Inspired by 'But Daddy I Love Him'.
Kepners are traditional, hard-working, lowkey. They don't like drama or to make a spectacle of things. (Unless its drama that doesn't involve them - then April's sisters love a good gossip session)
They're certainly not leave-your-fiance-at-the-altar kind of people, so when Jackson Avery stands up and declares his love for April in front of their family and friends, they wonder where exactly they went wrong.
Joe Kepner quickly ushers his daughter to the outside of the barn, telling everyone else to stay put whilst they settle this.
"Whats going on? Why is this man telling you he loves you, on today of all days? April, you're engaged! You have Matthew, and both our family and his have invested a lot of time and money into this wedding. I don't understand what's going on."
"I-I...he's my best friend. He's not just some man," April tries to explain. She can't exactly give her very religious father the run down on why or how Jackson decided that he was in love with her - not unless she wanted to potentially give him a heart attack, so instead she tries her best to tell him in a way that wouldn't put shame on the Kepner family name, "Jackson and I...we've been through a lot together...our intern year, the shooting, the plane crash, losing people we've loved...he sees me, daddy. Matthew...is great but...he doesn't make me feel the way that Jackson does."
"And what happens when this doesn't work out, hmm? You've never been impulsive, April. You've always been the one I can rely on to stay out of trouble and do good. What if you hurt these two people, and Matthew's family, and it turns out, he's not in love with you at all? I don't know that I can support that."
"But daddy, I love him! I love him too, okay?! I don't care if it's crazy! He's the one that I want!" Her own words surprise her, as she realises that she's made up her mind (although, really, she'd made up her mind months ago - on the night of the storm, when she'd begged him to just give her a reason not to get married). She knows what, or more importantly, who, she wants, and she's not going to let anyone change her mind here.
Joe sighs, realising that no matter what he says, it isn't going to make much of a difference. April can be just as stubborn as her mother can, and when she has her mind made up, it's almost impossible to change it. "Alright then, but you're going to have to apologise to them and tell everyone what's going on. I can't do that for you."
April nods, pulling her father in for a hug (even if he still seems mad and somewhat reluctant), before swallowing her pride and returning to the barn where all eyes were immediately on her. Sarahs and Hannahs and vipers be dammed - this was her decision to make, and she wasn't going to let her anxiety or the incessant whispers change her mind.
Never in a million years did April think she'd be having the exact same conversation with her father, several years on. She'd been through two divorces, the loss of a child, the birth of another child. She'd dealt with the incessant whispers back in Moline after the first divorce - the 'we told you so' and 'thats why you should marry within the church' comments, and yet here she was: back where she felt she belonged, with Jackson. The judgement didn't even bother her at this point, and she liked to that make that known when people back home talked about praying for her and acting like her life was one big scandal.
"I just don't want him to hurt you again, honey. Look at what happened last time."
"We both hurt each other, okay? and now we're better equipped to deal with that. We're older, and wiser, and more mature. This wasn't an impulsive decision."
"I get that, but what if he does hurt you again? What about Harriet? It's not very nice to put a child through that."
"He's not going to hurt me again, or Harriet. I understand your concerns, I really do but...we've made up our minds here. I know it's crazy but...he's the one that I want. I love him, daddy."
Joe sighs, realising that, once again, whatever he says isn't going to make much difference. All he can do is at least try to be supportive, and trust that his daughter can make her own decisions. "Alright then, but you're going to have to be the ones to tell everyone. I don't know that everyone is going to understand it, either."
April nods, and once again finds herself pulling her father in for a hug. She'll have to tell the rest of her extended family eventually, but for now, she wants to live in her happy bubble for a little longer.
"Jackson, come help an old man out with the barbecue, would you?" Joe asks, causing Jackson to shift from his seat and make his way over to the appliance, his father-in-law flashing a smile.
April can't help but beam, watching as their daughter runs around and plays with her cousins, whilst her mother and sisters discuss their lives. She finally feels at peace with her family life in Moline - no longer like the awkward Duckie, or like the child who potentially disgraced the Kepner name by running out on her wedding and getting divorced twice, but like she actually belongs. There's no longer any judgement there, and Jackson has been fully accepted into the family for a second time. Even her sisters find themselves jumping to defend him whenever any of the wine moms and church goers bring up April's life decisions, which was something that had genuinely surprised her, considering how much they used to tease her. It was nice to know that she finally had them in her corner, for better or for worse.
They spend the rest of the day talking, eating and just enjoying the quiet away from their city life in Boston, until it gets dark and everyone has to leave. Jackson puts Harriet to bed in April's old single bed, before catching her on the porch - her vibrant hair noticeable from even a distance away in the dark of the night.
"Hey, you," He says softly, causing her to turn around and smile at him as he begins walking over to her. She finds herself snuggling into his side, her gaze looking up at the stars - something they don't always have the luxury of seeing so clearly back home.
"Today was great. Thanks again for helping out with the barbecue."
"You don't have to thank me, babe. Technically, they're my family again too now."
She grins, lifting her left hand so that her wedding ring gleams under the moonlight, "Yeah, I guess they are. Sometimes I still can't believe that it all worked out, you know?"
Jackson kisses the side of her head, "I can, and I'd burn my life down all over again for you."
A giggle escapes her lips, "You're crazy."
"And yet, you still want me." He looks down at her with that look that makes her go weak at the knees, and she bites her look gently, her eyes flicking between his eyes and lips. She can't deny that.