Athena
He stood in silence, his eyes fixed on me with a loving gaze, pouring all his emotions into that single look. Without uttering a word, he approached me, taking long strides until he stood before me. He pressed his lips against mine, sealing them in a tender and lingering kiss that left me breathless, exploring every corner of my mouth.
God, how I loved him!
"Well...I didn't realise you would like the name so much," I whispered, trying to catch my breath.
His eyes twinkled with amusement as his thumbs traced my cheeks. He pressed a gentle kiss at the corner of my mouth and replied, "Well...I never anticipated that I would fall for you every time my eyes landed on you. The name is perfect. I love it."
"I'm glad you love it," I chuckled, relieved. "Otherwise, I might have had to kick you out of the room." With a mischievous grin, I seized his collars and playfully pulled him onto the bed with me.
He landed on his back, and as always, I found my place on his chest, nestling my head beneath his chin, seeking his comforting warmth.
How was it even possible for someone to smell good all the time?
He shifted his body slightly, angling himself towards me so that he could press a tender kiss on my forehead. His hand moved in a soothing motion, rubbing small circles on my back, while his other hand traced gentle fingers along my baby bump, eliciting a fluttering sensation. I had grown accustomed to these movements by now.
"He's quite active," Sebastian chuckled, his hand resting on my growing belly.
"Yes, especially when you're around. He feels safe in your presence."
"Or maybe he's trying to kick me away from you," he teased, a playful smile on his face. "Perhaps he wants Mommy all to himself."
"Shush, that's not it," I laughed as I playfully slapped his shoulder.
"I know," he said, pulling me closer into his arms, his sigh of relief conveying a sense of calmness that mirrored my own, "Do you think he knows how much we love him?"
"I believe he does," I replied with a thoughtful smile, my lips curling at the corners. "And I think he loves us even more. He wants to protect us as much as we want to protect him."
"Really?"
"Yes, it's just a feeling I have," I murmured, burying my face in his neck and inhaling his intoxicating scent. A wave of electrifying sensations surged through my skin and exploded deep within my chest like fireworks yet gentle as peaceful winter breezes, "I just can't wait to hold him in my arms."
"He's going to be so tiny, isn't he?" he asked, a hint of awe in his voice, his smile unable to fade.
"Yes, he'll be small compared to us," I chuckled, "And we'll have to handle him with utmost care. He'll need an abundance of love to grow into a strong and courageous man."
"I won't ask him to be a warrior, Athena. I'll ask him to be a remarkable son and partner. I'll ask him not to repeat the mistakes I made, and to live his life to the fullest without being burdened by the expectations of this world. I'll ask him to be true to himself," he declared. "To be a better person than his father, just as I've strived to be better than mine. We'll raise him well. We'll ensure his happiness and provide him with all the joy this world has to offer."
"We will, Sebastian. We absolutely will."
****
A Day Later
"Cora's coming to visit us today. Is that alright?" he asked, his hands gently zipping up my dress from behind. As he wrapped his arms around me, his chin found its place on my shoulder, his warmth enveloping me as he inhaled my scent.
"Yes, of course. Why wouldn't it be?"
"Because last time you thought she was my girlfriend," he said casually, a small chuckle escaping his lips at the end.
"It was a misunderstanding," I confessed, my cheeks flushing with embarrassment. "I didn't realise she was talking about an actual pillow fight."
"You should have figured it out," he said, turning me around slowly, his hands resting on either side of my hips. A mischievous smirk danced on his lips, "The only person I'd ever want to have that kind of fight with is you."
"Pervert," I playfully pushed at his chest, but he didn't budge. Instead, he leaned closer, his lips nearing mine.
"I don't mind being called that when it involves you," he murmured, our lips almost touching...until suddenly, a sharp, searing pain shot through my lower abdomen.
"Ouch..." I groaned, my hands instinctively clutching my belly. The pain radiated through my body, spreading quickly and intensifying.
"Love, what's happening?" Sebastian's voice filled with concern as his eyes darted between my face and my stomach, trying to make sense of the confusion etched on my features. Perhaps he initially thought it was our baby's active movements causing discomfort. But this pain was different—familiar and terrifying.
I had witnessed it before.
"Sebastian... I think..." I struggled to catch my breath as my body temperature soared, beads of sweat forming on my forehead, "I think it's that pain... again."
The realisation hit him, and I witnessed a vivid horror fill his eyes as they shifted to my swollen belly. He had finally understood what was going on.
Meanwhile, I could barely process anything beyond the searing heat that consumed me. It felt as though my very being was set ablaze, an inferno raging from within.
And the weight of the possibility that my baby was also enduring this agony added to my despair.
My knees weakened, threatening to buckle under me, but Sebastian held me firmly, preventing me from collapsing to the ground.
"Athena..."
"It's worse than last time, Sebastian..." I whimpered, tears welling up in my eyes, my voice trembling with fear and anguish.
If I were to put my experience into words, I would simply say that I was enduring a taste of death in every conceivable way, over and over again. My organs twisted and writhed, my limbs felt as though they were being torn apart, and my skin seemed to peel away from my body. It was an agonising journey through hell, a never-ending cycle of torment, each iteration amplifying the pain.
"Love, look at me..." Sebastian cupped my face, his grip firm and comforting. "It will be over soon. I promise. Remember, we fought through it last time. We'll fight through it again."
"Who are we fighting against, Sebastian? Our own child?" I sobbed, my voice filled with anguish. "He's in pain. He's suffering, and I'm terrified that he's enduring even more agony than I am."
Tears shimmered in Sebastian's eyes. "No, we're fighting against the odds, against fate," he said as he scooped me up in his arms and led me into the bathroom. "And we will prevail. No matter what."