Zara slept peacefully in the sling over Mira's chest. Mira bounced up and down gently to keep her asleep while she directed construction workers as they finished the last of the barrier on the new apartment buildings.

It had been two months since the hurricane. Luckily, it didn't destroy the entire building—just a little structural damage that was fixed in a few days, but now the barrier was the main concern to protect it from happening again.

Ezra turned around, looking back at his wife and their daughter on the other side of the platform, and smiled. He still couldn't believe how much happiness he was granted. He didn't feel as if he deserved it, but he welcomed it just the same.

Zara began to stir in the sling, and Mira scooped the eight week old newborn out of the sling and into her arms. Ezra was by Mira's side in a moment, and he took the infant from her quickly before she even had a chance to cry.

"I think we should take her back to the apartments," Ezra said, shielding his baby girl.

Mira smiled and slipped a hand over his shoulder. "You know she hasn't been out since she was born," she chuckled softly. "It's only been fifteen minutes."

Ezra didn't care. He was terrified something would happen—that they brought her out too soon, and that Mira was overwhelmed. But if anything, Mira felt bored sitting at home with the baby. She had volunteered to come out help direct the workers because she has been going a little stir crazy herself.

"I know, I know. I just think she's had enough for her first outing.l

Mira smiled at him. "Very well. I'll see you in a little bit then."

Ezra gave her one look, and then cradled the baby close to his chest gently as he headed back to the apartment. He prepared her a bottle from the milk stored in the fridge, fed her, and laid the sweet girl in her crib. She was fast asleep as he gently closed the door. When he turned around, Mira was standing behind him.

"You're such a good daddy," she smiled at him, leaning in the doorway and taking him in.

"You're such a good mom," he replied. "All done with the barriers already?"

Mira shrugged, stepping forward. "Not completely, but I had this overwhelming urge to craw into bed with you when I watched you walk away," she gently pushed Ezra in the chest, and he let himself fall backwards into the bed.

She climbed on top of him effortlessly, like she had a hundred times, and her braided hair fell in a sheet around their faces like a curtain as she leaned down to sweep him up in a kiss.

With the healing medicines and teas for new mothers, Mira was feeling as good as before she had Zara. But she was even more in love.

Ezra grabbed her thighs and twisted them around until she was on her back and he was on top of her. Their lips pressed together, and Mira felt like her heart melted against the heat of his chest. At the rate they were going she was going to be pregnant again before Zara even turned one.

"Hold on," Mira giggled against his lips, as he already worked on her pants. "You are in such a rush." She smiled at him, as he slowed but did not stop undressing her.

"I'm sorry, you're just so irresistible," he kissed the spot on her blouse between her swollen breasts.

She tipped his chin up with her finger and made him look at her. "Your mother sent a message right before I came back..."

He sat up a little, pushing up on his hands. "And, what did she say?"

Mira paused. "The council approved continued evacuations from earth until the war is over."

Ezra grinned. "That's wonderful," he said, kissing her again and again. "They've increased their supply rations ten fold, and the farms have been exploding with crops. I think this may actually be a solution that will work."

Mira knew all this, but she basked in the way he looked when he spoke of it. It was as if he had adopted her dream, he had embraced earth as if it were his planet too—his responsibility. And he wanted to save them as much as she wanted to. It wasn't going to be easy, but they were going to do everything in their power to save as many from earth as they could.

"Yes, it will work," Mira smiled at him, and slipped her hands down to his pants. He didn't hesitate as he let his pants come off and yanked down her pants as well.

She gasped as he filled her, their arms entangled and their bodies pressed against each other. As he rocked in and out of her, Mira felt that she would never grow tired of this—of this life, of this world, of him. Everything had fallen into place, as if their destiny had been written on the stars and their love would be too.

***

They decided to take Zara out again later that evening, greeting Mira's sister and brother, and even Ezra's mother who had just arrived for a visit. A small party of close friends and family gathered in the gardens, and as Mira handed Zara to Ezra's mother to hold, she couldn't help but feel conflicted.

She's was terrified. Terrified of war, of motherhood, of being in charge of so many lives. At times she felt like she was being crushed by the weight of all this doubt and fear. But when she looked up and saw Ezra and Ava laughing at something, when she caught a glimpse of her brother talking to a girl, and when she looked down at her baby sleeping peacefully in her mother-in-laws arms, it all seemed right.

Mira somehow knew, whatever the universe threw at her, she would be ready with her family by her side.

And that with Ezra's love, she was ready to face whatever challenges their future held.