After a long delivery, Ivy Renne was welcomed into the world.
Immediately after she was born, she went into Ann's arms. As heartbreaking as it was, Jessica knew not to grow attached. Now that this pregnancy was over, all she was focused on was getting out of Minnesota and heading back to New York. In two months she was excepted to travel and be on set.
This movie was going to make or break Jessica's career. She spent the last nine months studying her character and creating a new personality. Jessica was known to distract herself when things got hard. She was very good at it. Anything that interested her was an easy "get away".
Once three days had passed Jessica and Ivy were released from the hospital. Everything went through the courts and Ann was legally Ivy's mother. Jessica could barley look into the babies eyes.
Jessica decided she wanted to go straight back to her parents after the baby was born. Ann went home with Ivy after she was discharged. She tried to let Ivy be as accessible as possible to Jessica, but she wasn't interested.
//-//
A week later;
Recovering from birth was a long process. Jessica was trying to be active, but her body wouldn't allow her. It was very frustrating. She hated how her body looked and was disgusted in how horrible she felt.
Dorthy and Albert tried to comfort Jessica as much as possible. They had no idea that Jessica was going back to work so soon. So they tried their best to keep Jessica home as long as possible when she had every intention to leave as soon as she could fly.
Her days since birth were filled with walks around the block, studying scripts, reading, and pumping for Ann.
Each day since Ivy has been born she has be on Jessica's mind constantly. Day and night all she thinks about is the baby. Unknowingly her motherly instincts were setting in. She wondered how she was, though she could easily go to Ann's house or ask her mother, she didn't. Jessica never even held her, and for that she felt beyond guilty. But her mind kept shutting down those motherly feelings.
//-//
"Jessica, I'm going to the grocery store, do you want to come?" Dorthy says from downstairs.
Ever since Jessica started showing, she never went out into public. Now that she was no longer pregnant, Dorthy wanted to get Jessica out of the house. Luckily, she agreed to go on the little day trip with her mom. She bundled up in layers so nobody could see her figure.
"So what do you want for dinner this week?" Dorthy asks
"Salad is fine." She says
"Salad? You'll need more than salad, Jessica. You just had a-"
"Mom..." she says softly
"I'm sorry..." she sighs
"I just need to lose this weight." Jessica mumbles
"Honey, it was just a week ago. You need to give your body time to heal."
"I don't have six weeks to heal, mom. I have things I need to do."
Dorthy goes quite. The conversation she was dreading was finally here.
"What things?"
Jessica sighs "I signed a contract before I found out I was pregnant. I'm expected to be in Los Angeles in two months to start filming. Mom, I don't look like I did when I got the part. I could lose this and I need it." Tears start to fall from Jessica's eyes
"I thought you'd stay longer..." Dorthy sighs
"Mom, I cant stay here. Not with her down the street! None of this will work if I stay. I built a life somewhere else. I know you can't accept that but I did. I cant put my life on hold for a baby that isn't mine!" Jessica huffs
Dorthy starts walking again as she tries to fight back the tears. Jessica was falling apart and breaking at the seams. Dorthy couldn't stay a word, Jessica was too stubborn. It was so hard for Dorthy to watch.
"I'm sorry that I reacted when my youngest daughter just picked up and left one day. I went years without seeing you and sometimes months without talking to you. It hurt me, okay? But I'm nothing but proud of you Jessica. I just wish you believed me when I say that."
"... I always knew you were destined for great things, Jessie. I just didn't except for it to all happen so soon. I've lost so much time with you. Just promise me, this time.... You'll call me more and tell me that you're okay." Dorthy looks at her with tear filled eyes.
Jessica turns to her mother and stops walking. In the middle of the grocery store she hugs her motherly tightly and breaks down.
"I got myself into a mess, mom." She cries "I don't think I can ever come back." She says
In the moment, Dorthy's heart shattered into a million pieces.
//-//
December 1st;
The holidays were quickly approaching and Jessica Jessica wanted to leave town before all of the festivities began. She told her parents that she would stay for the holidays, but spending thanksgiving with them was enough. In her parents mind, Jessica was leaving after the new year, but without their knowledge she booked a late flight out of Minnesota.
Tonight her parents were at Ann's seeing the baby. It was the perfect time for her to leave without having an confrontation. She knew her parents would be hurt, but it was easiest for Jessica to leave without saying goodbye.
By seven, the taxi came to the house to pick up Jessica. She put her suitcases in the taxi and headed for the airport.
//-//
"Jessica, honey? We are home!" Albert says
"All of the lights are off. Is she asleep?" Dorthy asks
"Jessica?" He says again
It was only seven fifteen. They had missed her just by a bit.
They make their way to the upstairs to go check on her.
Dorthy had this bad feeling that Jessica was gone.
"Albert.... I think she left." Dorthy cries
"No, she didn't. Look." He says as he opens the door
They open the door to an empty room. All of Jessica's things were gone and the bed was nicely made. All of her pregnancy things were left at the end of the bed.
Dorthy covers her face and cries "She promised she'd stay for a while longer."
Albert comforts his wife as she sobs into his shoulder. "Maybe this is what she needs, honey."
"She's hurting, Al. Didn't you see? She needs me!"
//-//
