*Monday*

Stevie had her first therapy session and it went as well as can be. She was quiet at first but slowly, she began to open up a little.

By the end, she felt a tiny bit better about continuing her sessions.

Karen drove her back home and Stevie decided to write in her journal. She hadn't written in her journal in a while so she wanted to write everything down that had been going on.

Barbara cooked dinner that night and felt some hope for her daughter. She had faith that Stevie was going to be okay.

It was now night time, and Stevie laid in bed, her hands rested on her belly and a small smile on her face. The baby was kicking gently and moving around.

A knock on the door interrupted her moment with her unborn child.

"Come in." Stevie said as she shifted in bed to sit more comfortably.

Sara opened the door and smiled at her mother.

"Hi, momma." Sara said as she closed the door behind her. "How are you feeling?"
"I'm feeling okay." Stevie replied as she motioned for Sara to sit down next to her on the bed.

Sara climbed up and sat next to Stevie. She chewed on her bottom lip, feeling nervous about telling her mother about the decision she made about her education.

"Um...momma...I have something to tell you." Sara said as she looked into her mother's eyes.
"What is it? Is everything okay?" Stevie asked feeling concerned.
"Yeah...I just..." Sara took a deep breath then said. "I made the decision, to...to not go back to school. At least for now. I want to take some time off and then next summer, I'll take summer classes and continue my education."
"Sara, sweetie, getting your college education is so important. Why are you not going back?"
Stevie said as she looked at her daughter with eyes.

Sara tried not to tear up; she didn't want to tell her mother the struggle that she had been going through since her little brother died.

"I...uh...I just want a break, mom." Sara said as she blinked back tears. "My grades are great. I finished this school year at the top of the class. I know once I go back, I can catch up. It'll be hard I know, but, please. I need this time away from school."

Stevie looked into her daughter's eyes and knew there was something more.

"What's really going on, Sara?" Stevie asked. "You can tell me."

Sara couldn't hold back any longer and her tears escaped her eyes. "I...I haven't been doing great, momma." She sobbed. "This past school year was a struggle to concentrate and to focus on my school work. I did it and passed all my classes but...it was so so hard! Ever since Dylan died I just...I just feel so lost. I don't think I have it in me to struggle through another school year again."

Sara fell into Stevie's arms and sobbed. Stevie's tears rolled down her cheeks, crying silently.

"I'm sorry, mommy." Sara said. "I didn't want to worry you or make you feel disappointed in me. Especially now. I know you are struggling too. I didn't want to add to your pain. I'm also so worried about you, mom."

Stevie held her daughter in her arms and cried with her. She comforted Sara. Normally, Stevie would sing to calm herself and her children but, she didn't have the heart to sing.

Holding her daughter now was as if a veil was being lifted off of Stevie's eyes. She needed her daughter and she needed to be there for her more than ever. Something finally snapped in Stevie that made her want continue to get better.

Once Sara calmed down, Stevie pulled away to look into Sara's eyes and said. "Sara...I'm so sorry for not being there for you when you needed me the most. I was so lost too in my grief, that, I haven't been a good mother to you. But I promise you now, that I will get better and I will be there for you for the rest of my life. As far as school, I understand why you don't want to go back and I will support you in your decision."
"Thank you, mom." Sara said with a tearful smile. "I love you."
Stevie smile and said. "I love you more, baby girl."

Sara hugged her mother and felt a huge weight being lifted off of her shoulders.

*Friday, 16 weeks pregnant*

The rest of the week went smoothly. Stevie had been to two more therapy sessions and things were looking up.

Barbara and Jess were happy with Stevie's progress but of course they knew their daughter had a long way to go. They were going to wait one more week before heading back home.

Also during the week, Tom had stopped by and invited Stevie out for dinner. Stevie accepted and had a nice night.

Tom kept it casual and just wanted to help Stevie out of the dark hole she was in. He wanted to distract her as best he could. Stevie actually had a good time with her best friend.

Stevie had an appointment and Sara and Barbara went with her for support.

Once Stevie was examined and went through the usual tests, did the nurse bring Barbara and Sara into the room with Stevie.

Stevie had her belly exposed and was ready to see her baby. She smiled a small smile as her mother and daughter walked over to her side.

Stevie reached for her mother's hand. Barbara took hold of Stevie's hand then they turned their attention to the doctor.

The doctor began to scan Stevie's belly and immediately, Stevie saw her baby wiggling around in her belly.

Tears rolled down her cheeks and she smiled wide.

"Still not wanting to find out the gender?" The doctor asked.
Stevie shook her head and said. "No. Not yet."

"Awe, Mom!" Sara said as she wiped her tears away. "Please, find out now! We need to know the gender. I need to start buying him or her clothes."
"Yes, Stephanie. I need to know what my grandchild is!" Barbara said excitedly.

Stevie chuckled at her daughter's and mother's excitement. Before, usually she would go alone to her appointments and there was no one there to be excited for her. But now, having her mother and daughter with her made her want to know the gender of her baby.

"Well, alright." Stevie said as she looked over at the doctor. "Okay, Amanda. Please tell me what my sweet, sweet baby is."

Dr. Edwards nodded and doubled checked what she had seen before on the screen. The baby was giving her a clear view.

"Stevie...say hello, to your baby girl." Dr. Edwards said with a warm smile.