People presume the man is the kid’s dad when they find it on his porch. The scandal ruins his wife’s life, his reputation, and the life he thought was safe.
Daniel Mercer had been working on an oil pipeline in Alaska for about a year. It was one of the worst times of his life. The income was good, the work was demanding, and being alone was unnerving. But after a long year of waiting, he was finally on his way back to his wife.
Daniel and Marissa originally met when they were both in high school. Her laugh could brighten up a room, but he was introverted and liked to work on cars. A lot of people thought their marriage was dangerous because they were only 19 years old. Daniel, on the other hand, has never had any doubts about it. He loved her with all of his heart, and deciding to marry 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.
Daniel’s heart beat with excitement when his flight landed that night on the trip. He got his bags and walked to the arrivals area, where he scanned through the crowd for Marissa’s familiar smile. But she wasn’t there.
He believed she might not be able to leave work till late. She was a nurse, so she was used to dealing with unexpected medical issues. He took out his phone and sent her a quick text that said, “Just landed.” I’m already on my way home. Can’t wait to see you!
No one answered.
He didn’t let his anxieties stop him from calling an Uber. He thought about how Marissa might look when he entered in the door as they were driving. But when he drove to their little house in the suburbs and walked up on the front porch, he felt like something was… off. There was no noise coming from the house, even though the lights were on.
He set his luggage down and said, “Marissa?” as he walked in.
No one is answering.
He went into the living room, where no one was home. After that, he and she walked to the kitchen, where the ceiling light cast a gentle glow on the floor. He couldn’t move when he was at the door.
On the kitchen table, there was a bassinet. There was a tiny baby within that was waking up and moving its arms about.
Daniel’s mouth dropped open in shock. He walked toward us slowly, as if he were scared to breathe. The infant gazed up at him with big, questioning eyes, which showed that he was just as startled to see him.
There were two pieces of paper on the table next to the bassinet. His stomach was in knots.
The first message was worded in a way that the writer wasn’t used to: “You had your fun; now take care of your child.”
Here is the second note, which Marissa wrote in her wonderful handwriting. He was so afraid that his hands shook when he opened it.
The day before yesterday, I found this baby on our doorstep with the message attached to it. I always felt you were cheating on me while you were away, but I didn’t say anything because I was occupied with my own stuff. But leaving me with the kids of another woman is too much. I have filed for divorce. I don’t want to see you again.
I didn’t leave until I saw you walk up the driveway, just so you know. Don’t worry about me. You have to take care of the baby now. Have pleasure with your life, Daniel. I’m sure I’ll enjoy mine.
Daniel dropped into a chair and struggled to keep the letter from falling out of his hands. He thought his chest was going to break. Are you going to get a divorce? Do you want to attract my attention? 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 like that.
He didn’t know this infant, thus it wasn’t his.
A gentle cooing noise cut through the fog. The baby waved a small hand. Daniel’s gesture of pointing his finger was nearly completely unplanned. It was a great show of strength that the infant could hold it so tightly in his tiny fist.
Daniel said, “Well,” in a low voice, and his voice broke. “I guess it’s just us now.” I don’t know what to do with you, which makes matters even worse.
After a while, the baby’s face was red and wrinkled. A fragrance confirmed something that scared Daniel. He said “Oh God” in a way that made it clear he couldn’t do anything as he looked about.
There was a big rucksack full of baby things next to the table. As he looked through it, he spotted bottles, diapers, and wipes. He pulled out his phone and looked up how to change a diaper. At that point, a YouTube video came out showing a happy woman explaining the process on a doll that wasn’t moving.
Before Daniel tried it, it looked like it would be easy. This infant, on the other hand, kicked and thrashed, turning the job into a chaotic nightmare that was hard to finish. But after a time of fumbling, wiping, and mumbling in a hurry, he was able to do it. At that moment, he knew that the baby was a girl.
Daniel helped her out gently. I really don’t know how to raise girls. But I can show you how to ride a bike later.
He made the choice to retain her at night.
He held her tight and rocked her while he fed her formula from the rucksack he had brought. “You need a name. What if we go with Lily? What do you think of that? The baby made a quiet cooing sound, like it was indicating it was fine.
After that day, Daniel became a dad for the first time. He not only signed Lily up for school, but he also put her in daycare and altered his life to match hers. She cried, laughed, threw fits, and put her arms around his heart. She did all of these things. Daniel didn’t celebrate her birthday on the day she was born; he celebrated it on the day she came to his table.
Two years later, on Lily’s second birthday, Daniel’s life changed again.
There was a knock on his door. When he opened his door, he saw a tall woman with bleach blonde hair and features that had been changed by surgery. Her arms crossed.
She said, “I’ve come for my baby.”
He closed his eyes. It says, “What is it?”
“Me and my son.” I left her here two years ago. I’m sorry about that. I was inebriated, and my sweetheart lived on the other block, so I got mixed up. You know what’s up.
Daniel’s blood started to boil. Sorry, but I don’t get how that works. I’ve never left a kid on the doorstep of a stranger before.
This woman had a sad look on her face. About a week later, when Burt stopped taking my calls, I realized I had left her there. But now I need her again.
“Do you need her? What in the world? Daniel murmured in a voice that was frigid.
She grinned and then smirked. Burt just signed a deal to play in Major League Baseball. I know I’ll get some of the millions of money he is about to make.
Daniel slammed the door shut in her face. But he did realize that everything wasn’t done yet.
A week later, the papers were sent. The woman who was seeking to stop Lily’s adoption with her petition was named Cherish Vegas. Because of the sudden deluge of legal letters, unplanned visits from social workers, and constant surveillance, Daniel was always being observed. Cherish didn’t stop.
The day of the court hearing finally arrived. Daniel kissed Lily on the forehead just before giving her up to the social worker. He said, “It’s going to be okay, sweetheart,” even if his stomach was troubled.
Cherish sobbed a lot in court, and it was quite emotional. “When I was younger, I did a lot of things wrong, but I love my child.” I left her with Mr. Mercer because I wasn’t ready. Every day I wish I hadn’t done it.
The judge’s eyebrows went up a little. Do you mean you left her on Mr. Mercer’s porch when you say you “left her with him”?
She was proud and her cheeks were red. “Okay, yes.” But I’m still her mom!
The judge turned to look at the tall athlete who was sitting next to her. His eyes were blue like Lily’s. “Sir, are you the son of the father?”
Burt stood there for a long time. I guess I am.
The court asked the defendant, “Are you ready to take full responsibility for this child right now?”
Cherish screamed, “Of course he is, Judge!” just before he could say anything. He just signed a deal for $3 million!
The judge’s face turned more serious. “Now we’re talking about money.” Then she looked down at Cherish. “Miss Vegas, can you tell us more about the name you gave your daughter?”
Chloe blinked. Who are you? It makes sense that she will take her father’s last name because he will be providing her money.
Daniel was awake. “Your Honor, may I speak?”
“Go ahead,” the judge said to Mr. Mercer.
Daniel’s voice shook, yet he spoke in a calm way. Lily Mercer is her name. I have known her as my daughter since I discovered out she was. I fed her, changed her diaper, and held her all night when she was sick. She calls me “Dad.” She is the most important thing in my life.
Lily recognized at that moment that Daniel was in the courtroom. She reached out to him with her arms. She yelled, “Dad!”
The judge grinned a little. I think we’ve already heard the most essential voice on this subject. She hit the gavel. Mr. Mercer still has control over both custody and adoption. The case is over.
Daniel felt so much better that he almost fainted. He took Lily up and hugged her tightly while she laughed and pulled on his shirt.
That night, he and Lily sat in the garden and caught lightning bugs in a jar. “Stars!” she yelled, pointing to the bugs that were sparkling in the yard.
Daniel kissed her hair softly. “You are the brightest star in my crown, Lily.” All the time.
As the night went on, Daniel felt more and more sure that Lily was his daughter, no matter what happened when she came into his life. For all time!
