Chapter 31

I'm finally returning back to work today and I'm more than excited, but I'm also a little nervous. I'm not sure how my body is going to handle standing up for hours in an OR again. To add to my nervousness I'm also meeting Jackson's mom today, since she's performing a surgery at the hospital. I'm not quite sure how it's going to go, but she can't be as bad as Jackson makes her out to be. At least I hope not.

"Are you sure you want to come back today? You could always just take another day to relax. Owen told you to take as much time as you need to recuperate." Jackson says as we get dressed for work.

"Jackson, I am fully recuperated. I have full motion in both my wrist and leg. We both know I'm ready to come back to work. You're just nervous for me to meet your mother." I said.

"If you knew my mother, you would understand why. She's intrusive and controlling." He huffs.

"I doubt she's that bad, but if she is I might as well get used to it now, because you and I are in it for the long haul." I say kissing him.

"I just don't want her to scare you away."

"Avery, I'm not going anywhere. You're the best things that's ever happened to me and even if your mom is as bad as you say she is, it isn't like she's going to be living here permanently. She's just in town for one day." I remind him.

"Yeah, you're right." He nods.

"I know, now come on we need to leave before we're late for work." I say, before we leave. As soon as we get to the hospital we get dressed in our scrubs before grabbing some coffee and joining everyone in the auditorium where Jackson's mom was about to present the patient details to all of the residents. When we make it to our seats April, Alex, Cristina, and Meredith are deep in the middle of a conversation.

"What are you guys talking about?" I ask as Jackson and I sit down.

"I was just telling everyone about Jackson's mom. I met her when I was an intern at Mercy West, she is amazing." April smiles.

"She is a lunatic." Jackson says taking a sip of his coffee.

"No, she's not. She's brilliant. She says these things that shock you, but then when you think about them later. They change your whole life." April says continuing to praise Ms. Avery.

"Or they ruin your whole life. She's toxic, she's a meddler. My mom has no boundaries. Be warned." Jackson says looking over at me.

"Be nice." April says.

"Is your mom ambidextrous? I bet you she is, all the best surgeons are." Cristina says looking at her hands.

"You know, you're speaking mighty highly of Jackson's mom. You would think you two are best friends or something." I say looking at April.

"Wait a second, how often do you talk to my mom?" Jackson asks.

"We're Facebook friends." April says.

"You're..you and my mother." Jackson frowns.

"She's a brilliant surgeon and women. She's a trailblazer."

"And she's got a stalker" I sigh making everyone laugh.

"Hey, you know what, just meet her. You'll see" April says before Jackson's mom walks on to the stage a couple of seconds later.

"Wake up everybody. I know, I know, it's grand rounds." She says gaining everyone's attention. "Where we have to sit and listen to somebody talk about how somebody did something and here's how they did it, and there's not enough coffee in Brazil for this. Well not today. Today we are going to do. Today I'm going to change a life and maybe make medical history too and I can't do it alone, so wants to step into the future with me?" She asks. My first impression of her was that she is very beautiful and she definitely had a voice and energy that gains your attention.

"Woo." April yells excitedly throwing her hands into the air making everyone turn back and look at her, while I hold back my laughter.

"Okay, that's a start. Let's see if I can get a few more. Ryan, honey, would you come out here, please." She says before a man walks on stage in a robe.

"Everybody, this is Ryan." Catherine says.

"Hi." Ryan smiles.

"Ryan, could you show everybody what we're here to do today?" She asks before he drops he's robe. The room filled with gasps and looks of shock at what we see.

"Ladies and gentlemen, I'd like to invite a few very lucky residents to scrub in on this countries first penis transplant. Thanks to a case of penile cancer, Ryan underwent a full penectomy 11 months ago. Good margins left him basically cured and cancer free." She smiles before high fiving Ryan "So that's gone and today we'll be replacing the other thing Ryan lost.  A suitable donors become available here at Seattle Grace Mercy-West and Ryan generously agreed to fly out and make this day a teaching opportunity. Who wants in on it?" She asks and this time everyone raises there hands besides Jackson.

"Hello, that's more like it." She smiles before Mark stands up with his hand raised.

"Mark Sloan, plastics. Isn't penile reconstruction the standard approach in cases like these? Why a transplant?" Mark asks.

"Well I can answer your question with a question. Do you like your penis?" She asks making everyone laugh because we all know the answer to that. Jackson is obviously embarrassed, because he slides down in his seat covering his face with his hands.

"It gets the job done." Mark nods.

"If one day it wasn't there, wouldn't you want it back? Or would you be satisfied with a reconstructed organ that has very little function?"

"Satisfied, no, but that's not the.." Mark says.

"Neither would Ryan here. Yes,this is new ground, but here's a young man with his whole life ahead of him, with the will to live it as a whole, with a bravery and selflessness to help advance medical science along the way. So let's give Ryan a hand, come on." She says getting everyone to clap. "And now let's give Ryan a penis." She says earning cheers from everyone, but Jackson. She dismisses us after this even though pretty much everyone sticks around to introduce themselves to her.

"You can still run while you can, you don't have to meet her." Jackson says.

"Jackson stop being negative, you're making me nervous. Just introduce me to your mother already." I say before he grabs my hand and leads me to his mom.

"Gotta make a big show out of everything." Jackson smiles hugging his mom.

"There's my baby boy, and who is this beautiful lady here with you?" She smiles.

"Mom this is my girlfriend, Liliana." He says.

"Hey, it's nice to meet you." I smile.

"Likewise. Jackson you look skinny, you must not be eating. Do you know how to cook dear?" She asks turning towards me.

"Don't answer that. Mom you're already meddling."

"I was just asking a simple question, I'm sure it didn't offend Liliana, did it sweetheart?" She smiles.

"No, it's fine. I'm not much of a cooker. I don't really have the time to cook, I mostly just focus on surgery." I say.

"You're very dedicated to your work." She smiles.

"I am."

"You seem to be such a beautiful polite girl, I'm wondering why my son hasn't mentioned you before." She says which hit a nerve.