Allen extended his hand. “Are you excited about tomorrow?”
Peter shook Allen’s hand and calmly answered, “I’m confident and, yes, excited.”
Allen looked up at the Newton 9 next to them. “I’m jealous. I wish I was flying her.”
Peter smiled.
Allen, with a serious look, asked, “Peter, Doug wants to be sure you’ll be able to disengage the laser. If there is any chance this can’t happen, he wants the mission called off. The White House is being pressured by the UN Security Council, and we cannot afford to cross the council if the mission fails. It will put the president in a difficult position with both the UN and China, hurting America’s reputation even more in the world.”
Peter smirked. “I’m positive the factory codes were never changed, and I know the procedure of changing them within the required time. Remember when I told you the mission had an 80 percent chance of success?”
Allen nodded.
“It’s better than 90 percent now. You tell Doug not to worry. We’ll get him those pictures!”
Allen patted Peter on the back. “I figured you would say that, but wanted to hear it for myself. I’ll let Doug know.”
Peter blurted, “Do you know why Anya’s here?”
“Nope. I thought maybe Viktor called her out.”
Peter put his head down and sighed in frustration.
“So what’s the deal with you two?”
Peter never told Allen what happened in Texas. They weren’t friends; he had no reason to. Allen’s only concern was a successful mission, and that required Peter to be focused and on point with the assignment. He looked up again. “We broke up. I felt it was best considering how the mission was going to end.”
Allen crossed his arms. “Peter, you need to make sure you’re prepared and focused tomorrow. I do not want any distractions.”
“There won’t be. You don’t have to worry about me. I’ll be 100 percent ready.”
Allen studied Peter for a moment. “Maybe you should go see her. Work out your differences. I want to make sure your head is clear tomorrow.”
Peter stood straighter. “You’re right, I should see her. I promised Viktor I would let him talk with her first and decide if I should. But I have to see her, if only as a friend.”
Allen signaled for Peter to follow him to his truck. “Come on. I’ll drive you there.”
ANYA SURPRISED HERSELF how well she was able to keep composed as her dad discussed his estate and wishes for his funeral. She held her father’s hand at the conference table during most of the conversation. When he was done, she was happy to hear him ask, “Did you want to see Peter?”
Of course she did, but did Peter? Especially considering he broke up with her. “Does he want to see me?”
Viktor patted her hand. “He does. In fact he just told me so. He stated how difficult it was breaking up and how he did it for you. I know he would love to see you, especially since you now know the final outcome of the mission.”
Anya smiled, feeling she did the right thing coming. “I would love to see him!”
“I’m so sorry you two are meeting under these circumstances. Peter is a good man.” Viktor got up from his chair. “Well, he’ll be here soon. Why don’t you go to the ladies room and freshen up?”
Anya touched her hair and one cheek; she must look like a wreck from all the crying. She got up and hugged her dad. “I love you so much, Daddy.”
“I love you too, dear.” He escorted her down the hallway to the ladies restroom.
ANYA CAME OUT OF THE RESTROOM feeling much better and refreshed, excited to see Peter. As she started to walk down the empty hallway back to the conference room, the door at the other end opened slowly. Bright sunlight came shining through, preventing Anya from being able to see who was coming in. From the silhouette she could tell it was a man carrying a helmet. The man suddenly stopped, Anya doing the same. The door slowly closed behind him and as the sunlight disappeared, she saw the man was Peter, looking as handsome as ever. Both stood still for a moment. Anya wasn’t sure what she should do. After a long motionless beat, she couldn’t take it any longer and started running toward him. She extended her arms wide open. Peter dropped his helmet with a loud thud, echoing throughout the hallway, as he extended his arms. He picked her up and twirled her around, neither of them saying a word. Anya never felt so good in her life. This was what she wanted.
Anya broke the silence. “Peter Novak, I love you!”
Peter pulled his head back and looked into her eyes. “Anya Alexandrov, I love you too!” He gently set her down and they shared a long passionate kiss.
VIKTOR SAT ACROSS from both Peter and Anya during their last dinner together in SpaceQuest’s cafeteria. It was an emotional dinner filled with tears and smiles. Unfortunately Anya could not stay on the base. When Viktor asked Allen, the CEO made it clear she could hang around for dinner, but would have to leave afterward as well as watch lift-off from Launch Control. She would stay at a local Cocoa Beach hotel, which would transport her to Launch Control the following day. Fortunately, Allen did give the okay for one of the men to drive her back to the hotel. Watching the two during dinner, Viktor decided it should be Peter.
After dinner, Viktor escorted the couple out to the truck. As the sun set, a slight chill filled the air. He wrapped his arm around his daughter, keeping her warm. It was a solemn walk for a father, the last with his daughter.
Peter flung Anya’s luggage into the truck bed. Before getting inside, he leaned over to Viktor’s ear, whispering, “No matter what, I’ll be at Dr. Johnson’s office tomorrow by 7:00 a.m.”
Missing the night’s quarantine was taking a gamble of the mission being scrubbed. But being checked in by 7:00 a.m. for their pre-launch medical tests was critical. Viktor winked at Peter. “I cover for you.”
Viktor walked his daughter to the passenger side and opened the door. Anya hugged him one last time, tears shining in her eyes. Viktor hated saying goodbye to his daughter. Neither said a word.
Finally Anya broke the silence saying how much she loved him in their native language. “Ya budu vsegda lyubit tebya.”
Viktor squeezed, telling her the same. “Ya tebya lyublyu.”
Anya pulled away, wiping the tears from her face. “Tell Mom I miss her and how much I love her.”
The notion brought both a tear and a smile to Viktor. She was releasing him, accepting what was going to happen, knowing he would be in a better place with her mother. Pulling her close for the last time he answered, “I will, and I give her hug for you.”
Anya smiled slightly as she pulled away and climbed into the truck. Viktor gently closed the door behind her. With his hands on the door, he met her gaze through the window. She put her hand on it, wanting to touch him. He put his over hers, only the cool glass separating them. Peter started the truck and Viktor slowly pulled his hand away, stepping back, staring intently at his daughter with a forced smile. Anya blew him one last kiss as the truck gradually pulled away. He pretended to catch it and put his hand to his face, placing her kiss there. He saw her smile as they drove away.
PETER STARED UP AT THE CEILING as Anya’s warm body clung tightly to his, her head resting comfortably on his chest. Peter hadn’t been sure if he would be in this position when he checked her into the hotel; it hadn’t been discussed. Allen would have disapproved, wanting his astronaut safe on the base focusing on the morning launch. When she asked him to stay, he felt one last evening with her would invigorate his body and soul, allowing him to focus and function better on the mission. Since that was one of Allen’s concerns, he said “Yes” guilt-free.