I proudly present, after months, the last chapter of this story!
Thanks to all the nice people who reviewed, followed or favorited the story, I love you.

Thanks for reading and enjoy the last chapter!

Final Disclaimer: The story and characters from Grey's Anatomy aren't mine, they all belong to Shonda Rhimes.

Chapter XX: Finally with you

"When you're one with the one you were meant to be find
Everything falls in place, all the stars align
When you're touched by the cloud that has touched your soul
Don't let go
Someone comes into your life
It's like they've been in your life forever"

"Dude, I don't know whether that's a good idea. You just woke up. Can't you wait a day or so?"

Jackson shook his head and repeated:

"April wants to join the army, Karev. The army, not the scouts! It's April Kepner we're talking about!"

"I told you that she's weird, Avery," Alex joked but his smile faded away when he saw the angry gaze his friend gave him.

"And I told you that you ought to stop calling her weird. Could you please give me my cell, or do I have to get it by myself?"

Alex stood up and placed his hands on Jackson's shoulders hissing:

"Okay, dude. Before you call April, Yang and Hunt will check your conditions and then you can call her, all right? You just woke up out of a coma. Slow down or it could get ugly for you."

Jackson rolled with his eyes and finally gave in.

April paid the driver and got out of the cab, now standing in front of the hotel. The building looked like a huge castle of glass, the windows reflected the sun and dazzled her. She exhaled and told herself that she could do this, that she would pass her boards and that nothing would stop her now. But well, fate wanted something else for her. April heard her cell ringing and lowered her purse to grab it. She nearly dropped her cell when she noticed the caller's ID. It was Jackson's... Slowly, she put the cell to her ear and answered it.

"April?"

And now she heard Jackson's voice for the first time in more than a week, in a week where she'd been constantly afraid that she would never hear his voice again, never ever hear him say her name again. And now his voice sounded like the most beautiful thing in the world. Still in shock, she put her hand in front of her mouth and a muffled sob escaped her mouth.

"Jackson!"

"You can't join the army. I love you more than anything and I don't want to lose you again, so please don't join the army. I want to be with you until the end of my life. I remember Izzie telling me that you thought about it...and well...now I'm awake. Please, you can't join the army, because I need you."

April still couldn't believe the words she just heard. She sat down on the stairs in front of the hotel and tears of relief were trailing down her cheeks. He was alive. Jackson Avery, the love of her life lived, that was much to take in, very much. She felt like she was going to faint right on the stairs, but she fought the blackness that came from the corner's of her eyes. Suddenly she felt a strong pain in her chest, as if the tight knot she had carried with her all this time, had exploded and left a black hole behind. But this hole started to fill very quickly with relief and heat. And he had said it - the words there was no going back from.

Jackson said her name again and April was finally able to answer under tears:

"Yes...yes, I love you. More than anything. I love you, I love you, I love you..."

Jackson made a sound like weak laugh and replied:

"I love you, too, April. And now you have to show those examiners the soldier in you, okay?"

April had to sob again and replied:

"But...but I have to see you. You're more important than the stupid boards. I...I take a cab, drive to the airport a-and fly back to Seattle. I'll be there by 9 pm or so."

The redhead got back to her feet and made her way to the street.

"No! I want you to take your boards this year. Remember how important they were to you? Remember what you had to go through the last time? I don't want you to life through this again. You just have to stay there until your last session. Please."

April sighed, tears rushing down her face. He was right. The last time she had blamed Jackson for her failure (more times she cared to admit) and risked her relationship with him. She didn't want to make the same mistake again.

"Okay, okay, you're right. I just want to be with you right now. What if it's the surge? Then I want to be with you," April hated herself for thinking like this, but she was a surgeon, she knew what could happen. And Mark Sloan had been an example for what the surge looked like.

"No, it's not the surge. I feel groggy and I just want to sleep. Yang and Hunt say that my conditions are good, so don't worry, I'll still be there when you return."

"Give me your vitals. Pulse, potassium item and everything. Now," April demanded and got back to the stairs and sat down again.

"Whoa, I'm fine, April. Really. But since you won't stop asking me, I have a pulse of 80/ 50 and a potassium item of 4,5. I'm fine, I told you so."

"You're just saying this to calm me down. Why don't you understand that I want to see you so badly?"

Jackson sighed and ran his hand over his face. He wanted to see her so badly either, it nearly drove him crazy. Talking to her, but not actually being next to her was pure torture. It had been too long since the last time he was next to her.

"I understand it pretty well, April. Don't you think I want to be next to you either? But you have to stay in New York to retake your boards, please."

The pleading in his voice was unbearable for the trauma surgeon, but he was right. She remembered what happened with her and Jackson after she had failed the boards better than she cared to admit. Clearly, the Ohio native didn't want this again.

"Okay, yeah, you're right. But I won't stay here long than needed. And then I take the next best plane back to Seattle. Back to you."

"I miss you like crazy."

April laughed softly and replied:

"I do miss you, too. But I'll be with you in two days, I promise... I have to go now, I don't think the examiners will wait for me."

"Okay, I'm rooting for you. You can do this, I believe in you, everyone here at the hospital believes in you. Remember that. I love you."

The trauma surgeon smiled clearly moved by the words of her...boyfriend? Well anyway, they could talk about that issue later, all she wanted right now was being with him. But first she had to retake her boards.

"I love you so much, Jackson. Is it okay when I call you after my session?"

"Of course, till later then."

"Great, bye!"

April held her phone in both hands and inhaled deeply. Jackson was awake, he loved her and she had to pass her boards. Phew, that was much to take in. They had said "I love you" multiple times to each other. Those words there was no going back from. But she wasn't taking them back, she loved and missed him badly.

Jackson sat in his bed and Alex sat on a chair next to him, his feet placed on Jackson's bed, eating grapes.

"Dude, you need to update me. What did I miss?" Jackson asked curiously and folded his hands in his lap, so they stopped trembling.

"Um, well, your hot sister and Yang kinda had a bitch fight about your treatme-," Alex instantly stopped just as he saw Jackson's raised eyebrows.

"She's my sister! Don't even think about anything weird, all right?! Weren't you in love with Wilson, anyway?"

The peds surgeon smiled sheepishly and Jackson knew what he meant. He grinned back and couldn't help but think about April. How she wanted to dumb her boards to be with him, how she had said "I love you". The distance drove him crazy, he wanted to see her as soon as possible.

"Dude, I'm freaking talking to you!" Alex says and waves to rouse him from his slumber.

"Sorry, I was in my thoughts...," Jackson replied but trailed off.

"Obviously. Well, I have patients to look after, see ya!"

Jackson nodded and turned on the TV. Maybe this would keep him from thinking about her all the time.

April sat in her seat and couldn't stop shifting from one position in another. She was nervous, impatient and afraid. She would see Jackson awake and she would get her board results. The elder men next to her looked at her from time to time, because he was annoyed by April's fidgeting, but she didn't mind. Eventually, April put out her phone and started playing Flappy Bird, but this just made things worse. Frustrated, she leaned back and tried to think about what she would say or do when she'd face Jackson. Completely exhausted, April closed her eyes and fell asleep.

The trauma surgeon woke up to the captain's voice to announce the descent.

"Ladies and gentlemen, as we start our descent, please make sure your seat backs and tray tables are in their full upright position. Make sure your seat belt is securely fastened and all carry-on luggage is stowed underneath the seat in front of you or in the overhead bins. Please turn off all electronic devices until we are safely parked at the gate. Thank you."

April straightened in her seat and looked outside the small oval window. She could see the skyline of Seattle sparkling below her. Seattle, her home, where she had experienced so much, so much good and bad. April smiled weakly and folded her hands in her lap to keep them from trembling.

When she finally had grabbed her suit case from, she hurried to her parked car and drove to the hospital. April had called Izzie, who waited for her at the parking lot with a paper cup full of coffee.

"You are such an angel, Izzie, thank you! Can I... can I visit Jackson?" April asked and looked uncertain at her friend.

Izzie smiled widely and replied:"Yeah, he's sleeping right now, but he's fine. They moved him in a separate room in the cardio wing, I don't quiet remember the room number. You should probably go to Yang or Hunt so you get updated on his status. How were your boards?"

"Okay, thank you. Well, hopefully I passed, I have no idea to be honest." April replied and entered the lobby.

"I'm sure you passed! I have to go, there is a women in labor I have to take care of. See ya!" Izzie said and hugged the redhead quickly.

April hurried to the elevators, she wouldn't look for Hunt or Yang. She was so near to Jackson that it physically hurt her. On the way up to the cardio wing she checked her hair and outfit. But why did she suddenly set great value upon her appearance? Jackson had often complimented her, but why did she want to look as beautiful as possible when he would see her for the first time after his coma? Maybe this felt like a new start, a chance to start completely different, without all the mistakes. But they both had made mistakes which were too big to just ignore them. They probably needed some kind of a new start after all. When the doors finally opened, she stormed a little bit out of it and ran right into Hunt.

"Kepner! Looking for Avery, I guess? How were your boards? We were all rooting for you, like I promised," Hunt said smiling and rubbed her shoulder gently.

"Thank you, that's extremely lovely from you all. Well, I mean, I doubt that everyone was rooting for me, I mean, I am still me. But anyways, yes, could you...could you tell me where he is?" April asked and looked down at her shoes.

"You're very well liked, April. Don't tell yourself that you're not, all right? You are a very talented and beautiful person. And a soldier after all, remember? Did you already get your results?"

April laughed which eventually sounded like a small sob and blinked the upcoming tears away.

"You're so sweet, thank you. No, I haven't, but I'll tell you as soon as I get them. Thank you so much for learning with me, I really, really appreciate it."

The chief smiled brightly at her and said where she could find Jackson. She thanked him and started towards Jackson's room. Before she entered, she stopped in her tracks. If he was awake, what would she say to him? Hi? I love you? How ya' doin'? She had thought about it when she had been on the plane, but now her mind seemed to be empty. Just in the room next to her, was Jackson. Jackson Avery, plastic surgeon, board chairman, son, brother and love of her life. She took a few deep breaths before she opened the door quietly to find Jackson asleep in the bed on the left side of the room. He looked bigger, now that he wasn't surrounded by loads of tubes and machines. On his night stand stood a beautiful, colorful bouquet, which made the room appear more cozy. April pulled the chair closer to his bed, sat down and took his hand. Jackson looked so peaceful, his face was relaxed, showing tiny lines framing his eyes and mouth. He was alive. Probably out of danger. Alive. Happy tears started to well up in her eyes and a soft sob escaped her mouth. She suddenly felt Jackson's hand squeezing hers and she had to sob a little heavier.

"Hey," Jackson whispered drowsy and slowly opened his eyes.

"Hi," April replied, her voice uneven. Jackson straightened up a little, so he was more in a sitting position. He smiled warmly at her and asked:

"How were your boards?"

April laughed quietly, but then finally admitted:

"I was constantly afraid that I might lose you. I love you so much, I can't stand being without you. Don't you dare do that ever again."

Jackson smile faded and she saw the pain in his insistent, bluish green eyes.

"I love you, too. So much. Come here," He said and scooted over to the side of the bed to make room for April. She took off her shoes and laid herself next to him. Their faces where inches apart and finally Jackson kissed her gently. April leaned into him and her fear of losing him slowly vanished. Eventually, they drew back and Jackson smiled at her, asking:

"So, you didn't answer my question. How were your boards?"

April laughed to herself and snuggled into Jackson's torso, trying her best not to hurt him. With her head on his chest, she replied:

"Well, I don't know, I haven't checked my mails yet. And I don't want to, to be honest. What if I fail again? Do they even contact you when you fail twice? Do they think that you get the hint anyway?"

Jackson ran his hand over April's arm and said:

"I don't think that you failed. Look, it's past midnight. Check your mails, I'm right here."

April sighed and put her cell out of her pants pocket. She unlocked it but couldn't bring herself up to open the mail app.

"Could you...could you look? I can't do this, please."

Jackson nodded and took her cell. His thumb moved over the screen and after a second, he replied smiling:

"Congratulations, you did it! I told you, you would."

April let out a small joyful cry and took her cell to reassure herself that she had really passed. She had... she had really passed her boards.

"I...I'm a board certified surgeon! Oh my God, this is bananas."

"It's not bananas, it's talent. Your talent. I'm happy that you passed. You know, I'd love to drink to that, but I'm not allowed to drink alcohol, yet, so I'm afraid that we have to postpone that, I'm sorry."

April just smiled brightly at him put her head back on his chest. She was an ass kicking board certified surgeon for god's sake. Jackson ran his hand through her beautiful red locks and smiled to himself. He was genuinely happy, April was by his side, she had passed her boards and everything seemed to perfect. He truly wished that it could be like this forever.

"How long do you have to stay here?" April asked against his muscular chest.

"Two weeks in the hospital and then another two weeks a home. So I'm not going to be able to work properly for four weeks."

"Well that's bad, I mean now that we are going to have conjoined triplets here at the hospital. That's a bummer." April said serious, but had to hide her smile in his chest.

"What? You're kidding, right?" Jackson replied disbelieving. If something like this was about to happen, they would've told him, right? Just as April started to giggle against his chest, he realized that she had messed around with him.

"You're taking advantage of my current physical condition to mess around with me. Evil, Kepner, evil."

April let out a carefree chuckle and looked up to him. She kissed him again, while her hand trailed from his chest to his neck.

"I missed this. I missed you," Jackson mumbled against her lips. He pulled back and put a strand of her red hair behind her ear. She was beautiful, the most beautiful women, he'd ever seen in his life. And she was with him.

"Are you tired?" April asked and her forehead touched his neck.

"Nah, not really. And I've been sleeping enough, I mean, one week, I don't think I'll sleep that much ever again. What about you? Jet lag?"

"No, but you're right, you won't do this again."

April rested her head on his chest again and Jackson kissed the top of her head.

"I love you, April Kepner," he murmured against her thick hair.

"It's actually Aprilynne. My full first name is Aprilynne," The redhead whispered embarrassed.

Jackson's eyes grew wide, but he had to smile and said:

"I think it's a beautiful name, just like you."

The redhead blushed and scooted just closer to him in response. After all that had happened to them, April was now laying on Jackson's chest, smiling over him complimenting her. She could easily get used to this, she really could. Waking up and falling asleep next to him was all she wanted for her future, for their future.

"I love you, too, Jackson Avery."

Yaay, happy ending :)
Yeah, I decided that April was just a nickname, don't ask me why.

I would greatly appreciate reviews, so please don't hesitate :)

Thanks (so much) again for reading the story and bearing my german-english or whatever it is called ^^