Athena's Story

Part 28: The Final Canvas

George went to see Jean and her children the next day. Athena refused to go with him but it had taken her a very long time to let him go.

He found out a lot of information he could have done better without, that morning. But he also learnt some things that made him smile.

On his way out, Jean had cried and pleaded until George said, "That's enough Jean. I love Athena. I love her so much more than I thought I cared for you."

"So you only pitied me."

He held her gaze so she couldn't possibly mistake his meaning. "I suppose so and I'm sorry for what happened. But I will help you, that I promise."

After he left the hotel he made a few stops before going home. Athena's car was already in the driveway.

Athena smiled when she saw George's smile and the flowers, but it faded- as did his- as they sat down and she asked, "So, the baby wasn't yours?"

"Well, actually-"

"She's yours," she finished for him flatly, tears filling her eyes.

His stomach twisted seeing her beautiful face clouded by such pain. He almost hated himself for a moment. But that wouldn't change what he had done and the results of his behavior. "Georgia is my child, yes."

"Oh, George," her face crumbled and she turned to him, so badly not wanting to say goodbye. At that thought she started to cry harder. Nothing running in her mind could brook the tears until she realized he was talking to her.

"I know you've been hurt many times, my love," he was saying, "and I also know it has made it hard for you to trust people-men- so much because you're afraid of getting hurt. The last thing I want is to hurt you.

"The first thing I want you to do is trust me- I need you to trust me and never forget that I love you. There is no other woman in my life that I care for the way I do you. And I have come to think, to realize and love the fact that the only way I can convince you is to put a ring on your finger and marry you. So would you do me the honour?"

All this time he had been talking to the top of her head. She looked up, blue eyes wide, and he wiped her tears away tenderly.

"Say that again," she breathed, her voice a whisper.

"I love you Athena Kourikopolis, my Greek goddess. Will you please marry me?"

George took out a box and went down on one knee, looking up at Athena as he held it out to her.

The box housed the most exquisite sapphire and diamond ring she had ever seen. Even if it had been a plastic bauble, she'd have been more than willing to put it on if it meant she would always be with the man who had captured her heart months ago in Europe.

"Yes, yes, yes! Yes, George Duvall Junior I will marry you."

He stood up and carried her to his room and made love to her before lying in bed with her to tell her the rest of the conversation he'd had with Jean.

Jean had found out she was pregnant after she left Egypt for Johannesburg and had decided not to terminate. Having divorced Henry while he was still in jail, she had sought professional counseling for herself and Dakota.

Every time she felt the urge to tell George about their child, she was deterred by her family and friends or the fact that George had never touched her after their one night of indiscretion. Later on, she was discouraged by what she saw and heard about him and Miss Miller. The final blow had been him and Athena Kourikopolis all over France and Greece. She had, however, been encouraged by his move to America and had been planning to call him and introduce him to the idea of Georgia gradually.

Once Georgia's mother had come to terms with the fact that she had lost her chance with George forever, she was able to accept that it was all about her daughter. George made that clear and he immediately got on the bandwagon.

"She's a beautiful little girl, Athena, you'd love her."

"Would I?" she asked doubtfully.

"Yes!" he was convinced. "You would. I mean look how nice you were to Dakota even though you were mad at me."

"I'm not a monster, but it's different now. She is your child." Pause. "So what's the way forward?"

"I will pay maintenance and will see Georgia a few times a year... but I stay with my wife. That's you, my soon to be Mrs. Duvall," he said hugging her to him.

"And you told her that- about us getting married?"

"Yes, actually, I did tell her that. She wasn't too pleased about it- had been hoping for a reunion but she was satisfied when I said you wouldn't come in the way of me getting to know my daughter."

The two of them lay together in comfortable silence. George nearly jumped when Athena suddenly spoke.

"Are you sure about this?"

"About what exactly?"

"About the custody arrangement? I mean, you grew up with your dad alone- but I grew up with both my parents and I know it's important for girls to know their dads as well as their mothers... Is a few times a year enough?"

George could hardly believe his ears. Needless to say, he was surprised at her sudden change of attitude. Stunned, in fact. How had he gotten to lucky? He laughed, happy to have this woman to love.

"Listen to you, darling. You do realize you're campaigning for her?" Pause. "She will always have a home with her father, Athena, but..."

"But what?" Athena prompted.

"She better be prepared for siblings."

"Oh yeah?"

"Oh yes. I'm Eros remember- it would be bad for my ego to have only one child."

Athena giggled and placed her hands on either side of his face. "Take a good look and capture the face you see."

"Why?" he asked, curious.

"Because this is the Face of a Greek in Love. In the arms of her most beloved."

"I don't have to my sexy Grecian."

"Why not?' she protested with a pout.

"Because," he kissed her, "I'm going to see it every morning and every night of my life as long as I live."