January 1st, 38 weeks pregnant-

"Is it bad that I didn't stay up until midnight to see the ball drop?" Dorthy says walking into the kitchen

"Oh I did! But I had no choice." Jessica says giving the twins a funny glare.

"The holidays just exhausted me!"

"Do you mind if we have a chill day? I'm kinda hung over from Sean's party." George says chugging a cup of coffee

"You aren't even twenty one yet." Jessica giggles

"Yes, son, you shouldn't be drinking." Albert says sternly

"Oh please, Jessica, Ann, and Jane drank a lot." George chuckles

"We've been over this." Dorthy chuckles

"Scarlett, Wyatt, your mommy was bad!" George says

They both gasp "WHAT!" Wyatt screams

"Look what you did! Now they think I'm bad." Jessica says

"Mama bad?" Scarlett says

"Bad is like a swear word to them, George." Dorthy giggles

"No, mommy is not bad! She's so good. Just like you two!" Jessica says tapping their noses

"Goofy mommy!"

"She is goofy, very goofy." Albert says

Jessica sticks out her tongue and the twins start to giggle uncontrollably. They were such happy children and always lit up the room.

//-//

The next day-

"Jessica, you still have two weeks. They'll be long, but by the looks of it your baby could come any day now." The doctor says after he measures Jessica's stomach

"Everything is good inside, though?"

"Yes! He's very healthy. Seven pounds!"

Jessica throws her head back and sighs. "I felt that." Jessica chuckles

"You're tough, don't worry. I'll make sure you're as comfortable as possible. You said you've been having a few contractions these last few days so that's a good sign! He'll be here before you know it."

Jessica lays down and lifts up her shirt as he gets ready to take an ultrasound.

"Sometimes I forget I'm pregnant. It's so different from my first pregnancy I can't believe it! He's a good boy though. I definitely feel my contractions getting stronger." Jessica smiles

"Well, here is is. Happy and healthy, ready to meet his mommy!"

"Oh my goodness, he's so precious! He has my nose, for sure. Don't you think, mom?"

Dorthy takes Jessica's hand and smiles. "Yes! Look at that little nose!" She sequels

"I imagine you'll be with her?" The doctor asks Dorthy

"Yes, of course! I wouldn't let her do this alone." Dorthy smiles to Jessica

After they look at the baby on the monitor for a little bit the doctor prints out the pictures. Dorthy and Jessica were then on their way back home.

"Mom, I don't know what to do when the baby comes."

"What do you mean?"

"With Danny... what do I do? Do I let him in the room? How is this whole schedule thing going to work?" Jessica panics

"Take it one day at a time. It's up to you if you want him there when the baby is born. If he hasn't straightened up it might not be a good idea. But the day that baby boy is born, it will be one of the best days of your life, you don't want anything to ruin it."

"You're right... maybe I should just grow up and call him, talk to him about what we are going to do."

"That sounds like a good idea. Whatever you feel comfortable doing." Dorthy says happily

//-//

Jessica and Dorthy did some shopping so Jessica had everything ready for the baby. They got more diapers, bottles, binkies, blankets, and clothes.

As they walked around the store Jessica got a text from Sam.

"Happy Holidays! I was just checking to see how you are and if the baby cane yet. If not, I'd like to see you. Maybe lunch? Whatever you're in the mood for. I have something I'd like to talk to you about."

Dorthy turns around and sees Jessica stopped in the middle of the aisle.

"Jessica? Are you okay? Did you have another contraction?" Dorthy says

"No, no! Sorry... heh, Sam wants to meet for lunch. He needs to talk..." Jessica says reading her phone

"Oh, really? Why don't you go see him. Your days are going to be limited soon."

"Yeah, do you mind driving me over to a restaurant to meet him?"

"Of course not! Let's finish our shopping first."

Jessica nods and texts Sam, happily waiting to see him. For some reason Dorthy didn't have a good feeling about them hanging around each other, but she kept to herself and didn't bud in.

//-//

About an hour or two later Dorthy drops Jessica off at the restaurant of her choice. Sam waited inside with a table. He had already ordered Jessica an iced tea, her favorite and a glass of water.

"No baby yet!" Sam says standing up to greet her and help her into the chair.

"No, not yet. I had an appointment today. The baby is close, very close!"

"So it could be any minute?"

"Maybe!" Jessica giggles

Sam sits down and stares at Jessica with a big smile.

"So, how was your Christmas?"

"It was great. Crazy, but great. How about you?" She says, pushing aside her problems with Danny

"Boring. I hate to say it, but I did some work."

"Work? On Christmas?"

"Well... I've been thinking about my business a lot. So I wanted to gather up some company name ideas and a logo."

"Oh, I see." She forces a smile, thinking that maybe Sam didn't want to go into business with her if he was already coming up with names and logos. It bummed her out but she didn't let it ruin lunch.

"Yeah, I'm really excited. I have a gift for you."

"A gift? Sam you didn't have to get me a gift! I didn't get anything for you!" Jessica says

"I think you'll like it, a lot." Sam bends over and pulls out a large canvas covered with a blanket.

He hands it over to her and she holds it up. "This is huge, what could it be?" She giggles

"Take the blanket off and look. Oh, but first the card!" He says handing that to her.

Jessica slowly opens the card and giggles. Her hands trembled. She was so nervous.

Jessica opens the card and reads it out loud. "Merry Christmas, partner." She says with confusion

"Now take the blanket off."

Jessica slowly removes the blanket from the canvas. She was so confused as to what was going on. Her eyes were set directly on the canvas when she sees her and sam's name
On it.

It read "Shepard & Lange Home Designs co." and underneath their names was a drawing of a home.

"What do you say? Want to start a business together? Construction and interior design?" He says

Jessica immediately begins to cry. She always wanted her own business and Sam just made one of her biggest dreams come true. She was so touched and shocked all at the same time.

"Are you serious?" She sniffles

"Yes, of course! If I'm going to do this, I want it to be with you. It has always been your dream. Let's make it come true."

"Sam... I don't know what to say." She says with tears rushing down her face

"You don't have to say anything! Well maybe yes or no." He smiles

In this moment Jessica wanted to scream yes at the top of her lungs, but then a part of her got so scared and nervous. She had no clue what her future held and this was a big deal.

"Sam, I really want to say yes." She says

"But?" He says as his smile vanishes

"I have no idea what my future looks like. I have a baby coming any day and two toddlers at home. I'm still trying to figure out my life right now. I want to say yes so bad, but if things change I don't want to let you down." She says with sadness

Sam was always very understanding. He didn't want to pressure her what so ever and felt like this may have been too much. "Did I go over board? That wasn't my intention. I understand you have lots going on. My offer will always stand! I don't expect to get the ball completely rolling until summer. So how about this, take your time. When you figure everything out, let me know! I'm not going anywhere." He smiles

Jessica slowly stands up and Sam does as well. As she goes to give him a big hug she quickly grabs his hand in pain and pauses.

"Hey, you okay?" He says as Jessica slowly leans forward. He immediately sensed that something wasn't right.

"Sam..." Jessica cries as she looks up from the floor.

"Yeah? Are you good?"

"My water just broke." She struggles to say

"Your what?"

"My water! It just broke! My baby... my baby is coming." She hisses

"Oh my god! Umm, what do I do? Do I call an ambulance?" He panics and looks around, causing a scene

Jessica squeezes his hand to get his attention. "No, Sam, listen to me... you need to relax."

"But your baby is coming!"

"Not right this second! Grab my purse and your things... can you drive me to my moms?"

"To your moms? Are you crazy? You need to go to the hospital."

Jessica holds her hand up and shakes her head. "No, I have time. My contractions are about thirty minutes apart." Says

Sam was so confused and overwhelmed. He had no idea what to do.

"Okay, I'll take you to your moms if that's what you want." He says grabbing her things and taking her hand.

"Shit.... I think I have another one coming." She hisses

"Jessica, did you know you were in labor?" He asks

"No... well, I don't know! He said any day!"

//-//

The restaurant was a little far from Jessica's moms house. Sam was a mess the whole ride over but Jessica was calm and collected.

As Sam was driving like a manic Jessica began to chuckle.

"What? Are you okay?"

"This is funny watching you freak out. I mean I feel terrible! But, you have no idea what's going on." She laughs

Sam gave Jessica a puzzled look. He had no idea how Jessica was so calm.

"Oh... well, yeah, I'm nervous for you!"

"I've been through this before. I just wish my parents would answer their phone!" Jessica says as she set her phone down

"Are you going to call Danny?" He asks

Jessica stops giggling and her persona totally changes. "I don't know, yet."

Sam didn't ask any questions. He just tried his hardest to get Jessica to her parents.

//-//

"Shit! They aren't home!" Jessica says as they pull into the driveway.

Jessica's contractions were getting stronger in stronger. All this time she was trying to stay calm but her parents not being home and her not being able to get a hold of them scared her.

"That's okay... I'll take you to the hospital. How about I go run in, get your stuff, and I'll leave them a note." Sam says as he watches Jessica start to panic.

"Okay... I don't think I can move." She says as she breathes heavily

Sam nods "What do I need to get?"

"My hospital bag is right by the front door. But if you go up to the guest house my birth ball is in there along with my pregnancy pillow... oh and my phone charger. It's on the kitchen table." Jessica says quickly

"Bag, pillow, ball, charger! Got it! And a note!"

"Yes! And a note!" Jessica breathes and holds her stomach

"I'll be right back!"

Sam grabs the key from Jessica and runs into the house like a crazy man. Just like Jessica said her bag was right by the door. He ran up into her room, grabbed her pillow and ball then ran back downstairs. He found Dorthy and Alberts phone in the kitchen and now knew why they weren't answering. He grabs pen and paper and leaves them a note letting them know that he was taking Jessica to the hospital since she was in labor. Sam snags the charger and shoves it in his pocket.

On his way out he juggles the ball, huge hospital bag, and pillow. Jessica started to laugh again. She couldn't help her self.

"I think I got everything." He smiles

Jessica smiles back "Thank you so much. I really appreciate you."

"It's no problem. I'm glad you're not alone. Can I take you to the hospital now? I'm really afraid you're gonna blow in my car if I don't get you there." He says turning on the car

Jessica chuckles then nods "Yes, let's go. I'm ready to meet this fella."

//-//