Meredith and Derek sat eating lunch together in the hospital cafeteria.

Meredith looked over to the table where Addison, Hailey, Morgan and Cristina, who had just arrived at the table, sat. The four of them were laughing about something Addison said.

"Mer," Derek said changing Meredith's focus, "what are you thinking about?"

"Look over there," Meredith pointed, "My best friend, my god-daughter, your x-wife, and your long lost daughter are all laughing and having a good time. I don't get it Derek, Cristina is supposed to be on my side." She said frustrated and annoyed.

Derek listened to his wife, thinking through everything she had said. "Meredith, it's just how it is. Morgan and Hailey became best friends, not because they were trying to hurt you, but because they are compatible for being best friends. Because Morgan and Hailey are so close, Cristina and Addison have to be, at the very least, friendly toward one another. They've stayed in touch for eight years, it's only natural that they become close." Derek reasoned.

"I, guess your right. I know that it's mean but I always thought she should be miserable. Derek she hurt you, the man I love. I always thought karma would get around to her and kick her ass, making her feel as bad, if not worse than you did. It just doesn't seem fair. It's like she has everything a beautiful daughter that looks just like her with your eyes and a great looking boyfriend." Meredith said before she put a forkful of salad in her mouth.

"Meredith, Addison has paid her debt. When she left Seattle, I know she was hurting. The fact that I'm in love with you still hurts her. She deserves to be happy just as much as anyone else, if not more. She let me go so that I could be with you. She's got a daughter and a 'great-looking' guy, big deal. You've got me McDreamy and two of the greatest children in this world." Derek explained trying to make Meredith smile.

"I know you're right, but that doesn't make it any easier. It's still going to be awkward at Morgan's birthday dinner." Meredith said stabbing another piece of lettuce, and looking back at the table occupied by Addison, Cristina, Hailey and Morgan. Her eyes rested on Hailey for a few seconds, before she turned back around and focused her attention on her husband. "Have you talked to her yet, your daughter I mean?"

"No, not yet. I don't know what I would say, or how to approach her. I haven't been this confused over what to do in years." Derek said looking confused.

"Derek, as Much as I hate to say this, you've got to talk to her sooner rather than late. She is your daughter and you have missed out on eighteen years of her life, which was not your fault. But if you don't act on this knowledge sooner rather than later, she won't be able to forgive you for, this time voluntarily, staying out of her life. Not only that but you'll hate yourself for waiting too long. You need to talk with her before Wednesday; time is of the essence here. You only have two days left." Meredith explained.

Later that evening Morgan and Hailey were playing monopoly with Addison and Matt, and Cristina and Preston. They had decided to play on teams because Addison and Matt eventually decided to just have dinner with the Yang-Burke family.

"Okay whose go is it next?" Morgan asked.

"It's mom and Matt's go." Hailey said handing over the dice to Matt.

Matt rolled the dice and moved his and Addison's piece. They landed on the go to jail spot.

"Looks like your going to jail Dr. Montgomery," Morgan said through a fit of laughter. Earlier both Matt and Addison said that they would not end up in jail because they were always lucky.

"Whatever, Preston I do believe it's your go," said Addison handing over the dice. Before Preston was able to roll the doorbell rang.

"Well that's an excuse to take a quick break. I have to go to the bathroom." Preston said standing up from the kitchen table.

"I'll get the door," Morgan said.

"I'll come with you to make sure it's not a stalker." Said Hailey getting up to follow her friend.

Morgan opened the door to find Derek dressed in a pair of jeans and a T-shirt.

"Hi Uncle Derek, we weren't expecting you. Come in," Morgan said stepping aside to let him in.

Derek stepped over the thresh-hold and into the house. "Hi Morgan, Hailey." Derek said.

"Hey you two, you're holding up the game," Addison said coming into the foyer as she brushed a piece of her hair behind her head with her left hand. That's when Derek noticed it for the first time. The diamond engagement ring on Addison's finger had captured the light when Derek looked up. "Derek," Addison said surprised to see him after work.

"Hey Addison, I was hoping to talk to Hailey," he told her.

"Well, she's standing right there why don't you ask her?" Addison said before she went back into the kitchen.

Morgan took that as her cue to leave and followed Addison to the kitchen.

"Well, Hailey, do you want to speak to me?" Derek asked unsure of how to handle this particular situation.

"Sure, it won't kill me. We should probably go somewhere more private," Hailey said less nervous than she felt. She first walked into the kitchen where the noise level went down significantly when she walked into the room. "Morgan can we use your room?" Hailey asked while everyone stared at her.

"Yeah fine with me. I think I can handle them by myself we are winning." Morgan said as she smiled an encouraging smile.

"Thanks." Hailey turned around and walked toward the stairs with Derek close behind.

When the pair reached Morgan's room they sat down, Hailey on the bed and Derek in Morgan's desk chair. Everything was silent, except for the faint sounds of laughter from the kitchen.

Hailey looked at her feet as she flexed her foot before she said anything. "I've had this moment pictured in my head forever. I knew exactly what I was going to say, but now none of it seems like it would work," Hailey looked up into a reflection of her own eyes. Her mother always told her she had his eyes. Hailey never believed her because her eyes were similar to her mother's, now she knew what her mom had meant when she said that.

"Well that's a good start. You could tell me what you were going to say and I'll tell you how it sounds to me," Derek suggested.

"I had so many questions, most of which mom answered when I was younger. She told me everything that happened, why she left or I guess went back home. I guess what I really want to know is why couldn't you at least forgive her? It took her ten years to start dating again and another four to let anyone really get to know her because she felt she was a horrible person, one for cheating on you, two for leaving you and three for not letting you get to know me. I had never seen my mother truly happy and in love with life until Matt showed up, and I can't help but think that is all because of you that I never truly got to know my own mother until I was thirteen. I know I shouldn't blame you but I can't help the way I feel," Hailey said to the man that sat in front of her.

Derek took in everything Hailey had said and began to think. He knew what Hailey had said was true; he had not forgiven Addison completely and had made her feel like she was the reason their marriage fell apart. Her sleeping with his best friend was the last stop in a train of events that had been going on for the better part of two years. "I'm sorry," there was nothing else that could express the way he felt.

"It's not a matter of telling me you're sorry that's what my mother needs to here. I've been working on getting over the fact you couldn't forgive mom. I just thought that was something we should get out of the way. You'll always be my father and I want to get to know you." Hailey said.

"What do you want to know?" Derek asked.

"I'm not quite sure, maybe I'll tell you about me and then you can tell me about you?" Hailey suggested.

"If that's what you want," Derek said.

"My full name is Hailey Danielle Montgomery Shepard. I'm eighteen. My best friends name is Morgan and I'm from New York that you already know. I take ballet and have been for a very long time, that is how I met Morgan. I love to dance. I'm afraid of most insects. I don't like tomatoes on my hamburger, but I'll eat them in a salad. When I was seven I broke my arm and danced in the ballet recital with a pink cast on. When I was eight I stopped believing in Santa Clause. When I was thirteen, I finally told my mom."

"Why," Derek interrupted.

"Because that was the year I asked Santa to bring my dad to us so that we could be a real family," Hailey said looking down at her hands.

"Hailey, I…"

"No, it's okay. I was eight. I think for now that's enough about me. What about you?"

"There's not much to tell. My life is fairly boring. I'm a neuro-surgeon I operate on people's brains. When I first came to Seattle I lived in a trailer." Derek said trying to get a smile out of Hailey.

"Are you serious?" She asked as she began to laugh.

"You find that funny?"

"Hysterical,"

Derek smiled at seeing his daughter laugh for the first time. Her laughter radiated throughout the room. "Do you want to know more or should I stop there?"

"I have a brother and a sister right?" Hailey asked seriously.

"Yes, Laura and Jake. Both were adopted when they were babies." Derek said.

"Morgan says Jake is good at sports and that Laura is an awesome writer, for a thirteen year old."

"Yeah, that's true. Jake adores Morgan." Derek said.

"Can I meet them? Not right now but eventually, sometime before Wednesday? I've always wanted a little brother and sister. I asked mom onetime if we could adopt Morgan. The two of us thought it was a great idea. Her parents would adopt me and mom would adopt Morgan, then we'd be one big family. We didn't quite understand the concept of adoption." Hailey laughed as she recalled the memory of the look on her mom's face when she made that suggestion.

"Of, course you can. I'll call you later tomorrow and let you know what time." Derek said

Hailey smiled as she started to hear an upset Morgan arguing about the game from downstairs. "I think I should go back down there before Morgan murders her parents, my mom and Matt. She obviously can't make sound business decisions without me." Hailey said as she stood up.

Derek followed her actions and walked behind her downstairs to the foyer. "Thanks Hailey, for letting me talk with you," Derek said as he hugged his daughter for the first time.

"Your welcome, we should do that again sometime," Hailey said as he released her. She opened the door to let him out. "Bye Derek," she could not quite call him dad yet because it did not feel comfortable to her yet.

Derek winced a little, unnoticeably, at the sound of his oldest child calling him by his first name. He understood that she was not comfortable yet, but it still hurt. "By Hailey," Derek said as he walked back to his car.

Hailey watched Derek drive off before she went back inside to join the game.

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Hurray for me this is a long chapter :)