The Duggars: Who Knows How Many in Counting...

Point of View: Joy-Anna

I couldn't believe that Jessa was going to have 4 more kids added to her family! It was going to be so exciting!

I could tell that Jana was upset though. After all, she was going to have her first child and was going through all of that.

"If y'all want to help brainstorm names, I'm sure Mama can get some paper to each write down some suggestions." Jessa said. Mama nodded and went to get the paper. She returned quickly.

"How many names do you want?" Justin asked.

"However many you would like." Jessa said. "Not too many though."

I started thinking. Jessa had said she wanted some names for her children. Maybe Jana would want some suggestions to for her child.

Since Jessa was having definitely one boy and either 3 girls or 3 boys or a mix, I decided to come up with four names each and if I liked others, I could include them too. Jana might like them.

I immediately thought of all the boys names starting with "S" and the girls names starting with an "E" but then I remembered that 1) Jessa doesn't prefer to have her children named with the same initial and 2) Jana may not want that either. I was glad because this allowed me to think bigger.

I wrote down
Boys: Gavin, Lewis, Daniel

Girls: Isla, Rebecca, Rachel

Either: Alexander(a). Nicholas/Nicole

Because you never know. Some names can be both genders.

Eventually Jessa collected the papers and started reading out the names.
"Jessica, Kathrine," she started. I kind of zoned out because there were so many names "Landon, Alexander or Alexandra, Isla, Erin or Aaron depending on gender, Crystal, Taylor, and Daniel" Jessa finished after what seemed like a forever. Honestly, I love my sister and babies but these lists of names could take forever.

"Well Ben," Jessa said. "What names do you like?"

"Personally I like Daniel for a boys name and Isla for a girls name." Ben said. "But also remember that there are 4 kids, one is almost definitely a boy."

"That means lots of names!" Jordyn said. "And if you want to have middle names too!"

"I think you should name your daughter Taylor." A voice said.
"No I think you should name it Sayla." Said another.
"No we already have a Sayla!"
"But-"
Then the noise level continued to increase from there.

Out of all the chaos, suddenly I heard a voice call out "WAIT!" It was Jana. All heads turned and I could tell she immediately was regretting her decision.

"I have to say something." Jana continued. "I hope you let me finish before you butt in," she said to no one in particular but it was clearly towards my father.

"Since John and I have been in Calgary, some things have happened. I admit it has been amazing but I met a guy named Dawson. He's super sweet and I found that I love him very much. He has been there for me through everything. Especially through this." Jana said. Everyone's eyes were on her. No one said a word.
Jana sighed loudly.
"I'm pregnant." She announced. "That's what I talked to the older girls about this morning. But I didn't mention how many. I found out I was pregnant and then I kept growing more and more. I went to the doctor there and found out I was having triplets. I really didn't mean to surprise anyone tonight, especially with Jessa's big news."

Jana looked around the room. Everyone seemed shocked. I personally was pulled. I was excited for her yet appalled that she would do this despite our religious beliefs.

"Jana," my father started "I was curious as to why Jessa had borrowed a pregnancy test from you. Now I know why. You know our beliefs and what they tell us."

"Yes Pops I know but-"

"No, no buts. Some of us may be happy for you, I know deep down, I am too but you disobeyed what was said. Therefore, I need you to leave right now." Pops said.

Some of the younger kids went wide eyed and stared at him.

"Right now." He said, his voice getting louder.

Jana was close to tears. She stood up and started walking out of the room. Then Josie got up and ran and gave Jana a big hug. I heard her whisper to her "Jana, it's okay. I believe in you. I love you."

"Josie, back here please." Mama said.

Josie sulked back to the group and Jana left. The whole room was quiet.