Jack and his family had been getting ready for breakfast when the doorbell rang. Jack, being the closest to the door, stood from his chair and made his way over, wondering who would be at their door at eight in the morning and on a Sunday, no less! Jack opened the door, expecting to see someone on the other side. However, he had no idea that what he was actually met with would alter his and his family’s life forever… As Jack opened the door, he thought he would be met with another person. However, that didn’t seem to be the case as he was met with a big fat nothing. “Who is ding dong ditching at eight in the morning?” Jack said, annoyed. He sighed and was about to close the door when he heard a strange sound. As his eyes went down to follow the sound, he couldn’t believe it. There with small outstretched hands, cooing, laid a baby wrapped up on a blanket. Jack paled at the sight of it, not really sure what to do. He was only 17, turning 18 this summer, and with no younger siblings, he didn’t really know what to do either. He stood there frozen, though only for a moment, as he finally thought up what he should do. “Mom! You should come and see this!” Jack yelled out over his shoulder before he crouched down and carefully picked up the baby wrapped in a bundle of blankets. The baby’s hand immediately reached out towards his face and Jack couldn’t help but feel a smile come over his face. The baby certainly was cute, but it wasn’t alone as Jack noticed a piece of paper sticking out of he blanket. “Jack is everything alright?” he heard his mom run up behind him, her voice a bit frantic. It was a fair reaction, as Jack’s voice had been full of panic. Even holding the baby in his arms felt off. He was afraid that with a wrong movement he could simply break it. “Yes, everything is alright,” he couldn’t stop his voice from trembling a bit, “but you need to see this.” His mother stopped next to him and wanted to reprimand him for making her stressed after seeing no one at the door, but it was then that she saw the baby. “Jack, next time don’t raise… What is that?” her eyes were bulging out of her sockets, and she couldn’t quite believe that there was a small baby in her son’s hands. “I don’t know, Mom. That is why I called you. When I opened the door, there was no one there except for this baby. I couldn’t just leave it on the cold floor, so I picked it up. Could you please take over? I am afraid I will drop it.” Jack said, and his mother took the baby without any effort, keeping it in one arm instead of two, noticing the piece of paper like Jack had and frowning because of it. “What’s this?” she asked, snatching the paper before Jack could get his hands on it. With the paper in hand, she closed the door, glancing outside one last time to make sure she hadn’t missed someone walking away, and made her way back to the living room. Walking with the baby, she couldn’t help herself but try and read the note at the same time, but as she did this her eyes widened. Her eyes went from Jack to the baby to the stairs as the color drained from her face. She didn’t even notice the hand of the baby reaching out for her hair and finally grabbing hold of it. That was until the baby pulled on her hair. “Marcu—. AUW,” she exclaimed as she tried to call her husband downstairs. After hearing his wife hurt, Marcus immediately dashed down the stairs, a towel still in his hands as he had previously been towel-drying his hair. “What’s wrong? Is everything okay?” he asked, a slight panic in his voice. However, his question was soon answered as his eyes zeroed in on the baby his wife was holding. “Whose baby is that?” Ellie gave a half-hearted smile at this question as she mentioned for Marcus and Jack to sit down. “I was hoping either of you could tell me that,” she began. Both men looked at each other, confusion clear on their faces. “Honey, what are you implying?” Marcus asked, wanting to hear her reasoning for the accusation coming from her lips. “A baby was brought to our doorstep. Attached to him was a small note that makes me want to get to the bottom of this,” she said, holding up the note. She rasped her voice, “He belongs to be with his family, a family who can properly care for him.” She looked at Jack this time around as Marcus turned to look at him too. “I suppose prom last year must have been too much of a success?” Jack looked horror-struck at this. “Wait, what? Me? I mean, yes Daisy and I stayed a night at a hotel after prom, but I did it like you told me. We were safe, and Daisy moved away about six months ago. She would have told me if something had happened, not like this.” Jack stammered. However, as Ellie looked into the baby’s eyes, she knew that with that shade of blue, he had to be a Preston. “Jack, you need to understand,” Ellie began, her voice steady but firm, “even a small accident can have serious consequences. We can’t ignore this. We need to see a doctor.” Jack’s eyes widened in realization, the gravity of the situation sinking in. “But Mom, what if…?” Ellie cut him off gently, “No what-ifs, Jack. This is too important. We need to make sure the baby is okay and get some answers.” Ellie emphasized, “Jack, we need to do a DNA test to be absolutely sure.” Jack nodded, still overwhelmed. “What if it is my baby?” he asked, his voice barely above a whisper. Ellie placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder. “That’s why we need to be certain. A DNA test will give us the answers we need.” Jack swallowed hard, the reality of the situation settling in. Jack sat on the couch, staring at the baby. “I don’t know what to do,” he admitted. Ellie knelt beside him, her tone softening. “We’ll figure it out together. Right now, we need to act quickly. The sooner we know, the better.” Jack looked at his mother, her calmness a steady anchor in the storm of his thoughts. “Okay, Mom. Let’s do this.” Ellie smiled, her resolve unwavering. Ellie picked up the phone and dialed the doctor’s office, her voice clear and urgent. “We need to schedule an appointment for a DNA test as soon as possible,” she explained. Jack watched her, his anxiety palpable. “Yes, it’s urgent. There’s a baby involved,” she continued. After a few moments, Ellie hung up the phone. “We have an appointment,” she said, looking at Jack and Marcus. “We’ll get answers soon.” The car ride to the hospital was tense. Marcus gripped the steering wheel, his knuckles white. Jack stared out the window, lost in thought. Ellie sat in the back with the baby, her mind racing. No one spoke, the silence heavy with unspoken fears and questions. As they approached the hospital, Ellie finally broke the silence. “Whatever happens, we’ll handle it together,” she said softly, offering a glimmer of comfort. In the waiting room, Jack couldn’t sit still. “This baby can’t be mine,” he kept saying, his voice shaky. Ellie tried to calm him, but he was insistent. “Daisy would have told me if something happened. This doesn’t make sense.” His agitation was clear, his eyes darting around the room as if searching for answers. Ellie placed a hand on his shoulder, but Jack just shook his head, unconvinced. Marcus sat across from Jack, his face set in determination. “Jack, we need to know the truth. The DNA test will clarify everything once and for all,” he said firmly. Jack opened his mouth to argue but then closed it, seeing the resolve in his father’s eyes. Marcus continued, “It’s the only way to be sure, son. We have to face this head-on.” Jack nodded reluctantly, understanding but still uneasy. Ellie glanced between Marcus and Jack, sensing the tension rising. “Let’s stay calm,” she urged, her voice gentle but firm. “We’re all stressed, but arguing won’t help.” She reached for Jack’s hand, squeezing it reassuringly. “We’re in this together, remember?” Jack sighed, leaning back in his chair, while Marcus gave a tight nod. The room fell into a tense silence, each of them lost in their own thoughts. The family sat in the waiting room, the minutes ticking by slowly. Jack fidgeted, glancing at the clock every few seconds. Ellie held the baby, trying to distract herself by humming softly. Marcus stared at the floor, deep in thought. The air was thick with tension, each of them anxious about what the doctor would say. The sound of footsteps approaching made them all look up, hearts pounding. The doctor entered the room, smiling kindly. “Hello, I’m Dr. Patel,” she said, looking at the family. Her eyes fell on Ellie holding the baby. “Are you the mother?” Ellie shook her head, quickly explaining, “No, I’m not. We found the baby on our doorstep with a note.” Dr. Patel’s eyebrows raised in surprise. “I see. Well, let’s start by understanding your situation better,” she said, gesturing for them to follow her. Ellie reached into her purse and handed the doctor the note that had been left with the baby. “This was with him,” she said, her voice steady but laced with concern. Dr. Patel took the note and unfolded it, her eyes scanning the words. Ellie continued, “We don’t know who left him or why, but we need to find out if he’s Jack’s.” The doctor nodded, understanding the urgency. Dr. Patel carefully read the note, her expression thoughtful. “This is quite a situation,” she said finally, looking up at the Preston family. “The quickest way to clear up any doubts is through a DNA test.” Marcus nodded in agreement. “We were hoping you could help with that.” The doctor smiled reassuringly. “Of course. We’ll start the process right away and get you some answers as soon as possible.” Jack, still looking stressed, spoke up. “Doctor, I don’t see how this baby could be mine. My girlfriend, Daisy, moved several states away months ago. She would have told me if she was pregnant.” Dr. Patel listened patiently, then said, “I understand your concerns, Jack. The DNA test will give us a clear answer. It’s the only way to be absolutely certain.” Jack sighed, nodding reluctantly. Dr. Patel began to explain the DNA test procedure. “We’ll take a sample from both Jack and the baby. It’s a simple, painless process. Once we have the samples, we’ll send them to the lab for analysis.” Ellie and Marcus listened attentively, nodding in understanding. “How long will it take?” Marcus asked. “A few days,” the doctor replied. “But we’ll get started right away to minimize the wait.” The doctor carefully collected DNA samples from both Jack and the baby, using sterile swabs to gather cells from the inside of their cheeks. She labeled each sample meticulously, ensuring there would be no mix-up. “That’s it,” she said with a reassuring smile. “Now we just have to wait for the lab to process the results.” The Preston family thanked her, feeling a mix of anxiety and hope as they left the office. The doctor informed the family, “You’ll need to wait for the results, which could take a few days.” Jack sighed, frustrated by the delay. Marcus nodded, accepting the wait. Ellie squeezed Jack’s hand. “We’ll get through this together,” she said. The ride home was quiet, each of them lost in their thoughts, wondering what the DNA test would reveal and how it would impact their lives. Back home, Ellie decided to prepare a baby room using old items from their previous children. “We need to be ready, just in case,” she told Marcus. She pulled out boxes from the attic, filled with baby clothes, toys, and a crib. Jack watched her, feeling a mix of emotions. Ellie smiled at him, trying to lighten the mood. “It’s like a walk down memory lane, isn’t it?” Marcus joined Ellie in sorting through the old baby items. “Remember when Jack used to love this teddy bear?” he said, holding up a worn-out toy. Ellie laughed softly. “He wouldn’t sleep without it.” They continued to reminisce, sharing stories about their children’s early years. It brought a sense of warmth and nostalgia, a brief respite from the current uncertainty. Jack watched them, feeling a little comforted. Feeling overwhelmed, Jack retreated to his room. He lay on his bed, staring at the ceiling, his mind racing. The situation felt surreal, the uncertainty weighing heavily on him. He couldn’t stop thinking about the baby and the possibility that his life might change forever. “How did this even happen?” he muttered to himself, wishing he had answers. The waiting was the hardest part, making everything feel even more intense. The family was finally called back to the doctor’s office to discuss the DNA test results. Marcus drove, the car filled with a tense silence. Jack sat in the back, his hands clenched into fists. Ellie tried to stay calm, but her mind raced with possibilities. As they arrived at the office, they exchanged anxious glances. “This is it,” Marcus said quietly, leading the way inside, ready to face the truth. In the office, the doctor looked at them seriously. “The DNA test results are back. Jack is not the father of the baby.” The room fell silent. Jack let out a breath he didn’t know he was holding. Ellie’s eyes widened in shock, while Marcus frowned, trying to process the information. “If Jack isn’t the father, then who is?” Ellie asked, her voice trembling slightly. Ellie turned to Marcus, her eyes flashing with anger. “Is there something you’re not telling me, Marcus? Have you been unfaithful?” Marcus looked stunned, shaking his head. “Ellie, no! I would never do that!” he protested. Ellie’s voice rose, “Then how do you explain this? How can a baby end up on our doorstep with a note if it isn’t Jack’s?” The tension in the room was palpable. Marcus, bewildered by the accusation, held his ground. “Ellie, I promise you, I haven’t cheated. I don’t know why this baby is here, but I’m not involved.” He took a deep breath, his voice steady. “I’ll take a DNA test to prove it.” Ellie stared at him, her anger softening just a bit. “You better be telling the truth, Marcus,” she said, her voice still edged with suspicion. As they awaited the next steps, the tension between Ellie and Marcus grew. They sat in silence, the air thick with unresolved emotions. Jack watched them, feeling caught in the middle. “Mom, Dad, please,” he said quietly, “fighting won’t help.” Ellie sighed, looking away. Marcus rubbed his temples, trying to stay calm. The doctor returned, sensing the strained atmosphere. “We can proceed with the test,” he said. The doctor agreed to perform a DNA test on Marcus, though he expressed, “There’s a slim chance he’s the father, but we’ll test to be thorough.” Marcus nodded, ready to clear his name. Ellie remained tense but nodded in agreement. The doctor prepared the necessary materials, and Marcus rolled up his sleeve, ready to provide the sample. “Let’s get this over with,” Marcus said, determined to prove his innocence. Ellie looked at the doctor, her eyes determined. “We need to do the test,” she insisted. “I want to uncover the truth about this baby’s parentage.” Marcus nodded in agreement, ready to prove his innocence. The doctor prepared for the test, Ellie’s resolve unwavering. “We can’t leave any stone unturned,” she said, looking at Marcus and Jack. “We need to know for sure who this baby belongs to.” The doctor took another DNA sample, this time from Marcus. Marcus rolled up his sleeve, offering his arm without hesitation. The doctor swabbed the inside of his cheek, placing the sample in a labeled container. “This will help us get to the bottom of things,” the doctor said reassuringly. Ellie watched intently, her mind racing with questions and possibilities. “Thank you, doctor,” she said, her voice filled with hope. Instead of sending the samples off, the doctor paused. “I need to share something with you,” he said, looking at the family. “During the test with Jack, we found a direct DNA match in our database.” Ellie, Marcus, and Jack exchanged confused glances. “What do you mean?” Ellie asked, her curiosity piqued. The doctor took a deep breath. “It means we have information on the baby’s family.” The doctor revealed, “The baby’s mother is Genevieve Mikaelson, based on a previous DNA sample.” Ellie’s eyes widened in surprise. “Genevieve Mikaelson?” she repeated, trying to place the name. Marcus looked equally bewildered. “Who is she?” Jack asked, confusion written on his face. The doctor continued, “She must have submitted a DNA sample for some reason, and that’s how we identified her. It’s a significant lead.” The doctor handed Ellie a file with information about Genevieve. The room fell silent as Ellie opened the file, scanning its contents. “This is unbelievable,” she murmured, her mind racing with questions. Marcus and Jack leaned in to look, curiosity etched on their faces. “What do we do now?” Jack asked, breaking the silence. Ellie closed the file, her resolve firm. “We need to find her,” she said determinedly. Ellie, still angry with Marcus, decided to confront this new development head-on as the family left the hospital. “We need to find this Genevieve Mikaelson,” she declared. Marcus tried to speak, but Ellie cut him off. “No more excuses, Marcus. We need answers.” Jack followed silently, holding the baby close. The drive home was tense, filled with unspoken words and mounting determination to uncover the truth. Determined to uncover the truth, Ellie decided to find Genevieve Mikaelson using her government job resources. She spent hours searching through databases, making phone calls, and piecing together information. Marcus watched her, his face a mix of concern and guilt. “Ellie, please, I have no mistress,” he said softly. Ellie didn’t respond, her focus unwavering. “I need to know,” she whispered, typing furiously. Marcus tried to convince Ellie that he had no mistress, but she was unconvinced. “Ellie, you have to believe me. I don’t know this woman,” he pleaded. Ellie glanced at him, her expression hard. “I want to believe you, Marcus, but this situation is too strange to ignore,” she replied. Jack listened quietly, hoping his parents would find common ground. The tension in the room was thick. Ellie discovered Genevieve’s home address and made plans to visit her. “I’ve got it,” she announced, holding up a piece of paper. Marcus and Jack exchanged worried glances. “Are you sure this is the right thing to do?” Jack asked hesitantly. Ellie nodded firmly. “We need to confront her and get the truth,” she said. Marcus sighed, knowing there was no stopping Ellie once she made up her mind. Marcus and Jack reluctantly agreed to accompany Ellie, hoping to resolve the mystery. “We’ll go with you, Mom,” Jack said, his voice steady. Marcus nodded. “We need to do this together,” he added. Ellie smiled, appreciating their support. They packed up the baby’s things and headed to the car, each of them bracing for the confrontation ahead. “Let’s get this over with,” Ellie said, determination in her eyes. Ellie, Marcus, Jack, and the baby drove to a rundown neighborhood to find Genevieve’s house. The streets were lined with old, weathered buildings, some boarded up and abandoned. “This place looks rough,” Jack muttered, holding the baby close. Ellie nodded, her eyes scanning for the address. “There it is,” she said, pointing to a dilapidated house at the end of the street. They parked, nerves on edge. They parked in front of the dilapidated house and made their way to the door. The paint was peeling, and the porch creaked under their weight. Marcus glanced around, uneasy. “Are we sure this is the right place?” he asked. Ellie nodded, determination in her eyes. “This is it,” she said, stepping up to the door. She took a deep breath and knocked, her heart pounding. Ellie knocked on the door, which was answered by a young woman in her early twenties. She had dark circles under her eyes and looked surprised to see them. “Can I help you?” she asked, her voice wary. Ellie stepped forward, holding the baby. “Are you Genevieve Mikaelson?” she asked. The woman nodded slowly, her eyes widening as she took in the family and the baby. “Yes, I am,” she replied. Genevieve’s eyes widened in shock upon seeing the family and the baby, and she tried to shut the door. “Wait!” Ellie called, pushing against the door. Genevieve paused, panic in her eyes. “What do you want?” she asked, her voice trembling. Ellie kept her hand firmly on the door. “We need to talk about the baby,” she said firmly. Genevieve hesitated, then stepped back, allowing them inside. Ellie, determined to get answers, stopped the door from closing and demanded an explanation. “We found this baby on our doorstep with a note,” she said, her voice steady but intense. “We need to know what’s going on.” Genevieve looked at the baby, her expression softening. “I can explain,” she said quietly, her eyes meeting Ellie’s. “Please, come in,” she added, stepping aside to let them enter. Ellie waved the note in Genevieve’s face, her voice firm. “What does this mean?” she demanded. Genevieve looked at the note, her eyes filled with regret. “I’m sorry for the confusion,” she began, her voice trembling. “I didn’t know what else to do.” Ellie’s grip tightened on the note, her patience wearing thin. “You need to explain yourself,” she insisted, the urgency clear in her tone. Genevieve apologized for her vagueness, her voice breaking. “I couldn’t care for the baby,” she admitted, tears welling up in her eyes. “I’m not in a position to give him the life he deserves.” Ellie’s expression softened slightly, but she remained resolute. “Why didn’t you come to us directly?” she asked. Genevieve shook her head, her shoulders slumping. “I was scared. I didn’t know what else to do,” she whispered. Ellie pressed for more information, her eyes narrowing. “Who is the baby’s father?” she asked pointedly. Genevieve looked confused, glancing between Ellie and Marcus. “You don’t know?” she asked softly. Ellie shook her head, her frustration growing. “No, we don’t. That’s why we’re here,” she replied. Genevieve took a deep breath, preparing herself to reveal the truth. “The baby’s father is your late son, Tyler,” she said quietly. Genevieve, confused at the question, revealed that the baby was the son of Ellie and Marcus’ late son, Tyler, who had died ten months ago. Ellie’s face went pale, and Marcus looked stunned. “Tyler?” Marcus repeated, his voice cracking. Genevieve nodded. “Yes, Tyler. We were together before he died,” she explained. The room fell silent as the weight of her words sank in. Jack looked at his parents, bewildered. Genevieve explained that she discovered she was pregnant two weeks after Tyler’s fatal car crash. “I didn’t know what to do,” she said, her voice filled with sorrow. “I was devastated by his death and then found out I was pregnant. I thought I could handle it, but it’s been so hard.” Ellie’s eyes filled with tears, understanding the pain Genevieve had been through. Marcus reached out, taking Ellie’s hand. Genevieve shared her reasons for feeling unfit to care for the baby. “I want him to have a better life than I can provide,” she said softly. “I’m not in a good place financially or emotionally. I’ve tried my best, but it’s not enough.” Ellie listened, her heart aching for the young woman. “I understand,” Ellie replied, her voice filled with compassion. “We all want what’s best for him.” She explained that she believed the baby would have a better future with the Prestons. “You can give him the stability and love that I can’t,” Genevieve said, her voice wavering. “I’ve seen the kind of people you are. Tyler always spoke so highly of you.” Marcus nodded, tears in his eyes. “We will do everything we can for him,” he promised. Genevieve smiled sadly, grateful for their understanding. Genevieve admitted she was struggling financially and emotionally, unable to provide for the baby. “I’ve been working two jobs just to make ends meet,” she confessed, wiping away tears. “And after losing Tyler, it’s been hard to keep going.” Ellie reached out, placing a comforting hand on Genevieve’s shoulder. “You’re doing the best you can,” she said softly. “We’ll make sure he’s taken care of, I promise.” Ellie felt a surge of emotion, realizing the baby was her late son Tyler’s child. She looked at the baby, her eyes filling with tears. “He looks so much like Tyler did as a baby,” she whispered, her voice breaking. Marcus squeezed her hand, sharing her grief and joy. “We’ll take care of him, Ellie,” Marcus said softly. “We’ll make sure he knows how much his father loved him.” The family listened intently, understanding the difficult decision Genevieve had made. “Thank you for telling us the truth,” Ellie said, her voice filled with gratitude. Genevieve nodded, tears streaming down her face. “I just want him to have the best life possible,” she said. Jack, holding the baby, nodded in agreement. “We’ll give him that,” he said firmly. The room was filled with a sense of resolution and hope. Ellie asked Genevieve if she wanted to be involved in the baby’s upbringing. “You’re his mother, and you should have a say,” she said gently. Genevieve looked thoughtful, her eyes filling with tears. “I don’t want to disrupt his life, but I also don’t want to disappear from it completely,” she admitted. Ellie nodded, understanding the complexity of the situation. “We can find a way that works for everyone,” she assured. Genevieve expressed her desire to watch from the sidelines and possibly form a relationship later. “I need time to get my life in order,” she explained. “But I would like to be there for him when the time is right.” Ellie smiled warmly. “That makes sense,” she said. “We can start slow, and when you’re ready, we’ll be here.” Genevieve looked relieved, grateful for their understanding. Ellie agreed to Genevieve’s request, promising to keep her informed about the baby’s life. “We’ll send you updates and pictures,” Ellie said. Genevieve nodded, her eyes bright with hope. “Thank you,” she whispered. Marcus added, “You’re always welcome to visit.” Genevieve smiled, a weight lifted from her shoulders. “I appreciate that,” she replied. The sense of relief in the room was palpable, bringing a quiet peace to everyone. The family left Genevieve’s house with the baby, feeling a sense of closure and new beginnings. As they walked to the car, Ellie took a deep breath, feeling lighter. “This is the start of something new,” she said softly. Marcus nodded, carrying the baby’s bag. Jack walked beside them, the baby in his arms. “We’re doing the right thing,” Marcus said, his voice filled with conviction. Ellie smiled, feeling hopeful. They embraced the baby as a part of their family, honoring Tyler’s memory as a new chapter began. Back home, they settled into a new routine, the baby bringing joy and a sense of purpose. Ellie and Marcus often shared stories about Tyler, keeping his memory alive. Jack adjusted to his role as an older brother, finding unexpected happiness. Together, they faced the future, united by love and resilience.