Code Blue • Jackson Avery

Chapter Seventy One

"I have five voicemails from Meredith on my phone from just this morning. You promise you have nothing to do with the Harper Avery Award?" I asked as I circled around the kitchen trying to get Gia fed and the house cleaned before heading to work.

"No the foundation and the Harper Avery Award are two separate things. What even happened?" Jackson asked as he sat down and sipped on his coffee that he had just poured in his travel mug.

"Cristina lost and now she's gone. Meredith doesn't know where she went and I'm getting the heat for being the fiancé to an Avery. I'm an Avery by association now. Do you know how annoying that is? Ugh" I said out of frustration.

"I bet it's nothing, probably Cristina being Cristina. Plus being an Avery isn't a bad thing. Look who you are talking about" Jackson said kissing my check before grabbing the baby and heading upstairs. I sighed, Jackson was just too good to me.

I snapped out of my dazed state and furiously wiped the high chair before answering my cellphone that began to ring.

"Hello?" I answered as the cellphone rested on my shoulder pressed against my ear.

"Bella it's Amelia, how do I keep Zola from sticking things in her mouth?"

"She likes Cheerios. Can I ask why you have Zola and is that Bailey crying?" I asked hearing a baby crying in the background.

"Your father rushed out this morning before I could even object" she continued.

I quickly looked over to the clock on the stove to see I was suppose to leave in a minute or two.

"I have to go I have a big surgery this morning" I said ending the call and throwing my cell phone in my tote bag.

Almost on cue Jackson came down with Gia on his hip and the diaper bag slung on the opposite shoulder.

"You ready?" He asked. I shook my head grabbing our coffee mugs and my tote bag.

We drove to the hospital and immediately rushed out of the car.

"Okay next time we need to leave earlier. Can you take her up to daycare. I have rounds with the interns in like 10?" I asked.

"Uh, we have a foundation meeting in an hour. I have time. Will you be there?" Jackson asked.

"I'll try. See you later" I said sprinting towards the elevator.

"If it isn't my wonderful daughter" my dad greeted from the elevator.

"Meredith doesn't know about Amelia being over and watching the kids...right?" I said knowing he was buttering me up to keep a secret.

"I figured she called you the moment I left" he said with a smile.

"Your secret is safe with me" I said exiting the elevator and dropping my stuff off in the break room.

On cue the interns were waiting outside along with Meredith.

"Can we talk?" She asked.

"Yeah if you walk with me" I said. Meredith and I began to walk with the interns following behind like stray puppies.

"Cristina is gone. You know and I know her not winning can lead to something bad. Why didn't she win?" Meredith asked all frustrated.

"Look Mer I asked Jackson, the foundation and Jackson had nothing to do with the selection of the award winner" I said once more.

"Can you try calling her. She hasn't answered for me all day"

"You really think she's going to answer for me?" I said shocked. If anyone could get ahold of Cristina Yang it would be Meredith Grey.

"It's our only shot" Meredith said. I shrugged my shoulders before agreeing.

I completed rounds and assigned the interns to work before heading to the board meeting afterwards I tried calling Cristina.

"Hello?" A voice said on the other line.

"Cristina? Where are you? Meredith is worried sick about you" I said in a whisper.

"I'm coming back. Don't worry about me" Cristina said.

"The family you've been taking care of. They need you the one daughter needs surgery immediately" I said. I knew I was going against the rules at the hospital by giving out patient information but I knew Cristina would only come back if it involved work.

"Don't tell anyone. I'll be there soon" Cristina said before clicking the phone closed.

Almost an hour later word spread that Yang had returned just in time for Frankie McNeil's surgery.

"Did you call her?" Meredith asked.

"No, I think she came back herself" I said knowing Cristina wouldn't want Meredith to know I had gotten through to her.

"Well at least she's back" Meredith said before rushing off.

I headed to surgery with Wilson.
———
Surgery with Wilson was an unsuccessful battle and gory one as well. I was feeling defeated, ready to go home but had to change for the meeting.

Once I was changed I headed up to the board room to find everyone had already gathered.

"Where's Cristina?" I asked.

"She left again. She lost the daughter" Meredith informed me. I shook my head at the thought.

"So I looked over everyone's research projects and listed them from best to worst with the progress and results. You can all have a look" Jackson said as he passed around the paper.

I noticed many of the promising researches and trials were on the bottom because of the lack of results or progress showed. Especially Bailey's.

Everyone began to bicker with Jackson about the board and their control. I felt helpless, for both sides so I remained quiet.

A interruption from Alex caused the room to go silent.

"I'll come back" Alex said.

"No it's okay" Robbins said with a soft smile.

"I got an offer with a private firm. I'm taking it... I guess this is my notice" Alex hesitantly said before exiting.

"Did anyone know about this?" Jackson asked shocked.

Everyone shook their head no.

"This meeting is adjourned. Good night everyone" my dad said grabbing hands with Meredith. Everyone left but Jackson and I.

"No one listens" Jackson said all annoyed.

"Maybe the board just needs to be more open. After all these are doctors not just business people. They know what they want" I said trying to relax Jackson.

"I'll see you at home" Jackson said as he began to spread out all the papers.

I sighed at the sight of Jackson trying to appease all sides.

I headed to the break room to grab my thing when I heard the shower running.

I moved the curtain to find Cristina drenched in her clothes.

"Are you okay? I heard about the child" I softly said.

"What's the point. What's the point of all of this?" Cristina asked. I looked at her with a soft frown. I felt where she was coming from.

We do all of this work for nothing sometimes.

Owen came in looking for Cristina.

"She's in the bathroom" I said before grabbing my things and leaving the two alone. As I drove home Cristina's words kept repeating in my head.

Was this a waste of time? Would I be happier home with Gia full time or in a career less demanding? What's the point of all our hard work when people just see you as the blame?

**********
Sorry for the long wait for an update! More updates to come soon!