Funeral
The funeral is a small event, as only 10 people are allowed to go. April and the kids. Nicole the paramedic, Matthew used to work with at Grey Sloan. His mother and stepdad. Two siblings, one childhood friend, and one worker from the shelter.
Jackson waits for them in the limo, longing to go but knows that he may not be a wanted guest there and decided he will go to his graveyard once the lockdown is lifted.
When the funeral is over, and the kids and April come over to the limo. April is talking to Matthews' sister. She puts the kids in the car and asks April to come to visit them for Christmas. The visit they had yesterday was not enough. While she is saying these things, she notices Jackson.
She squints at him, and the more she looks, the more she recognizes him, and her face changes from somber to simmering anger.
She looks at April, closes the door after the kids get in, and pulls her some distance away from the car, so the kids can't hear, and they start to argue.
With the sister speaking the most and Matthew's mother joins them. They all turn to look at him while the sister points her hand in his direction.
Ruby pokes him and says. "You." pointing at him than the people outside.
"Yes, me," Jackson says with a tight smile hoping the fight doesn't come anywhere near the kids and thinking of how he could escape this.
The stepdad, who was walking with the mother, comes to the limo and tells him they would like a word with him, and he will stay with the kids. Having no idea who he is, Jackson looks at him like he is insane if he thinks he is going to leave him alone with the kids.
Instead, he makes the kids wear the headphones he brought them so they can watch frozen the first movie. They look at him like he's crazy as they are in no mood to watch.
He tells them they can either watch or sleep. They decide to watch.
He gestures for the man to follow him and stands in such a way that the kids are in his line of vision.
The mother is the first to speak. "Tell us what happened, how he died."
Jackson tells them, and the people who are there to listen are April, the mother, and sister.
"What right do you have to act like a father to that child. The man who embarrassed her father and ruined his wedding day all those years ago?"
Jackson feeling uncomfortable, answers by saying, "I don't think we should be standing out here-"
"You will be hearing from our family lawyer. I don't know if you are even a legal guardian, April, but the events of his death need to be closely investigated because I didn't trust this man with my son's life, let alone my granddaughter's life. He was grown, and I could not talk him out of trusting him as his doctor. Nor will I bother with you since you dare, to even bring him here."
"He was just-"
"Did you not have any other friends to bring you? Not even a week, and you are already reconciling with your old flame. Did you even love my son?"
"You will not have anything else of his. Give us Ruby, or I promise to get to the bottom of what caused his death."
"Jackson didn't."
"Why were you there alone with him? Did you do this on purpose? So you could finally get what you want?"
"I invited him here. Blame me if you want," April says, standing in front of him.
"Besides, Matthew would have-"
"What? Wanted this man at his funeral?" the sister interjects.
"Jackson is a good man and my friend who did everything he could for Matthew, I will not-" April starts, but Jackson stops her.
"April, you defending me is not helping." He says under his breath, and she gives him an angry look.
"I don't care. I asked you to help." She yells, and Jackson notices her tear-stained face and countenance, realizing that she is choosing to yell over tears. He touches her shoulder, meaning to calm her...
"Oh please, let us not disturb you lovebirds. My son has been buried for only an hour, and already you-" Jackson drops his hands and looks back at them.
"I realize that no amount of defending myself will help, but I can assure you that..."
"You didn't deliberately, by mistake, on purpose kill my son! Whatever it may be, the outcome is still death under your care. I will find a way to pin his death on you, whatever happened. You and you alone will pay for my son's death."
"My son loses to you yet again. Only he lost not only his family but his life. It's not fair and before the same happens to Ruby or worse, grows up calling you daddy. I will put a stop to this madness. So you have up until the end of the week to get everything ready, you give us Ruby, or else I will make noise in court, on TV, and anywhere I can find to have justice for my son..."
She looks at April. "So choose April, this man or Ruby but don't fret too much. We all know who you will leave everything good for. Say your goodbyes this week. Even that is enough of a courtesy. I was going to invite you over to my house so that we could discuss Matthews' items, but..."
"I guess Christmas is off too," April says solemnly.
The mother only looks at her then at Jackson with utter contempt, and she and the sister walk away.
She turns back to them. "April, you know I used to be a judge of the state Supreme Court don't you? I'm guessing Matthew told you. I have taken down men more powerful than the Avery's. Matthew liked to be simple and begged me not to do anything the last time. I only let you be his doctor because I heard you were the best! But upon his death, I did some digging, and that hospital in your name has had more death cases than ones that lived. Matthew is no longer here. So believe me when I say, I will come out of retirement just to destroy you if you don't give us Ruby!"
After this, they leave Jackson and April behind.
"Why did I come here again? Why didn't I wait for you at the lodge?" Jackson asks.
