Jessica sat down and caught up with her children. It was the cutest sight. Every child, youngest to oldest had to be touching their mother. They just wanted to feel her.
Joseph and Coltan laid their head in her lap. Arabella cuddled into her side, Joshua sat on the ground between her feet. Jackson sat on her free side and locked his fingers with hers. Sofia sat beside Arabella, Jessica stretching her arm out to hold her oldest child.
"I think they've missed her." Danny say to Jessica's parents with tears in his eyes.
"I think so!" Dorothy wiped her cheeks and chuckles.
Jessica smiles before looking down to her children. "I've missed my babies. I never want to leave you six ever again. Not for a week, a month, a day, or even an hour. I just want to stare at these beautiful little faces forever."
The kids all gave Jessica a gentle squeeze, and Jackson kissed her cheek.
"We're never letting you go, mommy." Sofia says.
**
Danny made dinner, and the kids continued cuddling with Jessica.
"Oh look!" Jessica laughs as her father flips through the channels.
"What is it, mommy?"
"They're showing Tootsie." She smiles.
"I love that movie!" Coltan exclaims.
"Mommy, me and daddy saw that in the hospital!" Arabella says. Danny hears her and immediately stops what he's doing to go to the living room.
"The hospital?"
"Yeah!" Arabella smiles before she sees her father. Arabella's smile fades and she remembers what her father told her.
"Uh oh."
Jessica turns to Danny. "Daniel. What happened? What didn't you tell me?"
"Baby, I was going to tell you tonight. Right everyone? Didn't I say I was telling mommy tonight?"
The kids and Jessica's parents nod and say, "Yes! He did say that."
"What happened? Why was she in the hospital?" Jessica tears up.
"Okay." Danny sighs and takes Jessica's hand as he kneels down in front of the couch.
"Daniel, if you don't tell me right now. Say it!"
"I had the shakes mommy!"
"What?"
Danny sighs. "I'll explain it to her, Bella.
Jess, a few days ago Arabella had a seizure."
Jessica immediately cried silently. She then reached over and placed her hand on Arabella.
Arabella crawls into her lap and lays her head on her mother's chest.
"I stayed with her in the hospital while they ran tests.. during the night Bella always asked to sneak out and find your room."
Jessica holds Arabella tighter as she gently rocks her.
"We found out Bella has epilepsy and we've started her on medication for that."
"My poor baby. This is my fault. It's all my fault."
"No mommy! It's not your fault!" Arabella looks up to Jessica and pokes her fingers on her lips.
"My head did it, not you!"
"I couldn't carry her for nine months. I did this to her. My body wasn't enough for her and it's because of me that she has medical problems."
"Jessica Huston, stop that. Your body is incredible, and this was not your fault!"
"She has so many problems. I.. It's all my fault."
"It's not." Arabella looks into her mother's eyes with sadness. "It's not, Mommy."
"This is how God made her, mom." Jackson says.
"He knew Bella was strong enough to handle all this stuff."
Jessica let's out a sob before coughing.
Hearing Jessica cough panicked the kids.
Danny takes Jessica's hand and gets closer.
"Breathe. Breathe. We don't need you making yourself sick again, Jessica. Calm down. Everything is fine. Arabella is fine. The medicine is working."
"Yeah mommy! No more shakies!"
Jessica holds her and brings her back to her chest.
"I just feel so bad.. but Jax is right. You are so strong. You're stronger than I could ever be."
Arabella sits up and makes a face. "Are you crazy, woman?"
"Excuse me?" Jessica laughs softly through her tears.
"You're the strongest mommy I know!"
"Thank you, baby."
"You're both strong." Danny says.
"Badass!" Sophia said surprising everyone else.
"Sorry!" Sophia giggles. "But it's true!"
"Thank you." Jessica chuckles. She then looks at Arabella.
"I'm glad you're feeling better, Bella Boo"
"I'm glad you're feeling better too, Mommy! No more shakes. No more coughs."
"No more shakes, and no more coughs."
"Just Hugs!" Arabella smiles and throws herself on Jessica making her laugh.
Jessica smiles and shuts her eyes as she feels her children once again surround her.
"It's good to be home."
