Everything Has Changed ❤️ {Jackson Avery}

Seventeen

I was woken up to the sound of my daughter coming into my room.

Natalie: good morning.

I slowly sit up and open my eyes, and I see Natalie holding balloons and a cup of coffee.

Natalie: happy birthday, mommy!

Tears of joy well up in my eyes as I smile at my daughter.

Savannah: thank you, baby.

Natalie sits down next to me and hands me my coffee.

Natalie: it sucks that you have to work on your birthday.

Savannah: I don't mind it.

Natalie: maybe I can stop by the hospital later, and I can convince Derek to let you go home early.

Savannah: I'd like that.

Natalie: well, you should get ready for work.

Natalie kisses my cheek then leaves the room as I get ready for work.

Savannah: I'll call you when I have the chance.

Natalie: have a good day, momma. I love you.

Savannah: I love you, baby.

I pull my daughter into a hug and kiss her forehead.

Savannah: you are the greatest gift I could ever ask for.

Natalie: you're so cheesy, mom.

I chuckle as I pull away from my daughter. I kiss her one last time before I drive to work. As I'm walking inside the hospital, I get a call from Catherine.

Me- hi, mom.
Mom- happy birthday, baby!
Me- aww. Thanks, mom.
Mom- how's my precious girl?
Me- I'm good. Just walking into work.
Mom- you're working on your birthday? Baby, you should celebrating with your daughter.
Me- I'm gonna try and take a half day.
Mom- you better. You don't deserve to be working on your birthday.
Me- well, it doesn't matter how I celebrate my birthday. As long as I get to spend time with Nat and Jackson and my friends, I'll be fine.
Mom- how is Jackson, by the way? He hasn't called me lately.
Me- don't worry, mom, he's doing fine.
Mom- get him to call me.
Me- I will, mom. Listen, I have to go, but thanks for calling me.
Mom- of course. Happy birthday, baby. I love you.
Me- I love you too, mom.

I smile as I end the call. I check my emails as I walk into the lounge.

Group: surprise! Happy birthday, Sav!

My eyes grow wide when I see my friends in the lounge with balloons floating around, and there was a small birthday cake on the table.

Savannah: oh my god. You guys! I... you guys are so sweet!

The first person to pull me into a hug was April. I nearly stumble back as April pulls me into a bone-crushing hug.

April: happy birthday, Savvy! I love you so much! You're my best friend!

Savannah: thank you, sweetie. I love you too.

April's grip was getting tighter around me, and I was starting to get lightheaded.

Savannah: April, I-I love you, but I'm losing air over here.

I chuckle as April pulls away.

April: sorry.

I smile at April then Reed pulls me in.

Reed: happy birthday, sexy girl.

Savannah: thank you, gorgeous.