The baby needed a name. Their baby needed a name.
He scooted in next to Anna, holding the baby securely in his arms. “Do you have a name? For baby girl? Now that she is here?”
Anna halfway smiled. "Yeah. I have one, yes.” She reached out to touch his arm. “I was thinking of that beautiful flower you showed me when I first got off the ship. It should be something from Earth, and from nature maybe?”
“. . . The roses?”
“Yes, Rose.”
Atlas looked down at the baby’s upturned nose that matched Anna’s. “She’s prettier than a flower. But Rose suits her. Rosie girl.”
Anna smiled. “Yes. Now she’s your favorite plant.” She touched the infant’s little hand. “Rosie girl.”
The name fit and Rose lifted her hand as if to agree. Rose. More beautiful than any flower, more precious than any plant.
Anna fell asleep soon after and he stood, gently rocking Rose when she stirred, walking around the room quietly to not disturb her. The baby frowned in her sleep, stretching, yawning, and settling. Trusting him. He smiled down at the little baby girl as she stretched in his arms. “That’s my Rosie girl.”
Then he finally sent the picture to the communal mind with the name Rose attached. And this time, there was no disagreement over the line, only a consensus that said back congratulations.
Chapter fifty-five
Anna
“Did she just wake up?” Anna looked up from her garden. The carrots had come in over the last few weeks, along with the weeds. Yes, Mars had weeds. And unfortunately in a staggering amount. They dotted the garden patch, renewed after all the rain from the past week.
“A little bit ago, but she isn’t crying yet.” Atlas had Rose in a carrier strapped to his chest. Even though she was secure, he still kept his arms protectively underneath her. He grinned. “She’s smiling.”
“She is?” Anna dropped the weeds and rushed over.
Sure enough, there was a hint of a smile on Rose’s face. Anna pulled the top down on the carrier to see better. “Hi there, baby girl.” Rose’s eyes had darkened to hazel, a shade lighter than Anna’s, and wispy brown fuzz was on the top of her head. She’d turned six weeks old a few days ago, and had started smiling just the day before.
“That is a smile.” Atlas cooed down, “Rosie girl, are you happy?”
Anna smiled back. “Must be.” Then she said to Atlas, “Oh, can you get a picture? One for the wall and . . .” She hesitated. “Send one back to the communal mind? I know they’ve been asking.”
He gave her a side look. “Are you sure?”
“Yeah. I’ll take her inside to nurse?”
Atlas quickly unbuckled Rose, still smiling, and handed her over. Rose was no longer an angry baby; instead, she seemed content as long as she was fed and adored. Which she had in multitudes, even more with Atlas some days than Anna.
Anna felt strong, and settled. Time had worked rapidly to heal both her body and her mind. Now, sending pictures to the communal mind, on their terms, of Rose and their life out by the pasture felt normal. And it was almost sort of fun, sharing the milestones as Rose hit them.
She took the baby girl inside, Atlas following behind them. The small house was decorated with plants, and every inch was decorated with baby items. She cradled Rose, eating a ration bar while she nursed on the bed.
Atlas automatically brought her another bar, along with a glass of water.
“Thanks.” She drank some and handed it back. “She must be in a growth spurt.”
Atlas sat nearby. “She’s strong and healthy.”
Soon Rose fell asleep, and Anna transferred her to the bassinet. In the other room, the crib sat unused beneath a layer of dust. The baby still slept next to them in a bassinet within arm’s reach. Neither Anna nor Atlas wanted to have the baby out of their sight. Never again.
Not only were they sharing more, but visitors had come over the last few weeks—Sterling, Zero, and even Starla, who brought some baby items. Even the researcher, Leo, dropped by. Withhim, Atlas hovered, but Leo’s apologies were sincere, and he even held Rose for a moment before departing.
The only one who was not allowed near their home was Stella. And Anna stood firm on that order, even though a carefully scripted apology from her had been delivered by Leo. Stella could keep staying far away. Anna felt no need for universal popularity among the androids. This arrangement worked best for everyone.
“Anna?” Atlas’s voice was hushed. He waved her over from where he sat on a loveseat. “Come here.”
