December-

"Jessica, the ring is so gorgeous! You're one lucky gal!" Her friend Susan from work says

"Thank you. I'm in love with it. It's so simple and sweet."

"Any wedding plans?" She asks

Jessica shrugs her shoulders. "No, we are just taking it slow. You know, for our age, a big wedding isn't exactly ideal." She chuckles

Jessica continues to each her lunch and smiles. Every time she thinks of Sam, she just gets the fuzzy feeling.

"You're never too old for a big great wedding."

Jessica giggles "Sam and I are simple people. It will most likely be simple and small. I think we just want to enjoy the engagement and not jump into things yet." She says

"And that's totally understandable, but when you do start planning, let me now!"

Jessica giggles "I will."

//-//

Later that night Jessica walked into dinner on the stove and the table set up.

"Hmmm, it smells good in here. I love coming home to this." Jessica says coming up behind Sam and kissing his neck.

He turns around and wraps his arms around her. "Hello, beautiful. I missed you."

"I missed you too."

"How was your day?" He asks as he continues to make dinner.

Jessica walks over to the door and slides off her heels and blazer. "You know, work. Busy as usually. Tiring as usual. How about you?"

"It's becoming pretty slow around the farm now that winters coming. But, we have some new stuff coming in at the market for the holidays. Hopefully that will bring in customers. I'm just stressed right now."

The winter was always hard for the farm. The market didn't bring in as much people because it was mostly loved for the outdoor attractions. Sam had been a bit tense, worried. But he knew it would pass.

"Don't stress, Alright?" Jessica says rubbing his back.

"Liv is at Cody's for dinner tonight, so it's just you and me." He smiles

"Okay, I'm fine with that... if we have the house to ourselves, maybe I can help with your stress?" She says moving her hand now his body.

Sam smiles "I'd like that..." he whispers

//-//

December 15th-

"My baby boy is finally home again!" Jessica says running outside to greet him.

He had just landed from New York and got a taxi home to surprise Jessica's

"Hey mom!" He says running and greeting her

"Oh how I missed you so much! You're home you're home!" She squeals

Sean chuckles

"Yep, I am!"

"Hey bud!" Sam says coming up behind Jessica and giving Sean a hug.

"Gosh, it feels great to be back in freezing cold Minnesota!" He shivers

"Oh please, it isn't any warmer in New York." Jessica rolls her eyes and guides him inside.

Jessica makes some tea for everyone and Sam helps Sean with all of his bags. They sit around the kitchen table and talk.

"So where is Olivia?" He asks

"She's at Cody's, again... but, he's coming over for dinner tonight so you'll get to meet him." Jessica smiles

Sean huffs "Is he some kind of douche?" Sean crosses his arms

"No actually. He's a family friend. A great kid, great morals, great heart." Sam interrupts

Sean nods his head. "Has dad met him?"

Jessica chokes on her tea and widens her eyes. "Your father?" Jessica tilts her head

"Or is Olivia not speaking with him?"

Jessica and Sam look at each other then back at Sean. It had been a very long time since Danny was brought up by Olivia. Their current relationship was unknown.

"Well, I'm not sure. I don't know if your sister is in contact with him or not." Jessica sighs

"I see. Dad doesn't really mention anything."

"Oh, so you've talked with your dad?" Jessica asks

"Sorta. I think he may be a little beaten up from grandpas death still. I don't think life is treating him very well." Little did Jessica know, Sean had been talking with Danny a lot. Their relationship was solid now. He didn't dare tell his mom. He thought she'd feel betrayed or angry. In reality she wanted them to do whatever made them happy when it came to Danny.

Sam huffs then turns around. Jessica clears her throat and tries to change the subject.

"So, what are we going to do on your first day back?" Jessica smiles

"Sleep and laundry." He says

Jessica shrugs her shoulders "Alright then!"

//-//

Later that day Olivia came home.

"Wow, look who decided to show up and greet their brother." Sean says

Olivia rolls her eyes. "Sorry, I was out. Hi, welcome home! So great to have you back! Pretty sure I saw you less than a month ago."She says sarcastically

"In that case, can I have my keys back? It is my car." He says snatching the keys out of her hand

"Mom!" Olivia whines

"That's enough. Not even a minute of being home and you guys find a way to be unpleasant." Jessica huffs

"Mom, I was going to go see dad tonight, is that okay?" Sean asks

Jessica paused for a moment and sighed. "Will you be home for dinner?" She asks

"Actually, I was going to stay the night. He wanted to see me. Especially since I wasn't home for thanksgiving."

"Since when are you choosing dad over mom?" Olivia says

"I'm not. Sorry that I actually want a relationship with him." Sean snaps

"That's fine, Sean. I can make you dinner another night. Maybe bring the rest of our laundry for him to do." Jessica snaps and leaves the room.

Olivia turns to him and rolls her eyes. "Nice going."

"I didn't mean to upset her. I just wanted to see dad."

"Yeah, but obviously mom planned to make you dinner and you just leave for him."

"That's not true."

"Kinda is." She says leaving the room.

//-//

Sean ended up going over Danny's for the night. He didn't talk to Jessica after she stormed off. Dinner was a bit awkward since Jessica was so upset.

"I can't believe Sean. I'm sorry, mom." Olivia says

Jessica shrugs her shoulders "It's whatever."

"Don't be upset, Jess." Sam says comforting her

"How can I not be? He comes home, sleeps while I do his laundry, then goes to his fathers. I just want to spend time with him. I miss my baby!" Jessica says

"And you can. Sean just said Danny wasn't in a good place right now." Of course Sam understood why Jessica wAs upset and a bit jealous. He didn't expect her to be this upset, mostly because Jessica wants Sean and Olivia to have a relationship with their father. This behavior was coming out of no where.

//-//

Sean's POV-

"Thanks for stopping by, Sean. I missed you. I hope your mom didn't mind." Danny says

"She's fine with it. You're my dad. I wanted to see you. It's been a while."

Danny gives him a soft smile then takes a sip of his beer.

"How have you been though, dad?" He asks

"I've been better. I think I'm just trying to find myself right now. Did Olivia want to come?"

"I don't know, dad. She's been busy I think." Sean bluffs

"But you've been good, right?"

"Yeah, I've been great. College is amazing."

Danny smiles and nods. "What about Olivia?"

"I guess fine. She's been hanging around her new boyfriend."

"She has a boyfriend?"

"Ha, apparently. I haven't met him yet."

"Does your mom know?"

"Yeah, but she doesn't care. She's in that engagement daze. All happy and lovey." Sean chuckles

Danny's eyes widen. "Engagement faze?"

Sean clears his throat and realizes that Danny knew nothing of the engagement.

"Sam asked her to marry him." He says softly

"Oh" he sighs

"Sorry, I didn't mean to-"

"No, your mother and I are no longer together. Whatever she does is her business. I could care less."

"He's a good guy."

"That's good. As long as he's good to you and Olivia."

"Yeah, He is."

Danny may have seemed like he didn't care, but it killed him hearing that Jessica was getting married. So many emotions rambled through his head. He was jealous, angry, embarrassed, and felt replaced.

//-//

Jessica's POV-

That night Jessica was very quite and distant. When Sam and Jessica got to bed he decided to talk with her.

"Jessie, come on, don't be sad." He says

"I'm sorry, I'm trying not to."

"I know, but you always say how you want them to have a relationship."

"I know what I always say, Sam!" She raises her voice

Sam backs off

"It's just... I felt so used today. Sean came home, he didn't want to do anything but sleep while I did his dirty work. And then, on top of it all, when I told him I was making dinner for him, his favorite. He ditches me for Danny who has basically forgotten about his children!" Jessica bangs on the bed and huffs.

"It's tricky, I get it. But you can't let it get to you. He'll be home tomorrow...."

"Danny, he just makes me so frustrated! Of course I don't want them to have a bad relationship. Maybe sometimes I'm worried... that he'll hurt them, or cause drama... it's always something. You know?"

"I hope he just grows up and steps up to the plate. Do you know if Sean told him about the engagement?"

"Oh lord, I hope not." Jessica says

//-//