This is the final chapter… My thanks to all who read!

Chapter 22

Space Oddity

T Minus 1 Month and 15 Days…

Security for the Labor Day celebration was as tight as militarily possible. The Robinsons had decided to host an end of summer 'thank you' party for all who were most closely involved in the planning and execution of the Jupiter 2 mission. The food had been served and Professor Robinson gathered his family round and called everyone's attention for a toast.

"In six short weeks, my family, Major West and I will be on the Jupiter 2, asleep in our freezing tubes, hurtling across the galaxy. More than five years will pass until we land on Alpha Prime. We hope that we will be only the first of many families to leave earth and colonize that planet, thereby preserving our species and insuring that humanity will continue. Many say that we possess an inordinate amount of courage to undertake such a mission. I would agree were it not for the dedication and strength of every one present. I want to thank each and every one of you for making this journey possible. Salute!"

"Salute!" General Bowers and others exclaimed as they lifted their beverages in response.

Don stood with Tom and Red and swigged from their beers. Red turned to his cohorts and commented, "Hearing our mission put in such simple terms makes me wonder about our sanity."

"Sometimes I wonder about that myself, Red," Don replied.

Dr. Smith approached the threesome and said, "As well, you should, Major. If Professor Robinson and General Bowers had followed my advice, neither you nor the two Miss Robinsons would be on this mission."

"You know, you're all heart, Colonel," Don stated. "Separating the family, especially Mrs. Robinson and Penny, would have been in the true spirit of the mission. It's a good thing the professor has been blessed with enough common sense to trust his own judgment."

"Arrogant as usual, Major." Dr. Smith turned to Tom and Red and commented, "Mark my words, gentlemen, Professor Robinson will rue the day he chose Major West as his pilot. And now, if you will excuse me…" He left the group.

Don let out a menacing growl and Tom and Red each took an arm and held him back. "He's not worth it, Don. Let it go."

"It's a good thing I won't have to deal with him for much longer."

Towards the end of the evening, the security detail changed shifts, and Sergeants D'Amico and Miller approached Don. "Tony! Debbie! It's great to see you!" Don exclaimed.

"We got ourselves assigned so we could see how you and Judy are doing," Debbie said. "By the way, I've barely seen her today. Where has she been?"

"With her family. We've been asked to 'lay low' during group events so that the focus stays on the mission instead of us," Don answered.

"I'm sorry, Don, but that just doesn't seem right," Tony said.

"Tell me about it. Lately, I've been wondering if the weekend in Galveston was just a fantasy."

Although Judy kept track of Don's whereabouts during the celebration, she stayed with her family most of the day. When she saw him speaking with Tony and Debbie, she excused herself from her parents' presence and hurried over to them. She heard Don's last few words and commented, "No, it wasn't, Don."

"Hey, aren't you going to get in trouble for coming over with the 'bad' guys?" Don teased.

"That's not funny, Don. We both agreed to this."

"It's not like we had much of a choice."

Debbie and Tony traded glances. This was certainly a far cry from their weekend together.

"Tony and I have an announcement of our own to make…" Debbie stated and held up her left hand with a diamond glowing from her fourth finger.

Both Judy and Don smiled and congratulated them.

"You were our inspiration," Tony stated.

"I'm glad someone got to act on my inspiration," Don stated.

Lift off was only a few days away and final preparations were being made for the historic flight. John's parents and Joan, Colleen and Jim had been flown in for the final few days. Don's entire family had also arrived so that they could witness the departure of the Jupiter 2. The reality of the situation was now evident to all of them. Don's parents, especially, were overwhelmed by the fact that they would never see him again. John and Maureen were sensitive to their feelings. They could imagine how they would have felt if Judy had decided to remain behind, and they felt a responsibility to reassure retired Colonel and Mrs. West that they would care for their son.

T Minus 13 Hours and 55 Minutes…

Mrs. Bowers had insisted on hosting one final gathering for the large extended family that would be linked forever under the mantle of the Jupiter 2. Professor Robinsons' parents were reserved people by nature and their presence cast a dignity over the celebration that even affected the West brood, which was more subdued than usual. Don's mother tried to remain her usual cheerful self, but her eyes followed her son wherever he went.

"Jan, I wish there was something I could say to make things easier for you and Mark," Maureen stated.

"Oh, Lord, what can anyone say when they will never see their baby son again," she replied.

"Despite what your Colonel Smith might have said, John, you have chosen the right man. He was born for this mission," Don's father stated.

"We'll take care of him as if he were our own, Mark," John reassured him.

Judy and Joan spent as much time as they could together. "Joan, I'm going to miss you so much," Judy said.

"I know you will. Who's going to push you to finally fall into Don's arms forever if I'm not there?" Joan replied.

Don had walked up behind them. "She better not need a push!"

The girls laughed and Don gave Joan a hug. "I wanted to thank you for everything, Joan. You and your parents have been fantastic to me, and I really needed their support."

"You're part of the family, Don, whether Aunt Maureen and Uncle John know it or not!"

"By the way, where are your parents? I have something for your dad."

She pointed across the room and Don spotted Colleen and Jim talking with June and her husband. Joan grabbed Don's forearm before he could leave and asked, "Don, what is the likelihood that we'll see you all again?"

Don glanced at Judy and wondered how truthful he should be. "Joan, families will be following us. I just don't know when. You go and corral General Bowers and insist that the next flight carry a mailbag for us with letters from home. We'll need that. If he gives you a hard time, talk to my dad. He and General Bowers go way back. He'll get the mail on that flight."

"And I'll keep a running tape for you, Joan. You probably won't get it until we're both old and grey, but you'll still be my confidant."

"Old and grey and we'll both be grandmothers in our rocking chairs," Joan commented.

"Now wait a minute," Don said. "I'll do my part on the grandmother thing, but forget the rocking chair!"

Joan giggled through her tears and she and Judy both slapped his arm. "Oh, go find my parents!" Joan exclaimed.

Colleen and Jim were across the room talking with June and her husband. Don sauntered up to them and interrupted by saying, "I can see that this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship."

"We're the founding members of the Jupiter 2 Family Association. We're already planning our first reunion," June stated.

"Good. I have a request." Don handed Jim a box that contained the eight-track player that he had taken out of his Datsun. "Hook this up to a couple of speakers and promise me you'll play some early 70's space music."

"Is Elton John's Rocket Man okay?" Jim asked.

"Sure, just don't play David Bowie's Space Oddity. The idea of being lost in space forever gives me the creeps, not that I'm superstitious or anything. By the way, June, I have something for each of the kids. I'm not taking my uniform, so I'm giving my medals, ribbons and insignias to each of them."

"Oh, Don. They will appreciate that. Are you sure you don't want to save them for your own children?" June asked.

He blushed. Colleen added, "You and Judy will have your own children, Don. It's just a matter of time."

"I hope so Colleen," Don said, "You know, the military decorations won't have any meaning where we're going, but I'm keeping my 'major' insignias on my dress blues and I am taking them with me since my whites were blown up with my car."

"That was one beautiful car," Jim said. "What would you have done with it?"

"I was planning on giving it to June's oldest, but I guess he'll just have to be happy with my astronaut pin."

"Since he is talking about becoming an astronaut, I think that is much more appropriate," June stated.

They spotted Robert talking with Penny, and Don wandered over to them to present his gift.

"Once I'm out of the academy, I'm going to apply to the USSC and then the Jupiter program. Let's see, I'm sixteen now, so that means, if I do as well as Uncle Don, I'll be in the USSC by the time I'm twenty-one. That will be in five years and you'll be almost to Alpha Centauri," Robert was telling her.

Penny nodded and enthusiastically added, "Maybe you'll be one of the first pilots to follow us, then!"

Don walked up to them. "Hey, Robbie, I've got something for you."

"What is it, Uncle Don?"

He showed Robert his astronaut medal. "This is for you."

Robbie's eye shone in gratitude. "Thank you, Uncle Don. I hope I can be as good an astronaut as you are."

Don extended his hand. "Robbie," he said with a gleam in his eye as he glanced at Penny, "you're already following in my footsteps." They shook hands and Don went in search of the rest of his nieces and nephews.

Professor Robinson's parents spent most of their time with their grandchildren and son. They had understood his obsession with this mission from the beginning and supported him. They had always demanded the best effort from him and John always did his best to meet those expectations.

The evening drew to a close amidst laughter, tears, hugs and handshakes as final good-byes were delivered. This was the last the families would see of their loved ones. Judy, Penny and Will each gave the elder Robinsons a hug while Maureen cried with her family. Judy's grandfather gave Judy one last piece of advice. "Now you, young lady, you keep your mind on the mission and don't let your head be turned by that handsome fellow over there."

"Oh, Grandpop…" she murmured.

"I've seen the papers. You have plenty of time for love once you're settled on Alpha Prime," he continued.

"And a space ship is no place to raise a child, Judy, so be careful and keep your mind on your work," her grandmother added.

"That's exactly what I've been telling them," John proclaimed.

Judy had to get away and excused herself to say good-bye to Maureen's family. "I heard what they said, Judy," Joan whispered in her ear. "Just follow your heart," she added. Judy nodded and wiped her tears after her final hug with her cousin and made her way to Don's side. Colonel West took Judy in a bear hug, as Don held his mother in an embrace, and Jan and her husband joined them for what she described as an 'in-law' family hug.

"Be happy… both of you…" Mrs. West stammered between her sobs.

Judy nodded and Don found his throat tight with emotion as he managed to whisper, "Thanks, mom."

Colonel Mark West shook his son's hand and cleared his throat. "I am so proud of you, son."

Don's voice was gone as he nodded and hugged his father . Despite promising himself that he would stay strong for his mother's sake, he found that the tears wouldn't stay put. Judy wrapped her arm around his and took his hand as it was time to leave and retreat to their quarters for the night.

Colonel West drew his wife to him as they watched their youngest child walk away from them for the last time.

The Robinsons and Don had been issued rooms that were under heavy security near the launch site. John invited Don to join them for one last prayer before retiring for the night. They kneeled in a circle and Judy pulled Don down beside her. John prayed, "Lord, we thank You for the opportunity to embark on this historic journey. We ask that You keep us within Your hands as we travel to a new world and spread our civilization to other parts of the universe. Amen."

John and Maureen were anxious to tuck their children in bed and retreat to their own room for their final night together on Earth. They each kissed Judy good-night and ordered Will and Penny to scamper to their rooms. "Now, Don, don't keep Judy up too late. We all need a good night's sleep," Maureen stated.

"I promise I won't. I have to be on the ship by oh-five-hundred," he replied.

As her family left the common area, Don had to ask Judy one thing before turning in for the night. "Judy, do you have any regrets?"

"About us or the trip?"

"About anything."

"I don't think so, Don. I believe that there is a reason for everything that happens… How about you?"

"No, not really. I wish things could have turned out the way we wanted them to, but… there's still time."

"Don, things will work out for us. I can feel it in my heart."

He grinned. "Yeah, me too. By the way," he said, as he walked her to her door, "if you can't sleep, just knock. I'd be happy to put the 'walls of Jericho' up for one more night."

"I just might do that."

Judy tilted her head towards his and they kissed until the door to Penny's room opened and Maureen and John exited. John nodded towards them. "Judy… Major…"

Don squeezed Judy's hand and they each entered their own room.

As John and Maureen lay in bed together, Maureen's mind was on the same course of thought as Don's. "John, do you have any regrets?"

"Absolutely not. You?"

"In my heart I know we're doing the right thing. I just hope it's also the right thing for the children."

"I love you, Maureen."

"I love you too, John."

Judy tossed and turned for all of ten minutes before she knocked on Don's door. He lay in bed, his elbow behind his head, wide awake. When he heard the knock on the door, he wasn't surprised. He cracked the door open and grinned. "Jericho?" he asked.

Judy nodded. "My room."

He grabbed his pillow and blanket, turned off his alarm and snuck into Judy's room. After setting her alarm for his wake-up call, he tucked her blanket around her, spooned her and drew his own cover over himself. "Judy?"

"Yes?"

"I never asked your father if he would marry us when we reach Alpha Prime."

"Not only that, you never asked him for his permission to marry me."

"That's what I did wrong!"

"Now, no more talk about marriage until we reach Alpha Centauri."

"Can we talk about sex?"

"Don…"

"Okay, I love you, Judy."

She didn't reply, but hugged his arms closer to her body.

Refreshed and excited, Don was up before his alarm sounded. He reset it for Judy and kissed her on the cheek. Grabbing his blanket and pillow, he took one last look at her before returning to his room to prepare for the upcoming day. The next time he would see her would be just before take-off on the Jupiter. He hoped that their next morning together would be on Alpha Prime, as husband and wife.

Judy's alarm sounded and she awoke in the midst of a wonderful dream. She felt behind her and realized that Don was gone. In her dream, he was still with her and they lay in a meadow together while he tossed their toddler in the air. She felt renewed and calm. She looked forward to the future with no fear. She was awed by the possibility that she and Don would share a destiny that no other humans had in the past.

October 16, 1997…

As Maureen and John gathered their family together the next morning, they needn't have worried about their children. Penny and Will were still excited and thought of the trip as an adventure, neither one worrying about the future, and Judy was as serene and calm as she had ever been in the past three years. Each member of the family underwent his or her last medical check and waited outside the medical area for Will to be cleared by Colonel Smith.

Zero Minus 33 Minutes and Counting…

There was no turning back now. Soon they would be off to settle a brand new world.

On to the Beginning…