The Whittaker Saga

Kennedy's first months in term doesn't start off too well. Instead, shockwaves are sent through the US as the Soviet Union is the first country in the world to put a man in space, then just a few days later, the US is humiliated in the Bay of Pigs. For Arthur, it's the news about Yuri Gagarin being the first man in space that is reverberating through NASA and occupies all of his thought and attention. They just got the X15 up and flying properly, and now the Soviets already had a man in space. How can that be? "Why aren't we better than they are?" Bikle yells at the team the day after the news has broken. "We've got the best minds in the world, some of them in this very room, and yet they beat us to it. AGAIN!" It's a motivating factor for all of them to work harder, longer, more. They cannot afford another set back like this. The US needs a man in space, and soon. If he ever thought of asking for a leave for his honeymoon, he can forget abo...

Waking up on the last morning he'll wake up alone, Arthur is quickly out of bed. The wedding is planned, the venue booked, and though his mother might be upset that the two aren't getting married in a church, Arthur is just happy that it's finally happening. The hours before moves at a snail's pace, and ticks away one long second after the other. But then they're here, and it's finally time, and Arthur sees his bride in her dress for the first time. He's never seen her look so stunning before. Their families have gathered to watch them say their vows, his bigger than hers, but Arthur sees none of that, having only eyes for his bride. When the ceremony is over, the group gathers downstairs in the, perhaps slightly too big, ball room for food, dancing, cake and socialisation. The buffet tables are filled to the brink, the conversation flows freely. When its time for the first dance the guest gather around to watch the couple, but again, Arthur hardly notice a ...