Kyle Greenbecker had spent an entire year working on an oil pipeline in the freezing wilds of Alaska. Now, finally, he was coming home to his wife, Lisa. They had met back in high school, and from the moment he laid eyes on her, Kyle knew she was the one. He had never doubted his love for her, not once. To him, she was perfect.
He had always been faithful. Maybe some people would call him old-fashioned, but Kyle was proud that Lisa was the only woman he had ever been with. He never felt the need to look elsewhere, and it never crossed his mind that she might think differently.
As his plane touched down, Kyle felt a familiar excitement bubbling inside him. He grabbed his suitcase and walked toward the airport exit, scanning the crowd for Lisa’s face. But she wasn’t there.
That was odd.
Maybe she had been held up at work. She was a nurse, after all, and emergencies happened all the time. He pulled out his phone and sent her a quick text. Hey, babe, just landed. Heading home now.
No reply.
Shrugging off the unease creeping into his chest, Kyle hailed an Uber. The ride home felt longer than usual, but finally, he pulled up to their house. He smiled. The lights were on. Lisa was home.
He stepped out of the car, eager to see her, but as he opened the front door, he was met with silence. No greeting, no warm hug, no welcome home kiss. Instead, something else caught his eye.
A bassinet sat on the kitchen table.
Kyle’s heart pounded in confusion. He took slow steps forward, his breath catching when he saw a tiny hand waving in the air. A baby.
There was a baby on his kitchen table.
His mind raced as he looked around the room. Where was Lisa? And why was there a baby here? His hands trembled as he reached for a folded note lying next to the bassinet. He didn’t recognize the handwriting.
You had your fun. Now take responsibility for your child.
Kyle’s eyes widened. What was this? He flipped to another note, this one written in Lisa’s familiar, elegant script.
Kyle, yesterday I found this child on our doorstep with that note attached. I always suspected you cheated on me during your business trips, but I didn’t hold a grudge—I had my own flings while you were away. But saddling me with another woman’s child? That’s too much.
I’ve filed for divorce. I never want to see you again.
P.S. Don’t worry about the baby—I only left after seeing you walk up the drive. Enjoy your life, Kyle. I certainly plan to enjoy mine.
Kyle felt like the ground had been ripped out from under him. He sank into a chair, burying his face in his hands. His wife—his Lisa—had left him. Worse, she believed he had cheated.
A soft coo made him look up. The baby was watching him, tiny fingers wiggling. Something about the way she gazed at him, wide-eyed and innocent, tugged at his heart. He hesitated, then reached out a finger. To his surprise, the baby grasped it with an unexpected strength.
“Well, kid,” he whispered. “Looks like it’s just you and me. And I have no idea what to do with you.”
The baby cooed again, then suddenly scrunched up her tiny face, turning bright red. A moment later, a smell filled the air.
“Oh no,” Kyle groaned, realization dawning on him. “Diaper time.”
He scanned the room frantically. On the floor beside the table was a large backpack. He unzipped it and found diapers, baby wipes, and other supplies. He grabbed his phone and quickly searched for “how to change a diaper.” A woman on YouTube guided him through the steps.
Seemed simple enough.
It wasn’t.
The baby kicked, squirmed, and somehow managed to get her foot in the mess before Kyle could react. “Oh my—! How do people do this?!” he yelped, scrambling for more wipes.
After what felt like an eternity, he finally got the diaper on. He lifted the baby into his arms, exhausted but victorious. “You need a name,” he said, looking at her. “How about Celeste? No? Okay, maybe… Lily?”
The baby blinked up at him. Kyle smiled. “Lily it is.”
From that moment on, Kyle knew—this baby was his. He didn’t know how or why she had ended up on his doorstep, but she needed him. And, in a strange way, he realized he needed her too.
Years passed, and Kyle became a devoted father. He registered Lily as his own and raised her with all the love in his heart. She became his whole world. But on Lily’s second birthday, everything changed.
A sharp knock echoed through the house.
Kyle opened the door to find a tall, thin blonde woman standing there. Her bright red lips curled into an awkward smile.
“I’ve come for my baby,” she said casually.
Kyle’s heart stopped. “Excuse me?”
“My baby,” she repeated. “I left her here two years ago. Bit of a mix-up, really. I was kinda… you know, high. Thought my boyfriend lived here, not next door. You know how it is!”
Kyle’s hands clenched. “No, actually, I don’t know how it is. Because I don’t abandon children on doorsteps.”
The woman waved a hand dismissively. “Look, I need her back. My old boyfriend—Burt—just signed a Major League contract. That baby means I get a piece of that paycheck.”
Kyle felt rage boil inside him. “Get out,” he said coldly. “Or I call the cops.”
She narrowed her eyes but left. Kyle had a bad feeling he hadn’t seen the last of her. And he was right.
A week later, he was summoned to court. The woman, Cherish Vegas, was suing for custody.
The courtroom was tense. Cherish wept dramatically about how much she missed her daughter. Kyle clenched his fists, waiting. Then the judge turned to Burt, a towering man with Lily’s blue eyes.
“You are the father?” she asked.
Burt shrugged. “I guess so.”
Cherish’s eyes gleamed. “You bet he is! And he just signed a three-million-dollar contract!”
The judge’s face hardened. “Ah, so now the truth comes out.” She leaned forward. “Tell me, Miss Vegas, what name did you give your daughter?”
Cherish faltered. “Name? Well, she’ll take her daddy’s last name, of course.”
Kyle stood. “Your Honor, my daughter’s name is Lily Greenbecker. And she already has her father’s last name—mine.” His voice cracked with emotion. “Since the day she came into my life, I’ve loved her. She’s my daughter, and she loves me.”
At that moment, Lily, who had been sitting with a social worker, spotted Kyle. Her little voice rang out through the courtroom. “Daddy!” She stretched her arms toward him.
The judge smiled. “Well, I believe the case is clear.” She banged her gavel. “Custody remains with Kyle Greenbecker.”
That night, Kyle and Lily celebrated by chasing fireflies in the yard. “Stars!” Lily giggled.
Kyle smiled, holding her close. She was his brightest star. His little girl. His forever.
