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“Take your time,” Jenna says softly. “I don’t mind holding her.” She gazes down with a contented look in her eyes.
I adjust my top and bra. “Thank you. I can manage now.” I lift the window blind to dark skies and the sun peeking over the horizon.
“We should land around six o’clock. It will give us time to refuel. Then when the tower clears us, we’ll be in the air and on our way to Adelaide.” She gives me a warm smile as though this is reassuring. It only confirms the distance separating Samuel and me is increasing by the hour.
“Thank you,” I say quickly and gaze out the window once more. I can’t look at her because I’m holding myself together by a mere thread, and the slightest comment could unravel me in seconds.
It’s only when the plane jolts as the wheels hit the runway do I notice Rose has detached and is asleep in my arms. She didn’t cry. Not once. I shake my head and curse under my breath for not realizing this sooner. I have to snap out this haze of self-pity and focus on my daughter.
Jenna unclips her belt and comes to me. “She’s a remarkable little girl.” She pushes her dark hair behind her ears, then leans for the antibacterial hand sterilizer and applies it to her hands. God knows how many times she has used it on the flight. I can only imagine Samuel’s instruction to the crew.
“Allow me to hold her while you freshen up. There’s a private restroom just outside the hangar. You can use it as we all have to disembark while the plane refuels. Unfortunately, we can’t venture any further because of our visas. Airport customs staff are waiting, and they’ll monitor us even though we’re a private company.”
“Right. Do you think I could make some phone calls?”
“Yes, you’ll have time.”
Jenna remains with me while the customs staff asks questions about our travel. “Let me care for her while you make your calls,” she says.
God, I must look miserable.
“I’ll change Rose first, and then I’ll shower. Do you mind taking Rose while I do?”
“Of course. But you go, and I’ll change Rose’s diaper.”
“Thank you.”
As much as I want to remain under the water spray, it doesn’t relieve the tension the way I had hoped. Eager to call Samuel, I dress quickly and head back to the lounge area.
“I really appreciate your help,” I tell Jenna. I bag up my dirty clothes and head to a quiet corner of the room, then bring out my phone.
“Eden.” I smile at the affection and relief in Dad’s tone. “Are you in New Zealand?”
“Yes, it’s a quick stopover to refuel. We should be there in around five hours, but I’ll need to go through customs.” I gaze down to my new gray sneakers, the ones I bought after throwing out the old ones. “Did you get the list of things we need? I’m sorry it’s short notice. I can’t believe how unorganized I am.”
“It’s fine, my girl. James is using a larger car seat now, so we have his smaller seat for the car for you to use for Rose. We have everything you need. We’ve done it all before. Only I’m not used to seeing so much pink again.” He chuckles, and I can’t help but smile at the sound of it. I’m looking forward to seeing my family, only I hoped Samuel would be with me to greet them and show themourbeautiful daughter together.
“It will be good to see you all.” I look up in the direction where Jenna is taking slow steps with Rose in her arms. She’s not bouncing her, but she sways like the camu camu leaves moving in the breeze.
“I can’t wait, love. It’s been too long.”
I nod to myself. “I better go. I think Rose may be a little unsettled. I’ll call you when I land.”
“We’ll be waiting at the airport for you,” he says enthusiastically.
“Bye, Dad.” I end the call and rush over to Jenna. Rose isn’t crying, and she’s still sleeping. “Is everything okay?”
“Yes. She started to pull a face, so I thought if I moved around the room slowly, it would help her to settle.”
“She already has us wrapped around her tiny finger,” I joke. “I have one more call to make.” The hardest of all.
I call Samuel’s phone, and it goes to his voicemail. “Dammit.” I hope this isn’t how it’s going to be between us. Samuel was aware of my flight details and what time I’d call him. I pace in the corner of the room thinking of what to text him when the phone vibrates in my hand.
Thank God.
“Samuel, I was beginning to worry.”
“How was your flight? How is Rose?”
