Jessica hadn't seen Phillip since telling him about the baby. Phillip got dressed after checking on Karen then he stormed out of the house to the barn to get away and think.

Jessica didn't really have time to dwell; she took a quick shower then got dressed for the day.

After getting ready, Jessica walked downstairs to the kitchen and began to get the turkey in the oven. Once the turkey was in the oven, Jessica began all the sides that would be served with dinner. She was tired but she pushed through. She was so glad that Shannon would be bringing the desserts such as pumpkin pie, chocolate cake and cupcakes.

It was now three in the afternoon when the doorbell rang.

Jessica opened the door and smiled wide. "Hi baby!" She said as she let John in. "I'm so glad you made it."
"Hey, Mom." John said as he walked through the door then he hugged his mother tightly. "I've missed you!"
"I've missed you too." Jessica said as she led John to the kitchen.
"Mmmm...smells great in here." John said as he sat down at the kitchen table. "Uh...is Dad here?"
"He's not in the in the house." Jessica answered. "I think he may be at the barn."

John could tell that something had happened between his parents by Jessica's tone. John had always been the most sensitive and most intuitive than his siblings.

"Great." He said not dwelling on it too long. "This is actually perfect that he's not here. Mom...I need to tell something."
Jessica could tell that whatever John was about to tell her was really important. She sat down next to him and said. "What is it? Are you okay?"
"Yeah, I'm great. It's just...what I'm about to tell you has been weighing on me for so many years now." John said as he looked into his mother's eyes. "Mom...I'm gay and I met someone. His name is Mathew. We've been living together for a while now. I'm sorry I said that kind of fast but...I just needed to tell you. I couldn't hold it in any longer."

Jessica stared in surprise but then she relaxed. She took John's hands in hers and asked. "Are you happy?"
"What?" John said surprised. "You're not mad? Or...I don't know..."
Jessica shook her head and said. "I am not mad or upset. John...I've always known. Ever since you were a young child, I could just tell you were different than your siblings and most kids around this town for that matter. I just...I had feeling. I've been keeping quiet because I knew you weren't ready for me to know. I just want you to know, that I will always support you and I will always love you. I just want you to be happy, John. So...are you happy?"
John had tears in his eyes and smiled at Jessica. He nodded then said. "I'm very happy Mom. Mathew is the love of my life and I want to spend the rest of my life with him."

Jessica smiled wide and stood up to hug him. John stood up as well and they embraced for a moment before letting go.

"I can't wait to meet Mathew." Jessica said. "I need to meet the man that is making my baby boy so happy."

Their smiles faltered as their thoughts drifted to Phillip. As long as Phillip was around, they knew that Jessica meeting Mathew wasn't going to happen any time soon. They all knew what his feelings were concerning the LGBT community.

"Don't tell Dad okay." John said sadly. "I was going to tell him today, but, now, I don't think that's such a good idea."
"I won't say a word." Jessica said as she patted his cheek. "You and I will figure out a way so I can meet Mathew. Maybe I can visit you in California one day. I can also visit my mom and Dad. I miss them."
"I would love that. I love you mom." John said as he hugged her once again.
"I love you too." Jessica said.

Some time later, John was helping Jessica in the kitchen when Karen yelled from upstairs.

"I take it, grandma wants to come down?" John said with a chuckle.
"Yes." Jessica sighed. "Well, I better help her get dressed and help her down. I'll be back in a few minutes."
"Alright." John said as he made the mash potatoes.

While Jessica helped Karen upstairs, Phillip finally came back inside the house from being at the barn all this time. Phillip greeted John then Phillip went to the living room.

After getting Karen downstairs and into her rocker, the rest of the family arrived. They all greeted one another and all gathered in the living room, catching up with what has been going on in each other's lives.

Shannon put down the desserts she baked on a table in the dining room and joined everyone else. Jessica noticed that she was being very quiet. Shannon usually spoke to everyone with such enthusiasm but today, she just seemed as if she had something weighing on her mind. She o my spoke when spoke to But other than that, she said nothing at all. Her eyes held such sadness in them. Jessica wanted to ask her what was wrong but she didn't get the chance.

Dinner was soon served and everyone sat around the table, ready to eat their thanksgiving dinner. They all held hands and said grace.

Karen of course was grumbling in her corner of the table but no one paid any attention to her. Everyone ate their meal contently.

Jessica looked at Phillip who had yet to meet her eyes. He had been avoiding her at all costs.

Jessica sighed silently as she took small bites of her food. Her stomach beginning to do somersaults from how nervous she was.

After dinner was finished, everyone still sat around the table, talking while waiting for their food to go down a little so they could have dessert.

Karen had drifted off to sleep in her seat and was snoring.

Jessica looked at Phillip again but he didn't look her way. She was growing angry and wanted to tell him a thing or two. She calmed herself down then she stood up.

"Kids...since we have you all together under one roof, your father and I have some news to share with you all." Jessica said as she stood behind Phillip and placed her hands on his shoulders.

Her children, son in law and daughter in law all stared waiting for Jessica to continue.

"Kids...you are going to have a new sibling." Jessica said with a smile. "I'm pregnant."

Everyone stared wide eyed at Jessica and Phillip. Phillip's shoulders slumped and Jessica ignored this action.

Suddenly, John begins to laugh. "Good...good one mom!"
"John, I'm serious. I'm pregnant." Jessica said. "And before anyone says anything, yes, I saw Dr. Porter and he confirmed it. I'm eight weeks."
"Pregnant?" Abigail said in disgust. "Jeez, Dad! Have you not heard of a fucking condom!?"
"Abigail, do not speak to your father that way." Jessica said becoming angry. "We do not know that this would happen. I mean, I'm fifty years old and I thought I was done worrying about getting pregnant. Dr. Porter said it was rare but not uncommon."
"Mom...just as you said. You are fifty years old, you are too old to be having a baby. You need to terminate before it's too late!" Abigail said.

Rick was half listening as he was trying to comfort Shannon who was sobbing into her hands. Rick was rubbing her back and holding her for comfort.

John just sat there, the laughter long gone and was replaced with nothing but shock.

Abigail went on ranting on the reasons why Jessica should terminate the pregnancy and of ways to terminate.

Jessica began to feel dizzy but she shook herself and just listened to her daughter's rant.

John had had enough so he stood up and said with his voice raised. "Cool it Abby! This a decision that is only for Mom and Dad to make. Not you! Why do you have to be such a drama queen?!"
"Fuck off John!" Abigail yelled at her little brother. "You moved away to California and you opted out of this family! You hardly visit!Don't come around here now trying to spew your opinions!"

The sudden raised voices of John and Abigail woke up Karen and she looked around to see what was going on.
"What's going on here?" Karen asked. "Why is there yelling?"
"Not now Mom." Philip said through gritted teeth. He stood up and said sternly. "Alright! That is enough. Abigail, you will not use that kind of language in this house! You'll give your grandmother and mother a heart attack if you continue to speak that way."

Jessica had rushed off to the downstairs bathroom where she vomited into the toilet. She was regretting ever saying anything but she knew she had to tell them.

Once she emptied her stomach, Jessica flushed the toilet then she lay back against the tub. She rested her head against the coolness of the bathtub, her tears rolling down her cheeks.

"I thought for sure your siblings would be happy about you, but, I guess not. Now it's just you and me little one." Jessica whispered to her belly as she placed her hand over her belly.

Jessica closed her eyes as she listened to the raised voices still coming from the dining room. She stayed in the bathroom for a while then when the voices quieted down, she stood up from the floor then walked over to the sink to freshen up. Her tears now gone dry.

Jessica then opened the door and found John standing against the opposite wall waiting for his mother.

Jessica smiled weakly as he handed her a glass of water. She took a big gulp then said. "Thank you baby."
"You're welcome." John smiled a little. "Mom...I just want you to know that...that I'm happy for you. I'm kind of excited to have a new sibling. It'll be cool to be a big brother."
Jessica tears returned but they weren't tears of sadness. "Thank you John. You have no idea what it means to hear you say that."

They hugged then they walked back to find everyone in the living room. Karen asleep once again but now in her rocker.

"Mom, you're so pale. Come sit down." Abigail said a sweet tone.

Jessica was hesitant as the sudden change of her daughter's voice but she needed to sit down so she sat on the sofa.

Jessica noticed that Shannon was not looking at her and just like Phillip, was ignoring her.

Jessica's heart gave a gentle squeeze; she and Shannon had always had a wonderful relationship so seeing Shannon like this hurt Jessica immensely.

Adam, Abigail's husband just stood back as he didn't want to get into their family matters.

"Mom..." Abigail began in the same sweet voice. "We've all decided that, it's best if you get this taken care of. Dad is going to call Dr. Porter in the morning and make you an appointment. It's what's best mom. Besides, Dad will retire in a few years and didn't you both plan to travel the world. You wouldn't be able to do that if you had this baby."
"Hey!" John said. "You can't decide that for mom. It's her decision if she decides to have this baby."
Abigail rolled her eyes and said. "Can it, John! This is also about mom's health. She can't have a baby at her age."

Jessica just listened to her her children go back and forth about what decision should be made about her own body.

Suddenly, a new feeling rose up inside Jessica. Jessica usually not a confrontational person was beginning to realize that she needed to take control of her own life and make her own decisions. She was done with staying quiet and tip toeing around other people's feelings.

Jessica sat up straighter and said. "Enough! I've made my decision. I am having this baby. Even if I have to stay in bed all nine months then so be it."
Phillip stood up and said. "Jesus H. Christ, Jessica! I'm sixty years old."
"I know very well how old you are Phillip." Jessica said calmly. "Yes, it'll be difficult. Everyone in this family will have to step up and help out around here. Also, Phillip, you might change your mind. You were so excited with our older children when they were young. What's one more?"

Everyone was now quiet for a moment then Jessica continued. "Listen...Abigail, Rick, John...you are my children and I love you with all my heart. But this is my decision. I had never learned how to stick up for myself before and now, I think I am learning how to do so. Again, I love you all so very much. But, none of you or anyone else will tell me what I can or cannot do ever again. I am having this baby and that is final."

Jessica stood up from the sofa. She then walked out of the living room leaving her family in a state of shock.