The passengers are rolling their eyes, fidgeting in their seats as the sound of the distraught baby continues to fill the plane. The mother's trying desperately to hush the crying child who, obviously, finds flying a terrible way to travel. Jane sympathises with the child. Especially this flight. He looks across and caught the eye of the young mother, travelling alone. He gives her his best smile and nodded towards the baby.
"Can I have a try."
The mother is unsure, but, as the baby gives out another wail, and there are more sighs from the long-suffering passengers, she nods her head. Jane reaches across and takes the child. He places her on his shoulder and while rubbing her back, he whispers softly in to her ear. Within a minute the plaintive cries, turn in to loud sobs and hiccups, and he can feel her rapid heart, beating against his shoulder, begin to slow. Another minute finds her fast asleep and passengers giving him grateful looks. He looks over to the mother.
"Is it all right if I hold her for a bit?"
She shakes her head at him in wonder.
"I don't know how you did that Mister...?"
"Jane."
"…Mister Jane, do you and your wife have children?"
She glances at his wedding ring. There's the question he hates, it cuts deep into his heart. He usually avoids the issue but he can't deny her existence today. He takes a deep breath:
"I did once…..She died."
"Oh, I'm sorry."
"It was a long time ago."
"But not something you get over."
"No it isn't."
"Hold her as long as you like Mister Jane, she likes you."
"Thank you."
Jane settles back in his seat and closes his eyes. He feels the small weight of the baby on his shoulder. The rhythm of her chest moving in and out against his own, the steady feel of her heart beat. A grateful silence reigns for the rest of the flight.
Jane, somehow, manages to walk purposefully, yet, reluctantly over the grass to the spot where his family's buried. It's been fourteen years since they were cruelly taken. Charlotte should be in university now, experiencing life out on her own. He imagines her as Angela was at a similar age, when they ran away together and married in a simple ceremony, and then made love for hours as man and wife, looking forward to their future together. He bends down placing a rose on his daughter's grave.
"I will always love you baby."
He puts his hand in to his pocket, removing the object from within. He stares at it for a long time, then crouches down besides his wife's grave and places his wedding ring on the grass, he pushes it firmly into the dirt.
"I've finally done it Angela, I'm moving on. I killed him, and I still have a life. I'm not wasting it anymore. I know you'll approve."
He looks at the gravestone, he doesn't know what he's waiting for, as only silence surrounds him. He closes his eyes, gives a deep sigh and slowly stands. He walks away, knowing this is the last time he'll come here.
Lisbon uncrosses her arms and pulls herself away from the rental car, as Jane makes his way across the ground towards her.