The Truth of Ace

Twenty Seven

Madeline Rossi

I woke to the sound of my phone ringing non-stop. It was just out of reach and I was far too comfortable to move "Ace"

"Ace?"

"Aceeee" I kicked his leg slightly as he slept causing him to groan "what is it sweetheart?" He mumbled into his pillow

"Can you get my phone, someone won't quit calling me" my voice was more in a whine than a question, I did not know what time it was

But I knew that is was still slightly dark out. The end of July was here, washed away with the waves as we entered August. The salt air remained the same, but changes were coming. Not just in the season, but in our lives

The phone continued to buzz an annoying ringing sound "Aceeee" my eyes remained closed as I heard him sigh and sit up from the bed reaching over to my side grabbing it

"Shit you have a lot of messages and missed calls" this time I shift my face to see his and open my eyes "from whom?"

"Oh my god" his face looked shocked. I reached for my phone and turned it to see the cover of TMZ and Page 6. It consisted of me and Ace holding hands walking the beach. I was in a black bikini top and gray sweatpants that hugged my bump

"No no no nooo" I closed my eyes with a frown "Can't a girl live? Of course they used the classic Oh baby! Tagline? What is it the 2000s?" I shoved my face into my pillow groaning. The title seeping into my brain

"Oh baby! Madeline and Ace Rossi expecting?"

"What a cliche!" I took threw the pillow aside.

"At least you look sexy" Ace smirked at me, if anything I thought he'd be the most upset

"I can't believe this, the beach was private!" He sighed taking the phone from my hands "maybe one of the neighbors leaked it? Had to have been someone who lives on this beach, we'll figure it out" I grabbed my phone back to further scroll through the articles that Sloan, Liza and Ben had forwarded to me

"Baby on board for the Rossi's!"

"Source Confirms: LILA'S PREGNANT!"

"Love's Pregnant!"

"Family beach stroll for Love and Rossi!"

"Heart at risk: Lila's Pregnant!"

I wanted to burrow into my bed and hide here forever "They just trust one source? WHO CONFIRMED THIS? What if it was photoshopped!" He placed his arms on my shoulders instructing me to control my breathing

"I'll have my people do some damage control. We'll lay low until after Kingsley is born, which is merely just a few weeks. They don't know anything, for all they know you're 5 or 6 months" I buried my face into Aces chest whimpering

"Why would they say that about my heart Ace" I felt his lips press on my forehead as he combed through my hair "Baby they don't know anything, don't let your anxiety get to you. You've had doctors, nurses and your midwife confirm it's safe. Everyone's been monitoring you for months, don't let some sleazy tabloid get to you" I felt him sigh against my head as he squeezed me tight