Jessica was enthused for their eighth anniversary celebration - she couldn't wait to toast her and Jimmy's marriage (sans kids this year since they needed a short break from the chaos). "Have fun tonight! Don't get into too much trouble," Victoria teased as her stepmother walked down the stairs.
"That's funny. You good?" Jessica checked.
Victoria nodded. "Everything's fine - I have money for pizza and will order it as soon as you and Dad leave."
"And don't let your siblings con you into staying up past their bedtime."
Victoria laughed. "Have you met them? And me?"
Jessica laughed. "Good point." She pulled her stepdaughter in for a quick hug before Jimmy joined them.
"How are my girls?" he asked them after kissing his wife.
"Ready to go!" Jessica responded before a cry from the bassinet in the living room interrupted them. "Okay, Mama's coming. Relax!"
"You think we should tell her that never works?" Victoria questioned.
"Eh, we'll let her have this one." Jimmy winked at his daughter before heading over to check on Jessica and the baby. One look at the crying nine week old and his heart broke. "It can't be that bad, can it, Jolie?"
"The world is ending," Jessica joked as she headed over to the changing table to fix the diaper situation. Jolie calmed down as soon as she had a new diaper and she immediately fell asleep when she was placed back in her bassinet.
Nine year old Jude and the three year old twins, Veronique and Johnnie, came racing into the room. "Happy anniversary!" Jude excitedly told them.
Veronique and Johnnie clamored all over their father - the girls had missed their father while he was at work. Jimmy and Jessica finally managed to get out of the house about twenty minutes later. "See, this is why we plan accordingly. Our chaotic children would make us late every time. Aren't you glad we learned?" Jessica flashed him a smile.
"Happy anniversary, Jess," Jimmy murmured. "This year is bronze." He always enjoyed this part of the celebration, explaining the themes to her. He'd tell her more about it later once they got home since they just wanted to relax and eat dinner at the moment.
"Happy anniversary," she responded. They pulled up to the restaurant and she didn't even complain when he opened the door for her. "So chivalrous, Doctor Palmer."
"Always." They walked inside and only had to wait a few minutes before they were led to their table.
"Eight years married, eleven years together. Can you believe it?" Jimmy couldn't believe how lucky he was to have found Jessica after Breena's death - she had stitched him back together and been there for him and Victoria when they needed her the most.
Jessica shook her head. "Didn't expect us to be where we are now eleven years ago. Now here we are four kids later. And this shop is closed."
He chuckled. "As you've mentioned before. I agree with you that five kids total is enough, sweetheart. I don't think we want to go for half a dozen."
Grinning triumphantly, she gave him a quick peck on the lips. "That's right. I love you."
"Love you too, Jess. With everything in me."
Their food arrived and the two of them happily dug into their meal. Jessica and Jimmy's eighth anniversary had gone rather well, and they took it as a win.
