April 28th, 39 weeks pregnant;

"Sam it hurts..." she cries

"I know. I'm trying to rub out the pain but I feel like I'm hurting you even more." He says with sadness

"No, you're doing great. It feels good. I just don't think my body can handle this anymore." She cries

"Hey, don't cry..." he whispers

"I can't help it. I'm scared about birth and having her. But this pain is unreal." She says looking at him.

He sits up next to her then wraps his arms around her. "What can I do?" He says running his hands through her hair

"I don't know... nothing I guess."

"Here Jessie, I bought you that pregnancy tea that you wanted." She says carrying in a hot cup of tea.

"Thank you, mom." She says with tears in her eyes

"Maybe we should call the doctor and ask her if she can induce you?" Dorthy says

"No, I don't want any drugs put into me. It's bad for the baby." She says with sadness.

"So you still won't take the epidural?" Jane asks. She had been sitting with Jessica and Sam for the last hour trying to brighten her spirits.

"No... I did too much reading and now I can't." Jessica shakes her head.

Her family was worried about her and not getting an epidural, but Jessica was convinced it was bad for the baby.

"Honey, you all turned out fine and I got an epidural!" Dorthy says

"No. I'm not." She says sternly

"Alright sweetie. What else do you need?" Dorthy smiles

"Nothing. But thanks." Jessica says softly

"Why don't we watch step brothers? It's a good movie!" Jane says Sitting next to Jessica on the bed with Sam on the other side.

"Uhhh, what about The Crown. I heard it's good?" Jessica says

"The crown it is!" Sam says

//-//

After a few hours of watching TV, Jessica finally feel asleep. Sam had to errands to run so while she slept he left the house to see his parents and buy some stuff on Jessica's list.

Everyone in the house stayed quite because they knew that Jessica needed the rest.

Ann planned to come over for dinner, but decided that it wouldn't be best to wake Jessica up.

"How's she feeling?" Ann asks

"Oh honey, she's in a lot of pain. I think it's all setting in, so she's a little scared." Dorthy sighs

"She's a bit moody too." George says

"George, that's enough! Try being a woman had going through all that." Jane says

"Well thank god I'm not a woman. Can I eat dinner in my room?" George asks

"Yes."

George walks off and Dorthy shakes her head. "Poor George. Being surrounded by all these girls and having to listen to pregnancy conversations all the time!"

"And still no word from dad?" Ann asks

"I don't want to talk about it." Dorthy says

"Obviously you've heard from him."

"A few times. I gave him a few chances, but, he has declined every offer. I ask him to come to the baby shower, Jessica's birthday... a family dinner with everyone, but nothing. I think your father knows he got himself in deep." Dorthy sighs

"I'm sorry mom." Ann says taking her hand

"It's okay. I lover he life I have now..."

"Single lady!" Jane smiles

"Oh no... I'm not single. I'm just separated." Dorthy giggles

"Well, we are here for you." Jane smiles

"I know. That's all I wanted is all my kids to be happy. I mean the baby is coming! I'll be a grandma, Jane is graduating and so is Sam! And Ann, marriage?" Dorthy smirks

"Marriage? It's definitely in the card. But we are waiting a bit to make anything official. I don't know who's gonna buy a ring? What if we both buy one?"

"Then you both have beautiful engagement rings!" Dorthy smiles

"Yeah... I guess." Ann smiles

//-//

Later that night Jessica had woken up. Sam was back home with all of the extra things needed for the hospital bag. Ann stayed a bit longer to see Jessica.

"Hey Jessie, can I come in?" Ann says knocking on the door

"Yeah, come in!"

"Hey sister! How do you feel?"

"Okay right now. Sam brought me a milkshake." Jessica giggles

"That man knows the way to your heart!" Ann says sitting down next to her

"Yeah... he does." She smiles

"Well, little Eloise is coming any day now... I can't wait to squish her cheeks and love her to death!" Ann giggles

"I know... you're going to be an awesome aunt."

"The fun aunt!" Ann winks

"Not too fun! We don't want her being a stunner!" Sam chuckles

"Says you!" Ann laughs

"Sam has taken a new path in life... fatherhood. No more of that!" Jessica says

"Okay mommy." Ann says

"Yeah!" Sam chuckles

"Don't instigate him!" Jessica says lighting hitting Ann.

"Sorry. Sorry."

"It's okay." She giggles

"Anyways, Madison should be getting home for work around now... she had the day shift at the hospital. Call me for any updates? You know I'll be there." Ann says giving Jessica a hug

//-//

Later that night:

About and hour after Ann left, a lot had changed. Jessica had been feeling contractions all day, but they got worse as the night went on. Everyone was pretty confident that Jessica was in labor.

Sam and Jessica stayed up all night, along with Dorthy. Jessica was starting to feel real contractions. It was a bit scary for her. Dorthy called the doctor to know and she was on call whenever Jessica was ready to go to the hospital.

She pushed it back for so long. She wasn't ready yet to bring her daughter into this world. She was so unsure of so many things. Sam and Dorthy tried to support her in every way possible. They just had to keep monitoring the contractions until they were closer together.

"Ahhh, I feel another one coming." Jessica says as she hisses in pain.

"Okay, that one was about thirty minutes apart since the last." Dorthy says

Sam holds Jessica's hand as she bounces on the yoga ball.

"Are you sure you don't want to go yet?" Sam asks

"No... it's not time yet..." she says

"Okay... whenever you are ready." Sam says nervously

"Mom, you should go get sleep. If anything changes Sam can take me to the hospital and you can meet us there in the morning." Jessica says. She felt so guilty that her mom wasn't sleeping.

"No, honey. It's okay..."

"Please mom... go rest. Sam can monitor the contractions."

Dorthy sighs and hands Sam the stop watch. "Okay... please wake me up."

"I will."

Dorthy leaves the room and closes the door after her. Once she is gone she climbs back into bed and cuddles with Sam.

"Are you okay?" He asks

"Yeah.... I just want to spend this time with you... you and I. Before there is a you, me, and a baby." She says softly

"Okay babe..."

"Are you excited?" She says

"I am. I can't wait to see her."

"Me too."

"I know you're scared. But don't be. Everyone always says when you see the baby the whole world just makes sense." He smiles

"Yeah... I hope so. I just want to be a good mother. Promise me that you and I will never turn out like my mom and dad."

"Never. Ever." Sam promises

"You're going to be such a good dad. I mean god, she has so many people that already love her."

"She's going to be very loved, especially by you." He whispers

"You think I'll be a good mom?"

"Oh yeah! You're gonna do so good. I can't wait to see you as a mother. You're a goddess, Jessie."

"Not a goddess." She chuckles

"Yes so!"

//-//