Goodbyes.

"Mrs. Lee, on behalf of the entire crew of the Priapus Project," Lauren stated as the group stood in front of the door to the JPL administration building with boutique shopping bags, "I would like to thank you again for not only paying for a wonderful lunch but also taking us shopping again for the clothes today!"

"Thank you, auntie!" the female crew of Project Priapus thanked in unison with a bow to Iris.

"Mm sai haak hei," Iris smiled, politely waving off the young women's gratitude. "Even though I barely know you, you are like daughters I never had. It is the least I can do to make you all feel comfortable for the next couple years."

"Thank you, Mom," Jonathan said, giving his mother a hug and a kiss on the cheek.

"You be a good boy and take care of all these girls," Iris said, trying to hold back her tears.

"Of course, I will," he nodded.

"Because one of them may be my future daughter-in-law..." she whispered with a sly smirk.

"Mom, I..."

But before he could say anything more, Iris went over to the line of women to give each of them a warm, heartfelt hug and offering them well wishes to their project. "I know you are all good girls," Iris told the fifteen women, not noticing the triplets subtle looks at each other, "but I still want all of you to treat each other like sisters. I know it will be difficult to spend so much time with each other in a small space!

"Your parents were not here to see you off but I can tell you, as a Chinese parent myself, they may not express how proud they are of you or how much they love you as often as you may want them to," she paused briefly to glance over at her son, "but will tell you that we are very proud of you and love you much. We want the best of you and from you. We want you to be better than us!"

The women sniffed and wiped their watering eyes. "Thank you, auntie!" They bowed to her again.

"I have to go to airport now so I will see you in two years! Be good!" Iris lamented, giving her son one last hug and kiss, before waving to everyone and entering the limousine. "Joi gin!"

The crew continued to wave until the limousine was beyond the front gate.

"Now what?" Zoe asked, wiping her tears while clutching her new laptop fondly.

"We'll help Allison, Leah, and Natalie gather their stuff before we head to the airport," Hane explained after composing herself.

"We should also call our parents," Lauren suggested.