Beneath The Surface

Chapter 51: Unraveling Shadows

--- Ace's POV ---

Another week has passed, and we’re now on our way to see the doctor. Marco is in the driver’s seat, while I sit in the back with Raven. She’s been quiet, lost in her own thoughts ever since Marco told her she was pregnant. The weight of the possibility that the child she’s carrying could be Ivan’s has been hanging over us all like a dark cloud.

When we finally arrive at the doctor’s office, we step inside and are greeted warmly by Liz. Raven, however, is distant, barely acknowledging anything around her. I can’t even begin to imagine what must be going through her head.

Liz asks Raven to lie down on the examination table, and I help her up before stepping aside to give Liz some space. Raven moves stiffly, almost robotically, as if she’s just going through the motions. Liz lifts up Raven’s shirt and applies the cold jelly to her belly. She pulls the sonogram machine closer and begins moving the instrument over Raven’s stomach, her eyes focused on the screen.

The room is silent except for the soft hum of the machine. I watch Liz’s face intently, searching for any clues in her expression. After what feels like an eternity, Liz finally speaks up.

“It looks like Raven is about 10 weeks along,” she says, her voice steady and reassuring.

I glance at Marco, who’s standing near the foot of the table. The realization hits us both at the same time. Ten weeks. This means the child is Marco’s. Relief floods through me, and I look over at Raven. She’s still doing the calculations in her head, but then I see it. The moment it dawns on her. Her eyes widen, and relief washes over her face.

“It’s Marco’s,” she whispers, almost as if she can’t believe it.

I can feel the tension draining out of the room. I step closer to her, squeezing her hand gently. “You’re carrying Marco’s child,” I say softly, my own relief evident in my voice.

Raven’s eyes fill with tears, but this time, they’re tears of relief. “It’s Marco’s,” she repeats, her voice stronger now.

Marco steps forward, taking her other hand. His face is a mix of emotions, but the dominant one is happiness. “We’re going to get through this together,” he promises, his voice filled with conviction. “All of us.”

The weight that’s been pressing down on us for weeks seems to lift. Knowing that the child is Marco’s, and not Ivan’s, changes everything. It’s a glimmer of hope in the midst of all the darkness we’ve been navigating.

Liz finishes up the examination and turns to us with a warm smile. “Raven, you and the baby both look healthy. I’ll schedule your next appointment, but for now, just focus on taking care of yourself.”

Raven nods, her grip on our hands tightening. As we leave the office, there’s a new sense of hope and determination. We still have a long road ahead, but at least now, we know we’re not carrying a piece of Ivan’s darkness with us. We have a chance to create something beautiful out of all this pain.

On the drive back home, the atmosphere in the car is noticeably lighter. Raven leans into me, her head resting on my shoulder. Marco keeps glancing at us in the rearview mirror, a small smile playing on his lips.

As we pull into the driveway, Marco turns off the engine and looks at us both. “How about we go out for breakfast?” he suggests, his voice bright with an uncharacteristic cheerfulness. “To celebrate.”

Raven looks up, a hint of a smile playing on her lips. “That sounds nice,” she says softly.

We head to a nearby café, one we know is quiet and cozy. Once inside, we find a corner booth and settle in. Marco orders a stack of pancakes, I get an omelet, and Raven picks a fruit bowl. As we wait for our food, the mood is light, almost festive.

When the food arrives, Marco raises his coffee mug in a toast. “To new beginnings,” he says, his eyes shining with hope.

“To new beginnings,” Raven and I echo, clinking our glasses against his.

As we eat, there’s a sense of normalcy that we haven’t felt in weeks. We laugh, we talk about the baby, and for a little while, we forget about all the darkness that brought us to this point. It feels good, it feels right.

After breakfast, we head back home, feeling more like a family than ever before. We still have challenges to face, but at least now, we’re facing them together, with hope in our hearts and a baby on the way.

When we arrive home, Marco is the first to get out of the car. He walks around to Raven’s side and opens the door for her, offering his hand to help her out. Seeing this caring side of Marco makes me feel hopeful. Raven is going to be a mother, and it gives us all the more reason to protect her from any harm, to keep her safe.

Just then, my phone rings. Glancing at the caller ID, I see it’s one of our men, James, who is on the hunt for Raven’s father. I look at Marco and signal that I need to take the call. He nods, understanding, and I step away to answer.

“James, what do you have for me?” I ask, my voice low and tense.

“We’ve found Alexander Knight,” James informs me. “He’s being held in a warehouse just outside of town. What do you want us to do?”

Relief and anger war within me. Finally, we have him. “Keep him there. Marco and I will stop by tonight,” I say, my voice firm.

“Understood,” James replies before hanging up.

I take a deep breath, trying to collect my thoughts before heading back inside to talk to Marco. This could change everything. Raven’s father has been a ghost, a specter haunting our every step, and now we finally have him.

I find Marco helping Raven into the house, his hand on her back, guiding her gently. I catch his eye and tilt my head towards the side hallway. He nods subtly, understanding the need for a private conversation.

“Raven, why don’t you go relax in the living room? We’ll be there in a minute,” Marco suggests, his voice calm.

Raven nods and heads to the living room, and I wait until she’s out of earshot before speaking.

“We need to talk,” I say, my voice low.

Marco follows me to the hallway, away from where Raven can hear us. “What’s going on?” he asks, his expression serious.

“We’ve found him,” I say, my voice steady but filled with the gravity of the situation. “He’s being held in a warehouse just outside of town.”

Marco’s eyes widen slightly, then narrow with determination. “We need to go there tonight.”

I nod. “Exactly. We need to make sure Raven is safe and take care of him.”

“Agreed. We’ll take care of this,” Marco says, his voice resolute.

We both glance towards the living room where Raven is sitting, unaware of the storm brewing. Our resolve strengthens knowing we’re doing this for her and the child she’s carrying. Tonight, we’ll confront the man who has caused Raven so much pain. We’ll get the answers we need and ensure that she can finally have some peace.

As we rejoin Raven in the living room, I sit next to her on the sofa, and Marco sits on the other side of her, his expression softer now.

“Everything okay?” she asks, looking between us.

“Just some business we need to handle later,” Marco says, brushing off her concern with a reassuring smile. “For now, let’s just enjoy some time together.”

Raven nods, though I can see the worry still lingering in her eyes. We spend the rest of the afternoon trying to keep things light and relaxed, knowing that tonight will be a turning point for all of us. This is the beginning of the end of one nightmare, and the start of a new chapter for all of us.