Chapter twenty seven- June 17th 2030

Chapter twenty seven plot- Jo and Alex hit a bump in the road with one of the twins. Alex has a proposal for Jo.

Note: Bold italics now go back to indicating Jo's thought.

Sabrina Madelyn Karev- Maidenway- 1 pound 7 ounces- 4 weeks old

Zachary David Karev Maidenway- 2 pounds- 4 weeks old

"Jo, Alex, how are you today?" Arizona asks as she walks Into the NICU at Middleton memorial. It had been one month since Jo had given birth to the twins and ever since then Arizona had been looking after Sabrina and Zach.

Look at them, I can't believe that they're so tiny, so precious. Looking at them they're so fragile and I can't believe that they're ours. I'm so exhausted, I don't sleep anymore and I live my life in constant worry that something bad will happen. I don't even leave the hospital most nights. Usually I sleep in an on call room. My heart stops every time the cardio monitor makes a different sound. My heart breaks every time they're faced with set back and set back. They have the world against them and I feel like that that's my fault, that I failed them. I had one job and that was to keep them both inside of me until at least 37 weeks and I couldn't even do that...

"We're doing better. How are our babies?" Jo asks.

"She feels guilty," Alex replies.

"Jo, we've talked about this. There is no reason for you to feel guilty about this situation. These things happen for no reason and as neonatal surgeon you know that better then anybody," Arizona says firmly.

I know she's right... I tell parents that nearly everyday. But it's a different kettle of fish when it's you...

"Deep down I know that. But it's hard," Jo replies.

"I know," Arizona replies. "Now I need to discuss something important with you," Arizona says.

"Oh no, what is it?" Jo asks panicking.

"Jo, calm down, we don't even know what it is yet and you're already panicking," Alex instructs.

"I can't help it. She said that it was important," Jo replies.

"Sabrina has developed necrotizing enterocolitis. Part of her large intestine has died and she Will need to have surgery," Arizona says.

"When?" Alex asks.

"That's the other thing. Sabrina is also showing signs of a low grade brain bleed. We're monitoring it and we're hoping it goes down, but..." Arizona says.

"But you don't want to operate on Sabrina's bowel until her brain bleed goes down," Alex says.

"We don't want to operate with her brain bleed. We'd like to wait until it goes down so I'm going to give her some medication to see if that helps," Arizona says.

"But what about the NEC? Waste will start to pass through the blood stream and abdominal cavity and can in turn cause life endangering infections," Jo replies panicking.

"The risk of the brain bleed getting worse during surgery is just too high. We'll give antibiotics to help prevent any infections. However if we get to a point where we have got no other option then we will operate," Arizona replies.

"Are you sure that that's the best option?" Jo asks concerned.

"Jo," Alex replies as he places his hand on her knee.

"I wouldn't be suggesting this if I wasn't 100% sure. Jo, I know you're nervous, but you have to trust me," Arizona replies.

I know I need to trust her, and I do. But being a doctor makes the situation ten times worse. I know exactly what can go wrong and that scares me...

"I know. And I do," Jo replies.

"How's Zach going?" Alex asks.

"His lung infection is subsiding and his breathing is improving. We're going to need to get another scan of his heart this evening but it looks like the murmur has fixed its self," Arizona smiles.

That night

"Alex, Jo, I've got fantastic news," Arizona smiles as she enters the NICU where Jo and ales were watching the twins.

"Is it Sabrina? Has her Bain bleed subsided?" Jo asks hopeful.

"The medication had worked and Her brain bleed has gotten to a point where it is no longer a risk when operating. We're going to take her Into the OR to repair her NEC right away. And while we're repairing Sabrina's NEC the nurses are going to take Zach over to to CT to get another scan of his heart and we're also going to do another full work up of blood and check his respiratory functions," Arizona says.

"That's fantastic news!" Alex and Jo smiles.

"Can we wait in the waiting room? I can't wait in here with no babies," Jo asks Alex.

"Of course," Alex replies.

I am so pleased that Sabrina is getting surgery, but I'm also so scared. But Arizona is a fantastic Surgeon and I know she'll do a great job. I guess that's just my mother instincts.

In the waiting room

"So I was thinking that the girls could come down again this weekend," Jo says as she and Alex sit in the waiting room of the hospital.

"That sounds like a fantastic idea. I really miss them," Alex replies.

"I miss them too. Face timing each day is just not cutting it. I just wish they could be here all the time," Jo says.

"Me too. But they can't miss school," Alex replies.

"Steph is a life saver. Honestly, I don't know how I can thank her enough for looking after the kids... What the hell are you doing!" Jo gasps and her eyes grow wide as she notices Alex kneeling on one knee in front of her. He pulls out a ring from his pocket and holds it up with two fingers.

"Marry me Jo. You are the love of my life and I don't ever want to loose you again," Alex says.

"Alex," Jo interrupts, however he keeps going.

"And I know that we're going through a lot right now but we can get through it. And this will only cement our love," Alex continues.

"Alex?" Jo interrupts again.

"And I know that you might not be ready so we don't have to rush into anything. We can wait until next year to get married if you'd like," Alex says ranting.

"Alex, will you so just shut up for a second?" Jo asks.

"You're freaking out aren't you? I knew it. It's too soon isn't it. I just thought..."

"Shut up Alex! Of course I'll marry you," Jo grins.

"You will?" He asks surprised.

"Don't sound so surprised Alex," Jo laughs. "Now put that bloody ring on my finger and kiss me you fool before I change my mind," she grins happlily. Alex puts the ring on her finger and the pair kiss.

I don't believe it. I'm happy but surprised. I'm in shock I think. How long did he have that ring for? Was he planning to do that then? Or was it just spontaneous. But that doesn't matter because he's just made me one very, very happy woman.

After the surgery

"How is Sabrina?" Jo asks anxiously as Arizona walks up to them, who were still in the waiting room.

"The surgery went extremely well. We only had to remove a small portion of her large intestine and we'll monitor her with scans," Arizona smiles.

"Oh, that's fantastic. When can we go up and see her?" Alex asks.

"She's still up in recovery. But Zach is now back in the NICU. You can go up to see him and the nurses will bring Sabrina in when she's ready," Arizona smiles.

"Thank you so much," Jo smiles.

"That's okay. Oh, and congratulations by the way," Arizona smiles.

"Pardon?" Jo asks.

"The ring on your finger. Congratulations, it's about time," she smiles.

"Thank you," Jo smiles as she gets up and hugs Arizona.