Daisy . ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁˖ . ݁

Ryland FaceTimed you that night. Like it was no big deal to your sensitive heart, like it was a routine for him. You two danced around the topic for a bit, talking about things going on in the world and at work.

“So this date”, he finally said. You were both now lying in bed, you with a facemask on, just browsing Netflix, and he watching something on YouTube. The phone screen illuminated his face, and you could see your reflection in his glasses. He was lazily resting his arm over his head, and now and then, you got a peek at his collar bones, confirming he was shirtless. Once he caught you, he would blush and rub his hand over his chest, almost as if to hide. “I want to take you to that new fancy restaurant in town.”

You thought for a second. “Florentinos?!” He nodded. “I’ve been wanting to go for ages!” You immediately pulled up the menu on your phone and read a few options to him.

“Okay, honey, when is best for you?” He asked.

You two confirmed a date, and then he said his sweet goodnights. The next few days were hell for everyone but you two. Mrs James was almost sick of being in the staff room when both of you were in there at the same time. “They’re twitterpated.” She would whisper. Ryland wouldn’t let you pick him up for work anymore, saying something ridiculous like it was bad luck to spend too much time together before the first date.

Then came the night of your date. You’d looked up a few outfit ideas online and checked how fancy or non-fancy Florentinos actually are. It was hard to gauge, so you went with the classic. Little black dress. It was a mini dress with a V-neckline. Just the right amount of skin showing. To make it less distracting, you put on a sparkly necklace and earrings, and you paired it with some knee-high black boots.

Touching up your lipstick in the mirror, you glanced at the clock. 7.20pm, Ryland should be here soon. You gathered the rest of your things into a small shoulder bag and grabbed a blazer to pair with. You waited patiently by the door of your apartment, trying not to make too much noise in case Ryland heard you waiting.

Car lights illuminated your front room as they pulled into your driveway. That must be him, but in a car? You bit your fingers as you thought about how you didn’t know he could drive. A knock brought you back. You waited, 5, 10 seconds before opening, not wanting to look too eager.

Ryland looked up from his shoes, and his cheeks turned pink. He was wearing a very nice, pale white or almost pale yellow shirt, a long, thin tie, and fancy dress pants. He was clutching a bunch of flowers and a bottle of champagne.

“Oh, Ryland, you didn’t-“

“No, I had to- “ he cut you off.

You smiled and motioned for him to come in. This is when he got a proper look at you. Your dress hugged you in all the right places, showing your thighs just enough to tease him. The V-neck showed off your chest and collar bones. He was wondering if you used some body oil, given how radiant you looked. He caught a hint of perfume as you leaned in and took the flowers and champagne from him. It was a mix of creamy florals and fresh violets. Your hair was styled into long princess waves, with the front sections neatly pinned back. “You look-“ he took in a breath. “Absolutely gorgeous.”

You blushed as you put the flowers into a clear vase of water. You came closer to him, picked a bit of lint off his shoulder, and smoothed his shirt. “I really like this shirt.” You whispered, almost appalled at how well a man in a suit could bewitch you.

He chuckled and kissed your temple. “Let's go,” he whispered back.

This is where you found out he actually had a car. An old classic Chevy Impala, you had no idea about the year, but it was obviously well looked after. Sleek black bonnet and shiny silver rims “So this is your little secret?” You said,

He smiled bashfully and opened the door for you. “M’lady”

On the drive over, he told you the car was passed down through his family. Now, he was the only one left, so he hid the car away in a nearby garage instead of running it into the ground. He didn’t delve deep into his family, and you understood it was probably a sore subject. He drove with a hand resting on the steering wheel and the other gently resting on your knee. You’d wondered where this man had come from. At work, he was cute, charming and nerdy. And suddenly he was smooth and sexy. Well, he was always sexy, especially when sometimes you’d walk in on him marking papers after the kids had left and he’d remove his tie and unbutton the first few buttons of his shirt, showing off his neck and collarbones. But this Ryland was different. Even he knew that. He was serious about this; it was just him. His family all passed before their time. He didn’t want to be alone anymore, so when you came along, he decided he wouldn’t let his chance pass. There wasn’t any time for dancing around the subject. He was still an absolute mess inside; he couldn’t believe he had the chance to take such a gorgeous woman on a date.

The restaurant was nice. Cosy and romantic with a piano player in the middle. The waitress took you over to a snug booth in the corner, she introduced herself, placed menus down and asked for drinks. Ryland wanted a Guinness, and you went with a simple Negroni.

Food arrived shortly after; you went with Alfredo chicken, and Ryland had simple Carbonara. After a few minutes, Ryland could see you eying up his food. “You want some?” He asked. You nodded and licked his lips. He spun his fork through some spaghetti and lifted it. You went to take it from him, but he pulled back. “No…” he trailed off. You hummed in confusion. “Open.” A fire ignited in your stomach. He was staring you directly in the eyes, holding the fork at mouth level. You couldn’t see in this light, but you were both burning up. You delicately opened your mouth and allowed him to place the fork in. He watched eagerly as your mouth closed around the fork and slid the food off. His eyes drifted down to your mouth and watched your tongue poke out to lick up any remaining sauce, and he gulped.

“Oh wow”, you swallowed. “That’s unreal.” The conversation flowed now. Ryland asked you what you did on the weekends, any TV shows you were watching, and what music you liked to listen to. You even told Ryland about a baby shower you were going to, out of town in a few days, that one of your childhood friends, Lily, had invited you to. “Have you ever thought about kids?” You asked.

He swirled his fork in his spaghetti and thought. “Yeah, I mean before becoming a teacher I was terrified of kids. I still am a bit scared of babies, but I think kids are cool now. I’d love to one day bring up my own.”

“Why are you scared of babies?” you giggled.

“They’re so small and fragile! And they cry a lot and poop.” He took a sip of his drink.

“Well, that’s all they can do! I think if babies could talk, then parenting would be too easy. Yeah, they cry, but that’s all they can do; it’s about figuring out what they need.”

He nodded. You were right. Maybe babies were easy; they’d be easier with you, that’s for sure. Woah Ryland. First date! You two talked and talked, sometimes about trivial things and sometimes about serious things. Ryland told you a few space missions were coming up in the next few years, and he even invited you to watch the launch of some of them. You’d realised at some point all the Negronis you’d had were hitting you, Ryland had just stayed drinking some lemonade, considering he had to drive. You decided that it was the last round. “I’ll be back in two seconds.” You said standing up.

You practically sprinted to the ladies' room, fearing your makeup had slid off your face. You managed to get to a mirror and…oh, it’s still perfect. You rummaged in your purse for some powder and lip liner. An old lady emerged from one of the cubicles and washed her hands at the sink next to you. She looked you up and down, smiled gently and carefully left the toilets. You ran your hands under some cold water and let it drip down your neck onto your back, hoping it would cool you down.

Now, feeling much less drunk and alert, you left that bathroom to reunite with Ryland. He stood at the end of the booth with the old lady from the bathroom. “My, you two are quite the couple. Tell me, dear, how long have you been together?” She questioned.

He chuckled and rubbed the back of his neck. “It’s actually our first date.”

She gasped, and you joined him at his side. “Oh, lovely!” She caught your hand in her grasp. “He’s quite the catch, dear”, she winked. “You two will make lovely babies one day.” You both blushed, and she waddled off.

Ryland's hand rested on your lower back as you picked up your blazer. “Ready?” He asked you. Your eyebrows furrowed as you looked at the table for the bill. “I got it, don’t worry.”

“Ryland! I would’ve-“

“I wouldn’t have let you.” He took your hand in his and led you out the door.

The drive back was quiet. Not awkward, quiet but content. The night was warm, and you were comfortably leaning back in the seat just watching out the window. A hand on your knee brought you back. “You okay?” Ryland questioned.

You nodded and smiled. “Always.” His hand gently drew circles on your skin, his fingers really feeling your soft skin under his. You peered up at him. He was watching the road, so your eyes drifted back to his hand. He used the back of his hand to smooth up your naked thigh, then he would turn his hand over and gently squeeze your skin. His touch burned; you hoped he couldn’t feel how warm you were. You sat up in your seat and slid over the connected seats, tugging at his arm. You pulled it up and over your head, and he rested it on the back of the seat. You cuddled into his side, one hand resting on his chest. Your hand slipped into the soft fabric, feeling for anything beneath. It was soft but tough; you could tell he worked out on his days off or something like that. You feel him shift under you, using his free hand to pinch at the leg of his pants and pull them down. Oh. You glanced down, and your suspicions were confirmed; he was hiding a growing bulge. You thought about teasing him some more, running your hand up to his chest and then down to rest on his thigh, but then remembered he was actually driving, so you stopped.

“Hey, I have a question”, he said. You nodded, “I have a thing.”

“A thing?” You interrupted.

“Yeah, a thing, uh, more like an award thing from the teachers' society, they’ve gone all out for some reason, it’s a big fancy event. I have two tickets and no one to come, so…I was wondering if you’d be my date?”’

You grinned. “Oh, I’d love to, Ryland! I have a dress I’ve been waiting to wear!”

“Good, I’m glad, we’ll sort out the details later.”

You felt the familiar bumps to your driveway and sighed as he put the car in park. He snuggled you even closer with his arm and let his lips rest on your forehead. “Thank you for coming on such a wonderful date with me.” With a gentle kiss, he stepped out of the car and with your hand in his, he helped you out. With his hands in his pockets, he walked you to your apartment door and watched as you stepped.

“Thank you for tonight, Ryland. It was amazing.” You smiled.

“I’ll see you at work? Monday?” He asks.

You nod and watch as he slowly walks back down the drive. You go to shut the door, but god something tells you to stop. “Ryland!” He stops and turns, a hopeful look on his face. “Look, it’s Saturday, I have a bottle of champagne to finish and a movie I accidentally rented from Amazon to watch, so… would you wanna come in for a bit?” You shuffled your feet.

He met you at your doorway “What movie?”

“Princess Bride.”

“I love that movie!” He chuckled.

“Well, please come in” You grabbed his hand and yanked him inside.

Now he has a good look at your little apartment. It was cosy and cute. The living room and kitchen were open plan, with a nice olive green recliner sofa with a matching ottoman and walnut coffee table, oh and a cat tree? You took off your boots and grabbed some champagne glasses from a tall cupboard. “Make yourself at home,” he nodded, took off his own shoes, and made his way toward the sofa. You followed behind him and placed the bottle and glasses on the coffee table, you pulled the top off the ottoman and pulled out a big cream blanket. “Here.” You handed him the TV remote. “I’ll be right back.”

Ryland made himself comfy on your sofa and used the remote to flick through the TV's apps until he found Amazon.

Hmbeow

He looked to his left and nearly jumped. A black cat sat on the sofa cushion next to him, slowly blinking its big yellow eyes. He felt like he was being judged by this cat, as if the cat was your little puppet to see what he was doing while alone.

You entered the living room again and smiled, “Oh, I see you’ve met Mr Merlin.” Still wearing your little dress, you sat down and picked up the cat, making baby voices at him.

“Merlin, huh?” Ryland questioned, raising his finger to rub under the cat's chin.

You hummed. “Hmm, from King Arthur, Merlin the wizard always had a black cat, so when I found this little gremlin on my porch, I had to keep him.” Ryland smiled and leaned forward, popping the cork of the champagne and pouring you a glass. You sat on the edge of the couch as he poured his own and then turned to face you. “To?” You asked.

He clinked your glasses. “To you and me.”

You blushed under the cosy light and took a sip.

The movie started slowly, with you two awkwardly perched next to each other on the sofa, making comments on what was going on. As the night went on, he felt you slowly inching closer until his arm was lazily placed around you. He reached his hand behind you and slowly felt your soft hair, and you yawned. He grumbled, leaned over, found a pillow on the floor, and placed it in his lap. You took the invitation and lay your head in his lap, pulling the blanket to your shoulder.

Ryland's eyes fluttered open when he felt something pushing his arm. Merlin was on the arm of the sofa, using his paw to push his hand out of the way. It was quiet now. The TV had automatically turned off, and the lights had dimmed, just the sound of the city outside. He realised you’d both fallen asleep, you were still in his lap, mouth slightly open. Okay, so he needed a plan, he needed a leak first, and then to get you into bed. He gently lifted your head, slid out from under the pillow, and let you snuggle back into it.

He puffed out a breath of air and then made his way down the hall to find the bathroom. First, he stumbled into your room, and he thought about leaving, but then saw shoes all over your bed and chuckled. You’d obviously had a struggle finding what shoes to wear. He looked over your room some more and saw a vanity littered with jewellery and makeup. There were picture frames of drawings from some of these kids in school, which made him smile. He moved quickly but managed to find a place for all the shoes to sit neatly. He closed your closet doors and then started making your bed, fluffing the pillows. Once finished, he made his way back out to your bathroom. He was surprised to find almost a spa-like bathroom, with fresh eucalyptus hanging above his shower head and Lush products scattered around. Oh, she likes Lush, good to know, he thought to himself. While taking a leak, he scanned his eyes over the sink and the mirror. There was a perfume on the shelf before the mirror, and your toothbrush sat in a “Best Sister” mug.

After washing his hands, he made his way back to the living room, where you were still sleeping. Your back was now turned to him, and Merlin had snuggled himself in the crook of your legs. “Sorry, pal, I’m gonna have to move her.” He whispered to the cat.

Not wanting to wake you, he wrapped you up in the blanket, hooked an arm under your legs, let you roll into his chest, and, in one swift move, lifted you. You hummed and snuggled into his chest, and his heart ached. God, how could you be so cute? He moved slowly so as not to wake you and gently set you into bed. Merlin followed and jumped up on the bed as Ryland pulled the duvet up and tucked you in, leaving a small kiss on your temple.

You awoke with a groan, your head pounding. God, what happened? Oh. Your date. Ryland. You shot up. You were in your bed, fully dressed. Merlin was curled in a ball at the bottom of your bed. Wrapping the duvet around you and Merlin meowing in complaint as you stole the blanket off the bed, you made your way to the living room, where you found…nothing. Oh. A Post-it note on the coffee table caught your attention. Since when did you have them? You plucked it off the table and read it with a smile.

Sweetheart,

I would have stayed, but I didn’t want to push the boundaries, and I had no spare clothes. Text me when you’re awake so I know you’re alright. Ryland.

So you practically ran back to your bedroom, found your phone lying in a pile of clothes, and texted him.

I’m awake, thank you for the wonderful night, and I’m sorry I fell asleep

You watched the screen for a minute, seeing the Read 9:37AM under the message. A typing animation pops up and disappears a few times before the message finally comes through.

Don't be sorry, you looked so cute :(( I'll FaceTime you later to let you know about that event, okay?

Okay

Distant lover, lover

Oh, so many miles away

Oh, Heaven knows that I long for you

Every night, every night and sometimes I yearn through the day

Ryland and I were married on a hot summers morning. Exchanging teary vows under a canopy of flowers and shrubbery. Our first dance was the to the song Distant Lover by Marvin Gaye. Which had become our song when we were just fresh lovers, dancing in our crappy apartment kitchen with pancakes burning on the stove. We still held hands under the table at dinner, staring into each others eyes blushing. The day we become one was the best of our lives. Everything seemed to slip into place, it just felt right. Both our small families and friends coming together to help us celebrate. I never thought we would ever be apart.

“Mrs Grace”

Stratt stood in the doorway of my apartment. A tall bodyguard behind her. Gray and cold as always. “Ava?” I said.

A few months ago Stratt had approached your husband about a job. Project Hail Mary. I wasn’t supposed to know all the ins and outs of this project but on the rare occasion I got a phone call from Ryland he told me. I was his wife for god sake.

“Mrs Grace may I please come in?” She motioned to the room.

“Okay?”

I stepped back and let her and the man in. She was wearing a black cap and holding a messenger bag in one hand and laptop in another. She sits on my olive green sofa and sighs.

“Mrs Grace I regret to inform you there was an accident at the launch pad a few days ago.” She spoke.

I gasped. “Is everyone okay? Is Ryland okay?”

“One of the scientists who volunteered for Project Hail Mary was unfortunately killed in the accident.” She took her hat off. “You may want to sit”

My hands shook. I couldn’t breath. Everything she was saying sounded like a dream, like I was underwater. “We had to send Dr Grace in his place.” The coffee mug I was holding hit the floor and smashed.

“What?” I barely croaked out.

“I am sorry. It was for the greater good. He was the best scientist on my team. Believe me he did not take it lightly-“

“Stop talking!” I yelled. “You sent my husband on a suicide mission he didn’t even want to go on!” I cried now. Tears hitting my cheeks as I pointed in Stratts face. The bodyguard stepped closer. Now I was panicking. Emotions taking over. My whole body felt like I’d been in a car crash. My chest was crushed, my head was swirling. “I’m going to vomit.” I said. “Please tell me you’re lying.”

“We have a collection of his items for you.” She opened the messenger bag and pulled out a small box. I cried harder realising all of this was real. “We did also sample his DNA” she spoke. I shuddered as I wiped my tears, trying to catch my breath. “If you ever wanted a child, we could sample your DNA and make an embryo”

“Why would I want to bring a child up in a world that’s dying. ON MY OWN!” I screamed now. The audacity of this woman. Thinking what she was doing was right. “Get out.”

She pulled a few files out her bag first and placed them on the coffee table, then stood to leave. As soon as the door shut I broke down, collapsing to the floor. Sobbing so hard I could barely breath.

This went on for some time, weeks turned into months and months turned into years. My neighbours called a wellness check on me once with how much I was crying. I was treated differently now, in work, in public, everyone looked at me with pity. I guess some people understand what I’m going through, those who have lost loved ones well before their time.. Most of these people could grieve in private. Me? I was like a celebrity now. I will never forget the first time I was asked to do a public speech for America. My husband was the hero, not me. Neither of us chose this life, and they wanted me to stand on a podium about how righteous I was for sacrificing my love. Fuck off. They even made a little grave in a nearby cemetery for people to go and visit. I didn’t know how to feel about that, I guess it was to help people have somewhere to put their grief. Not me.

Like Stratt said, the earth got colder. It wasn’t noticeable at first but after 3 years, winter was coming earlier and earlier, summer wasn’t scorching anymore, and food and oil prices were through the roof. In one of those files she left me she explained I was entitled to some form of compensation from multiple governments, considering I was married to Ryland who it was supposed to go to, but he wasn’t here. It wasn’t much but it certainly helped. With this money I bought a house, a new car, things to keep me going.

Distant lover, oh lover

You should think about me, say a prayer for me

Please, please baby,

Think about me sometime, think about me

Here in misery, misery

I spent alot of my time in the garden of my house, staring at the stars, playing that Marvin Gaye record. I had a telescope gifted to me by Ryland for one of our wedding anniversary’s. It was currently programmed to follow Saturn, as the earth rotates Saturn would go out of view so they made telescopes with certain functions so they follow planets. I guessed Ryland was near there, I wasn’t a scientist so I had no idea how fast he would be travelling, I just know in about 7 years he will wake up on his ship, no idea what happened to him or me. Only two crew mates to be with.. A tear rolled down my face.

It was a few months later when my phone rang while I was in the grocery store. “Mrs Grace” a Dutch accent spoke into my ear. I scoffed as I picked up some bread and placed in my cart.

“Stratt” I said bluntly.

“Later in the day the world leaders are all going to make an announcement. I need to discuss something with you before hand.”

I eyed up some cheese, we haven’t had cheese for a while now. “What are you on about” I swapped the phone to my other ear.

“I will be at your house in 1 hour. Do not be late.” The phone beeped as she hung up. I scoffed again and threw it in my purse.

An hour later on the dot, a knock came at my door. I opened and the red head and her body guard walked in. I wasn’t happy to see them, if anything it reminded me of the day Ryland… I can’t even think about it.

“Mrs Grace. The world leaders are soon to announce probably the biggest risk in human history later tonight.”

I listened as she told me that the same coma they put Ryland and the two crew members in was to be distributed world wide, if the planet really was going to become an ice age and wipe out the planet then when they eventually find a cure for the astrophage problem they will need some population. They can’t just start again. So, most of the world population will be moved underground, into cold giant sleeping pods where everyone will be in a coma for who knows how long. It will slow down aging until it almost stops, but it can’t stop because that would kill you. Most world leaders, government officials and scientists have opted out, they need to stay awake to make sure everyone else survives, and then also need to be awake when and if the Hail Mary makes contact with their findings.

“Because you are wife to Dr Grace, you have been offered a bed. At first they were being bought by greedy billionaires and their wives, but we have taken over. Everyone has a fair chance, if you opt out, your bed will go to the next person. It’s a lottery”

I didn’t know if this was good or bad. I guess good because Stratts right, in any situation the billionaires would be greedy and buy it all for their friends and shareholders. It disgusted me. But this system meant people of all ages, races, culture and wealth were offered a bed.

Everything moved quickly after that, it truly was like doomsday on earth. Think of the movie 2012 but without the earth eating itself, just the chaos of people. I accepted the long nap for some reason. I guess it was almost 50/50, I either stay awake and suffer with depression or I can kind of slowly die, peacefully. If the Hail Mary never make contact then I will wake up to a cold dark world and die with everyone else.

As I reminisce, ah baby

Through our joyful summer together

The promises we made

All the daily letters

Then all of a sudden

Everything seemed to explode

Now I gaze out my window

Sugar, down a lonesome road

“Grace have mate? Question?” Rocky asked.

Ryland sighed. His eyes glossing over as he fiddled with his wedding ring. “Uh yeah bud, her name is (Y/n)”

Rocky squealed “Rocky love (Y/n)” Ryland chuckled as Rocky happily bounced around in his ball, yeah me too, he thought.

Rocky continued to ask questions about (Y/n) which helped Ryland through his grief. He hated Stratt, he didn’t even get to say goodbye. He cried for a while when he first woke up, first he lost his two crew mates and now he lost you. He used to sit flicking through pictures they had packed last minute of you two for hours. His favourites included one of you in the bath, clay mask smeared on your face and bubbles up to your shoulders. Another was a sneaky shot of his, you were stood in the kitchen of your shared apartment, just one of Rylands tops on and plain black panties, grinning at him. His memories slowly came back which just made the grieving process worse. But soon the grief turned into motivation, you were alone on that planet with a dying sun, the least he could do was his duty. Then of course he met Rocky. Another alien who was years away from his home, also missing a mate back home. They helped each other through the grief.

I awoke with a startle, like in a dream when you fall and your body jolts you awake. “Mrs Grace, welcome back” a small female voice said. I rubbed my eyes and groaned. I felt so tired, where even was I? What was happening? I looked down and I was laying in a hospital bed, multiple IVs and lines of medicine going in my arms. “Welcome to 2028”

What. 16 years? I layed back. The nurse continued to explain what had been happening while I was asleep but I didn’t really listen. All I could think of was Ryland. If they’ve woken me up surely they’ve heard something, the nurse looks cheery enough. I moved from my bed with a groan, my limbs were so heavy, “Mrs Grace we recommend staying in bed” the nurse spoke.

“I want to see out the window” I croaked. She nodded and gently helped me up and over to the window. I was above ground, which was good. The view was unreal. A long countryside dusted with a light layer of snow and fog. “Is the sun okay?” I questioned.

The nurse smiled and nodded. “She will be.”

It took me a few days to really wrap my head around, I looked in the mirror of the bathroom in my hospital room, I hadn’t changed a bit. I mean my hair was a lot longer, and I maybe lost a little weight but other than that I even felt the same. Who knew being in a coma for 16 years just felt like a really long sleep. After I was eating and sleeping fine the doctors signed me off and allowed me to go and mingle with all the other people they were slowly waking up. We were in a little town, similar to mine back home. I didn’t even know what country I was in anymore, after doomsday we were all just thankful to be alive.

I was sat in my little cottage, in a rocking chair with some hot chocolate when the farm door creaked open. I peered over. A woman stood in the door, Stratt. I was almost happy to see her. “Stratt” I said, standing up. She stood into the light and smiled in pity. She was older, her once red hair now a light grey, wrinkles settled into her face.

“I have received word from Hail Mary” she spoke. My heart stopped. “The beetles arrived about a month ago, Captain Ryland Grace has successfully managed to find a solution to astrophage and after doing multiple experiments we have been seeing a decrease in astrophage reproduction.”

“So, the sun will survive?” I asked stroking my arm. My face felt hot, I was welling up.

She nodded and I cried. I couldn’t believe it. My husband and his crew had successfully saved our entire planet and sun and therefore our solar system.

“I have more.” She said. I wiped my tears and watched as she placed a laptop on my coffee table. “I have compiled all the video logs Dr Grace made for you, this laptop is yours.” She turned the screen to face me and I saw hours and hours of video logs facing me.

I sat down and pulled the laptop closer. Just the thumbnails were making me cry again, seeing his face in a little square knowing he made it. She left at some point, leaving me just staring at the laptop not knowing what to do. So I decided to handle it the adult way, I went to my kitchen and made a nice hearty meal and then plugged the laptop into my tv. I used the touchpad to click on the first video and pressed play.

The first few minutes were gut wrenching, I’m guessing Stratt cut out most of it but it was Ryland just crying and saying his sorrows, he explained his two crew mates didn’t survive the coma so it was just him.. After a few more videos I could tell he was coming to terms, he started focusing on science. Then I met Rocky. I was absolutely star struck at him. This alien life form had obviously helped my husband process his grief.

“Hello Grace mate (Y/n)!” He mused, Ryland was in the back typing away on his computer as Rocky explained this little mission to me and everything going on.

I sat for hours and hours taking in as much footage as I could, even rewinding a few times to fully comprehend the science they were explaining.

“Hi (Y/n)” Ryland spoke. This was one of the few times he had directely named me. “I’m having a rough time,” he held his head in his hands as he spoke. “I have this hole in my chest, it’s like nothing I’ve ever felt, the grief of losing you but you’re not really gone.” His voice cracked. “I hope you have found someone else, someone you like.” He paused. “Actually I’m just saying that but I hope for your sake that you do whatever it takes to be happy. I’m sorry I couldn’t leave a piece of myself with you, or say goodbye. I’m just-I’m so-sorry” The video ended just as he got emotional.

A few more hours of video and he explained he wasn’t coming home, the taumoeba was eating through the zenonite cases they had made and he explained Rocky’s ship was made of zenonite. He showed the beetles and everything he was sending back before the screen went dark. It was just me, staring back at my black tv screen. I sobbed for a bit, my brave handsome husband had chosen to save Rocky because he saved him. I couldn’t be more proud.

I dreamt of him that night, unknowingly falling asleep on the sofa.

The next day I drove to a nearby dog shelter. A few rich people and world leaders who stayed awake kept their dogs with them and kept breading them leading to too many dogs and no enough humans. I walked around for bit until I found a medium sized mangy dog, he was brown with brittle through his coat. “He’s got a lovely temperament ma’am” the young worker said to me.

“I’ll take him.” I said.

“Come on Rocky!” I shouted. I’ve had Rocky a year now, he was a terrier cross something but I loved him. We were currently finishing our morning walk in the park. My phone started buzzing when Rocky dropped the tennis ball at my feet. I pulled the phone out and read the screen. Stratt.

“Hello Mrs Grace.” She spoke.

“Hello Stratt.” I spoke back, I threw the ball for Rocky and he barked as he chased it.

“I’m sending a car to pick you up in about 30 minutes. Be ready.” Beep beep beep.

She hung up. I scoffed. She didn’t even ask if I was busy? Whatever. I was ready, like she said. I took Rocky home and changed into semi professional clothes, I’d been allowed to listen in on some new government meetings and so on. Again because my husband “sacrificed” himself they all think they need to give back to me by letting me in these meetings and having my input. Most were about food or money or the economy. It had only been a few months since everyone woke up though so I’m not entirely sure what they’re expecting.

“Babies.” A Russian female spoke. “We need babies” she spoke again.

We were all sat around a huge round table, respective flags placed on our side. Some people have a translator with them but most knew English. A spokeswoman for Great Britain stood up. “We know not everyone survived the Great Sleep” oh yeah, they were calling it the ‘Great Sleep’ now for history books I guess. “We have a population problem, even if we gradually woke everyone, it wouldn’t been enough to keep the economy stable. We need a baby boom.”

I sat silently next to Stratt on the drive back to my home. They explained it was like after World War 1 or 2, the economy was shot and people did their duty by having babies. Baby boom. So their solution was more money towards family care, more support and things put into place to help people have babies. Stratt was next to me, typing something away on her laptop. “Hey Stratt” I spoke. She continued typing but made a sound of acknowledgment. “You know all those years ago you said you harvested some of Rylands DNA, do you still have it?”

She nodded. “Yes. It was frozen in NASA’s archives.”

“I think I can help with the baby boom...”

Distant lover, ooh sugar

How can you treat my heart so mean and cruel? Didn't you know, sugar,

That every moment that I spent with you

I treasured it, like it was precious jewel, ah baby

Lord, have mercy, ooh

It was a wonderful spring morning when Franklin was welcomed into the world. He weighed 7.5lbs and was possibly the calmest baby ever. I cried when I saw his eyes, they were just like Rylands. I know what you’re thinking Frankin? After Benjamin Franklin? No, he’s named after Rosalind Franklin who discovered the DNA double helix. Because without Rylands DNA, Franklin wouldn’t be here.

I spent countless nights feeding him, soothing him back to sleep. His nursery was space themed, i remember painting the walls a deep purple and hanging paper remakes of the planets from ceiling. I even hung up Tau Ceti and a small paper Hail Mary.

Taking him to park with Rocky was one of my favourites., I met a few nice old ladies on their morning walk who would gush over him. They once asked where his daddy was and I had to do the awkward, ‘my husband is deceased’ talk. They never asked again but still loved to see Franklin.

He reminded me so much of Ryland at only a few months old. It devastated me to know he’ll never meet him, but i decided he would always know who he was and what he did to save us.

It was late in the day now, Franklin was napping in the cot next to my sofa, I was gently rocking it with my foot while eating dinner. My ears perked up when I heard the familiar rumble of an engine on my drive and after two small knocks I knew who it was.

“Stratt, can we do this another day Franklin is sleeping” I say as I open the door. She’s there as I guessed, looking different.

“Mrs Grace this is important. You must come now.” She demanded. I was stunned. She was always straight to the point yes but never demanding. “We have a baby seat for your son. Please, as quickly as possible.” She pointed to the black SUV.

So, I wrapped Franklin up in a blanket, managed to sneak in a baby bag and luckily I was in semi okay pyjamas, they had teddy beard on but hey when Stratt calls you answer. It was silent the whole journey and my mind raced. Is the astrophage coming back? Or is there another world ending thing going to happen.

She brought me to an unknown building, it was dark so I wasn’t really sure where I was. After she passed security with some officers we walked down some cold pale blue halls, Franklin was whimpering in my arms, probably complaining about all the moving. We got to two heavy wooden double doors and she pushed them open. A room full of more government officials and a TV mounted on the wall opposite to me. Great, she couldn’t have warned me, I would’ve changed.

“Mrs Grace.” The American president said. President Garcia, she’d been elected in the ‘New World’ not too long ago, the first female president and it only took 16 years of everyone sleeping to finally get it right. I stopped thinking. Hang on. Nobody had ever actually addressed me at these meetings before “Please sit.” She motioned to an empty chair. I sat and someone placed a glass of water infront of me. “I’m sure you know who I am, but I’m just here as an official, I will hand you over to Mr Izaacman who is the president of NASA” nasa?

The gentleman next to her stood. “Mrs Grace” he said. “We have news.” He moved so he was standing next to the big tv screen on the wall. “We have been monitoring the solar system for a while, as you know one of the beetles was still on course to return.” He explained. A diagram came up on the beetles route back from Tau Ceti to earth, they didn’t all come back at the same time see, sometimes space dust and rocks can get in the way. “But, we found something else.” The image changed.

The Hail Mary.

“We spotted it a few days ago, just out the orbit of the moon.”

Everything stopped. It was like a flash bang had gone off in the middle of the room. My ears rang and tears rolled down my face. “Do we know if-“

“He’s alive ma’am.”

“Oh my god” I sobbed now. He’d come home. I didn’t care about anything else, I had time to ask him how and why he got here later I just cared about Ryland. Even Stratt had a small smile on her face, god Ryland was probably going to beat her ass when he gets down here. I held Franklin up to my chest and sobbed into his baby blanket. A lady official next to me gentle rubbed my back as I cried. The room fell quiet as they let me calm down and gather myself. “How long do we think it will take to rescue him?” I asked.

“We’ve sent astronauts up to the ISS ready for extraction. All together with the travel it’ll be about 5 days.” He explained the ISS sits closer to the earths orbit than the moons. So they’d need to actually get to the moon first to extract Ryland out. “He might need a few days to adjust-“

“No.” Stratt said. Mr Izaacman looked shocked. “He won’t need to adjust to anything, you’ve missed key information.” Stratt stood now, making her way to the Tv. She pointed “This here is the centrifuge. He is using it.” She explained because he was using the centrifuge he was already prepping himself for earths gravity, so he wouldn’t be as shocked by earth’s gravity when he comes back down.

These next five days drag. Everything was a chore, eating, sleeping, just taking my eyes away from the live feed was difficult. So I’ve sat and watched nearly every live feed of the mission but like everyone said, the travel is what took the longest. They televised the start of it, sending the astronauts out to the moon and to find Hail Mary, but they explained nothing else would be filmed.. I just waited. They set up a room for me at NASA, Ryland was going to be hospitalised for a bit after so I needed to stay with him. Franklin was restless, not like himself at all. Maybe it was the change of environment, I didn’t know.

And now I was waiting. In a room with a few government officials.. In the next few minutes he was going to come through those doors. The astronauts sent up to extract him had done so successfully, and had orbited the earth until safely crash landed in a nearby open field. It was televised around the world but I didn’t watch. I wanted to see him with my own eyes.

The room was cold, and silent apart from the clock ticking above me. A nurse was looking after Franklin at the moment, they decided to first test Rylands reaction to just me and then see how much change his body can handle. I heard voices down the hall, multiple, all conversing and laughing. My heart raced. “Dr Ryland Grace” i heard a female voice say, the American president was welcoming him. I couldn’t listen to anything else. My ears were ringing with nervousness, my heart felt like it was going to jump out my chest. And then the doors opened.

Ryland Grace. As handsome and smiley as ever, stared right at me. I slowly stood as tears ran down my face, I’d even put a bit of make up on today fuck. His smile faltered, and he blinked. “(Y/n)?” He spoke. Oh it was like music to my ears. All those years of hearing him through a video I finally get to hear his real voice. I nodded and slowly took a step forward. He removed his glasses and I watched as his eyes glossed over, “no it can’t-“

“It is Ry, I’m okay.”

He bolted towards me. Taking me into his chest as he gripped me tight, he sobbed as he stroked my hair. “I can’t believe you’re okay” he whined. “Oh my god you’re-“ he pulled back and looked at me, his cheeks red and wet from crying. “You’re alive.” He broke into a full sob now, legs giving out under him. I cried and just cradled him for god knows how long. Eventually the officials left and our crying stopped.

“You saved us all Ryland.” We’d moved to a small sofa in the room now, it was hard and uncomfortable, like a sofa in a doctors waiting room. I was playing with his hands, making sure he was actually real and okay. He just kept repeating how grateful he was that I was alive and how I didn’t look a day older than when he left when I should be 16 years older.

He took my face in his hands, “You’re as beautiful as the day I left you.” He said tears welling in his eyes. “Can I kiss you? Are you even still married to me I me-“

I leaned in and kissed him. I felt him relax under my lips. As I pulled away I rest my hand on his jaw. “I was always yours Ryland. That was never ever going to change.” He leaned into my touch and closed his eyes.

“Good I was terrified you’d gone off with some guy called Mark or seomthing.” He sniffled and laughed.

“I do have some news though” I said. That panic in his eye came back, he shuffled in his seat and his shoulders tightened. I took his hands in mind. “It’s wonderful news, I promise.” He relaxed a bit and I stood, I held my finger up motioning to wait for a moment and opened the door to the room. The nurse with Franklin was stood outside, rocking him in her arms as instructed. “He’s been a delight Mrs Grace.” She said as she handed the bundle of blankets to me. I thanked her and walked back inside.

Ryland had his back to me, still sat on the uncomfortable sofa, staring at his hands in his lap. I gulped and slowly settled back into my seat. Rylands eyes met mine and then slowly scanned down towards the small sleeping human wrapped in blankets,“This is Franklin Ryland Grace. Your son” Ryland was mesmerised. “Do you want to hold him?” I asked, Ryland nodded as a tear rolled down his cheek. I gently placed Franklin in his arms and Ryland cried even more.

“Oh my god.” He blubbered. “How- I mean- oh my god he’s beautiful” His hand came up to stroke Franklins face and Frankin made little baby noises in return. I explained the process to Ryland, how Stratt kept his DNA all these years and how technology advanced they were able to create an embryo. He just sobbed, he apologised for not being there for the birth or the first few months of his sons life but promised to be there every step of the way from now on. We both sat in each others arms, admiring our creation, going from silently crying to giggling at eachother catch up stories. It was bliss, after everything that had happened we had ended up back here. Where we were meant to be. Together.

Oh baby, don’t go

Please come back, baby

Something I wanna say

When you left you took all of me with you

Now, Lord

I wonder do you wanna hear me scream and plead

Please please please come back home

Please, baby, come back

“Would you like a coffee mommy?”

I squinted up at Ryland, who’s head was poking out porch door. “Yes please my love. An iced one!” I spoke back.

I was back in my garden. Where I was watching Saturn all those years ago. Still listening to Marvin Gaye but now with my toddler who was colouring on a blanket on the lawn, my dog who was sunbathing near him, and my star travelling husband who I waited for so many years. I still couldn’t believe it.

Ryland appeared again with two glasses of iced coffee and handed one to me, “hang on.” He said taking it back and sipping it. “Yup that’s the decaf one.” I giggled and rested the glass on my belly. “How is she?” He questioned.

I smiled brightly and rubbed my belly. “Naughty. It feels like she’s going to come out of my ribs.” I say.

Ryland leaned over and rest his palm over my belly, gently feeling our second baby kick him. I smooth my hand over his and gently held his hand. I smiled at him. His baby blue eyes smiled back and lifted my hand to kiss the back of it. “I’ve travelled 12 light years and back for you.” He spoke, his eyes glossing over.

You’d been a middle school English teacher for about a year now, settling in down the hall from Mrs Martha James and Mr Scott Adams, who were both lovely. It was by chance that you bumped into Dr Ryland Grace. During your first week, Noah’s dad came in with his lunchbox, interrupting your little tea break in the staff room. “I’m so sorry, Miss (L/n), we were late to school as it is”, he said.

You gave him a reassuring smile and took it off him, “No problem, I’ll go give it to him now” Noah’s dad nodded and thanked you before walking back down the hallway and out past the office. You sighed to yourself. “Right, Noah, where are you?”

After searching through all your schedules and calendars, physical ones and the online ones, you couldn’t find Noah’s schedule anywhere. Hence, you poked your head into Mrs James' classes, “hi, sorry”, you said, ducking as you walked in. The kids were doing some silent reading, but all looked up at you with curious eyes. You leaned over Mrs James' desk “You don’t happen to know where Noah S. might be right now? Lunchbox delivery”

Mrs James was newly pregnant. You’d actually become good friends in the week you’d been here. She was about your age, but had a high school sweetheart, which was why she was married. She typed away on her laptop and then turned it to show you the screen. “He should be with Dr Grace. Do you know where his classroom is?” She pointed at the screen showing you. This new system confused you; your old school used something else entirely. You thought for a moment, Dr Grace? You’ve never come across him, not even in the staff room. Mrs James stood, “Kids”, she clapped. “Five more minutes of reading and then we can continue, Miss Taylor, watch them for me”, she nodded to her teaching assistant, who winked back. “Come”, she smiled.

You followed Mrs James down a few halls while she told you about Dr Grace, he’d been here a while, turns up early on a bike and leaves late, doesn’t really come to the staff room unless he’s out of sugar for his coffee, apparently the teachers think he’s either married or single, single because no ring but this is the behaviour of a married male teacher. But she gushed about him, “Oh, the kids love him! And apparently some of the ta’s, but I don’t see it? Maybe because I’m married”, she trailed off.

In the science wing, she stopped and pointed, “Second door on the left” She smiled and turned, heels clicking down the hallway. You stood still; it wasn’t like you to be nervous, but you could hear a male voice faintly through the walls. You looked over Noah’s lunchbox, stickers of Transformers littered on it. You took a deep breath and drifted towards the door; two knocks, and you opened it.

Some kids perked up, “Miss (L/n)!” They whispered. You shhh’ed them. Dr Grace was standing at the front of the class, showing a diagram of some plant cells, which was covered in projector lights, not doing you much justice.

“Uh, sorry to interrupt, Dr Grace. I have Noah’s lunchbox; his father brought it in” You smiled towards Noah, a sweet kid; he jumped up.

“Wait!”

A small green sack flew towards Noah, and he caught it surprisingly well. Dr Grace moved out from the projector lights, giving you a proper look at him. Oh, you see what these teaching assistants are on about. Dirty blonde, short stubble, glasses hanging from his ear, resting on his chin and beautiful blue eyes. He was wearing a grey suit, a duck egg blue shirt, and a red tie. He was leaning back on a table, looking right back at you.

“Noah, roughly how long does it take for the sun's light to reach Earth?”

“8 hours?” The kid said.

Dr Grace's head dropped. He chuckled, “No, toss it back, get your lunchbox” Noah tossed the sack back and left his chair with a squeak. He thanked you for his lunch box.

“Miss (L/n)”

You brought your attention back to Dr Grace, who was motioning to him, throwing you the sack. You opened your hands, and he gently tossed it to you. The kids were watching eagerly.

“Which Apollo moon mission was the first to carry a lunar rover?”

He smiled so endearingly. It’s been years since even the thought of being attracted to someone crossed your mind. You were so focused on school and teaching. Well, if you’re going to do this, may as well try to impress him. You secretly hope he is actually single and not secretly married.

“Uh, Apollo 15”, tossing back the sack, it hit in the square in the chest with an ‘oof’. With that, you winked at him and quickly waltzed out the door.

He stood there for a while, smiling to himself. He hadn’t met the new teacher, but he heard of her. Mrs James caught him in the hallway once when he was opening his classroom “Oh, Dr Grace, you really must say hello, she’s such a pretty thing” She was right.

“Wow, Miss (L/n) is smart”, whispered the kids.

Which brings you to now. You’re sitting in your car outside your apartment, double-checking that it is World Book Day. The weather is dreadful, you’ve never seen rain like this, it’s almost hailing. Your book, tucked neatly in your tote bag, is The Princess and the Pea. Dr Grace had kindly lent you his green sack as the pea. You are dressed in blue check pyjama pants, a pink princess dress with milkmaid sleeves and a tiara. You would’ve worn the dress on its own, but it’s a school. And what’s more fun than wearing pyjamas?

Oh, Dr Grace. He’s going to be soaking. You tap your steering wheel thoughtfully. You fish your phone out of your tote bag and find his contact. “Dr Grace 🧪”, he’d labelled himself as. The only message history was general questions about school days off and teachers' meetings.

“Fuck it”

You pressed call. You sat, listening to the pounding rain, as your phone rang. You wondered if this was a message from a higher-up. Don’t go to school as a princess, no other teachers will be dressed up! It whispered.

“Uh, hello?” A voice came through the phone, you jumped, and I put it to your ear.

“Oh, Dr Grace! It’s (Y/n) I was just wonde-“

“Ryland”, he said.

“I’m sorry?” God had you offended him? Was calling him like this a bit unprofessional? Did you scare him off?

“I asked you to call me Ryland, and you still call me Dr Grace”, he mused.

“Right, sorry.” You tapped your foot on the accelerator pedal of your car, hearing her hum. “Look, it’s pouring down, and I’m just down the road from you. I was wondering if you wanted me to pick you up for work?” It was bold for sure.

“No, no! I wouldn’t want you to go out of your way,” he said.

Slightly deflated, you thought for a second. “Can I bribe you with coffee?”

“Deal.” He said quickly. You giggled, telling him you’d be there in 5.

Pulling up on what you think is the right road, you set your car into park and start moving your tote bag into the back seat. It was still hammering it down. Fuck. You just realised what you’d done. You were dressed as a princess, with a pea. See, when you asked Ryland for the green sack, you didn’t specify what for. You groaned and hit your forehead on the wheel. He’s so going to laugh at you.

The car door opening made you jump. And in slid Dr Grace. Who was dressed differently? He put his book bag in the footwell of your car, and you both stared at each other. He was wearing smart olive-green pants, a pale green shirt, a knitted olive jumper, and a green headband with eyes on it.

“You’re a princess?” He chuckled.

You blushed deeply and rolled your eyes. “Well, it’s better than… whatever you are!” You laughed.

He scoffed and pretended to look offended. “I’ll have you know I am a frog!”

You both laughed. “From what book?”

You watched as he reached into the footwell, rummaging through his bag for his book. He pulled it out and handed it to you. It was a book version of Disney’s The Princess and the Frog. “See, I am the frog”, he said, pointing to it.

You blushed even deeper now, peering up at him through your eyelashes. He knotted his eyebrows together in confusion, and then you watched, seeing the cogs in his brain turning. A deep flush settled on his cheeks, and you think he got it.

You were the princess. And he is the frog.

The turnout at school was better than you expected. Kids in comic book character outfits, and most teachers were dressed up this year. Before the kids settled in, you rushed in to see Mrs James. She was dressed as a tiger, a very pregnant one. Her favourite book was The Tiger That Came To Tea.

“You set me up!” You whisper-yell. She was sitting at her desk, nibbling on some toast. She was nearly crying from laughing so much.

“You’ve seen him then”, she said once calmed down, wiping her eyes.

“Seen him! Martha, I gave him a ride to school!” She belted out laughing, and now you were holding your head in your hands.

She rubbed her belly as she took in some breaths to help her stop laughing. “Listen, it’s time you did something about those longing looks”, you tutted and rolled your eyes. “I’ve seen it! He never used to come to the staff room, but now there he is! Cuddled up next to you,” She wasn’t lying.

You two often shared a sandwich or some toast during morning break, and you felt comfortable with him. He was always close, knees touching or shoulders touching. You’d always told yourself it was because the staff room was small, he didn’t have anywhere else to sit! But then he started bringing you coffee, in front of everyone, asking how many sugars, making it right in the staff room in your favourite mug, and bringing it to you with a soft smile.

The rest of the day went quickly. Kids usually can’t settle on a day like this, so teachers do small, fun tasks instead of actual work. The bell rang for the end of the day, and the room turned into a tornado of young fairies and superheroes running out the door.

“Knock knock.” Ryland was leaning in the doorway of your classroom. Halfway through the day, you realised that since picking him up, he didn’t have his bike to get home. So you could only offer to take him home.

“Ribbit”, you playfully said back. You slung your tote bag over your shoulder and faced him. He looked different. There was a look in his eye. Mischievous. More sure of himself, almost.

The ride back was filled with general work talk, how Mrs James was getting along with her pregnancy, what kids are causing you grief, etc. The rain had cleared up, but because it was winter, the sun was slowly setting.

“Listen about today”, Ryland started. Oh no, he was going to have this dreadful talk with you about how you’ve gone too far and embarrassed him, he’s married, of course, and you shouldn’t have overstepped that boundary-

“I’m sorry, " you cut him off. Focusing on parking. After you parked, you unbuckled your seatbelt and looked at him. “I understand today may have crossed a professional boundary, I may have voiced a silly schoolgirl crush to Mrs James about you and totally embarrassed myself-“

“No, (Y/n)-”

“Mrs James played along and maybe pushed too far-“

“(Y/n) stop.” He took your hands in his, causing you to fall silent. You met his eyes, and he looked bashful. “I may have asked Mrs James to set this up.” Your jaw dropped, and he rubbed the back of his neck. “How could I not, you’re the prettiest woman I’ve ever met, and since working with you I’ve just….come to like you a lot more than friends.”

He whispered the last part. You were blushing deeply. This man, whom nearly every teacher’s assistant has had a crush on, has gravitated towards you. “Well”, you started. “I may or may not have a little crush on you” you blushed and looked away.

He chuckled. “Well, that’s good to know.” He squeezed your hand.

You both sat there a while. Holding hands and sharing looks. There was a slight patter of rain now, the sunset turning the sky completely orange, casting a golden light onto Ryland's face. “Can I ask you something?” He spoke.

You nodded. “Since I’m a frog”, he sat up now, pointing to himself. “And you’re a princess”, you nodded again. “I was wondering if you would be so kind as to turn me into a prince?”

You blinked. A prince? You studied his face to get any clues as to what he was talking about, and it was only when a deep flush settled on his face that it clicked. Of course. His book. In The Princess and the Frog, she has to kiss him for him to become a prince.

You leaned in towards him, your hand freeing from him and reaching towards his knitted jumper. Ryland watched with his mouth slightly open as your fingers curled around his jumper and pulled him closer.

Your lips ghosted his, and then you planted a soft kiss. It started softly at first. A small peck. Your eyes fluttered closed when you felt his hand settle on your jaw, deepening the kiss. Your hand reached up and settled on the back of his neck, feeling his soft hair. You tested the waters by opening your mouth a bit more, letting his tongue in. It was slow and sloppy. He made a noise, you barely caught it, and he pulled you away.

He was a vision. His eyes were blown, deep pink settled in his cheeks, and your lipstick smudged all around his mouth. His forearm was awkwardly pressed into his lap, and you realise what the noise was about. “I need to take you on a date.” He spoke. “I can’t be doing that before I date you, " he looked out the window now, shaking his head and laughing.

You giggled and started using your thumb to wipe off the lipstick around his face “Doing what?”

“You got me a bit excited there.” His voice was now gravely.

Your heart fluttered. You didn’t dare meet his eyes; you knew exactly what he meant. It was strange hearing it from him. This charming gentleman, who flirted with you through corny science jokes, had a hard-on. And you liked it. More than you expect. He leaned over and kissed your cheek. “Let me take you on a date. A proper one”

“Okay, handsome, when?” You met his blue orbs with a smile. And it was his turn to blush now.

“I’ll FaceTime you later, and we can set a date?” It was more of a question; he was rummaging around in the footwell now, grabbing his books and bag. You nodded, feeling excited but slightly sad he was going.

He stepped out of the car, and you watched him wave as he walked up the steps to his apartment. You sat there with your foot on the brake, feeling like a little girl again. Before you could pull off, you saw a blur of green running around the back of the car. Ryland was standing at your window, asking you to roll it down.

You slid down the window and spoke, “What are you do-“

Before you could finish, he cupped your face with his hands and brought his lips to yours. Sparkles flew as he sloppily kissed you, hands running through your hair. You savoured him as if you couldn’t get enough.

You had a rough relationship with Ryland, while it wasnt planned for either of you to be on Hail Mary you somehow ended up there. Ryland was charming of course, a big baby at times but something pulled in the back of your mind when you spoke. You can’t remember your relationship on earth, he was just…different.

Ryland woke up before you see, he’d taken the liberty to trash the communal area and drink all the vodka before you woke up. You remember waking up to a face above you, tears streaming down this blonde man’s face. “I thought you were dead!” he cried. You shot up, pushing him away. The blonde took his glasses off, hanging them off his ear while he wiped his tears with his sleeves. “sorry, im so sorry” he blubbered. You can’t even remember your name. “What is your name” a computer spoke from behind you.

After coming to and putting things together, you remembered. Well, bits and pieces. Ryland shared what he remembered with you, it wasn’t much. You both worked on Ava’s ship, both monitoring Ashtroohage, from what you remembered you seemed to get on well, fond memories of having coffee, on breaks looking out to the horizon while the sunset. At one point in a memory you were laughing at eachother, soaking wet on the edge of the ship running back to the main quarters.

Anyway, that was a few months ago now. After encountering Blip A, and meeting Rocky things changed. Your relationship got a bit better with Rlyand, the air wasnt tense or awkward anymore, you giggled at each others jokes. You caught yourself staring sometimes, he was endearing. You were sat in the cockpit once, he was fiddling with something on the screen and you were just looking. Every freckle on his face, his beard, his nose, your eyes even scanned down to his biceps, what the fuck he has biceps. and eventually his hands. The way his fingers worked the gearstick, gentle pressing on every button. You imagined them running over your knees towards your thighs and gently squeezing-

Focus! You shake away the thoughts with a little body shake. “You okay?” Ryland said from beside you, you nodded and gulped. He sighed rubbed his hand over his jaw, scratching his beard. The thoughts slowly creeping back in. Something in you changed that day. Seeing him around the ship was different now. He once stretched up to the ceiling to investigate something making a knocking noise and his shirt road up a smidge. His pants were hanging low and the band of his boxers were on show. You couldn’t help but look. His tanned skin was scattered with blonde hairs and a few freckles.

What you didn’t know is he caught you. He blushed deeply when he realised what you were looking at. But he couldn’t deny he hadn’t done the same. He stumbled passed the crew quarters once, he can’t remember what he was looking for because he saw something much more interesting. You. Wet and nearly naked. In a towel. He couldn’t take his eyes off you, you were rubbing a moisturising bar over your skin, taking the time to really rub it in. God, he imagined you on your back, asking him to help you, placing the bar in his hands and slowly gliding it over your brea-

He had to leave. Go and cool down in the lab.

So here we are now. Ryland was supposed to be sleeping. keyword, supposed. You, Rocky and ryland were all taking turns getting rest and finishing your respective research on why this life form Adrian is killing astrophage. Rocky agreed not to watch everyone sleep all the time but only the odd few times. Ryland was thinking of sleeping but instead he was staring at the ceiling listening to the quiet hum of human music you were showing Rocky in the lab.

“Why humans hold hand, question?”

“ummm, many reasons Rock. some kids will hold hands with their parents to feel safe, and adults in a relationship will hold hands just to feel closer” you said. He’d gotten the idea off the book you were reading to him, the cover had a picture of two people holding hands on it which you described to him.

“Understand. Rocky want to hold Adrian hand” Rocky raised his claw over his markings of Adrian, it was sweet. It melted your heart how an alien species can experience the same kind of yearing humans can. “Can Rocky ask more question? question?” He asked, standing up in his ball as if listening extra closely.

“Of course buddy” you said. Taking your feet of the table and closing the book you stood. Moving to check the little research experiment you were doing.

From down the hall Ryland was slowly moving the through Hail Mary. Wrapped in a cardigan and some plain shorts, he was tired. Didn’t get much sleep even though it was his turn, so he thought he’d go back out to the lab and join on your conversation. Ryland was nervous? he thinks? He remembers a lot more than you and what he does remember is devastating.

On the ship back on earth he had possibly the biggest crush on you, and it was mutual. You both knew you shouldn’t and keep it professional but what the hell! The Earth was dying. He remembers longing looks, sitting just that too close to eachother, flirty remarks and even you wearing his fox cardigan. He referred to you as “sweet thing” He said you were the sweetener in his life, what do you add to coffee if it’s too bitter? Sweetener.

But now it’s all gone, the memory wipe from the coma was too strong, and god he would never want to force it on you. He’d want it to happen naturally, like it did before.

“How human reproduce, question?” He stopped down the hall, just to the left of the lab when he heard Rocky ask that.

You almost spat out the last of your vodka drink. Rocky seemed to make himself smaller, his body language read as embarrassed. “Rocky can’t ask?”

“no no of course you can!” you said smiling. He was just an alien after all, maybe on Erid reproduction isn’t taboo. “um so” You tapped on the screens on Hail Mary, bringing up a diagram of a female and a male. “So the female has something called a menstrual cycle, this releases an egg, it happens about once a month” you drew your finger over the females stomach, the diagram changing to the uterus. “And then when the time is right the man and woman will have sex, the man will…” you stumbled, you had a history in biology so this shouldn’t be so difficult. “Ejaculate into the woman and hopefully one sperm reaches the egg and hooray a baby starts growing”

You explained everything else just in case Rocky was confused, what an egg was, what semen was, all the bits and bobs of the female anatomy and male. It was like teaching a school kid in the one off reproductive class.

“Obviously if you don’t want a baby then the man can wear a condom and yay sex for fun” you said closing the diagram.

“Human have sex for fun? question?” Rocky said. you sat back in your chair and swung towards him.

“Yeah, i would say most sex is for fun, not having babies with humans.” You crossed your legs, just looking at him.

“Grace and (Y/n) have fun? question?” Ryland nearly choked hearing that. If he could see your reaction right now. He heard you giggle slightly.

“No Rock, most humans have to have a connection first”

“Grace and (Y/n) have connection! Rocky observe!” Roland’s heart was nearly beating out his chest, blood rushing to his ears.

“I don’t know, i can’t remember much Rocky, don’t tell Grace but i think he is charming, definitely someone i would’ve liked to…pursue back on earth” You said.

“Rocky understand” Ryland leaned back on the ship, going over what he heard. You just admitted he was ‘charming’. His mind was boggled. Maybe you remembered? Maybe this was his chance to talk to you about your relationship back on earth. No, surely you were just being nice.

“Right, next song is fitting Rocky, it’s by a man called George Michael” Ryland heard you say.

He made the decision to round the corner, and he is so thankful he did.

You were crouched down, next to the usb drive, in some tiny short shorts and a black strappy tank top. The small of your back showing with a tiny word tattooed there. He couldn’t make it out from here because he was stuck. Stuck in place gaping at you. Somehow this was even more attractive than seeing you in the towel.

“Why Grace stare at (Y/n) question?”

He snapped back when Rocky spoke, great thanks pal he said in his head. Your head whipped round and you smiled, you didn’t get up just waved. “i thought you were sleeping” you spoke. He couldn’t see but you blushed, god of course he’s seeing me in my pyjama bottoms.

“i tried, did get a few winks but not many” He pulled up another chair next to yours, the music was still playing in the back.

“(Y/n) teaching Rocky about human nature” Rocky spoke, his ball clattering as he moved to face Ryland. “Rocky think Grace and (Y/n) should have…fun” You coughed awkwardly.

“Fun? we do have fun” Ryland said, heat creeping up his neck, he knew what Rocky meant, but he couldn’t let it show or you would figure out he was eavesdropping.

You coughed again and drank some more vodka mix, you pushed it in Rylands hand and wiped your mouth. “No! Um” you wiped your palms on your legs and gulped. “I was explaining to Rocky how some humans have….sex, for uh fun! sometimes! it feels good with the uh right person” You stumble over your words. He took a sip of the vodka and smiled.

“Wow Rocky, growing up fast aren’t we. Never thought we’d have to have the birds and the bees talk” Ryland said chuckling. God this drink was strong.

“Rocky no understand birds and bees” Rocky said flatly as he fiddled with his claws.

You and Ryland both chuckled “It’s okay pal it’s just a saying”

“Rocky observe Grace and (Y/n), Rocky think Grace and (Y/n) have more than friendship.” The air settled in the lab. The only sound was that George Michael record playing in the back. It was a statement. A big one. You only blinked, your ears turning red and hot. Ryland didn’t look at you, only Rocky.

Ryland stood and pointed towards one of Rockys tunnels “Hey now i’m awake, why don’t you get some sleep Rocky? we can watch you on the crew cameras?” Rocky stood in his ball and tapped his fingers together.

“Amaze amaze amaze, idea good Grace.” He rolled off towards his tunnel entrance around the corner, now it was just you two. You stood from your chair and leaned on the table, crossing your arms, feeling conscious you were only in shorts and a strap top. Ryland turned towards you, sensing how tense you were.

“So uh, i’m sorry i gotta ask” He started “what does your tattoo say?” He blushed, that drink must’ve been strong because where is this confidence coming from, this isn’t his style at all.

“tattoo?” You said, you pushed back on the table so you were sat on it, legs dangling off the side. The vodka has definitely hit both of you, Ryland cheeks were red and no doubt yours were the same. He moved towards you now, his knees brushing yours.

“Yeah, that little one on your back?”

Your head bent back and you laughed. “Oh you saw it” He shrugged. “That means you were looking” You pointed a finger at him, laughing. He looked at the floor and then back.

“How could i not?! anyway” he stepped forward, slowly opening your knees so he was stood between them, close but not close enough. “What does it say” He whispered.

“i am NOT telling you that, it was stupid i was 21 okay!” You kept laughing half nervous and half flirting.

He leaned down now, hands glued to his side but his mouth near your ear, “Tell me pretty girl” He whispered. God you nearly melted onto the table. Your heart was racing, out the corner of your eye on the crew cameras you saw Rocky, completely still. He was asleep. The last of the vodka was definitely hitting you, you’ve never been this confident before but hey screw it.

Taking a breath in you tilted your head so you could see him, “I won’t tell you” You whispered back. Your hands ghosted up his shorts and stomach, coming to rest on his open cardigan. You pulled slightly so he was now nearly kissing your shoulder. “But i can show you” That was the big jump. It was now or never.

You felt Ryland move, his knees locked and his shoulders slumped. His head rested on your shoulder and his hands finally moved to rest on your hips. He shook his head. “God please” It was a whisper. “You’re going to kill me, do you…even want this or is this the vodka talking?” he laughed as he pulled back, he rubbed his eye with his hand and then stayed there looking at you in disbelief.

That hurt you a bit, and i think he realised. “I mean, i do. I think the vodka just helped me but god you’re so beautiful how could i deserve you” He came back in between your knees now, looking in your eyes.

You watched in amusement as his eyes trailed down your body, from your lips, neck and down your chest. “Ryland” He met you again, blush on his face. He held his face in his hands.

“god sorry” you heard through his hands.

“Ryland, listen to me” You said, you brought your hands back up to his cardigan, pulling him closer. “Over the last, god knows how long, i’ve had memories come back.” He was listening now, a certain look in his eyes told you he knew what you were going to say. “I don’t remember it all but i remember most of…Us. i remember having a massive crush on you and wanting to sleep with you but i never got the chance” You were slightly embarrassed you were saying all this, it was mostly the vodka talking but it was all true. It was going to come out sooner or later.

Ryland was just staring at you now. Taking deep slow breaths in and out. His eyes flicked between your eyes and your lips. “i-“

“If you don’t want to that’s okay, i mean i just thought… we had something going there” You stumbled now, getting shy, maybe this was wrong. You jumped off the table and tried to get passed Ryland.

“Sit back down” He whispered. You peered up at him and slowly inched back until you could pull yourself back on the table. His hands reached out to settle on your knees. “i cannot think of anything else but You right now, you’re intoxicating to me it’s like i’m going crazy” He said. His head came to rest on your shoulder again and his lips grazed it. “If you want this, i’ll make sure to give you the time of your life.”

You took in a breath. He lifted his head up and you grinned. “Gunna be a big boy and kiss me then?” His eyes rolled back and he moaned. He gently grabbed your jaw with his hand and bent down to catch your lips.

He was soft at first, testing the waters. Hands slowly snaked from your jaw to rest gently on your neck. His lips were soft and warm, you tilted your head and slowly opened your mouth to invite him in. His tongue sneaked in and he moaned when your two tongues met.

He was closer now, your hips met his on the edge of the table and he held your head with his hands. You pulled away from the kiss to catch a breath. God he was stunning. His pupils were blown and his lips were plump and wet. Using his hand on your neck his fingers gently moved so he could tilt your head to the side, he ducked down and started tracing his mouth down your neck and shoulder.

“God Ryland” You moaned. He hummed in response. Your hand came up to grasp his and you slowly pushed it down till he was cupping your breast.

Moving from his hand you pushed your hand inbetween your legs to find his body. Finding the hem on his shirt your hand snaked up, feeling his soft skin. You gripped onto his back as he left purple welts down your neck, god who knew this side to him.

Coming back up to your face he stared at you with big doe eyes. His hand coming back up to rest just below your jaw. “You want this?” He said, leaning in for a quick sloppy kiss.

You were an image. Cheeks flush read, purple welts down your neck, legs open practically begging for him.

“I want you.” You spoke back.

He came in for a kiss again. This time his hands left you, you hummed wondering what he was doing and then heard something slump on the floor. He pulled away and smiled at you. He’d taken his cardigan off and now was reaching for his shorts.

You felt exposed as it is. Your heart was beating out of your chest. You’ve had sex before but not to this capacity, meaningless, lonely sex, yes. Sex with feelings? No.

You pushed yourself off the table and went to hook a finger in your shorts. “Ah ah ah” Ryland said, taking your hand.

He guided you back towards the table. “Sit” He pointed. You gulped and obliged. He was just in his boxers and top now, you could see the outline of his semi hard cock and something burned in your stomach. Ryland, the gorgeous blonde school teacher who you’ve had a crush on was about to fuck you. And he was BIG, god of course he’s big.

Your head rolled back as his stood inbetween your legs, gently pushing your back onto the table. You met the cold metal with a hiss and Rylands eyes just took you in. “So pretty for me” he whispered. His fingers hook in your shorts and he looks up at you, eyes asking for something. You understood, and as best as you can you lift your bottom off the table and let him slide your shorts down. What a day to not wear panties.

Your hands come up to your face, trying to hide the blush. Rylands hands smoothed down your legs, he was taking in all of you. You were one hell of a woman. Your hair splayed on the table, breasts spilling out your top and his eyes made his way to your wetness. His hands rested on your ankles and lifted them up so your feet were on the table.

You brought your knees together, knowing he was looking made you shy. Where’s that vodka, maybe a top up will help, you thought. “Don’t get shy on me now gorgeous” You felt him kiss one of your knees and use a hand to slowly pry them open.

His finger slowly trailed from your knee to your inner thigh, tease you thought. Everything was still for a moment until his lips started nibbling your thigh, you pushed up on your forearms to see him and he peered up at you from your thighs and chuckled when you moaned.

His tongue dragged a long stripe up your slit making you gasp. Your back arched off the table and hands flew to his head. His lips captured your bud and sucked. He had you pinned, legs splayed and back arched just moaning. He stayed like that for a while, lazily eating you out, pulling away and teasing you with kisses on your thighs every now and then.

You felt amazing, he was amazing. Your fingers were gripping his hair when you felt that familiar coil deep in your stomach, “oh god” you cried, muffled by your hand on your face. Rylands ears perked up when he heard this, using his hands he spread your thighs a bit more and brought a hand up to your slit.

You felt his fingers tease your entrance and once they’re nice and wet he’s slowly sliding one digit in. He’s looking up at you now, watching for any reaction of discomfort but instead you let out a long moan. Satisfied he focuses back on sucking, he can hear you blabbering away so he adds a second digit and you gasp again.

“Good girl so pretty for me” he kisses your thigh as his fingers work inside you. He’s unbelievably hard, probably leaking precum all over his boxers, but he wants to focus on you first. His fingers find that familiar spongy spot and he ghosts past it. You gasp and arch off the table. “There she is” He curls his fingers again something tumbles from your lips inbetween moans and he knows he’s got you.

You hands squeeze his hair as keeps stroking your soft spot. You were so hot, you could smell the sex in the room and could barely focus on anything. Your orgasm was building quickly, he knew this. You were right there, practically begging him to let you cum, he kept sucking and teasing with his fingers until you yell. You finish all over his fingers and face. Your hands fly to his and they gently push them away as sensitivity builds, you sit up as he leans back on his heels and wipes his beard with the back of his hand.

“Jesus” You say. You take him in for a moment. He’s sat on his knees, his chin glistening with your fluid and his hair pointing in every direction. He stands and you look, you can’t help it. His cock is standing at full attention now, a small patch of fluid on his boxers. When your eyes meet his he grins, his cheeks are flush and he’s sweating. He holds a hand out to you and helps you off the table, leaning down to your ear.

“Turn around” A slap on your bum makes you help as he guides you to turn around, you’re facing away from him now and knowing what he wants, you lean down to put your stomach on the table, arching your back to present yourself to him. “Divine.” He reads out your tattoo. “It says Divine and my god you are”

You giggle as he grabs a handful of your ass and he’s groaning just at the sight of you. You feel him shuffle around behind you and you gasp as you feel his head rubbing your slit. His hips jerk forward as his body is taking over, he doesn’t even know if he’ll last long.

You feel him lean down and kiss down your shoulder blades and you peer over your shoulder at him. “You okay?” He asks, you nod and poke your ass out a bit more asking him to take you. “I know sweetheart” he says.

Gazing down at your slit he’s happy with how wet your are and he guides himself in. You feel his head nudge your entrance and then slowly dip in. You moan as he gently pushes in, stretching you out. Not only was he long he was thick, you could feel every inch of him. “God Ryland” you cried. His hand took your hips and he stayed still for a moment, letting you get used to it.

Using your hips as leverage he pulls back out and then rocks back in, earning a deep moan from you. With each thrust he’s going deeper and deeper into you until he’s hitting your sweet spot. You’re a mess, practically drooling on the table blabbering moans, your eyes are screwed shut with one hand gripping the edge of the table.

“Please.” You whisper. Something snaps in him, he presses down on your back with his hands and snaps his hips up, you cry out and he thrusts again until he finds a rhythm. You feel incredible around him and he can’t hold back anymore, he thrusts into you at incredible pace. Skin slapping together and that damn record playing in the background is all he can hear now. “Fuck Ryland” you groan.

He doesn’t dare look at you, he would cum in seconds. He groans as you squeeze around him, and to think you two had been avoiding this. It’s driving him mad, thinking of all the times he could’ve had you like this.

At some point your hand comes round to reach for his, he leans over and holds your hand as he’s still thrusting into you. Your jaw is slack, and tears prick your eyes. “Fuck, right there” you cry.

He groans and goes harder. “God you’re so good, so wet for me” he lands a slap on your ass and you gasp. The steady thrusts are slowly building that familiar coil in your stomach. Still gripping his hand you look round to him.

“I’m gun- fuck I can’t-“ You splutter out. Ryland changes pace now, arching your back further and snapping quicker. Your whole body is quivering, the pleasure paralysing you. He falters and leans down to kiss your back, the angle hitting a new spot now.

You grip down on his hand as you cum, eyes screw shut as your whole body aches. Rylands pace is messy now, he’s stuttering sweet nothings, littering your back with kisses. “I’m gunna-“ he groans into your back as he cums, hips faltering as he slums on your back.

He slowly moves off you and pulls out, you grimace at the feeling, cum leaking down your leg. You slide off the table and your feet find the floor, slowly standing your legs are shaking. There’s a nice line where the table was hitting your thighs which will definitely bruise.

“Hey, you okay?” Rylands hand finds your chin and you turn to look at him. He’s completely naked, hand covering his softening cock. You nod, a bit dazed. He doesn’t like that look. Wordless, he grabs a chair and points at it, you think about fighting it but instead just sit down. You need a wet wipe or something, how much did he cum?.

He grabs his cardigan off the floor and wraps it around you. “Stay” he kisses your forehead and he’s off. Bare ass walking towards the crew quarters. You sit and wait and ponder. All this time you could’ve been having that. God damn it Stratt, if it wasn’t for her and the mind wiping coma you would’ve remembered.

Fiddling with a stray string from the cardigan you hear Ryland come back in. He’s dressed in some shorts and a T-shirt with some funny science pun on it and he has a few things in his hands, a wet cloth, bottle of water and more clothes. He sets them on the table and hands you the water.

“How are you feeling?” He crouches in front of you and looks you over, the bruise on your thighs is making him kick himself. He reaches to the table and grabs the cloth, placing in on your forehead. It was cold on your skin but amazing.

“Incredible” you say giggling. “But tired” you open the water and take a sip. The pleasure effects are slowly wearing off and the aching is taking over. He brings his hand to your face and you smile. Again without a word he rises and leaves. You blink and just stay, then you hear the shower running.

“Come on you” he says from the corner, he comes over to grab your hand and help you up, leading you towards the quarters. The shower is on and has never looked more inviting.

“I’ll leave these here” You turn and he’s placing one of his tops and boxes on your bed, ready for when you get out the shower. You take your top off and reach your hand into the shower, feeling the warmth of the water. You turn, expecting to see him but he’s almost in the doorway.

“Ryland-“

He stops. You motion for him to come back, and when he does you just fall into his arms. He squeezes you in for a hug and kisses the top of your head. “I think I love you” you whisper. He rubs your back and smooths your hair.

“I think I love you too” he whispers back.

“Grace and (Y/n) in love question?!”

You both burst out laughing when you hear Rocky, he’s sneaked in though his tunnel. He’s bouncing back and forth doing his little jazz hands. Ryland is covering your naked body with his own but still chuckling.

“Rocky observation was correct. Amaze amaze amaze”

“Yes Rocky well done pal, go to the lab I’ll be there now” Ryland says over his shoulder, Rocky hums and you hear him scuttle out. “Youuuu” Ryland says kissing you. “Shower and relax” you nod. God you did need it.