Missing in the Storm

Chapter 23

Athena's POV
six months old

With comeback season in full swing, Jimin is spending a lot of time at the dorms. He comes over often with the guys for dinner and to play with the girls but he doesn't sleep here much anymore. I know comebacks are a very busy time and I told him I am ok with him concentrating on work for now. And I was for a while, but now I am having second thoughts. I know he cares he tells me he does but I am not sure it is the same anymore.

I watch all the awards shows and I can see how they look at the woman there. Jimin doesn't look at me like that anymore. I know it's not easy for him. Because I mostly wear loungewear and make no real effort with makeup or my hair. But it is comfortable for me chasing two little girls learning to crawl and pull up on everything.

Right now the girls are playing in their room pushing little strollers. So, I decided to put some effort into getting dressed today. I run into my room grab some jeans and a flowy top that hides my soft belly. I get dressed in the room with my babies because if I am gone too long only God knows what they will get into.

Checking myself out in the floor to ceiling mirror in the girls' room as I get dressed. I admit to myself I don't look like I used to. As I pull my jeans up and button them I notice they are tighter. My belly is almost back to the same size it was but it now has stretch marks and I have a little muffin top. My hips are wider, my boobs are fuller, but it doesn't look bad on me. But maybe it's not what Jimin is attracted to. Shaking off the little internal battle I put on my shirt, apply a little lip gloss, and work on my hair. While I am loading the girls into the double stroller I decide to make more time for exercise. I am sure that I can get it in while the girls sleep and before I go to work.

Now that the girls are older I now have two security officers that follow me at a small distance. They are dressed like normal people and they keep their distance but they still stand out. When I normally go to the park there are not many people there and those that are there are mothers and nannies with kids. Two adult males in aviator glasses and black tee shirts and jeans stick out like a sore thumb.

While the girls and I were sitting in the grass enjoying our snacks a man approaches. I can tell security is sizing him up. "Hi, my name is Ji-Hyun. I hope you don't think me strange but I see you here every day. I always see you alone and decided I would see if you would like to have coffee with me at that café?" He points at a café I often eye but never really make it to. I tell myself that there isn't enough room for the stroller in there, but honestly, I just don't want to go alone.

Smiling I look to him to let him know I am not available. When Mrs. Park accepts for me. "She would love to, and I will take the girls home." Looking at her a bit surprised to see her here. "Mrs. Park I didn't know you were coming today."

"I know, it's called a surprise, I know you need a break and I came to give you one." After I help her get the girls into the stroller. She kisses my cheek, she turns and takes a picture of Ji-Hyun and me. "You have a great name but if she comes up missing I need a picture for the news," she says as she waves her phone walking away with her grandbabies.

Jimin's POV

It's been over a week since I have been able to go home and stay the night with my girls. I feel so bad because I know Athena came here so I could be with the girls all the time, and she has been more like a single parent.

"Hi, Mrs. Park." Jungkook is always the first one in so he was the first to hug mom.

"Hey, mom what are you doing here?" I hug her and kiss her. She smiles, "I came to see the girls. Come let's eat boys."

We all head to the bathrooms to clean up and join my mother at the table. She had made so plates for us all and we dug right in while she fed the girls. It was a comfortable homey feeling except Athena is missing.

"Where Athena is mom?" I ask while eating. We all want to know but it's my responsibility to ask. My mother, my girlfriend, my responsibility. "Oh, she is having some time away from the babies. You know us mommies need breaks." I feel a little uncomfortable with the smile my mother is giving.

"What do mommies do without the kids?" Taehyung asked the very question I wanted to know.

"It depends dear, some go out with friends. Oh, wait her friends are all here." She taps her chin as she looks at the ceiling like she is thinking. It never occurred to me that she was so isolated when we weren't around. "I think she is still out with the nice man I introduced to her at the park." I damn near choked on my food. Did she set up my girlfriend with another guy?

I can tell the guys are uncomfortable because Jungkook the bottomless pit didn't get seconds. They all quickly finished their food. "Don't rush boys you'll choke." They slowed down a little on the eating, but they still moved quickly and quietly. When they finished they politely excused themselves and went back to the dorm. No staying to play with the girls like they normally would.

"Goodnight, Boys" she hugs them all as they leave heading back to the dorms.

Doing my best not to yell at my mother because I know it won't help or make me feel better. "Why would you do that? Mom, why would you set my girlfriend up with another guy?"

She gave me a look that told me she was nowhere near sorry for what she did. "Is she your girlfriend or you're your children's mother. She needs to be happy to be a good mother to my grandchildren." She said like she was telling me the time and not tearing apart my world.

"What makes you think she isn't happy?" Standing with her hands on her hips she looks at me.

"I have been here for two days son. For two days I have watched her with the girls at the park. For two days I talked to that man while feeding the birds. Today I told him to shoot his shot he had nothing to lose." Looking at my mother like she just grew a second head.

"Where have you been staying and why didn't you tell me you were coming." Looking at me like she did when I was an unruly child. "I'm your mother I can go wherever I want, and I don't need your permission. But I have been staying at a hotel I wanted a little time to myself if you must know."

"When is the last time you took her out or did something that got her away from the girls and without the guys?" Hanging my head in shame because we haven't done anything with her without everyone including the girls.

"When is the last time you told her she's beautiful or that no other woman makes you feel like she does?" Shaking my head," Mom Athena knows I am busy with the comeback. We have talked about it already. Besides she knows I care about her I mean have kids and live together."

"Then you have nothing to worry about dear. But uuuuuumm what did you get her for her birthday?" I jumped like she slapped me. Did I miss Athena's birthday? Oh my god when is Athena's birthday?

"Relax her birthday is in March. But you should know. This woman sacrificed a lot to give life to your girls just like I sacrificed to give you life. You never miss my birthday even if you just send me flowers and a card. Sometimes I get gift cards for a spa day at random because you love me. She deserves better than what you are giving her because you can do better than you are." She poked me in my chest while I let her words hit me over the head like bricks.

I could have sent her flowers or take out. Hell, I could have come home and spent time with her. Mother is right I don't deserve her, but that doesn't mean that I don't want her. I get up and kiss my mother on her head and take my oldest daughter to her room and go back for my youngest.

Cleaning them up and getting them ready for bed. My mother helped and bathe and dress them as I wonder how Athena does it alone. I read them a story and kissed them goodnight as I tugged them in for the first time without their mother.

"She won't be home tonight Jimin. After her morning coffee date with the Ji-Hyun, I sent her to get a spa treatment. Then I hotel room for the night, since I know you are off the next few days." She smiles brightly and pats my back. "It's you and me son for the next two days."

A/N: Hello beautiful people. How are you loves. 😁 I hope you enjoy this update since it adds a small bit of drama.😏 Let me know how you feel about it, vote and comment. Remember I think you are someone important and the world is better with you in. (❤ ω ❤) And I will see you in the next update. ༼ つ ◕_◕ ༽つ