Knock, knock.

Addison sighed, her eyes fixed on the baby girl. Lying down on the couch, her hand tenderly caressing the baby's chest, she felt like crying. Yes, crying would help her. It would make her feel even more miserable, and it would wake up the baby as well. Just what she needed. Her inner conflict came to a halt. She decided she was going to get her sleep back. Somehow, she knew she was going to be able to drift off to dreamland once more. Subconsciously, she attributed it to the warm little body sleeping next to her.

"I wonder how you fell asleep, baby girl…" She murmured against her cheek. "Weren't you hungry?" The baby sighed softly, and Addison took it as a 'no'. "Well, I'm just going to close my eyes. I'm not actually going to sleep, because it's genetically impossible. My mummy was like that too, you know?" Hurt. Painful memories surfaced, and she hid her face on the pillow, in an attempt to smother her sobs. The baby's chubby hand found her finger. "What… Hello." Addison slowly turned around so she was facing her, and found the baby smiling in her sleep. "I'm j- just going t- to let you sleep." Drying her tears with one finger, she closed her eyes.

The house was quiet. The silence would have been unbearable should both of them not be asleep. The kitchen was messy, the bedroom untouched, the once illuminated larder was dark. Milo sat between his girls, enjoying the unusual peace and quiet, his body leant against Addison's, feeling her inhaling and exhaling. The clock ticked twice, its sound startling Milo, who instantly fled from the couch and went to search for a good meal. What he failed to see was a dark silhouette by the window, its hand on the glass, a loving smile beneath its mask.

She was having a dream. A dream featuring a mountain embellished with snow, very white snow, and a bag pack. A brown bag pack of which she could see the straps. She was also wearing shorts.

"Hum…" She inhaled deeply, smiling. "Isn't it beautiful?"

"Not as much as you." A warm hand touched her cheek, and she tried to turn around to answer.

A chuckle was the only warning. Addison grinned.

Her eyes opened unceremoniously and she was surprised to see, through a glance at her watch, that she had actually slept a few hours. More than that, she was absolutely delighted to see the baby girl still sleeping next to her.

"Huh… Addison, are you awake?"

Sam. He was there. Startled, at first, her insides were being twisted with anguish now. She did not want to face him. She did not want to look him in the eyes and see despise, hate, sadness, all towards her. What was going to happen to them? She heard his steady breath, and the silence almost allowed her to hear his heartbeat. She longed for his heartbeat. It had once calmed her down. Her best friend, in the beginning. Her lover, in the end. Now… now the path was unclear, and she dreaded the possibility of never having her Sam back. Never being able to talk to him again, or rely on him, or even have him relying on her.

"Yes." She murmured and turned her back to the baby, careful not to let her finger leave the chubby little hand.

He smiled at that. "Awkward position you got yourself into."

She smiled back, somewhat relieved. "I don't mind."

Sam's eyes wandered by the couch, focusing on Addison's for a split second. He saw hurt in them. Quickly averting from her gaze, he eyed the baby curiously.

Addison cleared her throat almost soundlessly. "She was abandoned." She explained. "Someone left her at my doorstep about three hours ago, give or take a few."

"Oh." Was all he could say.

"And now… now she is at my care… me, Addison Montgomery, once Shepherd, divorced, single, and owning a cat." She laughed hollowly at her self-introduction.

They both knew she had been too loud, though. The baby woke up with light cries, and she turned her back to Sam at once, sitting on the couch, the baby in her arms. Sam did not dare to interrupt. Addison spoke in a soft voice. "What happened, baby? Bad dream?" The baby gurgled and smiled. "All better, now." She hugged her.

"Did she just smile?" Sam asked, his voice soft in wonder.

"She did." She confirmed, grinning. "You're a big girl, baby girl."

He got up from the table he had been sitting on and walked towards both girls, placing himself beside them. "That sounded weird." He chuckled. "Doesn't she have a name?"

"The paper didn't say anything. But I suppose," She tickled the baby. "that she deserves a name. Don't you, baby?" The only response she got was a pull of her hair. "Ouch, what have I told you?" Laughing, she released her hair.

"That seemed like a 'yes' to me." Sam grinned and leant back on the couch. "Shoot."

"Hum… Madeleine?" Addison asked. "Hi, Madeleine, hello." The baby ignored her.

"Nop, I don't think she likes it. Too snobbish."

"Catherine? I could call her Kate, then." Sam raised his eyebrows, uncertain, but waved his permission. She snorted. "As if I need permission from you. Right, Kate? Katie?" The baby had found her robe more interesting, and was delightedly chewing it.

"Ha, in your face." Sam laughed, and Addison mimicked him, amused. All the hostility had disappeared and given place to a friendly interaction. Almost like the old times.

"So funny. What about Abigail? Sandy? Leah? Rose?"

"Oh, for crying out loud, Addy. If you're going to be naming her after someone in a movie, at least call her Alice." Sam joked. "Alice in Wonderland. I always loved that movie. And the cat." He mused aloud.

"Alice in Wonderland." Addison repeated slowly, a huge grin appearing on her face. "A whole new world for her. I like it."

"Huh… Addison… I was kidding. You can't name her aft-" Sam stuttered, panicking. "She'll be bullied at school."

"No, she won't." She told him, confidently, smiling. She came closer to Sam, resting her head on his shoulder, Alice still chewing her robe. Sam smiled at the gesture, placing his hand on hers. "She's a Montgomery."

A/N: So, what did you think? I always find the 2nd chapters the hardest to write, because I have to adapt what could be a one-shot to a multi chaptered story, but I think I nailed this one. Don't you? (it's okayyy, if you don't, really, this is just what I keep telling myself so I can sleep at night, you know?)

Anyway, tell me what you think. You know reviews=updates! :D

Febya