Athena

Chapter 8 - Different paths

Athena's eyes were closed, her head tilted back, and her hair floating around her like a halo, as she soaked in the warm bathwater. She was lost in thought, her mind still reeling from the news about Olivia's improvement. Suddenly, she felt a presence in the bathroom and opened her eyes to see Jackson standing before her, his expression somber.

"Athena, can we talk?" he asked, his voice low and serious.

Athena's instincts sensed something was amiss. She nodded, and Jackson knelt beside the bathtub, his eyes locked on hers.

"What is it, Jackson?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

Jackson took a deep breath before speaking. "I've received a deployment order, Athena. I have to leave for six months."

Athena's heart sank, and she felt like she'd been punched in the gut. Six months? How could he be gone for so long? She searched his face, hoping for a glimmer of hope, but his expression was resolute.

"Oh, Jackson... when do you have to leave?" she asked, her voice trembling.

Jackson's eyes filled with a mix of sadness and determination. "I have to report for duty in two days. I know this is sudden, but I want you to know that I'll be thinking of you every day, and I'll come back to you as soon as I can."

Athena felt tears prick at the corners of her eyes as she nodded, trying to process the news. Six months without Jackson by her side? It seemed like an eternity. But she knew she had to be strong for him and for herself.

Athena pov

I lay in the bathtub, surrounded by warm water and soothing bubbles, trying to wash away the stress and worry of the past few days. But as I opened my eyes to see Jackson kneeling beside me, his expression somber, my heart sank. I knew something was wrong.

"Athena, can we talk?" he asked, his voice low and serious.

My instincts screamed warning signals, but I nodded, my mind racing with worst-case scenarios.

"What is it, Jackson?" I asked, trying to sound calm.

He took a deep breath, and my heart skipped a beat as I saw the determination in his eyes.

"I've received a deployment order, Athena. I have to leave for six months."

Six months! The words echoed in my mind like a cruel joke. How could he be gone for so long? I felt like I was drowning, unable to breathe.

I searched his face, hoping for a glimmer of hope, but his expression was resolute. He was leaving, and there was nothing I could do to stop it.

I nodded, trying to process the news, but my mind was a jumble of emotions. Fear, sadness, anger – they all swirled together in a toxic mix.

Jackson's eyes filled with a mix of sadness and determination. "I know this is sudden, but I want you to know that I'll be thinking of you every day, and I'll come back to you as soon as I can."

I felt tears prick at the corners of my eyes as I nodded, trying to be strong. But inside, I was screaming, begging him to stay, to not leave me behind.

Snapping out of her subconscious as jackson pulled her out of the bath tub.

I nodded, still trying to process the news, and Jackson gently helped me out of the bathtub. As I stood up, the water dripped off my skin, and I felt a chill run down my spine. Jackson wrapped a towel around me, his touch warm and comforting.

I looked up at him, and our eyes met. I saw the sadness and concern in his eyes, and my heart ached. I knew he was trying to be strong for me, but I could see the pain and worry beneath his surface.

Jackson pulled me into a gentle embrace, holding me close as I trembled. I felt his warmth, his love, and his support, and I knew I had to be strong for him, too.

As we held each other, I whispered, "I'll be okay, Jackson. I'll be here, waiting for you."

He pulled back, his eyes locking onto mine. "I'll come back to you, Athena. I promise. And we'll face whatever comes next together."

I nodded, trying to believe it, trying to hold onto hope. But as we stood there, wrapped in each other's arms, I couldn't shake the feeling that our world was about to change forever.

As our eyes remained locked, Jackson's gaze deepened, and he leaned in, his lips brushing against mine in a gentle, yet passionate kiss. The world around us melted away, and all that mattered was the connection between us.

I felt his love, his longing, and his determination in that kiss. It was as if he was pouring his heart and soul into me, filling me with strength and courage for the days ahead.

I kissed him back, my lips responding with equal passion and devotion. Our hearts beat as one, and for a moment, everything else faded into the background.

As we pulled back, gasping for air, Jackson's eyes never left mine. "I love you, Athena," he whispered, his voice filled with conviction.

"I love you too, Jackson," I replied, my voice barely above a whisper.

Jackson left.

The next day he invited her to dinner before he leaves the following morning.

Jackson: "Athena, I was thinking... how about we grab dinner together tonight? Just the two of us?"

Athena: "I'd love to, Jackson. But are you sure you're feeling up to it? You've had a long day."

Jackson: "I need it, actually. And I want to spend some quality time with you before I leave. Plus, I have a feeling we could both use a break from all the stress."

Athena: "You're right. I could use a distraction. Where did you have in mind?"

Jackson: "How about that new Italian place downtown? I've been wanting to try it out."

Athena: "Sounds perfect. What time were you thinking?"

Jackson: "How about 7 pm? And Athena?"

Athena: "Yeah?"

Jackson: "Let's make it a date, okay? Just like old times."

Athena: "I'd like that, Jackson. I'll meet you there at 7."

Jackson: "Can't wait."

Athena: "I had such a wonderful time tonight, Jackson. Thank you for a fantastic dinner and conversation."

Jackson: "Anytime, my love. I'm so glad we could share this evening together."

Athena: "Me too. It feels like we're really connecting again, like we used to."

Jackson: "We are, Athena. We're stronger than ever. And I'm so grateful for that."

(Athena and Jackson gaze into each other's eyes, the chemistry between them palpable.)

Jackson: "You know, I think this night deserves a perfect ending..."

(Jackson leans in, his lips brushing against Athena's in a soft, gentle kiss. The world around them fades away, leaving only the two of them, lost in the moment.)

Athena: "Mmm... that was lovely."

Jackson: "I'm so in love with you, Athena. Always have been, always will be."

Athena: "I love you too, Jackson. Forever and always."

They share another tender kiss, the night ending on a sweet, romantic note.