April-

"So Jessica, tell me about yourself."

Jessica sits across from a stranger she had never met. Apparently this stranger is suppose to make her feel better, to fix her. She felt under pressure and out of place. She's never been to something like this. She didn't know where to start. This lady seemed kind and gentle. Jessica hoped to trust her and believe in her. Jessica became tired of this sadness and dark cloud over her head. She wanted her happiness back, her family...

She twiddles her thumb and sighs. "Where do I start?"

"Anywhere." She smiles

"Well, I'm originally from Minnesota." Jessica says

"Does your family live there?"

"Yes, all of them."

"Okay." She says writing things down

"Umm, I have two children. Scarlett and Wyatt. They are going to be two this year."

"Twins?" She smiles

"Yes, Twins."

"What a blessing...."

Jessica smiles

"Are you with anyone?"

"I am, well, kind of." Jessica says with discouragement

"What do you mean?"

"We were suppose to get married but, I seemed to have messed it all up. We aren't living together right now. But, trying to work on things. Give each other space. Work on ourselves."

"Why don't you tell me about how it all started. Your relationship with Danny."

"It's a long one, are you sure you want to sit here and listen to the crazy story?"

She looks at her watch then back at Jessica.

"We have plenty of time."

//-//

After therapy Jessica headed home where the twins and Danny were waiting for her. She felt drained sitting in that room alone with the lady. She told her everything she could think of. Starting with Sam, to Danny, to the twins, to the wedding, and lastly, to the part where it all came crumbling down. Jessica never really went through the whole story with someone. It was in fact a crazy one.

Jessica wasn't at her best today. When she walked in she just wanted to sleep. But, the twins were waiting for their mother.

A few nights a week Danny was hanging around the apartment more. Helping Jessica with the night routine and spending more time with the children so things still felt normal to them. When they were asleep Danny and Jessica just talked. Things were slowly going back into place. It all just took time. There was still lots of anger built up between the two. There would be nights when Danny wouldn't stay because there was too much tension.

"Mommy!" Wyatt says as he holds up his pasta.

Jessica looks up from the floor and smiles. "Yes baby, that's pasta." Jessica says with as much enthusiasm as she can.

"Can you two say pasta?" Danny says

"Pasa?" Scarlett says with a full mouth

"Good job, baby!" Jessica says reaching for her hand.

"Papa!" Wyatt adds

"That's close, bud." Danny says

"No!" He fusses

"Try again, bud, pa-s-ta!" Danny says

"Pasa"

They all clap

"Yay baby! You did it!" Jessica giggles

"They are quite the chatters for their age. I think they'll be pretty smart." Danny says to Jessica.

Jessica nods "I think so too."

//-//

The twins were in bed for the night and Danny was getting ready to leave.

"Alright, so I'll see you tomorrow."

Jessica sighs "Tomorrow I'm taking the kids to see a play."

"Oh..."

"Yeah... but Sunday."

"I wasn't invited?" He says

Jessica widens her eyes "I didn't think to invite you."

Danny rolls his eyes and huffs "Wow. I thought we were trying to work things out?"

"We are! What does a stupid play have to do with us?"

"You're leaving me out!"

Jessica bangs on the wall and Danny stops.

"You know what Danny, maybe if you lived here it would be different. I'm sorry but I'm taking them to the damn play tomorrow." She snaps

He puts his hands up and walks to the door. "Fine. Enjoy." He snaps as he leaves the apartment.

//-//

As time went on things between Jessica and Danny were becoming a bit rocky. The arguing was still happening and Danny still wasn't living with them yet. It had been two months and only little progress was being made. But this was all while Danny and Jessica were both making progress with themselves, alone. Jessica was still seeing someone and so was Danny. Jessica was beginning to feel a lot better in a way but the sadness, it was always there. She concluded that it may never go away until things are okay with her an danny. Jessica would talk to this lady for hours. She was able to help Jessica find herself again and come in contact with feelings she never really had. Still, Jessica wasn't just working on herself for herself, but for Danny too. And he was doing the same. They really wanted to be together again but it took time. There was lots of healing and there was still anger lingering.

///

Jessica's 25th birthday-

Jessica woke up just like any other day and did her same routine as always. It felt like an ordinary day to her. She wasn't fazed by the fact that it was her birthday. She just wanted to get through the day so she could tackle the next.

Danny was coming to pick up Scarlett and Wyatt for daycare. Wyatt was able to come back now. His behavior had gotten much better than before. They were proud of him.

As Jessica fed the twins she got paperwork ready for work.

Danny walked in with flowers and a box of chocolates.

"Hey!" He says

Jessica looks up and smiles "Hey"

"Happy birthday!" He says

"Wow, thank you."

"Yeah, no problem. How does it feel to be twenty five?"

"Eh, it feels just the same as being twenty four."

It becomes awkward for a moment.

"Do you have plans tonight? I'd like to take you to dinner."

"I don't." She grins

"Perfect. We can make it a date."

"What about the twins?"

"We can call a sitter."

"Alright, that sounds fine."
She says

"Great! Are the kiddos ready?"

"I think so!"

//-//

While Jessica was at work she was getting numerous phone calls from home. But Jessica didn't want to answer any. To this day she was embarrassed and ashamed. She couldn't talk to anyone get, she wasn't ready.

When the day was over Jessica came home to a sitter playing with the kids. Danny was in the bedroom getting ready for dinner.

"Hey, are we leaving?"

"Yeah, soon. Do you mind?"

"No, of course not. I can get ready now."

"You look beautiful the way you are."

Jessica examines her dress clothes "Are you sure?"

"Of course."

//-//

Danny drives Jessica into the city. He was taking her to her favorite steak house. The car ride was a bit awkward for them. They didn't really know what to say. Jessica felt like they were acting as if they were a divorced couple.

When they are seating Danny orders them some glasses of wine.

"Thank you for taking me out." She smiles

"Of course... I wanted to do something special for your birthday."

"It doesn't feel like my birthday." She says

"How come?"

Jessica shrugs her shoulders "I don't know. I guess I'm just not happy."

Danny sighs "Yeah, me too." He whispers

"How long are we going to do this Danny? I need to know."

"Do what?"

"Live separately. You've been in that hotel for weeks. I just want you home."

"I want to come home."

"Then why don't you?"

"I'm afraid..."

Jessica crosses her arms and sighs.

"I understand... this whole mess, it's just been eating me alive."

Danny reaches over the table for Jessica's hand. "I think I just need a little bit more time, though."

Jessica takes her hand away. "For what?"

"For us. Therapy, it's been helping me."

"And me too."

"That's why I think we both should just give ourselves some time."

"This is all just confusing and scattered for me. Daniel, if you want to be with me why won't you just be with me!" She snaps

"Damn it, I don't know!"

Jessica begins to tear up. "I love you... I love you so fucking bad." She chokes up

"I love you too."

"So please! Work harder. Try harder like I am. I'm tired of this. I just want things to be okay again."

"Well it takes a while! I'm still, recovering. You left me... do you not know what that does to a man?"

Jessica stays quite

"I'm sorry..."

//-//

I hope you guys are all still enjoying this. I promise, there is a lot to come after this chapter. ❤️❤️