Return to Summary PageThe following episode occured July 17, 1997. This is the episode where Jack comes home after being temporarily released from prison.
Scene opens with Jack & Jennifer hugging each other tightly at the front door. Jack has just surprised Jennifer by arriving on the doorstep to their house.
Jenn - I can't believe you're really here.
She releases herself from the hug and looks at Jack and they both smile. "Come in," she says and she takes his hand and they walk across to the side of the living room. "How did you get out?" she asks while Travis is seen hiding behind the wall in the dining room eavesdropping on Jack & Jenn's 'reunion'. Jack & Jennifer are now standing across from each other, holding hands and looking into each other.
Jack - Well Mickey pulled some strings. He managed to get me released pending a decision on a second appeal.
Jennifer - Well, God bless Uncle Mickey.
Jack really smiles at Jennifer and laughs. Jennifer smiles back and seems overwhelmed with joy and surprise.
Jack - Yeah. So where's Abby?
Jennifer (sounds very excited) - Umm.. mom's picking her up from school. She's going to be so excited.
Jack (his voice is quieter. He is really smiling) - I can't wait to see her. I can't wait to do a lot of things...
He pulls Jennifer closer to him and looks directly at her, wanting to kiss her.
Jennifer (gives a small laugh) - Uhh... I almost forgot that the new neighbour's in the kitchen. I'll... (she leans away from Jack and shouts towards kitchen) 'Trent! You have to come and meet Jack!'
Travis is still hiding in the dining room and looks very nervous that Jack will find him there. He says to himself, 'I can't let Jack see me. Damn! How am I going to get out of here?'
Jack is getting a bit impatient but he's still smiling. He's got more important things on his mind besides meeting Trent ;-) He takes her hand and pulls her closer to him.
Jack - Look Jenn, we can... we can meet Trent later. There's something that I have to do. (He nods his head and smiles. Then he leans forward and they begin to kiss each other. She puts her hands around the back of his neck and the scene ends with them kissing).
Next scene opens with Jack & Jennifer just finishing their kiss. Jennifer still has both of her hands around the back of Jack's neck. Jack has his hands around Jennifer's waist. They are both smiling and looking directly into each other's eyes.
Jack - So we're not alone, huh?
Jennifer - Unfortunately...
Just then, Abby runs into the house and is very excited to discover her father there.
Abby - Daddy!
Jack turns around and sees Abby running towards him. He smiles and lifts her up very high in his arms. Jennifer is watching this 'reunion' between Jack & Abby and has a huge smile on her face.
Jack - Hey look at you, Angel!
Abby - Daddy, I lost a tooth.
Jack - Oh my God! You did lose a tooth. Did the fairy godmother come and give you something?
Travis now takes this opportunity to leave the dining room. He exits to the kitchen.
Laura arrives home and sees Jack in the living room. She is really excited to see Jack back at home. She walks towards Jack, who is still holding Abby in his arms and hugs him.
Laura - Jack, you've been released! Oh!
Jack - Well Mickey just got me out pending a decision on a second appeal.
Laura - God bless Mickey!
Jennifer - That's exactly what I said.
Laura - Everything is perfect now. You're home. John and Marlena are getting married. You and Jenn can attend their wedding tomorrow.
Jack - Yeah, I'm looking forward to it.
Jack turns towards Jennifer and smiles. He is still holding Abby in his arms and he starts tickling her and she's really laughing. Jennifer excuses herself to go find Trent.
Jack to Abby in a playful tone - What are you laughing about, huh? Huh?
Laura (in baby voice to Abby) - You must be so glad to have Daddy home!
Abby - Are you staying, Daddy?
Jack smiling - Well, I'm here now, Princess. (he looks directly at his daughter and says quietly) I love you so much.
Abby - I love you too Daddy.
Jack and Laura are really smiling. They have tears of joy in their eyes. Jennifer comes back into room and walks towards where Jack, Abby and Laura are standing.
Jennifer - Well, Trent left. He must have seen Jack and wanted to give us some time alone.
Laura - Well, that's odd. He's never met Jack.
Jennifer has her hand and head leaning against Jack's shoulder.
Jennifer - Well, he's seen his picture.
Travis is outside the house now and says he has to speak to Stefano "right now". Scene ends.
Next scene, Jack & Laura are standing alone in the living room.
Jack walks closer towards Laura. His voice is quieter.
Jack - Laura, I want to thank you. It was your persistence in proving Kristen's duplicity that gave me a second chance. (He smiles)
Laura is looking at Jack and seems kind of sad.
Laura - It sure would help if Kristen would admit that Peter is alive.
Jack puts his hands on Laura's arms.
Jack - Hey, we're going to find him. And then, Jenn and Abby and I are going to be together. (He really smiles at Laura) God, I'm so grateful to you.
Jack puts his arms around Laura and gives her a gentle hug. As Jack is hugging her, we can see Laura's face. She appears to be very relieved to hold Jack so close to her. I suppose she's feeling a mixture of love for him and happiness that he is finally home with his family.
Jennifer walks in and sees Laura and Jack hugging each other and is smiling, but looks a bit uncomfortable.
Jack sees Abby and turns towards her.
Jack - Hey, what have you got there? (Abby hands Jack a glass of juice) Thank you very much, young lady. (he drinks juice)
Abby - Mommy, can we have a party for Daddy?
Jack hears this and kneels down so he can speak face to face to his daughter.
Jack - Not now, sweetheart. Okay? (he pulls her gently towards him to reassure her)
Laura - Why not?
Jack looks up at Laura with a confused look on his face. Maybe Jack wanted to have some free time alone with his family -- that's why ;-)
Laura - Coming home is worth a celebration!
Jack stands up again.
Abby (smiles) - Please Daddy!
Jack (smiles back at Abby) - Sure! Why not?
Camera shows Abby smiling and looking really happy that they're having a party.
Laura - That's right! How can you say no?
Scene ends
Next scene, Jack is standing in the living room, holding Abby in his arms again. Jenn and Laura are standing nearby. Jennifer says she can't figure out why Trent left so suddenly. Jack isn't paying attention to Jennifer's obsessive worrying about Jack meeting Trent. He says there'll be other times to meet Trent.
Jennifer to Jack - I'm so glad you're here.
Jenn leans over and gives Jack a quick kiss on the lips. Laura is watching them and looks kind of jealous of their affection. They smile at each other and Jenn leaves the room to make the phone calls to invite all of Salem to their house. So much for enjoying their private time together ;-) Laura excuses herself to go make phone calls to invite people to the party. Jack carries Abby over to the couch and seats her on his lap. He is looking at her face.
Jack - Oh! Look at you! I've missed you more than you can imagine. Do you know that? Yeah? (Jennifer walks into room, towards where Jack and Abby are seated and leans down so she is looking directly at their faces. She places her hand on Jack's shoulder) And I promise you that I'm never gonna leave you or your mommy ever again. Alright? (he tickles her chin, smiles at her and she smiles back).
Scene ends.
Next scene, Travis calls Stefano to tell him that Jack has arrived home from prison. Stefano is furious that Jack got out of prison. Next scene has Kristen trying to convince Stefano to let Jack be with Jennifer. Stefano calls her crazy saying that "this is the way that Peter wants it! And I want you to stay out of it!" Scene ends.
Next scene, guests have arrived at party. Jack has changed and is wearing a gray suit jacket. He is standing at the side of the living room and addressing the party guests. He is holding Abby in his arms. Jennifer is standing next to him.
Jack - Uhh.. I'd like to thank you all for being here. This is.. about the happiest day of my life! Uhh... I pray to God that my appeal is gonna work, but no matter what, even if it doesn't happen, I'd like to thank the man who made it all possible -- Mickey Horton.
Everyone claps. Maggie walks up to Jack and gives him a hug and kiss on the cheek. Maggie explains why Mickey couldn't be there for the party -- because he was working on another important case. Scene ends.
Next scene, Jack is tucking Abby into bed. He is sitting on the edge of her bead speaking to her. He leans over and kisses her on the forehead.
Jack - Goodnight, Angel.
Abby - Are you going to be here in the morning, Daddy?
Jack - Well, sure I will. I'm gonna spend as much time as I can with you and your mommy from now on.
Abby - Mommy used to cry so much when you weren't here...
Jack pauses and seems really sad over what Abby said.
Jack - Well, I'll tell you what -- from now on, you and your mommy are going to be smiling. 'Cause I am never gonna let you two be sad again. Okay? (he really smiles at her. He leans over and kisses her on the forehead. Jennifer is standing at the door to Abby's room and looks relieved that Jack is finally home again, where he belongs.)
Scene ends...
End of show...
