"Oh my gosh, no! It's time." Jessica looks to Danny and Sarah with a terrified expression.

Danny quickly gets out of his seat.

"We'll call your mother, sweetie."

"No! I need Sarah's mother!"

"We have to notify your parents, Jessica."

"No she doesn't want to be there! Please just call Sarah's mom. Please!"

"Jessica, those are the rules."

Jessica cries softly.

"Don't worry, I'm calling my mom now. Let's start walking up front before you get another contraction."

"Okay.."

Danny starts walking to the door and his teacher stops him.

"Daniel, where do you think you're going?"

"I'm gonna go to the hospital!"

"Sit down."

"No thanks!" Danny takes off and opens the door for Sarah and Jessica.

"Let's go meet the baby!" He smiles.

Jessica smiles and walks to the door with Sarah's help.

**

"Jessica, we called your parents." The school receptionist says.

"What did they say?"

"Well.."

"I already know how Suzanne feels. Sarah's mother is on her way for us."

"Okay. Do you need anything while you wait?"

"No thank you." Jessica nods.

"How are you feeling?" Danny asks.

"Like we're about to have a baby." Jessica chuckles.

"She is all of ours, isn't she?" Sarah says.

"Yeah.." Jessica smiles softly.

"She'll always be apart of our family." Danny says as he places his hand on her bump.

"Thank you.  I'm so nervous, you guys.  I know she's a little late, but it still seems too soon."

"She's ready to meet you, mommy!  It's the perfect time." Sarah says.

"What if I can't do it?"

"You can!" Danny says. "You're the strongest person I know, remember?"

"Yeah.." Jessica smiles softly. "This will be the easy part.... The hard part comes when I have to say goodbye to her."

"Don't think about that part right now.  Just think about the moment she comes out and you see her face." Danny says.

Jessica nods her head and takes a deep breath.
  Just then she feels a contraction coming on.

"Oh no.. here it comes."

"You're okay.  Breathe like we all practiced."

Jessica starts off very calm, but soon the pain intensified. "Ow!  Oh gosh.  OW!  This hurts!" Jessica cries.

"Breathe, it's okay.  Dammit, where is my mother?!" Sarah shouts.

"Sarah, be quiet!" Danny says.

Jessica then gasps and says, I don't have her things!  I need the baby's clothes, socks, and her hat!  I also have a little book I wanted to read her.  I need it!" Jessica cries.

"It's okay.  It's okay, when we get you settled in the car I will go by your house and pick it up.  Can I have your key?"

"Danny, I don't want them to say anything to you."

"I don't care what they say, Jess.  I'm doing this for you a Isla."

Jessica's bottom lip quivers and she takes his hand. "My house key is in the front pocket of my backpack.  My hospital bag is hanging on my closet door.  Thank you so much, Danny.  I owe you big!"

"Nah.  That's what friends are for."

**

Soon Catherine arrived.

"There she is!  Mom, Jessie's pains are getting bad!" Sarah says.

"Oh you sweet girl!  Come on, let's get you to the hospital so we can meet that precious baby!" Catherine says helping her up.

Sarah noticed how Danny held Jessica's things, and how he made sure to help her stand.  Danny may deny it, but Sarah could see how much he liked Jessica.

**

Danny took off to Jessica's while the girls headed for the hospital.

When Danny arrived the house was empty.  He knew he had to work quick, so he ran upstairs and grabbed Jessica's hospital bag.

He then took a moment and just looked around her room as he stood on the middle of it.

"This is where Jessica Lange sleeps." He says to himself with a smile.

"Oh right!  Baby time!" Danny runs.

On the way out he ran into Billy.

"Excuse me."

"Jessica sent me!" Danny says with wide eyes.

"Why?"

"She needed her hospital bag."

"Oh.."

"Are you seriously not going to be there for her?"

"Suzanne says we're not."

"Where are your balls?"

"What?"

"You are Jessica's foster dad.  You're going to let her give birth alone?"

"She has Sarah's mother."

"She needs more than that!  Jessica has no real family.. well except for the baby you're making her give away."

"Kid, you need to get out of my house."

"You're a jerk!" Danny says as he takes off.  Leaving Billy with only his thoughts.

**

Jessica's POV.

"Comfortable sweetie?" Catherine asks.

"Yes ma'am.. for now."

"You're doing great!  And two centimeters is incredible!"

"I wish it were more."

"You'll get there, honey."

Jessica then looks around before breaking her silence. "I hope Danny's okay."

"I'm sure he's fine."

".. He's really sweet."

"He is isn't he?  He's a good boy."

"Yes he is.." Jessica then looks over and sees Sarah sitting in the corner.

"Sar?  You okay?"

"I'm fine." Sarah smiles.

"If it's too much you can go in the waiting room."

"I'll be wherever you want me to be.  I'm okay, I swear!  I just don't want you to be in too much pain."

"I'll be okay.. eventually." Jessica giggles very softly as she takes Sarah's hand.

"Yeah."

"I'd really like it if you could stay in here with me all the way through.  But I understand if you want to leave when things start getting intense."

"Of course I'll stay, Jessica!  If you can actually go through all this, I can watch it happen." Sarah chuckles.

"Thank you so much, Sarah."

Sarah smiles and hugs her best friend.

Just then they hear a knock on the door.

"Come in." Jessica says.

Danny slowly opens the door and looks at the wall as he holds her bag out.

"Oh Danny!  Thank you!"

"You're welcome, Jess."

"Danny, you can look at me.  I'm under the covers."

"Oh!  Okay!" He smiles and walks closer.

"Any problems?"

"No.. no one was home."

"Oh thank God!"

"Yeah.. So how are you feeling?" Danny quickly changes the subject.

"I feel okay for now.  I'm dilated two centimeters but can't get an epidural until four."

"Can I do anything?"

"You can hang out with me and keep my mind off the pain for a little while.. if you want."

"Oh course!  Scooch over, will you?" Danny sits beside Jessica making her laugh.

"Daniel, get off of that bed."

"Aunt Cathy, I'm just messing around."

Jessica giggles.  She loved how Danny instantly made her feel more at ease.

"Jessica?" Catherine says.

"Yes?"

"Do you have the adoptive parent's phone number?"

Jessica pouts. "I don't wanna call them.  Can I call them after she's born?"

"Jessica.."

"Why do I have to call them?" Jessica tears up.

"Aunt Catherine, don't upset her."

"I'm not trying to, Danny, but we need to get ahold of them."

"Please can we just wait until get my epidural?  I don't want to deal with all of that right now."

"Okay.. That's fine.  But as soon as you get the epidural we have to call.  We don't want them to miss anything."

"They won't.  I'm the one missing out on everything.."

**

Two hours later.

"Owww!  AHHH!" Jessica squirmed as she sobbed in pain.

"Jessica sweetie, I know you're in pain, but you have to breathe.  Come on, innn.. and ouuuut.. innn.. and ouuut.."

Jessica breathes deeply. "It hurts so bad."

"I know honey."

"I want an epidural!"

"Let me ring your nurse.  Danny, they'll have to check her so why don't you go out until she's finished."

"Yes ma'am.  Do you need anything, Jess?"

"Can I please have some ice chips?" Jessica whines.

"Sure!" Danny smiles and pushes her hair out of her face.

"Thank you.."

**

Danny walked out to the hall and stopped to take a few deep breathes.  This was a lot on him and Sarah as well.  Seeing Jessica in so much pain was hard.

As Danny walked a couple ran by and straight into Jessica's room.  He furrowed his brows then realized who they were.

**

Jessica's POV.

Jessica shouted loudly from the intense pain filling her body.

Just then the door opened and the couple ran to her.

"Sweetie, why didn't you call us?" Jennifer asks.

Jessica gave them a look then turned to Catherine.

"I didn't call them, I swear."

"Your mother called us.  Jessica, why didn't you call?"

"I was waiting until I got my epidural." Jessica says making sure she's completely covered.

"How are you feeling?  How far along are you?"

Jessica turned and didn't respond.

"Uh, she's doing great!" Catherine answers. "She's just about to get checked out so if you two could.."

"Oh yes!  We'll be out in the waiting room if you need anything.." Jennifer says to Jessica.

Once again Jessica doesn't respond.

After the couple steps out Catherine speaks to Jessica.

"Jessica, I understand this is a lot right now-"

"I'm not talking to them."

"Jessica-"

"I don't want to talk to them!" Jessica looks at Catherine with a pout.

"Sweetie, I cannot imagine what you're going through right now.  I know it's something I could never do.  But I don't want you to be angry right now.  I want you to enjoy every moment of this process.  These memories will last a lifetime."

"You're right.. It just sucks so bad."

"I know, sweet girl."

**

Soon Jessica was checked and her epidural was on the way.

Danny came in during a intense contraction.

"AGH!  OWWWWW!  I can't do it!  I can't do this!"

Danny and Sarah stood there watching silently.

"Yes you can.  You're so so strong, honey.  You're doing beautifully."

Jessica cries and leans forward onto the bed.  Catherine held her gown closed.

"This is intense.  I don't know how long I can do this you guys."

"Jess, you're doing so great!" Sarah says.

"Thank you.."

"Here's your ice chips, Jessie."

"Oh thank you so much, Danny.  Opps I'm sorry, is my hiney out?" She looks back.

"I've got you." Catherine chuckles.

"Thanks."

"That's good that you're out of bed.  Remember we learned that's great when in labor."

"Yeah." Jessica smiles softly.

"Are you gonna walk?  That also is a good help to get the baby out."

"Oh yeah.. I guess I can walk around a little.. since they're TAKING FOREVER TO BRING MY EPIDURAL!"

"She want's to be heard." Sarah laughs.

**

"You guys, I feel like her head is in my vagina."

"Your belly is really really low." Danny says.

"Yeah.  I noticed how weird it looked this morning, but now it just looks insane!" Jessica laughs.

Just then Jennifer and Gary walk towards them.

"Oh here comes joy." Jessica says sarcastically.

"Hi honey!"

"Hi."

"How are you?"

"Just great." Jessica fakes a smile.

".. Jessica, I feel you're angry.  I'm sorry for the way I reacted when I found out you didn't want me in the delivery room, but I was just very disappointed.  I don't want you to hate me."

"I don't hate you Jennifer.  I chose you to mother my baby, so no I don't hate you.  This is just so hard on me, and you have to understand how I feel."

"I know, I'm sorry.  I just-"

"Plus right now I'm in the middle of getting a human life out of me, so I'm not full of sunshine."

"I' know.."

Suddenly Jessica hunches over in pain.  Her bottom pokes out and Danny quickly covers it.

"Ohhhh.. My back.  DANNY, MY BACK!" Jessica sobs.

"Can you please do what we learned in lamaze?" She whines.

Danny then presses on her hips.

"Ah yes.. Oh GOD.." Jessica says in a moan.

Soon the pain stopped.

"Thank you." Jessica says breathlessly.

"You're welcome.  You okay?"

Jessica smiles and nods.

Danny smiles and takes her hand.

"Jess?"

"Yes?"

"Now I saw your hiney."

Jessica laughs. "It's okay.  This girl has stretched my butt out so much it's crazy.  It didn't used to look like that, I swear!"

"Oh gosh." Danny laughs as his cheeks turn red.

**

30 minutes later.

Jessica sat on the edge of the bed as she received her epidural.  Sarah and Danny both watched with horror on their faces.

Jessica moaned from the pain as Catherine tried her best to keep her calm.

Almost immediately Jessica felt relief.

"Wow.  I feel incredible!" Jessica smiles and softly touches Danny's cheek.

"You look like a whole new girl!"

"I'm glad you feel better Jess." Sarah says.

"Thanks.. wait.. but I didn't think this through." Jessica immediately gets a sad look on her face.

"What do you mean?"

"I can't feel her kicks.  I want to feel her." She cries.

"Jessica, you can still feel her if you touch your belly.  Trust me, Isla wants her mommy to get some rest before she meets her." Danny says wiping her tears.

"You think so?"

"Oh I know so, Jess!"

"Maybe she does.."

Sarah smiles and places her hand on her bump. "This bump won't be here for much longer.. I've gotta admit I'll miss it.  Her kicking kept me entertained constantly."

Jessica giggles. "Me too.  With Isla I never felt alone." She then takes a short pause.

"I've never met a blood relative of mine.. and today I will.  It's pretty crazy that after almost thirteen years.. I'm going to meet someone who is my family."

"It's going to be so special, sweetie." Catherine says.

"How am I supposed to do what my parents did to me, to Isla?"

"Honey, you're not.  You're not doing anything like them.  You're doing so much more for your daughter.  You're giving her a wonderful life." Catherine says.

"But what if I'm not?  What if Gary and Jennifer aren't nice?  What if they're just like Bill and Suzanne?  What if this isn't the right decision?"

"Jessica.."

"I haven't signed anything yet.  Why can't I keep her and leave?"

"Jessica, I love you!  But these drugs are getting to you." Sarah says. "You are twelve years old.  Where are you going to go?"

"I don't know.  But stop using my age as an excuse, I can be a good mother!"

"Of course you can, I'm not saying that.  I'm just trying to remind you of why you wanted to do this.  I'd love for you to keep the baby!  But I do know it's a very emotional time, and all I want is to remind you of what you said to me.  The reason you want to give Isla away."

"I'm allowed to change my mind, Sarah."

"Yes you are.  I'm sorry if I'm making you upset.  You know I think you would be an amazing mom.  I've told you that."

"Yeah.."

"I think we should all let Jessica try to get some sleep.  It's been a long day, and you're going to have to bring a little life into the world soon." Catherine says.

Jessica smiles softly. "Yes I do.  Sleep would be nice."

Danny kisses her bump and says, "You girls rest up."

Jessica giggles. "I'll try.."

**

One hour later.

Gary and Jennifer snuck in.

"Hi!  Oh is she sleeping?"

"Yes, we want her to rest up as much as possible."

"Okay, well we'll go.. We just wanted to check on her.  How's the baby?"

"She's doing well.  Moving around like always." Catherine smiles.

Jennifer smiles and places her hand on Jessica's belly.

"Carful not to wake her."

It was too late.  Jessica was awake.

"Ugh.  What?"

"I'm sorry!  I just wanted to feel the baby."

"Alright." Jessica moves to get more comfortable.

"How are you feeling?"

"Better."

"That's great!  I'm glad you have such good friends here with you."

"Yeah.."

"So.. Can I ask you something?" Jennifer smiles.

"Sure.."

"That boy right there.." Jennifer motions to Danny who was asleep on the chair he and Sarah were sharing.

"Danny?"

"Yes.  Is he your boyfriend?"

"No!  No, we're just friends."

"Oh!  Well I think you two would be a cute little couple." Jennifer smiles.

"Jenn."

"What Gary?  I think they would!"

"Oh well thanks, but we're just friends."

"Well that's good too!" Jennifer giggles.

"Let's let Jessica get some rest."

"Oh yes.  Bye bye baby Margo.  We'll see you soon!"

"Margo?" Jessica makes a face.

"Oh shoot!  We were gonna surprise you!  But yes, that's the name we've decided on.  Isn't it beautiful?"

Sarah looks up to Catherine, then back to Gary and Jennifer.

"Yeah.. it's.. different."

Jennifer kisses her belly and leaves.

"Margo?!" Jessica shouts, waking Sarah and Danny.

"What's wrong?!" Danny asks.

"Push!" Sarah shouts.

"My baby's name is Isla!  She's not a Margo!  I've been calling her Isla for months, she's going to be so confused!"

"I think Isla is very beautiful, but surely you knew-"

"Yes I knew they'd have another name for her, but mine is better!  Isn't that right, Isla?" Jessica says as the baby kicks.

"She agrees."

**

Catherine has seen the bruises on Jessica, but hasn't been able to bring it up until now."

"Jessica?"

"Yes ma'am?"

"What happened to your face?"

"Oh!  I.. I.." Jessica looks at Sarah and Danny.

"Jessica." Danny says softly.

Jessica starts crying. "Suzanne was mad at me.."

"She hit you?"

"Yes.  She does it all the time!"

"Oh God!  Jessica, this is not a safe place for you to live!"

"But if I say anything they'll send me back.  I don't want to go back to that place.  Having a bad home is better than not having a home at all.  Plus I don't want to lose Danny and Sarah."

"Jessica.. we have to go to the police."

"No!  Please don't do that!"

"Honey, this is no way to live."

"You don't understand." Jessica sobs.

Catherine sits beside Jessica and wraps her arm around her. "Okay, okay.  I'm sorry.  We will talk about it later.  I just want you to be safe."

"I'm okay.  I promise."

**

A few hours pass and everything was going pretty smoothly.  That is until two unwanted visitors came by.

Billy and Suzanne walk in and immediately the mood in the room changes.

"Why are you here?  You didn't want to be here." Jessica says.

"We just came to see how things are going.  You feeling alright, Jessica?" Billy asks.

"Yeah.  I got an epidural so I'm just trying to relax until it's time to push."

"How much are you dilated?" Suzanne asks.

"Six centimeters."

"Christ!  The school called us at noon!  It's almost ten!"

"Suzanne, this is exactly why I didn't want you here.  You've never brought a child into this world, so of course you wouldn't understand that labor is hard work.  If the baby isn't ready, I can't do anything about it.  My body is going at the correct speed, and I don't need you telling me I'm taking too long to give birth!"

"Can I please speak to you two in the hall?" Catherine says.

"About what?" Suzanne answers with an attitude.

"I will tell you out in the hall."

**

"What do you think they're talking about?" Jessica asks with a nervous expression.

"I don't know.  But feel right here." Danny says.  His hand was glued to Jessica's belly.  He and Sarah were going to miss Isla just as much as Jessica.

Jessica smiles and places her hand where Danny said.

"That's her foot.  Her head is pressing on my business, and her feet are still dancing."

"I can't wait to finally see her little face.  It's been quite a journey." Sarah says.

"Yep.  It feels like forever yet.." Jessica sighs deeply. "Like a blink of an eye."

"I know.."

"Isla!  It's uncle Danny!" Danny says against her bump.

Jessica laughs through teary eyes.

"Woah I think she liked the sound of your voice!  You see her moving?"

"I do!  Plus I don't think she likes this thing." Danny points to the monitor strapped to Jessica's bare belly.

"I know, she's been kicking it all day!" She chuckles.

"She's a little soccer player in there."

"Maybe so!"

Just then the three heard fighting.

"Oh no!  What's going on?" Jessica said with a worried look on her face.

"I'm sure everything is fine.. they're just.. excited.."

**

"That girl is bruised up and I know it was one of you who did it!" Catherine didn't want them to know Jessica told her who hit her.

"We have never laid a hand on that girl!  What gives you the fucking right to accuse us of doing something like that?" Suzanne yells.

"I've seen how you treat that child.  You two don't deserve her.  You make decisions for her that are none of your business, you make her do your housework, you treat her like an animal!  Jessica is an amazing child and she deserves to be in a better home than the one she's in."

"Fuck you!  Jessica is my daughter!  I want you out of there!  You and those two kids!"

"We're not leaving.  We love Jessica and the baby, and we are going to support her through this.  You two are the ones who need to leave."

Just then security walks over.

"I'm going to have to ask you to leave, ma'am."

"NO!  MY DAUGHTER IS HAVING A BABY AND I'M STAYING!"

Just then Danny and Sarah walk out.

"What's going on?  You're upsetting Jessica!"

"They're taking them out right now."

"NO!  Let go of me!"

"Come on kids, let's get back to Jessica.  We don't want her to be left alone." Catherine says taking the two back to Jessica's room.

Jessica was in tears. "Why did they have to come and start all of this?"

"I don't know, but they're leaving now.  Don't worry about them."

Jessica cries harder, and suddenly feels a pain. "Ow!  Ow it hurts!  Why is it hurting?" She cries harder.

"Your epidural must be wearing off."

"Why?!  Owww!  I don't want it to hurt!"

"I'm so sorry, sweetie.  Breathe with me, okay?"

Jessica sobs as Catherine tries getting her to breathe through the pain.

"It's okay, it's okay sweet girl."

***

February 1st. 2:00 am.

Jessica's pains were now extremely painful.  She barely had any time between each contraction.

"I can't breathe!" Jessica cried.

"You're breathing, it's okay."

"Ahhhh!"

Danny stood there in a panic.

"You okay, Danny?" Sarah asks.

"She's in so much pain.  How much longer will she have to go through this?"

"Until you see a baby."

"Are you not worried for her?"

"Of course I am, but she can do it.  Your mom said she'd come get you if you want."

"I know but I'm not leaving her.  She needs all of our support."

Danny then walks over to Jessica and takes her hand. "Jessica, you are so close to meeting your baby girl.  Isla is so close to being in your arms."

Jessica smiles even though she's in pain.

"We get to see her.. Finally!"

"Finally!"

Jessica giggles.

Danny looks deep into her eyes and softly moves her hair from her sweaty forehead.  He then placed a kiss on her forehead.

Jessica smiled and took his hand.

"What's happening?" Sarah whispers to her mother.

"I don't know but they're sweet."

Danny placed his free hand on her stomach and the two talked about Isla's not so gentle kicks.

Suddenly Jessica felt the most intense pain she's had so far.

"Holy smokes, this ones big!" Sarah says looking at the monitor.

Jessica screamed in pain before feeling pressure.

"Oh no!"

"What's wrong?" Danny asks.

"I don't know but I think I have to poop!"

Catherine chuckled a little. "Sweetie, no you don't."

"YES I DO!"

"Help me get her to the bathroom, aunt Catherine."

"No, no.  It's the baby trying to come out.  Trust me, that feeling is normal."

"I'm not too sure about that!" Jessica says with a worried look.

Just then the nurse came in. "Sounds like someone is about to meet baby girl!"

"That or shit myself!" Jessica says loudly.

"Nope.  Definitely not that.  You're ten centimeters, darlin.  It's time to push!"

"What?  Really?  Right now?"

"Yes ma'am!"

"Oh my gosh!  Oh wow."

"You did it, Jess!  She's coming!" Sarah smiles.

"I can't believe this!  I almost don't want it to be time.. I don't want her to leave me."

"She's not going to.  Maybe she doesn't have to." Danny says.

"I know I was talking crazy before but.. I just.. well I don't know what's right."

"You need to do what you feel is truly right in your heart."

Jessica nods and looks down as they prep for the birth.

"You don't have to look at all this nastiness, Danny.. but can you still stay in here?"

"Yes!  Of course.  I'll just stare at your face.  I promise you I won't look at your.. area."

Jessica laughs softly. "Okay.  Thank you.. thank you all for being here with me.."

"Jess, we love you and Isla." Sarah smiles.

"We love you too."

**

"Okay Jessica, I need you to take a big breath in and push down into your bottom as hard as you can."

"Okay.." Jessica did what she was asked and pushed.

Catherine stood at her side helping her hold her leg back, and Danny stood at her other side not taking his eyes off of her face.

She was red and sweaty, with tears pouring down her face, but Danny has never found her more beautiful.

Jessica pushed for half an hour and felt like giving up.

"I can't do it.  Please just get her out of me!  It hurts so bad, but I'm so weak.."

"Jessica Lange, that is one thing you are not." Danny says.

"He's right, Jess.  You're so strong and you're so close to seeing your baby.  Keep going!" Sarah said.

Catherine was so proud of all three of them in this moment.

Jessica took a deep breath and continued pushing.

"Ah!  Ohhhh God!" Jessica moaned.

Meanwhile the adoptive parents stood outside of the door just waiting to hear a cry.  For now all they heard were Jessica's screams.

"PLEASE!  PLEASE GET OUT OF ME, ISLA!  I LOVE YOU BUT GET THE HELL OUT OF ME!"

"Jessica, I see her head!" Sarah shouts.

"You do?!" Danny doesn't think and just looks.

"Oh crap!  I'm so sorry Jess!"

"I don't care, Daniel!  Ow!  Oh God I hate Edwin!  I can't do this!" Jessica sobs and pushes hard.

"Oh my goodness!" Catherine smiles as Jessica breathes deeply.

"Sweetie, her head is out!"

"I wanna see her so bad.. Can you please just pull her out of me?"

"No honey, you have to push.  Come on, deep breath in and push."

"Please don't make me!" Jessica whines.

Danny pulls her leg back and steps up. "Come on, Jessica!  Final push, let's go!"

Jessica looks at him for a short moment before doing exactly what he said.  One strong push and the baby slid out of her mother.

They placed the baby on Jessica's chest and she cried tears of happiness.

"Oh my goodness!" Jessica smiles.

Catherine smiles and takes a closer look.  She then begins to worry.  Catherine turns to the doctor and asks, "Why isn't she crying?"

Jessica begins freaking out and shouting. "Oh God.. My baby!  Is she okay?  ISLA!"