Safety Net

40

                                                               THANKSGIVING

     The Karev's had arrived at Meredith and Derek's house early, before any of the other guests did, to help out with dinner. However, neither Alex nor Jo knew how to cook. Derek had started the turkey earlier in the day, and now he was busy making the sweet potatoes. Meredith and Jo attempted to make dessert while Hazel napped and Ellis, Zola, and Bailey quietly colored at the dining table next to their parents.
    
"At times like this I really miss Izzie," Meredith commented. Heat quickly rose up her neck and cheeks. "Sorry... she just knew her way around the kitchen better than the rest of us."
 
    "It's fine, Mer." Alex insisted. He never thought about Izzie anymore. Not since the day she got between him and Jo, all over a fake son. But he had to admit, she was a much better chef than anyone here. He grabbed the potato masher with both hands, mushing down on the potatoes. "You sure you cooked these long enough, Shepard?" he raised his eyebrows, ignoring the stink eye from Derek.    
     
Luckily April entered the house before they had completely ruined the dinner. She told Harriet to join the other children in the living room to play while she fixed everything Jo, Alex, Meredith, and Derek had messed up. Lo and behold, the potatoes weren't cooked enough.
 
    "You're a lifesaver." Jo said to her as she left the threshold of the kitchen, rushing upstairs to soothe her crying baby.

      An hour later, turkey, steamed carrots and green beans, peas, mashed potatoes, yams, and much more was laid out on the table. The pumpkin pie (that Arizona had brought from the grocery store, thank God) was cooking in the oven while the rest of the desserts sat on the table. Everyone took a spot at the table, which had expanded exponentially since last year, and it was only going to get bigger with everyone's growing families.
 
   The food was passed around the table and those old enough to serve themselves did. Ellis and Bailey had their parents make their plates for them. Small talk had begun, and they all started sharing stories from their day, or the Thanksgiving dinners they had endured yesterday with their families. And, of course, Mark and Lexie's unborn son had been brought up. Ever since they had found out the gender, the most pressing question was the name.
 
   "So, what is it?" Zola asked. She swayed her legs under the table as she waited for an answer. The second she knew the name, she was making her cousin a picture. She just needed to know who to address it to.

     "We have it down to two names now. None of which we mentioned before. Lex is so picky." Mark chuckled. Lexie clearly did not find it as amusing.
   
  "I'm sorry but I'm not naming my son after Mission Impossible." she rolled her eyes. "We're keeping the names secret until we decide." she smiled as she ran her hand over her bump.
   
  Typically Jo would be completely absorbed by this conversation, asking them all sorts for questions. Ever since she had Hazel, she loved to talk about babies. She fed Hazel bites of mashed potatoes, only looking up when Alex nudged her.
 
   "You okay?" he whispered, running his hand up and down her thigh. He was answered by a slight nod. Although he didn't believe her, he went back to eating his food. She had been off all night. After a few more minutes, Jo was still talking quietly to Hazel, just barely responding to people when they asked her a question. "Is this about the Izzie thing? Mer didn't mean make it sound like she wants you gone. She doesn't."

     "No. It's not the Izzie thing," she shook her head, sighing. "Where were you that day?"
 
   "What day?"
 
   "That day he showed up dead. You came home late."
 
   Alex was taken aback. He stared at her like she had grown a second head. "Are you accusing me of murder?" he asked, above their previous barely-audible-whisper-level. Everyone tried to carry on with their meal, but Alex and Jo could feel the heat of their eyes burning into them.
   
      "Not now, Alex..."
 
      "So you are?" After no reply, Alex stood up. He took her wrist and pulled her upstairs.

       "Alex." huffed Jo, like she was about to protest their departure from dinner but nothing ever came afterwards.
 
     "Don't 'Alex' me. Do you seriously think I did this?" he crossed his arms. He narrowed his eyes at her.
 
     "Well, I don't know! Who else would kill him?"
 
     "Anyone could, Jo! Anyone except me." His yelling echoed through the house. "You really think I did this..." he ran his fingers through his hair and down to his neck. He didn't notice Jo backing away from him. "I would never freaking kill somebody, Jo! You should know that by now, don't you think? Now that we're engaged and have a child together?! God, Jo. You're really full of surprises..."
 
    "Alex, please..." she begged him to stop. She pinched the skin between her index finger and thumb, hoping to wake her up from whatever night terror this must be. Alex didn't yell at her like that. Jo's head snapped in the direction the doorbell came from. It was only a matter of seconds before police officers were bursting through the doors of the upstairs bathroom. Jo's eyebrows pinched together as a pit of anxiety rooted itself in her stomach, growing deeper and deeper.
 
    "Alexander Karev, you're under arrest for the murder of Paul Stadler. You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can and will be used against you in the court of law. You have the right to an attorney. If you cannot afford an attorney, one will be provided for you. Do you understand the rights I have just read to you?"
 
      Alex nodded.

      "With these rights in mind, do you wish to speak to me?"

      Alex nodded.