Dear Ex Wife Please take me back by The Every Woman

ATHENA

"Where are you taking me?" I giggle as Alex holds me carefully, guiding me

through the steps because of the blindfold over my eyes.

"Patience baby." His deep voice reaches my ears.

I hear the soft crunch of grass beneath my heels, the chirping of crickets around us, and the faint sound of water nearby.

My heart pounds not from nerves, but from the way his presence always seems to steal my breath.

"I swear if you're taking me into the woods to murder me-"

"I wouldn't make you wear your favorite dress if that were the plan," he murmurs

close to my ear, sending a shiver down my spine.

We take a few more careful steps before he stops.

"Alright," he says softly. "You ready?"

"I've been ready since you said get dressed."" I grin under the blindfold.

His fingers graze my cheeks, lifting the fabric with a slow tenderness that makes me hold my breath.

And when the blindfold slips away-

My heart stops.

We're standing by the edge of a calm, silver lake, stars above twinkling like a private show from the heavens.

The water glistens under the soft glow of dozens no, hundreds of floating lanterns spread across the surface, each one glowing like a captured piece of the moon.

Behind us, on the shore, there's a thick, soft blanket spread out under a canopy of lights strung between two trees. A bottle of wine waits in a bucket of ice beside a basket, the whole scene glowing like something out of a dream.

Fireflies dance all around us, their little lights flickering in the air like they're celebrating something.

"Alex..." My voice catches as I turn to look at him.

I'm speechless. Usually, I'd faint or get a panic attack at the sight of a water body, but this time, my heart is calm, and my eyes are in love with everything they see.

PTSD was never there to begin with. And it's all because of this man right here. I've always blamed him for abandoning me that night to drown. I know he didn't know I had fallen

of all this beauty.

eyes watch me, unreadable and

it's beautiful." I step forward slowly and completely overwhelmed. "But why

have cost a

gently to send another lantern drifting out onto

the dark, baby. This was the only way

Thud

Thud

Thud Thud

beats faster

never want you to feel that way ever again," he adds, stepping close, cupping my cheek. "I want you to feel

of my eyes as I

"Alex..."

he murmurs. "So I wanted to give you light. You see how bright and beautiful the scene

feel so dry that I can't move my tongue to respond. My heart swells so much that I'm

love this

face as I tilt

tall, but

brush along

breath hitches. My heart is in my throat, my emotions tangled and

the only

I kiss him.

ounce of love, heartbreak, anger, forgiveness, and hunger I've buried deep inside. My lips crash against his like I've been starving for this, starving for

me flush against his chest as he deepens the kiss. He groans into

tongue slides against mine, teasing, tasting, taking everything I'm giving, and still needing more! fist the fror his shift as the kiss turns

gripping my hips like he's scared

kisses me like he's waited a

I

you drive me

dazed and my lips are tingling while

stops

air, rising like the fireflies that dance around us. The melody wraps around my heart with familiarity

recognition hitting me

been playing for me

You" by Stephen