"What? You're pregnant?" Jessica smiles softly.

"I've been at this hospital for fifteen hours and they checked EVERYTHING!  Apparently in one of the tests it showed I was pregnant.  I don't know how they know but apparently I am!
I didn't know, I promise I'd never put my baby in danger on purpose, I promise!"

"Honey, I know!  Don't worry, I'm sure the baby is fine!"

"No." Anastasia shakes her head.
"I don't see how it could be, mom.
They.. they did the little heart doppler thingy and.. they couldn't find a heartbeat." Anastasia says as she reaches for her puke bucket.

Jessica quickly repositions herself and holds the bucket for her daughter.

Anastasia moans and grabs her stomach as Jessica rubs her back.

"It's okay, baby.."

"NO IT'S NOT!  It's Not okay, mom!"

"Anastasia.."

"What if I killed it?" She sobs.

"You didn't kill your baby."

"Don't say that because you don't know!"

"They can't do an ultrasound to ease your mind?"

"They are.  They said they would come in at five.  That's why I had to hurry up and tell you.  Mommy, please don't tell daddy!  Don't tell anyone!  You have to promise me!"

"I promise, honey.  I won't say a word!"

"If this baby.. if it's gone.. I never want to talk about it it again.  Got it?"

Jessica nods her head. "Yes, baby."

Anastasia then sighs and lays down.

"Uncle George and your baby brother are here..
Daddy wanted to come but—"

"No, someone had to stay with Gabby!
I'm glad uncle George and Emmy came."

"Me too.  Emerson is probably driving him mad right now!" Jessica laughs.

Anastasia chuckles then stares up to the ceiling.
"Man.. how are Gabby and I so fucked up?"

"You're not fucked up!"

"If we aren't, I'd hate to see who is!"

Jessica sighs. "Get some rest, baby."

"I'll try."

**

5:00

Since they could not detect a heartbeat just a couple hour prior, that could mean one of two things.
Either Anastasia miscarried the baby, or the baby is just simply too small.

Anastasia spreads her legs and takes a deep breath.

"Okay, just relax."

Anastasia gives her mother's hand a light squeeze.
Jessica kisses her hand, then rubs her thumb over the top of her skin.

"Okay.. Oh and look at that! A wiggly baby!" The nurse smiles.

Anastasia immediately starts crying.

"Ana! Oh my gosh!" Jessica giggles.
"Look at that dancing little baby!"

"It's okay? My baby's okay?"

"Yes, everything looks fine.
Your doctor will monitor the baby closely because, this could create complications throughout the pregnancy but, as of right now everything looks great!"

"Okay.. how far along am I?"

"Let's see, just one second."

...

"Okay, it looks like you're around nine weeks and four days.  Your estimated due date is July fifth."

"Wow.. this is crazy. It's not just me anymore.." Anastasia wipes her cheeks.

Jessica smiles through her tears.
"My baby. My little baby girl is having a baby!"

"It's scary." Anastasia chuckles.

"It's terrifying!" Jessica laughs.

**

After the ultrasound, Jessica went out to speak with George and Emerson.  Of course, she didn't tell them about the baby.

"Mommy, you not going to the hotel with us?" Emerson asks with a sad face.

"No baby, I'm gonna stay with sissy."

"Ohhh!" He whines. "I'm gonna miss you!" Emerson hugs his mother.

"I'm gonna miss YOU!  Once Ana is in a different part of the hospital, then you can stay with me if you want."

"NO WAY!"

"Well if you don't want to!" Jessica laughs and shrugs her shoulders.

"Give me a kiss!" He puckers.

Jessica giggles and kisses his lips.

"I'll see you in the morning."

"Will I get to see sissy?"

"Yes, love!"

"Yay! Kiss her for me, okay?"

"Okay, handsome!"

When Jessica returned to the room Anastasia was crying.

"Honey, why are you crying?"

"I'm a horrible mom."

"Stop that! You are not!"

"I'm twenty.. I just almost died of a heroin overdose, I kicked my child's father out of the house, I've been drinking! Mom, I can't do this! I've already failed my child!"

"No, honey, you didn't. Every parent makes mistakes, that doesn't make them terrible parents.
Your baby loves you!"

Anastasia sniffles then takes a deep breath.
"I want to go back home. I don't want to live in California anymore."

"You can come back home, honey! I mean, I have two kids, and three little babies there but.. hopefully you don't mind that." Jessica chuckles.

"I don't mind. I need to be with my momma right now."

Jessica smiles and wraps her arms around her daughter. "You can always always come back to mommy." She giggles and kisses the top of her head.

***

One week later.

Going through the detox, plus being pregnant has been extremely hard on Anastasia.
Her body aches, she gets sick all the time, and her mood swings are super intense.
What is getting her through this is knowing she has to stay strong for her baby.

As for Jessica, between Anastasia and still having to care for Emerson, she is absolutely exhausted!"

"Mommy, I miss my sissy!" Emerson cries softly.

"Aw baby, I know!  But guess what!"

"What?"

"We're going home today, and guess who else is!"

"Please say sissy!  I miss her SO MUCH!" He cries.

"Yes!  Sissy, daddy and the whole rest of the family!"

"I can't wait!" Emerson cries and hugs his mother.

Jessica chuckles and rubs his back.

**

"Hey baby." Jessica answers her phone.

"How are you?"

"Exhausted!  But Ana is doing well.
The first couple days were intense!  Slowly things are calming down."

"Poor baby.."

"I know.. How's Gabby?"

"She's great!  She just wants to get home.  She wants to take the kids to see Santa, she wants to go Christmas shopping for them.  She's in good spirits!"

"Is she not talking about going to a facility?"

"Well she was talking to me about these meetings she could go to.  She just doesn't want to leave the kids."

"That's understandable.  Ana was thinking about the same thing."

"And how do you feel about it?"

"I think it's a good idea.  It's Christmas time and I don't want her away during the holidays.
But what if it's the wrong decision?"

Danny sighs. "I don't know.. we just have to let them make the decisions for themselves.  They're adults."

"Gabby has a reason to get better.  Those kids.
Anastasia.. Well, I know she'll make sure she doesn't go back to her old ways."

"How are you so sure?"

Jessica smiles softly.
".. I just know."

***
Heyyy! I hope you guys are enjoying the little twists.
Being a dancer, I've seen quite a few eating disorders. I myself have never had one, but I've had a lot of friends go through that. SO, that is why I wanted to add that in.
As for Anastasia's story, I was very close to someone who had a drug problem. Unfortunately, there wasn't anyone there to save him like there was for Anastasia.  But he's in a better place now and that was a very very long time ago so.. Yeah!  Haha, I'm awkward 🤦🏻‍♀️

Yes, there's another baby on the way lol!
But I wanted to turn something so terrible, something that could have ended so much worse, into something happy!  Why not? 🤷🏻‍♀️

Also, I have a question for y'all!
Ashton and Anastasia.  What do you guys think of them?  For right now they're done.  But would you like to see them eventually get back together?
Do you think Anastasia isn't into guys at all?
Let me know!
Like always, thank you so much for reading! ♥️♥️