by Carolyn F.
PART FORTY-NINE
Miranda hesitated before ringing the doorbell. The door was opened by Jax who seemed genuinely surprised to find her standing on his porch.
"Hi, Jax. I wanted to come by and bring a gift for the baby. I hope you don’t mind."
Following Jax inside the house, Miranda noticed all the suitcases piled to one side. She frowned, wondering what was going on.
"Did I interrupt? You seem to be in the middle of packing."
Jax seemed distracted as he consulted a list he was holding in his hand, "What? Oh, I’m sorry, yes, we are planning on a trip. I’m trying to get everything organized. Excuse me, Miranda. Why don’t you have a seat and I’ll tell Brenda you’re here."
Miranda watched Jax leave. She took the opportunity to study their new home. It was very impressive. Miranda wondered if Jax would want to continue living here once Brenda was gone. She was in deep thought when she realized that Brenda was standing behind her.
"Hello, Brenda. I brought this gift for the baby. Congratulations to both you and Jax. I’m sure you are both ecstatic."
Brenda thanked Miranda politely and opened the gift. It was a small silver cup that had Jared’s name and date of birth engraved on it.
"Thank you, Miranda, the gift is lovely. Would you like to see him?" Brenda was making every attempt to be cordial to her.
"I’d love to." Brenda asked Miranda to follow her to the bedroom where Jared was fast asleep. Miranda made the proper fuss over the sleeping baby, but still came off as insincere. Brenda fought her instinct to snatch Miranda’s hands away from her son. She just didn’t trust this woman.
Once they were back in the den, Miranda mentioned their upcoming trip.
"Jax tells me that you and he will be taking a trip. Isn’t it too soon to be traveling with a baby?"
"No, Miranda, he’s already one month. The pediatrician says it’s fine. Besides, we have instant access to any doctor anywhere."
Nonplussed, Miranda asked, "Where are you going?"
Not really wanting to give her any details, Brenda answered truthfully, "I don’t know. He’s going to surprise me. All I know is that it’s someplace warm." Her lips curved into a beautiful smile at the thought of Jax’s spontaneity.
Deciding that something had to be done immediately, Miranda asked Brenda for cup of tea. Brenda sighed and left the room to prepare the tea.
Miranda searched her purse while Brenda was gone for the little vial she had gotten ready this morning. She went in the direction that Brenda had recently gone, looking for the kitchen and her intended victim.
* * *
The two cups of tea sat on the countertop, unwatched, while Brenda searched the pantry for the sugar. Checking one more time to make sure that Brenda was not looking, Miranda placed the crushed foxglove in one of the cups and picked the other one up for herself. She sat at the table and waited for Brenda to return.
"Sugar?" Brenda asked as she backed out of the pantry. Miranda shook her head no and began sipping at her tea. Brenda picked up the other cup and sat across from her at the table. Just as she lifted the cup to her lips, Jax entered the kitchen.
Inside, Miranda was a bundle of nerves. She watched as Jax kissed Brenda on the cheek while she set her cup of tea down on the table.
"Sweetie, have you seen my blue boxers? I can’t leave town without them." Jax’s seductive gaze brought a similar one to Brenda’s face. Miranda seethed at their intimacy.
"I know exactly where they are. If you’ll excuse me, Miranda?" Brenda left the room and Jax sat in her seat at the table.
"Thanks for the engraved cup, Miranda. It was a very thoughtful gesture."
Just as Miranda was about to answer, she stopped short at the horrifying sight of Jax lifting the teacup to his lips. Panic set in. Without thinking, Miranda jumped to her feet sending the table into Jax’s stomach. The impact knocked the wind out of him and sent the cup flying out of his hands. It crashed against the wall, harmless.
Miranda rounded the table, "I’m so sorry, Jax. I thought I saw a...a mouse! I reacted without thinking. Can you breathe?" Miranda looked down at Jax, who was bent over trying to catch his breath.
This is the scene that greeted Brenda when she returned to the kitchen, the boxers clutched in her hand.
"What happened?" She bent over Jax with concern, trying to figure out what was going on.
"I’m...I’m fffine." Jax’s words came with difficulty.
"It’s my fault," Miranda practically screeched in Brenda’s ear. "I thought I saw a mouse and I jumped up and knocked the table into Jax. I’m sorry."
Finally able to sit up again, Jax reassured both Brenda and Miranda that he was okay.
When Jax had regained his breath and his composure, he turned to Miranda, "It’s okay, Miranda, don’t worry. I’m certain that we have no mice in this house." He spied the boxers out of the corner of his eye and took them from Brenda. "If you’ll excuse me, I think I’ll finish packing."
Brenda couldn’t help but smile at him as he left the room, trying to keep his dignity intact.
A cough from Miranda, brought her attention back in that direction.
"I guess I had better be going. I have to be at work soon. Tell Jax I’m sorry."
Brenda walked Miranda to the door and watched her go through narrowed eyes. She had the distinct feeling that something was not quite kosher about Miranda’s reasons for being here.
* * *
Leaning against the door that Brenda had forcibly shut behind her, Miranda began to tremble. Her legs gave way, and she almost collapsed to the ground. She pulled herself together and tried to gather her thoughts into some semblance of order. How could she have almost poisoned the very man that she was trying to win over? Her heart lurched in fear. It was obvious that she was going to have to come up with a different method of dealing with Brenda Jacks!
* * *
PART FIFTY
Kronos! Brenda couldn't believe that she had finally arrived on the island that she had won for Jax from Thao. She had been amazed at the beauty and solitude that had greeted them. Jax had made sure that they had every comfort and necessity. He had hired a very capable nanny who was also a registered nurse. The house, which really resembled a Scottish castle, had been manned by a host of well-trained employees to handle their every need.
Her mother and Jax's parents had declined the invitation to spend of few weeks away from it all. Brenda was certain that they wanted the three of them to spend time alone together. She was also quite sure that her mother had an ulterior motive. Brenda grinned as she thought about how close Veronica and Jerry had become. Though she had not yet discussed it with her mother, Brenda approved of the relationship wholeheartedly. She was happy that her mother was coming to know the pure joy of being taken care of by a man like Jerry Jacks.
Sighing, she squinted her eyes in an effort to make out Jax's blonde hair against the azure blue of the surrounding water. She had insisted that he spend some time diving, a sport that he loved. Brenda's heart began beating faster as she remembered her doctor's words during the checkup she had right before they left Port Charles. He had taken her off all medications and given her the go ahead to resume relations with her husband. She had been saving that little bit of information for the proper time and place. She smiled thinking about what she had planned for Jax tonight.
The nanny, Cynthia Roberts, joined her on the beach. She removed her cover-up and sat beside Brenda on a towel, turning her face to the sun.
"Jared's still sound asleep, Mrs. Jacks."
"Brenda. Please call me Brenda. We are not formal." Brenda glanced at her watch. "Cynthia, can I ask a favor of you?
"Certainly, Brenda"
Brenda checked to make sure that Jax was still far out, "I have something special planned for Jax tonight. I could really use your help if you're willing."
Cynthia turned to Brenda with a smile on her face.
* * *
Water dripping off his face, Jax searched the beach for a sign of Brenda. Seeing nothing, he decided to call it a day. The sun was beginning to set casting an orange glow across the white sands.
He entered the house and encountered Cynthia.
"Hello, Mr. Jacks, did you have a good dive?"
"Please call me Jax. It was very enjoyable, Cynthia. Have you seen my wife?"
Cynthia pretended to think, "Hmm, yes, I believe she said she had some errands to run and would be back shortly. I think that you have time to run upstairs and change before dinner. I just checked on Jared and he's sound asleep."
Jax thanked Cynthia and took the stairs, wrapping his towel more tightly around his waist. He stopped by Jared's room and watched his son sleep, enjoying the peace it gave him. He kissed his fingertip and touched it lightly to Jared's face, then backed out of the room.
The bedroom door was ajar. The sight that greeted Jax when he opened the door made his heart stop. Candles glowed throughout the room. The door to the balcony was open, the breeze blowing the curtains aside and giving him a view of a table set for two. Music played softly in the background. Jax could make out the sultry notes of "Can You Stop the Rain" by Grover Washington, Jr. He smiled at the memory that song brought.
On the bed, Jax found his black tux laid out. He glanced around the room for a sign of Brenda, and finding none he showered and dressed himself in the clothes Brenda had prepared for him. He walked out onto the balcony and gazed out over the ocean, listening to the sounds of the waves hitting the rocks below. He loved the smell and the sounds of the sea. A slight noise behind him made him turn around.
There before him was a vision in white. Brenda stood there, her hair hanging in soft curls over her bare shoulders. Her dress shimmered in the candlelight, clinging to her figure, tantalizing him with what was beneath. When she walked, it was as if she glided across the room.
She approached him silently, a seductive smile on her face. She ran her hands lightly down his chest and kissed him softly on the mouth. Just as Jax began to reach out to pull her tighter to him, she stepped back and put the table between them.
"Have a seat, Jax, dinner is served." Brenda couldn't help but laugh at Jax's expression. She watched him while he sat and lifted the cover from his plate.
"Oysters?"
"What else, honey?"
Frowning playfully, Jax replied, "I can think of something I'd much rather have at this moment in time."
"Be patient, enjoy the moment."
Reining in his raging hormones, Jax managed to make small talk as they shared their first quiet evening together in months. Jax raised his eyebrow as he felt Brenda's shoeless foot sliding up his leg under the table.
"Mrs. Jacks, are you trying to seduce me?"
"Not at all, Mr. Jacks. What gave you that impression?"
"Well, Mrs. Jacks, either we have recently acquired a dog, or that is your foot rubbing against my leg under this table."
Giggling, Brenda walked over to Jax and wiggled her way into his lap, snuggling close. She raised her face, offering her lips to him. Jax bent his head down and caught her lips in a slow, sensuous kiss that began as a spark and quickly ignited into a roaring fire. His hands moved down her back, caressing her body and molding her to him.
Brenda began unbuttoning his shirt slowly, tantalizing him with feathery kisses on his chest after each one was freed. She pushed the jacket to the tux off his shoulders and let it fall to the floor.
Jax mumbled against her lips, "Why did I bother dressing?"
"So I could undress you." Brenda finished unbuttoning his shirt and slipped her hands underneath it, feeling her way across his chest. She loved the smoothness of his skin, the fell of it under her fingertips. She pulled his shirt free and tossed it over her shoulder.
Managing to stand still holding her to him, Jax carried Brenda into the bedroom. He allowed her body to slip slowly to the floor until she was standing in front of him. He caught her lips, kissing her passionately. His hand slipped behind her to unzip her dress with an agonizingly slow movement that made Brenda's heart race with desire. Jax kissed her shoulders, his tongue moving in lazy circles causing a tingling sensation from her head to her toes. He pushed the dress off her shoulders and watched it fall to the floor, his eyes glowing and warm.
Brenda stepped away from the dress, moving closer to Jax. Jax lifted her into his arms, kissing her deeply and thoroughly. They eased onto the bed without breaking their connection. Jax poised above her, taking in her sensual beauty.
"I love you, Brenda; my wife, my heart, my life."
Brenda allowed herself to be caught up and swept away. Their bodies entwined as the candles slowly melted and the darkness closed around them.
* * *
PART FIFTY-ONE
Clearly agitated, Gladys paced the floor of her apartment as Miranda looked on.
"Gladys, it will work this time. I promise."
Stopping abruptly, Gladys faced Miranda, a determined look on her face.
"You know that I love you like a daughter, Miranda, but I refuse to make another attempt at poisoning Brenda Jacks. You are mistaken, Jax and Brenda a very good people and they are very much in love. I will not be a part of this any longer."
The only sign of Miranda’s anger was a slight narrowing of her eyes. Jax and Brenda had returned from their trip yesterday and Gladys had let her know. She had tried to convince Gladys to make one more attempt to no avail.
"Fine, Gladys, I’ll take care of Brenda on my own. I don’t need your help!"
Grabbing her purse from off the table, Miranda stormed out of the apartment, leaving a disturbed Gladys in her wake. Gladys pondered the situation, picked up her keys and left.
* * *
A coatless Sonny kept moving in an attempt to stay warm with the slight chill in the air. He wondered for the umpteenth time why Miranda had called and asked to meet him in the park. Just as he was about to give up on her, he saw her across the field. As she got nearer, he could see the determined look on her face.
"Sonny, I need your help. I’ve got the ultimate plan to split Brenda and Jax apart, but you will play a major role in it. Are you in?"
Sonny sighed in frustration, "No. Miranda, when will you see what’s right before your eyes? Jax and Brenda love each other; no ifs, ands, or buts. It’s time you came to your senses and moved on with your life."
She couldn’t believe what she was hearing! Was no one willing to help her. Miranda gave Sonny a look of contempt then walked away from him without saying another word.Sonny watched her go, shaking his head at her inability to cope with the inevitable.
* * *
Silence greeted Brenda when she returned from visiting her mother. She entered
the den to find a shirtless Jax asleep on the couch with Jared, clad only
in a diaper, sleeping contentedly on his chest. Brenda knelt beside the two
of them and watched them as they slept.The love that she felt threatened
to overwhelm her. She wiped a lone tear that trickled down her face. Jax’s
strong arm was wrapped protectively around his son even in sleep. Deciding
not to awaken them,
Brenda kissed them both gently and went to the back of the house.
She opened the door to the bedroom, laid her keys on the dresser and went into the bathroom to run her bathwater. She was humming to herself as she reached for the bath oil on the shelf above her. She removed the top, letting the light scent invade her senses before pouring some into the rising water. She stepped into the warmth and let it surround her as she lay back, closing her eyes.
Thinking back over her earlier conversation with her mother, Brenda smiled at what Veronica had confessed to her. She couldn’t wait to tell Jax that his brother and her mother were very much involved with each other. Wasn’t life strange? Everyday, she had more and more to be grateful for.When the water began to cool, Brenda stepped out and toweled herself dry. She stepped back into the bedroom and pulled on a sweater and a pair of jeans. Just as she reached for her shoes, a voice startled her.
"You won’t need them where you’re going."
Brenda’s confused eyes met Miranda’s steely ones across the barrel of the gun that Miranda was holding.
* * *
"Don’t do this Miranda. You are looking at a very bleak future if you pull that trigger." Brenda tried to control the fear evident in her voice. She didn’t want Miranda to know just how scared she really was.
Anger tinged Miranda’s response, "I’m looking at a very bleak future if I don’t. I’ve tried everything I know to try to get Jax. You know that don’t you?"
Brenda nodded her head, her mind a whirlwind of activity. She was desperately thinking about her options.
"First, I teamed up with Sonny. I thought jealousy would bring both you and Jax running back to our arms. When that didn’t work, I tried seduction. Did Jax tell you that I humiliated myself in front of him? And for what? He wasn’t the slightest bit interested in what I had to offer."
Attempting to keep Miranda talking, Brenda answered her, "Miranda, Jax does care about you. If you put the gun down, we can get you the help you need."
"Help? You think I need help?" The gun began to waver in Miranda’s hand. She shook herself free of her fears and continued her tirade.
"You’re the one that needs help, Brenda. Did you know that I’ve
tried to poison you on several
occasions?" Miranda could tell by the complete surprise that Brenda displayed
that she had no idea what was taking place. "It failed each time. Don’t
you understand how much I love Jax? I can’t let you have him."
She forced Brenda to sit on the edge of the bed while she took a seat in a chair across from her.
"When I met Jax, it was all a set-up. I never meant to fall for him, but I did. He never knew that I once lived with the Cassadines. Surprised? I was the daughter of their chauffeur. It seems that the Cassadines didn’t appreciate the hired help seducing their son Stefan, so they framed me for a robbery I didn’t commit. All I ever wanted was to live in luxury and be pampered. I was running from their wrath when I found Mac."
"You see, Brenda. I have nothing to lose and everything to gain."
Brenda saw the way her finger began to caress the trigger. She knew that she had to stall for time."Everyone will know that you shot me Miranda. How will you explain your way out of this one?"
Standing, Miranda smiled evilly, "It’s easy." She began throwing Brenda’s belongings out of drawers and on to the floor. She overturned a lamp. She remove some of Brenda’s jewelry, her watch and her wallet. When she was done, she surveyed her handiwork with glee.
"It will look like a robbery. I won’t be anywhere near here when Jax finds you."
Brenda realized that Miranda didn’t know Jax was asleep downstairs. She knew that she would have to make a move quickly, before Miranda. She said a little prayer, dropped to the floor and made her move!
* * *