The next morning.
Today is Anastasia's 23rd. Birthday.

Danny and Jessica brought her favorite food in and ordered her a cake that screamed Anastasia.

"Mommy, that cake looks too scary to eat." Willow says.

Jessica laughs. "Well Ana is kinda scary. Daddy and I just wanted a cake that matched her personality.

"I love it! It's perfect! Thanks mom and dad!" Anastasia says.

"You're welcome, sweetie." Jessica smiles sweetly.

"Only the best for my Princess." Danny wraps his arm around his daughter.

"Aww. I love you Daddy!" Anastasia hugs him tightly.

"I love you Daddy!" Jessica makes a face and mocks her voice. "Mommy went through forty plus hours of labor and nearly died pushing me out, but I love YOU DADDY!"

"I love you too mommy." Anastasia chuckles and walks over to hug her mother.

"A petty hug?"

"Oh Gosh, you're being so dramatic! Of course I appreciate you giving birth to me. I apologize for being such a pain in the ass."

"A literal pain in the ass."

"I'm sorry!" She laughs and kisses Jessica's cheek.

"Aw baby, I'm just messing with you. I mean you were hard to birth, but you were so worth it! You came out so perfect! Big chubby cheeks! A booty, thighs, a big belly!" Jessica smiles and rubs Anastasia's stomach.

"Damn, you make me sound like a Shrek baby."

"Shrek babies are so cute!"

Anastasia laughs.

"You were cuter than a Shrek baby of course!
  You were so cuddly too, and you had so much hair! Gosh what a beautiful baby!"

"Mom talk about me next!" Gabriella smiles.

"No!" Isaiah shouts. "Everything is always about you! Enough!"

Jessica laughs and shakes her head as Gabriella pouts like a little girl.

***

February 1st.
Charlotte's 10th. Birthday.

"Ken, she's gonna be mad at us. We don't have a baby for her, she's gonna kill us!"

"Noah, I feel bad enough already, stop it!"

"I just feel bad.. I know how much she wants a sibling."

"Yeah well how do you think I feel that I can't get pregnant?"

"You?! What about me? Was I more of a man at fifteen than I am at twenty five?"

"Oh Noah Shut Up! This isn't about you! Stop making everything about you!"

"What? I never make things about me!"

"Just leave me the fuck alone." Kenley storms out and goes to the restroom to clean her face.

After a few minutes she comes out. "Come on. No fighting in front of Charlie. It's her tenth birthday. This is a special one, and we're going to make it the best we can for her.

"Yeah.. No fighting."

**

"Charlie Rose!"

"Good morning, Grandma!"

"I still can't believe I'm someone's grandmother! Good morning, beautiful. Happy Birthday!"

"Thank you!" Charlotte runs to hug Jessica.

"Ten years old!"

"I know, I'm a woman now." Charlotte smiles.

"Oh you are?" Jessica laughs. "I cannot believe ten years have gone by already. Seems like just yesterday your uncle George came to tell us your mommy and daddy had sex in his house."

"Mom!" Noah shouts.

"I mean! It seems like just yesterday you entered into our lives." Jessica says with a smile.

Charlotte laughs and hugs her once again.

Noah and Kenley made today special for Charlotte.  Their family was big enough to have a full blown party at the house.

Danny barbecued and they rented bouncy houses for the kids.

**

"Are you having fun Princess?" Gabriella asked as she messed with Charlotte's long blonde hair.

"Yes!  Will you braid my hair please?"

"Of course.  Sit down.
.. So.. ten years old!  You're growing up so fast!"

"I know!  Aunt Gabby, do you think my mom and dad bought me everything I asked for?"

"They better have!  You deserve everything on that list."

"I think so too.  I hope they gave me the baby I've been asking for."

"Oooh!  They have been acting a little weird lately!"

"Do you think my mommy's pregnant?!"

"Not sure.  Maybe!"

"I hope so.  I don't like being the only one.  Annabelle is an only child, but she was just born a year and a half ago!  The triplets have each other, and you have TONS of sibling!"

"I do." Gabriella chuckles.

"I just want a big family like that.  I love my cousins and my aunts and uncles, but I want a sibling of my own!"

"I understand.  I used to want a sister SO badly!  I begged for Anastasia's grumpy butt."

"You did?" Charlotte giggles.

"Mhm.  For Years!  I asked Santa, I prayed to God.  I wanted a sister so bad!
.. But he gave me your father."

"Oh wow!" She laughs.

"It took me a while to love him.  I really did not want him because I already had a brother and wanted a little sister!  I eventually really liked him, and a few years later I got the sister I wanted.  I just had to be patient."

"Patient." Charlotte sighs. "I try, but I really am getting bored."

"I understand." Gabriella chuckles. She then kisses her head and says, "All done!"

"Thank you aunt Gabby!" Charlotte hugs her.

"You're welcome, Princess."

**

"Did you like all of your presents, Princess?" Willow asks in a sweet little voice. She's a few years younger than Charlotte but still speaks to her like she's older. Willow loves being an auntie.

"I do! Thank you everybody." Charlotte smiles.
"Momma.. Daddy.. is that all?"

"Heh! Yes but we bought you a ton of toys and clothes, you stinker." Noah says.

"Oh. You don't have a surprise for me? A little bitty.. teeny tiny surprise?"

Kenley sighs.  She knew exactly what Charlotte was talking about.

"Just tell us! Are you guys pregnant or not?" Gabriella smiles.

"We're not, Gabs." Noah says gently rubbing Kenley's back.

"But you promised!" Charlotte says on the verge of tears. "You said you'd give me one and I wanted one today!"

"Hey I think a baby would be a great Mother's Day gift to me!" Sarah smiles.

"Why don't you have one?" Jessica smiles.

"Oh hell no! I meant a grand baby!  Noah and Ken start trying!  Jessica has so many grand babies, and I only have ONE!"

"We've been trying okay?" Kenley shouts.
"We've been trying and it just isn't happening!  Now will everyone please just stop putting pressure on me!"

"Oh.. Kenny, I am so sorry." Sarah says. "Why didn't you tell me?"

"I didn't want to tell anyone. Charlotte.." Kenley walks over and kneels in front of her. "I know you want a sibling and I'm so so sorry I couldn't surprise you today with a sibling." She cries.

Charlotte wipes her mother's cheeks. "It's okay mommy. Don't cry. It'll happen. We just have to be patient.."

Gabriella smiles softly and watches the two share this moment.

"Yes. It'll happen, baby girl. And when it does you're going to be the best big sister ever!"

Jessica watches with tears rolling down her face.
"I'll have your baby for you!" She sobs.

"What?" Kenley turns to her.

"Mom no." Noah nods. "You've gone through enough births."

"How can I do it for one child and not the other? I have a really really good womb!  I think every Huston child and the three grandkids will rate it to be a five star place."

"Aunt Jessie, you're incredible. You're so so amazing, and I love you so much." Kenley walks over and wraps her arms around Jessica.

"I love you too, sweet girl.  I'd do anything for my babies, y'all know that."

"You offering is so sweet. But Noah is right. You've had so many babies and you've kicked ass at the whole pregnancy and delivery thing. Now it's time you sit back and enjoy all these babies. Noah and I are going to a fertility specialist next week just to make sure we're okay. It just takes time sometimes. Just because Charlie happened the first time Noah and I were together doesn't mean it has to happen like that this time."

"That's true. I had a hard time getting pregnant with Anastasia. But look at her! She's here!" Jessica smiles. And I had five more after her! Dammit, five more? Am I crazy?"

"And you were just about to volunteer to have ours!" Kenley laughs and wipes her cheeks.

"I know, but I'd do anything for you kids. One more wouldn't hurt me.... Unless your egg and Noah's sperm do the same freaky shit Emily and Isaiah's did and make me have a whole damn litter again!"

Baby Jessica points to her grandmother and laughs.  Jessica lifts her up and kisses her belly. "I'd do it all over again you perfect little baby!"

"What you did for Zaya and Emily was incredible Jessie.  And you have no idea how much I appreciate you offering to do the same for us.
.. That's why you've always been my favorite.. no offense uncle Danny."

Danny laughs and nods. "It's fine, I always liked John more than you anyway." He says making her laugh.

Jessica smiles and takes Kenley's hands.  Don't stress, babe.  That's a big No No when trying for a baby." She then turns to Noah and says, "If you want to use mine and daddy's bed go right ahead, it's lucky!"

"That's disgusting, mom."

"Oh and using uncle George and aunt Angelica's wasn't?"

".. It was the guest room." Both Noah and Kenley say in unison.

**

Later that evening.  They all sat around talking and watching tv.

"Guys!  Can we put on a show?" Willow asks.

"A show?  NO!" Emerson laughs.

"A show would be fun!  We can break up into groups and have a competition to see who's the best!" Gabriella says.

"Never mind, that doesn't sound like fun." Willow throws herself on the couch.

"Stop it, it'll be SO MUCH FUN!  I'll be team captain of Team Gabby of course!  I choose Julio, Charlie, annnd-"

"Mama!" Lucy runs to her mother and grabs her legs.

"And Lucy I guess!" Gabriella laughs and lifts her up.

"I wanna be on Lolli's team!" William says climbing up on the couch and jumping on Jessica.

"Ooh!" Jessica laughs.

"EVERYONE GET IN TEAMS!  YOUR TIME STARTS NOW!" Gabriella shouts.

**

This little activity was a fun way to pass the time.

"Okay I'm first!" Gabriella smiles.

"It's not a solo aunt Gabby." Charlotte says.

"Oh yes!  Let's go Team Gabby!"

"Woo.." Julio and Charlotte mumble.

"Light boy!" Gabriella points to Danny.

"Why do I have to be the light boy?"

"Cause you're the closet to the light switch, and you found the big flash light."

"I wanted to be on a team." Danny says with a sad look on his face.

"You can be on my team, baby."

"I don't even know the dance, Jess!"

"Danny, it's okay." Jessica laughs.

"Okay okay, we're starting!  Turn off the lights!"

Danny hits the lights and turns on his big flash light to work as a spotlight.

Suddenly Lucy starts screaming.

"Lucy!  Hey, stop it it's time to perform!" Gabriella says.

"No!  No!" Lucy sobs and lifts her arms towards her.

"Oh my gosh.." Gabriella stares down to her daughter.

Julio lifts Lucy and looks at his wife.
"What, Gabby?"

"She's not going to dance.  She starts in June and she's going to hate it! She's got stage fright now and we're at home!  I cannot believe my little Princess is embarrassing me like this!"

Jessica laughs and thinks back to a time Gabriella had a little stage fright.

*
*
*

"Lipshtick!  I need it for the show, mommy!"

"I know baby, just one second, okay?"

"This my recital?"

"No, Recital isn't until next month.  Today you're performing at a school in front of lots and lots of big kids!"

"Oooh!"

"Yeah and after you dance so beautifully, you get ice cream!"

"YAAAAAY!  Hey Mommy, are you gonna fit in the chairs at the school?" Gabriella asks.  Jessica was almost full term with Noah.  Only a week away from her due date.  Though she was smaller with Noah, she was definitely feeling very pregnant today.  Her feet were a bit swollen, she was tired, and Noah was in a very uncomfortable position.

"Gabriella Danielle."

"That's me Mommy!" She smiles.

"Do you really think I won't fit in the chair?"

"You look extra big today, momma."

"He's in a weird position so my belly is sticking out a little more. But thank you for pointing out that I look bigger."

"No problem!  Mama, I no want Noah to come out."

"That's not nice, Gabriella."

"I have a boy already!  I no want two boys.  Boys stink!"

"No they don't.  That's not nice, Gabby.  Zaya doesn't stink!"

Isaiah smiles and runs to his mommy.

"My baby!" Jessica lifts him up and kisses his chubby cheeks.

"Num Nums, Mama.  Me need Num Nums!"

"Not again!" Gabriella sighs and places her palm in her forehead.

"Zaya, I trying to get ready for my show!"

"I can do two things at once, Gabriella."

"But I don't wanna see your big boobies!"

"Then close your eyes."

Isaiah giggles and kicks his legs with excitement.

Just then Danny walks in.  He wore a dress shirt, underwear, and one sock.

"Jessica!" He whines.

"Yeah?  Danny, what are you doing?"

"Have you seen my pants and my left sock?"

"Danny this is why I told you to lay out your clothes last night.  I'm a bit busy right now."

"You are?"

"A little bit.  I'm just doing Gabriella's makeup, feeding Isaiah, and making a little life called Noah.  But I'll do my best to make some room to find your pants, Daniel."

"Well not if you're gonna get mad about it."

Jessica rolls her eyes and continues what she's doing.

**

It was a rough morning.  Jessica was exhausted already.  Isaiah was extra clingy, and she felt uncomfortable in the dress she was wearing.

"She's next Daniel, wake up." Jessica elbows Danny.

"I'm up."

The music starts and Gabriella's little class walks out.

"Aw Danny there she is!"

"Is she crying?"

"Gabby never cries on stage."

"She is today."

Suddenly Gabriella starts screaming loudly as tears just poured.

"Oh no.."

Isaiah fussed and covered his ears.

Danny took him and continued watching the stage. "It's okay, Isaiah."

"MOMMY!" Gabriella sobs.

"What do I do? Do I go get her?"

"MOOOOOOOMMMYYYYY!"

"I would." Danny says.

Jessica sighs and stands up. She walks towards the stage, her big belly leading the way.

Jessica grabs Gabriella and walks straight to the back.

"Get up." Jessica says as she walks past Danny.

Danny quickly stands and follows her.

"Gabriella what's wrong? Why are you crying?"

"I was back stage and my friend told me her mommy is having a baby girl.. and I'm having a BOOOOYYYYY!"

"So that's why you're crying?"

"A little."

"A little?"

"Cause then I gotted on the stage and I gotted scared cause you said those are big kids!"

"I'm sorry, Gabby. I didn't mean to scare you."

"It's okay. Do I get ice cream now?" Gabriella smiles.

"No!" Isaiah laughs.

*
*
*

Jessica giggled and shook her head as her eyes teared up. She watched Gabriella take Lucy and bounce her up and down.

"You're okay, Princess. Dancing is fun! There's no reason to be sad." Gabriella kissed her forehead.

"Wow." Jessica said quietly. "Time flies."

***
So that last part is actually a true story. I once read that someone had a child in Shura's recital. They said Shura was bawling on stage and a "heavily pregnant" Jessica Lange walked up and grabbed her.

To be honest Shura was kinda big to be crying like that lol! When my students that are 5 and 6 years old are on stage I expect them to dance! And I don't want those dance moms snatching them away🤣🤷🏻‍♀️

We won't talk about how I was at their age on stage🤐🤫 That's private.. 😙🙃

Anyway! I thought that was a cute story. I'm thinking it was right before she had her son. Thinking about Jessica being super pregnant walking up there makes me smile lol!

One day we'll find a bump picture. ONE DAY!! 🙏🏼🙏🏼