The next morning Jessica was a mess. Out of no where all of these emotions just started boiling inside her body. She felt as if her head was on fire and there was nothing to put it out.

She had been off for a few weeks. She thought seeing a counselor would help. She just needed something.

She felt terrible for all the things she said to Sam that night. She went out of control and just said things that weren't true. She wanted to make it up to him.

She rolled over and held his body. It immediately woke him up.

"Hey..." She says

Sam sits up and turns to her. "Hey... are you okay?"

"I am... I'm sorry about last night... even though you kinda fell asleep."

Sam puts his hands on her cheeks and kisses her softly on the lips.

"It's okay... I'm just worried about you."

"I am too. I feel like something deeper is going on. Something with my body."

"Are your medications getting in the way?" He says holding her hands

She shakes her head... "no."

"Well then let's take off work today. We will take you to the family doctor and see what's going on. It can be as simple as menopause."

"Uh! I hate that word! Don't even use the "M" word!" She says covering her ears

"Why?"

"It means I'm old!"

"I'm old too! Babe I'm in my forties."

"I am too. I just hate being old. My body is decaying so soon!"

"Let's just see what the doctor says."

//-//

Breakfast-

"Livy, I get to do a science project today!" Logan smiles

"What kind?"

"It's with water!"

"Ahhh, I remember the "water experiment"." Olivia chuckles

"What was that?" Sam asks

"Basically the kids just put their hands in a bucket of water and played with it." Jessica chuckles

"Yeah, basically!" Olivia agrees

"Oh no! It will be boring mama!" Logan pouts

"No it won't baby." Jessica says as she packs his lunch

"Okay.... so tonight is some senior meeting. Mom you have to go with me."

"Thanks for the heads up.... so late!!" Jessica giggles

"Where are your dresses mama?" Logan asks, Jessica always dresses up for work.

"Daddy and I are busy today so we aren't going to work!" Jessica giggles

"Who are busy? With what?" Olivia asks

"Well... we have some doctor appointments." Jessica says

"Are you dying?" Logan freaks

"Nobody is dying, Bud. We just need check ups and shots." Sam says

"Oh good!"

"Liv you should get going. Here's your lunch! Have a wonderful day." She says handing her her lunch and giving her a kiss on the cheek.

"Bye everyone!" She says running out the door

"And Mr. Shepard, its time for you to go to school!" Sam says

"Yay! I can't wait!"

"Who's taking me?"

"Mommy and daddy!" Jessica smiles

"Yes! Daddy and mommy sandwich!"

//-//

After dropping off Logan, Jessica an Sam went to their favorite breakfast spot before her last minute appointment with her family doctor.

"Jess, can we really talk about last night?"

"Sam. really, can we not. I think I've been all cranky and sad is because of hormones. Something's off. Maybe I just need some estrogen." Jessica chuckles

"... you know what, I bet that's it." She adds

"No, Jess. You were right that things have been off. With us. We've endured a lot this year. A little bit too much. It was putting a tole on us."

"Sammy..." Jessica pouts

"I just want to tell you that... we can get through anything."

//-//

"Jessica Lange?" A nurse says

"Hi! Yes!" Her and Sam both stand up then go back with the doctor.

Jessica explains everything. How she's been feeling, acting, and how things just don't feel right.

Her doctor decided to take a blood test to check her levels. It ended up being a long wait.

"We've been here for two hours!"

"I know... just relax. I bet it's something simple." Sam says holding her hand

Then, her doctor walks in. Her face showed how worried she really was.

"Hi! Did you find out what's wrong with me?" Jessica says

"You're not depressed and you aren't sick." She says softly

"Oh... that's good. What did you find?" Jessica asks

"Your levels are way off... these can be early signs of menopause, but I'm worried something else can be going on. I'm just worried about all of your levels. Nothing seems to be right or normal here. I called our on-call OBGYN. She will see you in about twenty minutes." The doctor says

"But wait- this is scary. You think something deeper is wrong?" Sam says nervously as Jessica sits quietly

"I assure you everything will be okay. It's just that OBGYN practice isn't what I do. I can't say if it's menopause. That's why Kat, our on call doctor will be here any minute to give you an exam."

"Thank you so much." Jessica says

"Have a nice day, and don't worry!"

When the doctor leaves Jessica goes crazy.

"Fuck! Sam! Fuck! What's wrong? At this point I wish I had the flu or mild depression! Not vagina problems." Jessica pouted.

"Babe.... come on. Just relax."

//-//

Finally, the OBGYN arrived.

"Hi Jessica! I'm Kat! I've looked over all of your test and files today. I've seen test like this that are all over! I assure you you'll be fine!"

Jessica sighs "That's a relief."

"Yeah." Sam says

"You're the husband I assume?"

"Yes, Sam." He smiles

"Great, well I'm going to ask you a few questions Jessica."

"Sure."

"First, when was your last period?"

Jessica sat and thought.... then panicked. She was so caught up in life that she forgot. She couldn't remember.

"Oh goodness, I don't know..."

"When is the last one you remember?"

"Gosh, it had to have been sometime last month? Know that I've though about it, just some very watery red patches here and there. No heavy period." Jessica says

She nods and writes down everything.

"I'm guessing you're active?"

"Yes! Very active!" Sam says

"Sam!" Jessica says giving him an eye.

"Haha, it's alright! So kids?"

"I have two from another marriage and we just adopted a little boy!"

"How wonderful!" She smiles

"Yeah. We are lucky."

"Well let's see what's going on while your blood work is being tested."

Jessica undressed half of her body then laid down as Kat began her examination.

The room was silent for a while. She felt around her stomach and inside. Jessica was so used to it that she wasn't fazed.

"Jessica, I think I found out why you've been off. But I want to double check when the test come back."

"Thank god! Menopause!"

"Actually, no." She says softly

"What is it?"

.....