Christmas Eve:

When Danny left Dorthy let herself go and cried in Albert's arms. Their lives were turning upside down by the minute. Their daughter was dying and there was nothing that they could do. Something they could do was give her kids a great holiday with their family but Danny was taking that away. All Dorthy wanted was her family to be together.

"Dorthy, I know this is hard. But lets spend the time we can with them and be happy. It could be worse. I know it has been tough, for me too. We have to work with what we got. You know what? Let's have Christmas today. I'll go by a ready-to-go turkey, call the kids, have them bring their gifts! We will give those three kids the best Christmas so they have a great story to tell their mom when she wakes up." ALbert says wiping her tears.

"You're right. We should have Christmas a day early. It's perfect." Dorthy gleams

"Hey kiddos! We are having Christmas tonight!" Dorthy giggles, picking up Jack.

"Grammy, Christmas is tomorrow, silly." Wyatt says

"Well, yes. But this year papa and I decided to have it today! Before you go to New York." Dorthy smiles

"Is mommy coming?" Scarlett pouts

Dorthy sighs and looks to George who takes over.

"No, sweetie. Remember, mommy is sick?" Albert says softly

"Oh yeah... but she can't miss Christmas!" Scarlett says

"Will she be in New York?" Wyatt asks

"No, guys. Mommy needs to heal. We will see her soon." Dorthy mumbles

"How about you help Grammy get ready for Christmas! Everyone is coming over!" Albert changes the subject

The twins jump around and dance. Jack sits up and giggles along with his siblings.

//-//

While Albert was out getting the turkey, he called all of his kids to come over tonight to celebrate Christmas for the kids. They were shocked and saddened by the news of Danny taking the kids to New York. They did not agree what so ever. They knew that whenever Jessica wakes up, she'll want to see her children and that they should stay close by.

Albert also called Sam, who was at the hospital like always, after the doctors rounds, he would head over. The news made Sam frustrated. He knew that this was just Danny's way of trying to show that he's in control and can do anything he wants.

Sam was going to put on a smile tonight for Jessica's kids, who felt like his own. He had all of their gifts at home that he had bought months ago.

//-//

Around six, everyone had arrived except for Sam. No one discussed Danny's decision, they just put everything aside and celebrated.

"My mommy got you cool gifts!" Chase says to Scarlett and Wyatt

Ann overhead and quickly budded in. "Yes, chase. But remember, we aren't suppose to tell them!" Ann says nervously

"Okay! Sorry!" Chase giggles

"It's a secret, remember?" Scarlett says to her cousin

.....

"Mom, you really pulled this off! Christmas a day early, a turkey ready to go!" George says to his mother

"Well, your dad ran out and got a pre-made turkey." Dorothy laughs

"What you're doing is really great. Look how happy they are. We haven't seen those smiles in such a long time." Jane smiles

"Thank you, guys For coming and dropping your plans. I did this for Jessica too. It's what she'd want." Dorothy tears up

"Aww, mom. She'll get through this. I know it." George says hugging Dorothy

"I can only hope."

Then, the little kids run into the kitchen.

"Grammy, can we open gifss?" Wyatt begs

"You silly kids, we haven't even had dinner!" Ann smiles pinching their cheeks.

"Yes, let's open gifts before dinner." Dorthy says, giving in.

"Yay!" Their jump up in the air

"Where is Jackie?" George Asks "I need so baby cuddles!" He chuckles

"Jack is right here!" Ann's husband Rick says, handing the baby off to her

"Oh, I can't wait to have my baby. I miss babies." Ann giggles

//-//

At the hospital:

"You're leaving, mr. Shepard?" The nurse asks

"Yeah, her mom and dad are having an early Christmas before the twins and Jack leave for New York with their dad." He smiles

"Like always, any changes and we will call you. Maybe tonight's the night." The nurse says with positively.

"It's almost been a month... I stopped saying that a week ago." Sam was with discouragement.

"Merry Christmas. We'll see you tomorrow. Stay safe, it's crazy out in the cold.

//-//

Sam really just wanted to go home and curl up in bed. But, he loved Jessica's kids and he wanted them to have the best Christmas.

As he drove through the snowy weather he just kept thinking about Jessica he thought the worse. What happens if she does? What if he never gets to take her home? What if she never wakes up? What will happen to the kids? Sam couldn't handle it anymore. He was so tired. Tired of thinking she'd be okay, when she is not even close to okay. She had a near death experience that could change her whole life. What if Jessica wakes up and she can't do the things she used to? What if she can never breathe on her own ever? Sam thought the worst everyday. It was too hard to be positive when Jessica wasn't breathing on her own, had painful burns throughout her body, and had a plastic tarp separating her from the rest of the world.

Sam became so angry. He pulled over, put the car in park and started screaming. This was out of his control. There was nothing more that he could do. He was losing his faith in god. He was mad at god for choosing Jessica and not him. Sam wished it was him. He loved Jessica too much to see her in this state. It was so hard for him. His heart aches for Jessica. His heart beats for Jessica. Sam doesn't think he can do it anymore. He has faced too much heart break. He doesn't want to be there when they tell them that Jessica is never waking up, or get the phone call that she has died. He didn't want to live for that. He didn't want to live anymore. He didn't believe anymore that she would wake up.

Sam has tears rolling down his face endlessly. He was shaking and his breathing was week. Sam was not in the right mindset. Before the blink of an eye, Sam put his car in drive, reached 100 mph, and ran off the side of the road. Breaking down the barriers, Sam's truck makes a steep drop down into a river.

//-//

"What's taming Sam so long? The kids are waiting for him. He isn't answering the phone either." Dorthy says in panic

"I called the hospital, Nurse Beth said that he left over an hour ago and said he was coming here." George says

"The roads are terrible, I hope he's okay!" Ann says

"Albert, maybe we should go out and look for him! From here to the hospital is only 15 minutes. He has to be on 62 somewhere!"

//-//

Sorry it has been over a month since I've last updated. I had major surgery and the end of October, and ever since I've been very ill. But I'm back! Comment thoughts :) happy holidays!