A/N: Thank you so much for all of your feedback! I hope you all enjoy this chapter :D

Chapter Seventeen

Jackson removed his arm from April's shoulders, shoving his hands in his pockets. "Mom, uh, what are you doing here?"

"I was added on to a conference last minute. There were no hotel rooms available, but then I remembered that my handsome son lived in the area."

"Yeah, well…"

"Hello, April dear," Catherine said warmly, eyes shifting between the two of them with a knowing gleam. "How are you tonight?"

"Fine," April said. "Just fine, thank you."

Jackson had stepped away from her, and she looked at him with a tight expression. She didn't understand why he felt uncomfortable with their relationship in front of his mother. Catherine had always liked her. April was, if nothing else, phenomenal with parents. She typified a wholesome upbringing – or she used to – and parents were drawn to it like bees to honey.

"Well, I'm going to head back to my apartment," April said, crossing her arms tightly over her chest. He looked down at her, and she could tell by the pull of his mouth that he saw she was marginally perturbed at his behavior. Well, it served him right. She was his girlfriend now, which meant Catherine would have to know in time. In fact, she should know. And soon.

"Don't leave on my account," Catherine said, hand fluttering to her chest. "I'd hate to think I ruined whatever else you two had planned for tonight."

"Nothing planned," April said. "I'll just see you at work, Jackson."

She went to turn, but he grabbed her arm and pulled her gently toward him again. His hand moved down her wrist until their fingers were interlocked. She watched his face as he turned back toward his mother and said, "Mom, April and I are together now."

Catherine pressed her lips into a soft grin. "I know that, dear."

"You do?"

"I saw you two walking over here with your arm thrown over her shoulders. You make a very handsome couple."

"Uh, thank you," Jackson said uncomfortably. He picked up her luggage and said, "Want to head up, then?"

"Yes, that sounds fine." She glanced toward April and said, "You come too, dear. I'm sure there's room enough in Jackson's bed for two. But you probably already knew that."

Jackson shot April an apologetic look as they walked into the apartment building. Walking behind Catherine, April couldn't help but find herself entranced by the petite woman. She walked with such grace it was as if her feet never touched the floor. And wrapped up in all that elegance and grace was indisputable power.

They took the elevator up to his floor, the three of them silent as the elevator car rode up to the fifth floor. The door opened and Jackson walked out, Catherine following with April on her heel. Jackson pulled out his keys, muttering something as he opened the door.

"What was that, sweetheart?" Catherine asked knowingly.

"Nothing," he said, shaking his head. "It was nothing."

"I hope you don't mind my intruding like this," she said airily. "But what is the use of having children if you can't make use of the familial relations once in a while."

Jackson frowned, although he made an inward promise to check his irritation. This little stay from his mother would be much more bearable if it was cordial. He went into his bedroom and grabbed one of the extra pillows, pulling a blanket from his closet on the way out. He tossed them on the couch and asked, "Do you need anything else?"

Catherine smiled placidly. "No dear, that should be fine."

"Great, well, we're going to head to bed. Long day."

"Of course. Good night, you two. Try to get some sleep now."

Jackson frowned, guiding April into his bedroom while her cheeks flushed. He closed the door, flipping the lock. When he turned, his face was chagrined.

"I am so sorry," he said. "I had no idea she would be here."

"It's fine," she told him, taking his hands in hers. "Meeting the parents is part of all of this, right?"

"Yeah, but usually there is prior warning."

"I like it better this way," she said with a grin. "Besides, I've technically already met your mother. And she likes me."

"Of course she does. You're a parent's dream."

She grinned. "Back at you, partner. Now, I really am beat. Bedtime, yeah?"

He wrapped his arms around her and kissed her softly. "Yeah. You can wear a pair of my pajamas."

"Top drawer, right?"

He nodded. "Grab me a pair of pajamas pants, too?"

She glanced back at him as she walked over to the drawer and said, "I think I like you better without them."

"Very funny. May I remind you my mother is outside that door? Pants, please."

She laughed, throwing him a pair of flannel pajamas bottoms. She rummaged through the drawer for something she could wear while he changed behind her. She found a tshirt and another pair of flannel pants and changed into them quickly. Jackson was already in bed and slid in beside him, resting her head on his chest.

"My mother is outside that door," he murmured, voice glum.

"And in another few days she'll be back across the country," April returned, pressing a kiss to his cheek. He wrapped his arms around her and said, "From your mouth to God's ears."

The next morning, the three of them sat around the kitchen table eating breakfast. Catherine was her usual friendly self, leading casual conversation while Jackson glowered. April placed her hand on his knee beneath the table, giving it a gentle squeeze to tell him to calm down or at least pretend to not be completely put off by his mother's presence.

"Wonderful waffles, dear," Catherine said.

"They're from the freezer," Jackson said. With a slow smile, Catherine returned, "Well, you toasted them with aplomb."

Jackson smiled reluctantly at the absurd mention of his toasting skills. "Thanks."

"April, dear, do you have any lunch plans for today?" Catherine asked casually, wiping the edge of her mouth with a napkin. April looked at Jackson for a moment before shaking her head. "Well, let me take you out for lunch."

"I thought you had a conference," Jackson said.

"I do, but they serve appalling food. I was going to go elsewhere for lunch and thought April here could accompany me."

Jackson immediately said, "I'm sure she has work to do or something. She-"

"I'd be happy to join you," April interrupted, giving Jackson a look. She understood he was intervening with good intentions, but honestly, she could handle one measly lunch with Catherine Avery.

"You are?" Jackson said uncertainly.

April nodded and Catherine said, "I have the most darling restaurant in mind. You are going to love it. Well, this breakfast was delicious but I should really be going. April, I will meet you at the front of the hospital at noon. Does that work?"

"Yes, it works perfectly. I will see you then."

Catherine rose from the table and gave Jackson's cheek a quick peck before gliding from the kitchen and out of the front door. Jackson reached for her hand, running the edge of his thumb against her palm.

"You know you don't have to go to this lunch."

"I want to."

"I can get you out of it."

She squeezed his hand. "I don't need saving, Jackson. She's your mother, Jackson, and I am more than happy to have lunch with her."

He smiled softly, and kissed her hand. "You, April, are an amazing woman."

"Izzie, can I talk to you?" April asked, falling in step beside her in the hallways of the hospital.

"Sure, what's up?"

"I'm having lunch with Catherine Avery today."

Izzie's eyes widened as she grinned. "You're meeting the mother!"

"Well, technically we already met…"

"This is too funny," Izzie said. "Meredith came to me for advice the first time she met Derek's mom, too."

"Really?"

Izzie nodded. "I'm the meeting-parents-guru."

"I know I shouldn't be nervous," April began. "I've already met her on several occasions and I'm good with parents."

"I can see that," Izzie said with an appreciative nod.

"But I'm still nervous. It's different than before. I mean, Jackson and I are a couple now."

"A very cute one at that," Izzie enthused. "So much better for him than Lexie. I heard they were together, but let's face it, she will always be in love with Mark."

April swallowed hard, nodding at Izzie's little diatribe. Izzie saw that she had gotten off topic and clapped her hands together as she said, "Anyway, you wanted advice, right?"

"Yes, please."

"Smile a lot," Izzie suggested. "But you sort of already do that. Make no mention of your and Jackson's sex life."

"Oh, no worries in that court. She already has."

"She did?" Izzie asked incredulously.

"There is very little that is off-limits for Catherine Avery."

"Well, I would still recommend leaving your sex life as a last resort conversation topic. Don't order anything that is too difficult to eat. No messy sandwiches. No salads."

April looked at her strangely and asked, "Why no salads?"

"They're nice in concept," Izzie explained. "Healthy. Hands free. But they are surprisingly awkward to eat in front of people you aren't completely comfortable around."

April considered this for a moment. "You know, you're sort of right."

"Of course I am," Izzie answered happily. "The best piece of advice, though, is just to be yourself. Your personality already won over her son. I have no doubt it will win her over, too."

April smiled. "Thank you. I appreciate the help."

"My pleasure. Now, let's reiterate the major points of this conversation," Izzie said authoritatively. "The key to a successful meal with a significant other's parent is…"

"Lots of smiling. No messy sandwiches. No salads. And just be yourself."

Izzie grinned wide, wrapping an arm around her shoulders. "You're going to be great!"

"This is strange," Meredith said, standing with Alex in the pit. Both of them were watching Cristina walk with Burke, the two of them talking fervently over a chart.

"It's messed up, is what it is," Alex said.

"You feel that weird déjà vu?"

"First Iz and now Burke. Next think you know O'Malley will be walking through the front door and this will really turn into a Twilight Zone episode."

"They seem to be getting along," Meredith said. "He left her at the alter, and they're getting along."

"He brings her surgeries. Yang would do or give up just about anything for those."

Meredith looked at him and said, "You're not suggesting that they're sleeping together again."

Alex shrugged. "Wouldn't surprise me."

"That won't happen," Meredith said resolutely. "She's married now."

"And we all know that marriage is about one argument from blowing up. I give it two weeks before they're boning in on-call rooms."

"You're wrong," Meredith said, shaking her head. "You are completely wrong."

Watching Cristina and Burke round the corner, Burke laying a hand on her arm, Meredith sincerely hoped she wasn't mistaken.

"So, how are you doing?" Derek asked, stepping into Owen's office. Owen looked up from some paperwork with a puzzled expression.

"Uh, I'm fine. Thanks for asking?"

Derek laughed, closing the door behind him. "I mean about Burke being back."

Owen's jaw tensed and he answered, "He was the best candidate for the position. There is nothing for me to be not fine about."

"Have you told him yet?"

"Told him what?"

"That you're her husband."

Owen shook his head. "Frankly, that is none of his business. He is my head of cardiothoracic surgery and that is all."

"He's also working with your wife."

"I don't see the problem here."

Derek studied his colleagues face and said, "Yeah, you do. I just want you to know that I'm here if you need to talk. I know what it's like to have your personal life become the watering hole conversation topic of choice."

"Doesn't everyone in this hospital?"

Derek smirked. "Fair point. I'm just saying that I'm a willing listener."

Owen nodded. "Thanks. But I'm fine."

"Of course you are," Derek answered with a knowing look. "Well, I have surgeries to get to."

Owen nodded. When Derek turned to leave, Owen cleared his throat and said, "Thanks for stopping by, Sheperd."

Derek turned back and said, "You're welcome."

April sat with Catherine Avery in a restaurant with one of the most attentive wait staffs she had ever encountered. Her iced tea never dipped below the half-full mark and the bread basket was continually replenished.

"I want to thank you again for joining me," Catherine said, daintily taking a bite of her salad. April silently noted that Catherine Avery did not look the least bit awkward eating her salad. "Jackson looked about to have a ruptured coronary when I suggested it."

"He's just protective," April said.

"He cares about you," Catherine noted. "I've seen him go through many girlfriends, if you could even call them that, but you're different. He looks at you like how his father used to look at me."

April flushed. "I care about him, too."

"He needs someone like you," Catherine continued. "Someone with a level head on their shoulders. So often he would date these flitty girls. No doubt, it was for qualities other than their intellect that he pursued them."

April detected a bit of a backhanded compliment in there, but decided to ignore it. Catherine smiled pleasantly, taking a sip of iced tea.

"Anyway, what I'm trying to say is that I couldn't be more delighted that you two are together."

"Thank you. I appreciate that."

Catherine was silent for a moment and then said, "I heard you had some difficulties with your boards."

April tucked a strand of hair behind her ear as she nodded. "You heard correctly."

"I hope you haven't let it get to you too much. It's fairly common to not pass them your first times. Nerves can be awful that first time."

"Yes, nerves," April said evasively.

"Anyway, you are retaking them next year, correct?"

April nodded. "Yes, I am."

"Good. Don't let yourself become discouraged. Failing or passing the boards isn't indicative of the strength of doctor that you are, April. It's how you proceed that does." Catherine peered at her over the edge of her glass. "And if I have judged you correctly, as I believe I have, you are a strong doctor. A strong woman, too."

"You have to be to deal with your son," April joked.

Catherine laughed loudly. "Dear, he better hold on to you, otherwise he'll be hearing from me."

The waiter returned with a pitcher of iced tea and asked, "Would you like more, miss?"

April grinned. "Yes, please."

"So, how was it?" Jackson asked April, grabbing onto her arm. She had returned from lunch a few hours earlier, and was happy to report to him that it was an absolutely delightful afternoon.

"Really?" he asked. "She didn't pry? She didn't meddle?"

"No meddling in sight," April returned. "You know, I think she liked me."

Jackson grinned, wrapping his arm around her waist. "Now, that doesn't surprise me in the least. You are very likeable."

She tilted her face up toward his and murmured, "Is that so?"

"Oh yes." He dropped his face to hers and kissed her softly. "So, it really wasn't painful?"

"Far from it. I actually sort of liked her."

He stared down at her. "You liked my mother?"

"Is that a problem?" she asked.

He shook his head, fingers brushing against her side. There were a few moments of silence and then he repeated, "You really liked my mother?"

A/N: I missed Mark and Callie in this one. I promise they will be back next chapter! How'd you like this one?