So I Showed up on Your Doorstep
Chapter Ten of Eleven: I Don’t Know Anything, but I Know I Miss You.
Words: 7,065
Chapter Summary: Jo and Alex get ready for the trial and face Tom for the first time. Then Izzie and the twins visit Seattle.
Fandom: Grey’s Anatomy.
Relationship: Alex Karev/Jo Wilson, and Jo Wilson/OC.
Characters: Alex Karev, Jo Wilson, Luna Ashton-Wilson, Izzie Stevens, Alexis Stevens, and Eli Stevens.
Rating: Teen And Up Audiences.
Additional Tags: Hurt/Comfort, Abuse, Domestic Abuse, Longing, Farms, Seattle.
Read at AO3
Read at FFN
AN: I finally finished editing this and we need some jolex after last night's episode. 🤮😭😨
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Jo woke up to the sound of snoring. It wasn't too unusual. Luna snored like a middle-aged man, but now there was an actual middle aged man snoring in her bed. Late last night Luna had crawled in between them and was now lying on her back on Alex's chest. They were both sprawled out with their legs and arms spread. Their mouths were open as they snored in sync. It was so cute and she reached for her phone to take a picture of them as she slipped out of Alex's arms.
She grabbed her phone and for a second she forgot as she glanced at her notifications, but there was a text and she froze. However, it was only from Izzie telling them good morning and asking about the flight. She texted her back and asked how the twins were before she took a few pictures of Alex and Luna. She sent them to Izzie who replied with a laugh.
She leaned down and pressed a kiss to Luna’s forehead and Alex's cheek, before she settled back into Alex’s arms. She smiled at her loves as she scrolled through her phone until her watch buzzed from a text. She quickly checked it, but she almost jumped out of her skin when she saw Tom’s photo icon popped up. Jo quickly dismissed it and checked her phone, but he hadn't texted her phone. He had somehow managed to get her watch’s number. She had him muted, but not blocked on her phone. Her lawyer had instructed her to do this so his erratic, threatening, and pleading texts could be as evidence. But he texted her watch. A number she hadn't given out to anybody, as her phone texts already synced to her watch. Jo shivered at what he could have done to get that information.
Although she tried to keep it down, the water from last night started to come back up and she rushed into the bathroom. As she threw up, Jo felt Alex's hand on her back, rubbing up and down, and a cold wash rag on the back of her neck. Her vomiting let up and she took a deep breath, but kept her eyes closed as she sat back and rested in Alex's arm.
“Are you okay?” Alex asked as he grabbed a baby wipe from the counter and wiped it across her lips and cheeks.
Jo only nodded as she turned and wrapped her arms around him, burying her face in his neck. Then she took off her watch and threw it across the room. “He got my watch’s number and texted me.”
Alex swore and shook his head. “We can block him again. Jo.”
“He'll just get another number like he always does. I’ll have to change my number again,” Jo cried out tears collected in her eyes. She did want to have to do this.
“Well, after today hopefully he’ll be in jail for a long time,” Alex tried to assure her.
“We both know the trial wouldn’t be that easy,” Jo whispered as she dreaded the day.
“I'm sorry,” Alex whispered, kissing her head and holding her tightly.
“It's not your fault,” Jo whispered to him.
“I know, but still.”
They stayed together on the bathroom floor, for a little while as Jo's stomach settled and even a little after that. Just holding each other and preparing for the day ahead again.
Then they heard the blankets rustling and Luna's little voice. “Mama?”
“We're over here sweet girl,” Jo said, picking up her head and looking back at the bedroom.
Soon they heard the soft padded footsteps of Luna’s pajama feet onesie as she appeared in the doorway, dragging Ellie behind her. She rubbed her eyes and Jo opened her arms. Luna smiled and ran into her, curling in her lap as Alex held them. Luna pursed her lips and gave her a good morning kiss before she grabbed Alex’s face and gave him a morning kiss as well. Jo loved that Luna involved him in their little morning ritual.
“Are you two up for a little bit of breakfast?” Alex asked as they got up, he put Luna on his hip and offered her a hand.
“Maybe not a plate full of waffles, but some oatmeal sounds good,” Jo said as she followed them downstairs.
The three of them went downstairs to see that Link was already rushing around with his morning coffee. Scout was in the playpen in the living room already dressed and ready to go. Link ran around grabbing lunch, Scout’s bag, and work folders, all while trying to eat a bagel.
“Out out,” Luna said as she started to do a full body wiggle in his arms and Alex set her down.
Luna went straight over to the playpen wall, standing up on her toes to see over the side. Scout greeted her with eager excitement as he pressed his face into the screen. Jo just laughed as they pressed against the mesh and lifted Luna up and over into the playpen so she and Scout could hug each other. They held hands as they started to dance to the baby shark music video that was playing on the TV.
“Those two really missed each other. Scout asked about her all the time,” Link said, taking a pause as he smiled at the two toddlers.
“Yeah we missed you guys too,” Jo said with a smile.
“So I know you have to be at the courthouse at nine, but I have to work. So Meredith and I are gonna meet you there when they call your case,” Link said as he paused while getting his lunch and he looked back at her.
“Yeah, sounds good and I’ll be okay. I've got Alex,” Jo said as she glanced at him with a little flash of a smile.
Alex gently smiled and put a hand on her back. Jo leaned into him as he put his arm around her waist. She loved that she was able to rely on him again. This was the one thing she had missed. Having the kind of intimate support that only came from a romantic partner and someone who knew her body and soul. Jo knew that Alex would defend her and protect her, in the way that only he could. She needed that if she was going to face Tom.
Suddenly her nausea came back as the remainder of their upcoming court appearances loomed over her. Jo looked out at the skyline trying to focus on something other than throwing up. She stepped away from them and Link and Alex paused. She knew they were watching her closely. Jo looked out to the skyline as she wrapped her arms around herself. She tried to steady herself and see the ocean through all the morning fog, but it was too thick. All she could see was a light gray haze.
“It’s going to be okay, Jo. You're strong enough to face this. And I'm here too, you’re not alone,” Alex said, breaking the silence and Jo nodded, but she continued to stare out at the fog.
Link and Alex exchange a few words that she didn't hear. A few moments later, there was a cup of coffee being pressed into her hands. Jo wrapped her hands around the mug and took a sip before she looked over at Alex. He stood next to her for a moment and he seemed to know what she wanted as he wrapped his arms around her shoulders and she leaned into him.
Jo closed her eyes and breathed in his morning scent. It was only his and not the cologne that he wore. She had missed his scent and now it was hers forever. Jo wanted to stay here in his arms. As she felt the sun on her cheek, she looked up to see the clouds parting as the wind blew them away. The sun broke through in patches and warmed her cheek. With the sun out, it was time to face the day.
Alex got them all breakfast, but Jo barely ate any, despite how he pressed her to. She was too nervous and nauseous. She knew she would throw it all up if she ate anything. Link left for work after giving her a hug and a little bit of extra reassurance before he left. Then Jo took Luna upstairs for a bath and shower as they got ready together. She focused on getting Luna ready for the daycare where they would drop her off, then go to court. Jo did her daughter's hair and then put her in a comfortable outfit, even putting on her shoes and packing her diaper bag, before she got fully dressed herself.
As Jo got out her makeup, she looked at herself in the mirror. The bruise had faded and were gone but she still had her sling and cast. She hadn’t been wearing the sling despite the fact she knew she should, but today she put it on over her blouse. Just as she was finishing getting dressed and struggling to put on her boots with one good hand, Alex came into the bathroom. He was all ready to go in his shirt and suit jacket and he was wearing his cologne again. He instantly knelt down to help her into her boots.
“Ready to go?” Alex asked as he finished zipping them up and sat back.
Jo let out a sigh as she looked back at the bed. She wished she could crawl back into the sheets, pull Luna and Alex with her, and cuddle with them like they had this morning. She wanted it so badly that her heart ached. Although she knew she had to face this. She’d spent over a month in Kansas and she couldn't run away from it anymore. Mustering up every bit of strength she could, Jo stood up. They were ready, she was ready to face this.
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Alex grabbed Luna's diaper bag as Jo picked up Luna and put her purse on her shoulder. They collected the paperwork that her lawyer said they would need and the file from the hospital in Kansas. Then they got out the door and into the elevator as they made their way downstairs. Alex watched her closely as Jo focused on taking deep breaths and looking at Luna. It was easy to distract her with Luna in her arms as a toddler wiggled around and hummed to baby sharks. Jo hummed back and sang it to her. Even Alex joined in as all three of them sang the song.
“Yay!” Luna shouted, throwing up her arms as the song ended before she started clapping.
Jo couldn’t help but laugh as her toddler cheered for the song and she started to sing it again. “Baby shark do do do do do.”
The doors to the elevator opened and they walked to Jo's car. As they turned the corner around the garage, with the car in view Jo froze. Alex immediately stepped in front of her and even Luna stopped singing baby shark.
“Jo,” Tom said as he jogged towards them from where he had been waiting, leaning against Jo's car.
“You stay the hell away from them,” Alex said as he held up his hand to Tom, stopping him in his tracks a few feet away from them.
Tom set his jaw and glared at Alex. For the first time, Alex got a good look at him. He was tall with light strawberry blonde hair, a strong jawline, and an overpowering nose. His blue eyes held a sort of intensity that made him uneasy, but as he blinked they turned to a sparkling blue of soft water.
“Jo please just let me explain, I'm so sorry for everything. I was having a bad day and I took it out on you. I'm so sorry,” Tom started to go on and on with his excuses.
Jo reached out and grabbed Alex's arm in a death grip and he could hear Luna whimpering as she hid herself and her mom. Alex knew he had to get him away from them.
“You need to leave Jo alone. The only place I want to see you is in court or behind bars. If you don't leave in two minutes, I'm going to call the police for the violation of the restraining order.”
Tom quickly looked him up and down, with a scoff. “Look man, this is none of your business.”
“It is my business when it concerns Jo. I'm her husband and I'm here to protect her from you,” Alex said glaring as he took a step towards Tom getting a little satisfaction as he stepped back but Jo still gripped his arm and held him back.
“You mean her ex-husband?” Tom said with a little smirk as he shook his head. “Of course, you'd go back to your asshole of an ex. You were always hung up on him, Jo.”
“Tom, you need to leave!” Jo said as she stepped to set the side of Alex and glared at him, having found her power. Alex put a hand on her back in silent support as she stood up straighter and stronger.
“Come on, just let me explain and we can avoid all of this messy court drama,” Tom said with a pitiful little pleading look, he reached out as if to grab her.
Jo instantly darted behind him and Alex grabbed his arm and pushed him away. Tom took offense to that and wound back to hit him, but Alex was quicker. He punched Tom square in the jaw, hard enough to send him back as he fell on his ass.
“Alex!” Jo shouted in shock, but he held his hand back, gesturing for her to stay back as she gripped his arm again.
“Fuck, you bastard. I'm going to press charges!” Tom said as he wiped away the blood from his lip and stood up.
“Yeah go ahead,” Alex said, challenging him before he pointed to the camera in the corner. “We’ll show the video to everybody about how you violated the restraining order and tried to hit me first, just even you being here gives me justification to protect Jo and Luna.”
Tom growled as he set his teeth, but as he glanced at the camera again he started to whimper as he grabbed his face and made a show of acting all hurt. He limped his way out of the garage sparing them one last glance before he went out onto the street. Alex waited and watched him until he got in his car and drove away.
When he turned back to Jo, she let out a shaky breath, but her face was filled with relief as she reached out and hugged him. She held him tightly and Alex gave her a squeeze. He pulled back and held her cheek, putting one hand on Luna’s back as well.
“Are you two okay?”
Jo again let out a shaky breath, but she nodded even though tears collected in her eyes. “We're okay. Are you okay?”
Alex looked down at his hand, it was a little bruised and his knuckles were bleeding, but he just shrugged it off. He knew how to lay a punch without getting himself hurt. “I'm fine Jo, don't worry about me.”
“I can't, because of anything ever happened to you… I just, I don't want to lose you again Alex,” Jo said as she reached out and hugged him again, Luna getting squished between them. Luna reached out with her little hands and wrapped them around his arm as well, as he was hugged by both girls.
“You won't lose me, Jo. I promise you.”
Jo only nodded as she hugged him tighter, even Luna didn't want to let go and they stayed for a minute. He held his girl, his girls. Alex realized how much they meant to him, but he knew he would never do anything that would take him away from them. He also realized how deep the love Jo had for him was. Tom was right in a way, she had never gotten over him. She had never stopped loving her and now he didn't have to. He could love her forever and that's what he would do.
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Between the witnesses at the park and the video of the parking garage, that Jo's lawyer gets her hands on surprisingly fast, the court case was a slam dunk. It still took a week for the trial to go commence, Jo still had to testify, and the defense still made their case, but the jury didn’t need to think twice about inditing him. Tom was charged with assault and battery and given six months, and Jo was granted a permanent restraining order against him. Seeing him in cuffs and being led away was all the satisfaction Jo needed. She let out a breath of relief, but there was still a ball of anxiety inside her. This led her to throw up in the bathroom a few minutes later. She felt like she lucked out in not having to face Paul in court. She knew how stressful that would have been, given how stressful this. Yet, it was all over and she never had to do it again.
The rest of the day was a blur. Alex never left her side, having one hand on her back most of the day. He guided her out of the courthouse as they went to the daycare to pick up Luna. Then they went home, where Jo let all of the stress leave her. She collapsed on the couch as she did every night after the trial, but she didn’t have to get up and do it all again tomorrow, she was free.
She curled up and Alex sat down next to her and pulled her into his lap. Luna soon crawled up next to her as Alex held both of them and they put on Bluey. Jo looked up at him and Alex smiled at her and leaned down to kiss her head. She knew he would never leave her again and she fell asleep in his arms. Knowing she would always be able to.
Jo woke up in the late morning the next day, to Alex singing “Sweet Child O' Mine”, by Guns N' Roses. Luna laughed and babbled along as they danced in the kitchen. He was holding her as they made waffles together, the sweet smell filling the room. Jo got up as she watched them together for a moment. She sneakily hid behind the stairs and took a video of them. Alex put Luna in the high chair and fed her some of the eggs and bacon he had made, while he sat next to her and stole some of the bacon, much to her squealing protests.
“Hey, don't you know sharing is caring?” Alex said with a smile as he tried to steal another piece of bacon from her before she slapped her hand on it.
“Dada nooo,” Luna protested, dragging the word out as she shook her head at him and glared in the most adorable way.
Jo gasped as she heard Luna call him dada and Alex seemed just as surprised. She froze as she watched them, her phone still recording it all. She waited for Alex to react, but a wide smile stretched across his face. It made Jo's heart swell as well.
“Alright alright, I'll get some of my own,” Alex chuckled as he held up his hands before he reached for the plate of bacon on the counter behind him. “So you want to call me Dada?”
“Yeah Dada,” Luna said, pointing at him.
“Well, we'll have to talk to your mom about that one, but it's okay with me kiddo. I'd love to be your Dada,” Alex said with a sparkling smile.
“It's okay with me,” Jo said, as she put her phone away, revealing herself to them as she came over to them and they both looked up at her in surprise.
“Hi Mama,” Luna said as she smiled and waved to her.
“Hi baby,” Jo said as she waved back.
But Alex looked up at her with hope in his eyes, yet he was still unsure. “Are you sure, Jo?”
She smiled, but couldn't help the tears that collected in her eyes at the sweet moment. “I'd love it if you were her dad. When I decided to adopt her, it was so soon after we got divorced. I always wondered what it would have been like if we had done it together. If you had been her dad from the beginning. But, I think you came in at the perfect moment. When she and I needed you most.”
Jo pulled him up by his hands and leaned in, cupping his face with her hands as she kissed him. Alex melted into her as he wrapped his arms around her and pulled her into him. Jo loved it when he pressed up against her and she lifted up on her toes to reach him better. Luna excitedly squealed as she always did and they pulled away with a laugh as they looked back at her. Jo let out a sigh of relief as she smiled and leaned against him as he held her, she was so wonderfully happy in this beautiful moment. She wished she could stay here forever, surrounded by his love and her daughter but, there were a few people missing from this family moment.
They spent the rest of the day playing with Luna and doing nothing at all. Jo tried not to think about Tom. She would tell herself it was all over and she didn't have to think about it anymore and every time she looked at Alex and Luna, she didn't. Alex made her mac and cheese when dinner time rolled around and Link and Scout joined them. She and Link caught up a little bit and he even talked to Alex. Link was even civil to Alex which was good. She was glad the two most important men in her life were getting along.
However, she couldn't help but feel like there were a few people missing from the table. The toddlers were quiet as they ate and she, Link, and Alex had a bit of casual conversation. It was nothing like the active table at the farmhouse, with the twins shouting about their day or whatever play scene they were doing. With Izzie trying to get them to calm down, but Alex playing along, and Luna’s excited giggles.
“Do you think you'll still want to take a few more days of leave from work,” Link said, as she came out of her head and glanced over at him. “Or do you want to try and jump back right in?”
“I don't know,” Jo said as she pushed her food around her plate.
“Don't you like it?” Alex asked as he pointed at her plate with his fork. “It’s your favorite brand.”
“Yeah it's great, I just miss Izzie's homemade mac and cheese,” Jo said with a sigh as she gave up and put her fork down.
“Yeah, there's nothing like one of Izzie’s homemade meals,” Alex agreed and reached over to give her hand a squeeze.
“I wish Izzie and the twins were here,” Jo said as she gave him a sad smile. “I know the trial just ended, but I miss them.”
“Okay, well, let's see if we can get the tickets changed so they can come out sooner,” Alex said easily and she knew he understood the need for their whole family to be here.
“What do you say, Luna, should we get Eli and Lexus here soon?” Jo asked, looking back at her as Alex wrapped his arms around her waist and they stared down at Luna.
Luna easily smiled and happily wiggled with her whole body. “Lexus and E-lee!”
They double cheeked with Izzie to make sure, but she eagerly agreed to it and they looked at flights, booking one for tomorrow afternoon. Alex's smile grew as they bought them, Jo’s smile did too as she couldn’t wait to see her family again. However, they all agree to tell Luna and the twins in a phone call the next morning.
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The next morning Jo and Alex got Luna up at 6:30 am. She was so sleepy, but it was 8:30 am in Kansas and they had arranged a call with the twins before school. Jo picked up her baby from her crib, putting the knitted hat back on her head. Luna stretched, her arms going up and her feet pressing out in her footie pajamas before she settled and curled up in Jo’s arms as she laid her head on her shoulder.
“Where E-lee and Lexus?” Luna said, turning her head and looking around like she did every morning as if they would be there.
“They're still in Kansas baby girl,” Jo said as she kissed her forehead.
“But they'll be here soon, if you want to call them?” Alex asked with a sneaky smile.
Luna eagerly nodded and they all curled up in bed together. Alex wrapped his arm around her shoulder as Jo leaned into him and Luna turned around as she reached out and grabbed Alex’s hand as he held her too. Jo grabbed the phone and quickly called them for a video chat. Although she expected Izzie to pick up, the second the call connected Eli and Alexis popped up on the screen.
“Jo and Luna! Mama, it's Jo calling,” Eli said excitedly.
“Hey I'm here too,” Alex said with a frown.
“Hi Daddy, hi Luna, hi Jo,” they both said as they waved and tried to squish their face into the screen.
Luna squealed with delight as she reached out for the phone, touching the screen but was disappointed when she couldn't touch them. Although the twins laughed as she covered the camera. Izzie appeared in the back as she wiped her hands on a kitchen towel.
“Hey, it's so good to see you guys,” Izzie said as she leaned forward and smiled.
“We miss you guys a lot,” Eli said, with a nod as he frowned.
“We miss you too,” Jo said as she tried to keep her smile from getting too big.
“I can’t wait to see you in Seattle, but are you and Luna coming home, Jo?” Alexis asked, with a pleading pout.
“We’ll see sweetie,” Jo said, with a small smile.
“What?” Alex asked as he glanced over at her with his eyebrows raised.
“Well, are you guys getting ready for school?” Jo asked as she avoided his gaze and smiled at the twins.
“Yeah, we're going on a field trip so Mom let us sleep in and now she’s packing our bags,” Alexis said as Eli nodded in agreement.
“We’re gonna be on the bus for five hours!” Eli said with his eyes wide.
“Bus bus,” Luna babbled as they all laughed and smiled.
“Yeah, but Mama’s coming with us and we can do a new activity book and watch a movie,” Alexis said as she looked back at Izzie who nodded in agreement.
“Oh, yeah, I heard about that trip,” Jo said, unable to keep her smile contained.
“Me too,” Alex said with an equally wide smile. “But I heard that it was a plane ride to Seattle.”
“For real life?!” Alexis asked with wide eyes as Eli’s jaw dropped and he looked back at Izzie.
“Yeah for real, as soon as you guys are ready to go, we'll get going to the airport,” Izzie said as she smiled at them and she looked just as excited as they were.
“You guys are going to be here this afternoon and we're so excited to see you,” Alex said to the twins, but they didn't respond with words.
They finally lost it as Alexis screamed and they all covered their ears. Eli was all giggles and wiggles as he turned around to hug Izzie. He hugged her as he stomped his feet in excitement. When Alexis finally stopped screaming she did her happy little dance, waving her arms around and shaking her hips.
“Wait, does this mean we have to stop our phone call,” Alexis asked as she paused and looked back at Izzie.
“Yeah, can we talk to Luna while you get all packed up Mama?” Eli added as he came back to sit in front of the tablet.
“I'm ready to go right now,” Alexis exclaimed as she grabbed her backpack and put it on.
“Baby, you're not even wearing shoes,” Izzie said with a laugh. “But yeah, I'll put the bags in the car so you guys can talk with Luna for a little while.”
“Yay, Luna so much has happened you left!” Eli started to say.
“Yeah, so Zoe laid two eggs in one day,” Alexis exclaimed as she formed her hands into circles to represent the eggs.
The twins told her all about every new thing on the farm and Luna babbled back to them. They also mentioned that Willam thought that Sally was pregnant again, but it would take a whole year for the baby to be born. Suddenly something clicked inside of Jo as she put her hand over her mouth.
“I'll be right back,” Jo said as she gave Luna to Alex and went to the bathroom.
Alex didn’t think twice about it as he nodded and stayed with Luna as the twins asked him about Seattle. Jo ran to her bathroom and shut and locked the door behind her before she picked up the box of tampons. The entire time she had been in Kansas, she hadn't gotten in her period. She had it a week before she left, but hadn't slept with Tom since then, but she had been sleeping with Alex. Jo searched around for the box of pregnancy tests she kept in the cabinet, just in case. She pulled one out and stared at it for a while as she thought about Alex.
There was a reason they never had a kid before. Jo was so adamant about her birth control and using condoms. But she had left her birth control in Seattle when she went to Kansas and hadn't started it until after they started sleeping together. They’d used condoms and pulled out until it took effect. She didn’t even think it was a possibility. But here she was, and her period was a whole week late. Jo stared at the box of pregnancy tests and took one out.
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The rest of the day was a blur. Jo and Luna napped together after an exciting and early morning. Then they had a late brunch before they headed to the airport. Luna was eager to see them as she kept asking about Lexus and E-lee over and over again. Soon enough they were waiting for them at the airport. It wasn’t much later that they spotted Izzie holding the twins' hands as they walked through the gates.
The second they got close enough, Izzie let go of their hands. The twins took off running as they made a beeline for them. Alex bent down and opened his arms to hug them, but to his surprise, only Alexis crashed into his hug. Eli ran up and hugged Jo’s waist before she bent down so he could hug her and Luna before they traded. Eli then hugged Alex and Alexis hugged her and Luna.
“I really missed you,” Eli exclaimed as he pulled back, but still clinging on to Alex.
“Yeah, we missed you a lot!” Alexis said, smiling up at her with a brilliant smile and sparkling eyes.
“That's very true we did miss you all a lot,” Izzie said as she finally reached them and pulled Jo in for a hug, as she leaned in to kiss Luna’s cheek.
Jo let out a sigh of contentment as her family hugged her. It finally felt like home and it was a feeling she played with in her mind. When Izzie let her go, Eli managed to pull Luna from her arms and hold her. She's not sure how this gangly little boy was able to hold her toddler, but he somehow did. He looked so effortless as he held her.
They head down to collect their bags and the twins go on and on about the plane ride and how it wasn't scary and they didn't have any turbulence.
“Thank God we're here,” Izzie said as they started to walk down to get their bags.
“Were these two hooligans really that bad?” Alex said, looking down at the twins with a wink as they giggled.
“No they were angels of course, but they talked about Seattle the whole way here and started to make a very serious agenda.”
“Yeah, we have to go to the Space Needle right away, Daddy!” Alexis said as she tugged on his arm.
“Why don't we drop stuff off at the penthouse then we can go,” Jo offered as Izzie tagged with a nod.
“I want to see the ocean and the beach and everything!” Eli said as his eyes went wide, she was sure he would have held out his arms if he wasn’t holding Luna.
“Don’t worry bud, we have the whole week to see everything you guys want to,” Alex said with a reassuring nod.
Of course, they do just that. They spend the week around Seattle doing different activities and going to different places. Although, some days they just go to the park and hang out at the penthouse. They often go out for dinner and dessert and ice cream, there's lots of ice cream. Jo’s days are filled with activities and parks and she thinks about what it’d be like if they spent the summer here in Seattle, but she longs to spend the summer in Kansas. She thinks of long hot summer days on the farm and cool summer nights with the fireflies. The thought of them returning to Kansas without her looms over her until that day arrives.
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They've all dreaded this day and Alex felt like he had to drag everybody out of bed and get them going somewhere they don't want to go. The twins try every trick in the book to get them to stay. Even Luna threw a massive tantrum. All Jo could do was sit there on the floor with Luna as her baby screams and cries because she didn’t want them to leave either.
Alex decided to go with Izzie and the twins for a week as the majority of his stuff was still in Kansas. He would spend the week with them before returning to Seattle. Jo didn't want him to leave, although she knew he had to. She clung to him for the rest of the day and tried to spend every moment with him. Yet, soon enough they were all piling into the car and heading to the airport and Jo felt like she hadn't had enough time with them.
Far too soon all of them are standing before the TSA check as they all say their final goodbyes. Jo had run off to the bathroom a few minutes ago, leaving Luna with him for a minute. They all hugged each other and said their goodbyes, or at least they tried to.
“I don't want to leave Luna. Can't she and Jo come with us?” Eli asked from where he sat with Alexis and Luna in the stroller.
“I'm not going anywhere without Luna and Jo,” Alexis protested as she hugged Luna and peaked her head out to glare at him as if it was his fault they were separated.
Eli had hopped in the stroller with Luna to hide the second they got to the airport. Luna had wrapped her arms and legs around him as he held her. Alexis had joined them and wrapped herself around Luna as well. They held the toddler hostage, although Luna didn't mind. She snuggled up to both of them sensing the impending goodbye.
“I know you guys don't wanna leave, but you'll see Luna and Jo soon. They’re already planning a visit in a few weeks,” Alex said as he kneeled down in front of them and tried to put a better spin on the separation.
Izzie could only sigh and shake her head, looking just as grieved to leave as they were. The overhead intercom announced the first boarding for their flight. Alex knew they had to leave now if they wanted to make it.
“Come on guys it's time to go,” Alex said as he put his hands on their knees, he didn't want to force Luna from their arms, but he had a feeling he would have to.
“No!” Both of the twins protested with Luna's voice chiming in as they all turned to hug each other.
“Let's just give them a few minutes,” Izzie said as she crouched down next to the twins running her fingers through Luna's hair and giving them all a sympathetic smile.
Alex sighed as he stood up and put his hands on the stroller as he fidgeted with the handle. Jo had over-packed it with activities and stuff, movies, and shows to distract Luna on the drive home. Alex didn't think it would be any distracting her from the tantrum that would ensue as she grieved the departure of her new found siblings. He wished he could stay to help her, but he had to go too.
Suddenly, Jo came running back with a large smile on her face. It was a complete turnaround from the anxious and sad expression she’d had before. He also noticed that she had an extra bag across her shoulder.
“I got it,” Jo happily announced with a large smile as she waved two tickets at them.
“Yay, you got it!” Izzie said as she smiled and clapped her hands together and stood up.
“Got what?” Alex asked as he raised an eyebrow but he recognized the tickets in her hand.
“Two tickets for us to go to Kansas,” Jo said as all of the kids looked up at them with their eyes wide. “It’s on the same flight a few rows back from you guys, but I don't think it should be an issue.”
“What?” Alex asked as a smile spread across his face.
“Well Izzie and I weren't sure if we would be able to get on the same flight, let alone on the same day so I secretly packed a bag for me and Luna and left them in the car just in case. We didn't want to get the kid's hopes up, so we didn't tell them and I wanted to surprise you too, because I wasn't sure if you actually wanted to go back to Kansas or if you wanted to live in Seattle again? But that's where I wanna be. I love the farmhouse and it feels like home.”
“Are you sure?” Alex said suddenly worried as he looked into her eyes. “Do you really want to leave your home?”
“Alex, my home is you and Luna, and Izzie and the twins and I don't want to be without my home. Kansas has been more of a home to me recently than Seattle.” Jo said as she smiled at all of them before she looked back at him and placed a hand on his chest.
Jo looked up at him as she smiled full of love and Alex smiled too. He was going home with all of his family. He didn't say anything, he just wrapped his arms around her and kissed her. Jo excitedly giggled against his lips as she kissed. When they pulled back, he kept his arms around her.
“Besides, I need my family and you full time now that I'm pregnant.”
Jo let out the excited smile she had been hiding by biting her lip as she put a hand over her belly. He took in her words as his brain froze. The words 'I'm pregnant' bounced around in his head. Jo was pregnant. Jo was pregnant and they were going to have a baby. A baby. His and Jo's baby.
“Mommy, what does pregnant mean?” Alexis asked as Alex still processed the news.
“It means that there's a baby growing in Jo's tummy and you guys are going to have a new baby sibling in a few months from now,” Izzie said with a smile that said she knew about the baby.
“We're gonna have a baby sister?” Alexis exclaimed as she shrieked with excitement.
“We're having a baby sibling!” Eli excitedly shouted as he stood up in the stroller.
“Baby!” Luna said although she didn’t understand what it meant, she was still excited about whatever baby she was getting.
“We're really having a baby?” Alex asked as the contagious excitement bloomed into a smile that his cheeks could hardly contain.
“Yes,” Jo said, equally excellent as he leaned in and kissed her again.
“I love you and I can’t wait to go home with you,” Alex said, before putting a hand over her belly. He marveled at the fact that their baby was inside her.
On the farm in Kansas, he was happy, he had his kids and the barbecues, homework everything he wanted as a father. But a part of him had always missed Jo and Seattle. He missed the love of his life and he thought he missed the city. But being in Kansas with Jo felt perfect. They had been together in Kansas and his heart had been whole and he knew hers was too because they were together again.
“Alright, let's go home,” Izzie said with a smile as all of the kids cheered.
The twins let go of Luna and raced over to run to give Jo and him a hug. Jo gave them a squeeze before they pulled back and she put Luna back in the stroller. Alex kept his arms around her waist and one hand over their baby. Before he knew it, they were on a flight back to Kansas as they all headed home.
