by Susan Stoker
As if his words were law, the woman nodded. “Okay, but one thing we can’t budge on is the girls have to be interviewed by a representative from Timor-Leste. The last thing we want is someone accusing Americans of kidnapping their native children.”
“No problem,” Ace said confidently. “You have our contact info; we can bring them in whenever you say the word. Now if you don’t mind, I’d like to spend what’s left of my wedding day with my bride.”
“Of course. We’ll be in touch. Congratulations on your marriage.”
Ace thanked her and they left the small office, this time with his arm wrapped all the way around her waist, not merely touching the small of her back like he’d done when they’d entered.
No one said a word until they’d exited the embassy and were standing on the sidewalk in front of the gated building.
“What the fuck was that?” Phantom asked.
Ace didn’t even tense next to her, although Piper winced.
“Yeah, you want to let us in on what the hell just happened?” Rocco asked.
“We got married,” Ace said simply.
Piper took a deep breath and tried to step away from Ace, but he tightened his hold, not letting her put even an inch of space between them. She had to smooth things over with his friends. “Basically, I asked about adopting the girls, and the lady said that I had to be married. Ace convinced her we were already engaged, and she suggested we get married right then and there. I told Ace we could get an annulment when we got back to the States…as soon as it’s safe and the girls won’t be taken away.”
Piper couldn’t look up at Ace as she explained. The ceremony that had seemed somewhat romantic a moment ago now seemed tawdry and cheap. She was more than aware she was wearing a huge T-shirt and a pair of cutoff sweats. Not exactly the beautiful dress she’d always imagined she’d wear when she finally tied the knot.
“Who would’ve thought you’d be the first to actually get married,” Bubba said, then laughed and clapped his friend on the back once more. “Congratulations, man.”
“Thanks,” Ace said easily. “Rocco, I need your help.”
“Anything,” the other man responded immediately.
“Well, actually, I need Tex. We need an application submitted to the USCIS, like yesterday. And it needs to be fast-tracked. I figure Tex probably has a few contacts there, since he adopted his daughter from Iraq. Tell him to use my address on the forms, as that’s where we’ll live. And since we don’t know what the girls’ last names are, tell him to use Morgan. Might as well start as we mean to go on. He’s got my full permission to pull any paperwork necessary to make this work, for me and Piper. Background checks, interviews with neighbors, anything.”
Rocco grinned. “He’ll love that. And I’ll call him on the way back to the hostel. If I know Tex the way I think I know Tex, he’ll have a completed application complete with all the required signed forms and supporting documentation delivered by the end of the day tomorrow.”
“I appreciate it,” Ace told him.
For the first time, Piper felt a kernel of hope blossom deep in her chest. She didn’t worry about this Tex guy poking into her private life. She had nothing to hide. She was the most boring person ever. Her credit was good, even if she didn’t have as much money as she might’ve liked in her accounts. Her neighbors liked her. Tex wasn’t going to find skeletons in her closets because she didn’t have any.
This might actually work.
Holy shit, she was about to become a mother of three.
Not only that, but she was about to become a married mother of three!
“Ace?”
He looked down at her. “Yeah?”
And suddenly everything she wanted to say flew out of her head. As she stared up at her husband, Piper couldn’t get one word to form. She was nervous, and giddy, and thankful. She was overwhelmed and felt like crying and laughing at the same time. In short, she was a mess.
As if he understood, Ace simply took her in his arms once more and held her. With her head resting against his chest—a nicely muscled chest not covered by an armored vest—Piper could both hear and feel his heart beating under her cheek. It grounded her. She still had no idea what in the world she was doing, but for the first time in a week, she had a feeling that things might turn out all right after all.
Chapter Eight
Rocco and Phantom went straight back to the hostel, and Piper, Ace, and Bubba made a few stops for clothes, toys, and food for the girls. Since they’d probably be staying an extra day or two in the city, they wanted to make sure they’d have everything they’d need. By the time they returned to the hostel, they were each carrying a suitcase full of necessities for the girls and Piper.
Ace had even managed to slip away while Bubba and Piper were haggling for a few dresses for the girls to purchase a ring for Piper. It was a cheap knockoff and would probably turn her finger green, but Ace wanted to be sure that everyone who bothered to look would see his ring on her finger. He’d replace it with a huge-ass diamond as soon as they got back to California, but he didn’t want one day to go by without his mark on her.
It was crazy, this possessiveness and protectiveness he had for Piper, but he couldn’t deny it was there. When the lady at the embassy had told her she’d have to be married in order to adopt the girls, he hadn’t even hesitated. His story was a bit weak, but he didn’t care since the woman had bought it. And now he was married.
Him. Married.
It boggled his mind…but it also felt like it was meant to happen.
He’d only known her a few days, and like she said, they weren’t in love, but he felt more for Piper after just three days than he’d felt for any other woman he’d dated. Ever. He could definitely work with that.
And Ace wasn’t ashamed to admit to himself that he hadn’t married Piper solely for the children’s sake. Yes, he wanted them as much as she did, but deep down, he wanted Piper too. He couldn’t wait to move her into his house. To see her every day. To get to know her without a bunch of rebels and creepy-crawly bugs to deal with. He wanted to watch her create her art and learn what she wanted for her future. He had no idea what her favorite food was or what she liked to watch on TV. But those were superficial things. He knew what she was like under pressure. Knew she was levelheaded, generous, and compassionate.
And after that first kiss, he knew without a doubt she was full of passion. He could taste it on her lips, sense it in the way she’d unconsciously gripped his shirt. Feel it in the way she’d tilted her head to get closer to him. Hear it in the little noises she’d made in the back of her throat.
Yeah, he looked forward to getting to know Piper Johnson—no, Piper Morgan—better.
They walked into the large room they’d been given at the hostel and saw Rani and Sinta playing tic-tac-toe on a piece of paper, and Kemala once more standing next to the window, staring out.
Gumby and Rex immediately came toward them.
“I heard congratulations are in order,” Rex said with a huge grin.
“When you decide to do something, you don’t fuck around, do you?” Gumby asked, laughing.
Ace shook both his friends’ hands, then reached for Piper’s once more. It felt good holding on to her. “Thanks. Everything okay here?”
“Yeah.” Rex’s voice dropped. “Although Phantom’s been mumbling about heading back up to the orphanage to get Kalee. Says that if we’re going to be here a few more days, that he should take the time to go get her.”
Ace hated the despair that crossed Piper’s face. He shook his head. “I honestly don’t think there’s time. I have a feeling Tex is going to get this application shit done in record time. You already know he doesn’t fuck around, and the last thing we want to do is hang around here once we get approved to adopt the girls.”
“You’re really going to do it?” Gumby asked. “You’re not even going to think about it for a while? I mean, I got a dog on a spur-of-the-moment decision, but a kid sure isn’t lik
e a pet. And three?” His friend shook his head. “It’s a lot.”
Ace nodded. He got it. For most, deciding to adopt three girls would seem extreme and out of character, but ever since Bahrain, when he’d come as close to dying as he had in a very long time, he’d been thinking about children. Regretting that he hadn’t started a family. He had the means and the ability to take care of Rani, Sinta, and Kemala, so why shouldn’t he?
“You didn’t see that so-called orphanage today, Gumby. The woman is literally selling the girls in her care. We passed no fewer than twelve children begging on the street as we made our way to the embassy. I saw girls who couldn’t have been older than Kemala walking arm in arm with men three times their age. This might not be the way I thought I’d have kids, but I’m not freaking out about it, and I definitely don’t regret my decision.”
Gumby’s eyes went to Piper, and Ace stiffened at the look he gave her. He already knew he wasn’t going to like what his friend was about to say. Before he could warn him to be very careful and not to insult her, Gumby continued.
“And you? No offense, Piper, but you guys don’t even know each other. Getting married seems like a bit much.”
Ace dropped Piper’s hand and took a step forward, pushing her behind him. “Anytime someone starts a sentence with ‘no offense,’ they’re inevitably going to be fucking offensive,” he growled.
“It’s okay,” Piper said softly, stepping to his side. She met Gumby’s then Rex’s gaze and said firmly, “I didn’t ask Ace to marry me. In fact, I personally think he’s crazy. I did offer to annul the marriage when we get back to the States.”
“We’re not annulling our marriage,” Ace insisted. But Piper ignored him and kept talking.
“We haven’t had time to talk about a lot of stuff. I’m willing to sign a pre-nup if that makes him, and you guys, feel better. Or would it be a post-nup now? I don’t know how that would work. I don’t have a lot of money, but I’ve saved up some. I didn’t marry Ace for money, or health insurance, or anything like that…not that you were implying it, I just wanted to make it clear.”
“Then why did you marry him?” Phantom asked from nearby. The other guys had stepped closer and were listening to the conversation now.
Once again, Ace wanted to tell his friends to back off, but if he was being honest with himself, he was curious about Piper’s reply.
He was proud of the way she looked Phantom in the eyes as she answered. “I could probably say it was because it was the only way I’d get to take the girls home. Or I could say it’s because I’m grateful I was rescued. While both of those things are true, the real reason is because when I’m around him, life seems one hundred percent more exciting. And I’m not talking about his job or the fact that we met while literally fleeing from men who wanted to kill us. I’m talking about a feeling in here…” She touched her chest over her heart.
“Being around him makes me want to be a better person. He makes me smile even when there’s nothing to smile about. And I know it’s silly, since we’ve only known each other a few days, but when I think about going home to California and never seeing him again, I feel physically ill. You’re right, we don’t love each other. Not yet…it’s too soon. But I have a feeling if there was ever a man I could love, and be happy to wake up next to sixty years from now…it’s him.”
Silence met her words as all six hardened SEALs simply stared at her.
Ace saw Piper swallow nervously as she asked Phantom, “Is that good enough for you?”
Ace knew his friend wasn’t very emotional. Whatever had happened to him growing up had buried his emotions deep. But what he saw in his friend’s face at that moment was respect. And even admiration.
He nodded once. “It’s enough,” he said quietly, then held out a hand. “Welcome to the family.”
Ace relaxed as Piper shook his hand. Then Phantom startled her by pulling her into his embrace. He gave her a quick hug before releasing her and stepping back.
Ace quickly reclaimed his woman and pulled her against his chest. He loved Phantom like a brother, but the only arms he wanted her in were his.
“I’m thinking you two will earn your parenting badge sooner rather than later,” Phantom told them with a head tilt toward the window where Kemala was standing. “There’s enough pissed-off teenage hormones coming from that direction to choke the lot of us.”
Ace smothered a chuckle. Kemala would definitely be a challenge. But one he was more than ready for. Piper pulled out of his arms and immediately headed for Kemala. She glanced at Rani and Sinta, who were still playing their game, not paying any attention to them.
Knowing they hadn’t exactly been quiet, but not sure how much Kemala could hear or understand, he followed closely behind Piper. He wasn’t going to let her get into things with the teenager without being by her side.
“Are you okay?” he heard Piper ask as he neared the two women.
“Yes,” Kemala said shortly.
“You don’t sound okay to me,” Piper said gently.
Kemala puffed out a breath of air and turned to face Piper. Her arms were crossed over her chest, her dark hair was clean but messy around her face, and her eyes were narrowed. “Why you no leave already?” she asked in an angry tone.
“Leave?”
“Yes. We here in Dili. Time for you to go home to US.”
“I wanted to make sure you and the girls were safe before I left—” Piper started to explain.
“We were safe in our home. Now gone. No home here in city. So now what?”
For someone who didn’t know much English, Kemala was doing a very good job of getting her point across. Ace saw Piper’s face fall, but she did her best to keep her emotions in check.
“We visited a private home today, but it wasn’t right. I’m doing what I can legally do to make sure you’re safe—” Piper began again.
“I know,” Kemala interrupted again. “You marry Ace. Good. Now go.”
Piper frowned. “Go?”
“Go,” Kemala confirmed. “Back to US. Rani, Sinta, and me be fine.”
Piper reached for the teenager, but she jerked her arm out of reach.
Ace had heard enough. He knew Kemala was confused and scared, but he wasn’t going to tolerate her being disrespectful and mean to Piper. “Yes, Piper and I got married today. Do you want to know why?” Ace asked.
“Sex,” Kemala replied with a curl of her lip.
Ace didn’t want to talk about sex with his soon-to-be daughter. “No,” he denied. “That’s not why. It’s because the government doesn’t like potential adopters to be single women. They want married couples.”
Kemala stared at him in shock.
“Do you understand what I’m saying?” Ace asked quietly. “Piper married me because it would make it easier for her to adopt. And I married her because I admire her. I enjoy being around her, and she makes me feel something deep inside I’ve never felt with another woman. I can’t wait to get to know her better, and find out what makes her happy and what makes her sad. That’s why we got married.”
Instead of making Kemala calm down, his words seemed to anger her further. Her hands curled into fists, which she planted on her hips. “So you marry to take Rani with you?” she asked.
“Yes—” Piper started, but Kemala interrupted yet again.
“Cute little Rani. Not surprised. Everyone wants little girls. Fine. I take care of Sinta. Don’t need you!”
“Kemala, I want you and Sinta too,” Piper quickly added.
She’d shocked the young girl into silence.
Ace added his reassurance as well. “Piper and I are adopting all of you. Rani, Sinta, and you, Kemala. We want you all. We’re taking all three of you back to the United States as soon as the government gives us the okay.”
Kemala’s eyes got huge as her gaze went from Ace to Piper then back to Ace. “But Rani and Sinta young,” she protested.
“Oh, honey,” Piper said. “You’re still young too. Though I
know you don’t feel like it sometimes.”
She shook her head. “You cannot want me.”
“I do,” Piper said urgently.
“When we were at the embassy, Piper and I discussed what would happen if we were told we could only take one girl,” Ace explained in a gentle tone.
“Ace, no,” Piper begged.
“She needs to know,” Ace said without looking away from Kemala. “You want to know who Piper said she would choose, if she was only given permission to adopt one of you?”
Kemala’s eyes went to the mattress in the middle of the floor where the other two girls had put aside their game and were now sleeping before coming back to Ace’s gaze.
He shook his head. “No. Not Rani. Not Sinta. She picked you, Kemala. If the government says we can only adopt one child, you are her choice.”
The teenager looked at Piper. “Me?”
She nodded. “Yes.”
“Why?”
“Because you need me the most,” Piper said.
Kemala stumbled as she took a step toward Piper. She fell to her knees then wrapped her arms around Piper’s legs. She bowed her head and her shoulders shook with emotion.
“Kemala?” Piper asked, trying to get the girl to look at her, to no avail.
After several moments, Kemala finally glanced up. “I’m scared,” the teenager admitted. “Knew you would leave. I no understand city. I live in mountains.”
Ace put his arm around Kemala, helping her to her feet. The three of them stood with their arms around each other’s waists in their own little cocoon. Ace knew his teammates could hear their conversation, but at that moment, it didn’t matter.
“I’m scared too,” Piper admitted. “I don’t know that I’ll be a good mother. I’ll probably screw things up royally, but I’m willing to try.”
Ace could tell Kemala didn’t understand the second part of what Piper said. “We’ve never been parents and will need your help with Rani and Sinta. Will you help us? Like you have since we left the mountain?”
