April was going to be discharged today. Jackson was in the hospital with Harriet, making sure they had everything they needed to take April home. Well, to his house. Jackson would never admit it, but he was actually worried she may not like the house. He had arranged her room to her liking and made sure everything was in her reach so she wouldn't have any trouble. He hoped she also liked Harriet's room. He had felt terrible when Richard had reminded him that they were a family, and he should be persistent so that April would accept his help. He didn't want to make any more mistakes. It had to be perfect, so April would be comfortable. He asked a nurse for a wheelchair for April. Jackson went inside April's room and put Harriet in her arms. He started picking up her stuff.

- Jackson, is there something you would like to tell me?

Jackson froze.

- Mmmm… about what?- he said slowly.

April looked upset.

- I don't know, maybe about why my medical bills are already paid?

- Uhm, yeah… about that…

- Jackson, this is not ok! You cannot go around paying for me. I agreed to go live with you because I thought it was a good idea as long as we had boundaries, but this is overstepping them. I will pay you back and I will not hear another word about it.

- Common, April. Don't be like this. The Avery Foundation owns half this hospital. Of course we wouldn't let you pay.

- We are NOT married, Jackson.

Yup, she had to say that every time. Though this time he had to admit he had seen it coming.

- Harriet's part, I would get it, but I can pay for my own. This is unacceptable. I can't believe that you thought this was ok.

Oh, boy. She wasn't going to let go.

- But you are family. Family, April! So you might as well forget it. You're not paying back, you're not complaining about it. Do you think I would charge Harriet for medical care? No, right? So why would I do that to her mother?

- But…

- Are you going to say we are not family? Are you? Really? After all we have been through? I know we are not married anymore, but we are still family.

April was left speechless. Jackson didn't dare to smile, but he was making a fuss inside. He had won this one. He finished picking April's stuff, and helped her get to the wheelchair. This time, the three of them would leave the hospital together. He started pushing the wheelchair and he could hear April whispering to Harriet.

- That was so not fair. That's cheating. So unreasonable.

Jackson kept walking, secretly enjoying her tantrum. He put Harriet on the baby chair and helped April get in the car. They didn't talk much while he drove home. He had already moved everything April needed from her apartment to his place. He had even found a place in her room for her bible.

He was excited, but he was also very nervous. Jackson wasn't quite sure how this was going to work. They had lived together so many times before and yet he had no idea how this was going to be.

- Are you still angry? - he asked her.

- Well, I'm not exactly happy, but I'm also not furious.

- It's a beginning, I guess. We are almost home.

He was almost sure she had cringed when he said the word home. He sighed a little. This should be fun.


After April was settled in her room, Jackson went to buy some food. He missed April's cooking, it was the best, so delicious. But there were two problems, first, she had no obligation to cook for him, and second, even if she wanted, she was still recovering. He wouldn't even mind eating leftovers. So chinese it'd be. With extra fortune cookies, please.

When he came back with the food, April was sitting in the living room with Harriet.

- For a person who hates throw pillows, you sure own a lot.

- I don't like them, but I no longer hate them.

He hadn't been the one to buy them, anyway. He looked at April, whose smile was fading. Dammit, she meant to make a joke.

- Things just change, I guess- said April, more to herself than to Jackson.

They had their meal, with almost no small talk. Jackson had no idea what to do. He wanted April to feel comfortable, that she wouldn't mind asking for help, and that she was happy there, with Harriet. But right now, they were alone, with their baby, without the movement and the noise of the hospital, without visitors or patients. Should they talk? Should they watch tv together? Should they just ignore each other unless April needed help?

After they finished, Jackson started cleaning up the table, and April went to the nursery. When Jackson was done, he went to see how they were doing. He stopped at the door. April was sitting in the rocking chair, singing quietly to Harriet. It was a lovely picture. Just like he had imagined his life would be. A healthy baby, the lovely mother of his child, and him, all living under the same roof. Even if it was just a temporary illusion.