I don’t need to know more, thanks!
Later in the month, it was time for the year’s Discovery Dinner & Dance, and the Bella Pelle group would be attending again, but this time both Bella and Carrie went as Jack and Mike’s dates. Choosing her dress with care, she wore a Valentino strapless red chiffon gown, paired with Christian Louboutin Cassia silk ballerina pumps. Walking into the ballroom on Jack’s arm had been the highlight of the evening for her, and they made a striking couple — Jack in his dress blues, Bella in red.
Because Carrie was there as Mike’s date, it meant Bella Pelle had an extra invitation, so Luis, their head chemist, attended with them, and he spent most of his time speaking to the NASA chemists, talking shop.
“Bella, you look stunning tonight,” said Dr. Phil Campbell as he approached Bella, Jerome, and a few others, followed - as ever - by Mr Jones and Mr Smith in their dark suits and Ray-Bans.
“Uh-oh” said Jerome, “Here comes Thing One and Thing Two.”
“Shush,” Bella said, elbowing him. Turning, she greeted Phil as he joined them.
“Phil, it’s wonderful to see you, it’s been too long. How have you been?”
“Busy, Bella, busy. The next month will be the lightest before it all kicks off in January, ready for launch in April,” he replied.
“That soon? I didn’t realize it started so early.”
“Oh yes, starting in mid-January the crew will enter a type of quarantine, limiting their exposure to people other than immediate family, and of course each other. Which reminds me — you yourself will need to undergo medical screening duringthis period if you’re planning on spending time with Jack. And limit your exposure to others. Jack will go over it all with you.”
“Lovely to see you dear,” he said departing the group, leaving Bella in stunned silence.
“Bella?Earth to Bella?”Jerome waved a hand in front of her face. “Did those two wipe your mind with the silver thingie?”
“Sorry, Jerome. I was surprised to hear what Phil had to say. How is this going to work?”
“Don’t worry Bella, if anyone can figure it out, it’s you.”
Later in their room, as Jack helped Bella unzip her dress she brought up the quarantine subject with him.
“How does this work, Jack? Why haven’t you mentioned it before?”
“To be frank, I forgot about it, it’s all second nature to me. I forget you haven’t been here for this before.”
As they undressed, Jack told Bella what would happen. Starting in mid-January the crew will enter isolation in Houston, and if testing goes well, they will prepare for a possible launch in February. While launch is scheduled for April, they have to be ready to move it up if called for. Once the launch is set they will fly to NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida about six days prior. During the time before leaving, they will limit exposure, avoid public places, and wear special masks if they have to go out. It’s easier for everyone if family members try to do the same, he explained.
"It's really the fourteen days before launch that it becomes most restrictive. During that time we'll need to wear masks and maintain distance. The crew and I will be at the Kennedy Beach House, living together there until launch. If the mission is delayed by a few days we stay put — anything longer and we can leave, but we'd have to restart the fourteen days when a newdate is set. In the twenty-four to forty-eight hours before launch, contact is severely restricted to mission-critical personnel only — who are following the same protocols, by the way — we'll only be able to see each other across a barrier or virtually.”
“Oh. Will your parents be staying with the girls? Will they take them to watch the launch?”
“They will come to the launch, Jason too - they won't miss it. But I was hoping that you’d stay with them and bring them to Florida. And maybe for a few months before we leave, staying here with me so we can still see each other. What do you think?”
Bella sat on the edge of the bed, thinking before answering.
"Are you asking me to move in with you? Starting in January? Because it sounds like we need to begin this quarantine protocol early in 2028 if I'm understanding the timeline correctly."
“I hadn't thought about it that way, but I wouldn't say no to having you with me full time. And Primrose, naturally.”
“What about Bella Pelle?”
“I know how important it is to you, and how important you are to the company. It’s a big ask.”
“Well, Carrie and Jerome are certainly capable of running things without me being on site. The daycare center is now up and running, that’s one less thing I need to worry about. And with so much done virtually nowadays, meetings, check-ins, all of it, I think it could work. Would I be able to set up a dedicated office somewhere in the house?”
“Yes, I think we can do that. Does this mean you want to move in — even if just for these last few months before I leave?" Jack asked.
“Yes, yes, it does.”
“I think the girls will be excited too. I know Daisy will be. I can’t wait to tell them.”
