Jackson gets emotional upon seeing a piece of Harriet's schoolwork.
Why my daddy is the bestest person in the world.
He feels his eyes welling up as he takes in the piece of paper on the dining room table in front of him, and reads his daughter's kind and thoughtful words. An entire essay (in a six-year-olds words, mind you) about what a great father he is and how he helps people because he's a doctor. Its beautiful, and meaningful, and he never knew that something so simple could effect him this much - could make him feel things that he never thought was possible.
"You reading Harriet's essay?"
The sound of his wife's voice and feeling of her arms wrapping around his shoulders from behind brings him back to the present moment, and he finds himself blinking a few times in an attempt to keep the tears at bay, as he leans into her touch.
"Mhm."
"It's cute, right? Gosh, she's such a daddy's girl. I'd be a little jealous if it wasn't so adorable and-hey, what's wrong? Are you...crying?"
Damn those pesky tears, he thinks.
"You got me there." He responds, trying to wipe his eyes before any actual drops can fall. He composes himself, because he's always been pretty good at holding back his emotions (even though he knows he doesn't have to around her), and continues, "You know I'm always doubting my ability to parent, and worrying if I'm doing the right thing by her, but reading this...it means a lot."
"Youarean amazing father, and I'm not just saying that because you're kind of stuck with me now." April offers. It's not the first time she's told him that, and she doubts it will be the last. She's more than grateful that she chose him to parent with (even if it hadn't necessarily been a choice at the time, given everything that had been going on within their marriage). She truly couldn't imagine it any other way. "Even when we weren't together, you were. Just like I told you in Montana."
He looks up at her and the corners of his lips turn up slightly, giving her that look that is only reserved for her. All he can think is to that isditto, because she truly is a wonderful mother too, and he loves seeing all the ways their daughter is beginning to remind him of her.
"Now, as to whether or not you're the 'bestest person in the world'...I don't know. I think you've got some competition there." She jokes lightheartedly, moving to stand by his side.
"Oh?"
"Yeah, I'd say Harriet and Jesus are up there."
"Of course they are." He can't help but grin, because he's right there with her in Harriet being their number one person. Jesus, for him? Not as much, although he is a lot more spiritual these days - he's not sure ever describe himself as Christian and follow all the rules like she does. Having faith insomethingis more than enough for him.
"Maybe Oprah too."
His brow furrows, but the slight upturn of his lips remains, "You mean I'm lower than Oprah now?"
"I mean, sheispartially responsible for me still being here. Can you top that?"
"AndI'mpartially responsible for Harriet being here, am I not?"
She giggles at that, her shoulder bouncing with a slight shrug. "Touché. Guess I could bump you up the list then."
"So generous of you."
"It is, isn't it?"
His hand snakes round the back of her thighs, pulling her closer and encouraging her to sit on his lap, and she's more than happy to oblige.
"Hey, do you think we could...find room for this on the fridge?"
"Of course we can."
"Thanks. You're 'the bestest'."
"No, thats still Hattie and Jesus." April quips back.
"I don't wanna talk about Jesus right now." He replies nonchalantly, "Come to bed with me."
She nods in response, soaking up these quiet evening hours that they get to enjoy together whilst their daughter is sleeping - happy to just be in one another's company, doing everything or nothing at all.
"Hang on." She slowly gets up from her seat on his lap, finding a few spare magnets on the fridge that she can use to hang their daughter's writing assignment up with. "There."
April turns back to him and smiles, and he smiles back, before they quietly make their way to their bedroom together, ready to unwind for the day.