The Best Laid Plans-Chapter 88
 
 

Dara opened her eyes slowly to find Jax's blue eyes staring intently at her.

" Why are you staring at me?"

" Because, all those nights that I spent alone, I never thought that we would be together. I think I spent most of the night convincing myself that it was really you."

" After all the things we did last night, you have doubts as to my authenticity?",  Dara says as she snuggles closer to Jax.

" No. Dara, I don't want to ever let you go."

" Jax, our troubles are behind us now. We will be in constant battle with the rest of the world, but, between us, no more fighting about stupid stuff. Now, I only want to fight with you about things of the utmost importance.", Dara says as she kisses him on his chest.

" Like what?" He nibbles on her ear.

" Like whether you like Skippy or Jif?"

" What's that?"

" You are entirely TOO rich.", Dara says as she laughs. " You need to get back into the real world."

" Dara, I've been living in an altogther TOO real world. "

Dara got serious. " Yep. I know. "

" Dara, I love you. I want us to be together. Nothing ever was this simple before. Yet, so complicated. But, I know this. We are going to be together. And, whatever happens, we will handle it, as a couple. United. "

" Against the world? Sounds terribly cliche."

" Most cliches become cliches because they're based in truths. And, this is our truth: we belong together. And, things we can't change, will NOT be the basis for being apart, when we're so good together."

" I waited a long time to hear you say these things, Jax. I used to get discouraged that I would never hear them. That I would never get what was deepest in my heart. You. "

" You have me, Ms. Jensen. BOY, do you have me. Now, I think it's time that we take a shower, because we're supposed to be somewhere. "

" WE take a shower?"

Jax flashes his dimples and gives her a wicked smile. " Yes, we!" Jax scoops her up and takes her into the bathroom where they do their own version of water aerobics.

After they showered and dressed, they loaded into Jax's Range Rover.

" Where are we going, Jasper?"

" Oooh. Jasper...do I sense that you are a little curious, Ms. Jensen? "

" Yes. More than a little. "

" Well, you'll see. "

Jax and Dara drive for awhile. Dara was tired from all the activities that she and Jax had done last night. She dozed off. She felt the car slowing down and opened her eyes. She was surprised by what she saw.

" An oil rig?"

" Very good, Ms. Jensen. " Jax got out of the car and rushed over to Dara's side and opened her door. " Please, will you do me the honors?" Jax took Dara's hand as she got out of the car, and they walked over to the rig. As they got closer, Dara saw a plaque. She went over to it.

" J & J 1?"

" Yes. This is the first oil-rig of the J & J Jacks Empire. It was the turning point for my family, when my Dad knew he was on his way."

" An Empire, huh?", Dara teased.

" Yes. My father brought my mother here, and told her that he would dedicate himself to building something that could be passed onto their kids: Jerry and me. I'm here, Dara, because, I dedicate myself to nothing less. I already control a massive fortune, so, that can't be the challenge that I present myself today. It's not that I won't make more. I love the game, and I'm good at it. No, I will be dedicating a good part of my life to make it better for kids. "

" Kids?"

" Yeah. Kids. "

" Jax, I...."

" Dara, being apart from you has taught me more about the world than maybe I wanted to know. I was very protected in the world that I inhabited. The thing is, once you've had your eyes opened, it's difficult to close them again. In all honesty, you can't. So, I am promising you, that no matter what happens, my commitment to making things better will not waver. "

" Oh, a commitment to some form of social justice is what you mean. "

" Yes. What did you think I meant?"

" Nothing. I think it's commendable, Jax. I can say that I see the change in you. And, it was for the positive. "

" Thanks. So, do you want to go on a tour? "

" Sure." Dara took his hand and they went off exploring on the oil rig.

~*~**~*~*~*~*~*~**~*~*~*~*~*~*~**~

" I tell you I want some steak and eggs for breakfast.", John Jacks barks to the nurse.

" Mr. Jacks, the doctor has you on a strict diet, you know that."

" Young lady, do you know how much money I've given to this bloody hospital? The people I know?"

" Even if she knew it down to the last dime, it wouldn't matter.", Jerry said with a smile as he walked into the room. " Now, Dad, you could call in the entire Board of Directors, but, this lady has her orders from someone even higher."

" And, who's that?"

" Lady Jane. " Jerry winked at the nurse, who smiled slyly. " So, it's oatmeal for you."

" Oatmeal? That's what we give the horses. Not humans."

The nurse takes the last of John's vitals and leaves.

" Dad, the nurse is just doing her job. They all are. Do you realize the kinds of fruit baskets that Mum has been doling out since you got here? Noone wants to work with you."

" Hmmph. Where is your brother? I haven't seen him."

" Jasper has been otherwise occupied, and is the reason I'm here this early. "

" Oh, why?"

" I don't know. But, I suspect it has something to do with Dara."

" The young woman whose been here by his side, but, being very discreet about it."

" Yes. "

" She's never bothered to come and meet me."

" Dad, she's not avoiding you. She honestly think this is a Jacks family matter, and her only concern has to be a source of comfort for Jax."

" Is she?"

" Yes. I think he would have gone batty worrying about you. Ok, maybe not batty, but, she does have a calming influence on him."

" Lady Jane's said the same thing. You like her?"

" I REALLY like her."

" More than Miranda? Brenda?"

" Yes. She's not too young like Miranda. Or flaky like Ms. Barrett. She's strong, solid, smart. All woman."

" Sounds like Lady Jane. "

Jerry laughs. " I thought you'd finally get it. Well, Dad, you're supposed to be getting showered and dressed. Jacks wants us somewhere in a couple of hours."

" You aren't going to tell me, are you?"

" Dad. I honestly don't know what he's up to. But, I told him you'd be there, on your best behavior."

~*~*~*~*~**~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~**~*~*~*~

Jax and Dara were driving back from the rig.

" Jax?"

" Yep."

" I think it's time that I went back home. "

" Home?"

" You know, Port Charles. Your father is out of the woods. And, I put my life on hold while I came to you."

" I didn't know that I was that much of a burden."

" Did I use the word burden? You aren't a burden. But, we have separate lives. And, we need to get back to them."

" What about last night?"

" I won't hold you to anything you said last night. I know that you were relieved that your father would be OK. "

" Dara, that is NOT what last night was about and you know it. You can't take it back, Dara."

" Take what back."

" That I make you happy. You can't erase those words from my memory. No matter how much you try. Now, if you want to go back to Port Charles to see about your job, I'll arrange for the jet to take you back. But, only after you spend the afternoon with me."

" Is this some sort of blackmail, Mr. Jacks?"

" If that's what your trained legal mind thinks, then so be it. But, we have a special luncheon date already set up for us. I'm going to enjoy your company as long as possible. "

Jax took Dara's hand and kissed it. " Understood?"

Dara smiled. " Absolutely."

~*~*~*~*~*~**~*~*~**~*~*~*~*~**~

Lady Jane walked into the hospital room. Jerry was using the old-fashioned razor blade to give John a shave.

" Well, isn't this a sight. I don't know about for sore eyes, but, a sight. "

" Did Jax call you too?", Jerry asked.

" Yes. What do you think he's up to?"

" I have no idea. But, if he's willing to put up with Dad, it must be serious."

" Oh, I don't know. I've been putting up with John for a long time.", Jane says with a wink.

John matches her wink with a twinkle that Jerry knows is only reserved for Jane.

" Alright, you two. There is a child present."

" Jerry, a man has to be a man. You know what, I think your Mum can handle this, can't you?"

" Not that I can't take the hint, but, Mum, remember, the man's just had a heart attack."

" What do you think gave me one in the first place?"

Jerry chuckled on his way out. " Remember you two, the nurses are outside, and Jax will be here in an hour."

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~**~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Dara had changed into a pale yellow  Armani skirt outfit that was the same color as the one the night she and Jax went out for the first time. Dara knew that it couldn't be a coincidence.  The limo was waiting.

" Where are we going? ", Dara asked as she got into the limo.

" It's a surprise. But, one that should completely clarify what Jasper Jacks is all about."

" Oh. What you're all about. That is too much for me."

" Hopefully not. But, there are ways that we can pass the time." , Jax says as he scoots over to Dara. He begins to kiss her, and she responds.

They engage in a serious makeout session and only stop until the limo comes to a halt. The driver opens the door and Dara gets out.

" The hospital?"

" You'll see. "

Jax takes Dara's hand a leads the way, with a devilish smile on his face. They walk until they finally reach their destination.

" Why are we here, Jax?", Dara asks as they enter into the dining hall at the hospital. It had been closed, so the sign on the door had said.

" Well, this was the only place where the hospital administrators said that I could have my concert."

" Concert?"

" Yes. The night that things turned so poorly for us, we were on our way to a concert. I thought we could have a concert tonight."

" You trying to tell me that you brought B.B. King to Alaska?"

" I thought about it. But, I decided against it, because when I thought of you, I thought of this song, to express how I really feel. And, I wanted my family to know just what you mean to me."

Jax led Dara to a comfortable leather couch, in front of a makeshift stage in the middle of the cafeteria. Once she was settled, she saw John, Jane and Jerry come and take the couch behind them.

The lights were dim, and, then, the strobe light began to spin. Dara looked at Jax with a confused look on his face. The music started and she thought that it was familiar. Once the curtain was rising, Dara was getting into the beat. Then, she heard his voice. The voice that had lulled her to sleep so many nights. The voice of Black Velvet.
 

" Dara, this man got me on a plane to Alaska, because he said that this song was you. Sugar, that's pure LUV."
 

~*~*~***~We got it together, didn't we?
We've definitely got our thing together, don't we baby?
Isn't that nice? I mean, really, when you really sit and think about it,
isn't it really, really nice?
 

I can easily feel myself slipping more and more ways that simple world of my
own
Nobody but you and me
We've got it together baby
The first, my last, my everything
and the answer to all my dreams
You're my sun, my moon, my guiding star
My kind of wonderful, that's what you are

I know there's only, only one like you
There's no way, they could have made two
Girl you're all I'm living for
Your love I'll keep forever more
You're the first, you're the last, my everything

In you, I found so many things
A love so new only you could bring
Can't you see it's you?
Can't you see it's you?

You make me feel this way
You're like a fresh morning dew
On a brand new day
I see so many ways that I
Can love you til the day I die

You're my reality, yet I'm lost in a dream
You're the first, the last, my everything
I know there's only, only one like you

There's no way they could have made two
Girl you're my reality, but I'm lost in a dream
You're the first, you're the last, my everything
You and me baby, just you and me
You are the first, the last, my everything
~*~*~*~*~**~*~~
White Barry
Barry White's Greatest Hits
You're The First, The Last, My Everything
 

By the end of the song, Jax is on his knee. He takes out the box and the ring. He picks up Dara's hand and slips the ring on her finger.

" Dara Jensen, you heard the man. Will you be my everything? Do me the honor of becoming Mrs. Jasper Jacks?"

Dara is standing there, stunned. She has tears in her eyes. The entire Jacks family is looking at her, Jax is on his knees, Barry White and his band are there.

" You put me in an awful spot. But, the answer is yes. Yes, Jax, I'll marry you."

Jax gets up, pulls Dara into his arms and they melt with a passionate kiss.