Her Escape, His Safe Haven

Chapter 23- Happy Birthday

Athena's POV

I couldn't breathe. What do you do when the monster you are finally free from fights his way into your nightmares? How will I ever escape my thoughts and memories? How am I ever going to feel truly free? 

Two days ago I had a panic attack. It was brought on by a nightmare I had about him. Eli saved me...Again. I was going to do something I always promised myself I'd never do. I have never wanted to hurt myself, I mean why would I? I was already being hurt. I don't know what came over me. I think I was completely taken by the fear. 

That's another thing I promised myself I'd never do. I promised I'd never give into the fear. I promised I'd never let him that kind of control over me.

I haven't had another nightmare since that night. Eli also hasn't left my side since. He had been sleeping in my room with me to help me feel safe. 

I looked behind me to see him now. He has his large arm over my waist. His angelic face looks so peaceful while he sleep. My phone began to vibrate on the bedside table so I leaned a little to grab it. I saw that Savannah's name was flashing on the screen so I answered the call.

"HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!" She immediately screamed into the phone. I felt Eli start awake behind me. and I let out a small chuckle.

"Thank you V."

"Alright, so I'm going to be there with Mark at two and then we are going to celebrate your life! So enjoy your morning with lover boy. Love you birthday girl!" She rushed out.

"Love you too, best friend." I said before we hung up.

"Hey I thought I was your best friend." Eli croaked out behind me with a chuckle of his own.

"Didn't you hear V? You're 'lover boy'" I joked with him. He laughed with me and tightened his arm around my waist, pulling me into his chest.

"I guess I can live with that." He chuckled. "Happy Birthday, beautiful." He said softly before placing a kiss on the top of my head.

"Thank you Eli." 

"Are you ready for a morning of just us?" 

"Isn't it usually just us?" I laughed again.

"Fair point, anyway, go get showered and dressed I have a surprise for you." I nodded my head and hopped out of the bed doing exactly what Eli said. I took a nice warm shower, but I made sure not to take too long. 

When I went out to the living room, I looked around for Eli but he wasn't in there. I went to the kitchen and saw him out in the backyard. He's sitting at our little patio table. The table is covered in food and a giant bouquet of lilies in the center. I walked out the back door to join him.

"Hi." I said shyly.

"Happy birthday princess, come eat." He said with a big smile on his face. "You look beautiful." I blushed and looked at what I was wearing. It wasn't anything fancy. I just threw on a pair of medium wash skinny jeans and a cream colored baggy sweater. 

"Thank you Eli. This looks really good." I told him reaching for a strip of bacon. 

"How are you feeling Athena? For real?" He asked looking into my eyes as we began eating. I thought about it. How am I feeling? 

"Terrified, anxious, nervous, and annoyed. But I also feel happy. I feel like things will be okay as long as I have you and the guys. I know I need help, I think I will need help for a long time." I told him honestly.  

"You will always have me." He smiled and squeezed my hand over the small table. "Alright, now onto the happy stuff! Dad and Deliah will be here for dinner tonight and Mark and Savannah will be here this afternoon. I don't know what she had planned, but I think it will be fun." He said causing me to smile.