twenty-four

Mike Rivers, the cute coffee boy asked for her number, of course needing to move on from a certain green-eyed surgeon, she gave it to him. It's been a week and he hasn't texted her. The timing couldn't be more wrong, Jackson and Lexie broke up with one another due to Lexie's longing feelings towards Mark.

"Allie?" Jackson called out for her as he bumped his shoulder lightly with her, "You okay?"

Allison softly nodded, "Yeah, I'm fine."

"Oh, damn it." Meredith sighed, she was trying to decorate Zola's birthday cake with frosting but having some difficulty, "I screwed up."

"'Gag Zola', really?" Jackson asked, placing another spoonful of cereal in his mouth.

Allison smiled at the baby in her high chair, thankfully Social Services let Meredith and Derek adopt Zola, and Allison couldn't be more happier for the couple, they finally had their first child.

"Those aren't G's. Those are Y's for 'yay'. 'Yay Zola.'"

"See," Jackson pointed a finger towards the cake, "a normal person would've written 'Happy Birthday.'"

"Well, I couldn't fit all of those letter on the cake." Meredith defended.

"Okay," April walked into the kitchen, "Who used up the last of my deodorant."

"Oh" A random woman raiding the fridge turned to look at April, "That would have been me. Sorry, kinda had a workout last night."

Allison scrunched her nose in disgust as she got up to leave for the hospital. "Yeah, I'm leaving." She muttered as she got up to leave.

"Party is at 8:00, don't be late." Meredith called out to her.

"Wouldn't miss it, Mer."

***

"You're moving?" Allison frowned as she heard Jackson asking April if she was sure about moving out.

"Meredith and Derek had a baby, and you're living with both of your ex's, we're moving." April confirmed, as Allison frowned.

"I'll move." Alex added, walking inside the room, "Zola's killing my game. Every girl I bring home wants a baby the minute they see her."

"She's a cute baby, don't blame her cuteness." Allison said, as Jackson handed her a yogurt.

April sarcastically laughed, "No. I'm not living with you. I am trying to get away from you."

"All right," Alex gestured towards Jackson, who was placing food back inside the fridge, "Then you and me. You don't want to live with Mary Poppins."

"No, she cooks, she cleans—"

"She's also your friend." Allison said, "She isn't your servant."

***

"Thanks." Allison muttered, as Jackson handed her a beer. The two at Zola's birthday party, Meredith and Derek both coming out with Zola and the cake.

"Happy 10,000th surgery, Dr. Webber." Meredith smiled, convincing him to blow out the candles.

Allison saw Cristina watch Owen walk away so she offered to carry Zola for the meantime. "You look so pretty with your pink dress." Allison cooed at Zola as Jackson walked up to her, "Look, it's Jackson." Allison said as she used Zola's hand to wave at Jackson.

Jackson stroked Zola's arm as he stood beside Allison, "I'm glad everything worked out in their favor." Jackson spoke up, as Allison nodded.

"Me too." She softly said, "Uh How are you with the break up?"

"I'll survive." Jackson shrugged, "I mean I understand but I really felt myself falling for her, you know."

Allison nodded, but she didn't understand. She didn't understand anything, she felt like her and Jackson were growing closer but then he went to go date Lexie and once they broke up, Allison met a cute guy who won't text her, she never understood how it worked yet she managed to work it out with Jackson the first time.

Growing up Allison Carter only saw love from her parents until they died. The love her aunt and uncle had for each other looked more like a business arrangement than love. When she fell in love with Jackson she felt on cloud nine, she felt safe and at home. She couldn't deny it any longer Jackson Avery is her home, he always was and maybe he'll always be.

Seeing everyone laugh at a joke Webber was telling them, both Jackson and Allison walked forward, Zola now on Allison's hip.

Bailey looked at Webber, "Do you remember your first surgery?"

"Well, sure, sure. I was a third year resident. Third year's could take the lead on surgeries. A gallbladder." The guests chuckled listening to Webber's story as an argument between Owen and Cristina was faintly heard.

" Owen's voice was heard from the kitchen, causing Allison to shift awkwardly.

Meredith quickly walked out of the room to intervene before it gets ugly.

Cristina's voice was heard,

"

A small pause was heard, "

"

!" Cristina's voice began to break, ""

"

The room was silent, Allison bounced Zola on her hip as the group of doctors just stood silently and awkwardly.

***

Owen approached April, Jackson, Alex and Allison at the nurses station, the group were talking about Valentines Day and their boards. Owen looked at the decorations April put up for Valentine's as he sighed, "Who put up all this?"