SOL 445

They didn't open the supply probe until the next morning. Liv had returned to the HAB at around two in the afternoon and found herself sleeping until six the next morning. She had been shaken awake by Mark who handed her a whole ration pack with the comment of "We deserve it."

It was the best thing she had eaten in a while.

She had just finished her shower and was changing into her clean clothes when Mark came back in, dragging the box a little. It only took a couple minutes to pry the top loose and to toss it to the side. It was packed as tight as it could be and Liv couldn't keep the smile off her face when she saw the first thing.

A letter from her father.

She put it to the side, moving to sit on the floor of the HAB next to Mark who pulled her into his side. The next things were five large bottles filled to the brim with Olivia's medications. The blonde didn't even think twice before taking the recommended dosage.

"Irene and I worked out that I would take it the second it got here," She spoke when she saw her cre- no- boyfriend's expression. Yeah, her boyfriend.

"Seems they sent enough to last as long as we need it to?" He asked as he moved onto the next items, several small boxes with a variety of seeds for them to plant.

"They should have and oh! no more potatoes!" Liv cheered as she took in sight of all the boxes of seeds. Thank god for NASA. They kept unpacking the box, Mark moving all the food rations to the kitchen which Liv would do inventory of as soon as she got the chance. Next was a small box with HAB written on it, most likely meaning that was all the repair things needed for the HAB. Upon opening it she found more than enough extra canvas and a large amount of resin and was that glitter?

Since you mentioned that glitter would make it better, we came up with one that would work and not do damage.

JPL.

Snorting out a laugh, Liv held up the container of glitter to show Mark.

"They caved?"

"Hell yeah they did." She spoke with a grin as she set the container down next to her. Mark reached and grabbed the next things which were data sticks properly labeled. They had all the new seasons of their shows and Mark's copy of his data stick.

They made their way through the rest of the box, more food and finally stumbled across the seed packets. NASA had sent over one hundred different types of seeds. It ranged from vegetables to some fruit that grows underground.

Another note from NASA and JPL.

Olivia and Mark,

Inside this box is a container of shots labeled for you two. Follow direction as called for. These will help re build your immune systems so that once you both return to Earth, you won't have as high of a chance to get sick.

NASA/JPL

Liv just set the box aside and they both finished unpacking the rest. Among the things in the bottom was two extra but smaller rover batteries, EVA cartridges, a small water reclaimer and oxygen regulator. The last two were properly labeled for when they were ready to head to ARES IV. Another box was labeled for Olivia to open when she was alone.

Weird, but she shrugged it off.

At the very bottom with a paper over the items was their Christmas presents. Liv couldn't help the few tears that slipped as they both tore into the presents. Liv had gotten a new journal from Beth that was custom made. From Rick she got rabbit plush and a note that her other present would be there for her back on Earth. From Vogel she got a copy of her favorite book, Across The Universe in german. Beck had gotten her a copy of Wuthering Heights. Commander Lewis' gift was the most surprising in a year-long pass for the largest rock exhibit in the world based in Houston.

Mark had gotten a new joke book from Rick with the note of 'maybe you're jokes will be actually decent by the time you come back.' Beth and Beck got him a variety of seeds, with the message that they would be with them on Earth.

Liv could see the planning already starting in his head of where to put all the seeds.

Vogel had gotten him various supplies to "build the garden of your dreams when you come back." Finally, Lewis' had gotten him a shirt that had "Plant Dad" on it along with the promise that she would help him with whatever he needed when he got back Earthside.

With presents set aside, Liv grabbed the one that she had made for Mark. He had a grin on his face as he pushed his gift towards her.

"Go on, open it!"

Hands carefully removed the rubbish attempt at wrapping, somehow he had managed to find something to wrap it in. Liv pulled out from the wrapping a soft sweatshirt and when the brought it to her nose, it had Mark's cologne on it. She turned to him, a soft smile on her lips.

"I totally forgot to pack your gift but i've had this set aside since the day we landed her on Sol 1." He shrugged and she couldn't stop herself from hugging him tightly.

"Thank you." She spoke, as she felt a tear fall. Why was she crying? She couldn't say. Just receiving this gift from him lit something in her. That something made her love him more.

"Anything for you, now," He pulled back, pressing a quick kiss to her forehead. "What did my favorite person on the planet get me?" Liv shoved the bag forward towards his eager hands. He pulled out a crocheted blanket made from Liv's favorite brand of yarn and was in Mark's favorite shade of green. She had managed to convince the crew at NASA to allow her the items needed to make said blanket. She spent her days off or down time at night each day working on it so that it would be complete for him. Olivia even went as far as to stitch his initials in it.

Mark brought it fully out of the crude job she had done and held it to see the entirety of it.

"You made this?"

She nodded, twisting her fingers together.

"So this is what you were doing when you were in your room late at night." A grin spread across his face as he pulled her back into his arms. "I love it, it's absolutely perfect. Thank you Liv." His hand cupped her cheek as he pulled her in for a soft kiss. The blanket was then placed on his bunk.

The rest of the box was filled with boring things in Liv's opinion. There was a smaller version of the o2 and water reclaimers along with smaller and lighter rover batteries. Those were left in the box until one of them could get out to the rovers to put them in the storage area of it. Overall, Liv was pleased with everything that they had been sent.

Liv got off the floor, pushing herself up to her feet and grabbing the box of seeds.

"I'm going to go get these opened," She spoke as she headed over to their kitchen.

"Someone might as well get the rover things set up. I'll be back as soon as i'm done and we can see what's on the data sticks?"

"Sounds perfect."

A little while later saw Liv placing the rest of the science experiments in their rightful spots. NASA had sent her some new rocks to look at and Mark some seeds to plant to see if they'll grow in their Martian soil. Everything else had been sorted out already on her end, and with one final slam of a cabinet, she was done unpacking.

A silent sigh left her lips, and there was a grin on her face.

Today has been a really damn good day. That's what she decided as she heard the airlock hiss and went to go meet Mark by the door.

Later that night, after dinner and the shots that they were sent, Liv found herself in Mark's arm, drifting off to sleep. His lips pressed against her forehead as he whispered an "I love you." to her.

"I love you more." she said as she fell asleep, his arms tighting slightly on her.

Here's the newest chapter! I had a lot of fun writing this, and I only planned for it to be maybe 500 words and we're way passed that. I hope you all enjoy it and tell me what you want to see next!

Also, i completely forgot that i have her mom being dead and then mention her to be alive. Her mother is dead and died a little after her gradutaion.

And huge thanks to my best bud JPAnderson you are simply the best.

-aspen