Code Blue • Jackson Avery

Chapter Twenty Six

I was currently at the clinic helping some of the patients that had just entered when I felt a presence behind me.

I turned around to find a miserable looking Cristina with two older women. One I presumed to be here mother and the other Burke's.

"Dr.Shepherd" Cristina began before getting a light smack from her mother.

"Bella, Ah, I was wondering if you wanted to be a bridesmaid" she whispered. I smiled at the offer.

"I Uh don't really do weddings seeing as though marriage isn't successful" I began but Cristina was giving me daggers.

"Oh I'd love to" I said. Cristina's mother reached out and began measuring me for the dress.

"It's so nice that you and Cristina are friends" her mother chatted as she fitted me. I gave a weak smile before excusing myself to the next patient.

"Oh a Susan how can I help you?" I asked as I closed the curtain.

"I, uh, have, uh, hiccups" she explained. I looked at her chart noticing she wasn't prescribed anything yet and ordered some medicine.

Once it was injected the hiccups stopped immediately.

"They're gone" she said amazed. I smiled.

"It's nice that you support your dad with Meredith. You know from a motherly viewpoint Meredith really cares for your dad" she said.

"Yeah, I love my dad a lot and just want him to be happy. He at least deserves that" l sincerely explained. She smiled and I walked away to order a consult from Bailey about the hiccups.

The rest of the day went smooth until I realized I was late for the bridesmaids fitting. I rushed out of the hospital and floored it to the dress shop just on the outskirts of the city.

I walked in to find Burke and Cristina arguing.

"Ah Dr.Shepherd glad you can join us. They have your dress over there" Burke warmly said. I smiled and waved to Cristina before heading over towards Izzy and Dr.Torres.

"They've been doing this for like 20 minutes now. Meredith left because she was paged for the hospital and I'm so glad you're here now" Izzy whispered.

"Well I'm here" I said unamused. I threw on the dress and twirled around a few times for both Cristina and Burke's mothers.

Once they were pleased we all stripped out of our dresses and headed home. I hopped in bed studying my eyes out until the break of dawn.
———
The dreaded day was upon me. Today was test day. I wandered to the mirror places right by the front door. I had my coffee in hand along with my notes.

I headed to the hospital where we all studied for the remaining hours before the test time had come. We headed into a conference room with a proctor.

Time ticked by fast, making more anxious than I had ever anticipated. I looked over to see Meredith in a haze, a dead stare at the wall.

She hadn't lifted her pencil once yet which meant she wasn't taking the test.

I quickly snapped out of it, I couldn't keep worrying about Meredith when I had my own test to finish.

The proctor called done and we all filed out of the room. Meredith ran off and George wanted to follow but Cristina insisted he let her be.

"Give her time" Cristina said. I felt bad for Meredith, after all, she told her dad Susan was okay and then a day later she dies on the operating table in OR.

"So how do you think you did?" Alex asked. Alex has been hinting at me to try and get back to together but I'm over it. Plus I heard that Addison tried getting into Alex's pants so that's a hard no.

"I possibly beat Cristina for the top spot. How do you think she'll react?" I asked. Alex laughed at the idea of Cristina not being the top intern.

"She might just kill you" Alex said before heading to check on the Jane Doe.

I headed to the nurses station hoping to find Bailey but instead found my dad and Mark talking.

"We were going to be together if I could hold out for 60 days"

"So you didn't and that's why she left" my dad responded.

"No I told I did but I didn't. I could tell she didn't want to be with me. I gave her the easy way out" Mark continued.

"Selfless....that's so out of character"

I walked in hoping it was the end of the conversation.

"I was um hoping we could go out to dinner tonight. Celebrate the end of my internship and the beginning of my residency" I said. My dad smiled at me and shook his head.

"Uncle Mark you're invited as well. I was going to invite Addison but you two don't-"

"No invite her. I think she would like that" Mark said. I smiled and nodded my head before leaving.

I went to find Addison on the Ob/Gyn floor.

"I'm having a celebratory dinner tonight. Mark and my dad are coming and I wanted you as well. As long as you're comfortable" I said.

"I'll be there and stop being more adultish than us. We can handle being in the same room don't worry" she said with a smile.

I smiled back and headed back to the surgical floor to make my last rounds before leaving work.

I then quickly headed to my apartment to change before meeting everyone at dinner.

I walked into the restaurant to find all three of the adults in my life peacefully sitting at a table.

"Hi sorry I just went home and got changed" I explained as I sat down.

"So have you chosen a field of specialty yet?" Addison asked.

"She's plastics for sure" Mark cockily said.

"Don't be too sure of that she's got a family of neurosurgeons" my dad said.

"I am leaning towards neuro but I also might do peds" I explained. I anxiously awaited there answers.

"Pediatric surgery is wonderful" Addison said hitting the two on their arms.

"It's a great choice" my dad said.

"Look don't be upset yet. Neuro is still an option" I said placing my hand on his arm.

"Okay let's drink because I'm off duty tomorrow and I have to be a bridesmaid at Cristina's wedding" I said.

"I'm the best man" my dad blurted out.

"You? Burke's best man.  I don't believe it" Mark said.

We all laughed and celebrated the night away. It was nice for a change having them here as my family, my support team rather than my colleagues.