Page 55 of Athena

“I wouldn’t be so sure of that,” Mars said as Athena felt the energy in the room shift.

There was that inevitable tether, pulling at her once more and her heart skipped a beat. She turned to see Brian standing in the sliding glass door, his hair a bit of a mess, his glasses catching the setting sun’s light.

The world fell away as she looked at him, the man who’d given her everything she never knew she wanted.

Love, satisfaction, understanding, support.

A child.

A family.

She did not think twice about running up to him and throwing her arms around him, not even in front of everyone at this nautical-themed party.

The Athena of long ago would have seen such things as flippant, but now, Athena didn’t know how to keep her hands to herself.

She wanted the entire world to know Briony Leehan, the newest librarian at the Leehan Library, was hers.

“I missed you, too,” he purred as he kissed her just underneath her ear.

“I thought you weren’t coming home until tomorrow,” she said, the tears coming to her eyes without warning.

“I couldn’t stand to be away from you a minute longer,” he said as he pulled out a thin package from beneath his arm.

“What’s this?” she asked as she grabbed the package.

“It’s impolite to show up to a birthday party without a gift,” he said sweetly.

“What is it?” she asked as she sauntered toward the table.

“A copy of my favorite story,” he teased her.

“I thought our story was your favorite story,” she said as she set the book down on top of another package.

Brian pulled her close, resting his hand on her hip. He looked down at her as his fingers brushed over her stomach, causing her insides to melt.

There was no way he could know.

She’d only just found out a week ago, the day after he left for the conference.

“Our story is my favorite story. But it’s not over yet, not by a long shot.”

Athena settled into him, the chatter of the backyard white noise, his words like a prayer, wish on a star.

“Yeah, about that...” she started.

Brian brushed a strand of golden hair over her shoulder.

“How ready are you to start a new chapter?” she whispered. Her eyes searched his for any hint of betrayal, but they were devoid.

At that moment, the wail of the birthday baby broke the sound barrier. Athena cringed just a bit, but Brian only shook his head.

“With you, Athena, every chapter is worth writing.” He leaned down and kissed her softly and she melted into him like butter.

“And I think...” he said with a smirk, his thumb brushing over her belly button. “I think we both know the best is yet to come.”