"Mom, what's wrong?" Sam asks.

Jessica holds her hand up and continues talking to his sister.

"What do yo-- an accident? Are they okay?"

"They had to take Daniel into surgery."

"Oh God.. No!"

"Mom!" Michael yells demanding her to tell them what's wrong.

"Wait!"

"How's Zach?"

"Zachary broke his arm, and a few ribs. He'll be okay though."

"What is Danny having surgery on?"

"His knee. He has to get it replaced."

Jessica gasps and his sister says, "He busted up his face too. He has a broken nose, busted lip and twenty stitches in his forehead."

"Oh my poor baby!"

"What hospital? I'll be there as soon as I can!"

"St. Joseph's, be careful."

"Thank you for calling me."

Jessica hangs up and cries.

"Mom.. What happened?" James asks with tears in his eyes.

"Daniel and Zachary were in a car accident. They'll be okay.. I just.. I don't understand..Why does this stuff happen?"

"It's gonna be okay. Come on, let's get to the hospital. Give me your keys, I'll drive." Sam says grabbing the baby's things.

Jessica was in shock and looked out of it.

As Sam drove, she sat and stared straight and didn't speak for a while.

"...Sam."

"Yeah?"

"I'm scared. He-He hit his head, broke his nose, busted up his lip and had to get stitches on his forehead. Sam.. This is why I can't get close to men.. I can't do it, I'm cursed.

My husband died, and now... I can't do this again!" Her voice grows deep.

"Danny's not gonna die and you're not cursed! We just need to get to the hospital so you can see him and see that everything will be okay!"

"His sister told me he has to have a knee replacement.. He's gonna be in so much pain!"

"Mom, be thankful.. It could have been so much worse." Sam reaches over and holds her hand.

"I know.." She sighs and looks out the window as she squeezes Samuel's hand.

Jessica covered her face with her free hand and cried.

Why did I call him and leave him that message? Why haven't we seen each other these past few days? Why did I tell him I wouldn't marry him? Why did I let this conversation turn into something more?

Dear God please watch over him during his surgery. Please heal his body quickly.. Watch over Zachary as well..

I love them both so much.. Daniel has made me so happy. I can't imagine life without him.. and I hope I'll never have to live without him. Please please keep him safe.

***

When Jessica gets to the hospital she goes to the receptionist and says, "Daniel Huston. Where is he? I need to see him!"

"Jessica?" She hears a voice from behind.

They all turn and see a woman.

"Yes?"

"I'm Angelica Huston, Daniel's older sister."

"Oh! Hello!" Jessica goes over and hugs her tightly taking Angelica by surprise.

"How is he?"

"He's still in there."

Jessica closes her eyes and her lips quiver.

"He'll be okay."

Jessica looks at her and nods.

"Let sit."

They all take a seat and Angelica says, "You must be Jessica's son's."

"Yes, this is Samuel, James, Michael and my baby Grayson."

"Very handsome! Nice meeting you all."

"Nice meeting you too."

"Oh I'm sorry! This is Caroline. James' girlfriend. I'm so sorry sweetie."

"That's okay, Mrs. Shepard! Hello, nice to meet you." She smiles and shakes her hand.

Angelica smiles, then looks down and takes a deep breath.

"How's Zach?" Jessica asks.

"Okay. He's sleeping right now."

"Oh.. Good."

"Jessica, I talked to Daniel just a couple days ago and... I just want you to know that.. He really really loves you." Angelica's eyes tear up.

A smile appears on Jessica's face.

"I love him too." She speaks softly.

"Ms. Huston." A nurse comes out and Angelica stands up.

"Yes? Is he okay?"

Jessica follows her and fidgets with her hands.

"We're having a little trouble bringing him out of anesthesia."

"What?" Jessica's heart drops.

"Oh my god.." Angelica says in a low voice.

"The doctor thinks it's because of the head trauma, but--"

"Well then why would you do surgery on him so soon?!" Angelica raises her voice.

"Ma'am, your brother will be okay. I just need you to--"

"No!  No, let me back there.  I can wake him up!  Please let me back there!" Jessica runs to the door and Sam comes over to get her.

"Mom, you have to stay here.  They'll wake him up, I know they will." Sam says holding his tears back.

Jessica sobs loudly and thinks of Danny back there all by himself. Not knowing if he'll live or die tore Jessica apart.

"No!  I have to be back there!  He needs me!  He needs me!" She fights Sam as he holds her wrist tightly.

"I WANNA SEE HIM!  PLEASE!! I HAVE TO KISS HIM!" Jessica bawls.

The boys look at her and Jessica's eyes widen.

This moment brought her back to the day of Sam's funeral where she screamed that same thing right before she kissed Sam for the very last time.

Jessica fell to her knees and sobbed uncontrollably.

"I can't do it, I can't do it again!  I can't do it again!"

Jessica was screaming and the twins tried calming her down as Michael took Grayson away so she wouldn't upset him.

"Excuse me.  Are you Daniel Huston's family?" A doctor says.

"Yes!" Jessica looks up at him.

"He's up."

"What?" Jessica looks up to him as she sits on the ground.

"Yes ma'am. Are you his wife?"

"I'm his girlfriend."

"Okay. Well one person can come back and see him now if you'd like."

James holds her hand and helps her stand.

Jessica looks at Angelica and says, "You go on."

"No. *Nods* No, you go."

"He's you're brother, Angelica."

"I know but.. The first person he sees has to be the person he loves the most."

Jessica's lips quiver.

"Just tell him that I love him." Angelica says in a shaky voice.

Tears fall down Jessica's face.

"Thank you." She says in a whisper before hugging Angelica tightly.

"Boys.." Jessica turns to them.

"We've got Grayson, you go."

"Thank you."

Jessica follows the doctor to Danny.

"He's still a little out of it, but what's important is that he's stable."

".. Okay. Thank you." She nods.

Jessica walks in slowly and cries quietly when she sees him laying there.

"Danny.." She whispers.

"Oh my Daniel.." Jessica walks to his bed and holds his hand.

His face was bandaged and there was dry blood in a few places.

His eyes were heavy, but when Jessica squeezed his hand he tried his best to open his eyes.

"Jessie?" He mumbled softly.

"Yes baby.. It's me. Just rest, okay? We don't have to talk."

"I.. Love.. You.."

Tears fill her eyes and she breathes heavier.

"I love you more."

Danny nods and he quietly says, "Not possible."

Jessica chuckles and cries.

"Don't cry." He slowly lifts his hand up while she is still holding onto him, and wipes her cheek with the back of his finger.

Jessica pulls his hand to her lips and kisses it over and over again.

"Danny.. I love you and I am so so sorry about what I said. I want you to know that I will marry you one day. I'm not saying now, but one day I promise you I will be your bride."

"You will?"

She nods and takes a deep breath.

"Tonight has proven to me that I can't live without you. I didn't think I could before, but almost losing you made me realize just how lucky I am to have fallen in love with the most amazing man not just once.. But twice. I love you Daniel Huston, and I Will marry you."

"Jessie.. You're taking all the fun out of me asking you.."

Jessica laughs and says, "Well you can still ask me!"

He smiles and lets out a weak chuckle.

"I love you, baby. I love you. I love you." She bends over and softly kisses his lips.

He breathes deeply and Jessica pulls away.

"I'm sorry if I hurt you."

"You could never hurt me."

She smiles and kisses him again but this time a little harder.

"Okay, okay, maybe you can!" He turns his head to the side.

"I'm sorry!" Jessica pulls away and giggles.

"It's okay.. You're worth the pain."

Jessica bites her bottom lip and smiles.

"You're so beautiful.. How's Zach?"

"Good, he's sleeping."

"Oh okay. Thank you for coming."

"Of course we came! Your sister called us and we came right from the restaurant."

"The restaur- Oh my gosh the twins! I feel so bad! We were on our way, Jess! We'll have to make it up to them."

"Sweetie, sweetie, it's okay." Jessica smiles and pats his chest.

"Oh and before I forget, your sister told me to tell you that she loves you."

"That's sweet." He smiles softly as his eyes start to fall.

"Oh I'm tired.. Are you tired? Because I am."

"I'm not tired. *Giggles* But you need to sleep off this loopiness!"

"Yeah.. Jessica?" He looks at her with a weird expression.

"What?"

"Am I wearing underwear?"

Jessica looks under his gown and nods.

"No."

"Where'd they go?" His eyes widen.

"I don't know, baby." She laughs.

He starts to drift off, then he quickly opens his eyes and takes a sharp breath in.

"You're so sexy... Let's fuck."

Jessica laughs and says, "No, not here!"

"Why not? My underwear is already off. Just take yours off and hop on!"

"You need to rest Mr. Loopy!" She laughs.

"That's a funny name.. *Chuckles* Mr. Loopy.." He says as he drifts off to sleep.

Jessica kisses the side of his head and goes out to the hall to ask if she can see Zachary.

They tell her where he is and Jessica walks in and finds him asleep.

With the slightest noise from her heals, Zachary woke up.

"I'm sorry sweetie, I didn't mean to wake you!"

"No, that's okay. Where's my dad? Is he okay?"

"Yes baby, he's gonna be fine." She sits beside him and holds his hand.

"Good..

Jessie.. Thank you."

"For what, honey?"

"For being here."

"Awe! Well I love you guys!"

"We love you too.

Jessie, my dad has always had this little sadness about him.. But since he's met you that's all gone away. You make him happy and that makes me happy. Thank you for loving my dad."

"Oh Zach! That makes my heart happy." She smiles and wipes her tears.

"I love your father very very much... and I love you too. Please know that I am always here for you, okay? No matter what it is, you can always come to me."

"Thanks." He smiles.

Jessica softly smiles and kisses his cheek.

***

The next morning.

Jessica spent the night there with Danny's sister at the hospital and everyone else went home.

"Angelica, can I ask you a question?"

"Sure."

"What's the deal with Danny and his mom? Or him and his parents? He said that your mother was sick or something? I just don't understand why he doesn't talk to them."

"He hasn't told you?"

"Told me what?"

"I don't know if I'm the one that should be telling you this. Just wait till you hear it from him."

"No, I want to know!"

*Sighs*

"Okay.. A little after Camille died, Daniel went into a deep depression. He turned to alcohol and drugs.. It was bad. My parents found out about it and haven't spoken to him since. I had Zachary for a while until he was able to care for him again."

"I can't believe Danny never told me about this.. I opened up to him about everything that I've gone through.." Jessica speaks quietly.

"Don't say anything! Let him tell you."

"I just don't understand why he hasn't told me.. He knows I wouldn't judge him."

***
This chapter is blah, but I promise we'll get somewhere soon.. Hopefully. 😬