A/N: Sorry for the delay. I hope you enjoy this chapter. Special thanks to Justedelighful and TheZombieRonin for helping me to complete this chapter.

Chapter 22

Jackson, Maggie, Richard and Catherine all disembarked the jet in Boston. Maggie had agreed to attend the board meeting with Jackson and Catherine, although she was still weighing her options about Catherine leaving her and Jackson the foundation. They had cleared their schedules so that they could visit a Fox hospital and so that Maggie and Jackson could visit with Bill.

Catherine said, "I thought that we would go to the house and get settled in before we meet your father for dinner, Maggie."

Jackson said, "Uh, Ma. Maggie and I are going to stay at the Four Seasons."

"Nonsense. Why would you pay to stay somewhere when you can stay at home and be comfortable?" Catherine asked as they got into the waiting SUV.

Richard interjected saying, "Dear, they might want a little privacy."

Catherine sucked her teeth saying, "Oh, Richard please. We all know what they're up to behind closed doors. She is pregnant after all. They'll have plenty of privacy at the house."

Jackson said, "We're staying at the hotel mom."

Maggie hated it when Jackson and Catherine went back and forth in front of her. It was always awkward. She always felt like Catherine looked at her to back her up, but at the same time Jackson did the same, but she had to stand by Jackson because ultimately he was her partner in life.

Jackson and Maggie were dropped off at the Four Seasons with strict instructions not to be late for dinner. Once they were checked in Maggie and Jackson took turns showering before settling down for a nap.

Jackson held Maggie in his arms, and she laced their fingers together, closing her eyes in contentment. Jackson asked, "Are you excited about seeing your dad."

Maggie kept her eyes closed but smiled. She said, "I am, but I am a little nervous. He seemed cool when I called to tell him that we are expecting. However, being in his presence will actually allow me to feel his energy. I am both anxious and nervous about that."

Jackson nuzzled her neck. He said, "Don't worry he'll see how much I love his daughter and he'll be just fine. How do you feel about him and Richard spending time together?"

Maggie said, "It's a little weird. I mean my mom got along with Richard and they weren't awkward with one another at all, but at the same time, it wasn't like my mom meeting my bio mom. This is my actual dad meeting my biological father. I wonder how she would've been had it been if my mother would have met Ellis instead of Richard."

Jackson replied, "I'm pretty sure that would have been a little awkward. Especially after all I have heard about Ellis. Nevertheless, I think everything will be just fine. Plus, your dad has met Richard. They just haven't really talked or spent any significant time together. While you're touring the Fox facility with mom tomorrow evening I have tickets to catch a Red Sox game at Fenway Park with your dad and Richard. It'll give us a chance to bond and it'll give you a chance to bond with mom."

Maggie said, "That sounds good. Just as long as Catherine doesn't become too pushy."

Chuckling, Jackson said, "My mom, pushy? No, never."

They shared a laugh.

The next morning Jackson and Maggie made their way to the Catherine Fox Foundation headquarters. When they walked into the large conference room of about twenty-five people Maggie was a bit intimidated.

Jackson could feel Maggie tense up beside him. As they sat he squeezed her fingers. He leaned over and whispered in her ear, "Babe, relax. You are not expected to run the meeting or even say anything. You're just here to observe so that when the time comes you'll know the format and what to expect. Plus, whenever you do have to run the meeting you'll be in charge."

Maggie gave Jackson a tight smile and he leaned over and kissed her cheek. Just as he leaned away Catherine walked in. She walked over kissing both Maggie and Jackson. She said, "Great, so everyone is here. So, you all know how I am about my family attending these meetings so that they will know how things go, well we're going to get back to that. Jackson has been slacking, but we're going to get him back on track. Everyone knows Jackson. Also here today is my daughter in law, Dr. Margaret Pierce."

Upon hearing Catherine's introduction of Maggie, both Jackson and Maggie looked at one another. Maggie felt Jackson take her hand under the table. She held on to it and decided that it wasn't worth correcting. She knew that she and Jackson were moving towards that direction and she believed that everything would be fine.

They sat in the meeting taking notes and arranging for Jackson and Maggie to telecommute for the monthly board meetings.

That afternoon Jackson took Maggie to Boston Common so that they could ride the swan boats and then they had lunch in the botanical gardens. As they ate Jackson asked, "So, how do you think this morning went? Do you feel like you can handle being a part of the Fox/Avery empire?"

Maggie sipped her water before answering. She said, "If I don't feel like I can where does that leave us?"

Jackson took her hand saying, "You not wanting to be a part of the foundation has no bearing on you and me. I'm going to marry you regardless."

Maggie smiled at Jackson. She said, "Why do you always know what to say?"

Jackson looked at Maggie in her eyes answering, "When I say something to you babe it's not because I'm trying to find the right things to say. What I say to you is a reflection of how I feel about you. I love you and I honestly want a future with you. I don't just want it, Maggie. I see it. Regardless of if you're on the foundation's board or not."

Maggie closed her eyes in an attempt to stop the tears that she felt coming. She said, "This is only happening because I'm pregnant with your child and my emotions are all over the place."

Jackson leaned over placing several soft kisses to Maggie's lips. Maggie kissed Jackson back then ran a hand over her small baby bump. She said, "We've come so far in such a short time. We broke up, found out we were pregnant, reconciled, moved in together and have been discussing marriage and me becoming a part of your family business. It's a lot."

Jackson asked, "How do you feel about it all?"

Maggie looked at Jackson saying, "I feel good. I'm happy. I feel like my life is aligning with my life's goals. I wanted to be a kick-ass surgeon with an amazing career. Between my different research projects, and Catherine wanting me on her board that's a checkmark. I always wanted to find love and I have you. That's a checkmark. I have my sisters and my nieces and nephew. That's another checkmark. I wanted to be a mother and I'm well on my way to that too. I'm really happy. Maggie Pierce has arrived."

Jackson laughed pulling Maggie and kissing her on the neck.

After their romantic afternoon together Jackson and Maggie went back to their hotel suite to shower and change. Jackson was going to a Red Sox game with Richard and Maggie's father, Bill. Maggie and Catherine were going to tour a Fox hospital and then they were going to have dinner.

When Richard and Catherine arrived at the hotel the men and women went their separate ways. Maggie and Catherine went to the hospital and Catherine was on a cloud introducing everyone to her daughter in law Maggie Pierce.

Maggie enjoyed seeing how Catherine ran her hospitals. Catherine was interested in getting input from Maggie about how she thought things should be run, or how she would do certain things.

During dinner, Catherine told Maggie that she wanted her to write up some changes that she could easily implement. Maggie said, "Catherine, I didn't want to come in and change anything that you're already doing."

"Oh, chile, please. I value your opinion. So, do you think that you'll be able to take over with Jackson?"

Maggie sipped her water and thought about the decision that she had made earlier that day after her lunch with Jackson. She said, "Yes. If it's something that you want and you're sure about it then I will do it. I can do it and I want to support the family because when Jackson and I get married we will all be family and I want to support the family in any way that I can."

Catherine said, "I love you like a daughter. You know, I was a little apprehensive about Jackson starting a relationship with you. It had nothing at all to do with you. It was all me. I worried that because Richard was your biological father that if things didn't turn out well between you two that Richard and I would be impacted. However, once I was able to put my own reservations aside I was able to see what a formidable partner you would be for my son. I knew that I had found my daughter,"

Maggie blinked back tears. She said, "Catherine you're going to make me cry. Usually, it's the pregnancy hormones, but…"

Catherine reached across the table taking Maggie's hand into hers. She said, "You can talk to me, baby."

"Everyone wants their significant other's mother to like them, but for me my relationship with you is different. I don't want you to like me. I NEED you to like me. I don't. I don't have a mother anymore. My mom isn't here to tell me how to approach motherhood. She's not here to tell me how to approach being a wife. I'm out here alone. I'm just grateful that you do have those feelings towards me because I don't have the energy to try and win you over, you know? I'm already going through so much emotionally." Maggie said tearfully.

Catherine said, "Honey, you don't have anything to worry about. I've always respected you as a brilliant surgeon. I also know that you're the best thing that ever happened to my son. Jackson needs someone strong and someone who challenges him to be the best version of himself. I always knew that you're capable of doing all of that. Maggie, I know that I can never fill your mother's shoes but know that you have me and that I am there for you in any capacity that you want me to be there."

Across town, Jackson had purchased field box seats for himself, Richard and Bill. The gentlemen were enjoying beers, junk food and trash talk as they watch the Indians and Red Sox play. All the while Jackson was on edge.

Bill said, "Jackson, you should come out more often. It'll give us a better chance to get better acquainted. We'd be able to catch more games and maybe I could even see my daughter a little more."

Jackson responded, "I'd like that. I'd like that a lot. We love our work, but I'm starting to see that our relationships with our loved ones are just as important. We'll make the time. Uh, speaking of Maggie, I really love your daughter sir."

Richard watched on in silence having an idea where Jackson was going with this change in conversation. It made him feel good that Jackson loved Maggie enough to ask Bill for her hand. Richard knew that it would be something important to Maggie.

Bill replied, "Well, I would hope so. Considering she's pregnant with your child. That one's still a shocker to me. Maggie is generally so meticulous. Her being accidentally pregnant seems so far fetched to me."

Richard said, "I have to agree. I probably don't know Maggie as well as you do, Bill. However, from what I know she is very meticulous and very calculating in all that she does. When I found out about the pregnancy I was in utter shock."

Jackson sipped his beer not saying anything at first. Then he said, "Well, some things are fate and are out of our control. I think that Maggie's pregnancy came at a time where my stupidity and her stubbornness were about to get the best of us. It centered us and brought our love for one another to the forefront. It reminded us of what was really important. It highlighted the beauty that could come from loving one another."

Bill said, "Very poetic of you."

Jackson shrugged saying, "Not poetic, real. Anyway, I love Maggie and not just because she is carrying my child. I love her because she loves me. Loves me for who I am despite my flaws. When things got rocky between Maggie and me all I would hear was that she wanted to be loved for who she was the way she was. However, it was lost on me that the very thing she was asking of me was the very thing that she gave to me so freely."

Richard said, "Don't be too hard on yourself. We're all stupid in love sometimes. I know I've been blind where Catherine is concerned from time to time."

Nodding Bill said, "I know that Diane and I divorced, but we tried for a long time and I too can admit that there may have been some stupidity on my part. However, you shouldn't dwell on your stupidity. You have to learn from it and try not to make those mistakes again."

Jackson nodded saying, "Oh trust me I am. That's why I wanted to ask you if I have your blessing to ask Maggie if she'll be my wife? I don't want to waste any more time with her. I want to make her my wife. I want to love her and our children for the rest of our lives."

Bill looked at Jackson. Jackson could see all of the emotion in the older man's face. Jackson then looked at the emotion on Richard's face and started to regret asking in this way in front of Richard.

Jackson knew that Richard loved Maggie. He knew that if Ellis had told him that she was pregnant that Richard would've been a father to Maggie. He knew the pain and torment that Richard felt for having the decision made for him.

Bill said, "I was wondering if you two planned on getting married. I figured since I hadn't heard anything that maybe Maggie was refusing because she didn't want to get married simply because she's pregnant."

Jackson said, "That was definitely a concern for her, but I can assure you that as far as I'm concerned marrying Maggie was always the goal. I think I loved her even before I knew I loved her. My love for her isn't something I can set aside. It's something I have to do. I take being a father extremely serious and the same goes for being a loving husband to your daughter."

Bill looked at Richard. He asked, "What do you say, Richard? Does he deserve our blessing?"

Richard shook his head. He said, "Oh no. This is all you Bill. Your daughter your decision."

Bill said, "Maggie loves and respects you too. You're there with them every day. You love Maggie and care about her wellbeing just as much as I do. Do you think Jackson's worthy?"

Richard stared at Jackson as if sizing him up. He said, "Bill, Maggie wouldn't be more loved."

The two older men shook hands. Bill turned to Jackson saying, "Go get your girl."

Jackson felt as if he had been holding his breath forever. He released it standing to hug each man. He had never felt so much relief. Now he only had one more obstacle. Getting Maggie to say yes.

Bill said, "Now can we finish watching the Indians get their ass kicked by the Red Sox?"

All three men shared a laugh.

By the time Jackson returned to the hotel Maggie was in bed sound asleep. Jackson went straight to the bathroom and showered. After completing his nightly routine, he crawled into bed with her. Pulling Maggie into his arms he kissed her neck.

Maggie stirred asking sleepily, "Did you all have a good time?"

"I had one of the best nights ever," Jackson replied.

Maggie didn't respond because she'd fallen back to sleep. Jackson continued to hold her as he stared into the darkness preparing his proposal in his mind.