Page 7 of Sven

That was the wrong thing to say because the tears streamed down her cheeks.

Fuck.

“I don’t have anywhere to go. I lost my job when I got pregnant. Believe it or not, no one wants to hire a pregnant shot girl. I lost my modeling contract when I got pregnant, and I tried as hard as I could, but I can’t live like this. I can’t raise her like this,” she said as she wiped her tears and glanced down at the baby.

“I’m so sorry . . .”

He needed to say more, but he was at a loss.

“I was just wondering if you could help. Just until I can get back on my feet.”

“Of course, I’ll help in any way I can.”

She wiped tears as the baby pushed away the bottle. He watched in awe as the previously crying infant took in her new surroundings. She was so little, and her eyes were so big and so blue. Her little baby fingers were wrapped around her mother’s finger, and something about those little bitty fingers pulled at his heart.

Then that little baby looked right at him and smiled. It wasn’t just a smile; it was the most beautiful thing he’d ever seen. His heart just about shattered into a thousand pieces at the sight.

He had a baby.

He was a father.

His mouth fell open, and all the breath left his body.

And he was going to be there for her. He was going to be a good father. He was going to be the father he always hoped his own father would be.

“Do you have a place to stay?” he asked.

The woman shook her head. “I’m staying at a motel down on Fifth Street, but I’m almost out of money.”

“Stay here, please, you and Winnie... Can I hold her?”

She nodded and handed her to him.

As he held her, she looked up into his eyes and just smiled. She didn’t cry or seem scared of him. He took her hand, and as she wrapped her tiny finger around his, he felt the whole universe dissolve around him. This baby was his. There was no question about it. Tears pooled in his eyes. What was he going to do?

“Are you sure? We can’t just stay here?”

He was only vaguely aware she was still here and talking. All his focus was on the little baby on his lap. His daughter. Fuck. He had a daughter.

Somehow, he pulled his eyes off this darling little girl and glanced at her mother. “Yes, you can. I have plenty of room. You two can stay here until we figure this all out.”

His eyes fell back to the little baby in his arms.

“Hi, Winnie,” he said in a quiet voice.

This darling little girl in his arms gazed up and smiled. His spinning universe came into focus. This little girl was at the center of it.

His attention turned to the woman. “Don’t worry. We’ll figure this out. I want to help.”

“Thank you,” she said quietly.

Next thing he knew,he was in a sketchy motel, helping this woman collect her things. He looked at the dingy little crib in the corner and the way they had been living, and he was racked with guilt. How had he let this happen?

“Why don’t we stop by Target on the way home, and we can get everything we need to set up a nursery for her at my house?”

“That’s too much,” said Stacie.

“No, it’s not. I wish I would’ve known about this sooner. I could’ve helped you in any way I could. Now we can get you back on your feet, and I’ll spend time with this little one,” he said, giving his daughter a tickle under her chin.

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