Fuck.
I dragged myself out of bed and into the living area. Violet was attempting to prepare a bottle with one hand while bouncing Hazel with the other.
“Morning.”
She glanced up briefly. “Could you grab her bottle from the warmer?”
Finally, something I could do.
I moved quickly to the kitchenette. The bottle felt warm but not hot, perfect temperature.
“Here.” I held it out to her, but as she reached for it, Hazel let out a particularly piercing wail that made us both flinch.
The bottle slipped from my fingers.
“Shit!” I lunged forward, managing to catch it before it hit the floor, but the lid popped off in the process. Formula splattered across my shirt and the floor.
Hazel screamed louder.
“Shh, honey.” Violet closed her eyes and took a deep breath and released it slowly. “It’s okay.
“I’ll make another one.” I was already moving toward the kitchenette.
“I’ve got it.” She shifted Hazel to her other arm.
“No, let me?—”
“Griffin.” The sharpness in her voice stopped me cold. “I’ve got it.”
I watched as she prepared a fresh bottle with one hand, her movements quick and efficient. Hazel’s cries softened themoment the bottle touched her lips. Within seconds, the room fell silent.
“Sorry.” I grabbed paper towels and crouched to clean up the spilled formula.
Violet settled into the armchair, her attention fixed entirely on Hazel.
I wiped up the last of the mess and straightened. Violet watched Hazel feed. She hummed something low and soothing.
Neither of them looked at me.
“Right.” I cleared my throat. “I’ll just... I have sim work this morning.”
Violet hummed in acknowledgement, but didn’t glance up.
I backed toward my room, feeling like an intruder in my own suite.
Tuesday dragged. Gym session. Film review with the engineers. Hours of prep for a race that was still days away.
Meanwhile, Hazel was three meters down the hall, and I’d barely seen her all day.
By evening, I’d made up my mind.
I found Violet in the living area, giving Hazel a bath in the portable tub. She tested the water temperature with her elbow while supporting Hazel’s head.
“She’s sleeping in my room tonight.”
Violet’s hands stilled. “You have training tomorrow.”
“I don’t care.”
