Chapter 3
Meredith and Izzie arrived at the Hospital and went straight to the Children's Wing Izzie waited outside while Meredith went in.
"Hannah," Meredith said softly opening the door, "How are you going. Do you remember me? I'm Meredith your doctor."
Hannah didn't look up she didn't respond but she was listening.
"Okay now I'm going to tell you about an idea and I know what's going on for you right now is really scary and awful and there is nothing so horrible in the world so if at any point you want me to stop I will go away and come back later. Okay?"
"Okay," said Hannah in a voice so soft Meredith could barely hear it.
"Okay, now do you know that you're adopted?"
Hannah nodded.
"Alright now I don't know how much you know about your birth mother but her name is Isobel Stevens and she works here in this hospital. Now as soon as she heard that you were here and what had happened to you she came rushing here and she offered to take car of you for a little while. If you want, okay, Hannah. Only if you want. So you don't need to make and decisions but do you think you might want to talk to her maybe?"
Hannah waited for what seemed an age. Then, almost imperceptibly she nodded.
"Okay then I'll send her in okay. Now I'm right outside if you need me."
Meredith left and Izzie headed in. Out in the hallway Meredith waited anxiously. Dr. Bailey walked past and stopped short when she saw Meredith.
"Grey!" she said, "Do you know what's going on with Stevens."
"No, Dr. Bailey I have no idea what's going on but right now I think we just need to be supportive and sort this mess out.
Inside the room Izzie shut the door behind her. She took a deep breath and looked at the girl in the bed.
"Hannah," she said, "Hannah, I am Isobel Stevens, or Izzie, just Izzie."
Hannah didn't say anything.
"Look Hannah I have no idea what it is like to be you right now and I don't expect you to forgive me or even try to like me. But I think that maybe we both need to make a fresh start and if you want I would really like to try to make it together."
Finally Hannah looked up at her. For a moment it looked as through she wasn't going to say anything but then she opened her mouth.
"Why? Why did this happen to me?"
"I don't know Hannah I really don't know."
"How Long?" Hannah asked.
"Just as long as you like, not a minute longer."
"Will Meredith be there?"
"Yes, yes she will, we live together."
Hannah paused, then, "Okay."
Back at the house George and Alex were desperately trying to make up a bed in the empty room. George had filled Alex in and they were both waiting for Izzie and Meredith's return.
"Alex!" George said for the hundredth time, "This isn't that hard it's making a bed."
"Shut up O'Malley, just because I didn't spend my childhood doing laundry like a nurse."
Before the two could continue bickering headlights drew into the driveway and they both threw themselves down the staircase to the door. In came Izzie looking tired and confused and after her came Meredith, in her tiny arms she staggered under a young girl who was fast asleep. Quickly Alex grabbed her out from under a weak Meredith and with the surprising tenderness with which he had borne Izzie after the prom he carried the small bundle upstairs. They all followed him up, Izzie in the lead. Alex laid her on the newly made bed. Izzie stood there looking at her daughter while the other three left.
Out in the corridor they stood in an awkward silence.
"What happened?" George asked finally.
"I don't really know I mean she agreed to come apparently so we wheeled her out and drove her home. She didn't talk or look at any of us the whole time. I think she's in shock and then when we got home she was asleep."
"What about Izzie?" asked Alex.
"I don't know we didn't talk much I think she's very confused."
"Man, did you even know she had a daughter?" asked Alex incredulous.
"No," said George, "No even me she was probably scared of what Christina would say.
"Or maybe she just wanted to keep it to herself," said Meredith thinking of her mother, "well I need to go back to the hospital I'm supposed to be on call tonight I was just home for a break."
Inside the room Izzie gazed at her daughter. With a shaking hand she reached out and brushed a strand of hair from her face. It was the first time she had touched her daughter for eleven years.
