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Daisy approached the house late at night. There was a small sprinkle, causing her to hold her jacket closer. The light was still on, and she saw a figure standing in the kitchen. With one hand, she reached into her pocket and pulled out a picture.
“We’re here.” She mumbled before knocking on the door.
Amanda turned to look out the window and saw that it was raining harder. She quickly turned off the water and rushed over, wondering who it could be this late. When she answered the door, she was a hooded figure.
“Hello?” She asked, poking her head out.
“Hi, I’m sorry it’s late. Um, my name is Daisy. I don’t know if Lincoln told you-” Daisy started to say, taking her hood off.
“Come in! Quickly, you must be freezing.” Amanda opened the door to let her in.
She came in trying to wipe her shoes off so she wouldn’t get the floor dirty. She heard Amanda close and lock the door. “How are you? Coulson- I think his name was- told me you were missing.”
Daisy started to tear up hearing his name. “Yeah, I ran away after.” She couldn’t bring herself to finish her sentence.
Amanda frowned, putting a hand on her arm. “It’s okay, I don’t blame you. I know Lincoln loved you; he told me the last time we talked. You can stay as long as you want.”
They stood in silence for a second before Daisy wiped away a tear. “I can’t, I came here for your help.”
“Why do you?” Amanda started to ask before a small cry broke out.
Daisy looked down under her jacket. “Sh, it’s okay, baby. This is your auntie.”
She let out a small gasp as Daisy revealed a little baby. They couldn’t be more than a month old. “Is that?”
“This is Cole Campbell, Lincoln’s son. I don’t have a middle name for him, but I figured you could give him a family name.” Daisy smiled sadly through her tears.
“I didn’t know. Did he know?” Amanda teared up, looking at her nephew.
Daisy shook her head. “No, I didn’t even know. I don’t even know how he survived, I lost so much blood and the fighting. But the doctors said he’s healthy; he’s a fighter just like his dad.”
“And you.” She said quickly. “You too, Daisy, don’t discredit yourself. I can’t imagine doing this alone-”
“Which is why I’m here. I can’t do this, Amanda. The watchdogs are on me, and I have to keep him safe. I know it’s a lot to ask, but will you take care of him? Raise him as your own and tell him about his dad, how he’s a hero. I can send you money every month to cover the expenses-” She started to ramble.
“Daisy, Daisy, wait. He needs you, he needs his mom.” Amanda gently put her hand on her arm.
“And I wish I could be here, but I can’t. The best way for me to keep him safe is to not be in his life. Please, I know it’s a lot, but you’re my only hope of giving him a normal life.” She begged Amanda.
There was a sadness in her eyes before she answered, “I will on one condition. When you can, when you’re ready, you come back to him. I will make sure he never forgets you or Lincoln. You come back to your son.”
Cole whined and shifted slightly against Daisy's chest. She looked down, trying to remember every inch of his little face. She didn’t know it was possible to love someone this much. Lincoln taught her that he gave her Cole. A reason to fight, to live. “I promise, I’ll do everything in my power to come home to him.”
Amanda carefully hugged Daisy, which she returned, trying not to crush Cole. “Can I hold him?”
Daisy nodded and carefully took him out of the sling to give him to Amanda. She smiled brightly, seeing him. “He’s perfect.”
“He looks just like Lincoln.” Daisy smiled, looking at him.
“He has your nose, though. Stay the night, please.” Amanda looked up at her.
She was about to protest when Amanda interrupted, “Please, one night. Eat something, sleep in a warm bed and you can be gone before I wake up. Just give him one last night with you.”
Daisy sighed and nodded, “Okay, I have a couple things in the car. I’ve been pumping as much as I can and have it in a cooler. I also have clothes and stuff for him, I’ll just grab it and come right back.”
Amanda watched from the window as Daisy brought the bags to the door. It wasn’t that she didn’t trust her, but she knew everything she’d been through had her emotions running high. She wished she could do more, but she knew Daisy had things to sort out. For now, she would watch after her nephew until she was ready to come back.
When Daisy unloaded everything, she took Cole back to feed him. Amanda heated up a plate of leftovers she had for Daisy. She watched as she interacted with Cole. She could tell how much she loved him. She knew she and Lincoln would have been amazing parents. The microwave beeped, pulling her out of her thoughts. She brought the plate with some water to Daisy.
“Here, you should eat.” Amanda put the plate in front of her. Daisy carefully handed him to her so she could eat.
Amanda watched as Cole slowly fell asleep in her arms. “You know, Lincoln’s middle name is Henry. I think it would fit him.”
She looked up at Daisy, smiling. She smiled back, “I think so, too.”
Daisy helped clean up the dishes and Amanda showed her to the guest room after. Daisy carefully laid down next to Cole. “Hey, buddy, you’re going to stay with Aunt Amanda for a little while. I don’t know when I’ll be back, but I promise I’m going to come back. I’m so sorry you never got to meet your dad, but he wouldn’t have loved you. He does love you, your aunt will tell you stories about him. Our little Cole Henry, I love you so much.”
Amanda woke up in the morning and quickly went to check on Daisy. The room was empty, but Cole was sleeping on the bed with a little stuffed Pikachu next to him. On the nightstand was a letter addressed to Cole. She sat on the bed slowly so as not to wake him. She fiddled with the letter before he woke up. He let out a small cry, and she quickly tried to comfort him.
“It’s okay, I know I’m not your mommy, but I promise to raise you how your parents would have wanted. And when your mom is ready, she’ll come back.”