PETER HUSTLED UP the front porch steps of his mom’s house, wondering if he had arrived before Anya. The F-15 did a great job getting him halfway around the world in record time, and a loaner military car was waiting for him at Ellington Air Force Base. He figured he had about a 60% chance of being first. If he wasn’t, then his mom was probably already informed her only son was dead. The news would be devastating and possibly a total shock if she still had no idea that he had been on the mission to the moon; for all he knew, she’d never been told about the top-secret assignment. He took a moment to peek through a small slit in the side window blinds to see if he could spot either lady. He moved his head around, but there was no evidence.
He repositioned himself with his face looking directly at the door as he nervously rubbed his hands together. These two ladies were the most important people in his life, and he couldn’t wait to see them. He looked down at the potted plant and considered using the front door key hidden in it as he often did. Not knowing what was going on inside, he felt it best to ring the doorbell. Besides, if his mom had been told of his death, then he would be pulling off a miracle for her. Opening the door and seeing her son standing there alive would be a shocker, and he had a flair for dramatics.
He took a deep breath before pushing the doorbell button. The chime echoed throughout the front foyer. He was surprisingly nervous as he waited, shifting his weight back and forth on his feet. After a few moments, he heard someone slowly walk up and unlock the door. He stood up straighter as the handle turned and the door slowly opened.
The sunlight followed the door inside and worked its way across his mother’s body before lighting her face. He could tell by her red eyes she had been crying, evidence Anya was there and had given her the bad news. Her mouth gaped wide open, obviously startled to see him. He smiled big as he raised his arms, “Guess who?”
Her whole expression transformed to joy. She yelled out, “Peter!” as she jumped into his arms. As they hugged, she said softly, “I thought I had lost you forever.”
Peter smiled. “Na, you didn’t lose me. Not yet anyway.”
She pulled away and looked into his eyes. “Anya’s here. She told me you died while landing in China.”
Peter shook his head. “Sorry about that, Mom. That was a bunch of crap put out by China.” He stepped back slightly and peeked into the house. “Where is she?”
His mom smiled big. “She’s in your dad’s office. She will be so surprised. I know she struggled to stay strong while telling me you didn’t survive. She’s hurting deeply.”
He patted his mom lightly on the back. “I’ve got to see her.” He gave his mom a sweet kiss on the cheek before walking down the hallway.
“I’ll warm up some tea in the kitchen.”
“Perfect,” Peter whispered.
He worked his way through the house before reaching the end of the hallway where his dad’s office door was not quite closed all the way. Quietly, he pushed it open and peered inside. Anya’s back was to him as she stood looking at the photographs on the wall. She was dressed casually in a pair of jeans with an untucked purple blouse, her jet-black hair flowing past her shoulders. He grinned with pride. No matter how she dressed, she looked fabulous.
She was staring at the picture of their fathers together, taken during their training for the U.S.-USSR mission. He took a second to take in the moment, one he had felt he would never have after taking on the suicide mission. Finally he said, “Your father was one hell of a cosmonaut. He saved my ass a couple of times.”
She didn’t move. The room was still for a moment. In a frail voice she said, “I hear your dad was a hell of an astronaut, too, and that he even walked on the moon.” Without turning around, she slowly lowered her head as he walked up from behind. Her voice trembled as she said, “This better not be a dream.”
Peter put his hand on her shoulder. “Baby, it’s no dream.”
She turned, tears swelling in her blue eyes. “Oh, Peter.” She flung herself into his waiting arms as she wrapped hers tightly around him. Peter never felt so good in his life. He picked her up and twirled her around as he said, “Anya Alexandrov, I missed you so much. I love you.”
Her whole body was shaking. She squeezed even tighter as she responded, “Peter Novak, you have no idea how much I love you.”
5
BACK IN THE FIRE
Late for an urgent meeting with the director of the Space Intelligence Division, Peter had a confident strut in his step as he hustled down the long narrow corridor of the CIA building. He couldn’t hide the elation that bubbled within, happy to be back on Earth and to have spent the last few days with his true love. He came close to proposing to Anya while in Houston, but with the loss of the baby, the timing wasn’t right. He knew they were destined to be together and that moment would come.
Unfortunately, their time was cut short by an early morning wakeup call from Gavin Ross, requesting him to report immediately to the Virginia headquarters. Although he was not given any details, the urgency in the director’s voice, along with a waiting jet to fly him to D.C., convinced him it was a serious crisis. He hated leaving Anya so soon after getting back; however, he was excited about rejoining SID. Peter had to resign from the agency before accepting the secret mission to the moon, ensuring he had no direct ties to the government. The President wanted to make sure America could not be directly blamed for the operation if it failed.
Peter was pleased he caught Gavin’s assistant before she took off for her lunch break. Lola Peterson immediately lit up when she saw him, sending a surprising jolt of joy through him. The attractive sixty-year-old grandmother jumped to her feet and extended her arms. Peter swooped in for a hug. She squeezed tightly. “I thought we had lost you.”
From the genuineness in her voice, he realized she must have known that he had been on a suicide mission. He tried to lighten the mood. “Then you wouldn’t have to worry about some cocky agent flirting with you.”
Lola pulled back. Her eyes locking on his as her expression grew serious. “You would be the one I would miss.”
Considering all the agents she had dealt with over the years, that was high praise. “Thanks, Lola. I appreciate that. So I guess you can tolerate my flirting?”
Lola gave him a final squeeze before pulling away, her face glowing again. “Tolerate it? I insist on it.”
“Great.” Peter arched an eyebrow as he slowly looked her up and down. “Well then, you look as sexy as ever.”
She blushed as she tucked her hair behind her ear. “Keep ‘em coming, young man. Can I pour you a cup of coffee before you go in?”
“That’d be great.”
As always, he watched her from behind as she walked over and poured. She quickly turned around to catch him staring. He just smiled. She carefully handed him the cup as she winked. “You better get in there.”
He leaned over and gave her a soft kiss on the cheek. “Thank you.” He took a whiff of the freshly brewed coffee before proudly marching through Gavin’s open doorway. He barked out, “Good afternoon, Boss.”
Gavin quickly swung around in his chair and looked up from the paperwork he was reviewing. A warm smile instantly appeared. He stood and extended a welcoming hand. “Good to see you, Peter.”
Peter nodded as he approached the empty chair in front of the desk. “Glad to be here.” He gently placed the coffee on a coaster before he took the outstretched hand, and gave a firm handshake.
Gavin mashed his lips before he spoke, his voice laced with sincerity. “I’m so happy you made it back. That was a hard call for the agency to make, sacrificing one of our best.”