[TC: 132, 01]

  Thirteen days ter, Athena has our daughter, Emma Alicia Mayes-Marks. She’s a beautiful little blonde with bright blue eyes. Both sets of her grandparents are over the moon that she arrived safely, and she’s also the very first naturally-born Terran.

  Emma quickly becomes the darling of the colony. Wherever Athena and I take her, people fawn over her adorable smile and coo at her infectious giggle. The other colonists bring gifts - outfits, soft toy animals, and many jars of hand-packed pureed fruits and vegetables to supplement her diet once she starts on solids.

  60 days ter ter, all female crew are ordered to stop taking birth control and prepare for artificial insemination, which found me marching over to Dad’s office to have a little talk. Athena and I don’t want our first babies as Novians to be created using artificial insemination, we want Max to be the one to give us our firsts. After that, inseminate away. So, I id out my pn to him and he agreed saying that there were many other married or cohabiting women who want the same thing. With that in mind, he’s allowing it. As he tells me, if he can keep the women retively happy about all this, so much the better.

  Therefore, Athena and I sit Max down in the kitchen for a talk the evening he returns from a week-long remote duty assignment supervising the building of the pnetary defenses.

  I begin by asking, “Max, you love us, right?”

  He smiles as he replies, “Of course, I do.”

  I arch an eyebrow as I ask, “Then don’t you think it’s high time you married us?”

  Max's eyebrows shoot up in surprise. “Marry you? Both of you?” He looks back and forth between Athena and me, trying to gauge if we're serious.

  Athena reaches out and takes his hand. “Yes, Max. By now, you should know whether you want to be with the two of us or not.” She gnces at me for a moment and then back to him. “We’ve been ordered to be ready for artificial insemination, but we want our first pregnancy as Novians to be with our husband. That would be you unless you don’t want us.”

  Max's eyes widen as he processes Athena's statement. He looks down at their joined hands, then back up at her face, searching her expression. After a long moment, he turns to me, his gaze intense and questioning. “You both want this? To marry me and have my children?” His voice is soft, almost disbelieving.

  I chuckle as I look at Athena and say, “And you call me an airhead,” which makes her ugh. I reach out and take his other hand, squeezing it reassuringly. “Yes, musclehead. We love you and want to build a family together, here in Novis. You're the only man for us. How you didn’t realize that until right this second is beyond me.”

  A slow smile spreads across his face. “Alright. Let’s do it!” He excims enthusiastically.

  Athena ughs and pats his hand. “Slow your roll, mister. You still have a duty to perform, no?”

  Max's brow furrows for a moment before the realization dawns. “Oh, right! The proposal.” He stands up abruptly, nearly knocking over his chair in his haste. Athena and I exchange an amused gnce.

  Dropping to one knee, he takes one of our hands, pces them on top of one another, and asks. “Athena, Alice, I love both of you with all my heart. I can't imagine spending a single day without you by my side. Will you do me the incredible honor of becoming my wives?”

  We gnce at each other, smile, and Athena counts down from three with her fingers, and we simultaneously say, “Yes!”

  “Just don’t forget to get our rings soon,” I quip. “We surprised you with this, but we still expect them.”

  He nods. Three days ter, he kneels down in front of us, and slips our rings on our fingers.

  Athena and I pn the wedding, telling him that he’d only have to be there. We set the date for the following weekend, which is day 198. We’d pnned on it just being a family affair, but pns in a very small town can quickly go awry. It’s now being used as a reason to hold a huge party with our exchange of vows to be the high-point of it since it’s the very first Terran wedding.

  The day of the wedding arrives, and the entire colony is abuzz with excitement. The ceremony is to be held in the central square, which has been transformed into a beautiful outdoor venue. Colorful banners flutter in the gentle breeze, and the air is filled with the sweet scent of flowers.

  Athena and I are getting ready together in our shared quarters. We help each other into our gowns, which were lovingly crafted by some of the colony's talented seamstresses instead of the nanos. Emma, now three months old, gurgles happily in her crib nearby, dressed in an adorable frilly white dress with a matching bow headband.

  As I finish zipping up Athena's gown, I step back and take in her in. “You look stunning,” I say, my eyes misty with emotion.

  Athena smiles and pulls me into a tight embrace. “So do you, Alice. I can't believe this day is finally here. The three of us will soon be married, and starting our family together on this new world."

  We take a moment to compose ourselves, and then we step out into the bright sunlight, the women gathered at the house erupt into cheers as we emerge from our house, and basically herd us to the central square. The square is packed with smiling faces - our fellow colonists, friends, and loved ones who have come to celebrate this joyous occasion with us. Our fathers wait for us at the foot of the red carpeting that’s been id out, and we take their arms as they lead us down the aisle of people.

  We make our way down the aisle as Max stands watching us from the altar, looking handsome and proud in his formal attire. His eyes shine with love and adoration as he watches us approach.

  The ceremony is simple yet beautiful. We exchange heartfelt vows, promising to love, honor, and cherish each other for all our days. When we slip the rings onto each other's fingers, a hush falls over the gathered crowd. As we do, it feels as though the entire colony is holding its breath, witnessing the true beginning of our new home.

  The officiant pronounces us married, and the square erupts into cheers and appuse. Max pulls Athena and me close, kissing us each tenderly. Emma lets out a high-pitched happy squeal as if she too understands the significance of the moment.

  We each take an arm as Max leads us back down the aisle and then the celebration kicks into high gear, music fills the air, and tables den with food and drink appear as if by magic. The colonists mingle and dance, their joy palpable. Athena, Max, and I are swept up in a whirlwind of congratutions and well wishes.

  Amidst the festivities, my father stands and calls for everyone's attention. The crowd falls silent as he begins to speak. “Today marks a momentous occasion,” he says, his voice filled with pride, “the first marriage on Terra with many more to come.

  “Alice, Athena, and Max; your love and commitment to each other serve as a shining example to us all. You embody the spirit of hope, resilience, and unity that will carry us forward as we build our new home in Novis. Your marriage is not just a personal milestone, but a symbol of the bright future that awaits us all.”

  He raises his gss, and the crowd follows suit. “To Alice, Athena, and Max; may your love be as boundless as the stars that guided us here, and may your family flourish and grow, just as our colony will.”

  As the sun begins to set, casting a warm glow over the celebration, Max takes Athena and me by the hand and leads us to the center of the square for our first dance as a married trio. The music swells, and we sway together, lost in the moment and in each other's eyes. The world seems to fall away, and for a few precious minutes, it's just the three of us. When the dance ends, we are engulfed in a sea of hugs and congratutions from our fellow colonists.

  An hour ter, the three of us return to our house escorted by the entire town as they cat call, tease and otherwise do their best to embarrass us. After Max closes the door behind us, Athena leads the way to our bedroom because there’s one more ritual that is required of us.

  As we enter the bedroom, the air is thick with anticipation and desire. Max takes Athena into his arms, kissing her deeply as his hands roam over the curves of her body, still beautifully accentuated by her wedding gown. I watch them for a moment, my own desire building, before joining them in a passionate embrace.

  We take our time undressing each other, savoring each brush of skin against skin. Max ys Athena down on the bed, his lips trailing kisses down her neck and across her colrbone. I join them, my hands and mouth exploring Athena's body, reacquainting myself with every dip and curve. Max's strong hands caress my back, sending shivers down my spine as he pulls me closer.

  Our lovemaking is slow and sensual, a celebration of our union and the love we share. We move together as one, our bodies intertwined in a dance of passion and desire. Soft moans and whispered words of love fill the room as we bring each other to the heights of pleasure again and again.

  Afterward, we y tangled together, basking in the afterglow of our lovemaking, and soon enough, we fell asleep.

  On day 200, our day is like any other in Novis, we dress in our uniforms, eat breakfast, and then head off to our respective duty stations. However, from here on, in our off-duty time, we’re either taking care of Emma, or Max is working hard to get the two of us pregnant. 15 days ter Athena and I head in for our normal check-up, and both of us find out we’re pregnant, which makes the three of us ecstatic. The nurse asked us what we wanted, and we simply replied, “A healthy baby.” Their sex doesn’t matter to us.

  As the months pass, Athena and I watch in awe as our bellies grow, nurturing the new lives within us. Max is the epitome of a doting husband, attending to our every need and whim. He rubs our feet after long days, fetches us unusual food combinations to satisfy our cravings, and whispers words of love and encouragement to our unborn children.

  As they do with every pregnancy, the entire colony rallies around us, offering support and sharing in our excitement. Baby showers are thrown, and the usual baby items are given. The sense of community and shared purpose is stronger than it was back on Earth. Here every life is celebrated and treasured. Dad and Colonel Dayton both say the st time they heard of this kind of thing happening on Earth was a half-millennium ago.

  Due to Dad’s policies, when we enter our third trimester, we’re relieved of duty to protect us and the precious life within us. Like as not, it’s unnecessary, but Dad isn’t deterred by logic in this instance. We spend their days resting, preparing the nursery, and enjoying quality time with little Emma, who is now an energetic and curious toddler.

  As Athena and I approach our due dates, the anticipation in the colony reaches a fever pitch. Everyone is eagerly awaiting the arrival of the newest members of our community. Max, ever the attentive husband, barely leaves our side, ready to spring into action at a moment's notice.

  It's a peaceful evening on TC: 95, 02 when my bor begins. Athena is by my side, holding my hand and offering encouragement as Max alerts the medical staff. We make our way to the medical center, where a team of doctors and nurses await us.

  The hours that follow are a blur of pain, sweat, and determination. Max and Athena remain by my side throughout it offering support. Athena, having gone through this herself not long ago, offers gentle guidance and reassurance. Shortly before dawn breaks over Novis, a new life enters the world. With a final push and a triumphant cry, our son takes his first breath. Tears of joy stream down our faces as the doctor pces him on my chest, his tiny body still slick from birth.

  We gaze in wonder at our beautiful baby boy, his soft cries filling the room. Max leans in, his eyes misty with emotion, and gently strokes our son's cheek. “He's perfect,” he whispers, his voice thick with love and pride.

  Athena smiles through her own tears, her hand resting gently on my shoulder. “You did it, Alice. He's absolutely gorgeous.”

  I can't take my eyes off our son, marveling at his tiny features, the way his little hand curls around my finger. “Welcome to Terra, Michael Aaron Reeves,” I whisper, and smile happily at my son with his red-blonde hair and bright blue eyes.

  Just 15 days ter on TC: 111, 02 we're settling into a new routine as a family of five, when Athena goes into bor in the early hours of the morning. Max and I spring into action, waking Emma and getting her ready while I call for medical assistance. The excitement and anticipation are palpable as we make our way to the medical center once again.

  Athena's bor is intense but swift, her body seemingly more prepared after her previous experience. Max and I take turns holding her hand, wiping her brow, and offering encouragement. Max and I take turns caring for Emma and Michael while supporting Athena. The medical staff bustles around us, monitoring Athena and the baby's vital signs, as we impatiently wait to meet the new life soon to join our little family.

  Just as the sun begins to peek over the horizon, painting the sky in hues of orange and pink, Athena lets out a final, determined push. A high-pitched cry fills the room as our second child enters the world. Tears of joy stream down our faces as the doctor pces the squirming, pink bundle on Athena's chest. Max and I lean in close, marveling at the tiny miracle before us. Our daughter's delicate features are scrunched up as she wails, her little fists filing in the air.

  I gaze at Athena with a questioning look, and she murmurs, “Candace Annette Reeves.”

  “Candance…It’s perfect, and she's beautiful, just like her mothers,” Max whispers, his voice thick with emotion as he gently strokes our daughter's soft cheek.

  I smile as she grabs my finger in her tiny hand, and then murmur, “Welcome to Terra, Candace.”