Daniel looked at the sleeping toddler again.
“But I’m not saying no.”
Rachel stopped breathing for a moment.
“You’re not?”
“I’m saying I need time.”
She nodded quickly.
“Take all the time you need.”
Daniel almost laughed.
“You say that like he isn’t sleeping in my living room.”
“Our living room.”
“Fair.”
Rachel smiled for the first time since the confrontation began.
Daniel looked around the house.
There were signs he had missed when he entered.
Plastic toys beneath the coffee table.
A small cup near the kitchen.
A childproof latch on one cabinet.
A tiny jacket hanging beside Rachel’s coat.
This had been Caleb’s world for months.
Daniel had walked into the middle of it.
That night, Daniel slept badly.
Jet lag.
Questions.
Anger.
At three in the morning, he heard crying through the hallway.
Daniel opened the bedroom door.
Rachel was already getting up.
“I’ve got him.”
Daniel hesitated.
Then said, “No.”
Rachel looked at him.
“I’ll go.”
“You don’t have to prove anything.”
“I know.”
Daniel walked down the hall.
Caleb was standing inside a crib in what used to be Daniel’s home office.
His face was red from crying.
When he saw Daniel, he became quiet.
Not comforted.
Just confused.
Daniel stood awkwardly beside the crib.
“Hey.”
Caleb stared at him.
Daniel had commanded soldiers.
He had briefed senior officers.
He had operated under pressure in situations he could never fully describe.
None of that helped him talk to an eighteen-month-old.
“You and I got off to a weird start.”
Caleb sniffled.
Daniel leaned on the crib rail.
“Apparently I’m supposed to be Daddy.”
The child held out both arms.
Daniel froze.
That seemed unfairly easy.
He lifted Caleb carefully.
The toddler immediately rested his head against Daniel’s shoulder.
Daniel became completely still.
He looked toward the doorway.
Rachel was standing there.
She had tears in her eyes.
Daniel whispered, “Don’t.”
She smiled.
“I didn’t say anything.”
“You’re thinking loudly.”
Rachel wiped her cheek and returned to the bedroom.
Daniel sat in a rocking chair with Caleb against his chest.