“Oh… my God,” she whispered, and the sound of it made Michael’s skin prickle.
“I found him at the door,” Michael said too fast, not sure why he felt the need to defend himself. “Someone left him there.”
Emily moved closer, slowly, as if pulled forward. When she saw the baby’s face clearly, tears rose in her eyes—tears she tried to hide by lowering her gaze.
“He’s beautiful,” she said, her voice unsteady.
Michael didn’t understand. Surprise made sense. But this was more than surprise. It landed in his gut like a blow.
“I don’t know what to do,” Michael admitted. For the first time in years, honesty felt risky. “I don’t know anything about… any of this.”
Emily inhaled, wiped her tears with the back of her hand like someone who still had responsibilities to meet.
“I do,” she said quietly. “I’ve cared for babies since I was young. If you’ll let me…”
She didn’t wait for his answer. She gently lifted the baby from the basket, as if she had done it a thousand times before. The child stirred, frowned for a second, then settled against her chest.
Michael watched, stunned.
Something shifted in the room. The silence was no longer empty. It was full.