10.12

Helena Campos sat at a table, back at the Harper Avery venue. This time, Mark sat by her side, with Alice on his lap. By him, Arizona cuddled her goddaughter, Caroline, as she held hands with Callie.

On the other side of the girl, Meredith sat with a tablet in front of her, Cristina's face on the screen, as they FaceTimed, Derek peeking over her shoulder. Alex, April and Jackson were next, the three in front of the small girl, at the round table. Bailey sat by Addison, who had flown in to watch her former favorite intern's win.

"This year's award has been one to remember." Catherine Avery started her speech. "From an appeal, to the youngest ever winner, this will be one for the books. But, without further delay, the Harper Avery for surgical innovation now goes to it's rightful winner, Dr. Helena Campos."

With a beaming smile, Helena got up from her seat, holding up her dress as she walked up the stairs, her table clapping and cheering loudly.

"Thank you very much." She smiled, as she greeted Catherine, taking the prize. Then, she turned to the public, nearing the podium's microphone. "I believe there is a question that we all seem to grapple with, a question that is at the very core of what means to be human. And that is what makes us us. What makes each of us the people that we are, the that we are." She started, looking down at her table.

"When you start your career as a doctor, at your very first year of med school, you have plenty of expectations about the lives that you will get to change. In fact, I even have a little ritual before surgery, a phrase, if you will. I say 'alright, people, let's change a life'. What you don't expect, is how the people that you meet along the way will change . How they will shape you into who you are. So, as much as I am proud of myself for receiving this award, I also believe I couldn't be here without those people, the ones who made me the doctor I am today."

She smiled, looking down at the award, before she continued. "So I dedicate this to all of them. To the patients I've encountered and that have helped me grow, like Alice Turner, after whom I've named by daughter, and Jared Cole, who inspired this procedure. I dedicate this to the friends I've lost along the way, like Dr. George O'Malley and Dr. Lexie Grey, who I know would have the brightest smiles tonight, and whom I miss dearly." Helena's hand instinctively touched her pigeon necklace.

"I dedicate this to the mentors I have been lucky to learn from, such as Dr. Addison Montgomery, Dr. Arizona Robbins and Dr. Miranda Bailey who have not only taught me how to be a better surgeon, but how to be a better and stronger woman."

Helena locked eyes with Arizona, who sniffled, as Callie rubbed soothing circles on her back. As for Addison, the woman smiled brightly, shaking her head in blissful disbelief. Bailey has silent tears rolling down her cheeks, her hands together as she smiled.

"And to the friends that have become family, doctors Callie Torres, April Kepner, Jackson Avery, Alex Karev and Derek Shepherd." Helena announced, her eyes still on her table.

April was predictably sobbing, her head resting against Jackson's shoulder, as she patted her tears dry. Alex had a smile on his face, so wide that it almost seemed out of place, being so uncharacteristic. Derek had a tight lipped smile on his, though his own eyes shined with pride.

"I dedicate this to the women who I consider my sisters, Dr. Meredith Grey and Dr. Cristina Yang. The women who have always pushed me to be better, who I grew up with since my intern year."

Meredith had tears in her eyes, her hands together in front of her mouth, as Cristina, on the screen, smiled at her younger friend's speech.

"To the family I was born into. To my mother, who has always supported and loved me unconditionally. To my brother, who was my rock during our childhood struggles. And to my father, who inspired me to pursue medicine, through his example, and who I hope I would have made proud." She nodded.

"And, finally, to the family I have formed. To my incredible husband, Dr. Mark Sloan, without whose support I could never have done this without, and who has been more supportive and understanding than I could ever have hoped for. And to my beautiful little girls, the ones I love more than anything, who have been my reason to keep going through the darkest times."

Helena's eyes fell on her family. Mark has tears of pride in his own eyes, smiling at the love of his life, as he held Alice, who clapped and smiled. As for Caroline, the baby had her hand in her mouth, a hint of a smile on her tiny lips.

"These are the people who made me who I am. They make me brave, they make me kind, they make me glad to be alive. So, this award is as much mine as it is theirs. Thank you so much." She smiled, getting off the stage.

As she looked down to hold her dress, going down the stairs, she heard her oldest little girl yell. "Yay, mama!"

And she felt exactly like she had many years before, as she preformed her first solo surgery. She felt a sense of peace, of accomplishment.

Then, everyone had known Helena Campos would be destined for greatness.

Today, she was the youngest ever recipient of the most prestigious surgical award.

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