Beyond the Vault

In A Flash

It was a day like any other. I sat on the bed, gathering my thoughts before standing up and walking to the bathroom.

Nate stood by the sink, looking at himself in the mirror. I smiled, walking over to him." You're gonna knock 'em dead at the veteran's hall tonight, hon."

He chuckled," You think?"

" Absolutely. Now, get ready and stop hogging the mirror."

Nate rolled his eyes, before walking out of the bathroom. I looked at the mirror, smiling as I turned and left the room. 

Codsworth hovered in the kitchen, cleaning up the counter, and turning to me as I entered the living room. He greeted in a cheerful tone," Ah, good morning, mum. Your coffee, 173 degrees farenheit. Brewed to perfection."

I smiled warmly and took the cup from the counter. "Thanks, Codsworth." He responded," Of course, mum."

Sipping the coffee, I looked down at the counter, checking the box of cereal. "Sugar bombs. 100% daily value of...well, sugar." Looking around the house, it was cozy, and welcoming. Sanctuary hills seemed like the right kind of place to start a family.

I then heard a baby crying from the nursery. Codsworth rotated to the hallway and hovered over, stating," Ah, sounds like someone made a stinky. I shall attend to young Shaun."

Nate and I chuckled, and he admitted," I know we were nervous at first, but I'm glad we got Codsworth."

I couldn't argue with that.

The morning passed by until the doorbell was heard. Nate sighed while reading the newspaper.

" It's that salesman again. I don't know why he keeps bothering you."

I rolled my eyes and answered the door. The salesman at the door kept standing at the door, holding his clipboard tightly as he greeted, "Good morning. Vault-tec calling."

I forced a smile, trying to hide how annoyed I was. "Good morning."

The salesman chuckled, "Isn't it? You can't understand how happy I am to finally talk to you, ma'am. I've been trying for days. It's a matter of utmost importance, I assure you."

I raised a brow, confused. "What's so important?"

"Why, nothing less than your entire future, ma'am. In case you haven't noticed, this country has gone to heck in a hand basket. If you'll excuse my language. The big KABOOM, it's inevitable, I'm afraid."

The hardest part of this was trying not to roll my eyes. Everyone kept talking about the holocaust, but I never believed it.

 He could probably tell that I was getting ready to shut the door.

"Now, I know you're a busy woman, Mrs. Jackson, and I won't take up much of your time. I've been sent to inform you that due to your family's service to our country, you have been preselected as a resident of your local vault. Vault 111."

I looked back inside the house, and back to the person at my door.

"But I have a family. You can fit us all, right?"

He nodded and affirmed, "Yes, we can. Minus your robot, naturally. In fact, you're already cleared for entrance. It's just a matter of verifying some information. Don't want there to be any hold ups in the unforeseen events of...ahem... total atomic annihilation. Won't take but a moment."

I hesitated. After a few seconds, I genuinely smiled and replied, "Sure. Let's do it."

"Wonderful."

He handed me a clipboard, and the form on it had the basics, which I answered with little question.