Second Chance

Cardigan

April and Matthew

The night after the wedding

April and Matthew said their goodbyes to Jackson, Arizona, Sofia, and Harriet.

Jackson is carrying Harriet
April: bye bye, baby *kisses on her cheek*
Jackson is looking at them smiling
April: I will pick her up on Sunday. If you need anything do not hesitate to call me. Okay?
Jackson: don't worry about us, okay? We're good. Daddy and Harriet can handle. right? *talking to harriet* 
April: okay.

April faces Arizona smiling.
April: bye, have a safe trip. Okay? I will miss you
Arizona: I will call
April: say Hi to Callie for me.
Arizona: I will. I am happy, so happy for you April *with teary eyes*
Holding each others hands
April: I know, me too. Bye Sofia, take care of your mommies, alright?
*Sofia Nodding*

Jackson extends his hands to congratulate Matthew
Jackson: take care of her.
Matthew gave half a smile.
Matthew: I will.

Walking away toward one another.
April and Matthew holding each other hands and went to the hotel

Matthew: two days...
April: yup, two days. Who will baby sit Ruby?
Matthew: Her grandma
A: When are we going to tell our parents? You know about the wedding?
M: soon. Let's not talk about that now.
Pulling April towards him.
M: Now, I am a happy man, Mrs. Taylor
They Kiss each other.
A: uhm... I am not going to change my name.
M: why not? Taylor is a good name.
A: It is and so is Kepner. I like my name.
Matthew smiled and pulled April closer and kissed.
M: this is crazy huh?
A: it is *chuckles softly*

Matthew and April are under the covers.
M: So, that was great.
A: a-huh. Who knew that it would be us in the end?
M: Not me. I am just so happy that you are here with me.
A: thank you, Matthew. Thank you for forgiving me and giving me another chance.
M: God gave a lot of chances too. Who am I not to, right?
A: Haha! Yeah. you are right. Are you not worried?
M: about?
A: about us.. I mean are you not worried about what people will say?
M: No, actually.
Matthew pulls April closer to him and kisses her forehead.
M: I love you, I have nothing to worry about and so do you.
April replies softly
A: okay.

The next morning, they went to the beach and ate. Matthew ordered a lobster and April ordered a summer salad.
April: Is that lobster good?
M: yeah! You want some?
A: no no. thanks though.
M: okay? So, How's Harriet?
April checks her phone
A: Jackson hasn't texted yet.
M: maybe he doesn't want us to disturbed *in a mischievous tone*
A: maybe hahaha *blushing*
M: So, about your work. Are you sure you do not want to work at Grey Sloan?
A: Yes, It is hard you know. They're my family, they will always be. But I feel that I have my mission with these people, you know? Like God's calling me to do this work.
M: yeah! I get it. So I guess we need to move to a new place. For you, me, Ruby, and Harriet.
A: Sure. Hey! I need to be back at work by tuesday. So we need to settle everything.
M: okay, what do you have in mind?
A: I am thinking let's go home tonight at my place. So we can arrange everything. Then, tomorrow morning let's fetch ruby.
M: I will fetch Ruby tonight. While you are arranging the place.
A: you do not want me to go?
M: If you want to, sure. But I was just thinking we can finish two chores in less time.

Matthew and April went back to their room.
April and Matthew lying on the bed.
M: I wish we can stay like this.
A: me too.
M: you know what, we should have date night. Every week. Friday, maybe? So we can catch up on each other because we have two kids *soft chuckle*
A: yeah! I like that!

Later that night
Matthew drops off April in their apartment and goes off the road again to fetch Ruby. April sat down on the couch smiling, admiring her ring. She texted Jackson to check on Harriet:

"Hi, Jackson. How's Harriet?"
*Phone buzzes*
"She is good. Don't worry."

April put down her phone. Looked up with her hands together, Thank you!

April and Matthew's relationship was doing okay for the first months of their marriage. They are going to church every sunday as a family. Every Friday they go on a date to catch up with each other. April's work is getting better, she was happy. The work hours are fixed so she has time for her family. She cooks dinner every night.

One afternoon, April was working and her phone rang
A: Hey! I ..
M: It's Ruby, Come in Grey Sloan
April quickly hangs up the phone. She ran towards the head doctor, Dr. Phil.
April is panting.
A: Dr. Phil, I need to go, my daughter was rushed to the hospital.
P: okay, let me know what happened *worried voice*

April got to the hospital. She saw Matthew sitting on the couch head down.
"Matthew" April calls softly. Matthew looked up and hugged April.
"How's Ruby?" April asks. "I don't know," Matthew replied.

Maggie and Tom are walking toward them. April is the first one to stand up. "h-how's Ruby?" April asked. "we did everything we can, but her heart can't take it. I am sorry" Tom replied. April looked at Maggie "what?" "April, I am sorry, But Ruby's dead." April cries and Maggie hugged her.

Jackson was walking towards the nurse station when he saw April and Matthew. He looked at Maggie. "we need to go, I am sorry" Maggie says. Walks away with Tom. Jackson was confused "what happened?" he asked. "Ruby, Ruby died" April replied. "Oh, God" Jacskon whispered hugging April. "I am sorry," he added.

Matthew did the arrangement while April is talking to Jackson. "Can Harriet be with me this week? So she can be with Ruby" April asked. "Yes, sure. Do you need to drop her off? or.." Jackson replied. "No" April replied quickly. "I will fetch her tomorrow morning, If that's okay?" , "of course."

"Hey" Matthew called, "everything's arranged". "Bye," April said to Jackson. Jackson hugs April and nods to Matthew.

After Ruby's service. April and Matthew drove home. The whole ride was quiet. "how are you feeling?" April asked worriedly. Matthew did not reply and continued to drive. When they got home, Matthew went straight to Ruby's room. April sat on the couch and fell asleep. Hours passed when April suddenly woke up. April looked at the time "Oh, m.. it's 10 already!" talking to herself. She stood up and went to the kitchen and saw Matthew eating. "I'm sorry, I fell asleep. Did you cook?" April asked. Matthew just looked up to April and finished his food, he got up and put the dishes in the sink. April went behind his back and hugged him from behind. "April, don't. Please" April let go and Matthew went to Ruby's room.

Months have passed, Matthew is not getting any better. He is not going to work and stays in Ruby's room most of the time.

One night, April got home from work. the house was dark, she went straight to Ruby's room expecting to see Matthew there, but he wasn't there. April got her phone and called Nicole.
*on the phone*
A: Hi! I am sorry to call this late, I was just wondering if you are with Matthew?"
N: No, I am at work right now. He's not with you?
A: I came home just now, and he's not home. His car is outside. Anyway, thank you, Nicole.
N: I will call our friends and ask them.
A: Thank you.
*hangs up*

April keeps calling Matthew throughout the night. April fell asleep on the sofa when she heard keys dingle. She got up quickly and walked towards the door. She opened the door before Matthew had a chance. "Oh! it opens" Matthew exclaimed with a slurry tone. April was shocked. She never saw Matthew drunk. "Where have you been?" April asked worriedly. "I went out. You'll be happy, I met new friends" Matthew replied being oblivious that April was concerned about him. "What? How will I be happy?It's five in the morning!" April screech. "Oh! are you hungry?" Matthew asked teasingly. "I didn't know you wanted breakfast, I-I want to sleep" Matthew added. Matthew jumped on the couch and immediately fell asleep. April looked at him in disbelief. "I guess, I am not going to work," April tells herself. She called her boss and informed him that she will not be able to go to work.

April changed Matthew's clothes and gave him a sponge bath. When he remembers that she got Harriet tonight. She called Jackson.
*on the phone*
A: Hey! Jackson. Are you busy?
J: No,what's up.
A: Can you have Harriet one more night? Matthew.. *April hesitated* Matthew is not in good.. I have a situation with Matthew so...
J: okay, sure. no problem. Is everything okay?
A: No *April exhales heavily*
J: Everything will be okay.
A: I don't know. I am tired *April cried* Anyway, I-I should go. Thanks, Jackson.
*hangs up*