Red Horizon (The Martian Fanfiction)

Epilogue

The sun was setting over the beach, casting a warm golden glow across the waves as they lapped gently at the shore. Olivia stood at the water's edge, her toes sinking into the soft sand as the ocean breeze tangled through her hair. She watched the horizon, the deep blue melding into vibrant oranges and pinks as the day slowly melted into evening. It had been two years since she had returned from Mars, and yet moments like this—quiet, peaceful—still felt surreal.

Her leg ached slightly from the long walk, a reminder of the journey she had endured, but it was nothing compared to the agony she had lived with for so long. The limp she now carried was permanent, a small price for what she had survived. Her leg was at about 75% functionality, and though she still walked with a noticeable hitch in her step, Olivia couldn't complain. She was walking—without pain most days, and without a cane. There were still tough days, when her leg felt stiff or when the weather changed, but those moments were becoming fewer and farther between.

True to her word, after Mars had nearly eaten them alive, she went back to teaching medical students. Returning to the hospital had been bittersweet—her body was no longer suited for the intense physical demands of surgery, but she had found a new way to make an impact. She had students now, bright-eyed and eager, hanging on her every word as she passed on the lessons she had learned both in the operating room and on a barren planet millions of miles from Earth. She couldn't think of anything more meaningful than shaping the next generation of doctors. Every now and then, a student would ask about her limp, about what she had experienced on Mars. Olivia would smile, sharing bits of her story—just enough to keep them curious, but always steering the conversation back to the science. She wanted them to focus on what they could do to save lives, not on the woman who had fought for her own survival.

A voice broke through her thoughts, pulling her from the horizon.

"You doing okay over there, Liv?" Mark called out from the spot where he was setting up their blanket. He was grinning, his sun-kissed face full of affection as he watched her from across the beach. The years had been kind to him—no longer the gaunt, battle-worn man who had survived Mars by sheer force of will, but the same spirited, determined man who had kept her going through it all.

Olivia smiled back, giving him a small wave. "Just enjoying the view."

Mark chuckled as he walked over to join her, slipping his arm around her waist and pulling her close. "I still can't believe we got here," he murmured, his voice full of wonder as he pressed a kiss to the top of her head.

They had made good on their promise to each other—their first date after returning to Earth had been exactly what he had promised her on Mars. They had spent a weekend at the beach, just the two of them, watching the waves roll in as the weight of survival lifted from their shoulders. It had been the start of something new, something better, and they had never looked back.

Now, two years later, they were married—Mark and Olivia Watney, a pair of survivors who had faced the unthinkable and come out the other side, stronger together. Their wedding had been a small, intimate affair, surrounded by close friends and family. It had felt like a celebration of not just their love, but of the resilience and strength that had brought them to this moment.

"You ready for that swim?" Mark teased, giving her a playful nudge.

Olivia grinned, shaking her head. "You know I'm not getting in that cold water, Watney. Not a chance."

Mark laughed, leaning down to plant a soft kiss on her lips. "Fine, fine. I'll save that adventure for another day."

They stood there for a moment, wrapped in each other's presence, the ocean breeze cooling the warmth of the setting sun. It was a quiet peace, the kind they had both longed for in the harsh isolation of space.

"You know," Mark began, his voice turning softer, more thoughtful, "we should probably think about what's next."

Olivia raised an eyebrow, looking up at him. "What do you mean?"

He smiled, brushing a stray lock of hair from her face. "We've been talking about adoption, remember? I think we're ready."

Her heart swelled at his words, the future stretching out before them, full of possibility. They had been through so much together—Mars, survival, the surgeries, recovery—and now, they were ready for something new. Something they had dreamed about in the quiet moments after they returned to Earth.

"Yeah," Olivia said, her voice soft with hope. "I think we are."

Mark's smile widened, his eyes shining with that same spark of determination she had fallen in love with. "I already put in the paperwork last week."

Olivia blinked, surprise and joy flooding her chest. "You did?"

"Yep," Mark replied, his grin turning into a smirk. "Figured I'd surprise you. I mean, if we can survive Mars, I'm pretty sure we can handle parenthood."

She laughed, leaning into him, the warmth of his embrace wrapping around her like a safety net. "I don't know if we'll ever be fully ready," she admitted, her eyes sparkling with happiness. "But if anyone can figure it out, it's us."

Mark kissed her again, slower this time, their future stretching out before them in the golden light of the setting sun. They had faced the unimaginable together, and now, as they looked toward the next chapter of their lives, Olivia knew without a doubt that whatever came next—whether it was parenting, teaching, or another adventure—they would face it hand in hand. Just as they always had.