The Truth of Ace

Bonus Chapter

5 months before epilogue

Madeline Rossi

I heard giggles coming from the backyard that drifted through the kitchen window. Then I heard her squeal and his laugh.

"Kingsley!"

As I made my way out to the back porch to get a clear view of them. I watched as he chased her around the backyard as she screamed "I'm gonna get you!" He moved significantly slower than her as she ran around.

Soon he scooped her up in his arms and grabbed a soccer ball facing her towards the net "Kingsley let's get you your first goal" I bent down to the steps sitting.

He followed Kingsley as she kicked the ball with her feet and slowly but surely made it to the goal kicking it in "Yay Kingsley!" I clapped my hands together and they look over to me and a smile spread on Aces face, instead he's not looking at me, rather my stomach.

"Mummy!" She left her fathers arms and came towards me and I quickly lifted her up.

"Bellissima" Ace warns as he looks at me holding her but instead I just roll my eyes back.

"Doctor Brown said it's perfectly fine to hold her, I've been doing it for seven months Ace" I would've felt guilty if I could no longer hold her.

"Yes but she's three now" he sat beside me and placed Kingsley in his lap, he stared at her messy curls and then began to braids them. It was something Della had taught him once Kingsley started growing her hair long.

"Daddy cans you do's two braids please" she begged impatiently.

"Sì principessa" I couldn't help but smile as he began to braid her hair. For a man who used to never let a soul get a word in, he was controlled by the little girl in front of him.

Once he finished them she laid back in his arms "Don't you want to go look at them Bambina?" She shook her head and sank further into his chest.

"Come on I'll show you" he stood scooping her up in his arms as she squealed. We walked back into the house where small barks followed.

"Well hello to you as well Marco" Ace called to him as he ran off into another room as he went to the mirror in the hallway.

They stood in-front of it as Kingsley had her eyes closed nuzzled into her fathers chest "Come on  principessa you don't want to see your pretty braids?" She shrugged and Ace kissed her forehead.

She opened her eyes slowly and smiled at herself in the mirror, followed by her sticking her tongue out looking at herself "I look sillies!" She turned to Ace and brought her hand to his stubble.

"You cactus" my hand went over my mouth as I couldn't help but laugh, Ace seemed unfazed. But then he smiled "Daddy cactus mama?"

She now turned to me a hand glued to his face just to rub it in. She used her other hand to signal me over to feel his face and so I did. I traced his jaw with my fingers "I think you're right baby"

He rolled his eyes ignoring our shenanigans and pulled me in for a kiss. Which moments later a hand interrupts pulling us a part.

"My mummy, my daddy" she slurs as she stares at the both of us conflicted and seemingly mad as she crossed her arms with a pout.