There: We Found Our Family In A New York City Subway Station

by Peter Mercurio

Certain events in life are so rare they can be freely dismissed as impossibilities. Getting struck by lightning, surviving a plane crash, or winning the lottery. When something shocking happens and doesn’t end in tragedy, we say it must be fate, destiny, a miracle, or simply God’s will.

On the night of August 28th, 2000, Danny called me in a panic. He had just found a newborn baby in a New York City subway station. We didn’t know it at the time, but he had also found our family and changed all of our lives. Forever.

There is a story about becoming a family, accepting gifts of fate, believing in miracles, finding love in unexpected places, and navigating the surprises, challenges, and joys of unplanned parenthood.

Genres: Memoir, Nonfiction

258 pages, Paperback

Published June 3, 2025

About the author

Peter Mercurio is a dad, husband, and author. He enjoys hiking and exploring the National Parks, cycling, kayaking, and tossing a disc, baseball, or football with his son. Peter has played on the same softball team for over 25 years. He lives in New York City with his husband Danny.

Reviews

[Kyle Moss · Rating 5 out of 5]

An amazing story that is also about a very typical family living a very typical life. The book is filled with honesty and love and is emotional is sometimes unexpected ways. One warning, this is not a book to read in public spaces if you get embarrassed about having others see you cry. It is hard to put down and a super fast read and one I strongly recommend if you would like to read about some pure positivity for a change.

[Sally · Rating 5 out of 5]

Danny's normal commute home on the subway takes an unexpected turn when he discovers an abandoned newborn just outside the subway station gate. After his 911 call, Danny's next phone call is to his partner, Pete. Finding Daniel ACE Doe is the beginning of an amazing journey for Pete and Danny, filled with "coincidences," connections, and love. Peter Mercurio's memoir is touching and heartwarming.

[Angela Brock · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a wonderful book about love and family. Danny and Pete who start out as unconventional parents -two gay men raising a baby . They become an awesome example about how families should be - loving, caring, warming and most importantly…. There.

[Stacy Pollard · Rating 5 out of 5]

An incredible and beautiful story of love, family and community, told with honesty and emotion. I read this book in two sittings, being so caught up in the story and the lives of this family. My heart is full after reading this, and I send gratitude to the author and his family for sharing their story.

[DJ Benson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a wonderfully told story of what makes a family; unconditional love and support, guidance, sacrifice, joy…I loved Danny and Peter’s definition of what a parent is. Hopefully their story will inspire people to rethink “the traditional family.” The world would be a happier place.

[Diane Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. It is an incredible story of connection, love, family, and transformation.

Little did the author know that his partner, Danny's discovery of a newborn infant in the NY subway in the late summer of 2000 would alter their lives in such a fundamental and wonderful way.

The author does such a fantastic job addressing his reluctance in the beginning to adopt the baby. If only every potential parent would be as thoughtful and conscientious as he was in thoroughly looking at the pros and cons of parenthood, whether through adoption or birth.

I so enjoyed getting to know such a beautiful family through the author's memoir.

[Jen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I bought this book for my Kindle immediately after I saw their story of adoption on Facebook. It is a fascinating story of how finding an abandoned baby can change your whole world. I really enjoyed reading about Danny, Peter, & Kevins’ family from start to finish. I wish the family nothing but the best.