Luna began to stir, a soft fussing sound breaking the quiet of the library corner. It started as a tiny whimper, then grew a little louder. Elara gently bounced her, patting her back, trying every trick she knew to soothe her. Maybe Luna was hungry, or just needed a change, or maybe she was just getting tired of being still. Elara felt a familiar wave of mild panic.
She figured it was definitely time to head out of the library. It was one thing for Luna to fuss at home, quite another in a place where everyone was trying to read! Gathering her things quickly, Elara carefully stood up, adjusting Luna in her arms to get a better hold. She really needed to find a more private spot for a feeding, somewhere quiet where she wouldn't feel like she was disturbing anyone.
As she turned to leave, Luna let out a slightly louder cry, a definite "I'm not happy!" sound. It was a normal baby sound, of course, but in the hushed library, it felt like a spotlight was suddenly on them, a little disruptive. Elara quickly moved towards the exit, her steps quickening, trying to make a quiet escape.
She tried to hurry, her face flushing a bit with embarrassment, feeling everyone's eyes on her, even if they weren't. She was just focused on calming Luna down, whispering soft words and gently rocking her, trying to distract her. The world outside her little bubble of baby fussing and hurried steps blurred, all her attention on her little one. She just wanted to be out!
Meanwhile, Alex was still at his table, reviewing his notes on his tablet. The faint cry from a baby reached his ears, cutting through the quiet hum of the coffee shop. It wasn't loud, not at all, but it was distinct, a clear sound in the otherwise peaceful atmosphere. He hadn't noticed a baby before.
He glanced up, his eyes drawn towards the sound, a flicker of curiosity. He saw the young woman from before, the one from the supermarket, now standing and trying to calm the baby. The familiar blanket was still around the tiny form, and something about the way she held the baby, the curve of her back, just felt… familiar. He couldn't shake that feeling.
A stronger sense of recognition washed over him this time, a definite jolt. It was more than just a vague feeling; it felt like a memory teasing the very edge of his mind, almost there, but not quite. He found himself watching her for a moment, his thoughts about his research fading into the background. Who was she? Why did she feel so familiar?
He saw her gentle movements, the way she held the baby with such natural care, almost instinctively. There was a quiet strength about her, even as she looked a little flustered by the baby's cries. He felt a strange, unfamiliar pull, a sense that he should know her, that this wasn't just a random encounter. It was an odd feeling for someone usually so logical.
He almost stood up, a vague thought of offering help, or perhaps just getting a better look, trying to place her face. His hand was already on the table, pushing slightly. But then, she turned, her back to him, and quickly made her way towards the exit, disappearing from his view before he could even decide what to do. And then she was gone.
Alex blinked, the moment passing, leaving behind a faint echo of that strange familiarity. He shook his head slightly, a small sigh escaping him, returning to his tablet. "It was probably nothing," he told himself, trying to dismiss the lingering feeling. "Just a fleeting thought." His work still waited for him, demanding his attention, pulling him back into his structured world.