To begin, this story was a beautiful read and I’m glad I got to experience it. Very sweet and simple. It made me nostalgic for stories like A Christmas Carol, and even made me think about the father from Train to Busan, who also redeems himself to family. The first lines really establish the central conflicts and vices, which are eventually turned on their heads in very well-plotted ways. I enjoyed the use of the call to Amy as a way to transition into his heart condition, masterfully done there. It was a punch in the gut, and it only gets emotionally bumpier from there. My favorite sequences featured the couple and Ian thinking about the people who didn’t make it to space. At that point in the story, the reader is happy that Ian’s had a change in fortunes, but we like him even more after he’s sacrificed his opportunity. In fact, I thought him even more worthy of a second chance for his good will, but alas, that’s not how life works. Overall, this was a delightful read about a family coming back together and a man coming to terms with his mistakes and making the most of his time left. A simple life with your loved ones, in the end, heals hearts.

Some specific lines/edits:

[… and he acclerated slowly, his mind mulling on what he should do]: “acclerated” should be “accelerated”, and I’d replace “on” with “over”

[The children’s excitement was not infectious]: I’ve never seen this statement made with the word “infectious,” it’s kind of refreshing

[Dying was a lot of work. There were so many accounts to close…]: loved this entire bit

[… laughing at her laughter]: aw, very nice way to put it

[… two braids that framed the girls’s face]: take out that extra “s”

[She was so genuine, so honest, and it surprised him that he hadn’t known that before]: I’m not crying, you are :(

[… but that didn’t mean they couldn’t sleep as close as possible]: loved this

Ellipses should be put together like "..." not with a space between each dot.

Interesting choice of names- not only Irina, but Hope and Vikram. I wish I knew why he decided on those.

"Power-lust" could be better phrased if you just said "His lust for power" or something along those lines.

So is the heart thing a metaphor for how Ian seems not care about anyone, at least (ironically) when he's informed he doesn't have long to live?

You need to be a born citizen to run for the presidency- was Ian born in the United States in this version?

Wait so what does Amy do while Ian is busy being a high-powered senator (what state, btw?) Does she have a job or a life outside?

Haha I like the irony of the line "Dying was a lot of work". It's very wry.

So is Theiste on Mars when he speaks to Ian or is he visiting in person?

You might want to rephrase "lead out and stuff" into something a little more specific- maybe just a simple "lead"?

What did Amy do if she didn't even go out to any social functions?

Your perception of Washington is interesting, because it sounds like a hotbed of false fronts and lies- which in all fairness, is very easy to think because of our current political climate. However, I would caution you against associating everything political/Washington with "falselike the observations about powerful women's clothes and hair, Ian thinking Amy is genuine and honest because she doesn't associate with Washingtonians in all those parties and galas).

But I get that the theme here is not to put personal ambition (which in Ian's case is politics) before family, and I respect that.

You know what would be cool? If someone did a political AU in which Ian and Amy are politicians... hmm I'm starting to get some ideas...