A/N: This is probably the worst idea ever, but I’m starting a new story despite the fact that I can’t seem to update my old ones. I came up with the plot and couldn’t possibly say all I wanted to in a one-shot, so I’m making the attempt at another multi-chapter Grey’s story. I guess we’ll see how it goes. Enjoy! Inspired by Natalie Merchant’s “Wonder”.

There were things Addison had planned on when she’d married Derek Shepherd. To be a world renowned neo-natal surgeon, to have a happy marriage, and to have a little girl of her own that she’d treat better than her own mother had treated her. She’d accomplished one and a half of the three, she’d decided. Her career had taken off, she was happy for a portion of her marriage (although that now seemed to be kaput), but the thing she wanted most still remained undone.

She was thinking about her incomplete dreams, staring blankly at the wall in the doctor’s lounge, when her pager rang out.

“911. Shit.”

She jumped up and ran to the ER, where the EMTs had brought in a stretcher. Addison glanced at its surface and saw not a mother-to-be but a tiny baby, held steady by the paramedics and hooked up to oxygen.

“Car crash victim. The baby was being transferred from Mercy West, born yesterday, when the ambulance got hit on the corner of 55th.”

Addison nodded, remembering that she’d heard something about an ambulance crash that Seattle Grace paramedics had gone out to help with. She looked up at the paramedic who rolled the stretcher.

“The mother?”

“She didn’t make it.” He said solemnly.

Addison’s eyes closed briefly before she regained control, directing them to the OR where she would attempt to save the orphaned child’s life.

XXX

“How is she?”

Richard walked into the nursery where Addison sat, looking over the baby who had finished surgery.

“She’s going to be okay, shockingly. She had serious lung problems, but she responded really well to the surgery, for now.” Addison smiled as the baby grasped for her finger, “She’s a miracle baby.”

Richard smiled, then took note of the look on Addison’s face, “Addie, I know that look. It’s the same look you had when…back in New York.”

Her smile faded. “It’s not like that this time.”

“Addison, you can’t let yourself get too attached. Last time, you remember what happened.”

“The parents showed up and decided they wanted her after all, like she was a couch they’d returned and then changed their minds, I remember.” She said venomously, “But this is different. Her parents were killed, Richard, you know that. She has no one left to look after her in this world, and I’d like to believe I can do something.”

“But you know as well as I do that we have to find all of her family members and look for guardianship there, first.”

“I know that. But if there’s no one left for her, I want to be there. I have to do this.”

Richard sighed. “Okay, Addison. I’ll check out her family contacts from Mercy West tomorrow.”

She smiled as he walked out and watched the baby slowly fall asleep.

XXX

Derek was looking over charts, bored out of his mind from inactivity, when the volume of the two obnoxious, gossiping nurses at the nurse’s station escalated. He was prepared to tell them to kindly shut up when he heard his name come out of the conversation.

“What do you think Dr. Shepherd will do? I mean, if he finds out his ex-wife wants to adopt one of her patients.”

“I don’t know. I wouldn’t say anything if I were him. I mean, she deserves this baby after he cheated on her.”

Derek jumped up, brushing past people to get to the nursery.

“Addison.”

She turned around to see him in the doorway, looking confused and hurt.

“What’s up, Derek?”

“You weren’t planning on telling me that you’re adopting a baby?”

She sighed. “Look, it’s not a sure thing yet.”

“But I deserved to know before the nurses started gossiping about it!” He started pacing, running a hand through his hair.

“What was the point of telling you when I didn’t know it was for sure?”

“I’m still your husband, Addison! You tell your husband these things!”

“We’re getting divorced, Derek. This doesn’t change anything.”

He shook his head, looking her in the eye. “No, Addison. This changes everything.”

XXX

“Good news.”

Richard’s voice stirred Addison from where she sat at the baby’s side, chatting with Izzie Stevens about the baby’s miraculous medical successes.

“Her mother was a single mother, so there’s no dad in the picture to cover guardianship. Her only other family is an aunt who’s already raising four kids on her own and felt completely comfortable with the adoption, provided she gets to meet her niece and visit occasionally, but you can work that out later. All you have to do now is fill out the paperwork.”

Richard held up the stack of forms and Addison’s smile grew wide. “So does this mean…”

“Meet your daughter, Addison.”

Tears gathered in her eyes as she looked down at the baby, who was smiling up at her.

Izzie, stood, preparing to leave Addison alone for a few minutes before she would have to fill out the papers.

“Congratulations, Addison!” she said, exiting the nursery happily. Richard walked out as well, giving Addison time alone.

“Elizabeth Montgomery, you are my miracle.” She said, wiping tears away and holding the baby’s tiny hand between her fingers.

They say I must be one of the wonders

God’s own creation,

And as far as they see they can offer

No explanation

I believe

Fate, fate smiled and destiny

Laughed as she came to my cradle

“Know this child will be able”

And laughed as my body she lifted,

“Know this child will be gifted

with love, with patience, and with faith,

she’ll make her way, make her way.”

And laughed as she came to my mother,

“Know this child will not suffer,

with love, with patience, and with faith,

she’ll make her way, make her way.”