know she’s an orphan. And she basically hated everyone in her life. She didn’t lose anyone. Yet she is more pissed about leaving Earth than the rest of us put together.”
“Bobby has problems with authority,” I say with a smirk.
“And the Martians somehow represent authority?”
“Well, yes. They are highly organized and militaristic. They brought us here and had everything arranged. And it’s not like she can just snap her fingers and return to Earth to prove to herself that it’s now a hellhole. All she has to go on is the Martian histories. And knowing Bobby, she probably thinks they’re all lies.”
“I cannot listen to another one of her conspiracy theories. They get worse every day. Whatever Martian gets stuck with her…”
“He is going to have quite a challenge on his hands,” I say. “It was hard enough for Jaxxo and me. And I was not completely opposed to the Martians or the choices they were forced to make. But we did have other issues on top of that. I’m just glad that now we’ve been able to get past it.”
“So how did the information get leaked to the press?” Bethany takes a nibble of a little cherry tart from a plate on the table between us.
I have arranged all the screens in the sitting room to have beautiful artwork. A fire rages in the hearth. The room feels cozy and close, as if we’re sitting in the parlor of a Victorian house rather than a mansion in the future on Mars.
“Apparently, the antechamber outside the Council Hall was bugged. It’s considered treason. The journalist who did it should have been jailed. But Jaxxo took pity on him and didn’t report it after removing the bugs.”
“Why?”
“Apparently, he had to use force to get a confession. And he didn’t want it to get out.”
“How do you feel about that?”
“I think what’s done is done. No one was hurt. The bugs were removed. Jaxxo is an honorable man. But he isn’t a god or a martyr. He is a warrior and a hero who is committed to the future of Mars. And more than anything else, he is committed to me.”
Bethany sighs and leans back in her chair, tapping her fingers on the wood of the armrest. “You know I’ve always wanted to get married and start a family. I just wish they would find my match soon.”
“You seem to be taking the whole arrangement really well.”
“You know, my parents were old when they had me. They both passed away several years ago. And I’ve been alone ever since. No brothers or sisters. I didn’t even have any cousins. You are my best friend, and you are here. So I don’t have much to complain about. Obviously, I miss Earth like everyone else. I’ve always been a bit adventurous. And I’ve always wanted someone to love. The men back at home just weren’t interested in committing.”
“I know. Video games and porn.”
“And internet hoes.”
We both laugh, thinking about the relationships and options back on Earth. And after the trauma has passed and the opportunities for new life have been offered to us, it’s easy not to regret what we’ve left behind.
“Do you think you’re pregnant yet?”
“It’s only been a few weeks. But Jaxxo is bringing the medic with him when he returns this evening. We’ll take a test.”
“Are you excited?”
“Of course I am. Now that I’m with Jaxxo, I feel as committed as he is to the future of Mars.” I press my hand to my stomach, hoping that new life even now grows inside me. A vision of our beautiful child plays inside my mind, and I let out a deep sigh. “I’m so glad you’re here. I don’t know how I could do this without you.”
“I feel the same. I’ve always got your back.”
We embrace warmly before her taxi arrives to take her back to the bridal house. Part of me wants to ask Jaxxo if she can come stay with us until her match is found. But the idea of leaving Sophia alone to mediate between Bobby and Madeline doesn’t sound fair either.
Jaxxo arrives with the medic as evening falls and the sun begins to dive toward the horizon. My heart leaps in anticipation. I want the results to be positive more than I’ve wanted just about anything else in my life.
Jaxxo embraces me, kisses my forehead, and introduces me to the medic. I recognize him from the ship.
“How have you been feeling, Doris?” Medic Foxx asks as we move