People think the man is the kid’s father when they leave him on his doorstep. The scandal ruins his marriage, his reputation, and the life he thought was safe.
Daniel Mercer had been working on an oil pipeline in Alaska for about a year, which was one of the worst times of his life. It was scary to be alone, but the compensation was decent and the work was hard. But after a year of waiting, he was finally on his way back to his wife.
Daniel and Marissa met for the first time when they were in high school. Her laugh could light up a room, but he was introverted and liked to work on vehicles. A lot of individuals thought their marriage at 19 was hazardous. Daniel, on the other hand, has never had any doubts about it. He loved her with all of his heart, and marrying her was the easiest thing he had ever done.
He joked a lot 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 thought she trusted him since he had always been honest with her.
Daniel’s heart beat with excitement when his flight landed that night during the trip. He got his bags and walked to the arrivals area, where he sought through the crowd for Marissa’s smile. But she wasn’t there.
He thought that she might not be able to leave work till late. Because she was a nurse, she was used to dealing with unexpected medical situations. He pulled out his phone and sent her a quick text that said, “Just landed.” I’m already going home. I can’t wait to see you.
There was no response.
He didn’t let his worries get in the way and called an Uber. He thought about what Marissa’s face might look like when he walked in the door while he was driving. But when he came to their little house in the suburbs and walked up on the front porch, he felt like something was wrong. There was no noise coming from the house, but the lights were on.
He laid down his bags and shouted out, “Marissa?” as he was heading in.
There is no response.
He strolled into the living room, which had no one in it. After that, they headed to the kitchen, where warm light from the ceiling fixture spilled over the floor. He couldn’t move as he was standing at the door.
On the kitchen table was a bassinet. There was a small baby within that was waking up and moving its arms about.
Daniel’s mouth sprang open in shock. He walked toward us slowly, as if he were frightened to breathe. The baby looked just as astonished to see him, with wide, questioning eyes looking up at him.
There were two notes next to the bassinet on the table. His stomach was in a knot.
The first message was worded in a way that the author wasn’t used to: “You had your fun; now take care of your child.”
This is the second note, and Marissa’s gorgeous handwriting is on it. His hands shook when he opened it because he was so afraid.
The day before yesterday, I found this baby on our doorstep with a letter attached to it. I always believed you were cheating on me while you were away, but I chose to overlook it since I was occupied with my own stuff. But leaving me with the kids of another woman is too much. I have asked for a divorce. I don’t want to see you again.
Just so you know, I didn’t leave until I saw you walk up the drive. Don’t worry about me. You need to take care of the baby now. Daniel, enjoy your life. I’m sure I’ll have fun with mine.
Daniel collapsed into a chair and tried to hold on to the letter so it wouldn’t fall out of his hands. He thought his chest was about to burst. Are you breaking up? Are you attempting to get me to notice you? She felt he had cheated on her? He didn’t do that. Not even once. He had never even thought of looking at another lady that way.
This infant, who he didn’t know, wasn’t his.
A faint cooing sound burst through the fog. The infant waved its tiny hand. Daniel’s gesture of extending his finger was nearly entirely unplanned. The baby’s tiny fist held it so tightly that it was a great show of strength.
Daniel said, “Well,” in a quiet voice that broke. “I guess it’s just you and me now.” I don’t know what to do with you, which makes matters worse.
After a while, the baby’s face was red and wrinkled. A fragrance confirmed what Daniel was scared of. He said, “Oh God,” in a way that made it clear he was helpless as he looked around.
There was a big bag next to the table that was full of baby things. As he went through it, he found bottles, diapers, and wipes. He pulled out his phone and looked up how to change a baby’s diaper. That’s when a happy woman made a YouTube video showing how to do it on a doll that wasn’t moving.
Before Daniel tried it, it looked like an easy job. This infant, on the other hand, kicked and thrashed, making the job a chaotic nightmare that was hard to finish. But after a time of fumbling, wiping, and muttering in a hurry, he was able to do it. At that moment, he knew the baby was a female.
Daniel touched her softly. To be honest, I don’t know how to raise girls. But I can show you how to ride a bike at some point in the future.
He chose to keep her for the night.
He held her tight and rocked her while he fed her formula from the rucksack he had brought with him. “You need a name.” What if we pick Lily? What do you think about that? The infant made a quiet cooing sound, as if to say, “It’s okay.”
After that day, Daniel became a father for the first time. He not only signed Lily up for daycare, but he also modified 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 life was turned upside down again.
He heard someone 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 crossed over each other.
She said, “I’m here for my baby.”
He closed his eyes. It says, “What is it?”
“My son and I.” Two years have passed since I left her here. That makes me sad. I was inebriated, and my sweetheart lived on the next block over, so I got mixed up. You know what’s going on.
Daniel’s blood started to boil. I’m sorry, but I don’t get how that works. I have never left a child on the doorstep of a stranger before.
This lady had a frown on her face. About a week later, when Burt stopped taking my calls, I knew I had left her there. But I need her back now.
“Do you want her? Why in the world? Daniel said in a chilly voice.
She smiled and then smirked. Burt just agreed to play in Major League Baseball. I know I’ll get a cut of the millions of dollars he’s about to make.
Daniel slammed the door in her face. He did know, though, that everything was not yet done.
A week later, the documents were delivered. The woman who was seeking to stop Lily’s adoption with her petition was named Cherish Vegas. Daniel was always being observed because of the sudden flow of legal letters, unplanned visits from social workers, and ongoing surveillance. Cherish kept going.
The day of the court hearing finally came. Daniel kissed Lily on the forehead just before he gave her to the social worker. He said, “It’s going to be okay, sweetheart,” even though his stomach hurt.
In court, Cherish cried in a very dramatic way. “I made a lot of mistakes when I was younger, but I love my child.” I just left her with Mr. Mercer because I wasn’t ready. I feel bad about it every day.
The judge lifted his eyebrows a little. When you say you “left her with Mr. Mercer,” do you mean you left her on his porch?
She felt proud and turned red. “Okay, yes. But I’m still her mother!
The judge looked at the tall athlete who was sitting next to her. His blue eyes were the same color as Lily’s. “Sir, are you the son of the father?”
Burt stayed there for a long period. I think I am.
The judge asked the defendant, “Are you ready to take full responsibility for this child right now?”
Cherish shouted, “Of course he is, Judge!” right before he could speak. He just agreed to a $3 million deal!
The judge’s face grew increasingly stern. “Now we’re talking about cash.” Then she looked down at Cherish. “Miss Vegas, could you please tell us more about the name you gave your daughter?”
Chloe blinked. Who are you? It’s only fair that she will take her father’s last name since he will be giving her money.
Daniel was awake. “Can I say something, Your Honor?”
“Go ahead,” the judge told Mr. Mercer.
Daniel’s voice was shaking, yet he spoke in a calm tone. Lily Mercer is her name. Since I found out she was my daughter, I have known her as my daughter. I fed her, changed her diaper, and held her all night when she was sick. She calls me “Daddy.” I love her more than anything else.
Lily realized that Daniel was in the courtroom at that moment. She put her arms around him. She screamed, “Daddy!”
The judge grinned a bit. I think we’ve already heard the most significant person talk about this. She struck the gavel. Mr. Mercer still maintains control over both adoption and custody. The case is over.
Daniel felt so much better that he almost fell asleep. He took Lily up and held her close while she laughed and pulled on his shirt.
That night, he and Lily were in the garden, catching fireflies in a jar. “Stars!” she yelled, pointing to the bugs in the yard that were sparkling.
Daniel kissed her hair softly. “Lily, you are the brightest star in my crown.” All the time.
Daniel was even more sure that Lily was his daughter as the night wore on, no matter what transpired when she came into his life. For all time!