedding," Brenda says with a forced smile. "No something is wrong," Jax says sitting Brenda on one of the couches. Brenda shakes her head and responds, "I just got the strangest feeling when that woman touched me," Brenda says with tears forming in her eyes.

"Brenda, she brushed your arm," Jax says in confusion. "Yes, I know but it gave me this feeling…I cannot even describe it," Brenda says. "Bren, you will probably see that woman again if she is staying here so don't worry…we will find her and see why you feel this way," Jax says giving her a hug. "Okay…let's go… I need to get my mind off of this," Brenda says standing up as Jax follows.

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2 hours later…

"Jax, the white tulips are perfect for a New Years Eve wedding!" Brenda says as they enter the penthouse. "And I assume you found the dress you were looking for?" Jax asks sliding off his coat. "Oh honey, wait till you see it!" Brenda says jumping into his arms. "Pretty spectacular, huh?" Jax asks with a devilish grin. "Words cannot describe this dress…it is simply divine!" Brenda says running over to the large window where New York City could be seen so clearly. "It's snowing," Brenda says with a smile.

"Why, yes it is," Jax says coming up behind her. "And Christmas is only ten days away," Brenda sighs as Jax wraps her arms around her waist, standing behind her. "And what did you get me?" Brenda giggles turning around. "Brenda, I am not going to tell you but you will adore it…I promise," Jax says kissing the tip of her nose. "Hmmm…I cannot wait to see it and I cannot wait for you to see what I bought for you," Brenda responds.

"I don't suppose I get a hint," Jax says kissing her neck. "Nope…good things come to those who wait," Brenda says. "True, very true," Jax says in agreement. Brenda gives a small grin and then pulls away and goes to sit down on the couch. "Is that thing with the woman still bothering you?" Jax asks in concern. "I just got this total sense of déjà vu when she touched me…it was so strange," Brenda responds shaking her head. "Bren, things like that happen to everyone…but if it is really bothering you, we will look around the hotel to see if we can spot her," Jax replies. "Okay, tonight I just want to fall asleep in your arms and think about marrying you and not this unexplained feeling…that's all," Brenda says standing up.

"Lead the way to the bedroom, Miss Barrett," Jax says jumping up as the two of them run towards their room.

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Veronica watches the fire crackle as she sips her wine and looks down at the object in her hands. It was Brenda's ID bracelet…the day that everyone had thought she had drowned, four-year old Brenda had pulled off the bracelet and had given it to her mother.

Veronica could still see the chubby little fingers pulling off the bracelet and saying, "Mommy, put this on." Veronica had protested but then Brenda's eyes had filled with tears and she started sobbing so Veronica had taken it with her. It was almost as if Brenda knew she was not going to see her mother ever again. When she had woken up from hitting her head, she had amnesia and was in this little French woman's house. But the bracelet remained intact on her wrist. Brenda's small plump face appears in her head…the day she was born, all Veronica could do was watch her that night. She was the most precious baby…

Baby mine, don't you cry

Baby mine, dry your eyes

Rest your head close to my heart

Never to part, baby of mine

Little one, when you play

Pay no heed what they say

Let your eyes sparkle and shine

Never a tear, baby of mine

If they knew all about you

They'd end up loving you, too

All those same people who scold you

What they'd give just for the right to hold you

From your hair down to your toes

You're not much, goodness knows

But, you're so precious to me

Sweet as can be, baby of mine

"I will get up the courage…I will," Veronica says with determination.

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Brenda sits in the tub and takes a deep breath. All the tensions from that day had really taken a toll on her. The wedding, Christmas plans, and that woman all drifted through her mind. The warm water envelops her body. Jax had suggested the bath and he had been right, it really was relaxing her. Her eyes begin to droop and she could feel her sleepiness taking over. "Just a couple of minutes," she whispers and her eyes close. Within minutes she was asleep.

Jax tiptoes in and smiles…Brenda was sleeping like a baby. He sits by the bathtub and pushes back her hair. He did not want her to go under the water so he props her up a tad. She was so beautiful…she looked so peaceful when she was sleeping…like an angel. Brenda shifts and turns onto her side. Jax chuckles and stands up and turns on the faucet quietly to brush his teeth.

Brenda could see herself as a little girl…her hair was up in a bun with a pale yellow dress on. Her mother was smiling, sitting on the couch in her outfit ready to go swimming. She could see herself handing a gold bracelet with initials to her mother. Her mother was trying to put it back on her wrist but she started to sob loudly. Then her mother finally took it and put it on her wrist and hugged and kissed her good-bye. "Mom…mom, I love you!" little Brenda screams as Brenda jerks up in the tub.

"Brenda, what happened?" Jax asks running to the tub. Brenda's heart was racing…she had not had a dream of her mother that was so vivid and realistic in years. "Jax, I remember something about my mother…I had this ID bracelet that I gave to her the day she died…I could see her so clearly!" Brenda says starting to sob. "Oh Brenda, it will be okay…I promise," Jax says wrapping the towel around Brenda's shivering body. "I need to lie down," Brenda says steadying herself as she stands up. "Sweetie, it was a nightmare…it must have really shaken you up," Jax says scooping her up and carrying her into the bedroom and lying her down on the bed. "Here, put this on," Jax says bringing over his flannel bathrobe. Brenda slips it on and then sinks into the pillows.

"Better?" Jax asks taking her hand in his own. "Much better, thank you," Brenda says. "What can I do to make you feel better?" Jax asks. "Could you just turn off the lights and lie down and hold me?" Brenda asks with a weak smile. "As you wish," Jax says walking over to the light and turning it off and walking back to the bed. He slides under the covers and then encircles Brenda's body with his strong arms. "Thank you Jax…I will feel better in the morning," Brenda mumbles as she begins to drift off to sleep.

Jax sighs softly…even when she was with Sonny; she had not been this distraught or distant. There was so much about Brenda's past that they had never discussed. They had been basking in their newfound love so much that Brenda's family life floated to the back of his head. He loved her so much and they would figure out, together what was going on to cause so much pain in Brenda's eyes. He kisses the top of her head…he would love Brenda forever and it only grew more and more every day.

Sweet and lovely, sweeter than the roses in May.

Sweet and lovely, Heaven must have sent her my way.

And she loves me. Who would want a sweeter surprise?

When she nestles in my arms so tenderly

There's a thrill that words cannot express.

In my heart a song of love is taunting me,

Melody haunting me.

Sweet and lovely, sweeter than the roses in May.

And she loves me; there is nothing more I can say.

Jax smiles as his eyes begin to droop and his breaths become in sync with Brenda's as the moon shines down on them.

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The next morning…

Veronica smoothes out her midnight blue winter suit and adjusts her blue hat. She takes a deep breath and knocks on the door. The door opens and there was Brenda in a robe looking sleepy. "Brenda," Veronica whispers. Tears form in Brenda eyes as she whispers, "No, it can't be…"

Music from this chapter

1.) "Baby Mine" by Better Midler on the "Beaches" Soundtrack

2.) "Sweet and Lovely" by Bing Crosby