“Shhhh, it’s okay, it’s okay.”
Matty pulled his thumb between his lips, slurping on the tip. Soundless sobs made his chest hitch rhythmically, his eyes wet as he scrunched them tight. “Mama…”
Richard turned to Hanna, who reached out and cupped Matthew’s cheek, her hand reassuring as she stroked his soft skin.
Claire stood up. “Hanna.”
“Claire. How are you?” Matty grabbed Hanna’s hand and she squeezed him back.
“I don’t know. I really don’t know.” Claire shook her head, her curls bouncing on her shoulders. “I can’t even tell you how I’m feeling right now.”
“I can. I’m pretty pissed, Hanna.” Steven interjected, causing Claire to place her hand on his shoulder. He stood up straight, his startling blue eyes cold as he stared at Hanna, shaking his head slowly. “What the hell were you thinking?”
“Wait a minute…” Richard stepped forward, handing Matty to Hanna. She lifted him by his padded bottom. He wrapped his hands around her neck, chest still wracked with sobs. “Whatever happened here is between Hanna and me. I don’t need you to fight my battles.”
Claire stepped between them, her face unreadable. “There’s no fighting going on here, Richard. We just want some answers. I think we’re entitled to that.”
Behind her, Steven had the countenance of a man on the edge. He held himself too still, his face too calm. For the first time in his life, Richard could feel himself having to front up to his father. Hanna remained silent, and from the corner of his eye he could see her trembling. He wanted to reach out and pull her toward him, crush her in his arms.
“This isn’t really the time or place, Claire. I said we’d meet you at the house so we could avoid just this sort of spectacle.” Richard gestured at the crowded airport. They were being jostled every few moments by passengers trying to get past.
“I just want to speak to Hanna, okay? Not as the mother of your child, or the girl who left you, but like the daughter I used to know.” Claire wiped a stray tear from her eye. “Can we go and get a coffee or something?”
He turned to look at Hanna, who nodded quickly. Matty was staring at them all, his thumb still attached to his mouth. The tears had dried a shiny trail on his cheeks, reflecting in the harsh glare of the airport lights.
“Claire, Steven, this is Matty.” Hanna inhaled deeply before stepping forward. “Matty, this is—” She frowned and looked at Claire. “What shall I call you?”
“I’m not sure. I’ve never had to think about it.” Claire stood for a moment, lips pulled down as she thought things through. “I guess my mom was a Grandma, so I’ll be the same.” She turned to look at Steven. He was staring at Matthew, his eyes scanning his hair and his face.
“There’s no doubt about it, he’s the spit of you, Richard.” He reached out a finger and tickled Matty’s chin, making him hiccup a watery giggle. “I suppose ‘Pops’ will do.”
“Matty, can you say hello to Grandma and Pops?” Hanna asked him, bouncing him in her arms.
Matty pulled his thumb from his mouth with a pop before pursing his lips. “Hi.” He waved his hand.
“Clever boy.” Richard smiled, reaching out to caress his curls. Matty grinned and clapped his hands, not afraid to blow his own trumpet.
“He’s beautiful.” Claire pulled Richard toward her, hugging him tightly. “I’m so proud of you, darling.” Richard stepped back, face flushing with embarrassment. He wasn’t sure what to say in response.
“He is beautiful,” Steven agreed. “Hanna, I apologize for my anger. You need to give me a bit of time to get over this.”
“You shouldn’t have to apologize.” Her face fell. She was clasping Matty against her body like a talisman. “I know this is all my fault and I can’t tell you how hard I’m going to try to make up for it.” She looked over at Richard, her eyes catching his.
“It isn’t all your fault,” he interjected. He collapsed the buggy and put it on top of the cases, before turning to squeeze Hanna’s
shoulder. “We all fucked up somewhere along the way. I should have called you, and my mother should have told me you called…”
“Caroline knew about this?” Steven’s voice was icy. He lifted his hand and dragged it through his thick blond hair. “What the hell?”
“She told Hanna that Meredith was in a wheelchair and I’d never leave her.” Richard told his father. Despite the bustle of the airport, it was as though the five of them were suspended in a bubble. People were giving them a wide birth as they walked around them. Richard wasn’t sure if it was because of the latent anger in the air, or the way they were all holding themselves so upright it looked unnatural.
“I’d called to tell Richard about the pregnancy,” Hanna added. “She didn’t know, though, that I was pregnant, I mean.”
“It doesn’t really matter whether she knew or not. She’s an interfering—” Steven managed to catch himself in time. From the corner of his eye, Richard noticed Claire trying to bite down a smile. “Have you spoken to her about it, Richard?”
“I’m not ready to speak to her at all. When I do—if I do—then I’ll be sure to give her your regards.”
Matty squirmed in Hanna’s arms until he was facing Claire. He reached out his hand and touched her hair, making Claire laugh when he tugged. For the first time, Steven’s face softened, a half smile whispering across his lips. Richard’s breath escaped in a gust.