Jessica's twenty-sixth Birthday-

Before both Zoe and Dorthy left to go back to Minnesota, they wanted to treat her to a nice day for her birthday. Zoe and Dorthy took Jessica out for the day. Jessica didn't want to do anything too crazy for her birthday. She wanted a relaxing day.

They started off with breakfast.

"My little girl is twenty six. It's crazy to think!" Dorthy says

Jessica giggles "I feel old. Pretty close to thirty." Jessica says

"Just wait until you're our age. Then you'll really feel old." Zoe says

Dorthy nods in agreement and they all laugh.

"Crazy to think that just yesterday the kids were getting their license and driving around." Dorthy shakes her head

"You're right. Take advantage of every moment with your little girl, Jessie. She'll grow up before your eyes." Zoe says to her

//-//

After breakfast they went shopping for a little bit. As they were shopping Jessica got a FaceTime call from her sister, Ann. She stopped and found a place to sit so she could answer.

"Happy birthday!!" Jane, Ann, Sarah, Quinn, Paige, and Kali all yell into the phone.

Jessica quickly turns down her volume and smiles. "Thank you!" She says

"I miss you aunt Jessie! Mommy said your having a baby, I want to see the baby!" Paige says

"She's not here yet, but she will be soon."

Everyone stops for a moment.

"Did you just say, she?" Sarah widens her eyes

"Oops, Yeah! She! It's a She!" Jessica giggles

They all start to scream and cheer "Come on, I'm gonna be the only dude forever?" Quinn says in a joking way

"Don't worry, Jane may pop out some more." Sarah whispers

"Jessica, have a great day! We will see you soon! Take care of that little girl!" Ann says

"I will, thank you for the birthday wishes!" She says bowing them a kiss.

//-//

After a long fun filled day Jessica had quickly become exhausted. She usually didn't get this tired, but she was today. Before Dorthy and Zoe got ready and packed up to leave the next morning they all sat in the kitchen eating little deserts and talking.

Jessica and Zoe caught up a lot. Their conversation quickly changed to Danny.

"We all miss him back home. It's weird not having him call every Sunday." Zoe says with tears

Jessica listens as she talks. She felt this pain in her throat, it hurt to swallow. This is what happened when she became emotional.

"Everyone misses you too, Jessica. They are all so excited to meet the baby." Zoe adds

"This baby is quite the blessing." Dorthy says

"It is... I'm sorry Danny can't be here for this. But I believe that even though he isn't physically here, he is in a way here." She smiles

"I hope... it's going to be a long road without him here when the baby comes. It's been long enough already."

"I'm glad you and the baby are healthy. Danny always wanted a little baby. This little girl will always have to know what an amazing father she had... and of course what an amazing and strong mother she has."

Jessica's heart began to hurt when Zoe said that. That big feeling of guilt came back. She wanted it to go away.

//-//

The next morning Zoe and Dorthy had an early flight. Jessica drove them to the airport so they could say their goodbyes.

Before Dorthy and Jessica had their time alone to say goodbye, Zoe said her goodbyes first.

"Be safe, take care of yourself, and call! If you ever need anything I'm here! I'm so beyond happy for you Jessica. And, I'm so proud!" Zoe kisses her goodbye and hugs her tight.

"Thank you Zoe. I will call you and keep you updated."

"Come visit before you can't anymore. Then when she comes I'll be here all the time." She giggles

"Alright, I will."

"Well I'm going to go check in. I'll give you two a minute!" She says hugging Jessica one last time.

When she's gone Dorthy begins to cry. She holds Jessica, not wanting to let go.

"Are you sure it's okay for me to go back home for a while? If not I will stay!" Dorthy says

"No, mom, you need to get back home. I'll be fine." She says to her mother

Dorthy sighs "I worry..."

"Don't, I'm in a better place now than I was two months ago. I'll call you everyday."

Dorthy cups her cheeks and smiles. "I love you!"

"I love you too!"

"Take care of yourself and keep eating. Don't overdue anything. And if you ever have a moment... just call."

Jessica nods "Okay"

She hugs her again then places her hand on Jessica's stomach.

"And you little girl, be good for Mom! No scares!" She giggles

"Thank you for everything, Mom. I'm going to miss you."

"Oh, and I'll miss my Jessie too!"

//-//

When Jessica got home the apartment felt so empty again. She was sad that her mother was gone. Inside, she wanted her to stay, but she couldn't keep her Mom here anymore. She needed to begin to learn independence again. It had to start sooner or later. Until the baby came, she thought she just really needed to be alone, even though she didn't want to be.

It was Aspen's first birthday. Jessica called up Sarah.

"Happy Birthday baby girl!" Jessica says to Aspen. When she had called Sarah, she knew it was for the baby.

Aspen claps her hands and smiles. Jessica gazes into the phone, amazed by how this little girl grew up so quick.

"Say Thank you, baby!" Sarah chuckles

Aspen wasn't really sure what was going on. She just wanted to play. She moved out of Sarah's arms.

"Sorry, She just wants to play!" Sarah says

"It's okay! I can't believe she's a year old."

"I know, me too... she's starting to walk. Lord help me!" Sarah chuckles

"Is she having a good birthday?"

"I'd say so... even though she's confused half the time."

"Awww..."

"So your mom and Zoe are heading home?"

Jessica nods, then quivers her lip.

"Awww"

"Yeah, I know... I'm sad my mom is gone!" Jessica then starts to tear up

"But you'll see her soon!"

"I miss everyone, Sarah! I've been in this apartment alone for about an hour and I just hate it. I hate being here all alone!"

Seeing Jessica this upset made Sarah upset. She sometimes wished she was in New York so she could be there for Jessica. But she wasn't, no one was.

"Jessica, maybe you could come here?"

Jessica shrugs her shoulders. As much as she hated to admit it, she wanted to be in Minnesota.

"I can't..."

Sarah sighs

"You'll see everyone soon. Call me when you're lonely, Okay?"

Jessica nods "okay"

//-//

Jessica spent lots of time alone now that her mother was gone. She seemed to go into a deep funk again. She got lonely very easily. The only contact she really had was with people at work. But no one there were people Jessica enjoyed hanging out with. They had all been getting on her nerves.

She called her mom a lot. Same with Sarah and her sisters. But it wasn't the same as being with them in person.

Each of them knew Jessica missed being in Minnesota. They didn't say anything. They just waited for her to make the call.

It was spring now and Jessica decided one afternoon to open all the windows and doors so she could clean a bit.

She started in the kitchen, then went to the living room, bathroom, her studio, then masterly her bedroom.

It took her the whole day. When she was done she went onto the couch and propped her achey feet up.

She looked around and then suddenly, something hit her. Jessica's apartment was one bedroom. She had no room for a baby whatsoever. She was twenty four weeks pregnant and hadn't started getting a single thing for her baby. She felt terrible. Now, Jessica didn't know what she was going to do.

She was a first time mom. Of course she'd need the basics. A crib, diapers, clothes, and bottles. But there was much more.

She got up and went into her studio. She stood at the doorway examining the room. She shook her head.

She gazed around the apartment and realized that this place was so place to bring a baby home to. Jessica couldn't live here any longer. She needed to get out.

//-//