Till the End of Time

Chapter Ten: Ruin the Surprise

The Angelos family was known for hosting barbecues. If it was a Sunday, at least one Angelos' family member would fire up the grill. On the Sunday three weeks after the Palm Springs incident, the Angelos clan was gathered at Nico and Nina's backyard.

I was playing with Lil Leo seated on the grass. Nico was at the grill with my cousins, Michail and Andre. My cousins' kids were swimming in the pool, squirting each other with water guns.

Thalia, Michail and Andre's younger sister, was seated next to me meditating. Only Thalia would attempt to meditate at a loud family barbecue. She was the eccentric one of the bunch, but she was my favorite cousin. Dressed in a white gypsy skirt, crochet cropped top, coin head chain, Yawanawa necklace, and glitter on her temples; she looked like a bohemian gypsy. Lil Leo was fascinated by her and kept trying to touch her. He finally succeeded as he slipped out of my arms and tugged on Thalia's head chain.

"Hey lil man, you're messing with my chakra," she groaned.

He giggled at her and kept pulling on her wild curls attempting to snatch his new toy.

She opened her eyes and smiled at him. "Oh, you think that's funny do you?" She grabbed him and started tickling his sides.

I was laughing at their silliness when I heard my name called from behind me. I turned and saw Alex looking down at me with a smile, holding a bouquet of flowers and pie.

"What are you doing here?" I asked.

"Nico invited me."

"I didn't know he was going to invite you."

"Is it okay with you?" he asked. "I thought he'd tell you I was coming." He shuffled his feet looking nervous.

"It's fine, don't worry about it Alex."

Alex had continued sending me gifts every day and bringing me dinner every night, but I was still staying at my parents' guest house. I knew Alex was getting anxious with our uncertain relationship status, and he looked relieved to be invited to the get-together.

"Do you know where he is? I'd like to say hello and drop these off," he said signaling to the flowers and pie.

I looked around the backyard trying to spot Nico and saw him running at us holding a water gun. Michail and Andre's kids ran alongside him, holding their own water guns. They reached us and four water guns simultaneously sprayed at Alex.

"What the hell, Nico," Alex yelled.

"Welcome back, asshat," Nico ribbed as he continued to aim his water gun at him.

The kids screeched and laughed as they attacked Alex. He stumbled away from them dropping the flowers and pie as the kids chased him through the backyard to the pool. Nico followed along, snuck up on Alex, and pushed him in.

An hour later, we were all seated at the table enjoying a Greek barbecue, family style. Alex had changed into some of Nico's clothes and was seated across from me sandwiched between Michail and Andre. My cousins used the opportunity to accidentally smack Alex whenever they reached over to grab something or pass something. They had also accidentally spilled soda on his lap. Alex silently suffered through it all.

Everyone was speaking all at once when Nico stood up and cleared his throat. "Hey guys," he called. "Nina and I have something we'd like to share with you. Nina, would you come join me babe?"

Nina blushed and adjusted her glasses as she stood and walked over to Nico.

"Oh my God, you're pregnant," mom screeched.

"Ma," Nico scolded. "Way to ruin the surprise."

"Newest Angelos' family member will be arriving in February," Nina shared with a bright smile on her face.

We all started to cheer and holler. Michail and Andre were stomping their feet when the foldable bench they were seated on collapsed and they fell on their asses, taking Alex with them.

Later that evening, I helped Nina clean up in the kitchen as the guests slowly started to head out for the night. Alex was helping Nico fold down the tables and benches and store them in the garage.

"Have you had a chance to talk to Alex yet," Nina asked.

"Not really," I admitted. "I'm still not sure what to do."

"So, you still haven't forgiven him?"

"It's not that I haven't forgiven him. I just don't know if our relationship can move forward."

"How do you know if you don't give it a shot?" she asked.

"What?"

"Well, Athena, you won't really know if your relationship can move forward unless you give it a chance. We all make mistakes. You just have to decide if you trust Alex enough not to make the same mistake twice," she explained.

I was processing Nina's words when Alex walked into the kitchen. "Athena, baby, I'm heading out. Will you walk me to my car?" he asked.

"Sure," I agreed.

We walked out of the house to his car parked on the street.

"Thank you for letting me stay today," Alex said as he fiddled with his keys.

"Of course Alex, you're always welcome to visit my family."

"Athena, you know I love your family but I didn't come for them," he admitted. Looking down at me, he closed the distance between us. "I came here for you baby. I miss you so much. I'd take any opportunity I could get to see you."

He tucked my hair behind my ear, and cupped my neck. His fingers running up and down my neck in a soothing gesture. "I'm crazy about you, Athena," Alex whispered, staring at my lips.

"Alex, I...I don't," I stuttered.

"I know baby," he interrupted. "You need more time. I'll give you all the time you need, but please Athena I want to continue seeing you. Don't deny me that." He released my neck and stepped back. "I promise I won't put pressure on you to make a decision. But please know, no matter what you decide, I'll always love you."

"No Alex," I breathed, and grabbed his hand to pull him back. "I don't need more time. I want to give us another chance."

"Really, baby...are you sure?"

"Yes Alex, I love you enough to trust you won't make the same mistake again."

He smiled at me with relief. "Never angel," he promised. "I'll never doubt you again. I was scared, Athena. I was so scared of losing you. Instead of facing your concerns, I avoided it and ended up hurting you even more. I'm sorry, baby."

I nodded at him and squeezed his hand.

He cupped my cheek and caressed my lips with his thumb. "I've missed you so much Athena," he groaned. "I need you."

He slowly leaned in and touched his lips to mine. As our kiss got more and more heated, he grabbed my butt and lifted me up. I had my legs wrapped around his waist and my mouth fused to his when we were interrupted.

"Hey lovebirds," Nico yelled from his front yard. "Stop giving my neighbors a show."

Alex released my lips as he yelled back, "Fuck off, Nico!"

"I guess you told her about booking that church in Greece," Nico replied.

"What?" I questioned.

"Don't get mad, baby," Alex pleaded. "I was just being optimistic. I wanted to surprise you if we did get back together. I didn't want the church to be booked on our preferred date."

"Oh my God," I breathed. "Alex, you booked the church for April?"

"Yeah baby, are you mad?"

I smiled brightly at him. "I guess I have a wedding to plan."

"I can't wait to make you mine, forever," Alex said, smiling back.

"Till the end of time," I replied.

And so, I moved back in with Alex and we began our wedding preparations. But Alex never forgave Nico for ruining the surprise.