Chapter 12:

A/N really sorry about the late update. So much happening lately! New Zealand was great! My birthday was great! The weather- not so much. Raining non-stop some days, boiling hot the rest. Plus summer break ended and now I'm back at school! Urghh!

Judging from the promo, I think that 9x14 will be really interesting! We're gonna be seeing some April trauma scenes and hopefully (fingers triple crossed), some Japril scenes too! OMG.

….

"C'mon!" Jackson exclaimed, punching the air with a fist. April couldn't help but giggle as she watched Jackson sitting in the armchair next to her bed. He was too busy watching the basketball on the tiny TV in the corner of the room to notice her watching him. Engrossed in the game he let out a wince as his team missed the shot.

"Jackson", April started uncertainly, watching him, trying to catch his eyes. He didn't get the hint, keeping his eyes trained on the screen.

"Jackson", she repeated, his time a little louder and a little firmer.

"Yeah babe", he replied, glancing at her for a second before returning to the game.

"I think it's time we tell the family", she stated, staring down at her fingers, grasping her blanket nervously.

This caught Jackson's attention and he looked at in slight shock. April sighed and took the remote out of his hands, muting the game.

"What?", Jackson breathed, his face still frozen with shock.

"I think it's time to tell the family", she shrugged. "We know how serious we are about each other, why not tell our families- the people who love us".

"I don't know how they're gonna take it", Jackson grinned sheepishly. "I'm kinda worried your father might punch my lights out", he chuckled.

April tried to supress a smile, putting on a serious frown. "My dad isn't that kinda of person".

Jackson suddenly pictured Joe Kepner in his head. The man was quite tall, about Jackson's height, but had a quite beefy and stocky build, with large hands from working that Jackson was sure could break a few bones on impact. Deciding not to share these thoughts with April, he glanced at her uncertainly.

"I dunno", he spoke uncertainly. "We've got a good thing going, don't we April", he reached out and took her hand in his, smiling at her.

April nodded, but looked disappointed, her face long and drawn. "Don't you want your family to know that you're finally seeing someone", she said hopefully.

Jackson shook his head with a snort. "I don't have a family", he retorted, leaning back into the armchair. "My dad walked out on us years ago, my sisters are hot-shot surgeons all over the country and my mother-", he paused. "Well you know my mother".

April grinned knowingly and nodded, letting out a small giggle. She imagined Jackson's mother finding out. She'd never hear the end of it.

"I know, I know", she put her hand up in defeat. "But I at least want to tell my family. I want to share this with them".

Jackson frown slightly and shrugged his shoulders. "Ok". He didn't want to argue with her. Whatever she wanted.

"Don't worry", she spoke reassuringly. "I'm sure they'll love you!", taking his hand again, she squeezed it reassuringly.

Jackson's mind once again thought about Joe's fist making contact with his nose and he swallowed uncomfortably, flashing April an awkward smile.

…..

"How are you feeling?", Karen smiled at her daughter as she walked into the hospital room.

"I'm fine Mum!", April rolled her eyes. "Everything is fine!".

"Just checking!", Karen laughed, putting up her hands in mock surrender.

"It's fine", April spoke quietly.

"I want to apologies for before", Karen told her sheepishly. "Your father and I feel terrible for putting you on the spot like that".

"Thanks for apologising", April smiled tightly.

"But sweetie", she leaned forward, taking her hand gently. "It doesn't change how we feel. We would feel better knowing you're closer to home. We still dislike you being here".

"I know Mum", April nodded understandingly. "I understand. But I can't move away. Seattle is kinda like my new home. This is where I belong".

Karen sighed tensely, but nodded. "Ok", she whispered.

"I'm sorry", April pleaded. "I feel terrible. I hate putting you through this, but even after it all, I can't move".

"It's alright darling", Karen tucked a loose strand of hair behind her daughter's ear, with a gentle smile. "I guess it means your father and I can visit more".

April stopped herself from rolling her eyes and groaning. As much as she loved her parents, the thought of them visiting her regularly was enough to making her cry with anguish. She was thirty years old, she was a successful doctor. She was an adult.

"So who the guy", Karen questioned with a cheeky grin.

"What?", April exclaimed with a nervous squeak.

"I may be your mother April, but I wasn't born yesterday", Karen told her pointedly. "Something is keeping you here, and I'm thinking that something is a someone".

April cleared her throat uncertainly, avoiding meeting her mother's watchful glance. Even though she told Jackson she was eager to tell her parents, mulling it over alone, she got cold feet about the whole thing, anxious about their reactions.

"Cough him up darling", Karen pushed with a grin. "I want to know".

"He's just some guy", April whispered. "We're really good friends".

"Do we know him?", Karen implored. "Does he work here?".

"Mum!", April cried angrily, the anxiety reaching a boiling point. "Just leave it alone!".

Karen's grin immediately wiped from her face and she fell silent. She looked really upset and shocked at her daughter outburst.

"I'm sorry", April spoke gently. "I'm just so tired. I think I'm gonna have a nap".

"Ok", Karen replied numbly. "I'll come back later then", she didn't meet April's eyes, instead gathering her handbag and coat before leaving the room in a flurry.

April sighed heavily and settled back into her pillows, the guilt eating up her stomach. She hardly ever shouted at her mother. Closing her eyes, she eagerly allowed sleep to overcome her.

….

April awoke to the scent of coffee wafting around in the room. opening her eyes, she came face to face with a smiling Jackson.

"Hey sleepyhead", he greeted her warmly, kissing her gently on the forehead.

"Hi", she replied, stretching her arms out pleasantly.

"I bought coffee", he informed her, indicating to the two paper cups steaming on the table next to her.

"Yum", she smiled, reaching out and taking a small sip from her cup.

"Feeling alright?", Jackson spoke, sitting down on the bed next to her knees. She nodded and smiled.

"Physically yes", she shrugged. "But inside I feel like shit", her face went dark.

"Why?", he frowned. "What's happened?".

"I had a go at my mum", she explained shamefully. "I shouted at her and I feel so guilty about it", she rubbed her forehead.

"What did you say?", Jackson pressed, sipping his coffee.

"She was pushing the whole Indiana thing again", April told him. "Then she started asking whether I was seeing someone, like she assumed it was a guy keeping me here".

Jackson didn't speak, instead grinning happily, his bright eyes sparkling. He knew April was talking about him and it pleased him to know that her feelings were indeed strong.

"I know I said I was gonna tell them", April continued. "But I don't know what came over me. I got cold feet about the whole thing and went on the offensive about it. I just snapped and shouted at her to leave me alone".

"Oh Apes", Jackson comforted her, walking over and wrapping an arm around her shoulders tightly. He understood the impact of those words on April. She loved her parents with her entire heart and couldn't imagine being rude to them. he was right because April immediately started to sob frantically.

"I feel so bad", she cried into his chest. "I wish I could take it back".

"Shhh", Jackson comforted her, taking his other hand to gently caress her cheek, his thumb wiping away falling tears.

Part of him was immensely relieved that she'd decided to keep quiet about their relationship, but knowing that it cost April so much heartache made him think it wasn't worth keeping quiet about. He hated seeing her so upset, especially when she was on the road to recovery, she needed all the positivity she could get.

"She's your mum April", Jackson told her soothingly. "She'll forgive you no matter what. She loves you".

The crying redhead let out a few more quiet sobs before emerging from her hiding place in the nook of Jackson's arm. Nodding twice she sniffled, accepting the tissue her boyfriend handed her and wiping the tears welling in her eyes.

"I need to apologies", she stated. "Can you pass me my phone?".

Jackson handed her the phone and she speed dialled her mother, placing the receiver to her ear with an anxious expression.

It kept ringing and ringing. April couldn't help but scowl as the ringing continued. Finally, just before the number went to message bank, a female voice picked up.

"Mum?", April asked.

"April, its Kimmy", her sister sounded anxious. Almost tearful. "Thank god you've picked up".

"Kimmy?", April frowned.

"I don't know what to do!".

"Slow down", April instructed. "What are you on about? Where's mum?"

"April", her sister sobbed. "You've got to help me. Something is wrong with mum!"

April's trauma surgeon brain immediately kicked into drive. "What's happening? What does she look like?"

"I just walked into the hotel room" Kimmy explained flustered. "Dad is out doing some sovenier shopping. Wanted a good picture of the Space Needle. Mum didn't want to go, said she felt off". April's stomach flipped with guilt. "She's lying on the bed, she's looking right at me".

"So she's conscious?", April asked, her voice filling with relief.

"April", her older sister spoke gravely. "She can't talk. She's opening her mouth but all that's coming out is mumbling. Something is wrong with her face".

"What!"

"Only the right side of her lips are moving!".

"Oh my God!", April whispered.

"WHAT!", Kimmy exclaimed. "Tell me!"

"I think Mum had a stroke!".

…

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