The Stolen Child

Not Long

"He's coming home, Noemi." Lauren giddily burst in through my restaurant doors.

"What? Lauren? What are you talking about? I grabbed her arms, trying to shush her so she wouldn't disrupt the restaurant patrons.

"Brody. He's on his way home. He's on a plane headed here now. It arrived in an hour!" She burst out, barely containing her excitement.

"What? Really?" I gasped, not wanting to build up false hope at Lauren's words.

"Yes! Noemi, He's coming home."

"This isn't a joke, is it? Please Lauren, tell me you aren't joking."

"I'm not! Get to the airport, now!" She ordered me.

"I have to go. I have to go home. Oh, I have to get Sasha!" I frantically ran around the restaurant, making sure everyone would be fine if I left. I burst into my office, scooping up my purse and rushing out of the front doors.

I stood at the airport, patiently waiting for Brody's plane. Sasha lay cozied up in her stroller, waiting to meet her father. I watched as people stepped off planes, wandering like zombies through the terminal. Others stood in line, waiting their turn to board. Planes came and went and life seemed to pass everyone by. Excitement was built up inside me so forcefully that I was ready to burst at any moment. I found it difficult to stand still, and was constantly shuffling my weight from leg to leg as I tried to wait patiently.

"Brody!" I whispered as I saw him emerge from the tunnel. His hair had grown long. It's dirty blonde locks dancing in front of his brown eyes. His chiseled jaw hidden under a scruffy beard. His body looked as fit as before, but something seemed off about his demeanor. Our eyes locked and my heart skipped a beat as a smile spread across my face. My eyes filled with tears as I watched him saunter over to me, a duffle bag slung loosely over his shoulder. As excited as I was to see him, I couldn't shake the feeling that something was off. There was no joy in his eyes. No delight at seeing me. He seemed tired, like he was just going through the motions, his body unaware of the movements being commanded of them.

"Hello Noemi." He said as he reached me. He placed the duffel bag on the ground at his feet. Leaning across the stroller he placed a light peck on my lips.

"I've missed you so much." I said, reaching out for Brody's arm. He pulled back, just out of my grasp.

"Who's this?" He leaned down, his face hidden in the stroller.

"This is Sasha. Our daughter."

"Our….daughter?" Brody looked up at me, still hunched down over the stroller.

"Yes. She was born two months ago." Sadness crossed my face as I watched Brody comprehend my words.

"I missed it." He barely mumbled.

"Yes." Tears began to stream down my face uncontrollably.

"I'm so sorry. I wasn't there."

"It's okay." I tried to make him feel better, even though I was still horribly upset that he hadn't been there for me or our child and that he had missed everything.

"It's not." He finally stood, picking up his bag and moving towards the exit. "Let's go home." He said, his voice gruff and harsh.

—-

"You love bathtime, huh,?" I cooed at Sasha as I gently ran a washcloth over her tiny frame while she lay in her small, plastic bathtub. She gurgled and laughed with a large gummy smile.

"I'm going out." Brody declared as he entered the bathroom.

"Oh…uh…you are?" I quickly wrapped a towel around Sasha as I followed Brody out of our bathroom and down the stairs.

"Yes." He slipped his jacket on and grasped his car keys.

"How…h-how long will you be gone?" I cradled Sasha close to my chest as I grilled Brody for answers.

He had been so distant since his return. He barely spoke to me, and had been keeping distance between us in bed at night. He barely kissed me, or had any physical contact with me at all. I had asked him about it, and he had brushed it off. He kept trying to assure me that it had nothing to do with me. He said his mission took a mental toll on him. I tried to get him to speak to me about it, but he declined each time. Saying that he wasn't ready to discuss what happened. I understood his words, and didn't press him further. He had been on a mission once that took him almost an entire year to overcome. He lost two members of his team, and he himself was beaten and tortured. I knew how mentally and physically taxing these missions could be, so I didn't press him. He would open up about what happened when he was ready to. All I could do was be there for him, and let him come to terms with whatever happened in his own way.

"Not long." He said before he closed the door in my face.

"Let's get some jammies on you, sweet girl." I kissed the top of Sasha's head, inhaling her fresh, clean infant scent. I loved the smell of a freshly cleaned baby. To me, there was nothing better in the world.

"Don't do it!" I yelled at the TV as I shoved another fistful of popcorn in my mouth. I sat, sprawled out on my couch, in the darkness. The living room, illuminated by the light from the TV. I had put Sasha to be in her bassinet, listening to her soft moans as she slept. I jumped as a knock emanated from the front door. It was almost ten at night. My brow furrowed as I contemplated who would be visiting me so late. I paused my movie before getting up to get the door.

"Luke. Come in." I stepped back, allowing him to pass.

"Hey Noemi."

"What's wrong?" I inquired, curious why he would be here so late.

"Nothing. I just wanted to stop by. See how you were doing. Sasha too."

"Come sit down." I led him to the living room, offering him some popcorn.

"I'm fine, thanks. I interrupted your movie."

"You did." I laughed as I flopped down on the sofa.

"Where's Brody?" His eyes darted around the living room, searching for his friend.

"He said he would be out with friends. That was about five hours ago. Your guess is as good as mine." My voice tangled with a hint of disdain.

"Oh." He cleared his throat before continuing. "What are you watching?"

"Just some stupid horror flick. It's a remake and you know the remakes aren't as good as the originals."

"Hardly ever." He agreed. "How's Sasha?"

"She's wonderful. She's getting so big. She'll be three months next week. I can't believe how fast time seems to go by."

"It does." He agreed. Just then I heard Sasha fuss through the baby monitor.

"You're in luck! She woke up just to see you." I quickly flew up the stairs, cradling Sasha in my arms as we returned to Luke.

"Want to hold her?" I held her out for Luke to take. He gently cupped her in his arms, smiling at her sweet features.

"She has your nose." I pointed out.

"She does. Look at that." He gazed down at her lovingly.

"Thank you so much for your help."

"With what?" His gaze never moved from Sasha.

"For this little bundle of joy." I baby talked Sasha as I ran my fingers along her fine hair.

"You're welcome." He finally looked up at me. I handed him a bottle, watching as he fed the hungry child.

"Is she an easy baby?"

"She is. She's been a dream. The perfect first child." I gushed.

"Good. I'm glad you're being good for momma." Luke grinned at Sasha.

We spoke for a while, Sasha finally falling asleep in his arms. I carefully pried her from his grip.

"Thank you for letting me stop by." He whispered.

"Anytime. My door is always open." I followed him to the door, locking it behind him.

"Midnight. Where is your daddy?" I whispered at Sasha as I placed her down in her bed. I quickly showered before slipping into bed, checking Sasha before laying my head on the pillow.

I wasn't down for long before I heard the front door open and close. I heard keys jungle as they were hung from the key hook on the wall. Heavy footsteps echoed through the silent house. I could make out a dark figure moving around to Brody's side of the bed. I heard him shed his clothing, dropping them to the floor before slipping into bed with me. I rolled over placing my hand on his shoulder.

"Did I wake you?" He whispered, his back still facing me.

"No. I was up."

"The baby?" He questioned.

"No. I was worried about you. You said you wouldn't be long."

"Well, I was." He huffed. I removed my hand from his shoulder, turning my back to him before drifting off to sleep.