If she were the swearing type, Nithya would have launched a volley. We cannot afford to have a baby right now. Should she tell Luis before she terminated it? Of course! He had a right to know. He had a right to participate in the decision. But she’d already decided, and he wasn’t going to change her mind. Their religious differences hadn’t mattered when they met, but Luis had rediscovered his Catholic faith after Carma’s birth. He did not believe in abortion. He barely tolerated Nithya’s use of birth control. Why not spare them both the inevitable, horrible fight, and in his case, the guilt? Innocence is bliss.

“Sita, remind me how much longer I can safely use flow.”

“Current recommendations are to cease usage as soon as pregnancy is detected. The chance of neurological damage to the fetus increases significantly between pregnancy weeks five and seven.”

That didn’t leave her much time, but she could put off talking to Luis until the next day. She wouldn’t be able to get the abortifacient until then anyway.

“Sita, schedule an appointment with my gynecologist and tell them it’s urgent. Ideally, I’d like it for tomorrow, while Luis is away.”

She dropped the needle into the recycler, then took her lenses out and laid them in the cleaner alongside Luis’s. Her ear and throat jewels went into a dry charger. For the space of three breaths, the world looked and sounded wrong. The feeds added another dimension to her senses, and she had to wait for her brain to adjust to their absence.

Welga had an advantage there, too, with her devices permanently inside her eyes, ears, and neck, courtesy of the US military. VeeMods—voluntary modders—paid out thousands in their own coin for similar technology and surgery. Must be nice not having to worry about cleaning or charging or repairing them every day.

As Nithya settled into bed, Luis sighed and scooted closer. He draped his arm over her waist. His breath warmed the back of her neck. He felt softer against her than when they’d first met, in Phoenix, where she’d gone for her doctorate studies. She’d become curious about the local amateur rocketry club and went to see a launch. Luis had caught her eye right away, with his generous smile and enthusiasm for mechanics. He’d grayed and added some wrinkles since then, but he still had the same easy laugh and steady hands. She relaxed into his embrace and let the rise and fall of his chest lull her to sleep.