Nora’s cries softened. Then faded. Within minutes, she relaxed completely, resting her tiny head against Mason’s shoulder. The cabin grew peaceful again as she drifted into a deep sleep.
The flight attendants exchanged looks of surprise. Henry exhaled shakily, placing a hand over his face as the tension eased from his shoulders. The relief was so strong it nearly overwhelmed him.
Mason shrugged modestly. “Sometimes a baby just needs to feel someone’s calm. They can sense when everything around them is steady.”
The simple truth of that stayed with Henry.
As the flight continued, Mason took the seat beside him, holding Nora when needed, offering advice from experience, and sharing small stories about his own family. He spoke warmly about his mother, who was a nurse, and how she had taught him to care for babies with patience and gentleness. His words carried the tone of someone who had grown up understanding responsibility far earlier than most.
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