Unleashing the Truth: Chapter 22

Note: I'm so sorry for the delay. I know it's around 2-3 months since I posted. I've been busy and it took time to figure out where I was ending this chapter. But I'm so sorry. There's one more left as to when it'll come I really can't say. Anyways for anyone that reads this thank you and again I'm sorry for the delay.

The events of Paul's death seemed like a lightyear ago, but the truth was it was now three months ago. Jo was now beginning to show more than ever about her pregnancy, the brunette was now nearing 6months. It was crazy to believe this was how her life was now. The talks were going around the hospital, Jo was aware something was going on, Alex was being distant. Jo had believed everything between the pair was going well, but apparently not.

Scrunching up her nose she spotted Alex down the hall, he seemed in a good mood, perhaps this was the time to corner him. Let's be honest there's only so many times the male could say no to her before the brunette was forced to pull out the big guns. The big guns meaning the puppy dog eyes. With a determined look crossing her features she marched right on over to Alex, she didn't wait for him to react before tugging him into the corner of the hall. " I'm going to ask once, and don't you dare lie to me." Firm that was the way to confront this, along with batting her eyes at him.

That was enough to where he couldn't resist, or at least that's what she believed.

It was only a matter of time before Jo cornered him, he wasn't surprised considering his recent distant between them. But it wasn't because the male was hiding anything, it was purely because he was planning a surprise for Jo. Knowing very well how much the brunette hated surprises he knew Jo would stop him. But even now he'd have to try to play it off. Her batting eyes not doing much help. " Okay, what's going on?"

" Why don't you tell me... You're the one keeping secrets." Jo wasn't trying to be too nice, she knew her fiancé was being secretive, she just didn't understand why. They were two people planning to spend the rest of their life's together, but how could they if one was hiding something? The brunette was sure to keep a straight face, therefore, telling Alex she wasn't playing around.

A long sigh escaped his lips the second he heard her words. He placed a hand on her own, his fingers lazily playing with hers. " Jo... I'm sorry but I can't tell you what you want to know. It's called trusting me. You'll know when it's time."

An instant pout curved along her lips when she heard his words. " Is it a good surprise?" The brunette knew Alex tended to try to surprise her, try being the key word. But Jo hated surprises, but she needed to trust Alex was planning something good. The worst part Jo just wanted to stomp her feet like a child to get what she wanted from him but had to force the urge to down.

" Yes, I promise you, it's a good surprise. Just a few more days I promise." He whispered only to lean down pressing a few kisses to her pouted lips. He wanted to scream what he had planned, but this was something he wanted to keep on the down low until it was ready. Of course, Alex was aware this wasn't what Jo wanted to hear, but sometimes you had to keep secrets. " But how're you feeling? The last few weeks she hadn't been feeling the best with the morning sickness.

" Fine, I don't agree with being kept in the dark, but I suppose I'll have to." Jo knew when to back down when it came to Alex if he wanted to surprise her she couldn't exactly stop him. She leaned into his chest slipping her arms around his frame. 'Much better the last few days. I think the sickness has passed." Thankfully anyways. She wasn't waking up early in the morning rushing to the bathroom. That was a win, right?

He nodded offering up a soft smile as he wrapped his arms around her frame. He took a moment to just hold her in his arms. Despite the secrets just getting to hold the female in his arms was a comfort zone for him. Considering all the pain that had been going on within their life's lately these small moments meant the world to him.

But eventually, the pair had to part. Alex had kissed Jo one last time pressing a single kiss to her lips before he was forced to go his own way. Now it wasn't due to work, the male was finishing up something big. He walked down the narrowed halls and into a conference room where Meredith, Jackson and some others stood. " Listen I need all of this done by tonight. Jo is getting restless and I can't keep blowing her off. I want it to be tonight." He needed to direct his friends to follow his orders. Meredith was in charge of getting Jo to the place for their wedding.

Yes, that's right Alex was planning a surprise wedding for the brunette. He wanted to do something special, it was going to be small, something simple. He only invited their closest friends; the bottom line was them committing to one another. If it were up to him he wouldn't be setting a wedding, it would be just them vowing themselves to one another, but he felt he needed to give Jo this day. But that meant being distant to set this up. So far, the flowers were done, who would be attending, all the decorations were done. Now Alex thought about writing his vows, but he was never one to be good with words.

Saying his vows off the fly would do, after all it would be an even playing field since Jo would be taken off guard.

So that's how the next few days went, he had started making excuse after excuse to avoid spending time with Jo, of course, the brunette wasn't pleased about the matter but in order to keep this surprise he needed to avoid her. Jo tended to know how to read him like a book; she'd figure it out eventually. He was now at the alter standing in his tux, he was fixing his jacket out of nerves eating up at him. He had found this nice garden area and felt it would be perfect for a small wedding. The flowers were starting to bloom, it was a nice day after all.

Made sense to him; it felt perfect.

Now all he needed to do was wait for his bride to show up.

Jo had been wondering since that day in the hall what Alex was up to. It obviously was something big if he insisted on keeping secrets. Secrets weren't something the pair did, not after Paul.

Of course, it frustrated her to no end, but what could she do? She knew how strong headed the male was; when he wanted to keep her at arm's length there was nothing she could do. But a few days had passed and last night Alex never came home. She had arrived at the house before he was due out of his shift. Therefore, she didn't think much of it.

But then she wakes up to a half empty bed, her eyes fluttering open while her hand had patted the now warm sheets. A small frown slowly curved along her lips as she lifted herself up into a living position. She heard the door downstairs which only Jo had lifting herself up onto her feet. " Alex..." The brunette called out through the hall. Now slipping her robe on the female slowly crept through the halls until she made her way down the stairs to the kitchen only to find Meredith there.

" Meredith?" The brunette let the name roll off her tongue seeing as it was early and no sign of Alex, yet his friend broke in. Something wasn't adding up.

Now the plan was for Meredith to sneak in with Alex's key to deliver the box that had Jo's dress inside and leave a note and wait outside. But now she was red handed. She had managed to place down the box when she heard footsteps heading her way along with Jo's voice ringing out through the house. " Hey, Alex asked me to drop this off for you. Read the note and I'll be outside." Quick exit was the way to go she told herself. With that Meredith managed to slip herself out the door, hearing the small click behind her.

The door shut, that left Jo in a quiet house with a confused expression on her lips. But she was curious so she took the few steps up to the counter where the box laid. Her finger tips ran along the edges of the white box, what was her fiancé up to... Her hand slowly lifted the top of the box open, that's when she pushed away the wrapping and found herself looking down at a white dress.

But the dress wasn't the only thing, there was a note from Alex; just like Meredith had said.

" Jo... I love you. I know we've been through our ups and downs, but today is special. I wanted to surprise you with a dream wedding that felt perfect for us. All you have to do is put on the dress and let Meredith guide you. "

All Jo could do was shake her head, Alex was just full of surprises, makes sense why he was being weird this week. The brunette didn't need to think twice before she took the white dress out of the box. It was breathtaking, it was simple with a lace backing. It was perfect.

Now she really could trust Alex to know her taste.

After a few minutes, Jo had come back into the kitchen in the wedding dress. It fit perfectly even with the pregnancy. That was her only concern planning the wedding. A part of her had wanted to wait until the baby arrived before getting married because she was getting bigger every day. But somehow Alex knew how to plan a wedding. Once her shoes were on deciding on a pair of boots. Yes, she was that woman to wear boots to her own wedding; heals would only hurt her feet, and the boots were flat no heal involved.

With that, she had met Meredith outside in her car. God Jo couldn't believe this was happening. She was about to marry Alex; when they first met who would've thought they'd be here? She didn't, but since then Jo realized Alex was pretty special; it wasn't until he did she realize what being in love truly felt like. Through the ride to the location, the brunette had her head rested against the window, her eyes drifted shut for a few minutes.

It wasn't long before Meredith had pulled up to a small garden area, it was breathtaking, that much Jo could admit. Owen was there opening the door for her. " Everything is already ready, whenever you're ready we'll start." Now when Alex had set all this up he didn't want Jo to feel pressured which is why he told Owen not to rush the brunette.

He by no means wanted to scare her away.

Jo found herself nodding her head listening to her fellow attending. But truth be told Jo was ready to marry Alex already, she didn't need to think twice. Offering a smile, she felt she couldn't contain Jo had stepped outside hearing the door close behind her. With slow steps, so she wouldn't come off as if she was in a rush. Although at this point the brunette just wanted to meet Alex and marry him.

Everything, the garden with all the flowers, the few chairs lined up, the lights; it was as if Alex thought of everything. Who knew he had a soft side? Of course, that soft side was more reserved for her.

Jo felt like her heart was beating out of her chest, this moment the one she's been waiting for; pure happiness. But the nerves also ran through her body; she was really about to marry Alex; the best man she could've ever dreamed of. Owen had told her to wait still so he could double check with Alex and everyone else involved to ensure it was time to start.

Waiting... patiently Alex thought to himself. He was aware Jo wouldn't leave him at the altar, but there's always that thought running at the back of his head. Given all the hardships, the relationship fails before Jo. Sometimes he wondered how he didn't scare her off yet.

That's when he looked up seeing Owen. He had mouthed the words. ' Are we ready?" Alex didn't waste time before nodding his head. The small number of people that were invited were seated, considering they had the same friends the chairs were lined up in one side of area. And Jo would just walk down the aisle outside of the chairs. Meredith had just made it up to stand beside him. Ben was over on the other side to stand beside Jo. Webber was waiting at the back to walk Jo down the aisle.

Everything was set; Showtime.

Jo waited patiently for the signal that would tell her to walk down. But the sad part the brunette realized she had no family, no parent to walk her down the aisle, but neither of them did. The only family the pair had were each other. That's when she felt someone come up beside her, lifting her head up she saw Webber standing beside her holding his arm out. Without thinking, Jo slipped her arm through his right before the music started.

Never had Jo thought she'd get the chance to marry Alex; but right now, this would be the highlight of her life; that was until their baby came. So many milestones at once. It was Showtime. With that in time to the music, Jo took one step at a time with Webber down the also but the smile never broke from her lips. Alex made it so easy to smile at this moment, he looked at her as if she was the only girl in the room.

Seconds, minutes, the smile broke out upon his lips when he saw Jo walked down getting closer toward him. He just wanted to reach out and hold her hand in that moment. Only a few more minutes. This was perfect; getting to marry the one he truly loved.

Bailey was up front ready to officiate the wedding. Today all that mattered was him committing himself to Jo, and her to him. Having their close friends by their sides to experience the love between them was all they needed. If it were up to him all that was needed was Jo and himself but she wanted the ones they cared about in her words " Family" here to witness it all. Seeing as no one from their families could be here the hospital family they formed was all they had. That's when he swore he drifted into real happiness when Jo was now in front of him. He reached out lacing their fingers together.

This is where they become one. A unit.

Alex felt like this was the moment he's been waiting for since he uttered those three words all those years ago. Now maybe that had been too early to call it, but he knew he'd be marrying this girl. Jo was never a nobody; always a somebody. His thoughts were put on hold when he heard Bailey gather everyone's attention starting the service. After all the marriage starting points his coworker and friend rounded out to the vows.

Yes, Alex decided to speak from the heart nothing was planned, this wedding he surprised Jo with so it was only fair neither planned what to say unless the other had already started planning out her vows. In the end, Jo decided to go first.

Vows; it was something Jo started thinking about the day they got engaged. This would be the moment she laid all of her feelings on the line for Alex. Of course, it wouldn't be something he didn't already know; but more. All eyes were suddenly on her, the nerves were settling down. But one look at Alex the way her hands fit perfectly in his.

That's when everything fell into place.

" Alex... I love you, when I was younger I always had this notion of love what it was supposed to mean to someone, but it wasn't until you the way you've always loved me did I know what it was. All my life I wanted to run, that was until you. Our feelings, our story came out of nowhere. One second, we're just friends and the next you were all I thought about. The thought of never seeing you again, talking to you broke my heart. I always thought I was too messed up for someone to love me, but you're so screwed up you make me look sane. But I love you more because of all your flaws. We're both messed up but we fit. You and I fit; we always have. I've learned no one can promise the future, but I can promise to love you and be there for the rest of our life's. You're my home, You're my heart."

Jo couldn't recall when the tears welled up in her eyes, but she could easily blame her tears and emotions on the pregnancy, but she also knew standing here in front of all their friends vowing herself to the male was emotional. Despite the tears, her smile never faded; not once.

Now, Jo, had him beat, he had a tough act to follow, and he wasn't that emotional guy, he never saw himself as the emotional type even today of all days. But even hearing the words that came out of the brunette's mouth, and her loving glaze how much she meant the words tore at his heart. " Looks like I've got a tough act to follow." He whispered loud enough for everyone to hear. It was more so to get a laugh in.

" I love you, Jo, I fell for you the moment you bought us donuts from the nurses in the supply closest. I remember thinking I couldn't fall for you but the best move I ever made was falling for you. There's always a moment in life that defines you, and this would probably be mine. After my experience in the past, I always thought I drove anyone I loved crazy, or I wasn't good enough for someone to stay, but the truth is it just turned up I was waiting for the right person; that being you Jo. You're the love of my life, I don't ever want to think of a life without you. We never had the family we deserved but starting today I'm going to be the man to give you everything. You've always had my heart from the start, my love for you only grows. Let's take on this adventure together."

His grin shined as he spoke, he felt so in love with Jo; more than ever. The smiles running upon their lips gave the pure emotions away. With that Bailey started talking giving the death til us part speech while they each placed the wedding band on each other's finger.

This; the moment their life's began, the adventure was only starting. They've been through hell and back, they were two people too screwed up but they fit perfectly. When their lips touched his hands came to cup her face as he pressed a meaningful yet slow kiss to her lips.

And the pieces fell perfectly together, their life's were connected as one.