Because she knew that when she came home, there would only be five of them. And the two she knew the best and therefore loved the best would not be there.

Because she knew that she would have to face the rest of her life without Bean.

So she kept herself busy—and there was no shortage of important work to do. She told herself—next week I’ll take a leave and go home.

Then her father came to her and bulled his way past the aides and clerks that fenced her off from the outside world. Truth to tell, they were probably glad to see him and let him through. Because Petra was hell on wheels and terrified everybody around her.

Father came to her with an attitude of steel. “Get out of here,” he said.

“What are you talking about?”

“Your mother and I lost half your childhood because they took you away. You’re cheating yourself out of some of the sweetest time in the lives of your children. Why? What are you afraid of? The great soldier, and babies terrify you?”

“I don’t want this conversation,” she said. “I’m an adult. I make my own decisions.”

“You don’t grow out of being my daughter.” Father said. Then he loomed over her, and for a moment she had a childish fear that he was going to…to…spank her.

All he did was put his arms around her and hug her. Tight.

“You’re suffocating me, Papa.”

“Then it’s working.”

“I mean it.”

“If you have breath to argue with me, then I’m not done.”

She laughed.

He let her out of the hug but still held her shoulders. “You wanted these children more than anything, and you were right. Now you want to avoid them because you think you can’t bear the grief of the ones that aren’t there. And I tell you, you’re wrong. And I know. Because I was there for Stefan, during all the years you were gone. I didn’t hide from him because I didn’t have you.”

“I know you’re right,” said Petra. “You think I’m stupid? I didn’t decide not to see them. I just kept putting it off.”

“Your mother and I have written to Peter, begging him to order you home. And all he said was, She’ll come when she can’t help it.”

“You couldn’t listen to him? He is the Hegemon of the whole world.”

“Not even half the world yet,” said Father. “And he might be Hegemon of nations, but he’s got no authority inside my family.”

“Thank you for coming, Papa. I’m demobilizing my troops tomorrow and sending them home across borders where they won’t need passports because it’s all part of the Free People of Earth. I did something while I was here. But now I’m done. I was going home anyway. But now I’ll do it because you told me to. See? I’m willing to be obedient, as long as you order me to do what I was going to do anyway.”