“She is something special, and I made a commitment that I intend to honor. I believe that God loves her, too. Matthew 6:14 says that if we do not forgive others their sins, our Father will not forgive ours.” Luis sighed. “I will forgive my wife. I love her, and I don’t want to spend my life without her.”

Welga hugged him with one arm. “Good. Too bad I don’t have a recording of this. I could replay you saying, ‘You were right,’ every time I got depressed about anything.”

Luis laughed and hugged her back. His expression turned wistful. “It’s been hard not seeing or talking to Carma, too. I’m glad I came home.”

Luis handled the transactions between the harbor and his apartment. He’d picked up enough Tamil along the way to function without agent translations. He almost leaped out of their car as they arrived. One of the people standing in front of the hive recognized him and greeted them with a warm smile. As soon as they were through the gate, Luis left her and Jady behind and dashed up the stairs. She opted for the elevator.

Welga heard Nithya’s voice, followed by Carma’s squeal of delight. Her niece’s voice carried clearly. “Papa! You’re back! It’s so annoying, the stellas being down! Oh, we have visitors. Come and meet them. I’ll tell you who they are.”

Welga rounded the corner. Nithya stood in their doorway, wearing a colorful knee-length tunic over leggings, her back to them. Her sister-in-law’s hair hung in a neat braid to her waist. Welga tiptoed forward and wrapped her in a warm hug.

“Welga!”

“Thank you for everything,” Welga murmured before pulling away. “Ammanuel, you need to leave your shoes here.” She indicated the pile outside the door and added her own.

Carma’s jaw dropped as they entered. “Aunty Welga! I didn’t know you were here.”

“I came with your papa. This is our friend, Jady Ammanuel.”

A crowd of strangers sat around the main room and stared at them. Nithya made introductions, and Luis settled Welga on some old static cushions. Just in time, too, as the world went sparkly and then black.

She opened her eyes to several concerned faces around her.

“It’s fine,” Welga said hoarsely. She knew from experience not to turn her head or sit up too soon. She subvocalized, “Por Qué, how long until my next dose?”

“You have one hour and twelve minutes remaining until your next zip dose.”

Welga had set the automatic reminders so she didn’t run out of pills before their journey ended. Whether Nithya’s kitchen worked or not, she had enough for two more days. The sooner they could get her on that rocket, the better.