The small white poodle ran down the stairs and straight to the front door. She pawed and scratched at the base of the heavy turquoise door, a deep, low growl rattled out of her throat. The dog's owner watched from the top of the stairs. "Ginny, stop," the blonde commanded, envisioning the horrible marks currently being made on her beloved hardwood floor. The poodle began to bark loudly and growl more urgently as her owner descended the stairs. She lifted the agitated animal, rolling her eyes as the poodle struggled to get out of her hold. "No. You're ruining my door and the floor, Ginny. Calm down. Nothing's out there, sweetie," she promised, scratching the dog's head.
The dog whimpered as her ears perked forward, and her eyes remained firmly fixed on the door. She snarled, baring her teeth, and scratched at her owner's arms.
"Ginny!" She reprimanded. The blonde's brown eyes widened at the sound of a shrill cry emanating from the other side of the door. She swallowed hard and met the eyes of her furry companion. "That sounded like a baby," she uttered, skeptically shaking her head. "It can't be."
No one would leave a baby on a doorstep, she assured herself. Her mind must be playing tricks on her.
Slowly, she put her hand on the doorknob and opened it to reveal the doorstep. Her eyes landed on a bassinet sitting on the tile of the covered porch. Her heart and mind raced, listening to the screaming cries of the discontent infant. The poodle succeeded in getting out of her owner's grasp and leapt onto the floor as her owner stood in shock and stared at the bassinet.
Ginny pushed at the blankets with her nose until a tiny hand shot out, and she barked madly, running back into the safety of the Hollywood Hills home. Stevie laughed at the poodle and bent down, picking up the bassinet carefully. "Shhh, it's okay. You're okay," she whispered to the infant, carrying the bundle into the house and setting it onto the coffee table.
Stevie stared at the screaming baby wrapped in a pink blanket with her fists pumping into the air. "Who would leave you with me?" she whispered, gently lifting the baby and cradling her close against her chest. Stevie inhaled the sweet, intoxicating baby smell and as she tried to calm her. The wails slowly faded. "That's better," she spoke softly, stroking the back of the baby girl's head. Stevie adjusted her in her arms to get a better look, taking in the newborn's delicate features as she seated herself onto the couch.
Her blue eyes fuzzily focused on the strange woman holding her, and her content face broke into a yawn as she stretched her petite body out into Stevie's arms.
The blonde gazed into the baby's bright eyes. There was something familiar about the color and shape that struck her suddenly, but all babies had blue eyes - she reminded herself. That certain, intense shade of blue didn't mean anything.
Stevie smiled down at the girl and tenderly pressed her lips to her forehead. The infant nestled into Stevie's warmth and puckered her rosy lips, closing her eyes. "You're precious," she whispered with a soft smile tugging at her lips. Stevie propped her feet onto the coffee table and sunk into the sofa. Her eyes drifted up to the massive hand-painted beams of the ceiling. She felt the negative thoughts pushing to the forefront. Her breath caught in her throat. Her chest felt tight. She bit down on her bottom lip, feeling the panic set in. What was she going to do with a baby? Stevie could barely take care of herself most days. She was a rock singer. She had wrapped a tour that began more than a year ago. She traveled too much. She was in the studio too much. There was no room for a baby in her life. She couldn't get attached, but the baby was so beautiful and needed someone. It felt right holding the little lady in her arms. It couldn't work.
Stevie swallowed hard as she fought the tears forming in her eyes, feeling the infant grip her tiny hand around her finger as she locked eyes with her. "Who's your mama? Huh? I wish you could tell me. It can't be me, little one," she stated gently, watching the girl drift to sleep.
