It's The 4th of July, and the Huston's are hosting. Barbecue, swimming, drinks, deserts, and fireworks!
"Mrs. Huston, please let me help with something."
"Jessie, you just go out there and enjoy yourself. We've got everything covered."
"I feel bad not helping."
"Why? Your sister doesn't." Catherine says.
"Because! This is my soon to be in laws home. I can at least help with the potato salad."
Zoe chuckles and pulls her in for a side hug. "You're marrying my son.. you have your hands full enough." She kisses her cheek.
Jessica laughs just as Isla walks in.
"Am I cute in this swimsuit or what?"
"You're very cute, bug."
"We all match! I picked out mommy and daddy's swimsuits too cause I wanted us to be triplets." Isla says to Catherine and Zoe as Danny walks in.
"Yep! We look like an Old Navy Ad." Jessica smiles.
"Living the dream, huh baby?" Danny says walking closer to Jessica.
"Absolutely." Smiles as he kisses her lips.
"Aren't these two precious Zo?"
"They sure are. Hey sis, can you believe we're going to be in laws?"
Catherine laughs.
"Mom, stop making things weird!"
"Daniel, I'm only playing! I just have to mess with my sister."
Jessica giggles and nods her head. "Come on, cousin." She pats Danny's bare chest.
Danny grabs her wrist and gets a serious look on his face. "Alright knock it off!"
Jessica cracks up. "I'm just messing, honey!"
"That's weird!"
"Okay I'm sorry!" Now that Jessica's started it, she can't get rid of her uncontrollable giggles.
"Isla Bug, let's put your sunscreen on before we head outside." She says trying to contain her fit.
"Oh no! Mommy please don't do this. I was gonna work on my tan!"
"Haha! Nice, but you're wearing sunscreen."
"UGH! You're SO killing my vibe."
Danny nods his head and rolls his eyes. "Sarah needs to go back to school and stop influencing Isla."
***
August.
"Next month! The wedding is Next Month!"
"Jessie, I don't know what you're so stressed over, we've almost got all the planning done."
"ALMOST! I don't have time for Almost! Isla starts school in a week, my maid of honor just left the state, Danny and I can't find an apartment, Oh right, and the bride and groom also start school next week!!! Jessica sighs. "This is a mess." She grabs her head and sits down on the couch.
"Mom, do you think Danny and I are too young? Do you think we're making a mistake? Should we not do this?"
"Honey, calm down." Catherine sits beside her. "Where is this coming from?"
Jessica nods her head. "It's just all so soon and.. I-I-"
"If you don't want to marry Danny, you don't have to."
"No! No, I want to.. I love him. God I love him so much. I just.. What do I do when this ends?"
"When it ends?!"
"Yeah."
Catherine looked into her daughter's eyes and saw Jessica was being completely serious. "Jessica, why are you thinking of the end?"
"Mom, you don't understand... My life is perfect now.. but it was so horrible before. For twelve years my life was absolutely horrible! Every foster family I was sent to was mean, and they didn't like me. They sent me back, mom. Every time, they sent me back!" Jessica begins to cry. There was always an end."
"What if Danny gets tired of me and sends me back?"
"Oh baby!" Catherine hugs her. Jessica has so much trauma to still work through. Looking at her child right now, it was like looking into the eyes of that twelve year old little girl she met. Full of trauma and abuse.
"Jessica, Danny loves you so much. That is so obvious. That boy.. that man. Is totally and completely head over heels in love with you."
"Yeah.. But what if- what if he's lying? What if he changes his mind? What if he breaks my heart?"
"Have you spoken to Danny about this?"
"No! I don't want him to know I'm thinking."
Catherine chuckles. "Thinking is okay, Jess. Talk to him. I can tell you til I'm blue in the face, but nothing will be better than actually talking to Danny."
"Maybe I should.."
"I think it'd be best. He loves you, honey. I honestly can't see Danny ever hurting you. But talk to him."
"Yeah." Jessica sighs. "I'll go find him."
