"Why? What's wrong?"

"Danny, sit down."

"Jess, you're scaring me. What is it?"

"Your sister told me that your father is the reason for all of this. It's not your mother's fault."

"Why isn't it her fault? She could have come at any time."

"No she couldn't!"

"Really? Why?" Danny asks with an attitude.

"Because everytime she even attempted to call you, your father hit her."

"... What?" Danny says in a whisper.

"He abused her, Danny. Your mom tried for years but couldn't take the abuse anymore...
Please call her, Danny."

Danny nods his head and starts to tear up.
Jessica hugs him and he says, "He hit her? Because she wanted to see me?"

"Yeah."

"Dammit.
And I hung up on her. I'm such a horrible son!"

Jessica pulls away and looks him deep in the eyes while holding his arms.

"Danny, no you're not! You didn't know! You can still fix it, babe. Call her."

"Okay... Thank you so much. You're so amazing." He
gives her a quick kiss and she smiles.

"I love you. Now call her and make things right."

"Okay. I love you too."

***

"Hello?"

For a moment Danny stayed silent. He felt like bursting into tears, but he held back.

"Mom?"

"Daniel?" His mother's voice shook.

"Mom. I'm so sorry."

"No Daniel, don't say you're sorry. Please don't ever apologize to me! I love you baby boy and I am so sorry for everything. Please know that I love you and Zachary very very much. I wanted to contact you, but.. It doesn't matter, all that matters is for me to tell you how sorry I am!"

"Mom, I know what happened. It's not your fault so don't apologize. I forgive you and I love you."

"I love you too, baby!"

"Mom.." Danny's voice cracks.

"Oh baby don't cry!"

"I have to see you, mom."

"I'm going to be moving in with Angelica for a while. It's something I felt was necessary for the time being."

"Where are you now?"

"I'm at home."

"I don't want you there with him."

"He's not gonna do anything. He's in his office.
Baby, how are you? Are you doing well?"

"Yes ma'am."

"I heard you're getting married. She's beautiful, darling."

"Thank you, mom. I love her so much. I really do. She means the world to me."

"I hope I can meet her one day."

"Me too. You'll love her."

Zoe looked at the time and panicked.

"Baby, I have to go! But I really want to see you. I'll be at Angelica's tomorrow around noon. I'd love to see you."

"I'll be there."

"Great! I'll see you then."

"Okay...
Oh and mom!"

"Yes?"

"...I love you."

"I love you too, baby." She says in a low and shaky voice.

Jessica hears Danny get off the phone so she walks into the room and wraps her arms around him.

"You did the right thing, baby. You won't regret this.  This is good."

***

The next day.

"Bye baby. Good luck." Jessica kisses his lips.

"Thank you."

"I love you."

"I love you more."

**

When Danny got to his sister's house, his body felt and numb. His face was red and he started to sweat.

"You can do this.. It's just your mother. You've got this." He says to himself.

Angelica opens the door and hugs Danny.

"Ang, I feel horrible."

"Don't! It's not your fault."

Danny nods and Angelica moves to the side to let him in.

"Adam is at work and the kids are at school, it's just us... She's in the living room."

Danny walks to the living room and Zoe was sitting there fiddling with her fingers.

"Mom."

She looks up with tears in her eyes.

"Oh... Oh my baby! Look how grown you are! You're so handsome!" She runs to him then stops herself. She didn't know how Danny would react.

Danny looks into her eyes without saying a word.
Suddenly he grabs her and hugs her tight.

"Daniel, I missed you so much! I never went a day without thinking of you. I love you, baby. I hope you know that."

"I know you do.. I love you too."

Zoe grabs his face in her hands and cries as she takes in every little detail.

Danny smiles with tears running down his face. 
It's been so long, but in a way it was like no time had passed.

"I'm so sorry, mom!"

"No, no, no, don't apologize to me!
This is not your fault! I wanted to see you, baby...
Yes, I could have found a way to contact you without your father knowing, but I was scared.  That's my fault, Not yours!" She nods.

"I hate that he did this to you."

Zoe looks down and wipes her tears.

"Daniel, let's not talk about this.  Let's sit and catch up. Tell me about your family!  How's my grandson?"

"He's great! This coming fall he'll be a senior already!"

"Oh my gosh!" Zoey touches her chest.

"I know, it's so crazy! It'll just be me, Jessie and Grayson."

"Grayson.. That's Jessica's son?"

"Yes ma'am. He's my little buddy! I love that kid so much."

"Awe!"

"Jessica's husband passed two weeks after he was conceived, so he's never met his real father."

"Poor baby! How old is he?"

"Two." Danny smiles.

"Awe! She has twins, doesn't she?"

"She has twin boys and another son that's Michael's age. She's a great mom.. She's a great person."

"That's good. I'd really love to meet her."

"I'm sure she'd love meeting you. We'll have to have you over for dinner one night."

"I'd love that! I would love to meet everyone, and see Zachary...
Daniel, can you please tell Zach that I love him dearly. I don't want him to hate his grandfather, so please don't tell him everything. I just want him to know how much I love him and how hard the last fifteen years have been."

"Of course."

***

That weekend.

Danny spoke to Zachary, but didn't explain every detail. He said that his mother contacted him, and that she loves them and never wanted things to be this way. Zachary was just excited to finally see his grandmother after all these years.

**

"Danny, why do you look so nervous?  It's okay, baby."

"I don't know, Jess.  I just am!"

"Heh!  Well it'll be okay." She says standing over a hot stove.

Danny stands behind her and wraps his arms around her stomach.

"Depending on how tonight goes.. Would it be okay if I invite her to the wedding?"

"Of course, baby.  You don't have to ask me."

"Well you always have to to ask the Mrs." He rests his chin in her shoulder, then kisses her neck.

Jessica smiles and lays her head to the side.

"I love you, baby girl."

"I love you more."

"Nope!" He mumbles into her neck and runs his hands over her body.

The doorbell rings and Danny gasps as he pulls away from her.

"What?" Jessica laughs.

"I got nervous for a second!" He grabs his chest.

Jessica turns the stove off and turns to him.

"It'll be okay."

He smiles softly and she gives him a hug.

"Mama da door!" Grayson runs in and hits Jessica's legs.

They both look down and laugh.

"Mama da door!"

"Daddy's getting it, thanks for letting us know, baby." She smiles and lifts him up then kisses his cheek.

"Lub yew!"

"Awe I love you more, handsome!"

"Down!  Down!" He kicks his legs so Jessica puts him down.

She takes her apron off and follows Danny to the living room.

Zachary and Michael come down and Danny looks to Zachary who had a nervous look on his face.

"Hey!  You okay?" He pats his shoulder.

"I'm nervous."

"It'll be okay.  It might seem kinda weird at first, but it'll get better."

Zachary nods.

Danny opened the door and Zoe hugged him tight.

"Hi mom!  Come on in." He steps to the side and Zachary came closer.

"Hi grandma." He smiles.

"Oh my... You're so handsome!  And so grown!" Her eyes immediately fill with tears.

She hugs him tightly and he hugs her back.

"Oh sweetie!  It's so nice to see you!"

"It's nice seeing you too."

She kisses his cheek.

"Mom, this is Michael."

"Hello, Mrs. Huston.  It's nice to meet you." Michael shakes her hand.

"Nice meeting you as well!"

"This little Grayson." Danny picks him up.

"Oh hello, Grayson!"

"Hi!" He holds his hand out like his big brother did, making them laugh at his cuteness.

"Oh!  You're such a little gentleman!" She smiles.

Grayson smiles, then buries his face in Danny.

He chuckles and pats his back.

"Mom.. This is my fiancé, Jessica."

"Hello Jessica!  I've heard a lot of great things about you!"

"Awe really?  How sweet!  It's nice to meet you!"

"Likewise!  My goodness you are stunning!"

"Oh thank you so much!" Jessica blushes.

**

Everyone sat down for dinner and everything went pretty smooth.

"Danny was an amazing child.. He always dreamed of becoming a doctor, actor, lawyer or an astronaut!  He always aimed high.  I am so proud of you, Daniel.
When I heard how successful you became, it made me so happy."

Danny smiles and Jessica rubs his back.

Grayson was like his father and when everyone started to get teary he made them smile.

"Hey!" He waves to Zoe.

"Hi!" She chuckles and waves.

"Dis my mama!" He says hitting Jessica's arm.

Jessica laughs and Grayson continues.

"Dat my daddy over there!" He points.

Jessica pats his hand and smiles at him.

"You are so cute, Grayson!" Zoe says.

Grayson smirks at Jessica, then looks at Zoe and blinks his eyes softly.

"What are you doing, you goon?" Jessica laughs.

"Mikey!  Dats my Mikey!  Dats Yack!" He bounces up and down and kicks his legs as he points.

Zoe giggles and Jessica says, "Well now that we've done roll call, how would everyone like some dessert?"

"MEEEEE!" Grayson shouts.

Jessica chuckles and nods her head.

**

After dessert they all stay in the living room and talk.

Grayson wanted to make sure Zoe knew his daddy, so he grabbed Sam's picture and ran over to her.

"Dis my dada!  He in Heaven!"

"Awe.. He's very handsome!  Just like you." She smiles and taps Grayson's nose.

"Yeah!" He gives her a cute smile.

"I see him when I sweep!"

"Grayson dreams of Sam a lot, don't you, Gray?" Zachary says holding his hand out to him.

"Yeah!" He slaps his hand on Zachary's.

"Does he?  That's amazing!"

"Yeah! 
..Yack!" Grayson yells as he jumps on him.

Zoe chuckles and looks to Danny and Jessica.

"He's so cute!"

"Thank you." Jessica smiles.

**

"It was so nice meeting you, Mrs. Huston."

"Call me Zoe, sweetie." She hugs Jessica.

"Awe okay!"

"It was a lovely evening."

"It was!  We should all do it again sometime.  You still have two more of Jessica's boys to meet!" Danny says.

"That's right!  Man!  How did you have four boys?!  You are so petite!" She giggles.

"Well thank you!" Jessica chuckles.

".. I should get going.. Thanks again for everything." She says hugging Danny.

"Mom.."

"Yes, sweetie?"

"Um.. Well.." He stumbles on his words.
Jessica walks closer and places her hand in his back.

He looks down to her, then says, "Jessie and I would love it if you could make it to the wedding."

Zoe puts her hand over her mouth and tears up.

"I wouldn't miss it, baby."

Danny smiles and hugs her once again.

***

Last day of school.

"Oh my baby boy's last day of hour junior high! Why are you growing up so fast?" Jessica pouts and wraps her arms around him as he sits at the table.

She kisses his cheek over and over again and Danny laughs.

"Stop it!  This is my baby!" She squeezes him.

"A senior in high school!  How did that happen so fast?"

Zachary walks down and Jessica whines.

"Awe man and you too!  Give me hug!" She runs to him.

Zachary hugs her and looks at Danny and Michael confused.

"She's feeling emotional today."

"I'm just sad because my boys are growing up and leaving me alone with you!" She cries into Zach.

Danny nods and says, "In seventeen days she's all mine!  She's excited, can't you tell?" Danny jokes.

Jessica releases Zachary and they walk over to the table.

"I am happy, you know that!  I just love a house full of kids!  That's how it's been since I was fifteen!  Now it'll just be me, you and Gray.  It'll be so quiet." She pouts.

"Baby, that's still a year away.  Who knows?  Maybe we'll have another little baby in the house by them." Danny says wrapping his arm around her and sitting her on his lap.

"Oh yeah." Jessica touches his chest and leans closer to his face.

"What?!" Zachary's eyes widen.

"A baby?!" Michael says in shock.

"Baby?" Grayson smiles and kicks his legs.

"Aren't you two a little--"

"Michael!" Jessica raises her voice.

"I'm young, Michael Shepard!"

"I know, but still!"

"Boys, after the miscarriage, Daniel and I decided on having a baby of our own.  Is that a problem?"

"Well.. I've always wanted a little sister." Zachary smiles softly.

"Thank you, Zach!"

"I mean, it's fine with me, I'm just in shock.  How many times can one go through labor?" Michael asks.

Jessica chuckles and says, "Don't worry, Michael, I don't think me giving birth to one more baby will put me in the Guinness Book of World Records!"

He chuckles and says, "So this is happening?  You two wanna have a baby?"

Danny and Jessica both nod.

"Well I guess that wouldn't be so bad.  Plus, Grayson needs someone to grow up with.  The twins and I had so much fun!  It would be kinda sad if Gray wasn't able to experience that."

"Exactly!  He needs a playmate!" Jessica says.

"So when is this happening?" Zachary asks.

Michael gives him a look and says, "Did you seriously just ask when our parents are going to be conceiving our little brother or sister?"

"Oh right.. Yuck!" He looks at them with a disgusted face.

Jessica rolls her eyes and Danny chuckles and pats her hip.

**

June sixth.

"Danny, wake up!  The boys come home today!  Let's go get them!"

"Baby.. They land in four hours."

"We have to be there early!  Go take a shower!"

"Alright..."

"Danny get up!"

"Hold on!" He whines.

Jessica gets irritated and walks downstairs.

*Gasp* "BOYS!  What on earth are you doing here?!" Jessica runs over and hugs them.

"We wanted to surprise you!  We were gonna make breakfast.  Why are you up already?"

"Yeah mom, it's early." Sam says looking at his watch.

"I wanted to go to the airport and wait!" She laughs.

The twins chuckle and she jumps up and down.

"I'm so happy to have you both home!!"

"We're happy to be home!  You're getting married in ten days!" James smiles.

"YEAH I AM!" Jessica shouts.