"Jess, what's wrong?"

"I just got a little cramp, it's okay.  I'm fine." She says breathing in and out.

"That didn't sound like a little cramp, come on, I'm gonna take you to the hospital."

"No, George, I'm fine." She says sitting down in her chair.

"Jessica, look at how you're breathing.  You sound like you're in pain.  I'm not taking any chances with you, now get up because I'm taking you to the hospital."

"Alright.. You're right, I should go just to ease my mind."

**

"George, I'm scared."

"There's no reason to be.  This is why you need to calm down and not worry too much."

"How do you expect me not to worry.  My son is about to be a father, and doesn't know how to get off his ass!" Jessica starts to cry.

"This is why being pregnant at the same time your son's baby mama is not meant to happen!"

"Shh, shh, it's okay. Just relax. I know it's stressful, Jess, but for the sake your baby girl, you need to relax."

"I know.."

"How's she doing?"

"She's still moving around a lot." Jessica says with her hands on her bump.

"She'll be okay, she's strong like her uncle George." He smiles.

Jessica chuckles and rolls her eyes.

"I'm just playing.  Her mom is the strongest woman I know.. I know she'll be okay."

"Awe George.. Thank you! I appreciate you always being there for me."

"Of course, Jess. You're my sister, and that's my little niece in there. I just want to make sure you two are okay."

"Thank you..
This feels a little too familiar, doesn't it?"

"Yeah.. It does.."

"What if it's what it was the last time, George?"

"It's not gonna be. It's okay. Just think positive."

Jessica nods and says, "Oh my gosh, I need to call Danny!" She quickly grabs the phone and calls his office.

"Dr. Huston's office, how can I help you?"

"This is Mrs. Huston, I need to talk to my husband, please."

"Um, he's with a patient right now, ma'am."

"Like I said, I'm Mrs. Huston, and I need to talk to my husband. I'm pregnant and somethings wrong, I have to talk to him. Is that a problem?"

"No ma'am! Let me grab him." The girl says nervously.

"Mhm..." Jessica hums with attitude.

"What's up?" George asks.

"I'm telling Danny to fire this bitch."

George chuckles and Jessica gets another pain.

"Ow.."

"You okay?"

Jessica closes her eyes and nods her head.

"We're almost there."

"Hello, this is Dr. Huston."

"Danny, it's me."

"Jess? What's up? Is everything okay?"

"Yeah.  Listen, don't worry, cause I'm sure I'm fine, but George is taking me to the hospital."

"What! Jessica, what happened?!"

"I got a little too.. Theatrical with my story, and.. Well I don't know, but I've had a couple contractions in the last fifteen minutes.  I don't think it's anything, but George wanted me to make sure."

"Well I'm glad he's with you!  I'm on my way."

"No Danny, you have work!  I'll call and let you know what they tell me."

"Jessica, I don't care about work, I'm going!"

"Alright, but be careful, please."

"You too.  I love you!"

"I love you too."

"Kiss little love bug for me."

"Kind of impossible from my end, Daniel." Jessica smiles.

"Oh right!  Heh, well I'm leaving now."

"Alright, I'll see you soon."

**

When they get to the hospital, they bring her back right away and George goes with her until Danny arrives.

"George, without looking, can you tie the back of my gown, please?"

"Without looking?  Heh, sure."

"Ah!" Jessica was suddenly hit with pain and tightness in her lower abdomen.

"What?!" George's eyes shoot open.

"Gowns not closed!  The gowns not closed!" He shouts as he quickly turns his head and closes his eyes.

"Just forget about it and help me to the bed.  Ow George, this hurts."

"It'll be okay.  You're fine, sis."

"No George, these are contractions.  I can tell.  Something's wrong."

"Look at me.  Everything is going to be fine."  George says holding her hand.

Jessica nods and George kisses the top of her head.

**

A nurse came in and went over a few things with Jessica, then hooked her up to a fetal monitor.

"The baby's heart rate sounds good. I'm gonna grab the doctor so he can check to see if you're dilated."

"Alright, thank you."

Jessica lifts her legs and George stays up by her head.

"Sorry you're always with me when this happens. I'm sure it's awkward for for." Jessica chuckles and taps the hand that was squeezing her other hand.

"No Jess, it's fine."

"You're a good brother, George."

He smiles and kisses her forehead.

"Ow, I'm getting another one!" Jessica squeezes his hand and forearm.

"Okay, it's okay. Breathe."

The doctor gently presses down on her lower stomach as he checks her cervix.

"Ow!  Stop that!"

"It's okay, sis.  He's just trying to help you."

"Well stop it, that hurts!"

"You're okay, just breathe."

Jessica takes deep breathes until her pain passes.

"Why is she having contractions?"

"Well the reason is...
Mrs. Huston, you're going into preterm labor."

"What!" Jessica's eyes widen. 

"You're about a half a centimeter dilated."

"Oh my gosh!  No, I can't have her yet!  I'm only twenty four weeks, you've gotta do something to keep her in there!"

"I'm going to do everything I can.  I'm going to send a nurse in to get you hooked up to an IV.  Hopefully that is enough to stop it since you are still in early labor."

"Oh gosh." Jessica lays her head back.

"Have you been under any stress, Mrs. Huston?"

"Heh.. Yes I have."

"What you need to do is relax.  Stressing while pregnant is a huge no no!"

"Alright."

"Just lay back and relax as much as you can."

The doctor leaves and Jessica sighs.

"Where's Daniel!" She looks to the door with anger.

"He's on his way, Jess.  Just relax, please."

"This is Samuel's fault, you know that, right?"

"Jessica-"

"He has had my nerves shot these past few weeks."

"I know.. I'm sure hearing about this will really wake him up."

"Hopefully."

"I'm here!  Are you okay?  How's the baby?!" Danny runs in.

"The baby's doing fine, but I'm in labor."

"What do you mean you're in labor?  You can't be!"

"I know.  They're giving me some medicine to hopefully stop it.  I'm only half a centimeter dilated, but my contractions are regular and pretty strong."

"Oh my gosh.. How did this happen?"

"Stress. Aka, My pain in the ass son."

"Jessica, don't blame him."

"His attitude, Daniel! I just want him to be okay!  I know he can do this and that's why I get so upset. I just want the best for ALL of my children! I'm so worried about him, Danny." Jessica starts to cry.

"I know, sweetheart. I'm not saying not to worry about him or not to give him advice, but you have to think of the baby. You cannot get yourself so worked up like this."

Jessica wipes her tears and nods her head.

Danny wraps his arm around her and kisses the top of her head.

"I love you." He mumbles.

"I love you too."

"And I love my little princess.  So we have to keep her cooking in there for a while, okay?"

"Okay... I'll try."

Danny chuckles and lays his head on hers.

"Thank you for coming with her, George."

"No problem. I guess I'll go out to the waiting room, please let me know if anything happens."

"George, you need to get back to work." Jessica says.

"I don't wanna leave you."

"It's okay. Go to work, I'll be fine." She smiles softly.

"Okay. Please please call me!"

"I will."

"Alright. I love you."

"I love you too, George."

**

"Are you having another one?"

Jessica nods with her eyes shut and her lips slightly puckered.

Danny stays quiet and watches her closely.

When the pain passes, Jessica lays her head back and stares at the ceiling.

"I'm so scared."

Danny watched as a single tear runs down her cheek.
He wipes it and holds her hand.

"Everything's gonna be okay.  I know it will."

Jessica turns to him and just looks into his eyes.

"I hope you're right."