Chapter 28 #3
The ascent was a multi-stage process — Mike igniting Penelope's ascent engines to break free of the moon's gravity before rendezvousing and docking with Aurora. It was an extraordinarily complex maneuver, and both Elena and Mike executed it flawlessly.
Successfully docked, the crew began transferring the lunar rocks, soil, and water ice samples they had collected. Then they prepared to undock Penelope and send her into a disposal orbit — preserving the lunar environment for future missions.
She had done her duty. Bella gave her a silent thanks.
With the four-day trip back to Earth now in progress, Bella began to prepare for Jack's return — making sure the house was spotless, the fridge stocked with his favorite foods, a carefully chosen bottle of Laphroaig waiting on the bar.
David, Debbie and Jason, along with Angela, Madeline, Big G and Mary, would all be arriving the day before splashdown. She made sure the guest rooms had fresh sheets and towels — Angela and Madeline would be at the house while the others stayed at a nearby hotel.
The night before their return, NASA had set up a question-and-answer session for the astronauts, taking questions from selected press. With everyone gathered at the house they settled in to watch — the sight of four happy, relaxed faces immediately putting everyone at ease.
Towards the end, the host invited each crew member to send a message home. After Elena, Margie and Mike had each spoken, the microphone was handed to Jack.
"This has been the most incredible experience of my life — it puts into perspective what a wonderful place our Earth is.
When you're up here it's truly magical, but you can't wait to get back home.
I want to say to my parents and my brother: thank you for all you did to encourage my dreams when I was growing up.
Big G — I'm hoping for one of your lasagnas when I'm back. "
"Copy all, Jack," Big G called out to the television.
"To my daughters Sloane and Piper — Dad loves you more than the moon and back. And for my wingman, Bella: maintain your heading. Coming in hot — full afterburner."
Bella's face turned precisely the same shade as her lipstick — deepening further when she heard Mike and the crew losing it in the background.
"Ugh — that's so gross!" said Piper.
"Yeah, that one actually made me gag," Sloane replied.
The Aurora was scheduled to splash down the following afternoon, and Bella knew this was the most critical and dangerous part of the mission.
Re-entering Earth's atmosphere, the capsule had to hit at a precise angle — too shallow and it would skip off back into space.
Travelling at 25,000 miles per hour, with temperatures surrounding the heat shield reaching 5,000 degrees Fahrenheit, it was crucial the heat shield held.
There would also be a six-minute blackout period where all communication with the crew would be lost.
Nobody in the living room said a word.
When the first drogue parachutes deployed, followed by three main chutes, the room collectively exhaled. Aurora splashed down into the Pacific Ocean off the coast of San Diego — gently, perfectly, exactly on target.
They watched the Navy divers and recovery crew move with practiced precision — nobody speaking, nobody breathing properly. The moment the hatch opened they heard voices from inside the capsule and watched the senior Navy corpsman disappear inside.
Then they heard it.
"Four Green."
All four astronauts’ conscious, stable and healthy following splashdown.
The living room erupted — and on the screen the recovery crew were cheering too.
They watched as Margie, Mike and Elena were helped from the capsule onto a small floating raft.
As commander, Jack was the last to leave.
Bella watched him salute smartly as he stepped out — and felt something in her chest finally release.
From there a helicopter lifted them off the raft and flew them to the waiting Navy ship, where they were greeted by loud cheers from the sailors on board. From there they would be taken to NAS North Island for in-depth medical checks before being flown back to Houston.
While everyone celebrated around her Bella slipped quietly into the kitchen, leaned against the counter, dropped her head into her hands and just breathed, with something that felt like relief and love and exhaustion and joy all at once — feelings she didn't have words for.
“Bella? You okay? Dad will be home soon!,” she heard Sloane say as she entered the kitchen, followed by Piper.
"Oh honey, I'm amazing — truly — just a little over-whelmed", she replied.
“Bella, are you going to stay here now, for good, when Dad gets home?” Piper asked.
“Gosh, Piper — your dad and I haven't actually talked about that yet.”
“We’d like it if you moved in. We love you, Bella,” said Sloane.
“I love you girls too, so much. Come here - group hug!”
They all went back to the living room, where Jack’s dad was passing out champagne in celebration, the mood happy and joyful.
Jack will be home tomorrow, she thought. Finally.