Chapter 17

A few weeks later and Maggie hardly recognized her life. She had been officially living with Jackson for about a week and she was a few days away from being fourteen weeks pregnant. Now one would think that since she spent so much time with Jackson anyway, actually moving in wouldn't make a difference, but they would be wrong. There was a difference and Maggie felt it. It wasn't a bad feeling, but she felt it, nevertheless.

Maggie walked into the conference room where Jackson and Catherine were. She asked, "Catherine, you paged?"

Catherine looked up smiling. She said, "Hi baby. It took you long enough to get down here. How are you feeling? Help yourself to a snack. Jackson don't just sit there. Get her something to eat."

Maggie took a seat next to Jackson. He placed a bottle of water in front of Maggie and then filled a bowl with fruit from the table. Maggie smiled at her boyfriend as he took his seat again. She looked at his mother asking, "What's going on Catherine?"

Catherine's eyes lit up. She said, "Oh, I have great news. So, I was talking to one of my friends at The Journal. I was telling them how my son was dating THE Maggie Pierce, the daughter of THE Ellis Grey. I was telling her how you all were expecting and that my grandbaby was sure to be born with surgical prowess."

Maggie said, "Catherine, we weren't ready to share with people yet."

Waving Maggie off Catherine said, "Oh chile don't worry. Your secret is safe with her. Anyway, she had this great idea that I think we can use for your official pregnancy announcement."

Jackson and Maggie looked at one another. This time it was Jackson who spoke up. He said, "Ma, Maggie and I haven't yet discussed how we wanted to announce things. Plus, a lot of people know already because of my email."

Catherine waved her son off this time. She said, "Oh, Jackson! That's not an announcement and only people at Grey Sloan know. I'm talking about your announcement to the medical community."

Maggie sat up asking, "Why are we announcing to the medical community?"

"Because you're Ellis Grey's daughter and he's Catherine Fox's son and Harper Avery's grandson that's why. So, she wants to do a featured article where she discusses medical legacies. You know the Fox/Avery and Grey legacies. Then she wants to discuss how the heirs to those legacies have come together and created the next generation of surgical royalty." Catherine explained.

Maggie shook her head to clear the fog. She said, "Catherine, I was given up for adoption. I think Meredith is more heir than I am. I don't know about this. Plus, what about Harriet. We can't forget about her. I don't want our children growing up thinking one is favored over the other because of who their mother is."

Jackson said, "Yes because I love both of my children. Even if they decide not to become surgeons. I don't necessarily want to push our careers on them. Maggie and I haven't discussed if we want to raise the kids to be surgeons. We might want them to explore options that speak to them and I'm fully prepared for that not to be surgery."

Catherine said, "Well, of course, both Harriet and the new baby are going to be surgeons. What else are they going to do?" As far as the children being favored, I would never do that. I love both of my grandchildren. Of course, Harriet will be mentioned in the article and included in the subsequent photo shoot. Of course, the story of your adoption would be included, do you think Meredith would be willing to be interviewed? Just to talk about marrying Derek and how her children Zola specifically are showing early signs of following into their parent's footsteps? Also, to drive home the Ellis narrative."

Maggie said, "Uh, we need to think about this and discuss this."

Catherine said, "I understand. You have until Monday. That's when she'll be here to conduct the interview with you two."

This time it was Jackson, "Ma, you committed us to this interview before even speaking to us. Who said we wanted all of this?"

Catherine said, "Somethings come with the name, Jackson you were raised in this. You already know that. Maggie, you're marrying into it, so you'll have to learn it too, but you're a genius so I know that you'll learn quickly."

Maggie said, "Catherine slow down. You are making my head spin. Who is getting married?"

Catherine said, "I know that son of my mine hasn't asked yet. I don't know what he is waiting for. I would think that the two of you would like to be married before your child is born. However, I understand your generation does things a little differently, so I'll wait patiently. Oh, I have to go to meet Richard. I'll talk to you later."

Jackson and Maggie watched in shock as Catherine quickly gathered her things and left. Jackson turned to her saying, "I'm sorry."

Maggie said, "Your mother is Catherine Fox. I don't like any of this one bit, but who can control Catherine Fox? What are we going to do Jackson?"

"Babe, I'll do whatever you want to do. If you don't want to do the interview I'll tell mom." Jackson said wanting to support Maggie.

Maggie replied, "And put me on Catherine's bad side."

Jackson replied, "Maggie, no. Of course, I'd take responsibility. Plus, you're carrying her golden child. You can do no wrong."

Maggie stood saying, "I was waiting on some images. I have to go. Can we discuss this later?"

"Of course. Since we'll be here most of the night, do you want to get dinner?" Jackson asked.

They didn't have Harriet this week and when she was with her mom they usually pulled long hours and did their obligatory night shifts. Maggie shrugged saying, "Sure, if I'm free."

They shared a brief kiss and went their separate ways.

Maggie sat in the viewing room viewing some images when Amelia and Meredith entered. Amelia said, "Maggie I have a great idea. Since we're both preggers together we should have a sisters' maternity shoot."

Maggie looked over her shoulder. She said, "What is with everyone wanting me to do photoshoots and interviews? Plus, I'm not far enough along to photograph, Amelia. You should do one with your baby daddy. I'm sure Linc would love that."

Amelia sat in the seat next to Maggie. She said, "Of course Linc and I are going to do a shoot. I didn't even think of having maternity photos done. His mom mentioned it and he ran with it. But then I thought, Maggie and I are pregnant together. We should take pictures together. Like to solidify our sisterhood."

Meredith snorted saying, 'Your sisterhood isn't solidified enough? You two are practically inseparable as is. Who else is trying to get you to do a photoshoot and what interview?"

Maggie turned her chair to face Meredith. She said, "Jackson's mother. She wants us to do this interview/photoshoot with The Journal to announce our pregnancy. She talked to a friend and they want to interview me and Jackson and even you Meredith about being a part of a legacy and then having legacy children."

Meredith said, "You know that I hate doing things like that but thinking like a board member it would be great press for both the hospital and the foundation."

Amelia interjected, "I don't mean to rain on your legacy parade, but can we talk about my sisters' maternity shoot? Of course, we could wait until you're showing a little, but we can't wait too long. I'll be spitting this kid out after a while."

Maggie stood shaking her head. She said, "Let me think about it, Amelia."

Later that evening Maggie met Jackson in the cafeteria so that they could have dinner together. He said, "Babe, you look tired. Have you taken a break today."

Maggie chewed her turkey sandwich before saying, "No, I've been trying to keep busy. Trying to keep my mind for wandering. I was thinking. We can do the shoot. Meredith made a good point about it being great press for the hospital and the foundation. Oh, that reminds me. Amelia wants to do a sisters' pregnancy photoshoot."

Jackson scrunched up his face. He asked, "With just you and Shepherd? What about me? You do know that I did have something to do with the baby you're carrying. Not Shepherd."

Maggie said, "Of course you and I can and will do our own shoot when I'm further along."

Jackson asked, "Why do you need to do a photoshoot with Shepherd? You're not even really sisters."

Maggie put down her half of sandwich asking, "Excuse me?"

At that moment Jackson knew that he had made a giant mistake. He said, "I didn't mean it like that. You know what I meant."

Maggie said, "No, no I don't know what you meant. I only know what you said and that's disrespectful to Amelia who did nothing but advocate for you when I wanted nothing to do with you."

Jackson took a deep breath. He said, "Maggie I'm sorry. I just want people to see our photos first. I want to have a bunch of first with you because I didn't get that with April with either pregnancy... I didn't mean any harm towards Amelia. It's just like when it comes to your sisters I often take a backseat to them."

"So, I can't take maternity photos with my sister who happens to be pregnant too because you feel insecure when it comes to them?" Maggie asked with plenty of attitude.

Jackson cursed himself because he knew that he was no match for Maggie's anger, and her pregnancy anger was downright formidable. Jackson accepted defeat hoping his apology would be enough, "Babe, I'm sorry that's my issue, not yours and not Amelia's."

Maggie rolled her eyes saying, "It makes no sense Jackson. You're going to be featured in a magazine because I'm having your child. If that isn't exposure I don't know what is."

Jackson knew that he looked like an ass. He just wanted to share everything with Maggie. He didn't want to share her, but he needed to learn that where here sisters were concerned he would have to.

Jackson attempted to take Maggie's hand in his. She snatched her hand away. She said, "I have to make sure my patient is in pre-op."

Jackson watched as she walked away. He loved that little firecracker. He knew he needed to do better not to upset her because it didn't take much these days. He had a feeling that he'd be paying for this faux pas for a few days to come.