Halloween.
28 weeks and 6 days pregnant.

"Hey Jess, Danny and I are going to a haunted house tonight, wanna come?"

"Sarah, I don't think they let pregnant people in those things."

"Oh really? Why?"

"They can scare you into labor? I don't know."

"Well we can do something else." Danny says.

"No, I don't want you changing your plans because of me. Besides, I'm so tired. I think I'll stay in tonight."

"On Halloween?" Sarah says with a shocked expression.

"I've never really celebrated Halloween. Not that I have anything against it at all, but I was just never allowed to go trick or treating, or go to any Halloween parties."

"Seriously?" Danny asks.

Jessica nods.

"Well that's gonna change. Sarah, the haunted house can wait until Jessica isn't pregnant."

"Awe man!" Sarah whines.

"Danny, no." Jessica says. "Please don't change your plans because of me."

"We can't have fun without you, Jess."

"He's right." Sarah agrees.

"After school we're finding Halloween costumes, and tonight we're going trick or treating."

"What?" Jessica laughs.

"Everyone has to go trick or treating once in their life." Danny smiles.

Jessica smiles. Danny made her feel warm inside. You can see he really cares for her as a friend.

"Free candy? I'm in!" Sarah says.

**

After school the three went to the Halloween store.

"So what do you wanna be, Jessica?" Danny asks.

"Yeah, what do you feel?" Sarah adds.

Jessica sighs deeply. "Like a cow."

"Jess." Danny chuckles. "For real you goof."

"I don't know.. What do you think I should be?"

"It depends. Do you want to be something scary?"

"Hmm.. No."

"You can be a cat."

"This belly in a body suit?"

"You'd look cute!" Sarah says.

"No." Jessica chuckles and nods.

"Well how about a pumpkin?" Danny points to the pumpkin costume.

Jessica giggles. "I think that's perfect."

**

"I make a cool Sponge Bob, don't you think?" Sarah asks.

"Oh yeah, real cool you dork." Danny says.

"Hey it's better than yours! A football player? Really?"

"Shut up." Danny makes a face.

Just then Jessica walks out.

"Aw Jess, you look so cute!" Sarah says with a smile.

"Thanks." Jessica giggles.

Danny smiles and just stares at Jessica.

"You okay?" Jessica asks him.

"Huh? Yeah! I'm great!" He blushes.

**

The three went trick or treating with Danny's parents and his twin brothers who were both dressed as cowboys.

Jessica had a blast. She laughed and laughed, and enjoyed her first Halloween celebration.

Jessica also enjoyed watching the excitement on the twins' faces. Jessica never really payed much attention to children before she was pregnant. But now she loves watching their little personalities shine through. Jessica placed her hand on her belly and felt her daughter move around. She was lost in her thoughts and didn't pay attention to what was going on around her.

"Jess? Jessica!"

"Oh! I'm so sorry.. I was just thinking." Jessica looks at Sarah and smiles softly.

"I was just gonna.. wait, are you okay?"

Jessica tries her best to hide her sadness. She nods her head and looks down."

"Jess, what happened? We were having fun." Danny says.

"No, I am having fun. I'm having so much fun!"

"Then why are you crying?" Sarah asks.

"Nothing, it's stupid!"

"Jess.."

"I'm was just watching the boys and.. and I thought about Isla.. and.. and how I'm never gonna get to take her trick or treating.."

Danny looks at Sarah. He didn't know what to say to make Jessica feel better. Neither did Sarah, but she tried her best.

"Jessica, maybe you should rethink this closed adoption."

"NO! I can't do that. I can't see her."

"Well then listen to this. What if you work out a deal?"

"What?"

"They only have her until you're eighteen. And then you get her!"

"Sarah, she'll be six by then. How am I supposed to take a six year old away from her parents?"

"YOU are her parent!"

"But she won't know that! Sarah, the woman who gave birth to me is not my mother. No One is! I have NO ONE! Don't you get it? I am all alone!"

"Jess, you have us." Danny says.

"I mean family, Danny. You two are my friends and I love you, but I don't have parents or siblings. I have Isla, and that's all.... And when I give birth to her. she'll have a family.. and I'll have no one again. But at least she'll be in a home. I'm doing this for her. It's just hard sometimes.."

Jessica struggled with the thought of giving her baby away. However, she knew that were her only option. Jessica was not ready to be a mother at twelve years old. Jessica knew keeping the baby would be insane.

As time went on, Jessica's love for her daughter grew just as quickly as her belly did.

It is now Thanksgiving break and as relieved as Jessica is too not have to get up early for school, or have to spend all day in those uncomfortable chairs, she's upset because Danny and Sarah are leaving to spend Thanksgiving with their family up north.

"Jess, please ask if you can come with us!"

"Sarah, I can't do that."

"Why?"

"They won't let me. Plus I don't feel comfortable getting on a plane when I'm this pregnant."

"But I'll miss you."

"And I'll miss you both."

"Don't let them overwork you, Jess."

Jessica sighs. "You know that's all the do."

"That's not good for you or the baby."

"I'll be carful. I'll take breaks."

Sarah smiles and hugs Jessica.

"You be safe. And call me, please. I'll be bored all alone."

"I promise I will!"

"Thanks." Jessica smiles softly.

***

Thanksgiving.

Jessica wore a maternity dress Suzanne recently bought her. It was a little long, but it was comfortable, and wearing it made Jessica feel a little nicer. Jessica snapped a picture and sent it to Danny and Sarah.

*Happy Thanksgiving from Jessie and Isla!*

When Danny's phone went off he looked at the picture and smiled. He then immediately texted back.

*Happy Thanksgiving Jess and Isla!*

Sarah responded then asked Danny, "Do you like her?"

"She's my friend. Why?"

"No. Do you Liiiike her?"

"I don't like any girls, stupid."

"Oh I didn't know you were-"

"That's not what I meant! Shut up!"

"I'm just asking. You're always smiling when you see her."

"She's nice.."

"Maybe you should ask her out on a date."

"I'm not allowed to date, and she's pregnant!"

"So? You jerk!"

"Not that that's a bad thing, but- will you just stop it, Sarah? We're friends and I don't want you ruining it!"

"Fine, I'll shut up. I just thought I'd ask." Sarah shrugs her shoulders.

**

Jessica's POV.

Suzanne's family came over and they were just like Jessica had imagined. They were exactly like Suzanne, if not worse.

Jessica was miserable the entire day. They acted as though Jessica was a servant to them.

By the end of the night Jessica's back and feet were in so much pain. She decided to take a hot bath. While soaking her aching body she placed her hands on her bump and softly sang to her baby.

"You are my sunshine.. my only sunshine. You make me happy.. when skies are grey. You'll never know dear, how much I love you.. please don't take my sunshine away.."

The baby kicked and kicked at the sound of her mother's voice.

Jessica giggled and continued singing.

The other night, dear.. while I lay sleeping.. I dreamt I held you in my arms. When I awoke, dear I was mistaken.. so I hung my head and cried.... You like that song, don't you? Or is it just mommy's voice that makes you want to party?" She chuckles. "I love you, Isla. I love you so so much.... I don't want you to ever forget that."