"Why isn't she crying? Is she okay? Please help her!" Jessica cries.
A nurse reaches over and rubs the baby's back. "Come on sweet girl. Cry for mommy. You're scaring her."
The baby then let's out a loud strong cry.
"There we go. She just didn't feel like crying right away!"
"Oh thank you God! You scared me, missy!"
"I almost had a heart attack." Danny places his hand on his chest.
Jessica laughs and looks down. "Hi precious girl! Oh my goodness, you're so beautiful!"
Danny, Sarah, and Catherine were all in tears.
"You did it! I knew you could do it. You're so strong, Jessica!" Danny says.
"I guess I am!" Jessica laughs.
"That was so crazy! I cannot believe you just did that!" Sarah says.
"Me neither!"
"You should be very proud, Jessica."
"I am. That was so hard. I didn't think I could do it... but here you are." Jessica smiles down to the baby. "You are so perfect." Jessica looked closely at the baby. There was not a trace of Edwin on this perfect girl. She was all Jessica.
"She looks just like you." Danny says.
Jessica smiles. "Do you really think so?"
"Yes! Oh look! She's looking up at you, Jess.."
"She is! Wow.. She really.. she just takes my breath away." There was then a short pause.
"And she most definitely was not poop." Jessica laughs and so do the other three.
"I really thought you had to go!" Danny says.
"I know, you were trying to help me up! You're so sweet. That's so embarrassing though." Jessica shakes her head.
"Nah It's fine. But I do think I have to give her the nickname Poo Bear."
The nurse then pulls Jessica's gown down so the baby can lay against her chest.
Danny looks into her eyes and says, "The looking into your eyes kinda went out the window."
"It's okay." Jessica giggles.
"I'll leave and give you some privacy."
"No, stay with us."
"Okay." Danny smiles softly.
"Hey doc, can you sew that back up?" Sarah asks.
"Sarah stop looking!" Jessica says.
The doctor laughs and says, "Jessica you have a very small tear so I'm going to put in a couple stitches."
"Ouch. Okay."
Catherine watches Jessica staring at the baby. She was so in love with this little person.
"Jessica, you did so amazing. I am so proud of you."
"Thank you, Mrs. Paulson. Thank you for everything."
**
Jessica delivered the after birth, and the baby was taken to be weighed and measured.
"I didn't know all that came out of you too! What is that?" Sarah asks.
"It's the placenta." Jessica giggles. "Is the baby okay?" She looks over to where she last saw her.
"Yes. Danny hasn't left her side since they took her."
Jessica smiles. "She has a protector already."
"She's just over seven pounds, Jess!" Danny says. Completely unaware they were talking about him.
"Aw."
The nurse then lifts her up and asks Danny, "Are you dad?"
"Huh? Oh no ma'am." He chuckles nervously.
"I'm her best friend." Danny points to Jessica.
"Well what supportive friends you have!"
"They're the best." Jessica smiles.
"That's amazing! Now, this little girl wants to see her mommy."
"Aw, come here Isla." Jessica's smile grows and she gets a sparkle in her eyes.
Jessica takes her and kisses her forehead. The baby immediately relaxing in the arms of her mother.
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"You are beautiful. No one will ever love you as much as I do, Isla.. or Margo.. I guess."
"Wait.. so what about you keeping her?" Sarah asks. "I thought you said you were keeping her."
Jessica takes a deep breath and nods her head. "I can't. I want to so so badly. But I can't do that to her. I can't give her the life she deserves. I refuse to be selfish. I have moments where I'm weak and I say things I know can't come true.... Besides, if Billy or Suzanne ever lay a hand on her I'd kill them. I won't take that chance with her."
"But-"
"I can't do that to her, Sarah."
Sarah nods. "You're the mom. You know what's best and what you have to do."
Jessica looks down to the perfect little bundle. "This is what I have to do."
