Stole My Heart ❤️ {A Jackson Avery love story}

Chapter 114:

This is it. Today, I fly to San Francisco for the oral boards and tomorrow... I take the boards to determine my career as a surgeon. To say I was nervous was the understatement of the damn century.

I'm getting a pep talk from my dad as we walk to daycare to drop Zola off.

Dad: you're going to be fine sweetheart.
Delilah: what if I don't pass? You'll still be proud that I tried, right?
Dad: of course I will sweetie, and you're going to pass. You're a Shepherd, it's in your veins.
Delilah: you think so?
Dad: I know so. Now, go catch your bus and make me proud.
Delilah: okay. Wish me luck. Bye sweet girl.

I blow Zola a kiss then kiss my dad on the cheek before I bolt to the ambulance bay. When I get there, I see Mark talking to Jackson and Dylan.

Owen: Shepherd!

I see Owen and I run over to him. I've gone back to being civil with him. I can't be friends with him after hurting Cristina but we work together so I have to be civil.

Delilah: hey.
Owen: I want to say good luck. I have a lot of faith in you Delilah.
Delilah: thanks Owen.
Owen: repeat after me. I'm a soldier.
Delilah: I'm a god damn soldier.
Owen: make me proud Shepherd.

I smile at Owen then I go to talk to Mark.

Mark: have salmon for dinner. And tell room service to make sure it's not frozen, you lose Omega-3s if it's frozen. Avery, Hudson, are you listening to me?
Jackson: we're trying not to.

I chuckle at my boyfriend as I grab his hand.

Mark: the same thing goes for you missy. Okay, how are you guys on cash? I figured you needed some.
Jackson: uh...

I snatch the wad of cash out of my godfather's hand.

Delilah: you're the best uncle Mark!!

I hear Jackson chuckle as I run towards the bud and walk in to sit. Jackson sits next to me and leans his head on my shoulder.

Jackson: you ready for this?
Delilah: I will be, as long as I have you.

Jackson kisses my cheek and I kiss my forehead.

-later-

We finally arrived in San Francisco and my heart is pounding out of my chest as we walk into the lobby of our hotel. We all sit down to wait to sign in. I see April talk to someone as I sit on Jackson's lap.

April: well, he hates me.
Alex: how do you do that? You've been here, like, two minutes.
April: my examiner is gonna hate me too, instantly.
Cristina: don't psych yourself out.
April: one in seven people fail the boards.
Cristina: fine. Psych yourself out.
Delilah: April, it's just a test. We've all dealt with a lot worse.
Jackson: she's right. No one's bleeding out on your table.
Dylan: Lilah and Jackson are right. We'll be fine Apes.
Meredith: Cristina, Lilah.

I felt Mer grip my shirt a little bit so I run over to her in concern.

Cristina: what?
Delilah: what's wrong Mer?
Meredith: Zola has the stomach flu.
Cristina: so? Kids get sick.
Delilah: don't worry about it Mer, dad's with her. She'll be fine.
Meredith: Zola has the stomach flu.

Realization washes over me.

Delilah: oh no. Meredith...
Cristina: Mer, you can't be sick. You cannot be sick.
Meredith: okay.
Delilah: just take a deep breath Mer. I'm sure it's just pre-oral boards anxiety, you're fine.
April: so do you guys wanna go register and then get some lunch?