January-

"Have a great day back at school, guys. It will be fun, don't worry!" Jessica says as Olivia and Logan pout.

"Yes because senior year is so fun!" Oliva rolls her eyes

"Before you know it you'll be done... then college." Sam chuckles as he serves everyone their breakfast.

"When can I go to college?" Logan smiles

"Oh my baby, you have such long ways away! But let's not talk about college, I'm not even ready for my other baby to leave me." Jessica pouts

"You know, I can just not go to college and live here forever!" Olivia says

"No! You're going to college." Jessica says quickly

Olivia rolls her eyes and finishes her toast.

"Ready buddy?" Olivia says as she grabs her keys

"Yes!" He says getting up

"Um, excuse me?" Sam says as Logan heads to the door

"Sorry daddy!" He says giving him a "bro hug"

"Say bye to mommy too." Sam smiles

"Bye! Bye! Bye! Olivia and I have to go listen to the loud music!"

"Logan!" Olivia says widening her eyes

"Liv, we agreed no rap. No loud music either. Focus on driving and also focus on trying to make sure your brother doesn't know half the words in the book My the age of 6!" Jessica says sternly

"Okay! I'll play Disney music." She says sarcastically

"Just be safe." Sam says

Olivia and Logan race to the warm car and drive off.

Today is Jessica's first day back at work since before Christmas. She was excited to stop working from home and be in a court room.

"How do I look? Other than the cakey cover up makeup and swollen nose?" She giggles

"You look beautiful. So does that little bump of yours in your work clothes." Sam says holding her close

"Next week I'll be halfway there." Jessica smiles

"I've never seen a pregnant lady look so good." He smiles grabbing her from behind.

"Someone needs it. Because I look terrible. A pregnant lady that got beat up at the roller rink." She says pulling away

"Maybe so, but you're always going to be my beautiful lady." He says leaving her a soft kiss

"I love you and I'd love to stay for extra time in bed, but today's important. Before maternity leave, I'm gonna kill it at work!" She says proudly

"You kill it! I'll see you at lunch." He says handing Jessica her coffee and coat.

"Don't forget, extra bacon on my salad please."

"Of course, I love you, bye!"

//-//

The energy at work put Jessica at peace. work was her safe place, even though it was always hectic, she liked it that way. Work would keep her mind off of everything crazy going on in life.

She had great coworkers, a great job, she felt really lucky.

"Jessica, you have 3 missed called from the Jefferson family, the Munson case was moved to next Monday... oh, and a Sean's university has been trying to get ahold of you." Her assistant says

Jessica pauses "Really? His college?"

"Yes... I can put them on the line now."

"No, that's okay. I'll deal with it later. Buzz me when Will gets here."

//-//

After meetings with clients and so on, Jessica had time to do nothing before lunch.

She stared at the phone and the sticky note with the dean's number on it. She didn't want to call the school, she was scared to see what Sean was up to now.

Jessica closes her office door and heads back to the phone where she calls Colgate.

"Hello? This is Dean Chase How May I help you?"

"Hi. This is Jessica Lange-Shepard."

It took him a minute to remember but he finally did.

"Ahh, hello Mrs. Shepard. We've been trying to
Get ahold of you regarding your son, Sean."

"Okay, what's going on?"

"I assume you are aware of the fact that your son was kicked off of campus. He was being destructive and reckless on campus back in October. He left multiple dorm rooms destroyed. Broken glass, holes in walls, everything you could imagine. He was also failing his classes. He ruined his chance with financial aid and had to be let go."

Jessica was stunned. She took a moment to breathe and process what this man was telling her.

"Oh my gosh.... I had no idea. I'm humiliated. Horrified."

"I'm sorry, I thought you knew at least that he was kicked out, since he's been home."

"He hasn't been home. I don't want to get into it much, but he is no longer living with me."

"Okay. Well before I send over some bills, I just wanted to let you know why."

"Bills?"

"21 for tuition, and 11 for all the damages he made in the dorm. You signed a contract, if you'd like me to fax it over."

"32 thousand dollars? I'm going to give you his fathers email, address, and number. I can not pay that."

Jessica was so angry she wanted to scream. Smoke was coming out of her ears.

"Actually, take that money out of his student funds. My son is an adult, he has to pay for his own actions. His father and I are not responsible for things like this. He'll have loans and debt to pay. Thank you, goodbye!"

Jessica hangs up the phone as soon as possible and put her head on her desk as she starts to cry.

Luckily, Sam was right at the door to comfort her.

"Jessie, Who was that?" He says walking in with lunch. He closes the door behind him and sits down.

She picks up her head with tears rolling down her eyes.

"That was Sean's school. He was stupid and ruined all these dorms. 11 thousand! Kicked out in October, but we still have to pay for this year. On top of the 15 we payed in July, another 21! I told him I'm not
Paying it, to take it out of his funds, and let him be the one in debt. We can't just hand out that money. especially when it was only for education! Not for getting kicked out of school and wrecking the damn place." Jessica was so flustered. As she continued to complain she felt a weird punch in her stomach.

She stops and gasps. Jessica quickly puts both hands on her stomach and looks at Sam.

He gets up as fast as possible and runs to her side.

"It's the baby." She cries

"Okay, Okay! Relax. We need to get you to the ER! Are you in pain?"

Jessica laughs with tears rolling down her face. She takes his hand and places it on her stomach.

"The doctor said it would be rare to feel strong kicks. But this isn't a dull kick, it's a strong kick." She smiles

Sam feels for a moment then feels a big punch.

"I think that's her fist!" He says

"Oh Sam... this poor baby. I haven't given her any attention. When I was pregnant I read to my babies and did stupid stuff like drink these weird drinks and do yoga." Jessica pouts

"Things have been crazy." He says

"We haven't had a baby shower, or prepared for her."

"That's our goal. It's all about the baby. We'll go shopping and talk to your sisters about a shower! It will be wonderful." Sam says taking her hands. Sam could see the pain and frustration in Jessica's eyes. All he wanted to do was take it away from her so she could be happy and enjoy her pregnancy. Nothing seemed to be in their favor for such a long
Time.