The Love That Heals-11

by: Darlene

After a very torturous night Jax, not able to sleep & tired of laying in bed remembering Brenda staring out his window when she came in to say goodnight, gets up around 3:43 AM & goes into the living room. To his surprise, Jax finds Brenda sitting on the floor in front of the Christmas tree they bought & decorated the night before; shaking presents like a young child would do. Jax slowly creeps behind Brenda.

J: "How long have you been up for?"

B: "About forty minutes"

J: "You can't sleep. Maybe you staying here was a bad idea"

B: "Why?"

J: "You can't sleep."

Brenda laughs.

B: "I can never sleep on Christmas morning, it has nothing to do with being here"

Brenda glances at all the presents under the tree & sets down the present she had been shaking. Jax sits next to Brenda.

J: "I see you've been going through the presents"

B: "How did you get all of these here. They weren't here last night"

J: "After I heard you come in here last night, I waited until you were sleeping & brought everything in"

B: "where did you get all this stuff?"

J: "When you were catching up with Lois, & I went to run my errands, I stopped by Kelly's. After asking a few people who Ruby was, I was able to get all the presents that were left for you at Ruby's."

Jax adds, a bit shyly,

J: "I also stopped by the mall"

B: "I've never seen this many presents"

J: "I was going to fill a stocking for you, but I couldn't find any. All the stores were out. Is there anywhere special you want to go today?"

B: "No, right here is fine."

J: "You sure? I invited Lois over later, but I know you wanted to spend time with your other friends too"

B: "I'm sure. Is Ned invited too?"

J: "Yes, Ned too"

Brenda eyes the presents again.

B: "Can we open them now?"

J: "Now? It's barely after four"

B: "Pleaaaaasssssssseee, just one"

Jax's heart gives into Brenda, but not all the way.

J: "How about a compromise?"

B: "I'm listening"

J: "Open some now & save some for later"

B: "agreed, but before we do that"

Brenda leans over & hugs Jax.

B: "Merry Christmas Jax"

J: "Merry Christmas"

A few hours later, Brenda is still opening gifts. Jax is sitting back watching as Brenda's eyes light up like a child's at the sight of each new gift. After about twenty minutes Jax begins to understand why Brenda wanted to start so early. Despite what he head thought, that Brenda would rip each present open in a matter of seconds, Brenda was the slowest present opener Jax had ever seen. Each gift was open as if every part of it was delicate, including the paper. Brenda did her best not to rip the paper.

J: "Just tear it"

B: "It's all so beautiful"

J: "It's paper, it'll be thrown away"

B: "When are you going to start opening your presents?"

Jax had meant to watch Brenda open two or three gifts, then begin opening his own, but he had become mesmerized by Brenda's child like excitement & forgot about his own gifts. When Jax doesn't respond to Brenda, she picks up a neatly wrapped present, that simply says Jax on the name tag.

B: "Jax, open this"

Jax takes the gift & looks at the tag, he doesn't recognize the writing. Brenda notices the puzzled look on Jax's face.

B: "It's from me, one of many"

Jax's smile reveals his surprise & happiness.

J: "when did you have time?"

B: "I sent Lois shopping before she came here"

Brenda giggles, obviously pleased with herself.

B: "When you went on your errands, she went out to her car & brought them to my room. Well, are you going to open it?"

The look on Jax's face upon opening his gift baffles Brenda. His expression is one of shock, but Brenda can't tell if it is a good shock or bad shock.

B: "Do you like it?"

J: "Yeah, I love it. Where did you find it?"

B: "Lo found it in this place called the international book store"

J: "Did you know that if I could have chosen one thing for Christmas, this would be it?"

B: "Yes! I asked your parents what I should get you"

About an hour later, Jax & Brenda are almost done opening their presents.

B: "This one's heavy, what's in it?"

J: "How should I know?"

B: "Isn't it from you? It looks like your writing"

J: "Open it & find out"

Once Brenda has the paper off she opens the first box, which leads to another box, & another box & another box. Finally she lifts the lid on the next box & sees her present.

B: "A camera!"

J: "You don't like it?"

B: "It's not that, it's just that I've never been good at taking pictures. I always seem to snap the camera when it's looking at the wrong place, or I'll cut off someone's head"

J: "This camera is very easy to use. I figured since you're in front of the camera a lot, you might want to be behind it some time. If you need someone to practice off, you can practice on me"

Jax laughs.

J: "I don't mind getting my head cut off"

B: "Thank you! I might take you up on your offer"

Right as Jax & Brenda finish opening their presents, they hear a knock at the door. They both know who it is when they here, "anybody home", in a Brooklyn accent.