‘No,’ Kyle replied icily. ‘I don’t know how it is because I would never abandon a child. And if I were you, I’d leave right now before I called the authorities.’
‘Just a second,’ the woman snapped back. ‘I realised my mistake a week later when Bert stopped returning my calls. But right now, I need that baby.’
‘You need her?’ asked Kyle, blazing with anger. ‘For what exactly?’
‘Bert just signed a contract with the Major Leagues,’ she said smugly. ‘This kid is my ticket to some serious money!’
Kyle slammed the door in her face, but he had a feeling this wasn’t over. A week later, he was served with a subpoena. A woman named Cherish Vegas was contesting his adoption of Lily.
Suddenly Kyle found himself inundated with legal papers, constantly visited by child welfare officials, and questioned by his friends and co-workers. Cherish was determined to use Lily to make a fortune.
Finally, it was time for the trial. Nervous, Kyle handed Lily over to the case specialist and went inside. Cherish was already there, standing next to a tall man with blue eyes similar to Lily’s – it must be Bert.
Cherish was telling the judge in a breaking voice how much she missed her baby and how her reckless college years were far behind her and she had decided to leave the baby with Kyle.
The judge lowered his gaze to the documents. ‘By ‘leaving her with him’ you mean abandoning her on his doorstep, correct, Ms Vegas?’
Cherish blushed. ‘Well, I’m still her mother! No one can deny that!’ – she shouted.
The judge turned to Bert. ‘Sir, are you the father?’
Bert scratched his head. ‘Well…I guess I am.’
The judge’s sharp gaze stopped on him. ‘Are you ready to take responsibility for this child?’
Before Bert could answer, Cherish stepped into the conversation. ‘Of course he’s ready! He just signed a multi-million dollar contract…’
‘Ah!’ the judge exclaimed. ‘So that’s the real reason! Tell me, Miss Vegas, what is your daughter’s name?’
‘Name?’ stammered Cherish. ‘She’ll take her father’s last name since he’ll be paying child support.’
Kyle rose to his feet. ‘Your Honour, may I say something?’
‘Yes, Mr Greenbacker,’ the judge nodded. ‘Speak.’
‘My daughter’s name is Lily Greenbacker, and she already has her father’s last name – mine. I’ve loved her since the day she came into my life, and she loves me.’
At that moment, Lily saw Kyle and reached for him. ‘Daddy!’ – she squealed.
‘Well,’ the judge said, smiling, ’I guess the decision has been made.
That evening, Kyle and Lily celebrated by catching fireflies. ‘Stars!’ – She giggled. To Kyle, she was the brightest light of all.