CHAPTER 8

After their weekend, both Jackson and April fell back into rhythm at the hospital. They didn't make a big fuss over the changes in their relationship and went about their day like they always have been. Of course they'd see each other throughout the halls in between patients or converse when they needed to. Those who had very keen eyes noticed the changes in Jackson.

Owen Hunt, who was not as big on gossip as his ex-wife/current girlfriend, even picked up on the lighter mood that one Jackson Avery was carrying. Whatever it was he was glad. The younger man had been looking so stressed the last few weeks and it was evident that it was getting to him.

Spotting Grey and Shepherd, he headed to their direction as he saw Cristina leaving a patient's room. It was a slow day and he could use a few more hours of sleep.

"Hey you two, don't you have patients to tend to?"

"Mine's in radiology," piped Meredith before looking to her husband.

"CT scan"

"Are we having an impromptu meeting that I didn't know about?"

"Jesus Cristina! Why do you like to sneak on people?"

"Sorry. Actually I'm not. And you three were gossiping that's why you didn't hear me walk behind you pregnant lady. So, who're we talking about?"

Owen rolled his eyes as he looked at Grey and Yang. They might be the best of friends but there were times he'd think they would kill each other. "We are not gossiping. I was asking these two why they were standing here and not tending to their patients."

"Kepner and Avery" Callie spoke as she rounded the corner. "Wait, what are we talking about and why are we huddling here?"

"What about Kepner and Avery?" Cristina waved her hand in front of Owen who decided to let it go and kept quiet with Derek.

"Well I had to ask Kepner if she could watch Sofia this weekend because Arizona and I are going to Tacoma and won't be back until Sunday afternoon. Jackson saw us and asked me what was going on so I told him. He looked at April and said that he'd help her with it as he tapped her nose then walked off. Before I could ask Kepner, a nurse came to get her." She looked to the other people around her and observed that only two of them acted cool about the odd situation.

"So you think they're together together?" Cristina voiced the burning question in her head. She directed her attention to Meredith if she had thought the same but stopped. "Do you two know something that we don't?"

"Oh just tell us already!" Callie was fed up that they were going in circles with this and everyone would know about it eventually. If April and Jackson really were back together, she was glad. The idea was not welcomed at first but out of everyone Avery became close with the red head. He was always relaxed and himself.

"Yeah they are back together, just very recently." Derek confirmed and hoped they'd leave it at that.

"So, my mom called me today and asked about you?" He still finds it odd and surprising that April has been the first and only female his mom has taken such an interest on. Always asking about her and making sure that she was okay.

April stopped midway through dinner preparation. "She's not coming back for another visit is she? She was just here not too long ago." As much as she adored the woman, Catherine Avery had 'spidey' senses according to Jackson. Well, she guessed it wasn't working very well when Catherine told her to relax and get laid when she was already sleeping with her son!

"No, she claimed that since I barred her from meddling with my life, she'd do it to yours. Sorry"

With no sound coming from where he was standing, April became concerned. She hoped nothing horrible happened today to one of his patients. It was to be expected that you can't save everyone but you have to prepare yourself emotionally, although it never works every time. "Hey…sweetie what's wrong?" She coached him for any reaction and gently placed the palm of her right hand against his cheek.

"That's the first time you called me sweetie."

"It fits you and because I can." Her smile disappeared and was replaced with a frown. "You didn't tell your mom about us did you?"

"Why are you afraid if my mom knows about us or anyone knowing about us being together? Are you embarrassed to be seen with me? It's not like I'll stand in front of everyone and yell 'April and I are dating.'"

She knew that it bothered him too much when she doesn't want people knowing about them. "I am most definitely not embarrassed to be seen with you. Your mom does scare me sometimes but I am not feeling any apprehension in regards to people knowing our relationship. This is ours."

"I know this is ours but we don't have to pretend that we're not together when people are around. I am not going to kiss you senseless in a room full of people; I don't think I'd be able to stop. But, what I'm saying is don't move away from me when there are others. So what if we're standing too close or if I am holding your hand. I am allowed to do that because you're my girlfriend and I love you. I get jealous when I see Derek standing next to his wife by the nurse's station and he could just peck her on her cheek or lips or just hug her." He ran his hands over his face and sighed in frustration.

"Hey hey look at me….I am not telling you that you can't do that." Her voice grew softer and softer and felt horrible that she made him this way. Tenderly grabbing his face between her hands, she pecked him on his lips before carefully uttering her next words. "I don't mind, no not at all. I am still new to this Jackson. You're my first of everything. We already messed this up before and going through that again would crush me. I am sorry if I wasn't clear with you on that and made you feel that way."

"I'm sorry too. I didn't know if you were beginning to have doubts and I panicked."

"It's okay. We got that cleared up now. You think we can finish with getting dinner ready?"

"Yeah…..yeah we can." He has rarely gone back to the apartment that he shares with Alex since he and April had gotten back together. He was wanting to get a different apartment for the both of them but he needed to wait for the right time. He would just have to settle with this arrangement until then.