I always imagined my child would have a dashing Spanish manny, but life had a delightful surprise in store for me.
By Jessica L. Morgan
Updated: March 12, 2021
Originally Published: April 5, 2015
At 39, I found myself unexpectedly pregnant after a whirlwind romance. When the father made it clear he wanted nothing to do with our child, I took a leap of faith and embraced single motherhood, even as I navigated my uncertain future as a writer and filmmaker. To complicate matters, I still harbored feelings for him, hoping he’d come around.
In spite of this, I envisioned my daughter basking in the attention of a charming male nanny. She’d soak up that male energy, learn a new language, and I’d enjoy a little eye candy—think Antonio Banderas! But after my daughter, Lily, was born, I got an even better surprise in the form of an old flame, Matt, who reached out following a breakup of his own.
Knowing Matt had experience with kids, I invited him to help out. The timing was serendipitous—Lily was just six weeks old, and my roommate Anna, my steadfast support, was heading off for a two-week gig.
When Matt arrived, he looked less than stellar, but over a cup of tea, we reminisced about our past relationships and debated who had the worst ex. “He was a total jerk who wouldn’t change,” Matt lamented about one of my former partners. I shot back, “At least your ex appreciated you!”
As we chatted, Lily woke from her nap, and I handed her over to Matt. While we caught up, he gently stroked her cheek with his finger in a way that made my heart melt.
For that first week, I handled the night feedings, and then at dawn, Matt would swoop in to take over. I jokingly dubbed him the “baby whisperer.” His way with Lily was enchanting—he held her effortlessly, her head cradled in his palm. At a chaotic holiday gathering, he skillfully rescued her from a particularly overzealous admirer. “She’s so cute! I want to take her home!” the stranger exclaimed.
Before long, my attraction to Matt blossomed. Finally, I mustered the courage to give him a hug goodnight. “Thanks for this week,” I said, feeling a mix of gratitude and warmth. “Thank you for saving my life,” he replied.
Once Anna returned, I was honest with Matt: “I don’t want to be your rebound; you still have some baggage to sort out.” But in just a few days, he had shown me that we could create a family together filled with joy, love, and laughter—without needing my ex.
We started dating, and as I landed a full-time job, I realized I needed a manny. Matt was the obvious choice. So, from Monday to Friday, he became Lily’s primary caregiver. By the time I returned home from work, he’d have her settled, allowing me to unwind. He even shared adorable videos of their day together. After Anna got home, we’d pop open some beers and relax.
On weekends, I reveled in my role as Mom, while Matt remained Lily’s go-to guy. He wore her in a baby carrier, and she seemed perfectly content there. Even during the rare times she cried inconsolably, he had a special technique that calmed her instantly.
Before long, Lily turned 1.5 years old, and I realized it was time for daycare. I also wanted to transition our relationship from employer-employee to something more romantic.
As autumn rolled in, Anna moved out, and Matt moved in, stepping into the role of full-time parent. It was blissful—until we hit our first bump. Lily began to say “Da-da.”
“No, no! That’s Matt,” we would correct her, hesitant to embrace the title change. “Dayyy-vid,” we insisted. A close friend called me out. “For Lily, Matt is her father,” she told me. “Stop getting in the way of her feelings!”
I listened, and soon I understood that being a father isn’t about biology; it’s about loving a child so deeply that they naturally see you as family. Matt came to this realization too, proudly stating, “I’m cool with Lily calling me ‘Daddy.’” We were finally all on the same wavelength.
Back when we first reconnected, Matt was just casually dating me, while I was head over heels. If someone had told me, “Don’t worry, sixteen years from now, you’ll be a family together,” I would’ve thought they were crazy. But now, as I nestle against Matt’s smooth skin in bed, I reflect on life’s unpredictable twists and turns.
At dawn, the uncertainty can be terrifying. Yet, in the comforting darkness of our room, I often feel a flicker of hope, and dare I say it? Faith. I’ve been led to a place I didn’t even know I wanted, but it means everything to me now.
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Summary
This heartfelt journey from single mom to creating a family with an unexpected partner highlights the beauty of love and connection. After a whirlwind romance and an unexpected pregnancy, Jessica navigates the complexities of single motherhood with the help of an old flame, Matt, who evolves into the loving father figure her daughter needs. Their bond deepens as they embrace the new family dynamic, ultimately discovering that love transcends biological ties.