~chapter 27~

>Jax had been up early the next morning. He'd found it hard to sleep >after Brenda had left for London. He was worried about her. For some >reason, he had this uneasy feeling in the pit of his stomach that this >trip would end up changing her life forever.....changing all of their >lives, for that matter. >

>He'd felt like this once before. When she went on the trip to the city >to go wedding shopping with Lois. And he'd been right then. It was >after that trip she'd come home with the news that he had a son and >began the whirlwind of confusion they had both been pulled into. >

>Jax sighed as he sat down on the couch. He wish she would have let him >go with her. That she'd let him be there for her. But he knew there >were things she had to face on her own. Things he couldn't fix for her >no matter how much he wanted to. Besides, he trusted her. She was >strong enough to handle whatever came her way. And he knew she'd share >her burden with him when she was ready....she'd promised she would. >Besides, he had his own set of problems he had to take of here at home >anyway. >

>At least this was different from last time. At least they were facing >things together, even if they were apart. The last time Miranda had >invaded their lives, it had torn them apart. This time it had only >served to bring them closer than they'd ever been. Jax shook his head. >He was still amazed at times at all they had been through and the fact >they were still standing....let alone standing together. But standing >together and fixing things seemed to be something they excelled at. >

>Jax smiled at the patter of little feet running down the steps. How he >loved that sound. He turned just as Jordan rounded the couch and jumped >on his lap to give him a hug. His hair was still messed up and his eyes >still had that just awakened look. Jax thought he'd never seen anyone >so adorable....except maybe Brenda in the mornings. >

>"Good morning." >

>"'Morning, Jax! Where's Brenda? 'Cuz I gotta tell her it really works!

>I did have sweet dreams, just like she told me to. I only got scared >once, but I held the charm she gave me and I felt lots better, just like >she said I would." >

>Jax's smile lit his entire face. "That's wonderful, Jordan. I know >Brenda's going to be really happy to hear that. But, you'll have to >wait a few days to tell her." >

>"How come?" >

>"Well, she had to go on a little trip. She left last night." Jax >explained. >

>Jordan's smile faded. "Will she be back?" >

>"Of course, she'll be back, silly. Do you honestly think Brenda would >leave the two of us to fend for ourselves too long? She's probably >worried we've already gotten into trouble." Jax teased as he tossled >Jordan's hair even more. "Besides, she'd miss us way too much not to >come back. Don't worry. She'll be here before you know it." >

>Jordan's smile returned. "Will she be back before mommy?" >

>Jax shook his head as he felt his throat tighten at the very mention of >Miranda. "No, Jordan. Miranda's already back in Port Charles. In >fact, she's already called and she'll be by to pick you up sometime this >morning." Since realizing that Miranda was not Jordan's mother, Jax >couldn't bring himself to call her that. And he was hating the very >idea of turning Jordan back over to her, but didn't really see what >choice he had. >

>Jordan started shaking his head vehemently. "But I don't wanna go with >her. I wanna stay with you. I wanna stay with you and Brenda. Please. >Please don't make me go." >

>Jax pulled Jordan closer. "Jordan, I know you want to stay here with >me, and I want that too. But sometimes we have to do things that we >don't like. And that's what you're going to have to do now." >

>"But can't you tell her....can't you tell her you want to be my daddy >and that you want us to live together? Please??" >

>The pleading in his voice cut Jax like a knife. He wanted so much to >give this to him, but the timing wasn't quite right. "No, Jordan. I >know it's hard for you to understand, but it just doesn't work that way. >What is it that you're afraid of, anyway, huh? Why don't you want to go >home with Miranda?" >

>"Cuz she doesn't like me. She says I'm slow and that I can't tie my >shoes right. And....and she doesn't like me to draw. She says she'll >send me back there if I don't behave." Jordan ended in a whisper. >

>Jax put his hand under Jordan's chin and raised it so that he was >looking in his eyes. He was trying so hard to control the anger that he >felt at Jordan's words. "That's simply not going to happen, you >understand? I will *never* let you be sent back to that place. I >promise you. As for the rest of it, Miranda doesn't know what she's >missing. You're one of the best things in my life, Jordan, and I'm not >letting you go. You *will* live with Brenda and me. We just have to be >a little patient. Do you think you can do that?" >

>Jordan nodded his head slowly. He knew he could trust Jax to keep his >word. He hadn't let him down before; he wouldn't let him down now. >

>Just then there was a knock on the door. Jordan held onto Jax a little >tighter than before. Jax gave him one final hug then said, "That's >probably her. Let's go meet her, ok? And remember what I said last >night about not mentioning Brenda. The less you say, the sooner we can >get you back here living with us. Are you ready?" >

>Jordan nodded. "Ok, then. Let's go." >

>Jax carried Jordan to the door and opened it expecting to see Miranda. >Shock registered on his face. "Jerry! What are you doing here?" >~~~~~~~~~~~

>Brenda stifled a yawn before knocking on the door to Julia's suite in >London. She had dozed several times on the flight over, but she >couldn't stop the dreams from coming. >

>She called them dreams, but they were more like remembrances. Images >from the past. Haunting yet tangible in a way. She heard her mother's >voice. "Brenda, dear, come here. I have a gift for you." Then she saw >the locket being held out to her. The heart-shaped locket just like >Jordan's. Then a hand. A hand as small as hers reaching for her hand. >A smile. And those eyes. Her own eyes staring back at her. Then her >mother's voice again. "Girls, this is what we'll do with the lockets. >Three v's. So we'll always be together...no matter what." Then she'd >wake with a start. >

>She hadn't really been able to go back to sleep. She had to keep her >mind busy or she knew she'd go crazy. So, she decided to read through >the immigration papers that Julia had sent to her. There were so many >names. Some of them were really beautiful. She even started a list for >when Jax and she would have to pick out baby names. Some of them were >so awful that they caused her to chuckle to herself, making other >passengers look at her like she'd lost her mind. >Now, here she was....on the brink of finding the answers she'd recently >started to ask. She raised her hand to knock then put it back down. >She wished Jax were here right now. It would make everything so much >easier to have him to lean on. But no. This was something she had to >do on her own. He had enough to deal with. She couldn't add this to >his already heavy load. >

>She took a deep breath and knocked. Her smile lit her face as the door >opened and she was greeted by a grinning Julia and a big hug. >

>"Brend! I'm so glad you're here! Come in, come in. Here. Let me help >you with your bag." >

>Brenda entered the penthouse laughing. "Wow! I certainly wasn't >expecting that kind of welcome." >

>Julia grinned sheepishly. "Well, what did you expect? You think I'd >let you come all this way to slam the door in your face." >

>Brenda laughed again. "No, that's something *I* would do." she replied >thinking of the time Jax invited Julia to visit Brenda after Sonny left. >And she had done just that....slammed the door in Julia's face. >

>"Yeah, well. That was a different time. We were both different then." >Julia answered, sobering a little. "Well, come on in and have a seat. >From the way you sounded on the phone, this isn't exactly a pleasure >trip. So, what's on your mind?" >

>Brenda sat down. She hadn't really known how to begin. Guess she'd go >for the straight honest truth. "Julia, I need to know everything you >can remember about my mother.....and my twin sister." >~~~~~~~~~~~~

>Miranda dialed the number. She squared her shoulders prepared for the >coldness of the voice that would greet her. "Hello. Miranda Jamison >calling. Thank you." >

>The voice came on the line. "Miranda. What can I do for you?" >

>"Well, I just wanted you to know that I have a meeting with Jax this >morning. He mentioned wanting to sign some papers. I'm sure they're >the papers you've been interested in. As soon as they are signed I'll >give you a call and let you know the conditions, and you can let me know >the next step to take." >

>"Very well. Remember to go along with whatever he wants, but only after >resisting a little. We don't want him to get suspicious now do we?" >

>"No. Of course not. I'll talk to you later." And with that she hung >up and dialed a second number. She tapped her fingers on the desk as >she waited for the other party to pick up. >

>"Helena Cassadine." >

>"Aunt Helena. It's me. I just wanted to let you know I'll be meeting >with Jax. What should I do if Jerry's already seen him?" >

>"Bella, dear, as we discussed last night, I don't think Jerry Jacks will >want to alarm his brother or harm him in any way. At least not while he >can get what he wants from you. I think your secret is safe with >him....for now. So, do what he's asked. Give Jax what he wants in >regard to the boy today. Make him think he's won this round. Then have >dinner with me tonight on the yacht. We'll discuss further plans then." >

>Miranda breathed a sigh of relief. "I'm so glad you're on my side. >Thanks, Aunt Helena. I'll be there." >

>She hung up the phone with a smile. "With Helena on my side, Jerry >Jacks, you won't know what hit you." >~~~~~~~~~~

>Jerry was seated comfortably on the couch. He hadn't been able to take >his eyes off of Jordan since his arrival. He couldn't believe just how >much Jordan looked like Jax at that age. >

>Jax noticed how taken Jerry was with Jordan and figured they needed a >few minutes alone. "Jordan, why don't you go upstairs and get ready. >You know, brush your teeth, change your clothes. Get your things >packed. I'll be up in a little while to see how you're doing." >

>"'Kay." Jordan said as he jumped off of Jax's lap and ran upstairs. >

>As soon as Jordan was out of earshot, Jerry whistled. "Wow! He's the >spitting image of you, Jax. How could you even doubt...." >

>"Because I know Miranda, Jerry. I don't trust her. And you shouldn't >either." Jax's words were clipped and let Jerry know right off the bat >where things stood between his younger brother and his former wife. >

>Jerry put up his hands as a sign of defense. "Hey, who ever said I >trusted her?" >

>"Good. Now, what are you doing here? I thought the plan was for you to >show up after the papers where signed....and that you'd stay out of >sight." Jax reminded him, a steely glint coming to his eyes. >

>"Well, you know me. I couldn't stand to let you have all the fun, now >could I? Think about it. You, Miranda, Brenda....all in the same town. >Now *that* could get interesting." Jerry teased with a grin. >"Besides, I wanted to get a lay of the land. You know, brush up on all >the players before the actual play began." >

>"Why do I get the feeling there's more to this than you're telling me?" >Jax's paranoia had kicked into overdrive the moment he'd seen Jerry. He >knew his brother. And he could tell when Jerry was telling the truth >and when he was holding back. And he knew, right now, Jerry was >definitely holding back on him. >

>Jerry brushed his worry away with a wave of his hand. "Awww, little >brother, when are you going to start learning to trust me." >

>"Maybe when you start earning it." Jax shot back. >

>Jerry turned serious....or at least as serious as Jerry *could* be. >"I've made a lot of mistakes in the past, Jax. And I'm sorry for all >of them. This time, you really need me. And I'm not going to let you >down. I swear." >

>Jax watched his brother carefully, gauging his words and attitude. He >believed him....at least for now. "Ok. I guess I've just been on edge >lately." >

>Jerry's grin returned. "I guess I can understand that. I wonder what >they'd call your life if it were a tv show. 'One man, two women and a >kid.'" Jerry joked. >

>Jax sighed. "I'd settle for 'One man, the woman he loves and their son' >and end it with the wicked witch melting to the ground and a line that >said, 'and they lived happily ever after'. But somehow, I don't get the >feeling that it's going to be that easy." >

>Jerry shook his head. "It never is." Then changing the subject >slightly, he added, "By the way, when do I get to meet this woman you >love?" >

>"Brenda? Oh, not for a few days. She's in London visiting her sister, >Julia. You remember Julia, don't you?" Jax asked, a teasing, >suggestive hint in his voice. >

>"Forget Julia Barrett? You must be out of your bloody mind." Jerry >replied with a grin and a raised eyebrow that caused Jax to grin with >understanding. >~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

>Julia had brought Brenda a glass of iced tea as she settled down on the >couch next to her. >

>"Wow. I certainly hadn't expected that question. What's going on, >Brenda? Why do you want to know about them?" >

>"So, I was right. I do have a twin sister." Brenda stated matter of >factly. She was surprised her emotions were so well in check. Perhaps >it's because she'd known the answer all along, and had expected only >confirmation from Julia. >

>"No, you *did* have a twin. Just like you *had* a mother." Julia >sighed. "Brenda, all of this happened so long ago. No one thought you >even remembered. Why bring it all up now?" >

>Brenda reached over and took Julia's hand. "I know this is hard for you >to remember. It's been very hard for me too. And you're right. I >didn't remember. Not until recently. Even then, at first, it was just >bits and pieces that came to me in dreams. Now, I'm realizing that they >weren't dreams after all. They were memories. I'll explain everything >later, but right now, I just really need you to try to tell me what you >know." >

>Julia nodded. She didn't really understand what the information could >do for Brenda now, but she knew it was important to her. "Alright. I >was away at school when you were born. So, some of the information will >be from my memory and some from what was told to me by others." >

>"That's ok. Whatever you know." Brenda encouraged her. >

>"Well, your sister was born first. You were born 18 minutes later. >Daddy named you. And Veronica named her. You know how your mother was >always kind of eccentric. Well, it showed in the name she chose for >her. She chose the name Victoria Laurel Cheyenne. That way she said >all of you would have a name that began with the letter 'V'. And Laurel >was in deference to her mother. Cheyenne...because she'd run away once >and spent some time with a Cheyenne indian tribe. She said it was one >of the most rewarding experiences of her life." >

>Julia looked up at Brenda. "She really loved you, Brend. She loved >both of you and thought you were the most beautiful babies she'd ever >seen. She spent most of her time playing with you and I remember once, >she made up this little song to sing to you at night before you went to >sleep." >

>Tears began to form in Brenda's eyes. She *had* been loved. In a >childhood that brought her only pain to remember, it was finally >comforting to know that at least one person in her young life loved her.

>"I remember. And I remember I used to call her Chey because I couldn't >pronounce Cheyenne, which is what mother called her when we were alone." >she whispered. >

>Noticing Brenda's tears, Julia paused. "Are you sure you want to >know..." >

>"Yes. I need to know, Julia. Please go on." Brenda urged. >

>"Well, I remember coming home one summer from school. It was when you >were about 4 or 5. I was at the time in my life when I didn't want >little babies hanging around me, so I went to the library to read a >book. I knew the two of you couldn't get in there if I closed the door. >Before I knew it, I had fallen asleep on the couch. But I woke up when >I heard the door slam. I was too afraid to move because it was Daddy >and Veronica." >

>"He was very angry with her about something. And he was yelling at her. >She was begging him to let her go, but he kept holding onto her arm so >tightly, even I could see her hand turning blue from where I peeked over >the couch." >

>"What were they arguing about?" Brenda swallowed hard. She wasn't sure >she really wanted to hear this. >

>Julia took a deep breath. "Well, I didn't understand much at the time. >But years later, added with a lot of things daddy said about her, it all >kinda seemed to make more sense to me." >

>"What did?" >

>"It seems that he found out that....he found out that Veronica had had >an affair. Several years before....and that you and Laurel were the >result." Julia paused to let the words sink in before going on. >"Brenda, you weren't Harlan's natural daughter." >~~~~~~~~~~~ >There was a knock at the door. Jax sighed. "That's probably her." he >explained to Jerry. >

>For the past half hour he'd been explaining just how much Jordan had >come to mean to both him and Brenda. And how much he wanted to just >keep him in their lives forever. And how Miranda was going to make it >as difficult as possible for them. Jerry really couldn't understand >because he'd never spent even a second as a father, but he did know Jax >well enough to know this wasn't a passing phase. He did want Jordan in >his life, and he was going to do whatever necessary to make it possible. >

>Jax opened the door as Miranda breezed through. "Good morning, Jax." >she smiled sweetly. >

>"Good morning, Miranda." Jax nodded his greeting. "How was your trip? >Did you get everything taken care of that you needed to?" >

>"Oh, it was fine and yes, I did get everything taken care of. So, how >were things with Jordan?" she asked, not yet noticing Jerry in the >room. >

>"Everything was perfect. We had a lot of fun. Uh, he's upstairs >getting ready. He should be done soon. I'll just go check on him. I'm >sure you remember Jerry." Jax said pointedly as he started to pass >Jerry on his way up to the stairs. >

>Miranda's face balked then turned blank and expressionless. "Yes, of >course, I do. Hello, Jerry. How nice to see you again." >

>Jerry inclined his head in her direction. "As it is to see you." >

>Jax glanced back and forth between the two. There was much more going >on here than either of them were trying to let on. He could tell by how >non-chalant they were both trying to be. Well, he'd figure it out >later. Right now, he had to go prepare Jordan for Miranda. >

>"I'll be back in a second. You two have a seat." Jax left the two of >them alone, wishing that he could be a fly on the wall right about now. >

>As soon as Jax was out of earshot, Miranda's eyes flashed with fire as >she looked at Jerry. "Just what the hell do you think you're doing >here?" she asked as she got up and stood by the fireplace. >

>Jerry grinned. "Awww, Bella, I thought you'd be glad to see me." >

>"Don't call me Bella! My name is Miranda Jamison. I have no idea who >this Bella person you keep talking about is, but I don't like it one bit >that you're here. What are you trying to do? Check up on me?" >

>Jerry got up as well and went to stand beside her. He put his arm up on >the mantle and leaned in close to her. "See, I knew your intelligence >would return one day....just as your beauty would." he commented as he >took a finger and ran in along her cheek. He grinned as she pulled >away. "Don't worry, Bella, I'm just here to make sure you follow your >end of the bargain. Now, here's the deal. Jax wants more than anything >to spend a few more days with Jordan. You'll see that he gets that, >won't you?" >

>"Jordan's *my* son, Jerry. I decide where he stays and when." >

>"Uh-huh. And I get the feeling you're going to let him stay >tonight....and tomorrow night. Because that would make Jax happy. And >you did say that's all you ever wanted." His face was only inches away >from hers now. "Besides, we wouldn't want Jax to know what you were up >to on your little trip now, would we?" >

>He grinned as he saw her shiver. "Alright. He stays. But don't be >fooled, Jerry. This blackmail won't last forever." >

>Jerry just grinned as he pulled away. Jax and Jordan entered the room >just then. Jordan went up to Miranda to give her a hug. Jax studied >his brother curiously. It looked very much like he'd just walked in on >something just now. He wondered what could be going on between these >two. >

>His thoughts were brought back to the present when he heard Miranda ask >Jordan if he liked staying with Jax. >

>Jordan's smile went straight to his eyes, making them sparkle. "Yeah! I >had the best time ever! We went horseback riding and had a treasure >hunt. I got lots of cool stuff!" >

>Miranda smiled sweetly at him. "That's great! I was thinking that >since you enjoyed yourself so much, would you like to stay with him a >couple of more nights?" >

>Jordan began jumping up and down. "Could I? Could I really?" >

>Miranda laughed. "Of course, you can....that is if Jax doesn't object." >

>Jax joined the conversation. "I'd love for him to stay. Thank you, >Miranda." he answered sincerly. >

>"No problem. That would give me a chance to unpack and everything." >she glanced and Jerry and Jerry just leaned against the fireplace, >taking it all in. Jax's glance followed hers. Yep. Something was >definitely up with these two. And he was determined to find out what it >was. But not right now. Right now, he needed to get the papers signed. >The sooner the better. Then Miranda would be out of their lives for >good. >

>"Well, I guess it's settled then. How about we all go out for brunch >and then you and I can discuss the documents I need your signature on." >Jax directed to Miranda. >

>"That sounds great." >

>Jax led little party out the door. This was perfect. He'd still get to >spend time with Jordan. He could get the next part of their plan >underway....and he'd have the chance to observe Jerry and Miranda >together. Maybe, just maybe, he could find out what they were up to. He >was actually looking forward to this. For the first time, things were >starting to look up. Now the only thing missing was.....Brenda. >

>to be continued.... >

>