J & B Fantasy Reunion Part 10 (Jax's Surprise)

by Judy

Reunion Part 10: "Jax's Surprise"

Brenda suddenly sat up a little straighter, her head turning in the direction of the music. It was one of her favorite jazz pieces, "Europa." The rendition was slightly different from the original, but it was clearly the same song and gave her the same wonderful feeling. Jax noticed her interest and asked, "May I have this dance?"

In answer, she stood up. They proceeded toward the sound; the room was empty except for the ensemble serenading them from a small stage at the front of the large space. Jax cradled Brenda in his arms. She leaned into him and closed her eyes, her head resting on his chest. She could hear and feel his heart beating in time to the intoxicating melody. She felt like she was living in a dream. Life could get no better than this; she could ask for nothing more than this perfect moment to continue forever. So lost was she in her thoughts and his embrace that she hadn't realized that the music had stopped until Jax whispered in her ear, "I love you. Open your eyes and look around."

Brenda couldn't believe the sight before her! The room was filled with all of the people who were special to them: Robin, Julia, Lois and Brooke Lynne, Ned, Jane and John, Emily, V, Mac and Felicia, Ruby, even frail Lila had made the trip with Edward by her side. Last, but not least, their fortuneteller and Jerry huddled in a corner, he obviously intrigued by her mysterious charm.

"Jax, how? Oh, never mind." She jumped up and wrapped her legs around his waist the way she always did when she was excited beyond words. Into his ear she whispered, "You really do never cease to amaze me."

Everyone was clapping and laughing. Jax was beaming. The band began to play and Geoffrey's team was wheeling in tables of food offering their guests a feast beyond compare. Everyone ate, conversed and enjoyed the festivities. Brenda was a perfect hostess, spending time with every one of the people she held dear without ever straying far from Jax's side and never out of his gaze. It was the reception they never had.

When all had eaten, Jax asked Brenda to be seated near the front of the room. He stood on the stage, his huge presence forcing everyone to pause and give him their attention. They were expecting an announcement, but they were not quite sure what it would be.

Jax began nervously:

"I want to thank all of you for being here, tonight. I know it was short notice and some of you made incredible changes in your plans to indulge me." He looked toward Julia who had seated herself next to Brenda. The sisters were holding hands and smiling at each other - and at Jax.

"I once told Brenda how terrified I was of speaking what's in my heart in front of a room full of people. I never had the chance to make good on letting you all know how much she means to me . . ." His voice trailed off.

"But," he began again strongly, resolutely, "tonight is a different story. One I hope you'll celebrate with us." He looked lovingly in Brenda's direction. "First, I really have to apologize to Brenda . . ."

"Jax, you don't . . ." she interrupted pleadingly.

"Let me finish," he stopped her gently, giving her a wink. "I never let Brenda in on this surprise so I hope she won't be upset with me for being so presumptuous with what I'm about to say. Actually, I am doing all this to make a very public point in order to show Brenda how very much I trust her. By taking the risk of making a total fool of myself in front of all of you - the people we care about, who care about us, have helped us, rooted for us, rooted against us, saved our lives, even some who have hated - well, hated me anyway, I figure I have a chance that she just might believe me."

A hush fell across the room save for the sound of the little gasp that escaped Brenda's heart. Robin and Lois joined Julia near Brenda's side.

"Everyone in this room knows that Brenda is an incredible person: strong beyond belief and determined beyond description," Jax continued.

"Yeah, Jax. She has to be to put up with the likes of you." It was Mac.

"You're right, Mac. In more ways than you know. You see I have this problem with trust. You all think of me as this incredibly self-centered and bull headed person who knows what he wants and goes after it."

"I'll say, you barracuda!" There was no mistaking Edward's feeling on the subject.

"Exactly, Edward, just my point. What you don't know is how my faith in my ability to make choices about my personal life had been pretty well shot to hell for the past year."

"We could tell, Mr. Jax. I might lose my job over this, but that Ashley creature . . . She was bad news . . . I shudder to think . . ." It was V. She and Brenda exchanged knowing glances.

"Hey, what about Ashley, I thought she was pretty hot . . ." said Jerry and the fortune teller threw him a piercing look of disgust.

His uncouth contribution was cut mercifully short by Jane, "Jerry, your taste in women has left a lot of room for improvement." Jane wasn't giving much credit to his interest in the French woman she'd yet to be introduced to. "Thank God at least Jax has come to his senses. We all love you, Brenda. We're glad you didn't give up on our hard headed boy."

Brenda smiled lovingly at the woman she had come to think of as her own mother. "Thanks, Mom. I love you, too."

"Hey, this is supposed to be my show," Jax said teasingly. "Seriously. I watched Brenda take charge of her life and become the strong, caring, giving woman you see here, tonight."

Brenda could contain herself no longer. She went to him, took his hands in hers and looked him straight in the eyes. "I did it because of you. You gave me the strength, Jax, but more important, you gave me the reason."

"You gave it to yourself, Brenda. That's what you taught me. That first I had to trust myself before I could trust anyone else."

They were no longer aware of the other people in the room. Both had tears in their eyes and they held onto one another for support. They had truly made it back to each other and this room full of people was their witness.

Only John had the composure to take over. "It's time to party!" he announced loudly.

"One more second, Dad, and then you can definitely party 'til Mum drags you home." The crowd laughed. Jax was back in charge, Brenda by his side, holding onto his arm like an excited child.

"There's one more thing I've learned. Being the first or fastest is not what's important." He looked knowingly down at Brenda's upturned face. She squeezed his arm in acknowledgement. "What's important is being there at the end. So, if it's okay with Brenda . . ." he extricated himself from her grasp just long enough to take a small box from his pocket. Then, he got down on one knee and facing Brenda, continued "I'd like to propose a proper engagement - one that will prove to you, and to all of the people gathered here tonight, that I am worthy of you. And to thank you for waiting so long for me to find myself. That is," he said standing up and peering straight into Brenda's open face, "if you'll have me at all. Will you marry me, Brenda?"

Brenda was in tears; she was utterly unprepared for Jax's proposal. Unable to speak and hands trembling so hard she couldn't open the box Jax was afraid she might collapse. He lifted her up, set her on the piano and opened the box for her, turning it so she alone could see its contents.

Holding her steady he took the ring out of the box and said in barely a whisper, "Dark eyes and rubies are meant for each other, princess, my lady." The platinum band held a large heart shaped ruby flanked on either side by three diamond baguettes. As he placed the ring on her finger, he said into her ear in the most private way, "You hold my heart in your hand. The bricks are in place again and I promise you they will build us a wonderful life, together. I love you, Brenda." Her response was a kiss; words were unnecessary.

Ned bailed them out this time. Holding Brooke Lynne in his arms, he joined them on stage and began to sing. It was a sweet melody of love.

Brenda and Jax led off the dancing but not before they gathered Robin between them to show her the ring, the design of which she had played such an integral part. "I never knew you'd take my little fable so seriously, Jax," Robin smiled.

"I never knew you were such a convincing liar," he winked. "Thanks for helping me find her, again, Robin. I guess you'll be my little sister now, too."

They danced and partied for hours. Finally, an exhausted Brenda made her way to the stage for an announcement of her own. "Hey, everybody, it's close to closing time here. The staff is dead on their feet and most of you must be, too. I know I am. Can we give the people who've made this all possible a round of applause to show our appreciation?" To the band and waiters she smiled and added, "Jax will show you our true gratitude, later, won't you, dear?" She almost felt like his wife, again; it was wonderful and right. "But, I've asked the band for one more favor . . ." her word left them all hanging. "And I figure anyone left when I am finished is strong enough to fend for themselves. If this doesn't send you scurrying home, nothing will." She walked over to the microphone and took it in her hands. "Wish me luck, Ned." A pause, and then, "This is for you, Jax - the good, the bad, and the off key . . . and one last chance to change your mind!" She motioned to the band and they began the upbeat tune:

"Come on, yeah

You are my knight in armor
The hero of my heart
When you smile at me I see
A true world go up
The river is getting deep, believe it
You're all these arms of mine
wanna hold
All wrapped up with a river
Baby, I'm giving you this heart
of gold"

Jax knew this song well and he would not be outdone on the performance or the meaning behind it. Joining her on stage, he sat down at the piano to play and sing with her.

"So listen up, it's you I trust
I feel magic every time that we touch
I pledge allegiance to the heavens above
Tonight to you baby I make my
Declaration of love"

Brenda and Jax returned the microphone to the band and led their family and friends in a final, joyous promenade. They danced with each other and their friends, saying good bye to each special person as he or she left. Yet they never moved more than a few feet apart from each other. The band continued the finale as night turned to morning:
"Just like Juliet belonged to Romeo
You can stay prepared that I won't be
telling you to go
In the heat of the night
So right you taste my sweetness on
your lips

I'll make it better than you ever dreamed
And the rest of your life will be
just like this

So listen up, it's you I trust
I feel magic every time that we touch
I pledge allegiance to the heavens above
Tonight to you baby I make my
Declaration of love . . ."*

As the last refrain of the song trailed into the night, the room was finally empty except for Brenda and Jax. They sat by the open terrace door to cool themselves. Brenda had removed her shoes. Jax's tie was gone and his shirt was largely unbuttoned. He lovingly rubbed her tired feet and she was longingly studying his face.

"Thank you, Jax." Brenda said simply.

Before Jax had time to reply, Geoffrey came into the room. "We're outta here, buddy. Lock up when you leave, okay?" And he threw Jax a set of keys and was gone.

Jax snatched the keys out of the air and pocketed them. He turned to Brenda who said, "I think it's time for us to go. Home sounds good just about now."

"One more dance," it was a statement as well as a question.

"The band is gone, sweetheart," she replied with a hint of laughter in her voice.

"I know," he said standing up and gathering her in his arms. He carried her out to the patio heated as much by their love as by the gas torches that lined it. He bent over and turned on the CD player sitting on the balcony railing. The music was seductive and stirring.

"Everything you are
Everything you'll be
Touches the current of love
So deep in me
Every sigh in the night
Every tear that you cry
Seduces me"

Brenda, still in his arms, traced a heart on his face with her fingertips her hand open as it touched the warmth of his skin. Starting from the bridge of his nose, she left a trail he could feel burning into his flesh. Across his brow and down his cheek, crossing the little scar above his lip, she lingered on his open mouth then kissed him gingerly as her fingertip dipped into the cleft of his chin then continued its journey up the opposite side of his magnificent face. She smoothed the other cheek, caressing the strength of his cheekbone, then returned her hand to its point of origin. His eyes had been closed, but he opened them, now and placed her gently on the ground as they swayed in time to the sensual sound of music that surrounded them.

"And all that I am
And all that I'll be
Means nothing at all
If you can't be with me
Your most innocent kiss
Or your sweetest caress
Seduces me"

He picked her up again and carried her down the wooden stairs to the beach, below. The fire in the large pit where customers typically sat to enjoy cocktails before dinner cast warmth and light over them. The water crashed onto the rocks that lined the beach in the secluded cove. The spray was alive with the color of the fire and Brenda's flushed face glowed in the night. They danced along the water's edge, the waves licking at their feet clinging to each other as tightly as they held onto their hopes and dreams.

As they reached the edge of their private paradise, they came to a wall of rocks that had been placed there as a barrier against the storms that often ravaged the shoreline. Jax lifted Brenda onto a dark ledge of the rocks worn smooth from the years of the pounding surf. He pressed her back onto the hard bed and held her there. She felt the contrast of the cold, hard rock against her back and the softness of his warm flesh on her breast. He kissed her urgently - on her neck, on the swell of her breasts heaving like the surf in the night. She could feel his desire between them, but he suddenly released her. He threw off his jacket and it fell to the sand where the waves took it from them. He moved back to her but stopped, as if afraid she would break if he touched her. Then, tenderly he traced her bare arm with his open palm, from her shoulder to the place where the ring flashed and reflected the flames. He drew a little heart around it and brought her hand to rest on his pounding chest. She pulled him toward her tearing away the remaining vestige of his clothing and she felt his burning flesh against her skin.

"I don't care about tomorrow
I've given up on yesterday
Here and now is all that matters
Right here with you is where I'll stay"

The sea enveloped them and carried them to heights they could only have imagined, before this moment.

"Everything in this world
Every voice in the night
Ever little thing of beauty
Comes shining thru in your eyes
And all that is you becomes part
Of me too
'Cause all you do seduces me."**

*Declaration of Love," Celine Dion, Written by Michael J. & Claude Gaudette.
** Seduces Me," Celine Dion. Words by Dan Hill, music Dan Hill / John Sheard
both from the Falling into You CD.