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"All right, first things first, you'll need to head for this lab and get that paternity test squared away. Once that's done, I'll give you a ring after I've had a chat with the caseworker to nail down the perfect moment for you to come face-to-face with your stunning little girl."
As I turned to go, Angelo thrust a folder into my hands, a sly grin on his face. "Oh, and before you go, take a look at these fresh snapshots of your baby. Trust me, you'll get a kick out of them — she's the spitting image of her old man!"
The morning came, and I was all pumped up and ready to get things done. I had one goal in mind--make the chalet super cozy for Amy and impress the case worker by getting rid of any party vibes. So, I spent a bunch of hours moving stuff around, swapping out a tacky Bud Light fridge magnet for one of Ava's cute pictures.
I texted Amy on and off all morning till it was time for her to leave San Diego, and I found a more chill bedspread in an old trunk to replace the blue and yellow one. At the same time, I booked us a room at the Vail Hilton for another night together. Amy was supposed to show up around noon, just in time for Margaret to come by at two o’clock after Ava had her nap.
Dressed in my new pants and shirt, I was on my way to the airport, getting super excited about seeing Amy. When she finally walked out of the gate, she was dressed like the perfect nanny with a bright blouse and comfortable pants. We exchanged some nervous but excited looks before I gave her a quick kiss on the cheek and told her she looked perfect for the part.
Amy blushed and smiled shyly. "Thanks, Mitch. Did you hear from Ella?"
I shook my head, feeling a little worried. "No, but I can't help but feel that something's off."
"I don't think it's a big deal that she canceled today," Amy said seriously. "You wouldn't want her here if she's sick. Plus, it sounds like there'll be plenty of time to sort things out with Ella before Ava heads to California."
When we got to the chalet, Amy seemed to relax after seeing some new pics of little Ava. She started fixing up the place, moving pillows on the couch, and checking the bathroom for clean towels. "Got any air freshener? It's kinda stuffy in here like it's been closed up for a while."
I was bouncing between the window and the door like a little kid, and finally, the big moment came. "Come on in," I said, with Amy trying to peek around me. Margaret walked in, carrying a sleeping Ava in her baby carrier. I couldn't help but touch her face and whisper, "God, she's so tiny."
After a quiet moment, I grabbed the carrier and sat Ava next to me on the couch.
Amy said hello to Margaret, who plopped down in a nearby armchair. They both laughed together. "Oops, my bad for not introducing Amy earlier," I said, grinning but still staring at my baby girl.
Margaret showed us how to get Ava out of her seat, and when I held her for the first time, I was filled with love and a need to protect her. She was so tiny, her little fingers wrapping around my thumb. When Ava's eyes opened and met mine, I was amazed at her grip and felt a deep connection to this little, precious being.
"She's beautiful, Mitch," Amy whispered, her eyes shining with warmth.
"I know," I replied, my voice shaky with emotion. "I can't believe she’s real. If only Nicole had told me she was pregnant. I would've wanted to be there for her… even though we wouldn't have been together forever."
Margaret shook her head, clearly not impressed. "We've tried getting in touch with Nicole for days, but she never calls back. Her parents, who live here in town, think she's in Europe, but they haven't heard from her either."
I looked away from Ava, feeling an even stronger bond as I heard about Nicole's absence. "So, she's just left her kid behind?"
"It seems that way, but only time will tell. One thing's for sure, though. The court won't be too happy about her lack of interest," Margaret said.
Then, Amy jumped in, "Can I hold the baby too? I wanna bond with her as well..."
"Sure, that's a good idea," Margaret agreed, and I gently handed her over.
"Be careful with her head," Amy said, slowly taking Ava into her arms.
Margaret watched us with Ava, a smile on her face. "It's almost time to feed her. Want me to show you, Mitch?"
"Absolutely," I replied, excited to learn.
Margaret showed Amy and me how to make Ava's formula. "Ava's got a small milk allergy, so the pediatrician prescribed Nutramigen, which she's been okay with. Stick to this formula unless her new doctor says otherwise."
"Oh, I should write that down," Amy said, putting the info in her phone and taking a picture of the container.
After following Margaret's instructions, she showed us the right way to feed her, making me feel more confident as a new dad.
During the visit, Margaret checked out how well we were doing at making our home all about family. She mentioned that a home inspection in San Diego would be needed before any final decisions could be made. Margaret also noticed how great Amy was as a nanny. Finally, she watched our interactions with Ava, especially how connected we were to her.
"Mitch, you've done an amazing job getting ready for Ava, and I can tell Amy's gonna be a loving and skilled nanny. I have no doubts you'll give your daughter a great and supportive home," Margaret said, her voice full of warmth and approval.
With Margaret's thumbs-up, I breathed a sigh of relief. Over the next few hours, we got to know Ava and learned her cues, likes, and dislikes. Amy and I took turns holding, feeding, and changing her diapers. With each moment, I felt more at ease and confident as a dad. Amy did great as a loving nanny—it came naturally to her.
Finally, Margaret left with Ava, and it felt like a piece of me went with them. "You're going to be a great dad, Mitch," Amy told me. "I can't wait till you have her full time... I'll be Ava's, Auntie Amy."
