Once Jessica got back to the car Danny could tell Jessica was upset.

"You okay?" He asks.

"Yeah." Jessica didn't even look at him. She was so mad.

Danny could tell she wasn't telling the truth but decided on waiting to till they got home to see what was really bothering her.

"Mama lunch!"

"Bella, grandma fed you."

"Well.. snack, mama!"

"Heh, okay one second."

Jessica sighs.
"This girl stays hungry!  You boys want anything?"

"No thank you!"

"How about you, daddy?"

"No baby, I'm okay.  Thanks."

Jessica went into the kitchen to get a snack for Arabella.

"You want some goldfish?"

"No."

"Some fruit?"

"No."

"Well what do you want?"

"A ham and cheese sandwich."

"A ham and cheese sandwich?" Jessica laughs.

"You just ate!"

"And I'm hungry again!" Arabella lifts her hands.

"Alright miss sassy pants!"

"I not sassy pants!" Arabella places her hands on her hips.

"You're full of attitude, Bella Boo!" Jessica giggles.

After making her sandwich Jessica starts a load of laundry, then begins to make dinner.

"Okay honey, I have to pick up the kids.  The food should be okay on the stove until I get back.  Could you just help me out and fold these towels, please?"

"Sure!"

"Thank you!
I'll be right back.  Kids, be good!"

**

After returning home Jessica finishes up with dinner while the kids wash up.

Danny noticed Jessica still seemed upset.  She's been going constantly so he hasn't had a chance to speak with her.

After dinner Jessica asked the kids to go up to their rooms and start on homework.
She washed the dishes and put them away.
Not only was Jessica exhausted from constantly running, but the conversation between her and her mother was still on her mind.

"You four watch some cartoons and don't fight, okay?"

"Okay!"

"We'll start baths in just a second, just give mommy a few minutes, alright?"

The kids are glued too the tv so they don't respond.

Jessica walks into the downstairs bedroom she and Danny have been staying in since his accident.
She sat down on the bed and finally broke.
Danny wheeled himself to the room and slowly opened the door.

Jessica didn't hear him and kept crying as quietly as she could.

"Honey, what's wrong?"

Jessica jumps and lightly gasps.
"Oh!  Danny!  Baby, do you need something?" Jessica quickly wipes her tears.

"Jessie, what's wrong?"

"Nothing.  I'm just tired.  It's been a long day and.. I guess I need a nap." She chuckles.

Danny wheels himself over and stops right in front of her.

"What happened at your parents house?"

"Nothing." Jessica says in a shaky voice.

"Jess.."

"She's so horrible, Danny!  She doesn't understand!"

"What do you mean?"

Jessica goes on to explain exactly what happened.

"I'm sorry, honey.  It'll take a while for her to come around.. it's understandable."

"No it's not!  Daniel, you are my husband!  Colton.. I love him.  He's my son.  He didn't ask to be conceived the way he was.. it's not his fault he's here.  That little boy lost his momma and he needs me!
.. and I need him.. I never thought I'd say that but I do.  I feel like he completes us.  Right now with everything he's going through and everything you're going through.. the last thing I need is my mother telling me how stupid I am!  Yes you did things that you shouldn't have done.. and I did things I shouldn't have done, I'm not innocent in this situation.  But you and I have chosen to forgive each other and look past what we've done.  Things happen, Danny.. bad things have happened and now we're together.. we're beaten up and mangled.. but we're together and that's all that matters.  If my mother can't accept you and our son, then I don't want her in my life."

"Jess, I know you don't mean that-"

"I do, Daniel!  I won't let her speak about you two that way again!" Jessica cries harder.

"Okay, come here." Danny takes her hand and guides her to his lap.

"Don't cry, honey.. you're much too beautiful to cry."

Jessica lays her head on his shoulder as tears fall down her cheeks.

"Shh, shh, shh.. it's okay, Angel."

"I love you, Danny."

"I love you more... Oh and Jess?"

"Yeah?" Jessica mumbles.

"Thank you for everything.  You truly are amazing."

"Aw.. you don't have to thank me, baby." Jessica smiles softly and kisses his cheek.

"Yes I do. You don't have to be this way.. you are a special special lady, Mrs. Huston."

Jessica smiles before laying on Danny's shoulder and holding him even tighter.

***

The next morning Jessica noticed Sofia seemed a bit more quiet than usual.

"Hey Sof, are you okay?"

"Yeah..
Momma?"

"Mhm?"

"Did grandma really say those words?"

"What?"

"Did she really say that about daddy and Coltan?"

"Sofia, why were you listening in on an adult conversation?"

"Mom, did she say that?"

"Sofia, don't worry, sweetie."

"Momma, he's a little boy!  She shouldn't say those things about him."

"I know, honey."

"And daddy.. yes he's had his moments.. but momma, he loves you so much, I know he does!"

"I know he does too, Sofia."

"Maybe one day she'll understand."

"Maybe."

***

One month later.

"Dorothy, this not talking to your own daughter is absolutely ridiculous!  I'm going over to see her and my grandchildren.  If you want to miss out on their lives then that's your problem!"

"Albert, it just really irritates me!  That man and that child-"

"Are her husband and son, and there is nothing you can do about it!  At least try and understand."

"I'm sorry but I don't think I can, Albert."

Albert sighs and walks out of the house.

**

"Grandpa!  I missed you!" Joseph runs to his grandfather.

"I missed you guys too!  How have you been?"

"Just running like crazy!" Jessica chuckles.

"So nothing new?" Albert laughs.

"Well I don't know if you care about this but.. we took Cole out of school and decided to just focus on therapy and send him with the twins and Bella next year.

"Of course I care!  I think that's a good decision.  So how's therapy working for him?"

"Great!  He's doing really well, thank you for asking."

"Jessica, I don't agree with your mother.  If you're happy then so am I."

"Thank you, daddy.  That means a lot to me."

"Grandpa!  Can you play with us?!" Joshua shouts.

"Of course!"

"Hi!" Coltan waves at Albert.

"Hello!"

"What do I call you?"

Jessica chuckles softly.

"Heh!  Well you can call me whatever you want!  But my grandchildren call me Grandpa Al!"

"Okay!  I can call you that too!"

"Sounds good to me, buddy." Albert chuckles.

Jessica looks at her father and mouths, "Thank you."

Albert smiles and nods his head.

"Did you know that that's my mommy?" Coltan points to Jessica.

"Is she really?  Well guess what!"

"What?!"

"She's my baby girl!"

"What?!"

"Jessie- you're mommy is my daughter.  How cool is that?"

"That's so cool!  Jessie is a good mommy!"

"She's the best!" Albert saying turning and smiling to Jessica.

**

Albert went home and didn't bring up what went on at Jessica's.

"So what happened?  Was she taking after that screaming kid and cleaning Danny's ass?"

"Look that's enough, Dorothy!  This is her life!  You really need to stop speaking that way about her family.  I saw Danny today and he's doing really well, thank God!"

"Thank God?  He could have died for all I care!"

"Jesus, where is this attitude coming from?!  I saw him and he's doing well.  Coltan.. Dorothy, he's a little boy.  It breaks my heart to see him, it really did."

"Why?"

"D, no one deserves what he's gone through.  He's four years old!"

Dorothy looks down and doesn't say a word.
"Were invited to Jackson's birthday party.  It's on November 1st.  I'll be there with or without you."

***

November 1st.

"Joshua, I can't believe you slept in your costume, silly!"

"Mama I be Spider-Man all the time now!"

"Oh my goodness!"

"He's gonna get smelly!" Arabella makes a face.

Jessica and Danny both start laughing.

"He is!"

"Well you have to change today because it's Jackson's birthday party today!"

"It's your birthday?!" Joshua's eyes widen.

"Not yet, it's just my party today." Jackson smiles.

"Yay!  I like parties!"

"Is it here, mommy?" Arabella asks.

"No, it's a a big place where they have games-"

"GAMES!"

"Laser tag-"

"I DON'T KNOW WHAT THAT IS BUT YAY!"

"Heh!  And PIZZA!"

"YAAAAY!  PIZZAAAAAA!"

"I think she's excited." Danny chuckles.

"Just a bit!" Jessica smiles.

**

All of Jackson's friends started showing up and some of the family was also there.
Jessica secretly hoped Dorothy would be there but didn't make it known to anyone.  It's been a month and a half since they've last spoken with each other.  They've never in their life gone so long without speaking.

Finally Jessica turned when she heard the twins and Arabella shout as they ran passed her.

"Grandma!  Grandpa!"

"My babies!" Dorothy gets down to her knees and holds them so tight.

"Grandpa Al!" Coltan runs to Albert.

"Hey champ!"

"I eating pizza!"

"Yummy!  Can I have some?"

"Yeah!  It over there on that table!"

"Thank you so much!  I'll grab some!"

Jessica stayed sitting while Jackson went over to greet his grandparents.

"Hi Grandma and Grandpa!"

"Hi my baby!" Dorothy hugs him with tears pouring down her face.

"Grandma, why you take so long to see us? Do you not love us anymore?" Arabella asks.

"Oh Arabella, Of course I do! I love you so so much!"

"Well then where were you, silly?!"

"Grandma had a lot to do.."

"Well okay!"

While the kids spoke to their grandparents Sofia stayed sitting down.  She didn't want to see Dorothy.

"Sof, go say hello to your grandparents."

"I'll say hi to grandpa but that's it."

"Sofia, don't be like that."

"Like what? She hurt my feelings!"

"Sofia.."

"Hello, Sofia." She hears her grandmother's voice.

"Hi.."

"How are you, beautiful?"

"Good. Hi Grandpa!" Sofia jumps up and gives him a big hug.

Dorothy sighs and walks past Danny to Jessica.

"Hi, Jessie."

"Hello, mother."

Things were awkward to say the least.  Luckily the boys ran in and interrupted the silence.

"Mommy! Mommy! We need more pizza!" The twins and Coltan said holding their empty plates up.

"Well what do you want me to do about it?"

"Come on, mama!" Joshua kicks Jessica.

"Hey! Don't do that!"

"That is NOT nice!" Coltan says.

"No it's not, huh Cole?"

"Nope!"

Jessica served the boys some pizza and they took off.

Dorothy sat quietly just watching all of the kids run crazy. She has yet to speak to Danny.

"Grandma, did you get pizza?" Joseph asks.

"No honey, not yet."

"Excuse me!  Are you my grandma too?" Coltan asks.

"No, honey."

"Oh.."

Jessica heard her mother and saw Coltan's sad little face.

"Hey boys, once you're finished we can play games, okay?  So eat up, my loves!" She kisses their cheeks.

"Yay!  I'll eat real fast!" Coltan says.

"Well not too fast!  I don't want you to choke!"

"Okay, I'll be careful!"

**

"OW! Mommy, I got an owie!" Coltan bumped his little finger and wanted some attention.

"Oh no! My poor baby! What did you do?!"

Dorothy rolls her eyes.

Jessica picks him up and holds his little hand.

"I bumped it on that thing over there!" He points.

"Oh goodness, be careful!"

"Mama, kiss it and make it better!"

Jessica smiles and kisses his finger.
"All better?"

"So close! Dada, you kiss it too!" Coltan reaches his hand for Danny.

"I don't know where that finger has been!" Danny jokes making Jessica laugh.

"Daddyyy!" Coltan whines.

"I'm just playing! Muah! All better?"

"Yes!" He smiles and kicks his legs before hugging Jessica.

"You love, mama?" Danny smiles.

Coltan smiles softly and nods his head.
"I love you more, baby!" Jessica kisses the top of his head and sways her body from side to side.

"You wanna go play with your brothers and sisters again?"

"Mhm!" He nods.

"Okay.  Be carful!"

"I will, mommy!  I'll hold my finger like this so no more owies!" Coltan says holding his finger up.

"Heh!  Okay, baby!"

He runs off and Danny takes Jessica's hand and turns her towards him.

"Do you know how much I love you?"

Jessica giggles.

Danny kisses her wrist and pulls her closer to him.
He wraps his arms around her and lays his head on her stomach.

"You make me so happy.."

Jessica smiles and softly messes with his hair.

"You're too much, Daniel Huston."

Danny kisses her stomach then looks up and smiles.

"How are you feeling?  Do you need your medication?" She asks.

"I feel perfect, darling.  Thank you."

Jessica smiles and kisses his lips.

Dorothy was watching this whole time.
It was clear they were still crazy about each other.
It would take a while but she knew she had to accept that Danny was there to stay.

The party was now winding down.
Coltan was asleep on Danny, but the rest of the kids were still going crazy.

"They all are gonna sleep good tonight, huh?" Ann says.

"I hope so!" Jessica chuckles.

"Jessica." She hears her mother so she turns to see what she wants.

"Could I speak with you, please?"

"Sure."

Jessica and Dorothy sat down at a table alone away from the party.

"Jessica, I saw you with Coltan, and I've been watching you with Daniel.. I want to apologize for the things I said about Cole.. he's just a child and I shouldn't have been that way.  That was very wrong of me to do.  I'm sorry for not calling or coming over.."

"The kids missed you."

"I missed them too.. and I missed you"

".. I missed you too."

"Now Jessie, it will take me a long long time to forgive Daniel."

"Okay.. I understand."

"But if you forgave him and he forgave you.. who am I to say anything?
I really am sorry."

"Thank you."

"I'm going to speak to Sofia as well.  She seems upset."

"Yeah, she was listening in on mine and Danny's conversation so she knows everything."

"Oh.. so that's why she dissed me and went straight to grandpa."

"Yeah." Jessica chuckles softly.

Dorothy gives Jessica a small smile.
"I love you, baby girl.. and I'm so so sorry."

Dorothy hugs her tight tightly.
"I love you too, momma."

"BOO!" They hear a small voice.

"Coltan!  What are you doing over here?!" Jessica smiles and picks him up.

"I sneaked over!"

"Just to see me?!"

"Just to see you, mommy!"

Jessica smiles and hugs him tight.
"Oh my sweet sweet boy!"

"Mama, that's too tight!  I'm gonna puke!"

"I'm sorry!"

Dorothy laughs and Coltan waves.
"Hi!"

"Hello, Coltan."

"You know my name?"

"I do!" Dorothy giggles.

"What do I call you?"

Jessica chuckles.

"Well.. if you want you can call me... you can call me Grandma D."

"That's fun!"

Jessica smiles and kisses his cheek.
"Thank you, mom." She says in a low voice as she and Dorothy share a soft smile.

Dorothy gives her a little nod.
This wasn't easy for her, but it was her daughter's life and she wanted to show hat she was trying to accept it.