A/N: Hi everyone. This story is such a whirlwind, half the story I write one way and the next I write the other. So, I have no idea where it's going, but I love this exploration of the characters. Some things are very OOC this chapter, so please take those with a grain of salt. Also, I'm going on vacation next week, so I won't be able to update until next week Weds 8/16 at the earliest. I'm so sorry for that, but I'm hoping to make this a longer chapter. As always, please review this story. I read all of your comments and truly take your feedback to heart. Cheers-R.
The sun was shining into the hotel room, brightly, for 7:30 on a Saturday morning. April had fallen asleep after her panic in the middle of the night, hoping not to disturb Jackson or even worse Harriet. His arm was still around her chest, holding her tight to him. A part of her enjoyed it; she'd be lying if she said she didn't. But she couldn't that it was a fantasy. Being with Jackson is everything she had ever thought she wanted, but now she thinks she may want more. She doesn't want a relationship built on ultimatums or the fear that if she makes one misstep he'll leave her again. He holds all the power. The old April Kepner would have gone back to him in a heartbeat because she was too afraid of being alone. But the new April, the one whose been married, had children, been to war, knows her worth isn't defined by a man. She's been on her own; she can be on her own. And then there's Bright to think about. He's a sweet guy, and she isn't in love with him yet, but that doesn't mean she can't be in the future. She doesn't want to hurt him. Bright is a world of possibilities just waiting to be explored, shouldn't she?
"Morning," a groggy Jackson greeted her, "Sleep well?"
"Mhmm," she shortly replied.
He immediately sat up, with only a thin lien sheet covering him, "Is something wrong?"
"No," April said, "I'm gonna go and get Harriet, she's normally up by now."
As she got up to leave the bed, Jackson lightly grabbed her wrist, causing her to turn towards him, "Do you want to talk about it?"
"What is there to talk about?"
"April," he groaned, "Come on, even you can't be that dense."
"See," she exclaimed, "There you go again insulting me. Do you seriously expect me not to react to that? I've started to think you hated me ever I came back from Jordan because I grew legs and began to stand up for myself, because you sure as hell remind me every chance you get that I messed up."
"I didn't hate you when you came back from Jordan," he conceded, looking down at the sheets. He never was good at making eye contact when he was uncomfortable and the topic of Jordan was about as vulnerable as he could get. "I hated that I was so scared. Scared that maybe you wouldn't come back or if you did you wouldn't be the same. I knew you'd be different from being there, that was to be expected, just like we've changed since our residency. But Meredith kept telling me stories about Owen and Cristina and how he choked her in the middle of the night because a ceiling fan reminded him of a helicopter blade. You already had Samuel to deal with; I didn't know what going there could have done to help you heal. I'm sorry; I never understood why you went. To me," he looked up at her now, "You left because you didn't want to be with me. I reminded you of everything you lost, I was the catalyst. If we never got together then we never would have lost him. In a way, I thought you going to Jordan was to blame me."
"You could have talked to me about it," April replied in a sweet voice, "I could have explained." She looked at him sympathetically. Of course she knew, logically, why he had acted the way he had, now, but he had never confessed it in point blank terms. So he left her guessing, grasping at straws for an ounce of communication, he treated her like a dog begging for a treat and she didn't forget that. She won't forget it.
"I have," he said, "And the answer is always the same. 'You needed to heal', 'you felt like you were suffocating here'. I was your husband; I was supposed to help you through it. Why wouldn't you let me?"
"Because I didn't know you wanted to. God Jackson, you're harder to read than brail sometimes. I was dying; my son had died, in my arms. And forgive me for not realizing it was such a catastrophe for you after you went back to work the next week."
"I needed to keep my mind off of it."
"That's exactly where we differ," she argued, "You're not supposed to keep your mind off of your child. Ever," she huffed before leaving the room to go get Harriet.
He sat up in the bed thinking to himself about what had just happened. He opened himself up to her, bared his deepest secrets and she still acted as if she were the victim. Why do things keep going around in circles?
He heard quiet sobs coming from the other room so he asked, "April? Are you okay?"
"I'm fine," she replied quickly, "I just need a minute."
She came back into their room, without Harriet, "What did last night mean to you?"
"That we're getting back together?"
"We've had sex before and it didn't mean we're getting back together, why now?"
"Because, I finally realized how stupid I was to leave you. I love you April, I've never stopped."
"I love you too," she cried, grabbing his hand and placing it over her cheek, "But love isn't enough. I have to go."
"April," he softly urged, "Please don't."
"We're just not right for each other," she explained, "All we do is hurt one another and we're just going to keep doing it. I'm happy here, I'm making friends here, and I have a program that I can be proud of. I don't belong in Seattle, not anymore. And I don't belong with you."
"Why are you saying this?" He could feel the anger surging through his veins, "You're just saying this to hurt me."
"No," she sighed, "I'm not saying it to hurt you or to get back at you or any of that. I'm saying it because it's true."
"I'm not going to stop fighting for you," he warned.
"Jackson," she looked at him intently, with tears in her eyes, "I don't want you anymore."
"You're lying."
"Maybe I am, maybe I'm not. But I can't be with you."
"Do you want to be with him?"
"That doesn't matter right now."
"Yes it does."
"I can be with whomever I want, just like you can. I didn't stop you when you dated Stephanie and I'm not going to stop you if you want to date someone else. I'm not your wife, I have no say in what you do."
"You could be my wife. You could come home with me and we can forget that any of this happened."
"You sound like you live in a fairytale land," she said, "This is reality." She let go of his hand, "I love you, and I hope you know that. I love the children we created, the life that we could have had. But I'm not going to spend my life chasing after a ghost of what could have been."
She got up to leave, "Don't go," he begged. It wasn't a threat, but this time it was a desperate plea for her to stay.
"Bring Harriet back to my place tonight," she instructed, "I'll text you the address." Before she closed the door behind her unable to look back at the heartbroken Jackson who was still naked with only the sheet covering him.
As soon as she left Jackson's hotel, April headed home in a cab, wearing last night's clothes and smelling of regret and whiskey. She had a splitting headache and all she could think about was a nice hot shower and a warm cup of earl grey tea and Bright. She had texted him saying she had talked with Jackson and that if he was willing to pursue things with her further that she was ready and available. He hadn't responded last she checked. Should she tell him about sleeping with Jackson? She felt guilty for it, in a way, even though she knew it wasn't, she felt like she had cheated on Bright. What she did wasn't honest and she couldn't begin a relationship on a lie. Could she?
Her phone buzzed loudly, she answered, "Hello?"
"April, it's uh," he hesitated, "Me. Can I come over?"
"Yeah, I was just gonna hop in the shower, but you can come whenever," she responded as she started the water and stripped out of last night's clothes. She pinned her hair up on top of her head.
"Good," he said, "I'll be there in an hour."
"Can't wait."
The hot water hit her back like knives, they pelted her skin so suddenly she wanted to flinch, but couldn't will herself to. She turned around, so the water hit her breasts, ran down her sternum, and into her navel. She lathered up her loofa and began washing her body then her face. After she was done she just stood in the shower, letting the water keep hitting her body. People do some of their best thinking in the shower and April Kepner wasn't an exception.
Jackson and her used to be happy, truly happy. It was before the marriage or even before they had had sex. They were best friends. And a part of her misses the friendship more than the marriage. The marriage was a piece of paper that told the state you wanted to file jointly for taxes, it meant nothing if you weren't married to a person you'd want to spend the rest of your days with. A person you expected would laugh at your jokes even though they've heard them a thousand times. A person who would know what you wanted them to bring home for dinner without having to ask. A person who knew what subjects not to talk about because the wounds were still too fresh. She wanted a husband, not a marriage. But what is a husband if he isn't a friend?
She had never really had male friends growing up. Most of the guys from Moline were too enamored with Libby. She was prettier, more charismatic, and definitely much looser than April. So, when she and Jackson became friends April had had no experience with guys. She decided to keep their relationship as a friendship because she knew that Jackson was way out of her league. She knows she's pretty now, intelligent, a kick-ass surgeon. But back then, she was mousey. Her hair was too long, dark, and frizzy. Her nose was still a bit pointy when she turned to the side; she hadn't yet had the nose job Charles required her to get after breaking her nose. And she still hadn't mastered the art of holding her liquor or walking in a pair of high heels. She wasn't a woman yet. And Jackson Avery only dated women.
She dated a few guys during her internship, but nothing serious. A drink here, a dinner there, nothing that amounted to anything more than a goodnight kiss and a half-assed promise that they'd do it again sometime. April didn't mind at the time because she thought it was a blessing that any guy would even look at her twice. But eventually, she grew out of her mousey phase. Grew tired of being called an ugly duckling, picked last for surgeries, being ridiculed by her peers for simply being herself. She found her ground and her footing and she'd be damned if she lost it all because of some boy. She's spent too much time getting to this point; it'd be a shame if she lost it now.
She heard a loud knock at the door as she quickly put on a t-shirt, "Hello," she answered.
"Hey," Bright replied, "Thanks for letting me come on such a short notice."
"It's not problem," she awkwardly said. He stood there for a moment before she remembered her manners and said, "Oh, come in. Make yourself at home."
"Nice place you got here," he commented as he scanned her living room. There was one dark leather couch, a gift from Catherine who insisted that April's place be decorated with the best of the best. She offered to pay for it all, but April insisted that it wasn't necessary. So, Catherine bought the most expensive couch she could find and plopped it in April's living room before she could take no for an answer.
"Thanks. Do you want anything to drink?"
"I'm good."
"Okay."
"So," he began, his hands were in his pockets and he was balancing his weight back and forth, "About last night."
"Yeah, about it," she began, "I need to tell you something."
"I need to tell you something first," he said, "I didn't mean it. I do really want to try and make things work between us. But, if you're going to go back to your ex, I guess what I'm trying to say is I'd like to know now. Because I can see myself falling for you and I don't want to end up heart-broken."
She stared at his green eyes, green as emeralds and replied, "I'm not going back to him."
"Really?" His eyes lit up.
"Really," she assured.
He ran over to her and pick her up with little effort and twirled her around, kissing her softly on her lips, it was supposed to be the most passionate kiss ever, but somehow it didn't even compare to the drunken kiss Jackson had given her last night. And suddenly she had this nagging feeling in the pit of her stomach that maybe what she was doing wasn't right. Damn it, she needed to get Jackson out of her mind.
"April," he looked at her tentatively.
"The bedroom's the second door on the left," she replied. Maybe this is how she'd forget, so she wrapped her arms around Bright's neck, and his were supporting her legs that were around his back and he carried her into her bedroom.
April and Bright had spent the entire day in her apartment, just talking. Jack was still with spending the day with his grandparents and the zoo and well, Harriet was with Jackson. It was nice, to sit there and talk with him wearing nothing but her silk robe. Then a knock came at the door, was it 7:00 already?
"Hide," she panicked, leading him into the bedroom where she quickly changed into a pair of sweatpants and t-shirt, not before she left her robe on the floor outside her door.
"Wait, what's going on?" He asked confused.
"It's Jackson, he's here with Harriet."
"Come on April," Bright said, "You can't hide me away forever."
"I know that, but now is not the time," she urged.
He put his hands up in playful concession, "Okay."
She quickly brushed her hair with her fingers and answered the door.
"Hi," she announced, slightly out of breath.
"Hey," he replied, "You okay. You seem to be running around like a chicken with their head cut off."
"No, I'm great," she lied, "How was the little nugget, she didn't give you any trouble did she?"
"She never does."
"So, what'd you two do all day?"
"Not much, just went to the park, stopped by the hospital to get some stuff for the foundation."
"Oh really?" She inquired, "How's that going?"
"Pretty good," he awkwardly responded, "I'm planning a gala."
"You're planning a gala?" She had to hold back her laughter, "Are you maybe forgetting the fundraiser you threw where the dancer almost died."
"This one doesn't have a magician's theme," he countered. He stood inside her apartment awkwardly, not really knowing what to say next, but the words came out without thinking, "I'd love it if you could come."
"Oh, Jackson, I don't know."
"Please," he quietly asked, looking at her with his sea-green eyes that could melt even the coldest of hearts, "For old time's sake?"
He knew when nostalgia was involved it'd be hard to convince her not to go, "When is it?"
"Next weekend."
"Next weekend?" She exclaimed, "Jackson that's too short of a notice, I don't know if I can."
"If it's any consolation, I'm sure my mother would be happy to call your Chief and let him know you'll be gone for the weekend."
"Oh no," April insisted, "Your mother has been too involved already. She wouldn't let me move in without decorating the place; I had to kick out her assistant Clara. I felt like a monster."
"You, a monster? I can't see it."
"You of all people," she scoffed, blowing a piece of hair out of her face.
"I'm just kidding."
She looked down at her bare feet, which were crossed over one another before replying, "I'll come."
"Really?" His eyes lit up with glee, "Hear that Harriet? Your mommy's coming back home."
"To Seattle," she corrected.
"Home," he muttered under his breath, "Well I, uh, I should get going. It was really great seeing you." He stood there awkwardly not knowing what to do, so he bent down to the car seat that Harriet was sitting in. She never fussed, so when he gave her a goodbye kiss, he'd be lying if he said he wasn't a bit disappointed that she didn't cry or try to grab on to him, "I'll see you next week, little bug."
"Bye Jackson," April said.
"Bye, big bug," he laughed as he left her apartment, he was happy that he'd convinced April to come back home, but was a bit irritated at whatever or whomever she was hiding behind that closed bedroom door.
April shut the door and couldn't help the playful grin that spread across her face, now the only problem, what was she going to wear?
"So, you two seem like you're in a good place," Bright interrupted. Well she thought she only had one problem.
Once again, April stood in her living room, staring at the excessively expensive, leather couch that Catherine had bought her, waiting for a man in her life to speak with her. She adored most men in her life, her father, for one, had always been a rock. He'd been her confidant. If she had a problem she told him. If she felt inadequate, felt that Libby was surpassing her, felt like maybe she wasn't pretty enough; she told her father. Then that man became Jackson. She was an adult and she shouldn't really tell her father every problem she had, especially when they came to sex and feeling the pressure to have it. But, she couldn't tell that to Jackson either. Honestly, she couldn't tell Jackson most things, seeing as he was the pillar of judgment when it came to sex, plus he'd never be able to understand the feelings she once had had and still feels from time to time.
"April," he said, "What was that?"
"What was what?" She ignored is original question, huffing a bit under her breath.
"Are you going to go to Seattle?"
"He asked me less than ten minutes ago. I'm honestly not sure. Why would it bother you?" She challenged. She was her own person and she'd be damned if Bright told her what she could and could not do, especially when they'd only been dating for a few weeks.
"Yes it would," he confessed, looking at her with his emerald eyes, "It doesn't sit right with me that you'd be there for an entire weekend, with him."
"Bright Nathaniel Abbott are you jealous?"
"On Jack's life?" he questioned, pulling her body closer to his so their faces were mere millimeters apart, "Yes. I Bright Nathaniel Abbott confess that I am jealous."
"Well, if it helps any, I'm sure I can get you invited to the gala. You'd be my plus one."
"I don't know how I'd feel about going to Seattle," he confessed, "Maybe you should just go alone."
"Are you afraid?" April toyed, wrapping her arms around Bright's thick neck, his skin was filled with sun spots from spending his summers outdoors at football camp, "I promise Seattle doesn't bit."
"I know it doesn't," he breathed heavily, "But your husband does. And you two, don't' seem finished."
April looked at him with contempt, "Excuse me," she ripped her body away from his, "Of course we're finished. How dare you think we're not?"
He put his hands up in surrender, "Okay, April. You may be done with him, but I don't think you're done with him. Did anything happen last night, you can tell me. I gave you the pass after all."
April didn't know what to say. Here was her opportunity to be honest, tell Bright that she and Jackson had slept together. She wasn't ashamed that she had slept with her ex-husband; she was actually quite giddy about it. Jackson had been phenomenal. He knew exactly where to rub her, where to touch her skin with his, he knew her in a way that no man had ever known before. He was the only man she'd ever had sex with, not even Bright or Matthew had that honor. But a part of her felt that Bright was better for not knowing. Maybe knowing that she and Jackson had had sex last night would do more harm than good.
"Bright," she paused, looking into his eyes, "I don't want to start things on a lie," she began, he only looked at her with pure anticipation, "I did sleep with Jackson last night."
"You what?" He rubbed his hand through his hair in frustration, "You slept with him?"
"There really isn't anything I can say," she explained, "I regret every second of it," she lied, "It was purely for closure."
"How was he?"
"Excuse me?"
"I asked," he repeated, "How was he?"
"Does it matter?"
"Yes, yes it does."
"Well," she huffed, "I'm not telling you. That's private, between us." She tucked her hair behind her ear, "And you know what, it's incredibly rude for you to ask."
"Well pardon me for asking my girlfriend how having sex with another man was when she and I haven't even had sex."
"It's been three weeks," she exclaimed, "God, I stayed a virgin until I was 28. And even so, I felt like absolute crap afterwards. Get over yourself Bright because I wasn't even going to consider having sex with you until we were engaged, at the least."
He shoulders slumped and his body became more open, "April," he softly said, "I had no idea."
"Yeah," she rebutted, "That's because you didn't ask."
"I'm sorry."
"You should be."
"I want more than sex," he confessed, "God do I really miss the sex. Hannah," he reminisced, "She knew me in a way that I'm not sure any woman could again. And damn I loved her for it. But I want more than that. I want someone who I can laugh with, and you make me laugh," he closed his eyes and shook his head slightly as he was talking to her, "I want someone who looks at my son as if he's their own. Every night I come home, Jack asks about you. He asks about the red-headed surgeon who talks to him and shares the interesting stories about their day with him, but mostly because you actually take the time to ask him about his day. No one does that, ever. You texted me the morning after I told you my mother in law was sick, asking if I needed anything. Sex is great April," he took a breath, "Probably the best physical thing a man can experience, but damn is it trivial to the emotional things man can experience. I want you, and I can wait as long as you want. If it takes a wedding ring on your finger, then I'll wait. Gladly."
April didn't know what to say, so she let out a sheepish, "Really?" Before attacking him with kisses, "Come to the gala with me?"
"I'd be honored," he answered in between kisses, "Milady."
Today was Wednesday, which meant that Jackson had three days until the gala on Saturday to get everything prepare and he was no where near ready. Luckily he got a text from April, accompanied with a picture of Harriet, confirming that she'd be there with a plus one. He gritted his teeth in frustration when he received it, but he couldn't argue, at least she was coming.
"Avery," Karev interrupted, "Can you check this budget?'
"Yeah," Jackson answered quickly, annoyed that his colleague had just bombarded him in the hallway.
Alex Karev was still a bit bitter that Bailey had taken his seat on the board, that Cristina had given him, because he'd earned it. He survived a hospital bomb scare, shooting, super storm. Every claims Meredith is the lucky one who's survived death on more than one occasion, but he was there too. Hello? But that fact wounded his ego, his pride was wounded by the fact that every time he wanted to spend a little more money on the little children, as Arizona called them, he had to ask Jackson Avery. He had never been best friends with the guy. He likes him, okay. They weren't enemies nor were they people that'd take a bullet for one another. But, something ticked Alex off to his core when he thought that everything he'd ever do as a doctor within the walls of this hospital would somehow have to have Jackson Avery's name or stamp of approval attached to it.
"Thanks," Alex said, "So, how was Chicago."
"Fine." Jackson answered back cold.
"Dude," Alex laughed, "why the cold response? I mean, maybe I could tell because Kepner's not here."
"She'll be here on Saturday."
"Moving back already?" Alex teased.
"No," Jackson confessed, "She's coming back for the gala."
"That all?"
"I hope not."
"Me too," Alex patted Jackson on the back, "It's weird to see you with you tail stuck between your legs."
"What do you mean?" Jackson questioned.
"Oh nothing," he laughed, "it's just that we're all going to be entertained seeing you with your foot in your mouth when April comes back here."
"I'm not," Jackson argued.
Alex stopped him mid-sentence, "We all know you are, so save it man. Thanks for singing this," he said before leaving the plastic surgeon as swiftly as he came.
"So, are you and Nathan going to go to the gala together?" Meredith asked Maggie. The pair were eating lunch with Derek and Cristina, luckily their days weren't too jam packed with surgeries, so they had time to unwind and eat a poorly made sandwich from the hospital cafeteria.
"I don't know," Maggie shyly responded, "We haven't been seeing each other for that long, I don't want to be too forward."
"Maggie," Cristina interrupted, "This whole," she looked her up and down waving her finger as well, "I'm as innocent as the black Barbie doll you buy in the box has got to stop. You're a grown woman, men want you, and women want you, go get your man."
"Cristina's right, isn't she Derek?" Meredith nudged her husband who was reading an article on his phone, only half paying attention to whatever the women were talking about.
"Right about what?"
Meredith rolled her eyes in frustration, "That she should ask Nathan to the gala."
"Sure."
"Derek," Maggie sighed, giving in was not one of her strong suits, nor was admitting that she lacked strong suits, "I've only been seeing him for a month officially, would it be coming on too strong if I asked him to the gala? Give me your honest, guy, opinion."
"Lay it on straight, McDreamy," Cristina chimed in.
"As a guy," he coughed, "I'd want to ask you. And if he hasn't asked you yet he either doesn't think you're serious enough, he doesn't want to take you, or option three which is the most likely."
"Get to the point Derek," Meredith warned as she looked across at a panicked Maggie.
"As I was saying, he probably feels exactly like you. He doesn't want to come on too strong so he's been avoiding the topic."
"Is it me or does this feel like prom?" Cristina asked.
"Prom?" Maggie was confused.
"Remember when Callie claimed my panties?" Meredith laughed.
"Yeah, because you and McDreamy were doing the McNasty while the vet just stood there waiting for you two to finish."
"Prom?" Maggie asked again.
"Oh, Dr. Weber held a prom for his niece Nicole, after her diagnosis she couldn't go to prom. You should have seen how lost Alex and George were when it came to decorating," Meredith laughed. Then a small smile came over her face when she realized how much things had changed. Things were so much simpler back then, they were only little interns who didn't have any idea how to be surgeons, but even less of an idea on how to be people. No one had died yet, no one had been shot, and no one had been in a plane crash. She had Derek wrapped between her legs and her entire future in front of her. Prom was simultaneously the best and worst night of her life, a time that Meredith, despite all her best efforts, would never truly be able to get back.
"So, the gala is like a prom?" Maggie asked confused.
They all just laughed in unison, "No, but it's not a serious as you think it is. Go with Nathan, have fun, let loose," Meredith instructed, "It could be the best night of your life."
"Well it's got to be better than my real prom," she confessed, "I was four years younger than everyone so that tells you how that went."
"Guys," Alex interrupted as he quickly sat down, "Kepner's coming to the gala."
"No," Cristina mocked him, "You're kidding."
"Shut up Yang," he snarkily replied, "I just texted her about it. She told me she's bringing a date."
"Does Jackson know?" Meredith wondered.
"Oh, he knows," Alex assured, "He's the one who told me she's coming. But I don't know if he knows she's bringing someone else. He seems pretty convinced that they're going to patch things up."
Everyone looks over at Maggie; she's been spending the most time with Jackson lately, so if there's anything going on in his mind, she's bound to know it.
"Spill," Cristina instructs.
Maggie found Jackson sitting up on the rooftop, he and her had called it their super, secret, sibling hiding spot because they both felt like it was the only place they could talk without other ears listening. Maggie was well aware of what people were saying, she knew that they thought she and Jackson were pursuing this incestuous thing and that she's the real reason April left. Most people who said that were nurses and techs, people who April got along with quite well. But they were wrong on so many levels. Well Maggie loved Jackson, he was kind, forthcoming, and definitely much more humble than most give him credit for, it was a sibling love. He had helped her through the most difficult time in her life, so she's going to help him through the most difficult time in his.
"Thought I might find you up here," she teased, "You know you can't hide from me."
He sighed, he knew he'd have to talk to Maggie sooner or later, he was hoping it'd be later, "Congrats," he laughed, "You found me."
"Why so gloom?"
They were standing next to one another now, not looking at each other but at the Seattle skyline they had both become fond of, "She's really moved on."
She stroked his back, "Jackson."
He turned his body towards her and asked, "I am seriously that unlovable?"
"No."
"Then why does everyone leave?"
"April didn't leave you because you're unlovable. She left because she needed to find herself. Just give her some time; she'll come back to you. Trust me."
"We slept together," he confessed.
"You what?"
"Yeah, she came over to my hotel to pick up Harriet, she was a bit drunk," he smiled thinking about how the petite red-head knocked three times at his door, "And one thing led to another."
"Oh my God Jackson, what the hell happened?"
"She told me that love wasn't enough because if it were then she'd still be here."
Maggie didn't know what to say next, but then the words came flying out of her mouth, "Well she's going to be at the gala right? Karev told us."
"Yeah."
"Isn't that what you wanted? Isn't that what you went to Chicago for?"
"Of course I want her there, but something about us feels finished. Even when we got divorced I didn't feel this way. Maybe it's because she's moving on or maybe it's because we've finally said what we needed to. But I can't shake this feeling."
"Those are called nerves," Maggie assured, "And they'll go away on Saturday."
"I hope so," he added, "I really hope so."
The E.R. had been hectic all week, but none more hectic than tonight. April's last night before she catches a 9:00 p.m. flight with Bright to Seattle. She ordered her dress online; she didn't even have time to run to the store to try it on, so she's praying it'll fit.
"Dr. Shashad, do you have this patient?" She asked the young doctor. They two of them had been getting along quite well, and Mindy was making a valiant effort on their research project. Luckily it was green-lighted by the chief and now April and her assistants, as they insisted she call them, were recruiting military vets to start the research.
"I got it. If I need anything I'll page Dr. Meyers, you go and have fun this weekend Dr. K. you deserve it."
April just smiled pleasantly at Mindy, "Thank you." She left the E.R. and headed towards the daycare to get Harriet, but before she could Amelia interrupted her.
"So, you didn't tell me you were going to Seattle this weekend, I had to find out from Eric because Bright had told him he and you were going out of town and that's why he couldn't come to golf on Sunday."
"It's really not a big deal," April said, "It's just a gala thing."
"A gala?" Amelia's eyes got wide, "April Kepner, are you playing coy with me?"
"No."
"Seriously? And how did you get invited to this gala, might I add?"
"My ex-husband is throwing it."
Amelia immediately grabbed April by the shoulder and spun her around, "You are taking your boyfriend to a gala that your ex-husband is throwing, half way across the country, even though the two of you had sex a week ago."
April sighed, she had to confide in someone about sleeping with Jackson and Amelia was certainly the best option, but damn was she nosy, "Yes."
"You do understand that this is a huge deal?"
"I'm trying not to think of it," April said, "Me and Jackson are in a good place. I think we've finally laid everything on the line. I'm going to support him as a friend; he's worked really hard for the foundation and deserves to get this recognition. It's the right thing to do."
"But did you need to bring Bright? It kind of feels like you're bringing him to show him off."
"So what if I am?" April challenged, "He's my boyfriend, we're together, and it might be nice if for once people in Seattle would understand that I'm a desirable woman. Plus can you imagine how good Bright will look in his tux."
Amelia knew how good he looked in one, when he wore one on his wedding day to Hannah, "I can only imagine," she softly stated.
April genuinely didn't want to hurt Amelia's or anyone's feelings, she wasn't bringing Bright for eye candy albeit that was a slight perk. She was bringing him because she wanted him to see the hospital were she first learned to be a surgeon, she wanted to show him her favorite bars and restaurants in Seattle, also ever since they first met he hadn't stopped bugging her about the Space Needle. This trip was as much for him as it was for her.
"I'm going to do right by him," April said, "Don't worry."
"I know you will," Amelia leaned in for a hug, "Have a safe trip."
"Thank you."
April had met Bright at the airport, it was much easier for her to take a cab than drive, and he had agreed. He had one duffle bag slugged over his shoulder and a garment bag that held both her dress and his tux. She immediately went over to greet him, setting her big tote on the ground and wrapping her arms around his neck, while his did their best to caress her waist, and kissed him.
"Hey," he smiled, "I thought I'd have to wait forever for you."
"I'm sorry," she laughed, "It's just that Harriet was being fussy and I got stopped by Amelia before heading to the daycare."
"It's okay," he assured, "So, how's the little bug gonna be on the flight? I remember Jack's first flight to Houston to visit Hannah's parents and he was not a happy camper. Hannah was so mortified that she wanted to go and apologize to every passenger."
April laughed a bit, "She should be fine. She's been on planes a couple of times, but if she gets noisy, people will have to deal." April planned on doing her best with Harriet, like holding her, rocking her, changing her, or whatever else she may need, but she was a mother and so she had no time for people's unnecessary judgments on her daughter. Headphones were invented for a reason.
"Okay," he stated, "So I have our tickets and we're in terminal 2. Which is right over there."
"Perfect."
He grabbed her hand and Harriet's car seat, while April had her luggage in the other; they had already given their checked bags and the garment bag to the airport helper, and walked into the airport together, looking like a family. If anyone had seen them they would've been hard pressed to believe otherwise.
"Are you ready to go, April Kepner?" He asked, smiling at her.
"I'd go anywhere with you," she replied, looking up at him with a smile beaming across her face and the two walked into the airport, prepared to go on their first adventure together.
A/N: Thank you so much for reading! Gala is next chapter! I was going to do it in this one, but I want the gala to really have a focus. Hope you all enjoyed this chapter and can't wait to read your reviews. -R.
