River – Joni Mitchell

Year 37

A/N: Sorry to be posting so late. I haven't been home all day and am just now getting a chance. I hope you enjoy this chapter and I'm sad to say this series is wrapping up

"It's a drug that essentially triggers the mitochondria to kill cancer cells." Erin explained to her father over the phone because he too had dabbled in research before, earlier in this career. Her mother was mostly hands on and teaching.

He asked her how it worked exactly, wanting a step by step analysis of the drug interactions. She'd been working on it for years but they knew little about what it was for or how far along in the project she was.

"And it works Dad. It actually kills cancer cells. I'm going to be published and everything."

He couldn't believe how smart she was. All of his kids were smart, but she cured cancer. He had to admit she was one-upping the others.

"Erin, how did you ever become so smart?" He asked her lovingly, just like he would ask her when she was a little girl. When she giggled he thought for a minute that she was a little girl again.

"Dad," she laughed, "You know I got it from Mom."

Jackson chuckled. This wasn't exactly the first time they had this conversation and she joked that she got all of her smarts from her Mother. But Jackson knew that was absolutely correct.

"Funny. Are you coming home for Christmas this year or are you too important now?" He teased again, rubbing the back of his head at the thought of telling April their daughter and her family wouldn't be home for Christmas again this year. If they weren't, Erin was going to have to tell her.

"Home." She told him, happy that she wouldn't have to go to Scott's family's home for Christmas. They were so boring and it never felt like home to her. The kids preferred her parents too.

He was happy. "Here's your Mom."

Less than a week later, all of their kids were home. Graycin and family, Erin and family and Colin and Rachel and their dog Dolly.

There were kids running around the house, the sound of pitter-pattering on the floor was strangely new to them again. All of the months between having grandkids in the house were taxing and quiet because most of the time Jackson and April were the ones who did the visiting. They retired earlier in the year and now spent most of their time visiting their kids and traveling the world. They were checking things off their bucket list every day.

After they sat down to Christmas dinner, they decided to break the news to their kids. "Your father and I have some news to share." April smiled pleasantly, taking a hold of Jackson's hand.

He nodded. "We're selling the house."

There was an awkward silence in the air and they started to get nervous. None of the kids were saying anything. "How could you sell the house? We grew up here." Colin mumbled angrily, getting up from the table and walking out into the garage. Rachel jumped up and followed him to make sure he was okay.

"Dad, this has been home my entire life. Why do you want to sell it?" Erin questioned, she was a little more patient than her brothers these days.

April cut in. "We don't want to, but it's too big for just us. We don't have the want or the energy to keep up with it. Keeping up with the lawn is too much for your father and I don't want to spend half my time cleaning anymore. With a condo we won't have to."

Jackson felt terrible and April did too for that matter. They didn't want to sell the house, it just wasn't for them anymore. "Sweetie, it's time another family got to make memories in this house. We don't need it anymore."

She understood, but she didn't have to like it. When they were talking, Graycin and Emily were having a secret conversation. They weren't talking, but April noticed that they were communicating. It was something that her and Jackson had been able to do forever, they just knew each other. Graycin cut in.

"Emily and I want to buy the house. We haven't told you yet, but we did decide to move here so that I could fill the vacant board spot at Grey Sloan."

April's mouth dropped and she looked back and forth between Jackson and Graycin. "Are you…are you sure?"

Emily spoke up, "Absolutely. If you're okay with it. This is the perfect home to raise our family in. If we're going to be in Seattle then there is no other home I'd rather be in. This feels like home to me too."

Erin was happy too, she knew her and Scott would likely never return to Seattle. There just didn't feel like there was anything for them there. Rachel and Colin probably wouldn't either, they were more nomadic than the others.

Speaking of Colin and Rachel, they came back into the kitchen and they were caught up by Erin about the house. Colin seemed to be okay with Graycin and Emily taking the house because he knew they'd take care of it.

"While we're sharing news," Erin smiled and paused. April immediately thought she was pregnant but the news wasn't like that at all. I got a call this morning. I've been… nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize." She told them, it was all unreal to her. She had barely had time to digest it all herself.

Jackson started choking on his red wine and April got up immediately, getting him a glass of water and rubbing his back. Eventually he caught his breath and looked back up at his daughter.

"Are you serious?" He asked her. The rest of the kids extended congratulations toward her and were beaming. She shook her head, it was all true.

"I mean, who knows if I'll actually win."

April had to correct her. "Oh honey, after what you did. It would be an outrage if you didn't win. You have made the biggest discovery in medical history."