The next morning-

Sean left Danny's pretty early in the morning. By time he got back to Jessica's everyone was already up and getting ready for the day.

When he walked into the kitchen everything became very awkward. Sam, Olivia, and Jessica's conversation paused.

"Hey, good morning." He says shyly

Jessica gives him a soft smile. "Good morning, you're home early." Jessica says pouring herself a cup of coffee

"Want some breakfast?" Sam asks grabbing him a plate

"Sure, that would be great. Dad had somewhere to be, so I just left when he did."

Jessica nods then turns around. She wanted to apologize for how she acted yesterday, but she wasn't ready.

Olivia huffed and crossed her arms. "So you're back home so you can use mom to take care of you?"

"That's enough, Olivia." Jessica snaps

"Liv, please, stop. He's our dad. Yeah he's messed up, but I'm scared for him. I think he's going down a bad path." Sean blurts out

Everything pauses again.

"What do you mean?"

"He went through half a case of beer while I was there. He just looked so lost and empty. And you're probably part of the reason. You haven't called him in months! He asks about you." Sean yells at her

Olivia jumps up "I don't talk to him because I'm tired of him hurting me! And you too! He's tried to rip sam and mom apart, he tried to rip us away from mom, oh and he ruined our family, he doesn't care about us! He just wants us when he's down or upset." She raises her voice

"That was a year ago, Olivia! He's messed up, yeah, but he's human."

"I don't care! Stop bugging me about him and making excuses. Go on, be buddy buddies with him, but leave me out of it." She yells, storming out of the kitchen

Sam clears his throat and sets Sean's plate down on the table.

Jessica stands by the sink with a blank face fiddling with the towel in her hand. Suddenly, she began to cry.

"I- I should go talk to her." She stutters as she rushes out of the kitchen

Sean sighs and sits down at the table.

"I didn't mean any harm, really...." Sean whispers

Sam sits down next to him and pats his back. "I know, Sean. You're a good kid and mean well."

"I'm worried about him, you know?"

"Yes, but you have to understand that it may be hard for Olivia to have a relationship. Don't push her."

"I know... I wasn't trying to."

"But you were, and you have to realize it. She has some pretty good reasoning." Sam says calmly

"I guess it's just tough. Is mom okay though?"

"She'll be fine. She didn't mean to have the reaction she did last night either. I think she just misses you and wants to see you as much as possible."

//-//

Jessica had a short conversation with Olivia in her room. She was so frustrated with Sean, she just needed someone to help calm her down.

"I'm sorry for blowing up." Olivia says

"It's alright, sweetie... I understand."

"Sean is just so stupid!"

"Don't say that..."

"You know he'll just hurt him."

Jessica shrugs her shoulders "It's hard to say. Listen Liv, if you don't want to have communication with your father, that's fine. If you do, that's fine too. I want whatever makes you happy, either way." Jessica sniffles

"Were you crying?"

Jessica shakes her head. "A little. But I'm okay."

"Aww mom, why?" She says giving Jessica a hug

Jessica cries softly in her daughters arms. "when I first met your father, he was never like this. I guess it's just overwhelming to listen to how much he's changed and witness it all. He is a great father... it's hard for me to see him change into this stranger. Ever since he left me it's been hard seeing it."

"Don't cry mom... you're so much stronger now without him, and happier too."

"I know, I'm very lucky."

"We all are, Sam, he's amazing. He's better than dad. We don't need dad."

//-//

"I'm sorry, Olivia. I didn't mean to pressure you." Sean says as he sits next to her on the couch. It was just the two of them.

"It's fine... I'm sorry too. If you want to have a relationship with dad I respect that. But you need to respect that I don't."

"I will."

"Thank you..."

Sean sighs

"Is he really don't doing that well?" Olivia asks

"I don't know. He just seems off."

"Hopefully he grows up."

//-//

Christmas-

"Oh wow, this ornament is so adorable!" Jessica says as she sits around her big family opening Christmas gifts. Her sister had gotten her an ornament with a picture of Sam and Jessica on it from their engagement party.

"We thought this year was a big year for you guys. Olivia turning sixteen, Sean going to college, you and Sam getting engaged! Maybe next year you'll be married!" Jane smiles

Sam puts his arms around Jessica and smiles. "Maybe! It's a great gift, thank you, Jane."

"Anytime! Now let's open more!" She says

They spent Christmas night at Dorthy and alberts house. Christmas was one of Jessica's favorite holidays because it was when everyone was together and happy.

//-//

"Christmas is so beautiful... snow, Christmas lights, family, smiles! Everything about it I love." Jessica and Sam sat outside Dorthy and Alberts house looking at all the lights across the street by where Sam's farm was.

"Me too... and I'm the luckiest guy to be spending it with you." He says turning facing her

Jessica gives him a soft smile and kisses him passionately.

"You know, I hope that next year will be the year... the year you and I become husband and wife." He whispers

"I do too... I'm ready to marry you Sam Shepard."

"I'm ready to marry you too, Jessica Lange."

//-//

January-

"Now, remember, be safe, good, and study hard! I'll see you in two months!"

Jessica sends her son back to college yet again. But this time she wasn't saying goodbye at the airport. Danny was taking him. That meant he was stopping but the house to pick Sean up.

"I will, ma. I love you."

"I love you too!" She kisses him

"Bye Sean, love ya." Olivia giggles

"Be good to my car." He chuckles

She rolls her eyes

"See ya, Sam." Sean says hugging him goodbye

"Peace, brother. Be good, call if you need anything." He smiles

"Of course. The holidays were great with you guys."

Then, as they say goodbye, they are interrupted by the beeping of a car horn. It was Danny coming up the hill in his car. It was the first time Danny ever came to sam's house. Jessica was prepared for it to be uncomfortable. But they were going to be civil and polite.

Olivia quickly runs in the house to avoid Danny. Sam and Jessica stay where they are so they can get every last minute in with Sean.

When Danny parks Sean, Jessica, and Sam walk up to the car. Sam holds the bags and carries them to the back.

Danny gets out of the car, avoiding saying hello to Sam.

"So, Ready bud?" Danny says

"Yeah" He says hugging his father

"Hey Jess." Danny says awkwardly

Jessica gives him a soft smile and bows her head. "Hi"

She quickly turns back to Sean and gives him a firm hug. While they hug each other Sam walks back next to Jessica and gives Danny a soft smile. But Danny doesn't even look at him.

Deep down Danny wanted to bring up the engagement but he knew it wouldn't be a good idea. It would just make things even more uncomfortable.

Sam noticed that Danny did look a bit disoriented. He had bags under his eyes and looked out if it. It was almost as if he had had a few drinks before coming. It immediately worried him.

"Where's Olivia? Is she going to come?" Danny asks

"She is staying here." Jessica snaps

"How come? Doesn't she want to spend time with Sean and I?"

"She spent her time with Sean. Sam and I are taking her out today. Maybe you should get going." Jessica says looking at her clock.

Sam then clears his throat and steps in. "Danny, are you alright to drive?" He blurts out

Immediately everyone looks at Sam, shocked that he'd make such a comment. But he was saying what Sean and Jessica couldn't say.

"Excuse me?"

"You just seem tired. How about I drive you and Sean to the airport?" He offers nicely.

"No, I am capable of taking him on my own. Mind your own fucking business, I'm fine." Danny shouts

"Dad, hey, it's fine. Let's just go." Sean says

Jessica grabs onto Sam's arm and pulls him back.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to offend you."

"I'm tired of you taking my children and my time with them away from me. Back off and leave us alone." He shouts

"Danny, that's enough! Leave him alone. Look at yourself! He has a right to be worried." Jessica yells

"Suck a big one mister Shepard." Danny flips him off and gets in the car.

Sean didn't know what to do in this situation so he just got in the car with him father.

"Sean!" Jessica says running to the car door.

"I'm sorry, mom." He whispers in her ears

"If you don't think he's okay to drive we can take you." She whispers

"No, I'm fine. Tell Sam I'm sorry he was like that. I'll call you when I get to the airport."

"I love you, baby."

"I love you too."

....

When they drive off Jessica huffs and stomps on the ground. "I can't believe that jack ass!"

"I should have kept my mouth shut, I'm sorry. I could swear he just looked like he had a few drinks before getting Sean."

"I'm glad you said something... you didn't deserve to be spoken like that. I'm sorry you have to deal with that."

"It's fine... I just hope they get their safely. I would have driven them both so I wasn't taking any time away from them... I can see why he wouldn't want me to though."

"Sean will keep me updated. But thank you for paying attention like that."

"I really do care about your kids, Jess. I love them. But I'm not trying to replace him or take away their time from him."

"And you aren't, Sam. You're such a good guy. I'm lucky that I have someone like you who looks out for them. More then their own father. Thank you, for loving them and caring about them." She says taking his hands and leaving a small kiss on his cheek.

//-//

Sean ended up making it to the airport just fine. The car ride wasn't that pleasant. It was just a lot of Danny complaining and ranting which was uncomfortable for Sean. He was just excited to get away and go back to college.

//-//