Touching the Heart of Ace
Chapter 50

??Why are you against it, Robbie? She is her grandmother and my Aunt Marie.??

He was not budging. He looked so hot, with his jaw set like that.

??At least tell me, why not??? I lied on the bed; popping my head on my elbow. His eyes momentarily left mine and I fixed my shirt noticing he was staring at my exposed waist.

He smirked. ??Nothing I haven??t seen before.??

??Don??t try to change the topic.?? I knew what he was doing. ??Everyone loves her so much, Robbie. Frankie can??t let her go from his hands. Penelope is busy trying to make the perfect puree for our Princess. Why are you worried about her own grandmother???

??I am not worried.??

??Yeah right!??

A knock interrupted our video call. I put my finger on my lips to keep Robbie quiet and minimized the window.

Frankie was holding a whimpering precious angel in his arms. ??Tired.?? He added and reluctantly handed over my baby.

??Oh, is that right sweetheart? Come here. Now, wave to Frankie and say good bye.?? She kept on staring and blinking at me but I took her arm and waved. ??Bye Frankie, see you after my nap.?? I said in a baby voice.

??Look at you, all grown up, so fast.?? Frankie fondly booped my nose.

??Frankie, stop treating me like a kid.??

??Never.?? He laughed. ??See you soon, darling baby.?? He kissed her tiny fist and melted when she smiled.

I gently closed the door, and patted the yawning tired Baby Angel. I covered her ears with noise-proof caps and maximized the video call window. He was still waiting for me and I waved. I started walking to and fro, slowly rocking her to sleep.

She was so tired by playing all the time with everyone in this house. Robbie smiled when I lowered her to the swing, so he could clearly see her sleeping.

??So tell me why you don??t want me to take her to Aunt Marie.??

He groaned. ??Why do you always fight me???

??I am not fighting you.??

??You are. You are talking in that voice.??

??What voice???

??The voice you have when you think I am adorable trying to change your mind. Baby, please. She has lot of people there at your home to have fun with, why do you want to take her there???

??First of all, I do not have a voice like that.?? Though I did replace it adorable when Robbie thought I would just obey him like that. ??Second, it is not about her having fun. These are very important people in her life. You did not object when we went to meet Uncle Fred. Why now???

He turned his face away, not answering me.

??Well, if you don??t want her to meet her grandmother, then talk to your Madam Claire. She is taking us tomorrow.??

Robbie winced.

Oh you, big scaredy pussy cat!

I chuckled at his worried face. But he was serious, he really did not want me to take the baby there. And I did not like how he looked lost.

??Look Robbie, she needs to meet her grandmother, and Aunt Marie barely leaves her home now. Now that we are here, don??t you think it is the right thing to do.??

He was still not happy.

??How about we wait???

??Huh???

??When you come back, you take us there, if you promise to be polite to my Aunt. No, poking on your phone and ignoring her is not polite.??

??I will be polite.?? He readily agreed.

??Fine then! I will talk to mom.??

He leaned to the monitor and gave ??me?? a quick peck. ??Sooo....?? He was smiling and back to being my Robbie.

??So??? I frowned.

??My next conference is in two hours...?? He was dragging his words and I was confused. ??And... our girl is sleeping...?? Why was he leaning to the monitor? ??May be you want to? I will be quick, I promise.??

??Aah! You pervert. Go away. I cannot believe you, Robbie.?? I wanted to smack his handsome face right there. I looked worriedly at my sleeping baby. God! He had no shame. ??You are so annoying. She is sleeping facing you.??

??So, if she was not sleeping right there, you would have??? He crossed his arms and leaned back to his chair, smiling smugly at me.

??No. I am going to end this call.??

??Please, no, Angel. I am joking. Come on, I miss you. I want to see your face, please.??

I did not end the call, because I wanted to see his face too. It had been days and I missed him, his voice, his annoyingly smug face.

??Stop saying things like that, then.??

??I told you I was joking.?? His eyes were so warm and he did look like he missed me as much as I missed him. ??... but only if you want it to be a joke. If not... you know, I will be quick.??

I tried very hard not to smile, but damn it, he was so charming and handsome. He saw me smiling and I could not believe after all these times, doing everything with him for countless times, I got so shy when he stared so dazed and lovingly at me.

??Wow! You are so mesmerizing. I must have done some serious good stuff in my past life.??

I hugged my pillow and gave it a hard bite, because my teeth were itching to hurt his shoulder very bad and he was not here.

??Or you did not take ??no?? for an answer in your present life.?? I mock-glared.

??Hmm, that could be it. Because knowing myself I would never be better in my past life too.??

I giggled because he seemed like he believed it himself.

??Sooo....??

??What??? God! I was so happy. I missed him terribly but when was the last time we talked like this? Flirting and not worried about anything? Too long.

??So, should I not take ??no?? for an answer now also??? He had one track mind. ??Mmm??? He persistently asked me tapping on his monitor when I refused to answer him. ??Look at me Kitten, mmmm??? Well, our baby was sleeping and the door was locked and... I was missing him... it was not like we were not thinking about it anyways...

??Sweet Baby Jesus! To the bathroom now!??

God! I loved when he started commanding like that.

I would not be surprised if he was recording our ??thing??. I told him he was not killing anyone if it got posted in the internet. He was a big pervert, he loved me doing whatever he demanded.

I begged him to stop using ??Jesus?? on situations like this. The bastard said he had done more blasphemous deeds to an Angel, so he was going back to hell anyways.

I loved him so much and I missed him more. I got used to be with him all the time. How was I going to survive when I went back to college? Would he forget me?

I wished if he said those three words to me, even if it was not true. There were times when my heart ached for it and there were times when he looked at me like he was going to say that to me. Then it was just ??I will never let you go??.

I loved that phrase but it was not the same as ??I love you??. That was what people who were truly in love said, right? But... I was okay. It was okay. It was not like we were real lovers anyways.

I needed to talk to Jason, I missed that idiot a lot. Liz was still MIA, she avoided my calls but we chatted via texts. I thought she was afraid of me, which made no sense. What could she do to make me angry? I loved her dearly.

Days were passing so slow without him beside me. The video calls were not the same and Lia missed her daddy??s lullaby so much. I knew her, I knew when she patted my chest and whimpered when she looked longingly at me.

I cried a bit with her when she screamed at the laptop screen trying to grab her daddy from the monitor. Robbie tried to look so unaffected but I knew how much he wanted to tear the screen off and pluck the baby from my hands.

It was one of those days, again missing him like crazy and we timed it, at the nap-time of Lia, so she could not break our hearts further.

It had been more than a week, and I wanted to go back, to the life we made at his monstrosity called his beach house.

??When will you be back??? I picked on the hole of my pyjama bottoms.

??Why???

I did not bother to reply; I was asking him seriously. I was in no mood for his silly games.

??The conference is extended. Two or three weeks more. We would be able to set up a plan by then.??

I swirled my tongue around. ??Is this ??plan?? so important??? What? His child was not so important? She was crying and fighting me every night, asking for his lullaby. I had to finally put an audio file of him singing for her to sleep. He had money, I had money! Why was he trying to make more, ignoring her and her pain?

??Yes. I have been investing in this for more than two years.??

I closed the laptop before I could hear more of his pathetic excuses. I logged out when he called again. ??You have a very stupid daddy.?? I told a sleeping Lia, not that she cared, if he was stupid or not. She loved him a lot.

We went to bed a little early because, dammit, I could not watch her cry again. I put on Robbie??s audio and placed her on my bed, patting her little legs.

I dreamt of him, holding her and playing in sea, swimming and giggling, until I felt like sinking in the same sea without them noticing. I tried to call for Robbie.

A hand covered my mouth and I woke up almost screaming in utter fear. ??Angel, it is me.??

Fucking Asshole Brantley! What was with him giving me heart attack? ??You will fudging kill me, one day, you custard.?? I whispered yelled at him when he removed his hand off my mouth.

??Sorry, could not wait till morning.??

??Wait... you are here... You said you will be back after two or three weeks.??

??Oh, I lied.??

I fell back to the bed, thinking of the ways to raise a baby girl without her daddy. I could tell her he went out to buy some milk. She would believe it for some time. I could clone a dummy looking like Robbie by then.

??Are you plotting my murder???

??No, sweetie, plotting ways to keep the Princess from replaceing it out.??

??I missed you. Did you miss me???

??What do you think???

??Well, you were sad when I said I would not be coming back yet. So, I take it as a win.?? He kissed my bottom lip, sucking it inside his mouth. ??I really really missed you, my Angel.??

I missed him too, so bad. My heart fluttered when he kissed me on my forehead. I could forgive him one more time.

He let me go and leaned on his body seeking his warmth. Princess was sleeping with me, in her soft baby caddy. The nightlight gave enough light for him to see her face.

??Are you hungry? I can make you something.??

??I ate from the airport. Make me French Toast tomorrow for breakfast.?? I nodded to his shoulder.

??She is sleeping.?? He stated the obvious, his voice laced with wonder.

??She is going to lose it tomorrow when she sees you in the morning. She missed you so much.??

??Really???

??Really really.??

He leaned down and pecked her cheek; the baby cooed in her sleep, frowning. But she did not wake up, thankfully. ??Shh... it is daddy, baby girl. He is home.?? I patted her tiny chest, until her breaths evened

out.

Robbie stretched out putting his head on my lap. ??Go to your room, Robbie. Frankie comes early to feed her.?? I rubbed his forehead.

??Five minutes, Angel. I am so tired. I missed you two so much. I cut short the conference actually. Jason is with them, so it is okay. He is a genius, baby. I will try to fight for him when he leaves.??

??He is leaving???

??Yeah. He wants to start business with you. And I am gonna fight you to keep him.??

I chuckled and adjusted the pillow behind me, so it was more comfortable. Robbie took my hand and put it on his head, silently asking for a rub. ??Leave after five minutes, okay? There is no way we can explain if Frankie replaces us together.??

??Yeah.??

He did not. I was thankful when my stressed out biological clock woke me up at four. I almost felt bad to wake him up at that early, but I kissed him with everything I had when he whimpered so cutely and curled around me.

I slept peacefully after he had left, until I felt kicks on my stomach. Another kick and I groaned hearing a giggle. It was still too early; I almost fell back to sleep when I got another one a bit too hard. ??Princess.?? I whined and she cackled staring at me. I frowned and closed my eyes, but she kicked me again.

??Oh, I am up, I am up.?? I ??jumped?? on top for her. ??You pretty little Princess! Keeping me awake, I am gonna eat you for breakfast...?? I ??roared?? and ??ate?? her neck, leaving kisses. I was so happy, Robbie was here, she was here, this was a beautiful morning.

??I love you so much, sweetheart.?? I kissed her chubby cheeks and she held my nose in her palm. She was so tiny and adorable and she loved me back.

??Ohhhh...?? She cooed and tried to suck on my nose.

Right! She was just hungry.

I turned around when the door opened and mom came in. ??Awake for long???

Was she crying? Her nose was red.

??Mom, are you okay???

??Yes, sweetie pie, I am. Are you okay???

I laughed. ??Of course I am, mommy.?? She sat on my bed and I put my lap on her.

??Are... you...?? She cleared her throat. ??Are you happy???

??I am happy. Very happy.?? I smiled when my baby stretched her hands to me. I picked her up and placed her on my chest, listening to her coo??s.

??Is there something troubling you???

??No, I am serious mama, I have never been this happy in my life. Wait, did you have a nightmare???

She rubbed my head. ??Yea... yeah.?? Her voice broke and her tears burned my heart.

I placed my mom??s hand on my baby??s back; she smiled and started patting her. ??You look so happy, baby boy.?? She sniffled.

I smiled.

??Where is my...?? Frankie came in holding a bottle. ??Oh, Ma??am you are here. I thought you slept in. I am here for a hungry little baby. Where are you? I am coming for you... baby... baby...??

I laughed at Frankie playing fake hide and seek.

??Ahhh, there she is.?? He waved the bottle in front of my girl and she almost jumped out of my chest trying to catch it.

I sat up and handed her to Frankie. I smiled at them when they left together, Lia babbling Frankie??s ears off.

??Do you think I am a bad mother???

I froze.

??Mama???

??Just tell me, baby. You are my baby, now that you have one, you know how I will feel if you are hurt or...?? She waved her hand, the words failing her.

??Mom, you are the absolute mommy in the world. I love you. Why are you asking me now? Do I look unhappy???

??No, you don??t. You are glowing and really happy... and I worry.??

?? You are worried, I am glowing and happy??? I chuckled, hugging her.

?? You are right. You are happy, that is all I need to know.?? She wiped her tears, took a wet wipe from the nightstand and blew her nose. She took a deep breath.

Moms and their nightmares.

She was not letting me out of her sight and I was soaking up all her attention.

I went to kitchen with mom in tow and we made the breakfast. I made a batch of French Toast, with scrambled eggs and bacon.

Robbie came after everyone was already gathered. The whole dining table were tossing Princess back and forth and she giggled happily kicking on everyone??s tummy.

I frowned noticing a deep red shade on Robbie??s face. He had not shaven, so it was not that visible. But I knew when there was a change. ??What happened to your face??? I fisted my hand, not allowing myself to rub that spot.

He rubbed it himself, not at all bothered by the bruising. It was not a bruise but... his face was not supposed to be red. ??I opened the cupboard with more force than necessary. Oh French Toast. Thanks, An...

Ace.??

I chuckled. ??Everyone will think I am not feeding you enough. Sit, I will get an ice pack.??

??No, no. It is fine.??

I rose my eyebrows and he obediently started eating. I placed the ice pack right on his face when he was least expecting it and he jumped a little, but he caught the slip of cuss before it escaped it.

I giggled at his annoyed face. If we were at our home, he would have caught me and tickled until I screamed uncle.

He smiled at me, thinking of the exact same thing.

I heard a sniffle. ??Mom? What is wrong? Don??t tell me you are still thinking about the nightmare.??

??I am old and getting wrinkly, I am allowed to cry.??

I laughed. ??Oh you come here, you, beautiful young lady.?? I kissed her cheeks making her giggle. ??She is really beautiful, right, Robbie???

??Yes, Ace. She is beautiful, not just her physical appearance, if I could choose myself a mother I would pick her in a heartbeat. Then I think...?? Robbie rapidly gulped.

??What is with everyone today? Robbie...?? I did not like him sad, I could never deal with his real sad face. He was supposed to be arrogant, confident and annoying, not... sad.

Anything but sad.

I placed a hand on his shoulder frowning. He placed his hand on mine and smiled at me, really genuine one.

We forgot we had an audience. ??So take us to grandma Marie, daddy.??

His smile dimmed a little.

??What? You promised us.??

He groaned, making me giggle. ??Okay. Get ready.??

I picked my baby girl from Chef Penelope and kissed my mom??s cheek. ??Have to get ready, before he changes his mind.?? I winked at her and walked away laughing at his affectionate ??brat?? that

followed my words.☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐