18 Floors Above the Apocalypse novel Chapter 629

Daniel could tell Stella had some reservations, so he continued, “Once the next mission is done, Griffith’s salvage operation will come to an end. Even if we make new discoveries, there’s no rush. We need time to process and build on what we’ve already recovered from the sea.

The exploration at Willowbrook isn’t finished yet, and the inventory won’t come through any time soon. You can wait until after the baby’s born to think about it. No need to hurry.

Dad really hopes you’ll decide to have a kid. It’ll bring so much joy, and having a child makes both family and career more meaningful for the Flores family. But if you don’t want to, that’s okay too. Just give it some thought.”

Stella pondered for a moment, “I’ll think about it.”

“You’ve been through a lot out there, you’ve lost weight and you’re tired. Now that you’re back, just take it easy.” Daniel patted her shoulder, repeating his usual advice, “Don’t push yourself too hard. Safety first.”

Back home, Stella didn’t mention the conversation to Jasper. Noise from outside caught their attention, and their loyal dog darted out to investigate, its paws tapping on the floor.

There were faint voices, and soon the door swung open. Rosie stepped in, her exhaustion melting away at the sight of her brother and sister-in-law.

Stella suspected that Dylan had dropped Rosie off, but she didn’t ask, not wanting to pry. Rosie was an adult, capable of making her own decisions. If she needed advice, she’d ask for it.

When Rosie did speak, it was about Willowbrook and the many volunteers relocating to Griffith. About sixty percent were military personnel from South Base, and the rest were survivors, mostly from Guangdong province, along with their families. Only a handful were from Griffith itself.

“Uncle Qin, brother Dylan, and Aunt Miranda’s family came too,” Rosie said. Miranda worked at a farm, and little Monkey helped out, too young for a salary but taken care of with meals.

Rosie believed that Austin and Monkey would thrive in new surroundings; they just needed time. The two uncles had good relations with their family, so it was natural for Rosie to help them out. They could trade whatever the farms had surplus of.

Without them, others would step in, but since they were helpful to her brother and sister-in-law, why not them? Stella, of course, gave her a thumbs up. Dylan, however, wasn’t mentioned.

After freshening up, the couple lay quietly in bed. Suddenly, Jasper asked, “Do you think Dylan is a good match for Rosie?”

With the bedroom door closed, Stella spoke frankly, “Among the younger generation, Dylan’s got the looks and skills. But he’s been sheltered by Austin. He’s not quite mature enough yet.”

At least, not for Rosie as she was now. As for the future, that depended on his growth. There was no need to rush to judgment. Stella felt a twinge of disappointment, like seeing a reflection of her younger self. But she too had once been young and foolish.

The saying goes, “Tall trees attract the wind, and fragrant flowers draw butterflies.” As Rosie’s elder, Stella hoped she would find not just love but also strengthen herself. But unless things were out of hand, Stella preferred to let the young ones sort it out themselves.

They woke up naturally. Stella had just finished breakfast when Angela and Kitty came to visit. After three months, the change in them was striking. Their once gaunt features had filled out, and their complexions had improved.

Kitty agreed. Griffith’s power had surged, especially after the military negotiations with China. The national base was bustling with development; who would dare stir trouble now?

Cody had been placed in the city hall, handpicked by Mark to be his secretary and protégé. Mark had aged rapidly over the past decade of post-apocalyptic hardships. Despite treatments, resources were scarce, and the workload was relentless.

He was keen to groom a new generation of leaders, but the disaster had left a shortage of human resources. It wasn’t until the special salvage group returned with thousands and the recent influx from Willowbrook that the talent pool began to replenish.

Every department had its share, and whether these newcomers would become successors depended on their abilities. Stella had always had faith in Cody. Sure, his track record with girlfriends might be less than stellar, but he had other redeeming qualities.

Working in sales, you gotta have a sharp eye and be quick on your feet. After over a decade of navigating through a world turned upside down, serving in the military and setting up safe havens, his will and convictions hadn’t just survived—they’d grown stronger.

And as for Lukas—yeah, he used to be the sickly type, but that was history. To survive a cataclysmic event, to become a key player in the ‘Project Phoenix’, even one of the leaders of a thousand survivors, you think his smarts or strength would be anything less than impressive?

It’s not that people didn’t notice him. He just played his cards close to his chest. His peculiar upbringing had honed a unique personality. He could be humble or he could stand tall, with an inner strength that was both clear-eyed and pragmatic. Of the three, he was actually the most free-spirited.

Stella was convinced that Lukas could thrive anywhere. And as it turned out, Lukas was indeed doing quite well for himself…