A Month Later, December 15th,

Over the last month Jessica and Sam have been working non stop. When they weren't working to prepare for their baby they were in school. Jessica was still living with Ann until her and Sam could afford a small place of their own.

Being so young, it was hard to make enough money to save up for a place to live. They had a lot on their plate especially with a baby coming soon.

Jessica mentally struggled everyday, but she didn't share her feelings with anyone, she wanted to be positive but it was hard for her to not think about her parents. She missed them dearly, especially her mother. All she wanted was a call or something but she hasn't heard from them since she left their home.

Sam's family was not all that happy, but they knew that they had to be supportive and help in whatever way they could. They would never imagine kicking their own daughter to the streets for being pregnant. They have always loved Jessica and they want to be there for her and Sam.

Christmas was just around the corner which made things a bit more difficult for Jessica. All she wanted was to be with her family. During the holidays, Ann had a plan to make Christmas extra special for herself and Jessica who were "parentless".

//-//

It was Tuesday, Jessica just hit her 20 week mark. After school, she headed right to the restaurant a few blocks away from school to work. It was a small little diner that was very popular in the town. She worked extra hard for tips to support her and the baby.

"Good afternoon, Jessica! Wanna take tables 6, 9 and 11?" Her boss says to her as she puts on her apron.

"Yes, of course!" She smiles as she grabs her pen and paper.

She walks out of the kitchen and scans her surroundings slowly to get a feel of how the afternoon will go. She always got a little nervous before working, she felt like the town joke. A pregnant teen trying to make money for what was considered "her mistake". There were fellow church members who once adored Jessica but now give her a scandalous look and friends from school who hide behind the menus and laugh. God how she wished it didn't have to be this way.

She made her way to table six with a big smile.

"Hello, Welcome to Lou's Diner, I'm getting your server. What can I get started for you?" She smiles

An old couple looks deep into her eyes then they move her to belly.

"Jessica Lange? Little Jessie?" The old man says

She looks deeply into the old mans eyes and quickly remembers him.

"Father James?" Jessica smiles

Father James was Jessica's church's old priest. He retired when she was very young, but she knew from his smile that it was him. He moved out of town to be closer with his grandkids and now he was back.

"Oh Jessica, hello!" His wife Mary smiles

"Hi! It's so nice to see you." She smiles. She knew out of everyone, father James was never one to judge. His soul was too kind.

"It looks like we have a lot of catching up to do!" He smiles

"Yes, sir... haha."

//-//

It was closing time and Jessica was the last one in the diner. She picked up the extra closing shifts to make more money. On Tuesday's, it was always her, alone in the diner, making sure it was perfect for the next morning.

Sam usually picked her up around 9:30, but it was 8:45 and she heard a knock on the door. She assumed it was Sam that came early, but as she looked closer she noticed that it was father James.

Jessica ran to the door and smiled as she opened it.

"Father James, could you not get enough of our grilled cheese? I'm sorry but we are closed." She says politely as he walks in.

"Well, I said we had a lot of catching up to do. I'm here in town for a few days and decided to come see you, to talk."

"Oh, well, let me get you some hot tea and we can talk!" She smiles

//-//

After Jessica finishes up the cleaning she sat down across from the priest with a smile. She was tired and run down and he could tell.

"How are you?" He says

"I'm... I'm busy. As you can see, I have a little one coming, so I'm trying to make all the money I can." She smiles

"I see that you have a little one coming, may I ask is it a boy or a girl?" He asks

"A girl... we are really excited. Sam Shepard and I are excited I should say." She smiles

"Sammy.... what a good boy he was." He smiles proudly

"So, how are you?"

"I'm great, the wife and I love Chicago, though I do miss the country. Kids are good, grandkids are wonderful, but I came here to talk about you." He says

"Oh... you did?" She giggles

"I can see in your eyes that something is holding back your true joy."

"Oh... well, it's been hard. I'm no longer speaking to my parents. My dad wants nothing to do with me and my mother, well I'm no so sure she does either. It's been hard, I miss them. I miss Jane and George. Ann doesn't speak to my parents either and I just wish that we could be a family again. I don't want to bring my daughter into this world when my world isn't even put together. I know it's not ideal to have a baby at this age, especially since I'm not married, but this is what happened."

"I believe god brought this baby into your life for a reason. He works in crazy ways and I've preached that around the world, even to you and your family. Maybe this baby will bring your family close together. I know your father... he's always been a stubborn man and strict with his girls. I've seen some flaws in him, but I know that he loves your dearly. He's just angry, maybe asking himself how this happened and what he didn't do. But, god will speak to him and remind him that this is all for a reason."

Jessica and Father James spoke for another hour until sam arrived. It was very relieving for Jessica and freeing to have this conversation. She felt like a lot of her guilt and sadness was released from her body.

//-//

The next day:

Jessica and Sam had a snow day so they didn't have to go to school this morning nor did they have to work. Sam drove to Ann's apartment and brought over some movies and snacks for him and Jessica.

"Hey baby girl, staying warm?" He asks as he walks into Jessica's room.

"I'm in pain honey." She cries

Sam gets into bed with Jessica and holds her hand. "You are? Do we have to go to the hospital?" He asks

"No, I just hurt everywhere. Maybe it's just the pregnancy."

"How can I help?"

"Can you massage my back?" She asks

"Of course."

Jessica takes off her top and relieves her beautiful bare body that was carrying their little baby.

"You're so beautiful." He says

"Please... I'm so swollen and -"

"Stop that. You're making out baby in there. Give yourself and your body more credit. You're beautiful in my eyes." He smiles

"Will I still be beautiful to you after I have this baby and I'm all saggy and smell?"

"Yes" he laughs "but I'll take the baby so you can get all the showers you need. You know my nose can't handle smelly people" he jokes

"Well, you need to get over that. I'm gonna put you on diaper duty." She smiles as he starts rubbing her back.

"Isn't it crazy. Remember how we used to talk about stupid stuff like drama and parties. Now we talk about saggy boobs and dirty diapers?"

"Pretty crazy, isn't it?"

"I love it.. every little second. And I love my little daughter in there." He says putting his hands on her stomach."

"I popped. Can you tell? I look so much bigger than yesterday."

"Boop!" He says poking at Jessica's belly button that was completely out.

"It's an outie!" She smiles

//-//