It was the twenty-third of December and it was Jackson and Maggie's last day of work. They were leaving late that night to head to their destination. His plan was to get on the highway and if the stars aligned Maggie would fall asleep soon after they were on the road. His original plan had been to leave early on Christmas Eve, but he knew that his wife was claustrophobic and knew that getting her to wear a blindfold was out.

Once she figured out that their trip was a short one the surprise would be ruined. So, he told her at the last minute that they were leaving that night. If he was lucky after a full day of working and then rushing to get things done, she would crash as soon as they got in the car.

Jackson was in his lab when Ben peeked his head in. Jackson looked up at his friend. He asked, "You off? I thought that you were working today."

Ben chuckled and fully entered the lab. If he was being honest whenever he stepped into the hospital he missed working there with all of his friends and his wife. He missed practicing medicine. To Jackson, he said, "Well, my wife is the chief of surgery she said that she can't just drop everything because Jackson Avery rang. So, I had to take today off to make sure that myself, Joey, and Tuck are ready. How did you keep your mom quiet?"

Jackson's eyes sparkled because he knew that Ben was alluding to his mother possibly ruining his surprise for Maggie. He said, "I just told her to stay away from Maggie. I didn't tell her right away. So, she only had to keep her distance for a few days. Maggie's been MIA anyway, even from me."

"What's up with that?" Ben asked.

Jackson shrugged saying, "I don't really know. It's odd because Maggie and I love being around one another, but she's up and out early, she goes missing during the workday, and then she comes home sporadically. However, wherever we're in one another's presence things are great so I don't think that anything is wrong. I guess she's just really busy. So, I guess my Christmas surprise is right on time."

Jackson watched as been played with his skin samples. He could tell Ben missed surgery. He thought that he and been would work plastics together, but it seemed that Ben was sticking with firefighting. He asked, "When are you and Miranda leaving out? I hope that everyone arrives on time for the Christmas eve brunch I'm having catered. It's not a long drive from here. So, I don't want excuses."

Ben said, "Can you imagine making that commute every day if it was further away? I don't know how Derek and Meredith drove and took the ferry every day when they lived in the woods. Miranda and I will be there early enough to help you out with the caterers. You just make sure your wife doesn't kill you. You took a huge risk with this one."

Jackson said, "I did, but I know that she'll like this gift once she gets over me not discussing it with her first."

"Does Harriet know? Did you tell Harriet's mother?" Ben questioned.

Jackson shook his head, "This is as much of a surprise for Harriet too. If I told her she would have spilled the beans to Maggie. As for her mom, no I haven't gotten a chance to tell her. I'll let her know when she returns, but it doesn't really impact her. It's not that important that she be kept abreast."

Ben and Jackson talked a little while longer until Jackson was paged to the pit.

By the time Jackson's day had ended he was very tired and for once he hoped that Maggie's day was just as long. He really needed her to fall asleep as soon as possible so that he wouldn't have to drive around for a long period of time.

He had just scrubbed out of surgery and saw Maggie in front of the OR board handing the nurse her tablet. He walked up next to her. He asked, "You done, babe?"

Maggie stretched and closed her eyes. She said, "I am. I am also exhausted. Are you sure we can't leave early in the morning?"

Jackson sent up a silent prayer of thanks. He said, "I don't really want to be traveling on Christmas eve. You can crash in the car. I'm sure that Harriet will."

Maggie was glad that Jackson suggested she sleep in the car. Usually, she'd stay up with him, but her pregnancy was zapping her of all of her energy, and falling asleep was likely inevitable. She said, "I might have to take you up on that."

Jackson leaned over placing a kiss on her lips and pulling off her scrub cap. He said, "Let's go change and head home."

When they got home there was non-stop running around. Jackson was glad that although Maggie had started packing already there was still plenty to do before they got on the road because that meant the chances of her passing out as soon as the car started moving were increasing.

While Maggie finished packing for herself and Harriet Jackson went to his mother's house to pick up Harriet. Richard opened the door, "Hey Jackson, you didn't have to come get Ms. Harriet. We could've brought her with us."

Shaking his head Jackson said, "That would mess up the surprise Richard. She doesn't know you and mom will be there and she doesn't know where we are going. So, Harriet has to leave with us in order for me to pull off the surprise."

Rolling his eyes Richard said, "Right."

Catharine came down the stairs holding Harriet's hand. She said, "You came right on time. I just gave her a bath and she's all clean and ready to go. Where's Maggie?"

"She's home finishing up some packing and cleaning. Hopefully burning herself out." Jackson answered his mother and he picked up his daughter.

Catherine asked, "How is Maggie doing? The last time we had lunch before I was temporarily banned from seeing her, she wasn't feeling too well."

Jackson looked at his mother with a slight frown on his face. He asked, "She's been fine. When was this and how come I'm just now hearing about it?"

Catherine said, "Well, obviously because it wasn't that serious. Don't you go harassing that girl either about why she didn't tell you. Now go so that Richard and I can head over."

Jackson when home and finished packing his things. He and Maggie had dinner because Harriet was snoozing and had already eaten with his mother.

Maggie was sitting on the sofa answering emails on her phone when Jackson came back in from loading the car. He took a seat on the sectional and rested his head on her shoulder. She kissed his head and asked, "You about ready? I can't wait to get in the car and take a nap. How long is the drive?"

Jackson smiled because he knew what she was doing. He said, "Nice try. I'm not giving you any hints."

Maggie giggled, "Well, you can't blame me for trying."

Jackson stood and then leaned in to his kiss her lips. He said, "Let's go."

They scooped up Harriet putting the little girl in her coat. They locked up the penthouse and got settled in Jackson's luxury SUV.

Before pulling out of the parking garage Jackson asked Maggie, "Babe, how have you been feeling. Mom mentioned you not feeling well when you two had lunch.

Maggie yawned and absently said, "It was just m-. My food didn't agree with me. I'm fine." Jackson was a little taken aback by Maggie's stutter, but he just guessed she was tired.

Maggie closed her eyes and feigned sleep. That was close. She had almost said that it was just morning sickness. She had to be careful. The other day she had almost grabbed Jackson's hand to place on her still flat belly but had luckily caught herself. She fell asleep thinking about Jackson's reaction to their pregnancy.