Second Chance

You were good to me

"Hey, Kepner" Jo greeted April. April is sitting on the gurney eating her lunch at the tunnel, "Hi" April smiles and moves a little bit so that Jo can sit down beside her, "What are you reading?" Jo asked, "I am reading for my research. Possible research" April replies, "What's up?" April asked, putting down her book. "It's cancer. I don't know how to tell her family" Jo replied sadly. "How bad?" April asked, "3 months to live, give or take" Jo replied. There is a long pause, "So..What's going on between you and Mason?" April asked, "Well.." Jo started. "Since I gave birth, he was always there. He stayed at Mer's after the party and helped me clean up and actually stayed longer to talk to me" Jo chuckled, "I haven't had anything like that since Alex" Jo continues, looking at April. April is listening to her intently. "You know, he slept and stayed with me in my room. I mean who does that? We're friends, yes. But you know?" Jo turn to April, April nods, "Every day, he uhm..visits me and Joey, he brings food and we talked, there was a lot of time where he stayed the night" Jo shares, "I know it's fast and all, but it's been more than a year since Alex left" Jo reasons out, "You think I'm crazy, don't you?" Jo asked, "No, No. of course not, Jo" April replied, "He gets me, Apes. 4 months seems a short time but I feel like I knew him, like I knew him before and we just talk about everything, EVERYTHING" Jo says smiling, "I can see that now" April remarks, "Do you think it's fast?" Jo asked, "Well, I am not the most qualified person to ask that..given my record" April chuckles, "But I do know that you really loved Alex and I can see that you like Mason. But you should ask yourself, do you like Mason because you want to move on from Karev or you like him because you like him?" April asked, "because, I made the same mistake and THAT doesn't look pretty" April says, "It doesn't matter if it's fast or slow, what matters is you are doing it for the right reasons" April added. Jo turns her gaze away from April and thinks deeply, "I mean, I loved Alex. Despite what he did to me, I think he will always have a special place in my heart you know. But with Mason, it's uhmm..different" Jo says, "It's like..I know this may sound cheesy but he made me realize that I've been holding my breath all this time. He's the reason why I want to get up in the morning, and Joey too" Jo says, "My heart jumps in joy when I see them bond" Jo smiles with tears in her eyes,  "we all need to be love, Jo. don't feel guilty about it or think of what other people may think. You deserve to be happy" April says, "Happy suits you" April added. April got paged,  "I am always for you, Wilson" April says standing up, "Duty calls" April says, "Are you okay?" April asked, "Yeah, of course, Thank you" Jo says, smiling.

At Jackson's office
Someone knocks on his door "Avery? You busy?" Ben asked, Jackson looks up "Hey! I have a ton of papers to sign and I need to see an O.R." Jackson chuckles and stands up "What's up? I don't think Bailey came in today" Jackson says, leaning on the edge of his table crossing his arms, "that is why I am here" Ben says, "Mandy's here but as a patient" Ben begins,  Jackson looks concern, "She's pregnant and because of her age it's highly sensitive, she needs to bed rest" Ben informs, "Sure, sure, no problem" Jackson says, "You know Miranda, Work is really important to her" Ben says, "I know, tell her that she has nothing to worry about" Jackson says, "I appreciate it, Avery" Ben says, "by the way, Congrats!" Jackson says and gives Ben a one-armed hug, "thank you, thank you!" Ben says laughing, "I should probably go, Mandy's waiting for me" Ben says "Of course!" Jackson says. As Ben walks out the room, Jackson goes back to his paperwork.

At Kepner-Avery household
April is carrying Harper while Paw patrol is on the television, Jackson just came out of the shower. "Did Sammy go home?" Jacskon asked, "A-huh" April answered, and immediately went back with playing with Harper, Harper laughed.

Jackson went to the kitchen to prepare their dinner. April and Harper followed him. April puts Harper in his high chair, "Do you know, Bailey's pregnant?" Jackson asked, "What? really?" April was flabbergasted, "Yeah, they actually came in at the hospital. You didn't know?" Jackson asked, "I heard that Bailey was in the hospital, but I didn't realize that she was ACTUALLY the patient" April explains, "And I was in and out of the E.R." April added, "Anyway, Bailey is on bed rest, her pregnancy is a bit sensitive" Jackson shares, "So, we need to have an acting chief" Jacskon asked, "Who do you have in mind?" April asked, "You, actually" Jackson replied, "What? Are you serious?" April asked, "Yeah? You are perfect for the position, and it's just temporary" Jackson points out "No.  I mean, I don't have time" April explains, "And I am your wife, I don't want others to think that I just get the job because I am your wife" April added, "That's nonsense, you were amazing before I became your husband" Jackson says, "And I am not offering you the job as your husband, I am offering it to you as a board director" Jackson says a matter of factly, "Oh" April whispers, "So?" Jacskon asking for her answer, "I don't know Jackson. I am working on a research and to be frank with you I prefer to be in an O.R. or E.R. than to be in an office full of paperwork" April points out, "I don't know how you do it, but you are great on managing time on operating and doing paper works, and time with the kids" April continues, "You really don't want it?" Jackson asked seriously, "Sir, I appreciate the generous offer but I am respectfully declining" April says in a soft voice, "Alright!" Jackson says, kissing April on the lips, "Hey, you cannot kiss your subordinate" April says playfully, Jacskon laughs. "by the way, were you able to drive my mom at the airport?" April asked, "Of course, I didn't have any surgery. I'll have tomorrow, though. FINALLY" Jackson says excitedly, while he cuts the chicken. "Your mom actually wants us to spend Christmas in Ohio" Jackson says, "What did you say?" April asked, "I said that it is a good idea and I'm gonna talk to you about it" Jackson replies, "It is a good idea" April says.

April is setting up the table, "I talked to Jo" April says, "About her and Mason?" Jackson asked, "A-huh" April replied, "She kinda like him" April says, "She told me that Mason was there everyday since she gave birth" April shares, "is that good?" Jacskon asked, April looked at him in disbelief, "She seems happy, which is good but I am scared of Mason's intentions" April replied, "Mason is a good person" Jackson says, "How'd you know?" April asked, "He is the type of person that will do something that might hurt other people, even how bad he wanted it" Jackson replied, "Mom, I am hungry" Harriet came in, "Right on time" Jackson says, "you cooked?" Harriet asked, surprised, "Yeah" Jackson chuckles, "Mom, Daddy can cook?" Harriet asked, "You play with me and you can cook?" Harriet asked, "Dad is pretty awesome huh?" April asked Harriet, "Yeah! but not as awesome as you" Harriet says, "What? Why?" Jacskon asked in a jokingly manner, "No, I am kidding. you are both awesome" Harriet says, laughing. After Harriet ate, she went to her room and brushed her teeth. "Our baby girl is not a baby anymore" Jackson remarks, "She's really independent. She is a great big sister" April replied and took a bite.

The next day at Jackson's office
River and Mason are hanging out and eating lunch at Jackson's office. "I heard Chief Bailey's pregnant" River starts the conversation, "Yeah?" Mason asked, "So, that leaves you Avery to be chief?" MAson asked, "No, it doesn't work that way" Jackson replied, "Who'll be chief then?" River asked, "I-I don't know actually. I need to schedule a meeting" Jackson says, "you need a secretary, Brother" River suggests, Mason nods, "How come you don't have a secretary?" Mason asked, "It is an expense and the hospital is not capable of any additional expenses" Jackson points out, "So, how's my nephew?" River asked, "great actually, a lot of nursery rhymes" Jackson chuckles, "Oh yeah!" Mason laughs, "while I'm in the shower, I catch myself singing the paw patrols' song"  Mason shares, "Oh yeah, you're dating Wilson. How's that going for you?" River asked, "Good, good!" Mason replied, smiling. "My work wife calls" River says, Jackson shook her head. "What's the deal between you two?" Jackson asked, "Can I ask you something?" Mason asked, "Sure" Jackson seriously replied, "When did you know that it is time to take the relationship to the next level?" Mason asked, Jackson puts down what he's doing and looks directly at Mason, "You know with April" Mason clarifies, "why would you like to know" Jackson asked back in curiosity, "I was thinking uhmm.. With Jo" Mason chuckles nervously, "Look, man. I cannot tell you when because I..my times with April, it is all spurr of the moment thing. It may sound cheesy but I just look at her and I just know" Jackson replied, "basically you have a family" Jackson says chuckling, "Jo is family, Brooks. She has gone through a lot, she doesn't need another mishap" Jackson says, Mason nods and smiles.