invasion ↠ jackson avery ✓

10

[BELLA LEDFORD]
Seattle, Washington

˚*•̩̩͙✩•̩̩͙*˚

The big day.

The day when April Kepner was going to finally let Bella help her with the paternity test. It came at the neurosurgeon as a surprise. Crept on up on her back. Hands on her shoulders. Whispers in her ears. Every single piece of hair that covered her body was up and standing. Tall. Goosebumps all over her.

They booked an appointment under a made-up name so no one would know. April hasn't announced it yet because she didn't need to. Her bump wasn't showing at all, and other than the inability to stand in one place for a longer period of time, she had no other symptoms of pregnancy. That, and her need to use the toilet constantly.

Casually, they made their way towards the room where the doctor was waiting for them. April, even. But Bella felt like she was in this like she carried a baby herself, so in her mind, it made sense to think of this as her appointment, too. She did enough research on the NIPP test to know that the alleged father needed to give blood as well as the mother to conduct a foetal cell analysis. From what she had found, and was later confirmed by the doctor in the room, a genetic profile compares the foetal cells present in the mother's bloodstream to the alleged father's. It sounded easy enough, and was said to be ninety-nine percent accurate.

Once April was done with getting her blood drawn again, the doctor's schedule revealed that Alex would be the next to come for a visit. April wasn't sure if she wanted to stay, so Bella offered to be there and make sure both of the men attended. Plus, any other additional information she would miss by being gone.

"Are you sure?" Ledford double checked before Kepner left. "I mean, you will find out eventually, so why not just be here?"

"The test will take a while and—and I don't really care whose baby this is. It'll be mine," she shrugged. "I'm doing this for them—for Alex. And Jackson. So, just please," April sighed, looking to Bella with hope in her eyes. Begging her to almost take this responsibility away from her. "Let me know, okay?"

Bella stayed. All through Alex's and Jackson's turn. No one spoke in the room, other than the OBGYN who was drawing their blood. They were told how the test works and when they would know and that was it. After Bella observed the whole thing, it was over and the day went back to normal.

Surgeries. Patients. Lunch. Except there was no trauma. Which made the day feel a lot slower than what Bella had gotten used to over her time at the hospital.

Having Edwards back on her service for the day was probably the highlight. An intern with hunger for Neuro and getting the best at it. Although, Bella wouldn't have gone as far as saying Edwards reminded her of herself. That would've been a stretch.

"Ah, good!" she called, grinning at the intern when she finally showed up after being paged. She started walking right away, only to be followed by Edwards. "You're wearing your clothes this time."