Damaged...But Not Broken

Coming Home

Jessica and Abigail were finally home from the hospital.
Jessica was still grieving but when she was with Noah and Abigail she remained strong; she would smile and talk to them but as soon they both went to bed, that's when she would breakdown.
Danny would hold her and she would sob into his chest not letting go.
She would cry herself to sleep, only waking up to feed the baby.

It wasn't until a week later that they had a funeral for baby Ethan.
Jessica and Danny kept it small for only close family and friends.
For Jessica, the funeral passed in a blur and she was vaguely aware of being hugged and comforted by the people who loved her.
Sarah stood behind Jessica holding Abigail who was asleep through the thing.

When it was over Danny took Jessica back home because she was still healing from the incision. She fed Abigail before she fell asleep.
Danny kept Noah entertained and tended to Abigail while Jessica slept.

When Jessica woke up she got up slowly and walked to the living room.
She smiled at the sight she saw; Danny holding Abigail in his arms and Noah sitting on his lap. Danny was reading to the both them.
She walks over to the couch and sits next to them.
Noah looks over and reaches for her. "Mommy?"
She smiles at him and takes him from Danny's lap and carefully sits him on her lap, gives him a hug. "I love you my little love bug."
"I lub you too mommy."
Danny leans over a kisses her. "How are feeling my love?"
"I'm feeling better...physically. Emotionally...this is something I can never recover from. I will think of Ethan everyday and he will always be in my heart. I know I can't shut myself off from what's in front of me. Noah and Abigail need me. And I need them and you."
Still holding Abigail, Danny places his free arm around Jessica and she leans into him.
"I love you so much Jess, I'm so happy that I didn't give up on you and I asked you out. I'm so glad that you opened up your heart to me. I can't imagine my life without you and our children."
"I love you too Danny. Even though we lived through a nightmare these past few months, we survived it. And I know we can make it through anything that life throws at us from here on out."
Jessica and Danny kiss then Noah nudges Jessica. "Mommy, I want kiss too!"
Jessica laughs. "Of course, my little love bug."
She gave him a kiss on his cheek then hugs him close.
Just then Abigail began stir and fuss.
Noah looks over at his baby sister and says. "Abby hungry?"
"Yes, she is hungry. It's lunch time. Go with daddy so you can have your lunch too."
"Okay mommy." Noah slides off Jessica's lap and Danny hands her Abigail.
He then takes Noah by the hand and they walk into the kitchen.

Jessica pulls down her shirt and begins to feed Abigail.
She stares at Abigail's face and tears up. "Oh my baby girl, I don't know what I would have done if I lost you too. I promise from now on, I will always protect you and your brother Noah. I love you both with all my heart."
Tears fall down her cheeks and she places a kiss on her baby girls forehead. "Always."

*3 years later*

"You can't catch me mommy! Mommy?"
"Boo! I got you!" Jessica said laughing and picking up Abigail.
"Mommy!!! You scared me!" Said Abigail pouting.
"Awe! I'm sorry baby girl. Do you forgive mommy?"
Abigail smiled and said "Yes mommy!"
She gives Jessica a hug. "I love you mommy."
"I love you too baby girl. Now let's go find your brother and daddy."

Jessica walks over to Noah's room and finds Danny on the floor with Noah playing with Legos that he had gotten for his fourth birthday the day before.
"Mommy! Look what me and daddy made!"
"Oh my! That's a tall building." Jessica said.
Jessica sat down on the floor next to Danny and sat Abigail on her lap.
Abigail cuddled closer to Jessica's chest and yawns.
"It's almost nap time."
"But I'm not tired mommy." Noah says.
Jessica smiles and says, "Well, if you can keep it down while your sister sleeps then you don't have to take a nap."
"Yay!" Noah jumps up and down.
Jessica laughs to herself because she knew her son too well; he would fall asleep as soon as his sister would.
Danny smiles at Jessica, leans over and kisses her. He pulls away and says, "I love you."
"I love you too." She responds.

They sit and play with the kids for a bit longer before Noah begins to yawn.
Abigail had already fallen asleep in Jessica's arms.
"Alright Noah, time to get in bed."
Noah rubs his eyes and says, "Okay mommy."
He gives Jessica a hug and a kiss then runs to his bed and quickly gets under the blankets.
Jessica gets up with a little difficulty having Abigail in her arms and walks to Abigail's room.
She lays her baby girl in her bed and gives her a kiss.

Jessica walks to the living and sits on the sofa; Danny sits soon after. She hugs him close and lays her head on his chest and he puts his arms around her.
It's quiet for a few moments then Danny says, "Jess, let's have another baby."
Jessica squeezes Danny on his side and he yells out, "OW!"
"Hell no!" Jessica says.
"Come Jess, just one more."
"Nope. Not happening."
Danny pouts and Jessica laughs.
"Danny, I love our children more than anything in this world, but I just can't go through another pregnancy." Her voice broke by the end.
Danny rubbed her shoulders. "Okay, Jess, I'm sorry, I didn't mean to.."
"It's okay Danny." Jessica said and held him tighter.

Just then her cell phone rings. "It's Adam."
Jessica walks into the kitchen as she answers the phone. "Hello Adam."
"Jess, hey, listen that screenwriter called again and he's very persistent. He wants you for his new tv show."
"Adam, I told you to tell him I'm not interested.  I don't want to do movies or tv shows. I just want to focus on being a mom to my kids."
"I know Jess, but come on, it'll just be one season, 12 episodes."
"Didn't you say the script called for an older actress? Obviously, I'm not right for the role."
"Like I said he's persistent to get you to do this role and that's what movie make up is for." Adam replied.
Jessica let out a sigh. "Fine, I'll talk with him. Give me his number and I'll call him in a few minutes."

She wrote down the number and sat down with Danny again.
"What's going on?"
"Adam said that screenwriter is still trying to get a hold of me. He really wants me to do this show. But I don't know."
"Why not? And don't say it's because of the kids. You can have them on set with you when you're not filming. I know you miss acting."

Danny was right, she did miss acting and she knew a lot of actresses who took their children on set; it was very common.
"Alright, I'm not going to make my final decision yet. I'll talk with him first then I'll read the script."
She gets up and walks to her bedroom.
She sits on the bed and dials the number.
It rings a couple of time before a voice answers. " Hello?"
"Yes hello, this is Jessica. Jessica Lange."
"Oh my! Hello Jessica! I'm glad you called. I'm Ryan Murphy."

And with that one phone call, Jessica's life and career was changed forever.

                                                           The End

Well, we have reached the end of this story. Sorry it wasn't too exciting. Maybe a sequel?
I just wanted to say thank you to every one who read this. It means a lot to me. And a huge thank you for all of your positive comments and of course all your suggestions. ❤️