Ship to Wreck

31

The part we've been waiting for... Who's the daddy???

***

Athena grunted as another cramp shot through her pelvis, a puddle of liquid forming on the leather seat beneath her.

This couldn't be happening. She was only 35 weeks... her baby was due at the end of August and it was late July. That was more than a month.

Indy was too little.

"Athena. Athena, you need to breathe through the contractions. I get that they hurt, but baby girl needs you to breathe," Lorenzo's voice broke through her reverie, forcing her to inhale sharply.

This was happening. No escaping it.

God, she hoped that Christian and Gio would make it home. The flirtations at Target were the last thing on her mind. She was alone, two miles shy of Gurnee Mills. The middle of nowhere.

"I have Gio calling emergency services, okay, Athena? Christian just got off the phone with the jet company. Do you want to talk to him?"

"Please," she whispered, her eyes darting as cars sped past. She was the most vulnerable she had ever been — a marvel considering what Kyle had put her through.

"Hey sweet girl," Christian said softly. His strength was a complete farce, but he knew Athena needed it. "I can't wait to meet Indy girl. I know she'll be strong and determined. Just like her mama."

Oh god. They weren't going to make it in time. The flight from Colorado would take far too long. Christian hated this. For the second time, the game of baseball had taken him away from his girls when they needed him.

He was a failure.

He needed to be strong. Athena needed him. He couldn't fail her further.

"I'm on my way, beautiful. We're on our way. You've got this. You're so strong."

Christian's heart broke at the terrified whimper he heard from across the line. He should be there. He should be there to comfort her and assure her.

God, he was such a failure.

"She's too small, Christian. She's not ready," Athena whispered, letting out a pained cry and holding her tummy as an even stronger contraction rolled through her. "I'm not ready."

"You're the best mama, Athena. She's going to be okay. You're so strong. You've got this," Christian said, shakiness starting to permeate the smokescreen of strength.

"Hurry. I need you," Athena whispered, flinching as there was a knock on her window. "I... the paramedics just got here. I need you," she said quietly, tears rolling down her cheeks. How did this happen? How did she get in this mess?

"We're coming, beautiful. Leaving now," Christian said softly, grabbing his things and bolting out of the clubhouse at Coors.

His girls needed him.

***

For the second time in as many months, Christian found himself on a plane with Gio Gonzalez as they rushed to Athena's side. Gio, as always, was calm and collected.

Meanwhile, Christian was freaking the fuck out. His Athena was in pain and there was no way for him to stop it. There was no way for him to take it away.

"She'll be fine, Christian. It's early, but not concerningly so. Both Athena and Aleja will be fine," Gio sighed, not even looking at the man. Of course he was terrified and concerned. But there was no good that showing it would bring. Him being outwardly scared would only serve to stress Athena further.