𝐀𝐒𝐓𝐑𝐎𝐍𝐎𝐌𝐘, ˢᵗᵉᵛᵉ ʰᵃʳʳᶦⁿᵍᵗᵒⁿ

𝙿𝚁𝙾𝙻𝙾𝙶𝚄𝙴

𝐉𝐔𝐍𝐄 𝟏𝟔, 𝟏𝟗𝟔𝟕. . .

ALICIA VARNER MOVED back against the gray pillows resting on the hospital bed, averting her blue eyes away from the iridescent lights that hang from the ceiling and choosing to pay attention to the woman on the television screen across the room.

"With us today is special guest, Valentina Tereshkova, the first woman to ever travel into space!"

The guest waved to the crowd of civilians gathered behind the camera, beginning a spiel of how 'grateful and undeniably thankful' she was for the support and opportunities she was given.

A deep groan emitted from the expecting mother's pale lips, her aching back lifting off the uncomfortable mattress that the hospital had provided her with.

Unfamiliar faces scurried into the room, equipment and scrubs among them, but the face of her husband was no where to be found.

"No! We have to wait, he's not here!" she cried, pain shooting down her legs and spreading throughout her entire body.

"I'm sorry, we can't. The baby is coming," the nurse situated between her legs spoke. The blonde tried to fight again, but only shouts and curses came out as the head of her child began to crown.

Her husband was not there to console or comfort her cries that day, nor did he return any of the messages Alicia left for him before she was driven to the hospital by a stranger in a taxi. The mother was alone during the birth of her first child, except for the voice of the first female astronaut.

Valentina Tereshkova advised her audience that anyone can do anything, no matter the circumstances and challenges. And thus, Valentina Varner was born.