They all had a great time at the party. After Sam's little 'performance' he was in such a hyper mood.

When the party was over Sam drove Jessica and the kids back home. He was staying the night so he didn't have to drive all around.

On the ride home Sam was on a country kick. He blasted his country music from his playlist. Sam, Jessica, Sean, and Olivia all sang along.

"My love is deeper than the holler, stronger than the rivers
Higher than the pine trees growin' tall upon the hill
My love is purer than the snowflakes that fall in late December
And honest as a robin on a springtime window sill
And longer than the song of the whippoorwill" they all sing in sync

When the song was over Jessica turned down the volume to give everyone a break. They were all having such a great time, even in the car. It was a long time since Jessica had laughed this much and had this much fun.

"That's another one of my favorites. Ahh, Randy Travis." Sam says

Jessica giggles "I have to say, you really cracked me up today!" Jessica says to Sam.

"I swear I thought you were gonna get down on one knee when you sang to Mom at the party." Olivia says

Then, the car was quite.

"Ha, How would you guys have felt if I asked your mother?"

"I would cry tears of joy. It would be the best thing ever." Olivia giggles

"It would be pretty cool. I'd be happy." Sean says

Never had Jessica and Sam ever brought up marriage. But hearing wang Sean and Olivia's response would be if he did ever ask her made her happy.

"Are you going to?" Sean asks Jessica

"Going to what?" Jessica asks

"Get married?"

"Well..." Jessica says and looks at San

"It would be a while... we haven't talked about it." Sam says

"Start talking!" Olivia says

Jessica and Sam laugh awkwardly.
//-//

By time they get to Jessica's everyone was exhausted. Sean and Olivia went straight to bed.

Jessica had been sweaty after dancing all night so she took a shower while Sam got ready for bed.

She got out of the shower, slid into her pj's and got into bed with Sam.

Jessica couldn't get the marriage topic off her mind. She had to ask Sam about it. Right as she began to, He brought it up before her.

"So, about our conversation in the car." He says

"Yeah..."

"When the time comes, would you want to get married?" He asks

Jessica was quite for a moment. Then she grins "Yes. Would you?"

"Hell Yeah." He says turning to her

"It would be ways away. There's a lot that would need to happen before we even get engaged."

"I agree. We'd need to move in together and all that jazz."

"But when the time comes, I'd say yes a million times."

Sam leans in and gives Jessica a kiss.

"Our wedding would be so fun... lots of music and dancing." He smiles

"Oh god." Jessica says throwing her head back.

"What? I'm a good singer."

"Whatever helps you sleep at night, love." Jessica reaches for her lamp and turns off the light so the room is dark.

"What was that?" Sam sits up and starts to tickle Jessica and reach underneath the sheets.

"Oh my god, Sam!" She giggles trying to move his hands away.

"You're gonna pay for that!" He says as he kisses her.

"Oh really?" She whispers harshly

"Yes..." Sam says as he gets under the sheets.

Jessica stars to giggle even more.

"Just be quite!" He whispers

//-//

March-

Jessica was at home alone one day while Sean and Olivia were at school. Now that she wasn't working for a while Jessica was extremely bored.

Jessica craved being back in the court room. She missed it so much. She was on medical leave, her boss was giving her until November. That wasn't another seven months away. Jessica felt like she didn't need anymore time. She was ready to go back. Jessica was still getting paid while not working, but not enough to feel stable. She needed to get back into it. Sadly, Jessica brought it up once to her family and they were so against the idea. In a way they were very scared for her.

While Jessica was alone she was paying some of her bills that she had held off paying. It was making her very anxious and nervous. Looking at all the numbers made her head spin. She didn't think she'd be able to pay all of them without a big chunk being taken out of her savings. Unfortunately there wasn't much there since Danny took it all when he left.

Jessica needed her job back, she hated worrying about money. It always made her sick to her stomach. They had cut back a lot, but It wasn't helping. Jessica needed to make a decision, fast.

//-//

A few days later Jessica was out to eat with her mom. Dorthy knew Jessica was bored during the day so she always tried to do things with her, weekly. Sometimes even daily.

"Thanks for taking me out, today. It's nice to get out of the house." Jessica says

"Of course! I always love spending time with my jessie!" Dorthy giggles

"Heh, well, I don't know how much longer I'll be able to do weekly lunches."

Dorthy drops her fork... she had a feeling that she knew where this conversation was going and she didn't like it.

"What?" She says

Jessica sighs "... I think I'm going to go back to work soon. Maybe the end of the month." Jessica says suddenly

Hearing that made Dorthy's heart sink. Ever since the shooting Dorthy dreaded the day Jessica would want to go back to work. She knew she didn't have a dangerous job like a police officer and so on... but in a way Dorthy and the rest of the family was afraid that it would happen again, even though it wouldn't. After the incident the office got a lot my security and protection for its workers. In a way, it wasn't enough for Dorthy.

"Are you sure, honey? Do you think you are up for that?" Dorthy says

"Mom, I'm fine. My doctor cleared me months ago. It all happened four months ago. I just need to go back." Jessica says

She was starting to sense that her mother wasn't happy.

"Jessica, I don't think that's a good idea. They are giving you a year, right?"

"I can't wait that long. It's not like I can't wait or function. Im just fine to work again."

Dorthy shakes her head. "Jess-"

"I'm swimming in bills that I can't pay. They aren't paying me enough for medical leave which is expected... but I just need to feel stable again. Worrying about money always makes me so sick. I can't depend on savings, Danny took it all." Jessica says sternly

"Your father and I will help with money, you don't have to worry about it!"

"No, I'm not taking money from you and Dad. I won't." Jessica says sternly

Then, Dorthy starts to tear up "Don't go back yet. Please, Jessica. I'd be so worried."

"Nothing will happen!" Jessica snaps

"How do you know, Jessica? You didn't think anything would happen the first time!" Dorthy raises her voice

Jessica closes her eyes and tries to hold back her frustration with her mother.

"I need to go back. It's my job."

//-//