[ WP ] Earth is about to end . People are evacuating via spaceships . There is only room for one more person in the last escape pod . A father says his last words to his daughter and places her on the ship .

I had gotten the call a week ago today. I hesitantly recalled it as they prepared her for launch. 
 
 > `` Mr. Thompson?'' 
 
 > `` Yes?'' 
 
 > `` This is Director Thom Michaelovich, of NASA. I'm sure you've heard of the upcoming catastrophe: that earth is going to be destroyed in a matter of days? In the wake of such a tragedy, we have selected your daughter to be a part of the manned mission to Mars in order to keep mankind alive whilst earth dies. Congratulations. More information will be emailed to you promptly. Godspeed.'' 
 
 *Congratulations. * What a bastard. 
 
 As that phone call played out in my head, my wife was wrapping her arms around me tighter than ever. My son held on to my hand loosely, gazing at the spacecraft that was docked in front of us. Different men and women of all shapes, ages, and sizes were being loaded onto the rocket. 
 
 My daughter spotted us in the middle of the crowd waiting for the ship's departure and yelled, `` Daddy!'' 
 
 She tore away from the grip of the officer's directing her onto the ship and ran towards us. I knelt down and wrapped my arms around her; I could have stayed like that forever. My wife hugged her, and then my son got his chance to hug his older sister. 
 
 `` Mommy, daddy, why are n't you in astronaut suits yet?'' 
 
 I looked at my wife, and she at me. We both sighed deeply to each other. I remained knelt down and grabbed my daughter's shoulders. `` Emily,'' I whispered, my voice cracking, `` Mommy and I and Garrett are n't coming with you. We ca n't. They do n't want us to come with you. Sweetie, believe me, if there was a way, I would never leave you.'' 
 
 `` What do you mean?'' I could tell she was on the verge of crying. 
 
 `` You're going into space alone. We're very sorry, honey. If we could change this, we would. I would never leave you. *We* would never leave you.'' 
 
 She began to cry. Warm, angry tears began streaming down her face. `` But, daddy…'' 
 
 `` I'm so sorry, sweetie.'' I felt tears starting to form in my own eyes. I looked down upon my daughter - my sweet, beautiful, distressed Emily. `` Emily?'' 
 
 I wiped the tears from her eyes. `` Yeah?'' she replied, her voice trembling. 
 
 `` I love you more than you will ever know. What do I say about love?'' 
 
 She gave me a weak smile. `` That you love me to the sun and back.'' 
 
 A tear streaked down my face. `` That's right, my love. I love you all the way to the sun and back. In fact, I love you all the way to Mars and back. I love you to infinity and back!'' 
 
 She let out a small laugh. 
 
 `` Your mother and I are so very proud of you for taking on your responsibilities like a grown up. Your mother and Garrett and I will always love you and cherish every moment we had with you. We will never stop loving you. Do n't you ever forget that. You're my little girl, and no one can ever replace you.'' 
 
 An officer grabbed her shoulder and tried to tug her back towards the spaceship. She looked up at him and then back at me, and wrapped her arms around my neck as tight as she possibly could. `` I do n't wan na go! I do n't wan na leave you, daddy!'' 
 
 `` I know you do n't, Em. I know, I know, I know you do n't. And I love all the more for it. But it's now time to be a big girl. Can you be a grown up for mommy, Gar-bear, and me?'' 
 
 She wiped more tears from her eyes. Her spacesuit did not help dry her face, but they got the tears out of her eyes. She nodded, her mouth quivering with fear and sadness. 
 
 `` I want you to convince me that you'll be a good and strong big girl up there, okay?'' 
 
 `` I will, daddy, I will.'' 
 
 `` Good girl. Daddy, mommy, and Garrett will always love you!'' I unhooked her arms from my neck and extended her gloved hands to the officer. `` This man will take good care of you, alright, sweetie?'' 
 
 She nodded and looked up at the officer. I saw the officer smile softly at her, and then they started to leave. She walked hesitantly back towards the spaceship. I watched her every step of the way.
