I stand just behind you as you unlock the front door. My heart beats a little faster than usual—today is the day. After five months of dating, I’m finally about to meet your daughter. Olivia. She’s only three and I know she’s your whole world.

I step inside and the first thing I notice is the soft chaos of toys scattered across the floor—tiny shoes, stuffed animals, a doll with wild hair lying on her side, it makes me smile. It’s like stepping into a piece of your life I haven’t seen until now. You disappear into the living room, and I follow, trying to stay calm even though my hands are a little sweaty.

And then I see her—she’s sitting on the floor with her back to us, gently talking to a group of dolls, her voice is soft, sweet, wrapped in that unmistakable imagination only kids have. You say her name, just softly, and she turns her head, smiling.

God, she has your smile.

You were only sixteen when you had her. The father didn’t stick around—you told him you were keeping the baby, and he vanished. You’ve done everything on your own since then, every bottle, every late night, every scraped knee. And somehow, you’ve raised this beautiful little human. You didn’t rush this. You waited until you were sure, until you felt safe, until you believed I could be someone real in both of your lives.

I’m in love with you—and meeting Olivia isn’t just a step forward. It’s something I’ve been hoping for. I’ve always been good with kids, grown up helping out with cousins and friends’ siblings, but this is different. This is her.

She jumps up and runs to you, shouting, “Mommy!” like it’s the best word in the world. You scoop her into your arms, and she clings to you with the kind of love that doesn’t need to be explained. And then—she sees me. Her big eyes blink up at me, curious and wide.

“Hi,” I say gently.

She hides her face in your shoulder, peeking at me from the corner of her eye, whispering a little 'hi' but to me, it already feels like the beginning of something real. Something worth everything.