ACE

L ike a prey animal caught with nowhere to run, Harley froze in place. Eyes wide as her cheeks slowly drained of all colour.

“Okay…” I began slowly. “Let’s go sit down for a second, you’re looking very pale.” Guiding her back to the bedroom, I sat her on the bed and dropped to my knees in front of her.

“This can’t be happening.” Harley mumbled.

I was just as scared as she was, but there was no way in hell that I was going to show it. All I knew was that it was vital for me to make sure that Harley remained calm. The last thing either of us needed was to end up in one of our typical arguments, pushing one another to see who would walk out first. Although things between us had been going well lately, I hadn’t forgotten all the miscommunications and arguments we’d had in the beginning.

“Baby… it’s okay.” I began slowly. “Here’s the plan. Nothing needs to be decided immediately. We’re gonna get on that plane, go to New York for the weekend, and have a blast surprising Aria. Then, when it’s all over, we will come home and figure this out.”

She stared at me blankly.

“Harley, I love you so much… we will figure out how to navigate this together. I promise. Sure, this wasn’t in our plans, but despite that, it doesn’t change a thing. Nothing between us is changing. Understand?”

She was sobbing now. Tears stained her t-shirt as black mascara ran down her cheeks. “What do you mean, nothing will change? Everything will!”

Tilting her chin up to mine, forced her to look at me. Taking a deep breath, I dove right in. “I’m on your side, sweetheart. You call the shots. If you want to have this baby, then we will do it together. If you don’t, then we figure that out together, too. I’m not running away and I’m sure as hell not leaving you alone with this. You are my world and I love you.”

As I spoke, Harley’s face softened. I knew she needed to hear that she wasn’t alone, but I hadn’t expected the reaction that I got.

“Oh, Ace!! I love you too!” she cried out, throwing herself into my arms.

And just like that, I knew we would be okay. This was the first time my girl had said those magic words. “Say it again.” I mumbled, my face already buried in her neck.

“I love you, I love you, I love you!” Harley cried, cupping my face in her hands this time and kissing me deeply.

***

Less than two hours later, we’d boarded the private plane with the rest of the guys and we were on our way to New York City.

Jax was in a corner, headphones on, scribbling away at his latest song lyrics. He’d planned to surprise Aria with a new song he’d written just for her. Gage and Rocco were playing chess. Devon was in work mode with his glasses on, head down in his paperwork, taking full advantage of the time. Everyone was doing their own thing, as were myself and my girl. Harley and I sat in the back corner on the love seat. Wrapped in a blanket, she smiled happily and listened as I strummed a few chords.

“Sounds good, babe. So calm and peaceful.” She smiled. “Makes me sleepy…” She yawned.

I leaned in and whispered in her ear. “I can strum chords all day long, my love. Especially if you and baby like it.”

Harley threw her head back and laughed. “Don’t get ahead of yourself, mister.” She scolded mockingly. “No one has made any decisions yet.”

Putting my guitar aside, I pulled her into my arms and snuggled her tight. “All I need is you in my arms, babe. Whatever you want, we will do, but…” I raised an eyebrow. “How adorable would a little version of us be?”

My girl stared at me, mouth open. “Really? Do you really mean that?”

“Absolutely. Zero doubts.” I grinned.

“Oh, Ace… I love you so much!” Harley whispered. “But you know… a baby has never been something I wanted. My parents didn’t exactly show me that having kids was a positive thing. I’m not sure that I’d be any better than they were.” She whispered.

“True, but if I’ve learned anything in my life, it’s that your past does not dictate your future. You lived through the consequences of your parents’ emotional neglect and I think that because of that, you’ll know exactly how to do the opposite. It will make you an incredible mother because you will give your baby everything you didn’t have.” He answered.

How did he always say the right thing?

“That was a pretty good answer,” Harley admitted. “I’m definitely terrified, but with you by my side… maybe?” She looked a little nervous, but still intrigued by the idea.

Leaning over, I kissed her deeply. Harley responded immediately, her tongue dancing with mine as we relaxed into each other’s arms.

“Hey, get a room, you two!” Gage called out from the other side of the plane.

We ignored him.

Sitting there, all cuddled up with my girl, I finally felt at peace. After such a long time of searching, of feeling lonely, of getting screwed over by countless others, I was finally free of it all. Knowing that there was a little life growing inside my girl and that it existed solely because of our love, was better than anything I could have ever wished for.

The End.