Note: I haven't really watched the show outside of the Japril scenes in years so if anything doesnt seem right from canon perspective, just smile & nod :)
"Hello girls. What's going on?", Jackson walked into April's place & saw April & Harriet snuggled up on the couch.
"Daddy, we're about to finish the book!", Harriet lifted the book excitedly to show him & handed it right back to April to continue.
He reached over the couch & kissed Harriet on her head, smiling, "Good! You can tell me the story after.". He brushed his hand softly across April's back as he walked towards the kitchen, making her smile. She knew the gesture, it was their little intimate thing when Harriet was around.
"I got you your favourite ice cream!", he called out, while putting it in the freezer.
Harriet's face lit up, "Rocky Road!", & her attention was diverted towards the kitchen.
"Jackson, don't distract her!", April frowned in his direction, "Baby, come on. Let's finish this. We'll have the ice cream after dinner."
Jackson chuckled softly, opening a beer & leaning on the kitchen counter as his girls concentrated on the book. It had been years since he had been this happy and at peace. Yeah he was still getting the hang of the work & the changes he wanted to implement weren't exactly happening at the speed he liked but there was progress there. Besides that, everything just seems to be falling into place. The gamble of moving to Boston was paying off in more ways than he'd even imagined. Harriet was happy & fully settled in. She'd made friends and actually liked her school. April was a natural at the Foundation. He was born into this life but she was born for it - much like his mom. He knew how skeptical she was about moving & she only did it for Harriet but seeing her now, knowing she was fulfilled in her work, he felt a great relief. And then the cherry on top.. He smiled, taking another sip of the beer.
He was in love. Or still in love. Insanely, desperately, 'interrupt her wedding' kinda love that was somehow only reserved for April. He hadn't told her yet because he didn't want to scare or overwhelm her. He knew she had her reservations and wanted to take things one step at a time. He respected that, understood that even but the number of times he had to remind himself to not say it was increasing so it was only a matter of time.
April looked up from the book in his direction and gave him a warm smile & he smiled back. I'm ready to say it, hopefully she's ready to hear it.
They were in the middle of a senior staff meeting to go over some specifics in relation to the Foundation budget & upcoming priorities. April's eyes kept landing on Jackson because she could sense his mind was elsewhere. He had been distracted all through the meeting but finally regained his composure once it was his turn to share updates. That didn't ease April's mind though - he was fine in the morning when they'd talked so she wondered what had happened since to make him this stressed.
"Hey, do you have a minute? Or another meeting right away?", April asked him as they left the conference room.
"Uhh, let me.. check.", Jackson tried to focus as he looked at his calendar, "Looks like I have 15, what's up?", he asked as she followed him inside his office.
"You tell me. Is everything.. ok? You seem a little off."
He slumped back on the couch, running his hands over his forehead, "It's..", he sighed deeply, "Grey Sloan.."
April sat next to him tentatively, waiting for him to continue.
"So it turns out.. There's been some complaints about the Residency Program."
"At Grey Sloan?", she confirmed.
"Yup. So now there are concerns & it's kinda being put under the microscope.", he frowned deeply while staring at his hands.
"Well.. What does that mean?"
"I have no fucking clue. For now, it seems like the accreditation council is gonna drop by to see it's state and then.. who the fuck knows."
April reached out & held his hand lightly, "That doesn't sound so bad. They're just there to see if things are.. fine & it'll be done."
"I just don't get it.", he got up, frustrated, "Who.. The program is fine. I don't know who's bored enough to go about filing these pointless complaints.", he paced around the office, his hands on his waist.
April was quiet, looking away from him, not wanting to add anything to that. But Jackson, as expected, noticed. He stopped & looked back at her, noticing her silence.
"What?"
She looked at him reluctantly, "Nothing.. I was listening."
"April, just.. Say what it is you want to."
"Jackson.."
He raised his eyebrows, silently pushing her to continue.
"There are plenty of reasons why someone could complain against the program.", she stated, looking at him.
His face hardened, hands falling to his side. He could feel the anger rise in him but he tried to not let it take the better of him, "Really?"
"There have been real problems in it so I'm not the least bit surprised that someone decided to do something about it.", she stood up too, facing him directly, "Maybe if you all weren't so stubborn-"
"Stubb- Are you being serious right now? You're really defending some spineless anonymous nobody that's trying to ruin-"
"I'm saying that instead of writing off any criticism as "spineless" & "pointless", maybe we can introspect to see what can be changed.", she didn't want to fight but he & most other folks in Grey Sloan could be very close minded about this, "Hell this isn't even the first time the program has come under scrutiny."
"Ahh you mean when your little pal Minnick had come along.. How exactly did that turn out for ya'll?", he asked.
There was a flash of something in April's eyes that Jackson noticed before she shut them, taking in a deep breath.
"You really don't want to tug at that thread.", she replied, her voice low & expression hard.
He gulped, trying to pull back. He didn't want to go down that unfortunate memory lane either, "Dr Webber-"
"Webber has created an exceptional program. But like everything on the planet, it's not perfect. But you all get so defensive any time anyone tries to make any change like it's some sort of personal slight on him.", she interrupted, increasingly frustrated that he just didn't understand it. Even now.
"You don't get it, do you? It's not just about Grey Sloan - this could impact every Fox Foundation hospital. You're trying so hard to make your "point", you don't even realise how bad this could turn out!"
"All I was trying to say is that it's completely plausible that someone would complain against the program.. and it's just an audit, Jackson! Maybe you should ask yourself why you're so worried if you're sure that things are fine.", April challenged.
Jackson scoffed, shaking his head.
"And honestly, if the Hospitals can't clear basic audits like these, then maybe these programs deserve to get shut down.", she concluded.
He looked at her in silence, both anger & disappointment on his face & she looked back, sure that her expression mirrored his.
"I have a meeting to get to.", he broke the silence.
She nodded & held his eye contact for a second before leaving his office.
Jackson was in a rotten mood. Watching a movie with Harriet on his lap would normally be enough to make his entire day but today, he was struggling to concentrate on the movie playing even though she was fully engrossed in it. The crap going on with the hospitals was bad enough but if it was just that, he could deal with that. Leave work at the office and focus on Harriet & April at home but nope. Now that had trickled into his home life too.
He hated how he & April had left things this afternoon. He just hadn't expected her to have the reaction she did & it blindsided him. It also annoyed him that she was, once again, not on his side on this. But even so, he didn't want to fight & hated this feeling so he was about 5 minutes away from calling her when he heard a knock on his door.
Jackson kissed Harriet's head & took her off his lap while she was still immersed in the movie & went to open the door. He opened it to come face to face with an awkward April.
"Hi.", she said, hesitantly.
Jackson frowned slightly, "Uhh hey.. Did you umm.. Forget your key?", they were past this formality.
"No I just.. Wasn't sure if you wanted me to use it today.", she replied, softly, looking down at her feet.
He rolled his eyes, shaking his head, "That's.. Just come on in."
He closed the door behind her as she entered & they looked at each other for a few moments, the awkwardness from before still persisting.
"Mommy!", Harriet called out to her, "Daddy & I are watching Encanto!"
"Again? Baby, why don't you try another movie?", April smiled slightly, walking over to her.
Harriet frowned, "No Mommy.. Encanto!"
April shook her head, smiling & bent to give her a few light pecks on her cheek.
"Umm I have a couple of pizzas that are heating in the oven, unless you want something else?", Jackson asked, scratching his ear, knowing he can't bring up their fight with Harriet around.
"No, it's fine. I'll keep an eye on it. You can continue your movie.", she said, politely.
"You don't have to.."
"Jackson, it's fine. Go ahead."
April had been going over what she wanted to say, all day. Things had gotten unexpectedly heated in the afternoon but she didn't want this to cause more friction between them when it didn't really concern their relationship anyway. On top of that, all the feelings that had been overwhelming her for the past few weeks also came to a head and she knew she needed to talk, really talk, to him.
She looked over to see Jackson on the floor of the living room, his back against the foot of the sofa, knees bent and Harriet on his lap. She was pointing at something on the screen and giggling while he was completely engrossed in her reaction, laughing lightly & muttering affectionate nothings. April smiled at the scene in front of her. He really was a terrific father & Harriet adored him so much, it really made April glad she decided to follow him to Boston. Even if for nothing else, their daughter having such a loving, present father while also having him be happy & fulfilled, made it worth it.
Jackson walked over to April, who was standing at the kitchen island, wine glass in her hand. They'd all had dinner & put Harriet to sleep so now they could discuss.. everything.
He inhaled deeply once he reached near her, awkwardly scratching his neck, think about how to start. She put her glass down & turned towards him.
"Are we…", he started, "Okay?"
April exhaled & looked up at him, "Look Jackson, I.. Shouldn't have piled on with all of that. I know you were already stressed and I.. Let my own stuff get in the middle."
His expression softened as she continued.
"You & I.. Had different experiences in Grey Sloan. I know we both came in together but.. You fit in. You were you.. Smart, likeable, gorgeous, with a hell of a legacy & I.."
"April..", he shook his head.
"No.. This isn't me feeling sorry for myself. I'm just saying I know how hard that program can be for someone who can't afford to make mistakes without being left behind. For someone who doesn't.. Have a safety net or have unwavering support of the people in charge."
He nodded softly, with a small smile forming, "And despite all of that.. Look at you now.."
She smiled back.
"But you were right.", he exhaled roughly, "The reason I'm so worried is because I don't know.. If this is going to work out in our favor."
She sighed, an encouraging expression on her face, "It's a great program. If nothing else, the quality of surgeons it's produced should be argument enough for continuing it."
"I'm not sure if that's going to be enough.."
"Then.. You know..", her tone changed, defaulting to her control mode, "Maybe we can come up with ideas or plans for improvement preemptively. Show them we're already on top of things.."
He chuckled, biting his lip at her determined expression, "Yeah, that's what I was thinking too."
"Okay, so we'll come up with points that can- mmpff.", he cut her off by pressing his lips firmly on hers & then pulling back.
"I don't like us fighting.", he whispered.
"Me neither & I feel like we've already done enough of that to last a lifetime.", she replied, her hands on his shoulder.
He smirked & bent towards her again but she stopped him, "Wait.. I just.. Have something else I want to talk about."
"Okayyy.. What's.. up?"
"Umm about us.", she looked him, nervously & he gulped.
"Okay, yeah sure. We can.. we can talk about us.", he felt the air change & wasn't completely sure where this was going.
"So.. Jackson.. The last few years, I had pretty much made peace with the idea that you & I were done. That we were apart for a reason. And it seemed easier too, y'know?"
He nodded silently.
"But then this past year.. Everything that happened.. So much changed & with us.. I've been so happy but also just fucking terrified of losing it again."
He nodded softly, "I know, I get it.."
"That's why I've been.. reluctant? Of going too fast or saying something too soon because I'm scared of the other shoe dropping. I'm constantly in my head & I feel trapped and I just.. Don't want to feel like this anymore.", she looked at him & he saw her eyes turn glassy.
Jackson took a small step back because he still didn't know where she was going with this & he wasn't sure he wanted to.
"April..", he swallowed, trying to gather his courage, "What are you saying exactly?"
She noticed him retreating & his face going passive & sighed deeply. She reached out & placed her hand on his cheek, "I'm saying that.. I love you."
He blinked a few times & tried to shake himself out of the dread that had creeped up on him, ".. What?"
April bit her lip softly, swallowing every fear & doubt that she'd been feeling since the gala 4 months ago, "I'm in love with you. And I'm still terrified but.. screw it. I can't keep being scared of what if's. What has to happen.. will", she felt a tear escape, "But this is how I feel & I'm not going to stop myself from accepting it anymore."
Jackson smiled, wiping the tears off her her face & pulling her in for a deep kiss.
"I love you too.", he whispered, resting his forehead against hers & she met his eyes, hope flooding her features, "I'm not sure I ever even stopped.", he chuckled lightly, "I've been wanting to say it for weeks, I just didn't want to scare you off. But.. It's kind of insane how much I love you."
Her mouth landed on his again & her arms circled around his neck, pulling him in & his arms snaked around her waist keeping her in place. "Say it again.", she whispered while their mouths moved.
He smiled against her lips, "I'm in love with you, April."
Their kiss turned more heated once she opened her mouth to his & his hands started making their way up her shirt. The kiss was all tongues and hands and moans and they were both lost in the moment when he flicked his wrist and snapped open her bra which pulled her out of the heated moment.
"Wait, wait.."
He pulled back haphazardly, still lost in the moment, "Huh?"
"We can't.. Harriet..", she exhaled roughly, reaching back around her to clasp her bra back on.
"Yeah.. Right..", he swallowed, trying to collect his thoughts & reconcile the idea that their daughter was asleep a few feet away. They had both decided on no sex with Harriet in the house.
He looked back at her adjusting her shirt & smiled sheepishly. He pulled her in by the waist & said huskily, "Stay the night."
"Jackson…"
"She's already asleep. Just.. Please?", he looked at her hopefully. He obviously wasn't going to force her but he just didn't want her to leave.
"But we decided..", she started.
"We don't have to have sex. We can just sleep, what's the harm?"
"I.. I don't even have any clothes to sleep in.", she countered, lamely.
"Yeah? And whose fault is that?", he challenged, with a smug expression. Jackson had cleared out shelves in his dresser & cupboard weeks ago so she could have some backup stuff at his place but she was slacking.
April rolled her eyes, "Touché."
"That's a dumb excuse anyway, you can wear my T-shirt.", he kissed her forehead, softly, "Come on. I just want to sleep next to the woman I love, is that too much to ask for?", he pouted and she giggled.
"Using the 'I love you' to get a girl to sleep with you. How very high school.."
He laughed at that, "Is it working?"
"Fine.", she replied but continued before he got too excited, "But no sex. And I'm leaving before she wakes up.", she finished pointedly.
Jackson rolled his eyes, shaking his head again, "Okay fine. Deal.", his face lit up with a small smile, "Then.. Let's go to bed."
So yeah I dont know exactly what happened with the Residency Program on the show, just know there was some complaints, then probation & then it got shut down. I wasnt going to watch the eps to fill my gaps so I've just winged it!
I also went back & forth on who I wanted to say ily first but ultimately decided on April since Jackson had been taking initiative so far in this story. Thought it'd make it more balanced!
Anyway, we're almost done! Pls review!
