"Hey Danny, have you seen Ana?"

"Yeah, she went to bed.  She said she was tired."

"Really?  Is she not feeling well?"

"I don't know." Danny shrugs.

"Well I'm gonna check on her."

Jessica walks upstairs and softly knocks on Anastasia's door.

"Ana?  Anastasia, are you okay?"

Jessica knocks once again before letting herself in.

"Ana?" Jessica walks over and pulls the covers off her bed.

"Ugh!  Anastasia!" Jessica then marches back downstairs. "Daniel!" She shouts.

"Yeah, babe?"

"She snuck off again!"

"Why?  She could've just asked."

"She knows I would've said No!  Not on Christmas!"

"I'll call her."

"I swear that girl!"

"What's wrong?" Ann asks.

"Anastasia snuck off.  Probably to visit the boyfriend." Jessica rolls her eyes.

"She is such a pain!  I swear she likes to be in trouble!"

"No answer." Danny says.

Jessica scoffs. "Well you and I are going to sit our asses outside and wait for her ass!"

"Babe but I wanna stay inside!  It's cold!" Danny whines.

"Oh shut up and come on!"

**

One hour later.

"There they are!  ANASTASIA JULIET!"

"Jessica, calm down." Danny says.

"No!  She needs to tell us where she's going, Daniel."

"Mom!  What are you doing?!" Anastasia's eyes widen.

"Why can't you tell me when you're leaving the house?"

"I'm sorry, I was just-"

"I'm so tired of hearing I'm sorry.  Just tell me where you're going and when you're leaving, Ana."

Anastasia sighs. "Mom, I'm so tired of you doing this all the time.  Ashton and I were talking and we both think it's best if I just move in with him."

Jessica laughs. "Oh really?"

"Yes."

"Oh REALLY?!"

"YES!"

"Anastasia, you cannot move in with a boy until you graduate college.  You are doing great in school and this will only distract you."

"Mrs. Huston, to be fair, Ana is an adult.  You can't really tell her what to do." Ashton says.

Jessica turns to him and raises her eyebrow.

"Excuse me?"

"She'll be nineteen in two weeks."

"I don't care if she'll be THIRTY in two weeks!  She's NOT moving in with you!  She is still in school and the answer is No!
And to be honest, I'm really not crazy about you so, that's just another red flag."

"Mom, you're doing it again!  Stop trying to control me!"

"Anastasia, we've been over this.  I'm doing it for your own good!"

"Really?  Because it doesn't feel like it.  I think you just don't want me to leave.  I mean come on!  You built a freaking house in the back so Noah wouldn't leave you!  Why are you so afraid of being alone?"

"Noah was a child!  That was the closest way to being on his own he was going to get. Do not start with me, Anastasia!"

Anastasia scoffs and rolls her eyes.

"Anastasia, that is enough.  Now go on into the house and stop all this before you're in even more trouble.

"Ugh!  I hate this!"

"And you can go." Jessica tells Ashton.

Ashton leaves and Anastasia storms off.
Jessica looks at Danny then sighs and throws herself into Danny.

"She's going to be the death of me, Daniel."

"She's always been a handful." Danny sighs and rubs her back. "We can get through this, babe. We're Team Huston!"

Jessica looks up and chuckles before laying her cheek back on his chest.

***

January 8th.

This morning Danny made Jessica all her favorites for breakfast.  When she came down she had the biggest smile on her face.

"Hi honey!"

"Hey beautiful!  Happy twenty six years!" Danny smiles.

"You too!  Man, twenty six years!"

Danny walks towards her.  He places his hands on her lower back/butt.

"Twenty six years of my life with the most beautiful woman in the world."

"Aww.. Huston, you're too much!"

Danny smiles and kisses her lips.

"I still love you more than jazz."

"And I still love you more than food!
..mostly." She giggles.

Danny laughs and gives her a big hug.
He kisses the top of her head and takes in her sweet scent.

"Mommyyyyyyy!" They hear a sob coming from upstairs.

"And time is up!" Danny sighs.

"I'll grab them."

"Thanks, baby."

Willow sees her father coming towards her and she starts fussing.

"No!  I want mommy!" She stomps.

"I'm gonna take you to mommy.  Just calm down, love."

"I want mommy!  I want mommy!"

Danny sighs and continues walking upstairs to grab the kids.

Meanwhile Charlotte is making her way to the kitchen.

"Good morning, gramma!"

"Good morning, my love!  Did you sleep well?" Jessica asks wrapping her arm around her and bringing her close.

"Mhm!" She smiles and nods.

"Good!  Want some breakfast?  Grandpa made a little bit of everything."

"Yeah!  It looks so yummy!"

Jessica smiles, kisses her cheek and pats her back.

"Oh!  I almost forgot!  Happy Anniversary, Grammy!" Charlotte squeezes her grandmother.

"Thank you so much, baby love!"

"Grandma?"

"Yeah, honey?"

"I've decided I'm going to be an actress again."

"Oh you have?" Jessica chuckles.

"Yeah!  My fans.. they miss me SO MUCH!"

"I bet they do!"

"I think this time I'll do a movie."

"A movie?  Wow!"

"Yeah, then I'll be rich and I'll buy a pony and a real life princess castle, and puppies, AND Piggies!"

"Wow!  Charlotte Rose, you have this all planned out, don't you?"

"Yep!" She nods.

**

"Nineteen years ago right now I was in labor.. in labor with a child that hates me now."

"Mom, I don't hate you!  You just annoy the hell out of me!" Anastasia says.

"Anastasia that's not nice!  You almost killed me!"

"Sorry!"

"You're not sorry!" Jessica rolls her eyes.

"Mommy, I got poo poo!" Willow runs to Jessica.

"You got poo poo?"

"Why didn't you tell me you had to go so I could take you to the bathroom?"

"Cause I scared I fall in!" Willow looks at her mother with the saddest/frightened little face.

Jessica chuckles. "Baby, you're not going to fall in!"

"I scared" Willow pouts.

"Well you'll be fine.. but let me go change this nasty diaper."

"Okay mama!  I go get da diapey's!"

"Thanks, love." Jessica laughs.

***

February.

"Mama.."

"Yeah, Lo Lo?"

"I just have one more Num Nums and den dats all!" Willow lifts her hands.

"Really?"

"Weally!"

"Okay.. then come on!"

Jessica held Willow in her arms and nursed her.

"Is it good?"

"Mhm!" She nods. "It SO Good, mommy!"

Jessica giggles and kisses the top of her head.

"Man, you're such a heavy baby!" She says patting her bottom.

"Cause I tree!" She holds her fingers up.

"I bet that's it!" Jessica smiles.

She continues feeding her until Willow has had her fill.

"Okay.. I done. Bye bye, Num Nums! It been fun, guys!" Willow kisses her chest and waves.

Jessica laughs then turns to Danny.

"I think the Num Nums shop is closed.. Officially!"

"Wow! Looks like they're all mine again." Danny smiles.

"Oh Lord." Jessica laughs and rolls her eyes.

"Let's let them have a break, baby."

"Okay, but just a small one!" Danny says making Jessica laugh.

***

May.

"I can't believe my babies are graduating today!" Jessica says with tears in her eyes.

"Nugget and Ana.. I am so proud of both of you.
Noah, you are the best father to your baby girl.. you're an amazing partner to Kenley, and a terrific son."

"Thank you, mom." Noah smiles.

"Anastasia, you are so intelligent .. I have no idea how that happened!"

"Don't know how that happened?!" Danny shouts.

"Will you shut up and let me have my hallmark moment?"

The kids laugh and Jessica continues.

"I just.. I can't believe all that you've accomplished.. Yes, you can be a pain in the butt.. but I am so blessed to call you my daughter."

"Aw!" Anastasia smiles.

"I am so so proud of the both of you."

"Aw.. we love you, mom!"

"I love you guys more."

**

After graduation everyone met at the Huston's for a little party.

"Alright everyone, Kenny and I have an announcement!"

"Oh my gosh, she's pregnant!" Sarah says squeezing Jessica's hand.

"You think?" She chuckles.

"I can tell. She's plump!"

"Well let's see!"

"I'm not pregnant! And thanks mom!" Kenley says sarcastically.

"Sorry!"

"Noah, Charlie and I are getting our own place!" Kenley smiles.

Jessica's smile quickly fades.

"Mom, aren't you happy?"

"I built you guys a nice house in the back." She whines.

"Yes and we love it, aunt Jessie! We appreciate you and uncle Danny more than you could ever imagine!"

"But we're adults now and we want to be on our own." Noah says. "You've taught us well and we're ready!" He smiles.

"That's great you guys. Congratulations!" Danny smiles.

"Thanks, dad!"

"Man.. I'm bummed now." Jessica pouts and slouches in her chair.

"I have some news too!" Anastasia stands up.

"What is it, Princess?" Danny asks.

"I'm moving to California!"

Jessica bursts into tears.

"Don't cry! You knew this was coming, momma! Ashton and I are moving in July!"

"Ashton's going with you?" Jessica asks.

"Of course!"

"Ah!" She sobs loudly.

"Jessie, it's okay! We want our children to be independent.  Remember?"

"I want them to want to be with their mommy!"

"Oh gosh, she is so hormonal!" Danny says rubbing Jessica's back.

"Guys! Em and I have news too!" Isaiah says.

"Go ahead, Isaiah! Break my heart for a third time in two minutes!" Jessica says.

"It's happy news, momma.  I promise!" He smiles.

"Ooh!  What is it?! Sarah asks.

"Em and I are going to start the surrogacy process in August!"

"What?"

"We're gonna have a baby soon!" Emily smiles.

"Ohhh! Oh my gosh!" Jessica stands up and hugs her son tightly as she cries. "I'm so happy! You guys are going to make the best parents!"

"I think I'll be great!" Isaiah smiles.

"Yes you will!" Jessica squeezes his cheeks.

"Guuuuys! I have news toooo!" Gabriella says.

"No you don't." Anastasia says with zero expression.

"Yes I do! I'm pregnant!" She smiles.

"What?!" Julio says in shock.

"Gabby! You're pregnant?!" Jessica asks. Her eyes wide.

"No I'm just kidding!" Gabriella laughs. "I just wanted to have news like everyone else!"

"Oh Gabby!" Jessica taps her on the arm.

"Ow! Geez, I'm sorry!"

***
Sorry if it seems too rushed! I have like 20 or 30 years to write in like 130 chapters!
I know it seems like a lot, but not to me!
I'm not anywhere close to being ready to say goodbye to these characters! 😭😭😭♥️