February 2009;

It was Valentine's Day. Danny was taking Jessica out to eat at a nice restaurant a few hours away from town. Jessica was so excited to spend the evening with him. Whenever they were together, they were both so happy.

Once they arrived at the restaurant they were seated then ordered their food.

After the waitress left there was a moment where Jessica caught Danny in a stare. He was gazing at her beautiful profile. The way her blonde curls rested on her shoulders and the way her eyes shined.

"Danny?" Jessica giggles, attempting to snap him out of his stare.

"Jessica, I'm sorry, I just can't help but stare." He smiles

"You're too sweet."

"I'm so happy to spend Valentine's Day with you... hopefully I can spend every Valentine's Day with you for the rest of my life."

Jessica widened her eyes and smirked.

"You want to spend the rest of your life with me?"

He nods happily

"Aww, Danny!"

"I know we are still young, but I think a lot about my future. We can go to college somewhere warm, away from the cold Minnesota weather. We'll graduate, start working, get married, then move into a big house by the water. Then, once we are married for a few years we can have a bunch of kids. When I say a bunch I mean a bunch. I just want to have a family with you and grow old with you. We'll be the cool parents and the hip Grandma and grandpa. Just think, we'd be so happy."

Jessica's heart sank, each word that came out of Danny made her fall even more in love with him.

"That would be absolutely perfect."

"How many kids do you want?" She adds

"Two. A boy and a girl."

"Haha, me too!"

"And for names, Sophie and Brennan."

"I like those, a lot!"

"Words can't describe how set my heart is on having a family with you." Danny says

**

They stood there, quietly not saying a word to each other. In this very moment Danny didn't know exactly what he wanted. He knew for sure he wanted Jessica, but he wasn't for sure about children which by now Jessica made very clear she did not want them.

Jessica sighs then gets into the car. "Maybe I'll just call you tomorrow. I'll let you think." She bows her head and closes the door. She turns the key then Danny motions her to roll down the window.

"Jess, I love you. I don't want this whole thing to tear us apart. There are a lot of things I'm not sure on in my life, but I'm sure that I love you and I want to be with you forever." Danny kneels down so he could be eye level with Jessica.

She turns her head straight forward and puts the car in reverse. "I want to be with you too. But you need to decide. I'm sorry, Daniel." Jessica rolls up the window and drives off. Her headlights hit Danny's body as she exits the driveway. She felt so horrible leaving like she did. She was confused on what to do.

The ride home felt long, as if it was her longest car ride, ever. Jessica took her time getting home. She stopped at the gas station to fill up her moms tank, grabbed a cup of coffee, then drove through the park. This was all to just clear her head and relax.

A few hours later Jessica pulls into her moms driveway and notices that a red Ford pick-up was parked in the driveway. All the lights were on. Jessica was curious as to who was at the house. It made her a bit nervous.

Jessica got out of the car and unlocked the front door with her key. As she stepped into the house to greet her mother a man had his arm around Dorthy. The two of them had glasses of wine in their hands watching Mid Somer Murders. Jessica stood at the door staring and watching the body language between the two of them. She shut the door behind her, startling Dorthy. She quickly set her wine down and broke away from this mans arm. Jessica was speechless. She had jumped to the conclusion that this man was possibly Dorthy's love interest.

"Jessica!" Dorthy says nervously

"Hi" she sets her bag down and slides off her shoes. Not taking her eyes off of this man.

He turns around and stands up. "Hello" He says kindly

"Hi" Jessica repeats herself

Dorthy looks at this man then back at Jessica. "Sweetie, I thought you were going to call on your way home."

Jessica then remembered that she had to do so but had gotten to distract. She was glad she had forgot.

"My phone died." She bluntly lies

"...Mom, not to be rude, but who is this man?"

"I'm Timothy, Tim for short." He walks around the couch and holds his hand out to greet Jessica.

She smiles then shakes his hand. "I'm Jessica"

"I've heard lots about you. The writer from NYC, correct?"

"Yes" she nods

Dorthy clears her throat then walks up to Tim.

"Maybe I should go and let you two enjoy your evening. Thanks for having me, D." He tries to go in for a kiss from Dorthy but she kindly hugs him instead.

"Nice meeting you, Jessica." He nods his head then heads to the door.

"And you too." She says quietly.

Once he leaves Jessica stood still, waiting for her mother to say something.

"Jess, maybe we can sit and talk?" Dorthy says taking Jessica's hand.

"Mom, it's okay." Jessica says

"Please"

...

They sit down and Jessica was still quite.

"Let me explain."

"You don't have to explain..." Jessica felt like her heart was being ripped into shreds. In just a quick moment when Jessica saw her mother with another man that wasn't her father she couldn't help but be upset. She was happy for her mother. Ever since Albert had passed, not once did Dorthy ever try to date.

"I really did mean to tell you. I just didn't know how you'd react. Ann didn't react all that well." Dorthy's voice changes tone and she seems to be more upset.

"It's a little hard, but you deserve to be happy. If you're happy, then I'm happy." Jessica tears up a bit then hugs her mother tightly as she begins to cry as well.

"I do love him, Jessie. I never thought I'd be able to get back Into dating. No one can ever replace your dad, I want you to know that. No one will ever be as amazing as him. But now that George is off at college, you and your sisters have moved out, I'm all alone. And I hate that.

I met Tim a few months back. I didn't say anything at first because I wanted to see how things would go. He's a great guy. He treats me well. I'm happy."

"I know that no one can replace Dad. I bet he's happy that you found someone."

"I hope so too. Thank you, jessie."

**

It was the next morning and Jessica still had not heard from Danny. She was sad and hoped and prayed that he'd call.

Jessica was outside on the porch holding a hot cup of coffee between her hands with her phone by her side. Dorthy had noticed that Jessica seemed a bit discouraged so she came outside to join Jessica.

"Hey, darling. Is it okay if I sit?" She says

"Sure"

"So, what's on your mind?"

"Ahh, Nothing. Just Monday. I guess I'm nervous."

Dorthy sits down then hugs Jessica. "You'll
Do amazing on your first day! It's a big job!"

"I hope." Jessica sighs then looks away.

"How did things go last night with Zoe? Is she doing okay?"

"She is... it was nice seeing everyone."

"That's good. I'll have to give her a call one of these days. We used to go to flea markets all the time."

"Yeah, she'd like that."

"What about Danny? Are we still on for dinner tonight? I have to call and see if Jane and maybe Ann can still come if she's not mad." Dorthy sighs

"I don't know... we haven't really talked." Jessica sighs again then rubs her eyes.

"Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't know. Is everything okay?"

"You know how there's always that one topic that stirs the pot? I guess that topic came up and things are just off."

"I do... do you mind me asking what this topic is?"

"Kids." Jessica says suddenly

Dorthy widens her eyes clears her throat. "Does he not want kids."

"... no actually, I don't."

"Oh."

"Yeah."

Dorthy was shocked. She knew that what Jessica went through was hard but hearing from Jessica that she didn't want kids made her sad. She always pictured Jessica to be an amazing mother.

"I'm sorry..."

"I don't really want to get into it, honestly."

"Okay, I understand. Just let me know about dinner then." Dorthy kisses Jessica's cheek then stands up. Jessica stops her.

"Mom, you can invite Tim to dinner if you'd like."

Dorthy's face lit up. "You wouldn't mind?"

"Not at all.."

"I'll give him a call.. thank you."

Dorthy called Tim and invited him over for dinner. Jane, the baby, and her boyfriend were coming as well. Ann didn't want to. As the anniversary of jimmy's passing was slowly approaching she was more sensitive and upset. The littlest things bothered her like Dorthy dating. Ann agreed to drop off the kids so they could see Jessica. Jessica let Danny know about dinner but he never got back to her, which scared her.

When Ann pulled in Jessica came out to say hi to Ann. Immediately Jessica could tell that Ann was off.

"Aunt Jessie!" Paige hops out of the car and jumps into Jessica's arms. Quinn follows her and wraps his arms around her.

"We missed you!" She exclaims

"You need to visit more!" Quinn says

"I'm sorry! But I'm here now. So we can hang out all night!"

"Yay!"

"Why don't you two go say hi to Grandma." Jessica says

"Okay!"

The kids run off and it was just Jessica and Ann. Kali was still sleeping in the car.

"Hey, how are things going?"

"Fine I guess. I've been busy with work." Ann says

"Ohh." Jessica nods

"Sorry I'm not staying for dinner. I'm just a bit off."

"I totally get it... but maybe getting to know Tim would make Mom happy. We owe it to her."

"I know... I'm horrible."

"Mom told me your reaction. You're not horrible! Maybe it wasn't the most supportive but that's okay."

"Maybe I should stay? Make it up to her? I feel horrible."

"Come inside you party pooper!" Jessica wraps her arm around Ann and gives her a quick hug.

***

Later that night while everyone was playing a board game Jessica distanced herself for a moment. She was having a great night with her sisters, nieces and nephew, and getting to know Tim who was very kind. Jessica just couldn't help but think about Danny. She wanted to go outside and call him.

Right as she dialed his number a red pick- up pulled into the driveway. When she saw that it was Danny she felt a sense of relief. She walked up to the car and he opened the door.

Without saying a word he wraps his arms around Jessica and holds her tight.

"I love you Jessica." He says softly

"I love you too. I'm sorry."

"Don't apologize..."

"Danny, I've been thinking a lot."

"Me too."

"You know, people change. The past was really hard, losing the baby. But last night when I was talking with my mom about her new boyfriend... yeah I know! I realized that I can't let certain things hold me back. In my case, fear. I don't want my fear to stop us from ever being a family. I'm not saying that I totally want kids, what I'm saying is that I'll stay open, and I'll put it in God's hands. Whatever he decides for us."

"Really?"

"Really."

**

Hey everyone I know this is all over the place but I've really been trying hard to update. These last two weeks have been crazy!

Anyways, please comment some ideas/drama that you'd like for this story. (No babies lol)

And also the story you'd like to me to update next. I need motivation haha. 😂