Earlier that morning:
On her way into work on Saturday morning, taking her usual route, April spotted the Seattle-Tacoma airport sign. It was always there, she just had never really noticed it before. After everything that went down this morning, Judy was at the forefront of her mind. April made a sharp right turn onto the expressway, and ended up at the airport.
She decided to park in short term, because she was not sure how well this would go. The hospital would probably call in about twenty minutes when she didn't show up. She could always just say something came up – it was overtime hours anyways.
After thinking for a minute, April turned off the ignition and removed the key. Grabbing her jacket and bag from the passenger seat, she proceeded to the large entrance labeled, departures.
"Hi Ma'am. Welcome to Delta, how many I help you?"
"Um – yeah, hi, could I have a ticket to California?"
"Where are you headed? We have a flight leaving to LAX in 30 minutes. A few spots are still available."
"Perfect, yes."
"Okay, I'll just need some ID and a method of payment."
April placed her bag on the counter in search of her wallet.
"Here." She handed her platinum VISA card to the women on the other side of the counter.
"Thank you Mrs. Avery – now I'll just need some ID."
April had forgotten that she had changed her name on that account, since linking accounts with Jackson a few months back.
"I haven't had a chance to change this yet. I'm also keeping some things in my maiden name due to professional reasons. "
"Oh. That's nice dear." The elderly women looked up at April. "Did you just get married?"
"Um, it was a year ago."
"How nice, it looks like you are expecting as well. How far along are you?"
April readjusted, and used her jacket to cover her stomach.
"We just have a policy that we need to see a doctors note if you are further along then 28 weeks."
"Oh, good thing I'm not." April forced a smile.
"Yeah, that rumour about the baby getting free tickets for life, it's just a rumour."
"People actually try that?" April questioned.
"All the time." The women handed April back her license and her credit card. "Gate 42B – just through security to your left. Have a nice flight."
"Thanks." April quickly grasped her bag and adjusted her jacket again.
—
Sitting beside a young woman and her two small children, April couldn't help but wonder if they were twins. They looked about the same age.
"I'm sorry." The women whispered to April. "They've been so noisy this whole flight. I'm glad they are finally asleep." She held the little boy in her arms, and her daughter was between herself and April in the middle seat.
"Oh, it's fine. Kids will be kids. They were great. Is this their first time flying?"
"No, actually. Their father lives in Santa Monica. We fly down every few weeks. They've been on more planes in 4 years than I have been on my whole life." The women smiled.
"Are they – twins?" April questioned.
"Mmhm. Just wanted one – got stuck with two."
"Oh, well. What a nice surprise."
"Yeah. Not bad. Anyways. I'll let you get back to that." The women eyed April's red notebook in her grasp.
"Thanks."
—
April tried to ignore the shooting pains in her lower stomach throughout the flight. She just chalked it up to nerves.
"We are now starting our descent into LAX. Please make sure you seat backs and tray tables are in the upright position. Thank you for choosing Delta and welcome to California." The chipper flight attendant spoke over the intercom.
Once landed, April made a quick exit. Grabbing her stomach she began to feel the sharp pains becoming more persistent. She followed the exit signs and began to wait in the queue for a taxi. She couldn't believe the heat. She slipped off her grey jacket and folded it to fit it inside of her bag. She forgot California had such beautiful weather. This was only her third time in the state, after her oral boards in San Francisco and her impromptu honeymoon in Lake Tahoe.
"Hi, I'm just looking for a taxi – possibly to take me to the nearest hospital." April said to the man at the podium.
"Yeah, sure. There's another taxi 5 minutes out. You okay?"
April smiled through what seemed to be another contraction. "Mmhm – yeah, just – I might be in labour."
"Okay, ma'am, we're calling you an ambulance. A taxi would end up getting stuck on the freeway and that's no place to have a baby."
Ushered into an ambulance, it began to fly at full speed.
—
"Ma'am, what hospital is your doctor located at?" The paramedic questioned.
"Um, Grey Sloan. It's in - it's in Seattle. So... unless you can get me there."
"Oh. Okay. You're not from around here are you?"
"No. I'm not. But, I know of a doctor who used to work at St. Ambrose– is that far from here?"
"About 25 minutes – we'll get you there, don't worry."
—
"I need to um, call my husband – if that's okay." April looked up at the nurse.
"Sure. We have patient phones over at the nurse's station. Or we can also call when you are changing if you'd like."
"No. it's – I'd rather call, thanks. It's just– I'm only just I'm only 32 weeks."
"Well, it looks like this baby wants out regardless. I'll call the OB on duty and we'll get everything settled. I'll just leave these here for you to sign." The nurse left a clipboard of papers and information on the table as she exited the room.
As April was filling out the patient forms she heard her cellphone ringing. She lifted it to her ear,
"Hey, why can't you leave? You were only supposed to be in for a maximum of three hours to make up for lost time. April. Are you okay?"
"Yeah, I'm just. I'm at the hospital. I'm – I'm just. I think I'm in labour." April said breathlessly.
"Oh. Oh my god. Okay. I'll be right there."
"No. No Jackson. I'm – I'm not at Grey Sloan. I'm at St. Ambrose."
"Didn't I tell you that it wasn't a big deal to have a baby where you work? We do everything else there anyways." He tried to make a joke.
"No, Jackson. St. Ambrose. In – In, it's in California."
"April… what do you mean you think you are in labour?" Jackson's toned changed.
"Um, well I'm at the hospital signing in. I'm 5cm dilated."
"5cm? April are you kidding me? How the hell am I going to get there? You're only 32 weeks April. This isn't good."
"Jackson. I know. I'm just, I'm trying to be calm. Remain calm."
"Why would you even get on a plane to California in the first place?"
"I – well, you know… I thought about Judy this morning and…"
"April." Jackson said with a sigh
"I know. I'm sorry."
"No. It's not your fault."
"What is going on over here?" April heard a familiar voice on the other side of the phone.
"Is that your mother?" she questioned Jackson.
"Um, yeah. Everyone is here. Arizona planned a surprise baby shower for you."
"What? Really?"
"Yeah…"
"Is that April? Is everything okay?" Arizona raised her eyebrows in worry.
Jackson covered the phone with his hand. "April is in labour." he whispered.
Her sisters began to squeal in unison. "But, she's in California."
"California?" Karen's mouth opened wide with shock.
"She's only 32 weeks. They need to keep that baby inside her. They have to." Arizona chimed in.
"I. I don't even know what is going on and I'm going to miss the birth of my first child." Jackson's eyes began to fill with tears.
"Where is she? The best thing to do is go and get on a flight as fast as you can." Arizona grabbed her phone to look up flights.
"She said St. Ambrose." Jackson looked over in confusion.
"Oh my, that's in Santa Monica, that's Amelia's old stomping ground. OH – oh my god. Tell her to ask for Addison. Dr. Addison Montgomery – she has privileges there."
As everyone began to frantically worry, Jackson finished his call with April. Reassuring her he would make it there.
As Jackson was gathering his things as well as the pre-packed hospital bag that April had sitting in the nursery, Arizona was ushering all the guests out.
"I'm sorry – yeah, thanks for coming" she politely said to everyone.
—
"Jackson – sweetheart." Catherine motioned towards him.
"Mom. Not now. I don't have time." Jackson darted back.
"No, listen to me please."
"What?" Jackson turned around to face his mother.
"I have a car waiting outside. We're taking the Avery foundation jet."
"But, isn't that only for…"
"When your wife is having a baby in another state – yes."
"Mom. Thank you. I – I don't know what to say."
"This is a family emergency. There is no need to thank me."
"If you wouldn't mind – Karen?" Jackson's eyes locked with his mothers.
"Of course. April's mother is welcome. Now, let's go. We don't have much time."
Jackson exited the bedroom following his mother.
"So. What is going on?" Kimmie bounced up from the couch in the living room.
"My mother got us permission to use to the Avery foundation jet. Thankfully we'll be able to get there in a lot less time and hopefully not miss a thing." Jackson said with a hopeful tone in his voice.
"Jackson – I. I should probably come. I have a fellowship in fetal surgery under my belt. I am…" Arizona mumbled.
"Yes. Of course. You're coming."
"Okay. Yes. Yay!" Arizona beamed.
Catherine scanned the room. "Okay. Let's go we're wasting time here."
Karen shuffled to grab her purse.
"What about us?" Libby questioned
Catherine looked over at April's three sisters, standing side by side.
"Okay, sure. The more the merrier. Now - really. Let's go. Good thing I always request a limo."
The seven of them shuffled into the back seat of the stretch limo and were on their way to the airport.
