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[echolls_cursed]

Throwing a party was a lot more work than Logan had anticipated, and he found himself grateful for a change that Jack had so many friends. Decorating wasn't so bad, and it went by faster with the help of Prior and Maureen, but food... Well, anyone who had ever tasted Logan's attempts at anything other than pancakes or bacon would be glad to know

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[captainjack]

Ever since Jane Bennett had decreed the day he arrived on the island to be Jack's birthday, he had had a party. It was Helen's islandversary, too- a fact that they had discussed many times as being a strange and fortuitous coincidence. This was the first year Logan had thrown him a party and it had been a bit of a surprise. He'd been thinking it would just be a small get together. Maybe a few friends. Something quiet.

Clearly not.

He circulated through the crowd, smiling at everyone and talking to them, offering his thanks for their coming. He loved parties, that was no secret. He kept sneaking glances at Logan all through the thing. No matter who he talked to or who he danced with, Jack knew who he needed to thank the most.

[captainjack]

"Oh, sweetheart, anyone who's talked to you for five minutes knows that you don't have a terrible bone in your body," he told her, smiling gently. "You are what the guys during the war called a catch. I think your guy is pretty dam- pretty lucky. You're worth it."

[bennet_beauty]

"Whyever are we discussing such things upon your special day?" she wondered, trying desperately to break her mind away from such thoughts. "We should speak of your life!" she insisted, squeezing his hand lightly. "And we must return to your party! People will wonder where you've gone."

[captainjack]

"It's my party so I get to talk with who I like," he decided, slipping his hand into one of hers as he turned to lead her back to the throng of other people.

"My life isn't so interesting. Logan and I are happy, I'm working with Helen to help her run the Catscratch Club. And of course there's the task force..."

[bennet_beauty]

Jane was happy that his life seemed quite a bit more than adequate. It meant that she could worry less about him because she always did and she always hoped that the events of his life turned out for the better. "It seems as though everything is falling perfectly into place. Do you want for anything, Jack?"

[captainjack]

"Not a thing," he said honestly. "It's not the life I ever imagined for myself, but I'm happy, Jane. For the first time in so long I amreally happy. I never thought it was something I'd get.Happiness was for other people."

[bennet_beauty]

"I do not believe that you should be excluded," Jane opined with a fraught look of concern upon her face. "Jack, you are such a wonderful man. Really! You deserve as much happiness as anyone else is ever given and I believe that with my whole body and soul."

[captainjack]

"You know, you've always thought so highly of me, Jane. I appreciate that. More than I can tell you," Jack replied, leaning in and landing another tender kiss against her cheek. She was the closest thing to a sister that he could imagine and the last thing he ever wanted to do was let her down. It was nice to hear that she still believed the best of him after all this time.

[bennet_beauty]

"You have given me all the facets of your personality to think highly of, Jack," she said, most calm and serene as she kept close to him. "I did not invent anything. I merely enjoyed our conversations, saw your actions to be good, and made my judgments based on that."

[captainjack]

"You're too good to me and you're never going to change my mind about that," he beamed. "So, tell me more about your new friend. I like how you light up, Jane. Love looks good on you."

[bennet_beauty]

"It is strange to think that I could be in love so happily," she admitted with a fond laugh, still struck by how utterly joyful Carwood made her. "He is a soldier, but so very respectful. He is handsome, though that would not matter to me in the least if he were not. I like him for who he is. And he is so good with Liddy, like a father."

[captainjack]

"Then it sounds like you've got a good thing, Jane. I'd like to meet him officially. I'm sure I've seen him around, but if he's going to be with you, I definitely insist on an introduction," he said warmly.

[bennet_beauty]

"Of course," Jane agreed with a studious and serious look upon her face. "Perhaps at my next ball? Serena and I are planning to host it and I would love dearly if you and Carwood were to officially meet. I am sure you will like him endlessly," she said, not knowing how either Carwood could dislike Jack or vice-versa.

[captainjack]

"If you like him and he treats you like the lady you are, I'm sure I'll like him, Jane," Jack replied. "You have impeccable taste."

[bennet_beauty]

"I do not know if that is the case as Lizzy did always question my taste, but I shall choose to believe your opinion," she delighted in announcing. "But, of course, I shall very much like to hear your opinion. It matters a great deal to me."

[fatalpride]

After a while of watching everyone else walk around talking to people, Annabeth had realized that there would be no breaks in Jack's conversations. As soon as he stopped talking to someone, he started up another conversation with someone else. It was time to take action, and so she draws herself up to her full height before approaching.

"Mr...Jack?" she realizes that Percy hadn't given her a last name and inwardly rolled her eyes at him. She wasn't exactly on first-name basis with this man, and as awkward as the 'mister' in front seemed it was probably right.

"I'm Annabeth Chase. One of Percy's friends. He told me you were part of the building council."