“I’ll grab her milk,” I tell Ace.
When I return with her milk, Ace is cuddling her on the couch and her little arms are wrapped around his neck.
“I think she’s falling asleep,” he whispers.
Who wouldn’t with those strong shoulders to rest on? I hand him the milk and he gently sits Luna up. She looks so sleepy but when she sees her sippy cup, she takes it and drinks it in ten seconds flat. Then she lets out a loud burp that makes us laugh.
“So much for a lady,” I say.
Ace laughs. “What’s next on the program?”
“Change of clothes, bedtime, and a story or two.”
“Let’s do this,” Ace says.
He looks happy and excited. As if it’s a privilege to take care of Luna, which only a parent would feel. Together we change Luna into her pajamas, tuck her into bed and Ace reads her a story.
I sit cross-legged on the rug and listen. He has a beautiful voice. I only realize when Luna falls asleep that Ace’s voice has been going lower and softer until it is a mere whisper.
“I almost fell asleep too,” I tell him with a laugh. “I’ll be modulating my voice too, especially for those nights when she’s too hyped up to sleep.”
We tiptoe out of the room.
“Coffee? A beer?” I ask him.
“Coffee will do, thanks,” Ace says.
He follows me to the kitchen and leans on the island as I start the coffee pot.
“How does it feel to be a dad?” I ask him as I wait for the coffee to brew.
He grins. “Unbelievable. It’s a feeling that’s hard to describe. I want to protect her from everything.” He frowns. “I’m glad she’s too little to go to school. School is too rough on kids.”
I laugh. “Yeah, and the terrorizers are all of four years old.”
Ace doesn’t laugh. “Fuck! There’s so much in this world for little Luna to navigate. What if she doesn’t like school? Or some kid bullies her?”
He looks like he’s going to be sick. If I didn’t know what Ace is going through right now, I’d laugh. But I know that panicky feeling as you contemplate a future for your child in a hostile world.
“Hey, relax, one day at a time,” I tell him.
“How can you be so calm?” he asks me, his brow creased.
I giggle then. “I’ve had fifteen months to deal with these feelings. You’re just starting now.”
He holds my gaze. “Are you telling me that it’s normal when my daughter is a toddler to worry about boys hitting on her when she’s a teenager?”
I cover my mouth to stifle a giggle. “Pretty much.” From what I’ve heard, dads worry about their daughters dating more than moms do.
He chuckles then. “I’ll take it a day at a time. But there are things we need to talk about.”
I’m glad. That’s exactly the kind of dad I want for Luna. Someone who is involved in every aspect of her life.
When the coffee is ready, I carry both mugs to the living room.
We settle down on opposite ends of the couch. I feel so happy. I’ve been carrying a huge load on my chest and I can finally put it down. I’m happy that there’s someone else I can talk to on matters concerning Luna. As close as Vanessa is to Luna, the fact remains that she’s her aunt. A big difference from being a parent. Ace and I are silent for a few minutes as we sip our coffee and gather our thoughts.
“I still can’t believe it,” Ace says after a moment.
“Do you want a DNA test?” I ask him. “I wouldn’t be offended if you do but I hadn’t been with anyone else before or after we slept together.”
His brow creases. “No, that’s not what I mean. I know she’s mine. I felt strong emotions for her the very first day I met her. I think I’ve probably always known. Call it instinct.”
I let out a breath of relief. I’m glad he trusts me. In the space of an afternoon, our relationship has changed from a man dating a woman to being parents.
I hope that that side of our relationship continues. Ace is a wonderful lover.
Chapter 17
Ace
I’ve come to love the coffee and lunch breaks when the guys chat in the kitchen. They’re quickly becoming like family.
“Hey before I forget,” Brad says. He’s an easy-going guy and like the rest of the team, he’s serious when it comes to his job and a hundred percent dependable.
“Mila will kill me if I do. We’re having an informal barbecue on Saturday to celebrate Clara’s birthday. You’re all invited.”
I know that Brad has a boy too.
“How old is the little lady turning?” Collins the deputy chief asks.
“Two years.” I can hear the pride in Brad’s voice. I can relate. I think of Luna and can hardly believe that she’s my daughter.