"You always know exactly what to say, mom.  Thank you."

"It's my job, honey." She smiles.

"I'm so happy!  It's been so long since you've had a baby!"

"Yeah!  It's my first one as an adult!" Jessica smiles big.

"Well good girl." Dorothy laughs and taps her back.

*Laughs* "I'm gonna go tell dad!"

She walks to the living room and says, "Daddy!"

"What princess?"

"I'm just gonna come right out and say it, without tears!  I'll save those when I'm telling Sam's mom."

"Okay, what's up?"

"I'm pregnant!" She smiles.

"No way!  I'm gonna be a grandpa again?" He smiles big.

"Mhm!" She smiles and nods.

"Yeah!  Haha, congratulations, baby girl!" He stands up and hugs her.

"Thank you!"

"Boys, are you excited?!  There's gonna be a new baby!  Mike you're gonna be a big brother!"

"I'm very excited, grandpa!"

"Yeah, they've all been great!"

"So how far along?"

"Thirteen weeks."

"Wow!"

"This baby was our only planned pregnancy, but.. well things still go as planned."

Albert hugs her again and rubs her back, then kisses her cheek.

"I'm happy for you, baby. We're here for you, you know that."

"I do.. thank you."

Sarah and Evan got to the house next, and Evan hugged Jessica, "Jess, Sarah just told me!  Congratulations!"

"Oh thank you so much!"

"Shh!  Grandma's here!" James says looking out the window.

"Oh thanks!"

Jessica pulls her mom aside and asks, "Mom, do you think I should tell her alone, or what?"

"That might be best."

"Yeah.. okay, thanks."

Jessica walks over to the front door as her mother in law walks in.

"Hi, Jane.. Could I talk to you for a second?"

"Sure sweetie. Is everything okay?"

"Yeah, everything's fine. I just have something to talk to you about." She smiles softy.

"Oh, okay."

They go into her parents bedroom and sit on the bed.

Jessica takes a deep breath and says, "Jane.. these passed few months have been horrible.. I mean, just terrible!

But... No matter what, Sam always knows how to make you smile..."

"Yes he does." Jane says with a small smile.

".... Do you remember when I told you that Sam and I were trying to have another baby?"

Jane covers her mouth with her hands, and her eyes fill with tears.

"Oh my gosh.." She mumbles into her hands.

"I'm pregnant."

"Oh sweetheart!" Jane cries and reaches over to hug her tight.

"Jessie! Oh Jessie, you have no idea how happy this makes me!"

"Really?" She smiles.

"Yes! My son is gone, but he will forever be here. A piece of him is coming back."

Jessica smiles and Jane looks at her stomach.

"Do you mind?" She lifts her hand.

"Oh course not!"

She places her hand on Jessica's tiny bump, and closes her eyes as a smile appears on her face.

"God has his ways.. this baby is being sent for a reason, Jessie."

Jessica smiles and nods her head.

"I love you, sweetheart. Thank you for being such an amazing wife to my son... He loved you so much." She says as they both shed a tear.

"I love him too."

"I can't believe you're having my son's baby! Again! *Giggles* This is so incredible!"

Jessica smiles as she thinks of how she's carrying hers and Sam's child.

***

A few days later, Jessica told her brother and sister's.

They were all happy for her, but of course shed some tears.

"I'm so happy for you, sis!" George hugs her.

"Thank you so much!"

Jane was bawling, so Jessica hugged her.

"I'm sorry, it's just so sad!"

"I know... It's okay though... I think we're gonna be okay."

"Of course you are! You have so much support, sweetie! It's gonna be fine! This little baby is gonna be so spoiled!" Anne rubs her stomach.

Jessica smiles.

"Oh George! Before Sam passed, he told me to talk to you about a job.."

"Haha, you've got one, sis! My secretary just quit, the job is yours if you want it."

"I was hoping for a work from home kinda of job."

"Jessica!" Jane laughs and taps her arm.

"I'm just kidding! I'll take it! Thank you so much!!" She hugs him tight.

***

The next morning.

"Samuel, get up!"

"I don't wanna go!"

"Then you shouldn't have done what you did, now let's go before we're late!"

"Can they send me back?"

"What?  Of course not!  You'll probably just have community service."

"Agh!" He throw himself back on the bed.

"Come on, Samuel!  Don't make me get my spray bottle."

"Oh I used to hate when you'd wake us up that way!"

*Laughs*

"I was a mean mama sometimes!"

"Only when you'd spray cold water on my face!"

"Hah!  We'll get up or I won't be so nice this time!  I'll get a bucket on your ass!"

"I'm up, mom."

"Okay, hurry up."

Jessica wore some nice black jeans, a black cami and a black blazer.

When she went to button it, it was a little difficult.

"You're just growing so fast already, aren't you?" She says in a cute voice as she touches her stomach.

"Oh well, unbuttoned will have to do."

***

Jessica was right, Samuel got off easy and only had to do ten hours of community service.

"Ten hours, mom?!"

"Samuel, that's not bad at all!  Yeah we had to pay for that damn window you shattered, but still!  You didn't listen, and you're getting what you had coming to you."

"Yeah... I guess you're right."

"Of course I'm right."

"When can I drive?"

"When you've finished all of your hours, and when you show me that you can behave like mama's good little boy, you once were." She smiles and messes with his hair as he just looks at her with a blank face.

"Stop looking at me like that!" She laughs. 

***

16 weeks.

Jessica is now out of the first trimester, and is feeling amazing. She's finally starting to cook, after months of letting the boys take over.

"Our little bundle is sixteen weeks today, Sammy! Just two more weeks until we find out what it is. Of course you already know, but soonwe'll both know!

I hope it's another boy! I know you wanted a little girl, but I don't know.. I want another baby boy because I already know how to raise one, they're really sweet and just love their mommy's.. plus I want him to look and be just like you, Sam! I'll be happy with either one, though!" She giggles.

***

"Are you ready, mom?"

"For what, Sam?"

"I have community service today."

"Oh dammit, I forgot! Let me just put some pants on!" Jessica says laying down in pajama pants and one of Sam's t-shirts.

"I can just stay home."

"No you may not! I'll be down in just a few minutes!"

Sam sits on the couch and sighs.

James smiles and says, "Ah.. It feels so nice to be the good child."

"Stop it."

"So when are you finished with this stuff?"

"I should be done today, I don't know."

"Well maybe if you would've just gone sooner and gotten it over with-"

"Hey, mom had morning sickness and I still can't drive, it's not my fault!"

"Well I could've taken you.. Wait, I couldn't!  I was at work!  Providing for my family, that's right!" He smiles and nods.

"James, don't start this shit."

"MOOM! THEY'RE FIGHTING AGAIN!"

"Will you shut up, Michael!  We're just talking!" Sam raises his voice.

"Well stop, I don't feel like hearing you guys!"

"What's going on?!" Jessica yells.

"Nothing!  Everything's fine!" Samuel yells back, then looks at his brothers and quietly says, "Shut up!"

***

July 6th. The twins 17th birthday.

Jessica is 17 weeks pregnant.

"Oh my boys! Happy birthday!" Jessica gives them both a big hug and kiss.

"Thank you mom!"

"I made breakfast for you two!"

"Aw, thanks! You didn't have to do that, mom."

"Of course I did! My babies are seventeen today!" She smiles.

They chuckle and sit down to eat.

"How are you feeling, mom?" Michael smiles.

"I feel great! Thanks for asking!"

"Mom, have you felt the baby move yet?" Sam asks.

"No.."

"But you're seventeen weeks.. Shouldn't you have felt it already?"

"All babies are different, Samuel."

"But-"

"It's fine!" She snaps.

The truth was, Jessica was scared. She felt the twins move at fourteen weeks, and Michael move at twelve weeks. She was already almost half way through this pregnancy, and she still hasn't even felt a flutter.

Jessica changes the subject and says, "This time seventeen years ago.. Hah! It was like a circus!"

"What happened?" James asks.

Jessica smiles as she looks into space and thinks of the day her baby boys were born.

***

July 6th 1999.

"Mom.. I don't feel so good." Jessica walks into her parents room at one in the morning and lightly shakes her mother.

"What's wrong, sweetie?"

"I keep getting pains every few minutes and the boys won't let me sleep."

Jessica's mom cupped her little girls face and smiled.

"I'll go get you some water, and I'll be in your room in just a second, okay?"

"Okay.." Jessica waddles out of the room and stops in the doorway.

She bends over in pain and moans.

Her mom hurries over and supports her.

"Ow! Mom it hurts!" Jessica whines, waking her dad up.

"What's wrong?" He jumps up.

"Nothing, go back to bed." Dorothy tells him.

Her mother helps her to her room, then brings her some water.

"Mom, I think this is it.." Jessica says lightly running her fingers back and forth on her stomach.

"Jessie, you're two weeks away.. I don't think this is it."

Jessica lowers her head and makes a sad face.

"What's wrong, baby?"

"I don't think I can do it."

"Of course you can!"

"I'm just a little girl.."

"Awe!

... You're a strong little girl, baby." Dorothy smiles.

"Ow! I'm getting another one, mom!"

"Okay, sweetie. It's okay, just breath!" She grabs Jessica's hand.

Jessica begins to cry from the pain.

Dorothy watched her and her heart ached.

My baby... She's too young to go through a delivery... Especially giving birth to twins! God, please watch over her.

"When was your last one?"

"About five minutes ago."

"Have they been consistent?"

"Yeah.."

"For how long?"

"Like an hour."

"What?!"

"Yeah, why?"

"Well maybe you are in labor."

"I told you!" She whines.

"Mommy, I'm scared!"

"It's okay, sweetie! Everything's fine!" She smiles and rubs her arm.

"I need to call Sam."

"Okay, I'll call right now."

"No don't leave me!"

"I'm just gonna grab the phone so we can call him, and he can come over."

"Okay.. Hurry though!"

"I will." She smiles and kisses her head.

Dorothy looked at her, this little girl with this big round belly. She worried about her. She was just a baby. How could she possibly bring two babies into this world?

***

Sam and his mom came right over when she called.

"Sam!"

"Jessie! How are you feeling?"

"Not good." She frowns and nods her head.

"I'm sorry, sweetie."

"Thanks.. I- Ow! Ow! Ow! Oh my gosh!" She grabs his arm and arches her back.

"My back! It hurts!!" She whines.

Once her contraction stops, she moves in front of Sam and he massages her back.

Jessica held her stomach and blew in and out as he pressed into her back.

"I think we need to go. This is it." She takes the blanket off of her and moves her feet to the side so she can get up.

Sam helps her out of the bed and she immediately gets a contraction.

She wraps her arms around Sam and he holds his hands right above her butt as they sway from side to side.

Jessica moans and buries her face into his neck.

Once it's over, she stands up and he looks at her, "Better?"

"Mhm.." She nods, looking down.

"Hey!"

"Hm?" Jessica looks at him.

"I love you." He smiles.

"I love you more." Jessica smiles. Sam could make her forget all that was going on. He was special and could always make her smile no matter what.

He kisses her lips, then slides his hands to her belly.

They break the kiss laughing.

"You boys are just trying to break free, aren't you?" Sam looks down.

"They're pretty wild!" Jessica chuckles.

Sam gets on his knees and says, "Hey, settle down! Settle down in there!

You two be good to your mama! I can't believe we're about to meet you... I love you so so much.. And I love your mommy very very much..

I will always make sure you are all happy and healthy, okay? Always!

... Now listen.. Mommy may call daddy bad names when you're coming out, but just know that she can't help it."

Jessica giggles and Sam looks up at her.

"She's the most amazing girl I've ever met.. and you're lucky to have her as your mother.."

***

Eight hours later.

"Sam I can't do it!" Jessica cries as sweat pours down her red face.

"Yes you can! Jessie, you're so strong! I am so so proud of you, baby girl! Please just breathe and focus, cause they're almost here!" He smiles.

Jessica nods, then says. "... Sam, I love you!"

"I love you more, sweet girl!" He moves pieces of her from her forehead, then kisses her lips.

***

"There we go! Good girl! Jessie his head is right there! That's my son!" Sam smiles proudly.

Dorothy held one hand while Sam held the other.

She cried and Sam's mom, who was watching, cried.

"AHHH! OW! GET HIM OUT!" She screams.

"Push, push, push, he's almost here!" Sam smiles.

"AGH!" Jessica breathes heavy and opens her eyes.

"Look at him! He's here! *Laughs* He's here!" Sam says.

"Oh he's so cute!" Sam's mother, Jane says.

"He is! Oh Jessie, I'm so proud of you!" Dorothy kisses the top of her head.

Jessica smiles with tired eyes and Sam kisses her lips.

"You're doing so good! I'm so proud of you."

"Thank you." She smiles softly.

"Look at him! Samuel Roger Shepard! Look at the size of that baby!" He smiles proudly.

"Haha! Oh I know!"

Sam chuckles and kisses her forehead.

Twenty minutes later.

"Alright, here he is. I need you to push hard, Jessica." Her doctor says.

"Okay.." She says I'm a weak tearful voice.

Jessica pushes as hard as she can.

"Good Jess! He's almost here!" Sam says.

"Ah.. I need a break.. I can't do it!"

"Yes you can, sweetie! You can rest after he's out, but you can't stop right now. Come on, I know you can do this!" He smiles and kisses the back of her hand.

"Let's meet out baby James."

Jessica smiles and says, "... Okay... Okay, let's do this!"

"Thata girl! Now push!"

Jessica moans and grunts as she used all her energy to get her baby boy out.

Finally the hear a sweet cry.

"Oh God!" She lets out a deep breath as she relaxes back onto the bed.

"Oh good girl!" Sam chuckles and looks at the baby.

His eyes water and he smiles.

"They're here! You did it!"

"I did it!" She says in a tired voice with a smile.

"You did! and I'm so proud of you!"

"Thank you!" She chuckles quietly.

"I love you so so much, Jessica! I'm so happy God gave me you."

"Awe, that's such a sweet thing to say!" Jessica smiles.

They share a deep passionate kiss, before the nurse brings the babies to Jessica for her to feed them.

"Oh hi guys! *Giggles* So this is who's been kicking me so hard and making me lose control of my balder!" She says in a cute voice, as they all laugh.

Sam kisses their heads, then kisses Jessica's head.

She looks up and smiles, "You missed!"

Sam chuckles and kisses her lips.

Jessica looks back down and in a cute voice she says, "Happy Birthday, my little guys!" She giggles.