Christmas morning.

Jessica woke up and Grayson was sleeping peacefully beside her.

She gently caressed his little cheek and kissed his forehead.

Jessica rested her head on her pillow and stared at him.

"I just want you to wake up!" She whispers.

"Most mommy's want their babies to sleep as much as possible so that they can get some rest.. But you're my little buddy." She smiles and rests her hand on his stomach.

Grayson puckers his lips and moves them in his sleep.

"You have the cutest little lips ever!

Come on, baby.. Wakey wakey for mommy." She rubs her hand back and forth on him.

Grayson moves his little face and arches his back.

"Are you waking up, baby boy?  Open your pretty little eyes."

Grayson slowly wakes up and blinks to focus his eyes.

"Good morning!  Merry Christmas, my Little man." Jessica smiles.

Grayson gives her a smile then coos.

"Oh you're so happy!  Are you talking to mama?"

*Babbles*

"Oh yes!  And then what happened?" She giggles and Grayson continues "talking" to her.

"You are just the cutest!" She laughs.

"I think you need a dipey change, Gray." Jessica picks him up and grabs a diaper and wipes.

"Let's change your stinky little bumbee!"

Grayson furrows his brows and baby talks.

"Mommy's just playing!  You're not stinky!"

He smiles and Jessica says, "You know exactly what mama is saying, don't you?  Don't you, baby boy?!"

...

"There we go.  All fresh!" She smiles and picks him up.

"I love you, baby!  I love you so much!" Jessica kisses him.

"Come on, let's go wake your brothers up."

Jessica walks out to the hall and knocks on their bedroom doors.

"Wake up, it's Christmas!!"

When they eventually come out, Jessica says, "Ooh, your brother's look rough!  Heh!  Merry Christmas, boys!"

"Merry Christmas mom."

"They should be on their way.. Maybe fix yourselves up a little."

"Okay." Sam chuckles.

***

Jessica's parents, her sibling and their families came over to spend the day with Jessica and her boys.

Dorothy made breakfast and everyone opened their gifts.

"I can't believe Grayson is six weeks old already!" Ann says.

"I know!  My baby is almost two months old!  I'm dreading his two month doctors appointment." Jessica pouts.

"Oh I know, that's always the worst."

"I know.  I don't want my baby to get poked."

"Well he's a tough little guy." She rubs his thigh.

"Yeah he is."

"Can I hold him?" Ann smiles.

"Sure."

Jessica hands him over but the whole time she has Grayson, Jessica doesn't take her eyes off of him.

"Jessie, you're such a good mommy." Jane says watching Jessica gazing at her son.

"Thanks! I don't know why, but with him I'm like constantly worried. Not that I wasn't with the other three, but with him I feel like it's even worse."

"I think it's because of everything that's happened. It has you constantly on edge. Just don't worry too much. Yes, I know that's what mothers do best, but he's okay. He has someone special watching over him." Jane smiles.

"Yeah.." Jessica says looking back over to the baby.

He starts crying so Ann bounces him.

"What's the matter, sweet boy?"

Jessica watches him closely and fiddles with her fingers.

"Here, let me take him."

As soon as Jessica held Grayson and put him to her chest, he stopped crying.

Jessica smiles and lightly pats his bottom as she sways slowly back and forth.

"Aw he wanted his momma!" Jane smiles.

Jessica looks down and kisses his head.

"Mama loves you, baby boy!"

***

On New Years the boys didn't want to leave their mother alone. It was an end of a horrible year for them. Their only light out of all of it was Grayson.

Samuel didn't trust himself to go out with friends and not drink. While everyone was celebrating the new year, Sam was saddened by it. His dad wasn't coming back. Even though it's almost been a year, it's really hit him hard during the holidays.

James cooked for his family and his girlfriend came over.

Jessica also invited Sarah, Evan and their two girls.

Everything was going well until the ball dropped.

A flood of emotions hit Jessica and her boys.

The horrible year that took their father and Jessica's husband away was finally over.

Jessica cries into Samuel's chest as he held her and cried with her.

Michael held Grayson and wiped his eyes as he stared down at the baby smiling up to him.

"I love your smile, sweet boy.." He says with a tearful chuckle.

James stands beside him and rubs Grayson's head, then leans forward and kisses his forehead.

Jessica wipes her cheeks and walks over them and takes the baby.

"Come here little guy.. Happy New Year." She gives him a kiss.

Grayson.. This past year your brothers and I went through something so heartbreaking.. Something we never thought would happen and something we didn't think we could ever get through. You are our only light in this horrible dark year. We all received something so special when you came into this world. Having you is a blessing and I am so so proud to be your mommy. Last year.. Your daddy.." Jessica smiles softly as a tear falls down her cheek.

"He gave me you.."