The baby project~~

4.

Nova~

I wake up feeling something warm and soft against me. When I open my eyes, I see Ace lying next to me, his head resting on my chest. His hair is all messy, and he looks completely asleep.

I'm surprised at first, not sure how we ended up like this. But then I notice how peaceful he looks, and I can't help but think he looks kind of cute. His usual tough look is gone, and he seems so calm.

I start playing with his messy hair, gently running my fingers through it. It feels nice, and I find myself smiling. Ace is usually so serious, but now he's just lying here, looking relaxed.

I enjoy the moment, even if it's a bit strange. It's comforting to have him close, even if it's just because we both needed some rest.

Suddenly, there's a loud banging on the door that startles both Ace and me. I jump a little, and Ace lifts his head from my chest, his voice deep and husky from sleep.

"Well, good morning to you too, babygirl," he says in a way that makes my heart skip a beat. His voice is unexpectedly sexy, and a rush of heat spreads through me.

I'm taken aback by the sudden intensity of my reaction, but before I can process it, Ace gets up and heads toward the door. He opens it, and Liam and Noah burst into the room, their faces lit up with excitement.

"Mumma! Dada!" they call out, running straight for the bed.

They start jumping on the bed, their tiny feet bouncing with energy. I can't help but laugh as they both begin showering us with kisses, their little hands reaching out with affection.

Ace and I share a look, and I see a genuine smile on his face. The lively chaos of the kids and the warm morning sunlight make the exhaustion of the previous day feel far away.

As Liam and Noah continue jumping on the bed, their stomachs start to rumble loudly. Ace's eyes light up with a mischievous glint.

"Is someone hungry?" he asks, his voice deep and playful.

The kids giggle and shout in unison, "Nooo, Dada!"

Ace raises an eyebrow, playing along. "Hmm, is that so? Let me check."

Before the kids can react, Ace starts to chase them around the room, his deep voice filled with playful determination. Liam and Noah squeal with laughter, running around the bed as Ace gives chase, pretending to be on a serious hunt for their hungry tummies.

The room fills with the sounds of their laughter and playful shouts. I watch, smiling as Ace's goofiness and the kids' joy make the morning feel light and carefree. It's a welcome distraction from everything, and the sight of Ace so animated and happy is both unexpected and endearing.

After a while, Liam and Noah start to hide behind me. I get up from the bed, ready to head to the bathroom for a quick shower.

Ace notices their little game and grins. "I'm gonna get you!" he calls out in a mock-threatening tone.

"Mumma, protect us!" Liam and Noah shout, their voices filled with playful fear.

I pick up both boys at the same time, holding them close and showering them with kisses. Their laughter is contagious, and I can't help but smile at their cuteness. When Ace starts to approach, I begin to walk away, trying to give them a little more time to hide.

The boys huddle behind me, peeking out to see if Ace is still coming. As I glance over my shoulder to check on them, Ace takes advantage of my distraction. He swoops in, lifting me off the ground and starting to tickle me.

"A little ticklish, aren't we, Rose?" he says, his voice filled with mischief.

I can't stop laughing, trying to wriggle free. "Rose?!"

"Yeah, your new nickname," Ace replies with a smirk, continuing his tickling attack.

I'm still laughing, trying to catch my breath. Between the tickling and the laughter, I manage to gasp out, "Put me down, Acey!"

Ace stops mid-tickle, his surprise evident. "Acey, really?"

I look up at him, a playful smile on my face. "Yeah, Acey. Seems to suit you."

He raises an eyebrow, clearly caught off guard but amused. "Well, I guess I'll take that as a compliment."

As Ace and I both laugh uncontrollably, we end up tumbling onto the floor. We're lying side by side, our noses almost touching. The laughter starts to fade, and for a brief moment, the closeness between us feels intense and unexpected.

Just then, Liam and Noah's voices cut through the air. They scream in unison, "Eww, Mumma! Dada! Kissy kissy!"

The words startle us both. I look at Ace, and we both burst into laughter again, this time with a mix of embarrassment and amusement. I try to play it cool, but the situation is too funny.

Ace grins, shaking his head. "Guess we've been caught."

I nod, still giggling. "Yeah, definitely caught."

I get up from the floor, still smiling from the earlier fun, and walk over to the crib where Emily is starting to wake up.

"Look who's awake!" I say softly, leaning over and giving Emily lots of kisses. She giggles, making the room feel even happier.

Suddenly, I feel Ace's arm wrap around my waist from behind. I'm startled and turn bright red. His touch sends a tingle through me, and I'm surprised by how warm it feels.

"I didn't know you were so good with kids, Rose," he says in a low, impressed voice.

The compliment and his closeness make my heart race. I try to focus on tickling Emily, who's laughing and reaching up for me. My face is still red, but I can't ignore the warm feeling of his touch.

"Guess I have a knack for it," I say, trying to sound casual even though I'm a bit flustered.

Ace gently takes Emily from my arms and gives me a warm smile. "Why don't you go take a shower? You deserve it."

I nod gratefully, as I head towards the bathroom.

Once inside, I turn on the hot water and let it warm up. I step into the shower, enjoying the soothing spray as I start shampooing my hair. The warmth feels amazing, and I start to relax.

Suddenly, I hear a soft sound and gasp when I see Noah standing outside the shower, his big, watery eyes looking up at me. He looks so innocent and sad, and I'm a bit taken aback.

"What's wrong, sweetheart?" I ask, trying to keep my voice gentle.

"I missed Mummy," Noah says, his voice quivering slightly.

I feel a pang of concern. I quickly turn off the water and step out of the shower, wrapping a towel around myself. I crouch down to Noah's level and gently take off his clothes.

"Come on, let's get you cleaned up too," I say with a reassuring smile.

Noah's face lights up as I start bathing him, and his earlier sadness quickly fades. He giggles and splashes in the water, clearly happy again. I finish washing him up and wrap him in a towel, and send him into the bedroom, feeling relieved to see him smiling.

 I walk out of the bathroom wrapped in a towel. Ace is leaning against the doorway, watching me with a smirk on his face.

"Smash," he says, his voice filled with playful admiration.

I'm taken aback by his comment but can't help a surprised laugh. I glare at him playfully. "Shut up, Acey."

He chuckles as I quickly walk into the walk-in closet. I pick out a pair of comfy shorts and an oversized T-shirt, changing quickly. When I walk out, I see Noah and Liam both dressed and ready, looking cheerful.

I head over to Ace and gently take Emily from his arms. "Thanks for taking care of her," I say. "Now it's your turn. Go shower."

Ace gives me a nod and heads towards the bathroom.