Today is Mother's Day.  The kids are of course with Jessica, and Danny took Coltan to see Trisha's mother.

"Oh my little Coltan!" She hugged him and got tears in her eyes.

She looked up to Danny and said, "Last Mother's Day was the last day I saw Trisha really acting like herself.  After that she just.. I should have said something.  I should have done more!"

"No, don't do that to yourself.  Sometimes in situations like this.. You have no control in the outcome.. I know it's hard but you can't blame yourself."

She nods and looks down.

A while later Leanna, Coltan's aunt came over and sat beside Danny.

"How are you doing, honey?"

"I'm doing well.."

"Yeah?  How's Jessica?"

"Uh.. she's doing well."

"Danny look, I've known you for almost a year and we talk a lot.. you love that girl."

"I do."

"Then WHY don't you do something about it?!"

"Leanna, I can't.. Jessica has to move on.  She would get so much crap if she went back to me again."

"And who the hell are they to say anything?  Only you and Jessica matter in this situation.  You're miserable without her.  You obviously love this woman more than anything, Danny.  If her family or whoever it is you're talking about knew how much you cared for her, then they wouldn't say one damn thing!"

Danny took a sip of his beer and looked down.

"You promise me you'll talk to her?"

"Eventually I will."

"Danny, don't waist any more time.  If you love her.. Then Love her!"

***

It's now summer and the kids are out of school.  Today is Coltan's birthday and Danny is throwing him his very first party ever.

Before the part starts Danny calls Jessica.

"Hello?"

"Hey I just wanted to make sure you were staying for the party."

"Oh Danny I don't know.. I don't want things to be awkward."

"It won't be awkward!  Besides, Coltan adores you and he would be heartbroken if you weren't there."

"Alright, I'll stay."

"Great!  I'll see you later."

"Okay.  Bye.." Jessica hung up and took a deep breath.  She was nervous but a little excited to be there with him and the kids.

**

"Hi guys!  Welcome to my house!" Coltan says in a sweet voice.

"Hi honey!" Jessica giggles.

"Happy Birthday!"

"Thank you, Jessie!" Coltan hugs her leg.

"You're welcome!  You're a big boy now, aren't you?"

"Yeah cause I'm four!" He says holding his little fingers up.

"Wow!"

"Heh!  Come on in, there's food and drinks so make yourself at home." Danny smiles.

"Thanks, Danny."

Danny wraps one arm around her.
"How are you?" He asks.

"I'm doing well, thanks."

"Good.  Go on and get yourself something to eat."

Jessica felt awkward for a little while but eventually she relaxed and she felt okay.

"Hi!  I'm Leanna.. Coltan's aunt." Leanna shakes Jessica's hand and sits beside her.

Jessica smiles softly.
"Hi I'm Jessica.. Danny's.. Danny's ex..wife.." She looked down and felt a little uncomfortable.

"Oh!  Well I've heard a lot about you, Jessica."

"Really?"

"Oh yeah!  You know, those two boys love you."

"Yeah?" Jessica cracks a small smile.

"Yeah.  Look, I don't want to get into your business but.. I'm gonna tell you what I told Danny.  Don't wait and waist more time.  Don't listen to what everyone else says.. do what you want and be with who you love."

Jessica immediately tears up.

"Leanna, right?"

"Yes."

"I've tried!  When our daughter was sick and in the hospital.. I told him that I loved him.. but he won't let me take him back.. he thinks I need someone else.. All I want is him." Jessica says as a single tear rolls down her cheek.

"Danny told me he doesn't want to hurt you again.. I think both of you have learned your lesson and.."

"When you love someone.. you love them and you can't just get over them!  Leanna, I love Daniel!"

Leanna smiles and places her hand on Jessica's.
"Then tell him." She speaks softly.

"I will.. not now.. not today.. but I will....
You know a year ago I was furious with him because he went behind my back to see Trisha and Coltan.. now I love Coltan and I feel for him for losing his mother.  I forgave him for cheating, I forgave him for the little things he did.. If the reason why we ended our marriage is because he wanted to be a father to this amazing little boy.. I mean that's just stupid!  Danny has done a lot wrong.. but dammit he is a good man and his good side outweighs his bad."

Leanna smiles and hugs Jessica.

"I'm sorry, I'm a huger and I feel like I know you already!" Leanna laughs.

"Heh!  It's okay.. I needed one." Jessica speaks in a shaky voice. 

***

The next day Jessica knew Coltan was going to be with his grandparents so she called Sarah.

"Hello?"

"I need you to come over and watch the kids for me."

"Okay.  Why?"

"Just come here and I'll tell you later."

Sarah drove over to the house and Jessica continued getting ready.

"Hey!  Where are you going?  You got a hot date?" Sarah smiles

"I'm gonna go see Danny.. and I'm not leaving until he's mine."

"What!  Jessica, no!  You've made it a year without him!"

"I don't give a shit!  The year I've spent without him has been the worst year of my life."

"Jessica, he's done so much though.."

"He cheated on me almost five years ago.  He never cheated on me again after that.  I have tried to live life the way you and my family think I should, but it's time for me to be happy.  I would rather focus on all the good he's done then obsess on the bad.  That's the past, Sarah.
He's a great man.  He's a great father... and he was The Best husband.  I love him and I will spend the rest of my life with him."

"Well.. I want you to be happy.. and if Danny makes you happy-"

"He doesn't, Sarah!"

"Then honey.. You go and get your man, Jess."

Jessica smiles with tears in her eyes.

"Thank you, Sarah!" Jessica hugs her.

"No problem!  Now go!  Go!" She chuckles and pats her butt.

**

Jessica got in the car and called Danny.

"Hello?"

"Danny!"

"Jess?  What's wrong?  Are you okay?"

"I love you, Danny.  I can't live without you.."

"Jess-"

"I don't want to do all of this over the phone.  I have to see you!  Will you meet me at Longhorn.. I need to talk to you.  Please!"

"I.. I-I'll be there."

Danny was shocked but so excited to see Jessica.

**

Jessica sat there waiting for him.  She had been there for over thirty minutes and Danny had still not shown.

Jessica sighed and ordered another drink.

Another thirty minutes pass and Jessica knew he wasn't coming.

"I had a good feeling about this.. I guess it really just isn't meant to be.." Jessica spoke to herself in a whisper.

Jessica left money on the table and stood up.
Her phone rang so she quickly answered it without checking the ID.

"Danny!  Where are you?!"

"Jessica!  It's Zoey!"

"Zoey?  What's wrong?!"

"It's Danny.. He.. he was shot."

"Shot?!  What?  Where was he?  Is he okay!
.... Zoey.. is he alive?  ANSWER ME!"