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The PICU was quiet except for the sounds of the machines beeping. It was three in the morning. The parents of the little patients were sleeping in recliners or at home with their other children. Alex Karev was not on call, but was here anyway. He was in a recliner holding his new son. Isaac Joeseph Karev was three months old and was recovering from surgery to correct a cleft lip. He, along with nine other children, had come to GSM hospital from Africa for a continuation of Alex's 'Africa Project' that he began as a resident.

The little boy was sleeping soundly and Alex began reflecting on how this moment came to pass.

Alex entered the board meeting along with everyone else. He and Meredith sat together; they had been married for about eighteen months. Bailey went over the usual information, but Alex had barely heard her. He had received a call that morning from a contact that he had in Malawi. They had more children who needed medical care and the procedures could not be done anywhere but the US. These children would likely die if their medical problems were not treated.

"Does anyone else have any additional business?" Bailey asked, opening the floor to the rest of the board.

"I would like to re-open the 'Africa Project' from my residency," Alex blurted out. "Obviously we can't treat every child in Africa, but we can make a difference in the lives of some. I would like to consider bringing over six or so children once or twice a year. We would have to find financial donors and do fundraising; but this is important work, work that could convince other hospitals to follow in our footsteps, paving the way for more children to get treatment."

"I wasn't here the last time this program was implemented. What do you need to make it happen?" Catherine Avery asked, glasses perched on the end of her nose.

"Last time it cost about $200,000 to bring ten kids and a relative to the states and have the patient and relative stay for the duration of the surgery and recovery. The hospital staff who treated the children were all volunteers. The hospital donated the use of the OR's and the financing covered any additional surgical cost."

"$200,000 is not that much money when it comes to hospital programs," Catherine commented. "Obviously, the donations of these OR's as well as the staff of this hospital helped keep costs down dramatically. The Avery Foundation would be willing to cover this round of the project assuming that you would be willing to work diligently with me on fundraising for the future, Dr. Karev."

"I will do whatever it takes to get these kids the medical care that they need," Alex assured her.

True to her word, Catherine Avery donated the funds to bring the first group of children to GSM hospital. It took five months to arrange it, during which time Catherine taught Alex how to seek donations for future groups of children to come.

A month ago, ten children were brought with a family member or care giver to receive their surgeries. All were recovering nicely, many had returned to their homes. Little Isaac, just two months old had entered the hospital to have his surgery but he had a cold and they decided to wait to perform the surgery when he was better. He was brought by a caretaker at an orphanage. He had a cleft lip and his mother had abandoned him. Just two days after he arrived, Alex found Meredith in the PICU rocking the baby to sleep.

"He's perfect," Meredith breathed out, rubbing the baby's back as he slept on her chest. Alex said nothing and just raised his eyebrows at Meredith indicating he wanted her to explain. "When Derek saw Zola, he knew instantly that he wanted to take her home. I was unsure, worried about my abilities, but he knew. I saw Isaac in here and I just had to hold him. Alex, I can't explain it, but I just KNOW that he belongs with us!"

"You want to adopt him?" Alex asked with surprise.

"He's an orphan."

"I know," Alex said. "We said we liked the idea of another baby," he offered.

"So it's okay with you?" Meredith asked with excitement.

"It's okay with me," Alex confirmed. "If you're in, I'm in."

"Then I have some phone calls to make," Meredith said, standing up with the baby in her arms. "Here, you sit here with him for a few minutes. Hold him and breathe him in and you will fall in love instantly."

"Mer, I hold babies every day," Alex chuckled taking the baby with her.

"This will be different, trust me."

And she was right, so every day Alex would take a break from his day and go hold Isaac. The adoption was finalized just three days ago, right after the little boy's surgery. Each day since, Alex or Meredith would stay the night at the hospital, holding him when he cried and sleeping in the rocker next to his bed. He would be going home that morning, home with them.

Just that morning, Alex attended and spoke at a press conference to publicize what they were doing.

"This past month, Grey Sloane Memorial Hospital brought ten children from Africa to receive surgeries that would cure them of life threatening medical problems that could not be treated in Africa," Alex spoke to the assembled group of reporters, cameras in his face. The staff of this hospital donated their time to care for and perform the surgeries needed to help these children. As of two days ago, the last surgery was performed successfully. As the head of Pediatric Surgery here at Grey Sloane Memorial Hospital, I am asking for your donations to allow this program to thrive and save more children. Every dollar counts. I am going to give the microphone to our Chief of Surgery, Dr. Miranda Bailey who can answer all of your questions about how and where to donate. Thank you."

Alex breathed in the new baby smell and closed his eyes. It was a perfect smell to fall asleep to, his new son in his arms.