Left Behind

Figuring it Out

December 23rd-

Ever since Jessica got to Minnesota she had stayed with Danny. Only Ann knew she was home. Jessica hadn't told Jane or her mom about Danny or that she came early to see him. From what they knew, she was getting off the plane today. She wasn't ready to tell anyone. Her and Danny decided to keep it to themselves until they figure everything out. Jessica was going to spend Christmas at her mothers while Danny was on vacation with his sister, mom, and her kids. He wanted to cancel and stay with Jessica but she insisted that he went.

"I'll be back the day after Christmas. I'll be able to see you, right?" Danny says holding Jessica in his arms. He wasn't ready to let her go. Even though it was only for a few days, he promised himself to never let her go.

"Of course, and we can talk everyday. You need to get out of Minnesota and enjoy this time with your family. Just promise me you'll enjoy yourself?" Jessica takes his hands and holds them in her own.

"When I get back we can figure this all out. You know, before you leave."

"You know I don't want to go back but I have to talk with Mark. We will figure this all out." Jessica kisses his cheek then grabs her bags.

"I'll see you right when I get home. I love you!" He exclaims

"I love you too! Have a safe flight."

**

Jessica finally arrived at her moms. When she got inside her mother was sitting on the couch waiting for her.

"Jessie! It's so nice to finally see you!" She rushes up to Jessica and hugs her tightly.

"Hi, mom." Jessica smiles

"How was your flight? I hope it was okay with that snow storm."

Jessica was confused at first. Then she remembered that her mother thought she just got into town.

"It was okay. How are you?"

Dorthy walks over to the couch and sits down. She motions Jessica to sit down next to her so she does.

Dorthy was a bit more quite and seemed sad. Jessica looked at the coffee table and saw photo albums scattered everywhere.

"I'm okay..." Dorthy leans over and closes the albums. The cover of the one was Dorthy and Albert's wedding album.

"What made you pull these out?" Jessica picks one up and looks through it. They were all pictures from when Dorthy and Albert started dating to Jessica and her siblings in their teen years.

"Around Christmas time I always think of him. It was his favorite holiday. He loved having everyone around. I'm glad you are home for Christmas." Dorthy says with tears in her eyes.

Jessica hugs her mother and rest her head on her shoulder.

"I miss Christmas with everyone. I'm glad I came."

"I'm worried for Ann. This is her first Christmas without Jimmy. I remember how hard our first Christmas was without dad." Dorthy put her head down and looked at the floor.

Jessica knew exactly what Dorthy was talking about. The year Albert died, Jessica and her siblings all just separated and went their own ways. Jimmy and Ann went to Hawaii with the kids, Jane went with Rick to visit his family, and Jessica was in New York with Sarah and Sam. The only people in town where George and Dorthy.