Jessica took deep breaths trying to calm herself down.  The babies got even more upset once Jessica and Danny started arguing.

"It's okay, babies.. Mommy's here, you're okay!"

The sobs of her children made her head pound.  Jessica was so overwhelmed, she didn't even know how she'd manage getting up the stairs.

Her baby sling was in her room, and it wasn't like Arabella was able to walk by herself.

"Oh gosh.. If only mommy had one more arm!
.. Sofia!"

"Yes mommy?" Sofia runs out of Jackson's room.

"Can you help me, please baby?"

"Sure!"

Sofia runs down the stairs and picks Arabella up.

"Thank you, sweetheart.. I'm sorry."

"Don't be." She nods her head but tries to hide her face.

"Sof, don't be upset.  Please don't cry."

"I'm fine."

Jessica sighs and Sofia walks upstairs.

Jessica follows with the twins.
When they get to Jessica's room, Sofia puts Arabella on the bed and runs out of the room.

"Sofia wait!" Jessica calls, but she doesn't answer.

Jessica looks at the babies is torn.  She obviously has to calm them down because they've been crying forever, but she knew Sofia was upset and she wanted to comfort her as soon as possible.

"Alright you three, your sissy needs me, so please stop crying. 
Please, please, please!"

Jessica put Arabella in the baby sling and walked back and forth with all of them trying to calm them down.

Once everyone had finally worn themselves out and fallen asleep, Jessica carefully put them in their cribs.

She took a deep breath and quietly tip toed out.

"Sofia?
..Sof?" Jessica walks into her room but doesn't see her.

Her heart starts to pound and she runs out of the room.

"Jackson, where's--" Jessica stops when she walks into Jackson's room and sees Sofia reading a book to him.

They both had tear stained cheeks as Sofia read in a soothing voice.
Jackson was cuddled up to her and Sofia softly caressed his head.

Jessica started crying silently as she watched them.

She wiped her tears and put a smile on her face before she went to sit beside them.

"The end!" Sofia kisses Jackson's forehead.

"You have a pretty great big sister, Jackson."

He nods his head and tightens his hold around her.

"I'm sorry things have been a bit crazy.. It will get better soon, I promise!"

"Will daddy come back?" Jackson asks.

"He'll come back, baby."

"How do you know?"

"Because daddy loves you and he wouldn't stay gone long.
When you get older.. Sometimes people just need little breaks from each other.. It's not a bad thing.  It's okay."

"I never want a break from you, mommy!" 

"That's very sweet, Jackson.  I never want a break from you either.  Or your brothers and sisters."

"Then why does daddy?"

"Shh." Sofia lightly pats his arm.

"Sweetie, daddy doesn't want a break from you."

"Then why does he want a break from you?"

"Jackson, don't worry about grown up stuff, okay?  Everything's okay.  Now let's go downstairs so you two can eat some dinner."

***

"This is weird.  It feels like when daddy didn't live with us and before Bella and the twins were born."

Jessica inhales deeply and changes the subject.

"Sofia, are you excited for your birthday month coming in.. A couple months.."

"Yeah!  I'm gonna be nine years old!"

"Nine years old.. Time has flown by, Princess.."

**

That night Jessica didn't get any sleep at all.  She was worried about Danny.  He never called or texted her, and that really made her worry.

It was hard without someone else there during the late night feedings, even if Danny was asleep, his steady breathing somehow soothed her.

All three babies still wake up numerous times during the night, so it was extremely difficult.

"Well I guess daddy does help out a little, hm?
*Sighs*
Oh Danny, why don't you call?"

***

The next morning Jessica got up and made breakfast, got the kids ready and got herself ready.
Danny had still not called or texted her, and Jessica was not going to be the one that made the first move.

"Mommy, has daddy called? Did he come home last night?" Sofia asks.

"Yeah baby, he came home.." Jessica lies.

"He did?!  Where is he?!"

"He has to work.. He'll be back later."

"Okay.." Sofia looks down.

"Jax and Sof, grab your backpacks, I'm gonna start putting the babies in the car."

"Yes ma'am."

**

The morning was rough, but Jessica was proud that she did it all by herself.

When she got home, she contemplated on calling Danny.
Right when she set her phone down, deciding not to call him, Danny walked in.

She looks at him, but doesn't say a word.

"Hi."

"Hi." Jessica responds looking down and continue what she was doing.

"I wanna let you know that I was just at my sister's all night, I wasn't-"

"I don't really care, Daniel."

"Okay..
Jessica, I'm sorry.  I shouldn't have left you with five kids.. I should have at least called you and let you know where I was.. I'm sorry."

"Well yeah, you could've been dead for all I know!"

"I'm sorry."

"The kids are upset."

"Why?"

"They think you're leaving us again."

"Ah man." Danny sighs.

"Jessica, I'm sorry that I always seem to screw things up.  I don't know what's wrong with me, I really don't.
When I feel like I start to have everything, I do something to go back ten steps."

Jessica listens and stays silent.

Danny sits beside her and continues.

"I was thinking.. A lot...
and I think that.. I need to go to LA a couple weeks early and clear my head."

"What?"

"This has nothing to do with you or the kids.  I'm not leaving you!  I just.. I need some time to myself."

"You know.. I've done a lot for you Daniel.. Given you twelve years of marriage.  Taken you back when you betrayed me.. Birthed your five children, and nursed you when you were hurt.  Go ahead Danny.. Take all the time to yourself that you need."

Jessica stands up and walks upstairs without saying another word.