Her Escape, His Safe Haven

Chapter 46- Happy New Year

Eli's POV

"Eli! What did you do with Kal's swim trunks?" Athena shouted at me from the other room.

"I left them in his dresser. Where they go." I chuckled.

"Oh right. Found em." She laughed her melodic laugh.

"Daddy!!!" I heard a small voice yell followed by tiny footsteps.

"Kal! How's my little man today?" I asked as I lifted the small boy into my arms. His hazel eyes and dark hair reminding me immediately of his mom. He got my nose and he had a splash of freckles across his cheeks like I did when I was his age.

"Good. Mommy said we could go to the beach. Are you going with us?" He asked looking at me with puppy dog eyes he learned from his mom.

"Of course, buddy. I wouldn't miss it." I smiled at his tiny features.

"Yay. You have to take care of mommy though okay?" He asked with the cutest serious face. "You can't let her drown."

"Never." I assured him.

"Hey baby." I heard from the doorway of our room. I looked up and saw the woman I love.

"Hello beautiful." I said giving her a loving smile. Suddenly the weight that was in my arms disappeared. "Where's Kal?" I asked frantically.

"Gone." A voice said from behind my beautiful girl.

"Who's that?" I asked, still trying to find my son.

"Hi, Elliot. I'm sorry, but your son is gone." Dr. Porter said coming into the room.

I watched as Athena fell to the floor looking defeated. I pulled her to me. "What do you mean he's gone? He was just here?" I asked, confused.

"Your baby is gone." He said again. "She needs you though." He pointed to Athena who hasn't made a sound or anything in my arms. "I know you hurt too, that's okay, but don't let her drown in this pain."

"I still don't understand. How could we just lose our baby?" I asked.

"Just happens."

I shot awake, slightly jostling Athena who was sleeping soundly against me. I looked at her and let out a breath. A dream. A dream about what could have been our son. I pulled Athena closer to me so I could be comforted by her warmth. She smiled lightly in her sleep and I couldn't help but smile back.

I won't let her drown.

I fell back into a dreamless sleep and I didn't wake up until around noon. Apparently we were tired.

I opened my eyes to see my beautiful girl looking at me with a sad smile. "What's wrong baby girl?" I asked.

"I took another test, the second line is gone. It's officially over." She whispered. I could see her fighting the emotions. She doesn't want to cry.

"I'm sorry baby girl." I said into her ear as I rested her head on my chest. "You know I had a dream about him last night?" I mentioned.

"Who?" She asked leaning back to look in my eyes. I brushed her hair away from her face.

"Our son." I said with a smile of my own. "He was about three or four and he looked like you. He had your beautiful eyes and hair. He had my nose though." I chuckled. "We named him Kal."

"Was he loved?" She asked and a single tear dropped down he face onto my chest.

"Oh baby, he was so incredibly loved. He was happy. His smile lit up the whole world. I think even though we didn't know about him, or get to meet him, I think he somehow knows that we loved him. That we will always love him."