My Name is Andrea

Hello, loyal readers. This is my first Grey's Anatomy fic, and it's a one-shot. I tried to find out the name of Izzy Stevens' biological daughter, whom she gave up for adoption at the age of sixteen, so I chose to name the girl Andrea, which means "strong" or "courageous." I dedicate this story to adopted children everywhere who were given life at least twice… As an adoptee myself, I think I can understand how the little girl feels. "Grey's Anatomy" is the rightful property of Shonda Rhimes. This story is copyrighted by Peach Wookiee Tales, 2007.

My name is Andrea. I'm 12 years old and I have cancer. My mommy and daddy and I live in Santa Barbara, California, but now we're in Seattle, Washington. Mommy tells me that I was born here, and I think it's a beautiful place even though I've heard it rains all the time. But we're not in Seattle to enjoy the scenery.

Ever since I got sick, Mommy and Daddy have been trying to find ways to make me get better. The doctor in California put me on chemotherapy (yuck!) and other kinds of medicine that made me sick to my stomach and made my hair fall out. She also gave me lots of blood tests, and some of them really hurt. Finally, the doctor said I needed a bone marrow transplant and that the best chance I had was getting the marrow from my… well…

This is where it gets hard to explain stuff. You see, I'm adopted. The lady who would've been my mommy was too young to keep me when she had me, and she gave me to Mommy and Daddy. I can't call her my mommy because Mommy is my mommy, but this lady gave me life twice and has given me life a third time. First she gave me life by giving birth to me. Then she gave me life by giving me to my mommy and daddy. Finally, she's giving me life by giving me her bone marrow.

I had the transplant a few days ago, and she wanted to meet me. But I told Mommy and Daddy no, because I wasn't ready. But today… I'm ready to meet her. Her name is Isabelle Stevens, and she's a doctor here at Seattle Grace Hospital. I can't call her Mommy because she's not my mommy. Mommy is my mommy. I think I'll call her Doctor Stevens first.

Here she comes. "Andrea," Daddy says, "this is Dr. Isabelle Stevens." My mommy looks like she's cried a bit, as has Daddy. This really pretty lady walks into the room. I hope I look that good when I grow up. She's got blonde hair like I do when I have hair, and brown eyes like mine and she's really tall. "Hi, Andrea," she says. "Hello, Doctor Stevens," I say. "Can I sit down?" "Sure," I answer, and she sits down in a chair next to my bed. "If you'd like, you can call me Izzy, okay?" "Okay, Izzy." We talk for a few minutes about school, what I want to do when I grow up and what it's like where I live. She tells me about her friends, including another doctor named George who's her best guy friend. I think Izzy likes him as more than a friend, but I'm a kid, so I'd better not say anything.

"Andrea?" "Yeah?" "Is it okay if I come see you while you're here if it's okay with your mom and dad?" "Sure," I say, smiling. "Maybe we could have lunch if you've got time." "I'd like that," she says, also smiling. "Hey, Izzy," I say as she gets ready to leave. "Yeah?" "Thank you… for giving me life."