"Wow I can`t believe it" Meredith said after Maggie finished telling them what had happened. The sisters were seated on the table talking about Maggie`s encounter with April. Maggie was getting a bottle of wine when her phone rang.

"He is calling" Amelia said handing Maggie her phone

"Hey" She answered

"Hey babe, how are you?"

"I am good thanks, did you get my message?"

"Yeah but I am afraid you are going to have to come home, April called, she says she wants to talk so I told her its cool but I want you to be there"

"Look Jackson, I don`t think I should be there, besides did she even say if she wants me there?"

"She just said she ran into you and she has concerns, I want you to be there okay, does that not count for something?"

"Fine, I will be there"

"Thanks babe, I will just grab dinner on the way. See you in a bit"

Maggie looked at her sisters after the call like someone who wanted assurance. Did she really want to be there, was it necessary for her to be there. Those were thoughts running through her head.

"Are you sure you want to do this?" Meredith asked

"No but do I have any other option?"

"Maggie you don`t have to do something you don`t want" Amelia chimed

"In this case I kind of do, she has concerns about me because she just discovered the liar in me and she wants nothing of sort around her daughter. She has a point, what parent would want a liar around their child"

"Okay then liar, just shout if you need anything" Amelia said with a little laugh

"That's a good one; I will see you guys tomorrow. I am going to take this because I have a feeling I will need it" she said grabbing the bottle of wine and her bag walking out of the door

"This is not going to end well" Meredith said to Amelia

"No it`s not" Amelia said shaking her head

...

Maggie honestly didn't want to see April at all but for Jackson`s sake she just had to. She drove slowly with the hope that by the time she gets there maybe they would have finished so that she just shows face. She first went to the hospital to check on a few things and then proceeded home. She was glad that Jackson was already home and she could see April`s car as well. She stayed in her car for a few minutes still hoping to see April leaving but she didn't, she had to get herself home and face the music. She opened the wine bottle and had a drink while still in the car; she knew she was just trying to delay the inevitable until she reached the penthouse. She let herself in; Jackson came and gave her a slight kiss. He took her bag and the bottle of wine. He examined the bottle and could smell that Maggie had just been drinking. Maggie said nothing but walked over to the kitchen as she took a glass to pour herself some more wine.

"Babe, do you think we could all talk"

"Oh, I thought you guys would be done by now"

"Yah, April was just finishing telling me about what happened"

"Sure" Maggie said moving with her glass

"See what I mean Jackson, you told her we needed to have a conversation but she comes here drunk and you still want her involved. We could resolve this on our own"

"Okay then, it's not like you wanted me here anywhere" Maggie said turning back to go upstairs

"Oh no, Maggie isn't going anywhere, we are going to sit here and we will all talk like adults"

April folded her arms in annoyance while Maggie just rolled her eyes clearly showing her distaste for the whole thing. She just wanted out of there so she slowly turned placing her glass on the kitchen counter. She walked towards them and took a seat next to Jackson.

"Jackson, if you want us to talk with her then she needs to realise we are Harriet`s parents"

"April please, Maggie is a part of my life now so I will appreciate it if you showed some respect towards her"

"Jackson, she is drunk"

"Okay April, fine I lied in front of your daughter and I am sorry but just to be clear I will do it all over again, Jackson can I go now because I am not going to sit here as if I am auditioning for a role to be Harriet`s mother because she has a mother. I don`t know what else she wants from me" Maggie said looking at Jackson

"Yeah, just go I mean that`s what you are famous for. You are clearly drunk so what can we possibly achieve when you are like this"

Maggie felt her heart drop at April`s words, she was getting tired of her condescending attitude

"You know what April, I have been trying to be civil with you but you just keep pushing me each time, you said the same thing earlier and I took your word when you apologized. You don`t even know me so stop acting like you do"

"Clearly" April said

"You know what, even if I run at least I know how to be there for those I love, we can`t say the same about you can we?" Maggie said in annoyance

"Jackson, are you really going to sit there and let her talk to me like that?"

"What, you started it and now you can`t take the heat. I learnt my lesson but the question is did you because you did it twice actually" April`s eyes dropped at Maggie `s words. She was right but she did not expect her to say that at all

"Maggie please..." Jackson tried to calm a furious Maggie

"I actually feel sorry for Harriet because you don`t seem to get it at all, are you even aware that you are raising a child that doesn't look like you at all?" Maggie lashed out.

"Are you saying I am incapable of raising my own child, just because she is not white like me does not mean I am less of a mother to her. Maggie white parents have black babies all the time and guess what, get with the times Pierce and stop with the race card because it is a non-issue here" Maggie shook her head in pity while Jackson just sat there not knowing what to do. It wasn't how he had pictured this at all

"Well then Miss I know everything, Miss Woke, is that what you want, here is a medal for being white and having a black kid" Maggie said sticking a little something on April`s folded hands while giving her a slow clap. She got up and gave her a death stare as she walked up the stairs.

"You say you know how to be there for those you love but the truth is you don`t"

"What?" Maggie stopped at the third step and looked at her

"Jackson himself has said he doesn't know how to talk to you, ask him" Jackson dropped his head and Maggie ran the rest of the stairs closing the bedroom door behind her.

"April, I think you need to leave" Jackson said in a low tone

"But...

"Just go please, you have done enough"

"I can`t believe you would stand here and let her call me a terrible mother and for her to bring up Samuel`s death was just wrong. I am a great mother and you know it" Jackson said nothing but just looked at her "I can`t believe you would put her before our daughter`s well being"

April quickly grabbed her bag and walked out of the house. Jackson stood by the door thinking a little. He then proceeded following Maggie upstairs, she was busy braiding her hair in front of a mirror to get ready to shower and sleep. Jackson walked towards her and stood behind her with his hands on her shoulders.

"Did you two finally figure out a way forward?"

"Oh no, I asked her to leave"

"Listen Jackson, she is really getting on my last nerve and for her to say what she said"

"I don`t want to talk about this okay. Yeah she was wrong to say that but was it necessary for you to bring up her going away after Samuel`s death. I honestly expected better from you"

"I know, I am sorry but she started the whole thing. What was I suppose to do?"

"You were suppose to be better than that, you know what, I am just going to get some air" Jackson said moving away from her, he quickly grabbed his keys

"Are you still talking to her, are you still spewing your feelings to her-"

"Really now" he said glaring at her with a scowl face walking out.

Jackson drove around for a while until he came to a stop at a bar close to Link`s place. He had called Link who said he would join him a bit later. He debated in his head to get in or wait for him, he ended up going in, he had not ordered as yet, someone tapped him on the shoulder.

"Hey Jackson" he turned and saw a face that he had seen before

"Hey, how are you?" Jackson said trying to be polite

"You don`t remember my name do you?" Jackson shook his head "It`s Natalie" she said with a smile "I am sorry about that, I will sure try to remember it next time"

"Is this seat taken?" she asked while making herself comfortable

"Suit yourself" his phone dinged and saw a message from Link saying he wasn't gonna make it

"It`s nice to see a familiar face, so what are we drinking?" she asked in a flirtatious manner tilting her long golden brown hair to the side looking at him

"Unfortunately I was just about leaving"

"Okay, next time then" she said smiling at him walking away

...

Jackson walked back into the apartment; Maggie was taking a long bath but was now just lying in the bath tub soaking herself. She had been there for a while with her eyes closed and her head hanging outside a little. Jackson stood by the door watching her while she still had her eyes closed. He moved closer to her taking off his shoes and his jacket

"Babe" he said in a soft voice

"Hmmm" Maggie said opening her eyes to look at him

"I am sorry about today" Maggie didn't want to argue so she just looked at him "I am not talking to her about us, I stopped after we had that huge fight; she was just trying to stir up drama for no reason. I know she hurt you and I should have stood by you"

"Well, you need to sort your thing with her because there is no way I could be in the same room with her"

"I know and I am sorry that you had to deal with what happened today"

"It doesn't bother me honestly because I know people will always be people, God! I hate people!" she said splashing some water.

"Can I join you?" he said starting to strip off all his clothes

"Like me saying no would stop you" she said with a smile, he sat behind her with her back on his chest. He held her closely and stayed quiet

"Are you okay?" Maggie asked breaking the silence

"I know I am asking for a lot but do you think you would be the bigger person and talk with her for Harriet`s sake"

"I can`t believe you just say that, why does it have to be me who reaches out to her. You heard her, Harriet is not my daughter" Maggie said moving away from him and turning her head to look him in the face

"I know that but I am asking if you could please do this for me"

"I am drunk so I will pretend that this conversation never happened because I will probably forget it by the morning" Maggie said trying to stand up but Jackson pulled her back

"No you are not, I know you when you are drunk" he said pulling her back to his chest and putting his arms around her

"Still, I don`t think I can do that"

"Do you remember this other day we had this patient that kept looking at me when she was asking about her heart?"

"Not really, why?"

"You know after we were done, you said to me you were tired about how patients always look at the men in the room, how easy it is for men in the work place. I then said come on that is not a thing and you said it wasn`t my thing. I never noticed it when it happened and even when you brought it up I shot it down but after you said what you said, it got me thinking and I learnt something from it. So with April I am asking you to extend the same courtesy and have a word with her"

"Even if I want to, she won`t want to hear anything from me"

"Don`t worry about that"

"To be clear I am only doing this because I love Harriet" she said smiling at him

"I know and thank you" he said planting kisses all over her.

...

April was in Jackson`s lab when the door opened. She turned since she was expecting him but saw Maggie instead. Maggie quickly locked the door and walked towards her while April just rolled her eyes

"Listen Maggie, I am just hear to talk with Jackson"

"Oh no, you are here so that you and I could talk. I mean I figured if I called you, you wouldn't come but if Jackson did you would come running"

"What are you trying to say, of course whenever he calls I will come through because we share a child something you know nothing about"

"Okay enough about all this, so for Harriet`s sake I will try to put our differences aside. Do you think we can try and have a civil conversation?"

"Sure" April said. Deep down April knew that Maggie was a good a person and she was also willing to talk with her

"Okay, I will try and talk to you about yesterday if you are willing to listen"

"Okay, shouldn't Jackson be here?"

"Oh no, this is between you and me. Woman to woman"

"Okay then"

"Listen, I am sorry about bringing your time of grieving yesterday and I hope you will be able to forgive me. I was out of line and that will not happen again"

"Well, I started it and as painful as it was you were right. Also I am sorry about what I said and I want you to know that Jackson hasn't spoken to me in like forever. I was a bit jealous I guess so I just wanted to hurt you for no reason"

"April you shouldn't be, Jackson will always be a part of your life, you two share an adorable baby girl"

"I know and I am forever thankful for that" she said smiling a little

"April, let me ask you this, how does it make you feel when patients look to the man in the room first no matter who is talking to them"

"It`s annoying, it's like they don`t think as a woman you can do the same thing. I always had that when I was with Owen in the ER, I had to work twice as hard to be taken seriously and to make things worse Owen never noticed. This one time when I told him about it he just said it was all in my head"

"Exactly and he was right because it`s not his thing but it's a thing for women" Maggie said grabbing a seat "the thing is what you experience as a woman in the workplace is almost the same thing that happened yesterday"

"What do you mean?"

"Yesterday that woman assumed I was a nanny because of my skin colour, because it is not your thing you also didn't notice"

"Oh my God, I get what you mean, Maggie I am so sorry. I honestly didn't see it that way"

"I mean, okay, it's not Mississippi burning or anything, but it is all over. What happened yesterday is like when people assume I'm a nurse or when I go to get on an airplane with my first-class ticket, and they tell me that they're not boarding coach yet. It's like a low buzz in the background and sometimes you don't even notice it, sometimes it's loud and annoying. Sometimes it can get dangerous and sometimes it is ridiculous but it's not funny"

"Oh my word, this happened right in front of my eyes and I didn't even notice it but instead I made it worse by accusing you of being a liar"

"Then notice it and for the love of God learn to listen before opening your mouth sometimes" Maggie said with a chuckle

"Oh no, now I get why you said Harriet is not like me because she will clearly grow up in a world where she has to be aware. Can I ask why you didn't tell that woman?"

"Because it wasn't worth it, she would have probably said I am accusing her of racism and who knows she would have gone to tell me about how she has black friends and that entire staff. I wanted to tell you because you and I are kind of like family now; there is Harriet in this case so that is why I needed to tell you why I did what I did. I can't spend the rest of my life educating most white people but if someone is willing to listen like you are, I will tell them and hope they will tell the next and hopefully by the time Harriet grows up this world would be much better. It's the micro aggressions, the underlying tones that when we try to point out they are quickly dismissed with the line why does everything have to be about race"

"Oh my God, I feel so terrible. Maggie I am so sorry and clearly I need to educate myself about this"

"Okay for the record, I don`t believe for a second that you are a racist okay" Maggie said holding April`s hand "so go ahead, live your life and please do not try too hard by being extra nice to black people just to make yourself feel good about it okay. Just be you and be genuine about your actions" April said nothing but just nodded her head. She had been married to Jackson but the two had never had a conversation about race. This was actually the first time she had this kind of a conversation.

"Maggie, I honestly do not know because I feel like I have been living in this little bubble and suddenly I have been introduced into a whole new world. We are never taught these and it kind of saddens my heart you know"

"April, this is not a small thing but I'm glad that we were able to talk about it. I don't speak for all black people, I am not the spokeswoman and no one is. One piece of advice that I can give you that I think we would all agree with is that if you feel uncomfortable having done something, check your white privilege, and don't do it again and once again I don't think you're racist"

The two continued talking ending their conversation with a hug. They thanked each other and mostly took time to understand where each was coming from.
...

Maggie had a late surgery so she found Jackson home watching a basketball game. She walked to him and collapsed on the couch next to him. He stopped the game pulled her closer to him

"Take it the surgery didn't go well"

"No, it didn't" she said taking her shoes off lying on her back on his lap

"I am sorry" he said playing with her hair

"We were late, she stayed in the ER unattended for a long time and by the time I got in there, the damage was already done. When is the new trauma surgeon starting because Owen is not managing since April left?"

"Well, Bailey sent final candidates and I never bothered to check but I am sure we will have one by next week. Speaking of April, she called me and told me about your talk"

"Oh really, what did she say?"

"Well everything, she was just asking why we never had that conversation when we were married"

"Yeah, why honestly"

"It never came up and besides April and I never thought things through, we just dove into things and often found ourselves having to deal with consequences"

"Well that`s too bad" Maggie said

"She said something interesting though" Jackson said with a smirk on his face

"What?"

"That I will be a fool if I let you go and she promised that she will not talk to me if I did that"

"Wow, she said that"

"I was also amazed, looks like I have no one in my corner if things went bad between us"

"Come on, you have your mum so you can add Richard to that list too"

"Oh no Richard said if he ever hears that I hurt you in anywhere he will come after me, my mum also said she doesn't want to lose Richard so for her marriage she will take your side. Meredith said she will kill me, Amelia never said anything but I can picture her burning me up alive. I guess I am on my own because we all know Harriet will ask questions that I won`t be able to answer" Maggie couldn't help but smile as she listened to him. He really had no one so she sat up straight and pulled him in for a kiss

"So what are you going to do about it?"

"Well I would hope that someday I will have someone in my corner" he said smiling at her

"No you are not alone, you have me. What if I told you I was ready for it all?"

"Okay," he said looking at her as if he wanted her to continue talking

"I mean you know" she started rubbing her hands out of habit "I am ready for us to take the next step if it is what you want"

"Babe, are you sure"

"Yeah I mean, I am nervous but I am sure"

He took her by her hands and made her stand in the middle of the leaving room.

"I know this is no ideal but I have to okay" he went down on one knee and said "Maggie Pierce will you please give me the honour and joy of being your husband"

"You are so silly, yes of course" she said with her face beaming from ear to ear. Jackson stood up and kissed her passionately.

"Aren't you supposed to put the ring on my finger?"

"Well I would if I had them with me"

"Them"

"Yeah, I bought you a ring but I wanted to propose with your mum`s one but they are both with Mer so I am sorry I had to do it this way without a ring" he said

"I know you probably had plans but this was perfect" she smiled at him and said "the one you bought will do just fine" he smiled, lifted her up and started planting kisses all over her as she carried her upstairs

...

Maggie woke up with something on her finger the next morning. She slowly untangled her hand from Jackson`s body and looked at her finger. She looked once, closed her eyes and looked again trying to make sense of it all. Before she could get her head together Jackson pulled her back and said

"Morning future wifey"

"Morning future hubby" she said as he rolled to climb on top of her "and how did this get on my finger"

"I drove to Mer`s in the middle of the night, I didn't want you to forget that you were now engaged" he said as he kissed her ring finger

"Jackson this is beautiful and it looks so expensive"

"Well for my future wife I had to go all out" he said starting to plant kisses all over her

"So how are we going to tell everyone?"

"Well Mer knows and probably Amelia, I also told my mum so she invited us over for dinner, tonight" he said dodging a pillow that was flying to his face

"Jackson!" Maggie screamed as she threw another pillow at him. This was it and there was no turning back, funny enough she wasn't scared at all.

Our babies are engaged and we got a new surgeon coming. Things are about to get interesting!