Rita was getting ready for work. She quickly made her husband some sandwiches, wrapped them in foil, and left them on the table.
Mike worked at a garage, where there were no proper lunch breaks, so he always had to bring his own food. Rita worked as a cook in a café further from home, so she had to wake up an hour earlier than her husband.
Outside, rain drizzled down, so Rita grabbed the umbrella from the hallway. It slipped from her hand and clattered loudly on the floor. She froze, then peeked into the bedroomMike hadnt woken.
She smiled to herself.
“Clumsy me,” she muttered, then slipped quietly out the door.
The bus arrived surprisingly fast. Rita sat by the window, staring at the city passing by, lost in thought about her life.
She wasnt a young girl anymoreapproaching thirty, happily married. Though they werent rich, their life felt warm and close-knit.
But one thing weighed on her heartshe and Mike had no children. She longed for a baby, whether a boy or a girl didnt matter.
Three long years of marriage, countless doctor visits, and every time, theyd just shrug, saying everything was fine.
The bus stopped, and Rita paid before stepping out. A short walk through the park, and shed reach the café.
As she walked, she suddenly stoppeda little girl sat on a wet bench, crying. The child wore a thin jacket, shivering in the cold, tears mixing with raindrops on her cheeks.
Rita approached gently.
“Hello, sweetheart. Why are you out here alone?”
“Mum kicked me out” the girl sniffled.
“Kicked you out?” Rita couldnt believe it. What kind of mother would leave her child in the rain?
“She was asleep I was hungry. I woke her up, and she shouted at me. So now Im here.”
“Whats your name?”
“Daisy.”
Rita sighed. “What am I to do with you, Daisy?” She checked her watch. “Come on. Where do you live? Is it far?”
Daisy pointed. “Just over there.”
They walked in the direction Daisy indicated, and five minutes later, stood outside a flat. Rita rang the bell, but no one answered for a long time.
Finally, the door creaked open, revealing a dishevelled woman in a dirty dressing gown. Unwashed hair framed her tired face.
She blinked at Rita, then at Daisy, and stepped aside wordlessly.
“Come in.”
Rita hesitated but stepped inside. The flat reekedsomething foul made her stomach twist. The floor was littered with rags, and dust coated every surface.
Then Ritas eyes locked onto a photo on the sideboard.
Her breath caught.
Shed seen it beforein Mikes old photo album. But the one at home had been cut unevenly, leaving only Mike in the frame.
This one showed him standing beside a younger, beautiful womanthe very same woman now scowling at her from the doorway.
Rita turned, staring at the woman in disbelief.
“Well?” the woman snapped.
Rita composed herself. “Your daughter was sitting in the park, crying. How could you just ignore that?”
“Mind your own business! Go raise your own kids if youve got any!” She turned sharply to Daisy. “Whereve you been?”
The girl darted into another room, slamming the door behind her.
Rita left without another word.
All day, her thoughts swirledDaisy, the photo, the woman who must have once been part of Mikes life.
That evening, she handed Mike the photo.
“Darling, whos this woman next to you?”
He sighed. “Thats Helen. We were together a long timeeven talked about marriage. But she met someone else and left.”
“Why did you cut the photo?”
“I couldnt forgive her. When we split, she was pregnantbut she told me she didnt keep the baby. I left town, met you. We moved back here together. I never hid anything. Why are you asking?”
Rita told him everythingDaisy, the flat, the neglect.
Mike listened carefully, then asked, “How old is she?”
Rita told him.
He fell silent. The timing added up.
“Where do they live?”
She gave him the address, then went to bed, exhausted. Sometime past midnight, she woke to find the kitchen light on.
She crept closer. Mike sat at the table, deep in thought.
The next day, he knocked on Helens door. Daisy answered, staring up at the unfamiliar man who smiled at her.
“Hello. Are you Daisy? Wheres your mum?”
The girl turned and ran inside.
“Mum! Someones here for you!”
Helen appeared, scowling.
“You?” Her brows rose. “What do you want?”
Mike stepped inside without invitation, breathing in the stale air.
“Helen, I need the truth. Daisyshe could be mine. Is she?”
Helen slumped into a chair. “Lend me some money, yeah? I never got child support from you. Ive raised her on my own. Give us a hundred quid at least.”
“You lied to me. You said there was no baby.”
“I wanted to keep her. But then Valentin said hed be her dad. He left when she was three months olddidnt want to raise another mans child. I tried to find you, but youd gone.”
Mike clenched his jaw. “Ill get a test. If shes mine, Im taking her.”
“Take her now! Shes always underfoot. Feeding her, clothing herI cant even buy myself a drink!”
Daisy shyly approached Mike.
“Are you my dad?” Her big, cherry-like eyes searched his face.
Mike knelt. “Yes, Daisy. Im your dad. I want you to come live with me. Would you like that?”
She glanced at Helen, then whispered, “You wont be mean to me?”
Mike swallowed hard. “Never.”
Daisy nodded. “Okay.”
He stroked her hair before leaving. On the stairs, Helen chased after him.
“Waitgot any cash?”
Mike handed her a few notes, and her face lit up.
But he couldnt leave. He turned back. Daisy still stood in the hallway, sadness in her eyes.
“Get dressed. Were leaving.”
One thought burned in his mind: *Shes mine. I wont abandon her.*
Half an hour later, Daisy crossed the threshold of Mikes home. She recognised the kind woman whod brought her home earlierRita stood frozen, barely believing what was happening.
Later, after Daisy had been bathed, fed, and was playing with the cat, Rita looked at Mike.
“Are you sure this is right? You barely know her.”
“Ill learn. Shes my bloodhow could I turn her away?”
Rita walked to the kitchen and cried. All her longing for a child, all her painnow this little girl was here. How was she supposed to feel?
Then she felt a small hand on her head.
Rita looked up. Daisy.
“Are you sad? I cry too sometimes. Want me to tell you a nice story? I know one.”
Rita hugged her tight.
A year passed. Mike got the testjust for paperworkbut theyd already decided Daisy was staying no matter what.
Rita grew to love her deeply. They poured all their unused love into each other. Mike adored her toothey were a happy family.
Then, one morning, Rita felt ill. She pushed through work but collapsed and woke in hospital.
“Whats wrong with me?” Shed never been weak before.
The doctor smiled. “Weve run tests. Youre pregnant. No wonder youve been feeling off. Youre finewell discharge you today.”
Rita sat bolt upright. “What? Pregnant? Mike, did you hear that?”
It was true. Her dream had come true. Soon, she gave birth to a healthy boy, named James.
Daisy helped with everythingRita couldnt have managed without her.
Later, little Alice was born. Mike and Ritas joy was boundlesstheir family was now full, loving, and happy.
And Rita knewthis happiness had walked into their lives with a little girl whod brought a heart full of kindness.
Sometimes, love finds us in ways we never expect. And the family we build is just as precious as the one were born into.
