A/N - As usual these characters aren't mine. If they were some things would be very different. This chapter is the wedding. I decided to do this in a little different way. I hope you all like it! Reviews are very helpful and much appreciated!

April stood at the back of the aisle with Joe Kepner at her side. As her eyes met Jackson's, her heart began to pound. As her sisters proceeded up the aisle before her followed by her nieces and nephews, the flower girls and ring bearers, she awaited her turn. As the familiar song began, she and her father made their way to her groom.

When she reached him, her father kissed her before handing her to Jackson. April gave her bouquet to Alice and squeezed Jackson's hand. The minster read the familiar verses about love and led them in their vows.

"I, April Kepner, take you Jackson Avery, to be my husband, to have and to hold, for better or for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, in good time and in bad, to love and to cherish; from this day forward until death do us part," April repeated after the minister. As April made her vow, her mind wondered to a particularly fond moment between them.


April closed Callie's apartment door behind her as she crossed the hall to Jackson's place. She unlocked the door and walked in, putting her purse down of the counter. She grabbed her stomach as it gurgled and churned before covering her mouth briefly. As he walked into the living room, Jackson noticed her unusual behavior.

"Is everything okay?" he asked, legitimately concerned.

"I don't know," April answered with her hand on her head, "Sofia did just get over the stomach flu…" As she trailed off, they looked at each other, both realizing what was wrong. Within moments, April covered her mouth and ran for the bathroom.

As the door slammed behind her, Jackson could hear her heave into the toilet. He hated to listen to her suffer, but he knew she wouldn't want him to see her like that. After there was some silence, he slowly opened the bathroom door to see her leaning against the tub, knees to her chest.

"Can I come in?" he asked before he entered the bathroom. She smiled a little and nodded. He walked over and sat down next to her. After a moment, she laid her head down on his lap. Without disturbing her, he reached in the cabinet and grabbed a washcloth, wetting it under the bath faucet. He lightly wiped off her face as she rested.

Before long she had fallen asleep, so he gently stood and scooped her up. He carried her into his bedroom and laid her down on the bed. He gently changed her out of her clothes and into one of his t-shirts, which more than covered her much smaller frame.

Then he turned out the lights, closing the door behind him and made himself a bed on the couch. He watched some basketball highlights on TV before he dozed off.

The next morning he made April some ginger tea, per Callie's suggestion. He didn't want to wake her but when he heard the bathroom faucet run, he took that as a sign she was awake. He took a big mug of the tea and the box of saltines, also from Callie. April had left the door slightly ajar after she returned to the room so he stuck his head in before entering.

"Callie told me this tea would really help your stomach, plus here are some crackers if you get hungry," he offered as he hopped on the opposite side of the bed.

"Thanks so much, Jackson…for everything," April replied appreciatively her smile a little bigger than the night before.

"Looks like you are feeling a little better. Go easy on the crackers at first. The last thing you want to do is feel sick again," Jackson suggested, "I need to go into the hospital, but just text me if you need anything and I'll come right back. That's a perk of being so close to the hospital."

"Yes, doctor," April teased a little as she sipped the tea, "You do such a good job taking care of me, I'm feeling better already. Thanks again."

"Anything for you, April," Jackson replied giving her a look that made her heart race before he headed out the door.


"I, Jackson Avery, take you April Kepner, to be my wife, to have and to hold, for better or for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, in good times and in bad, to love and to cherish; from this day forward until death do us part," Jackson responded with his vows, evoking for him the memory of a not-so-great moment in their relationship.


Alex dropped April off at Jackson's apartment. He had been detained yet again for hospital business. April was fairly used to him being unable to hang out after work, but this night was different. She stood at Jackson's door trying to calm herself down.

How could he do this?

She knocked on the door. Jackson greeted her with his usual smile, but this time he was oblivious to her tear stained cheeks. He walked over to the couch and sat down as April just stared at him in disbelief.

"I had this amazing cleft palate case today. This kid is going to look completely normal with barely any scar. Do you remember that case I had with Mark at the beginning of 5th year? It was like that but I did the entire procedure start to finish and it turned out better than I could have ever expected. I wish I could have shown Mark. I think he would have been impressed…," Jackson rambled on before realizing April was still standing in the door way, "What?"

April was fuming. She grabbed one of Jackson's favorite shoes, his Air Jordan's, and threw it at his head. Her aim wasn't very good because there were tears in her eyes and her fury blurred her focus. Instead the shoe hit the lamp next to him and it crashed to the floor, shattering the bulb.

"How could you?" she snapped at him.

"How could I what…Oh, shit," Jackson cut himself off when he realized why she was so mad. "Today's your birthday."

"I can't believe you forgot," April yelled between sobs.

"April, I'm so sorry," Jackson began as April fell apart in front of his eyes.

He knew there was nothing he could say to make up for his epic mistake. So he walked toward her. She waved her arms in an attempt to keep him from getting close to her. Normally he would have obliged but in this moment he took her in his arms despite her resistance and pounding her fists into his chest.

"April, I am so, so sorry," he whispered. To his surprise, she stopped and gave in to his embrace, curling up in his strong arms. He rested his chin on her head as they stood there for a few moments, rubbing her back.

"How about you take a shower and I'll go pick up your favorite ice cream? Cookie dough, right?" Jackson began. April nodded before he continued, "Also you can dig out my Harvard t-shirt and sweats that I know you secretly love to wear."

As he began to release his embrace, she grabbed on to his shirt. On her tip toes, she kissed his lips for a moment. "I'm sorry I broke your lamp," she whispered.

"I didn't like it very much anyway," he responded with a chuckle before his voice took on a more somber tone, "I can't believe I forgot your birthday, April. I'm the biggest jerk in the world."

"It's okay, Jackson. I forgive you," April answered him, her voice still barely above a whisper before teasing, "besides I'll have plenty more birthdays for you to make it up to me."

"Oh really," Jackson replied.

"Mmhhm," April answered kissing him again, before adding, "How about you get the ice cream a little later and start making it up to me first…" April took him by the hand and led him toward the bathroom as she pulled his shirt over his head.


After their vows, April took Jackson's ring from Alice, and Jackson got April's from Alex. The slipped the rings on each other's fingers. They both anxiously waited as the minister finished the ceremony.

"By the power invested in me by God and the state of Washington, I know pronounce you husband and wife. Jackson, you may now kiss your bride," the minister finished. Without hesitation, they kissed deeply as Jackson lifted her up in his arms. All of their friends and family cheered the happy couple.

As they turned to face the crowd the minister added, "It is with great pleasure that I present to you for the first time as husband and wife: Mr. & Mrs. Jackson Avery."