At My Mother’s Funeral, a Woman Slipped a Baby Into My Arms and Said, ‘She Wanted You to Have Him’

EditoronMarch 21, 2026March 21, 2026

Brittany hovered near the kitchen, arms crossed.

“You don’t have to babysit me,” I muttered, not looking up.

Brittany slid onto the arm of the couch anyway. “I’m not here for you. I’m here for Lucas. Your mom saved him more than once.”

I settled on the couch with Lucas.

I pressed my lips together, tracing circles on Lucas’s back. “She should have at least asked me.”

“Maybe she knew you’d say no,” Brittany replied.

Lucas stirred in his sleep. I pulled the blanket higher around him.

“I’m not anyone’s backup plan, Brittany. And I can’t promise that I’ll be the best fit for this baby.”