Tess POV

Max and Isabel told Michael and me the plan and we all agreed it was a good idea. We decided that we would leave for our distant home the next week. Well, that week has passed and our departure is tonight. I'm scared out of my mind for what lies ahead of me. My parents have noticed that Michael and I are spending way more time with Max and Isabel. I don't think they're very suspicious, just wondering. Michael and I are going to leave a video saying goodbye. It's too hard for me to say goodbye in person. Right now, Michael is setting up the camera. The rest of the family is down stairs, eating supper. Michael and I finished early and excused us from the table.

"It's ready. Come over here and sit down." Michael directs me and I sit down on a chair in front of the camera. He points the remote at the camera and presses rec. Then he starts speaking. "Mom, Dad, we have something to tell you. You're not going to understand everything that's going to happen, but you don't need to either."

"We love you both so much. I can still remember the very first day you guys adopted me. It was one of the scariest days of my life. But it turned out being the best day. You have always thought of me as your daughter and I thank you so much for your love. I love you so much." I'm starting to tear up. Michael puts his arm around me.

"Even though you won't see us anymore, you'll still feel us in your hearts. This world…it's so wonderful. And when you look into the universe, you can see that it's even more marvelous. You've always known that I have a love for the stars, so when you think of me, just look into the stars and you'll see me there." Michael tries not to get too emotional, but I can tell he's on the verge of breaking down.

"Please…don't ever forget us. This is the best life I've ever lived and I hope my next one will be even better. Kevin, you're the best little brother a girl could ask for. You take care of Meghan for me, okay? And Meghan…" I stop for a moment to catch my breath, tears are falling down my face. "Meghan, you're always gonna be the prettiest girl in the world. I know that every guy in school is gonna be asking you out on dates, but listen to this…Only pick the sincere, kind, and generous guys. I'll always be looking down on you from the stars." I wink with my wet eye. "I love you." Those are the last words I say.

"I love you." Michael says and then stops the video. He takes out the tape and labels it 'Michael and Tess Farewell' and places it on the bed. We walk downstairs solemnly and into the dining room. Michael quickly rubs his eyes before entering the room.

"Mom, Michael and I are going to Isabel's for a bit. We'll be back before curfew." I inform her.

"Oh. Okay. That's fine. Have a good time. Be back by 10:30, okay." She says as if it's nothing. I come over to her and give her a big, warm hug. She hugs me back, a little startled. "Is everything okay, Tess?" She's concerned.

"Yeah. I just love you so much Mom." Tears are falling down my cheek as I walk over to dad and give him a hug too. "I love you too Dad." As Michael and I are walking out, I blow a kiss to Meghan and Kevin. They catch it and put it in their pockets. I chuckle when they do that. I wink at Meghan and she winks back at me. Michael has to pull me out of the house or else I won't leave. I put my arm around his waste and he puts his arm around my shoulder to comfort me.

"I know it's hard Tess. But we did the right thing." Michael tells me as we get into his car.

"Yeah. I know." I don't say much. We drive to Max's house and pick them up. Then we drive to the rock where our pods lie. Where the granolith is. Nasedo is waiting just outside the 'door'.

"Hello everybody. You all ready?" He asks us. We all nod apprehensively. "Come on. We need to take care of your car first." We all walk over to Michael's car and see people who look exactly like us in the four seats. Michael holds out his hand and with his mind, he pushes the car over the cliff. We watch it as it tumbles down to the bottom, consumed in flames. There go our lives. I look at Nasedo and he gives me a comforting hug. He knows it hurts. We walk inside the granolith and the door closes. We all place our hands on the energy cone and are instantly placed inside the cone. Suddenly everything starts to shake and we're suddenly shoot into space. As I look out into the open universe, I think to myself. 'I'm finally going home. To where I truly belong... But is it my real home? Do I have family there? Well…as long as Michael is here, I'm with family. Max and Isabel are family too. I have my father and soon I'll see my mother and other brothers and sisters. Yeah. I'm going home. My true home.'

The End