Maggie began to stir in her sleep and absent-mindedly search the sheets for Jackson's hand. Her hand clumsily laid on top of his and she grabbed hold of it before pulling his arm around her waist, keeping her hold on his hand after. Jackson smiled at that. Maggie's unconscious actions involved no mental restraint. He savored moments when Maggie, even when sound asleep, sought him out. Craving his touch, reassuring herself of his presence.
Maggie was the type of woman to overthink everything- except for her job. She was extremely confident in her ability as a surgeon. She did not fumble when it came to her skill. It was one of the things that he initially found attractive about her. Although neither Richard or Ellis had raised her, they had given her that gift. She was born to hold hearts in her hand. She was born to hold his heart in her hands.
He thought back to the day before. He had had such a troublesome day at the hospital. Back to back consults early in the morning and a major surgery in the afternoon that had not ended the way he had hoped. He had only seen Maggie in passing, and from her look of concern, he could tell that she was aware that he was not having the best of days. He must have looked ill, because she had placed the back of her small hand to his forehead. A small, thoughtful gesture that he hadn't accepted before her. He did not do a lot of things before Maggie.
Maggie's eyes fluttered open, but she did not move. She laid there, holding his hand in hers. And because she made no attempt to move, neither did Jackson.
He was not sure how many minutes had passed of them laying there intertwined, before he finally opened his mouth to speak.
"Good morning, baby." Jackson whispered the words tenderly into Maggie's ear.
She let out a deep sigh and leaned back into him.
"Let's call in today, we can play sick."
"Feeling a little naughty today, Dr. Pierce?' Jackson let out a deep chuckle and pulled his arm tighter around Maggie's waist.
Maggie playfully giggled as she untangled herself from Jackson's embrace and turned her body to face towards him.
"Seriously, let's just not go," she pleaded.
Jackson looked over his girlfriend thoughtfully before nodding his head in agreeance.
He'd agree to almost anything she proposed. Jackson had been with other women but with Maggie it was a different feel. Everything about her seemed to demand his attention. She dizzied him. She was holding him captive, but he was far from a slave, in fact she was his redemption. With her there was no brainwashing or manipulation. She managed to stimulate his mind, body, and soul. And whether she knew it or not, she had loved him past his pain.
"Move in with me," he whispered.
Maggie's eyes widened in alarm before she adverted them side to side frantically. Her mind was reeling. He had taken her by surprise. Jackson knew her well enough to know that she would not jump into this step without thoroughly considering all it would entail. Maggie was not spontaneous. She was his opposite and he had long decided that she was what he needed. She balanced him out. Jackson often did things without thinking. Hell, he had run off and got married off impulse- and as a result, endured years of pain that now seemed self-inflicted. Sometimes he needed someone to keep his feet on the ground. But, this, this was not impulse. Jackson had thought this through. Every time he watched her walk out his door, he wanted to ask her to stay. The four words were like vomit, and despite himself he kept forcing himself to swallow them. But the acid was making him sick, and staring at her now, he knew he had to ask. He wanted her to know that it was fine with him if they woke up like this every day for the rest of his days, he never wanted her to leave.
"What?" she sputtered in disbelief.
"Move in with me," he repeated. His voice was calm, but sure. Showing no sign of doubt. He wanted this, he did not want to miss out on a single moment with her.
"Jackson…"
He shook his head no before continuing.
"Don't answer yet. I know you, Maggie. Just think about it."
He pulled playfully on one of her stray curls before giving her a knowing smile.
Maggie smiled weakly as she nodded her head in response.
And that weak smile and nod was enough for him. He knew she would agree to move in with him, in her own time. She just needed time and he was happy to give her that. His penthouse was just a penthouse without her in it. He was ready to make it their home.
I wrote this scene prior to Thursday's episode. It came to me randomly and I had no place to put it. I thought I'd post it as a little something to hold everyone over! Again, I wrote this quickly and initially did not plan to do anything with it so please take it easy on me- it's not my best work! Also, Jaggie fans our time is NOW! Maggie is moving into the penthouse…HOLLA!