18 Floors Above the Apocalypse novel Chapter 636

Before setting sail, Stella had already made up her mind. She'd been popping prenatal vitamins for three months, getting ready to conceive.

She'd done the math—it was her ovulation cycle.

Maybe it was having a goal in sight, but Jasper was all fired up.

They spent several hours at the Arcadia.

Whether it was the raw intimacy of not using protection or his determination to make it happen, Stella felt like a tiny boat in a massive wave.

The waves rushed, surged.

At any moment, she might capsize.

The idea of drowning in him was disturbingly pleasant.

Jasper, usually so reserved, whispered sweet nothings in her ear... It was so unlike him.

Caught in his passion, Stella was both embarrassed and annoyed... Men and their primal instincts.

They slept until the next afternoon before recovering.

What Stella didn't know was that in her excitement, she'd bitten Jasper a few times.

Marks on his neck that were impossible to hide drew envious howls from the single folks.

"How unfair," they lamented. "Rubbing it in our faces like that."

Hugh, the seasoned veteran, commented nonchalantly, "Wait till you're married; you'll understand."

Exhausted and achy, Stella headed to the Arcadia for a hot shower, revitalized with a fresh-squeezed orange juice, and nibbled on some snacks.

She slumped onto the couch, drifting off again.

By the time she woke up, Jasper had finished work.

They spent the evening scrolling through their phones, reading books, and chatting.

Ready for bed, Jasper's hand reached out, "Stella, it's your fertile window. Should we... solidify our efforts?"

His eagerness reminded her of their early days together, leaving Stella defenseless, "I'm too tired, let's talk about it tomorrow."

Ah, men.

Turn it into a mission, and they become all gung-ho.

Jasper pulled her into his embrace, "Alright, sleep. I won't disturb you."

His lips said one thing, but his heart was filled with dreams of their future child.

If fate allowed, he hoped for a daughter.

As he mused, he couldn't help but kiss her again...

What could Stella do but yield to the inevitable?

A few days from port, the crew was in high spirits, sitting by the observation window making mashed potato dumplings.

Curious about their chatter, Stella approached, "What's going on?"

"Stella, we're discussing how there seem to be fewer mutated marine creatures."

After nearly two years at sea, Stella had noticed it too.

It was probably the ancient virus mutating to a less virulent form, finally unable to spread.

Amelia, with a conspiratorial tone, claimed, "I know the reason."

Everyone perked up with interest.

Amelia had contacts in a food processing plant, "The mutated fish had severe organ deformities, which led to their inability to reproduce. Either the big fish ate the little ones, or they died of old age, thus reducing their numbers."

Jake asked, "How do they know the mutated fish can't reproduce?"

"Are you kidding? They're filleting fish all day; they'd know if there were eggs or not."

Before the catastrophe, they wouldn't have crossed paths in a million years.

Perhaps this was the mysterious nature of fate, much like her own connection with Jasper.

Returning now, the oppressive heat was gone, replaced by a crisp autumn breeze.

People and crops alike had adapted to the erratic climate, and life was brightening, smiles becoming more frequent.

Every family had their patch of land, with most beginning to cultivate their own food.

Bran dropped Stella at her doorstep, and Vera leaned in tenderly, "Go ahead. I need to ask Stella about something."

He kissed her softly, "Alright, I'll wait at home."

Stella, bombarded with their display of affection, was left speechless.

Vera stepped out, blushing as she approached.

Cooper opened the door, and the new Hugo bounded out to greet them, "Woof... whine..."

Once inside, Stella invited her to sit down, "Vera, what's on your mind?"

Vera hesitated, her hands twisting her dress, "Stella, Bran and I are getting married soon, and I... I want to know if there's still a chance for me to have children?"

Stella frowned slightly, "Did you visit a doctor?"

Vera's expression grew grave, "I did, and the doctor said... I... I..."

She choked up, tears beginning to fall.

Perhaps because Stella had once saved her life, and their families were close, Vera could no longer hold back her emotions.

"Don't worry, take your time," Stella comforted her.

"I was abroad when everything fell apart, chaos everywhere, survival was tough, and I was... I was..." Vera's voice broke as she recounted her harrowing past.