Page 11 of Summer With You

“Hush. This isn’t your fault. Ace loves you more than anything in this world. Don’t doubt him now.”

My car door flew open, and I jumped, startled from the surprise, my eyes flying open to see Ace’s concerned blue eyes looking me over.

“What’s wrong, Princess?” Pain laced his tone, ripping another cry from my sore throat. I checked behind him for the kids and then looked into his eyes, panic gripping my heart.

“I’m losing the baby,” I whispered in a cry, my face falling into his chest, his arms instantly wrapping me in his safe embrace.

“Give Ace the phone, Celine. Let me tell him what to do.” I handed him my phone, feeling the fresh air hit my hot, wet cheek. Ace continued holding me with one arm, rubbing his hand up and down my back.

“Braxton Hicks?” he mumbled, his one arm tight around me, securing me to his chest. “Will she be okay?” I let the soothing tone of his voice wash over me, trying to calm my racing heart. “And the baby?” I stiffened, fighting another wave of tears. “Okay, I’ll call you later. Thanks, Amber.”

He dropped the phone to the console with a clatter and pulled me away from his chest, both of his big, strong hands framing my flaming, moist cheeks.

“Listen to me, Princess. Open those goddamn ears and listen to what I’m saying here.” I hadn’t heard the twang in his voice in years, and instantly, it brought me back to the first few days I met him. “You aren’t losing our baby, you hear that? You aren’t failing us, pretty girl.” I swallowed past the thick, burning lump in my throat.

“Amber says these are most likely Braxton Hicks, contractions that mimic the pains of birth when you are stressed after about sixteen weeks. We need to get you inside on the couch or in our bed to rest, and you and our baby will be okay.”

I sagged with the glimmer of hope. Ace quickly caught me in his arms, holding me tight to his chest. I wasn’t a failure. The baby was going to be okay.

“The kids?” I whispered, leaning back some to look at him. His thumb slid across my bottom lip, rough against my swollen lip that I had been biting.

“Lying in the hammocks. Don’t worry about them. Let’s get you inside. Can you walk?” He stepped back after pressing the button to release my seatbelt. His hand was out, palm up, waiting for me.

On shaky legs, I stood, reaching for his hand and then grasping his forearm for support. He was steady like a rock, taking all my weight without swaying. I looked into his blue eyes for reassurance and saw his strength and reassurance reflected back at me.

He took a small step toward the house, and I followed, sweat gathering at my brow line in the thick humidity.

“I don’t want the kids to see me like this.” My voice trembled, so incredibly weak. I grasped tightly onto Ace.

“Let me carry you inside, baby,” he said, stopping, his other hand landing on my hip to keep me steady.

“I’m no damsel. I can do this,” I whispered, shaking my head at him.

“Didn’t say you couldn’t, Princess. I just don’t like seeing you struggle.”

Looking between him and the distance to the house, I swallowed thickly. It was going to be a slow walk if we continued like this. I didn’t want the kids to worry about me or the baby. I just wanted them to focus on having fun.

“Fine.” I sighed as he scooped me up into his strong, tanned, tattooed arms and quickly made his way into the house. He struggled to take his shoes off while holding me bridal style in the air but seemed to manage padding through the tight hallway to the master bedroom.

He laid me down gently on the blue bed spread, taking time to slide my sneakers off and then tossing the throw pillows off the bed before looking in the closest for a blanket.

He threw a thick, white blanket on top of me, closed the blinds, and turned the fan on before sitting beside me on the edge of the bed.

“You close those pretty, blue eyes of yours and sleep. Don’t spend one minute worrying about the kids.” He paused, holding my chin between his thumb and fore finger, his eyes holding mine. I swallowed thickly at the slight anger in them. “Don’t you ever think or tell Amber or anyone else that you are a failure. You will never be a failure, and even if you were to lose this child, it would not cause a rift between us. Do you hear me?” I nodded weakly, more tears building in my eyes at his words. He leaned in and gently brushed his lips against mine ever so slightly, his beard roughly scraping my chin.

“Celine, I love you with my entire being. I wake up every morning excited to see your smile. I work every day to provide us with a beautiful life for our family. I go to bed at night and dream of you. Nothing—and I repeat, nothing—could make me fall out of love with you. I will love you until my last breath, Celine Danvers, and don’t you ever forget it.”

My breath caught in my throat, and my heart knocked hard against my breastbone. It wasn’t every day your sexy as sin husband proclaimed his undying love for you as he had just done.

“Ace,” tears spilled out of my already swollen eyes, “I love you so much.” I crashed my lips against his, my salty tears mingling with our kiss. His hands cradled my head, his fingers massaging my scalp as I threaded mine through his hair, holding him to me, showing him just how much I loved him

“Everything’s going to be alright. Close your eyes, Princess,” he whispered as he eased me back against the pillows again. “Just close your eyes and rest, baby.”

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I woke with a start, my mind clouded and disoriented.

Why was it so dark?

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