18 Floors Above the Apocalypse

Chapter 429

Jasper might have been clueless before, but after nine years with Stella, he'd picked up on everything he needed to know. Stella didn't hold back. "Yeah, your sister's all grown up."

Jasper paused, feeling a mix of happiness and a touch of melancholy.

"What's wrong?" Stella teased, tapping his chin playfully. "Not thrilled that Rosie's growing up?"

"Of course I'm happy. It's just... time flies, you know?"

Stella chuckled, "Feeling like an old dad who's going to walk his daughter down the aisle soon?"

Jasper opened his mouth, struggled for words, and finally admitted, "Yeah, and you're turning into an old mom, too."

But growing up was something to be celebrated. If their parents could see them from the beyond, they'd surely be comforted.

Raising a child in a post-apocalyptic world was no small feat, especially with Rosie turning out so well-most of the credit went to Stella. He wrapped his arms around Stella and kissed her. "Stella, thank you for all these tough years."

Feeling playful, Stella flirted back, "So, how do you plan to thank me?"

As their kisses deepened, he murmured, "My life for you."

Stella laughed, "What good is your life to me?"

He whispered in her ear, "What about my body, does that work?"

Stella playfully kicked him, "Be serious."

She went to deliver sanitary pads to Rosie and then turned to Jasper with a knowing look. "What are you waiting for? Clean up."

After five days in the submarine, Rosie's period had ended.

Blue Blue's relentless scratching finally paid off, clearing its body of barnacles over the past couple of days, and it hadn't reappeared since.

The silence of the deep sea was eerie, and the initial wonder at observing the marine life had turned to ennui. Not even the prettiest jellyfish or the strangest creatures could stir much excitement in the trio and their dog. Meals were eaten in silence, punctuated only by the clink of cutlery, chewing of food, and the sound of breathing.

Even Cooper's snoring had lost its charm, becoming a source of oppressive irritation.

Stella recognized the signs: deep-sea cabin fever was setting in.

bizarre creatures, dim lighting, and cramped space could suffocate the spirit

ease the stress,

view, and soothing music softened

Rosie sat cracking sunflower seeds on the deck of

fans of such pastimes,

noticing Jasper's

at the sea. "I've got this feeling

who'd lived two

with binoculars but found

her, "Our binoculars aren't

mutated Iran, Stella shivered. "You mean someone might be watching us from afar, and we just haven't spotted them?" Without evidence

But as ordinary people with limited resources, they couldn't ignore that others might have far superior gear. Ordinary folks might lack the means, but what about groups or even

hundred countries, and despite the catastrophic disasters, the will to

they watch us?" Stella frowned slightly. "To see Rosie

mused, "Maybe I'm

than sorry, they took a deep breath and the

that area, with Rosie

No disturbances, for now.

traveling a hundred nautical

and the bottom of

the bedroom, flipping through a magazine she couldn't focus on, Stella shared

was referring to

amidst severe human conflicts, most countries tried to save the

and nations became mere "nations," if they faced survival threats and dropped their national façades, it could lead

you didn't provoke others, they

the future, Stella comforted

thoughts lead to

submarine breached

trapped under the hatch, struggling in vain to open it as cold seawater filled

body jerked awake in the

Jasper's arms enveloped

for breath, she buried her

a light, patted her back gently, and handed her

the time, it was

tried to sleep after drinking the water,

and eventually, her breathing evened out to