The HeartBreaks

Chapter 23

Chapter 23: Grave Visits

The mansion was unusually quiet that morning. I stood in front of the mirror, slowly brushing my hair, the soft rhythm of the bristles the only sound in the room. Today wasn't the first time I'd be visiting my parents' grave, but it never got any easier. I knew the drive there by heart, the pathway to their headstones, the quiet ache that always settled in my chest when I saw their names etched in stone.

Behind me, Xander moved quietly, giving me the space I needed while preparing himself. I could feel his eyes on me, as if he could sense the thoughts running through my mind.

"You okay?" His voice was gentle but steady, a reminder that I wasn't alone in this.

I placed the brush down and turned to face him. "I'm fine."

Xander nodded, his dark eyes soft with understanding. "We don't have to go today, Athena. If it's too much—"

"No," I interrupted quickly, shaking my head. "I want to go. I need to. I feel like I've neglected them, and now, with the baby coming, it's even more important."

Xander stepped forward, taking my hands in his. His touch was always a comfort, grounding me in the present when my thoughts drifted too far into the past. "You haven't neglected them," he said softly. "They know you're still with them, even if you haven't visited."

I smiled weakly, appreciating his words even though they couldn't fully quiet the guilt that had settled deep in my chest. "I just-" I cut myself off, tears forming into my eyes.

"Hey, baby," Xander said comfortingly, his thumb brushing over my knuckles. "we'll go, together."

I nodded, taking in a deep breath before wiping my tears and pulling away to finish getting dressed. The simple black dress I chose felt too formal, but I didn't know how else to mark these visits. My parents were gone, and every time I stood in front of their graves, it was a reminder that they were really gone.

***
The car ride was mostly quiet, the hum of the engine a soft background to my thoughts. I stared out the window, watching the trees blur past, my hand resting on my belly. The baby moved slightly, a gentle reminder that even in the hardest moments, life continued. It was bittersweet—feeling our son grow inside me, knowing my parents would never meet him.

Xander's hand stayed firmly in mine, the whole drive was quiet as his thumb rubbed in small circles on my skin. Almost as if it was his sign to remind me he was there with me and always will be. I couldn't help but glance over at him as he gave me a small, reassuring smile.

Before I knew it, the familiar gates of the cemetery came into view. My heart tightened, the same way it always did. I tried to steady my breathing as the car slowed to a stop. Xander opened his door and stepped out first, then circled around to help me out of the car. His hand was warm, grounding, as I stepped onto the gravel path.

We walked side by side in silence, our footsteps the only sound breaking the stillness. The cemetery was peaceful, as always. It felt like a place frozen in time, untouched by the chaos of the outside world. As we approached my parents' graves, I felt the weight of everything settle heavily on my chest.

The two headstones stood side by side, simple but beautiful. My father's name carved into one, my mother's on the other. I kneeled down in front of them, the grass cool beneath my knees. For a moment, I couldn't speak, my throat tight with emotion.