After leaving Sam's, Sarah took Jessica back to her apartment. She gave her some water, and a snack, and Jessica was beginning to sober up.

Sarah was prepared to stay with Jessica tonight. She was so upset, and she didn't want to leave her alone.

"Married, Sarah. Sam is going to be married!"

"I know.."

"Why am I so upset?"

"..You still love him."

"Of course I love him.. but like you said, Sam and I are better off as friends.. maybe I'm upset because he has something I don't. He has someone to come home to after a long day.. Of course I have Autumn, and you know that little girl is my entire world. But.. Coming home to another adult.. being able to talk about your day.. to lay down side by side at night, and fall asleep in each other's arms. I want that so bad."

"Let me set you up with someone."

"I don't do blind dates, Sarah."

"See Jessica, that's the thing! You don't do blind dates, someone asks you out, you say you don't know enough about them! That's the point of a date, love."

"I know.. I am to blame for feeling this way, I know that.. I don't know why I'm like this, and I don't know how to change."

"You have to take risks.. if not, you'll never happy, Jess."

"I know..."

***

Christmas.

Jessica sat on the couch as Autumn played with her cousins.

"Looks like Autumn had a good Christmas!" Ann says sitting beside her.

"I think so." Jessica giggles, watching her daughter run around with laughter.

"She's so cute!"

"Thank you." Jessica smiles.

"Has she had her Christmas with Sam yet?"

"No not yet. He'll come for her tomorrow.. then he has her for the rest of the week."

"Oh nice. So you have some time to yourself, huh?"

"Yes!"

"Any plans?"

"Oh not really.. I mean, an old friend from high school and I are having dinner, but that's about all I have planned."

"Fun! Who is it?"

"Nick McGee."

"Ooh Jess, he's hot!"

"Ann!" Jessica laughs.

"He is and I know for a fact, he had the biggest crush on you!"

"Yeah? And how do you know that?" Jessica laughs.

"Everyone knew! But you were so in love with Sam, you were blind to anyone else. Jess, I bet he knows you're single and that's why he asked you out!"

"It's just dinner!"

"Sure it is." Ann smirks.

Jessica laughs and throws a pillow at her.

"I want details, bitch."

"Whatever." Jessica rolls her eyes.

Ann laughs. "You need a date for Sam's wedding! Maybe it's him." She smiles.

"For one, Ann. I do not need a date. Second.. I'm not going."

"What?! Jess, I know he's your ex but, Sam Loves you! You're his best friend, he would be heartbroken if you weren't there!"

"I've made my decision, Ann. I can't go. Now please drop it."

"Fine.. I'm just shocked."

"It would be awkward."

"Okay.. I guess I understand."

***

A few days later.

"Hello?" Sarah answers.

"Hey.. I just wanted you to know that I'm getting ready for my dinner with Nick."

"Ooooh! Jessica, I want you to call me and tell me all about it! I don't care how late it is, okay?"

"Okay." Jessica chuckles.

"Is he picking you up?"

"Yeah."

"Awwww!"

"Stop it." Jessica rolls her eyes.

**

Jessica heard the doorbell, her stomach was in knots. This was the first time she's been out with a man since she was with Sam.

Jessica took a deep breath and opened the door.

"Hi!" She smiles.

"Jessica!  Wow!" Nick chuckled softly.

He then hugged her and said, "It's been so long!"

"I know!  I'm glad you looked me up."

"Me too.. Man you look gorgeous."

"Thanks." Jessica giggles.

"I mean really!  You're stunning!"

"Alright." Jessica laughed, looking down and nervously messing with her hair.

**

The two sat across from one another enjoying a delicious dinner.

"Jess, I have to say, when I heard about you and Sam, I was quite surprised.  You two were inseparable in high school."

Jessica smiles softly and looks down.

"I knew you guys had a baby.. just seemed so perfect."

"But it wasn't.. obviously." Jessica chuckles.

"This sounds terrible but, I'm glad it didn't work out.  Jess, I have always always had such a huge crush on you."

"So I've heard." She smiles.

Nick laughs then stares at her for a moment. "Sam's loss.  You're even more beautiful today, Jessica Lange."

Jessica blushed and looked down.
Her adorable little giggle escaped her lips.

Nick then placed his hand on top of hers.  He moved a piece of her hair from her face, and softly lifted her chin.

Jessica took a soft breath in and looked down to his lips.

Nick then moved in towards her and met her soft lips.

It was a sweet, gentle kiss.
Jessica pulled away and smiled.

"Sorry, is it too soon?
.. I've just waited so long to do that."

"No.. no, it was nice.." She smiles softly.

"Good!" Nick chuckles.

***

Two months later.

Over the last couple months, Nick and Jessica have gone out on a few dates.

Today Jessica and Autumn are meeting Sarah for lunch.

"So, how are things going between you and Nick?"

"Okay."

"Has he met Autumn yet?"

"No!  No, I don't want him to meet her yet."

"Oh!  I understand.  So.. give me the naughty details."

Jessica laughs and says, "Well there's nothing to tell."

"You two haven't had sex?"

"No!  Sarah, I don't want to rush things.. I.." Jessica sighs. "I don't think he and I are going to have a future together."

"Why not?!  You said he was great!"

"He is but-"

"There's the But!  Jessica, give him a chance!"

"Calm down, Sarah.  If I don't want to date him, that's my business."

"Fine.  But can you just give me one good reason why you'd break it off with him?"

Jessica let's out a deep breath. ".. He just isn't the one.  I have a child, Sarah.  I don't want to date just for fun.  I want to date someone I know I'll have a future with.  Is that a good enough reason for you?"

"Okay fine.. I see your point.  I'm sorry."

Just then Autumn interrupts.

"Sarah!  My daddy and Megan are getting married next week, and I gonna be a flower girl!"

"That is so cool, Autumn!  I can't wait to see you in your pretty dress!"

"Me too!" She smiles.

Sarah giggles and turns to Jessica.
"Have you changed your mind yet?
.. About the wedding?"

"No."

"Jess.."

"I said, No." Jessica said with a stern voice.

"Alright!"

***

Two days later.

"Somebody's here!  Somebody's here!" Autumn runs through the house.

"Well lets go see who it is!" Jessica giggles.

She opens the door and Autumn jumps with excitement.

"It's daddy!" She screams.

"Hey Sam.  What are you doing here?"

"Sorry for not calling first.  Megan's bachelorette party is tonight and.. I don't have anywhere to go.  You guys wanna get some dinner?"

"YEAH!" Autumn agreed without hesitation.

"Heh!  Sure." Jessica smiles.

"Great!  Grab your coats, I'll drive."

**

The three of them had such a great time over dinner.  It was the most fun Jessica has had in a long time.

When Sam drove them home he carried Autumn in per her request.

"Such a daddy's girl." Jessica chuckles as he walks in with his daughter in his arms.

Sam smiles and kisses the top of Autumn's head.

"Hey Jess, is Nick gonna make it to the wedding?" He asks.

"Oh um.. no.  We actually um.. aren't seeing each other anymore."

"Aw Jess, I'm sorry."

"It's okay!  I was the one that broke it off.  He just.. he wasn't the one."

"Oh!  Well good for you.  You're an amazing woman, Jessica Lange.  You deserve so much.. don't settle for anything less."

"Thanks, Sam." Jessica smiles softly.

"Plus, who knows?  You might meet someone at the wedding." Sam winks.

"Oh!  About that.. I uh.. I actually have a--A work thing that night and um.. I won't be able to make it."

"What?  You won't be there?"

"No.. I'm sorry."

"Jess, you're my best friend.  You have to be there!"

"I'm so sorry, Sam.  But I wish you and Megan the absolute best.  I know your wedding will be So beautiful."

"Jess!  But.. I can't believe you're not gonna be there.."

"Don't worry about it.  I'll get Auttie all ready for you.  My sister will be there so she'll take her home.  It's all worked out." Jessica smiles.

"I really wish you'd go."

"I know Sam but, I can't get out of this work thing.  I'm sorry."

"I'm sleepy, put me in my bed daddy.  Please!" Autumn interrupts.

Sam excuses himself and takes her to her room.

Once he returns he walks over to Jessica.

"I better get going."

"Thanks for dinner. It was fun." Jessica smiles softly.

Sam smiles back and walks towards the door.  He then turns back and says, "You're really not coming?"

"I'm sorry, Sam.  I really am sorry."

Sam nods and continues to the door.

Once he is on the other side of it, Jessica breaks down.
She didn't know how she would ever find another love like Sam.

***

Sam and Megan's wedding day.

"Can I wear makeup, mommy?" Autumn asks.

"You can have chapstick." Jessica smiles.

"Yay!"

She chuckles and applies chapstick on Autumn's lips.

"My hair is beautiful.  My makeup is beautiful.  I am beautiful!  Thanks, mommy!"

"Awww!  You're welcome, Auttie!  You look gorgeous!"

"Thanks!" She giggles.

Just then the doorbell rings.

"That's daddy!" Autumn gasps.

Jessica smiles then takes a deep breath.

She walks downstairs and opens the door.

"Hi Sam!  Wow.. you look so handsome!" She smiles.

"Thanks, Jess.  Oh Autumn, you look beautiful, darling!"

"Thank you, daddy!"

"Have fun, and be a good girl, Autumn." Jessica kneels down and hugs her daughter.

"I will, mommy!  Bye bye!"

"Bye, honey.." Jessica smiles softly, fixing her hair and caressing her cheek.

Jessica then stands and hugs Sam.
"Congratulations, Sam."

"Thank you, Jessie.. you still can't go?" Sam looks her in the eyes.

"I can't.. but I know it'll be great.. and I know Megan will be beautiful!" She smiles, trying her best not to show a single tear.

"Yeah.. thank you."

Sending Sam off to marry another woman was so painful for Jessica.
After he left, she started thinking about everything they've been through.

Their first date in freshman year, their first kiss, their first Everything.  She thought back to right before Autumn was born, and to when she was just a baby.

For about an hour that was all she did.
Then finally something snapped.
She looked at the clock and jumped up.

"I can't do this.  I can't let this happen."

Jessica did her hair and makeup in record time, she threw on a dress and jumped in her car.

"Come on, pick up, pick up!" She mumbled to herself, driving and her cellphone glued to her ear.

"Hello?" Sarah answered.

"Sarah!  I'm on my way."

"You're coming to the wedding?!  Oh thank God!"

"I'm going to tell Sam that I still love him."

"What?!  Jessica, No!  You can't do that!  He's getting married in half an hour!"

"No he isn't.  I won't let him marry anyone but the person he's meant to be with.. Me!"