Chapter Text
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Jackson and April's apartment. April is in the nursery, sitting in the rocking chair. Jackson enters.
J: (soft) Hey. You have breakfast?
April turns to him, shakes her head no. She’s out of it, been crying. Jackson moves further into the room.
J: You know you haven’t been to church in a while. What do you say we go together, huh?
He approaches the rocker, pulls a child size chair over and straddles it, sitting right next to April and sliding a hand onto her knee.
J: Hey, look at me. Hmm?
She looks at him, so sad. He caresses her cheek with the back of his knuckles and she leans into it.
A: (whispers) I just can’t. I’m still so angry at Him.
J: I know, baby, I know.
She moves out of the rocking chair and into his arms, clutching tight. He strokes the back of her head.
J: How about I make you some food, hmm? Whatever you want.
April nods into his shoulder, tears soaking into his sweater.
Later, they sit on the couch, April sitting sideways across Jackson’s lap, her back against the couch arm, her head on his shoulder, her knees up, and her feet on the other side of Jackson’s legs. His arm is around her and he strokes her legs with his other hand. She picks at a piece of bacon.
J: You gotta eat, babe.
A: I did.
J: I mean, really eat. At least finish that piece of bacon.
A: I will, I promise.
She finishes it while Jackson just soaks up her presence, being with her. When she’s done, she relaxes against him completely.
A: Jackson?
J: Mmm?
A: Thank you for taking such good care of me.
J: Always.
A: I want to take care of you. You’re grieving too and--
April gets choked up.
J: Shhh.
A: (teary) Are you okay? What do you need?
J: (softly) This, just this. I need you, okay? I need you, talking to me, crying with me, letting me help you. That’s what I need. Okay?
A: (nods, crying) Okay.
She wraps her arms around him like she’s trying to crawl inside. He kisses the top of her head and then her lips, eyes teary.
A: You’ll tell me if you need anything else, right? You’ll talk to me too?
J: Of course. I promise.
Jackson raises her hand to his lips, kisses it. April moves so that she’s sitting on his lap facing him, straddling his legs. He grips her thighs and she cups his face, kissing him, then tucks her face into his neck. They hold each other, Jackson stroking her hair. They breathe together, in and out.
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