Page 36 of Summer With You

“For what?” I croaked, my voice raw with emotion.

“Giving me a family, loving me and all my broken pieces, seeing the good in me when I can’t, and so many other things,” he said quietly, running his eyes over my face.

“Ace,” I cried his name. With trembling fingers, I framed his face, his beard rough against my soft hands. We had always been like that, his body hard and firm and mine soft and comforting. We had always been a perfect match. “I love you.”

“I love you more, Princess.”

“You just might be right.” I smiled, tears still running down my cheeks.

A big rumble of thunder shook the house, making me jump and cling to him in fright. He only clutched me tightly to his chest, his arms banding around me like steel.

“I will always protect you,” he promised. “Don’t be scared, sweet girl. Nothing will ever hurt you or our family.” I circled my arms around his neck and nuzzled my face in the curve of his neck where it met his shoulder, knowing he wouldn’t mind my damp tears.

“You are the strongest, most caring, and kind man I have ever met, Ace Danvers. Sometimes, I still can’t believe that you are all mine.”

“I’ve been yours since the day you almost hit me with your car, Princess.” I felt the chuckle vibrate through his chest.

I rolled my eyes. He loved bringing up that day. “Really, that long, huh?”

He nodded, and we were quiet for a few moments. “Celine, there’s something else I’ve been meaning to ask you.” I pulled away from his neck to look into his eyes, seeing a whole lot of uncertainty brewing.

“What?” I asked him, frowning, anxiety twisting my gut.

A loud boom of thunder and lightning ricocheted off the house, the sound loud and deafening. A startled cry came from upstairs from one of the children.

We both got up from the couch, and he ran ahead of me, taking the steps two at a time, just as Amber and Ryan came flying out of their room.

Our moment was over in a flash, but he still had something to ask me. The thought tore at my head the rest of the night as we consoled the kids until there was no more rain and thunder, and the storm finally blew away.

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