Destiny

"I love you so much. I'm going to miss you." Anya's emerald eyes fill with tears.

"I'm going to miss you, too. But we both know this needs to happen this way. We'll be back together soon." Joseph wipes Anya's tears away. "I got you something." He pulls a small red box out of his coat and hands it to her.

"Oh, no. What did you do?" Anya smiles.

"You'll have to open it to find out."

She opens the box and freezes. Inside, she sees a beautiful heart-shaped locket on a long gold chain.

"This was my mom's. When I was growing up, she always wore it. My dad gave it to her, and inside was a picture of him and me. Before she died, she gave it to me, so that I could give it to my wife. I know I should have given it sooner, but..."

"It's beautiful!" Anya interrupts. "Thank you!" She opens the locket, and inside is a picture of her and Joseph. "Will you help me put it on?" As soon as the chain clicks, people are ordered to their assigned ships. It's time to go.

"You be careful, ok?" Joseph lowers himself to Anya's tummy and whispers, "Be kind to your mommy. Don't make her too sick." Anya laughs as he stands back up and pulls her into an embrace. "I'll see you in six months, ok?" he says.

"I'll see you in six months." They both slowly back away and head towards their assigned ships. Anya goes to Axiom, and Joseph goes to Titan.

There aren't many people left. There used to be billions, but sadly, there are now only 5,000. Since children are their future, they're separated from their parents just in case something goes wrong. Everyone is transferring to a new planet, Draycon, in the Andromeda Galaxy. First, people destroyed Mars, and then Earth. Hopefully, they have learned their lesson and will start taking care, not only of their new planet, but of each other.

It used to take years to travel to other galaxies, but now it only takes a matter of months, so no one needs to be placed into a deep sleep. Each ship holds 1000 people, which also includes doctors, engineers, and emergency technicians - just in case they are needed.

Three of the ships carry the children and pregnant women. Infinity has the "Know-It-All" teenagers. Avalon has the energetic "You can't catch me" group - grades 4-8, and Axiom has the "Curiosity killed the cat" group of babies up to the 3rd grade.

When Anya walks into Axiom, she sees a young boy, no older than three, curled up in the corner. She gently sits down next to him.

"Are you ok?"

"I'm scared. I want my mommy," the little boy cries.

"What's your name?" Anya asks.

"Robbie," he sniffles.

"My name is Anya. Can I tell you a secret, Robbie?" Anya whispers. "I'm scared, too."

He looks over at her. "You are?"

"Yes! I mean, this has been my home my entire life, and now we are not only moving, but flying, to another PLANET! Who wouldn't be scared? But you know what?"

"What?"

"You are very brave. You are here, and you're about to go on a great adventure. Us grown-ups will make sure you stay safe."

"But I still miss my mommy." His tears stream down his face.

"I know you do, sweetheart. You will see her very soon." Anya wipes his tears away. "Maybe we can be friends until you can see her, again."

Robbie stands up and wraps his little arms around Anya's neck. She grins.

"What do you say we go find something to do?"

Robbie smiles and takes her hand.

Later that day, Stephanie, a nurse and friend interrupts their playdate. "Anya, may I please see you?"

"Sure," she replies. "Robbie, I need to go for a little bit, but I'll be back in time to read a story to you at bedtime, ok?"

"Ok." Robbie is much more relaxed, and he wanders off to play with the other kids.

"You were exceptionally good with him, Anya. You are going to make an amazing mom," Stephanie says.

Anya blushes. "Thanks."

"It's time for your exam," Stephanie smiles.

"Sounds good."

"You're 2 1/2 months along, right?"

"Yep. Hopefully, Joseph will be with me when I deliver," Anya says nervously.

"Don't worry. I'm sure he will be. Let's do this."

After doing Anya's basic vitals, Stephanie does an ultrasound. "Your baby has a strong heartbeat. You can see it right there. Everything looks good. Do you want to know the sex?"

"Not without Joseph!"

"Okay, okay!" Stephanie laughs. "Let's go to your new sleeping quarters, shall we? This really makes me wish I was pregnant," she jokes. Pregnant women get the best deal in this transfer between planets. Where children and regular adults get cot-like sleeping arrangements, pregnant women actually get beds. Their bodies need the support.

"This is your room. You will be sharing it with four other women."

There are five single size beds situated around the room, a water dispenser on the wall next to a sink, and a table surrounded by five chairs.

Stephanie sits down at the table, "Why don't you take a load off so we can go over your six-month regimen." Anya joins her at the table. "First, it is important that you drink lots of water. I know the food isn't great, but it's important that you eat. And you need to walk. I'd like you to walk around the ship at least once a day. All of the moms have to do it, so maybe you can organize a walking group. Do you have any questions for me?"

"Nope. I got it!"

"Alright, well I will leave you, then. You will find your bag in the closet over there," Stephanie states, pointing towards a room Anya hadn't noticed before. They give each other a hug, and Stephanie walks out.

Once alone, Anya explores her new "home away from home". Her bag is just outside a small bathroom. It is similar to one that old airplanes had, but luckily, a little bit bigger. The faucet in the sink has attached air blowers to dry your hands. She takes her bag and places it on the bed closest to the window so she can see the stars at night and leaves the room.

Later that evening, Anya returns to find that all of her roommates are sitting around the table. "May I sit down?" she asks with a smile.

"Of course! We've been waiting for you!" giggles a young blond girl, who looks to be in her early 20's.

Anya takes a seat. "Why don't we go around the table and introduce ourselves? I'll begin. My name is Anya Sharp, and I'm 2 1/2 months pregnant. My husband is Joseph, and he's on Titan."

The rest of the girls introduce themselves in turn. There is Amelia, the giggly blond girl, who is 3 months pregnant, Mia and Sophia are 4 months pregnant, and Olivia is 5 months along.

"I can tell that this is going to be the beginning of a great friendship! You know, we are all supposed to walk, so what do you say we walk together every morning?" Amelia is very bubbly, it's difficult for anyone to refuse.

"I think that's a great idea! I'll never turn away new friends!" Mia excitedly jumped up from her seat.

"Well, I guess it's settled hahaha," Anya grinned. "Shall we begin tomorrow?"

"Tomorrow it is!" Olivia announced.

The women get up the next morning, grab some "airplane quality" breakfast and a container of water, and begin their first walk around the ship. The corridors are a lot longer than they anticipated, as it takes them about two hours to complete the walk. Once they are finished, they collapse in the chairs in the entertainment room, laughing.

"Well, now we know what to prepare for!" Anya declares while smiling. Just then, Robbie runs over to her.

"Anya!! You're here!" He climbs up onto her and gives her a big hug!

"Hey, buddy! How are you doing? Having fun?"

"Yes! Will you tuck me in, again, tonight?"

"You know I will!"

Robbie runs off to play. "Looks like you have an admirer," Mia marvels. Anya explains how they met and their special bond.

Months go by, and the friendships between the ladies grow stronger. They walk in the morning and hang out during the day. The play very old, classic games like Uno and Poker. Some games never die. Olivia had her baby, a girl, followed shortly after by Sophia and Mia, who both had boys. Anya and Amelia are the only ones that still walk, just much slower since they are almost full-term.

Friday morning, Amelia and Anya get up for their walk. They take their time, chatting away, and pass a window. They both hear a tiny tap sound, but before they can process what they heard, the doors around them close. Amelia looks at the window and sees that it is cracked and turns around to find Anya on the floor.

"DAMAGE ALERT! DAMAGE ALERT! LEVEL ONE!"

"Anya!" Amelia screams, shaking her friend, but there is no response. Blood begins pooling on Anya's chest.

"RESTABILAZING"

When the doors re-open, Amelia screams, "HELP!!" Her friends and EMT's come running, and Anya is rushed to sickbay. Sadly, it's too late. Anya's friends break down in tears.

After inspecting the body, Dr. Phillip and Stephanie walk over to the ladies. "It looks like a small asteroid shot through the glass and pierced Anya's heart. I will notify her husband on Titan."

"What about her baby?" Amelia choked.

"Since she was in her third term, we were able to remove the baby without trouble. The baby is fine. Regretfully, we will need to release Anya's body tonight. Stephanie, will you please make the announcement?"

"Yes, doctor."

Stephanie walks to the radio room.

"ATTENTION: I'M SORRY TO SAY THIS, BUT ANYA SHARP DIED EARLIER TODAY. HER BODY WILL BE RELEASED AT 8PM OUT OF PORT 2, FOR ANYONE WHO WOULD LIKE TO ATTEND."

Stephanie turns off the speaker and quietly sobs.

It's 8 o'clock, and most of the people are there, standing behind a large window of a closed door. On the other side is Anya's body, wrapped in a body bag. Up front are Anya's best friends, Stephanie, Mia, Sophia, Olivia, and Amelia, who is holding Robbie. The port opens to release the body. Now, Anya can live among the stars.

Robbie breaks down in tears. "Who will read me bedtime stories, now?" He buries his face into Amelia's shoulder. She just holds him tighter.

The ship finally lands on Draycon. Joseph comes running to Axiom. He is greeted by all four of Anya's friends. "You knew my wife?"

"Yes, we all did. We were roommates, and then we became best friends," replied Amelia. "Would you like to follow us? We have something to show you."

Joseph followed the ladies down a long corridor.

"Ok, here we are," Mia smiles as they enter the nursery. "This is your daughter."

"My daughter? She survived?" Joseph looks up, wiping his face.

"Yes. Anya was almost full term when she died, so your baby was fine." Amelia picks the baby girl up, "Time to see papa! Here you go! She looks just like her mommy, doesn't she?" She puts the baby in his arms. "Oh! I almost forgot! I saved this for you." Joseph looks up, and she is holding the heart-shaped necklace.