Chereads / ACE [Billionaire Romance] / Chapter 67 - Finally Together

Chapter 67 - Finally Together

💦 ACE 💦

 {💔 He's broken... She will heal Him ❤ }

 

 (🌺 He's arrogant..... She's crazy 🌺)

🔥 Billionaire Romance 🔥

 💦 Ace 💦

I'm staring at the blank ceiling, I don't know how long I've been lying on the bed and just looking up but it feels likes it's been a long time.

My phone starts to ring. It hasn't stopped ringing at all.

But I don't bother reaching for it and just let it go to voicemail.

I felt empty, nothing inside. My heart was in pain the past couple days but now, I felt nothing.

I feel a hand on my shoulder and then turn my head to see someone speaking. Yet I couldn't really make out what they were saying. I finally focus on the person and start to hear their voice 

"Ace, come on man we're going to be late" Dr. Ashley says as he tries to get me up and off the bed

I finally sit up and look around me. Her stuff still Scattered around the room. Her clothes. Her perfume on the vanity. 

Her endless hair ties. Her smell. Everything that was hers was here.

Just not her.

"Ace!" His voice snaps me out of my thoughts

I nod my head and stand up as he passes me a suit.

And then I remember. The funeral is today.

~~~~~~~~~

Fixing my tie, I look at myself in the mirror and all I could think was, why her and not me? She had so much to offer in this world. What am I good for? What do I have left without her in my life?'

There was only one purpose that was keeping me standing and pushing through.

Scarlett.

Knowing that I was all she had, I needed to stay strong, for her.

I head downstairs and see Molly who was holding Scarlett, Dr. Ashley and his wife, all wearing black.

I turn to Molly and she passes me Scarlett.

Sleeping peacefully, I place a kiss on her forehead and hold her tight. Never wanting to let go.

"Is the baby sitter here?" I ask Molly, my voice hoarse from not speaking to anyone from these past couple days

She nods her head. I turn and see the sitter who was going to stay with Scarlett today while we all attended the funeral. I pass her Scarlett and she takes her to the nursery upstairs.

During the car drive, Dr. Ashley was sitting beside me.

"I was trying to call you Ace" he says

I look at the window, not wanting to speak.

"Molly said you haven't left your room since you got home that night." I still don't respond

 "Ace I can't imagine what you're going through right now but you-" I finally decide to speak and cut him off

"You said she was going to be okay."

Silence

This time I turn to him

 "You said, she was going to be f*cking okay!!!" I say a little louder and then close my eyes. Feeling the emptiness surround me once again

He lets out a shaky breath and looks away.

"Ace, I'm sorry"

 "What happened? She was fine when she woke up, what fucking happened to her!?" 

"S-she had a seizure. Everything was fine during the surgery, she was reacting very well and it was completed successfully but after she woke up, her body went into shock maybe from the changes and it caused her to have a seizure. 

It wasn't something we were expecting Ace. It was out of my hands. I did everything I could. Im sorry" he says turning to me with tears in his eyes.

~~~~~~~~~~

The service goes by fairly quickly. Well to me at least. I had lost track of time and I hardly understood what was truly happening. Everything felt like a dream.. well, a nightmare.

I remember seeing Jennifer walk up, to deliver a speech.

She was barely able to speak but still delivered a beautiful speech. I remember her being devastated after arriving too late at the hospital. She didn't get a chance to say her goodbye and she was taking it pretty hard.

I had refused to give any speeches. I just wasn't in the right state of mind and I didn't care to speak to any of these people. Everything I had to say, was for Alexandra alone, she was the only person I cared for. But she's not here anymore

.

Once the service was over, I immediately left. People wanted to speak to me but I just didn't have the heart to hear how sorry everyone felt. Sure, maybe I was acting irrational and was rude, but at this point, I couldn't care less.

Making my way home, I find the baby sitter feeding Scarlett who was barely awake, from a baby bottle.

"Mr. Anderson, she just woke up" she says with a smile

I nod at her and reach out to carry Scarlett.

"You can go home." I say

 "A-are you sure? I was originally asked to stay the whole day-" I cut her off 

"You can go home." I say a little bit more clearer this time

She nods her head and picks up her things to leave, I take a seat on the sofa with Scarlett still in my arms and bring the baby bottle back to her little mouth.

Looking at her innocent and pure face, I can't help but feel a little bit of reassurance.

That everything was going to be okay.

It won't be easy. But it will be okay.

"Look's like its just you and me now..." I say gently to

Scarlett who was closing her eyes while feeding from the bottle

I bring her a little closer to my chest and lay my head back.

"We're gonna get through this... together".

~~~~~~~~~~~~

I feel twO arms and a voice calling out my name.

Opening my eyes, I see Molly standing in front of me.

I look around and don't see Scarlett in my arms, shoot, I must have fallen asleep.

"Where's Scarlett?" I ask

 "I put her to bed. It's late, you should go get some rest" Molly says

I nod my head and let out a yawn as I stand up. I walk into the kitchen and fill a glass with water.

"Ace..." Molly calls out

I walk over to her and see her holding a box.

She looked a little hesitant or nervous at first, but then she finally speaks.

"S-she, she left these for you" ...I look at the box she was holding and feel a sharp pain through my heart 

"After she found out about the cancer, you know how she went through a period of planning everything out for Scarlett... " Molly starts to say 

"Well, she left instructions for me, she told me to give you these after the funeral, no matter when that would be. And since we had the funeral today, I know it's maybe not something you want right now, but Im just following her instructions and wishes"

I didn't know what to say. Looking at the box that Molly was carrying, what was I to expect from it? What was inside?

I nod my head and take the box

 "Thank you Molly..." I say quietly

She gives me a soft smile as I turned around to go upstairs 

"She really loved you, you know."

I turn to face her, looking down, feeling the pain of emptiness in my heart again.

Looking up to meet her gaze, I half heatedly let out a smile 

"I know" I whisper softly before turning around, carrying the box upstairs.

Walking into my room, I close the door behind me and open the lid of the box.

Inside were wrapped up presents, 18 to be exact, with numbers on each. I think these are the gifts she had prepared for each year of Scarlett's birthday.

I see another journal in there as well. Opening it, I see a bunch of notes and addresses, phone numbers and checklists for every major milestone of Scarlett's life. Which preschool to take her too, kindergarten, elementary all till high school. Every single little important detail I might have questions or doubts about, were all written in here.

Lastly, there was a little box.

"To Ace" it read with a little heart beside my name

I barely had noticed the tear that had streamed down my face. But with my small smile, I wipe away the tear and open the box. Inside, was a USB.

Feeling my chest hurt, I pick up the USB and grab my laptop.

Opening the file, I see a video. I was hesitant to click on it first. I was already dealing with so much pain and I wasn't sure if I could deal with any more.

But I open it and press play.

It starts off with Alex, recording herself, a little too close to her face.

My heart flutters at the sight of her, alive and well. Like she was still here.

"Oh it rolling..." she says and then places the camera down to show herself, her baby bump present.

"Hi Ace" she says with a smile

I can't help but smile back as my tears started falling.

How much I missed hearing her voice, her smile, her presence, her love. I missed her.

"If you're seeing this, then that means you've probably had a pretty rough day today. I'm sorry. I'm sorry I had to put you through all of this because no one deserves it.

Especially you. I know you must be feeling lost and even though we've had probably a lot of conversation on how you will be okay and that everything will turn out fine, you probably let that go in through one ear and out the other" she says with a small laugh

 "Which is why I'm making this video. To let you know that it's all going to be alright" She starts to point down to her belly and lets out a big bright smile.

"7 months, she's pretty big! Ohhh you can probably hold her tightly in your arms right now! Our little love! You two are going to have many memories together. Just like you and I have had.

Ace, we've had so many adventurous together, bad and good memories, happy and tough times. But no matter what difficulties were thrown our way, we kept going and we made it through each time. You've dealt with a lot of stuff Ace, even before meeting me. I know you had a rough childhood but remember, whatever life threw at you, you had a way of pushing forward and only growing stronger. We were really really happy these past few years. Well, I certainly was! And judging from that smile on your face, I knew you probably were too. 

This wasn't how our story was supposed to end, but, my chapter closes. That doesn't mean yours does too. You need to keep writing your story, like you have before. Yes you'll be leaving me behind but now you have Scarlett with you. She needs to write her story and you need to be there with her, guiding her through each chapter of her life.

I know it can be hard not having a partner to help you, which is why I made a little journal hopefully answering any questions you might have on what I would do. You don't need it, but it's there for if you ever do.

You're going to be a great dad Ace. You've been an amazing husband and I know you will be an even greater father. One thing I ask is that, even though I want you to move on in life and live it to its fullest, if Scarlett ever asks about me, tell her how much I loved her. I created 18 presents for each of her birthday's until she's 18. Because I wan't her to know and remember how much I love her and in a way, it's kind of like I'm still part of your lives" Alex says with a small smile

I wipe away the tears that were falling.

"If you're crying right now, stop it. Don't you dare cry for me Anderson" She says with her own tears starting to form "I want you to know that you have made my life a complete dream. From the minute I entered your life to be your nurse, to loosing you, then meeting Liam Wilson, then finding out it was actually you, and that you weren't actually dead.. some parts of it might have been a crazy dream" she starts to laugh and I can't help but join her

"But throughout it all, you made me fall crazy in love with you Ace Anderson. You touched a place in my heart where love runs wild. When you walked into a room, my heart started beating differently. You are and have always been my dream. I wish we had forever because forever is what I want with you." she says snuffling as she wiped her tears in the video 

'Oh my dear, IfI had one wish, it would be that you'd stay forever. I won't ever forget you my love, and maybe that is the only forever the two of us together were ever meant to have' I say to myself, longing to feel her touch, to hug her just once again.

I should have hugged her tighter and longer the last time I saw her.

"But all fairytale's come to an end. Yet my ending doesn't mark your ending as well Ace. My end, is your new beginning and I want you to remember that. For yourself, for Scarlett... for me. Everything will be alright.

I promise. I love you forever and always" she says with one sad smile, blowing a kiss into the camera before turning it off.

"I love you forever and always too" 

~~~~~~~~~ 7 years later...

"Dad hurry! I'm gonna be late for the first day of grade 1!! Let's go!" Scarlett yells as she walked down the stairs 20

Being in the kitchen, I was trying to make sure I had everything that I needed to check off of my checklist.

Looking into the book Alex had left, of everything I needed for almost every major milestone in Scarlett's life, I find the 1st grade page.

"okay let's see...

Pack her school bag... check

 -School uniform.. check

 tie her hair... check 

pack her lunch.. check

 -Snacks... not check! 

'Snacks, I need to pack snacks'I say under my breath and turn to the pantry to find some of Scarlett's favourite snacks. 

I pick out the peanut butter cookies and put them into her lunch box.

"Daddy, I'm all ready!" Scarlett says entering the kitchen with her school backpack that was probably bigger than her.

"Good morning sunshine, someone's excited for school" I say with a smile 

"Well, only the first day. Then I really don't see the point in it anymore" she says shrugging her shoulders

 "Did you have breakfast already?" I ask her

She nods her head "Ya, Molly made me pancakes when I woke up" she smiles

Every time I looked at Scarlett, I saw her mother. She was a perfect resemblance of Alexandra, she had her light brown eyes, the same cute nose and those adorable pink cheeks.

"Okay I'm almost done packing your lunchbox.." I put in the peanut butter cookies and look back at Alex's note book 

"alright snacks... che-" I stop when I read the small fine print she put under the word 'snacks' Make sure there are no peanuts!!! It's a peanut free school

 "Sh!t..." I mutter under my breath

 "Daddy!!" Scarlett yells

I realize I broke our 'no swearing' rule

 "sh!t" I say again and then realize my stupid mistake and quickly cover my mouth to stop the swearing.

Scarlett starts to laugh and I can't help but join her.

Quickly taking out the peanut cookies, I grab a different snack and finish packing her lunch box.

Looking over the checklist, I realize everything was set.

Oh Alex.. what would I do without your help.

"We're all set. Let's go to school" I smile at Scarlett and place a kiss on her head

 "Yay!!" she yells in excitement 

"As we walked to the door, we see Molly coming down from upstairs.

"Ms. Scarlett, you're leaving without giving me my hug?" Molly asks with a fake pout

 "Noo00000?" Scarlett says and runs to her and gives her a big hug

 "Oh my baby, I hope you have a great 1st day of grade 1 today! My little smart cookie, you're gonna do great!!" Molly says 

"Thank you Molly, I love you" Scarlett says, giving Molly a kiss on the cheek

 "Ilove you more baby"

After everything that happened 7 years ago, Molly decided to stay nights here at the mansion and then ended up just living with us. She helped me take care of Scarlett and has been helping me raise her, till now.

Jennifer also used to come by often and would always ask ifI ever needed any help with anything. 3 years ago, she gave birth to a baby boy, Luca, so she brings him over sometimes with her husband so that the kids can play. It's nice having her be part of Scarlett's life, I know Alexandra would have wanted it this way too.

As for me, I don't think I ever truly recovered and will ever recover from losing the love of my life. Alexandra was a pure, gentle and sweet soul.

She, was the best thing that ever happened to me..

But always remembering her words to me, I had to continue writing out my story, even though she wasn't physically with us anymore, she was always there guiding us.

Scarlett is my little bud. I honestly don't know what I would do without her. She reminds me of Alex everyday but at the same time, takes my mind off the great lost in my heart.

Anderson Tech is still better than ever, even though I work from home most of the time. With technology now a days, meetings can easily be done virtually so I don't need to be in the office physically much which allows for much time to take care of Scarlett and be with her.

She's a little smart one I must add. She's asked about her mom before. I know it will never be the same, not having that presence of her mother with her but Molly and I try to do the best we can so that she's always happy.

Stopping in front of her school, I park the car and turn to Scarlett who was in the back seat.

"Scar, before you go..." I start to say and pull out a little box

"I have a little gift for you.. It's from mommy and me" I say as I pull out the bracelet that I had gifted Alex after her surgery the day she died.

I altered it to fit Scarlett's little wrist but it belonged to her mom and I thought it would be something special for her to wear.

Scarlett lets out a gasp as she looks at the bracelet "It's from mommy too?" she says

I nod my head, fighting back the tears that wanted to form.

Securing it around her wrist, she looks down at it and then wraps her arms around my neck, pulling me in for a hug.

"Thank you daddy" she says "...and tell mommy I say thank you. And that I miss her"

I pull away and look into her light brown eyes, nodding my head

 "I will baby" 

"Now, go have an amazing first day of school!" I say asI open the car door for her and give her one last hug

 "I Love you" 

"I love you too" she says with her bright smile before running with the other school children into the building.

Getting back into my car, I can't help but think about the past 7 years.

It's been challenging, waking up everyday alone, remembering that Alex was no longer here. But as time moved on, I felt myself always connecting with her through different things, feeling like she was always with me, every step of the way.

look at my wedding band that was still around my ring finger and I take it off.

Running my finger through her engraved name inside my wedding band, a small smile appears on my face as I think about her.

I kiss the band before putting it back on and driving away from the school parking lot.

A lot of things have happened during the course of my life, but as I have learned the hard way, time keeps moving, Even if you or your heart aren't ready to move on yet.

But you've just got to learn how to keep moving through life, even when you're not ready to.

And that's what I did.

Thing's are constantly changing all the time around us as time moves on. Yet there was one thing I knew that no matter what came my way, no matter what else life threw at me, it's that:

I will always love you, Alexandra.

********THE END

Wow! I can't believe it has End 😍 

Thanks you all for staying with me from the Beginning of this story to the End 🙏