NOTE: Not sure if anyone reads these, but I'm real nervous and somewhat excited about finally publishing this story. I have been working on this story for a very long, two years and it has gone through so much change. But here is the end product, so I hope you enjoy it.

I own nothing, except for the original characters (Andrew Johnson, Natalie King and Ellis Johnson).

Evelyn had spent most of her life looking after children; from babysitting as a teenager to having four children of her own, she had always loved caring for kids. Some of the children would spend mere hours with her like Diana, the daughter of her childhood neighbours, while others, like Bobby, had lived with her for years. A lot of children she had cared for maintained contact years later, even when they had been adopted by other families. Evelyn loved each and every child that had been in her care, however, a few children, had developed a special bond with the woman, a bond which could not be broken.

Andy Johnson was one of those children. He began living with Evelyn at age sixteen; when his parents, Elizabeth and William, died in a car accident. After his parent's death, he had become a troublemaker, flipping out at foster parents who tried to replace his real parents. However, Evelyn used a different approach, and became a mentor to Andy and not a mother. Eventually his behaviour improved, and he got accepted into college in New York.

Evelyn watched as Andy received his high school diploma, shaking the principals hand as everyone clapped. The boy's eyes scanned the crowd, and when his eyes met Evelyn's a large smile covered his face. After the ceremony finished, Evelyn waited with the other guests and was surprised when Andy walked over and hugged her. Andy had never really shown affection to anyone, so the simple gesture meant a lot from him.

"What was that for?" Evelyn asked when he pulled away.

"I want to say thank you for putting up with my shit these past few years. I now realise what an asshole I was and I'm grateful for your help. Thanks for helping me turn my life around Evelyn." He replied.

"Your welcome Andy, but it wasn't just me, you worked for this too. I guess we need to work on that potty-mouth of yours next though." Evelyn laughed as Andy quickly apologised.

Soon after, Andy went off to college, doing a degree in Maths. He kept in contact with Evelyn, and even visited her during the holidays. After completing his degree, Andy stayed in New York, getting a job at a local bank and moving into an apartment with a few of his college friends. He worked hard, behaved and tried to be the person that Evelyn wanted him to be; he saw her as a Mother, despite only being in her care for two years, and wanted to make her proud of him and his accomplishments.

It was a Saturday morning and after a long week of working hard, Andy was enjoying staying in bed. He planned to do nothing with his weekend but sleep, only leaving his bed for food and bathroom breaks. However, his plans were ruined when someone began knocking at the apartment door. Chris, his friend and roommate was out, so Andy was forced to leave his bed. Clad in just an old shirt and his underwear, Andy headed toward the door, and upon opening it he saw no-one there. He just groaned, deciding that it was probably just some kids pulling a stupid prank. Until he heard a gurgling noise from below him, and that's when he saw it. In front of him on the floor, there was a carry cot, with a young baby and an envelope inside. Andy stepped through the door frame and looked either way, looking if he could see who had left the baby, but the corridor was empty.

The baby gurgled again, and Andy looked over, looking at the baby and then the envelope that was addressed to him. He picked the cot up, gently carrying it into the apartment and placing it upon the dining table. Andy then took the envelope, sat at the table, and then took out the letter. He looked up at the cot and then began to read the letter.

'Dear Andy,

I'm not sure if you remember me but nine months ago, we met in Frankie's Bar. We had a few drinks together and then we went back to your place and slept together. We lay in bed that next morning, just talking, and with now sobered minds we found that we were too different and we would never work. We agreed to move on with our lives and I was willing to keep to that rule, but then I found out I was pregnant, and as I hadn't slept with anyone else, it could have only been yours.

I'm going to be honest with you, I'm going to Medical School soon and having a child is only going to hold me back, and that's why at first, I was going to get rid of the baby. But then while at dinner with a friend, I overheard a woman talking about how she had just found out she could not have children, and how it broke her heart. After a lot of thinking I then came to a realisation, just because I didn't want a child, there were people all over who could not have children, but so desperately wanted them. So, I decided to go through with the pregnancy, and put the baby up for adoption.

And then yesterday, after only given birth a few weeks ago, I was at the adoption agency, preparing to give the baby away. But then I remembered the things you told me that morning, about how you couldn't wait to be married and how you wanted lots of children. I may not want children, not now or ever, but you do. So, take care of her Andy, fall in love, find her a mother who will love her like you do.

Natalie'

After reading the letter, Andy placed it on the table and reached into the envelope, pulling out a birth certificate and reading it over; the birth date indicated that she was born just three weeks ago; 20 – 02 – 1986. Under father was his full name, 'Andrew Johnson' and under mother was 'Natalie King', but the space under name was left blank. Andy looked up at the baby girl in front of him, her eyes exploring the space around her as she made small gurgling noises. He couldn't help but smile at her, as he took her from the cot, holding her in his arms. She was the most beautiful thing he'd ever seen and he couldn't take his eyes off her. He was a dad, and this precious little girl was his daughter. Andy knew raising a kid wasn't going to be easy, but he was going to try his hardest

"Well if you're going to be living here, we're gonna have to shopping. And we're going to have to give you a name, can't call you 'her' forever." Andy spoke as he rocked his daughter back and forth. He thought for a while, a few names coming to mind, but none of them seeming right. The name Elizabeth popped into his head, but it didn't seem to suit the young girl. However, he still wanted to honour his mother, and decided that a name beginning with 'e' would be a good substitute.

"Eve? Eva? Ella? Ellie?" Andy spoke aloud, but she just stared up at him, her wide eyes never leaving his, "Ellis? Ellis, I like that, how about you?" She gurgled happily and Andy took that as a yes, smiling at her. Before doing anything else, Andy decided to call Evelyn, to tell her all about Ellis.