Tʜᴇᴀ's Lɪᴛᴛʟᴇ : Aᴄᴇ Eᴠᴀɴ

[Twelve]

In a matter of seconds, I'm jumping on my feet and literally sprinting upstairs to Ace's room, my heart pounding in my chest in anxiety. His scream's still echoing around the house and hitting at my heart like a knife stabbing.

"Ace?!"

I burst in his room and my heart breaks seeing him thrashing and screaming with his eyes closed. He's having another nightmare. He's clawing at his throat and kicking his legs while hot tears pour down his face, I run to him and quickly pick him up in my arms, hugging him tight to my chest.

"Baby, mama's here. I'm right here. Please calm down and come back to me, sweetheart. I'm here, baby. I'm gonna keep you safe. I promise. Come back to me."

I rub his back up and down, slightly bouncing him and patting his butt, doing everything possible to get him out of his hellhole and return to me. I hadn't realized when my eyes have filled with tears till some rolls down and I wipe them with my shoulder.

"Acey, baby, I'm here. Open your eyes and look at me, baby boy. Mama's right here."

He's still sobbing with his eyes closed, but at least isn't hurting himself anymore, instead his hands are wrapped tightly around my neck now. I hold him impossibly closer to me, in hopes of spreading my scent, warmth to his body, so he knows he's safe and his mama's here.

"Mama." He hiccups, my shirt soaking from his tears and I sniffle back my own, pressing small kisses across his cheek.

"Yes, baby. Mama's here. Please open your eyes." I beg.

His sobs die down but he stays clinging onto me as if his life depends on it, sniffing every now and then as I pace around the room, patting his butt and kissing his face.

"Mama."

"I'm here." I reassure, kissing the top of his head.

"Mama."

"You're safe, my baby." My tears won't stop spewing down my cheeks as I bury my face in his neck and inhale deeply.

It shatters me that he's so afraid I won't be here and keeps calling me to make sure I'm actually here. I feel like I'm partially responsible for his nightmare, only if I had managed the situation better. I hug him tighter, closing my eyes to render my tears.

He eventually calms down, breathing steadily as I notice he's wet his pants. I lie him on the changing table and my stomach churns at his blotchy, swollen face. But he looks calmer as he stares up at me.

"I love you." I press a kiss on his bare stomach while cleaning up his bottom and strapping a diaper on him.

"Mama." Is his only response.

It's the first time he's slipped in such young headspace where he can't even form words. I wonder what was his nightmare about? I should get him to talk to his therapist about it. It scares me how he hurts himself unconsciously. What if someday I'm not around and he ends up causing further damage to himself?

I quickly shake my head to clear off the unwanted thoughts. Right now my baby's here with me, safe and sound, in my arms, and that's all that matters.

Getting a onesie, I powder up his arms and put it on, picking him back up in my arms and he just lays his head on my shoulder, gripping the front of my shirt with one hand. I kiss his forehead and turn to get out of the room and startle seeing Ryla and Jake standing at the doorway. Ryla has an unreadable expression on, while Jake has a small smile on his face.

I had totally forgotten about them.

"Sorry, I had to calm him down. Let's go downstairs and finish the interrogation."

I say the last word with venom, glaring at Ryla. But she looks unaffected.

"Well, there's no need for that." Ryla says, causing my eyes to widen. "We can clearly see that Ace loves you and feels the most safe with you and how much you care about him. You both just need to sign this document and we'll permit for the certificate of your pairing."

I'm astonished hearing her, but relief floods through me as I smile softly.

"Thank you." Ryla nods, for the first time I notice a ghost of a smile lingering at the corner of her lips.

"Hey, little one." Jake cooes, tapping Ace's shoulder while he just shrugs to get rid off his hand, we chuckle.

"Come on, baby. Don't be rude to the guests." He tightens his hold around me.

"Look, I've got candies." Jake pulls out two candies from his pocket and Ace slightly shifts his head so he can make sure there's actually candies and he's not being a fool. "Want one?"

Ace doesn't move but looks at me for assurance, I nod.

"You can take one, Acey."

He carefully extends his arm and snatches the candies from Jake's hand, quickly burying his face back in my chest. Jake laughs, ruffling his hair.

"You've got a cute one."

"He is. My cutest baby." I kiss Ace's cheek. "What do we say now, Ace?" I nudge his face.

He huffs, refusing to talk or meet their faces.

"It's not nice to receive gifts and be grumpy, is it now?" I ask a bit sternly so he knows I mean business.

Still grumbling, he peers his face up so they can see him, still leaning his head on my shoulder.

"fas'."

My heart warms as I bounce him a little.

"He's never slipped so young before." I let them know. "His nightmares trigger him bad."

"Aw, sweetie. You're welcome." Jake boops his nose and Ace quickly hides his smile in my shoulder.

I follow them downstairs and sign the document they need me to.

"Alright, we'll leave now. Take care, Thea. We will get back to you as soon as possible." Ryla says warmly.

"Thank you."

I walk them to the door and make Ace wave bye as they get in their car and leave.

I look at Ace and cup his face, smiling softly as he nuzzles against my hand, making my heart swell in adoration.

"I missed you." I whisper.

"Don' 'eve, mama." His lower lip quivers.

Shaking my head, I pull him back to my chest, never wanting to let go.

"You're my baby boy. I'd never leave you, baby."

☃︎•••~~~•••☃︎

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