Ace looks up from his task in alarm as Celia clutches at her stomach, grimacing in pain. "Are you okay?" he asks quickly, setting down the knife and rushing to her side. She nods, biting her lip as another contraction wracks her slender body.

"It's...it's time," she whispers, her voice barely audible above the sound of her own labored breathing. "The baby's coming."

Ace pales visibly, his eyes wide with fear and panic. "We need to get you to the hospital," he says roughly, grabbing her arm as he begins to lead her toward the front door. He's grateful that they live so close to a medical center, but now that the time has come, he realizes just how unprepared they really are for this moment.

Celia follows him obediently, her contractions coming faster and harder as they make their way outside and toward his car.

Ace grinned wickedly as he felt her body tense up around his finger again. "Oh really?" He chuckled darkly before leaning down to kiss her neck once more. His thumb brushed over her clit, circling and teasing it mercilessly even as he continued to thrust his finger in and out of her.

"Come for me," he breathed against her skin, "let it all out."

Ace felt a surge of power course through him as she struggled against the inevitable. He increased the pressure on her clit, thumb circling faster and harder until she was moaning and squirming beneath him. "Give it up," he whispered hoarsely, "let go and come for me." With one last thrust of his finger, he felt her body convulse around him, her muscles tensing as she cried out in pleasure.

Ace smirks as he leans down and captures her lips with his own, tangling their tongues together in a hungry kiss. His free hand gropes roughly at her breast through her shirt, pinching and squeezing the nipple hard enough to make her cry out into his mouth. He groans against her lips as he feels her body respond once again, arching up into his touch.

He breaks the kiss, panting heavily as he looks down at her flushed face and glistening eyes. "See?"

"Oh, but you do," he whispers against her lips before reclaiming them in another deep, demanding kiss. His hand continues to explore her body, moving lower still as he slips a finger inside of her once more, this time aiming for something she hasn't felt yet... something that might make her feel even better.

"You are,"

Ace assures her, unlocking the front door and holding it open for them both. As they step inside, he turns off the porch light before leading her toward the living room, where they can relax in more comfort.

They settle onto the couch, Celia curling up into a ball as she rests her head on his shoulder. Ace wraps an arm around her waist, gently rubbing her back as he looks down at her face.

"Of course,"

he whispers, kissing the top of her head. "Our little one is safe and sound." He closes his eyes, taking a deep breath and exhaling slowly, trying to steady his racing heart as well. "We just need to take care of ourselves so we can give our child the best life possible."

Celia nods against his shoulder, her body relaxing further under the weight of his reassurance.