Her Escape, His Safe Haven

Chapter 22- I Will Never Be Free

Elliot's POV

I have butterflies. I would never admit that to anyone, but it's true. Today Athena and I are moving in to our cute little home. My dad hired a moving company for us so we don't have to do any heavy lifting, especially Athena. Her ribs still broken. She seems to be doing a lot better, but I can tell she's still in a bit of pain. She hasn't been back to the studio alone since the incident, and I think she's afraid. I'm hoping to get her to stay back there tomorrow after her class is over. The day after is her birthday and Savannah, Mark and I have set up a little BBQ get together.

Back to the butterflies. Athena and I have been really close as of late, and I am worried that she may start to pull away if she has no choice but to be around me. Before there was always somewhere she could escape to. I never need and or want to escape her. She makes me feel...better. She makes me want to be better. I have fully accepted the fact that I am irrevocably in love with Athena.

"You ready baby girl?" I asked her when we made it to the door of our new home.

I watched her take a deep breath before letting it out and visibly relaxing. She's relieved. She's free.

"I'm beyond ready Eli." I smiled with pride at this beautiful girl in front of me.

"Then I will let you do the honours." I handed her the key. She smiled and took it quickly unlocking the door.

We stepped in and noticed right away all of the furniture that was set up. I looked at her and she looked right back at me mirroring the look on my face. Confusion.

"You guys made it!" I heard my dad shout from somewhere in the house. "So I assumed that the master bedroom would be for Athena, since my son is such a gentleman."

"I mean, I of course would have offered it to her anyway, but she called dibs before we had even settled on the house. I think she's mostly excited about the bathtub." I told him jokingly

"Hey! I'm right here!" She chuckled.

"Alright, well this place has all the furniture you could need, including a TV for each bedroom. I even put one in the guest room, I figured Savannah and Mark would be here a lot. I also stocked the fridge and pantry. I know you guys are adults now, living on your own and everything, but I will be checking in one you at least once a week to make sure you're doing okay. I also have a guy on his way over to set up an alarm and some security cameras. It may seem extreme, but I'm just worried."

"We know dad. Thank you for everything." I said pulling him into a hug. I'm not ashamed to admit that I have a great relationship with my father. I pulled away and looked to Athena. She looked...sad. She looked to the floor like she way avoiding eye contact.

I looked at my dad and motioned for him to go comfort Athena. As much as I'd love to, I know she needs a father figure. One that won't cause her pain. He nodded and walked over to her.

"Hey sweetheart." HE said gaining her attention.

"Hi Charlie." She gave him a smile.

"How are you?" He asked looking in her eyes as if daring her to lie.

She looked down for a moment trying to find her answer. "I don't know, to be honest." She said. Dad led her to the couch and they sat next to each other and I sat on the recliner.

"What's going on in there?" He asked tapping her forehead lightly. She let out a giggle.

"I'm okay, honestly. I have nothing to complain about anymore. I just...I think maybe I don't want to get my hopes up that it's over. I feel like maybe I'm waiting for the other shoe to drop?"