Page 19 of A Million Stars and Shadows

“We won’t, Jana,” he said. “That’s why we would need others to know about the situation. It should help.”

“Okay,” I said.

“Let’s make the announcement together,” Thomas said.

I nodded, then I turned around in Thomas’ arms to face the crew.

“Announcement!” Thomas called out. “I need everyone to look up for this announcement.”

Everyone looked up from their station and looked over at us, expectantly.

Thomas looked down at me and lovingly said, “Jana and I are expecting!”

There was silence for a few seconds before the crew started clapping and shouting, “Congratulations!”

Dr. Herbert came forward and said, “I suspected. But now I know for sure. Congratulations, you two! We will have the first human born on New Earth! Your child.”

Thomas and I smiled at each other. “We will be on New Earth with a new colony in less than one month,” Thomas said.

“Congratulations, you two!” Officer Billy Boyd said. She was a petite woman in charge of communications on board the Red Genesis. “Is this just something for crew to know or can I share it to the rest of the passengers on the ship? This is exciting.”

“You can go ahead and announce it to everyone,” Thomas said.

“How about we announce it at dinner,” Billy said.

“Sure,” I said.

“Everyone’s going to go crazy,” Billy said. “This is good news for their morale. Thank God we’re almost at the end of the trip. The passengers are getting antsy. It’s no wonder after being on the ship for almost three years.”

“Yes, we’re almost there,” I said. “I can’t wait.”

“See you in about an hour,” Billy said to me and Thomas. “I want you two there in the main restaurant food atrium when I announce the news. Everyone would like to congratulate you, so you better be there.”

“We will be,” I said. I looked down at my tablet, which was beeping. “But I need to go to the Engineering Deck to check out something.” I turned to Thomas.

“I’ll see both of you later, too,” Thomas said, kissing me. He looked over at a screen on the front of the main panel. It was beeping too. “I have to check this out.”

“Go do your Captain-y duties, Babe,” I said.

“Go do your Engineering-y things, Bunny,” Thomas said, patting my butt. “Be careful with yourself and let me know if you need me. No matter what.”

“I will,” I said walking out the door with Billy.

When Billy and I closed the door and walked over to the elevator, Billy said, “Aren’t you such a lucky lady. First you captured the most eligible man’s heart on Red Genesis, then you two are going to have the cutest baby. I envy you so much, Jana. I’ve had a crush on Thomas for so long, ever since we worked together on the last two practice flights.”

I looked at the pretty red head who could easily catch any man on the ship or anywhere on Earth. “I had no idea you were interested in Thomas.”

She laughed bitterly. “Who wouldn’t be? He’s the total package.”

We walked into the elevator together. “Well, I do notice how so many guys seemed interested in you. Why haven’t you tried dating any of them?”

Billy rolled his eyes. “You know why.”

“Thomas,” I said.

Billy nodded. She looked down at my belly. Her eyes were filled with sadness. As she gazed down at my bump, she reached over to try to touch it, but instinctively I pulled back.

That’s why I saw the dark shadow standing behind her. Then it disappeared into her. Her eyes turned completely black and pupil-less. “Billy?”

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