Thanksgiving.

Danny, Jessica and the girls traveled to Minnesota and stayed with her parents for Thanksgiving.
Things were always so much better in Minnesota, so Jessica felt so much more at ease.

"I wish you would let me help, momma.  All you girls are in here and you won't let me lift a finger!" Jessica says walking through the kitchen.

"Jessie, you sit down, you're cooking up baby in there!  Let us handle the turkey!" Ann chuckles.

Jessica giggles and rolls her eyes.
"I'm fine!"

"Sit down and lift your feet."

"All I've done is sit.  My ass hurts!"

Dorothy chuckles and walks over to her daughter.
"What is this baby?" She please her hands on each side of Jessica's bump.

"Mom, I told you I don't know." Jessica chuckles.

"I feel like you do, Jessica Phyllis!" Dorothy narrows her eyes on her.

"I don't, Ma! I promise." Jessica smiles sweetly.

"I think it's a girl." Ann says as Danny walks in.

"Who's calling my son a girl?"

Jessica laughs and looks lovingly to Danny.
"Danny thinks it's a boy."

"No, I know it's a boy!" He smiles.

"I don't know, I've been trying to compare my pregnancies to see if I can figure it out, and I can't! Simba was wild!  I mean totally insane." Jessica chuckles.
"This baby barely moves.  It scared me when Simba would move so much, and now it scares me when this baby doesn't move!  I'm just scared for everything!" Jessica rolls her eyes.

Danny smiles and rubs his big strong hands on her back.

"I mean we'll talk to the baby, and nothing!  Sim used to dance like crazy!  Danny would sing to him and.." Jessica gets choked up. "He'd wiggle his little booth around in there.  Silly boy.."

Danny wraps his arms around her from the back.
He kisses her head and tries his best to comfort her.

"Aw, baby Simba.." Jane pouts.

"We need to stop, I can't handle this right now." Jessica wipes her cheeks.

Danny rubs her belly and says, "He's still with us, baby.  Don't be sad."

"I know he is.." Jessica looks up and smiles softly.
Danny pecks her lips and pats the side of her belly.

"You know what we can talk about?" He says.

"What?  Baby names?" Jessica smiles.

"Yes!  I want Daniel if it's a boy." Danny says.
"Jessica doesn't like it."

"No!  He needs his own name! Plus you named Julia." She shrugs.

"That's true.. why don't you tell them the names you have in mind?" Danny chuckles.

"He doesn't like them!" Jessica makes a face and playfully taps his hand.

"I like Evangeline and Theodore." She smiles.

"That's rather posh!" Ann smiles.

"I love those names so much!  Oh my gosh, can it please be twins?!" Jane asks.

"Hah!  It's just one, Janie!" Jessica giggles.

"Evangeline is okay.. a bit much, but okay.  But Theodore?  No!  Not my son!"

"Oh Daniel, shut up!" Jessica chuckles and rolls her eyes.

Danny bites her ear and slaps her button.

"Stop that." Jessica moves away from him.

"Oh miss sensitive!" Danny baby talks and gets even closer to her face.

"Danny!" Jessica says a bit bugged.

"Leave her, alone, Danny!" Ann says with irritation.

"Oh my goodness all these women!  I better get my beer and get out of here." He chuckles.

Jessica rolls her eyes and sits down.
"That man is a pain in my ass sometimes." She laughs.

"It's okay, so is my husband.  Hey, I've been meaning to ask! How are Sam and Megan doing?" Jane asks.

Jessica sighs and nods her head.

"Not good, huh?"

"No.. Megan is declining pretty quickly.  Luckily Autumn was able to go on that trip with them before.
It's so sad!  It is so sad and so unfair."

"How's the baby?  Do they know what they're having?"

"A girl."

"Awww!"

"I know.. the baby's doing fine.  Sam said she's growing and moving around.  I just hope Megan's body holds on.. if he were to lose them both.. ugh, my poor Sammy." Jessica pouts.

"I love him!  He's a total sweetheart!" Jane says.

"He is!" Jessica smiles.
"I feel for them.. and poor Landon!  He's such a sweet sweet baby."

"Aw!  Man, they're a perfect little family too!  So sad!" Ann pouts.

"I know.. it sure is.."

**

After the Lange's had their Thanksgiving celebration, Jessica took Autumn to Sam's.

On the way over Autumn stayed very quiet.

"Mom?" She broke the silence.

"Yes, baby?"

"I don't want Megan to die."

Jessica sighs. "Baby, no one does. It's sad that this is happening. Megan is such a sweet sweet woman, and doesn't deserve this. But you know what?  If we just pray.. maybe God will give us a miracle."

"I hope so.. I love her, mom.. she's like my mom too."

"She is, baby. You should tell her that."

"I will."

".. I'm very thankful that she's such a good momma to you."

"Me too. You should tell her that, momma!"

Jessica smiles softly. "I will."

**

"Happy Thanksgiving!" Sam smiled and hugged his daughter.

"Happy Thanksgiving, daddy!"

"Happy Thanksgiving, Sam! How are you?"

"I'm okay.. come in and sit! You want something to drink, Jess?"

Jessica let's out a deep breath and says, "Actually, some water would be great. Thank you!"

"No problem! I'll be right back."

Jessica walked to the living room and smiled at Megan.

"Hey sweetie!" Jessica walks over and hugs her.
"Look at you! That girl is just a growin, huh?" She smiles.

"Oh yes!" Megan chuckles.
"Your little babe as well! Look at that belly!"

"It's gettin out there, huh?" Jessica rubs the front of her belly.

She then sits down beside her and smiles.

"Here's your water, Jess." Sam says handing her the glass.

"Thank you, Sam."

"You're welcome. You need anything, honey bunch?" Sam kisses Megan's forehead.

"I'm fine, baby. Thank you though.. do you mind giving Jess and I a few minutes?" She asks.

"Of course not! Come on, kids. The family will be here soon. Let's go make sure everything's ready for them."

"Okay! Come on, Landon!" Autumn takes his hand and follows Sam.

Jessica smiles as she watches them leave.
"They're sweet.."

"They sure are.
.. Jessica?"

"Yeah?"

"Will you do me a favor?"

"Yes! Anything!"

"After I'm gone.. will you make sure my boys are okay?" Megan says in a tearful whisper.

"Megan-"

"I'm so worried about Sam and Landon.. I just pray this baby makes it. I don't know what he'd do if he lost her too... or would her living make it worse? I just don't know anything anymore!" Megan says in a shaky voice.

"Jessica, I know you have your family, but please tell me you'll look after them."

"Megan, you guys are family! Of course I will!"

Megan nods. "Thank you.
.... Jessie.. Sam loves you.
I know he does. At the beginning I just thought you two were close.. then I noticed how his face lit up when he saw you.."

"Megan, Sam loves you!"

"I know he does. But he loves you too... You're Jessica and you will always be his first love. The mother of his daughter.. you are so special to him."

Jessica tears up as Megan speaks to her.

"Don't tell him I said this but.. He's always been worried about you."

"Why?"

Megan shrugs. "He doesn't like the way Danny treats you."

"Ohh.. Danny's harmless, Megan." Jessica says with a soft and nervous chuckle.

"I know.. that's just how he feels."

"Oh.."

"I just thought you should know."

"Well thank you! Megan?"

"Yes?"

"I want to thank you.."

"For what?"

Jessica immediately starts crying.
"For being such an amazing mother to Autumn."

"Aw Jess.."

"You are, Megan! I could not have asked for anyone better. You love her like she is your own. You have never treated her like a step child.. you love her as much as Sam and I do. Thank you."

"Oh Jess.. you don't have to thank me. I love her so much!"

Jessica wipes her cheek.
"You know.. when you and Sam first started dating, I was really nervous. I didn't want another woman coming in and.. taking over my job-"

"No, I would never!" Megan nods.

Jessica smiles and takes her hand.
"No.. you didn't. We are all her parents. No one is better than the other. We share a responsibility.. and we share our love for her."

Tears roll down Megan's cheeks.
"Jessica, Autumn is so lucky to have a mother as kind hearted as you."

"No.... She's lucky to have two mothers.. like us."

Megan cried even more and smiled at Jessica.

"I love you, Jess." She hugs her.

Jessica rubs her back and closes her eyes.
"I love you too, Megan."

Suddenly, a sob escapes Megan's lips.
"I don't want to leave them. I don't want to leave you guys!"

Jessica's heart felt like it was being shattered.
She hugged Megan even tighter.
"Then fight!" Jessica says in a loud whisper.

"Jessica..
It's too late, Jess."