Monday morning.

Since Ms. Porter is still recovering, Jessica has at least another two weeks of work before going on maternity leave.  Of course Delilah didn't mind, and neither did Jessica.  They loved spending the day together.

Today Danny is taking Jessica and Delilah to school.  Jessica is officially too big to drive, so this is their new norm.

"Honey?"

"Yeah?" Jessica sighs as she readjusts herself in her seat.

"When are you gonna stop?"

"Stop what?"

"Working. You're really pregnant."

"Yes, I know that, Danny."

"You need to rest. You can't be chasing after kids anymore, you're gonna make yourself go into labor."

"You know, you can't tell me what to do."

"I'm not telling you what to do, I'm only saying you should rest. Soon she'll be here and none of us are getting any rest."

"I better be gettin some rest!" Delilah says from the back seat.

Jessica turns to her and chuckles.
She then sits back and sighs. "I'm fine. I'm going to work until I have her. I'm fine. I promise." She turns to Danny and smiles.

"Alright! Well you're the one that's gonna scar a class of first graders."

"How am I gonna do that?" Jessica asks, a slight annoyance in her voice.

"By having the baby in the middle of the classroom."

"Oh Ha-Ha! Danny's got jokes!" She says looking at him like he's crazy.

"Many." Danny smiles.
He then places his hand on her belly as he stops at a red light. "Nyla butt, you stay put until mommy is at home, or with daddy! Okay?"

Both Danny and Jessica laugh as the baby kicks hard. "I'm not sure if she's agreeing, or telling me to shut up."

"Probably saying shut up." Delilah says.

"Didi!" Danny turns to her.

"What?" She giggles.

**

30 minuets later.

While Jessica got everything ready for the day, Delilah sat across from her coloring.

"I'm coloring a picture for my sister to put in her room."

"Oh baby girl, that's so sweet!"

"Yeah! Do you think she's gonna like it?"

"Oh of course! I know for a fact she will."

"Well don't say that, you really don't know, mommy."

"That's true I don't know for sure." Jessica chuckles.
"But mommy's are always right.  Right?"

"Mhm! I guess you're right!" Delilah smiles.

"Right! So she's gonna love it!"

"Perfect!"

Jessica chuckles and gets back to work.

***

Saturday.

"I guess this is the last of it.." Jessica hands Danny a small box that was light enough for her to carry.

Danny takes it, then snakes his arm around her waist, and pats the side of her belly and kisses her temple.

Jessica smiles softly, and gives his arm a gentle squeeze. "Can you give me a minute? I'll be right out."

"Sure, honey." Danny smiles and kisses her cheek.

"Come on, Didi! I need your strong muscles!"

"Sure!"

Jessica smiles and watches them leave her and Socks alone.

"Come here, Socks!" Jessica kneels down to his level.

"We're leaving our home.. but we're getting a brand new home that's big enough for you, me, Danny, Didi, and Nyla butt!"

Socks wags his tail and taps his nose on her belly.

"Yeah that's her!" Jessica giggles.
She then takes a deep breath and looks up.
"Nolan! I know you're here, buddy!" Jessica smiles with tears in her eyes.

"You're getting a new house too! I know you're excited, huh? I'm taking flowers from our garden, and Danny and Delilah are taking some from theirs, and we're starting a new garden.. together. We're all a family now, Nolan. Danny me, you, Delilah, and Nyla! You'll always be apart of our family. I love you, baby." Jessica says with tears slowly rolling down her cheeks.

"Mommy?" Jessica sniffles and turns to the door.

"Danny told me to stay in the car, but I wanted to check on you.. are you okay?"

"I'm okay, beautiful.  Thank you."

Delilah smiles and runs to Jessica.  She hugs her, then pulls away slightly and asks, "Are you talking to Nolan?"

"I am!"

"Can I talk to him too?"

"Of course!" Jessica smiles.

"Okay.. Nolan! I know I never met you but, I love you so so much! One day we'll play together, okay?"
Hearing Delilah speak to her son made Jessica so happy, and sad at the same time.  She wished so badly that he were still here.  She knows they would have been so close.

"Kiss my mommy for me, and I'll kiss yours.. ours." Delilah smiles at Jessica.

Jessica looked into that little girls eyes with so much love. Delilah then wrapped her arms around Jessica and gave her a kiss.

"I love you, mommy."

"I love you more, baby girl."

***

Saturday September 21st.
38 weeks pregnant.

"Okay, little one. If you come out now, I'll buy you a super cool present!" Jessica says slouched down on the couch as she stares at her big round belly.

"You're kicking, I know you want out! Just come out! Please, baby? Pleeeeease!" Jessica whines.

Suddenly Jessica hears Delilah laugh.
Jessica looks up and sees her nodding her head.

"What are you laughing at?"

"You're ridiculous."

"Delilah! That's not nice." Jessica pouts.

"I'm sorry but it's true. You know she doesn't understand you, and she's gonna come out when she wants! Not when you whine like a baby asking her to come out."

"You have a little attitude today, don't you?"

"Not at all!" Delilah smiles sweetly.

Jessica chuckles and pushes herself up with a struggle.

"Ow.." She groans.

"Do you need help getting up? I can call daddy!"

"No it's fine, baby he's working on.. you know what, he did this to me, Yes!  Go grab him, please."

"How did he do this to you, mommy?"

"Huh? Oh! Nevermind, I'm getting up."

"Okay! Mommy, can we make cookies?"

"Sure, why not?"

"Yay! And can you put a shirt on? You're just in a bra."

"I'm in a sports bra! And I'm at home with my family!"

"Can I walk around in my panties?"

"Go ahead! Free yourself, sister!"

"Hey I'm not your sister, silly!" Delilah laughs and hugs Jessica.

"You're mommy!"

"I'm mommy, Yes!" Jessica laughs.

Delilah kisses the bottom of her stomach, then moves to the side to look her in the eyes.
She points her finger and says, "You. Kitchen. Cookies. Now!"

"Yes ma'am!" Jessica giggles.

**

A few minutes later.

"Honey, we're meeting your family for dinner tonight, don't forget."

"Oh dammit! I forgot!" Jessica whines.

"Why are you upset?"

"I'm so sleepy, Danny!" She pouts.

"Aw but your family wants to see me!"

Jessica chuckles and nods her head.
"Shut up, Danny."

"What? They love me!"

"And me!" Delilah says, her hands in cookie dough.

"I know.. I'm going, I'm just so worn out." Jessica sits down and relaxes back into the chair.

"Maybe it's because you're working Monday through Friday." Danny gets down to her level and gives her a smile.

"I know, I know, you just be quiet. Nolan was two and a half weeks late!  They had to force the kid out of me!  This baby is staying out for a while, I'll be fine!"

"I hope you're right."

"I am right!"

"Okay!" Danny chuckles before he places his hands on her belly and kisses it.

"Look at this belly! Wow.. you're so beautiful, Jessie."

Jessica looks at him, her bottom lip quivering.
"Thanks."

"Aw, don't cry!" Danny chuckles. He then wraps his arms around her and pulls her close.

"You're okay, baby. It's almost over."

"I'm just so emotional!  I hate cryingggggg!"

"I know, I'm sorry, beautiful." Danny rubs her back and does his best to comfort her.

**

Dinner.

"I look terrible in this dress."

"No mommy, you look beautiful!"

"Thank you, Didi! You look beautiful too!" Jessica smiles.

"I think you look beautiful too, baby!" Danny says with a happy face.

Jessica makes a face and says, "I'm mad at you."

"Why?!"

"You didn't stop for my shake!"

"Well baby because we're about to eat dinner!" Danny chuckles.

"So?! I wanted a shake!  I'm pregnant, you should have stopped!"

"SURPRISE!"

"AHH! Oh my gosh!" Jessica laughs at herself.

"What is this? A baby shower? Oh Danny, you didn't!"

"I did! Are you so surprised?"

"I am!  Oh wow, honey!  This is so cute!"

"I had some help." Danny smiles over to Jessica's sisters.

"Ahh!  Get over here, you butts!" Jessica holds her arms out for hugs.

"Daddy, Why didn't you tell me?" Delilah looks up to her father.

"Because you would have told her!"

"No!"

"Yes you would have!"

"Maybe a little bit!" She frowns.

"Exactly!" Danny laughs. "You can't be trusted!"

"Oh goodness, look at everyone! Aw even my students! Haha, hi guys!" Jessica smiles and waves. "This is so sweet. Thank you, baby." Jessica turns to Danny and kisses his lips.

"EWWWW!" All of the kids shout.

"Oops! I'm so sorry!" Jessica giggles.

**

After opening their gifts, Jessica began to feel very emotional.

"Wow.. look at all this baby stuff.." Jessica sighs.
"It's been a while.."

Danny moves closer to her and rubs her back.
He then leans in and kisses her head.

"I have to use the restroom, I'll be back." Jessica stands and walks off as quickly as possible.

Danny knew she was upset so he went after her.

...

"Jess!  Baby, come here.  Talk to me."

"I can't right now."

"Jessie, please?  Let's talk."

Jessica turns to him in tears.

"Honey, come here."

Jessica throws herself into Danny as she sobs.
"Seeing all the little baby clothes.. I can't take it.
He was an innocent little baby and he's gone!
I don't deserve another child, I don't deserve Delilah. And I don't deserve you!  I'm so sorry, Danny.."

"No!  Stop this.  You do deserve us!  You deserve the entire world, Jessica!"

"I was too busy talking.. I didn't pay attention to him and he died!  I'm a horrible mother, Daniel.  How am I supposed to raise these girls?  I couldn't even protect my son.."

"Jessica, it was an accident!  You did nothing wrong!"

"Oh shut up!  I might as well have been the one driving the goddamn truck!  I killed him!  I killed.. the most amazing and beautiful little boy.. I don't deserve any of this."

"Jessica."

"I just want to leave."

"Your family and friends are in there, Jess.  Don't do this.  You know it isn't your fault.  Stop telling yourself it is."

"It is, Danny." Jessica then places her hand in her round belly and says, "I can't do it again.  What if I hurt her?  What if I hurt Delilah, or you?"

"Stop it.  You never hurt anyone, and you're not going to hurt anyone."

Jessica sighs and lightly scratches her stomach.
"You're a fantastic mother.  What happened was a tragic thing that no one deserved!  But it was not your fault!  Remember your dream.  Listen to what Nolan said to you."

Jessica shut her eyes as a lump built in her throat.

"He loves you.  He would never blame you for what happened.  Look at all he's sent you to show the love he has for you.  Delilah, the baby!
.. And most importantly me!" Danny says with a smile.

Jessica looks up into Danny's eyes with a miserable look on her face.

"He sent me to you because he knows I can make you feel loved.  He knows that everyday, for the rest of our lives, I'm going to treat you like the queen you are."

Jessica wipes her cheeks and sniffles.
"I'm gonna try to be better."

"Baby, you're already perfect."

"No I'm not.  I'm far from it.  But I want to work on myself.  I want to love myself.  I don't want to blame myself for Nolan's death.. I'll get better one day, I promise."

"And I'll be here the whole time.  I want to help you love yourself as much as I love you."

Jessica sniffles and let's out a little chuckle.
"That's a lot of love."

"It is!  But you're incredible and I want you to see that!"

Jessica nods her head.
"I'll try... thank you.
  I love you, Danny."

"I love you more than anything in the whole word, baby girl."

Jessica smiles very softly.  She then gives him a hug, and they stand in silence.

"MOMMY!  DADDY!  MOMMY!  DADDY!"

"Oh!  We've been away from her for too long. Poor baby." Jessica giggles and wipes her tears.

"Let's go back." Danny holds his hand out for her.

Jessica smiles softly and takes his hand.
Danny then leans forward and kisses her lips.