Christmas.

Jessica was kind enough to let Autumn spend Christmas morning at Sam's.  With Megan's health declining quickly, she knew this was best.

Danny, Jessica and Julia spent Christmas morning with Danny's family.

"Oh baby, these earrings are beautiful!  Thank you!" Jessica smiled and leaned over to kiss Danny.

"You're welcome, baby!"

"Here's your gift!" Jessica smiles and hands it to him."

"Did you use my money to buy it?" He laughs.

"No!  I have savings, silly.." Jessica looks down as her face turns a light shade of pink.

"I'm just playing, baby!" Danny smiles.
"Let's see what's in here!
..Oh baby, this is nice!"

"You like it?!" Jessica's smile lit up the room.

"I love it, Boo!"

"Aw!  Yay! I was hoping you would!"

Danny chuckles at her cuteness and kisses her lips.

"Ooh!" Jessica places her hands on her belly.
"Someone can tell Mommy's happy!" She smiles.

Danny smiles and places his hand on her belly.
"Feel that little babe!  You guys, this is Daniel jr." Danny smiles to his family.

"Danny, you don't even know what the baby is yet!" Jessica giggles and playfully taps his arm.

"I have a feeling, babe!  This is Daniel."

"Even if it is a boy, we're not naming him Daniel!"

"Aw, why not, Jessica?" His mother asked.
"It's a lovely name."

"I love it, but I want him to have his own special name!  I mean, if it even is a boy!  It might be a girl!" Jessica smiles.

"Oh gosh, three girls!  God watch over Danny!" Anjelica laughs.

"Right?  Wow, that would be difficult!" Danny chuckles.

Jessica laughs and places her hand on his.

"But fun!  Have you thought of any other baby names?" Anjelica asks.

"Jessica wants Theodore and Evangeline." Danny rolls his eyes.

"They're cute!"

"Fine but I get to pick the middle name!"

"Fine!" Jessica giggles.

Danny smiles and pulls her close.

**

After their Christmas morning, Jessica got ready to pick up Autumn.

"You gonna take the baby?" Danny asks.

"We're kinda a package deal, hun." Jessica rubs her belly.

"Hah! I mean Julia."

"I can."

"Yeah that way you can head over to your parents and I'll catch a ride with Tony."

"That's fine." Jessica shrugs.
"Come on, Juju butt! Let's go, sweet girl."

Julia slowly walks towards Jessica.
Two weeks ago she took her first steps, and now she loves walking everywhere she can.

"Come on, momma!" Jessica holds her hand out.

Julia walks faster and lifts her arms.

"Pretty girl!" Jessica smiles and picks her up.

"Mama!"

"Juju! You wanna go get sissy?"

"Sis! Sisssss!" She kicks her legs and lifts her hands.

"YAY Sissyyyyy!" Jessica cheers.

**

"Hey! Merry Christmas, Auttie!!"

"Merry Christmas, mommy! Do you have my gift for Megan?"

"Yes! I have it right here!"

"Yay! Gimmie! Gimmie!"

"Here you go, baby."

"Thank you. Megan! I have another gift for you!" Autumn runs to her.

"Aw baby girl, you didn't have to do that.." Megan smiles softly.

"I wanted to! Open it!" She smiles.

Megan opens the box and her eyes tear up.
"Oh baby! Oh my gosh, I love this!"

"You like it?!" Autumn smiles.

"I love it!"

Autumn hugs Megan tightly then looks at her with tears in her eyes.

"I love you.. Mom."

Tears rolled down Megan's cheeks and she hugged Autumn once again.

"I love you.  You're my mommy too.. you always will be, momma. Always, Always, Always!"

"And you will Always be my daughter, baby girl. I love you so so much!"

"I love you more, momma."

Sam and Jessica watched in tears. This was so beautiful yet heartbreaking.

***

January 26th.

Jessica is 34 weeks pregnant and Megan is 20 weeks pregnant.

In the past few weeks Megan's health has declined.
Today is Autumn's birthday and she wants her parents there.  All of her parents.

Danny agreed to behave himself for Autumn.
What Megan and Jessica don't know is Autumn planned something special for them.  With the help of her aunts and grandmother, of course!

"Thank you all for making my birthday special.. but um.. we're not just celebrating me today!" Autumn says with a smile.

"We're not?" Jessica chuckles.

"No!  We're celebrating my baby sister and my baby brother or sister!" Autumn giggles.
"And of course my two beautiful mommies!"

"Aw, baby!" Jessica touches her chest and pouts.

"Surprise!  You're having an Autumn's birthday/baby shower!"

"Oh sweetheart.. that's.. that's so sweet, thank you.." Megan smiles.

Autumn runs over to hug Megan.
"You're welcome, momma!  We have presents and games!  And extra cake!" She smiles.

"Autumn, you are such a sweet sweet girl!" Jessica says. "She was so proud of how kind hearted her daughter is."

"Thank you!  Now enjoy!"

Autumn, Jessica and Megan all received so many presents.  All of Jessica's were gender neutral, of course!

"I can't wait to see these babies in their cute little outfits!" Autumn says.

"They're going to be adorable." Megan says with a sadness in her eyes.

"Thank you for being the most incredible daughter I could have ever asked for, Auttie."

"You're welcome!" Autumn giggles and hugs Megan tightly.

She then holds her belly and places her ear against it. "I know my baby sister will be just as great as me!"

Megan couldn't help but laugh.
"I know she will be, baby girl." She places her palm on Autumn's cheek and looks into her beautiful eyes.

***

February 7th.

Megan has been in the hospital for the past few days.
They have given her everything they can to make her as comfortable as possible.

Unfortunately, that was all they could do.
Megan was now living her final days.
The last thing she needed to do is bring her baby into the world.

Bringing the baby this early is extremely dangerous and life threatening for her. This is something Megan did Not want to do. Unfortunately, there is no other option.

Sam knew there was a chance the baby wouldn't make it. He also knew that there was a chance Megan wouldn't make it through the c-section, but he prayed and prayed that she would at least be able to hold their baby girl once.

Sam just kept telling her how much he loved her, and how much she meant to him.  He wanted her to know these things. He wanted her to know that she was his whole world.

Megan is so young and doesn't deserve this.  Then again, who does?

Danny and Jessica's POV.

"Danny, I understand you're not happy with this, and I'm so sorry!
..But I have to be there. No matter what, Sam is the father of my child. I have to be there for him and Autumn."

"I completely understand being there for Autumn, Jess. I just don't trust him."

"Danny, the man's wife is dying! They're having to bring his baby early and she might not make it! She's twenty two weeks, Danny. He could lose both of them!"

"Fine. Are you taking Julia? I have to work and we don't have anyone else to watch her."

"Yes, I'm taking her.  I'm going to pack and head over there now."

"What about dinner?"

"There's leftovers."

"How long will you be gone?"

"I don't know, Danny."

"Well be carful, you're almost due."

"I know, I'll be okay."

Jessica quickly packed clothes and things for the baby before heading out.

After about a three and a half hour trip with traffic, a fussy baby and bathroom breaks, Jessica and Julia finally arrived in Minnesota.
Jessica was going to be staying with her parents while in town.

"How was your drive, honey?" Dorothy asks.

"It was interesting!" Jessica laughed.

"Juju is MAJOR fussy today!  She just wanted to be held, poor baby.." She pouts.

"Aw baby girl!  Can grandma hold you?"

Julia hugs her legs and whines.
"Mama!"

"Oh you little stinker!" Dorothy laughs.

Jessica chuckles with exhaustion.

"Baby, you look so sleepy! Why don't you take a nap before going to the hospital?"

"No, I need to just go and be there with them."

"Do you want me to go with you?"

"No, I think I should go alone. Will you watch the baby?"

"Of course!"

"Thank you. I'm just gonna hop in the shower real quick. This pregnancy glow you see.. It's sweat!"

Dorothy laughs.

"I'm serious, I feel like a pig!" Jessica chuckles.

"Poor baby! You go on, I'll watched her."

"Thank you, mom."

"No problem! Julia, come with grandma and we'll get a snack!"

"No! Mama!" Julia stomps her legs and reaches up for her mother.

"Whaaaat?" Jessica whines.

Dorothy chuckles she lifts Julia.
"Come on, pretty girl. Let mama shower. She's stinky! Pee-Yew!" Dorothy scrunches her nose.

Julia mimics her grandmother and giggles. "Pee-Yew!" She spoke in a high pitched voice.

"Yeah say, Stinky Mama!"

"Sinky mama!" She points.

"Thanks, baby." Jessica smiles.

**

Sam's POV.

Megan laid in bed with her hands on her belly. Feeling her little girl wiggling around.

Autumn and Landon laid beside her and Sam sat beside the bed.

"Momma, daddy.. are we gonna name her?"

"I don't know.. what do you think, baby?" Sam asks.

It took a lot out of Megan just to get a simple word out, so she took a deep breath in and said, "Everly Joy."

Sam smiled. "I love that name. It's beautiful!"

"She will bring you joy.." She says to Sam in a low voice.

Sam felt a lump in his throat and his eyes filling with tears.

"Momma, that's so pretty! I bet she'll be beautiful just like you!" Autumn cuddled into her.

Megan smiles and breathes deeply.
"Like you.."

Autumn smiled and laid her head on Megan.

"Mommy, when the baby coming out?" Landon asks.

"Soon.."

Sam watched and wanted to scream.
How could this possibly be happening?

**

Hours later Everly Hope Shepard was born. She was tiny and her lungs were not fully developed. These next few months will be extremely hard for her.

The way this hospital is set up, it was perfect for them. After being hooked up to machines, Megan was able to hold her baby girl.

She cried tears of joy and sadness.
She wanted to be there for this baby. She wanted to experience the things she experienced with Autumn and Landon. Unfortunately, she never would.

"Call Jessie.. I want her to see the baby.." Megan spoke in a soft and weak voice.

"Okay honey, I'll be right back."

Sam walked out to the waiting room to find Jessica. She was sitting back with her hands on her belly.

"Jessie.."

Jessica stood up as quickly as she could. Seeing her, Sam immediately lost it.

"Oh Sam.." Jessica wraps her arms around him and rubs his back as he lays on her shoulder.

"This ain't fair, Jessica. None of this is fucking fair!"

"Sammy, I know.. I'm so sorry, hun."

"She's so small, Jess. Megan is.. Oh God!" He cries.

"Samuel.. I know it's hard.  I wish there were something I could do.."

"You're here. That's enough."

Jessica took a deep breath and continued rubbing his back.

"She wants you to see the baby."

"Aw.. I can't wait to meet her, Sam! I know she's beautiful." Jessica smiles softly.

Jessica walks with Sam and they enter the room.  The only other people in there were Megan's parents and Sam's mom.

Everyone around the baby needed to wear a mask. So far the only two that have held her are Sam and Megan.

"She's beautiful, Megan!" Jessica spoke in a soft voice.

"Thank you, Jessie.. thank you for coming.."

"Of course! I love you guys!"

"We love you."

"Daddy, take a picture of me and my mommies!" Autumn smiled.

Sam smiles and takes his phone out to capture the beautiful moment.

"Gorgeous! All of you."

**

February 8th.

Everyone gathered around Megan's bed as the baby laid on her chest.

Everyone knew today was the day they would have to say goodbye.
Her breathing changed. All she did was sleep. They just knew it was today.

At 10:40 Megan slowly opened her eyes. She smiled softly at Sam who sat beside her holding her hand, then to her children. Sam didn't want the kids there when she passed, but they wouldn't leave her side.

Jessica was there, as well as her family.

"I love you guys." Megan says Jessica and her family.

"We love you, Megan!"

"Jess.."

"Yes, sweetie?" Jessica kneels down beside her.

"You.. you are my family."

"And you are mine, honey.  I love you!  Thank you for everything you have down.  You are a gift from above.  Thank you, thank you, thank you!"

Megan smiles softly then says, "Danny.."

"What about him, love?"

"He.. he's not the one."

Jessica smiled softly and nodded her head.
She didn't know how to respond to that.

Megan then looked down to the kids.

"I love.. I love.. my babies.." She speaks breathlessly to her children.

"We love you more, mommy!"

She smiles very softly and looks at Sam.
"I love you.. forever."

"I love you forever, Megan! You are my everything, baby. I hope you know how much I love you! How much the kids love you.. you truly are an incredible mommy and wife. I couldn't ask for more." Sam holds her hand tighter.

Megan smiled as Sam went in to kiss her lips.

"You rest, baby.  We're okay.  We'll miss you.. but we're okay." Sam says in a whisper, with his palm placed against her cheek.

Everyone watched as Megan closed her eyes and took one final breath.

The room was filled tears.
They were sad that she was gone, but happy that her soul was at rest and no longer suffering.

She went very peacefully surrounded by the ones she loved most.  In a way it was beautiful.

About an hour had passed and Sam was holding his baby girl in his arms.  Megan's mother had left with the kids, so the only ones still there were Jessica and his mother.  He cried and cried as he just stared at her.

Sam kisses her tiny head as she laid on his bare chest. "I love you, baby.. please.. Please stay strong for daddy!"

Five minutes later.

An alarm alerted nurses and they immediately rushed in.

"What's going on? Is she okay?!" Sam shouted.

"Sir, step back, please. Let us do our job."

"Don't let her die! Please!!  Don't let her die!" Sam sobbed.

Jessica held his arm and kept him away from the baby.

"My baby, Jess!"

"She'll be okay!  She'll.. She has to be okay!" Jessica said with a look of panic.

Sam watched as the small newborn's body shook.

"She's having a seizure?  Is that.. IS SHE HAVING A SEIZURE?!" He screamed.

"Sam!  Sam, let them help her, honey!" Jessica tires calming him down while in tears.

"That's my baby!  I promised.. I promised Megan I'd take of her.." Sam says as tears continue to roll down his cheeks.

Suddenly a long beep fills the room.
Jessica's eyes widen and she feels her heart break.

"NO!  NOOO!  NO!  NO!  NO!" Sam breaks away from Jessica and bangs the wall.

"Why didn't you save her?!  DO SOMETHING!" He shouted at the team of nurses.

"Sir.. I am so sorry." One of them responded.  You could tell she was heartbroken for him.

Sam drops to his knees and sobs.
Jessica kneels down and holds him in her arms as she cries along with him.

"Oh Sam.. I'm so sorry!"

"She's gone.  They're both gone."

"She just wanted her momma.. she's with Megan now, love.. she's okay."

"My baby girl.." He cries softly.

***
I am SOOOO SORRY! 😬