A/N: Here's the thing: Osteogenesis Imperfecta Type I is actually not that bad. Shonda could have turned this around and used their storyline to explore the in and outs, to raise awareness. In my eyes she blew it big time when she didn't.
So yeah. I want to explore that. I want to see the perfect Averys dealing with something that isn't perfect. I want to see April and Jackson not breaking, but working when it comes to their baby.


Jackson was nervous. It was early August. Outside it was raining. Not untypical for Seattle, but not what he needed for today.

A smaller, delicate hand found his and squeezed it. "Ready?"

Looking down at his wife he couldn't help but smile. Unlike him she was more excited than scared about what they would do today.


Nine weeks. That's how long they'd waited for this. Nine weeks.

For him this time passed partially in a blur.
April still had seven weeks left until her maternity leave expired. Not that it mattered. As his foundation basically owned the hospital she could stay absent as long as she pleased and always return to her job. Given their son's delicate condition she would likely not return for half a year at least. Likely even longer as finding a nanny or nurse familiar with Samuel's disease had been a long shot so far.

As soon as her bedrest had ended April had spent every day in the NICU with their son. Sitting by his side, helping to feed him, singing to him, praying.
Jackson had been working.

Yes, that had been his choice. He took a week off. He had intended to take another, but seeing that both April and Samuel were doing so well he just felt out of place. So he already took a few surgeries in the second week after birth and full on force in the third.
He had only seen his son when he dropped April off in the morning and picked her up at night. Not even an hour a day. And now.

And now he was supposed to pick him up. For the first time in Samuel's life they would hold him. After nine weeks of watching they would hold him.

Jackson did not feel ready for this.


Back when they got the diagnosis he couldn't listen to anything Arizona told them after "it isn't lethal". The relief had dulled out all of his senses. Although he clearly remembered the smell of April's hair that day (in her flustered mode she had used his shampoo), he could not remember any advice they had received regarding the care of their child.

Sure, he'd sat his ass down and done his own research. But knowing that he had to pick his baby up with one arm on his back and one hand on his belly to avoid fracturing his ribs didn't mean he could do it. Knowing that he should be gentle, methodical and slow in his movements didn't mean he wouldn't tremble with fear.

Jackson wasn't prepared. Not really.

Any other day he might have run. But damn. This was his son. April and Samuel, they were his family. He had to man up and do this. Because they trusted him to do this.
Well. April, anyway. He didn't know about Samuel. He hoped he wouldn't disappoint.


Arizona greeted them with a bright smile, which April immediately copied and Jackson tried to copy, but it really couldn't hide how nervous he was.

"Hey you guys! Someone's so excited to finally be held by you", she exclaimed.
Had her voice always been this high and annoying? How did Torres cope?

"We can't wait", April replied in a voice that was even higher (but cute).

"Yeah. Can't wait", he repeated. At least he didn't have to smile when he spoke.

The pediatrician led them towards the incubator closest to the big picture window. He'd knew the way in the dark after all the times he went down there. April seemed to feel right at home.

Jackson watched, petrified, as Arizona slid the surface open and carefully but expertly lifted his son into the air. He was dressed in a legless onsie (If possible long sleeves should be avoided as they could cause fracturing to the long bones) with his initials stitched onto it, clearly handmade by Karen Kepner. His eyes darted across the room as If he'd never seen it. Great. So Samuel would be able to witness his father's failure first hand. Just great.


"...just like that." Wait- what? Did he just miss Arizona giving instructions to April on how to hold him? How did he miss that? Dammit.

"Jackson, do you wanna try?"
Uhm.

He could try to turn the tables. "Maybe you should hold him first, Apes?"

His wife, beautiful but oblivious, much to his dismay shook her head.
"If I take him up now I won't let him down until I have to. You hold him first. I know you've got a nasal bridge reconstruction at three."

Her smile was so bright he already felt bad for disappointing her. He took a step towards the crib. His son smiled up at him. Hopeful, faithful. Damn.


"Don't worry", Arizona put in, "I'll be here every step of the way. Besides, you're doctors. You'll do just fine."

Jackson just had to believe that. Maybe it would come true. When you wish upon a star.
Hesitantly, he put his hand under his son's back, spreading his fingers wide apart to evenly apply the pressure. He lifted him a bit with one arm. Nothing happened. Gaining new confidence he added his other hand beneath Samuel's head, which still rested on the pillow. And then he lifted him, ever so slowly, until the little boy was propped up against his chest.
For a moment the world stood still.

Then April released a cry and tears started spilling all over her face.

"He's fine, April. He's okay. You don't need to cry... April?"

"I'm not- I'm... these are happy tears", she explained, rubbing at her eyes. Good thing she'd remembered to put water proof mascara. He knew she'd hate for the first pictures of her holding their son to be ruined by smeared make up.

"Oh."

"We need to take a picture!" Tears forgotten, she swirled around to hand Arizona her new camera (a thank you for convincing me to have our son present from the mister himself) before she returned to Jackson's side putting a hand on his bed.

"Smile", their friend/pediatrician demanded. Jackson found that for the first time that day it wasn't something he had to force.


A/N: Sorry about the formating. I really don't know what they're trying to do by taking away spaces. I need spaces. Anyway. Let me know what you think about Mr. Avery Junior :)