The hospital number matched.
Everything on the band said the baby was ours.
I expected Caleb to relax.
Instead, he looked even more frightened.
“The band says she belongs to you,” the nurse said carefully.
Caleb shook his head.
“I know what I saw.”
I held out my arms.
“Give her to me.”
He placed the baby against my chest.
She was tiny and warm and completely asleep despite the tension surrounding her.
That somehow made everything worse.
She wasn’t evidence.
She wasn’t a mistake.
She was somebody’s baby.
“Call the charge nurse.”
The nurse hesitated.
“Just so we can straighten everything out—”
“Now.”
She left.
Caleb began pacing.
“What if I’m wrong?”
I looked down at the baby.
“I hope you are.”
“I stared directly at that mark.”
“I know.”
“The nurse saw it too.”
“I know.”
The baby made a small squeaking sound and tucked her chin against my chest.
