They checked in at the curb of Terminal 2, and Zach was relieved that people were focused on their own travel and largely ignoring one more family with too much luggage. Zach could take the public’s interest in their lives in stride, though he tried to protect Nathan. But Chris hated the attention and would close himself off. And he still hadn’t really opened up since returning from the Wonder Woman shoot.

Everything was going well until they got to security and the officer inspecting their documents asked Chris to remove his sunglasses. She hadn’t even really looked at him yet, but then did a doubletake at their names. Zach could feel Chris stiffen beside him as she looked at each of their faces, eyes widening. She hastily looked down to write something on their boarding passes — that mysterious purple lettering that mere mortals can’t interpret — and then turned to the third boarding pass.

“You must be Nathan,” she said, obviously pushing aside embarrassment to focus on the child in Chris’ arms.

He smiled broadly. “I’ma go on airplane!”

“You certainly are,” she said, writing more purple lettering. “Is it your first airplane ride?”

“No,” Nathan answered with a furrowed brow. But I was a baby, so I don’ memember.”

She smiled at that, handing the boarding passes and ID’s back to Zach. “Well I hope you enjoy this trip, Nathan.”

Nathan’s smile turned shy and he buried his forehead into Chris’ neck while keeping his eyes on the petite brunette. “You’re pretty,” he said, clearly enough for the people behind them to hear.

“Oh my god,” Chris muttered with a grin back to Zach.

“Uh, he’s a hopeless flirt,” Zach told her as a means of apology.

“Well, he made my day,” she said with an open laugh. “Merry Christmas, gentleman.” And with that she waved them through.