"So, about my baby shower."
"What about it?"
"Should I invite my mother in law?"
"That's up to you. Are you close with her?"
"I mean, yeah.. I was. I haven't talked to her since I left Sam, but she may not know anything.. Don't know."
"Well that's your decision, just let me know."
"I want to because she is a very sweet lady, and I love her to death.. but she is his mom, and she might be upset."
"Well why don't you call her?"
"Yeah, I guess I could.... You know her names Jane too?"
"Really?"
"Yeah, I picked Jane for my sister, but I just realised that she might think it's after her." Jessica chuckles.

The next morning.

"Hello?"

"Hi Jane.. It's Jessie."

"Oh Jessica!  How are you, sweetie?"

"I'm okay... I guess you know about everything that happened with Sam and I, and I just want you to know that I loved your son... But there were many things that happened between us, that I just can't forgive... I can't have him help raise our children."

"Jessie, I am so so sorry.  I should have reached out to you before.  I should have known what was going on.. My husband was the same way."

"Really?"

"Yes.  I love my son, but you did the right thing.  I'm glad you left.  It was the best thing you could do for yourself and those babies."

"Well I feel better hearing you say that.  Just because this happened with Sam and I, I don't want it to ruin what you and I have.  You have always treated me so well, and I want you to be in your grandchildren's lives."

"Oh Jessica, thank you!  That means so much to me!"

"Of course!  Listen, I want you to come to my baby shower.  I'll send you all the information and we'll fly you out.  You don't have to bring anything, I just want you to be here."

"I wouldn't miss it for the world, sugar."

***

34 weeks.

"Jess, I'm gonna go pick up everyone from the airport."
"Sarah, you're so sweet to me."
"What are friends for?" She smiles.
"I'll be back. You just get ready for your baby shower!"
"I will! Sarah, thank you so much for throwing me this shower. You've been so great with taking me in and making me feel special.. More special than Sam ever made me feel."
"Oh you're welcome, Jessica. I love you and I'm just giving you what you deserve."

***

"Jessie! Oh Jessie, you look so beautiful!" Jane hugs her.
"Thank you!"
"My little sister isn't so little anymore! Look at that belly!" Anne holds her stomach.
"They're getting big, aren't they?"
"Yes! It's almost time! Are you excited?"
"I'm very excited, but I'm also terrified!"
"Oh that's normal! You'll be fine!"
"Have you been to any birthing classes?" Her mother asks.
"No, I thought that was just for woman that have those home births. Something I'd never do!"
"No, it's not just for that. You should go, even if it's just one class. They'll teach you how to breathe through the pain, and believe me, it really helps."
"I've been telling her to go, but she doesn't want to!" Sarah says.
Jessica looks at her and Dorothy says, "Well Jessie, you need to listen to Sarah!"
"Alright, mom!" She laughs.
"Dorothy, don't bother the princess." Albert hugs Jessica.
"Thank you, dad!"
"Oh please! Gag!" Anne rolls her eyes.
"Don't be jealous!  I'm the baby!"
"Uh, that would be me." George says.
"Yes you are, sweetie!" Dorothy squeezes his cheeks as everyone laughs.
"Hah!  Is that not typical of the youngest child?"
"What do you mean, Jane?" George asks.
"Trying to steal the spotlight away from someone else."
"I was not!  This is Jessica and my little niece and nephew's day, I wouldn't take that from them!"
"Well thanks, George." Jessica laughs.

"Hey, I was gonna ask!  Do the babies have names yet?" Dorothy remembers.
"They do." Jessica smiles.
"Well tell us!"
"Okay, their names are Nathaniel Ryder, and Addelyn Jane."
Jane's eyes widen and she smiles big.
"Jane?"
"Well of course!  Anne, I love you too, but Jane.. Well Jane helped me through a lot of stuff in my life, and this is just my way of.. Saying thank you, I guess." Jessica smiles.
"Oh Jessie.." Jane gives her a tight hug.
"I love you.. I can never repay you for everything you did."
"I love you too.."

***

Later that day all of Jessica's friends and the rest of her family arrived for the shower.

"So Jessica, six more weeks! Have you picked your Nanny yet?"
"Aunt Jamie, I'm not gonna have a nanny." Jessica laughs.
"You're not?! But why?!"
"Because I want to raise them myself. I'm gonna take time off of work and be a stay at home mom."
"Oh! Well good for you, honey."

The doorbell rang, and Sarah answered it.

"Hello, come in!  Sorry to ask, but who are you?"
"Oh, I'm sorry!  I'm Jessica's mother in law."
"Oh I'm so sorry!  Nice to meet you, I'm Sarah, Sarah Paulson, Jessie's best friend." She shakes her hand.
"Well hello, darling.  Nice to meet you as well."
"Come in, I'll find Jess for you."

Sarah goes up to Jessica and says, "Jess, your mother in laws here."
"Oh great!  Thank you."

Jessica walks over to her and hugs her.
"Hi!  It's so nice to see you again!"
"Oh Jessie, you look beautiful!"
"Awe, thank you so much!  How have you been?"
"I can't complain.  But how are You?!  I can't believe that the babies are almost here!"
"Neither can I!  I've been pretty good, just tired from the lack of sleep, but over all, things are amazing!  I just can't wait to meet them." She smiles.
"Me either.  Please call me when they're on their way, so I can fly over as soon as possible."
"Oh of course!"
"Jessica.. I hate to ruin the moment, but.. Well.."
"What does Sam want?" Jessica's voice changes.
"Hah!  He asked me to ask you if he can be there when you give birth."
"You know, Jane.. The last time I saw Sam was when he came into this house, fractured my wrist and threw me to the ground, causing me to have very sharp pains.. I've never given birth, so I don't know what to expect.  I'm scared, and paranoid.. The last thing I need is for him to be in there with me, causing me more stress."
"He did What?!" Jane looks furious.
"Fractured my wrist.  You didn't know about that?"
"No!  Of course he'd hide that from me.  Damn him!  Jessica, I am so so sorry you had to go through that."
"Thank you.  That's why I left.. I could go on and on, but now isn't the time.  I'll just say that.. Well, this isn't my first pregnancy.. It's happened a few times and because of him, it's gotten taken away from me.. And I'll be damned if I let that happen again!"
"Oh my God." Jane hugs her and tears pour down her face.
"I know I keep saying it, but I am so so sorry!"
"Thank you.  It's okay.  It's all okay now."

***

35 weeks.

"Alright, let's get this over with." Jessica walks out of the house and Sarah follows.
"Oh it's gonna be fun!  I've never been to Lamaze class before."
Jessica chuckles and says, "I just hate classes.  That's why I hated school."
"Oh Jessica.."
"Am I being annoying?"
"A little bit." Sarah nods.
She laughs and gets in the car.

***

"Hi, I'm Jess and this is my best friend, Sarah.  She's gonna be my birth coach."
"Yep!  I'm really pumped about it!" Sarah smiles.
Jessica laughs and they go onto the next person.

Jessica couldn't stop laughing when she had to lay back in between Sarah's legs, with her legs spread apart.
"This class is so weird."
"Quiet and breathe!" Sarah tightens the grip on her stomach.
"Geez, okay!  Uh oh.."
"What?"
"I have a wedgie."
"Oh my God." Sarah lays her forehead on her and laughs.

When they leave Jessica says, "I just went to class, so I think I deserve a treat!"
"Sounds fair.  What do you want?"
"What do you guys feel like?" She rubs her belly.
"What are they saying?" Sarah laughs.
"Hold on, I'm getting something... They want milkshakes!" She smiles.
"Yum!"
"And a burger and fries!" She smiles.
"Alright!" Sarah chuckles.

***

"Ah.. Shit, I've been getting such bad pains, right here.  They're so annoying!" Jessica gently rubs her fingertips on the bottom of her stomach.
"Aw."
"Yeah, and the babies kick right there, so it makes it worse."
"They're trying to find the way out!" Sarah laughs.
"That's what it feels like!" She sighs.
"You're so close!  Jessica, I am so proud of you!"
"You are?  Why?"
"Because you're creating lives!  That to me is so cool!"
"Aw, well thank you!  It feels nice to be appreciated." Jessica smiles.

One week later.

Today Jessica and I are going to her thirty six week appointment.  I know the time is right.  I gave myself more than enough time to think it over, and today is the day!  I can't wait to let it out and tell her how much she means to me.