When a baby is left on a man’s doorstep, the guy is suspected of being the father of the child, and the controversy destroys his wife, his image, and the life that he believed to be safe.
During one of the most challenging periods of his life, Daniel Mercer had been working on an oil pipeline in Alaska for close to a year. The amount of money was satisfactory, the work was taxing, and the loneliness was disconcerting. But at long last, after a continuous period of twelve months, he was finally on his way back to his wife.
The first time Daniel and Marissa had met was when they were both in high school. It was she who had the ability to make a room brighter with her laugh, while he was the reserved one who had a passion for repairing automobiles. Many people considered their decision to get married at the age of nineteen to be risky. Daniel, on the other hand, has never had any doubts about it. With every ounce of his existence, he loved her, and the decision to marry her had been the most straightforward decision he had ever settled on.
In spite of the fact that he frequently made jokes about being old-fashioned, the reality was much simpler: Marissa was the only woman he had ever been with, and he had never desired to associate with anyone else. Since he had never provided her with any grounds to question his loyalty, the idea that she might have doubts about his commitment never occurred to him.
Daniel’s heart was pounding with excitement as his jet touched down that evening during the flight. Following the gathering of his luggage, he made his way out into the arrivals area, where he scanned the crowd in search of Marissa’s recognizable smile. However, she was not present.
He reasoned that perhaps she had been unable to leave work until late. After all, she was a nurse, and unexpected medical situations were not uncommon. After pulling out his phone, he sent her a brief text message that read, “Just landed.” Already on my way home. Looking forward to seeing you.
There was no response.
He dismissed the anxiety and phoned an Uber, during which he spent the ride envisioning the expression that Marissa would have on her face when he walked through the door. Nevertheless, when he arrived at their modest suburban house and went upon the front porch, he had the impression that something was… wrong. The lights inside were on, but there was no sound coming from the house.
In the process of entering, he placed his luggage down and yelled out, “Marissa?”
There is no response.
He entered the living room, which was completely vacant. After that, they headed in the direction of the kitchen, where the gentle light from the overhead light spilled over onto the floor. While standing at the doorway, he became immobile.
It was a bassinet that was sitting on the table in the kitchen. A teeny-tiny infant was found inside, waking up and waving its small arms.
Daniel’s jaw dropped in shock. He moved slowly toward us, almost as if he was frightened to breathe. The infant appeared to be just as shocked to see him, as evidenced by the wide, inquisitive eyes that it blinked up at him.
There were two notes scattered on the table next to the bassinet. His stomach was in a knot.
The initial message was written in a hand that was not familiar to the author: “You had your fun, now take responsibility for your child.”
Using Marissa’s exquisite handwriting, the second note was written here. As he opened it, his hands were shaking with fear.
The day before yesterday, I discovered this infant sitting on our porch with that letter attached to it. I always had the suspicion that you were cheating on me while you were away, but I decided to let it go because I had my own affairs while you were away. On the other hand, leaving me with the child of another woman is excessive. I have submitted my petition for divorce. You are not someone I want to see again.
Just so you know, I didn’t leave until I saw you walking up the drive. Don’t worry about me. Now it is up to you to take care of the infant. Have fun with your life, Daniel; I’m sure I’ll have fun with mine’s.
Daniel collapsed into a chair, struggling to keep the letter from falling out of his grasp. The feeling in his chest was that it was giving way. Getting a divorce? Are you flirting? She believed that he had cheated? He had not done so. Not a single time. He had never even considered looking at another woman in such a manner.
Moreover, this infant, this unknown person, was not his.
A gentle cooing sound pierced through his haze. A small hand was waved by the infant. The gesture of Daniel extending his finger was almost completely unplanned. It was a stunning demonstration of power that the infant’s small fist curled around it so tightly.
In a hushed tone, Daniel said, “Well,” his voice cracking. “I suppose that it’s just the two of us now. To add insult to injury, I have no idea what to do with you.
After some time had passed, the infant’s face became red and wrinkled up. Something that Daniel dreaded was confirmed by a fragrance. In a helpless manner, he whispered, “Oh God,” as he looked around.
There was a large rucksack next to the table that was loaded with various baby things. While he was digging through it, he discovered bottles, diapers, and wipes. When he pulled out his phone, he looked up instructions on how to change a diaper. It was then that a video appeared on YouTube, showing a happy woman explaining the operation on a doll that was not moving.
Before Daniel gave it a shot, it appeared to be a simple task. Unlike the doll, this infant thrashed and kicked, making the task a chaotic nightmare that was difficult to complete. However, he was able to accomplish it after a period of fumbling, wiping, and muttering in a hurry. At that moment, he became aware that the infant was a female.
Daniel offered her a kind support. To tell you the truth, I have no idea what I’m doing when it comes to bringing up girls. But I can show you how to ride a bike at some point in the future.
In the evening, he made the decision that he would retain her.
He rocked her in his arms while feeding her formula from the rucksack he had brought with him. “You are in need of a name. Suppose we take Lily? What do you think of that? The infant made a quiet cooing sound, as if it were expressing approval.
After that day, Daniel became a father for the first time. Not only did he register Lily, but he also enrolled her in daycare and rearranged his life to accommodate hers. She wept, she laughed, she hurled tantrums, and she wrapped herself entirely around his heart. She did all of these things. It was not the day that she was born that Daniel celebrated her birthday; rather, it was the day that she was brought to his table.
Two years later, on the occasion of Lily’s second birthday, Daniel’s world was confronted with another jolt.
At his door, there was a knock he heard. When he opened it, he discovered a tall woman with bleach blonde hair and features that had been surgically altered. A cross was made by her arms.
“I’ve come for my baby,” she communicated to me.
He blinked his eyes. It’s “Your what?”
“Me, my son. It’s been two years since I left her here. I apologize for that; I was under the influence of alcohol, my lover lives on the opposite block, and I became confused. You are aware of the situation.
Blood began to boil in Daniel. I’m sorry, but I’m not sure how that works. Never in my life have I left a child on the doorstep of a complete stranger.
This woman wore a frown. About a week later, when Burt stopped returning my calls, I became aware that I had abandoned her in this location. Now, however, I require her return.
“Do you require her? Why on earth?” Daniel said in a chilly tone.
A smirk came to her lips as she smiled. Burt has recently signed a deal to play in the Major League Baseball. I am certain that I will receive a portion of the millions of dollars that he is about to make.
The door was slammed shut in her face by Daniel. However, he was aware that everything was not yet finished.
After one week, the papers were delivered. The woman, whose name was Cherish Vegas, was challenging Lily’s adoption with her petition. The sudden influx of legal letters, unexpected visits from social workers, and persistent surveillance engulfed Daniel in a state of constant monitoring. There was no letup from Cherish.
Last but not least, the court date arrived. Immediately prior to turning Lily over to the social worker, Daniel gave her a kiss on the forehead. However, despite the fact that his stomach was churning, he muttered, “It’s going to be okay, sweetheart.”
Cherish shed tears in a dramatic manner in court. “When I was younger, I was prone to making mistakes, but I adore my child. Due to the fact that I was not prepared, I just left her with Mr. Mercer. Each and every day, I lament it.
The judge made a slight eyebrow lift. Do you mean to say that you abandoned her on Mr. Mercer’s porch when you say that you “left her with Mr. Mercer”?
She blushed with pride. “All right, yes. Nevertheless, I am still her mommy!
The judge switched her attention to the tall athlete who was sitting next to her. He had blue eyes comparable to those of Lily. “Sir, are you the son of the father?”
Slowly, Burt stood there. I suppose that I am.
The judge questioned the defendant, “Are you ready to accept complete responsibility for this child right now?”
Immediately prior to him being able to respond, Cherish exclaimed, “Of course he is, Judge! Just now, he entered into a contract worth three million dollars!
The expression of the judge became more stern. “So now we’re talking about money.” After that, she looked down at Cherish. “Miss Vegas, could you please elaborate on the name that you chose for your daughter?”
Chloe blinked her eyes. Who are you? Since he will be providing financial support, it is only natural that she will take her father’s surname.
Daniel was standing. “Your Honor, may I say something?”
This is what the judge said to Mr. Mercer: “Go ahead.”
Even though Daniel’s voice was shaking, his sentences remained calm. She goes by the name of Lily Mercer. She has been my daughter ever since the day I discovered her that she was. Whenever she was sick, I gave her food, changed her diaper, and held her throughout the night. She refers to me as Daddy. What’s more, I adore her more than I love life itself.
Lily became aware of Daniel’s presence in the courtroom at that very time. She reached out with her arms in his direction. She yelled out, “Daddy!”
The judge gave a very slight smile. When it comes to this matter, I believe that the most significant voice has already been heard. The gavel was rapped by her. Both custody and adoption are still under Mr. Mercer’s control. The case is over.”
Daniel was overcome with such a profound sense of relief that he almost passed out. As Lily giggled and clutched his shirt, he took her into his arms and held her tightly.
On that particular evening, he and Lily were sitting in the garden, the two of them capturing lightning bugs in a jar. She exclaimed, “Stars!” while pointing to the luminous insects in the garden.
The kiss was on her hair, Daniel. “Lily, you are the brightest light in my crown. Constantly”
As the night progressed, Daniel was even more convinced than ever before that Lily was his daughter, regardless of the circumstances surrounding her introduction into his life. Unendingly!
