Perhaps it was a dream, she thought. Perhaps if she pinched herself, she would wake up. But she didn't want to wake up. She wanted to stay in this dream world where it was perfect. Her husband was alive here, and her baby was in her arms dreaming. Nora gently rocked Shaun back and forth in her arms as she sat next to Nate. The retired soldier had his arm around her shoulders so she could tuck herself against his side. He kissed the top of Nora's head and murmured, "As much as I love you, you've gotta go back to the real world." "I don't want to," Nora pouted, "The real world sucks. There are giant lizards, over-sized mole rats, and irradiated zombies." "But what about all the friends you've made?" Nate inquired gently, "They need you more than I do honey."
The lawyer sighed softly, knowing her husband was right. She eventually slid off the couch to put Shaun in his crib. Nate followed her to the nursery, humming the lullaby from the rocket mobile. Nora gave her infant a loving kiss on his forehead before she walked back to the living room. She gave her husband a sad smile, and rested her hand on the TV screen. For a brief moment, she was surrounded by blinding white light, and then the walls of the Memory Den came into view. "How are you feeling?" Dr. Amari asked worriedly. "Sore, but better. Anyways, I've got to go," said Nora decisively.