From Outer Space

Chapter 18

Chapter 18

''Alright, docking in 43 minutes.'' Jesse says and Lauren nods. The astronaut next to her keeps clicking buttons Lauren didn't even know the existence of, but he does make her feel safe. She knows he's a well-trained astronaut and she knows he's very capable for his job.

She sighs and pulls on the belts around on her stomach and across her legs to make them tighter. She can feel the lack of gravity and the urge of her body to just float around. She knew it would be a weird feeling, but actually being in space and experiencing it fully, is so much different from the simulator she was trained in at NASA.

Jesse sets the last few coordinates into the system, and then turns to Lauren to look at her with gentle eyes.

''You okay, Lauren?'' he asks and Lauren smiles when she hears the genuine interest in his voice. She knew Jesse McCartney was a popular astronaut and she had heard that he's one of the nicest people. Now she understands why everybody likes him, he really is a good guy.

''Yeah, I'm alright..'' she mutters with a short smile before looking down. Then she feels a hand cover hers in her lap and she looks back up at Jesse who smiles at her sadly.

''I know.. it must have been hard to hear Kyano do the countdown.'' He starts and gives her hands a gentle squeeze. ''So are you really okay? You don't have to keep it together around me, you can be honest.'' He tells her while letting his thumb soothingly run over her hands with a gentle smile.

Lauren nods at him before looking back down at their hands. She and Jesse had spent a lot of time together the last two days to prepare themselves for this trip as best as they could. She can't deny the obvious attraction she feels towards the boy and his easy-going and sweet personality really helped her through the preparations.

''It was definitely hard to hear that...'' she admits, ''it's like it made it even more real to me that I have truly left him alone for at least a month.'' Lauren takes a deep breath to push away her tears. She doesn't want to cry over leaving her son, because she knows it won't make their situation any better anyway.

Jesse nods in understanding, casting a quick glance at the control panel to check everything was still going well, before turning his full attention back on Lauren.

''Thank you though, for distracting him like you did. I don't know how I would have ever said goodbye to him if you hadn't turned his mood around and got him excited for our departure instead of being sad about it.'' Lauren says to him with a thankful smile and Jesse shrugs.

''It's really no problem. I know I made it harder for you by letting him do the countdown, but it was the only thing I could think of to make him smile again.'' He answers, giving Lauren's hands another squeeze before moving his hand back to the control panel, to lower the power of the engines.

''You know, I've only seen him these past two days during the department preparations, but I really like the kid.'' Jesse tells her, and it immediately makes a proud smile cover Lauren's face. ''He's really a sweet boy, and I think you and Camila have done a great job with him.'' He compliments, and misses the single tear that rolls down Lauren's cheek because of focusing on the control system.

She wipes it away quickly, not allowing herself to feel all the emotions buried inside of her. She knows she'll break down, so she figures it's easier to suppress everything than to actually feel anything.

''Thank you.'' She mutters and Jesse sends her a sweet smile.

''You're a great mom, Lauren. Don't let anybody tell you differently.'' He says, patting her shoulder and Lauren grins shyly.