Wesley’s diagnosis left Brian walking out of the consulting room with a still–darkened face.

    B

    “Why the long face? What did Dr. Finch say?” Jessica noticed his grim expression and instinctively shot a questioning look at Wesley, who stepped out right after.

    53%

    But Wesley didn’t clear things up. Instead, he brought up a totally unrted topic. “Ms. Grant, I suggested iyou /itake a trip to change your mood before. You kept saying you were too busy. Surely you have time inow/ii?/i”

    “Huh?” Jessica raised an eyebrow in confusion, wondering why Wesley was bringing up the trip out of the blue.

    Wesley nced at her swollen belly, speaking with concern. “Ms. Grant, you must be over seven months along now, getting closer to your due date.

    “At this point, many pregnant women and their families can’t help but feel tense. If that goes on for too long, it can lead to all sorts of prenatal issues. You should take steps to prevent that.”

    As he spoke, he gave Brian a meaningful look. “Being on edge isn’t good for anyone, Ms. Grant. I really think iyou /ishould get out

    more and rx before the babiese.”

    Jessica met his gaze with a deep look and nodded slightly.

    Wesley could tell she’d picked up on his hint, and his smile grew more genuine.

    “Fine, no need to say more. If Jessi wants to travel, I’ll go with her, of course,” Brian said, feeling an unspoken irritation. He stepped forward without thinking, inserting himself between them to cut off their exchange.

    “That’s certainly for the best.” Wesley didn’t seem annoyed at all.

    Jessica couldn’t watch this anymore and gave Brian a light push. “What are you doing?”

    Brian just stared ahead, face nk, looking a bit down.

    Jessica didn’t know what to do with him for a moment, so she just gave Wesley an apologetic look.

    Wesley shook his head, indicating it was fine.

    Brian noticed their silent eye contact, and the mood around him grew even heavier.

    It wasn’t that Brian was mad at them. He was just ming himself nonstop.

    Brian thought, ‘Brian, how could you be so useless? When Jessi needs you most, you’re not even at your best. Instead, you’ve let yourself develop a mental health issue, making her worry about you.’

    “That’s all for today’s session. If either of you needs anythingter, feel free to contact me anytime.” Noticing Brian’s mood growing heavier by the second, Wesley quickly spoke up to see them out.

    Wesley thought, ‘I’d better leave the rest of theforting to Ms. Grant. Mr. Atkinson’s far too set in his own ways. My advice barely makes a difference. The actual progress will have toe from Ms. Grant.‘

    “Alright, thank iyou /ifor iyour /itime, Dr. Finch.” Jessica nodded, taking Brian by the hand and leading him out.

    On the way, Brian felt anxious, waiting for her to press him with questions. But Jessica didn’t ask a thing. Acting like nothing was

    12:55 Tue, 2 Sept A

    wrong, she had him drive her to Grant Manor.

    ? ? b?? /b53%

    “We’re having dinner at my parents‘ ce tonight. We need to talk about something too,” Jessica said, scrolling through her phone.

    “What is it?” Brian, steering the wheel, asked instinctively.

    “The trip,” Jessica said bluntly.

    “Jessi, you’re going on a trip?” Brian’s voice shot up.

    +15

    “Why so surprised? You heard what Dr. Finch said. I don’t want to stress myself out before the babies are even born,” Jessica said, hinting at something.

    Brian pressed his lips together, saying nothing.

    I

    “Come on, don’t worry. If I go, I’ll definitely take you. Don’t you think you can keep me safe while we’re away?” Jessica teased, goading him.

    “Of course, I can. But Jessi, where do you n to go?” Brian perked right up once he heard she wasn’t leaving him behind.

    “Haven’t decided yet. We’ll talk it over with my parents tonight. I just hope they don’t say no. If worstes to worst, we’ll have to take them along and make it a group trip.”

    That was definitely ast resort. Jessica wouldn’t choose that unless she had to.

    “Your parents love you so much. They’ll definitely agree,” Brian said without hesitation.

    “Let’s hope so,” Jessica smiled.

    That evening, at the dinner table, Jessica told Dereck and Ste about her n to travel.

    “A trip? But you’re so far along.” Ste looked worriedly at Jessica’s belly.

    “Your mom’s right. You’re so far along now, and it’s not like being at home. What if something happens while you’re out? Maybe you should just drop it. iOnce /ithe babies are born, your mom and I can go somewhere with you and the babies.” Dereck wasn’t on

    board either.

    Dereck thought, ‘Jessi almost miscarried twice before. If she travels now to those packed tourist spots, what if she twists her ankle, gets knocked into by someone, or something goes wrong because of a moment’s carelessness?‘

    “Yeah, why don’t you wait a bit longer? Why suddenly feel like traveling?” Ste chipped in, trying to talk her out of it.

    Jessica exined, “It’s not sudden. Dr. Finch has been suggesting I take a trip to rx for a while, but I was too busy back then and never found the time, I’ve had some free timetely, so I remembered it.”

    “Dr. Finch suggested it?” Ste’s attitude softened right away when she heard it was Wesley’s idea.

    “Have you seen Dr. Finch recently? What did he say?” Dereck asked, concerned.

    Jessica smiled, “Dr. Finch said I’ve almost recovered, but to keep me from getting too stressed in the final months and developing prenatal issues, he rmended I get out more when I can. I should probably listen to the doctor, right?”

    “Oh, well, then going out a bit might be good. You do need to rx before the birth. Too much stress isn’t good.” Ste nodded in

    53%

    agreement.

    +15

    Dereck couldn’t argue with that. He just asked about her ns. “Have you picked a ce? And how do iyou /iwant to go–road trip or with a tour group?”

    Dereck nced at Ste as he spoke. With all thepany work piling up on him, he definitely couldn’t find the time to go.

    Before Ste could say a word, Jessica cut in, “I haven’t figured it out yet, but I don’t want itoo /imany people with us. Mom, Dad, I really can take care of myself. Besides, Brian’sing with me. You don’t have ito /iworry about me.”

    Brian, who’d been listening in silence, spoke up when she mentioned him. “Dereck, Ste, iyou /ican rest easy. I’ll look after Jessi properly. I’ll even risk my life to make sure she’s fine.”

    He was so earnest that if they kept insisting on going along, it would’ve seemed unfeeling.

    “Fine, we won’t interfere with the trip ns. You two work it out. But one thing, you must not let Jessi get worn out. If you do, I won’t let you off when you get back.” Dereck threatened coldly.

    Brian quickly gave more assurances, and after some persuasion, he finally reassured Dereck and Ste.

    Once they’d gotten past Dereck and Ste, they headed home. Jessica then got in touch with Gabri, asking her to help figure out which travel style would be best.