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Pretty, Please!

Chapter Nine ~ Reentry

By Sasha Zarya Nexus

What will be the team's reception when they return to Space Camp?

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Even with the lunar landscape going by in all its wonder, a drive after a while tends to be a bit more of the same. It was little wonder that the girls had their attention wonder a bit and thoughts of the story they had heard become more important.

Linda looked at me in amazement, "Granny, was that us all grown up on the Pathfinder?"

"Would you like it to be?"

"Oh yes, Granny, yes!" exclaimed Julia.

"Girls back then I was only a girl myself. Even now with what I know and what I know of you two, I really can't say that the women on the Pathfinder were you two all grown up. If you want the women on that starship to be you then you will want to study really hard and do your best. From what I understood only the best and the brightest got to be crew on the Starship Pathfinder. Your future is what you make of it so make it a good one."

"I will Granny, I want to grow up and be an astronaut one day just like you." admitted Julia.

"I'm going to be the best Linda that I can be, Granny"

"That's all anyone can ask of you, girls is to do your best."

"Granny, you tell the best stories. Can we hear more, pretty, please?" asked Julia.

"Pretty, please Granny! I want to find out where you and your friends landed after leaving the Starship Pathfinder?" added Linda.

"Of course, my darlings!" And with the rover on auto-drive back to Luna City, I once again told the girls about what I had done when I was a girl.

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The team and I found ourselves back at Space Camp. We still were in the circle that we had been in when we had left the Starship Pathfinder. Our gear had also come along with us and still remained just as it was in the center. We hit the target right back in the Control Room where we had left. Gloria was alone in the room even though there was activity in the rest of the training facility with Space Campers all around visible on the monitors which ordinarily would be showing interiors of the Space Shuttle Simulator.

Gloria let out a squeal and ran up and hugged me. "I'm so glad you all are back! I'm sure you have questions but if we could hold them till we get to the NASA van. Please follow me."

As Gloria led us to a maintenance corridor, she pulled out a walkie talkie and spoke, "Code Red 18" With all we had been thru, we really showed a lot of restraint but finally we came thru the exit as the sun was setting in the west overhead. We entered a waiting NASA van which was a little different in that the seats were laid out along the van sides. We all sat in a circle around Gloria and waited for her to indicate to the driver to get started when we were all settled.

"First, welcome home everyone. I am glad to see each and every one of you. By the way, I care about each of you but the reason that I only hugged Rose is that she is really my Aunt. We kept that quiet because I didn't want to be reassigned."

I replied, "That's right. Gloria is my niece. When we were accidentally put together, I agreed to not mention our connection. "

Gloria continued, "Now on to some things that you all will want to know then some time for questions. We are on our way to the Marshall Space Flight Center. Your families are there and you'll see them then. You have been missing since day three of your special two week program. It's now the evening of day twelve of the program and your graduation day for Space Camp is on day fourteen. Of course you all are excused from further activities and you all have earned the chance to graduate with the rest of your fellow Space Campers."

Gloria paused for a moment to catch her breath and collect her thoughts. "After you all appeared and then vanished, we did some investigation before it was decided what action to take. We discovered thru the flight recorder in the Shuttle Simulator about Gigi's ability to do space time folding. Using some classified method, the experts determined that you all were no longer on the Earth. An amber alert was not issued but discreet word thru government channels was circulated to keep an eye out for you. We hoped that you would find your way back. Greg and I have been taking 12 hour shifts looking out at the control room for you. The Space Campers have been using an alternate Control Room instead. We were chosen instead of agents to keep watch since it would not have helped you to set off a panic in Space Camp over your disappearance which was kept quiet. Of course your families were notified and asked to keep it quiet as well. They were invited to come to Marshall to live so they could be close to the effort to try to find out where you had gone."

Gloria paused again, "That's all I can remember right now. I'd like to get one of you, Josh, to tell me about what happened to you so I can arrange for your needs for food and rest. NASA will want to talk to each of you about your experiences, later."

"When we disappeared we appeared on a starship about 170 years in the future. We spent about 6 hours there. We helped solve some problems they were having. We didn't have a formal meal together but each of us had what we wanted to eat and drink while we were there. They diagnosed Gigi with Harry Benjamin Syndrome and cured her so she was made whole. After we helped them with their problems they were able to send us home. I guess they missed putting us back when we left from but when traveling back in time 170 years, missing it by nine days isn't that bad. We are sorry that our absence worried everyone. I guess that is all I can remember."

"Thank you, Josh. We'll arrange for a meal after you meet your families and for you to all get a chance to get some sleep. We'll delay the information exchange until tomorrow. If any of you have something urgent you would like to discuss with an official, there will be people available for that. I've alerted everyone that we are on our way so everything should be ready for our arrival. I'll check in with them about your needs then I'll be ready to take questions."

Gloria pulled out her walkie talkie again and spoke into it. "Code Red 18. Meal and Sleep required. Request debrief delayed until tomorrow. Out."

"Sorry about that, now are there any questions?"

Jinx asked," Are we in trouble?"

"To the contrary, you all are the equivalent of national heroes except that for national security purposes this whole experience is going to be classified. You are all national treasures."

Mark asked, "Does that mean that we are going to be put into laboratories and studied?"

"Your talents are not going to be wasted like that. The only way for you all to achieve your true potential is to live your lives on your terms. If we were to do something like that we could alter future events and accomplishments. It’s true that you may be kept tabs on for your own good and to protect the national treasure that you are. You are not unlike a space explorer like John Glenn who also is a national treasure but has been free to live his life and the nation has reaped the benefits of his accomplishments since his historic flight."

Amanda asked, "Are we still going to be able to choose our futures instead of being guided to put our energies into something that the government thinks is the greater good?"

"The greatest good is for you all to follow your dreams. You will have a chance to make known your choices for college and you will be assisted in going to college where you wish to attend. But the choice will still be yours to choose a college or not to attend at all. Your efforts will likely be supported but they will be your efforts."

I asked, "What about Space Camp? It's great that our little adventure qualifies us to graduate but we have all missed out on most of the things that we came here to learn."

"You'll be able to attend, as a group if you wish, a future session of Space Camp Space Academy at no charge. The special 2 week program that you all were to attend is unavailable but you all may attend the standard 8 day camp which presents an equivalent educational experience in a slightly compressed time frame. NASA has other educational opportunities at each of its centers which will be available to you all at no cost as well."

Gigi asked, "Was it the warp field that we left in the simulator control center that made them realize that we were no longer on the earth?"

"The short answer is yes. I'm in no way able to understand what happened but the experts said that the warp field they detected indicated that you had left the earth. They explained it to me that it was like reentry of a lunar mission. If the angle is too steep then you burn up and if it is too shallow you skip off into space and they said that you had skipped off to parts unknown."

"What are the next few days going to be like?" asked Josh

"You'll have some family time tonight like I indicated and spend the night with them at the Marshal Space Flight Center. In the morning, you all will have a series of debriefings and testing and more family time to be concluded by tomorrow evening when you all will return to Space Camp as if nothing had happened. Graduation Day will be normal for Space Camp and you will all participate in the Graduation Assembly and will graduate. After that you all will be free to return home with your families who will be present for graduation."

 

Gloria looked around and asked, "Are there any more questions?"

She did not hear anyone speak up so she continued. "Good! And we have good timing because we are arriving at the building where your families are gathered. When the van stops, please follow me and I will lead you all to them."

We were all in good spirits as the van stopped in front of one of the buildings at the Marshal Space flight center. Gloria led us from the van into the building where each of our families were clustered in their own group waiting to smother each of us in a group hug. I looked over at Gigi who was first thru getting smothered by her parents and sister. She was getting the good reception that Daddy had said that she would get since they accepted her. There was some surprise and a squeal from her mother and sister when they realized that she was totally female now. I was the last off the bus and I reached my family including Gloria who smothered me in a great big group hug. I greeted each of them by name as we hugged.

When we had broken apart, Gloria took me by the hand and led me and my family to a large room which felt like home once inside with couches and chairs and tables. Refreshments were set up in one corner of the room. The different families within our large family grouped together on couches waiting for me to come around and visit with them. My first mother Violet and first sister Daisy were sitting together with my second Mother, Miriam. I hugged them all and waited for them to speak first since I wanted to talk with all three of them the same. I was curious about Daisy because she was bandaged as if she had been in some kind of fight although she was enthusiastic and upbeat.

Violet started," It's so good to see you again, Rose. Much has happened since you were gone. Some of it may be hard to hear, but its things you need to know. I'm in process of divorcing Mr. Moore. He has become so mentally unstable that he began verbally abusing Daisy and the last straw was reached when he became physically violent swinging his fists at her. We have a protective order keeping him away from us. From what I can tell from what the doctors said prior to our separation is that he's always been mentally unstable but the stress he created tipped him over the edge and he started acting on what his feelings have been for a long time. I don't know how he managed to deceive me all those years. Miriam has been very kind in our hour of need. She heard what happened and invited us to live at her home."

I touched Violet who had been my first Momma on the shoulder and I looked deep into her eyes as I spoke to her. "Oh, Violet, I am so sorry that you had to go thru that. I'm glad that you got out of that situation for both your sakes.".

I turned to Daisy, who originally was my sister, "Daisy, are you alright?"

"I feel fine big sister now that you are back. I was so worried about you. I thought that I would never see you again. I guess it helped me get thru the trauma along with the therapy and medical help, to care about you instead of having my own misfortune the only thing on my mind. We have a great home and I've learned to love your other Mother, Miriam, too."

Looking over at Daisy, even though she was caught up with the reunion, she seemed to be upset about something, "How are you coping with leaving Charlotte behind, Daisy?"

Instead of letting Daisy answer, Miriam, who had been my second Momma, answered for her.

"Candy, they did not have to leave it behind. I've found a wonderful home in Charlotte and I felt like if I were living within easy flying distance of the farm, you could stop in to see me when I am home. I had heard thru the grapevine that you and Josh were becoming an item so I thought that might be another good reason for you to visit. When I heard about your first mother and sister's misfortune, I invited them to live with me. It gives them a nice place to live for free and they can watch the house for me while I am away on my many business trips. You have your own room as always and you can visit as often as you like."

"Thank you, Miriam. You have been very kind to me and to my former mother and sister. Thank you for saving a place for me to stay with you. It will be a triple treat to visit with all three of you there. I hope to get to Charlotte soon to see where you all live and where my room will be when I visit."

Daisy listened patiently as Miriam spoke to me and I answered her but I could see on her face she felt very upset about something, It just wasn't the move like I had guessed before.

"Daisy, I can see you are happy to see me but there seems to be something else. Is there something bothering you?"

"Oh Rose!" Daisy started crying and I hugged her tight and let her get it all out. When she had finished, we got some tissue and she dried her eyes and with a smile and a squeeze of her hand from me, Daisy found the strength to continue.

'"Rose, I am so sorry for helping Daddy to throw you out of our family, Rose. The way he explained it, we were helping you by putting an end to Ross. What I did not realize was that it was all about him being paranoid about being ostracized over having a trans-daughter. He could not rejoice because you were whole. In fact, it made it worse for him because he realized that you were not going back."

Violet stopped her and gave her a hug. ”It's okay sweetie. He deceived me too. What's done is done. What's nice is that even with the new reality that has evolved, we are still family. I'm now Rose' sister instead of mother and you're Rose's niece instead of her sister. In our hearts we will always have both relationships even if the world only sees the one."

Violet smiled at Violet and addressed us both, "Thanks, Momma. Rose, I guess you are aware that Daddy has run amuck. I guess I realized it when I recognized that he started referring to you as Ross as though that was a person completely separate from the person you are now. Since I could do that imitation of you as Ross, He made me up to look like Ross. I did the preflight and taxied the plane to the end of the runway for take off. I removed the disguise and placed a dummy in the pilot's seat. I jumped out of the plane to the ground, which was screened by a diversion and got clear. I was able to make it out of the area to safety after the plane took off. Daddy used a remote control, for which the plane had been rigged, made the plane take off. He flew the plane away and crashed it into a mountain. There was extra fuel on board inside the cabin, which consumed everything when it crashed. The authorities had no choice but to declare you who they only knew as Ross dead."

"I know it took a lot for you to reveal all of that to me, Daisy. Little Sis, it's going to be alright and I forgive you for your unknowing part. As things have turned out, your Daddy, who was the main obstacle for us to be together again is out of the picture. Obviously, things are different now that I am back from my adventure in the future. It became possible for me to be able to live at the same time as Ross growing up with you and as Candy being raised by your new friend, Miriam. I believe that it was destined for me to grow up as Candy too because the magic that made me female also made me physically your Grandfather's and Miriam's child. My trip into the future made it possible for me to grow up as I feel that I should have been able to do as a girl."

"I'm glad you got to grow up as a girl, Rose. Even with the magic making it that we are not physically sisters anymore, we will always be sisters in our hearts and souls."

"Daisy you and I will always be sisters forever! I love you, Sis. Daisy, the powers that be want you to have a clear mind about what happened. I've been given the means to obtain a presidential pardon for what you did. The Government will see that nothing from the tragedy ever comes to light. Like what your momma said, what's done is done and we can't do anything to undo it. What counts now is what we make of the future. I believe we can make it a wonderful one, Daisy. I love you. Somehow my life in the future will become all about getting this chance for us and I want us to take full advantage of it."

"Oh, Rose, I love you, too. Thank you! Thank you! Now we can just look to our future without worrying about the past." Daisy gave me a hug and a kiss, I could see on her face that her burden was gone and that made me very happy.

"If you have no questions of me, I'll go on to visit with other family members so I can catch up with them as well." They were holding their other questions since I knew they were bursting to know about my adventure away. They each gave me a hug and a kiss on the cheek and sent me on my way to visit with the others.

The next group of family that I sat down to visit with was my Momma and Daddy, who had originally been my Grandparents. I enjoyed the hugs I received. I felt a little guilty for visiting with them second but I hoped they would understand that of all the family there, they were the ones that I least expected to see.

"Momma and Daddy, i am so glad to be back and I am so sorry for worrying you both. Please forgive me for visiting with Violet, Daisy and Miriam first. I was pretty shocked to see them here and after everything that went on. I needed to reconnect with them."

Daddy took me in his arms and said, "We understand, Sweetie. Your Mother and I were very glad to see your reunion with them. It's just so wonderful to have you back safe and sound. "

Momma grabbed my hands and squeezed them, “Darling, we just want you to be happy. Even as fantastic as your adventures so far have been, this is just the beginning of your life which will be full of surprises and achievements. It just runs in the family, Darling. You are destined to do great things."

"So it would seem, Momma. I met a wonderful girl at Space Camp named Gigi and both of us met ourselves as old women in that far future. I guess we became life long friends because together we made it possible for the Starship which we landed inside to exist. There is no telling what kinds of accomplishments made it possible for us to be taken seriously for such a project to become reality."

"We met Gigi's parents, of course. Your Daddy secretly met with them when you made the appeal to help her. It's wonderful how they let us help, Gigi and how they have become adjusted to being the parents of a Trans-Daughter. They genuinely love her unconditionally just the way she is. They are ready to go thru everything with her that it will take to make her whole."

"Gigi's parents got a surprise! It was a gift that our future selves gave to us. Gigi is whole now! In the future there is a diagnostic tool and it is a physical condition and not simply a psychological one. They have a cure and they gave it to Gigi. She's a normal girl just like me now!"

"That's wonderful, Sweetheart. I'm glad that they are better able to accept a miracle than your original father who finally showed his true nature."

"I got a gift too as you know, since you got to meet me as Candy. That was made possible thru technology that turned me into a five year old girl and sent me back in time to take over when the original Candy died. For me this trip has been much longer than all the others since I was away for nine years as I grew up as Candy. It was a precious gift and i am so glad I got to grow up as a girl."

"We are glad for you too, Sweetie. Your Mother and I are proud of you and all that you have accomplished so far in your young life. There will be time later to catch up more. Why don't you go visit your other sisters?"

"Thanks, Daddy and Momma. I love you!" We gathered in a group hug as they both told me, "I love you, too." We broke the hug and I went on to where my sister Jessica and her family were sitting.

 

Jessica and her husband, Roger, Joy and of course Gloria, greeted me warmly then we all sat down to chat. Much of our conversation went along the same lines with me receiving their love and relief that I was okay. It was so comforting that after my perception that I had been given that they were against me that the reality was different.

I finished up my visiting with Natalie and her husband Luke and their daughters, Hope and Faith. I found that even though they initially went along with the blackmail, after they realized like my original mother did that he was dangerously unstable, they turned back to what was right. They asked my forgiveness which I freely gave them. We parted with a group hug.

Just as we concluded, an announcement revealed that they were ready for us to go in to dinner. The family who had been there for a while knew just where to go so I followed them into the cafeteria. Of course our families grouped together at the tables and it seemed like I had the most family in attendance but all of my fellow travelers were surrounded by some very happy folks.

The meal that they served us tasted marvelous but I would have settled for oatmeal to be able to be gathered again with my family. After the main meal concluded, a desert table was provided in a reception room next door. All of the families mingled along with NASA Officials which were available in case there was something urgent that one of us or our families had something urgent to get taken care of. I was really amazed to see the current NASA Administrator in attendance. I was glad that they were taking things seriously so I excused myself from the family around me and went to talk with him.

"Mr. Administrator, it is a pleasure to meet you,"

"As I am to meet you, Rose. I am told that you are quite a remarkable young woman."

"Thank you sir, I am carrying a message from the future to the President of the United States from his counterpart in the future. There are a number of instructions outside the sealed message to validate it as important for the President to see."

"I would be glad to see to that for you, Rose. You have not seen the contents?"

"No, sir. I was told that the message was for the President's eyes only. As fantastic as this circumstance is, I would imagine that it would be important to leave any validation of its authenticity intact." I handed him the sealed message and instructions from the pocket on my flight suit where I had placed them for safe keeping.

"Thank you, Rose. I'll see to this now." He took the items and exited the room. I was glad that the message was in good hands. I knew that once the President saw the message that he would issue the pardons that would free my former father and Daisy.

Just then I saw Gigi with her family and motioning me over. I went to join her along with her parents and sister.

"Rose, I'm so glad that you could meet my family," She turned to her father and I turned to him as well, "This is my father, Adam Chase. Daddy this is my friend, Rose Abbott."

"I'm so glad to meet you Mr. Chase." Mr. Chase gave me a friendly hug.

"I'm glad to meet you too, Rose. Gigi has told me what a good friend that you have been."

"Thanks, Mr. Chase. She's an amazing girl and a good friend to me as well."

"Rose, this is my mother, Evelyn Chase. Momma, this is my friend, Rose Abbott."

"I'm glad to meet you Mrs. Chase." Mrs. Chase gave me a warm hug that mothers all know just how to give.

"Thank you Rose. I'm really glad to meet you as well."

"Rose this is my sister, Louisa." Louisa gave me a sisterly hug and I knew we would get along fine just like Gigi and I had gotten along.

"I'm glad to meet you, Louisa. You've got a wonderful sister."

"Likewise, Rose. I'm so glad she looks like my sister now. We'll have a chance to do so many things that we've missed out on up to now once I get her home."

 

"Sis, I am going to hold you to that. I'm looking forward to us really being sisters together."

"You can count on me, Sis." Louisa smiled so big that I could only imagine what she had in mind for Gigi. I had gained three sisters as a result of my life change but it had separated me from the sister that I had grown up with the first time around.

"Mr. Chase, I'm glad that you are taking everything that has happened so calmly."

"About the only thing that I didn't take calmly was Gigi and all of you disappearing for nine days. I was so glad that your father was able to help Gigi so much I can understand her being concerned about our reaction but she need not have been. Your Daddy contacted me with what you wanted him to do to help Gigi. I asked him to act in my stead because I knew that this was tough enough for her to face. I knew that when you were ready, Gigi, you'd tell me in your own time."

"Daddy, I'm glad that you are so good to me. I should have never doubted you. There are horror stories of Fathers who react badly to their perception that they are losing their child. I thought that once you saw me as I should be then you would understand."

"I do understand, sweetheart. Your mother and I really were fortunate that we did get a chance to ease into knowing that we had a trans-girl for a child before coming face to face with you. We even had some pictures of how you looked which helped. We were getting into being ready to put everything in place to ease your transition into the person that you needed to be. It threw us for a loop that somehow you had become whole already."

"Gigi, I was so glad that you were going to be able to avoid all that turmoil. It's tragic that since there does not exist a definitive medical test yet that there is a reliance now on the psychological symptoms to diagnose. Professionals feel like they need to wait until adulthood to make sure adolescence is no longer a factor confusing their diagnosis since they are only looking at the symptoms."

"Momma, I am so lucky that in the future they not only had a definitive test to diagnose me with what they called Harry Benjamin Syndrome, but they also had the means to make me whole so that I can be a normal girl having periods and one day when married to someone I love, get pregnant. Even so if they had a definitive test now, it could be treated like any other congenital defect and start treatment as soon as possible. Think of being able to administer the test like the others that they do to newborns and knowing the true gender of the child is and being able to make things as right as they can right now."

"Sweetheart, my heart goes out to all of them. I thank the stars that you are my healthy girl." Of course that called for a group hug and I felt good to be included in it. I only hoped that my birth father would someday show the same unconditional love for me that Gigi's family had for her.

Gigi's Daddy seemed concerned about her well being, needing to sleep. He made their excuses and I took leave of them as they led her to where they were staying in preparations to going to bed.

I was getting kinda tired myself but seeing Josh gave me a new burst of energy. Having caught his eye, I made my way over to chat with him and his parents. I greeted all of them with a smile and a cheery, "Hi everyone!" Josh greeted me with a hug and then we turned to his parents so he could introduce me to them. He initially directed me to his Father. It was going to be strange feigning being a stranger when I knew both his Father and Mother so well after spending so much time at his house.

"Rose, this is my Father, Ted Garner. Dad, this is my girlfriend, Rose Abbott." My eyes lit up on hearing myself introduced to Josh's Father as his girlfriend. Of course that was who I was and I felt so good that Josh felt so good about our relationship that he introduced me that way. Mr. Garner greeted me with a polite handshake as if he wasn't exactly sure how to react to the news that I was his son's girlfriend.

"I'm so glad to meet you, Rose. Josh speaks very highly of you and your ability to help him keep the group together when you all were stranded so far from home. The Abbott family has a great reputation and you represent them well."

"I'm glad to meet you too, Mr. Garner. It's easy to see that Josh's rugged handsome looks run in the family. Thank you for your kind words."

Both of us turned to face Josh's Mother and he continued the introductions.

"Rose, this is my Mother, Elizabeth Garner. Mom, this is my girlfriend, Rose Abbott." I received another warm motherly hug from Mrs. Garner. She smiled at me and I smiled back.

"I'm glad to meet you, Rose. This must be an challenging time for your family after losing your nephew, Ross. I liked Ross even though there were times when only we two were together when I felt that Ross wasn't quite what you would expect from a young man. Josh and Ross seemed inseparable, which is why I knew him because Ross often visited Josh. When news came about Ross's untimely death, Josh was crushed. I am so glad that you entered his life, dear, and helped him get over his grief."

"I'm glad to meet you, Mrs. Garner. I'd love to take credit for Josh's getting over his grief, but we helped each other thru the experience. I would credit more of the success to the challenges that we had to work together to overcome. Josh has been wonderful thru all of it and I am so glad that he is my boyfriend."

"How are you two handling the fact that after Space Camp Graduation, the day after tomorrow, you two will be parted?"

"Mom, we really have not had the time to think about it. I guess when Graduation day comes it will be foremost on our minds. We'll deal with it. I love you, Rose."

Talking about surprises, It took me off guard for Josh to declare his love for me in front of his parents. I had a ready response."

"I love you too, Josh. Mrs. Garner, we don't have to lose touch. My Daddy is having a private airstrip put in at the farm. We both are pilots so we can get together as often as possible."

Josh and I leaned over and kissed. Even though I knew it was not the time or place for one of Josh's passionate kisses, I could not help but want for more. I hoped that we might find a chance to steal that kind of kiss later.

"I'm glad that you two are so committed to each other. With your ability to overcome obstacles, I have no doubt that if you two want to be together, nothing will be able to keep you apart."

"I have the same feeling about them, honey. It's so wonderful to see young love among two outstanding young people."

Mrs. Garner reached over and touched me on the shoulder. "Rose, I'd like to go to the powder room. Would you like to come with me?" Somehow I felt that this was not just to include me in the family. I of course was curious what she really had in mind.

"Of course, Mrs. Garner."

"Please sweetie, call me Beth."

"Sure, Beth." We took our leave of the guys and made our way to the Ladies room. In stead of proceeding beyond the beautifully appointed lounge which was decorated in a very feminine style with comfortable couches and chairs, Beth took a seat and motioned for me to take one across from her.

"I imagine you are curious why I wanted to talk with you, Rose, but its about you formerly being Ross." She sounded so certain of that fact that I was a little unsure of myself. Josh knew but I could trust him to keep his word to not tell anyone, not even his mother.

 

"How are you so sure of that? It takes a great deal of faith to believe that since I was born Candy Caldwell to my mother, Miriam Caldwell out of wedlock. I spent my girlhood away at a boarding school to permit my mother to start and maintain her business. I found out later about my father and why they both felt that even with the demands on my mother's time it was more proper for her to raise me since he was not going to give up his family so we could not be together. When both of them decided that I was old enough to choose my life, I chose to become adopted by my birth father and his wife. At that time, I chose to begin my new life by having my name changed to Rose Leigh Abbott. I felt as long as I was going to change my last name, that I could also change my first and middle names too. My mother continues as my guardian as well. It was my decision on how to make the best of an unusual situation."

"I am aware of those facts but I am also aware that you have come from a future where impossible things become possible. Max becoming Gigi and becoming whole is one example. Even if I had not known that your contact with the future could have changed things, I have learned to trust my perceptions. When Ross was around our home with Josh, I learned that with out a doubt that Ross's gender was female. I got to know her pretty well and my perceptions of you are the same as what I received from Ross. It doesn't matter that it's impossible, that is what I believe."

I broke down and wept on Beth's shoulder. When I was thru I felt I had to tell Beth everything.

"Beth, you are right. First time around I was born as Ross. My cousins and I discovered some magic at Grandmother's farm house and I became Rose. At first I was going to stay with my Grand parents for a little while to get used to being a girl physically. Something snapped in my Daddy and he blackmailed the family if I were to ever come home again. Eventually the blackmail was not enough and then Daddy faked my death as Ross and I could never come home again. That left me without an identity so I felt and my grand parents felt too that unless I could establish a new identity that I would be exposing Daddy's fraud."

"I understand that your need for a new identity wasn't your fault. I'm glad that he is being treated for his mental illness. Please continue, Rose."

"Granddaddy had a daughter out of wedlock who was about my age. Tragically that child died of a heart attack when she was five under circumstances that her death was not verifiable. We discovered thru genetic testing that I had become thru the magic that lady and my grandfather's child. The mother agreed to go along with my taking the identity of her dead daughter and explain the lack of contact with me having attended a boarding school somewhere. Otherwise there was no verification of my supposed life until my trip to the future. They were able to change me into a 5 year old girl and send me back in time to live the missing 9 years of Candy's life and then bring me back to the future to go home with everyone else."

"It seems that you were destined to become Miriam's daughter and you helped each other thru a difficult time. I feel now that you are keeping this secret for the right reasons and you renew my faith in you."

 

"I'm sorry, Beth. If my birth father would not have thrown me away to eliminate any chance of going back, then I would never have been a need for another identity. I would have led my life the way Gigi is doing now. I and the others who know are keeping the secret to protect primarily my original father but the family as a whole from the repercussions. Besides the Abbott family, only Josh knows and now you. I'm in love with your son so I couldn't let him grieve me, even if him knowing meant I would lose him. "

"Rose, you have proven yourself a woman of integrity under difficult circumstances. I understand and admire you for keeping your secret and for knowing who to trust to share that secret with. I will not betray your trust. I believe you will become part of my family so eventually my husband, Ted, will need to be told, but since it's your secret, it should be you who tells him. You will know the time."

"Beth, you knew I was really a girl?"

"Yes, Rose. I could tell that you had a facade but your true self came thru enough that Josh cared for you as a good friend. Now that the facade is gone, your true self shines thru. You will be asked to keep secrets thru out your life, but as long as it is for the greater good rather than personal gain, it is a good secret to keep. Rose, when Josh decides to make you a formal member of the family I will welcome you with open arms. You have already been a de-facto member of our family and I am very happy to have you for a daughter and continue to offer you a place in our hearts."

 

"Thank you so much, Beth. How could a girl be so lucky? I now have four mothers. I am truly blessed."

"Come, Rose! The men in our lives will be convinced that we have fallen in by now. Let's go rejoin them."

"Thanks, Beth I feel you are right. Let's go!"

We did go back and rejoin her husband and my Josh. Soon after, my new parents came by to collect me to retire for the evening. I got a chance to make the introductions and everyone became better acquainted. Even though the Garners were well acquainted with my birth parents, they had never met my adoptive parents and it was a joy to see everyone interacting. Somewhere in my mind's eye I imagined something similar happening as the families got together for something momentous like my marriage to Josh when the time was right.

My parents and I took my leave of Josh and his parents. I managed to steal away from everyone for a moment just before that to get a proper goodnight kiss and Josh delivered just as he always did, as I basked in the excitement I felt from head to toe in the warm feeling that rushed over me. I was floating on a cloud as Momma guided me to our quarters. After I managed to change into my nightgown and remove my makeup, Momma saw that I was tucked into my bed for the night

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Upon getting up, there was waiting for me a message from the NASA Administrator. It said that I would not have to go to Washington to see the President. He was coming here. The stated reason was to pay tribute to all of us space campers and our accomplishment. He had received the message from the future and he wanted to see me.

After having a breakfast with our families, it was NASA's turn to talk with us. Our debriefing happened individually, in groups, and all of us together. We went over and over everything. About the only thing that I did not have to do is to give a minute by minute account of the nine years I was away from the others learning to be a girl as a little girl and growing up. They took my word that the world that resulted from my time traveling was almost identical to the one I left behind. We knew that the future was radically different from what was expected by the very fact that there was a Starship in existence. While I did not engage in any world class meddling as a girl, my life had touched other lives for the better. I could only assume that those lives touched yet others. The end result was that enough people had made Space Flight a priority that money and lives went into it.

Of course NASA was in favor of that as well as knowing that the agency had survived 167 years in the future. Come to think of it by what we had seen on the Starship Pathfinder was that Gene Rodenberry's futuristic and optimistic vision came true and the wielders of that dream was NASA.

Although we knew that Gigi and I were instrumental in this spaceflight future, we assumed that everyone on the team had an important role in the future. It was important to them that each and every one of us met our potential. One way that they could help us do that was to insure that we all got into the college of our choice.

I went first and selected Annapolis. That being the Naval Service Academy required an appointment from a Congressman, Senator or the President. I had a feeling that if things went my way I was going to receive a Presidential appointment.

Josh made his choice known next and selected Annapolis as well. Since when ever we had talked about it in the 'Joy of Flight' flight club, Josh had indicated he wanted to go to Colorado Springs to Air Force, which came as a surprise to me. I resolved to ask him about it later.

Gigi wanted to go to MIT. She received a full scholarship courtesy of NASA. She was told that she could expect an acceptance letter soon also. I guess for Gigi it might not be far off for her but for us it was years off yet we were told that even this far ahead of things we would be guaranteed a spot.

Next came the Atlantans. Amanda asked for Emory University. She wanted a great medical education close to her home in Atlanta. She received a NASA Scholarship for her declared major in Space Medicine. She also was told to expect an acceptance letter soon.

Mark asked for Georgia Tech. He wanted to stay near Atlanta to stay near Amanda. He received a NASA scholarship for his declared major in Electrical Engineering. He too was told to expect an acceptance letter from GA Tech soon.

Finally Jinx also asked for Georgia Tech. She felt like the best cutting edge work in Robotics was being done at Georgia Tech. NASA gave her a Scholarship for Robotics, too. She was told that her acceptance letter would be forthcoming.

Both Greg, who had adjusted his sleeping schedule and come to join us, and Gloria were awarded general scholarships courtesy of NASA, subject to their choices being on the NASA list of approved colleges and courses of study to qualify for the scholarship. Both had been bitten by the space bug and they were both accepted to universities and planned to major in programs that met NASA's specifications. Their parents were going to be pleased to know that the College loans they had applied for would not be required.

The neatest thing is that instead of the NASA administrator conducting the selection process and giving out the scholarships, Colonel, USAF, RET. Pamela A. Melroy, Mission commander of STS-120 and also our Astronaut - Mentor for Space Camp had been given the honor of doing it. Along with the presentation, Pam had her own remarks on how much potential she felt each of us had by the way we had responded during Space Camp.

It was a media event when Air Force One landed at the Marshall Space Flight Center. The President gave a short speech praising the work of the NASA employees based at MSFC and their vital role in the Constellation project. Of course his interaction with us Space Campers would be under wraps. Even though we were not singled out for our accomplishment, our presence there was explained by being selected as representatives of Space Camp to see the President land.

Once the official pomp and circumstance was finished, the President withdrew to his quarters while he was visiting. I was sent for and allowed in to see the President, shortly afterward.

The NASA Administrator met me at the door of the President's quarters and walked in with me.

"Mr. President, may I present, Rose Leigh Abbott." The President came over to shake both of our hands.

"Welcome, Rose. Mr. Administrator, could you give us some privacy?"

"Of course, Mr. President." and the NASA Administrator withdrew and closed the door behind himself.

 

"Rose, please have a seat." The President indicated a chair in a seating group in the room. I sat in the one he indicated and he took a seat opposite me.

"Thank you for coming, Rose. According to my predecessor from the future, you turn out to be quite a remarkable woman. It could become quite literally an issue of national importance if the difficulty with your original father and sister were not solved. I came prepared to solve it by granting both a presidential pardon."

"Thank you, Mr. President It means a whole lot to me that this can be put to rest once and for all."

"I will have a separate meeting with Daisy and Violet, informing them of my decision and giving them a copy of the pardon for Daisy."

"I know that both of them will be so relieved to find out your decision. You are doing a great service for my family."

"In fact by helping you, I help do a great service to the United States as well. I understand your former father is responding to treatment in the facility where he is right now in Charlotte. I believe that the most effective way of transmitting the pardon to your former father, is for you to go there yourself and give it to him as my messenger. I will arrange for transportation should you accept, as well as for someone to ease your way into the institution and giving you some private time with him."

"I would be very happy to do so, Mr. President. My family needs to heal and I will do anything I can in that regard. Could my friend Josh Garner accompany me?"

"Of course, Rose. Josh can go with you. I'll be meeting with you and your fellow Space Campers and after that I'll arrange for a plane that Josh and you can fly to Charlotte. You'll be met by Dr Don Jeffries, who will ease your way into the institution where your former father is being treated."

"Thank you, Mr. President." The conversation continued casually as the President and I got to know each other. Finally our time together was over and I was excused to join everyone else getting ready for the meeting that he had spoken about.

The meeting went as those meetings usually do, with grandiose gestures and flattery on both sides. I was very glad to stand with my fellow travelers when the President presented us with both a top secret accommodation and also an award which very generally praised us for our team spirit which we could actually reveal to others. The President made it clear that we were to keep secret our adventure traveling to the future for reasons of national security. I was glad to keep the secret because I felt very few people would believe it anyway. The meeting was capped off with the President delivering to both Josh and myself, appointments to Annapolis.

Both Josh and I were thrilled to receive those appointments. As soon as the meeting was adjourned, Josh and I were spirited away to an airplane which was all ready for us to fly to Charlotte. NASA made arrangements for a plane to be at our disposal which was very trusting of them. Not only did it prove that they were going to let us lead our own lives but also that we were not going to be shadowed all the time. I had no doubts that they would be checking up on us but at least it wasn't going to be like we had secret service protection.

The other thing that I was glad about is that I was going to be able to spend some time with Josh. I was also glad that we had a future together assured, at least when we got to college. I was a bit surprised that Josh had asked for an appointment to Annapolis. When we had discussed it before in meetings of the Air Club, he had expressed a desire to go to Air Force at Colorado Springs.

We finished the preflight checklist and got clearance from the tower for our flight plan. Josh had the stick and he taxied our plane to the end of the runway. With our final clearance, Josh gunned the plane down the runway and I felt that exhilaration as the plane leaped into the air. We cleared the Airport pattern and was out in the open on our flight plan. Josh set the auto-pilot and we could relax and chat.

"Josh, you really surprised me by asking for an appointment to Annapolis. What changed your mind about Air Force?"

'Well that was before I was going steady with someone who has her heart set on Annapolis. I could not bear to put that much distance between us on purpose. It also helps that if I have badly messed up then I can put in for an exchange to Air Force later. I want to be with you, Rose. It’s going to be difficult enough going home to Charlotte when you'll be at your parents' farm in GA."

"Ah, the truth comes out! If we split up, you'll be over to Air Force faster than my head would spin."

"Actually that would be the one time that I wouldn't consider it. I would want to be close to win you back. I really do want you in my life, for always. I love you, Rose!"

"I love you, too, Josh" We kissed and lingered there with our lips touching. It was electric being kissed by Josh. I felt it from the tip of my toes to the top of my head.

"I'm so glad to see you like this, Rose. You seem like you are so much less self conscious since we came back from the Pathfinder. That is not to say that you were uncomfortable with yourself then but things seemed so new to you that you had to put some thought on some actions. Even with the newness of things, I felt that you were 100% genuine for the first time in your life. I think that the reason that I liked you as Ross so much is that even though I felt the facade and falseness about you, I assumed that you were trying too hard to live up to your father's expectations. You let enough about the real you peek out that I felt that you were a good friend."

"Well I had a crash course on acting like a girl from my cousins when I was magically transformed into a girl. My adopted mother helped coach me after they left. I guess I was a bit self conscious because I wanted to fit in with the rest of the girls. And even though my body felt right to me, everything was brand new. I believe that I did as well as I managed that my body came with some conditioned reflexes which helped with the automatic actions. It was just the things that I had to think about that was a bit much for me. Since I came back from Pathfinder, I should not be any different from any other girl since I grew up as a girl while I was there."

"That's kind of weird you getting that do-over like that. In fact, If you added everything together You would be like 23."

"Well it doesn't count like that since I lived those nine years as a girl at the same time as I was also living as a boy. I wasn't getting ahead, I was just catching up."

"Okay, Okay! Anyway, what do you plan to do about your father?"

"I believe that there is some good in him. By coming in person and reaching out to him, I hope he's ready to turn loose the past and embrace the future. At the very least I hope that he will realize that by making any more trouble that he's only digging himself a deeper hole."

"What do you know about this FBI agent that is supposed to meet us when we land and take us over to see your original father?"

"Only that his name is Dr. Don Jefferies, MD and that he has a very high security clearance. Evidently our little trip has been classified Top Secret and information relating to my background is higher than that. He's supposed to be the only one in with us when we see my former father and he's been ordered to not divulge anything we speak about."

"I'm glad for the help. It means doing this will be easier and take less time than it would ordinarily."

"What's your former father's medical status?"

"He's lucid now. They have him on medication so he won't have another episode. When they are certain that he's not going to be a danger to himself or others, then he'll face trial on the abuse charges but it's expected that his medical situation will prevent him from serving jail time."

"I hope that things turn out the way you wish them to, Rose."

"Only time will tell."

 

The rest of the flight went by uneventful and we were landing in Charlotte. When we taxied to where we were directed and opened the door to the plane, two men met us. One was a pilot assigned to the same company which owned the plane and the other was Dr Don Jefferies.

Dr Jefferies spoke to us, "Hi, I'm Dr Don Jefferies. If you'll turn over the plane to this pilot, we can get in my car and on our way."

"Thank you, I'm Rose Abbott and this is Josh Garner. We're glad to meet you Dr Jefferies." I spoke and both Josh and I got out and the pilot took Josh's place in the pilot's seat. When we were clear, the pilot took the plane off somewhere while we drove away in the Doctor's car.

Dr Jefferies was able to get us in directly to see my birth father. He got the staff to leave us alone so I could talk to him. Dr Jefferies and Josh waited in the hall while I went in to my birth father's room.

When I saw my birth father, my heart broke over the state he was in. However when he looked up at me, there was not any hate, anger, fear in his eyes. I wondered if he had finally sunk so low and lost so much that he was genuinely ready to get help. I hoped that he was not of just going thru the motions or putting up a good front to act like he was expected.

"Hello, Daddy. I'm glad that you are getting help and that you are getting better."

"Sweetheart, I am so glad you came to visit me. I'm sorry that I was so selfish worrying about how your change was going to affect my life instead of supporting you. I'm sorry that I blackmailed everyone to keep you away. I'm sorry I took away your place in the family, I'm sorry that I took my anger out on your sister. I am so sorry." Daddy looked so sad that I gave him a great big hug. I could tell he wanted to cry over it but his male pride kept him from doing so. Finally Daddy was in his right mind and I had him back again finally. When he seemed to be ready, I broke the hug so I could tell him what I had come here to say.

"Daddy, I forgive you for everything that you have done. What you meant for bad has been changed to a good thing in my life. I lost one name and was able to gain two more. I lost one Daddy and gained another. I lost one Mother and gained two Mothers. I lost one sister and gained three other sisters. Now in spite of no longer being legally related to the mother and sister that I lost, I've found them again. I'd like to find you too, Daddy and be a part of your life, if you are willing. I love you so much that I reached back thru time and got the President of the United States to grant you a Presidential pardon. There's one for Daisy too. I love you, Daddy."

I handed the copy to Daddy so he could read it for himself. He took it gratefully from my hands and as he looked it over he spoke to me.

"I love you, too, Rose. Thank you, Rose, for everything. I'm ready now for you to have a place in my life. I'm glad that Daisy will not have to suffer for what I made her do. I appreciate you extending that to me as well. I realize that even after I am restored to mental health that I will have to reap the consequences for what I have done. Soon I will be divorced from Violet because or my actions. I will have to pay for what I did to Daisy. Our family will never be what it was. Until this moment, I was all alone. I feel so fortunate to have you as my daughter in my life even if the world must believe we are unrelated."

"Daddy, I am so glad you are in my life. I'm so sorry that I have to cut my visit short. I came here with my boyfriend from Huntsville. We have to get back before evening."

"Could I meet your young man, Rose? I am glad that you have love in your life"

"Sure, Daddy." As I turned back to the door to get Josh, I wondered if Daddy's acceptance of me was so complete that he could accept that I as a young woman could love a young man. I took Josh's hand and led him into the room.

"Daddy, this is my boyfriend, Josh Garner. Josh, this is my father." They shook hands and Daddy looked genuinely pleased both to meet Josh and for me. It looked like Daddy had passed the test.

"I'm glad to see you again, Mr. Moore."

"I'm glad to see you too, Josh. I hope that you will be good to my daughter."

"I'll do my best, sir. I am afraid that Rose is right. We really should go."

Daddy and I hugged and he kissed me on the forehead. We all said our goodbyes. Daddy gave Dr. Jefferies the pardon so it could be put up for safe keeping. He later would make sure that it was put in a safe deposit box and the key placed in Daddy's personal effects. Dr Jefferies got us back to the plane which had been serviced and ready for the return trip back to Huntsville, AL. We got in the plane and flew off.

"I'm glad that you got what you wanted, Rose. I guess there was some good in him after all."

"Me too, Josh. Now all we have to worry about is that tomorrow, you'll be going back home to Charlotte, NC and I will be going home to my parents farm in GA. Somehow we need to find a way to be together in the same city. Visiting is nice but I want to be with you every second that we can."

"You're right about it, Rose. I care about you so much I can't stand living in another state from you. Let's sleep on it tonight and see what we come up with in the morning."

By the time that we landed back at the Marshall Space Flight Center, everyone who belonged at Space Camp was back there. The parents were spending the night over at Marshall. A car took us both over back to Space Camp. It was amazing how normal everything was as we took our evening meal all together in the Cafeteria for one last time. We saw a movie in the IMAX theatre together and then we parted ways as we went to the dorms for one last night spent in Space Camp. Jinx, Amanda, Gigi and I lay in our bunks and whispered back and forth. Finally we all fell asleep.

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

We caught sight of Luna City with its spires shining in the Earth light.  Doris showed herself quite capable of driving the Rover to the garage and backing it to be prepared for its next trip.  I got out and helped the girls out of the rover.  We walked thru into the embarkation room from the garage.

"Doris, Close the garage and Embarkation room doors."

"Compliance!"

"Doris, restore atmosphere to normal in embarkation room and alert when safe."

The girls were so good and patient while we waited for Doris to tell us that the atmosphere was safe.  Finally Doris responded again.  "Admiral, atmosphere nominal"

I helped the girls off with their helmets and together we managed to get out of our space suits. I guessed that all the activity had the girls ready for another nap.  With a little encouragement, I managed to get the twins tucked into my bed.  I myself had things to do.  I needed to find out when my hubby and my daughter would be arriving. I closed the bedroom door after seeing both girls fast asleep.

"Doris, Update on ETA for my husband.'

"Mars Shuttle ETA in 2 hours.  Your husband is confirmed to be aboard the shuttle."

"Thank you, Doris ETA for my daughter to come pick up the children?"

"Your Daughter's ETA in 2.5 hours."

"Thank you, Doris."

I had things that I wanted to do to prepare for both of their arrivals.  I wish that they had been able to spend more time with their Gramps but I knew that he had demands on his time just as I had just because of his accomplishments and I had accepted that. I would wake the twins in time for me to tell them the last part of my story and for them to visit with their Gramps before their Momma arrived to end their visit.