Before you read anything!  What do you think the baby is?  I'm just curious. :)

***

18 weeks.

"Well Sam.  Today's the day!  I'm about to find out what our little bean is!

I think it's a boy! 

I know you'd be so excited to come with me to this appointment!  You'll be there with us, I know..

*Sighs*

It's just different know.

Little bean has been kicking me up a storm this week!  And I hit a major growth spurt!

My jeans don't fit, so I'm gonna have to buy new clothes!  I don't really wanna wear my old maternity clothes because I was 15 and 18, and I just don't think they'd look right on me with this pregnancy!

*Laughs*

Well I guess I should be going.  This baby is ready to show mommy what they are!"

Jessica smiles and taps her stomach.

***

"Boy's, you wanna come with me to the doctors today?"

"Yes!  We're all ready!" James smiles.

"Great!

Boys... Thank you." Jessica leans on the back of the couch and looks down.

"For what?" Michael asks.

"For being here for me. Some teenagers would hate the fact that their mother is pregnant.. You guys have really stepped up and helped me out a lot, and I really appreciate it."

"Mom, of course we're here for you! and we don't think it's weird that you're having a baby. Maybe if you were the age of our friend's parents, then it would be weird!" Sam laughs.

"I am pretty young!" She smiles.

The boys laugh and Jessica says, "Alright.. Well we better get going.."

***

"Alright boys, final guesses!  What do you think the baby is?"

"Girl!" James and Michael both answer.

"I think it's a boy." Sam guesses.

"I think so too!"

"Well if mom thinks it's a boy, that must be it!" James says and Michael agrees, "That's true!  I mean, she is connected to the baby, you'd think she'd know!" He motions to her belly.

Jessica laughs and the nurse calls her name.

"Mrs. Shepard."

"Let's go, boys." Jessica smiles and stands up.

***

"Hello, Jessica! How are we feeling today?"

"Good!"

"Great!  Have you felt any movement yet?"

"I have!" She smiles.

"Well good! Any morning sickness?"

"Not for a few weeks." Jessica says laying back and lifting her shirt.

The doctor feels around her stomach and measures how big the baby is.

"Your baby is measuring two weeks ahead."

"Wow, really?  That's how I was with my twins.  There's only one in there, right?" Jessica chuckles.

"Twins?!" Michael's eyes light up.

"No." Jessica looks at him.

"That would be so cool, mom!" James says.

"I've been through twins once, I'm happy it happened, but I don't want to do it again." She laughs.

"Haha!  Well why don't we find out?" The doctor says getting the heart doppler out.

"Listen to that strong heartbeat!"

"Awe!" Jessica smiles.

"Sounds like there's only one, but let's check the ultrasound.

Are you wanting to find out the sex today?"

"Yes!"

"Alright, well let's hope this baby will corporate with us." She chuckles.

The doctor squirts her lower abdomen with gel, and gets the transducer out to scan for the baby.

"I see one!  Can you make sure there's not another one hiding behind that one?"

"Yes." The doctor laughs.

The boys cross there fingers for twins, and finally the doctor says, "Nope!  Just one!"

"Awe man!" The boys say at the same time that Jessica says, "Oh thank God!" While taking a big sigh of relief.

"Haha, now let's see if we can get this baby to turn over." She sits the scanner down then holds her sides and jiggles her belly, trying to get the baby to move.

Jessica laughs and the doctor tries again.

"Nope!  Still not listening!"

"Has it's daddy's attitude already!" Jessica says.

Jessica pokes her stomach and the baby moves.

The doctor checks again and now the baby has it's legs crossed.

"Oh my goodness, little one!" Jessica laughs.

The doctor advises Jessica to drink some ice water so the baby can move around more.

When she checks again Jessica laughs, "Look at that little squirmy butt!"

"Haha!  It worked!"

"My poor baby's freezing now, though!"

The boys laugh and the doctor says, "You guys ready?"

"Yes!" They all answer with an excited smile on their faces.

"Alright, looks like you're having a little... BOY!" She smiles.

Jessica laughs and says, "Ah!  Another boy!  I knew it!  Awe I'm so happy!  Sam, we're having a baby boy!" She smiles.

James rubs her arm and kisses the top of her head.

"We're gonna have a little brother!" Samuel says.

"Awe!  Yes you are!" Jessica smiles at her boys.

Once Jessica gets cleaned up, the doctor leaves and she gets a little emotional.

"I can't I'm having another boy!" Her eyes tear up.

"This is so great!" Sam smiles.

"It is!" She smiles and a tear falls down her cheek.

"Awe mom... Come here." He gives her a hug and Jessica cries.

"I'm sorry to always be crying, it's just hard!"

"I know, mom.  He should be here with you during this time.. It's difficult....

But we're here for you."

"That's right, mom." James adds.

Jessica smiles at them and wipes her face.

"Thanks you guys."

***

Sunday.

After church they all went to a Mexican restaurant called Las Brisa.  Jessica wanted to tell everyone then.

"You guys, I just had a quick little announcement to share with you all!" Jessica smiles.

"What?!" Anne gets excited.

"It's a boy!"

"Ahh!" They all get up and hug her.

Jessica chuckles and tears up.

"Thank you guys!  We found out on Thursday, so I just wanted you all to know."

"I can't believe my baby boy and and his beautiful beautiful wife are having a another baby boy!  This is so amazing." Sam's mother says.

"Awe!" Jessica gives her a hug.

"And the baby is measuring two weeks ahead of schedule!

*Laughs*

So this really is a Shepard baby!  He's gonna be a big boy like his daddy and his big brother's!" She holds her stomach.

"Oh my gosh, you're so cute!" Sarah says.

"I can't wait!  You're having a baby, Jess!  We need to go shopping!" She adds.

"Haha!  We do!

George, I need a raise!" Jessica says making him laugh.

***

20 weeks pregnant.

The passed couple of weeks Samuel's attitude has gone back to the way it was before. 

James doesn't like for Jessica to do anything.  He'll run errands for her, he'll cook, he'll clean, and Michael is the same way.

Jessica hates being waited on, but they feel that their dad would do that for their mom, and it's their job to take on that responsibility.

***

"Later, mom." Samuel says as he and James head towards the door.

"Where are you two going?"

"Um.. To the library." Samuel lies.

"Samuel Shepard where are you going?"

"Out."

Jessica gives him a look and Jessica asks James, "James where are you going?"

He stops and his eyes widen as his brother gives him a look.

James looks back and forth from his mom to Sam.

"We're going to a party!"

"You're so lame." Sam rolls his eyes.

"I can't lie!  She's my mom and she's pregnant!"

"Thank you, James."

"Oh gosh.." Sam says in an irritated tone.

"Now tell me where this party is."

"At a friends house."

"What friend?"

"A good friend."

"Samuel!"

"It's downtown!  Jesus Christ, we're not babies, mom!"

"Will there be alcohol there?"

"If it's a good party, than there will be!" He mumbles and nudges James.

"Sam stop!  You know what?  I'm not going!  I have to study anyway!"

"It's summer, dude." Sam makes a face and James rolls his eyes.

"Mom, I'm just gonna go grab something to eat with some friends, do you want me to bring you anything?"

"LAAAAME!"

"Oh grow up, Sam!" James says.

Jessica takes a deep breath and says, "No, sweetie I'm fine.  Thank you.

Sam, I'm not telling you to stay in the house and not to go out, but I want you to make the right decisions.  Don't go out and drink all night long.  That's not gonna get you anywhere."

"I won't."

"I'm serious!  It's dangerous!  Promise me, you won't drink!"

"I promise." He lifts his hand.

"Just know that no matter what!  If you do, I Will find out about it!" She gives him a hard look.

"Mom, I said I won't, and I'm not going to."

"Alright.. Then be careful."

"I will.  Later."

"Be back by twelve!!" She shouts as he slams the door.

"...Where are you going?" Jessica asks James.

"I don't know, we usually just pick a fast food restaurant and hang out there for a few hours.  Nothing too exciting."

"Bring me milkshake if you're going anywhere they sell them." She smiles.

"Heh, no problem.  I'll be back."

"Be careful, James!"

"I will!"

He shuts the door and Jessica sighs.

She worried so much about her boys.

It scared her to think about how it would be next year when she didn't have control over them at all.

They'd be out of the house and over fourteen hours away.  The thought made her sick.

"Where did everybody go?" Michael asks walking down the stairs.

"Out with friends.

Looks like it's just me and you tonight." She smiles.

"Wanna watch a movie?"

"Well actually.. I was wondering if I could go over to Shane's house.  His dad just bought him an Xbox and I really wanna go play it."

"How late will you be?"

"I don't know."

Jessica sighs then says, "Go."

"Are you sure?"

"Yeah.. Just be careful, and be back by eleven!"

"Alright, thanks mom!"

"Sure.."

Michael smiles and walks over to her.  He palaces his hand on her shoulder and kisses the top of her head.

"Bye, ma!"

"Bye, baby."

The door slams and Jessica looks around at the silent and empty house.

"It's just us two.. They left us all alone, didn't they, my sweet boy?" She looks down at her belly with her hands rested at the top.

"What should we do?

Order a pizza you say?!  With extra extra cheese!  And what?  Jalapeños?!

Mmm!  I think that sounds yummy!" She smiles and rubs her hands back and fourth.

***

The pizza came and Jessica sat on the couch while watching a marathon of Hoarders.

"Well... My life is officially the most boring life there is. " She throws pizza crust into the box, and thinks of Sam.

"What would we be doing right now, Sam?" She smiles.

"I think you would be massaging my feet, and.. Maybe we'd be taking about baby names!  Which by the way, I need help with!  I wish I could remember the name you wanted for all three of the boys, but I just can't!  Oh well.. It'll come to me eventually..

Sam.. Am I crazy for talking to myself all the time? 

I mean.. I'm not really talking to myself!  I'm talking to you.  I know you're listening too!

*Smiles*

I can feel you.  I wish I could feel your touch just one more time, Sam.  Oh God, I miss you!"

***

11:15.

"Mom!" Michael whispers.

"Hm... What?!" She jumps up.

"Nothing!  I was just telling you that I was home!  You ordered pizza?"

"Yeah!  Sorry there's none left over."

"Heh, it's okay.  We ate over there."

"Oh okay.  That's good."

"Yeah.. James and Sam aren't back yet?"

"Nuh-uh." She nods.

"Oh.  Well I'm gonna go to bed."

"Alright baby.  Goodnight."

"Night."

11:45.

"I'm back.  Here's your milkshake." He walks over to the couch Jessica was laying on.

"Oh thanks, baby!  Ooh, you went to steak and shake?" She smiles.

"No, we just went and hung out at Bj's house.  But I knew that you wanted a milkshake and I knew that little guy would be mad if he didn't get what he wanted." He looks at her stomach.

Jessica looks down, then chuckles.

"Thank you, baby."

"You're welcome."

2:00.

Jessica called Sam at least fifty times and he wasn't answering.

"I swear, that boy!  He doesn't learn! 

*Sighs*

He acts like he's grown and can just stay out all night.  You live under my roof, then your ass better be home by twelve o'clock!"

"Do you want me to go out and look for him?"

"No, it's fine.  I'm gonna try calling him again and if he doesn't answer, then I'm killing him." She says as Sam walks in.

"Samuel, where the hell were you?  I called you, why didn't you answer me?!"

"I didn't hear the phone, sorry."

"Get over here." Jessica grabs his shirt and pulls him down to her level.

She sniffs him to see if he smells like alcohol or anything like that.

When she pulled his shirt down, she saw something on his neck.

"What the fuck is that?!"

"It's nothing mom!" He pulls away from her and fixes his shirt.

"Nothing my ass! 

Is that a hickey, Samuel?"

"No.. I fell.."

"You're such a dumbass.  What were you out doing tonight?"

"Nothing!"

"Sam!"

"I went to a friends house!"

"You're girlfriend's house?"

"No!"

"Boyfriend?" James asks.

"No!  I was just at a friend's house!  Leave me alone!"

Sam walks towards the stairs and Jessica yells, "You might think, Oh I'm seventeen, that bitch can't tell me what to do!  But guess what, Sam!  I can!  You are not allowed to be out with a girl till two o'clock in the morning!  I'm not saying don't date, but be responsible!"

"Oh like you were?"

"Sam." James says as Jessica stares at him in silence.

"No he's right.  I wasn't responsible.  But as a mom.. You want your kids to learn from your mistakes.

You two are a couple of the best things in my life.. But having you at fifteen was not easy.  Having your brother at eighteen with two three year olds was not easy.  I don't regret anyone of you guys.. But I struggled and your father struggles for years!

You think it's easy walking around school seven months pregnant with twins, as a freshman?  Or going to prom and worrying about your three kids?  Sam, I'm hard on you because I want you to not have the worry of a child right now.  Your father wanted the same the thing.

It's hard for me to raise you guys without him.. He always knew what to say." Jessica's eyes fill with tears and she continues.

"He always kept everyone happy.. Kept everyone safe.  I'm trying best and I know that I can't take the place of your father, but.. I'm trying so hard to do what he wanted.

Sam.. These passed few months, you've been acting out and that is something you never would have done with your him.

It is a constant everyday worry that I have.  I don't want to disappoint him and I know that you don't want to disappoint him either.

Listen to me and take my advise.. Or be sorry later.."