A/N – Just borrowing the characters as usual. Just a little heads up, I keep changing my mind on where and how far to take this story. At this point I have about 3 more chapters planned, so, no, this is not the end. I'm sorry for taking so long to update, I just couldn't decide what to do in this chapter. This is what I landed on. I hope you all like it. Either way, please do tell me what you think! Feedback makes me and my writing better! Enjoy!
"This is all your fault!" April exclaimed and she threw the last piece of clothing from her closet across the room, "Nothing fits anymore!"
Jackson stood in the doorway trying his hardest not to laugh at her hormonal tirade. It had been two months since their wedding. They thoroughly enjoyed their honeymoon to Tahiti but were settling into married life with a thud.
April had locked the bathroom door, so Jackson was forced to wait on the other side. He heard the toilet flush and waited a few minutes before knocking on the door.
"April, are you going to tell me what it says?" he asked, his curiosity getting the better of him.
After a long silence, he heard her unlock the door and he took a step back. As she opened it, she looked up and him with a face full of emotions.
"What is it?" he asked concerned by the look in her eyes and the tears on her cheeks.
"I—I'm pregnant," she stuttered, the news still hitting her, "This—this isn't what we planned Jackson. This isn't right. I wanted to focus on my career. I can't do this now."
He wrapped April in his arms and rubbed her back, soothingly. "We can do this April," he reassured her, "The timing isn't what we planned, but I love you and we are going to love this baby so much. Plus you can still work. Look at Mere, she has two kids and she is still one of the top general surgeons in the country."
April looked up again him, "Are you sure?"
He smiled, stroking her cheek. "I am as sure as I was the day I married the most amazing woman in the world." He lightly kissed her lips before holding her close.
"April you are two months pregnant," Jackson shook his head, "You will need to get some maternity clothes soon. On the bright side, at least your scrubs fit."
April glared at him. "I can't believe I let you do this to me!" she continued on her outburst pointing at her protruding belly.
"I did this to you?" He asked amused at her irrational thought, "If I recall, this was just as much your fault as it is mine."
"We can't handle this, Jackson," she went on as she furiously went through her clothes, again, "I'm not ready for this. I'm not ready to be a mom. Plus you didn't even have a dad!" April wanted to take that back as soon as realized the words were flying out of her mouth.
She looked over at Jackson, seeing the pain in his eyes. "Jackson, I'm so sorry…I really didn't mean that," April apologized quickly.
"It's fine. I know you didn't mean it. I know the pregnancy hormones make you say crazy things," he responded, not wanting April to feel bad. It stung him pretty bad. He knew he didn't have father figure in his life, but he didn't expect to have it thrown into his face by the one person he entrusted that information.
"So Alex is going out with Alice again tonight," Jackson continued trying to redirect her emotions.
"I still can't believe Alice moved all the way out here for Karev," April responded with a chuckle as she gathered up her clothing.
"I can't believe Alex is actually dating a Kepner," he teased her causing to laugh, a sound he loved.
"Remember the look on their faces when they walked into the reception after my Dad caught them in the men's room?" April recalled a moment from their reception.
"Mom, it's about time for the speeches and I can't find Alice anywhere. Have you seen her?" April asked Karen Kepner. April and Jackson had greeted all their guests and the maid of honor was surprisingly nowhere to be found.
"I haven't, Honey. I'm sorry," Karen responded before returning to conversing with some of the guests.
"Look! She's coming in now…with Karev?" Jackson pointed out as he noticed the two walking into the room. It was apparent what they had been doing as her hair was a bit disheveled and a blushing Alex was straightening his tie.
"And my dad," April added, causing a bunch of guests to look as the three entered the room. Joe Kepner had a very serious look on his face, but April knew better.
"What happened?" April asked them as Jackson and April met them near the entrance.
"Dad caught me and Alex making out in the men's room," Alice answered, her face beginning to match Alex's. Meanwhile Joe Kepner's amusement was apparent across his face.
"Really, Karev?" Jackson asked still pretty stunned but beginning to laugh.
"Shut up," Alex snapped.
"Alice," April began trying not to laugh, "You know, the men's room is sort of our thing." April gestured between herself and her groom.
"Well, I think I know what my speech will be about at the next wedding," Joe Kepner said sending the group into a fit of laughter.
"That was pretty hysterical," Jackson laughed along with the memory.
"I give up," April sighed, throwing her hands up," I'm just going to wear sweats until I have a chance to go shopping." She laughed a little at this idea, but aside from work when she would be wearing scrubs anyway, she didn't have to wear anything specific. If she had to really dress up, she had a dress she could suck herself into.
"Sounds like a plan, April," Jackson responded before adding, "How about I go pick up some Chinese and you just take it easy? I need to run a few other errands, but I will be back soon."
"Thanks Jackson," April responded, her mood much more positive, "I love you." She kissed him before he walked out the door.
As Jackson drove, what April said still rang in his head. He didn't have a father for much of his life so he wasn't exactly sure how he was going to be a father. He wasn't sure what motivated this, but he decided to pay Derek a visit and see if he could pick his brain for a little advice. After all Derek was the only other father he knew.
As he walked up to the front door, he pondered what exactly he would ask Derek. Not long after he rang the bell, Meredith appeared at the door with Bailey on her hip.
"Hey, Jackson. What's up?" she greeted the plastic surgeon.
"Is Derek around?" Jackson asked, awkwardly.
"I was just waiting for him to come home actually. He had a craniotomy that ran late, but I'm expecting him any minute. Would you like to come in and wait?" She answered.
He followed her into the house as they sat down at the kitchen table.
"Is something bothering you?" Meredith prodded while they waited, grabbing a beer from the fridge and handing it too Jackson.
"Well, April is extremely hormonal, but something she said really had me thinking," he responded.
"What did she say?" Meredith asked, knowing better than to take a pregnant woman seriously.
"She asked how I could be a father since I really didn't have one. I don't really publicize this, but I mine ran off when I was really young," Jackson answered hesitantly.
"I really don't think you need to worry. Look at me, I didn't really have parents, and I've managed to figure this out," She answered as Bailey giggled on her lap.
"Yeah, you did," Jackson smiled as he reached for the little boy's hand.
"Plus I have Derek, and he is a natural father. Don't forget, April was born to be a mother. She'll be every help you'll ever need. The rest you'll figure out as you go, as all first time parents do. Once you hold that baby in your arms, all the worry just goes away," Meredith added, beaming as she thought of her own children.
"Thanks so much for the advice, Mere, but I should really get going. I told April I'd pick up some Chinese, and I don't think it's safe to leave a pregnant woman waiting," Jackson responded.
"Good thinking," Meredith agreed as Jackson headed out into the night.
Jackson returned home with bags full of food. He couldn't decide what to order for April so he got some of everything. He placed the food on the counter and proceeded into the living room to check on April.
As he walked in he couldn't help but chuckle. April was passed out on the couch with a book of baby names on her lap. Jackson picked up the book and turned it over. In the book was a piece of paper April had written on. Amongst the scribbles, April had written out baby names:
Jayden Joseph Avery
Amelia Catherine Avery
Jackson smiled at seeing his mother's name as well as her father's name included. As he set the book down on the table and began to cover April with a blanket, she began to stir.
"Jackson, what's going on?" April asked, a little disoriented.
"Shh…Just go back to sleep. You need the rest. We can eat a little later," Jackson responded.
"Those are just some ideas," April added when she noticed the paper in Jackson's hands.
"I think they are perfect," Jackson objected, "My mother will love it and I know how close you are to your father, so that's also a real nice touch."
"You think so?" April asked hesitantly.
"I really do," Jackson answered before leaning down to kiss her softly.
"I'm so excited to have this baby with you, Jackson," April responded smile, rubbing her belly.
"Me too, April," Jackson replied placing his hand over hers.