Anna glanced back at the buildings. Not many of the homes on Earth had solid walls like these did. “The bigger question is do you think they’ll allow it?”
Amused, Simon threw up his hands. “We will ask. I can build something for a kitchen. There’s running water at least. The other humans don’t want us there, so why not?”
Tilly squealed and threw her arms around him.
“Thank you!” Nora also hugged him. “Thank you! I can get a garden going again too.”
The two of them were hugging Simon tight, Tilly jumping while Nora had her face buried in his chest.
Anna smiled, watching them before turning around. “And me over there?” She pointed to the little yellow outbuilding.
Simon glanced while stroking Nora’s hair. “Alright, Anna. Yes, I can see it. I’m going to have to run you a hose or something though, if you’re going to stay out there.”
Still bouncing at his side, Tilly tugged on his other hand. “There’s enough space?”
“Yeah.” Simon took the little girl’s hand. “Let’s go see how much we have to do before we formally ask.”
They walked off, but Anna stayed with Nora and walked back to the fence with the cows, leaning up against it to take the weight off her belly. The tension from the walk and the last few days ran through her. Home. A possible home. Who would have thought on that spaceship this could have been waiting for them?
Nora joined her on the fence. “Look how beautiful it is.”
Anna started laughing. “Yes it is.” She took a deep breath. “I want to live in a freaking warehouse. It’s perfect.”
“That’s a horse too.” Nora pointed in the distance. “Do you think we can ride it? Like in the picture books?”
“Uh . . .” She put her hands on her belly.
“After,” Nora said. “Although maybe bouncing on a horse will get this baby to come out.”
“I could use that now.” She laughed. Then her smile fixed on her face. Her whole body stiffened when she saw a figure behind Nora. The clearing suddenly shrank as Atlas came into view.
“. . . Anna?” He walked towards them, carrying two jugs of water in his hands.
“Hi Atlas,”Anna said. “You came all the way out here?”
“Did I hear from Simon right?” There was uncertainty in his hazel eyes, eyebrows pulled together. “Are you wanting to stay in the barn?”
“No.” Anna pressed on her protruding stomach. “That’s for Nora. I want to stay in the yellow building.”
His brow furrowed further. “What?”
Nora put her hands on her hips. “Is that a problem?”
Atlas gestured behind him to the yellow building. “That work facility?”
“Oh, that’s what it is?” Anna said.
“I’ll go help Simon.” Nora pushed off the fence, a sly grin on her face as she passed Atlas. “You two talk it out. I don’t like being a third wheel. Call if you need me or if he’s getting pushy, Anna.”
A cold sweat broke out on Anna as Nora walked away.Traitor.Then it was just the two of them. She didn’t know what to say. Atlas stood there, looking dumbfounded. The afternoon light reflected off of his hair, softening him like it did the day before at the lake.
Atlas put down the water jugs and came closer. He reached out his fingers, gently touching her arm. “That’s . . . Anna, we have a beautiful area prepared for you. We really should return.”
She closed her eyes, acutely feeling his fingers’ pressure. Her voice was soft but firm. “No.”
Atlas removed his hand. “Anna . . .”
She shrank further. But something in her fought back, and she forced herself to meet his eyes. This felt right. She was not going to be a pet. “No.”
