Code Blue • Jackson Avery

Chapter Forty Nine

Jackson and I begged the adoption agent to let us foster Zola for the time being but it wasn't that simply. Zola wasn't available for fostering, it was either she be adopted or sent back to Africa to the orphanage.

To make matters worse Jackson's mom was in town.

I had talked to Jackson's mom plenty of times over FaceTime and phone calls but I haven't had the chance to meet her in person.

The last time she came to Seattle I was working back to back shifts in order for Jackson to have off.

Jackson hadn't told his mom about our engagement yet either so this will be interesting.

"How do I look?" I asked Cristina and Meredith in the locker room.

"Nervous?" Meredith asked.

"No but she doesn't know about this yet" I said pointing to the ring on my finger.

"Let's go people we have grand rounds today" Webber called out from the doorway. We all headed to the auditorium for the presentation.

"I can't believe Teddy rescheduled my surgery for grand rounds" Cristina whined.

"Hey" I whispered to Jackson. He was crouched low in his seat.

"Is she really that bad?" I asked.

"You don't get it. First off your mom isn't a doctor and second your dad is like cool. Whereas my mom is clinging and nosy" Jackson said.

"She's so liberating and motivating" April said.

"She can't be that bad" Cristina said.

"Guys stop. You don't understand having surgeons as parents" Meredith said.

"Okay everybody lets begin grand rounds" Jackson's mom announced as she exited the backstage area making her way onto the stage.

"Kevin come out and show everyone what they are here for" she boomed. A young man walked out onto the stage in a rob dropping it to the floor.

"I'm here to conduct the first penis transplant. Who wants in?" She asked. Everyone's hand shot up except for Jackson's.

"Put your hand down" he whispered grabbing mine. I pouted at him, hoping he would change his mind.

"Stop looking at me like that. I'm saving you from that monster. 12 hours in an O.R with her not good" he said.

The grand rounds were dismissed. Jackson and I headed backstage to go say hi.

"Mom" Jackson sweetly said kissing her cheek and giving her a hug.

"Where's Bella? Your finance?" She said.

"How did you know?" He asked looking back at me. I came closer shrugging my shoulders.

"I have my ways. Let me see it" she said. I held up my hand showing up off the impressive and gorgeous ring.

"Oh it's lovely. My boy did good. How are you Bella?"

"I'm good Mrs. Avery"

"Call me Catherine. Now let's talk about you two joining me on the transplant" she said as we followed her out of the auditorium. She stopped to talk to Webber while we headed to the skills lab to grab a seat for the test.

"I am looking for three people to scrub in on this surgery. I need perfection and nothing less" Catherine Avery announced.

We started removing the layers of tissue and one by one my fellow fifth years were picked off. Kepner first followed by Yang and so on.

It was down to Jackson, Meredith, Alex and I when Alex's pager went off. He looked over to Meredith and I before sprinting out of there.

"Congrats you three. You'll be scrubbing in" Catherine announced. Jackson looked at me with worry in his eyes.

"Let's go we have a surgery to scrub in"

Us three headed to the scrub in room while the patient was brought to the O.R.

"If she asks you questions you don't want to answer. You don't have to" Jackson said.

"I'm fine. Jackson really. You don't need to worry about me. I'm a mom pleaser. Mom's love me" I said. He smiled while Meredith laughed.

We headed into the O.R to begin.

An hour into surgery the questions started coming.

"So Isabella when's the wedding?"

"Oh, ah Jackson and I haven't set the date yet" I said.

"Planning on having another baby out of wedlock?" She asked. I was immediately taken back by the question.

"Mom enough" Jackson said. The whole O. R was quiet.

"I'm just asking a question. I could have been a grandmother already. Just want to be prepared" she said. I was beginning to feel uneasy. The thought of the miscarriage and the day of the shooting.

"Is a child out of wedlock so bad?" I asked.

"Well I would never. It gives off the wrong image" she said.

Was she aware I was raised by teenage parents still in high school? I grew up fine, actually better than fine.

"Doctor Avery that's enough" Mark said sensing how uncomfortable I was.

Just as I was about to speak out again Cristina came into the O.R sounding quite flustered and asking for Meredith.

Meredith hesitated leaving the surgery until Cristina said her name again.

"Kepner take her place" Catherine Avery announced.

We finished up the surgery and scrubbed out. I left once I was done not saying a word to anyone.

I was embarrassed for many reasons. One being the way she talked to me in the O.R, the other being about the baby.

I slipped into a closet and crouched down to take a minute to breathe. It was then I heard Jackson and his mom.

"Mom this is why you aren't involved. You embarrassed her and me in there. In front of friends and colleagues"

"Oh hush. I was just asking questions. I'm looking out for you. Your name and price tag attracts people for the wrong reasons" she said.

It was becoming all clear. She was afraid I was trapping Jackson with a baby. Afraid I was going to take his money.

"Mom, I cant believe you said that. You're aware she has her own family legacy as well. Were you not aware her father is the Dr. Shepherd, neuro god and her mother is a highly successful fashion designer? Money doesn't matter to me. Haven't you learned that by now?" He asked all in a huff.

"You love her don't you?" She asked. I anxiously waited for Jackson's response.

"With all my heart" he said. Hearing that just made me want to jump into his arms but I resisted keeping my body still hidden.

I waited a few minutes until they walked away before slipping out. I headed to the break room to get changed.

Just as I was about to walk in I ran into Jackson's mom.

"Mrs. Avery, would you like to get drinks after work? I would love to answer any questions" I said. From behind me Jackson said "Bella you don't have to do that"

"No, I honestly want to. You can join us" I said grabbing him into a hug.

"I would like that" she said with a smile. I quickly got changed and we headed to Joes.