April was in the kitchen working on the Christmas Eve dinner. She pulled the ham out of the oven and checked it with the thermometer. Jackson came out of the nursery with Emmy. Emmy had on a fleece Carter's button up one piece that had snowflakes on it. Emmy had her head resting on him and she looked sleepy. Jackson rubbed her back as he carried her into the kitchen. "Hey, Sweetheart." April smiled and stroked Emmy's cheek.
"Did you need help with anything?"
"I just have to make up the vegetables." Emmy started fussing. Jackson walked over and put her down in her bouncy seat and gave her a pacifier.
"Did you want to do presents before dinner?"
"Presents? I thought we were waiting until tomorrow."
"Well I have one that I think you're going to want today."
"Jackson…" April gave him a look.
"I think you're really going to like this one."
"I…I…"
"Let me just give you this one and we can wait until tomorrow for the rest."
"Okay. Let me just make up the green beans."
"Alright." Jackson smiled and went to go sit down on the couch. Jackson's cell phone buzzed and in his pocket. He went into the bedroom to answer it.
"Hello?"
"Hey Jackson. Are you ready for us to come over?"
"Yeah. Just text me when you're here."
"Okay. See you in a few minutes."
"See you soon." Jackson hung up and came back out.
"Was that work? You don't have to work do you?"
"No. I was just calling to check on a patient." Jackson walked over to her and wrapped his arm around her waist and kissed her neck.
"Jackson…" April laughed. "I'm trying to cook…"
Jackson smiled and turned her around in his arms so she was facing him. "I love you."
"I love you too." She wrapped her arms around his neck and leaned in to kiss him. Jackson held her close as they kissed. "I have to get back to the veggies I don't want them to burn."
Jackson smiled and kissed her again and then let her go. April turned back around and went back to cooking. Jackson went over to Emmy and played with her
feet. Emmy smiled and kicked her feet. Jackson kissed the top of her head and Emmy let out a loud coo. Jackson's cell phone buzzed again.
"Babe. I'll be right back."
"Where are you going?"
"I just have to go grab something fast."
"What?"
"I'll be right back." Jackson slipped on some sandals and headed out of the apartment. He went to the front door and Karen and Joe came up the front walk. Jackson smiled and opened the front door for them.
Karen gave him a hug and he shook hands with Joe before going upstairs. Jackson poked his head in into the apartment. "Wait here a sec." He whispered to Joe and Karen. Jackson went back into the apartment leaving the door open a crack. "Babe…you ready for your present?"
"I guess so." April turned the burners on the stove down.
"Okay. Go over and sit down on the couch and close your eyes."
"What?"
"Just do it, please."
April walked over and sat down on the couch and put her hands over her eyes. "No peeking." Jackson checked to make sure she wasn't looking before going over to the door. Karen and Joe followed him inside. Karen had tears in her eyes. They stood in front of April. Jackson picked up Emmy and went to stand beside Joe and Karen. "Okay…open them." April smiled as she pulled her hands away and opened her eyes. Her smile turned to a look of shock when she saw her Mom and Dad standing in front of her.
"Mom?" April started crying.
"Hi, Sweetie." Karen cried too.
"Dad?" April's voice cracked.
"Hey, Sweetness." Joe smiled.
"Oh my, God." April got up and walked over to her parents and wrapped her arms around them. April sobbed as they hugged. "I…I thought you were going to Kimmie's."
"Jackson planned the whole thing."
"You did this?" April turned to Jackson. She had tears rolling down the side of her face. She wiped them away with her fingers.
"Merry Christmas, Babe." April went over to Jackson and wrapped her arms around him.
"I can't believe you did this."
"I knew how much you wanted to see your parents."
"This is the second best gift I've ever received."
"Second best?"
"Emmy is number one." Jackson smiled and kissed her passionately on the lips. "Thank you."
"Anything for you."
"I don't think I could love you anymore then I do right now."
"I love you too." April walked over to her parents and hugged them again.
Karen looked over at Jackson and Emmy. "Oh she's even prettier in person." Karen gushed. April turned and smiled at Jackson and Emmy. She walked over to him and kissed Emmy and then took her from him.
"Emmy…this is Grandma and Grandpa."
"Hello, Sweetheart." Karen's eyes welled up. Joe took her hand in his.
"You want to hold her?"
"I thought you would never ask." April smiled and passed Emmy to her Mom. Joe and Karen couldn't stop looking at her. Jackson walked over to April and wrapped his arm around her. April wiped her eyes and wrapped her arm around him and hugged his waist.
"This is definitely the best Christmas I ever had."
"I don't know how I'm going to top this next year."
"Are you guys hungry? Dinner's ready."
"It smells delicious, Sweetheart." Joe smiled.
"Thank you, Daddy." April smiled back at him.
"Let's eat." Jackson said walking over to the cabinet to get two more plates.
Karen and Joe walked over to the table and sat down while Jackson put out two more place setting. Karen kept Emmy in her lap. April brought the food over to the table and sat down. Jackson sat down next to her.
"Should we say grace?" Joe said holding out his hands to Karen and April.
"Yes." April took his hand and reached out for Jackson's. Jackson looked at her and then at her parents. He smiled and then took her hand. April gave it a little squeeze. Karen, April and Joe bowed their heads and Joe said grace. All of them smiled and laughed and talked about anything and everything as they enjoyed their Christmas Eve dinner together.
The End