My unborn daughter shifted beneath my hand.

I stood between the life I already had and a possibility I had only just learned about.

Neither needed an answer before morning.

PART 7 — Before I Could Say Yes

Over the next few weeks, I spoke with Leo’s assigned caseworker, met again with Denise, and consulted a family-law attorney.

I began each conversation by saying I was gathering information.

At first, the sentence sounded defensive.