In the Wake of Stars

Chapter 26: New Realities

For the next two days, Nora and Cal found themselves in the observation deck, their shared sanctuary amid the vastness of space. The stars stretched endlessly outside the large windows, twinkling like distant diamonds against the black void. Nora spent most of her time recovering, but she was acutely aware of Cal’s presence beside her.

Cal’s teasing tone grew bolder, and he took every opportunity to remind her of the awkward moment they shared when she had walked in on him. “You know, if you wanted a private show, you could’ve just asked,” he said one afternoon, a playful grin plastered on his face as he leaned against the wall, arms crossed.

Nora's face turned a deep shade of crimson, and she turned away, her heart racing. “That was not what I was looking for, Cal!” she retorted, trying to maintain her composure. But her embarrassment only fueled his delight.

He stepped closer, his shoulder brushing against hers, and Nora could hardly focus on anything else. “Come on, it’s just us up here. I’m sure you enjoyed the view,” he teased, a glint of mischief in his eyes.

Each light touch from him sent her heart fluttering and cheeks burning hotter. She couldn’t help but squirm under his gaze, feeling both flattered and frustrated. How was it possible for him to make her feel this way? It was infuriating and exhilarating all at once.

As the day wore on, Nora found herself seated on the plush sofa in the observation deck, staring out at the endless expanse of stars. The warmth of the room enveloped her, yet her thoughts drifted to the more serious matters at hand. What would their future hold once they touched down on the new planet? The reality of it struck her like a thunderbolt: they might be alone there for a long time, perhaps even indefinitely.

Would Earth send people after them? Would they ever see home again? The weight of those questions bore down on her, and she began to wonder about the more intimate aspects of their survival. Would they need to reproduce? Would the survival of the human race depend on them?

Feeling embarrassed yet compelled, she finally mustered the courage to bring it up to Cal. He had been teasing her mercilessly about her flustered reactions, but perhaps it was time to shift the conversation to something more serious. “Cal,” she started, hesitating as she gathered her thoughts. “What do you think… about having kids on the new planet?”

He paused, caught off guard by the sudden change in tone. “Kids?” he repeated, feigning confusion, a smirk creeping back onto his face. “You mean like little versions of us running around? Sounds like a disaster waiting to happen.”

Nora rolled her eyes, but her heart raced at the thought. “No, I mean—if we’re going to be there for a long time… What if we’re the only ones left?”

Cal’s expression shifted, his teasing demeanor faltering for a moment. “That’s… a heavy question, Nora,” he said, his voice more serious now. “I guess we’d have to figure it out as we go. But it wouldn’t just be up to us.”

“I know,” she said softly, looking out the window again. “But it’s a possibility we need to consider, right? What if we’re completely cut off?”

Cal stepped closer, tilting her chin so she met his gaze. “Hey, if it comes down to it, we’ll figure it out together,” he said, his tone earnest. “But you don’t have to think about that now. Focus on recovering. You’ll be back to full strength soon, and then we can worry about the future.”

His unexpected sincerity sent another wave of warmth through her. As they stood together, a comfortable silence settled over them. It was a strange mix of light-hearted teasing and the heavy weight of reality—a balance they would need to navigate in their new life ahead.