Young Blood

Prompt: Japril daughter having her first boyfriend and Jackson freaking out

"Jackson, you're overreacting," April sighed as she folded the last of the clothes, getting up to place them in their proper drawers.

"I am not! Did you see her?"

"Yes, she's looks perfectly fine." She waved her hand at the mention of her daughter's modest knee-length dress and heels. In fact, she was more than satisfied with her daughter's outfit of choice; she loved it.

"Fine? She's-she's-" Jackson was stuttering, a true rarity, repeatedly rubbing his hand over his shaven head.

"Dressed very nicely."

"She's-"

"Going on a date."

"No-"

"Yes, she is."

"With-"

"Her boyfriend." While Jackson paced, massaging his temples, April chuckled quietly. "Hey," she whispered once within hearing range. "She will be fine." She looped her arms around his waist and peered up into his cerulean orbs. "She will be fine," April said yet again, knowing he still didn't believe it.

"But she's not old enough," he stated, shaking his head as his lips formed a slight pout. "She's not ready."

"She's not ready or you're not ready?" April questioned. She knew her daughter announcing her first relationship was going to take a toll on her husband and was prepared for the fallout. Prepared for a night of grimacing and pep-talks and maybe she scheduled a little…entertainment…for the evening to distract him.

"She's not ready," Jackson gritted his teeth as he pulled away from the embrace. Turning around, he gripped their mahogany dresser, steadfastly ignoring his reflection in the mirror. Not that April would be deterred. She knew exactly what he needed. Wrapping her arms around him from behind, she pressed her cheek into his tense back.

"April, not now!" Jackson moved once again, unable to keep still and absolutely hating the coddling coming from his wife.

Huffing in aggravation and Jackson's inability to accept her help, April swiftly turned on her heels and slammed the bedroom door as she left.

"Hey mom, can you help me?" Joelle walked out of her bedroom holding a brush and several clips right as April entered the hallway.

"Sure," April said, grabbing the brush and gently running it through her daughter's wavy tresses. "What's going on here?"

"I'm trying to get it out of my face and it's just not cooperating with me," she clenched her fists quickly before letting out a deep breath. "I was attempting a braid."

"Calm down; I've got it." Within minutes, April had Joelle's hair intricately twisted and clipped back, an elegant look for her newly fifteen year old. She strategically placed a few more bobby pins to hold her daughter's thick mass of hair and then turned her around so that she could admire her work. "What do you think?"

"Oh, mom." Joelle's eyes were beginning to tear and she immediately began fanning her face with her hand. "It's perfect."

"Well I'm glad you think so." April herself was tearing up, standing behind her first-born, hands on her shoulders as the two stood before the mirror. "My baby girl's all grown up."

"Mom," Joelle huffed despite the flushing of her cheeks. "It's just dinner." She looked once more at their reflection and, noticing her mother's streaming tears, rolled her eyes. "God, I don't know who's reaction is worse- yours or dad's."

"Oh shut up," April chuckled. "Believe me, you'll prefer mine by the end of the night."

"Is he mad at me? I mean he probably is. Is he? I just thought I should tell him and you said so too and-"

"Breathe, Jo. Breathe." April shook her head slightly, a small smile gracing her lips. Joelle stopped short and took in a huge breath.

"I'm just," she paused for a moment, looking everywhere but her mother's probing eyes, "nervous." April pulled her into a hug at that point, rubbing her back.

"You are not in trouble. Your father is just being a dad. A very protective one." She pulled back in order to hold Jo at arms length. "You're his baby girl. Always."

"I just wish he didn't treat me like one," Joelle shrugged.

"Well get used to it. I have a feeling he's never going to stop."

"I have to say your mother's right," Jackson chimed in after entering the hallway. April swiftly moved away from his reaching grasp, leaving him fumbling for somewhere else to place his hands. Patting his daughter's shoulders, he continued, "She usually is." Nothing like a few brownie points when he's already in the dog house.

Putting on a happy face but still avoiding eye contact with her husband, April clapped her hands together as the doorbell rang. "You look beautiful sweetheart. Let's get the door." She led the way, carefully stepping over her son's trail of toys, down the stairs and towards the front door. "Hi Brett!" she greeted as bright as ever. "How are you?"

"I'm doing well, thanks," he answered, fidgeting slightly as he remained planted on the doorstep.

"Why don't you come in?" Jackson asked, plastering on his award-winning smile.

"How about we get going?" Joelle wedged her way between her parents and out the door. "Wouldn't want to miss the reservations."

"We don't have-"

"Oh, look at the time. We're just going to- oh come on Brett," she began to drag him towards his car.

"Bye Mr. and Mrs. Avery!" he called in a feeble attempt to maintain his dignity while the tiny girl pulled him down the steps. April waved, one hand clamped over her mouth, eyes watering and body trembling. It was minutes before April moved to shut the door; she wanted to wait until they were out of sight.

"He's too old for her." The silence was broken and April responded by slumping into the overstuffed arm chair. "She still cries when she watches Disney movies. She's too young." April just nodded her head and shrugged her shoulders.

"She's going to date. She's going to have boyfriends. She's going to grow up," she spoke dejectedly. She wasn't in the mood to speak to him and he knew it.

"It doesn't mean I have to like it."

"Well-"

"April, I'm sorry okay? I'm sorry," he stopped to regain his composure and gingerly took her hand in his. "I sorry I snapped at you. I shouldn't have taken it out on you."

"I was only trying to help."

"I know and I was a jerk. I'm sorry," he repeated. "Forgive me?" Smiling at his puppy-dog eyes, April huffed.

"I guess so," she laughed as he guided her up. He wrapped his arms around her waist, lowering his forehead to hers as a genuine smile overtook his face.

"I love you," he leaned down with a kiss.

"I love you too." Another peck.

"But she's still too young."

A smirk overtook his face as a small glint began to shimmer in her eyes. "Are you sure you want to groan about our daughter right now? I have a more interesting night planned for us if you would just be quiet for a second."

"Is that so?" Jackson tilted his head while April trailed her fingers up his defined chest. "And what would this night include?"

"Hmm, well all the kids are out of the house," she thought for a second, licking her lips and flicking her hazel orbs between his eyes and mouth. Jackson groaned as he tightened his grip on her waist. "So hopefully a lot more of that," she grinned.

"Well in that case…"

"We haven't broken in the kitchen yet."

"God, yes. Kitchen. Now."