A/N –Thanks so much for the reviews. I have approximately 5 more chapters coming for sure, but that may change. My goal is only to write this until the end of the hiatus but we'll see. I have a general plan on where I'm going but I'm always open to suggestions so feel free to send me them or include them in your reviews. I can't wait to hear what you think about this chapter!

The moonlight streamed into the hospital room as Jackson returned to check on April. He couldn't help but stop and lean against the doorway as he admired the picture perfect scene before him.

April was sleeping softly in her hospital bed next to their baby's hospital basinet. He could tell she had been talking to their son because she had fallen asleep with his little hand wrapped around her index finger.

He was so relieved at the peacefulness of the moment because the baby was healthy and April was healthy. Without even realizing it, a smile formed across his face. Lost in his thoughts, he hadn't noticed that April woke up.

"Hey," April whispered, as to not wake their little boy, "What's that look?"

"What look?" Jackson responded, denying the smile he was now aware had taken residence on his face.

"You are smiling," April answered, "I haven't seen it in a few days."

"Really?" Jackson asked, "I guess almost losing you freaked me out more than I realized."

"Come here," April gestured to the spot on the bed next to her, "I miss lying next to you."

Jackson filled the empty space next to April and let her snuggle a bit up to him. She rested her head on his shoulder.

"You know," April started before a slight yawn, "We still have to name him."

"Yes we do," Jackson agreed, "What did you have in mind?"

"I really like the name Elijah. It means 'Jehovah is God' in Hebrew. I don't know about a middle name though," April answered.

"Well," Jackson said, clearing his throat, "I'd kind of like to name him after Mark, and not for the reason you'd think."

"Oh really," April responded, "Then why?"

"It goes back to the last conversation I had with him. He gave me some advice that took me way too long to take…"

'I want you to promise me something. If you love someone, tell 'em. Even if you're scared that it's not the right thing, even if you are scared that it'll cause problems, even if you are scared that it will burn your life to the ground, you say it, and say it out loud. And then you go from there.'

"He really said that?" April asked.

"I should have told you I loved you a long time ago," Jackson confessed, "I was going to, actually, when I asked you to meet at Joe's, right before you left. If it hadn't been for Mark, even though it was almost too late, I may have never had the guts to tell you how I really felt."

"Oh Jackson," April gasped, "I'm so sorry I wasn't able to meet you there. I was there for a while, but then I left. I didn't have much choice to make my flight. Not getting to say goodbye to you was one of the hardest things."

"Better late than never, I suppose," Jackson responded.

"Definitely," April agreed, "Speaking of Mark…"

"What?" Jackson responded curious himself.

"Back when we were studying for our boards, Mark was concerned about how 'prepared' you were, and he gave me some advice too."

"What advice did he give you?" Jackson inquired, nervously.

"He wanted me to take one for the team, or so he put it," April answered, "He wanted us to 'alleviate stress'…"

'You're an attractive woman…You and Avery spend a lot of time together, don't you?... He's an attractive guy, nice bone structure, hypnotic eyes, etcetera…Have you noticed how uptight he's been lately?...Study buddies should help each other out, relieve some of that stress. Maybe extend that buddy relationship…You're two attractive people. Any thoughts on how to alleviate that stress?...Walks are good. Walks are nice. I was thinking, since you're already study buddies, you could extend that relationship... become the other kind of buddies…Everybody wins…Think about it, Kepner. Take one for the team.'

"That really shouldn't surprise me," Jackson said with a chuckle, "Back then he tried to give me the same advice. It wasn't about you, particularly, just that I needed to get some."

"You know, if it hadn't been for Mark, you and I may have never happened," April added.

"That's so hard to believe now," Jackson responded still amused at the whole idea.

"He was always inappropriate, wasn't he?" April chuckled herself.

"Yeah he was, but I miss him being around," Jackson said a little sadly, "He taught me so much."

"Well I think that Mark is the perfect middle name for this little guy," she said gesturing toward the baby in the basinet that was sleeping next to her. She took her finger and stroked his little hand causing him to reflexively grab it.

"I agree. It's a perfect fit," Jackson agreed beaming at his new little family.

"Hi, Elijah Mark Avery, I'm your mamma and I love you so much," April whispered to her infant son.

"Here," Jackson said as he got up and gently lifted their son close to April, allowing her to kiss his tiny face.

"We should probably let him sleep and get some sleep ourselves," April replied, as Jackson put Elijah down in the bassinet. He returned to his place next to April on the bed. She gently snuggled up to him.

"I am so, so happy," April whispered, unable to contain her smile, "I'm so happy that we have a son—that our son is healthy. I'm so happy to be your wife."

"I'm so happy, too," Jackson agreed, before realizing April had already fallen asleep. He leaned down and kissed her head lightly,

Jackson was a little amazed at his life. He married his best friend, the person who knew him better than anyone in the world. This is the life he never thought he'd have. His dad had been gone as long as he could remember, so a happy family was all new to him.

He wanted very badly to get it right. He wanted very badly to be a good father for his son. He wanted to be the father he always wanted and the father he never had.