Falling For Ace

Fifty-eight

THREE MONTHS LATER

"Ace? Ivy?" Rose's voice was hoarse as she spoke. Ace uncovered the glass of water which was placed on the bedside table before handing her the glass. She took it with trembling hands as she brought it to her dried lips. "Thank you."

Rose woke up fifteen minutes ago. The doctors had already ran a check up on her and she was alright now but still a bit weak. I was standing beside Ace as he waited for her to empty the glass. As soon as she was done, he took it from her hands and placed it back on the table.

"Hey mom, how are you feeling?"

"Tired, weak," she responded, clearing her throat, she brought her hand to the back of her neck as she rubbed it slowly, "the doctors informed me that I've been in a coma for past four months," she laughed which didn't last long when a look of realization flashed across her features. "Where's Vince? I remember we were together when—" she gasped, "—oh my god, the accident! He was shot," tears brimmed in her eyes as they began to fall, "h-he w-was shot r-ight i-n th-the ba-back of hi-his neck."

Ace and I exchanged a look. Well, there went that plan on not telling her anything. She already knew.

"Oh my god," she whimpered making Ace let out a sad sigh as he wrapped his arms around his mother while she sobbed in his chest. Her head was on his stomach since she was on the bed and he was standing. I bit my lip, trying to keep my own tears at bay. I couldn't possibly imagine how hard this was for her.

"It's alright, mom," Ace had his eyes squeezed shut, his jaw clenched, "It's gonna be alright. We're here for you."

"I don't think I—," she croaked out, sobbing, "—will be able to live without him."

"Don't say that," he tightened his grip on her, "we'll figure this out together."

"You don't understand," she shook her head, "he shielded me with his body. The bullet was meant to be for me!"

"He wanted you to be safe," Ace muttered just as the door flew open. He didn't bother to look at who it was as he continued, "you have to live for him."

I glanced at Kade, Asher and Cole who had entered the room. Cole closed the door behind him before the three made their way towards Rose's bed, standing next to me. Rose pulled away from Ace's embrace as she looked at the rest of us. She flashed me us small weak smile, "it's really good to see you all," the sadness in her voice and the emptiness in her eyes were clear to all of us.

"It's good to see you all awake and fine—" Cole paused before adding, "physically."

"Still the same, I see." Rose muttered before her eyes flickered from Cole to me, "Ivy, sweetheart. Where are your parents and Mason?"

My eyes automatically went to Kade as I contemplated on what to answer. He shot me a confused look making me look away almost instantly. "My parents are busy with Mason's wedding." I glanced at him at the corner of my eyes to see him stiffening. "They said they'll come to visit you when they're free as did Mason."

"Oh he's getting married to Isabelle, yes?" Rose asked to which I nodded, looking at Kade whose head was lowered, his eyes fixed on the ground. He still loved her, no matter what she did or how much he denied it. Cole had a hand on his shoulder as a sigh of comfort while Asher was staring at him sympathetically.

"Yeah, mom," Ace sighed, fixing her pillows, "You need to rest."  Rose only nodded in response as she lied down, closing her eyes the moment the back of her head made contact with the pillow.

Kade then sighed before walking out of the room. I glanced at the others who only nodded at me before I walked out as well. I found Kade standing a few feet away from the door, staring at a wall in deep thoughts.

"I'm sorry," I said to Kade who shook his head at me, not even startled by my presence, "you're apologizing for nothing. I don't care about Isabelle anymore."

"Dude, don't lie to me," I rolled my eyes. He smirked before he mimicked my actions and my voice as well, "Dude, I'm not," his voice then turned serious, "even if I am, there's nothing I can do. I was the one who broke up with her, I'm the one who pushed her towards him. They love each other and wish to get married. Who am I to stand in the way?"

"I'm sure there's someone waiting for you out there," I patted his shoulder, "the right person."

"Yeah," he nodded, his lips pursed in a thin line, "I'm sure. Now, back to more pressing matters," he smirked at me, "when are you and Ace getting married?"

"Not anytime soon," I chuckled and he shot me an amused look, "no? I'm going to tell him to hurry the fuck up or I might just steal you from him."

"I wouldn't mind that," I joked making him laugh, "I know you won't. I'm way too irresistible, aren't I?"

"Not that much, actually." I shook my head earning a fake pout from him. "Oh, by the way, did you know that Cole's got a little crush on someone?"

"He does?" My eyes widened dramatically, "that traitor! He didn't tell me!"

"Let's go tease his ass about this."