Falling Fast and Breathing Hard

It was the following day and I knew that I had to talk to Mary about the Olan situation.

"Mary, can I ask you something?" I asked as we walked into work.

"Yeah. Of course."

"You remember me telling you about my ex?"

"Yes. Why?"

"He came back last night, wouldn't leave, said he loved me..."

I continued on with the story and she had a shocked look on her face.

"Uh... wow."

"So, will you stay with me after-work tonight and most of tomorrow..."

"Yes. I absolutely will."

"Thanks." I said hugging her.

"Don't mention it. You are my best friend after all."

I smiled.

"I'm glad you're my best friend."

Before the game that night, I spoke to Kris.

"Hey." he answered.

"Hey. What's up?"

"Not much. Just pumped about the game. I love when we get to play these guys, even if it's usually just once a year."

"I pumped too. I need to get my mind of Olan."

"Well, how'd today go?"

"Pretty good. I talked to Mary about last night and she agreed about being there. After I thanked her, she told me, 'Don't mention it. You are my best friend after all.' She said she's my best friend, Kris. My best friend. You have no idea how amazing that feels. I'm someone's best friend again; I never thought that ever would happen again." I said, smiling.

"That's fantastic. She's fantastic. I'm so happy for you right now."

"Thanks. I don't know what I'd do without her. I've only had you in Pittsburgh and now, a friend? Wow. I love this." I said, tearing up.

"Are you tearing up, Athena?"

"A little bit."

"Why?"

"I'm an emotional person and now, it's on overdrive because I'm pregnant. I really hate it right now." I said, laughing.

"You're funny. I love you."

"I love you too. Anyway, good luck tonight. My stomach's bitching at me right now."

"Ok. I'll let you eat. See you tonight."

"See ya."

"Bye."

"Bye."

I hung up and smiled before heading to the kitchen.

"So, Athena, how's Kristopher?" she said, coming into the room.

"Why are you calling him Kristopher?" I asked, laughing.

"I don't know. Just 'cause."

"Just 'cause you're a weirdo?"

"Yeah, I guess." she agreed.

"I was wondering what you wanted for dinner."

"Do you mind if I cook? I just feel like cooking tonight."

"I don't mind at all."

"What do you want me to cook?"

"Whatever you want to. I'm sure I'll like it."

"You are awesome."

"Thanks." I said, laughing again.

I took a nap on the couch and before I knew I heard Mary's voice telling me dinner was ready.

"What didja cook?"

"Gnocchi and beef ravioli."

"Oh my God. I love you."

"I love you, too."

"Bon appetit." I said as we sat down to dinner.

We clinked our glasses and began to eat the wonderful meal she had made. A short time later, we were planted on the couch watching the game. It was tight from the beginning, several shots and saves but no goals, which brought overtime and once again, I was nervous. The nerves didn't last long, seeing as Erik Johnson scored just fifty seconds in overtime.

Only an hour-and-a-half later, I headed to bed feeling exhausted. Before I even fell asleep, I heard the door open. I smiled and got out of bed walked down the hallway to hug him.

"Athena?"

"Hey, Kris."

"What are you doing up?"

"I was about to fall asleep when I heard you come in."

He let out a laugh.

"I love you. Let's go to bed." he said before kissing me.

"Ok." I said smiling.

I slipped back under the covers and waited for Kris to slip in beside me.

"Goodnight." he said, wrapping his arms around me.

"Goodnight. Je'taime."

"Je'taime aussi."

When I woke up the following morning, I heard Kris in the kitchen.

"Good morning." I said, walking in.

"Good morning. How did ya sleep?"

"Wonderful. You?"

"Wonderful."

"So, what are you making?"

"Pancakes."

"OMG. I love you!" I said, hugging him.

"I love you too." he said, hugging back.

"Good morning everybody!" Mary said in a sing-song voice.

"G'morning Mary." I said.

"Good morning Mary."

"Did I interrupt something?" she asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Nope." I said, shaking my head.

"If you say so..."

I rolled my eyes.

That Sunday was a nice one. I spend nearly that entire day with Kris, the following day too. The Olan situation had me scared and worried; not knowing when he would show up.

"I'll be back tomorrow night, ok?' he asked before he headed out the door.

"Ok. I'll be here when you get back."

He nodded.

"I love you."

"I love you, too." I said, standing on my tippy toes to kiss him.

"You and Mary be careful."

"We will."

We were that night and I really hoped that Wednesday would go just as well.

"Ready for the day?" Mary asked as we headed out the door.

"I guess. I just have a feeling about today."

"Athena, listen to me. Everything's gonna be fine."

"How do you know? Are you psychic?"

"Shut up, okay?! We'll be fine. I promise. You can hurt me if we're not, okay?"

"Okay."

And off we went for one of the longest days of my life. It was long, but it was fairly good... until... I saw my ex when we walked to her car.

"Mary..." I whispered.

"I see my ex."

"Where?"

"Over there by that store." I said, pointing to him across the street.

"Alright. Let's get going."

As we drove away, I coulda sworn he looked at us.

"I think he saw us." I said, panicking.

"Please don't panic. It's not good for the baby."

"No shit. Of course it's not good for the baby."

"Sorry. Just try your best."

I nodded and began taking deep breaths.

An hour after we got home, I heard a knock on the door.

"It's him." I whispered to Mary who was in the kitchen with me.

He then knocked even harder and yelled.

"Athena! I know you're in there!"

"Run!" I whispered.

And off we went to the farthest away room and locked the door. We locked ourselves in the closet and prayed that he wouldn't come in here; he probably will, but a girl can hope, can't she?

"Call the police." I whispered.

She nodded and quickly did.

"Come out, come out wherever you are." I heard as he came closer.

He didn't open the door and moved away from it, walking back down the hall.

"What is he doing? I like it... but what the fuck?"

Mary shook her head.

"I'm gonna go out. I'll be back." she said after five minutes.

"Mary! No! I'll go."

"Athena, I'm not letting my pregnant best friend go out there. Just let me go. I'll be fine."

"Ok. Be careful." I said, nodding.

She left and locked the door behind her.

Please let her be fine. PLEASE.

Three minutes passed when I heard a blood-curdling scream. I dashed out of that closet as fast as I possibly could.

"Mary!"

I ran to see him with a choke-hold on her. Tears were in her eyes.

"Olan. Let her go."

"Hell no."

"What the fuck is wrong with you?"

"Fuck you."

"Great comeback." I said, rolling his eyes.

Not even a second later, I heard a knock on the door. The police.

"Where is he?" they asked.

And before I had an answer, they saw him.

"Sir, I must ask you to remove your hands from her neck."

Not a second after, Mary ran into my arms and hugged me, crying.

"Thank you." I whispered.

"Thank you." she whispered.

We did watch the game, but it wasn't the same. Olan was arrested, so we had nothing more to worry about... it was an odd feeling. The game wasn't too enjoyable after we gave up a 3-1 lead to lose 5-3 to the Bolts.

"I'm going to bed." she said after the game.

"Goodnight."

"Goodnight."

I didn't move from the couch. I was gonna wait for Kris.

"You going to bed?"

"No. I'm gonna wait out here for Kris."

"You sure?"

"Yeah. I'm gonna change and wait out here for him."

She nodded and headed to bed.

In what seemed like forever, I heard the door unlock and Kris coming in. I got up to greet him at the door.

"Ath-"

I interrupted him with a hug and tears.

"Are you okay?"

"Yeah, yeah. I'm fine."

"Then, what are the tears for?"

"Olan came by."

He pulled away instantly.

"Athena, tell me what happened."

"First, I saw him across the street as we were getting into her car after work; coulda sworn he saw. Later, Mary and I were in the kitchen when we heard a knock. We ran into the furthest room and into the closet and locked ourselves in there. He knocked louder and yelled that he knew I was here. He broke in and said, 'Come out, come out wherever you are.' He came near about five minutes then left again. That's when Mary decided to go out, and that same amount of time, I heard a blood-curdling scream and sped out to see her in a choke-hold with tears in her eyes. I told him to let go and of course he said no, I asked what the fuck was wrong with him and he answered with a fuck you. Seconds later, the cops came and Olan was arrested."

By the end, I was tearing up all over again.

"Let's sit." he said.

He pulled me close once we did and I continued crying on his shoulder.

"It's okay. It's okay. He's gone." he said, consoling me.

"I was so scared. I wish you were here."

"I wish I was here too."

"I love you."

"I love you, too." he said kissing my forehead and squeezing my hand.

I hoped things would stay like this. I don't know how much more I can take; I just want our child to live in the best environment possible.

Notes

Chapter Title courtesy of Part of Me by Katy Perry.