by Susan Stoker
“And I know it’s too early to discuss being intimate with each other, but I want that too. I was serious when I told Kemala that I wanted more children. I’d love to have kids with you, Piper. Not right away, we’ve got enough on our plate right now, but eventually. I’m attracted to you, and I hope you’re attracted to me. I definitely want to do more than just kiss you—I want it all. I want a real marriage, in every way. Do you think you’ll get to the point where you want that too?”
He seemed so unsure when he asked that question, Piper spoke before she thought. “Yes. I’m already there.”
The smile that formed on his face was beautiful, and Piper did her best not to blush as she hurriedly continued, “I wouldn’t have married you if I didn’t like and respect you, Ace. I would’ve stayed in Dili and figured something else out if I had to. I was worried you only asked to marry me out of a sense of duty or something.”
“And you want a real marriage? And more kids?” he asked, as if needing clarification.
“Yes. Maybe not tonight, or even in the near future, but yes. I want to get to know you better too. Even though we’re married, maybe we can date each other or something. That sounds stupid since we’ll be living in the same house, but…I want to know why you joined the navy. Hear about your parents. Hang out with your friends in situations that don’t involve bugs, rebels, and fleeing a country. And…”
She hesitated, but then decided to go for it. If they couldn’t begin this marriage by being honest with each other, then it was doomed before it even got started.
“And I want to make out with you. Want to feel the anticipation of wondering if you’re going to get to second or third base when we’re sitting on the couch watching a movie together. I want to know what your beard feels like when you kiss me all over. I want it all too, Ace. And I want it with you.”
As she was speaking, she watched his expression relax…until she talked about making out with him. Then his jaw tensed, and she felt him straighten in her arms.
Shit, should she not have been so honest?
“How were you still single?” he asked.
Piper shrugged. “Because I’m an introvert and don’t like hanging out in bars and didn’t like the idea of meeting a man on a dating app. And I’m honestly just not that pretty.”
“Bullshit,” Ace countered immediately. “You’re perfect. If I wanted to marry a model, then I would’ve married a model. I wanted a woman who was real. Who I could hold in my arms just like this and feel her, not skin and bones. And you thinking you’re not pretty says more about society than it does about you.”
She loved hearing that. Loved it.
“You’ve read too many beauty magazines, sweetheart. Your idea of pretty must be fucked up. Beauty is only skin deep, and the kind of person you are inside more than makes up for any imagined flaw you think you have. And in case you think that means I don’t think you’re pretty, let me make it clear…you’re gorgeous, and I’m proud to have you as my wife.”
Piper wanted to argue with him. Wanted to point out her muffin top, and how her eyes were too far apart, and the weird small moles she had all over her body that sometimes sprouted small annoying hairs. But if he wanted to think she was beautiful, far be it from her to disagree with him. “Thanks,” she said somewhat lamely.
He chuckled. “Fine, don’t believe me. But I have to say I’m pretty happy that you’re wearing that ring on your finger, so every other guy out there knows you’re well and truly taken.”
She liked hearing that too.
“Now, do you want me to make dinner, or are you jonesing to do it?”
Ace’s thumb was brushing back and forth on the back of her neck, making her want to melt at his feet. She was exhausted from traveling and the time change and wanted nothing more than to collapse into bed, but she was a mother now. She had three girls to take care of, had to make sure their needs were met. “Can you cook?”
“Yes.”
She believed him. There was probably nothing Ace couldn’t do.
“If it’s okay, why don’t you make some chicken and rice. Let’s keep things pretty bland tonight, and we can work our way up to more flavorful things.”
“Sounds good. What are you going to do while I’m cooking?”
“Maybe I’ll read to them?” She hated the way that came out as a question, but the truth was, she wasn’t sure what she should do with the girls. They had suitcases to unpack and a million other things to do, but she just wanted to sit and be calm for a while.
“That’s perfect.” Ace kissed her briefly before pulling her against him. They stood like that for a long while, enjoying the sensation of being with someone and being safe, happy, and warm.
“Good!” Sinta exclaimed from the table.
Both Piper and Ace turned to look, and saw the plate was now empty and all the girls had huge smiles on their faces.
“Did you like that?” Ace asked. He didn’t pull away from Piper. Just stood there with her in his arms as he asked the question.
“Yes!” both Sinta and Kemala said at the same time, and Rina nodded just as enthusiastically.
“We’ll have to figure out regular chores for everyone, but for now, Sinta, would you please take the plate to the sink? Kemala, there’s a roll of paper towels on the counter, would you please wet one and wipe off the table? And, Rani, your job is to make sure all the chairs are pushed back under the table when everyone gets up. Think you guys can do that?”
All three girls nodded and eagerly stood up to do their chore.
“I’m guessing it won’t take them long to get sick of their chores and complain about them,” Piper said wryly.
Ace’s chuckle reverberated through his chest into hers, since she was still in his embrace. “I can’t wait. I can’t wait for every single moment to come.”
Piper didn’t hesitate; she leaned in and kissed him. She couldn’t stop herself from licking his bottom lip, and he immediately reciprocated…and before she knew it, they were kissing with a passion they hadn’t experienced together before. It was as if their discussion about a real marriage had upped the intensity of their reactions to each other.
Knowing the girls were right there and probably watching, Piper eased back and couldn’t help licking her lips, tasting Ace on herself as she did. She felt his erection against her stomach, but wasn’t alarmed by it. They were taking things one day at a time. She was happy he was attracted to her, that she could affect him in that way. Just as she was affected by him. For the first time in forever, Piper could feel dampness between her legs. From just a kiss.
Oh, yeah, she wanted a real marriage with Ace as much as he did.
Smiling, Ace dropped his arms from around her and turned to watch their daughters complete their first chores. When they were done, Piper said, “I thought I’d read a book to you guys. Anyone interested?”
The girls nodded. As she left the kitchen to go back upstairs so she could look through the books Sidney and Caite had brought over, hoping to find one that might hold all three of the girls’ attention, she looked back at Ace.
He was standing right where she’d left him, staring at them with the biggest smile she’d ever seen on his face. He looked content and relaxed, which was a look she hadn’t seen from him when they were in Timor-Leste. It struck Piper then how much she had to learn about her husband…and how much she was looking forward to it.
Chapter Twelve
The next week was hectic every day, from the time the sun came up to the time it went down in the evenings. Ace had known being a father might be chaotic, but he hadn’t known exactly how chaotic. But honestly, he was loving every second.
They’d been to the doctor on base and had the girls checked out. They were all a bit underweight and small compared to American children their same age, but overall their health was good, which was a relief.
The doctor suggested making Rani an appointment with a speech therapist since she hadn’t spoken one word since Piper had known her
, but Ace successfully argued that there was nothing a speech therapist could do if she wasn’t talking, and that as long as she was healthy and happy, she’d talk in her own good time. Piper agreed.
They’d gotten Sinta and Kemala enrolled in the English as a Second Language program at school on the base, and Rani was going to go half days to preschool. A trip to the grocery store turned out to be completely dumbfounding for all three girls, as they’d never seen anything like a big-box store before. The amount of food and merchandise had overwhelmed them, and Piper and Ace had ended up abandoning their cart to calm the girls.
They’d visited a playground and gone to the local public library to get each of the girls a library card. Piper and Ace had already read every book Caite and Sidney had bought for them, and they wanted to make sure they had enough books to keep them interested.
They’d even made a visit to the retirement home Piper’s grandparents lived in. They’d been shocked to hear Piper had gotten married and was now the mother of three, but they were happy for her. Ace got the impression they loved their granddaughter well enough, but weren’t that interested in spending a lot of time with their new great-grandchildren. They were content to play cards and hang out with others their age.
Before they’d left, Ace had made it a point to talk to the couple privately, reassuring them that he’d take care of Piper and the girls, and that he’d do everything in his power to make sure she’d have a safe and happy life. They’d nodded politely, but that was about it. After the visit, Ace better understood why Piper had made the decision to adopt the girls. She obviously craved a deeper connection with family, and if she had to make her own family to have that, she’d do it.
Even though the week had been crazy, Ace hadn’t missed how much the girls’ English had improved already. It had only been seven days, but being immersed in the language—listening, talking and reading, and watching children’s television programming—had done wonders for their comprehension levels. Ace had no doubt all three would be able to transition to a regular classroom in the not-so-distant future.
He’d also left Piper at the house reading to the girls one day and gone out to get a replacement wedding ring. He hadn’t given it to her yet, wanting to wait for the perfect moment. The more time he spent with Piper, the faster he fell, but he wasn’t alarmed by his feelings. He’d seen both Gumby and Rocco fall just as hard and fast with their women.
But he was a bit unsure about Piper’s feelings toward him. They’d spent almost every waking hour with the girls, and at night, after the kids were in bed, Piper normally fell asleep on the couch almost immediately. Ace usually carried her upstairs to bed. She was tired a lot, and he couldn’t blame her. He was too. Keeping up with the girls, making sure they had their needs met, both physical and emotional, was exhausting.
Thinking about their sleeping arrangements made Ace smile. For the last week, the girls had been afraid to sleep alone in their own rooms, so he and Piper had allowed them to fall asleep in his king-size bed in the master, and the two of them joined the girls when they were ready for bed. The first night, when Piper kept tossing and turning, he’d done what he had every other time they’d slept together—pulled her on top of him and let her use his body as a pillow. She’d fallen straight to sleep.
He loved feeling her body covering his own. Loved feeling her warm breath on his neck as she breathed deep in slumber. She’d apologized every morning for “squishing” him, and every time, Ace told her not to worry about it. That he loved having her sleep on top of him. He wasn’t just placating her either. Being her human mattress was much better than sleeping in the guest bedroom until she was comfortable. She was already comfortable with him, which was the best feeling in the world.
Two days ago, they’d given in and bought a queen-size bed for Kemala’s room, and tonight would be the first night their daughters were going to try to sleep in it together, without Piper and Ace. With every day that passed, they got more secure in their surroundings. Not so secure that they wanted to sleep in beds alone, in their own rooms, but brave enough to try sleeping in the queen together.
Ace couldn’t wait. He didn’t know if Piper would ask him to sleep in the guest room, now that they didn’t need to reassure their daughters they were safe and all was well.
He hoped not.
In the last week, Ace had also had Piper’s stuff moved from her apartment into his house. All the other guys had come over to help, and they’d gotten the job done in one day. Having her things in his space made the big ol’ house seem even more like a home. Her brightly colored pillows on his couch. Her desktop computer sitting next to his in their home office. Her clothes in his closet.
Yes, the more time he spent with Piper, the more settled he felt.
Today was also the day she was going to meet Caite and Sidney for the first time. Gumby was having a small party at his beach house and had invited the entire team over.
Rani, Sinta, and Kemala didn’t know how to swim, so that was also on Ace’s agenda for the day. Even though they’d grown up on a tropical island, they’d spent their entire life in the mountains, and the first time Piper had filled the bathtub with water and tried to get Rani and Sinta to take a bath, they’d been terrified.
So swimming lessons were definitely on the agenda.
Ace knew Piper was nervous about meeting Sidney and Caite, and he’d told her over and over not to be, but he knew she wouldn’t calm down until she saw for herself how wonderful the two women were.
As he pulled up to the small home nestled between larger, more extravagant and expensive houses, Ace couldn’t help but be a bit envious. Like all his SEAL friends, he loved the water, and would love to have a place where he could run out into the waves anytime he wanted. Because he’d known he’d eventually want a big family, it had seemed practical to get more house for his money inland.
He helped Piper get the kids out of the car then picked up Rani, while Sinta held on to Piper’s hand as they headed for the front door. Before they could ring the bell, Sidney opened the door and greeted them warmly.
“Hi! I’m so glad you guys came! Oh my gosh, your girls are beautiful! You must be Rani,” Sidney said to the little girl in Ace’s arms. “I love your shirt! Pink’s my favorite color. And you have to be Sinta. Your name is so pretty! And, Kemala, I’ve heard so much about you! Ace has told my fiancé how smart you are, and I’m so happy to meet you. Come in!”
Ace couldn’t help but chuckle at how enthusiastic Sidney was. As soon as the girls were inside, she turned to Piper and smiled again. “I’d love to give you a big hug, but since we don’t know each other, that would be weird, right? But I’m so glad you’re all right. I don’t know the details, as Gumby can’t tell me, but I know enough to know you went through hell. I’m so sorry. But from what I understand, you were super brave, and you rescued these three beautiful girls to boot!”
Piper was blushing, but she returned Sidney’s smile. “I’m not sure I did a whole lot other than hide until Ace and the others came to rescue me.”
“Nonsense,” Sidney said with a wave of her hand. “There were a million decisions you could’ve made while you were waiting for them to show up, and any one of those could’ve changed the outcome for the worse.”
That was very true. Ace hadn’t thought about all those decisions, but now that Sidney had mentioned it, he suddenly couldn’t stop thinking about them. If she’d come out of the hole when the rebels were there, if she’d sneezed at the wrong time. All the what-ifs were overwhelming.
“Stop monopolizing them, Sid,” Caite said as she came toward them with a smile. Everyone was still standing just inside the house. “I’m Caite,” she told Piper, holding out a hand.
Piper shook it, and then Caite took control. “Come on. Everyone’s out back. Some of the guys are throwing a football around, Gumby’s grilling, and me and Sidney were stuffing our faces with potato chips. Do you guys like potato chips?” she asked the girls.
When the
y didn’t answer, just looked at Piper instead, Caite laughed.
“Come on. You’re gonna love ’em. Promise.”
Ace nodded at Kemala when she glanced at him next. The teenager had been doing an excellent job, looking after her sisters. It made him proud, but at the same time he wanted her to know that she could relax and simply enjoy herself around their friends. “We’re coming too, Kemala,” he told her.
She nodded and reached for Sinta’s hand. “We all go,” she told her.
Piper put Rani on her feet, and she grabbed Kemala’s other hand. Watching his daughters walk hand in hand almost made Ace’s heart explode. This was exactly what he wanted. Yes, being a dad was frenzied and insane. He knew the girls wouldn’t always get along this well. But for now, he was enjoying every moment.
He grabbed hold of Piper’s hand and they shared a smile. He knew she was thinking the same thing. They followed Caite, Sidney, and their girls through the small house to the deck on the back.
The girls were scared of Sidney and Gumby’s black pit bull for a moment, but after reassurance from Sidney that Hannah was a big softie, they relaxed. Not enough to want to pet the large dog, but enough to walk past her to the sand, as Caite led them toward a small area already set up with a blanket, an umbrella, and enough toys to play in the sand for hours.
“It’s good to see you, Piper,” Gumby said from next to the grill.
“Same. You look different wearing clothes,” Piper said.
The second the words were out of her mouth, she realized what she’d said, and slapped a hand over her lips. Sidney simply laughed.
“I didn’t mean that the way it sounded,” Piper said quickly. “All I meant was that he’s in normal clothes right now. T-shirt and shorts, whereas before he was all uniformed up.”
