Pam had always dreamed of a promotion, and when she got the chance, it meant moving to her hometown for six months. Though hard for us, I supported her. We kept in touch, but as time passed, our calls dwindled, and I noticed subtle changes in her. I brushed them off—until she showed up unexpectedly with a newborn.
Shocked, I asked, “Whose baby is that?” Pam revealed the truth: there was no promotion. Instead, she had helped her younger sister Ashley, who had been abandoned while pregnant. Ashley decided on adoption, and Pam, moved by the situation, offered to adopt the baby herself.
Pam pleaded for us to raise the child together. Though blindsided, I saw the baby and couldn’t say no. We finalized the adoption and supported Ashley’s fresh start at college. Pam’s family never learned the full story, but we shared the joy of being new parents.
Months later, Pam finally got her promotion. As for me, every time I hold our daughter, I know we made the right choice.