Jax gave a long sigh as he came down the stairs from the helipad. After he and Lea had lunch, they reminisced about old times and then he put her in a cab for the airport. She promised that she and her husband Steve would return for the anniversary party and his decision whether or not to run for Representative Cunningham’s seat.

He could hear Brenda in the dining room with Jo and Jaz. When he got back to the office, there had been so many calls to return that he had told Angie to call Brenda and tell her not to wait dinner for him. He stopped for a minute before he entered the dining room to listen to his family finishing their dinner without him.

He heard Brenda’s stern voice first. "Jasper, Jr., don’t you DARE aim that spoon at your sister!" He heard Jo’s squeals of delight and he dared to peek around the corner at the scene.

Brenda was sitting in her chair with Jaz’s high chair pulled close to her. Jo sat across the table from them, and most of the food on her plate was gone. Brenda was wagging her finger at Jaz as Jax’s namesake was wielding a baby spoon coated with some kind of orange baby food at Jo. Jax could see the baby’s huge blue eyes sparkling with devilment, but then Jaz lost most of his momentum as Brenda went to take the spoon from his hand. Jax had to stifle a giggle as Jaz’s lower lip came out in a huge pout. Although he had his father’s blue eyes and cleft chin, he had part of his mother’s temperament.

"Now, Jaz," he heard Brenda say gently, "don’t give me that look. You know that we make all gone with our food, we don’t throw it." Just then, Jo looked over at the doorway and saw her father’s smiling face. She jumped up from her seat.

"Daddy’s home!" Jax barely had time to brace himself before his daughter hurtled her small body at his. She jumped up into his arms, and Brenda looked over at him with a contented smile. Jax smiled back at her as the message between them was clear – Like mother, like daughter.

He dropped his briefcase to hold her securely in his embrace. "How’s my munchkin tonight?" She hugged him tightly around his neck, and he gradually pried her loose. "Hey there, Jo, what’s up? You act like you haven’t seen me in ages. Wasn’t it just this morning that I flew you and mommy into town?"

"Yeah, daddy, but I had SUCH a fun day today! Me and mommy went to the party room for your versary party and then I got to go shopping to the grosry store with Louise tis afternoon."

"Really? To the grocery store?" Jax looked impressed. "And what did you buy at the grocery store?"

Jo looked reluctant, and Jax looked back to Brenda, who now had a sheepish look on her face. But Jo’s youthful exuberance won the day. "Mommy told Louise to buy us some new yogurt flavors, and I got to help pick them. Mommy even helped me call Angie at your office and she told me some real good ones to get."

Jax walked over to Brenda’s chair with Jo still in his arms. Jaz pointed his finger at his father and grunted, smiling broadly. "Really? New yogurt flavors? Why do I get the feeling everyone is ganging up against me?" He tapped Jo lightly on the nose with his finger. "And just what new flavors did you decide on, munchkin?"

"We got a new flavor mommy said you would like called strawbewwy….." Jo struggled for the answer and looked to Brenda for prompting.

"Strawberry kiwi, Jo," she said softly.

"Yeah, strawbewwy kiwi for daddy and banana for me and mommy," she said triumphantly.

Jax almost dropped his daughter. "Banana? Mommy said to get BANANA for you and her?"

As Brenda looked down into her lap to prevent Jax from seeing her guilty face, Jo went on. "Well, daddy, mommy told me to get the special banana flavor that we would both like – banana cream pie. She said it’s real good and it doesn’t even taste like bananas!"

At that moment, Jasper, Jr.’s patience at being excluded from the conversation snapped. He got hold of the spoon Brenda had been using to feed him the strained peaches, and flung it up in the air. It landed squarely on Brenda’s head, and he clapped his hands in glee.

Jax laughed heartily with Jo, and even Brenda smiled weakly in amusement. "Well, I guess that’s my punishment for trying to be sneaky in the nutrition department." She reached up and gingerly fingered the sticky mess in her hair. "After all," she continued with a sigh, "I wouldn’t consider the day complete unless I was wearing some portion of your son’s meal." She took the spoon out of her hair, and Jax finally put Jo down to give her Brenda a kiss hello.

When Jax kissed her, he teased at her lips with his tongue. He felt her inhale sharply at his gesture, and then he leaned down to whisper in her ear. "If you can wait for me to have some dinner, I’ll join you in the shower and shampoo your hair for you." He pulled back, and he almost drowned in the deep brown pools that were her eyes.

"Why, Mr. Jacks," she drawled slowly, "I do believe you have an ulterior motive! Have you been teaching your son to throw his food like that just so that you can have your way with me?"

Jax laughed again and picked the baby up to hold him in his arms. "Of course!" He was about to bounce him high in the air, but when Brenda opened her mouth to object, he remembered that the baby had just been eating. "So, billiard ball, grow any hair today?"

Jax walked to his chair and propped the baby on his lap as Louise came in to set a plate in front of him. He held Jaz securely with his right hand and then loosened his tie with his left. "I can take the baby back, honey," Brenda offered, but Jax shook his head.

"This is the only time I have with him today. I’ll hold him if he’s done eating."

Brenda looked at the nearly empty divided plate before her. "I think he’s had all he’s interested in." She looked at Jo. "Darling, would you go with Louise into the kitchen and bring daddy Jaz’s bottle so he can drink it while daddy eats?"

"Sure, mommy. And then can I go watch Rugrats?" Jo almost was jumping out of her skin in anticipation.

"Yes, you may," Brenda answered, watching the small girl skip behind Louise into the kitchen. She smiled as she watched Jax playing with his son while eating his supper, but then got a sour look as she put her hand to her hair. "You know, Jax, we really need to teach him some manners. We have to make him understand that it’s not right to keep throwing his food like this."

Jax chuckled. "Right. We should. And then maybe the Jaz man here can teach that to his Uncle Jerry." Jo burst back into the room at that point to tell her parents all about the latest adventures of the Rugrats, and the Jacks family shared pleasant conversation while Jax and his son finished their dinners.

Later that evening, after the children had been bathed and put to bed, Jax walked into the master suite to find Brenda brushing her hair, sitting at her dressing table. He was rubbing his hair dry with a towel, clad only in his navy silk pajama bottoms as usual. He stopped to plant a kiss on the side of Brenda’s neck and inhaled the fragrance of her hair.

"Mmmm….did I do a passable job shampooing your hair, Mrs. Jacks?" he asked seductively, nibbling on her ear as she almost purred in reply.

"Absolutely, Mr. Jacks. Your son can throw his food at me anytime if that’s the solution," she replied with a large smile. "Does my hair smell better now that it’s not saturated with peaches?"

Jax nuzzled her neck again. "Um-hmm, and the rest of you doesn’t smell bad, either." He gave her one long, delicious kiss on the lips, and then walked over to the bed, dropping the towel into the hamper as he passed it.

Brenda was still brushing her hair as he got into the bed and was pulling up the sheet. She stopped and turned to face him. "Oh, honey, Jaz’s little stunt with his supper reminded me -- how did your meeting go with Peaches today?"

Jax let out a long sigh. "Fine."

Brenda put down her brush. "Jasper Jacks, you don’t really think that after five years of marriage you can hide something from me, do you? What happened?" Her face froze. "It’s not something terrible, is it? There’s nothing wrong with Lea or her family?"

"No, no, nothing like that," Jax responded quickly. "But it’s complicated."

Brenda walked slowly over to sit on the bed beside him. "So – I’ve got no other pressing engagements for the next lifetime or two. Spill."

Jax smiled briefly. "OK. Does the name Robert Cunningham ring any bells with you?"

Brenda frowned. "No, I don’t think so. Should it?"

"Sadly, yes. He was our state representative from this district. He died recently."

Brenda’s face lightened. "Oh..yes…I think I remember now. They said they weren’t sure if it was a heart attack." She shifted on the bed. "As a matter of fact, I remember daddy saying what a loss it was. He was a very good lawmaker and apparently beyond reproach in his ethics."

Jax nodded. "That’s more or less what Lea said too."

Brenda looked confused. "But what does that have to do with you?"

"That’s where it gets complicated," Jax explained. "Apparently there aren’t a whole lot of people interested in taking his place in the state House." He took Brenda’s hands in his. "Lea came to ask me if I would consider running for state representative to fill his seat."

Brenda’s jaw dropped. "YOU? A politician?" She started to laugh. "Jax, that’s funny. You’re a businessman, not a politician. Half of the time I have to remind you to go vote on election day!"

Jax nodded sadly. "I know, Brenda. It took me by surprise, too. But Lea said that the party leadership seems to think I would be perfect to fill the slot. She said that people are hungry for someone without a lot of old political promises to keep – someone fresh and new. She seems to think I would be perfect for the job." He blushed a little and flashed her a dimpled smile. "She also mentioned the fact that my looks and personality wouldn’t be a drawback in getting voters on my side."

Brenda looked stunned. "But Jax – the state House. That means living in Albany. And the children are just growing up. Jo is so looking forward to starting kindergarten with Brooke."

Jax stroked Brenda’s hands gently. "I know, sweetie. I told Lea that. She seems to think that I could manage to commute to Albany for the sessions and maybe just spend a few overnights there when it’s absolutely necessary. Particularly with the copter to use as transportation. She said that actually we would HAVE to still live here since I would have to reside in the district I represent."

Brenda looked at him suspiciously. "It sounds like you already told her yes. Did you?"

"Brenda! Do you really think that I would make such an important decision without consulting you first?"

"So what DID you tell her?"

Jax let out a long breath. "I invited her and Steve back here for our anniversary party. I told her I would talk to you about it and let her know my answer that night. And I made it very clear that if you had any qualms about it in the least, my answer would be NO."

Brenda rose from the bed and went to look out the window. "Oh, great," she muttered.

Jax looked puzzled. "What’s the matter? Are you mad I invited them to the party?"

Brenda continued to look out the window and sighed. "No, of course not. It’s just that…well…." She looked sheepishly at Jax. "I don’t think Lea really likes me that much, and now if I tell you I don’t want you to run, she’ll really hate me."

Jax rolled to her side of the bed and opened his arms to her, inviting her into his embrace. "Sweetie, whatever gives you the idea Lea doesn’t like you?"

Brenda came over to stand in his embrace, laying his head against her chest. She played with his still-damp blonde curls. "Oh, I don’t know. It’s not that she really HATES me, it’s just that I get the feeling sometimes she doesn’t think that I’m really the right person for you." Jax looked up into her eyes. "You remember how she kept fixing you up in college with other girls – there was that Linda, and that girl with the funny name that started with a "Y"." Brenda paused for a minute, and then added, "And there was even that cousin of hers with almost the same name – Leanna! I’ll bet that in Lea’s mind, you two were probably already married and had children!"

Jax chuckled against her body and pulled back to look into her eyes. "Brenda, Lea knew that I was obsessed with Julia at the time. She was just trying to show me that there were other fish in the sea, so to speak. Don’t you remember how I saw her after we got married, and told her the whole story about us? She could see how happy you made me, and she told me she was really happy for us."

Jax pulled Brenda onto his lap. "Besides, Lea knows that we’re a team. It’s not a matter of you "forbidding" me to take this challenge. It’s a matter of part of the team not being happy. And if you’re not happy, I’m not happy. Simple as that." Brenda stroked her husband’s cheek lovingly. Jax looked down at her lap. "But, she DID try one other dirty trick to get me to consider running."

Brenda stopped cold. "What’s that?"

"She told me who my opponent would be – Carly Roberts Morgan."

Brenda almost fell off Jax’s lap. "You’re kidding! CARLY is running for state representative?"

Jax nodded. "Yep. Apparently she thinks she’s got a lock on the position thanks to Jason’s influence in various quarters, shall we say." Jax looked over at the clock and gently gave Brenda a shake. "But that’s enough talk about politics for the night. Why don’t we get some sleep. We can talk about it in the morning, if you want."

Brenda nodded and slipped out of her silk dressing gown as Jax went back to his side of the bed. But long after the lights were out and her head rested on Jax’s chest, she couldn’t get the image out of her mind of Jax at a podium, waving to a cheering crowd while balloons floated down from the ceiling. Could she really stand in his way when he had so much to offer to people?

Jo had a familiar pout on her face as she, Brenda, and Josie entered the Port Charles Hotel. "I still want to go to Mommy and Daddy’s party," she said, sticking out her lower lip.

Josie took her by the hand and led her over to a couch to sit down while Brenda checked at the desk on their appointment. The three Jacks women had come to make sure all the plans were set for the anniversary party on the 15^th. "Now, sweet-cheeks, you know I explained to you before. This is a special party for mom and dad on their anniversary. You’ll get to celebrate with them at home tomorrow night. And Angie is coming to stay with you and Jaz while we go to mommy and daddy’s party, and you know how much you enjoy it when she plays with you."

Jo nodded sadly. "I just wanted to come and be all dressed up, just like mommy." She looked into Josie’s eyes and almost melted all of her good resolution, reminding her of her late husband. "When will I be grown up enough to come to a party like this, greaty-grandma?"

Josie pulled her into a hug. "Very soon, my darling. Very soon." She took Jo by the shoulders. "Now, why don’t we go see if Chef Slay is ready to see us yet. I’ll bet he’s got some of those special shrimp he knows you like so much as a snack for you!"

Josie took Jo by the hand and they went up to Brenda, who stood at the front desk, looking frustrated. "But we had an appointment with David Slay for 11 this morning," she was saying quietly but firmly to the hotel manager. "It’s already 11:10, and David is fanatically punctual. What’s going on?"

The manager was almost apoplectic. "I’m SO sorry, Mrs. Jacks, but Chef Slay had an unexpected visitor and the appointment is taking longer than usual." Reese looked down at his papers and Brenda saw the beads of perspiration forming on his forehead.

"OK, Reese, what’s going on?" she said, her hands on her hips. "I can see that it’s not just this unexpected appointment that’s got you so nervous."

He came out from behind the desk and extended his hand toward the lobby seating. "Why don’t we go sit down for a moment, Mrs. Jacks?" Brenda let out an unhappy sigh, and then Josie and Jo followed her so that they were soon all seated on the plush sofas. Reese nervously folded his hands on his lap, and then looked into Brenda’s hard brown eyes.

"Go on," she said expectantly.

"Well, Mrs. Jacks," he began, "we had all the preparations made for you and Mr. Jacks’ anniversary party in the Versailles Room. David had come up with some really wonderful ideas for appetizers and he had contacted a friend of his to do some special ice carvings for the dessert table." Brenda nodded silently, but her face was still unforgiving. "Well….about a week ago, another party came in and insisted on using the same room and having Chef Slay cater her party the same night."

Josie almost hit the lobby roof. "Well, you can tell that other party to take a hike! Haven’t they ever heard of first come, first served?"

"I’m afraid it’s not that simple, Mrs. Jacks," Reese said nervously. As his hands started to tremble, Brenda had a sinking feeling.

She reached out to take his hands in hers. "Reese, you’ve been almost like family to us since Jax was living her before he and I were married. You can speak freely to me, you know that. Why does this other party have you so upset? Who are they?"

He cleared his throat and spoke softly. "It’s Carly Morgan, Mrs. Jacks. Apparently she wants to have some kind of political fundraiser the same night as your anniversary party. When I told her the room was already booked, she got very pushy."

Brenda’s eyes widened. "Reese! She didn’t ….." Brenda looked over at Josie and Jo, who was staring at the murals on the walls. She leaned in closer to Reese, as did Josie, whose eyes were brimming with fire and brimstone. "Did she threaten you, Reese?"

He spoke quietly. "Not me personally, Mrs. Jacks. But she insinuated that the hotel would suffer labor problems like none they had ever experienced in the past if we didn’t bump your party." He looked into Brenda’s eyes and his were almost misty. "Mrs. Jacks, we’re almost back up to snuff after the last labor stoppage. I couldn’t take a chance with the hotel’s future. Another strike might be the last straw and Edward Quartermaine would shut us down."

Josie couldn’t take it any longer. She glanced over at Jo, and then cut loose. "BAGNELL!!" she said through grit teeth.

Jo looked up with innocent eyes. "Is that another big dam, greaty-grandma?"

Josie reached down and patted her on the head. "Yes, darling, a REALLY big dam in Missouri."

Brenda was still holding Reese’s hands and couldn’t help but feel sorry for the man. "It’s OK, Reese," she said softly. "This hotel means a lot to us. We wouldn’t want to put its future in any jeopardy. I’m sure we’ll make do with whatever the hotel can do for us."

"You’re a saint, Mrs. Jacks," Reese responded, and at that moment, Chef David Slay appeared in the lobby, walking next to a triumphant Carly Morgan. He looked over at them. "It appears that David is free to see you now. I really appreciate your understanding. Please tell Mr. Jacks that he can call me anytime and I’ll be happy to discuss the problem with him." He leaned in to Brenda’s shoulder. "If I have to, I’ll put on a penguin suit myself, bring all of my sons, and WE’LL serve your party that night."

She smiled and patted his hand. "That won’t be necessary, Reese. Everything will be fine." As Brenda walked over to where Carly and David stood, she took a deep breath. {Everything will be just fine – after my husband wipes the floor with you in the election, you b**ch.}

David’s face lit up when he saw Brenda. "Mrs. Jacks! I’m so sorry to keep you waiting. I just had to finalize a few things with Mrs. Morgan." Carly looked with distaste at Brenda.

"Brenda, darling! How nice to see you!" she said acidly. "I understand that you and your hubby are having some kind of a little "do" on the 15^th , too. What a shame."

Brenda smiled sweetly and nodded her greeting. "Carly. Yes, Reese was just telling me about the mix-up in reservations."

"Yes, well, I’m sure you can understand why I needed the bigger room and David’s services for my party. After all, I AM going to be the next state representative, and your party is just some social sham put on to celebrate a marriage that you forced on Jax after you got knocked up, right? I mean, there’s really no comparison when you consider the truth about the two gatherings, is there?"

Brenda sucked in her breath at Carly’s words, and Josie, who had come up behind Brenda with Jo, put her hands over Jo’s ears so that she wouldn’t hear the vile words coming from Carly’s mouth. "Now, you listen here, you horse’s hiney…" Josie started, but Brenda cut her short.

"It’s OK, Grandma. Carly can go ahead and have her fund-raiser and use the Versailles Room." She turned back to the gloating woman. "Oh, and dear, you had better check your dress carefully. You know, those bullet-proof vests show up worse than panty lines in a designer gown." Brenda turned to leave, but then turned back as an afterthought. "And you can have ALL of the metal detectors that the hotel has, since we won’t be needing any that night at our party." Carly’s face dropped just for a split second, and Brenda zeroed in for the kill. "You know, I never realized how much racket they make when someone is wearing cubic zirconia and goes through one. Thank goodness all of the people at OUR party will be wearing the real thing." As she linked her arm through David’s, she leaned back with a parting shot. "I’ll tell Governor Moyer and her husband hello for you when I see them at our party."

As Carly stood in the lobby with her jaw gaping, Brenda sashayed away with David. "Brava, Mrs. Jacks!" he whispered to her. Then he leaned down to Jo. "Miss Jo, would you like some of your favorite shrimp? I made them special for you since I knew you would be coming today!" Jo nodded eagerly, and he took her hand and she skipped to keep up with him as they went ahead of Brenda and Josie.

Josie looked back at Carly, muttering under her breath, "That woman is a real witch with a capital B. You should have let me try out some of the new moves I learned in karate on her."

"Later, Grandma," Brenda said patiently. "Did you know she was running for state rep?"

Josie sighed. "Yes, unfortunately. Voting will be a real chore in this election. I don’t know how I’m going to bring myself to vote for her, but I understand that she’s the only candidate in the race."

Brenda’s eyes narrowed. "Well, Grandma, as you always say, it’s never over until the fat lady sings." She looked at Carly as she was waltzing out the front door of the hotel, giving orders right and left to doormen and bodyguards. "And I have a feeling that the soprano is just about to cut loose with an aria that’s going to rock Mrs. Morgan’s world."

To be continued….