*dot*

It took everything in Tracy's power to not scream at the receptionist at the ER desk to find which room Jess was in. Doug had to calm his wife down before explaining she was his sister and next of kin. He further he had been called by a resident doctor to come. Thankfully, Stu and Jason arrived soon after before Doug and Tracy were taken back to her room. They were back there maybe thirty minutes as Stu began pacing and Jason was sitting quietly checking his phone for the messages his dad was sending him. In a snapping manner, he told his father he had an emergency to handle and would get back to him in a few hours. That for now would shut him up. Finally, after an hour, Tracy came out and said that Doug, as her power of attorney and next of kin, had decided to have Jess admitted because the concussion was severe, and she was stable just not waking up.

The words cut deep as they learned this, but Jess was moved from the emergency room to an inpatient room quickly as it greatly worried the hospital staff. Hurrying to her side, they were met by Doug holding her hands in the main hospital room. Stu patted Doug's shoulder as he called Phil to inform him of the change. Her monitor hummed a low beep as her vitals remained steady. It seemed forever as they watched and waited until Phil's sudden gasp rattled the room. No one ever expected to see the tears staining his cheeks as he stood frozen at the room's door.

"Jess," his voice mustered out as he stepped in and reached for her hand. Jason and Stu stepped aside to allow Phil to hold her, but there a darkness in Jason's eyes as he watched.

"Phil, she's not awake yet, but she's conscious," stated Doug softly rubbing Phil's back. A few minutes passed as they waited for the nurse to finish up her initial checkup. Everyone exchanged sorrows as the nurse took several blood samples. Eyeing one Stu's eyes lit up a moment.

"Excuse me, but why are you doing that one?" he asked pointing at one of the tubs.

"It's standard to test females for pregnancy," said the nurse labeling the vital.

"Oh, okay," he blushed not realizing.

Everyone let out their held breathe but Phil remained worried. It was just a test. Nothing would come of it. With so many people in the room, Jason left after a bit followed by the others one by one. Doug and Tracy asked either Stu or Phil to stay but informed the nurse overseeing Jess to call them immediately. Phil agreed to stay as Stu had to close the clinic, and Doug and Tracy had to attend to a family matter with her parents. Anxious at her waking up, Phil made the call to his wife to say there was an accident and he had to stay with Jess until she woke up. She proceeded to argue with him, but he hung up on her seeing Jess beginning to move. Several hours passed before she woke up. Phil was lying beside rubbing her arm as her eyes fluttered open. Trying to turn her head she found the man smiling at her.

"Hey Jess," he said softly.

"Phil?" she questioned trying to turn over but was prevented.

"You're in the hospital. You were in an accident," he answered quickly. As he sat up and adjusted the chair, he pushed for the call button. A nurse arrived shortly after and began to sit her up. As Jess woke up fully, Phil chatted with her until another nurse interrupted her.

"You must be excited Sir," she said suddenly bringing Jess some water.

"Why is that?" they asked together.

"Well Jessica your test came back positive," she said looking at the two of them closely.

Phil and Jess stared at each other until he broke away the glaze and put his hand on his forehead. The nurse appeared to see that she had caused a disturbance because she suddenly left after getting a food order. As they sat quietly, Jess looked at him confused.

"What is she talking about? What test?" she asked holding her head a moment.

"Well…." he asked unsure how to answer but pushed his hair back trying to hold in his tears.

"What is she talking about?" she asked again with more force in her voice.

Phil reached for her hand and tried to summon the courage to tell her. In his mind he played all the events from Vegas and those nights they shared together afterwards. He begged that she wouldn't not freak out or faint. He stood up and gave her a kiss on the lips before realizing the tears were his cheeks.

"Phil?" she asked worried again if the news was horrible enough to make him cry. "Please don't cry on me. It can't be that bad—" she began but Phil cut her off.

"Jess you're pregnant," he confirmed watching her eyes go wide and there a sudden sob emitted from her body. "You're pregnant but I don't know— I don't know who."

He wrapped his arms her body trying to not get tangled with her IV in her arm or the oxygen in her nose.

"I'm sorry!" he cried wiping his own face with a washcloth. "I'm sorry! This wasn't part of the plan!"

Jess and Phil sat there crying unsure what was happening exactly but let the understanding of her now pregnant state become their focus on learning if this was something they shared or not.

*dot*

A few months later, October

Jess unlocked the door to her apartment and sighed, thankful that their shopping adventure was done. Behind her was Jason carrying in the groceries. Sitting her bag down on the coffee table, she looked up trying to find sense of what he was doing. Whatever he was doing though was in the kitchen. She excused herself to the bathroom and she relieved herself. As she washed her hands, she looked at herself in the mirror while seeing how big her pregnant belly was. It was determined that she conceived around the end of May near Doug's wedding but that meant only two people.

Two people, who would fight one another for her affection. Jess cried when it was explained to Phil that she and Jason had shared many nights together after moving in together, something that he found extremely profound and frankly was on point of screaming at her. She was asked to leave and give him time to process her words before he planned any potential future. That had been a few days ago.

"Jess," asked Jason, knocking on the bathroom door.

"What?" she called out drying her hands quickly and opening the door.

"Can we talk?" he asked holding out a bowl to her. It had all the fixins including dressing.

Jess knew he trying to understand his place in everything. He hadn't really spoken to her about much of anything since the accident, but every day since she was released, Jason had been trying to warm up to her. Following him to the table, they ate in silence before Jess looked firmly at him.

"Jason?"

"Yeah," he choked up, completely lost in his own thoughts.

"What did you want to talk about?" she asked kindly, pushing her tomato around her bowl quietly.

"Just us… and… and… the baby," he stuttered out throwing his fork down. His eyes fell onto her still figure. "This baby is mine, and I intend to be there completely and fully, but I need you to know that I still have the business to run with my father. It would make my time limited but, I will try my absolute best to be there. Also, I –"

"Jason, I don't know if you're the father," she interrupted him, seeing him pause midway through his words. His eyes got wide as her words came to him.

"— What?" he stammered out eyeing her closely. "The baby is mine – right?"

Jess looked down and shook her head. "It could be, but I don't know truthfully. I've with someone else as well."

Jason stood up suddenly and pushed his hair back out of his eyes He paced in the living room, his socks scratching the carpet loudly as he walked in circles trying to gather his words. Finally, he rested his hands on the back of the chair and glared at her.

"Jess, please just tell me the name," he begged gripping the chair too hard causing his knuckles to turn white. "I fight my family about you and this is a ticket out of all that chaos. Please tell me his name, because I love you and I need to know if this child is mine or someone else's!"

Jess wrapped herself in her own arms and stood up, trying to reach him, but he pushed her away as he walked away toward the patio's open door. His back was to her as she tried again to approach her, this time he didn't walk away but she could tell he was shaking. Turning him, she looked into his green eyes filled with worry. His chin was pointed to the ground, and she took his hands carefully. It was here that Jess whispered the name making his body freeze in place.

"HIM? The teacher!?" he said taking several steps backwards.

Jess felt everything shatter in her hands as he eyed her with blight laced in his expression. True, he shouldn't be upset because they were only roommates, who shared a bed from time to time. However, this place they had made a small home for them both. Her fingers tried to reach him, but Jason pushed them away marching to his room and slamming the door behind him. Collapsing on the sofa, Jess felt every emotion pour out, knowing full well what she needed and wanted but neither of them would talk to her right now. She could fell her throat closing as heart-wrenching sobs came out harsh. She grabbed a throw pillow and cried there remembering all the times she and Phil had sex on it.

After a bit, Jason had emerged from his room, a pair of earbuds in, and he left saying he was going for a jog to clear his head. Once the door closed, she continued crying loudly hoping to have comfort from someone, but no one was there. Unknown, Jason listened from outside the door, not daring to leave because he knew inside, he was wrong to behave in this way. He was reminded of his past where he had walked away before from a child, he only knew by name. This was not expected but this time, Jason had the chance to have a real family. His mind told him to go for a jog, but his heart made him stay put and sit right outside the door, holding back his own tears. After nearly thirty minutes, the noises from Jess stopped and he assumed she had fallen asleep, which after he reentered, he saw she was passed out on the sofa. Taking a nearby blanket, he pulled her legs up and laid her down gently, before covering her up.

Across the room, Jason sat alone trying to hold back his tears to not wake her up. He was staring at a single document that lay on the coffee table in front of them both. It revealed a person from his past that hardly anyone knew but he kept this copy to assure himself a child was already taken away from him. Her name was Darcy and was the child of a former girlfriend back home. She was now three years old as of November 1st, but the fear having another child bothered him greatly. Staring at her birth certificate, which he had fought her mother about it at the time, was the only proof he had to continuing the family legacy and his name. That child barely knew him anyway, but this child with Jess… He could have a chance to be a father for real. For once it was not 100% certain that Jess' child was his. Jason just had to be sure….

*dot*

Christmas was coming as Jess continued to get rounder. Last week, was her scheduled sonogram appointment, which Jason attended with Doug and Tracy too. Stu and Phil had declined to attend the appointment to due commitments already. They sat in the room patiently waiting for the reveal. Jess and Jason had requested for blood work to be drawn and find out if he was the father, but once they began a valid, a nervous feeling overcame Jason. There was a determined expression he wore, and he wanted to have the results sent to him as soon as possible, though they wouldn't be available for a week.

In the sonogram, Doug and Tracy clapped happily, thinking that Jason and Jess were to share a little boy, but for the two in question, their breath hitched. Jess closed her hand and faked a smile to her brother and sister-in-law, as the paternity test began after the others had left. Jason stayed with her and was smiling at least at the idea of a son. They left for dinner and remained quiet throughout even after leaving the restaurant. Returning home, they each retreated to their room ignoring the other.

One thing was clear, Jason had invited her to come visit his hometown during the Christmas holiday to see friends and family there. They made plans to do so and on December 21st, they entered the airport at LAX, a large luggage pulled behind Jason for them both. The carry-on luggage was also checked as they stood in line together. Walking toward the security check point, Jason took care of removing Jess' shoes and jacket, but they were stopped by an agent. Jess was instructed to walk through for a pat down instead as Jason did the full scan. Waiting for her complete inspection, Jason had gathered their backpack and was waiting patiently. Once done, Jess rejoined him as they went to find their departure terminal

Jason kept asking if she was comfortable as they walked toward the terminal gate. Nodding, she did say she was thirsty and asked to stop and get a water. They arrived and sat to wait as others gathered around them. Most people were staring at them, as Jason was quite handsome. He got up after an hour, going to get them food leaving his backpack with her. The baby was kicking around a lot and it forced her stand and walk around their bags until he returned. He wasn't due until late February, but he sure were active for some reason the entire last week.

"Hey," she said as Jason returned with a large takeout box filled with Chinese fried rice.

"I got a large since it's so large a serving," he laughed and pulled out a small fruit package for her to snack on. "This will help with cravings."

Sitting there, they ate and chatted about names for their assumed son. It earned a smile from each as they riddled names off. After returning from the gate counter, Jason smiled as he pocketed their tickets.

"I mean how crazy does that sound?" asked Jess trying to get up and gather their trash.

"I like the name that's all. Besides I know how you like the name too," he said standing and reaching for the trash and putting it in the bag to dispose of. "Oh, hey I got us upgrades to first class."

Jess eyed him widely but was not too surprised. It seemed Jason always traveled in first class. Before long they were boarded and flew across to Kansas City, Missouri where Jess learned quite quickly just how cold it became.

"Here," offered Jason smirking. "Take my jacket. Weather is a little different than California."

*dot*

Christmastime in Kansas City was beautiful. Jess had never seen such things in her life. Jason showed her all the sights and they even traveled a bit away to visit his old friends. He told them with glee how excited he was for Jess and the babies. His friends seemed nervous to mention but they all in all were very cheerful to be meeting Jess. They lodged at Jason's condo in downtown, where she was amazed at the sight. Jason had soft playing music in the background as he whipped up a quick meal that evening. It was the new year tomorrow, but she couldn't help herself but laugh suddenly.

"What's so funny Jess?" he asked from the kitchen after setting out their bowls.

She waltzed over and grabbed for his hands motioning for him to join her to dance. He held her close as they moved slowly to the beat of the songs just as they had in Vegas. She wore only her nightgown, but he wasn't complaining either. He unquestionably savored the look of her nearly naked body. That was how she got pregnant to begin with. She looked casually at him remembering the early days when they first met.

"I never thought I would be here a year ago," said Jess. "But there is so much more to our story— "

"I know. We were only online friends," he dropped his head onto her shoulder. "Jess, I'm sorry I overreacted a lot lately, and I know that we are waiting on the results still. But I gotta tell you something so you know exactly where I am in all this."

Stopping, she observed him quietly taking his suddenly serious tone. He was aware he had ahold of her hands and let out the held breath he had.

"I want to let you something about me, I've not said before. I need you to know this and let me finish fully. Okay?" he asked gripping her hands softly. Nodding, Jess listened patiently for him to speak.

"These last few months, I know I've been there for you in this pregnancy, but this isn't my first child, if he is indeed mine. I already have a daughter from a previous relationship who is three. She lives here in Kansas City with her mother."

As he spoke, he watched her eyes get wide as teacups. While he waited for her to do something, she only stood frozen in shock. She looked at Jason with every ounce of love he had ever given to her.

"Her name's Darcy. I have never really had the opportunity to have a relationship with her and I don't expect to anytime soon. Her mother sorta hates me for always disappearing, which is completely understandable. Her mother doesn't know about you or the baby, but I suspect my friends may mention it to her. I asked them not to but you know how gossip spreads. I don't expect you to do all this alone. That's why I have stayed until I know.

"This child— I can't let you— I can't let you do this alone!" he said stopping in his words seeing the confusion on her face. Reaching for her hands, Jess only looked at him as she processed everything he said until finally, she blinking, a firm nod came out.

"Jess, please? Please don't take him away like Darcy."

His eyes begged for her to hold him; to comfort him; to give him anything he wanted. But her brain told her something was wrong. Every intention she wanted to do with him, stopped her right in her track. The name stopped her more than anything because it was th`e first time she'd ever heard it.

"Jason, how do you know her name?" she asked quietly.

"I was told that by her mother after I demanded a paternity test and got a copy of Darcy's birth certificate. It was the name chosen by her mother, not me."

One simple, elegant tug on her arm from him was what it took for her to release her arms as they opened to him. He was being raw with her. This was sort of the thing she needed; for him to be honest with her about his past.

"I know this all seems crazy and strange but believe me I intend to stay by your side through everything with our kids."

Jason looked down to his knees and cupped her stomach, giving it a kiss before wrapping his arms around her fully. Before she knew hands were resting on his shoulders as nimble fingers found his collar. Watchful eyes stared up at her as Jess knelt to meet him. Rubbing his cheek, Jess smiled at him thankful he was truthful with her. He kissed her passionately, like he needed oxygen. She while trying to keep contact on his lips, there was something that felt familiar. The pull of her nightgown to her hips, as Jason's hand pulled it up her body, his fingers traced her back in the accustomed way and she arched into his body. He lightly kissed her exposed neck and tried to control himself but nothing would work to stop this. He turned to seat himself in an oversized armchair as she followed. His hands cupped her breasts and he attacked them with tender care, knowing they were sore from being pregnant. Moaning lightly into his hands, but Jason stopped himself suddenly. He buried his face into the small space between her breasts and growing belly, before she heard a little chuckle.

He was in pain, and needed an outlet. Jason's anguished face showed just how much he was enduring for her sake. Jess took his cheek and cupped it gently. Slowly she knelt between his legs and smiled. Jason sat back slowly and watched her closely. He narrowed his eyes at the girl to observe her features he loved so much about her. Jess never had been frizzy hair, nor flabby or misshaped skin; she was always perfectly fit in his arms, despite his height at six foot. Jess was only five foot five, so she was average height for a girl her age. Her hair was pulled on top her hair in a messy bun still a little wet from her earlier shower. Jason didn't care though. Jess perked up at his knees and smiled.

"What are you planning?" he asked, caressing her arm lightly, seeing a pink blush come across her face.

"Close your eyes," she spoke. He did so and nimble fingers withdraw the belt from his hips while the fly to his jeans slowly unzipped. A sly grin crossed his face, but it contoured quickly as her mouth captured its victim. He nearly buckled under her, but he let the powerful emotion spread. Her mouth like a captain commanding the ship while going in the path and manner she wanted. There was nothing Jason could do while sitting there with her between his legs. As a silky feel surrounded him in light tingles of pure ecstasy, he felt himself nearly go until he stopped her act.

"Stop… stop," he panted holding her face in his hands. Jess licked her lips and wiped her mouth with her hand.

"Make me," she said quietly as she leaned into him, capturing his lips. Jess' lips were as soft as he remembered. There was the hint of basil even after eating the spaghetti they had two hours ago. Jason grasped her bottom and pulled her up to straddle his lap. He let himself slip into her and he was surprised how different it was than a non-pregnant body. His former girlfriend never did such things as they had. Jason remembered how it was before Jess was pregnant. He rocked against her, earning himself every moan and sigh as they made this experience their own. Jess rested her elbows on the back of the sofa to hold herself up, as Jason continued under her. Their lips connected every few seconds, but she kept herself above him slightly. Then again like a few minutes earlier, there was that contraction. She ignored it as Jason pushed through it for her, but the next one was much more painful. Jess let her climax come and she could have sworn something else had happened.

"Shit!" shouted Jason, standing up suddenly, trying to grab her before she fell backwards. Jess, by result of him standing, was dropped to the floor before he could catch her. Jess landed with a thud on her tailbone, and every sharp pain of a contraction came to her in one hit. When it let up, she looked up and saw his entire lap was wet.

"Fuck!" he shouted again looking down at her. "Jess! Jess! What's happening?"

"What?" she asked trying to sit up but all she saw was water everywhere on the sofa, floor, and all over Jason.

"Oh my God!" she began screaming. Trying to get up once more another contraction came sending her back to the floor. Jess held her stomach like her life depended on it and trying her hardest to quiet her cries. But the pain was so intense and so sudden it was completely scaring her and Jason as well.

Hurrying into her room, he threw open the closet door grabbed for a coat to cover her with. Pushing a few aside loose shirts, he found some work out pants. He changed quickly, before grabbing Jess' nightgown and quickly dressing her. Hunting down his keys, he grabbed a large towel and had Jess hold it around her waist. They rushed down to the garage and as they drove the short distance to Saint Luke's hospital where Jason managed to remember after all the years, Jess continued to suppress her pain. There were tears leaking out of her eyes and Jason knew something was terribly wrong with her or the baby. They reached the hospital and Jason quickly ran in to the emergency room asking for help with Jess. She was taken immediately to the maternity center upon his return after parking the car.

Jason was scared but he did manage to answer several of the nurse's questions regarding Jess. When they asked who he was, he merrily replied as Jess' boyfriend and maybe father. The nurse nodded but took him to Jess' room. There were all sorts of things happening. Glancing at the clock it read just before midnight. He never thought this would happen so soon. Jess was screaming as the contractions hit closer and more rhymical. Finally, Jess and Jason learned how their new year would begin. Around an hour of observation and seeing the concerned face of the overnight doctor, Jess sat up and looked at Jason. Both watched the doctor with concern.

"Sir?" he asked kindly. The doctor turned and looked at the pair with worry. "What's going on?"

"Well," he started out. In that moment, Jess took his hand and squeezed it. Despite everything Jess had been through she knew what the doctor would say next. The doctor's eyes were glued to the screen where a single baby was hardly moving and whose heartbeat wasn't very strong. Finally, he saw the instrument down and turned toward the nurse who nodded back. Upon returning, he turned to Jason first.

"You'll need to put these on," offered the doctor. In his hands was a pair of scrubs.

"Why do I need those?" asked Jason fearing the worse.

"We're having a baby," said the doctor very serious. "Now!"

*dot*

Some thirty minutes later, Jason Marshall witnessed the most amazing and confusing thing he ever saw. Jess was prepped for surgery just in case a cesarean was needed, but Jason had his hand on hers the whole time. He could feel his hands near be broken by Jess, but he remained as calm as he could considering all. Jess screamed as the pain ripped through her body and then deafening silence as Jason looked into her eyes. There was shock and pain but also happiness. There was a small smile among all the chaos that riddled her. Following her eyes, he barely registered the escaped sound of a small baby held in the nurse's hands, The cries rang out louder as it became appear the two had just became parents to a small boy weighing at 3 pounds, 2 ounces and was 16 inches long.

"Would you like to hold your son?" the nurse offered kindly. Jess reached for her son and held him preciously against her chest, as Jason watched tearfully. Their faces became wet as he reached over and touch the boy's head. As Jess smiled, the boy was taken to the NICU since Jess had delivered at only 31 weeks. As he was taken, Jason followed as Jess was rolled back to her room, realizing that he may have two children now. The realization meant that now he had to face the possibility of it being false as well. These might be Phil's child as well and if so, he knew he had to make a choice.

They were taken to the NICU to see the boy a bit later to observe. Jess stood from her wheelchair and pointed the little one out.

"Look! There he is!" she said taking hold of his hands. "There he is!"

Jason nodded and listened as Jess was asked to enter the nursery and to nurse the small boy. During this time, Jess focused on trying to get him to latch, but was having trouble. This little boy had the lightest brown hair color, a tuff of sandy blond and bright blue eyes. He was fussing to eat but finally after a bit the settled to eat. After a few more tries and checkups, Jess returned to rest a little more before coming back to rock her son to sleep. After a few hours, a nurse from registration came in to confirm information about them both. Jess sat anxious for this moment as Jason could tell it would be awkward as hell.

"You don't know if he is your son?" she questioned, peering over her glasses after a series of questions aimed at Jess.

"No ma'am," she nervously laughed. "Unfortunately, we do not know. Still waiting on results."

"Okay," she said with a sigh. "Do you have names picked for this cutie? We can fill in the father later after the blood work. You said it should be in any day?"

"Yes ma'am," replied Jason. "We did pick out names."

Confirming her own birth information, Jess stated her birth state as Arizona and full birthday as April 13, 1991. As a note in case she needed it, Jason stated his information for his birth state as Missouri and birthday of July 15, 1987.

"And what are the boy's name? I can fill out the father's names later like I said."

Jess looked at Jason as she told the names.

"His name is Jackson Dean. We will pick last names later."

Nodding, the nurse left and began to fill out paper for baby Jackson. When she left and Jess went back to nurse again, she took a sharpie and labeled the name to the crib. It would be only a few hours before they learned the truth and it something quite alarming, that neither really guessed it would swing in their favor.