Dave sighs as peels off his shades, collapsing onto the couch. He rubs his sore eyes and keeps them closed, ready to pass out. He had been working for a good week with about 5 hours sleep. He was so deprived from rest that he was sure his body nearly gave way on the way home. But now he had a few weeks off, so he could just relax and catch up on all of the sleep he had missed.

Just as he was about to fall asleep, there was a knock at the door. He groans and sluggishly gets to his feet. He shuffles over to the door and swings it open. When he sees that there was no one standing there he growls, it was probably the next door neighbours' kids. He goes to shut the door, but pauses when he hears a quiet cry. He looks down to see a basket sitting on his patio.

'Oh hell no.'

He kneels down and peels back the blanket covering it to see a tiny baby huddled in it. He notices a scrap piece of paper. He gently takes it out from beside the baby and opens it.

I am so sorry to do this to you, but they couldn't stay with me. I can't get out of my situation and I fear for my baby's life. Please treat them well.

That's when Dave notices a scar on the baby's cheek. Dave sighs and picks up the basket. The sudden jostling causes the baby to wake up and begin to wail. The loud sound rings through Dave's already pounding head, causing him to wince.

"Alright, I'll see what I can feed you."

He closes his front door and heads to his kitchen. He looks through the cupboards and such, only to find out he had nothing. Which he should have figured, but he was too sleep deprived to do so.

'I only have one choice, I guess.'

He pulls his phone from his pocket and dials in his sister's number.

"Dave?"

"Hey Rose," he greets, "listen can you do me a favour?"

"Depends on the favour."

"Can you go buy me some of that baby formula?"

"Why do y-"

The baby's wails became louder, making it very obvious to Rose as to why he needed to formula.

"Alright, I'll be over in 15."

"Thanks."

And with that he hangs up.

"Alright you little shit," Dave sighs, picking you up, "your food is coming."

He tries to soothe them, but it doesn't really work. So when he hears a knock on the door he's overjoyed. He opens the door to reveal a confused Rose. She walks in and instantly makes her way to the kitchen. As she begins to make a bottle of milk, she talks to Dave.

"So may I ask why you have an infant with you?"

"Found them on my front door with that note." He points towards the paper.

She picks it up and briskly reads it.

"How unfortunate," she frowns, "so, what're you going to do with them?"

"Guess I'll keep them." he shrugs.

Rose hands Dave the bottle. He sighs in relief as soon as they begin to drink.

"Are you sure that's a good idea?" Rose asks, "With such a busy schedule?"

"Yep." He nods.

"Alright, well, I brought everything you'll probably need." Rose shrugs.

"Thank you again."

"No problem," she smiles, "good luck."

And with that she makes her exit. Dave makes his way to the lounge room and sits down on the couch. He begins to hum a lullaby as they drink. Eventually the bottle was emptied and the baby was asleep. Dave smiles as he sits the baby back into the basket to sleep.

'Hmm, I'll get a cot tomorrow.'

He lies back on the couch and falls asleep.

~~~

You sat on the carpeted floor, playing with the toys Aunty Jade had bought you. You giggle as you chew on the head of one of the toys.

"You're not supposed to eat those." Dave smiles, sitting on the couch.

He had a cup of instant ramen in one hand, and the remote in the other. He begins to flick through the channels. When he figures that nothing good was on, he leaves it on a cooking show and begins eating.

His eyes are dragged away from the TV when he hears you giggle. He looks down to see you on your feet.

"Oh shit!"

He sits down his noodles and leans forward, holding his arms out.

"Come on, come to daddy." He coos.

Your chubby little legs slowly waddle over, making grabby hands towards Dave. Just as you were about to reach him, you begin to teeter. You almost end up on your butt, but Dave catches you.

"What a fast learner you are." Dave smiles, sitting you on his lap.

You giggle and grab Dave's tie, tugging at it.

"Whoa, calm down tiger."

You let out various babbling sounds and go to grab his hair.

"Yeah, no, I don't think so."

Dave picks up one of your toys and hands it to you.

"Rip that apart, not my hair."

You take it and instantly begin to chew on one of the soft ears.

"Nice one, little buddy."

~~~

"Daddy! Daddy!" you call, running over to him across the oval.

"Hey there pumpkin." Dave chuckles, scooping you up in his arms.

"How did you go?" he asks, looking down at you.

"I got a bunch of the blue ones!"

You open your hands to reveal blue first place ribbons.

"That's incredible, champ!" he grins, kissing your forehead.

"Can we get ice cream to celebrate?"

"Hmm, I dunno." Dave smile, pretending to think.

"Please, please, please!"

"Alright, let's go."

"Yay!"

~~~

You sit on the bench in the park, eating your (flavour) ice cream and humming. It was nice when Dave was able to do stuff like this. Usually he was stuck working, so when he could spend time with his kid he was happiest.

"Hey daddy," you speak up, "why's that lady coming over here?"

Dave looks up to see a woman with (hair colour) hair walking straight towards you both. He's instantly wary of her, he knows he shouldn't be, but it was just a natural reaction.

"Hi, um, I'm sorry," she starts off, sounding quite nervous, "is this your child?"

"Hey pumpkin, why don't you go play on the playground."

"Okay daddy!"

And with that you run off, ice cream still in hand.

"So, why the interest in my kid?" Dave asks, looking at her quizzically.

"I'm, uh, pretty sure I left them on your doorstep." She manages to stutter out.

Dave's eyes widen, was she going to try and take you back.

"Don't worry, she's your daughter," the woman smiles, "I'm just a stranger. I just noticed the scar on their cheek"

That calmed Dave down, if only by a little.

"My ex did that to them, so I gave her away as soon as I could," she sighs, "I couldn't bare to see them getting hurt."

"I'm guessing you're in a better situation?" Dave asks.

"Yes," she nods, "a few years after I left my baby with you I got out. I'm now married and adopted two little girls."

"Well, that's nice to hear."

"Well, I'm sorry for disturbing you, goodbye."

And with that she leaves, two little blonde girls run up to her, excitedly telling her something.

"Daddy, who was that?"

He looks down to see you were standing in front of him.

"It was... an old friend."

You nod, as if you understood. But Dave knew you didn't.

"Alright short stack, let's head home." He ruffles your hair.

"Okay!"

Dave stands up and you take a hold of his hand, squeezing it tightly.

"Can we have mac n cheese for dinner?'

"Sure, why not." Dave chuckles.

"Can we have, Aunty Rose, Aunty Jade and Uncle John over?"

"Man, you sure ask for a lot."

"Please~!"

"Fine, you win this time."

"Yes! Daddy?"

"What is it?"

"I love you."

"I love you too, Pumpkin."