I smirked. “Bet you five quid she’s awake before takeoff.”
Violet gave me a flat look. “I don’t bet against the outcome I want.”
“C’mon, let’s take our seats.”
I didn’t wait for her to decide. Just turned and dropped into my seat opposite the bassinet, stretching my legs out in front of me.
Violet hovered, eyes locked on Hazel, watching for the first twitch, the first sign of a cry.
I patted the seat next to me. “Come on, Carter. Let’s enjoy the peace while it lasts.”
She didn’t look convinced, but she finally sank into the seat beside mine.
“Thirteen hours,” she muttered.
I grinned. “You say that like it’s a death sentence.”
She side-eyed me. “It will be if she screams the whole way.”
“She’s fine. You’re worrying over nothing.”
The flight attendant sealed the door with a quiet hiss, shutting out the outside world.
Violet shifted beside me, her arms still crossed as she eyed Hazel like she expected her to start screaming at any moment. She didn’t.
I knocked my foot against hers. “You gonna sit there and stare at her the whole flight?”
She didn’t look away. “If it means she stays asleep, yes.”
I smirked, stretching my legs out in front of me. “Not how it works, Carter.”
“Excuse me for trying to manifest some peace.”
“Manifest all you like. She’ll wake up when she’s ready.” I tilted my head toward her. “Which is probably sooner rather than later, considering her nanny won’t let herself relax.”
She glanced at me, unamused. “I am relaxed.”
“Your arms are crossed so tight I can hear the stitching on your t-shirt begging for mercy.” I raised a brow.
She huffed, loosening her grip, only to lace her fingers together in her lap. “You are the most annoying person I’ve ever met.”
I grinned. “There’s a queue for that title.”
Her mouth twitched, but she bit it back.
The jet rumbled forward, slow at first, rolling onto the runway. Engines roared, the cabin pressing back as speed built beneath us. Hazel shifted, her tiny fingers curling against the blanket, and Violet sucked in a breath, waiting for the inevitable.
The nose lifted. The shift in altitude pressed against my head.
Hazel sucked on her dummy, unbothered.
Violet exhaled so hard it almost counted as a laugh.
I smirked. “Told you there was nothing to worry about.”
She shot me a look, but didn’t argue. Just sagged back into her seat, her grip on the armrest finally loosening.
“Can I get you anything to start?” the flight attendant asked once we’d finally leveled out. “Drinks, food?”
