“Unfortunately, the analysis of the dates was inconclusive. I don’t think we’ll ever know if it’s yours or Sam’s, since the two of you share the same DNA.” I was amazed that he hadn’t leapt from the porch, running and screaming. Perhaps my latest revelation hadn’t completely sunk in. We sat there quietly for a while. I wasn’t sure what else to say, and he was likely in shock, as I had been when I first heard the news.

When he did finally speak, his words couldn’t have surprised me more if he had started spouting off the lyrics of “Yankee Doodle Dandy.” He took ahold of my hands before looking deep into my eyes and saying, “I’m in, Abby. I want to raise this baby with you.”

7

I blinked a multitude of times, as if that would somehow help me comprehend what Seth was saying. How could he want to raise this baby with me after what I had done? I shook my head slowly, in disbelief.

“Please don’t say no, Abby. Give me a chance. I want to be involved in this baby’s life, in your life. We can be a family.”

I couldn’t respond. He seemed sincere, but I couldn’t fathom why he would be so willing to forgive me. I knew that I didn’t deserve it.

He must have taken my silence as a denial of his request because he continued trying to convince me. “I will be as involved as you’ll allow me to be, Ab, but I won’t overstep my bounds. If I start driving you crazy, just tell me to back off, and I will, I promise.”

I finally managed to put some words together. “I can’t ask you to do this. It isn’t fair, especially not after what I’ve done.”

“You’re not asking me. I want to be a father to this baby, to our baby.”

I mulled over his words. What he was offering was more than I ever could have dreamed, and so much more than I was worthy of. This baby had done nothing wrong, though, and it deserved to have a wonderful, caring man like Seth in its life.

“You should take a while to process this,” I warned him. “This is a big decision and an enormous responsibility. You haven’t had time to really absorb what it means.”

“I don’t need time, Abby. I know that I want to be as much of a part of this baby’s life as you’ll agree to. You don’t have to decide right now, but I am here, and I’m not going anywhere.” He squeezed my hand in his. “We don’t have to figure it all out tonight.”