Dear Ex Wife Please take me back by The Every Woman

ATHENA

Ariana bounds toward me, practically glowing as she throws her arms around my neck.

"God, you smell like eucalyptus and baby shampoo. I hate how much I missed you," she says, planting a loud kiss on my cheek before pulling back and giving

me a once-over.

"Wait... what's going on? Why are we here? And why do you look like you're about to go to bed?"

I laugh.

Trust Ariana to roast your outfit no matter what you wear. These are the days when I miss Sloane the most. They'd go head to head as they argue about her love for bright colors and crazy combinations.

I open my mouth, then close it again.

"I... don't know," I admit honestly. "Alex and Rayen said it's a surprise. That's all I know."

Before she can press for more, Giana groans dramatically as she climbs out of the car with Ryan's help, her hand pressed to her lower back.

"Ugh, I swear my back is conspiring against me today."

Alex raises a brow. "Your back hurts because you've been glued to the couch watching Korean dramas for three days straight."

Giana scoffs, straightening with all the sass in the world. "Excuse you, I'm old. I deserve peace, comfort, and beautiful Korean men on my screen. What's your problem?"

Alex shakes his head as he walks towards her and leans in to kiss her cheek. "Then we'd better hurry so you can get back to the next episode before you miss out." The sarcasm in his tone is loud enough to earn him a glare from Giana.

"I swear you're lucky I love you."

All the words being spoken fade away as the French doors swing open.

I freeze as a familiar figure walks out.

Eli.

And right beside him is Luca, lan, Noah, Isabelle... all of them.

My jaw drops as my heart slams into my chest like a punch.

"Happy Mother's Day!!" they shout in unison, beaming as they step aside to reveal the grand foyer.

Mother's Day?

Wait.

What?

then at the house. The twinkling lights. The giant floral arch. The glowing candles. The long table inside was set

Gifts. Cards. Ribbons.

tightens while

I forgot.

it

been so chaotic lately, I don't even know what day

room starts tilting, my brain doing cartwheels as the realization hits. I'm standing here in

I'm in freaking sweatpants.

snap to Alex, rage now overtaking awe. I grab

kidding me?" I whisper sharply, dragging him into the shadowed corner near the staircase. "You let me walk into this looking like a tired raccoon in pajamas while everyone else

he's trying not

That smug idiot.

to a

eyes blaze in

me to be embarrassed? Is that what this

in closer,

air shifts as he cages me in against the wall, one hand beside my head, the other gently brushing a strand of

is low,

all. No matter what you wear. Besides, you're tire,d there

forget how

fans across my

My mouth opens.

Then closes.

I've lost all ability to

My brain short-circuits.

I stammer, blinking rapidly, heat blooming in my

common sense hits me in one blow as I push

to where everything else is and hug Ariana and

Mother's Day. I'm sorry I forgot to bring you a gift. I'll make it up to you both."

know how crazy it has been for you the past

of headaches," Giana says, glaring at

as I join the rest in celebration, and the shock keeps piling up as I notice the

and I fall to

press a kiss to his forehead and smile through the lump forming in

baby.

on the floor, hugging Rayen, when a shadow