A/N: Just so that you all know, the chapter ends on an extremely sappy note. I think we need some drama. Lol

Chapter 10

Maggie was in her lab typing away on her computer. She was finishing up her notes so that she could pack up and leave. They had to go pick up Harriet from daycare and then go home to pack for their trip. They were leaving for the airport first thing in the morning.

Amelia burst into the room with Meredith on her heels. Maggie looked up startled. She asked, "What are you two doing?"

Meredith said, "Did you hear?"

Maggie asked, "Hear what?"

"Your boyfriend's baby's mother had a showdown with your boyfriend's mother in the pit." Amelia elaborated.

Maggie stood up. She asked, "April and Catherine? Why would they have a showdown? They get along well."

"April came looking for Jackson. She saw Qadri in the hall and Qadri told April that he was in the pit. April was looking for him so that she could go see Harriet in the daycare before you all left for your trip. She-" Amelia was talking a mile a minute when Maggie cut her off.

Maggie asked, "Why did she need to see Jackson in order to see Harriet at the daycare? She's her mother and she used to work here. They know who she is. They would've let her see Harriet with no problem."

Meredith said, "Let her finish."

Amelia started again, "Well, I don't have answer for that. So anyway, she was going to the pit to tell Jackson that she was going to see Harriet at daycare. He wasn't in the pit by the time she got there so she decided to tell Catherine instead. She told Catherine and told her to have Jackson text her. Catherine told her that she needed to get in contact with Jackson herself because she wasn't getting in between April and Jackson's custody stuff."

Maggie snorted, "Since when?"

All three women laughed.

"So, what happened after that?" Maggie inquired.

Meredith continued the story, "Well, April asked Catherine since when and all hell broke loose. Catherine told her how she was playing childish games because she still had feelings for Jackson."

Maggie gasped. She said, "I actually can't believe that Jackson told Catherine about that."

Amelia asked, "Told Catherine about what?"

Maggie debated whether or not to share the conversation that she had overheard. She said, "If I tell you then you can't repeat it. Not to anyone and especially not to Jackson."

Amelia and Meredith nodded, and Maggie said, "Well, last week Jackson called April to ask her if we could keep Harriet on Monday since we were going out of town. Long story short she admitted to Jackson that she still had feelings for him and that she expected him to stop her wedding a second time."

Both Meredith and Amelia stared at Maggie with wide eyes. "Wow, she's more screwed up than me. She actually went through with marrying Matthew although she is in love with Jackson." Amelia said.

"The sad part is that she is pining over a man who is so clearly in love with someone else." Meredith said.

Maggie looked down at the floor. It sounded good to know that Jackson loved her so much, but she didn't feel good for April. She could feel the pain of being in love with someone who was in love with someone else.

Meredith interrupted her thoughts, "Don't you dare do anything stupid. You're not breaking up a family and you're not responsible for what's going on in April's life. She is an adult and she has made the choices that has led her to today. Jackson told her a long time ago before Harriet and before you and him that if she left that he was done. She left anyway and now these are the consequences of her actions. He tried, but he couldn't get past how she disregarded him and his feelings. He fell in love again and he's happy with that. You get to be happy. Unless you want to be stupid too and throw love away."

Meredith was right and Maggie knew it. She was with Jackson. She was who Jackson wanted. It was what it was.

Amelia said, "It was loud and embarrassing. April left in tears. I don't think Jackson told Catherine though. From what I heard April asked her why she would say something like that, and Catherine said that she's been watching her ever since Maggie started interacting more with Harriet. She said it was clear."

Maggie nodded. "The closer that Jackson and I get the closer I get with Harriet, and she has been completely unreasonable through it all. I respect her as Harriet's mother, but she doesn't respect me as the woman in Jackson's life."

Amelia said, "Well, like Meredith said, it's not your problem."

Her sisters left and Maggie continued working on her notes. A short time later Jackson walked in with a scowl on his face. She was so used to him smiling that seeing him visibly angry bothered her.

She stopped doing what she was doing. She said, "Hey, you good?"

"April." Jackson said simply.

Maggie replied, "Oh, I heard. Amelia and Mer told me. What was that all about?"

Jackson shrugged and started eating the uneaten half of Maggie's turkey sandwich. He said, "Babe, it's like she's spinning out of control again. I foolishly thought that I didn't have to worry about her since she got married and she seemed so happy. Like they came back to our place and partied with everyone after they got married. I never would've guessed we would be here."

Maggie watched Jackson eat her sandwich. They were truly made for one another. They had a shorthand within their relationship. He knew she never finished her food. She knew to always get a full servings because Jackson would always finish her food. She said, "I just hope that she can get it together. Focus on her marriage before she ruins another marriage. Hopefully these are just like growing pains or something."

Jackson finished off the sandwich and dusted the crumbs off of his hands. He said, "You're right, I hope the same things. Nevertheless, it's not my issue unless it starts affecting how she takes care of Harriet. Anyway, my only concern at this moment is our vacation. Are you about ready to go?"

Maggie smiled, "I'm ready whenever you are. I ready for some fun in the sun. Amelia and I went and got fresh waxes yesterday. I also bought all new clothes and every outfit includes shorts, short skirts or short dresses. You'll be very pleased Dr. Avery. I also bought some things for you and Harriet if that's ok."

Jackson smiled lovingly at her girlfriend. He said, "Let's get out of here Dr. Pierce so that we can get this party started.

Jackson and Maggie picked Harriet up from daycare and then went home to pack for their trip to California. Maggie felt bad for going to Disneyland without her nieces and nephews. She was planning on doing a big trip for the family. Since they all worked at the hospital it had to be planned well in advance so that they could all get the time off of work. However, this trip was for her little family only.

The next morning, they got up early and got dressed. Jackson had gotten a car service to take them to the airport. They were going to go out for breakfast before heading to the airport. The flight to their destination was a little under three hours. They would arrive around one in the afternoon and Jackson was ready for Maggie to change into her fun in the sun clothing.

Maggie wasn't privy to the arrangements that Jackson had made for their trip. He had said that he would take care of the arrangements and she hadn't asked any questions. So, Maggie was surprised when she realized that they were taking the Catherine Fox jet for their trip.

Once they were settled on the plane Maggie turned to Jackson rolling her eyes and smirking. "Really. We couldn't fly commercial."

Jackson said, "Babe, I'm an Avery. I can't remember ever flying commercially. Stick with me kid, you'll never want to fly commercial again."

Maggie laughed laying her head on Jackson's shoulder. During the flight Maggie and Harriet napped while Jackson read some additional research on using tilapia skin for burn patients. He was completely fascinated by this treatment and he was liking the results that he was getting lately.

When they landed there was a rental car waiting for them. Jackson drove them to the villa that he had rented for their extended weekend. He said to Harriet who was in the back seat, "Baby, we're going to have so much fun. Are you excited?"

The three-year-old nodded her head as she said, "Daddy, where we going? You no tell me."

Maggie smiled over at Jackson. It was no secret that Maggie loved to hear the extremely smart three-year-old speak. Jackson answered, "Daddy and Maggie have a surprise for you. We're going to go change and get some lunch, and then you'll get your surprise."

Harriet was such a happy little girl. When her father mentioned that they had a surprise for her she excitedly clapped her hands and kicked her little feet.

When they arrived at the villa Maggie was breathless. She was used to nice things. She worked hard and she believed in enjoying the fruits of her labor, but Jackson had spared no expense on their family vacation.

The villa had marble floors and countertops. Everything was modern and state of the art. Maggie looked at the pool and she felt like she never wanted to go back to Seattle ever again. Turning to Jackson she said, "You overdid it."

He smiled indulgently at her. He said, "No, there is no such thing when it comes to my favorite girls. I know what you're thinking. You're a woman you can take care of yourself, and you don't need me for my money. I appreciate all of that. I hope that Harriet picks up those traits from you, but as long as I have it I'm going to spend it the way I see fit. I want us to have a great vacation and this is a part of great vacationing."

Maggie rolled her eyes at him. She said, "Ok, whatever you say." She then stood on her tiptoes kissing Jackson on the lips.

Maggie changed out of the dress slacks and sweater she was wearing into a pair of cut off shorts and a tank top. On her feet were a pair of navy-blue lace TOMS. Around her waist was a navy-blue fanny pack where she carried, a small credit card case, lip balm, her phone, hand sanitizer, a portable phone charger and mini first aid kit with band aids and antibiotic ointment.

She looked so comfortable and relaxed that it made Jackson's heart swell. He was glad that they decided to make the trip. Maggie worked hard. Yes, she loved what she did, but she didn't take time to enjoy herself. None of them did really, but these times were just as important as the work that they did. Jackson made a mental note to schedule regular vacations. No more going years without taking time off. The hospital wouldn't fall apart if they weren't there.

The drive to the amusement park wasn't a long one. Jackson could tell that Harriet wasn't sure exactly where they were going, but he could see her excitement the closer that they got.

They were able to enter the park quickly because Jackson had thought of everything and paid in advance. When Harriet realized that they were at Disneyland she anxiously kicked her feet and wanted out of her stroller.

Maggie laughed and gladly took Harriet out of the stroller holding her hand as they walked into the park.

Over the next few days they slept late and enjoyed the park until it closed each night. They were tanned, carefree and relaxed. They took plenty of photos and ate plenty of junk. Jackson couldn't tell who enjoyed their trip more him, Maggie or Harriet.

What Jackson enjoyed most was how well the three of them got along. When he was married to April they fought more than they enjoyed themselves. Things were never easy. For April everything had an underlying meaning. So, it made it difficult for them to enjoy themselves. With Maggie she loved to have fun. She was nerdy and cute and a big kid at heart. She made him lighter. Growing up as an Avery he grew up with privilege, but there were the expectations. With Maggie he could shed all of that and just be Jackson. A man that loved to have fun and laugh. This weekend away from their normal lives he was able to do just that. He wanted to make this permanent. He wanted Maggie as his wife.

Jackson was sitting at the kitchen table in the villa confirming their arrangements to go home in the morning when Maggie walked into the room. She saw Jackson with his phone in his hands, but he wasn't focused on it. He had a dazed smile on his face.

Maggie walked over taking a seat on his lap. She said, "Hey, were in the world did you go?"

Jackson smiled at her kissing her exposed shoulder. He said, "I was actually thinking about you and about how happy you make me."

Maggie smiled down at him. She said, "Were you always this sappy?"

"It's not being sappy, Maggie. It's being honest and open about how I feel so that you don't ever have to question or guess. It's about expressing myself because I wasn't able to in my previous marriage. Every time I tried she would tell me that she already knew what I was thinking. That was so infuriating." Jackson ranted.

Maggie rubbed the back of his head, "That's why you complained about me not opening up to you? Also, why you said that you find it easier to open up to people who open up to you?"

He nodded, "Yes, you've really been doing a great job at that by the way. I just feel like so many things can be lost in translation when you don't talk. Like when I left, if I had communicated with you then you wouldn't have had to go through all those emotions and feelings you told me about last week."

They sat in silence for a minute before Maggie said, "I understand that I make you happy and I'm glad about that, but I feel like you compare me to April a lot. I actually feel like we talk about her a lot. Will we ever get to the place where you don't compare me to her?"

"I don't mean to do that. Trust me I'm not sitting here thinking all the time well Maggie does this, and April didn't do that. It's not like that at all. Tell you what no more April talk. From now on we focus on what we have to do for the three of us." Jackson said.

Maggie replied, "Deal, because you have other more important things to worry about."

"Like what," Jackson asked?

Smiling as she kissed him on his neck she said, "Like when you're going to make an honest woman out of me."

Jackson stood with Maggie in his arms and she wrapped her legs around his waist. He walked towards their bedroom saying, "If I thought you were ready Dr. Pierce nothing would stop me."

Maggie placed her hand on either side of his face. She said, "Well, Dr. Avery I'm telling you now that I'm ready."

The seriousness of their conversation was lost when Jackson deepened the kiss as the entered the bedroom. He locked the door behind him and wasted no time getting them both undressed.

Before either of them could register what was happening Jackson had Maggie on her knees in the center of the bed as he entered her from behind. Maggie's stomach muscles tightened with each rough stroke that Jackson gave her. She grasped at the sheets trying to her best not to wake a sleeping Harriet.

Jackson stopped playing fair when he reached a hand around her inner thigh to simultaneously play with her clit. Maggie moaned, "Jackson!"

Jackson couldn't help but smile a smile of triumph. It did something to his ego to know that he could bring this kind of response out of the generally unshakeable Maggie Pierce. He would never get tired of having sex with her. Of making love to her. Of fucking her. For Jackson there was a difference in all three, and he loved them all with her.

After a few more strong strokes they both collapsed on the mattress. After Jackson was able to catch his breath he said, "Wow, it's a very good thing that the love of my life is a cardiothoracic surgeon."

Maggie rolled onto her side facing him running her hand up and down his chest. She asked, "Why?"

"Because if I go into cardiac arrest my heart will be in good hands." Jackson said jokingly.

Maggie laughed at his silliness. She said, "Your heart will always be safe in my hands, Jackson."