Page 4 of SEAL's Doorstep Baby

Her face is hard and unreadable. She pulls the baby closer, her arms tightening.

Looking down at the child, Allison’s eyes fill with tears.

Although I barely know Allison—ten years changes a lot, after all, and I wouldn’t say we knew each other well back then—I still feel a pang of sympathy for whatever she’s feeling.

“I’ve been there for every fever,” Allison whispers, gently pushing some of the light hair out of Maddison’s face. “I went to her doctor’s visits. I was there for the delivery. I’ve had her overnight. I just… I thought… I always thought if something happened to Emily, I’d have Maddison. I’m her godmother, you know. I always thought that meant it’d be me.”

Although I’ve just met this child, a burst of fear runs through me.

And, as loath as I am to admit it…

Relief.

Relief fills me.

If Allison takes Maddison, if that’s what Emily wanted… I mean, it’s not like Emily even wanted me to know that she had a baby. Maybe this is Emily’s plan. Maybe that’s what Allison is here to tell me—

“But I know,” Allison continues, her voice thick. “I know that Emily would have wanted you to take care of Maddie if anything ever happened to her. That's one of the reasons why she was so excited when you moved back, Jacob. She never put me as Maddie’s guardian, though I said she could. She never wanted to file it until she talked to you. Emily wanted Maddison to always know her family. She told me. I know what she’d want.”

Guilt flares, as does the panic. My palms start to sweat. I wish against all odds that Allison would take it back, take it all back.

I don’t want to be in charge of the baby.

I don’t want any of this.

Crying now, Allison presses a shaky kiss to Maddison’s forehead.

“This is your niece,” she says through tears. “And now you have to raise her.”

Chapter two

ALLISON

The blaring of a hyper pop rock song shocks me out of my sleep, and I jolt up, arms flailing. My heart hammers like it could jump out of my chest. My head snaps back and forth as I look for the music-toting intruder—

Only to see my phone vibrating on my nightstand.

“Emily,” I growl, grabbing the ringing device.

I consider silencing it so I can get back to sleep, but I change my mind—although no one should be calling this early—I pick it up so I can let her know that she’s a complete tool for this.

“Emily, you are a horrible, horrible person. Literally the worst person I’ve ever met.”

Emily’s giggling response is devoid of any apology. “Who, me?”

“Maddie, please do the shame stare I taught you. Your mom deserves it. And you, Emily, stop laughing!” Even as I am trying to get her to restrain her laughter, I can’t help myselffrom giving sound to my own amusement when I hear Maddie eagerly cackling in time with her mother down the phone.

“I’m sorry.” She tries her most serious voice but a barely restrained snicker gives her away, so I know her apology isn’t even a little bit genuine. “You like pop music, don’t you?”

“You aren’t sorry, and no, I don’t.” Already I’m waking up. I push up against my headboard, sighing. “I hear you trying not to laugh. FYI, I picked up this call just so I can let you know that you are a tool. A complete tool.”

“A tool? Sounds like something a middle schooler would say.” Emily mulls it over. I can practically see her nodding her head. “I like it.” She bursts into belly aching laughter that reminds me of how much of a child she can be despite having one herself. I am the dour and gloomy one of our pair, but she has always made it okay; being in the sunshine she brought was refreshing enough.

I’m smiling fondly, and although she can’t see it, I know she hears it. “How are you, Millie?”

“I’m okay. I got a call from Jacob.”

Immediately, I’m wide awake.

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