Second one for today! :-)
ATHENA “Mummy! What made you take so long?” Rayen jumps in my arms as I hold back a groan. I swear periods were enemies sent to kill us but found us stronger, so they settled for torture instead. Because what the hell am I feeling this kind of pain for?“We had to check for something, buddy. Come here!” Alex saves me again.Have you ever felt like asking the ground to open up and swallow you whole? That's exactly how I'm feeling.I'm so shy, I can't face him. Which is crazy because I'm a doctor. These things shouldn't bother me. “My camping tent is huge and warm. I'm sharing it with my best friend! Wanna see?” Rayen asks, and I hold back a laugh.This boy has more energy than I'll ever have. “Yes, sure. But I didn't know you had a best friend, who is it?” Alex asks.“Kai Sinclair. He just came to our school and is super fun!” Rayen bounces as we walk to his tent.The setup is really camp like except that the tents have been made inside the huge hotel with security so tight no one
ALEXHer eyes snap to me, and I swear my soul leaves my body for a second.“I mean, I'm…just asking! For context! Pain-level identification!” I rush to explain.She glares.I press my lips into a thin line.Without saying another word.At the red light, I quickly pull up my phone and search for the nearest convenience store. Thankfully, there’s one less than five minutes away.I park the car a little too hard in my rush.Athena doesn’t move. She’s hunched over in pain, with sweat still clinging to her temples like she just ran a marathon. I glance at her, completely useless, then I turn to her and whisper, “Baby, stay here….I..ahh….I’ll get what you need.”She doesn’t fight me on this or the pet name I just called her. That’s how I know it’s bad.I grab my wallet and rush out. But as I step out of the car and head toward the store, a terrifying thought strikes me,What do I even get?I freeze on the sidewalk like an idiot, then pull out my phone again and start typing:[ What do wome
ALEX Her lips part forming an O. Her beautiful eyes widen in shock as she looks at me like I have grown a second head. But it's true.I just hate that it took me so long to tell her.I'm in love with Athena. And I'll do anything to have her back in my arms again. I'll do it right this time. "I love you." I repeat. No games. No pride. No defenses left.Just love.Raw. Consuming. Terrifying, how powerful it feels.She turns her head slowly, as if needing confirmation that the words really came from my mouth. Like maybe she imagined it.But I mean every syllable.I love her.God, I love her so much it’s unbearable sometimes.When she’s happy, I feel like the sun is shining just for me. When she smiles, like really smiles, it knocks the breath out of me. My heart races like a fool’s.And when she laughs?It’s over. I’m a goner. Every single time.I catch myself staring at her more than I should. Memorizing the curve of her jaw, the way her lips tug to the side when she’s pretending
ATHENA I sit at work as my head spins. I've tried to think of what would have caused Alex to say that, but I come back empty every single time.He wouldn't tell me what, and it's extremely frustrating!“Dr. Dawson? We have an urgent patient who needs surgery.” Nurse Mira says, and I nod. I put my phone back in my coat and rush to to the OR.Three hours later, I'm walking out, feeling like my bones are cracking. It's crazy how you think your body will get used only to be proven wrong over and over again. The fatigue never goes away. And the back pains only get worse. But none of that matters when you're doing something you love. As long as my patients get to live a healthy life again, I'm fine with feeling tired and having dark circles.“The surgery went well. We just need to keep an eye on him.” I say to the nurse who nods.“Yes doc. You really do have magic hands. Every patient you've worked on has lived.” She says with a smile.I smile back, but I can't help but get a strange fe
ATHENA “I had to check on you guys. Did anything happen?” He asks, and my frown deepens. “What are you talking about?” I ask, confusion etched on my face.He steps in and pulls my hand to the couch. I let him because I want to hear why he looks like he came running.“Listen to me, don't pick any calls in the meantime. Do you understand? I've brought you a new line you can use for family and close friends for now.” His thumb brushes my knuckles. “Am I a wanted woman? What the hell is going on?” I ask.“Well… you see-”Before he can complete the sentence, Rayen rushes forward “Daddy!” he grins, grabbing Alex’s hand. “Come! You have to see my new bedroom. I arranged my toys like you showed me!”Alex chuckles, glancing at me before giving in. “Alright, little man. Lead the way.”I watch them disappear down the hallway, my mind racing with a dozen questions Alex didn’t get to answer.A few minutes later, I call out from the kitchen, “Rayen! Dinner’s ready!”Little footsteps patter do
ATHENA “Mummy you just have to come with Daddy. My friends will laugh at me!” Rayen holds onto my hand as he pouts.I sigh as I lift him in my arms and shower his cute face with kisses.“Baby, Daddy will be busy.” I lie.But he shakes his head.“No he won't. Daddy is never too busy for me. He comes to every school event. But can't you join him this year?” His eyes widen as he cups my cheeks in his tiny hands. “Please, Mummy? Just this once?”I hug him tighter, burying my face in his soft curls to hide the guilt clawing at my chest.If only he understood how complicated things really were between me and Alex. But how do I explain that to a three-year-old who still sees the world in black and white?“Sweetheart,” I whisper, brushing his hair back. “Mummy just… can’t.”His face falls. The pout returns, deeper this time, but it’s the sadness in his eyes that does me in.“You don’t love Daddy anymore? Is that why you won't let us stay together?” he asks quietly.My heart stops.I force a