Epilogue

<12/04/2023>

RCP: Hey, how's the new house going?

SM: Hey, not bad, France is gonna take some getting used to, but the new business here is really taking off.

RCP: Glad to hear it, Trish is already whining about us coming to visit, if I can ever get the time out of research.

SM: Well, to be fair to her, we haven't all seen each other since the wedding! Is your work really that important? You curing diseases or something?

RCP: Actually my work is in genome insertion and splicing, mainly involved in fertility.

SM: I understood fertility.

SM: So you're working on IVF or something?

RCP: Closer to cloning, but including a second parents' DNA. Sort of super-IVF. It's been really successful in animal testing, so the next step is human trials.

SM: If you start a zombie apocalypse I won't be happy.

RCP: That's impossible.

RCP: Probably.

RCP: It's very unlikely at most.

SM: Reassuring.

RCP: That's actually why I wanted to contact you, any chance you've been thinking about kids?

SM: That's a very sudden question.

SM: Yeah, me and Elise have been weighing our options, but it's been trickier with the move.

SM: Why?

RCP: Human trials would benefit from two genetically identical subjects to compare data.

SM: Are you asking me to get pregnant for your work?

RCP: No...

RCP: I'm asking if you want to get pregnant, and I'm saying my work can help.

SM: You know, most people send a post card.

RCP: Hilarious. You interested or not?

SM: Let me confirm with the wife, but I'd pencil us in.

RCP: Good, I'll organise for me and Trish to come down in a couple of months, insemination should be safe to do at home.

SM: Pretty sure that's how most people do it. How is Trish anyway? Last I heard she was still in training.

RCP: Passed, flying colours. Not like I gave her a choice.

SM: You're a terrifying force of nature, little sister.

RCP: Nature doesn't have shit on me.

RCP: Anyway, she's actually working at our old school, just as an assistant.

SM: Wow, hard to picture her as a TA, but then it's hard to picture her doing anything.

RCP: Oh, I can picture her doing a LOT of things.

SM: I'm sure you can.

RCP: That reminds me, when's Frenchie's exhibition? Mum wanted to watch the stream.

SM: Bless her, I'll forward it to you, Moon's been practicing non-stop to get ready.

RCP: Thanks, I've gotta get back to work, it was nice catching up.

SM: Same here, we'll talk again soon!

<End of Conversation>

___________________________________________________________________________________

<02/09/2042>

RCP: Scar?

RCP: You need to come home.

RCP: It's Mum.

RCP: She's gone.

SM: I'll be back as soon as I can.

<End of Conversation>