Kyle Greenbecker had spent the past year working on an oil pipeline in Alaska, counting down the days until he could return home to his wife, Lisa. They had met in high school, fallen in love, and married young. At nineteen, Kyle had known Lisa was the only woman he would ever love. He was old-fashioned like that, proud that she was the only woman he had ever been with. He never imagined she would doubt his loyalty.
As his plane landed, Kyle felt his excitement build. He collected his luggage and stepped into the crowded arrivals area, scanning the sea of faces for Lisa. But she wasn’t there.
Maybe she got stuck at work, he thought, pulling out his phone. He sent her a quick text: “Just landed. Heading home now. Can’t wait to see you.”
No reply.
Shrugging off a nagging sense of unease, he grabbed an Uber and watched familiar streets pass by until the car pulled up to his house. The lights were on, but the place felt oddly still.
He stepped inside, expecting to see Lisa waiting for him with open arms. Instead, he was met with silence. His brow furrowed as he made his way to the kitchen.
Then he saw it.
A bassinet sat in the middle of the kitchen table. Inside, a baby stretched out a tiny hand, blinking up at him with wide, curious eyes.
Kyle’s breath hitched. A baby? Here?
His hands trembled as he picked up a folded note resting beside the bassinet. The first one was written in messy, unfamiliar handwriting:
“You had your fun, now take responsibility for your child.”
Confused, Kyle unfolded the second note, recognizing Lisa’s elegant script.
Kyle,
Yesterday, I found this baby on our doorstep with that note attached. I always suspected you cheated on me during your trips, but I never held it against you—I had my own fun while you were away. But expecting me to raise your child? That’s too much. I’ve filed for divorce, and I hope I never see you again.
P.S. Don’t worry, I only left after I saw you pull up. Enjoy your life, Kyle. I certainly intend to enjoy mine.
Kyle sank into a chair, his head in his hands. His heart pounded. None of this made sense. He had never cheated on Lisa. Not once. And now she was gone.
A soft cooing sound made him look up. The baby reached out, grabbing his finger with a surprisingly strong grip. Kyle swallowed hard.
“Well, baby,” he murmured, “I guess it’s just you and me now.”
The baby gurgled, then her tiny face scrunched up. A second later, a terrible smell filled the air.
“Oh, no,” Kyle groaned. “Please tell me that’s not what I think it is.”
It was.
Kyle spotted a backpack on the floor beside the table. Inside, he found diapers and supplies. He grabbed his phone and quickly searched: How to change a diaper.
A woman on YouTube calmly demonstrated the process on a plastic doll. Seemed easy enough.
It wasn’t.
The baby squirmed, kicking her tiny feet right into the mess. Kyle gagged but managed to clean her up. As he fastened a fresh diaper, he sighed.
“I have no idea what I’m doing,” he admitted. The baby just stared at him, unimpressed. He smiled. “But hey, I can teach you how to ride a bike someday.”
At that moment, Kyle realized something profound. He wasn’t going to give this baby up.
He lifted her into his arms. “You need me,” he whispered. “And I think I need you too.”
He named her Lily. And against all odds, he learned how to be a father.
Years passed, and Kyle and Lily became a family. But on Lily’s second birthday, their world was turned upside down.
A sharp knock sounded at the door. Kyle opened it to find a tall, thin blonde woman standing there. Her oversized designer sunglasses sat low on her nose, and her lips were painted a deep red.
“I’ve come for my baby,” she said.
Kyle blinked. “Excuse me?”
“My baby,” she repeated impatiently. “I left her here two years ago. Long story, but I was kinda stoned, and my boyfriend lives on the next block. I got mixed up. You know how it is.”
Kyle’s jaw clenched. “No, I don’t know how that is. Because I’ve never abandoned a child on a doorstep.”
The woman rolled her eyes. “Look, I realized my mistake, but now I need her back.”
Kyle crossed his arms. “And why now?”
The woman smirked. “My boyfriend, Burt? He just signed a Major League contract. You see where I’m going with this?”
Kyle’s blood ran cold. “You want her back for money?”
“Well, duh,” she said. “Burt’s gonna be loaded. And that kid? She’s my meal ticket.”
Kyle slammed the door in her face. But the fight was far from over. A week later, he was served with a summons. Cherish Vegas was suing for custody.
Court was a nightmare. Social workers visited at all hours, his friends were questioned, and lawyers dug into every aspect of his life. Still, Kyle stood firm.
Finally, the hearing arrived.
Cherish sat across from him, dramatically dabbing at fake tears. Beside her, a towering man with Lily’s bright blue eyes slouched in his chair. Burt.
The judge sighed. “Miss Vegas, you claim you’ve always loved and cared for your daughter?”
Cherish nodded rapidly. “Yes, Your Honor! My college days were wild, but I’ve changed. I just want my baby back.”
The judge eyed her coldly. “By ‘cared for her,’ you mean leaving her on a stranger’s porch?”
Cherish’s face turned red. “Well, I’m still her mama!”
The judge turned to Burt. “Sir, are you prepared to take responsibility for this child?”
Burt scratched his head. “I guess I must be…”
Cherish interrupted, grinning. “Oh, he will! He just signed a three-million-dollar deal—”
The judge raised a hand. “Ah. So that’s the real reason you’re here.”
Kyle stood. “Your Honor, may I say something?”
The judge nodded. “Go ahead, Mr. Greenbecker.”
Kyle took a deep breath. “Her name is Lily. She has my last name because I’ve been her father from the start. She’s my daughter, and I love her. I won’t let her be treated like a paycheck.”
At that moment, Lily, who had been playing with a social worker’s necklace, spotted Kyle. “Daddy!” she cried, reaching for him.
The judge smiled. “Well, it seems to me the most important person in this case has spoken.”
She turned to Cherish. “I hereby deny your petition. Lily remains in the custody of Kyle Greenbecker.”
That night, Kyle and Lily celebrated by chasing fireflies in their backyard.
“Stars!” Lily giggled, pointing to the glowing bugs.
Kyle smiled, holding her close. “Yeah, baby. But you? You’re my brightest star.”
