A Second Chance

I thought you knew!

Jessica was so happy.  She wanted to just run down and shout out her happy news, but then she remembered where she was.  It wasn't an appropriate time to make this announcement, so she would have to hold it in for the rest of the week.

"Oh my gosh, I want to tell Danny so bad!" She jumps up and down.

"We're gonna have a baby!" She smiles and places her hands on her small stomach.

When dinner came Jane noticed Jessica seemed extremely happy.
Everyone was sitting around so she couldn't ask her what she wanted.

"Jessica."

"Yes ma'am?" She smiles.

"So um.. I was wondering about-"

"I know what you're talking about!" Jessica smiles big.

Everyone gives them a strange look and Jessica notices.

"Um, potatoes!  Right?"

"What?" Jane gives her a strange look.

"You asked if I liked them."

"Oh right!!  So?" She smiles.

Jessica smiles big and nods her head.

"YES!!  Oh my gosh!" Jane runs over and hugs her.

Jessica laughs and everyone watches them.

"She liked the potatoes!" Jane chuckles.

Jessica laughs and hugs her back.

***

The next couple days Jessica was still feeling really sick.

"Mommy feels yucky, but at least I know that you're healthy in there." She says laying down and rubbing her belly.

Jessica called her doctor and made an appointment for the day she got back.  She planned on telling Danny, then they could both go to the first doctors visit together.

"Hi honey, how are you feeling?" Jane asks.

"Not great, but I'm okay." Jessica smiles.

"Good!  Congratulations again, sweet pea.  I'm so happy for you."

"Thank you so much, Jane!"

Jessica's phone rang and her face lit up when she saw Danny's face on her screen.

"Hi baby!"

"Hello pretty lady!  Are you feeling any better?"

"I feel great!"

"Well that's good!  I can't wait to see you tomorrow."

"Me either!  I've missed you so much, baby."

"I've missed you too."

It took everything Jessica had not to tell Danny about the pregnancy, but she wanted to see his face so badly when she told them they had a baby on the way.

The next day everyone said their goodbyes and Jessica, Jane and the boys all headed back to Cloquet.

Danny was out on the porch waiting for them to get home.  Jessica got out of the car and ran over to him, then wrapped her arms and legs around his torso.

"Oh my baby!  I've missed you!" She says before kissing him passionately.

"I missed you too!  Oh it's so good to see you, Princess!"

Jessica smiles and lays her head on his shoulder.

The boys say hello to Danny, then head inside to see Zachary.

"Baby, I'm glad we're alone, I have something to tell you."

"Oh and baby girl, I want to hear every single little detail about your trip, but I have to run by the office for something really quick!"

"What?  But we just got home!"

"I know, but I promise it'll be fast!"

*Sighs* "Alright, fine.." Jessica pouts.

"Oh don't pout, Princess!" Danny says gently rubbing his thumb on Jessica's bottom lip.

"Hm!  Okay.." She smiles softly.

Danny gets in his truck and takes off.
Jessica sighs and says, "Well I guess I'll have to go by myself!"

**

"Jessica!  Jess?  Boys, where's your mother?" Danny asks holding a bouquet of flowers and a box of chocolates.

"She said she had errands to run.  She should be back soon." Zachary said.

"Oh, okay." Danny sets the flowers and chocolates down.
The house phone rings so he walks over to answer it.

"Hello?"

"Hi Daniel, it's Jane!"

"Oh hello, Mrs. Shepard.  How are you?"

"I'm great!  I was calling to speak with one of the boys.. I thought you'd be with Jessica at her appointment."

"What appointment?"

"Oh my gosh!  No!  I um.. I'm so sorry, I've mixed.. Uhhh... I messed up."

"Jane, what's wrong with Jessica?"

"Nothing!  I'm so sorry, she said she was gonna tell you about the baby- *Gasp*"

"What baby?"

"Nothing!  That's not what I said!" She shouts nervously.

"Jane, are you trying to tell me that Jessica's pregnant?"

"No!  No, I didn't mean to.  I swear!"

"Is she pregnant?"

"No!"

"Jane."

"No!"

"Jane it's okay."

"Okay, yes!  I'm so sorry!  I thought you knew!"

"Ah man, I feel terrible!  She was trying to tell me something when she got home, but I had to go to the office.  She must have gone to the appointment alone."

"It's okay, Danny.  Don't feel bad."

"I just hate for her to go to the doctor alone.."

"Daniel, again I am so so sorry."

"No, don't worry about it, Jane.  You didn't know."

**

When Jessica got home Danny went over to her and hugged her tight.

"Jessie, I am so so sorry I didn't let you finish.  I shouldn't have gone to work!"

"No, that's okay.."

"Jessie, I know about the baby.. It's a long story, but I know, sweetie and I am so so happy!"

"Danny.." Jessica spoke in a low and shaky voice.

"A little baby of our own, Jess!  Thank you so much.  For these next nine months I don't want you lifting a finger, okay?" He pulls away and looks at her with a smile, but is surprised to see her in tears.

"Jessie, what's wrong?"

"Danny, I-"