“Wait! Wait! Just give me one more minute.” I take a stabilizing breath, trying to calm my nerves and excitement. I don’t want to come off as some kind of strange, crazy man.

“Harry, she’s going to start crying soon,” you remind me, standing in the space between the living room and the hallway of doors.

“Okay, okay… I’m ready. Go get her.”

My knee nervously bounces as I wait, adrenaline running high. My palms are sweaty, my heartbeat is in my ears, and yet I can’t wipe the smile off of my face. I can’t believe you’re letting me do this.

8 months ago when we started seeing each other, the first thing you got out of the way was the fact that you were a single mom. At first, I was shocked. We’re both 21, and back then I couldn’t even imagine having a child in my life. But I also respected it. It took guts to come right out and tell me, like you were over the bullshit from other guys who left as soon as they found out.

But I didn’t leave. And I don’t plan to any time soon.

Your daughter, Ellie, was born 4 years ago, when you were just 17. Her father has never been in the picture, left the second you showed him the positive test. And I’ve never wanted to track down and hurt someone so bad. You’ve been raising Ellie all on your own since then, with zero prospects to ever find anyone who would not only accept you, but your daughter too.

The past has hurt you, I get that. It’s why you were so guarded early on in our relationship. Very scared and calculated with every move you’d make. It makes sense. You don’t want to waste time on someone who isn’t truly in this with you. Someone who isn’t worth of your time. Someone who you’d never let around your daughter.

But, I guess I passed all those tests, right? Seeing as I’m sitting here, in your apartment, about to be introduced to Ellie for the first time.

God, I’m so nervous. I can’t believe you’re trusting me like this. You have no reason not to, I’m just…honored.

A creaking door sends me back into reality, my eyes shooting up to the hallway. You reappear, your movements slow and calm. The more and more you walk out of, what I’m assuming is, Ellie’s room, the more anxious I get. The sight of your hand holding hers as you lead her out of the bedroom makes something fluttery happen in my chest. And when you both finally reach the living room, just a few feet away, I feel like I can’t breathe.

“Ellie, baby, this is Harry. Remember, I told you about him?” Your motherly voice sends a pleasant chill down my spine.

The little girl hesitates to look in my direction, only catching my eyes long enough for me softly wave and mutter, “Hi, Ellie.”

She immediately giggles and hides behind your leg. I fear my heart has just exploded in my chest.