Fragile

April

November was a hectic month. Your father and I didn't speak to each other nearly as often as we should. He was staying in his old apartment for the time being, meaning you were switched off to either one of us every few days. You kept me occupied while the world crumbled around me.

"We ought to have Thanksgiving together." I told Jackson over the phone, "nobody knows we're apart and we were hosting it this year."

I could hear him sighing. "Yeah, okay. My place or yours?"

"Well." I said in a hushed tone, trying not to wake you from your nap on the couch, "Mine would be best, since that's where we were living before...you know."

"Okay. Who're we inviting?" I heard the crumple of paper and a pen clicking on.

"Meredith, Riggs, Callie, Arizona, Jo, Alex, Edwards, Amelia, Owen, Maggie, Webber, Bailey, Ben, the kids and, um, your mother."

Silence.

"Jackson?"

"Callie can't sit beside Arizona so you'll have to put Maggie in between them, Owen, Amelia, Bailey and Ben are good, keep Riggs away from Hunt, You can sit with Mer and Edwards , I'll sit beside you to make it look normal and my mother and Webber can be table heads." He said in one large breath, "there'll be a kids table for Sofia, Zola, Bailey, Ellis, Tuck and Harriet?"

I blinked. "Yes, of course. Parker is still in a high chair right?" I mumbled, think of Owen and Amelia's 2 year old son.

"I don't know."

"Well, I've got Harriet's pop up one folded away. He can use it."

"Okay." More silence. "April?"

"Yes?" I answered, glancing at you all curled up under a blanket.

"I got a lawyer."

I nearly dropped the phone. Anger boiled inside of me, but I had just enough composure left to quietly scoot away into a separate room, careful not to wake you.

"Jackson Avery. You son of a bi-"

"April!"

"How dare you."

"April, think about it. This could get us the money we need for her medical bills."

I gasped. "The money? Oh my god Jackson! You're a freaking Avery! You're loaded! I have money! This lawsuit is stupid! God blessed us with this child and if you file you're implying that you wish Harriet was never born."

If I could have punched your father through the phone, I would've done it a long time ago.

"I love her. But this could be a big opportunity for us."

Tears spilled over.

"You mean you loved her. See you on the weekend, Jackson."