Always Ace

Ace

"Yes." I'm so quiet that someone could hear a mouse's feet patter. She's serious and nervous. I clear my throat. She begins to weep. "Take a breath."

She inhales deeply through her nose, before holding her breath for a few seconds What do you need?"

"A long hug. Can I see you?"

"I would love that, all of it."

"See you soon?"

"See you soon, Ace." I jump in the shower, dry myself off and grab my keys.

•••

We agree to meet at Emily's pool house, a neutral yet safe place. As memory serves, this building is where the first time she told me that she loved me took place.

Ace is deep in thought as I pull up. The wheels of my Porsche on the pavement catch her in delight as we smile. "Hey!"

"Ace, hey!" When she looks up at me, I see tears falling on her skin. My jaw clenches. I can't help it. "Are you alright?"

She sniffles, looking down at her feet. Before I get to utter a word, she's running into my embrace. "Logan."

My arms wrap around her shoulders. "Ace," I tilt her head to my eyes. My fingers rest under her chin. My thumb runs across a bit of her jaw. "Talk to me." She grasps my palm to hers and we walk into the warmth of the place my girl briefly called home.

"I'm pregnant. Uh, 8 weeks along."

"8 weeks?" A realization hits. The biggest grin spreads to my ears. "We're having a baby?"

She grins amid an excited nod. "Yes. I have an ultrasound tomorrow morning. You're welcome to come."

"I'll be there. What time is the appointment?"

"Ten o'cock. If you can't be there, I'll send photos."

"I want to go. Ace, we're going to be parents!!" I twirl her in the air with a gleeful laugh. Her hair whips and sticks to her lips while I plant her feet. "I love you."

"And I love you. Logan, I know your family. Your parents, they'll lose it. They believe I'm not good enough. They'd probably prefer that I do this alone. That said, I don't expect anything from you. I just didn't want you to be in the dark. You deserve to be aware. Although for the record, I am confident that you would be an excellent father."  Rory looks at her feet but I catch a glimpse of her curving mouth.

"Ace, it's always been you. Always. Screw my parents. Screw obligation. I don't care about any of that. What matters to me is us and our family."

"Logan, I-" We hear a knock on the other side of the door. It's Emily. Rory sighs, gets to, and ajars the door. "Grandma, it's not the best time. Can we talk later?"

"Is everything alright?"

"Yeah. Yeah, It's just ... I'll tell you later."

"Is that Logan?"

"Yes. Um, there are things the two of us need to solve. Can I fill you in later?"

"Yes. We'll talk soon?" Ace nods. Emily departs.