I do not own Grey's Anatomy… Japril. I don't think I need to say anything else.

Baby, I'm Yours

Chapter 11: The Beginning

APRIL

"Babe, don't you want to sit down for a while? You've been pacing for hours," he said with care.

"It hasn't been hours, Jackson. Stop exaggerating," she answered, hands braced near the curve of her spine.

April had traced the familiar path from the end of the hall to the sliding glass doors of her apartment for the umpteenth time with no stopping in sight. Her water had broken two hours ago and there were still no signs of any contractions and with that revelation, and being doctors, she and Jackson knew that it could logically be anywhere between one to seven days before the baby was here. So, she wasn't in active labor, but the chances were that she would start contractions somewhere within the next twenty-four hours.

"Do you want to sit in a warm bath? Maybe that will help," he recommended.

"No thank you," she replied.

"Do you want me to check your cervix?" he asked.

"What? No," she said, a perplexed look on her face, "I don't need you to be my doctor right now Jackson. I need you to be my… fiancé who I'm about to have a baby with."

Even though she was tired and frustrated, she couldn't help but smile back after she saw him grin when she called him her fiancé. That was the first time she had said it aloud and she had to admit, it felt good. Who'd have thought all those months ago that they would be back here, in the place where they had begun their married lives together and ultimately had torn it apart. But right now, she didn't have time to focus on that. Right now, she had to concentrate on the life inside of her and bringing it out safely into the world.

"April, I just want to see how dilated you are. That will give us a good indication of how much time we have before we need to head for the hospital."

"I'm fine, Jackson," she said through clinched teeth, the happy moment passing just as quickly as it had arrived.

She continued her walk, using her thumbs to knead her lower back which had begun to ache. Jackson had offered to give her a massage, but she politely declined. Frankly, the last thing she needed or wanted right now was his hands on her. It wasn't personal, and he was being really sweet, but his hands on her had gotten them in this predicament and those memories would only flood her mind as soon as he touched her. She didn't want to think about his kisses, or his warm breath on her neck, his fingertips grazing her hips or his mouth doing things to her that would make a porn star blush. So, even the idea of that was a big, fat, no.

An hour later, she had managed to ease the pain along her spine and just to break up the monotony, changed direction and started walking the length from the living room to the front door. Then he said something that had she not been a Christian, she surely would have punched him in the face.

"Do you wanna have sex?" he asked.

Eyes widening, April halted dead in her tracks. Maybe her hearing was starting to go because there was no way in hell that she'd heard what she thought she had. Then just as if she hadn't reacted at all, he continued with his spiel.

"I read that having an orgasm can help stimulate the womb. Sex releases oxytocin's which can help contractions and my semen can soften the area around your cervix, making it ready for when labor starts," he offered.

She spun and glared at him with daggers in her eyes, "There is no way in hell I want your penis anywhere near my vagina right now!"

His serious mien suddenly cracked as he chuckled relentlessly, "Babe, I'm kidding."

"Well, I don't think that was very funny!" she yelled then turned away from him.

"Hey, hey, hey," he said and approached her. He braced his hands on her arms and moved them up and down comfortingly, "Relax. It's okay."

"Jackson, I know you're only trying to help, but really, you're not!" she said her voice rising as she wiggled out of his grasp.

She turned around to face him and at once felt terrible for causing the anguished look he was now sporting. The last thing she wanted to do was hurt him. He had been so good to her the preceding months, especially during these last stages of her pregnancy, and while they'd still had their issues and where actively working them out, this wasn't the time to make him an enemy.

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry. I didn't mean that. I know you're only trying to help me and I appreciate it. I really do. It's not you sweetheart I'm angry with. I'm just… I'm scared," she confessed.

"Oh, babe. There's nothing to worry about. Everything's going be fine," he said reassuringly.

"Jackson, we don't know that. Sure, I've been keeping to my appointments and all the tests show that the baby is fine, but what if something happens during the delivery? What if it has a rare, undiagnosed disease? What if they missed something, and don't say they didn't because it could happen," she ranted, "What if… what if I fail this baby like I failed Samuel?" she admitted as the tears fell.

Jackson took her face in his hands and stared into her eyes intently, "Don't you ever let me hear you say that again. You didn't fail Samuel. You didn't fail our son. What happened was horrible. I miss him, and my heart yearns for him every day, but there was nothing either of us could have done to prevent the outcome. Samuel's fate was decided as soon as he was conceived. It was cruel, and it was unfair but you my love, are not to blame."

She shook her head resolutely as his words seeped over her. She knew they were true as all she ever wanted to do once she found out she was pregnant was protect this baby.

"Okay. Okay," she said in reply.

He kissed her softly and was about to release her, so she could resume her march when she gripped his wrists.

"Jackson, I have to tell you something and I don't want you to get mad," she asked sweetly.

His brow furrowed, he waited for her to explain, "Alright."

"Promise," she insisted.

"I promise," he stated and crossed his heart like a child vowing to keep a secret with a friend.

She took a deep breath and then rattled off in a run on sentence, "I've been having contractions for the last hour and they started about five minutes apart but right now they're about four and I've been trying to ignore it, I'm not sure why, but I think the baby is coming soon and I just wasn't ready for all of this to be real and now I think I might have really endangered it by not saying anything and your face is turning really red and your eyes are extremely wide and you promised you wouldn't get mad at me so say something."

He just looked at her, frozen in position.

"Jackson!" she screamed when she received no response.

Then for what had seemed like minutes, but which were only seconds, he reacted.

"What!" he bellowed, "You mean to tell me you have been walking around, having contractions and hiding it from me?"

"You said you wouldn't get mad!" she shouted.

He placed his hands up to his mouth as if in prayer, closed his eyes and exhaled slowly.

"You're right, I did promise, and I swear, I'm not mad. I'm just concerned, and you can't fault me for that. So, what we're gonna do right now is get the bag you packed for the hospital, I'm going to call ahead and make sure your room is ready, then I'll call our moms. It's going to be fine, April. Trust me," he assured her.

"I do trust you and I love you," she said earnestly.

"I love you too, and hey, we're having a baby today," he answered with glee as his eyes brightened and a wide smile spread across his face.

Her expression now matching his, she took his hand and let him lead the way.

Forty minutes later, they were at the hospital and he was helping her into her gown when there was a knock at the door.

"Come in," she called out.

"Everything okay in here?" Arizona asked.

"Yeah, we're good," he answered for them both.

"Well, I'm gonna go ahead and check your cervix and see how dilated you are. Why don't you hop up on the bed and let's take a peek," she said and gestured toward the gurney.

Arizona took the spot at the bottom of the bed while Jackson took she hand and helped her to lie down. She couldn't help but notice how gentle he was being with her. How he focused solely on her needs, using a soothing voice to keep her calm. At this moment, she was so grateful to have him by her side and she couldn't imagine what it would be like if they hadn't reconciled. The thought alone caused tears to prick at the back of her eyes and she quickly opened them wider to dry them. She didn't want him to become agitated as she saw the fear clearly written all over his face. He was being strong for her because it was what she needed right now, but she vowed that when this was all over, she would show and prove to him just how much she loved and appreciated him.

"Okay, April. Looks like you're about seven centimeters and everything is looking good. I say it could be anywhere from an hour on until baby Avery is here," she said with that patented Robbins grin.

"Are you excited?" April asked as she craned her neck to see Jackson.

"Are you serious? I'm ecstatic. I can't wait to be a daddy again," he said and leaned in to kiss her forehead.

Arizona was finishing her examination when the door swung open.

"My babies. Oh, my goodness. I can't believe that my grandchild is almost here."

"Mom! What are you doing?" Jackson questioned in disbelief.

April quickly reached down and tucked her gown between her legs, "Catherine!"

"Oh hush. We're all doctors here and even though I'm a Urologist, I've seen my share of vaginas."

She and Jackson cringed simultaneously, not even wanting to think of the possibilities of her statement.

"That's not the point, mom," he said, frustrated, "This is private, and you should know better to just walk in as you please. I called you to let you know that we were heading to the hospital. Not for you to think that you would be a part of the birthing process."

"I know that, honey. I just wanted to come and check in on my soon to be daughter-in-law and let her know that if she needed anything that I was here. Is that okay with you?" she said snarkily as she scowled, though lovingly, at her son.

"Mom, I-" he began, but April wisely cut him off.

A comforting hand wrapped around his forearm, she spoke directly to his mother, "Thank you, Catherine. I appreciate your concern and I am happy that you are here so that you can be witness to your grandchild coming into the world."

"See," Catherine said as she addressed Jackson, "someone's glad I've arrived, but don't worry. I don't plan on staying and interrupting your private time. I'm going to go visit Richard, but you let me know the minute that baby arrives. Understand?"

"Yes, mom," he answered.

Catherine then walked over and kissed both Jackson and her on the cheek. An action that surprised her to say the least. She then left out as quickly as she had come, soon to be followed by Arizona, leaving the two of them by themselves to wait.

All alone, she scooted over on the mattress a bit so that he could sidle up next to her. His arms cradling her, she nested her head on his shoulder.

"So, we never did decide on a name and I think now would be the perfect time," she said.

"I think maybe you're right," he agreed.

JACKSON

They had discussed a variety of choices over the last month and had whittled it down to their top two. They both agreed that they wanted something meaningful and poignant as a name. Something that could stand on its own, outside of being an Avery.

Jackson had selected Eldridge if it was a boy and Bella if it was a girl. Eldridge, because it meant leader and Bella because it meant beautiful. If it turned out to be a boy, he didn't want his son to be saddled with being a junior, or more appropriately, Jackson Avery the II. He knew that would be too much pressure as he damn near crushed under the weight of his surname himself at times. In the back of his mind, he wanted to ask her again to consider Norbert after his favorite Uncle, but he thought the memory of Samuel and their choice to use Norbert as his middle name would always be attached to him. Foolishly he realized, it would be unfair to her, Samuel, and their baby. The other option was one that would have made sense, but he didn't want to use his middle name, Durham, as the child's first name either. The connotation of who James Durham was could also put undue pressure on him to become a doctor. No, he wanted this child to have a chance to be who they wanted to be regardless of its lineage.

As for April, he liked the names she had chosen as well. For a boy, she wanted to use the name Boone because it meant blessing and it was the closest she could get to anything remotely religious-like as he had outright nixed the idea of them using a biblical name. They'd had a bit of a row about that one, but he eventually made his case and she acquiesced. One of the things about their relationship that they were working hard on was compromise. They were determined to make this work and because she gave in on this request, he made a renewed oath to attend church with his family; all but one Sunday every month and to not complain the entire time he was there. The waffles after being the deal-breaker.

As for a girl's name, she loved the idea of calling her Harriet. At first, he assumed that it was after Harriet the Spy, the classic children's novel about Harriet M. Welsch, an eleven-year-old aspiring writer who lived in New York. Yes, he'd read the books as a child and loved them and couldn't wait to share his passion of reading with their child. In fact, Harriet reminded him of April somewhat. It's not that Harriet was mean, per se, but that she is brutally honest. Like Harriet the Spy, April wasn't straightaway likeable as people tended to perceive her personality at first meeting as overwhelming, perky, and ostentatious. In the book, Harriet the Spy is a watcher who spends most of her time jotting down her revelations in her notebook, not unlike the little red book April herself had carried around for years. But like Harriet the Spy, once she let people in and they got to know her, they loved her, and Jackson could understand that like no one else.

But, imagine his surprise when she told him that she wanted to name their baby girl after Harriet Tubman. Harriet was a slave turned abolitionist, humanitarian, spy, and conductor for the Underground Railroad who amongst many helped to free what was estimated to be approximately 100,000 slaves to freedom. To say that he was astonished by her choice was only partly true. It wasn't that he didn't like the name, he did, but to have a name that was so meaningful to not only him being a Black man, but it also represented a person who was strong, resilient, a believer in God in lieu of the ugliness before her and courageous in the face of those who meant to keep her and her people physically and symbolically enchained was notable, significant and extremely touching.

As a couple, they had even considered calling a girl Catherine, but at once rejected the idea as his mother already thought highly of herself and they couldn't imagine having a mini Catherine Avery running around their house, trying to boss them around and giving them her unsolicited opinions. No matter how cute that would be.

"Tell you what," he began, "if it's a boy, we go with my choice, Eldridge, and if it's a girl, we go with Harriet."

He watched her as she deliberated his suggestion and eventually nodded in approval.

"I like that idea. Okay then, Eldridge Avery if it's a boy and Harriet Avery if it's a girl," she affirmed.

Just then, he grimaced and yelped uncontrollably as she squeezed his hand tight. He couldn't help the wave of pain that coursed though his body as the petite woman beside him with her tiny fists gripped him like a vice.

"Another contraction?" he asked thorough gritted teeth.

"Yes! Worse than before. I think this baby is coming, soon. My contractions are about three minutes apart now," she said as she groaned in concert.

"Relax, sweetheart. Remember your Lamaze training. Do you want me to help you get on your hands and knees? That should relieve some of the pressure," he added, trying to add anything he could to alleviate her pain.

"No, I'm fine. Just give me a second. I'll be okay," she said reassuringly.

Jackson watched her intently. Her brow creased as the pains shot through her. Her sweat soaked hair plastered to her head. Her skin flushed, not in arousal, but due to fatigue.

She must have felt his eyes on her because she scolded him, "Stop looking at me. I'm a mess."

"No, baby, you're not. I think you're gorgeous," he attested and pecked the back of her hand.

"No, I'm not," she wailed, "I'm fat and hideous and you're never gonna want to have sex with me again once I have this baby because I'm going to have a pooch and stretch marks everywhere."

He couldn't help but snort, "Are you joking? I am going to trail my tongue over any and every mark, blemish, freckle or line I find on your body and bring you to the brink of ecstasy each and every time," he whispered in her ear.

Her giggled response lightened the mood and then he saw something that made him want to slap himself.

A flash of her engagement ring set him in motion to do something he just now realized was very important.

He positioned himself so that he was on the edge of the bed and directly in front of her, "April?"

"What is it, Jackson? What's wrong?" she asked anxiously, no doubt startled by the look on his face.

"No, nothing is wrong. It's just that… What I want is… April, will you marry me?" he asked.

Now, it was her turn to stare in confusion, "Jackson, I already excepted your proposal, remember? I'm the one with the pregnancy brain, not you."

"I know that. What I'm saying is that I want you to marry me, here, now, before the baby is born," he stated with as much confidence as he could.

"What? You want to marry me now? We can't get married. My parents aren't here, and they already missed out on my first wedding. Well, technically my first marriage and I can't do that to them again. What about our family and friends? How would we even do this? We don't have a license, a ring for you, or a plan. Jackson, why do you want to do this now? I'm in labor. What are you th-"

He placed a finger over her lips to quiet her, "I know this seems crazy and impulsive, but I want to marry you before our baby is born. I want him or her to come into this world with married parents. I know you never complained but I know how important that would be to you and truthfully, I want that too. So, what do you say? I can have the hospital Chaplin up here in minutes and he can perform the ceremony. I know it would be symbolic more than anything until we do it officially, but for you, I know that in the eyes of your God, it would matter. I swear to you, I'll still give you the mints and the field filled with butterflies, but right now, I want you to be Mrs. Jackson Avery."

His unplanned speech complete, he waited in anticipation for her response and when a single tear fell from her eye and she kissed him full and hard on the lips, he knew he had his answer.

The next hour moved fast as he summoned the Chaplin to wed them in holy matrimony, Arizona to monitor April's progress and his mother to act as witness to their nuptials and her exultant reaction to being included assured him they were doing the right thing. But, he too had sworn to her that she would get a wedding she could announce in the society pages, that she could walk him down the isle and that his grandmother's Limoges cake topper would finally get put to use.

So, sixty minutes later, Jackson stood by April's bedside, her hand held in his as they recited their vows.

"I, Jackson Durham Avery, take thee, April Marie Kepner, to be my wedded wife, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death do us part."

His omittance to use in God's holy ordinance as part of his vows was not my mistake, but still he placed on her same finger, the ring she had removed minutes before.

"I, April Marie Kepner, take thee, Jackson Durham Avery, to be my wedded husband, argh!" she screamed.

"April? April, are you okay?" he turned to the other occupants in the room, "we have to stop. The baby's coming."

"No! No, we aren't stopping. I am marrying you before this baby is born so just be quiet and let me get through this," she ordered.

"Alright, my love. Continue," he said and brooked no further argument.

"To be my wedded husband, to have and to hold, ow, ow, ow, from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, ugh, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death do us part, according to God's holy ordinance. Oh, God, hurry up Father, I can't take much more," she cried out.

They didn't have a ring for Jackson, so they just pantomimed.

Taking his cue, the Chaplin moved on, "By sharing your vows and exchanging your… rings here today, you two have decided to share the rest of your lives together. You are no longer two separate people but are one. Then by the power vested in me, I now pronounce you husband and wife. Jackson, you may kiss your bride."

Just as he bent over to kiss her, she let out an ear-splitting screech.

"Out, out! Everybody out! The baby is coming," she shrieked.

Jackson moved to the end of the bed and lifted the sheet and lo and behold, he saw the baby's crowning head.

"Okay, like my wife said, everybody out. Arizona, you stay, and somebody get a nurse in here!" he roared.

Thankfully, if nothing else, Grey Sloan Memorial was like a well-oiled machine. As the Chaplin and Catherine exited the room, two nurses entered.

"Remember your breathing techniques, babe. Inhale slowly through your nose while counting to four. Hold your breath and count to four. Exhale through your mouth while counting to four. Then repeat," he instructed.

"Oh, shut up! Just get over here and hold my hand" she ordered.

Being the dutiful husband as he intended on being he took heed and stood by her side.

"Alright, April, I see the head, now I need you to give me a push," Arizona told her.

"Ugh," she obeyed and pushed.

"Great. That's great. Okay, now come on. One more and let's get those shoulders out."

"You're doing great, sweetheart. I'm so proud of you," he said and kissed her brow.

She hollered and gave two big pushes and brought their baby into the world.

"It's a girl!"

EPILOGUE

April sat up, legs crossed in front of her as best she could on the blanket they had spread across the grass. She and Jackson had taken Harriet out to the park which was close to their house to have a picnic. The weather had at last changed from typical overcast days of spring and now they were into the summer. It was a picturesque eighty degrees outside with a slight breeze and it was perfect.

As she set out the paper plates and plastic cutlery, she watched with a smile on her face as Jackson pushed Harriet on the swings. She had just turned two a week ago and the party she'd had was a huge success as evident by the tons of gifts she'd received and that she was greatly loved by their family and friends as the minuscule number of twenty they'd anticipated had swelled to over fifty people that drifted in and out over the afternoon and early evening.

She reclined back onto her palms and contemplated where they were now and how they had gotten here. They had moved into their new house three months ago and were blissfully settled into family life. After Harriet was born, they'd move in Jackson's home as they'd immediately sold the apartment April had lived in. Jackson had taken paternity leave while she took maternity and they reveled in all things Harriet for twelve weeks as this was a new experience for them due to never having gotten the chance to take Samuel home.

Those first few weeks with Harriet they barely slept, and it wasn't because the baby kept them up at night but because they watched her closely for signs if anything were to go wrong. If it wasn't her it was Jackson who'd sneak into her room on an hourly basis to make sure she was still breathing. They knew it didn't make sense, they were doctors for God's sake, they knew what to look out for. Still, it didn't alter their routine. In fact, it was a full month before they allowed visitors other than Catherine or her parents to spend time with Harriet. It was an irrational fear, but they worried about germs and outside contaminates and kept a steady supply of Purell at the ready for anyone who wanted to hold her. April would sanitize and re-sanitize the baby bottles for Jackson to use when April didn't have the opportunity to breastfeed. She washed her baby clothes and linens with dreft laundry detergent and made sure every toy and present she received was given a diluted bleach bath, followed by soap and water before even thinking of letting Harriet touch any of it. Thankfully, that crazed period didn't last long as it was extremely tiring and by the time Harriet turned three months, they were behaving like every other normal set of parents with a newborn.

When it was time for them to go back to work April nearly had a breakdown. Even though Harriet would be attending the hospital daycare center, the tears still flowed unchecked as she and Jackson dropped her off before heading to work. He'd had to practically pry her fingers away as they left out and she made the attendants on duty make sure to text her every hour on the hour to assure her that Harriet was okay. Turns out, it was one of the most stressful days she'd had in years. The ER had been bombarded with causalities from an apartment building fire and she and Jackson both ended up in surgeries. They never had a chance to go and check on their daughter all day like they'd planned to and by the time their shifts were over, and they picked her up, they held her onto her as if they'd hadn't seen her in days.

She was sure Harriet didn't even notice their absence.

Those early days were wonderful as they took joy in celebrating all of Harriet's firsts. Her first real smile occurred when she was two months old. Jackson had been making googly-eyes at her then tickled her stomach and she burst out in a fit of giggles at her father and his silly antics.

Then there was the first time she rolled over at four months old. She was laying on her playmat with a Baby Einstein Bendy Ball when it got away for her. She and Jackson were sitting on the couch working on separate projects on their laptops for work when April stretched her arm out to get it for her when Harriet rolled onto her belly and reached for the toy herself.

At five months, her first tooth came in and the knowledge of this was found out the hard way. Sure, she had been irritable, drooling and gnawing on anything she could get her hands on, but when Jackson went to apply some baby Orajel to help soothe her swollen and sensitive gums and she bit down hard on the tip of his finger, that's when they knew the tooth had fully come in. The band-aid he wore over the afflicted digit and proudly told the story to his friends like Karev; who really didn't care, but she thought was sweet of him, she found endearing.

Harriet was seven months old the first time she crawled, and it happened just as she was about to give her a bath. Jackson was watching a game and she was sitting on the floor. April had called out to her as she entered the room and let her know that it was bath time when Harriet turned onto her hands and knees and rushed forward behind the couch. She and Jackson looked at each other incredulously then broke out in uproarious laughter at her response.

The first time she walked she was eleven months old. She started at ten months by bouncing up and down on her feet as she held onto the coffee table. She'd been testing her strength and ability on wobbly little legs for months. Bending her knees, squatting then standing and finally when she'd been given a pair of hard bottom walking shoes, it took her a few days, but she got the hang of it and it wasn't long before she and Jackson were chasing their precocious child around the house.

The first time she said a real word was at a year old. Of course, she had been babbling for months but they were mostly nonsensical words. They were able to discern what she wanted because she usually pointed in conjunction, but the day she said her first word that was clear and concise had sent them reeling. Catherine and Richard had been over for dinner and they were in the midst of eating when she called out the word diba. Initially, they just shrugged it off as more babble until she started banging her spoon against her high chair. "Diba, diba, diba", she repeated until she pointed at what she wanted and what she wanted was a person. Catherine had taken to calling Harriet diva, and what Harriet wanted now was her grandma. The groans that they managed to hold in took all their internal fortitude. Don't get her wrong, she loved Jackson's mother almost as much as he did, but their hope was that Harriet would say mama or dada first, not diva. Catherine's resulting smugness was apparent indeed.

Over the next few months, her vocabulary expanded exponentially. Normally, most babies at this age would know about half a dozen words, but Harriet new considerably more, with no being her most favorite. She seemed to pick up things quickly and that should have come as no surprise. Harriet had all her firsts earlier than the average child. She was able to identify animals, colors and shapes by the flashcards April would show her. She'd say moo or baa, woof depending on if it was a cow, sheep, or dog she saw. April would lay out three cards on the floor so as not to make it too confusing, and Harriet would pick out either the red, blue, or green ones accordingly. Jackson spent a lot of time reinforcing educational playtime and she knew difference between her triangle, square and circle blocks. So, they reviled in all things Harriet for a year and a half until they were blessed with another gift.

Six months ago, April got pregnant. What was so different from Samuel's and Harriet's conception was that this pregnancy was planned. After Harriet turned four months old, they had a conversation about having more children. April always hoped to have a house full of kids and felt it was important that Harriet not be an only child and to her relief, he agreed. He said it was lonely growing up on his own. Sure, he had the money and the popularity, but those things were fleeting, and he wished that he had someone to talk to about what he was going through after his father left because of one thing he was sure. Robert Avery would have left regardless. What they also agreed upon was that they wanted to wait until Harriet turned at least one before trying.

Since they were remarried, she didn't believe in using birth control, so this was a tricky situation. They loved having sex. No, that wasn't right. They LOVED having sex and the two months they waited until after Harriet was born to resume their activities was pure torture. She didn't want to go on the pill, nor did she want any foreign contraptions placed inside her body. The rhythm method couldn't be counted on to work as they proved to be extremely fertile, so their only other option was condoms. This worked just fine though there were a few close calls when their passions got the best of them and if it weren't for him pulling out, they would have been pregnant a lot sooner than they were now.

April placed her hand on her belly and rubbed lovingly at the babies inside. Yes, they were having twins. Twin boys to be exact. After Harriet turned six months old, they came back to the table and discussed the perfect time to start the baby making machine. One thing she knew was that they would need more space. Jackson's house was nice, but she wanted so much more for them all. She wanted a two-story home, with enough rooms so each child could have their own. She wanted a huge backyard with space for a treehouse and a jungle gym. She wanted an area where they could entertain all their family and friends on special occasions and holidays. She wanted a big kitchen where she could make her mother and grandmothers' recipes then pass down the traditions and her love of cooking to Harriet and their other children. She wanted to create a rich life, full of happy memories for her family so not long after that, they went house hunting.

When they began their search, they utilized a realtor because of their hectic schedules and the amenities they required were simple. A family friendly neighborhood preferably within walking distance to a park because shew thought it was important that Harriet and their boys have access to kids other than their own siblings. Reasonable driving distance to the hospital because even though they were attendants and had a more flexible work schedule, they could still be summoned at odd hours. At least five bedrooms and four baths plus a large basement that she could turn into a playroom. It rained quite often in Seattle and she needed somewhere her kids could still run and play while staying dry. Also, a benefit of their being doctors and of Jackson's massive trust fund was that they had the wherewithal to buy any house they wanted. Still, she wanted to be practical. She didn't expect to live in a mansion the size of Harper's though technically, they could afford to buy one, no mortgage needed.

So, after months of looking at several properties and various models, they opted to build from the ground up inside a newly developed gated community. They had several floor plans available and all it took was a bit of modification and before they knew it, their new home was being built. Another benefit of having money was that the house was constructed using the Rule of Two of the renovation business. Your home could be remodeled either good, fast, or cheap. They picked the first and second options. With the aid of an interior decorator, the inside was furnished quickly, and they excitedly moved in.

When they finally did get pregnant, imagine their shock when one, it happened on almost the first try and two, they were carrying more than one baby. When they got their first ultrasound and found out it was twins, they made the choice to find out the sex of the babies as soon as possible. So, five months in, they learned they were having boys. To say they were overjoyed is the least that could be said. They knew in their hearts that this wasn't a replacement for Samuel and she'd slap the face of anyone who said so. This was their family growing and they just so happened to be doubly blessed.

Using a hand to shield her eyes from the sun, she looked across the field as Jackson chased behind Harriet as she ran away, net in hand. She smiled brightly as the loves of her life delighted in their activity. They had been outside for a few hours, taking a walk by the pond, helping Harriet build sandcastles in the sand pit and watching her take her first trip down the slide like a champ.

"Jackson! Harriet! Time to eat," she called out.

Moments later, they came trotting up to her, Harriet's prize in hand.

"Look mama. Bhu-fwy," she said to her, presenting the blue, black and white trophy trapped in the net.

They had taken her on a trip to the Pacific Science Center and their Butterfly House exhibit last month and she had become enamored with the colorful insects, demanding a net of her own so that she could catch some.

"Oh, nugget, that is beautiful, but how about we let her go so that she can be with her family and you sit here with me and daddy, so you can fill up your tummy," she asked, tickling her belly for effect.

Harriet opened her net, her mouth wide in amazement as the butterfly took off.

"You okay, babe?" Jackson asked her, then kissed her forehead sweetly, "If you're uncomfortable, we can eat at home."

"No, I'm fine. The boys are fine and we're having too much fun to leave," she replied.

Jackson sat next to her and plopped Harriet in the middle as she dished out their packed lunch. As they sat enjoying their food, she thought back to all that had transpired over the years.

Meeting Jackson at Mercy West. The merger with Seattle Grace hospital. The shooting by Gary Clark. Her being appointed Chief Resident. Losing her virginity to Jackson at the boards and subsequently failing them and getting fired. Being rehired then renewing her sexual relationship with Jackson. The pregnancy scare, and them splitting up. Him telling her that he was sleeping with Stephanie thereby breaking her heart. Her misguided relationship with Matthew. Jackson almost dying and her confessing that she wanted him only to be denied. Him bravely standing up at her wedding and them choosing each other. Their elopement and the blowback. Realizing that they did have several points of contention in their marriage. The happiness that came when they found out she was pregnant. The sadness when they were told that their baby had Osteogenesis Imperfecta. Samuel's birth, then death. What she recognizes now as postpartum depression. Leaving for Jordan to try and move past his death. Her second trip to Jordan and the resulting determent of her marriage. Reconciling briefly then being handed divorce papers. The day she signed the divorce papers and finding out she was pregnant. Choosing not to revel the pregnancy until the right time, but ultimately being outed by Arizona. Jackson and Catherine attempting to take custody of the baby once it was born. Jackson stopping the court action and telling her that she used to be his best friend and favorite person, then them making a plan to share joint custody. The day he asked her if he could be her Lamaze partner and asserting that he wanted to be more involved. The changes he made toward her and admitting that he still loved her and wanted to try again. The months where they began dating again. Them attending therapy which they continued well into Harriet's first year of life. Jackson asking her to marry him, again. The Harper Avery Gala and how Jackson stood up for her. Then giving birth and getting married on the same day.

To say it had been an interesting ride was an understatement.

They did have the wedding of her dreams once Harriet turned eight months old. Oh, they'd had the official certificate recorded with the state a week after their impromptu vows in her hospital room. This ceremony was mainly for family and friends who'd been robbed of their joyous event. Twice now. So, on that day, April stood at the altar with Harriet in her arms because she cried and cried to be with her parents and Jackson by her side. And now, here they were. Three, soon to become five in a place she always dreamed to be.

Jackson, her husband, and true love next to her. Their beautiful, smart, healthy child between them. New lives growing inside of her. Them, out in the sunshine, sitting in a field, surrounded by butterflies.

A/N: Chapter title song – The Beginning by John Legend

I will continue to write Japril fanfic, so no worries. My love for them is eternal and they will live on in my heart, mind, and stories.