‘Grey’s Anatomy’ Handled Derek’s Death With A Surprising Twist

*** Spoiler Alert! If you haven’t watched the April 30 episode of Grey‘s Anatomy, stop reading now! ***

Just when we were finally starting to recover from Derek Shepherd’s tragic death, Grey’s Anatomy decides to throw us another curveball.

On Thursday’s night episode — the series’ first following the exit of star Patrick Dempsey —Meredith (Ellen Pompeo) had the devastating task of breaking the news of Derek’s death to her friends and colleagues. Then — taking an unexpected turn — the show jumped forward several months into the future to reveal that not only had Meredith left Grey Sloane Memorial for the time being, but also the Grey-Shepherd family had welcomed a new baby into their fold.

We’ll give you a moment to stop reeling from that bomb.

Though baby Ellis (named, of course, after Meredith’s mother) was an unexpected shock to viewers everywhere, the former attending surgeon was actually pregnant at the time of Derek’s death, and it was getting to see her new daughter’s resemblance to her father that helped her get through the loss. And you thought you couldn’t possibly have any tears left in you to cry.

Since Grey’s Anatomy shocked fans everywhere with last week’s heartbreaking twist, both Pompeo and creator Shonda Rhimes have been talking about focusing on the “new chapter” of Meredith’s life without Derek. While most of us simply assumed that meant watching her attempt to pick up the pieces after enduring “the impossible,” it seems that Rhimes had yet another trick up her sleeve this whole time.

If this streak of shocks and surprises continues, we’re not quite sure our hearts will be able to hold up to the end of the season. At least we know there’s always a doctor on call…