Her Escape, His Safe Haven

Chapter 58- Fort

Athena's POV

Three days. They didn't let me leave the hospital for three days. I was going stir crazy. Eli stayed with me the whole time and everyone else came to visit me. Savannah went by the house and loved on Venus for me. I didn't want her to feel forgotten. 

Three days I had to sit in the uncomfortable bed while they poked and prodded at my injury. Three days I had to endure stale hospital food. Three days, but it's finally over and I'm home. 

Eli and I are cuddled, gently, on the couch and Venus hasn't left my lap since I sat down four hours ago. We are watching movies and just relaxing. Everything feels so final now. I didn't notice after Kyle died that a very small, hidden, part of me was waiting for the other shoe to drop. Now it finally feels over. 

Kyle is gone. Beatrice won't be an issue anymore. I put Bryce in his place. Deliah is managing her diabetes just fine. Eli's arm is healed. 

It's all over. I can officially look forward to prom, and graduation. I can dream about my wedding and starting a family. I can start working towards opening my studio. I made it through it all. I did that. 

I had help. I had Charlie and Deliah. I had Savannah and Mark. I had my Eli. 

My Eli. How many teenage guys would sit through all of the shit I've been through for their girlfriend? How many teenage guys would be this protective and supportive? How many teenage guys would have made it this far without giving up on all my drama. 

My Eli. My gentle, sweet, kind Eli. My handsome, intelligent, talented Eli. My sexy, inspiring, supportive Eli. My Eli. My love. My whole world. I have no doubt in my mind that I wouldn't have made it through this last year without him. 

"You saved me Eli." I told him randomly. I was feeling an overwhelming sense of gratitude and love for him, so I had to tell him.

"What are you talking about baby girl?" He asked looking down at me. 

"You literally saved me. You helped me escape. You were so supportive and incredible through everything. I can't imagine where I'd be right now if you hadn't picked Deliah up that one day from dance. You saved me and I will never be able to thank you enough for that." I told him honestly.

"I know where you'd be." He said thoughtfully, not taking his eyes off me. "You'd be strong and free. You'd be the beautiful girl you are now. You would have found a way to do everything you've done since meeting me. You did this for you. You escaped. You are the strength you always needed my love. You are your own escape. I know it's hard for you to see that, but I do. We all do. Dad, Deliah, Mark and Savannah. We all know that everything you have done to stand up for yourself has come solely from you. I was just lucky enough to get to hold your hand while you did it." He finished with a sure smile.

I chuckled and wiped the happy tears from my face "Why do we always have such dramatic conversations." He chuckled with me.

"Because we have had a very dramatic year." I laughed harder at this.

"A truer statement has never been uttered." I couldn't stop the laughter, and neither could he. 

"What should we do for the rest of the day?" Eli asked me after we finally calmed down.

"I don't know." I thought about it "I wanna do something fun and childish." I told him. I didn't get to do much as a child. I didn't have many fond memories from my childhood.

"Wanna build a fort?" He asked and my face lit up.

"YES!" I shouted in excitement.

"Okay, but you have to let me do all the work, you're supposed to be taking it easy okay?" I nodded eagerly.