http://www.stephennichols.net/gallery/thum...s.php?album=164

Here is what stephen said..

A week ago Friday, Melissa Reeves and Matthew Ashford left the show. I won’t say goodbye, I know the door is wide open for both actors to return. They are fan favorites and cast and crew favorites as well. The day was upbeat for the most part (see photos at www.stephennichols.net). It is always strange when actors are leaving, whether by choice or not. The OSV (on set vibe) was definitely a mixed bag on Friday when we taped our final scenes with Jack and Jennifer. Vern showed up to see them off. I hadn’t seen Wayne Hefley in all these years. Jack and Steve’s mommy, Jo, was in the house blubbering over both of us. Marilyn (McIntyre) was a good sport when I told her I would be avoiding her affections (in character of course) by throwing in an “easy now” when she came at me with an, “Oh, Baaabyyyy!!!” as I showed up at Jack and Jen’s door.

The most touching moment of the day was when Missy and Frances dress rehearsed their goodbye scene and both women broke down. They could barely get through the dialogue for all the emotion that flooded in. All of this had triggered something in Frances. At the end of the taping of these scenes, Frances revealed that she had never cried on stage or screen… EVER, before this day. We all sat or stood in stunned silence upon hearing this.

Then it was cake time for Matt and Missy.

Three speeches… one from producer, Steve Wyman and two from great people who happen to be great actors. Missy said when she was a little girl she dreamed of having a family and staying home to raise her kids. She thanked Ken Corday for making that possible. Missy is going to live in Nashville and be a stay-at-home mom. After all these years, she finally sees her dream fulfilled. Matt, with one of his daughters in his arms, talked about her three-day run in her first play and how at the end of it she said, “I didn’t know it would hurt this much.” Matt also mentioned something about how many times he had died on the show and come back to life. He was not willing to say goodbye and I told him that I’m not either. Acting with Matt again has been one of the highlights of my return – we always have so much fun. The brother dynamic always seemed to work with us both in the past and currently. I asked the prop man to get me one of those Sherlock Holmes type pipes so Steve would have a gift of some kind to give Jack. I could always throw anything Matt’s way and he would find a way to use it in the scene. One of the lines they wrote for me sums it up. I say to Jack, “Somehow this makes sense, in a weird sorta’ way… you and me.” I don’t believe we have seen the last of Jack.

Thanks. Sad Pics

On a side note, it looks like Jack and Jen are being shipped off to Brittain, given all the union jack flags?

Wow. Those were great pics. I'm gonna miss them.

Goodbye and good riddance, Melissa Reeves.

Goodbye and good riddance, Melissa Reeves.

Hey now!! Be nice....I, for one, do not appreciate your email!!!

I am very upset that both Melissa and Matt are leaving and these pics do not help. So, for us fans of Melissa Reeves, keeps your nasty opinions to YOURSELF!

Ah. so sweet! I will miss them and hope that Matt will be back soon.

LOL - Steve is certainly pushing for it, that is for sure.

Goodbye and good riddance, Melissa Reeves.

No need to be nasty! That comment of yours is out of order and blatant actor bashing.

Missy: I and many other fans will miss you and Jennifer very much.

I got teary eyed reading about Frances Reid and Missy breaking down rehearsing their scenes: I'll need that box of tissues when watching the Jack/Jen Farewell.

I love Stephen Nicholls - "Matt's not ready to say goodbye and neither am I".

I've got a good feeling Ashford is gonna be back on DAYS sometime next year - Let's wait and see if I'm right.

It makes for sad reading but it's a good sign Stephen is so hopeful Jack/Matt will be back. I love his reference to the Jack/Steve relationship "making sense in a weird sort of way".

Missy looks gorgeous in the pics. I can empathise with Frances. I will miss her terribly.

BTW: I think it's ok for me to confirm that J&J will be going to work at the Spectator branch in London. Vern gives them the assignment.

I'd rather they go to Britain than Africa..Love the pics..Stephen is so nice to post the blog and say such wonderful things about Matt and Missy..I know they will be missed by many..

I wonder if Frankie is at the party, didn't see him in the pics..

It makes for sad reading but it's a good sign Stephen is so hopeful Jack/Matt will be back. I love his reference to the Jack/Steve relationship "making sense in a weird sort of way".

Missy looks gorgeous in the pics. I can empathise with Frances. I will miss her terribly.

BTW: I think it's ok for me to confirm that J&J will be going to work at the Spectator branch in London. Vern gives them the assignment.

Ponz, that's what I've read too.

Thank goodness it's not Africa again!

Yeah, it seems Frankie isn't at the party. I guess after Jennifer dumps him, he flees back to his Jennifer Shrine and his Jennifer blowup doll.

Yeah the Spectator..thats a perfect sendoff for Jack and Jennifer..Many have wanted them working there again..

Matt is SO coming back soon. SN is so hopeful and Matt has always made it clear that the door is open. I ove how SN is pushing it so hard.

I love them going to Britain and returning to the Spectator. If there assignment is dangerous, I am sure they can say something happened to Jennifer and have Jack come alone.

I love those photos. Seeing the Francis/Missy ones and hearing about how hard it was is so sad . I love the Kristian and Missy photos as well as the Steve/Jack ones. I love their relationships/ Love that Jo and Vern are there. Can't wait to see this play out.

I look forward to seeing Matt back soon and, as for Missy, I will remember the good times and wish her the best.

Everyone notice how Wyman is there and not Corday-I wonder why that is or is it he wasn't there that day? Usually for bit exits he is in pictures from the goodbye party.

Stephen said Corday gave a speech. So, he was probably there.

Man. I know I should be used to it by now, but this hurts my heart.

Those were extremely kind and obviously genuine sentiments that SN passed along, and I sincerely, SINCERELY hope MA will be back soon. Jack is too great of a character to go, especially now that Sheffer can write for him and Nichols can interact with him.

I'm thrilled about The Spectator. This is awesome news!! Back to basics for Jack and Jen! So, when the day comes that Jack returns (hopefully VERY soon), he can work on the Spectator in Salem.

I'll miss MR too, and it's sad that she and Frances had such a hard time. I'm glad for her that she will be able to raise her kids the way she wants to, though.

Have fun, Jack and Jen. Come back soon, Matt. And best wishes, Melissa.

Matt is SO coming back soon. SN is so hopeful and Matt has always made it clear that the door is open. I ove how SN is pushing it so hard.

I love them going to Britain and returning to the Spectator. If there assignment is dangerous, I am sure they can say something happened to Jennifer and have Jack come alone.

I love those photos. Seeing the Francis/Missy ones and hearing about how hard it was is so sad . I love the Kristian and Missy photos as well as the Steve/Jack ones. I love their relationships/ Love that Jo and Vern are there. Can't wait to see this play out.

I look forward to seeing Matt back soon and, as for Missy, I will remember the good times and wish her the best.

Everyone notice how Wyman is there and not Corday-I wonder why that is or is it he wasn't there that day? Usually for bit exits he is in pictures from the goodbye party.

Hey Phoenix!

I'm sure Matt Ashford will be back on DAYS sometime next year, especially if Sheffer and Steve Nicholls have any say in the matter.

SN said in his blog, "Matt's not ready to say goodbye, and neither am I!"