Chapter 15

Babe,

I don't know where to begin. I will start with I'm sorry. I've mishandled so much where you and I are concerned. So many things that I wish that I could go back and change. You, Margaret Pierce, are the best part of me. You make me a better person. I don't always like to admit to having flaws. I mean, honestly who does? However, the greatest lesson that I've learned in our short time together is self-awareness. In that awareness, I have discovered, that I could have done better by you. Breaking up with you was by far one of the stupidest decisions that I have ever made in my life. Why did I do it? I don't know, a bruised ego maybe. The girl that I adored didn't think of me as perfect. That's a lot to grasp, but the truth of the matter is that I am not perfect. I am a flawed man. A flawed man who loves you. That's another thing that I want to say to you. I love you, Maggie Pierce. You are the love of my life. There has never been a woman and there will never be another woman other than my mother and my daughter that can break me down to my knees. The thought of not having you in my life is unbearable. You told me that I needed to regain your trust. That's my goal. So, if you don't need the complication of bringing a child into the world with me, then I respect your decision. I hope that you can let me be there for you through that. You shouldn't have to endure that alone. You said that I needed to prove that I was in this and not going to leave you when the mood strikes. Well, here I am. Having a baby with you is like a dream come true, but if that's not to be yet I'm ok with that. I also want you to know that I would never intentionally try and trap you into a relationship by intentionally getting you pregnant. I hope that you can find a way to believe that. I just want to focus on repairing what I broke. I hope that you can find it in your heart to forgive me. I hope that you can remember all that we have. All that we can be. I hope that you can allow me to right this wrong.

With love,

Jackson Avery

When Meredith finished reading she looked up at Amelia. She asked, "So, Maggie is pregnant with Jackson's baby?"

Amelia said, "Yes, she told me last night."

Meredith asked, "She's not going to keep it? I will support her right to choose and whatever decision she decides to make, but Maggie doesn't really seem like the abortion type. I'm shocked actually."

Amelia answered, "From what I gathered during our talk, Maggie said all of that in anger. She doesn't really mean it. She loves Jackson and she loves what they created. She and Jackson are just in a bad place right now. Who all did he send that email to?"

Meredith replied, "I think that the email was for Maggie only, but when he typed in Pierce the leadership group probably came up first since it's probably most frequently used. So, the entire hospital didn't get it. Just all the department heads and the board. Which is bad enough because- "

Before Meredith could finish her statement their doorbell rang. Meredith went to answer the door and the last person she expected was on the other side. It was none other than Catherine Fox.

Meredith said, "Catherine. Hi!"

Catherine came in. She said, "I came to see Maggie."

"She's upstairs getting ready for work," Meredith said.

Catherine moved toward the staircase and asked, "Which is her bedroom?"

Meredith said, "Amelia can run up and get her for- "

Catherine started walking up the stairs and called out, "Maggie?"

Meredith called out to her back, "Just go on up Catherine."

Maggie heard her name being called as she walked from the bathroom back to her bedroom. When she was a few feet away she saw Catherine ascend the stairs. Maggie looked around then back to Catherine. She said, "Catherine. Hi. Is everything ok? With Harriet? With Jackson? With Richard?"

Catherine walked towards Maggie, taking her in her arms. She said, "Everyone is fine. I just wanted to talk to you."

Maggie pulled back. She said, "Sure, my bedroom is right here."

They walked in and Catherine took a seat in the chair near the door. Maggie sat on the side of her bed."

Catherine asked, "Did you read Jackson's email?"

Maggie reached for her phone on the nightstand. She asked, "Jackson sent me an email?"

As Maggie got into her phone Catherine said, "Yes, He meant to send it to you, but accidentally sent it to all the leadership of the hospital. Myself included. I wanted to talk to you, and no. I'm not here to talk you out of your decision."

Maggie looked up from reading the email. She said, "Cather- "

Catherine cut her off saying, "Of course I want you to keep the baby. It's my grandchild. However, it isn't my decision to make and I respect that. I just want you to have someone to lean on during this hard time. I know that things are not good between you and Jackson. Now, I don't like to meddle in his love life, but Jackson loves you. He loves you fiercely. I've never seen him feel like this for another person. That's saying a lot because he was married before. I can only guess that his love for you makes him a bit stupid. Not that it's an excuse. Just the truth. How're you feeling baby?"

Maggie replied, "I'm feeling fine. I've been having headaches, but other than that no real symptoms. Catherine, I know that I said some things to Jackson last night, mostly out of anger, but- "

Cutting Maggie off again Catherine said, "Maggie, I don't know the reasons for you wanting to terminate but let me just say this. You would never be alone in this. Richard and I would be there for you every step of the way. Also, that dense son of mine would be there for you too. Jackson takes being a father very seriously. Especially since he didn't have his father in his life. You'd have an equal partner in this. You're not alone. I know that you probably think I have ulterior motives. I'm not going to lie; I do want you and Jackson to be together. I love the changes that I see in my son when he's with you, but your happiness matters to me too. I want you to feel like he loves and respects you and if you don't feel like you're getting that from him then you shouldn't be with him. You don't have to settle Maggie, even if it's with my son. You deserve it all."

Leaning over Maggie took Catherine's hand and said, "Catherine, I'm not terminating the pregnancy! I felt like that in the passion of my anger with him, but when I came home, and I spoke with my sister I realized it was something that I wouldn't be able to go through with. No matter what, I do love Jackson and our child was conceived in love. I wouldn't even if Jackson and I were never to be together again, it wouldn't be unbearable to co-parent with him and I do have a support system. Also, thank you for saying that you and Richard would be there."

Catherine squeezed Maggie's hand and searched the young woman's face. She said, "Maggie, you're going to be a mommy. I'm going to be a grandma all over again. You don't know how happy you just made me. The future is so bright for the medical community. Can you see it? This baby will have Grey/Webber/Avery/Fox blood flowing through its veins. He or she is destined to be surgical greatness. Oh, honey! I cannot wait for everyone to know."

Maggie squeezed Catherine's hand. She said, "Catherine. It's still too soon to tell anyone. I'd appreciate it if you could keep this information to yourself for a little while longer."

Catherine smiled at Maggie. She said, "Of course, but just so you know Jackson accidentally sent the email to the leadership thread, so everyone probably already knows."

Maggie sat back on the bed staring at Catherine. Catherine walked over kissing Maggie on the cheek letting her know that she would see her later. When Catherine left Maggie laid back on the bed and stared up at the ceiling.

Something about telling Catherine made her situation all the more real. She needed to speak with Jackson because he needed to know that he was indeed going to be a father again.

She sat up and reached for her phone. Before she could unlock it to call him there was a knock on her bedroom door and in walked her sisters. Meredith said, "Are you ok? You didn't let Catherine talking you into something you don't want, did you?"

Maggie answered, "While she made her wishes known, she wasn't really trying to talk me into anything. She was actually really supportive. Why didn't one of you tell me about Jackson's email?'

Amelia said, "I was going to tell you when you made your way downstairs, but Catherine came over before any of that could happen. How do you feel about what he said in the email?"

Maggie laid back on the bed. She said, "I wish he hadn't sent it to half the hospital, but I like that he felt the need to communicate his feelings to me. It means a lot that he sat down and wrote out his thoughts and feelings in a clear and concise manner. I also like that he found a way where he could clearly get his point across without me cutting him off. I tend to do that."

Meredith opened her mouth to make a comment when the doorbell rang again.

At the same time, Amelia's phone started ringing. She looked and said, "Linc's calling. I have to take this."

Meredith left to answer the door and when she was alone again she sat up. She couldn't stay at home. She needed to get to work. It was time to face the music and the people.

As Maggie was about to stand up there was another knock on her door. She went and opened it to Jackson standing on the other side. The first words out of his mouth were, "Everything with you is going wrong. I didn't mean to send out a mass email. I wanted to get some things across to you, but it was late, and I was tired and emotional, so I guess I made a mistake."

Maggie smiled and took Jackson by the hand leading him over to her bed where they both sat. She said, "Am I happy the email went out to everyone? No, but I don't blame you and I know it was an accident. Jackson, I owe you an apology for threatening to abort our baby. Not because it's not my choice because it is, but because I didn't do it for the right reasons. I said that out of anger. I felt like you were being dishonest by not sharing important information with me about my body, but when I thought about it, it was absurd. Jackson, we have a lot to work through and we probably need to see someone, but I just want you to know that you're the best part of me too."