Chapter 19

Today had been a long day. Maggie had a marathon surgery. Then she had to discipline one of the interns. Jackson had several patients from a nearby fire that had consumed most of his day. Then he and Maggie had rushed from work to pick up Harriet from April's.

By the time they got home, they ordered something quick for dinner. They gave Harriet a bath while they waited for the food to arrive. After dinner, they put Harriet to bed and retired to their bedroom where they showered and were now relaxing in bed.

Jackson leaned back on a stack of pillows in their bed. Maggie was sitting in between his legs with nothing on but her bra and panties. Jackson was in the process of rubbing cocoa butter into her still small, but growing baby bump.

Jackson asked, "Maggie, do you feel like we're in a good place?"

Maggie leaned further back into him and looked up. She asked, "Why did you ask me that?"

Jackson took a deep breath before saying, "I want to make some changes and I don't want to startle you."

Maggie was silent for a moment waiting for Jackson to elaborate. When he didn't offer anything more she asked, "What kind of changes do you have in mind, Jackson?"

Jackson answered with a question of his own, "How do you feel about marriage?

Maggie stiffened a bit. She asked, "What do you mean how do I feel about marriage?"

Jackson sighed. He asked, "Do you want to get married?"

Maggie sat up and turned towards him. She asked, "What? Are you asking me to marry you? This isn't very romantic."

"I'm not asking you to marry me. I'm trying to discuss it with you. I'm giving you the chance to weigh and measure." Jackson said attempting not to get agitated.

Maggie smiled at him. She leaned overtaking his face between her hands. She said, "You're so cute when you listen and consider how I may feel. We are in a good place. I do want to get married, but I'm in no rush. I don't want you to feel like we need to rush into getting married just because we're having a baby."

Jackson replied, "I'm not marrying you because you're pregnant with my child. I'm marrying you because I love you, Maggie. I'm in love with you."

Maggie stood putting on her robe. She said, "Your mother is Catherine Fox. She literally owns what like twenty-five percent of the hospitals in this country. Marrying you is sure to come with a lot in that regard. "

Jackson interrupted her saying, "Thirty percent."

"You're only proving my point, Jackson. Then your stepfather is my biological father. It- "Maggie was saying when he cut her off.

Jackson said, "that doesn't make us siblings."

Scrunching up her face Maggie asked, "What? Why would you think that?"

He said, "Well, you mentioned Richard and my mom. I thought you were going to say we're technically siblings or something."

Maggie shook her head as she left their bedroom and went to check on Harriet who was sleeping in her room with the blankets kicked off. She covered the toddler back up. Then Maggie placed a kiss to the little girl's curls and walked out closing the doors partially. She proceeded down the stairs glancing over her shoulder at Jackson. She said, "If I thought we were siblings in any way I wouldn't be pregnant with your child."

He asked, "So, what were you going to say?"

"Just like before we have to be careful with everything we do. We have to consider their relationship and their respective relationships with the two of us. We have to consider April and Harriet. Our careers. It's a lot to think and talk about." Maggie explained as she started making tea.

Jackson asked, "Why do we have to consider April?"

Maggie poured hot water while rolling her eyes. She said, "When you and I get married I'll have to co-parent with her."

Jackson looked at her. He asked, "How is that any different from the way things are currently structured?"

"I'm not one of Harriet's parents right now. When we get married I will be. That's a huge change for everyone. You and I will be partners. We'll have our way of doing things and raising our children which includes Harriet who half belongs to April and Matthew. It's a lot to think about, Jackson." Maggie explained.

"So, we can't get married because April might not approve of how we raise Harriet?"

Maggie sat at the counter squinting at her boyfriend. She said, "I never said that we couldn't get married. I said that before we do there is a lot to discuss and/or consider."

Jackson sat at the counter. He said, "Okay, let's talk about it. You mentioned the foundation. What are your concerns there? Maggie sat her teacup to the side and placed her hands flat on the counter. She started, "What are the expectations? I know that you don't do much with the foundation outside of being the liaison between the foundation and the hospital's board. Obviously, you're the heir apparent. Is your spouse expected to play a role? I'm assuming our children will. When and how?"

Jackson rubbed his jaw. He said, "Well, you have no obligation, but you are Maggie Pierce. I'm sure she'd have a place for you if that's what you wanted."

Maggie picked up her cup nodding. She said, "So, that's something that will need to be further discussed with Catherine."

"Yes, but as for the kids in their teens they'll start sitting on board meetings, I know it seems like a lot at a young age, but- "Jackson started.

Maggie cut him off saying, "No, I get it. It makes perfect sense."

Jackson was surprised. April had not reacted to that information in the same manner. He asked, "What are your concerns about Richard and mom?"

Maggie shrugged and sat back. She said, "I have a pretty good relationship with both Richard and Catherine. You have a pretty good relationship with your mom and Richard. I don't want anything that we might do to jeopardize any of that."

"You plan on cheating on me as soon as we get married or something? Because where I'm standing us getting married is only going to strengthen those relationships." Jackson mocked.

Maggie stuck her tongue out at him. She said, "I should cheat on you since you're so sure that I won't."

Jackson stood and approached her. He kissed her neck saying, "Not the Maggie Pierce that I know and love."

He walked to the refrigerator and grabbed a bottle of water. He said, "So, that leaves Harriet and April and our careers. Harriet loves you. April doesn't have a problem with you. What specific questions do you have about our parenting arrangement?"

Maggie turned to face him. She asked, "Well, what role will I play? I know I'll officially be her stepmother, but what does that entail? How active am I allowed to be in Harriet's life? How involved is April comfortable with me being?"

"So, we need to have a conversation with April too?" Jackson clarified?

Maggie nodded. Jackson asked, "So what about our careers?"

Maggie shrugged saying, "My career is very important to me. I want a husband and a family, but I don't want to compromise one for the other. I just want to make sure that's clear."

Jason looked at her. He said, "Hello, my name is Jackson Avery. My mother is Catherine Fox. Ambition is our real surname. I would never think about holding you back in any way, babe."

Maggie held up her hands in surrender. She said, "If I never say anything I can't hold you accountable for the miscommunication. I'm just putting it out there babe."

He said, "So, let's say we talk to mom and we talk to April and everything is clarified if I were to ask you to marry me would you say yes? Do you want to get married?"

Maggie said, "You're supposed to ask and wait for an answer. Not feel me out and then ask once you know what the answer will be."

Jackson sat next to her. He said, "If I were dating anyone else that would be how I would go about this, but I am dating Maggie Pierce. I can't just show up and say will you marry me."

Maggie smiled into her now empty cup. She appreciated everything that Jackson was doing and attempting to do. It meant that he was listening to her and he was taking her feelings into consideration. He wasn't trying to force her into being who or how he wanted her to be. He was loving and accepting her for who she was.

What Jackson was doing currently is exactly how Maggie wanted things to be done. It was how she was most comfortable making decisions. All of this made trusting Jackson that much easier. She was seeing action. Everything that he said was followed up with action.

Sighing Maggie said, "If you're not asking me a question, then I can't give you an answer, but I will say this. I would like for you to ask me the question."

Jackson said, "I only want to ask you if I know that the answer will be yes."

Maggie chuckled saying, "That is cheating Dr. Avery, but say you will ask, and I'll work on preparing my answer."

Jackson said, "I'm definitely preparing to ask. In the meantime, I'll set up a setup lunch with mom and something with April. You work on saying yes."