Her Escape, His Safe Haven

Bonus Chapter 3- Complete Family

Athena's POV

"Deliah!" I shouted into the studio, "Can you watch the kids a moment? I need to run to the restroom."

"'Course!" She called back. Two years ago when D graduated high school, shortly after Aurora was born, she asked me if she could help teach at my studio. I of course accepted the help. She has been amazing with the kids and it is so appreciated.

I waddled my large self over to the bathroom and did my business. I washed my hands and examined myself in the mirror. I definitely had that glow that people talk about. I didn't have it with the girls, my skin was horrible when I was pregnant with them, but now with the boys, yes boyS, everything seems so different.

I can't stand Chinese food. A fact that had me in tears for almost three days straight. I much more tired than I was with the girls, and oh my the heartburn. Worst pregnancy symptom I think I've ever had to endure.

Not complaining though, not really. I find it difficult to complain about the side effects of something so miraculous. To me that's like saying 'Oh darn, I won the lottery, now I have to pay taxes," Or something. I don't know it just feels silly to take issue with something I wanted.

Okay, not to be fair this pregnancy was not planned, but it is still wanted just as much.

"Okay I'm back!" I called when I made my way back into the studio.

The twins were due any day now, and we were excited. There were some worries in the beginning of the pregnancy, but I've made it past the mark they were hoping for and it was safe for them to come whenever now.

I hadn't been to the studio in a couple weeks or so, I had been too exhausted, but I wanted to come see the kids and see how everything was going. I decided to sit back on a comfortable chair and watch as my sister in law taught the kids the correct posture for executing a pirouette.

The class consisted of fourteen kids, ten girls and four boys all between the ages of eight and ten. They all seem to be doing well.

For some reason as I was observing my eyes seemed to focus on one of the boys. Zeke. I don't know why, he wasn't really doing anything to stand out, but he seemed a little familiar somehow. Maybe not him, but something about him just felt familiar.

I stood from my seat and walked over to stand in front of the class beside Deliah. Up close I realize what I recognized in Zeke. It was the look in his eyes. The almost vacant, but also tortured gaze he held with himself in the mirror.

"Have them run some choreography, I wanna see somethin'" I said to Deliah. She nodded and instructed them.

I started up the music and we sat back and watched. Sure enough, my suspicions were correct. While Zeke was dancing the look in his eyes changed. Almost as if he were no longer here. He was focused and completely in his own world.

The way I was.

He was a wonderful dancer, and you wouldn't know it unless you knew what to look for, but he had a slight hesitation when he tried to put any weight on his right leg. I examined a little closer looking for any other signs, and I was heartbroken when I noticed obvious bruises around his wrists.

When they finished their dance I went back to Deliah, "Don't end class yet. I will be right back. Don't let any of the kids leave please." I requested to which she nodded with a confused look on her face.

I walked out of the studio and pulled out my phone.

"Hello my beautiful wife. How are you and my boys?" Eli answered.