Chapter 6 - The Missing Blanket.
"The blue blanket was old," Vanessa said.
Adrian stared at her.
"That wasn't the question."
"It smelled stale."
"Where is it?"
Vanessa folded her arms.
"I packed it away."
"Where?"
"At home."
Claire looked at Noah.
The baby had begun to stir.
His small hand released Adrian's shirt and opened restlessly.
Adrian's voice stayed dangerously calm.
"You took the one thing Lena wrapped him in every night and packed it away."
Vanessa shook her head.
"He cannot depend on a blanket forever."
"He's five months old."
"He needs routine."
"He had a routine."
Vanessa looked toward Claire.
The appeal in her eyes was unexpected.
"Tell him."
Claire did not move.
"Tell me what?"
Vanessa's voice tightened.
"That babies have to adapt."
Claire chose her words carefully.
"Babies do adapt."
Vanessa nodded quickly.
Claire continued.
"But removing a familiar comfort item during a period of major change can make adaptation harder."
Adrian closed his eyes.
Vanessa looked betrayed.
"I was trying to help."
Claire believed that part.
The problem was that Vanessa's idea of help had become indistinguishable from control.
Noah woke fully and began fussing.
Adrian instinctively repositioned him.
Claire watched with quiet approval.
He no longer waited for someone to tell him what to do.
That was new.
Vanessa noticed it too.
Adrian looked at the overhead storage compartment.
"Did you bring any of Lena's things?"
Vanessa hesitated.
"No."
Claire saw the hesitation.
Adrian did too.
He reached for the small leather diaper bag near Vanessa's feet.
She pulled it back.
"That's mine."
"It's Noah's."
"Adrian."
He held out his hand.
"Give it to me."
Vanessa's expression hardened.
The cabin attendant appeared from the galley and stopped when she sensed the tension.
No one spoke.
Finally Vanessa released the bag.
Adrian placed it on the table.
He searched the main compartment.
Diapers.
Wipes.
Clean clothes.
Bottles.
No blue blanket.
He opened the side pocket.
Nothing.
Then Claire noticed the bottom looked unusually thick.
"There's another zipper underneath."
Adrian turned the bag over.
A narrow hidden compartment ran along the base.
Vanessa stood.
"Leave it."
Adrian looked at her.
That was all the confirmation he needed.
He opened it.
Inside was a folded piece of pale blue fabric.
The blanket was small, worn, and soft at the edges.
Adrian stopped breathing.
Claire saw his thumb move across one embroidered corner.
A tiny white letter N.
Noah's fussing changed instantly when Adrian lifted the fabric.
The baby turned toward it.
Vanessa looked down.
Adrian pressed the blanket near Noah's cheek.
The infant released one shaky breath.
Then another.
His body relaxed.
The transformation was not magical.
It was recognition.
Claire felt her throat tighten.
Adrian looked at his sister.
"You brought it."
Vanessa's voice was barely audible.
"I couldn't throw it away."
"But you hid it."
"I thought you would smell her perfume on it."
Adrian's face tightened.
"And?"
"And I thought you'd fall apart."
He looked at Noah.
"What if falling apart wasn't the worst thing?"
Vanessa blinked.
Adrian's eyes glistened, but he did not look ashamed of it.
"What if I needed to remember her?"
Vanessa sat down slowly.
"You don't understand what you were like."
"Then tell me."
"You stopped holding him."
Adrian flinched.
"You handed him to the nanny every time he cried."
"I was afraid."
"I know."
"You told Dad I didn't care."
Vanessa did not deny it.
Adrian stared at her.
Claire wished she could protect both of them from the truth that was coming.
Vanessa finally spoke.
"I told Dad you were disappearing."
Adrian laughed softly.
"Maybe I was."
"That's why he wants guardianship."
"No."
Adrian looked at the blue blanket.
"That's why he thinks he can ask."
Noah settled deeper against his chest.
Claire realized Adrian's anger had changed shape.
It was no longer the anger of a man being judged.
It was the anger of a father beginning to believe he had the right to be one.
The jet entered another patch of light turbulence.
Adrian remained standing until Claire gestured toward the seat.
"Sit for safety."
This time he listened without defensiveness.
He fastened the belt around himself while keeping Noah secure.
Vanessa watched him.
Claire saw something like regret move across her face.
Then the diaper bag slipped sideways from the table.
A slim black phone slid from the hidden bottom compartment.
It was not Vanessa's current phone.
It was older.
Adrian stared at it.
Vanessa went pale.
"Where did that come from?"
He picked it up.
The lock screen showed a photograph of Lena holding newborn Noah.
Adrian's hand began to shake.
Vanessa whispered, "I thought that was lost."
The phone lit with one unread saved draft.
May you like
The title was only three words.
FOR ADRIAN ONLY.
