I felt a sudden wave of fear for my baby. In the heat of the moment, my baby lay there silently.

“But that could be a disguise,” he replied, not entirely convinced.

I thought about whether the police would be waiting for me at the airport. And whether I could get away from this. I just wanted to get home to Colin.

It was as if thinking about my husband had summoned the baby to wake up.

A sudden kick in my stomach made me act impulsively. Without thinking, I took the man’s hand and placed it on my belly.

“No, you can’t fake this,” I said.

He sighed, looking visibly relieved but also very embarrassed.

“I’m so sorry. You look very much like her. I was convinced that we were on the right track. I have to wait until we get back on the ground to actually deal with this.”

“Look, I get it,” I said. “But I’m not her. I’m just trying to get home,” I said, feeling a bit calmer, while I tried to get back onto my feet.

Little did we know that it was time for part two of the nightmare.

Suddenly, the flight attendant pulled out a gun.

“Enough! Both of you, hands behind your backs!”

She reached into her pocket and pulled out zip ties, tying the man’s hands first with her back to me.

“You’re not as foolish as you look,” she said to him. “You were right about tracking me to the plane. But you had the wrong person in mind.”

Another surge of fear for my baby made me act. With her standing with her back to me, I saw an opportunity and kicked her as hard as I could.

She stumbled and fell, dropping the gun. She had been distracted talking to him that she didn’t finish zip tying the man’s hands yet, so he tackled her.

As he did, we caught a glimpse of the gold necklace hanging around her neck.

“She’s the real thief,” he said, securing her. “She’s been posing as different people to avoid capture. I have no idea how she managed to board this flight as an attendant.”

“You are so brave for doing what you did. Thank you for getting to her before she tied me,” he said.

“I was just afraid for my baby,” I said, sighing. “I acted on instinct.”

The rest of the flight was a blur of apologies from the man and explanations to the crew and authorities.

“I’m Detective Connor,” he said, shaking my hand after.

The woman was arrested upon landing, with about fifteen police officers standing at the gate, just waiting.

“I am truly sorry for what you’ve been through,” Connor said.

“Just explain to me what happened,” I replied, needing closure before heading out to find my husband.

“We’ve been tracking this woman for months. She’s been stealing valuable items and using various disguises to evade capture. I received a tip that she would be on this flight. When I saw you, and your hair, I just thought…” he trailed off, clearly remorseful.

“You thought I was her,” I finished for him. “Well, I’m not. And now you know.”

“Yes, and I’m very sorry for the mistake, Kayla. I hope you can forgive me.”

Despite the ordeal, I felt a strange sense of relief.

As I walked through the doors and saw my husband standing there with yellow tulips and a wide smile on his face, I instantly felt at peace.

“Welcome home,” he said, pulling me into a hug. “I’m so glad you’re back.”

We drove home in silence, just enjoying being in each other’s presence again. But when we got home, I sat down with Colin and told him everything that had happened on the flight.

“Are you okay?” he asked me, his eyes wide. “Are you shaken? Should we take you to a doctor to make sure everything is okay?”

“No,” I replied. “I’m absolutely fine, I just wanted to come back home to you.”

My husband put his hands on my stomach and smiled at me.

“I’m glad you’re home,” he said again, kissing my stomach.

What would you have done?