Charles Winthrop, who had spent hours acting personally persecuted by infancy, now stared in open admiration.
“Remarkable,” he muttered.
Vanessa Hale lowered her phone. Even the flight attendants looked stunned.
Andrew’s relief came so fast it was nearly painful. He sank into his seat as Noah, still standing in the aisle, adjusted Lily with the confidence of someone who had earned every ounce of his skill through necessity rather than theory.
“How long do you think she’ll stay asleep?”
“If that was really colic and trapped gas, probably most of the rest of the flight,” Noah said. “She’s comfortable now.”
Andrew believed him instantly.
As Noah gently transferred Lily back into Andrew’s arms, Andrew kept studying him.
“You said you’re going to London for a math competition?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Tell me.”
Noah explained that the International Mathematics Championship brought together elite high school students from around the world. Top finishers received full scholarships to universities like MIT, Cambridge, and Stanford. He had qualified through city, state, and national rounds.
“What are your strongest areas?” Andrew asked.