Second Chance

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Moline
April and Harriet arrived at their farm. They were greeted by April's mom.
"Hi, mom!" April acknowledges. "How's dad?" April added. "He's resting" carrying Harriet. "How are you?" Karen asked Harriet, in a playful voice. "I wanna see dad" April told her mom. "Let's get you settled first" Karen replied. They walked inside the house.

Karen opened April's room. "You didn't change a thing," April exclaimed. "except for the sheets and curtains" Karen replied. "So how's home? how's Matthew? I thought he's gonna come too" Karen added. "We're uhm .." April stuttered, Suddenly Kimmie appeared, "Hi!! I knew I heard this baby!" talking to Harriet. "Hi, Kimmie," April greeted. "Hi, April! How's your flight?", "bearable" April chuckles. "Where's Matthew? He's here right?" Kimmie asked. "No, actually" April replied flatly. "How come? I —-" , "I am hungry mom, why don't we eat?" April cuts off Kimmie. "Sure, you must be starving." Karen replied.

After they ate, They visited Joe in his room. "Hey, dad" April whispers. "How are you feeling?" April asked. His dad gave her a thumbs up and smiled at her. "Mom said you don't want to go to the hospital?I think you should" April tells his dad. Joe shook his head and closed his eyes and fell asleep. "okay, dad. Harriet and I will stay here with you" April kisses her dad on the forehead.

Outside of his dad's room April talks to her mom about Joe's condition. "Mom, why is dad refusing to go to the hospital?" April asked her mom, concerned. "We talked about this - you and your dad, he doesn't like being in the hospital" Karen explains. "Did you go at least?" April asked politely. "We did. Your dad doesn't like to be medicated" Karen clarifies. "Wha- it..why?" April stutter. "He has his reasons and I want to respect that" Karen says softly and walks away.
April left stunned.

It's been a few weeks since April and Harriet arrived at Moline. Harriet just fell asleep. April's phone rang.
*on the phone*
A: hey! Harriet's sleeping *whispered*
J: Oh! sorry. It's early.
A: yeah! she got tired, they played all day. *April says softly*
J: good, good. I was just wondering when you are coming home?
A: I-I don't know, Jackson. I wish I could tell you. My dad is not getting better.
J: What's he's condition?
A: at this time I don't know. He refuses to go to hospital.
J: Okay, I will call tomorrow to talk to Harriet.
A: sure. good night, Jackson.
J: Night!
*Hung up*

The next few days, Joe's doing well. He's able to eat and talk. He's happy that all of his grandchildren are there. They laugh and reminisce.

The next morning, Joe passed. The funeral service was intimate. April was surprised when he saw Jackson talking to her mom. April walks toward them "Hey! Jackson. What are you doing here?" April asks confused. "I wanted to pay my respects," Jackson explains. "okay, Harriet's inside," April says. "Let's go inside," Karen suggested. They are at the dining table quietly eating, when Harriet asks Jackson "Dad, did you meet Jax?", "Jax?" asked Jackson, "it is short for Jackson, it's mama's pet" Harriet revealed Jackson looked at April giving her a shy smile. "He's a pig" Harriet whispered. "He is sick" , "That's uhm.. unfortunate" Jackson replied. "Finish your food" April tells Harriet. As they continue to eat, April tells her mother "Mom, is it okay if we're gonna leave tonight?", "why? Jackson just arrived" Karen asks. "I have to work, I kind of overstayed," April replied. "I see, show Jackson before you leave" Karen demanded. "I don't think—" , "I would love to" Jackson cuts. Jackson looking at April. "sure" April affirms.

April and Jackson are walking around the farm. "So there, that's where we keep the pigs.." April informs. "that's where Jax lives?" Jackson teases. "Yeah" April laughs. "You name a pig after me" Jackson thought out loud. "Yeah, that's when I failed my boards and fired" , "Jackson, why did you came?" April asks seriously. "I told you, I want to send my condolences," Jackson explains. "How'd you know that my dad.." , "I-I didn't, I just thought you may need someone here and I miss Harriet" Jackson confesses. "I see, I assume you are gonna fly out tonight too?" April asks. "Yeah, I am" Jackson replied. There is a minute of silence as they continue to walk. "How are you, April?" Jackson breaks the silence. April stopped walking and faced Jackson "Sad, I'm gonna miss him. You know, he's always supportive when I told him that I wanted to be a doctor, when I got fired, I failed the boards, when I left Matthew at the altar, married you, got divorced, and married Matthew. He was there, he never put me down, He was always there and now, I cannot imagine that he will not be. He's the best father" April cries. Jackson hugs April to console her. "I'm sorry" April pulls away. "You know why I became a doctor?" Jackson asks. April looked at him intently. "Because of my grandfather. I may don't have the father I wish to have, but I got him. So, when he died it crushed me. But I will always remember the last things he told me: I will always be with you in every step of the way, even I am
not, know that I will always be" Jackson shared. "That's beautiful," April replied. They continue to walk, "Thanks, Jackson" April says. "For what?" Jackson asks. "For being here, for being a good father" April replied. April walks faster leaving Jackson behind. "We need to go" April shouted. Jackson looked down and smiled. "right behind you" Jackson replied.

April arranged their things and went to the living room to say goodbye to her mom and sisters. "Bye, mom!" April kisses her mom. Karen is carrying Harriet, "I'm gonna miss this baby" Karen remarks, "We're gonna visit again, mom" April reassures, "are you going to bring Matthew, then?" Karen whispers to April. April smiles. "We need to get going, we might miss our flight" April says. "Bye" Jackson says as they went out the door. "Take care!" Karen waves at them.

On the plane.
"This is nice" as April sat on the chair. "Thanks, for the upgrade," April says. "No, problem" Jackson replied. "I assume your mom didn't know," Jackson added. opening her eyes April replied in confusion "she didn't know what?" , "You and Matthew" Jackson replied, "Oh, she knows" April says. "She does?" Jackson asked in confusion, "Yup, I don't need to tell her" April replied. "You know how I know if Harriet's hungry or sleepy? even if she doesn't tell me, it's like that. A mother always knows", "Even you didn't tell her?" Jaskson asked in amusement. "Yes. And you know how a wife knows that her husband is cheating on her? even if he didn't tell her?" April asked. "Yeah?" , "It's a gut feeling" April laughs while her eyes are closed.

The plane landed in Seattle. "My mom is here" Jackson said abruptly. "I know" April replied unamused. "How'd —" Jackson asked. "gut feeling" April said proudly. "Hi, grandma" April cheers. "Hi! How is my favorite granddaughter?" Catherine asked Harriet, Harriet kissed Catherine, "How's the flight?" Asked Catherine, "It's alright, mom" Jackson kisses Catherine on her forehead. "You might be starving, You wanna eat?" Catherine asked. April is hesitant "I shou—", "Come on, you are going to eat anyway" Catherine insisted. "Okay" April replied. "I bet you didn't know that," Jackson teases. April rolled her eyes.

At the restaurant
"I heard what happened, April. I'm sorry", Catherine begins. April smiles weakly. "I heard that you are going back to Grey Sloan," Catherine continued. "Yes, actually" April replied. "that's great! Where are you staying?" Catherine asked. "We are going to stay at the hotel tonight. until I find a place" April replied. "By WE you mean you, Harriet, and your husband?" Catherine asked, "By WE I mean, me and Harriet" April confirms. "You guys should stay with me for a while," Jackson suggested" , "until you find your own place," Jackson added. "I don't know.." April replied. "Take it, honey. It will be easier for Harriet.You will adjust easier" Catherine reinforced, smiling April looked at Harriet eating her Fry, "I guess a few nights will be okay" April replied. "Thank you" addressing Catherine and Jackson.