The next morning Luke went ta see the lawyer in town ta see about his and little Jaclyn's rights.
"Well Luke, the best I can tell you is for you to file an order for custody of Jaclyn based on the fact that: her mother abandoned her to you, on the claim that you are Jaclyn's father; and due to the abandonment, Ellen Sue is an unfit mother." The Lawyer, Gary Butler, said as he and Luke sat in his office. Luke had explained the situation and showed him the note that Ellen Sue had left with Jaclyn.
"What if Ellen Sue comes back to take Jaclyn?"
"If Ellen Sue doesn't come forward to try to reclaim Jaclyn in thirty days, then the case goes before a judge in a formality hearing to grant you full custody of Jaclyn. Afterwards, if Ellen Sue comes back; then you can either work out a visitation schedule or enforce the court order that gives you custody."
"I appreciate your help Mr. Butler." Luke got up from his chair and shakes the lawyer's hand; before leaving the office and climbs into the General Lee.
As Luke drove the back roads of the county, he couldn't help but think about Ellen Sue. She was only passing through Hazard when her car broke down. Luke had stopped to help her, and nature had taken its course. Ellen Sue had decided to stay for a while and they had dated for about a month.
One day Ellen Sue had told him that she had gotten a job in Tennessee; Luke said he wasn't ready for a commitment. So they went their separate ways, apparently not in the 'no-strings-attached' manner he had originally thought. One night, one try, that was all it took.
If Luke had known Ellen Sue was pregnant, he wouldn't have let her leave; he would've done the right thing. He would've married her; and did his best to be a good husband and father.
'But you can still do the right thing by Jaclyn. You can still be a good father to her. She needs you more than anything now.' His mind argues as Luke continues his drive to points unknown.
When Luke finally come to the realization of where he was. He wasn't surprised when he found himself parked in front of the hospital.
Entering the hospital, Luke wandered the hallways; remembering the way to the room where Jaclyn was. The door was open and a dark haired nurse was tending to Jaclyn.
"Are you family?" The nurse asked once she noticed Luke standing in the door way.
"That's my daughter." Luke said as he nodded. It was surprising how natural that was to say. "How's she doin'."
"You've got a very strong little girl; she's holding her own against the fever quite well. And if she keeps it up, she might be able to go home soon." The nurse said as she finished checking the monitors that were monitoring Jaclyn's condition. With a smile the nurse left the room, giving Luke and Jaclyn some privacy.
"Well little one; it looks like when ya get outta here you'll be living with me." Luke moved to the side of the crib where Jaclyn was. "I'm yer daddy, Jaclyn."
The baby opened her eyes, and Luke was surprised to see that they were perfect copies of his own incredibly blue eyes.
"I'm sorry about how you came to be in the hospital. But I promise you won't have to come back here because someone left ya out in the cold again."
Luke gazed down at his daughter with the wonder of a new father; and observed every detail of the tiny fingers and toes, the tiny upturned nose, the silky black hair, and the bright blue eyes.
"Everything's so tiny," he marveled. Luke rubbed one of his fingers over Jaclyn's tiny hand. Jaclyn grabbed onto his finger and held on to it with a strength that amazed Luke that a tiny baby could possess.
"You've got quite a grip there, kiddo. I guess the nurse was right when she said you're a strong little girl. But being a Duke, how could ya be anything but strong." Luke continues his one-sided conversation.
"I'm new at this, so yer gonna have to be patient with me while I learn the ropes. But I'm sure you and yer Aunt Daisy will get me trained quickly." Luke had to smile a little at that thought. While he never thought he would settle down, he had to admit that he was quickly losing his heart to the little girl in front of him.
"I maybe new at being a daddy, but yer new to the idea of havin' a daddy; so I guess we'll learn this together, won't we?" Luke continues talking to Jaclyn about anything he can think of: the farm, the rest of the family, Hazard, the General. Soon Jaclyn was soon fast asleep. Luke watched her for a while before he realizes it's time for him to leave.
TBC