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Christmas Miracle – Jack - Part 1:

Jack was free. It was a feeling he hadn’t known in well over a year. Every step of his arduous journey had led him back to this place. Home. It had taken every last drop of strength and every bit of ingenuity, but he had made it. He stood before the path leading up to his house, and he was suddenly seized with an overwhelming fear, the likes of which he had never experienced before.

Jack had escaped and moved heaven and earth to get back to his family, and now they didn’t even know he was standing right outside. He hadn’t called anyone; he hadn’t sought help. The events of the past year had taken their toll, and Jack was confused and very nearly broken. He didn’t know whom to trust anymore. He didn’t know friend from foe. He was afraid to count on anyone or anything other than himself. And now that he had made it home, he was more afraid than ever. This was his home, his family, his life. What if it had all changed in the time he was gone? What if they weren’t here? What if they had moved on without him? Now, in the final moments of his greatest life journey, Jack was terrified by the questions that whirled through his mind.

Blinking, he looked at the wreath on the door and the lights in the yard. Jack didn’t even know what day it was, but it must be near Christmas. His family was in that house, preparing to celebrate the holiday without him. If he could just take those last few steps, he could be safe and warm, with them. Jack had to force himself to move forward, and even then, it was only one step at a time. Just a few steps, and he was close enough to touch the door. He reached a hand forward and felt the wreath. Jennifer had put it there, he knew. She had touched it. He put his hand there, touching where her hand had been, as his heart began to thump.

Suddenly he was overtaken by an uneasy realization: he didn’t have his keys. He couldn’t get in. Jack’s heart raced as panic began to set in. Forcing himself to be calm, he wracked his brain for a missing piece of information. He and Jennifer always kept a spare key tucked safely away. Where was it? It had been so long. Would it still be there? Jack fought back another wave of panic, and moved forward, trancelike, to where the key should be. And it was there.

Lifting it out with fingers that were shaking, he took the remaining steps to the door, fit the key into the lock, and turned it. The door opened.

The first thing that assaulted Jack’s badly shaken nerves were the smells that came swirling toward him. He could smell Jennifer’s perfume, freshly-baked cookies, pine from the Christmas tree, lemon-scented furniture polish, and what was that? Of course. The unmistakable smell of a new baby. Jack breathed in and out for an eternity, as he tried to get his bearings. Now looking about him, he could see his house, almost exactly as he had left it that long ago autumn morning, his eyes touching on every minute item before him, taking it all in. Jack next turned his attention to sound, or the lack of it. There should be sound in the house---noise, laughter, music, something. It was quiet. Almost completely quiet.

It was apparent that nobody was home, and Jack was almost relieved. He didn’t know if he was ready to face them all, although he desperately wanted to be in Jennifer’s arms, to hold Abby close to him and to kiss his baby boy. The silence was almost a sound in itself, and then Jack was aware of an actual noise. It came from upstairs. He couldn’t identify it, but it sounded like sniffling and movement. There was no one home. His mind was playing tricks on him, as it had so many times in the last few months. There were moments when he could barely distinguish reality from his dreams, and this was obviously one of those times.

Jack turned back to look into the living room, and he faced the reality that he had to deal with one last sense. He had to touch something, anything, to make it real. Just seeing and hearing and smelling it couldn’t make it so. He moved forward, reaching out a tentative hand, extending long fingers, to ‘feel’ home again. The pillows on the sofa. The smooth tabletop. The pine needles of the Christmas tree. His son’s blanket. Jack seized the blanket as though it were a lifeline. Bringing it to his face, he inhaled deeply, and tears sprang to his eyes. He was home.

Just then, Jack heard a sound behind him, and he turned slowly, as if in a dream, the blanket still clutched in his grip. Behind him, coming down the stairs, was--- an angel. The floodlight in the yard that was meant to light on the wreath came through the window, and as the figure reached the final step, it was illuminated. Jack knew his eyes were deceiving him. It was an angel! What did this mean? Unaware of anything about him, he stared, and the angel froze, staring back at him. She blinked, and then she let out a sound that startled him to his very core. It was a moan of emotion, and Jack recoiled in confusion. The angel began to cry, tears leaving shining paths down her face, and she spoke one word. “Daddy?”

Jack was hopelessly confused. He froze on the spot, unable to think or move or feel. He thought he saw an angel there, but when he looked again, he thought he was seeing someone else. The figure drifted forward until she was standing nearly close enough to reach out to him. And she stopped. Jack was startled that the eyes were so familiar, but he had never seen them so close to his own without having to bend further down. This creature was taller than he remembered, her hair was longer and lighter, and she was---a young woman. For one frantic moment, Jack thought it was all a dream. He thought he had died and gone to heaven, where the spirit of his daughter was on hand to welcome him.

This Abigail reached forward a shaking hand and touched her father’s face, and suddenly, despite all that had happened, something deep inside of Jack broke the final bonds of captivity, and he knew that everything was going to be all right. He grabbed the hand she had extended, and as her other arm came toward him, he grabbed that arm, too. His hands held her at arm’s length as he studied every detail in her face, and then, she fell into his arms. The embrace was so solid, so tight, that Jack staggered back with her in his arms, and they both fell down onto the sofa, in each other’s arms.

Abby’s tears were warm and wet on her father’s neck, and she shook with noiseless sobs. Jack remembered that cry from when she was a little girl. It always broke his heart when her cries were so deep that they came without a sound. He waited, knowing the sound would come, and when it finally broke free from the depths of her soul, it was a balm to Jack’s aching heart. “Abigail,” he whispered, over and over again. “My baby.”

They cried in each other’s arms for long, emotional minutes, until they both sat back and looked at each other, gentle smiles replacing the tears of anguish. They had a lifetime of memories to share, and they had a lifetime of hurts to erase. All that and a thousand questions and explanations would have to wait. Jack was finally able to form new words, and he looked into his daughter’s eyes and croaked, “your mother…where is she?”

“Oh my gosh,” Abby expelled a breath. Her mind racing, still unable to take in everything that was happening, she jumped to her feet and tugged the hand her father had put out in uncertainty. “Mommy and Jack. We have to get to them!”

...to be continued...

Next time: Jack is having trouble processing reality, so Abigail takes charge, but will she get him to the church on time?

Christmas Miracle – Part 3 - Jennifer

Jennifer stood in the narthex of the sanctuary, an outer hallway, where she was awaiting her cue from the pastor. Little Jack was sleeping like an angel in her arms, and she was trying to steady her pounding heart. Half her mind was on Abby at home. How would she ever get through to her? How would they get past this difficult time together? Another part of her mind was on her sleeping son, breathing softly, unaware of the significance of this evening. And another part of Jennifer was nervous about what she had agreed to do. How could she march into the church, in front of so many friends and family, without Jack by her side? Why had she agreed to do this? At the time, she had thought she would have Abby’s support, but aside from her infant son, in her arms, she was desperately alone. And even as she shakily considered that thought, something within her warmed to the occasion, and she understood the meaning of this night. She wasn’t alone. She’d never be completely alone. Her faith had seen her through the awful times of the past year, and her faith would get her through whatever lay ahead. She drew in a shaky breath, and peered into the church, ready to move forward when she was summoned.

From her vantage point at the back of the church, Jennifer glanced about the room, trying to gather strength from the friends and family she saw gathered. They knew how difficult this was for her, and they had tried to offer words of encouragement to help her get through it. Jennifer looked down again at her sleeping son. He twisted in his sleep, and for one moment, his mouth puckered up and he looked so much like his daddy that Jennifer had to remind herself to breathe again. Missing Jack had become a daily part of her life, but tonight she ached for him. Jennifer tucked the blue robe she wore about herself and tried not to think about Jack. She tried to focus on the moment and her mission, and then her eye was caught by something off to the side.

An usher had come down the aisle and leaned down to give a message to one of the parishioners. Jennifer saw someone get up and leave the room, and she was surprised to realize it was Vern. Her eyes met Jo’s from across the room, and they both exchanged puzzled glances. Jo shrugged her shoulders and sent a look of love across the room to her daughter-in-law. Jennifer put the matter out of her mind, assuming that perhaps Vern was needed to fill in for an usher.

The service proceeded, and Jennifer’s arms began to feel the strain of holding Little Jack. If Jack had been with her, they could have handed him off to one another. Jennifer could not keep such thoughts from sneaking into the back door of her brain. She struggled to keep up with the worship, as the sermon drew to an end and the offering began to be collected. It would not be much longer, she told herself, as she shifted the baby slightly.

Once again, as the music of traditional carols floated through the room, Jennifer’s mind wandered to Christmases past. She tried to remember years as a girl, holidays at her grandparents’ house, but every memory was followed by one of her life with Jack. Jennifer sighed and forced her mind back to the events before her. The children’s choir was singing “Away in a Manger” and Jennifer couldn’t hold back a tear as she remembered the years that Abby had sung with the children, always looking so sweet and angelic in her white choir robe. Like a little angel. Jennifer remembered her daughter at home now, and her emotions rose to the surface as she struggled to keep a rein on them.

Jennifer began to murmur silent prayers as the congregation joined in the community prayers. ‘Please God,’ she repeated, over and over again. ‘Please show me the way. I feel so alone. I’ve already lost my husband. Please don’t let me lose my daughter, too.’ And her faith seesawed back and forth. When she finally breathed an “Amen,” she looked toward the altar and prepared to continue with what she had to do next.

The words of the pastor concluded the service, and the organist began to play the introduction to the final carol. At the pastor’s nod, Jennifer gathered up the skirt of her robe, clutched Little Jack tightly to herself, and began to move down the main aisle, to the strains of “Silent Night.” She had only gotten a few steps, when she started to feel conspicuous and alone. She almost stopped midway, but her legs kept going, even when her brain didn’t know what to do. Looking desperately ahead of her and toward the cross above the altar, she knew she was doing what she had to do. Looking to her right, she caught the gaze of her beloved grandmother who sent her a sweet smile of love, and that look, from the woman she loved so much, gave her the courage to complete the journey before her. Jennifer took the final steps up to the altar, and then she turned, with the baby in her arms, and faced the congregation before her.

The worshippers gathered began to sing the first verse.
“Silent Night, Holy Night,
All is calm, all is bright,
Round yon virgin, Mother and Child…”

Jennifer smiled shakily as Little Jack opened his eyes and looked up at her. She thought he almost smiled, and then his eyes closed and he continued his slumbers. Suddenly, a glimmer of white from the back of the church caught her eye, and Jennifer’s breath caught in her chest. Gliding down the aisle toward her, dressed in the beautiful white dress, was Abby. She had come. Jennifer’s eyes registered her confusion, and as Abby came closer, they locked eyes. Jennifer could see that her daughter had been crying, but now her eyes shone with a light that Jennifer had never seen. Abby had an almost unearthly calm about her, and the smile she gave her mother lit the room.

“Silent Night, Holy Night,
Shepherds quake, at the sight,
Glories stream from heaven afar,
Heavenly hosts sing Alleluia…”

She didn’t know what to attribute to any of this, but Jennifer smiled radiantly as her daughter came to her side. Abby positioned herself behind her mother and brother, and she reached out a hand and softly touched her brother’s downy hair, as the congregation continued to sing, smiles on their faces as they watched mother and daughter and son. Jennifer’s smile trembled, and tears pooled in her eyes. Had God been at work answering her prayer already? Was this His sign that she hadn’t lost her daughter yet? Jennifer turned slightly to look at her daughter, and a few tears slipped over the sides of her cheeks. Abby could barely breathe in her excitement, and Jennifer could feel her energy pulsing through them both. Little Jack must have felt something, too, because he opened his eyes again and gazed up at his big sister.

Something was happening, Jennifer thought between sniffles and tears. Abby was looking at her, seemingly trying to convey some sort of urgent message by her eyes. Jennifer’s eyes questioned her, but Abby only continued to hold her with her powerful gaze. Jennifer wished she could understand what was going on, but it was all passing by so quickly.

“Silent Night, Holy Night,
Son of God, Love’s pure light…”

A movement at the back of the church again caught Jennifer’s attention, and she blinked away tears to get a better look. Someone, dressed like a shepherd, was moving down the aisle toward them. His steps were awkward and stilted, and Jennifer couldn’t understand who he was or what was happening. Uncertain realization came upon her then; they had gotten someone to take the part of Joseph after all, and Jennifer’s heart did a flip flop. No one but Jack should be playing that part. Who had they asked to do this and why? More thoughts tumbled in her brain. It must be Vern. That was why he had gone out. Tears still clouded her vision, and Jennifer blinked again.

But no. This wasn’t Vern. This stranger was too tall and lanky to be Vern. In fact, whoever he was, he seemed unusually thin and awkward. His movements were still stiff and unsteady. Jennifer was shocked that they would have gotten some stranger to come forward and be the missing member of the Nativity. She wanted to stop it, to make him stop. She wanted to run from the room and let her tears flow freely. She barely had time to look once more at Abby, worried that her daughter would be as upset as she. But when Jennifer looked at Abby, all she saw was a world of love and joy.

“Jesus Lord, at thy birth, Jesus Lord, at thy birth…”

The final verse of the carol was drawing to a close, and Jennifer looked out over the congregants. Many had already stopped singing. Some were whispering, and others were staring at the stranger in what Jennifer imagined must be outrage. He was nearly to the front of the room, but his shepherd’s headpiece covered most of his head and face, and she couldn’t see who it was, the subject of her distress.

In her absolute confusion, Jennifer looked about the room from person to person and place to place. Abby was still smiling with joy, tears streaming from her eyes in twin rivers. Gran had her hand pressed up to her mouth and Jo, who was being joined by an ebullient Vern, jumped to her feet and then sank down again, beginning to cry into her husband’s chest. The soft strains of the organ came to a close as the church bell began to chime the midnight hour.

Throughout the sound of those twelve long chimes, Jennifer heard weeping and gasping. Was everyone mad, she wondered, or was she? She was scarcely aware of her son, whose eyes had never left her face, or her daughter, whose eyes had never left that stranger. He shakily made the last steps toward them, and he stopped just in front of them.

Jennifer was horrified. This stranger had ruined and disrupted everything. He had done more than that. He had tried to take her husband’s rightful place at her side, and she was seething with anger and shaking with sorrow. She didn’t know what to do to make it all stop. Her brow furrowed in silent grief and dismay, she blinked back the last of her tears, and her vision was restored.

The stranger looked up at her and met her eyes. His own were filled with tears and love. Jennifer stared at those eyes, her confusion staggering. Those eyes belonged to the man she had loved all her life. The man she had lost. What were they doing to her, she thought, terrified that madness was setting in. Who was responsible for this?

The bells continued to chime away the last of the hours, and the stranger still stood there, not daring to come any closer. Trembling, he reached out a hand, and the sleeve of his brown robe slid down, revealing his hand. Jennifer couldn’t contain her gasp of astonishment. She knew that hand as if it were her own. Jennifer was dimly aware of her son in her arms, and she was alarmed that she was going to drop the baby, her body was shaking so badly. Unthinking, she turned to Abby for support, and Abby reached forward, that brilliant smile still shining, and lifted her little brother into her arms.

Unaware of the absolute silence that was filling the room, with the exception of the soft weeping and crying that seemed to be everywhere, Jennifer slowly turned to face this stranger and put this insanity to rest. And as she turned to him, he lifted that hand and pushed down the headpiece to reveal himself.

Jennifer’s head began to spin, and she thought she would faint. The final bell marked the stroke of midnight. And standing before her, was Jack. It couldn’t be Jack! Jennifer just wanted it to be Jack so badly. Looking around the room for support, the faces she encountered were as confused as her own, but they shared something. They were smiling through their tears. Everything was silent, as if the world of sound had gone mute. The organ had stopped, the church bells ceased. She pulled her gaze back to the stranger, and he spoke her name on a shuddering breath. “Jennifer.”

There was no mistaking that voice. Jennifer moved forward, in a trance. Jack took one more step, and she was suddenly and viciously in his arms, wailing with an emotional intensity that seemed to shake the very foundation of the church. Jack didn’t think he had the strength to hold her up, but he managed. They somehow managed to hold each other up, just the way they always had. Time itself stopped as they held one another and wept.

Those who were in attendance as that Christmas was ushered in would never forget that night, as long as they lived. None had ever seen a Christmas miracle played out in such fashion. They simply stood, in shock and joy, and watched the husband and wife embrace one another, as from behind, their daughter cried and their son gurgled with glee. They had a multitude of questions, but everyone, from Grandma Horton right on down to the youngest Deveraux had one answer, at least: Jack was back.

....to be continued....

Next time: The Deverauxs go home.

New Day – Part 1
Abby woke early, the cries of her baby brother making their way into her subconscious. She sleepily expected to hear the sound of her mother’s footsteps and gentle words of assurance that she was coming.

For just a moment, Abby knew nothing but the pain of a new day, and then something caused her eyes to fly open, and she sat straight up in bed, looking frantically about the room. Yes, there it was. Her angel dress sat on the back of her desk chair, right where she had left it. In waves, the events of the previous night washed over her, and in moments she was out of bed, whipping a robe about her and fairly flying down the hall.

She hesitated at her parents’ door, unsure if she should throw it open or considerately knock. The hall clock read 4:12 am, and she knew she couldn’t interrupt; they’d only been asleep for two short hours.

Little Jack’s cries reached her ears again, and Abby turned to go attend to him. As she did, the door opened, startling her. Jennifer jumped when she saw her daughter standing there, and Abby stared at her mother, wondering why she was still dressed.

“Oh, honey,” Jennifer breathed, softly shutting the bedroom door. “Did your brother wake you up?”

“I guess,” Abby said, also lowering her voice. Jennifer hastened to attend to her son, and Abby followed her, questions rising to the surface of her brain.

“Mom,” she asked, as they reached the baby’s room, while Jennifer scooped up the infant and gently rocked him to and fro, as she crossed to the changing table with him. Abby’s voice held confusion and accusation. “Have you been awake all this time? You sent me to bed so that you could talk to Daddy yourself?”

Little Jack quieted at the sounds of his mother and sister, and Jennifer looked at Abby with weary impatience. “No, of course not,” Jennifer said, in a low whisper. “Your father went to sleep moments after you did.”

“You don’t have your pajamas on,” Abby rejoined, still sounding accusatory.

“Abby,” Jennifer said, wishing not to get involved in a disagreement in the middle of the night, “by some miracle your father is home, and he is exhausted. I don’t know what happened or what he’s been through. I only know that he needs sleep.” Jennifer yawned, feeling overwhelmed by it all. “Anyway, your daddy’s home. Isn’t that what’s important right now?” She tried to get past their rough moment, and she smiled tentatively as she deftly changed the baby’s diaper and hoisted him back to her shoulder.

“Yes, of course.” Abby sounded contrite. “Is he okay, Mom? I don’t like the way he looks.” For the first time since she had seen him, Abby was truly worried.

“Abigail,” Jennifer said in utter weariness, “can we please talk in the morning?” Jennifer placed the baby back in his crib and began to rub his back gently. She was so tired that she hung over the side of the crib as her hand slowly traced circles on his back. In moments, he was sleeping again, and Jennifer motioned for Abby to leave the room with her.

In the hall again, Abby turned to her mother and said, “I want to see him. Just let me see him and I’ll go back to bed. I promise.” Jennifer wanted to protest, but it had been so hard for Abby to be without her father those long months, and Jennifer couldn’t bear to keep them apart any more than that.

Reluctantly, Jennifer agreed, but she warned, “don’t wake him. He needs sleep more than anything right now. Besides, you’ll be with him all day tomorrow.”

“I won’t wake him,” Abby said, a bit crossly, wishing her mom weren’t always so bossy. She ought to give her own daughter credit once in a while, she thought. Abby opened her mother’s bedroom door, and she froze in her tracks.

Moonlight streamed through the window and onto her parents’ bed, and Abby could see the bed was empty. She whirled about to face her mother and tried to keep her voice low and calm. “Where is he? Where IS he?”

Jennifer moved past Abby, who was blocking the doorway and saw, to her horror, that Jack wasn’t in the bed. Her heart stopped. She raced into the room, and what she found caused renewed pain. Jack was asleep on the floor. He didn’t appear to be hurt; in fact, he wasn’t even awake. He was sleeping soundly, on the floor, and Jennifer’s turmoil increased another notch.

Abby didn’t seem eager to question this unexpected occurrence. She knelt down next to her father and studied him for several long minutes. Her dad always looked like a little boy when he slept, and her heart was in her eyes as she watched him breath and sleep. Finally she reached out a gentle finger and touched him lightly. Jack never even stirred.

Jennifer crooked her finger at Abby, motioning for her to leave. As she saw her daughter to the door, she said softly, “let him rest. You can see him all you want in the morning.”

Abby walked past her mother and out the door to her room. The door closed lightly behind her, and Jennifer had to face the choice before her: to wake Jack and help him back into bed, or to leave him sleep on the floor. Her heart was torn. She only wanted what was best for him, and she decided it was to let him sleep and not awaken him. She gently slid a pillow under his head, and then she pulled the comforter off the bed and placed it lovingly over him.

Jennifer climbed back into the bed and under the sheet, but she slid over to Jack’s side, which was still warmed by his body heat. She positioned herself at the edge of the bed, where she could see him below her, and she lowered her left arm until it settled on his back.

She wanted desperately to be able to sleep, but Jennifer’s mind was racing with unanswered questions. Every few moments one would explode into her thoughts like a kernel of popcorn, popping. How had Jack survived being tossed into the sea? Where had he been all these weeks? And perhaps most disturbing of them all: what had happened to him in that time? Jennifer was afraid of the answers, but she knew that she would need to know them. She looked over the edge of the bed again, and Jack seemed to sense she was there, as he let out a shuddering breath and continued to sleep. Jennifer had to force herself to relax and breathe easily. The morning was soon to arrive, and she would need her strength to minister to her family and their needs.

In her own room, Abby was tossing and turning, also having difficulty getting back to sleep. This had been the most exciting night of her life, but there was something small inside her that would not let her happiness be complete. She was a Deveraux, product of both her parents, and she had a nose for sniffing out a story. Something, she knew, was not quite right. Her dad was not himself, and although Abby knew he must have been through some bad times, she had never seen him so tentative, or so fearful. She wished fervently that she knew what to do to make things right, but this was one problem she couldn’t fix on her own, and she wasn’t sure who could fix it. Deep in her contemplations, Abby finally drifted off to sleep.

The house was quiet for some time. At long last, the Deverauxs slept. But somewhere, just before the first rays of morning light began their new day, Jack opened his eyes. He didn’t know where he was, at first. Heart racing, he blinked and looked around him, wondering where they had moved him to now. He must be back on the island in his replica house, he thought fuzzily. Then he realized he was on the floor. It was hard and cold, and he ached. Twisting about, he felt for the first time, something on his back, and he froze for an instant. Had they come for him again? Hardly daring to breathe, he shifted himself until he could see better, and then he blinked again, as his heart began to race. Upon the bed, nearly hanging over the edge, was Jennifer, her arm extended down to rest on his back. Jack forced himself to breathe, once. The vision did not disappear. Then he heard the sweetest sound he could imagine. Jennifer sighed in her sleep and murmured,” Jack.”

Jack was overwhelmed by his emotions. It was Jennifer, and he was home. He vaguely remembered what had gone on that evening, but beyond that he couldn’t seem to be able to explain or understand anything else that had gone on. But it didn’t matter. He was home! Jack allowed himself to relax, and he turned onto his back, Jennifer’s hand now resting lightly on his stomach. Jack breathed in and out as he grasped her hand and held it within his own. It was almost morning, and they would find the answers he sought, together. In the meantime, he was content to lie on the floor, looking up at her, as his fingers caressed her hand. Nothing else mattered but the knowledge that he was where he was supposed to be. He was home.

...to be continued...

Next time: Jack wakens to Jennifer on Christmas morning, and the sounds of his son over the nursery monitor, but what can spoil these beautiful moments?

New Day – Part 3

Abby knew she would never give away her daddy’s secret, and she hugged her baby brother close and nodded to her dad, as Jennifer came back into the room.

Jennifer gave the bottle to Abby, who proceeded to give it to her little brother, and suddenly the wails that had pierced the quietude of the house, were replaced with the sounds of hungry sucking, as Little Jack began to attack and devour his bottle.

Jennifer chuckled as she watched him go at it, while Abby and Jack exchanged glances that she missed. When Jennifer was satisfied that the baby was fine, she shifted her attention back to her husband and daughter. “Good morning,” she greeted Abby, with a smile.

Abby looked up from her brother and shared a small smile. “Merry Christmas,” she said to her mother.

“Oh my gosh!” Jennifer’s hand flew to her mouth in shock. “I completely forgot.” Never in her life had Jennifer forgotten a Christmas, but the circumstances about this year’s celebration were pretty remarkable. Jennifer glowed as she looked at her little family, Jack and Abby sitting side by side on the bed, Little Jack working on what little remained of his bottle. Jennifer felt that all was right with the world, until she looked at her husband more closely. There was a certain look in his eyes that hadn’t been there this morning, and she felt a small nag of concern begin in her again. She turned her focus to Abby, who refused to meet her eyes, which Jennifer thought was also suspect. She cast her fears aside and decided to take charge of the situation.

“Abby, Sweetie,” Jennifer said. “Why don’t you take your brother to his room and finish up with him, while I get your dad up and moving.” She sincerely hoped that Abby would take her suggestion and not push it, and surprisingly, Abby did just that. Without complaint, she got up, baby and bottle still intact, and took Little Jack off to be burped and dressed for a new day. She and her mom had bought him a little Santa outfit, which they had been saving for this day, and Abby couldn’t wait to see him in it.

When Abby had left the room, Jennifer turned to Jack and said, “I’m sure you could use a nice, long shower, Jack. Why don’t you go clean up and relax, and I’ll get some breakfast started. I left you some things to wear,” she gestured to the box on the bed.

The small talk was almost more than Jack could bear. Jennifer seemed unwilling or unable to meet his eyes, and as she moved past him, he grabbed her hand and pulled her down on the bed beside him. For the first time, Jack was able to acknowledge how difficult this all was on her, and he wanted desperately to communicate with her. She sat beside him, helpless to know what to say or do, and Jack continued to stroke the hand he had taken in his own. That one small action was enough to soothe her, and she sighed and looked up at him.

“Jennifer,” he said, haltingly. “I want to talk to you. And I will. I just can’t right now. The words aren’t there.”

“Jack, it’s okay,” she told him, meaningfully. “I understand. I can’t begin to imagine what went on, but I know that when you are ready to talk about it, we will.” He relaxed again, relieved that she was able to understand and put together the words he couldn’t seem to find. It frustrated him; words were always the thing he could count on, even when he favored writing them over speaking them. But now, when he knew that he should be able to communicate with Jennifer, of all people, words seemed to be failing him.

Looking at him with all the love in her eyes, Jennifer repeated, “it’s okay, Jack.” She patted him on the hand, and he grasped her hand and brought it to his lips for a kiss. He asked himself for the hundredth time how he had managed to breathe without her for all those many weeks and months. He knew his desire to return to her had kept him sane all that time.

As if reading his thoughts, Jennifer said in a small voice, “Jack, you have no idea how I missed you. If I hadn’t had Abby and the baby, I don’t know how I would have gone on. Losing you was like losing a piece of myself.”

Jack pulled her near, wrapping an arm about her and resting his chin on top of her head. They sat silently and breathed each other in for a few minutes more, until Jack shakily interrupted, saying, “I think I will take you up on that shower.”

“You go,” Jennifer insisted. “I’ll get breakfast going. Are you hungry?” She asked that question, almost belatedly.

Jack nodded, a strange light in his eye. “I’m famished, starved,” he said, “for you.”

Jennifer gave a start at his words and the implied meaning, and she looked at him with a question in her eyes. Jack’s eyes held the answer, as they traveled up and down her body, observing every bit of her, as he had in his dreams for so long. “Jack,” she said, unsteadily, and it was all the invitation he needed. His mouth came toward her, and all she had to do was tilt her head up slightly. Lips met lips, taking one another in a kiss that was shattering. Jennifer knew all of Jack’s kisses by now, and this was one that sought permission to come even closer.

Suddenly, from over the nursery monitor, came the voice of Abby, talking to her brother as she began to change him, and they broke apart, smiling sheepishly. “I’m sorry,” Jennifer apologized, her eyes dancing with love. “I seem to have forgotten. We have a teenager and an infant son in the house. Gone are the days of impromptu, spontaneous moments.” She grinned wryly, and Jack smiled back, moving forward for one final kiss, before releasing her. Jennifer moved away from the bed, afraid that her own throbbing body would cause her to do something they would regret. Stifling the overwhelming urge to insinuate her way into the shower with him, she sighed heavily and repeated her earlier intention. “I’ll just go down and get breakfast going.”

“Wait,” Jack put out a hand and grasped her arm, stopping her. He patted the bed beside him, and Jennifer sat. Jack cocked an ear in the direction of the nursery monitor on the nightstand, and they both listened for a moment.

Down the hall, Abby was getting her baby brother into his Christmas outfit. “Oh, Jacky,” she laughed softly, as he kicked his legs in delight. “You are such a big boy,” she told him. “Yes, you are! And you are going to look so cute in this Santa suit.” Little Jack squirmed, and his big sister admonished him, sweetly. “You hold still and make this easy on me, you hear?” The baby let out a little bubbly burp, and Abby giggled, making him smile and wave his little fists in the air.

Fitting together the final snap, Abby lifted her brother to admire him. “You are a cutie pie,” she told him, convinced that he was, without a doubt, the most beautiful baby in the world. And she told him so, instructing him not to let it go to his head. Her baby brother made a sound halfway between a laugh and a snort, and Abby laughed with him. Her happiness could not be contained today. She carried him to the rocker, where they sat and she rocked him for a few moments, rubbing his back to release any air bubbles leftover from his feeding. The entire time, she talked to him, her voice a familiar sound to him already in his short life.

“Oh, Jacky,” she sighed aloud. “It’ll all be okay now. You’ll see. It will be different. Our daddy’s home.” Talking to her brother seemed to be just what Abby needed at that moment, and she continued her one-sided conversation. “You remember all the things I told you about him, don’t you? Yes, of course you do. You remember the stories, I know you do, because I told them to you every day that he was gone, and you listened and remembered them, didn’t you? But none of that matters now,” she told him, wonder in her voice, “because he’s home, and he’s not going to leave us again. Ever!”

Abby paused, shifting her brother to her lap, where she could see him again. “Things will be different,” she repeated to him. “I’m going to be the big sister you deserve. I promise you. I’m going to take care of you, and I’m going to help our daddy get better, and I’m going to try to make things right with Mommy again.”

In their room, Jack and Jennifer had been following this exchange, smiling in contentment at their shared moment. It was only Abby’s last words that caused the smiles to dim somewhat, as they turned back to one another. Jennifer wondered at her words about ‘helping Daddy get better’ and Jack wondered what their daughter meant when she promised to ‘make things right’ with Mommy. Neither wanted to question the other, something that would intrude on their newfound peace, but each tucked aside the tidbit for future consideration.

Jennifer stood, again, reluctantly pulling her hand from Jack’s, as they focused on the moment, and she turned off the monitor. “Okay,” she said, as she moved toward the door. “Go take that shower, and I’ll take care of the rest.” There was only a small qualm of uneasiness in her, but she managed to hide it well, as she paused in the doorway and sent Jack a sweet smile. He returned that smile, his own a bit wobbly, and nodded. He wasn’t going to let anything spoil this moment in time. He was going to take a shower, and then he was going to spend Christmas with his family. That’s all Jack needed to know.

...to be continued...

Next time: Jack struggles to find a way to resume his 'normal' life again, and his family begins to realize just how much he has been through.

New Day – Part 5

The Deveraux family abandoned the remnants of breakfast and trooped from the kitchen to the living room, where the Christmas tree in all its glory was waiting for their notice. Jack and Jennifer sat side by side on the sofa, which Jack had shifted to face the tree. Abby sat beside the tree, and Little Jack, dozing in his infant seat, sat between them on the floor.

Jack had always enjoyed Christmas, especially the giving and receiving of gifts, and he looked with interest at the pile of presents under the tree. It was sparse this year, and his heart twisted a bit. He knew why. There would be gifts for Abigail and the baby, but he hadn’t been there to buy anything for Jennifer, and of course, she would not have gotten anything for him. It made him sad, as he briefly wondered what had gone on last Christmas and what would have been different for this Christmas if it had all been a bad dream. Jennifer caught his look, and she squeezed his hand to reassure him that it didn’t matter. It didn’t matter, he reminded himself. It just made him sad to think about how their lives had changed. But it didn’t matter.

Abby waited patiently, while her parents passed their moment, and then she said, “well, shall we get this show on the road?” They nodded, and Abby began the distribution of gifts. Most of them were for her, with a few for her brother, but he was too young to really understand or appreciate the holiday tradition of gift-giving.

At her mother’s nod of encouragement, Abby began to tear into her pile of gifts. By the time she was finished, she was virtually surrounded on all sides by sweaters and sweatshirts, jewelry, cds and dvds. Her favorite gift, the one that garnered the most excitement, was the digital camera she had asked for. Abby had taken a recent interest in photography, and Jennifer was happy to encourage any positive interests in her daughter’s life. Abby exclaimed in delight, gingerly unwrapping it and examining it, with interest. Within the next few moments, she had shrewdly figured how it worked, and she was ready to begin snapping picture after picture, to capture the wonderful memories of this year.

Jack smiled as he watched her, and Jennifer was gratified to see her daughter so happy. It was something she hadn’t observed in the longest time, and Jennifer held on to it with two hands.

When Abby had returned to Earth, Jennifer smiled in devious delight, and whipped out a small box from behind her. Even Jack was surprised, wondering what she was up to. “Abby,” Jennifer addressed their daughter, her surprise shining in her eyes. “This is a special gift for you. I had thought about it for a long time, and I wanted you to have it, but now that it’s yours, I think you’ll have to talk to your father about it.” Jack and Abby stared at her in curious stupefaction, and Jennifer gave her the go-ahead to open it.

Abby could barely contain her excitement as she ripped off the paper and opened the box. The breath she had been holding came out in a whoosh, as she reverently lifted out of the box – a key. She recognized it instantly. It was a key to her daddy’s car. “Mom,” she breathed, hardly daring to believe that her mother had done this. It represented a huge measure of trust, and Abby was ashamed of the way she had behaved in the past weeks and months. She could hardly dare to look at her mother, but when she did, she didn’t see recrimination or accusation. There was love, unconditionally, in her mother’s eyes, and Abby began to tear up. “I don’t know what to say,” she said softly, and Jack watched their exchange with suspicion. He still couldn’t quite figure out what had changed in their relationship, but he knew it was one of many questions he’d have to address in the days and weeks ahead.

Jennifer just smiled, tears of her own close to the surface. She hastened to explain. “Like I said,” she told Abby, “you’ll need to talk to your father about it. If he’s willing to share it with you, you can keep it.” She looked at Jack, questioningly, and his eyes went from his smiling wife to his breathless daughter. What could he say?

“I’ll share,” he said, with a huff of false frustration, and Abby jumped up and threw her arms around him.

“I’ll be so careful,” she promised him. “And I’ll help wash it and clean it and everything.” Jack held up his hand to warn her not to make promises she would not be able to keep, but this obviously meant so much to her, and he didn’t want to burst her bubble. Besides that, he was still having difficulty dealing with the fact that she was even old enough to drive.

Jennifer watched their interplay, her love shining in her eyes. Slowly Abby turned to her mom, her expression now suddenly dimmed. She hadn’t done a thing to deserve this, and she knew it. She had been so cruel to her mom for such a long time, and she was horribly ashamed of herself. It was just that she had been hurting for such a long time, but as she stole a look up at her mother, she saw understanding and forgiveness, before she could even ask for either. Abby quickly promised God again, that she would behave herself and be a good girl. Then, with a catch in her voice, she reached out to her mother and embraced her.

One word came out of her before the tears began to flow. “Mommy.” Abby gulped and cried in her mother’s arms, and Jennifer’s own tears of joy began to leak from her eyes. They sat and cried and rocked one another in their arms, and when Abby could say more, she sobbed, “I’m sorry. I’m so sorry.”
Jennifer shakily shushed her, and they held one another until the sobs subsided into little gasps.

Jack watched their exchange in fascination. He had never seen such a display between them. What on earth had gone on while he was away, he wondered? What did Abigail have to apologize for? He caught Jennifer’s eye, and she gently shook her head at him, indicating that he should leave it alone for now, which he gladly did, understanding that it was too much for him to process right now.

Abby pulled back from her mom, finally, her expression of contentment and love suddenly changing to one of horror. Jennifer was momentarily frightened by that look, and she quickly asked what was wrong. Abby swallowed and looked at her mother in stricken misery. How could she explain? How could her mother ever understand this, or forgive it? She forced herself to answer, and her words were barely a whisper. “I didn’t get you a gift,” she admitted, with dismay. “Not one!”

Jennifer let out a breath of relief and hugged her daughter close again. “Abby, Baby,” she said through renewed tears of love. “It’s okay. It’s really okay. I understand.”

Everyone seemed to understand but Jack. He concealed his look of shock. Abigail had always, from the time she was small, insisted on buying her own gift for her mother. She obviously couldn’t have forgotten. So why had she deliberately not given her mother anything this year? Jack was concerned, and he made a mental note of all these tidbits, determining to later lay them out like pieces of a jigsaw puzzle and discover the picture.

Abby and her mom broke their embrace and both refocused their attention on the remainder of the gifts under the tree. They were for the baby, and Jennifer insisted that Jack be the one to open them. “Only if you’ll both help me,” he insisted. They nodded, and as Baby Jack snoozed in his seat, the three of them opened the gifts for his first Christmas. Jennifer had chosen some adorable outfits and cute baby toys. Jack examined the rapidly growing pile of blue baby boy ensembles, the assortment of balls and trucks and boy toys, with fascination. He was only beginning to understand the ramifications of what having a son really meant, and he was rocked by it all.

When the pile was complete, and the wrapping cast aside, Jack realized with dismay that there was nothing under the tree for Jennifer. Abby still looked guilty, and he felt horrible. Jennifer was the one who cherished Christmas so. He had always loved to see Christmas through her eyes, and now he was afraid to look into those beautiful eyes and see the disappointment she must surely be feeling. Not one present, he realized with chagrin. And when he tore his stricken gaze to her face, he was shocked at what he saw there.

Jennifer’s smile lit the room. This was no act. She was truly and completely happy, and Jack was humbled at the extent of her love and devotion. Having him home meant so much to her that the absence of presents wasn’t even noteworthy. Jack decided then and there that he would find a way to make it all up to her. This Christmas and the last one they had missed together. He knew he wanted it with an intensity that rivaled pain. She captured his look with her heart, and he sighed.

But there were still two gifts under the tree, and Jack was suddenly aware of their presence. He was puzzled, and as his gaze fell on hers, Jennifer got up and crossed to the tree, stooping momentarily to pick up those two final gifts. She brought them back to her place, and repositioned herself at his side.

Even Abby looked surprised. She sincerely hoped they weren’t for her, as she still felt remorse for her actions, but Jennifer stopped them both with a shake of her head. She held out the gifts to Jack, and he took them with confusion. He tore his glance from her face and down to the gifts in each hand. The first one was wrapped in snowman paper, and its tag simply read: To our dear Baby boy. Jack looked at Jennifer questioningly, and she indicated with a nod of her head, to look at the second gift.

This second present was wrapped in traditional holiday giftwrap, and when Jack looked at the tag, he was shocked. His eyes flew to her face, demanding an explanation. The tag read: To Jack. With all my love, Jennifer.

...to be continued...

Next time: Jennifer has some explaining to do, as Jack prepares to open his gift.

New Day – Part 7

The house shook with quiet. Little Jack had finally dozed back off again, and his big sister sat on the floor, looking at her presents, her head resting on her father’s leg. Jennifer sat in utter contentment, her head on Jack’s shoulder. And Jack looked down at the awful tie he had put over his sweater, and smiled again. Their Christmas had been perfect.

He had wanted to ask Jennifer what had possessed her to do such a thing, but he remained silent, happiness continuing to wash over him in waves. That laughter had been the real gift, he realized. Something he had needed, so desperately. For the first time since his return home, Jack had forgotten to be scared or worried or nervous or unsure. He had finally felt complete and whole again. Jennifer had done that for him, just as he somehow knew she would, and he could not possibly love her any more than he did at that moment.

Abby was looking at her presents, but she had another idea mulling about in her mind. Maybe it wasn’t too late for her to give something to both her parents this year. She thought she could pull it off, without too much effort. She just needed a while to put it all together. Debating for just a moment, she realized that it was something she needed to do, and she was willing to sacrifice additional time spent with them in order to bring it to fulfillment. Abby gazed up at her parents, silent on the sofa, and softly spoke. “Would it be okay if I took my things up to my room?” Jennifer murmured her assent, and Jack nodded. Abby scooped up the items into her arms and hustled from the room, the plan evolving already.

Jack hadn’t spoken in quite some time, and Jennifer wondered what he was thinking, since she couldn’t see him from her angle. So many happy thoughts and memories were floating through her that she could only allow them, a few at a time, to rest on her like snowflakes. She spoke into the silent room. “Jack, I haven’t heard you this quiet since the hysterical laryngitis.”

He was wrong, Jack thought. He actually could love her more. More and more at every moment. More and more with every breath he took and every word she spoke. Joining her in that memory, he did as he had so long ago, on the eve of the eve of their first wedding day. He extended a long forefinger and placed it over her lips, an unspoken command for her silence.

Jennifer remembered that moment only too well. She had tried to speak, and he had silenced her with one and then another delicious kiss. Dare she try the same approach now? She looked up at him, and before she could make the final decision, he swooped down on her with that same kiss, not willing to wait for her to enact the moment.

She returned that kiss with complete love and longing. They knew they couldn’t act on the kiss. Not here or now. But it didn’t matter. Sometimes the emotions were bigger than the actions, and each instinctively knew that the moment they would become intimate again, it would all be worth any additional wait.

Jack spoke first, softly. “Maybe I will have a Christmas present for you after all,” he mused, aloud. Jennifer sighed, and it was the sweetest sound. She could wait, although it wouldn’t be easy. She didn’t want to push things. She wanted him to be ready and the moment to be right.

They sat in companionable silence, just a bit longer, Jack with an arm about her shoulder, playing in her hair, his other hand fingering the tie he wore. They both knew the time was fleeting. At any moment, any one of a number of interruptions could bring reality crashing back down around them. They both assumed it would be the baby, before anything else. They were wrong.

The telephone rang, and Jennifer groaned. She knew it couldn’t be a telemarketer on Christmas, and she figured it must be family. She was right. She reluctantly rose and crossed the room to answer the phone. It was her grandmother. Jennifer spoke to her, her face beaming and her voice filled with wonder. She glanced across the room at Jack, and resumed her conversation with her grandmother, wishing her a merry Christmas, but explaining that they would not be over to the house that day. Fortunately, they had gone over yesterday afternoon and hung the ornaments. Jennifer tried to find the words to share her overwhelming joy with her grandmother. Only twenty-four hours earlier, she and Abby had hung ornaments for the two Jacks, never imagining what miracle was about to occur.

Across the room, Jack felt an uneasy qualm in his stomach as he listened to Jennifer’s conversation. The extreme emotions of the morning had exhausted him, and he felt a peculiar flutter in his stomach. As Jennifer’s voice went on and on, Jack’s peculiar flutter became a rumble and then a lurch. He suddenly broke out in a cold sweat, and Jack feared that he was about to become ill. He wondered if he should not have gorged himself on that rich breakfast, and the thought of food now made him bolt to his feet and look desperately around the room for escape.

Jennifer continued to chatter, unaware of Jack’s plight. Before she could discover what was happening to him, Jack sprang from the room for the bathroom, where to his horror, he completely lost his breakfast. Thankfully, his wife was still chattering in the living room, and Jack fought to steady himself as the final waves of nausea swept over him. He was horrified. He hadn’t thrown up since he was about twelve years old. Jack never allowed himself that weakness. Just like the incident in their bedroom this morning, with his infant son clutched in his shaking hands, Jack knew just one thing. Jennifer could never know about this. He couldn’t bear to share it with her, and he knew he would hide it from her in any way possible.

When he was sure that he could exit the bathroom without needing an immediate return, Jack splashed water on his face and wiped his sweating brow with a towel. Then he forced himself to return to the living room before Jennifer could question his disappearance.

She was hanging up the phone as he re-entered the room. She didn’t question where he’d been, but she looked at him and wondered at the uncertain look on his face. “You okay?” she asked, with mild concern. He reassured her that he was fine, and she let it go, more quickly than he would have figured.

Jennifer crossed the room to give Jack a hug and a kiss, and guessing what she was coming for, he sidestepped her and moved into the kitchen, causing her surprise and suspicion. In the kitchen, she could hear him getting a glass of water, and she wondered at what was going on in his mind. Then she reprimanded herself. She should understand that he would need more time. The events of the past hour had been so emotional, and the Jack Deveraux she knew and loved could only withstand so much emotion. She smiled, wryly, and let him have his moment of peace. Once again, when the time was right, she would make it perfect for him.

In the kitchen, Jack tried not to gulp his water. He sipped it slowly, and he was relieved that he was feeling normal again. It must have just been the breakfast, he told himself, making a mental note to exercise greater caution in feeding himself.

Jennifer bustled about the living room, straightening up and making sure that the baby was comfortable. The phone rang again, and this time when she answered, it was Jo.

“Jennifer,” came the voice on the other end, breathlessly. “Tell me it’s real. Tell me it wasn’t just a wonderful dream.”

Her daughter-in-law laughed in happiness and assured her that it was, indeed, true. The two women exchanged sighs of joyfulness across the phone line. Jennifer was nearly as thrilled for Jo as she was for herself. Jack’s ‘death’ had been so hard on Jo; she had never fully recovered from losing Steve, and in the years since her older son’s death, she had leaned, more and more, on her remaining son. Losing Jack was perhaps harder than letting go of Steve, and Jennifer was so grateful that her husband and his mother would have another chance.

They exchanged words, as Jack came back into the room, his glass of water clutched in his hand. He sat down in front of his son, and listened to Jennifer’s words, piecing together from her half of the conversation, the gist of what was being said on the other end. It was Jo, and of course, she would want to see him. He had barely had a moment to hold her last night, and she had drawn back to give him more time with his family. She had always been so good to him, even when he wasn’t returning that goodness. He fully expected Jennifer’s question, and when it came, he sighed and nodded. He had to allow Jo in today. He didn’t want to see or deal with anyone else, but he had to make a moment for his mother. It would break her heart to turn her away on Christmas Day, and Jack couldn’t be that cruel, no matter how he felt.

Jennifer gave Jo the words that she desperately sought. Jo breathed out a shaky sigh and told Jennifer they would be over in an hour. She wanted to give him some time to adjust to their arrival.

As she hung up the phone, Jennifer looked Jack over carefully. “Is it all right?” she asked again, her concern evident. “If not, I’ll call her back and explain it. Jack?” She was waiting for an answer he didn’t know how to give.

“It will be all right,” Jack answered, more to himself than to her. He looked into Jennifer eyes, seeking the strength he knew he would need. “I owe her that much.”

Jennifer nodded and gave Jack a smile of encouragement. She would be by his side, to face anything before him. She would be his strength and his guide. She would give him all the love and support he would need. She just didn’t know how very much he would need her in the days and weeks ahead.

...to be continued...

Next time: An emotional reunion between Jack and Jo leads to an astonishing announcement by Jennifer.

New Day – Part 9

“Mom, Daddy,” wailed Abigail in frustration. “I can’t stand it. You have to tell us!” She was about to burst with excitement, and Jennifer moved aside and removed the baby from her arms as their daughter clamored to her father.

Jack was speechless. It was perfect. He knew, instinctively, that she had thought about it at great length, and he knew she didn’t make the decision lightly. But it was absolutely brilliant. He gazed at her with adoration, and then at their son in her arms.

“Well,” Vern was the next to register complaint. “Come on, out with it! Does this boy have a name, or what?” Even Jo was leaning forward, eagerly waiting to hear the official name of her newest grandchild.

“Tell them, Jack,” Jennifer instructed, as she planted a kiss on the baby’s forehead.

Jack didn’t know if he’d be able to speak, but he had to find a way. He swallowed and looked at each one of them before speaking the magical words. “His name is…Steven Jackson Deveraux.”

Jo gasped in astonishment, and Vern’s smile filled the room. Even Abby understood the importance of this choice, as she heard her grandmother begin to weep. Jo buried herself in Vern’s shoulder, as she had the night before, and cried with joy.

The room was filled with silence for a moment, as they all remembered Steve. All except Abby, who could only remember the many stories she’d been told. And the baby. Steven Jackson Deveraux. Jack was right. It was the perfect name.

Abby was the first to break the silence. “I like it,” she said, tentatively. “But can I still call him Little Jack and Jacky sometimes?”

Jennifer laughed, and Jack looked at his daughter, sheepishly. “Sure you can,” he gave her his blessing. Maybe having a Little Jack around the house wouldn’t be so bad after all, he thought, delightedly. And to have his son named for the brother he had treasured too late and lost, it was almost more than Jack could handle.

“Well,” Jennifer broke into his thoughts, as Jo began to sniffle quietly. “I think I’m going to be calling him Stevie. He looks like a Stevie to me.” She smiled and then confessed, “I secretly tried it out on him a few times, and he seemed to like it.”

Jack pondered for a moment, only a moment, before speaking. “As for me,” he said, slowly. “I think it will be…”

“Steven,” they all said at once, laughing. In Jack’s world, Jennifer was Jennifer, and Abby was Abigail, and they all knew, without hesitation, that he would refer to his son by his proper name.

“Steven,” repeated Jo, with joy. “Oh, Jennifer,” she breathed, reaching out to hug her daughter-in-law and grandson. “Thank you.”

Jennifer felt the need to explain her decision. “I did go through the Bible,” she told Jo. “Several times, in fact. And it just kept coming back to that. It seemed so right. I knew that if there was anyone in the world Jack would wish his son to be named for, it would be his brother.” She looked to her husband, and he nodded his agreement. “And as for his middle name,” she continued on, “he was, is and always will be Jack’s son. I still wanted that to be a part of his name. Always.” Jack looked to her in grateful silence. Only Jennifer would understand how that choice had touched his heart. He wanted his son to have his own, unique identity, but it gave Jack a thrill to know that they would share something in their names, too.

Vern was the only one who hadn’t expressed his opinion, and when the others had all had their turn, they turned to see what he would have to say. Vern realized that they were awaiting his words, and he smiled to them, his twinkling eyes landing, at last, on his wife. He, more than any of them, knew how much this meant to her, and how much she still missed her older son. Vern finally spoke, with his usual gruff voice. “Well, I’m inclined to agree with Abby on this one,” he told them, at last. “He’ll always be Little Jack to me.” They laughed, and Jo gave him a playful swat.

Having opened even the last gift now, the family was content. Abby wanted to get back up to her room to work out her Christmas present details. Her parents had been full of surprises, and she was, as she was always being told, the combination of them both. She still had a surprise in store, but she instinctively knew that she’d need a little help on this one. As her mom was off to the kitchen and her grandmother and dad were busy with the baby, Abby caught the eye of her Grampa Vern. She beckoned for him to come over, and when he did, she spoke softly, so the others would not hear. “Grampa Vern, I need your help with something. Come up to my room, please.”

Vern nodded, wondering what she was up to now. He had never had a granddaughter of his own, but he knew he couldn’t feel closer to one than he did to this one. They’d been through a lot together, and he loved her dearly. “I need Grampa Vern’s help,” she announced. “With my cd player,” she added quickly, so as not to arouse any suspicion. Jack and Jo seemed unfazed, and Abby and her grandfather left the room together.

Once in the safe haven of her room, Abby spilled it all to Vern, whose smile grew by the moment. When she completed the explanation, he smiled again and mumbled, “you sure are your parents all over again.”

Abby beamed at him, understanding the compliment. She enjoyed the fact that he liked to call her mom “Jenny girl” and she remembered the time that he had spent taking in her daddy when her parents weren’t quite together yet. He’d been good to them all, having watched her many times throughout her childhood, and he was here to help again.

“Can you do it?” she asked anxiously, and he nodded.

“Sure, why not?”

Abby breathed a sigh of relief, and she quickly turned her attention to the computer that sat at her desk. It was already on, and Abby opened the window before her. Making sure it was all set, she pushed the button, and a disk popped out. She carefully placed it in a case, and then she handed the whole thing to Vern with her final instructions. “Please be careful with it.”

He gave her an affectionate smile. “I know what it means to you,” he told her. “And I know just who can help with it. Can you give me a few days?”

Abby wasn’t sure she could wait a few days, but she nodded, nonetheless. She couldn’t wait to see her parents’ faces when she gave it to them. “Thank you, Grampa,” she said with great sincerity. Then, just for good measure, she threw her arms around his neck, and Vern had to snuffle back a tear or two. If there was anyone in the world who had more trouble with emotion than Jack, it was Vern. Already, this day and the evening leading up to it had been too much for him. He held Abby close for a moment, and then pushed her back with a snort of impatience. Then he left her with some parting words.

“Abby. I’m proud of you.” And he was gone. Abby smiled in happiness. Her grampa was proud of her, and she was determined that her parents would be, too. This would mean the world to them.

...to be continued...

Next time: Jack has something important to tell Jennifer, and he has something important to give her, too.

New Day – Part 11

Christmas Day was finally drawing to a close, and Jennifer had to admit, it had been the most perfect day of her life. All the excitement and love they had crowded into one day had made it incredibly special, a day that they could all look back on and remember for a long time.

Late in the day, Jennifer had spoken on the phone with her parents, and then with her brother, Mike. They were all thrilled to hear her news and were filled with tender love as they listened to her talk on and on about Jack and Abby and the baby. Her happiness was secure again, and they were relieved beyond words for her.

Now, Jennifer watched as Jack wandered about the house, exploring. It was as if he needed to see everything, to experience it all again, and she found that so endearing. There were little things he needed to notice: the new pictures on the wall---Abby’s first high school picture, and Baby Steven’s first official photo, the new salt and pepper shakers Jennifer had bought, the picture on the refrigerator that Zack had drawn for his Aunt Jennifer. It was new and a bit strange, but the more he explored, the more relaxed he began to feel. Things had not changed as much as he had feared they might. Jennifer had seen to it that their home had remained his home, and he was grateful for that. He was also incredibly proud of her. He had to wonder how other wives might have handled similar circumstances, and he decided that some of them would have packed up and put the house on the market, eager to move away from painful memories. Jennifer had stayed and faced hers.

The remains of dinner needed to be put away, and Jennifer attended to that, anxious to finish and spend more time with her husband. He was like a drug to her, and she was hopelessly addicted. She couldn’t bear to be apart from him for more than a few minutes, and she had to force herself to follow any kind of regular routine. As she cleared the last of the dinnerware into the dishwasher, Jennifer tossed about an observation in her mind. Jack hadn’t eaten much for dinner, and that surprised her. He seemed to pick at the food on his plate, which wasn’t like Jack at all. In fact, Jennifer pondered it for a moment, she hadn’t noticed him eat anything for lunch that day, but she had assumed that he’d had that big breakfast and wasn’t especially hungry. Jennifer decided that she would have to watch Jack more closely to make sure that things were really okay.

By the time she finished in the kitchen, he had wandered away from the downstairs, and she wondered where he’d gone. Scooping up her baby boy from the cradle in the living room, she followed her wifely intuition, and climbed the stairs to the upper level. She passed Abby’s room, and she could hear that her daughter was on the phone with a girlfriend. A few steps more, and she was at the nursery door, where she could see and observe exactly where her husband had gone and what he was doing. She stood silently in the doorway, holding their son, and watched, unbeknownst to him, as Jack studied the nursery in fascination. It was the one room that had changed in all this time. Before he left, it had been the guest room; the same guest room he had stayed in when he first came back to Jennifer and Abigail. Now it was the room that belonged to their son. He looked about at all the nursery components---the furniture and toys, the shelf with Abby’s old books, and the stuffed animals up on the top. Jennifer smiled as she watched him touch everything his eyes lit on. He ran fingers over the crib and blankets, the rocking chair, the nursery curtains, everything. It tugged at her heart to watch him.

The baby gave a little gurgle, and Jack turned and saw his wife watching him intently; he didn’t know if he should be embarrassed. She smiled at him and answered the unspoken question. “Don’t be,” she said, simply. “It’s perfectly natural. You are exploring our son’s room, seeing it for the first time. It makes complete sense.”

Nothing ‘made sense’ to Jack, but he appreciated her words and the love and support she was offering him, and he smiled his gratitude. He didn’t know how it was possible, but Jennifer seemed to understand everything when he understood nothing. He was drawing all the strength he needed from that comforting realization. Her love was giving him the power to face all of it, and he somehow sensed he was going to need that power more and more in the coming days, when the thrill of his return would wear off and the realities of the situation would come crashing down, just like the wave that had submerged him. Jack couldn’t think about it now; it was too much to bear. So he turned and walked over to the crib, reaching down and lifting out a small teddy bear. He held it, hoping it would steady his fraying nerves, and it did.

Jennifer smiled again, taking the necessary steps to move closer and be near him. She laid a gentle hand on his arm, and he steeled himself. Ever so softly, she rested her head against his arm, in fact, barely touching him at all. He was comforted, and he gently set the toy back in the crib and turned to his wife and son.

Remembering the events of the early morning, when he had panicked at holding his son, Jack realized it was something he needed to try again, and he held out his arms for the baby. Jennifer was only too happy to relinquish her charge, and she set little Steven in his father’s arms, where he squirmed and kicked. “I think we have a future soccer player here,” Jennifer commented, her eyes adoring the child. “He seems to be kicking those feet all the time.”

Jack held tightly on to the baby, and felt a ripple in his heart as he wondered something. Unsure if he should ask it, he finally did. “Did he kick a lot before? I mean, during the pregnancy.” It pained him to remember all the memories that should have been shared between them and were instead stolen from him. Someone had ripped him from his life, and he would never be able to retrieve those missing months when Jennifer was carrying his son. Jack was overwhelmed by the various emotions of that realization, but he forced himself to remain locked on her eyes.

Jennifer’s eyes shared his sadness. It was uncanny how they could always seem to know what the other was thinking and feeling. She wanted to comfort him and reassure him, but she was worried that any answers she gave, any words she spoke, would simply increase his pain. Seeing the lost look in his eyes, she had to at least try. “He was very active, all through the pregnancy,” she told Jack, as he managed to nod. “Sometime, when the time is right…and I don’t know when that is…I will share it all with you. I kept records and journals and everything, and I promise, I will share it all with you.” It wouldn’t bring back what Jack had lost, but it did bring him a small measure of comfort, nonetheless.

Realizing that her husband needed a change in direction, Jennifer put on a fresh layer of exuberance and said, in a brisk change of subject, “now, it’s just about time to put this little guy to bed.” She moved forward to lift the baby from Jack’s arms, but she stopped in mid-step, something else occurring to her. “Jack,” she spoke, thoughtfully. “Do you want to do the honors tonight?”

Jack’s eyes registered surprise, and he felt a quick burst of nervousness. He wasn’t ready for that, but he wasn’t sure how to express it to Jennifer. Buying time, he shook his head, and then his voice took over again. “No, no,” he insisted. “I’d rather just watch you, if that’s all right.” He struggled to keep the emotion out of his voice, and if Jennifer heard it, she chose not to acknowledge it. She just smiled easily and answered.

“Of course it’s all right, isn’t it my precious,” she cooed, reaching across the final distance and lifting her son into her embrace. She stood for a moment, slowly swaying him from side to side as she held him against her. Jack felt his mouth go dry; he remembered how she used to sway like that with Abigail. He had teased her about it. How even after she’d put the baby down, the movement would continue. He always found it endearingly sweet. Now, to his amazement, he was also finding it incredibly sexy.

Jack berated himself for his pendulum of emotions as he backed up and sat down in the rocking chair, hunched slightly forward with elbows rested on knees, as he watched her carry the child to his changing table. As Jennifer tended to their son, Jack watched her every movement and heard her every whisper. It was as though he were watching through a window into their own lives, witnessing a scene he had imagined so many times in the last months. And suddenly, out of nowhere, Jack wanted his wife with an intensity that caused a shiver to pass through him. He felt a familiar warmth begin to pulse through his body, and he smiled grimly, congratulating himself on his extraordinary timing.

For her part, Jennifer was blissfully unaware, as she changed Steven and deftly dressed him in a fresh pair of jammies. His expressions made her chuckle softly, as she continued to croon to him. And across the room, Jack struggled to come to terms with the physical demands his body was placing on him. If she should realize, he would be mortified. But Jennifer was caught up in the moment with her son, and she completely missed what Jack was trying so desperately to conceal from her. Had she known, she would have blushed and gone hot all over. Finishing the task at hand, Jennifer turned with Steven in her arms, and Jack quickly hunched a little farther forward. She didn’t seem to notice anything different, and Jack hoped with all his heart that she didn’t see how hot and bothered he had become in those few, brief moments.

“Here, Daddy,” she addressed her husband, holding the baby out to him. “Just rock him for a few minutes while I get his bottle ready, okay?” Remembering again the events of the early morning, Jack was about to reply that he would go down for the bottle, when he realized that he couldn’t stand up in front of her, without giving himself completely away. He held back a sigh and took the blanket she extended, draping it quickly about his lap, and reaching for the child. Jennifer scuttled off, and Jack shifted the baby so that they were looking at one another, eye to eye. Steven locked eyes on his daddy and his mouth drew back in a smile.

Jack returned that smile, somewhat uncertainly, and he spoke to his son. “Okay,” he said, softly. “We need to talk. Just the two of us. Man to man, so to speak.” Steven pushed back his wobbly head and grinned, showing his toothless smile. Jack studied him a moment, and then, with an affectionate chuckle, he simply said, “oh, never mind. You won’t give away my secret, will you?”

...to be continued...

Next time: Jack shares some tender moments with his children, but his mind is on the tender moments to come, with his wife.

New Day – Part 13

Jennifer watched her husband and daughter head down the hall together, and she sighed in contentment. Abby still needed her daddy; it was something Jennifer had known all the time that Jack was gone. Their daughter had never gotten over the profound loss in her life, and Jennifer was so happy to see the two of them reunited again. They had always shared a special bond, Jack and Abby, and Jennifer had sagely accepted that early on in their life together. There were times that she almost felt she was the outsider, but she couldn’t deny them the full and rich relationship they both needed. Jack had needed the opportunity to become a father; it had brought out a side to him that Jennifer had only dreamt of. And as for Abby, Jennifer had never known what a true father-daughter relationship could be until she had watched her husband and their daughter together. Despite the little twinges she felt, watching them as they bonded, she was proud of them both.

But now, as Jennifer entered the privacy of her bedroom, she put thoughts of Abby and Steven out of her mind and focused on Jack. They had been so close today, and there had been moments when it was almost like it had never happened. Jennifer had fought to make the day as normal as possible, and Jack had seemed to relax and roll with it.

Thoughts of Christmas and gifts and miracles and children fled from Jennifer’s mind, as she welcomed a place where it would only be the two of them again. She undressed quickly, choosing from the closet the nightgown she knew Jack had always appreciated. She had worn it the first time they’d made love after their long separation, and she remembered with a thrill how Jack had looked at her then. He had reached out tentative fingers and gracefully pulled the laces until the robe had come open in his hands. Jennifer remembered that she’d barely been able to breathe and how nervous they had both been. But that union had been perfect, and she knew this one would be, too.

Jack would spend a few precious moments with Abby, and then he would return to her. Jennifer knew that when he did, she would be ready and waiting. In fact, she was so ready now, that she felt her pulse throbbing and heat beginning to wash over her. They had been apart for so long, and she needed to feel her husband in her arms again. Jennifer’s breath caught in anticipation. She was so ready, she didn’t even wish to take the time to light a candle or put on soft music. It was just details, and she was too impatient to be bothered. This moment would be theirs, and the rest was incidental.

Searching for the right starting point, Jennifer had to decide if she should climb under the covers, sit on the bed, or stand and welcome him. She finally chose to sit on the edge of the bed, her legs crossed seductively, as her eyes bored a hole in the door. After long minutes of expectancy, she finally heard the sound she had been straining to hear. It was the sound of Jack closing Abby’s door and coming down the hall to her. She heard his footsteps, and then they stopped. She held her breath, awaiting the open door, but it didn’t come. Puzzled, she strained to decide if he had walked away again, but there was no sound.

Impatience getting the best of her, Jennifer got up from her perch and crossed the room. She opened the door and in the hallway, Jack jumped in surprise. He had a strange look on his face, and Jennifer questioned what he was doing. He looked at her, gulped, and answered honestly. “I was just praying,” he said, trying to gauge her response to that startling admission. Jennifer smiled sweetly and left the words behind them. She reached forward assertively and grabbed Jack by the hand, leading him through the doorway, into the room, and shutting the door behind them.

Inside their room, Jack blinked and took a good, long look at his wife. She was as beautiful as the day he had married her, and he remembered thinking at the time, that she had never been more lovely than she was that day. And here they were, so many years later, and she was still stunning. He wanted to tell her that, but the words somehow lodged in his throat. In fact, there seemed to be only one word he could say, and he said it, two, three times. “Jennifer.”

She nodded, speaking to him without words. Jennifer held her arms out, and Jack walked into them, feeling home. Her head rested under his chin, fitting perfectly, just as it always had. Jack’s arm came about her, a hand twining in her hair, as he just felt it and smelled it. He let out a sigh that rattled through both of them. “Jennifer,” he breathed. “I can’t even tell you how much I missed you. Words aren’t sufficient.”

Jennifer’s own breath was coming out in shaky spurts. Her eyes danced as she heard his words. Only Jack Deveraux would use such words in the midst of a romantic moment. It was just one of so many things she adored about him.

“Jack,” she responded, her words playing with his mouth between the kisses she presented. “We never needed the words.” He acknowledged through his eyes the overpowering truth to her assertion. They knew how to speak to one another without uttering a single word, and Jack put an addendum onto his earlier prayer, a word of thanks that she was his.

Jennifer was moving slowly, backing them both toward the bed. Her eyes and lips never left him, and when she felt the bed on the back of her knees, she slowly sank down. Jack released her long enough to allow it, and he looked down at her, longingly. His wife put out a hand again, inviting him to take it and take a place at her side. He sat beside her, and she twisted toward him, releasing his hand and using both of her own to touch his chest and neck and chin. Her kisses were landing all over him, and he squirmed and released a groan of pleasure. Jennifer heard that sound and understood it. He was already as lost in the moment as she.

She pulled back from him long enough to give them both a moment to breathe. Then, without seeking the permission she knew he would not deny, she reached forward and grasped his sweater, lifting it over his head, as Jack assisted. He sat beside her in semi-naked glory, and Jennifer had to stifle the greedy moan that was inside her. Her husband was a gorgeous man, even despite the fact that he had lost weight. He had muscles that rippled in his arms, and he now used them to embrace her again, as she felt his fingers on her back, rubbing over the satiny sheen of her nightgown. Tears sprang to her eyes; she never thought she would feel this way again. Jack was the only man who had ever, remotely, made her feel like this, and if she had lost him forever, she was certain she would never feel it again. She had come so close to losing it, it was frightening. And she never wanted to be that lost and alone and helpless again. Once again, the sound she made was one of avaricious impatience. She needed him, and she needed him now. Jennifer didn’t think she could wait any longer.

Sensing her urgency, Jack fought to steady the pounding of his heart, wanting to go on. Suddenly, he felt a sharp pain, and the rhythm of his heartbeat began to go awry. Jack felt it beat out of control, irregularly, and his breath began to come in gasps. Jennifer didn’t realize, at first. She must have thought he was just caught up in the moment, but Jack knew it. It was the beginning of another one of his attacks. He had experienced them before, even in the brief time he’d been home. He couldn’t explain them, and he couldn’t control them. What was worse, he couldn’t predict them or stop them. And each attack was slightly different from the one preceding it. Symptoms were never exactly the same. The uncertainty was awful.

Jack pulled back from Jennifer, and she still didn’t understand. She thought he was pulling back to continue the passion, and when she leaned toward him again, he stuck out an arm and stopped her. She was momentarily surprised, and when she looked into his eyes, she recognized the look of panic she had seen the previous night. Her thoughts shifted violently, fear replacing the passion now. She sat as still as possible, willing herself not to think or move or breathe. Jack couldn’t tear his eyes off her as she waited beside him. He twitched and the spasms that overtook him jolted her as well, but still she did not move. Her eyes reached out to him, imploring silently for him to focus on her. He instinctively sensed what she was communicating. She would help him through it. He just needed to focus on her eyes. He did, gasping for breath, as the shudders that wracked him finally began to decrease in intensity. As the final tremors died down, Jack felt his heart kick back into its natural rhythm, and he gratefully sucked air into his lungs.

Jennifer watched it all, knowing when it had nearly passed, and seeing the look in his eyes when it had gone completely. Jack looked away in silent misery, the mood completely spoiled now. He was so ashamed that he could not even meet her eyes. His own weakness was shattering to him, and Jack could not face the woman beside him, knowing in his heart how desperately he had let her down. As he contemplated his humiliation, it was a single, simple gesture that pulled him from his pit of despair.

She reached her hand to his chin and gently but firmly pressured him to turn and look at her. He did, still unable to look into her eyes. Finally, he succumbed, pulling his eyes toward hers, and the look of love and peace there was his undoing. She was disappointed, but not disgusted. She was anxious, but not angry. She didn’t care as much about their spoiled moment as she cared about him.

The time was not to be for them, this first night truly together again. They both felt it and they both regretted it deeply. But it was not enough to weaken the bonds of love they had for one another. There would be another time for them, and in the meantime, Jennifer set things right again. She dropped the fingers that had lingered at his chin, and she loved him with her eyes and her smile and her heart. And then she spoke three simple words, along with his name. “Jack. Just hold me.”

It was enough. It had to be enough for now. They sat in each other’s arms, drawing strength, allowing their love to reach over them in a different way than the one they had hoped for. But ultimately, it didn’t really matter. Jennifer knew there would be another time, and Jack knew he would find a way to make it up to her. Their love had survived so many tests and trials. It would certainly survive this.

...to be continued...

Next time: The disappointment of the evening is replaced by the sweetness of a new day.

New Day – Part 15

Jennifer had finished showering and was reentering the bedroom when she stopped to watch the scene playing out before her. Jack was sitting on the bed, and Steven was laying beside him, looking up into his daddy’s face. Jack had him grasped by each hand, and as he spoke to the baby, he was absent-mindedly performing a patty-cake ritual with his son.

“Okay, now,” Jack was saying, as if Steven could really understand his words. “Did you get that last part, because that was important. Remember, whatever goes wrong, she will always tell you it will be all right. And it will be. Because Mommy knows best.” Steven continued to gaze at his father, mesmerized by the sound of his voice and his steady flow of words. “So, let’s see. We covered basic personality traits and character flaws. What shall we move on to next?” As Jack considered that possibility, Jennifer softly cleared her throat from the doorway. He looked up in semi-surprise at her, as she stood there, wrapped in a towel, her hair dripping onto the carpet and leaving little wet dots.

“That’s very cute, Jack,” she broke in, and then she amended her statement. “Oh, I’m sorry. What I meant to say is, that is amazingly handsome, virile and sexy of you.” She lifted her eyebrows in a tease and asked, “how was that?”

Jack turned away from his wife and back to his son, saying, “did I also mention that she has the memory of an elephant. In fact, a rather large elephant. You do something wrong, and she’ll remember it. Trust me on that.” He smirked, as Jennifer moved past them and toward the closet, looking for an outfit for the day. Jack had one part of his mind on their son, but the other part of his mind was completely on Jennifer, as he sneaked a peek or two at her while she dressed.

Steven made his first sound of protest, apparently missing the sound of his father’s voice. Jack’s attention shifted, and he said, thoughtfully, “Jennifer. I think our son is exceptionally intelligent.”

Jennifer wiggled into her turtleneck sweater and answered, “of course he is, Jack. It’s in the genes.” Jack looked down at the denim he was wearing and over at Jennifer as she pulled up the zipper of her own pants, and he smirked again. Jennifer caught his look and his unspoken joke, and she responded accordingly. “Genetic makeup, Jack.”

“I’m serious,” Jack told her. “Come see this. Just watch him when I talk to him. He’s completely attentive. It’s almost like he knows my voice.” Jack knew that wasn’t possible, but the idea excited him, nonetheless. He began to talk to Steven again, and the baby locked eyes with him, hanging on his every word. It made Jennifer smile as she came and sat down on the bed to join them.

“Jack, I have a small confession,” she said, sounding more pleased than naughty. “He does know the sound of your voice.”

Jack looked at Jennifer in surprise. “How can that be,” he asked, doubtfully, wishing that it were true. He figured Jennifer was trying to make him feel better, but she mustn’t mislead him. He was going to have to face the cold, hard facts.

“I know it’s true,” Jennifer insisted. “And I know why he knows your voice.”

Jack looked at her, awaiting a response. She smiled sheepishly and told him the answer. “Steven and I used to listen to the sound of your voice every night before we went to bed,” she explained. At Jack’s look of astonishment, she went on. She gave a tiny cringe and said, “I played him the tapes from our In the House segments.” She wondered how Jack would respond to that knowledge. She had known, even back then, that Jack didn’t consider their ill-fated talk show to be their finest moment, and looking back, she had to agree with him. She looked up at him and saw his look of wonder.

“Every night?” he asked, amazed again at her steadfast devotion.

“Every night,” she echoed with a small smile. “I would lay in bed and rub my tummy, just like you used to do before Abby was born, and I’d play the tapes and let him listen to you and me.” Jennifer’s smile was tinged with sadness. “It helped ease the loneliness, knowing that I had our memories to preserve, and that you had left me with this precious gift.” She motioned toward their son, and Jack reached out and grabbed for her hand, giving her fingers a squeeze before lifting her hand to his lips for a kiss.

“Jennifer,” he spoke in wonderment. “You absolutely overwhelm me.” He didn’t even know how to put in words all these feelings he had for her. He just knew that they grew stronger and more solid with each passing moment.

“I know,” she said, waving a hand, “it was silly.” Jack grabbed for her hand again, and kissed it, lingeringly.

“It was wonderful,” he corrected her. He paused, searching for the right words to express it to her, and when they wouldn’t appear, he smiled and chose what was there. “It was sweet and cute,” he said, and she chuckled at that.

Steven fussed again, and Jennifer scooped him up into her arms, greeting him officially to the new day. “Jack, you go ahead and shower,” she suggested, “and I’ll take it from here.”

He nodded, and slowly got up from the bed, watching them both as he crossed the room to the bathroom. Jennifer was already talking to the baby, interacting with him with the voice of a mother. Jack paused beside the doorway, less interested at the moment in the shower than in just watching the two of them.

Jennifer was smiling and laughing with the baby, and Jack watched her like a lovesick teenager, his heart hanging out onto the floor, brushing the wet spots she had left from her dripping hair. His dreams and fantasies had kept him going, but the reality of what he had gained back was so much more profound. Part of him didn’t ever want to even leave that room. He forced himself to continue toward the shower, and as he slowly closed the door, he heard her say, “yes, my sweetheart, there’s just one thing you need to know about your daddy.” Jack kept the door open an instant longer, needing to hear what was coming next. “Actually,” she amended, “there are two things. First of all,” Jennifer did a good job of concealing her real smile, “he is a hopeless eavesdropper.” She swiveled her head and caught him, as he grinned and nodded. “And second of all, we love him.” She looked back into her baby’s eyes and repeated that phrase. “We love him, Steven, and that’s all you’ll ever need to know.”

She turned back to Jack, who smiled and kissed her with his eyes, closing the door gently behind him. Jennifer sighed and stood up with the baby, her purpose to bring him downstairs and get his morning bottle going. As they rounded the bottom step, the phone rang, and Jennifer frowned slightly, not wanting anyone or anything to yet intrude on the peacefulness of this new day. She crossed to the phone and observed the caller identification. With eyebrows raised, she picked up the phone and answered.

“Jenn,” came the familiar voice on the other end. “I’m sorry to interrupt you at a time like this, but I need to talk to Jack. It’s urgent."

...to be continued...

Next time: Who has questions, and does Jack have any answers?