Athena's Pov

I placed the vase on the dresser facing my bed so I could see them as much as possible.

Fearing they might die soon, I spray them with some water. I want them to stay with me as long as possible. I want to keep remembering what happened today.

I want to keep cherishing what Tristan gave me.

I had never thought I could be so crazy about someone. Before him I never knew what true feelings were. It just hits different when you sleep with someone who loves you. Not someone who pretended to care just to find their way into your pants.

For the first time in sex, I felt loved.

I felt like I was giving myself to someone who I wanted to. I had no fucking doubts. I didn't once want to back away. I was sure of my decision.

I still couldn't believe this had actually happened. My dear sweet little best friend wasn't a virgin anymore. And I was to be credited for that.

He gave me what he saved for me.

I love how Tristan always comes as a hope in my life. No matter how troubled I am, he’s always there to stable me.

As I gaze at the flowers like a stupid girl madly in love, my eyes fall on the mirror above it. For a moment I just froze. I kept looking at myself.

A thought crossed my mind and I forced my lips wide into a smile. But it looked fake.

Could everyone else also see I wasn't really happy? Could they see I didn't have a part of me anymore? Could they know I was faking being okay all this time? Was it so hard to know I didn't like the way things were. I wanted what I had lost.

I tired again but my lips formed a line in disappointment. No matter what I do this fucking smile refuses to come from my heart. It's always the mind controlling it.

That same fucker destroyed my peace. If I hadn't gotten so riled up and deliberately cut off all ties with them then this wouldn't have happened. I would’ve still had them.

Standing up for my boyfriend was necessary. I couldn't allow my family to disrespect him.

But I just wish I hadn't taken it too far. I wish I had just given them a reality check but didn't insist on picking one of the two options.

I sighed and slumped down on my bed. The thought of them letting me go scared me. If they found it to be a better option, I don't know what I would do.

I pressed my eyes tightly shut. I thought I wanted to go, I thought I wanted the DNA test but I'm scared I've taken away the little happiness I had.

Everything was going fine. They liked me now, they truly cared for me. I didn't have to fuck it all up.

I could still go to them and make everything right again. They've been trying their best to talk to me since our fight, they won't refuse to have me back. But a part of me stopped me from backing down so easily.

It hurts me how I never get what I want. And this time I wanted to stand up for myself. I don't want to cave into their words.

I give two shits about my demand but I want it to be fulfilled so I know their love isn't limited to what they think is right for me.

A knock sounded at the door. My head snaps to the clock. It was 12 o’ clock. Grandpa was here with the cake. It's always been our tradition.

But this time I knew there would be three more men with him. And I would be lying if I said I don't want them here. I expect them to be standing outside my door at midnight even if I won't appreciate their effort. I want them to celebrate my birthday.

I sucked in a breath, took a look in the mirror then opened the door. Grandpa was upfront with a cake in hand, his sons behind him. Suddenly a popper burst on my head before they all yelled “Happy Birthday!”

A smile appeared on my face as I shifted my weight from one foot to another. I felt so happy but there was an awkwardness in the air that none of us wanted to acknowledge.

“Thank you. I really appreciate this.” I said to everyone quite formally.

Grandpa invited himself in and pushed past me to place the cake on the table. When I saw the trio stepping in I noticed the gifts in their hands. Not just one or two but a lot, all differing in sizes.

“This is for you.” Hades said, bringing his hand forward that had six lavender and golden balloons.

This just broke my heart. He was being so nice even when I straight up ignored him for twenty five days. The fact that he put the effort to know my favorite colors was making me so ecstatic.

I took the balloons from his placing the thread of it under a book at my nightstand. My attention was then caught by Zephyr who had a bouquet of my favorite flowers; roses.

“I got you this.” His eyes then fell on the one at my dresser. “Seems like you already have some.”

I gulped hoping this doesn't turn bad. “Tristan got them for my birthday…”

“They're pretty.”

I gaped at him. I was shocked that he was chill about it. He actually appreciated something my boyfriend has got me. Was this because I ignored him and he wants to stay on my good side now? Or did he just have a character development?

I took the bouquet, placing it next to the vase to set them later. Meanwhile the brothers dumped the gifts in their hands on my bed.

“This is… you didn't have to…” I said, gesturing to all they brought.

“Oh we definitely had to. Seventeenth birthday so seventeen gifts for my baby.” Ares said it with such life to his voice that I wanted to forget anything bad ever happened between us.

I wanted to live in the same delusional world they expect me to. I wanted to pretend I never suffered. I wanted to think they never abandoned me.

His words felt so beautiful. Him calling me by the nickname meant he still loves me after all I've done. He didn't forget me.

“Time to cut the cakes, kids!” Grandpa called.

I went to grandpa's side. He looked the happiest among us, he’s always felt so proud at the mere fact that I was ageing. I cut through the cake as everyone sang the classic happy birthday for me.

The first bite was served to my dear grandpa but when it came to the next I didn't know who to go to. I didn't want to accidentally hurt one by choosing the other.

“You want to feed me cake?” I awkwardly nudged grandpa.

He understood my signal and took the piece from my hand before feeding it to me. The brothers stood in front of us, quietly looking at the scene. To escape the awkwardness of their constant stare I started cutting pieces for everyone.

“We’ve got you a gift.” Zephyr said to me.

There was something about the way his eyes were looking at me. There was a distant discomfort and a clear longing. The other two had the same stiff posture that was extremely suspicious.

When I looked at grandpa, not understanding what's happening, he stayed silent. It seemed like he was also involved in whatever this secret was.

I thought they were referring to the gifts on my bed right now. “Yes, of course. Thank you so much for-”

“No. There's something special we wanted to give you.”

“DNA test report.” Hades blurted out.

I froze when he uttered those words. This was not what I expected on my birthday. Not just on my birthday but ever.

Ares took out an envelope from the inner pocket of his coat then forwarded it to me. I kept looking at his outstretched hand, not daring to touch the forbidden truth.

“I… why so suddenly…” I whispered.

“You wanted this and we’ve decided we’ll give you what you want. You deserve to know who your biological father is.” Ares explained.

“But I…”

I was out of words. My brain refused to think and guide me in the argument I wanted to start. But what was I supposed to fight them about? They were doing what I wanted.

I gulped. Everything felt out of place. I took the report. My hands shook holding it.

I didn't open it. I held it next to me and looked up at them. None of them had a single frightened emotion on their face. They weren't as afraid as I was.

They seemed comfortable. But twenty-five days ago, they were so baffled. Do they not care anymore? Or have they just made peace with it now?

“You… did you read who it is…” I asked no one in particular.

“No. We'll hear it from you.” Zephyr answered.

The silence was piercing through my skin. It was hurting me. I wanted to yell, I wanted to throw a tantrum, I wanted to bang my head on the wall, I wanted to fucking cry. I wanted to do something that would end this. My room felt too quiet.

I was suffocating.

“What would happen when I… how will this be?” I asked another question.

Hades furrowed his eyebrows looking at me. “It will be however you want it to be.”

“How do I want it to be?” I don't know why I was asking them but I didn't know the answer myself.

I was utterly confused about my feelings. But I knew for sure that I was heartbroken. How could they just bring me the report? What do they expect happens after this?

“That’s up to you to decide.” Grandpa replied but the question wasn't meant for him.

Why does everyone keep putting this all on me? Don't they know I'm not capable of making good decisions? Have they decided to just leave me on my own to figure out my whole fucking life?

“Will you…” I sucked in a breath. “Will you treat me differently after knowing the truth?”

It makes me go crazy imagining losing this life I had become accustomed to. I wanted to go back to how we were. I wanted the same men who had started to care for me.

What if they change after knowing who I really was the responsibility of? What if the other two will not want me anymore? They won't have to fulfill all the fatherly duties anymore. They wouldn't have to follow my conditions list.

Two of them could easily abandon me again. Guilt-free this time.

“We can never treat you differently, Thena. You're our child. A piece of paper doesn't change that.” Ares was the first to reassure me.

“Nothing has to change. Whoever is your fath- biological father, it doesn't matter.” Hades added.

“We will keep loving you as we do now. We won't leave you again. We can't imagine our life without you anymore.” Zephyr said with an apprehension on his face.

Their words were exactly what I wanted to hear. But nothing could put me at ease. I couldn't calm down as long as the envelope was trapped between my fingers.

I kept reminding myself this is what I wanted. But my brain was dealing with conflicting emotions. I hated how easy this seemed but how difficult it actually was.

I couldn't bring myself to find out who my father was after spending months slowly accepting all of them in that role.

I couldn't even decide on who to feed the next bite of the cake and they're expecting me to accept the results of a test? How could I just keep one for life?

They all mattered the same to me.

Could the amount of DNA I shared with one change my relationship with the rest? Why did I need it then? Why do I want to find out the results?

My heart raced wildly as I looked at the envelope. I just had to open it and I would know the biggest truth of my life.

But I hesitated. I’d rather kill myself then leave any of them. Tears burnt my eyes as I whispered in a broken voice. “I don't want to do this.”

If this was weakness, I was ready to accept I was weak. If this was selfishness, yes I am selfish. If this was my stupidity, I've always been stupid. If this was love, I admit I loved them.

I don't know when I started loving them but it felt right. Their apologies and efforts have made their way to my heart. I am ready to accept all of their good and bad if it guarantees me their presence in return.

I need them. I truly do.

I lied to myself when I said I don't care about them. But I always wanted them to be my father. I wanted to treat them like one. Which is why the moment they showed interest I clung to them.

I couldn't let any of them go now.

“You don't have to.” Ares whispered.

His eyes shined with hope that made me feel better about the decision I was going to take.

Grandpa’s lips pulled into a soft smile as if he understood me. “We are all a family, sweetheart. We can always stay as is.”

That was all the encouragement I needed. I tore the envelope in half. I pulled the pieces together again then tore it from the middle again.

I was done. This was not what I wanted.

I wanted them to give me what I asked for. I wanted to feel important. I wanted them to treat me right. I want them to tell me the truth because I deserved it. But I never wanted to separate from them.

I just wanted to feel heard and loved.

“I love all of you. I don't want only one.” I confessed with fat tears running down my face.

Hades kept looking at the pieces falling down from my hands. His chest heaved as he couldn't believe what just happened.

My attention was taken away when Ares hastily pulled me in his arms. I hugged him tightly. I wanted this. I wanted to feel chosen. I wanted to feel that they were equally scared to lose me as I was scared to lose them.

Only when I heard a small whimper, I realized he’s crying. I rubbed his back and we both sobbed in each other's arms in relief.

Everything was going to fall in place. Nothing could go wrong as long as I had my family with me. I don't have to give them up at any cost.

When we pulled back I gave him a smile as he tried to sneakily wipe his tears away like they were never there.

“I'm so proud of you.” He whispered, cupping my face.

My sight fell on Zephyr who stepped towards me. His jaw was clenched like he's holding back his emotions. The gentle eyes he had were a clear sign he loved what I had just done.

He opened his arms and I fell right into his warm embrace. He repeatedly kissed my hair and kept pressing my face as if he's scared I'll disappear any second.

“I knew you'd come back to us.” He whispers.

“I had to.” I said as we pulled back.

Hades was still frozen at his place and only when I touched his arm did he look up to me. His eyes were filled with unshed tears as he kept looking at me like I wasn't real.

He held my hands in a delicate grip like he’s scared to accidentally hurt me. “Thank you so much, Thena. You don't know how much this means to us.”

“I did it for me. I'm too selfish to let any of you be free and happy men.” I replied wiping my tears to replace them with a genuine smile.

“You're not selfish, you're too kind to love us all equally. Even after all we did.” Zephyr defended me.

“We were literally going mad thinking you were gonna get biased with the name on the report.” Ares said, shaking his head like he wants to get rid of the horrible thought.

“I could never.” I tried assuring him.

Grandpa placed a hand on the side of my head taking me in a side hug. “My little child has grown up so much.”

“Couldn't have done it without you, grandpa.” I told him then raised my voice a little so everyone heard me clearly. “Just for the record, you're always my favorite.”

“As if we care.” Ares rolled his eyes.

Hades pulled me away from grandpa. “Come on, open your gifts. Stay away from the old rusty people.”

“Call me old and rusty one more time and I'll show you who's got a better punch.” Grandpa warned.

I chuckled at their banter. This is what felt normal. This is what I seeked. Happiness. Love. My people.

Ah I missed my family.

Hades made me sit down on the bed and I started opening up my presents. The brothers have gone all out for my birthday. There was everything from shoes, makeup, a diamond necklace, a headset and even a cruise trip during my next holidays from school. But when I got to my twelfth gift I stopped and kept looking at it.

‘Guide to Safe Sexual Practices’ was what the book was named.

“Seriously?” Zephyr looked at Ares with irritation clear on his face.

“Well if she's gonna do it behind our back, at least do it right.” Ares defended himself then looked at me. “You want that car or not?”

I opened my mouth and closed it before putting down the book on my bed. “I guess I’ll keep this.” I muttered.

“Do read it. There's a chapter about ribbed condoms, I believe it's on page 176-” His suggestion was cut short when grandpa smacked his arm.

Since we were on the topic I decided to say what was budging me. “Um about Tristan…” When I was sure I've got their attention I continued. “I can’t tolerate a word against him. You have to give him his due respect. You have to accept him. Trust me he's a really really nice guy. When you get to know him you'll love him.”

“We know, Athena. He is a good guy.” Zephyr replied. “I'm sorry I doubted him. I really thought he tricked you but then I realized I was wrong.”

I know it's not everyday that the Konstantinos brothers apologize. I know they do it with me because I mean something to them and that feeling is exactly what I wanted.

I nodded at his words. “As for the conditions list, that still applies. I’d appreciate it if someone could share it with Hades so he can know the rules and regulations as well.” I ordered. Hades chuckled. “Don't worry I've already read it. And I accept all the conditions.”

“Very well. I hope it would be great working with you.” I stated.

Hades sighed looking at me and grazed his fingers on my cheek. “These twenty five days have been so difficult without you, love.”

“Nothing can compare to the happiness we feel with you.” Ares added with his eyes holding adoration for me.

“You complete our family.” Zephyr said, looking at me with the softest smile.

“As you all complete mine.”

The End.