When a baby is left on a man’s doorstep, people think he is the father of the kid. The scandal destroys his wife, his reputation, and the life he thought was safe.
Daniel Mercer had been working on an oil pipeline in Alaska for almost a year when things were at their worst for him. The pay was good, the job was hard, and being alone was hard to deal with. He was finally on his way back to his wife after a full year of being away. It took a long time for him to come back.
Daniel and Marissa met for the first time when they were both in high school. She could make a room brighter with her laugh, while he was the quiet one who loved fixing cars. A lot of people thought it was unsafe for them to get married at 19. Daniel, on the other hand, has never thought that getting married at such a young age was a bad idea. He loved her with all of his heart, and marrying her was the easiest decision he had ever made.
He often joked about being old-fashioned, but the truth was much simpler: Marissa was the only woman he had ever been with, and he had never wanted to be with anyone else. He never thought that she may have questions about his allegiance because he had never given her any reason to.
Daniel’s heart raced with excitement the whole time he was on the plane, from the minute it landed that evening. After getting his bags, he went out to the arrivals area and looked through the crowd for Marissa’s familiar smile. The truth is that she was not there.
He thought it was plausible that she had put off leaving work till late. She was a nurse, so it wasn’t unusual for her to have to deal with unforeseen medical issues. He took out his phone and wrote her a short text that said, “Just landed.” I’m already on my way home. I can’t wait to see you.
There was no answer.
He pushed the worry aside and called an Uber. During the ride, he imagined what Marissa’s face might look like when he stepped in. Still, when he got to their small house in the suburbs and went up to the front porch, he felt like something was… off. There were lights on inside, but the house was quiet.
He put down his bags and called, “Marissa?” as he was going in.
No one is answering.
He walked into the living room, which was empty. After that, they went toward the kitchen, where the soft light from the light above seeped over onto the floor. He couldn’t move while he was standing at the door.
There was a bassinet on the kitchen table. Inside was a tiny baby who woke up and waved its tiny arms.
Daniel’s mouth snapped open in disbelief. He walked slowly toward us, as if he were afraid to breathe. The baby seemed just as astonished to see Daniel, as shown by the big, curious eyes that looked up at him.
There were two notes lying about on the table next to the bassinet. He had a knot in his gut.
The first message was written in a style that the author didn’t know: “You had your fun; now take care of your child.”
The second note was written here in Marissa’s beautiful handwriting. His hands shook with terror as he opened it.
Two days ago, I found this baby sitting on our porch with that letter attached to it. I always thought you were cheating on me when you were away, but I let it go because I was busy with my own things while you were gone. On the other hand, leaving me with someone else’s child is too much. I have sent in my divorce papers. I don’t want to see you again.
I just wanted to let you know that I didn’t leave until I saw you walk up the driveway. Don’t worry about me. You are now in charge of the baby. Daniel, have fun with your life. I’m sure I’ll have fun with mine.
Daniel dropped into a chair, attempting to keep the letter from dropping out of his fingers. He felt like his chest was giving way. Are you getting a divorce? Are you being flirty? She thought he had been unfaithful? He hadn’t done it. Not once. He had never even thought of staring at another lady like that.
Also, this baby, this stranger, was not his.
A soft cooing sound broke through the fog. The baby waved a tiny hand. Daniel’s gesture of pointing his finger was nearly completely unforeseen. The baby’s little fist wrapped around it so securely that it was a magnificent show of strength.
Daniel responded, “Well,” in a low voice that cracked. “I guess it’s just the two of us now.” To make things worse, I don’t know what to do with you.
The baby’s face turned red and wrinkled after a while. A smell verified what Daniel was afraid of. He glanced around in despair and said, “Oh God.”
Next to the table was a big backpack full of baby stuff. He found bottles, diapers, and wipes as he was going through it. He took out his phone and looked up how to change a diaper. At that point, a video of a happy woman detailing the surgery on a doll that wasn’t moving appeared on YouTube.
It looked like a straightforward job before Daniel tried it. This baby thrashed and kicked, making the job a chaotic nightmare that was hard to finish, unlike the doll. But after a while of fumbling, wiping, and muttering in a rush, he was able to do it. He realized then that the baby was a girl.
Daniel was there for her in a caring way. Honestly, I don’t know what I’m doing when it comes to raising daughters. I can show you how to ride a bike later, though.
He decided to keep her in the evening.
He rocked her while he fed her formula from the backpack he had taken with him. “You need a name.” What if we take Lily? What do you think about that? The baby made a soft cooing sound, which seemed like it was saying yes.
Daniel became a father for the first time after that day. He not only signed Lily up for daycare, but he also changed his life to fit hers. She cried, laughed, threw fits, and wrapped herself around his heart. She did all of these things. Daniel didn’t celebrate her birthday on the day she was born; instead, he did it on the day she came to his table.
Two years later, on Lily’s second birthday, Daniel’s world was rocked again.
There was a knock on his door. When he opened the door, he saw a tall woman with bleach blonde hair and features that had been changed by surgery. Her arms made a cross.
She told me, “I’ve come for my baby.”
He closed his eyes. It’s “What is it?”
“Me, my son. I left her here two years ago. I’m sorry. I was drunk, my sweetheart lives on the other block, and I got confused. You know what’s going on.
Daniel’s blood started to boil. I’m sorry, but I don’t understand how that works. I’ve never left a youngster on the doorstep of a stranger before.
This lady had a frown on her face. I realized I had left her there when Burt stopped answering my calls about a week later. But now I need her back.
“Do you need her? Why in the world? Daniel said it in a cold voice.
She smiled and then smirked. Burt just signed a contract to play in Major League Baseball. I know for sure that I will get some of the millions of dollars he is about to make.
Daniel slammed the door shut in her face. But he knew that the process was far from over.
The papers were delivered after a week. Cherish Vegas was the name of the woman who was trying to stop Lily’s adoption via her petition. Daniel was constantly being watched because of the sudden flood of legal letters, unplanned visits from social workers, and ongoing surveillance. Cherish didn’t stop.
The court date finally came, last but not least. Just before handing Lily over to the social worker, Daniel kissed her on the forehead. Even though his stomach was churning, he whispered, “It’s going to be okay, sweetheart.”
Cherish cried in a very dramatic way in court. “When I was younger, I made a lot of mistakes, but I love my child. I left her with Mr. Mercer because I wasn’t ready. I regret it every day.
The judge raised his eyebrows a little. When you say you “left her with Mr. Mercer,” do you mean you left her on Mr. Mercer’s porch?
She was proud and blushed. “Okay, yes. Even so, I’m still her mom!
The judge turned her attention to the tall athlete who was sitting next to her. His blue eyes were like Lily’s. “Sir, are you the son of the father?”
Burt stood there for a while. I guess I am.
The court asked the defendant, “Are you ready to take full responsibility for this child right now?”
Before he could answer, Cherish yelled, “Of course he is, Judge!” He just signed a contract for three million dollars!
The judge’s face got more serious. “Now we’re talking about money.” After that, she gazed down at Cherish. “Miss Vegas, please tell us more about the name you chose for your daughter.”
Chloe blinked. Who are you? It’s only logical that she will assume her father’s last name since he will be paying for everything.
Daniel was up. “Your Honor, can I say something?”
The judge told Mr. Mercer, “Go ahead.”
Daniel’s voice shook, but his phrases stayed steady. Her name is Lily Mercer. Since the day I found out she was my daughter, she has been my daughter. I fed her, changed her diaper, and held her all night when she was unwell. She calls me “Daddy.” I love her more than anything else in the world.
At that moment, Lily realized that Daniel was in the courtroom. She reached out to him with her arms. “Daddy!” she yelled.
The judge smiled a little bit. I think that the most important voice has already been heard when it comes to this issue. She hit the gavel. Mr. Mercer still has power over both custody and adoption. “The case is over.”
Daniel felt so much better that he almost passed out. He held her tightly in his arms as she giggled and grabbed on to his shirt.
That night, he and Lily were in the yard catching fireflies in a jar. “Stars!” she yelled, pointing at the glowing bugs in the garden.
Daniel kissed her hair softly. “Lily, you are the brightest light in my crown.” “All the time”
Daniel was more sure than ever that Lily was his daughter as the night went on, no matter how she came into his life. Forever!