I managed to write something! I know it has been ages and I'm sorry. But now the Boston adventure begins and perhaps there will be more forthcoming soon-ish. For now, please enjoy and please let me know what you think! Thank you so much for reading!
"I think I'm going to throw up."
Jackson shifted in his seat to look at his wife with an expression that was a mixture of incredulity and concern. "Seriously?" he asked, the question aimed in the general direction of her stomach. "Seven months in and now morning sickness makes an appearance?"
April managed a grin through her grimace. "Not morning sickness, just –"
"The plane then?" The flight had been smooth thus far, at least as far as he was concerned, but maybe she was more sensitive to the motion than he was. He peered into the seat-back pocket. "Don't they still put airsick bags in these things?"
April made a face. "It's not the plane. And I don't really think I'm going to be sick, I was just being dramatic." Jackson rolled his eyes just the slightest bit at this confession, but at her next words, reached over to take her hand. "I'm just really, really nervous. The captain just said we're like 30 minutes out of Boston, which means it's almost time to meet your family and I'm kinda freaking out."
"Don't freak out," Jackson said firmly, but gently.
April laughed. "How long have you known me? How effective do you actually think it is to tell me not to freak out?"
"Okay, you have a point, but come on. It's really not that big a deal. It's really only three people – my mom, my grandpa and my sister. That's it."
April gave him a 'yeah, right' look. "What about this big party your mother's throwing? Friends and aunts and uncles and cousins and heaven only knows who else?"
Jackson shrugged. "Okay, fine. A ton of people, but really only three that actually matter."
April still looked unconvinced and Jackson sighed. "Come on," he teased. "You're pregnant with the next Avery heir. They can't hate you, at least not right now."
"That is not even remotely funny," April protested, but Jackson pressed on.
"I mean, think how I feel. I've only met your parents once before, years ago. So basically the only thing they're gonna be thinking when we see them is 'oh! There's the punk who knocked up our little girl."
"That is not true!" April exclaimed. "You have nothing to worry about…" her voice trailed off as Jackson smirked and raised an eyebrow. "Okay, you suck. Turning things around like that."
"But you got the point, right? We're both nervous," Jackson said calmly. "But we'll get through it together." He squeezed her hand for emphasis and April smiled.
"Thank you," she said, leaning over to kiss his cheek. "You always know how to talk me down."
Jackson grinned. "Something tells me I'll get lots of practice at it over the next fifty years or so."
"Whatever," April muttered good-naturedly as the fasten seat belt sign came on and the captain's voice came over the intercom to announce their final descent into Boston-Logan Airport.
It felt like years had passed before the plane finally landed, taxied to the gate and they were able to de-plane and head to baggage claim.
"Ugh," April said as they walked down the terminal.
"You okay?" Jackson asked, glancing over at her.
"I'm fine," April said pointedly. "All I have to carry is a purse. You're the one with both carry-ons. I could really carry my own bag."
Jackson shook his head. "We're taking enough risk of early labor by flying at this late stage. I've got 'em." He frowned, pausing to shift the bag he was carrying by the handles into his other hand. "Although, seriously, what did you pack – rocks?"
"Ha, funny. It's normal carry-on stuff. Magazine, iPad, bottled water, change of clothes, toiletries –" she cut herself off at the look on her husband's face. "What?"
"If all that's in here," he said, gesturing at the bag, "then what the hell's in your suitcase?"
"Everything else," she said matter-of-factly, shaking her head. "It's called being prepared, honey. You never know where your checked bag might end up."
Jackson opened his mouth as if to respond and then closed it again without saying anything.
"Anyway," she said brightly, "Who's picking us up?"
Jackson shook his head. "Not sure, actually. Whoever's not in surgery, most likely."
They reached baggage claim, checked the screen to see where their luggage would be emerging from and Jackson set their carry-ons down while they waited.
April chewed on her bottom lip for a minute before saying, "Is it wrong of me to say I hope your grandpa's busy in surgery?"
Jackson chuckled. "You can't hide from him forever."
"I know," April replied, "but I'd rather not meet him when I'm fresh off of a five hour red-eye flight. If I can put it off until I've had a shower and look halfway human, I'll feel a lot better about it.
Jackson put his arm around her shoulder, hugging her against his side. "You definitely look human, I promise. You're beautiful."
April made a face. "You have to say that."
"Says who?" Jackson countered.
April grinned. "Says the rules of having a pregnant wife."
Jackson rolled his eyes, grinning back at her. "This in the rules too?" he asked as he leaned down to kiss her.
"Nah," April replied as she kissed him back, her free hand going up to cup his cheek. "That's just extra credit."
Jackson's replying laugh was cut off by a voice approaching them.
"Okay, I know ya'll are newlyweds and all, but come on. Everybody in Massachusetts doesn't need to see all that."
"Lydia!" Jackson said as he and April broke apart and he turned to see his older sister standing there, clearly trying not to laugh.
"Hey baby brother," she said, stepping towards him and giving him a hug before turning to April. "And you must be April," she added before looking back at her brother and saying, "At least I sure hope so or else you have some explaining to do!"
April laughed as Jackson rolled his eyes and she decided that she was pretty sure she liked her new sister-in-law. Maybe this trip would be okay after all.