Dear Ex Wife Please take me back by The Every Woman

ATHENA

Six weeks later.....

"I got you scoffee." | smile at Sloane, who looks lost in thought.

"Thank you." She whispers as she takes the coffee, and then | proceed to sit next to her.

After my aunt got arrested six weeks ago, | cried myself to sleep, but the next morning, we received even worse

news. Katelyn had been shot.

It was a very hard tfor lan, who looked ruined by the news, and | understood his loss. Everyone was there for

him and his father even though there was nothing much we could say or do to make him feel better.

Sloane has been looking even more depressed since then.

"We had just gotten engaged, Athena. We even planned to meet her and uncle Elias the next day to tell them in

person." She whispers as she stares at the wall.

"It's going to be okay. Alex and Luca are looking for whoever did this, and they won't let him get away with it." |

hold her shaking hand in mine.

"You need to be strong, babe. lan needs you now more than ever."

She nods, wiping a tear.

"You're right. I've been mopping for over a month, not knowing how to approach or what to say around him."

"You don't need to talk. Just be there for him."

She places her cup on the side table and hugs me.

"Thank you, Athena. For everything!" We pull apart, then she givesa smile,

"Now, | think you need to tell my brother about the baby. Before he finds out accidentally." She says, and I laugh.

"I'll be so upset if my cute surprise is ruined." | pout.

| found out | was pregnant two weeks after Katelyn's funeral, and | couldn't bring myself to speak about it during

such a time. So, I've been waiting for the perfect moment.

"lan just texted me. He wants to go on a trip."

"A trip? That's a good idea."

She smiles, standing.

My heart warms because this is the first tI've seen her real smile since that bomb dropped. It must have

been devastating walking into such a scene. According to Alex, they were on a date when they received a call.

But he also mentioned it's deeper than that and needs tto figure it out before he can telleverything.

I didn't hesitate and told him if it's hard, he doesn't need to tell me. | know it hit him as a blow, too.

"Where does he want to go?" | ask, curious.

"He said he hasn't decided yet," she replies, tucking her silver blonde hair behind her ear. "But he just wants to

drive. Maybe disappear for a while."

"That sounds exactly like something lan would say."

We both laugh quietly. It's strange how grief can make laughter feel like rebellion, like you're not allowed to have

i)

But we are.

"Promisesomething?" | ask, nudging her gently.

She raises an eyebrow. "What?"

"Don't shut him out while you're gone. Let him feel whatever he needs to feel. You don't have to fix it. Just... let

him know you're there."

"I will," she says, softer now. "And you... promiseyou'll tell Alex soon?"

| groan, leaning back against the couch tically. "You sound just like Isabelle."

"Good. Because she's right."

"| just... want it to be perfect. This baby cat a strange time, but it's still a miracle. | want Alex to look at me

and see hope, not just someone who's survived chaos."

Sloane places a hand on my knee.

"Athena, you are hope. You've been his light since the beginning, even when everything around you was dark.

This baby? It's just another reason for him to love you even more."

I blink back unexpected tears, then laugh. "You're going to makecry, and if | start, | won't stop."

She grins and winks. "Then cry later. Right now, go find my brother and tell him before he figures it out himself."

Just as she says that, the front door opens, and in walks Alex, with a jacket slung over his arm, sleeves rolled,

and that cocky little smirk he always wears when he sees me.

His eyes flick between us.

"Did | miss a girls' therapy session, or is this a plot to kickout of my own house?"

| chuckle, standing. "Neither. But | do need to steal you for a second."

He eyessuspiciously. "Why do | feel like I'm about to be interrogated?"

"Because you always assyou're guilty," | tease, taking his hand. "Cwith me."

"I'll leave you guys to it. I'll call you." Sloane says to Alex.

"How are you holding up?" He asks, his features softening.

"I'm better. I'll get there." She responds.

"It's not your fault. Okay?" He says.

Tears shine in her eyes as she nods.

"I'll call you."

| watch as she walks out. The questions are burning at the tip of my tongue, but | decide not to ask.

| lead Alex to the garden, needing a little air, a little space for what I'm about to

say.

He waits patiently, watchinglike I'm a puzzle he's trying to solve without flipping the box over.

"You okay?" he finally asks. "You've been quieter than usual lately."

| take a breath, reaching for his hand again. "I'm more than okay. But | need to tell

you something."

His jaw tenses slightly. "Athena, what's going on?"

| place his hand over my stomach.

At first, he doesn't react. Then, slowly, realization creeps into his expression.

His eyes widen. His breath catches.

And then, just like that, everything softens.

"You're pregnant?" he whispers.

| nod, tears finally breaking free.

He pullsinto his arms so tightly | can barely breathe, and when he pulls back,

his voice is thick with emotion.

"We're having another baby?"

"We are."

His eyes flicker with something raw and pure and breathtaking.

Joy.

Hope.

Love.

"I'm going to give you everything," he says. "Everything, Athena. You and our

babies, this is it for me. You're my whole world."

| press my forehead to his, both of us smiling now.

For the first tin a long time, things don't feel like they're falling apart.

They feel like they're falling into place.

We've been through so much, and so many things have happened to bring us to this moment. Painful things,

happy things. This moment was led by that, and wouldnt trade. it for anything in the world. s

| love this man, | love everything about him with everything in me. love my family, too. Rayen being the top of

the list. As we hold each other in the garden, can't help but feel at peace. s

It all fell into place.

A love so strong started with pain, just as deep. Ours was a love story written in the stars and forged in fire.

Nothing could ever separate

again.

s

"I'm so glad | get to do this with you, dear husband." | mumble in his chest.

"You've always been the one for me, baby, even when I didn't know it. It has always been you."

"| love you."

He looks down atwith so much love in his eyes as he givesa full smile.

"| love you even more."

word

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