The Magic Continues-22-

by Deb

As Brenda wandered around the new house, she was thrilled with all the progress. The carpenters and painters had finished, and now the carpet layers and decorators had taken over. She had loved her meetings with Alexis, Lady Jane, and the decorators. As they had argued, compared, compromised, and laughed over the decorating options, she had felt like part of the family. Jerry and John would wander through occasionally giving their input or just running for cover. Brenda had missed having Jax there, but had talked to him every night. She had told him about all the plans and Fed Exed him samples for his opinions. As she glanced around their bedroom she was pleased with the way it had come together. The walls were the palest gray and the glazing gave them an iridescent glow and glimmer.

She sprawled out on the huge bed and thought about how she couldn't wait to start her new life with Jax. She was still frustrated that the amnesia had taken away most of her memories of what she and Jax had shared. From the first time she saw him there in Monte Carlo there had been a connection. She had looked into his eyes and had known that she was safe and loved. The depth and intensity of his feelings had at first scared her. She had not felt worthy or capable of returning them. He had been so patient and understanding that slowly her feelings for him had grown. She wasn't sure if she was remembering how it had been between them or if it was just new feelings created, but she couldn't imagine loving him more then she did right now.

Lying on the bed, she could almost feel his arms around her and his body pressed against hers. With a giggle she jumped off the bed and rushed to pack. Why waste her time fantasizing about being with him? Soon she would have the real thing. She had had most of their things sent over from the penthouse, so it was just a matter of making up her mind on which clothes to pack.

Her progress was interrupted by a knock on the door.

With a cry. "Are you decent?" Jerry entered the room.

Brenda was standing beside a pile of clothes on the bed as she laughed and responded. "And what if I wasn't?"

"Well, then I would get a great view. You know us old married men must get our thrills where we can."

"Right, Jerry, like you would even look at another woman with the way that you feel about Alexis."

"Brenda, looking is all I would want now, but I'm not completely dead yet."

"Well, then you can give me your opinion. Which do you think Jax would prefer?" She held up a black lacy negligee and a pale silver blue satin one.

Jerry laughed. "With Jax you wouldn't be wearing either one for very long." Brenda blushed happily in response. "I came to get your suitcases we're leaving as soon as you're packed."

Brenda shooed him away. "Well then, get out of my way so I can finish."

Jerry stood at the doorway and chuckled as Brenda quickly threw clothes into her suitcases. When she was able to get them closed without jumping on them, she stepped back triumphantly. Grinning at Jerry she said, "What are we waiting for? Let's go."

Alexis and Jul were already in the Range Rover waiting when Jerry and Brenda arrived with her bags. Once they were all secured Jerry started out for the Quartermaine estate to get Emily. Once there Jul and Brenda went to the door and were admitted by Reginald. Emily had been seating on her bags at the bottom of the stairs and jumped up when she saw them enter.

"Let's go quickly before Grandfather gets here." She exclaimed and then sighed as Edward entered the room.

"There you are young lady. I don't care what Monica said, I'm not sure if I want my granddaughter running around with a member of that Jacks clan."

Jul smiled sweetly and replied. "And don't forget I have Cassidine blood too. Just imagine what a bad influence I can be."

Emily laughed. "Why, maybe as bad an influence as the Quartermaines."

When Edward started to huff and puff, Brenda jumped in scolding, "Edward, behave or I will tell Lila on you."

Edward continued to scowl until Emily and Jul each kissed him on a cheek and headed to the door with a wave. He tried unsuccessfully to hide his grin as he grumbled. "Well, if you must go. Have a good time."

Brenda laughed and gave him a hug as she headed to the door. "You old softy."

Once they were all on the jet Jerry told them that it would be morning when they arrived in Switzerland, and they had better try to get some sleep. Brenda was sure that she would be too excited to be able to sleep, but she took a blanket and curled up on one of the couches just to placate Jerry. It was about 20 minutes later when Jerry came by to check on Jul and Emily. He smiled as he saw that Brenda, like Jul and Emily, was fast asleep. He made his way back to his seat beside Alexis. As he settled in she moved back into his arms and was soon asleep again. Jerry stretched out, marveled at the feel of her heartbeat, and let himself drift off. It seemed so alien, but yet natural for him to be able to let his guard down and just relax.

With everyone sleeping the time passed quickly and soon they were approaching Switzerland. Jerry had been able to get them clearance to land at the military airport in Interlaken, Switzerland. There was a limo waiting for them at the airport and they were quickly deposited at the train station there in town. The train was the only route into the village of Wengen. There were no roads only the mountain railway, it was a narrow gauge cogwheel train that led to one of the world's most romantic and scenic small resorts.

The train made slow progress up the steep mountain passes. As they left Interlaken the lakes of Thun and Brienz were visible and the world famous alpine peaks of Eiger, Moench, and Jungfrau could be seen. Emily and Jul ran from one end of the train to the other checking the views each time the train would stop to clear off the excise snow from the tracks. Brenda tried to sit calmly and wait for the arrival in Wengen, but her nervous energy soon got the best of her, and she joined the girls in their excursions.

The storm clouds were rolling in quickly and soon the Alpine peaks were obscured. The weather caused a delay on their arrival, an unusual event for the normally precise Swiss railway. When they finally arrived in Wengen, John and Lady Jane were standing on the platform waiting for them.

As they all piled out of the train John shook his head when he looked from the large pile of luggage that accompanied them to the small sled that he had brought.

Lady Jane laughed. "I warned you, John. Four woman do not travel lightly."

"But this is just for a week. We have taken trips around the world with much less."

"Yes, dear, I have learned to pack lightly, but it looks like you are going to have to get used to a family with women that love to shop."

Jerry joined in the laughter when he saw the huge pile of luggage and the small sled. "Okay everyone grab what is essential and we'll have make arrangements for the rest later."

Brenda looked alarmed. "But, Jerry everything is essential. Can't we just call a cab?"

"Brenda, do you see any cabs?" "Well no." Glancing around she was surprised to see that there were no cars of any kind. There were all sorts of sleds: hand drawn, dog sleds, and even a couple of horse drawn sleighs.

"There aren't any cars here. We do have some snowmobiles, but they aren't allowed in the village. So everyone take what you can carry, put what you can in the sled, and we will have the rest delivered later."

It took a few minutes as everyone watched with amusement as Brenda debated with herself and switched bags back and forth as she tried to figure out which things were the most essential. Finally loaded, Jerry pulled the sled forward as John walked behind it to make sure that everything was secure.

They walked through the village which was quaint and picturesque, oozing with old world charm. The way it was nestled at the base of the Eiger and Jungfrau mountains made it a stunning setting. After a short distance they turned off the main road and followed the lane to where it ended in front of a large chalet. The inside of the chalet matched the outside, rustic but warm and comfortable. It only took Lady Jane a few minutes to get everyone directed to their rooms.

In Jakarta the pilot smiled as he watched Jasper Jacks hurrying to the jet. From the look on Jax's face he could tell that they would soon be on their way to the lovely Mrs. Jacks. He was thankful that Brenda wasn't along for this trip. She certainly improved the scenery, but when she took the controls for a flying lesson it was a nerve shattering experience. The pilot was a war seasoned veteran who prided himself on being able to handle any situation, but the squeals and giggles that came from the cockpit when Brenda was in control made him nervous.

Jax jumped onboard and nodded at the pilot. "Do we have clearance yet, Captain?"

"We're cleared to Switzerland, but there may be some bad weather headed in that direction."

"Well, I suggest we beat the storms, because nothing is going to stop me from getting there."

With that the pilot nodded and started their taxi to takeoff.

They made record time to arrive at the military airport there in Interlaken just as the storms were sweeping down from the mountains.

Jax could barely wait for the jet to taxi to the tie down next to Jerry's jet before he was jumping off the plane and going in search of the limo driver.

The driver quickly found him. "Mr. Jacks I'm sorry, but I have some bad news."

Suddenly Jax was fearful for Brenda. "What's wrong? Has someone been hurt?"

"No sir, but the train between here and Wengen is now closed down due to snow and avalanche danger."

"For how long?"

"All of the routes for the rest of the day have been canceled. Nothing will be available until at least tomorrow, if then. I can take you into town so you can get settled while there are still accommodations available."

"You can wait to take my crew in, but I'm going to get to Wengen."

Jax reached for his cellphone, dialed the familiar number and waited for the gruff response.

Jerry answered the annoying phone with his characteristic, "What?"

"Have you heard the trains aren't running?"

"Where are you now?"

"I'm in Interlaken at the airport."

"Well, it looks like you only have one way to make it and that is going to be pretty tricky from a jet with limited visibility."

"I promised Brenda I would be there, and I will be there."

"Ain't love grand?"

"Don't laugh. I've seen the look on your face around Alexis."

"I'll take the fifth. Are you sure that you want to do this?"

"Absolutely! I promised Brenda that I would be there."

"If you're sure, there is only one place where you would have a chance of landing safely. I'll set up a transmitter in the field northwest of town overlooking the train station and you will find a scope with the rest of my gear on the jet. You will need to check with the quartermaster for a low altitude chute."

"Jer, call and make sure that Brenda and I can still make it up to the Jungfraujoch once I get there."

"Call me when you takeoff, and I'll make sure that Brenda is there."

When Jerry finished making some calls he enlisted the help of Alexis, Jul, and Emily. While Jul and Emily distracted Brenda, Alexis quickly packed a bag with some of Brenda's things.

Jax had found most of the gear on Jerry's jet, but did need to get something else from the military quartermaster. He had just about convinced the private there to supply him with the necessary items when the sergeant entered the supply depot. The sergeant was a strict no-nonsense military man who appeared to object to civilians invading in his domain.

Jax smiled, glanced at his name tag and turned on the charm. "Sergeant Jenner, I'm Jax. The private was just helping me out with something important." "Mr. Jacks, I know who you are and just because you have the political connections to be able to land here doesn't mean that you can disrupt a military facility."

Jax looked at the sergeant and made a quick calculation. He put away the money that had so interested the private and took the direct approach. "Sergeant, you are right. I do have the political connections to have you ordered to do whatever I want, but that would take time and that is the one thing that I don't have." Jax reached into his wallet and pulled out a picture of Brenda. "This is my wife. I promised her that I would join her in Wengen today. As you know the train is closed down and that is the only route there. I'm going to parachute into Wengen and the chutes I have are for higher altitude. I need one of your specialty jumping chutes. If I don't get it I'm still going to jump, but it will be much more dangerous."

The sergeant looked at the picture of Brenda and then the determination in Jax's face. He nodded to the private. "Get him the chute." Turning to Jax he said. "That's not a woman that you would want to break a promise to." With that he turned and left before the smile became evident on his face..

At the chalet Brenda was pacing around, impatiently waiting for Jax. Every few minutes she would track down Jerry and ask if the trains were running yet. Soon everyone was saying, "No, not yet, Brenda." as soon as they saw her coming. Brenda would smile and try to find something to occupy herself with, but would be back within a few more minutes.

Jerry waited until he got the call from Jax that he was leaving Interlaken and then the next time that Brenda came through asking about the trains he finally said they would go check. Jerry brought out two snowmobiles. He had Brenda slide in behind him and had Alexis follow on the second. Alexis brought the bag that she had packed with some of Brenda's clothes and other items that Jax had requested. Jerry traveled along the outskirts of the village to a small level clearing above the train station. He pulled to the edge dropped Brenda off and pointed out the train station below them. Jerry then drove the snowmobile into the clearing and put the transmitter out in the center.

The pilot had worked for Jax for many years and didn't think that anything could surprise him anymore, but he was definitely stunned as he reviewed their present situation. They were in the middle of a snow storm, operating a jet on instruments, with zero visibility, in the middle of the Alps and he must now slow the jet enough so that one of the wealthiest men in the world could jump into who knows what.

He had tried to talk Jax out of it, but at this point there was no force on earth that could have deterred Jax from making that jump. It was either true love or absolute lunacy. Which were probably flip sides of the same coin.

Jax didn't view this as a dangerous situation. It was merely the most direct method to achieve his immediate objective. That objective was to join Brenda as he had promised. Jax stepped into the parachute rigging and adjusted the straps. He then added the tracking scope from Jerry's jet to the front harness straps. He slipped on Jerry's helmet and pulled down the face shield. Jax turned on the scope and waited for them to get into range. When the small red blip appeared on the screen he shouted to the pilot to slow it down. The copilot struggled to open the back door fighting the pressure of the wind and speed. Jax then stood poised at the open hatch door with a hand on either side. As the jet slowed and Jax heard the stall alarm blaring from the cockpit he pulled himself out the door and was launched into the white unknown. ---