Danny was picking the kids up today and would have them for the rest of the week.  He too woke up with the memory of their second first date anniversary, so he knew seeing Jessica was going to be hard.  They are still legally married and have chosen to just forget about filing for divorce at the moment.  There has been a lot going on in their lives and being honest they just don't have the time. 

"Kids, your father's here!" Jessica said before going over to let him in.

"Hey.."

"Hey.." Jessica said awkwardly.

"The kids ready?"

"Yeah-"

"I'm coming in!" Coltan says letting himself in.

Jessica laughs and turns to him.

"Jessie, do you have anymore of those cookies?"

"Cole, it's not nice come into Jessie's home and demand cookies."

"Heh!  It's okay.  I just so happen to have some left!"

"YEAH!!" Coltan jumps up and lifts his hands in the air.

"But you have to ask daddy if it's okay if you have some."

"Daddy pleeeease!"

"You can have one."

"Two!"

"One!"

"Three!"

"Two and that's it!"

"Okay!" He smiles and runs off.

Jessica chuckles and follows him to the kitchen to grab some cookies.

After returning back to the living room the kids were now there and so excited to see their brother.

"Cole look at these toys our momma gave us!" Joseph says.

"Wow!  Cool!"

"You stay here and we can play together!"

"My daddy no let me stay here.." Coltan pouts.

"Why not?  We stay here!" Joshua says.

"I don't know.."

"Well I ask my mommy if you stay here!"

"Boys, we have to get going." Sofia quickly interrupts.

"Thank you, Sofia." Danny spoke in a low voice.

"Can we just go?" She asks.

"Yeah.. come on, kids!"

"Daddy?"

"What, Coltan?"

"Why is Jessie not my mommy but she's there mommy's?"

Everyone kinda froze for a second.

"Can Jessie be my mommy since mine died?"

Jessica's eyes slightly widened and she felt her cheeks turning pink.

"Cole, we've talked about this.  Let's Go."

Coltan hangs his head before turning to Jessica.
"Bye bye, Jessie.  Thanks for the cookies."

"Bye, Coltan.. and you're welcome, honey!"

***

Arabella's Birthday.

"Happy Birthday, baby girl!"

"Thank you mommy!  Do you know how old I am?"

"Of course I do!  You're four years old today!"

"Yeah!"

Jessica giggles.
"You are mommy's little miracle.. I almost lost you, baby girl."

"But you didn't!  I'm still here!"

"Yes you are, baby!" Jessica smiles and gives her a kiss.

"Momma, you know what I'm gonna wish for?"

"What, baby?"

"I'm gonna wish for you and daddy to love each other."

"Bella.."

"That's what I want most of all!"

"Bella Boo.. Daddy and I love each other.. it's just a different kind of love now.. it's difficult to explain but one day you'll understand."

"It just makes me sad."

"I know, baby.. it makes me sad too."

"Then call him and tell him you love him!"

"Honey, no.. I told you one day you'll understand."

"Okay.. Can I have my presents now?"

"Sure!" Jessica laughs.

**

Later that day Danny came for her.

"Hey Bella Boo!  Happy Birthday, Princess!" Danny picked her up and kissed her on the cheek.

"Thank you, daddy!"

"How was your day today?"

"Great!" Arabella goes on to tell her father about her day.

"That sounds like so much fun!"

He turns to Jessica and laughs.
"It's crazy to think she was born silent."

"I know.. not a peep her little body made."

Danny saw Jessica getting emotional as she thought back to the day her little girl came into the world.

"That was one of the most scariest times in my life.. she was just so tiny and so helpless.. I never thought she would be the loud outgoing little girl she is today.  I'm so proud of her."

Danny walked over to her and wrapped one arm around her.

"So am I.. Jessica, you are an amazing mother.  Our children are very lucky to have you."

"Thank you, Danny."

Arabella smiled when she saw her father hug her mother.

"Good!  Now kiss!"

Jessica looked down and Danny pulled away from her as he nervously cleared his throat.

"We better go!  Grandma made you a cake!"

"More cake?  WOOOO!"

"Yeah!" Danny laughs.

The kids leave and once again she is alone.

***

Valentine's Day.

The two older kids were at school and Danny had the other three.  Today was another difficult day for both Jessica and Danny.  Last year Danny took Jessica out on a nice date then surprised her a few days later with an even more amazing date.  That day was the last day of pure happiness each one has had.  In a few days it I'll be a year since Trisha made a reappearance in their life. That day was the begging of the end of their marriage.

Jessica hurt every single day but she kept it to herself.  She's been telling herself that these feeling will pass, but it's been months and all she feels is a constant sadness.

It's now April and it's Jessica's birthday.

Jessica woke up and made breakfast for the kids.  The tradition was Danny would make her breakfast in bed.  Jessica wasn't upset that she couldn't stay in bed a while longer.  She was saddened that she woke up feeling so lonely on her birthday.  Sofia and Jackson came down with little gifts they bought her.

"Oh you two!  You didn't have to buy me anything!"

"But we wanted to!" Jackson smiles.

"That's so sweet!  Thank you both so much!" Jessica gave them both a hug and a kiss.

During breakfast Sofia softly said, "Mommy?"

"Yes baby?"

"Isn't today yours and daddy's vowel renewal anniversary?"

Jackson kicked her under the table and gave her a look.

"Ow!"

Jessica sighs and looks down.
"Yes.. Yes it is.."

"Oh.  I'm sorry, I was just wondering."

"It's okay, sweetheart... Yes it is but uhm.. now it's just my birthday." She smiles and tries hiding the sadness in her eyes.

"Well that's pretty great too!"

"Yeah.." Jessica softly.

Later that day Jessica's phone rang and it was Sam.

"Hello?"

"Hey Birthday girl!"

"Hi Sam!"

"Happy Birthday!"

"Thank you.."

"You okay?"

"Yeah, I'm okay.. just tired from running everywhere with these kids." Jessica chuckles.

"I can imagine!  Well I won't keep you long.  I just wanted to say Happy Birthday and that I miss you like crazy."

"Aw Sam.. I miss you too."

"When are you coming back to New York?"

"Well I think for now I'm gonna stay put."

"Not even a little summer get away."

"No, it's just too crazy with the kids and summer camp, and sleepovers, and parties.. It's a lot!" Jessica chuckles.

"Well I understand.  I'll talk to you soon, alright?"

"Okay.. bye, Sam."

Jessica hung up and sighed right before her phone rang once again.
She lightly gasped from it startling her.
Jessica picked it up and it was Danny.

"Hello?"

"Hey!  I just wanted to call and say Happy Birthday.. I hope you have a good day with the kids."

"Thank you, Danny."

"Jess, I know things with us are awkward and different.. but uh.. I love you and I want you to know that I wish you nothing but the best.  Right now we're both going through a tough time but.. I just pray you're happy."

"Thank you, Danny.. that really.. really means a lot to me." Jessica says as she feels her eyes tear up..

"And I love you too.. and I pray the same for you."

"Thanks.. I uh.. I'll see you this weekend."

"Alright.. bye, Danny.."

Jessica hung up and let her tears out.
Memories from their vowel renewal came back to her. The beautiful beach setting. The kids dressed up. Their family all together. They were simply just so happy to be together.

Later that day when Jessica went to pick the kids up the radio was on playing quietly in the background.

"Looks like we made it
Look how far we've come my baby
We mighta took the long way
We knew we'd get there someday

They said "I bet they'll never make it"
But just look at us holding on
We're still together still going strong"

Jessica wanted to turn the music off but she couldn't stop listening and replaying her and Danny dancing to this song together.

"Mommy isn't this the song we all danced to?" Sofia asks.

"Yes baby."

"Oh.."

Danny's POV.

At that time Danny was on his way back home from leaving Coltan with his other grandparents. He just happened to have it on the same station that Jessica had it on. When he heard it tears filled his eyes. Danny pulled over and just let all of his emotions out.

"Jessie baby, I'm so sorry! I love you with all my heart!
Oh God I wish I could make it right! I want her back so bad.. but I can't do that to her! She needs to move on and so do I.. I just wish I could have one more night with her where everything was normal.. everyone was happy.. We would stay up late playing games as a family, then she and I would tuck all of the kids in and go to bed....

I want to make love to her.. I want to kiss every inch of her body and make her feel so special. I want to hold her in my arms and tell her it's going to be okay. I just want her!"

"Ain't nothin' better
We beat the odds together
I'm glad we didn't listen
Look at what we would be missin'
They said "I bet they'll never make it"
But just look at us holdin' on
We're still together still goin' strong

You're still the one I run to
The one that I belong to
You're still the one I want for life
(You're still the one)
You're still the one I love
The only one I dream of
You're still the one I kiss good night

I'm so glad we made it
Look how far we've come my baby"

Danny sobbed as he listened to the words that once fit them so perfectly.
"Getting over you, Jessica Lange is one thing I will never Ever achieve."

***
I know there's a lot of them being sad because they both love each other but won't say anything, BUT I promise next chapter we're going somewhere!  Hopefully y'all will like what I have planned and aren't too upset with me! 😢💔