Hi everyone, I always go through temporary pauses in these stories and when I come back it always feels so good because you all make me feel so amazing with your reviews and messages. I want to thank all of you who have reached out to me and showed me your support. It keeps me going so please keep it up.

Alright, enjoy everyone! And review!

The Fall

Chapter 12

April

April blushed furiously as Callie walked out of the guest bedroom in Mark's apartment. She had just helped April shower and it was one of the more awkward experiences in her life. Callie had been clinical and even professional, but April still felt weird that Callie had seen her naked.

Callie left April to finish getting dressed because there was a knock on the door to Mark's apartment.

April lightly towel dried her hair and the reached for her comb and began to slowly comb it through. As she got the tangles out of her hair, she debated whether or not she should cut her hair. She remembered when Reed got her pixie cut. She said she loved it because there was so little maintenance.

Callie opened the door and then shut it behind her and leaned against it.

"Jackson is here," she said softly. April gaped and looked at her watch. "It's seven thirty! Why is he here so early?" she asked as she hobbled over to the bed and sat on it.

"He said he couldn't get through the work day with the way things are so he took a personal day," Callie said.

April's heart thudded in her chest nervously and Callie came over and took her hands in her own and said, "Hey, stay calm. No more stress for that baby."

April nodded and imitated Callie, who was inhaling and exhaling deeply. It did help calm April down.

"Do you want me to tell him to leave?" Callie asked.

April shook her head and said, "No...I can...I can talk to him. I can do this."

Callie smiled and squeezed her hands saying, "Yeah you can."

April smiled and Callie said, "Now...just because he is here, doesn't mean you can't make him wait. Wanna finish getting ready while I make you a waffle?"

April nodded and said, "I do want to dry my hair at least."

Callie nodded and released her hands. "Dry your hair, I will start breakfast and tell him he is gonna need to take a seat and wait for you."

April nodded and hobbled back into the adjoining bathroom in the guest room and plugged in her hair dryer. April gave herself a pep talk as she dried her hair. She was going to listen, but she was also going to be very firm.

She was still planning on going to Inova. She needed to make the best choice for her academically and financially and that was at Inova.

April wanted Jackson to know that even if he did sleep with Stephanie, she wanted him to be a part of the baby's life if he wanted to be. She also wanted him to know that she could take care of herself and the baby on her own if he didn't want involvement.

April wanted to be strong, but she wanted to hear what he had to say for himself.

April finished drying her hair, making her bed, and tidying up the room before she hobbled out of the bedroom using the walker Arizona had swiped from the physical therapy department.

Jackson sat on the sofa, nervously tapping his knees as he waited for her. April looked to the kitchen where Callie was pouring April a glass of orange juice and smiled at her in encouragement. April walked over to the counter and sat at one of the bar stools as she began to eat.

"Thanks Callie, this is delicious," she said as she popped another piece of toast in her mouth. April nibbled on the bacon and groaned at the salty taste.

"Well, I have to get Sofia to the hospital to visit Mark before my shift starts. Arizona is coming to check in on you around lunch time," she said, patting April's shoulder as she passed her. She mouthed the word Call me before clicking the apartment door shut behind her.

April nodded, not believing the kindness Arizona and Callie were showing her. She finished her breakfast quickly. Her appetite was out of control now that she wasn't being fed hospital food.

April turned to Jackson who was still sitting on the couch, his eyes trained on her.

April stood and put the dishes in the sink and then turned to him and said, "Do you want to start?"

Jackson inhaled and then nodded and said, "I am so sorry. I am...such an idiot. I was upset about your move and Steph-"

"Please don't say her name. Just-just don't. Please," she said, cringing.

Jackson nodded and said, "You have to believe me when I tell you that nothing has ever happened between her and I before and nothing ever will again. I love you, April."

April shook her head, her anger rising. People always thought 'I love you' made everything better. But in fact, it almost made it worse. "You love me, so you went out and cheated on me?" April spat, "Let me ask you, if I hadn't showed up and ruined the moment would you have slept with her?"

Jackson shook his head and said, "No. I was going to stop it. I was."

April remained silent, not sure what to believe as she attempted to regain her composure.

"I don't...I don't know if I believe you," April answered honestly.

Jackson sighed and said, "It's true, whether you believe it or not."

"It doesn't change the fact that you flirted with her days before this happened anyway. I didn't say anything because I didn't want to seem too clingy or crazy, but I am not going to compromise myself anymore. I am not okay with you flirting with interns because they stroke your ego, Jackson. Would it be okay if I had flirted with someone, maybe even right in front of you?" April asked.

Jackson shook his head and was quiet for a long time. April wondered what he was thinking, but he finally stood and walked and stood in front of her. "I have made a lot of mistakes. The biggest one was making you doubt how much I love you and how committed I am to you. But I am, April. And I will never, ever give you a reason to doubt me again if you give me a chance."

April was silent for a long time. She searched Jackson's eyes for any flicker of deception. Over the years she had gotten pretty good at reading him. His expression was desperate and earnest. His eyes were telling April the truth.

April felt something inside of her melt and while she wasn't running into his arms anytime soon, she wasn't going to fight anymore. There was no point.

Jackson

Her expression softened as she looked at him. Jackson felt hope swell in his chest that maybe she believed him. Maybe she was going to forgive him.

April sat on the couch and said, "I forgive you for...whatever the hell happened with that intern."

Jackson could have cried out in relief as he reached for April, but she held up her hands, stopping him. "I said I forgive you, but it doesn't mean I am ready to trust you again."

Jackson felt like she had hit him in the stomach, but he couldn't blame her.

"I get that. I will do everything and anything to prove to you that you can trust me April," Jackson said, slowly reaching forward and brushing his fingers against her soft cheek. April closed her eyes at the contact and leaned her cheek towards the contact, causing Jackson to smile.

She opened her eyes and said, "Look. We have a long way to go if this," she said gesturing between them, "Is going to work. I...I am willing if you are."

Jackson nodded and said, "That's all I want."

April nodded and said, "I...You should know that I still plan on going to Inova."

Jackson raised his eyebrows in shock and said, "April...with the baby...how is that going to work?"

April shrugged and for the first time she felt tears sting her eyes. "I don't know. I just...I can't give up my career to stay here."

Jackson looked her over and said, "There is a fellowship here."

"Not one that offers me the educational and financial benefits I would get in DC though," April said, "If Seattle Grace was offering me at least loan coverage I would stay. But they are barely offering me more than they are paying me now. I can't...I can't do that. I can't raise a baby on that."

"You'll have me," Jackson pointed out, "We can do this together."

April looked at him and said, "I appreciate that, but...but it isn't enough."

Jackson scowled and said, "Do you...do you want me part of the baby's life?"

April gasped in shock and said, "Of course I do. I have no doubt that you will be a wonderful father, Jackson. I want you to know if you don't want to do this then I can take care of myself and this baby alone. But if you do want this-"

"I do," Jackson said fiercely.

April nodded and continued, "Then...I guess we are going to have to try and make this work. Fellowships are two years. I don't want to be apart for two years, but I am not seeing an alternative."

Jackson looked at her and nodded and said, "When would you leave?"

"Not for another month and a half. Inova told me the fellowship could wait until after my physical therapy with Callie," April answered.

Jackson's mind raced for a solution that didn't seem to be there. Maybe he could appeal to the board to up April's offer? Maybe he could find a fellowship and move to Washington DC with her and leave the board in someone else's hands. Maybe…he just didn't know. He did know that April was calling the shots, and she should be.

April had a lot on her mind. She had just gotten in an accident, she was pregnant, she was trying to get over her boyfriend cheating on her, and she was struggling with accepting a fellowship that was across the country. April needed to feel in control and Jackson just wanted to be there for her so she didn't push him away.

"April, we will figure this out," he said after a few minutes of silence between them. April gave him a watery smile and nodded once before wiping at her eyes.

"Can I?" Jackson asked, faltering slightly, "Can I hold you?"

April looked at him for a moment, and then nodded. Jackson was there next to her, wrapping his arms around her in seconds.

She sniffled in the crook of his neck and he rubbed her back and soothed her with gentle cooing. After a few minutes she looked up at him and said, "It's all…moving so fast. And I...I haven't told my parents yet."

Jackson inhaled sharply, knowing April was terrified of telling them. They were religious and had raised April to wait until marriage. It was an old story, a religious good girl getting pregnant by a less than moral boy, but Jackson didn't understand the panicky feelings all the other couples in their situation felt until right now.

"Everything will be okay," he said, not knowing what else to say, hugging her closer to him and running his fingers through her soft hair.

April nodded against his chest and eventually she fell asleep against him. Jackson held her as she slept and looked down at her face. Her tearstained cheeks, her thick fluffy eyelashes. Her soft pink lips slightly pouted as she slept. She was perfect. And she was carrying his baby.

Jackson hesitated before slowly placing his hand over her stomach and gently stroking it as he realized just inside of her was his child. Jackson knew in this moment he would do whatever it took to take care of her and this child. He wanted to be there for them and love them both. That was his true destiny. Nothing would stop him.

So…they are at least talking…what do you all think? Was it a good talk?