A/N – I'm finally getting back in the writing mood. This is just the beginning of some different stuff I want to write this summer. I already have a prequel of sorts in mind for this story but I wanted to write this first. Also, I want to continue this but I'm a little stumped so please leave suggestions in your reviews. Thanks to all the people who gave their suggestions and advice! I hope you all enjoy! Please review! =)
Jackson felt like he was being suffocated. He ran the entire way from the ER to the maternity ward, taking the stairs because he wasn't willing to wait for the elevator. His lungs burned but his inability to catch his breath was for another reason.
The minute he entered April's room it hit him like a ton of bricks. She was just lying there, unconscious, and the doctors were attending to her. Jackson's mind was frantic.
How is this happening? She was fine this morning. We had breakfast and went to work. This shouldn't be happening.
"Wh-wh-what?" Jackson barely got out as he grabbed his chest. "We discovered she has preeclampsia and it caused her to faint," the nurse told him, as she helped him to a nearby chair.
As Jackson processed this information and realized what this would likely mean, those caring for April hurried in a blur around him. They took her vitals and examined her and the baby. He stood up as April's OB/GYN approached him and told him they need to take her to the OR for delivery.
"Dr. Avery, we will do everything we can for your wife, but there is a real risk of hemorrhage. If it comes to saving her or the baby what does she want?" the surgeon asked in a hurry. "We want to get the baby out quickly, but doing so may pose a greater risk of hemorrhage for April, so this is the time to make us aware of what her wishes are."
Jackson heart dropped. His world was crashing around him.
"Jackson, we have to talk about this," April pleaded with her husband.
"No we don't. Everything is gonna be fine," Jackson countered, "All of your appointments have gone so well. You aren't at high risk for complications."
"You're a doctor. You know we need to be on the same page about this because you never know," April pleaded.
"NO!" Jackson barked before walking out of the room.
"Jackson," April continued anyway, following him into the next room.
"I don't want to talk about this, because I can't even begin to fathom doing this without you, April," Jackson replied, his voice breaking, "I don't want to face what you want me to do. Please don't say it." Jackson collapsed into the chair, sighed, and buried his hands in his face.
"Please save the baby," April said softly, tears falling down her face, "I know it's an impossible request, but promise me you will."
"I can't," Jackson refused, his eyes red and puffy, "I can't make a promise like that."
"Please Jackson," April begged, choking back the sobs. She walked over and sat in his lap, taking his face in her hands. She wiped his tears before kissing him. Then she closed her eyes and rested her forehead on his. After a moment, she whispered again, "Please..."
Jackson felt the tears hit his cheeks and quickly wiped them as the doctor asked him again, "What does she want?"
"Save the baby," Jackson said softly, barely getting it out, as his heart pounded and slid down into the chair, burying his face in his hands and letting the sobs come.
Jackson sat against the wall of the surgical floor of Grey Sloan Hospital, his head drooped between his bent knees, as beads of sweat and tears stained his cheek.
It wasn't supposed to be like this. This was supposed to be the happiest day of their lives.
He hated not knowing what was going on in there. Rather than celebrating the birth of their first child, April had been rushed to the OR for an emergency C-section.
He couldn't help but worry, his whole world was literally hanging in the balance. Someone should have come out to update him by now. The more time went by, the more he panicked.
He sat there for what felt like an eternity waiting for something, until Arizona came into the hallway, rolling a basinet in front of her.
"Hey, dad," she said softly, giving him a little smile, "Here's your son. He's healthy…he's beautiful…he's perfect."
Jackson walked over to the little bundle and reached his finger to touch his little pink hand.
"Hey buddy," Jackson whispered, "I'm your daddy…Can I hold him?" He gave Arizona a pleading look.
Arizona nodded, lifting the baby to Jackson's arms.
Jackson held his son close to his chest and rocked him gently. "You have the best mommy," he cooed, trying hold back the tears, "She loves you more than anyone in the world. She's amazing. She is so strong and brave. She's a solider. She has the most beautiful smile and the sweetest voice. She has the biggest heart. She does everything for you. She's given everything…for you."
He stared at the bundle of pink in his hands, forgetting all the bad stuff for a moment.
A resident appeared in the hallway, snapping Jackson back to reality, "You can see your wife now, Dr. Avery."
Jackson followed him, still carrying his little boy in his arms. When they arrived to her room, Jackson hesitated, not ready to face what might be on the other side of the door.
When he finally walked through the door, what he saw took his breath away. April was sitting up slightly and smiling faintly. Seeing Jackson walk in with her son brought her to tears. She covered her mouth and then her face with her hands as she began to cry.
Instinctively, Jackson walked over to his wife and put his free arm around her, gently, as she cried into his shirt. He softly kissed her head and held her for a moment, burying his face in her hair.
After she composed herself, she admired her little boy. She kissed his forehead and let him grasp her finger with his tiny hands.
"You have no idea how scared I was," he said choking back tears of joy, "to lose you."
"It's okay," she whispered, trying to reassure him, "everything is okay. I'm okay." She stroked his arm as he leaned down to kiss her softly. He rested his forehead on hers as their eyes got misty. They soaked in everything about the moment. Everything was gonna be okay.