A Little Slip
Athena laughed loudly at the story her daughter was telling her as they returned home from their shopping trip. Things had been hard lately and it had been nice to spend some time with May and just enjoy themselves. Now she was looking forward to eating her husband's cooking and then snuggling up to watch a movie.
She started down the steps inside the house and her smile dropped when she saw Bobby. He was hunched over on the couch, head in his hands, an empty bottle on the table in front of him.
May stopped beside her mother on the bottom step. She was staring at her stepfather, clearly unsure what to do.
Athena touched May's arm gently and gestured for her daughter to give them a minute. She watched her daughter walk down the hall and waited until she heard her bedroom door close before making her way over to her husband.
"Bobby?" she said softly, approaching him as if he were a wounded animal.
He raised his head and Athena felt her heart break at the sight in front of her. Tears flowed steadily and she could see pain clearly on his face.
"Oh sweetheart," she sat next to him and wrapped her arms tightly around his shoulders, tucking his head under her chin.
"I'm sorry," he sobbed against her, "I'm so sorry."
"Shhh, I'm here," Athena soothed, "I'm here. I love you."
Bobby sobbed harder and squeezed her a little tighter.
"I didn't drink it," he choked out between sobs, "I wanted to. I really wanted to. But I didn't. I dumped it. I promise you, Athena, I dumped it."
"I'm so proud of you sweetheart," Athena said, pulling back slightly so he could see the truth in her face. "So, so proud."
"I need help," Bobby told her.
"You've got it," she assured him, "Whatever you need, you tell me and you've got it."
"I… I…." Bobby broke down again and Athena hushed him, pulling him close.
"Tell me how this sounds," she said, "Thirty meetings in thirty days. You've told me before that was something you've done when you were really struggling. Do you think that might help now?"
Bobby nodded against her collarbone but said nothing. He just felt so drained.
"Tomorrow, we'll go see your sponsor. I won't actually join you guys, I know some of the stuff you tell him is private, but I'll drive you, if that's okay?" Athena suggested, feeling him nod again.
"Are you okay if I call him and explain things? Set up a time for tomorrow?" she asked.
"Yeah," Bobby croaked out.
"Alright, why don't you go get your shoes and jacket on while I give him a quick call?"
"Shoes?" Bobby sat up a bit, his red-rimmed eyes staring at her in confusion. "Where are we going?"
"We're going to go to church and then we'll pick up takeout on our way home," she told him, "And then when we get home, you're going to pick a movie for us to watch. How does that sound?"
"I love you," he replied in answer and she smiled softly, resting her hands on his face.
"And I love you, Bobby Nash, forever and always. You're not getting rid of me."
Bobby choked out another sob and Athena wiped his tears away.
"I've got you," she said firmly. "Always. Now, go get ready."
He nodded, but didn't stand right away. He looked down at his hands and then back at his wife.
"I'm sorry," he said and she shook her head.
"You have nothing to be sorry for," Athena said.
"You deserve better," he said, "You deserve someone you don't have to take care of or worry if they're going to fall off the wagon. You deserve someone stronger."
"Robert Nash, you stop it right now," Athena said firmly, "For better or worse. In sickness and in health. That's what we said right? We are husband and wife which means we look after each other; we take care of each other; we worry about each other. We take turns being strong and holding each other up. You are the man I deserve and you are the man, the only man, I want. And nothing is going to change that, you understand me? Nothing. Not you buying a bottle and dumping it, not you buying a bottle and drinking it. You fall off the wagon? I will be right there to pick you back up and help you back on, no matter what it takes. Because I love you."
Bobby was crying again and all he could do was lean forward as he choked out an "I love you too."
Athena held him tightly, running her hand through his short hair. Over his shoulder, she saw her daughter slowly approaching them.
May sat on Bobby's other side and rested her hand on his shoulder.
Bobby pulled away from his wife and turned to face his stepdaughter, a fresh wave of shame hitting him.
"I didn't drink it," he told her, glancing at the bottle still sitting on the table.
"Okay," May said simply, "I'm glad you didn't. I'm really proud of you for not drinking it. But even if you had, I'd still love you. You'd still be my dad."
Bobby hugged her tightly.
"Your, uh, your mom and I were gonna go to church," Bobby said, pulling back.
"I'll grab my coat," May said, standing and pulling Bobby with her before he could say any more.
Athena watched the pair for a moment, smiling at the east relationship between her husband and daughter. She pulled her phone out and dialed the number for Bobby's sponsor.
He'd had a slip. It was the first and Athena knew it might not be the last. But she'd make sure Bobby always had people to help him back up. He'd never be alone in dealing with this. Athena promised herself that.
I love Bathena so much! This is my first 9-1-1 fanfic, but I have lots more ideas!
Thanks so much for reading!