The next day-

Jessica, Jane, and Lillian all went to Dorthy's to see everyone. Dorthy was making a big dinner since all of her kids were home and in town.

George had just graduated from high school. He was staying in Minnesota for college. Ann stayed with Dorthy until she got back on her feet and could afford a smaller house.

Jessica and her mother were better than before. Dorthy called her a few times while she was gone, but not much. There was still that small little bit of tension, but Jessica and Dorthy tried to move past it.

"Aunt Jessica, we missed you!" Paige runs up to Jessica and wraps her arms around her.

"Aww, how's it going?" Jessica giggles

"Horrible! I hate school!"

"Don't say that! School is good!" Jessica crosses her arms and quivers her lip

"If you study hard, you can get a scholarship like aunt Jessica." A voice says walking into the living room.

Dorthy smiled and opened her arms to Jessica. Jessica smiled and hugged her mother.

"Hi, mom."

"Hello! I'm so happy you came to visit. When do you go back to work?" Dorthy and Jessica sit down as the kids run off.

"October first." Jessica nods

"Are you excited? It must be fun?"

"I guess. I've liked the break, but I have to go back."

"Are you happy, Jessica?"

Jessica was quite for a moment. She couldn't tell her mother no. "Yes"

"We can talk later, I have to go finish up dinner! Why don't you go say hi to George! He's outside with his new girlfriend, Megan!"

Jessica chuckles and nods walking outside.

Jessica walks outside and sees a girl onto of George. They were making out on the hammock. Jessica crossed her arms and huffed playfully.

George and Megan quickly sat up and looked at Jessica. George's eyes widened.

"Jess! Holy shit!" George stands up and hugs Jessica tightly.

"Hey, look at you!" Jessica says happily

"Look at you! You look great!"

Megan sits in the back, she looked a bit jealous not knowing who Jessica was.

"George" Megan clears her throat.

"Oh! Megan, this is my sister Jessica!" George says

"I didn't know you had three sisters? Hello Jessica, I'm Megan." She shakes Jessica hand

"Yep! He does! Nice to meet you." Jessica says

"Jessica lives out of state, and she's been out of the country." George chuckles awkwardly

"Where did you go?"

"I traveled around Europe."

"She's making a book too!" George playfully hits Jessica and she smiles

"Wow! That's cool! I feel so rude not knowing about you."

"She's the different one. Pretty sure she was adopted." George laughs and Jessica laughs along with him.

"That's so rude, George!" Megan says sternly

"It's okay, he always does this! *chuckles*

I'm going to go see if anyone needs help. It was great meeting you Megan!"

**

They all sat around the dinner table eating. Jessica wasn't that hungry so she held Lillian for Jane and Rick as they ate.

They talked about a variety of things. Jessica talked about her trip a lot and the book. Then people started to get to know Megan.

"Jessica, do you have a husband?" Megan says politely

The table got quite. Jessica shook her head as she sipped on her water. "Nope"

"Really? You're just so beautiful!"

"Heh, thank you..."

"Jessica and Frankie." Ann smirks

"Frankie? Is he a boyfriend?" Dorthy says setting down her fork.

All eyes were on Jessica. She was a bit embarrassed.

"No, he's a friend I met in Greece." Jessica gives Ann a stern look.

"Where you guys a thing? How did I not know?" Jane says in an irritated tone.

"Honestly I just saw him a few times, he was like my tour guide around Greece. He was a nice guy. I'll never see him again. We aren't a thing. He lives across the country!"

"Ohh. Jessica you better hop on the marriage wagon. Marriage is the best. Then you can have little munchkins." Jane giggles squeezing Lillian cheeks.

Being around Jane and Ann made Jessica think a lot about kids and marriage. It intimidated her. Thinking about marriage and kids. Jessica wanted to slow down and 'grow up', but she was scared. She didn't know what was going to happen next in her life.
**

After dinner everyone was in the living room. They were all bothering Jessica about marriage that she just didn't really want to be in the conversation anymore.

She went into the kitchen and saw Dorthy, alone, doing dishes.

"Hey mom, do you need help?" Jessica says

"I'm good sweetie. Why don't you sit?" Dorthy motions over to the table and Jessica nods.

She let's out a sigh and holds her head.

"Is everything okay? You seem upset." Dorthy takes off her gloves and sits next to Jessica.

"Marriage and relationships! It's just not my priority right now. I don't want to get married and have kids."

Dorthy was shocked at first. She didn't know what to say. She always remembered Jessica fantasizing with Danny about marriage and babies.

"You don't want kids anymore?"

"No. I don't. I've always been different from everyone else here. It's like I'm the black sheep."

"But different is good, Jessica. And maybe you'll change your mind."

"I can't live my life working. Now that this trips over, I feel like everything exciting is gone. Now my life is going to be boring again. I just don't know what's next."

"Don't say that! You'll meet someone. You'll maybe get married, and maybe have kids! That's exciting! God has a plan, you just have to wait."

"Not to me. Maybe everyone's right, I am selfish. Maybe I'm just not that kind of person."

"You aren't selfish, you're just enjoying life and having awesome experiences. You know, the wife life isn't for everyone. When I was your age, I didn't think it was for me either. Then I met you father... Everything changed. You have to wait to meet that guy. Talking to you right now and listening to what you have to say takes me back to how I felt. It reminds me of the younger me. You remind me of me." Dorthy takes Jessica's hand and smiles.

"Danny, Danny Huston. Do you remember him?"

"Of course! He was a good man."

"He wasn't for me... But he wants me to see him."

Dorthy puts her hand on her chest and smiles.

"Really?"

"Yes... I don't think I want to though."

"You should! Just give him a call!"

"Maybe... But thank you for talking with me."

"It's no problem Jessie. I'm your mother and I'm always here. I love you."
**

Really excited for the next few chapters! I'd really like to here from you guys and know what you want to see in the future of this story. Are you liking it?