Chapter 12 Part II

He received a message from Sofia who had learned of the promotion and in a few minutes the news spread throughout the Agency, even reaching Rome.

<<This evening we'll have a big table at "Atlantide" and I don't want to hear any arguments>> proposed Orlando;

<< I think it's appropriate >> Leonardo replied as he was hugged by his friend;

<< "Appropriate"? "Appropriate" you say? Stop acting tough, if your parents were here they would hug you and say "Son you were great, we are proud and proud of you".

"Appropriate" he says >> Orlando replied, holding his face in his hands.

They went to the beach and stayed there for a few minutes, they wanted to enjoy the moment in private before being overwhelmed by the pressure once they returned to Palermo.

They needed some peace of mind to understand the magnitude of their undertaking while reflecting on the efforts made in the last two years.

<<Can you believe it? We'll be up there soon. It's absurd, I still can't understand it>> Alice began, lying down on the sand, pointing to the sky;

<< We deserved it. I still remember the first time I met you and compared to today you have become completely different people, all except one >> added Lucia, laughing, looking at Orlando;

<< Very witty but it's partly true, these two years have transformed us and yet our journey has only just begun. Wow! >> exclaimed the latter.

Leonardo didn't want to miss even a second of that happiness, he had been chasing it for too long, some would have said for an entire life but now he had grasped it and wanted to savor it to the full.

<<Will we really go to Jupiter and beyond?>> Chiara asked;

<<It's a large number of kilometres, no doubt about it>> Alice replied;

<< I don't know what you will do but I intend to push myself to the edge of the solar system. I want to be the first human to reach the Kuiper belt and beyond >> Leonardo began, getting up from the sand;

<< We will come with you, you know this very well but now let's think about celebrating, there is a table at "Atlantide" waiting for us. Has Sofia recovered? >> Orlando asked him;

<< I hope so because I really want to celebrate with her >> Leonardo replied.

After getting up from the sand they went to the airport from where they took an eVTOL with which they returned to Palermo, once they landed they arrived at the Headquarters where a large crowd was waiting for them to give them a welcome worthy of a rock star.

<<Why are all these people here?>> Leonardo asked himself seeing how many people were anxiously waiting for them in front of the Headquarters even though it was late in the evening.

The children loved collecting the digital signatures of all the astronauts in a sort of sticker album, only instead of the athletes they collected the autographs of those who would carry the national flag high into space.

Since the colonization of the solar system began, astronauts had become very famous; according to a survey, they were better known than politicians and religious leaders, so much so that they became the testimonials of the most famous brands in the world.

When they got out of the robot taxi they barely managed to enter the Astronautical Headquarters where even Carigge was waiting for them, having rushed from Rome taking the first available maglev.

He didn't want to miss the chance to have his big face appear next to the faces of the new national heroes, they hadn't yet traveled into space yet they were considered the "golden generation" and everyone relied on them.

<< On this side guys, there are the photographers >> the director of the Space Agency exhorted them with Lucrezia and Andrea at his side but not Sofia, who remained at home due to pregnancy.

Leonardo immediately noticed the absence of his future wife and after Carigge's speech he asked his friends for explanations, fearing she was ill.

<< She's fine but she wants you to reach her as soon as possible, she has great news to give you >> Andrea told him, making him scared;

<<Have you changed your mind about marriage?>> Leonardo asked her;

<< None of this but if I were you I would run to her as soon as possible >> Lucrezia reassured him.

It wasn't easy to free themselves from the grip of fans, journalists, local politicians and simple employees of the Head Office who wanted to take a selfie but in the end, after several hours, they were finally free to celebrate.

<< You go ahead, apparently Sofia has to tell me something important and wants me to join her at her house so I'll see you later at "Atlantide" >> Leonardo said to his friends.

After leaving the building he took a robot taxi arriving at his future wife's apartment, his instinct told him that something very important was about to happen to him and since he was usually never wrong he hoped it was good news.

He pushed the intercom button and Sofia opened the gate for him, letting him in. After letting him into the house, the first thing she did was kiss him on the lips.

<< Are you okay? Andrea made me worry. Sorry if I wasn't very present but the training completely absorbed me >> he justified himself by hugging her hips;

<< I want to congratulate you for officially becoming an astronaut, you really deserved it but this is not the reason why I made you come here and in this regard I would like you to sit down >> Sofia replied with eyes full of emotion ;

Leonardo obeyed her without question, feeling strangely docile and docile towards her, he couldn't explain why but his instinct told him to behave in that way.

Sofia approached him, took his face and brought it to her belly, placing it gently on it, then waited a few minutes to see if Leonardo had understood what was happening.

Initially the boy didn't get the message but then, unexpectedly, he felt something similar to a kick coming from her belly and having noticed her swollen hips when he felt her, he had a stroke of genius.

He moved away like a frightened rabbit, looked her straight in the eyes, shaking her hands and with a trembling voice whispered <<You're pregnant>>, halfway between a question and a statement.

Sofia waited a few minutes before answering, limiting herself to smiling, then, seeing him cry from the tension, she decided to reveal the mystery to him.

<< Yes, I am pregnant with your child. I don't know sex yet though..., ...I wanted to tell you first but you had the training exam so I preferred to wait>> he explained to him.

Leonardo continued to stare straight into her eyes, he was shaking worse than a leaf shaken by the wind about to fall from the tree.

He didn't know what to say to her, he felt strong pangs in his stomach and his head was spinning.

<< I will become a father, am I right? >> he asked her with his lips trembling with emotion;

<< Exactly but say something else for heaven's sake, so you scare me >> the girl replied sitting next to him.

Leonardo was so shocked by the news that his brain seemed incapable of thinking rationally, he had to make a great effort to continue that conversation but when he had internalized the news his eyes lit up with an intense light.

<< It's the best gift I could receive, I'm serious. I will become a father, I will be a father >> he continued to repeat, drunk with happiness.

If it was a dream he didn't want to be woken up but it was all real and even Sofia was very surprised by his reaction, she feared he would be scared or that he didn't want to become a parent but instead she felt very relieved to find him happy.

<<Now we have to deal with another topic and I don't think you'll like it but it's better remove the tooth immediately>> Sofia began, holding her belly with her hands;

<< What is it about? >> Leonardo asked her, returning his head to Earth;

<< I'm talking about your future, your intentions to undertake a dangerous expedition beyond Jupiter in search of a massive body which could be beyond the Kuiper belt. Now that you're going to be a father, what do you plan to do? >> he asked him;

<<To tell the truth, I wasn't expecting this question>> Leonardo told her, taken aback by the thrust of his future wife.

On the one hand he didn't want to give up his ambitions, he had worked incredibly hard for two years overcoming many adversities, too many to be able to give up going into space but the arrival of a child radically changed things.

He didn't want to make the same mistake as his father however he hadn't considered the possibility of becoming a parent so he didn't have an easy answer to Sofia's question even though his instincts were suggesting one but the girl wouldn't have liked it.

<<Know that I will support you in whatever decision make, if stay on Earth be happy but love forever even want to leave, the little one and wait for have choose, don't keep here against your so leave a free hand>> his future wife explained to him.

Leonardo was taken aback by those words, not expecting such an open-mindedness from Sofia, in fact he believed that, with a child on the way, she would put pressure on him not to go.

<< What have you decided? >> he urged him with a trembling voice;

<< Listen to me carefully and I will tell you only once. I love you, you are the woman of my life and I am very happy to become a father, I mean it but I feel the need to go into space and I hope you can understand it.

When I return to Earth we will form the family you have always dreamed of >> Leonardo replied, shaking both her hands.

Sofia knew that she would have said those things to him, she knew him too well and if she had kept him forcibly on Earth she would never have forgiven herself, it would probably have made him unhappy by disintegrating their relationship in the long term.

<< I already knew the answer but to tell the truth I was hoping you would change your mind but I accept your choice, you have always been honest with me and immediately made your intentions clear.

Now let's think about the wedding, you will really like the way I prepared it >> the girl replied, bracing herself.

Until the last moment she had hoped that Leonardo would change his mind, she was terrified at the thought of losing him in space and yet she had to put her heart at rest, the die had been cast.

<< Let's inform our friends of the wonderful news >> Leonardo proposed to her.

They grabbed Sofia's "Delphi" cap, taking a photo of themselves with Leonardo's head resting on her belly and sent it to the other kids who in the meantime were having fun at the "Atlantis" where they had received a welcome like real stars.

At first they didn't read the message, busy as they were celebrating their promotion, Alice was the first to read it and she couldn't help but burst into tears of happiness.

<<What's wrong with you, love?>> Chiara asked her.

When he showed her the message with the photo and the caption "Stork coming" Chiara also let herself go into emotion.

They informed Orlando and Lucia of the news and at the latter's suggestion they immediately headed to Sofia's apartment to celebrate the happy event.

<< Today I'm experiencing too many emotions, I don't know if my heart can handle them. Congratulations on the baby on the way >> Lucia began once they arrived at Sofia's apartment;

<< Friend you are about to become a father and it's a big responsibility, you know that right? >> said Orlando;

<< I know it well >> Leonardo replied to him;

<<Have you already talked about…, …the possibility that Leo won't leave for space? Maybe I shouldn't be the one to say it though...>> said Alice;

<< Don't worry, everything is fine, we discussed it and decided that I will leave. We will return safe and sound, I have no doubts about this >> Leonardo retorted.

The girls did not miss the hint of sadness present on Sofia's face so Lucia wanted to speak privately with Leonardo, apparently to congratulate him.

<<Are you sure want to go into space? As a woman I can guarantee that Sofia wants here by her side and not on an adventure, millions of kilometers away.< p>

Maybe you've forgotten but there's a high chance we won't return to Earth, do you seriously want to risk leaving your child fatherless? Think carefully.

You should know better than anyone what it feels like to grow up with astronaut parents, what pain and suffering you have to face, do you want your child to experience the same hell as you? >> she told him in a maternal tone.

<< I've thought about my decision well but I feel I have to go, I've wanted it all my life, it's such a deep desire that I can't explain it to you but I feel it burning inside me.

Now I understand my parents, certain situations can only be understood by experiencing them >> Leonardo replied, placing a hand on her shoulder;

<< I understand you, it's the dream of your life but know that if you don't come back alive you will break Sofia's and your son's hearts, I don't know if it's worth it >> Lucia reminded him as she returned to her friends.

Leonardo was well aware of the risks he was taking and yet he had to go, he wanted it with all his strength, he felt he had a moral obligation towards his parents to seek the answers they had failed to reach.

At first he was very annoyed by Lucia's speech but what did he know? He didn't expect others to understand him, no one could understand him.

In the following weeks the boys enjoyed some peace and Leonardo moved into Sofia's apartment as they decided to move in together.

The friends also bought a house in the city, choosing to settle in the same building where Leonardo and Sofia lived, by now they had become one big family so why not all live under the same roof?

Emptying their rooms in the dormitories of the Headquarters they were moved to remember how much they had been through, going back in memory they retraced the journey of those two intense years and a few tears inevitably fell from their eyes.

December 20 arrived quickly and it was time to receive the diplomas of qualified astronauts, just four days before Leonardo and Sofia's wedding.

<< This will be one of the most important weeks of your life, you know that right? >> Orlando said while preparing for the graduation ceremony in Leonardo's apartment;

<< I am aware of it and happy but I can't wait for it to end, Sofia is organizing a perfect wedding but it is very tiring and you can't understand the stress, if it were up to me I would go back to the Amazon forest >> the friend replied;

<< Good times, we were free to do what we wanted, there were no big thoughts pervading our minds.

Look at us now, we are certified astronauts and soon we will embark for space, I learned that the Agency is in such a hurry to get us going that we will probably skip the year of additional preparation and honestly I don't mind >> Orlando replied looking in the mirror , adjusting his cadet uniform for the last time.

Leonardo didn't answer but if before he couldn't wait to take off now he would have liked to stay on Earth a little longer even if he didn't have the courage to say it.

When he was left alone at home he imagined what it would be like to give up the space to be a full-time father and he liked what he saw in his mind a lot, sometimes he told himself that he wasn't forced to leave but he immediately put that thought out of his head.

He sat on the leather sofa so dear to Sofia, closed his eyes and visualized all the possible scenarios such as Christmas with his wife and child, seeing his son grow up, taking him to school for the first time and so on but then it repeated itself always the same, identical sentence.

<<If I don't leave now will never have the courage to do so again>> and so he found the strength to go into space again.

<<So what do you think, I'm handsome right?>> Orlando asked him;

<<Not even an actor could surpass you but let's hurry, the girls will have already arrived>> Leonardo urged him.

They jumped into the saddle of the robot taxi arriving at the Astronautical Headquarters where Carigge was waiting for them together with all the teachers, ready to hand them their diplomas and blue overalls certifying their passage from cadet status to astronaut status.

Of the remaining five free astronaut positions, one was occupied by Aurora while the others were empty because the remaining training participants had failed by Astolfi.

The Agency had thought of a sort of repechage but none of them had managed to complete all the tests so it was impossible to promote them.

<< Only you were missing, you've finally arrived >> said Lucia seeing them appear from the entrance to the sixth level;

<< Sorry but your boyfriend had to powder his nose >> Leonardo replied;

<<I don't want to make a bad impression, today is really important moment>> replied Orlando who had also made his parents come.

The father was called Rodolfo and was a very nice man in his forties, bald with a good-natured face and red cheeks, he had a beautiful apple-shaped belly that the white shirt barely covered and a dazzling smile worthy of a politician while the mother her name was Rosa, she was a beautiful woman more or less the same age as her husband, tall and thin, with black hair and brown doe eyes, she had such a youthful face that it seemed as if time had stopped for her.

<< I congratulate you, you did great, we are proud of your results >> Rodolfo began, shaking his son's hand;

<<We always knew that you would make us proud of and so did>> added the mother, holding him tightly;

<< Thank you for coming and I want to take the opportunity to introduce you to my girlfriend Lucia, we met here and now we are together >> Orlando replied introducing the girl;

<<It's a real pleasure to meet you, you have raised wonderful son>> Lucia replied, over the moon at having convinced him to take that step.

Being introduced to her parents meant taking their relationship to the next level and despite Orlando's constant reassurances she wanted to make sure he was serious so that gesture confirmed the goodness of his intentions.

<< You're all finally here. Take your seats because Carigge is about to open the ceremony >> Sofia announced, holding her belly which was starting to swell with her hands.

The five kids sat in the front row while Sofia, Andrea, Lucrezia and their parents had to sit in the rows behind them.

On the occasion of the awarding of the diplomas and the blue overalls, the sixth level was completely transformed, the holographic faces of the fallen astronauts formed two long lines in front of the winners, creating a corridor that the graduates crossed and then went up to the stage where they collected the qualified astronaut certificate and the blue tracksuit.

<< The way the sixth level is arranged is scary >> thought Leonardo.

Carigge and all the teachers of the various courses were sitting on the stage, dressed up properly for such a solemn ceremony.

<< Good morning everyone and welcome to the graduation ceremony. Today we celebrate six young courageous recruits who have decided to follow in the footsteps of those who, before them, desired with all their hearts to go beyond their limits >> began Carigge, getting up from his seat and reaching a lectern in the center of the stage.

<< One by one I will read your names, please join me up here to collect your diploma and blue overalls >> explained the director of the Space Agency referring to the six promoted.

The first to be called was Alice, then it was Aurora's turn and so on, as a sign of chivalry the women were awarded first, then it was Orlando's turn and finally Leonardo, the last to go on stage.

The boy stood up amidst the applause of the rows behind him and headed towards the stage, on either side of him the holograms of the fallen astronauts smiled affectionately at him.

Completing the "walk of glory" he felt a strong shiver down his back and once he arrived in front of his parents' faces he remembered why he had chosen to do that job.

Before going on stage he turned towards Sofia, staring at her increasingly swollen belly for just a moment and winked at her, after which he reached Carigge, receiving first his diploma and then a blue vacuum suit made to measure for him.

As happened with the other kids, the teachers stood up to applaud him and shake his hand.

Astolfi broke protocol by hugging him for a few seconds, he had tears in his eyes remembering when he and Leonardo's father had found themselves in that situation and he couldn't hold back his emotion.

<<It's not the same thing but if they were here would tell you that are proud of you, I'm one hundred percent convinced it>> said Astolfi whispering in Leonardo's ear;

<< Thank you sir, I hope they can see me from up there >> the boy replied, returning to his seat, sitting between Alice and Lucia.

<< Very good gentlemen, the ceremony is over, you can go and celebrate >> Carigge announced.

Andrea and Lucrezia were sitting next to Sofia and seemed to be her bodyguards, when they saw Leonardo approaching they congratulated him.

<<Now comes the wedding, another big step>> Andrea began;

<<I heard that you two will be the bride's witnesses>> Leonardo replied;

<< If you break her heart we will make you pay dearly >> added Lucrezia half-jokingly;

<< Sorry if I intrude but there is a table at "Atlantide" waiting for us and on some seats there are your names so please follow me because the time has come to go and eat. The ceremony made me hungry >> Orlando interjected.

They were about to exit the sixth level when a man with a well-known face grabbed Leonardo by the arm and yanked him backwards.

<< Hey but who... >> the boy complained before realizing who he was;

<< Congratulations astronaut, you did it. Personally I have never had doubts >> said the man;

<< Then you received my invitation! I didn't get an answer, I feared he was lost >> Leonardo replied, happy to see him;

<< I couldn't do something like that to you but if you don't mind I would like to take a walk with you in private. It's about five minutes, nothing more>> the man asked him;

<< Of course >> Leonardo replied, urging Sofia and her friends to move forward, he had to first talk to that person who had given him so much.

The man in question was Marcello, his tenant at the time in Turin, whom Leonardo had invited both to the graduation ceremony and to the wedding but had not responded to him and therefore had resigned himself to not seeing him.

They exchanged a chat but when they walked along the corridor formed by the holograms of all the deceased astronauts Marcello stopped in front of the face of a smiling young man with his chest out and a proud look.

<< This is my son >> he revealed to Leonardo, leaving him speechless.

He explained the whole story to him and when he finished he couldn't help but get emotional so he was forced to sit down.

<<I'm sorry about your son, I didn't know that>> Leonardo told him;

<< I still remember the day I came here for his award ceremony, you can't understand how excited he was and I was too.

Today while I was looking at you you reminded me of it so I want you to make me a promise >> replied Marcello;

<<What would it be?>> asked Leonardo;

<< Promise to return alive from space, I don't care how but do it >> Marcello asked him, taking him by surprise;

<< I..., ... yes okay, I'll do my best, I promise you >> Leonardo stammered, taken by surprise by that request.

<< My son made me a similar promise but he didn't keep it so I ask you to come back alive so that you can also respect his oath and you will also have a beautiful wife and a child to look after >> said Marcello with tears in his eyes.

Leonardo had become everything he hoped his son could be and when he looked at his face he saw him again, in his eyes the resemblance between the two was remarkable.

<< I would love it if you came to the wedding, I invited you and you're here so if you don't... >> Leonardo proposed;

<< You are very kind, I'm serious but I'm old and tired so I'm sorry but I have to decline the invitation however I'm sure it will be a splendid ceremony, your lady seemed to me to be a woman who pays great attention to detail so I leave you in good hands >> retorted Marcello.

Leonardo helped him get up and once outside the Headquarters he called a robot taxi which took him to the maglev station where the man took the first train to Turin.

Watching the car drive away he thought back to his years in the Piedmontese city and how much he had enjoyed it.

<<Maybe we'll see each other again one day>> he thought, waving at him.

With another robot taxi he went to the restaurant where Orlando ran towards him, hugging him and trying to kiss him, that day he raised his elbow a little although not excessively because Lucia held him back.

Leonardo sat next to Sofia eating an excellent lobster salad seasoned with pomegranate seeds and extra virgin olive oil.

<<Where have you been so far? Were cheating on me with Aurora?>> he asked him laughing;

<< Today I met someone I hadn't seen for a long time, since I left Turin to be exact.

I was very pleased, however it gave me a great sadness >> he replied to her in a tone of voice halfway between sad and sad, telling her the whole story;

<<Truly heartbreaking>> said Sofia when she had finished listening;

<< I agree but let's not think about it now, let's enjoy this moment >> he replied, shaking her hand, looking at her with a look full of compassion.

The day passed smoothly until Alice's parents noticed that their daughter was looking at Chiara in a rather unmistakable way and then they understood everything.

The mother's name was Phidias, she was a short, stocky woman in her sixties, with blue eyes and gray hair, very religious, so much so that she wore a conspicuous crucifix around her neck.

The father's name was Gianroberto and he was an equally religious man, tall and robust, with brown hair and a gruff look, he had a particular pointed nose flattened on the upper end giving the impression of being a sort of puppet.

Both were fierce conservatives and when the woman noticed her daughter's attitudes she called the attention of her husband, who was distracted by a conversation with Orlando's mother.

also very attentive to their daughter's behavior and did not miss her attitudes towards Alice.

The father's name was Rigoberto, he was a short, plump man with a bulbous nose and languid brown eyes, he always wore blue suspenders and blue shirts with red stripes handmade by his wife named Rosalinda, a woman about five feet seven inches tall. tall, brown hair tied in a chignon, oval face with very plump cheeks and a look always attentive to what was around her.

When she saw her daughter behave in that way towards Alice she immediately pointed it out to her husband by elbowing him in the ribs so violently that it pushed him to the brink of vomiting the lobster he had just eaten.

The four parents looked into each other's eyes, realizing that they had been kept in the dark about the matter by their respective daughters, so they joined forces.

The whole gang moved to Sofia's apartment to sip a typical Sicilian wine, excellent for after a meal and it was on that occasion that the two girls had decided to announce their relationship but were anticipated by their parents.

<< Before you go we have to tell you something >> began Alice looking her mother and father in the eyes;

<< We know, we saw how you stared at each other in the restaurant, it was so obvious that only a blind person wouldn't have noticed it >> her mother replied angrily, surprising her daughter.

At that point the two girls found themselves with their backs against the wall, they had prepared a nice little speech to soften the blow but instead they found themselves sailing in a stormy sea.

<<We don't agree with this relationship, I want to make it clear you>> began Lucia's mother, annoying her daughter;

<< Oh really? I don't need your approval so think what you want, I'm not interested >> he replied;

<< How dare you speak this way to the woman who fathered you? We gave you everything and you repay us like this? It's pure madness >> his father burst in.

Sofia's other guests were rather stunned to witness that drama, they were in 2071 so they thought that certain narrow visions of society and common life were outdated but this was not the case.

<< Alice and I love each other and have been living together for some time >> Chiara revealed with the precise intention of making her loved ones even more furious, succeeding in her aim;

<<If you put it that way then we have nothing to say each other, let's go dear>> replied the mother, getting up from the chair;

<<You lied to us shamelessly, we are your parents and had every right know but instead you did own thing presented with a fait accompli so I'm sorry can't accept it>> added Alice's mother.

The two girls expected some resistance to their announcement but not so much and they were taken aback, not to mention embittered and disappointed.

Sofia immediately noticed their looks and decided to intervene in an attempt to help them.

<< Gentlemen, please don't go away because you might regret it, soon your two daughters will leave for space, going millions of kilometers away from our planet and you don't know if and when you will be able to see them again.

I speak from personal experience when I advise you to enjoy every moment you spend with them before departure >> he began, standing up with his hand clasped in Leonardo's;

<< They lied to us about something so important, we had the right to know beforehand to make our decision freely, but instead, by putting us in front of a fait accompli, they wanted to humiliate us, force us to give our approval >> replied Chiara's father;

<< Maybe the girls made mistakes in managing the situation but they are just girls who met and fell madly in love with each other so I don't understand what their faults are, furthermore you are the parents and you should support them, especially given how much they are about to do. Do you really want this to be your last memory of them?

A violent argument where you don't tell each other how much you love each other? You might regret it for the rest of your life >> added Sofia, sitting down again;

<<Thank you>> Alice whispered to her with tears in her eyes due to the tension.

In the end the adults took a step back, noting that, whatever they said, the situation would not change so it was better to make the best of it.

The most affected was Alice's father who was very close to his daughter and the prospect of having an argument as his last memory terrified him to death.

He had always been certain that his daughter would return home, but now that wasn't the case and he realized that he didn't want to lose her.

<< If this is the case we can't do anything about it, let's take note of the situation and spend some good times together before our daughter embarks.

I don't want to have on my conscience the mistake of not having hugged you one last time >> said the man, turning first to his wife and then to Alice;

<<He's right, we have to accept it now>> added Chiara's father, who was also very close to his daughter and would never have forgiven himself for such a mistake.

The two mothers appeared much more reticent to forgive but in truth they couldn't wait to take a step back and the move of their respective husbands gave them the right foothold.

They pretended to be forced to accept what their spouses had decided, only to then dissolve in a collective embrace.

<< Come back to me my child, whatever happens our door will always be open for you >> Alice's father whispered in his daughter's ear;

<< Thanks dad, I won't forget it >> the daughter replied, hugging him, bursting into tears.

<<Your brothers and sisters are very proud of you sorry they didn't come but as know have school however always brag to their friends about how tough>> added Alice's mother;

<< Thanks mom, I won't disappoint you >> replied the girl;

<< Please be very strong when you are up there and remember that we will always be proud of you.

We will wait for you as long as we live >> added Chiara's father, embracing his daughter;

<< We love you my darling and say hello to the aliens if you ever meet them. You know well that we are proud of your results >> added the girl's mother;

<<I will make you proud of me>> concluded the young woman.

It was such a touching moment that it even made the others in the room cry.

<<Truly a great speech>> whispered Leonardo in the ear of his future wife;

<<No one wants to have bad memories of the people they love, especially if are about embark on dangerous space journeys>> Sofia replied, resting her head on his shoulder.

The rest of the day passed very quickly and the following morning all the parents got on the maglev to return to their respective homes while the kids had another big event to attend, Leonardo and Sofia's wedding.

December 24th arrived and that same morning there was a lot of people coming and going in the bride's house while Leonardo had moved to the apartment below for a few days as he was unable to see Sofia before the wedding.

Even though it was winter, there was splendid sunshine and the temperatures were higher than expected, and there was a certain tension in both apartments.

Sofia's parents had arrived the day before but, unlike Chiara and Alice's, they were very happy to find out that she was pregnant.

At first they feared that the child's father and the groom were two different people but they were reassured when they learned that in both cases it was Leonardo.

Sofia's father had something to laugh about the fact that his daughter's husband had decided to undertake such a long and dangerous space journey leaving his daughter alone and pregnant but it was Sofia herself who reprimanded him.

The future bride didn't expect such a peaceful attitude from her parents, they hadn't spoken to each other for a long time and the way she left many years ago wasn't the most seraphic, having slammed the front door in her mother's face. .

What brought them back to milder advice was the prospect of not being able to see their only grandchild, a scenario that terrified them to the point of making them put aside the ongoing disputes with their daughter by convincing them to participate in her wedding.

That day Sofia once again wore her wedding dress and despite some changes made due to her increasingly swollen belly she looked great wearing that white dress together with the long veil over her face and the large train placed backwards.

<<You are splendid>> Lucrezia told her while the mother of the bride was crying bitterly;

<< I just wanted to let you know that the decoding of Pandora's consciousness is practically finished so soon we will shed light on this mystery too >> Andrea whispered in Sofia's ear making her eyes widen.

Downstairs Leonardo was arranging the final details on his tuxedo and helping him were Orlando and Astolfi with whom the boys had established an excellent relationship that continued even after the end of the training.

<< Maybe I've already said it once but let me say it again: your father and mother would be proud of you. You have become a man, a husband and soon a father >> the officer who was wearing the ceremonial uniform for the occasion told him;

<< For me it is a great privilege to meet you and it will be even more so to fly together among the stars. We will reach Jupiter, we will push ourselves to the edge of the Kuiper belt and return to Earth, I promise you >> added Orlando;

<< Thanks to you, it is a great privilege for me too to have you by my side and as for my parents, I hope that from up there they can look at this moment and be happy for me >> Leonardo replied with tears in his eyes.

The three men were the first to arrive at the church so they positioned themselves waiting for the bride who, as in the best traditions, had to wait a while but eventually arrived.

The organ began to play the wedding march, all those present stood up and when Sofia reached Leonardo at the foot of the altar she was quite moved to see that everything was as she had always dreamed of, she couldn't believe it.

<< Thank you so much my love >> she whispered to her future husband as he lifted her veil.

The ceremony began and when the priest took the oath, Lucrezia and Andrea, who were already crying like fountains, were almost fainting so Astolfi had to intervene to keep them from collapsing to the ground with emotion.

They both said "yes" to each other so Leonardo was able to kiss the bride and at the end of the ceremony they left the church and were covered in rice after which the party moved to "Atlantis" where they had organized the wedding lunch.

It was a beautiful party and when it ended the two spouses went home to their apartment, sitting next to each other on the leather sofa with their heads touching and their hands clasped, they seemed like one person, they were so in symbiosis.

<< I hope the ceremony went as you hoped and I'm very sorry to leave you alone when I leave but I hope you can understand it >> Leonardo began;

<<You don't have to worry, when I decided that you would be the man of my life knew what was getting into so that's fine, obviously calmer if stayed here but wouldn't happy go and come back us>> he replied touching his belly;

<< Speaking of the new arrival, when do you think it happened? >> he asked her.

<<I think it was that morning in the middle of sea, on rocks>> Sofia replied;

<<A beautiful day, I remember it very, very well>> Leonardo said laughing;

<<Today I learned that soon we will discover what Pandora's consciousness hides, both Andrea's algorithm and your Apollo have practically finished their respective analyzes in a few weeks at the latest results>> he told him;

<< Very good, I'm really curious to know what lies behind the mystery >> he told her.

In recent times there had been no incidents relating to artificial intelligence so the Agency had lowered its guard but not Lucrezia whose instinct suggested keeping her antennas straight because further malfunctions could occur at any moment, she just hoped that by then they would have had adequate countermeasures.

The couple decided to spend their honeymoon returning to the old lighthouse where they had been a few years before but this time the room in which they stayed had all the comforts of the case so as to make Sofia especially comfortable, being pregnant she could not afford the same stunts of the past.

They spent some very pleasant moments during which they remembered when they had seen each other for the first time at the Astronautical Headquarters.

After spending several days there, on December 31st they returned to Palermo where Orlando was organizing the end-of-year party.

Sofia offered to host him in her apartment as it was spacious enough but during the celebrations they received some news that was as beautiful as it was shocking and which the landlady didn't like at all.

Astolfi showed up at the apartment around one in the morning while they were talking about this and that, announcing that on January 8th they would leave for the Earth space station.

Usually the Agency made future astronauts complete at least another year of preparation in which they worked in the communications center and so on but in their case Carigge had immediately given the green light for the flight.

Given the excellent results achieved during the two years of training, he did not deem it appropriate to make them wait any longer before sending them into space.

<<I can't believe it, oh my God it's crazy, I have to call parents>> Alice said in the throes of emotion, jumping from one part of the house to another;

<< I also have to inform my parents >> added Orlando, followed closely by everyone else except Leonardo.

<< Don't worry, for now it's just a matter of doing a few laps around the Earth >> he said turning to Sofia, whose face had darkened;

<<I know>> he limited himself to answering him even if he was a little afraid;

<<It will just be a formality>> added Leonardo;

"If you say so," Sofia cut short, on the verge of bursting into tears.

Since she had become pregnant, every feeling or mood swing she had had significantly amplified so she had to refrain from screaming in his face, however the effort was so Herculean that she was forced to lie down on the bed.

<<How did you take it?>> asked Lucia referring to Sofia;

<< Not good but sooner or later it would have happened >> Leonardo replied with a worried look.

In the following days the entire team shuttled between the Astronautical Headquarters and Lampedusa where the launch towers were located.

The technicians began loading the Brunelleschi, at the top of which was the Pigafetta, the spacecraft used for trips around the Earth. In fact, the Agency had the astronauts carry out a mission around the planet before embarking them for deep space.

On January 6, Astolfi held a briefing on the island of Lampedusa, explaining what the mission they would have to face consisted of.

<< Good morning everyone, I know you are very excited and you are right to be because it will be your first time in space. I still remember mine and it's a unique sensation, only those who experience it can understand but let's get to the point.

Your task will be to get on the Pigafetta and once in orbit do a few laps around the planet making sure that all systems are functioning then you will dock at the space station where you will remain for fifteen days at the end of which you will return to Earth.

The Agency considers it more of a formality, we are in 2072 so traveling around our planet should be as easy as breathing however we want you to experience a bit of space before embarking on longer and more complex expeditions.

During the journey and your stay in the station you will wear your intra-vehicular suit which we have tailor-made for each of you, however when you carry out the EVA activities you will wear the extra-vehicular suit which you will carry with you in the Pigafetta.

Once you enter the space station you will know which experiments you will have to conduct, having said that I have nothing else to say to you other than wishing you good luck and recommending you keep your nerves. Remember what you learned during training and there will be no problems >> said the officer dismissing them from the briefing.

The boys were so excited that they didn't know what to say so they simply nodded their heads and once out of the meeting they returned to Palermo.

The evening before the launch they met at Sofia's house because no one could sleep.

<< But do you think about it? Tomorrow we will go into space, I still can't believe that Carigge wanted to accelerate our entry onto the scene so much >> Lucia began;

<< I'm happy, I couldn't wait to leave. Finally it's getting serious >> added Orlando, looking at his friends in disbelief;

<< It's neither hot nor cold for me, I came here to make my dream come true and I finally succeeded so well >> Alice retorted.

<< It's our job, we chose it well aware of what awaited us so let's enjoy this sweet wait because tomorrow we take off >> concluded Leonardo.

The following morning all six took an eVTOL from Palermo airport landing in Lampedusa heading to the launch towers where the five astronauts would board the Pigafetta before it was mounted on the Brunelleschi and launched into orbit.

Sofia escorted them as far as she could and when she was stopped because she couldn't go any further she gave her Leonardo a long kiss on the lips who immediately returned it.

<< Don't worry, I'll come back to you soon >> he said to her in a reassuring tone, kissing her belly then he gently released her hand and walked towards the ship while Sofia looked at him with her hands crossed as if she were in prayer.

<< Guys we're here, that's the entrance to Pigafetta but before going I want to tell you something. Even if it is "just" a journey around the Earth, know that I am proud of all of us, I would not want to undertake this undertaking with anyone else >> Leonardo began, embracing his companions one by one;

<< If we start like this I risk crying so let's get moving >> Orlando replied.

They changed into their intravehicular suits then walked down the ramp that separated them from the Pigafetta and finally entered the spacecraft which, once closed properly, was lifted into the air by a mechanical arm and placed on the top of Brunelleschi.

Inside the aircraft there was a ghostly silence, none of the five of them dared to say a word, they wanted to savor that moment until the end and even Orlando, usually the most talkative of the company, could not help but remain silent.

They arranged themselves in a semicircle with Leonardo at the command post and even if the spacecraft was set to automatic guidance mode, occupying that position meant being the captain of the expedition.

<< Guys we're here, we're about to start the countdown >> Astolfi told them.

In the meantime, Sofia joined the officer in the control room from where she could follow every moment of the launch, praying that everything would go smoothly despite the fact that the Pigafetta boasted a high level of reliability, in fact since it had been in service it had never had an accident.

<< Countdown started >> said Astolfi.

The timer that marked the remaining time before the start of the mission appeared on the internal display of the Pigafetta. As the seconds passed, each of the five astronauts felt like getting up and leaving but they couldn't and they knew it well.

They held hands while Aurora also arrived in the control room, excluded from that mission by her own request, not wanting to find herself in space with those who had rudely rejected her, preferring to wait for the next expedition.

Sofia recognized her immediately, she was the same beautiful girl she had admired during the graduation ceremony.

She looked like a princess and she was envious of it, however she was happy to remember that their object of contention, Leonardo, had chosen her and not her rival.

If there was time in the control room to think about the gossip in the Pigafetta, the hearts of the five boys were exploding with emotion and tension, when they heard the Brunelleschi's engines turn on every organ of their body began to jump inside them.

<< Here we go, take off! >> Astolfi exclaimed.

The rocket gained more and more power as it left the ground and gained altitude.

<< Finally we're leaving! >> Orlando shouted at the top of his lungs;

<<Shut up for heaven's sake or you'll shatter my eardrums>> Chiara reproached him, who had to vent all the accumulated tension on someone.

Brunelleschi took off and for Sofia it was a fatal blow to see him climb so high carrying his beloved so far away, in fact she fainted instantly being grabbed by the very Aurora who had hoped to steal Leonardo from her.

The Pigafetta reached the pre-established altitude, starting the undocking maneuvers from the rocket while from the windows you could admire the change of landscape, in a few minutes it had gone from the blue terrestrial sky to the black space sky dotted with stars.

<< Detachment from Brunelleschi completed, insertion into the expected orbit successful >> Pandora communicated.

At that point the ball passed to Leonardo, everyone looked at him waiting to receive orders but at first he couldn't say a word, paralyzed by emotion.

<< Captain what are the orders? >> Alice asked, understanding that her friend needed a shock;

<< Yes right, first remove your seat belts as we have reached the expected orbit, after which Chiara will be the pilot while Orlando and I will take care of checking that everything is in order.

Alice and Lucia will be in charge of controlling Pandora, in case of problems let us know immediately >> Leonardo replied trying to appear confident;

<< Captain's orders >> they responded in chorus;

<< Tell the truth, you had prepared it >> Orlando whispered in his friend's ear as they began to become familiar with microgravity;

<<You can swear to it>> Leonardo replied laughing.

They floated in the air as light as feathers, they looked like superheroes and every now and then they looked out the windows admiring that fantastic geoid called Earth showing itself in all its splendor before their eyes.

Thanks to the training carried out, they immediately adapted to the new condition, they had no problems.