The music he played for her earlier played on the video feed. The same melody she remembered from the radio back on Earth. “This is where the song is from?”
“Yes.”
The show opened showing a little village. White things were falling on the screen, covering the ground. It wasn’t sand. Or dust. “What’s that?” Anna asked.
“Snow.”
She’d read about snow, but never seen it, living in the desert. Snow fell, covering rows of little houses. She watched, enraptured. The movie was silly. The father kept shoveling the snow and it kept coming back, comically, until the whole family came out to help him. Then they went inside, moving, smiling, hugging much like they were now. The whole show was a holiday back on Earth, far before androids or any war. Everyone was opening presents. Singing and eating. The father received a new shovel as a gift, and everyone laughed.
The movie made her tear up. She wiped at her eyes.
Atlas pressed his lips to the top of her forehead. “This is what I always wanted, but didn’t think was real.”
Chapter thirty-eight
Atlas
Atlas startled at a knock on the door.Who is that?Of all the times for an interruption. His body tensed, alert and wary in a way he hadn’t had to reach for in years. Decades. Long-dormant coding activated the desire to protect.
“Anna? Are you alright?” Nora’s voice sounded through the metal paneling, muffled. “We are back from that dumb dinner.”
“Oh. Nory.” She struggled to sit up as he opened his arms.
He resisted moving further, staying reclined in the bed, one of his arms looped possessively around Anna’s waist.
Nora opened the door a second later. Her eyes went wide, darting between both of their faces. And then to his arm holding her. “Oh well. Nevermind. You’re fine.” She let out a huge grin. “More than fine. I’ll see you in the morning.”
Without waiting for a response, Nora turned and left, closing the door behind her.
Anna’s hands went to her face. “Oh. Shit.”
“Are you embarrassed?” Atlas chuckled. He tugged her hand down. “Why? Nora shares the same connection with Simon.”
“Not embarrassed exactly.” She swallowed. “Or maybe a little. I don’t know what I really feel.” Under her breath she muttered, “Not angry though, that’s for damn sure.”
Goosebumps ran up Anna’s arm, and he couldn’t tell if it was from nerves or the cold. The blanket was bunched at his side. He didn’t need any more warmth between his sweater and her body heat, which was almost feverish. “Are you cold?”
“No.” Then she slumped back against him.
He ran his fingers down her cheeks as he settled her against his chest. She didn’t say anything more, or resist. Just made little scooting motions to fit better.Friday Morningwas winding down. Should he show her another? The credits rolled and it was dark, so dark outside. “What did you think?”
“It was beautiful.” She said softly “I didn’t know anything like that existed before. I want to be like that. That family.”
Atlas’s whole body rang with certainty. “Yes. I want that too.”
The television turned to static and he turned the screen off. He held her tight. She felt wonderful in his arms. She was beautiful, not in the classic, artificial way, with perfect angles and delicate features, but with imperfections that showed her character. Hands that were calloused and smile lines on her face. And eyes that were uncertain. Vulnerable. But still trusting.
Atlas pulled her more firmly against him, rocking her against his chest. “Shh, rest. Sleep will help. We’ve had a busy few days.”
“You’re right.” Her head nodded on his chest. “Will you hold me the entire night?”
“I was hoping to.”
“I don’t know if I’ll be able to sleep now. I have trouble sleeping.”
“I’ve noticed,” he answered drily. The lantern light was turned down low, but he adjusted it even further. “Let me maybe tryto settle you. Do you want to hear how we changed Mars? The initial terraforming?”
“Yes!” Anna pulled back up to look him in the face. “I don’t want to sleep; I want to hear about that!”
