Europa

July 22, 2048

The next time I see my son he will be a senior in high school. I say the next time and not if because I made a promise to my father and my son. I will return to this mission alive. There is a family photo album I need to finish.

I already regret making that promise, but I didn't do it for me. I did it because it will help Dad and Diego sleep at night, and because when my son looked at me and asked, "will I see you again," with tears flowing down his cheeks I didn't hesitate to assure him that everything would be alright.

For years growing up I hated my mother for making a promise that was not in her power to keep. Now years later I had made the same promise to my father and son. I will not break that promise. I can't.

I kept replaying my final encounter with my family before being shown to the quarantine center in my mind. It kills me that for the next eleven years my memories will be all I have left of them.

Being that we were already in Florida, Dad drove me to Cape Canaveral Space Station. I needed to report to the space station at 11 am, and we pushed it to the last possible minute. Even when we arrived at the station I waited in the car until it was 10:45 am before I opened the door and began to say my goodbyes.

It's then when Diego asked if he would see me again, crying. The question froze me for a split second, and I looked over to my dad for help, who was also holding back tears. That's when I finally cracked and assured him, I would see him again.

I gave my son a tight hug. If only I didn't have to let, go. Feeling his tears against my shoulder I doubled down and said "I promise, everything will be alright. We will have a lot to talk about when I come home. Try not to grow up too much before I go," I added.

Then I stood up and looked Dad in the eyes. "I promise, I will come home." He nodded, walking up and giving me a kiss on the cheek.

"I know you will," he responded as he hugged me.

We exchanged a few more words and that was it. They were able to walk up to the building with me, but they weren't allowed to come inside. I hugged them both one last time before walking into the space station, looking back and waving until the door closed behind me.

Just before it closed my dad mouthed, I love you. This isn't the end. I made a promise, a promise I will probably regret until our reentry capsule lands, and I step foot on Earth once again.