Jerry glanced back at his brother. Jax chewed on the ice cube in his mouth, slowly placing his half empty glass back on the bar.

Jerry turned his attention to Keesha, watching as she stared at Jax silently.

"It is time I was off," Jerry decided, standing. Neither Jax nor Keesha broke eye their eye contact as Jerry walked over to the doorway. "My lady," he nodded to Keesha, breezing past her.

Finally, Jax broke the silence. "Yes?"

Keesha came further into the room. "I came to speak with you about Jasmine."

"There is nothing to speak of." Jax picked up his glass once more, finishing the rest of his drink.

"I believe there is. Obviously. Given your...conversation with your brother."

"How much did you hear?"

"Enough to realize how worried you are."

"I am not worried. That is all in your head." Jax walked over to Keesha. "I am sorry if my words frightened you..."

"Jax...we were speaking of you..." Keesha sighed, slightly exapserated as Jax silenced her with a small kiss on her forehead.

"I say we go to bed."

Keesha looked up into Jax's eyes. And Jax realized at that precise moment she would not be budged.

"You watched Jasmine...as she..."

"Died. Yes."

"I am so sorry..."

"But that is neither here nor there at this moment." he finished quickly, walking past her.

"Jax..." Keesha took his hand and he turned back, looking at her. "...please talk to me."

"Why? You know everything already. I was with Jasmine, when she passed. There is nothing to discuss. And I would rather not have your mind occupied with such negative thoughts right now...because..." Jax's voice trailed off and he sighed deeply.

"Because you are worried about me," Keesha finished for him.

"That is a given," Jax admitted softly.

"You need not worry."

"I will worry as long as there is need to be. And you cannot promise me there is in fact, no need."

Keesha looked down at the ground. Jax was right, there were some things she could not promise him. However...

"No matter where I am, you must know my love for you will follow beyond eternity." Keesha looked into Jax's eyes again. "I am able to promise that much."

Jax stared at Keesha for a moment.

Keesha's eyes fluttered closed as his hand touched her cheek. "I will never allow anything to happen you ever again," he decided.

Keesha began with a tease, "You are able to promise me such things..."

"Shh." Jax whispered, his fingers on her lips. "I have told you, we will no longer have your mind cluttered with dark thoughts. You are to think of..." "Love." Keesha smiled.

"Love." Jax agreed with a grin. "And..."

"You."

"Me. And..."

"Us."

Jax nodded. "All of us."

"All four of us." Keesha took his hand, and kissed it softly. She grinned, watching his eyes sparkle as he laughed.

Eight Months Later

"What do you mean she does not want me in there!"

Jerry stepped back as Jax yelled.

"She is having our child and she does not want me in there?!"

Jerry pulled Jax back down the stairs. "Perhaps it is because you are acting like a mad man..."

Jules watched as Jax continued pacing the hallway downstairs. He looked over at Agnes, but her attention, like Jerry's was focused on Jax.

So much pain....

Maggie winced quietly as Keesha squeezed her hand

The doctor kept telling her to push, but she didn't want to push...

She wanted to yell...

But...

She couldn't scream...

The last time Jax heard that scream, Jasmine died.

For him...and for herself, Keesha refused to scream.

She couldn't leave him...

She didn't want to die...

Keesha groaned, her other hand pulling on the sheet beneath her. She let go of Maggie's hand.

Maggie went over to the window, pulling the curtains. "It's a lovely evening..." Maggie mumbled to herself.

Keesha glanced over...

Over past that hill...

Was the house that Garcia lived in...

"Close the curtains!" Keesha barked, staring straight ahead once more.

She had to think of only good things...she had to...

The doctor glanced back at the barricaded bedroom door. He never had suggested that there be other people in the room while someone was giving birth...however...

"I believe you would feel more at ease if you allowed Lord Jacks in with you, my lady."

"No!" she yelled. She did not want him there, in case...

She closed her eyes. Never, ever had she experienced such pain...

"Damn it Jasper!" Jerry grabbed Jax's hand. "Will you sit still...."

Suddenly, a loud, blood curdling scream deafened their ears.

Jerry tightened his grip on Jax's hand, and Jules buried his face against Agnes' chest.

"Keesha!" Jax tore away from Jerry, running up the stairs.

Jax banged on the door. Why was it so quiet now...Jax continued pounding on the door. She couldn't have died, she couldn't have...

He looked up to the heavens. "Don't make a bloody liar out of me!" he pleaded. He had promised Keesha nothing would happen...

"OPEN THE BLOODY DOOR!" Jax reached up to knock again...

Then, slowly the door opened.

"Congratulations, my lord." Maggie smiled.

Jax looked down. Looking up at him, squrming slightly was... "He's..."

"She..." Maggie corrected as she gently placed the baby in Jax's arms. The baby's dark brown eyes stared up into his blue ones. "She is perfect..."

"She looks like..." Jax blinked. "Hold her." Jax carefully handed his daughter back to Maggie; he ran over to the bed. "Keesha..."

Jax sat down next to Keesha on the bed.

"Why are her eyes closed?" he looked at the doctor.

"She is exhausted."

Jax turned at the timid voice. Keesha opened her eyes slowly.

"Keesha..."

"Is she okay?" Keesha added with a whisper.

"See for yourself."

Maggie walked over with the baby, handing her over to Jax. "She looks like you..." Jax informed her, his face beaming with pride.

"How can you tell?" Keesha managed a smile. She reached out, taking a tiny hand. "I know what I wish to name her."

"Really?" Jax laughed. "Leave it to you to go on and make decisions without consulting..."

"Jasmine."

Jax looked down at their little girl. "I beleive she would like that." he nodded. "Jasmine." he whispered. He looked over at Keesha again.

At the same time, mother and daughter yawned.

"I love you," he promised them both. "Now rest."

"You and your orders." Keesha smiled, even as her eyes closed.

The End.