Japril in Boston

I was so happy watching the GA 5/6/21 episode. This is my take on their exit and settling in Boston.

Prelude:

Driving home after Harriett's fever gone down and April saying yes to Boston, Jackson made a lot of mental notes of all the things he needed to do: Talk to Bailey, talk to Jo, call ahead to the foundation regarding his move, and call April to follow-up.

He walked into his apartment, threw his keys on the counter, and looked around his messy apartment. There would be a lot of things to do before moving he thinks. There were things he wanted, but there are a lot of things he could replace when he got there. He took a quick shower and drove to the hospital.

While the foundation was already running and he didn't have a timetable, he did want to start the process.

After pulling into his parking spot he headed towards Bailey's office. He took a deep breath and knocked on her door and proceeded to tell her he was moving to Boston to run the Fox foundation. He gave all the reasons why it was important for him to do this. She asked about Harriett and how could he walk away from her. He explained April and Harriett were coming with him.

He started his shift and bumped into Jo. While it wasn't serious, he knew how unfairly Alex treated her.

Over at Aprils. After hugging Jackson and saying yes to Boston, she shut the door and watched him drive away. She made her mental list for the day. She looked around the house, sighed, and thought about what she needed to do in the coming days and weeks, depending on when Jackson planned on leaving. She needed to call Matthew and the charitable clinics she'd been working at. There was a lot she could leave behind. She wouldn't need to pack much. She could get new furniture, and she chuckled that this might be a sign to ditch the throw pillows. She set about her day, cleaning and gave Harriet her bath.

Later that evening after putting Harriet to bed, her phone rang. She looked at the caller ID and answered, "hello?"

"April, it's Jackson. How is Harriet?", he asks.

"I just put her down for the night. How was your day? April asks."

Jackson replies, "It was good, it was long. I talked to Bailey and told her we are moving to Boston. I gave her two weeks' notice, but I can fly back and forth until a proper replacement is made. I reached out to colleagues at Seattle Pres and Pac North to assist. I spoke to the foundation and asked them to make arrangements for temporary housing in two weeks. I'll officially start full-time in six weeks. What about you, how was your day?"

April replies, "not as exhausting as yours, it sounds. I called the head of the charity clinics and told them I was leaving. I also called Matthew to go over the divorce and discuss selling the house. Both our names are on the mortgage. There's not much equity in it and I think it will sell fast."

Jackson says, "if you need help with a relator let me know. I also talked to Jo Karev. I thought you should know we were seeing each other casually, it wasn't serious, but I wanted to tell her my plans myself, especially after what Alex did to her."

April stammers, she's taken aback, but not surprised. They both moved on and she had no claims on him since she married Matthew. Still, she had to ask, "not serious as in 'just sex', like you and me 'just sex'?" Timing she thinks to herself.

Jackson laughs and says, "nothing with you was ever 'just sex'. No, that's all it was, but I wanted you to hear it from me and not someone else. She was a little disappointed, but she wished me well. I'll touch base with you in a few days. Goodnight."

"Goodnight Jackson", April says.

April was very efficient. She had the house packed up and boxes labeled and thanks to the Foundation, temporary housing was found in a little over a week. She found a buyer and moved out of the house 10 days after speaking with Matthew. She planned on moving ahead of Jackson to prepare the three-bedroom apartment they found for them. She shipped some things as soon as she knew the address and asked Matthew to send the papers there. She loaded up the SUV with the remaining items and drove to the bank and cleared out her checking account and safe deposit box. She opened the box and saw her wedding ring from Jackson. She tried to give it back to him in the divorce, but he refused to take it and she couldn't bring herself to sell it. She kept it secret from Matthew because she didn't want to hurt his feelings. Despite marrying him, she knew there was always part of her that still loved Jackson. Wiping a tear away, she packed up, left the bank, and drove to Jacksons to load some of his items into her car. Her next stop was the hospital and she made the rounds to say goodbye to everyone. She retrieved Harriett from daycare and ordered takeout. Jackson had a few more days left on his notice and he was putting in more hours. He arrived home and reheated dinner and April shared the last of his bottle of wine with him. She spent her last night in Seattle in the spare room. The following morning she rose early and made coffee and toasted a muffin for her & Jackson. They loaded his boxes and files in her car and he said he'd finish the rest of his packing in a few days and make the drive by the end of the week. His mother would fly out with Harriet a few days after April has things settled in Boston. Even though it's early, she wakes her little Nugget to say goodbye. Jackson walks her out to the car making her promise to call him that night when she stopped driving. He pulls her into a long hug, kisses her forehead, and watches her drive off.

Jackson watches his daughter have breakfast while reading the paper. Buckling her into her car seat he drives to the hospital hoping to finish his caseload tomorrow. He arrives home, has leftovers, and continues packing. He reads Harriet a story before putting her to bed. He opens a bottle of beer and checks his watch. April should be calling soon. He turns the TV on and watches the news, soon the phone rings and says, "hello?"

"Jackson it's me, April. I'm stopping for the night. How was your day?"

"Good, I'm almost finished packing. I should have everything wrapped up at work by tomorrow. How was the drive?"

"Not bad. I'm making good time. Another 35 more hours, but who's counting."

Jackson chuckles and they talk a few minutes more before turning in for the night.

Jackson works one more day and returns home, waiting for April's call

The next day he drives over to Meredith's. She is still resting at home and he wants to say goodbye and while soaking up the sun outside he brings her up to date on his plans, including Harriet and April moving with him. That afternoon, he drops his daughter at his mother and goes for a hike to clear his head. He drives back to his place and takes care of additional packing and schedules a mover for when he leaves. After a quick shower, he drives back to Catherine's and Richard's house. They have a quiet dinner in and Jackson heads home. With almost everything packed, he settles for a movie and a beer. April makes her nightly call and he tells her he saw Meredith, went for a hike, had dinner at his mother's.

It is more of the same for the next two days. April calls him late to let him know she got in safely and someone from the foundation met her with keys and she has already started unpacking and is taking a break for the night.

Jackson says he will start the drive in the morning after he drops Harriet at his mothers'.

With phone calls each night they exchange updates. Catherine flies Harriett out the day after he left. April completed the temporary arrangements by the time she picks up Harriett. Catherine flies back the next day after taking her former daughter-in-law out for dinner.

Eventually, Jackson and April come together and they begin making Boston work.

Stay tuned for: Fingers Crossed With New Horizons.