When the coffee was ready, they carried the coffee, desserts, and cups out to the men waiting outside. The rest of the evening continued in comfortable friendship. The men and women got along really well. Daisy hadn’t had this much fun in such a long time. She was looking forward to getting Ace home. She was going to reward him for giving her so much joy in the last week.
Chapter 18
The rest of the week passed by in a blur. Ace continued to stay at Daisy’s house. They developed a comfortable routine. They woke early and ran through their exercise routines. Even though Daisy and Ace were both on leave they didn’t want to get out of shape. Their nights were fill with passion as they continued to learn what the other liked.
The day had come for Ace to head back to regular schedule. He was up at 4:30 to head in. Daisy woke when his alarm went off. She yawned and turned to plant a kiss on his lips before he got up to leave. Ace held her tightly for several minutes before releasing her to get up and dress for the morning exercise routine.
“I’m going to miss you today,” Daisy said quietly, as he held her. She didn’t want to sound like a whiney child, but she had gotten used to spending her day with him. What was she supposed to do today? He would be occupied with the team, training, running mock training missions, and more training. She huffed in frustration as she pondered what to do while he was gone.
“I’m going to miss you, too. I love you Daisy. I will be home as soon as I can,” Daisy stilled at his statement then a huge smile spread across her face. “What are you grinning about, Daisy?” Ace inquired.
“You said you would be home as soon as you can,” Daisy stated.
“Yeah, so?” Ace replied.
“You think of my house as your home?” Daisy asked still grinning like a fool.
“Um…I hadn’t thought about what I was saying,” Ace replied.
“Exactly, it’s what’s in your heart. I’m glad you think of here as your home, now. I want you here every night and every day,” Daisy finished quietly. Ace turned to look at her and got the same goofy grin on his face. He pulled her in for another kiss.
“How did this happen? We just seemed to click right away. I’ve never believed I would have someone in my life before, but now I can’t imagine life without you,” Ace squeezed Daisy tightly before kissing her forehead and climbing out of bed to dress for work.
Ace didn’t want to leave Daisy either. He was worried in the back of his mind she would try to push him away. He was concerned that being apart would give her too much time to think. He wished he would have gotten more leave time, but the Captain would only give them a week. Ace hac arranged for Wallace to pick him up and he arrived right on time.
Once they had ran through their training session. Ace used his break time to take care of some important business. He had decided update his information with the military. It might be a little too soon but he wanted to make Daisy his next of kin in case of emergency. They had gotten close over the last few months through email and now that their relationship was physical, he wanted to make her even more a part of his life. When Ace returned from filing his paperwork, Wallace questioned him about what he was doing. Ace told him and Wallace looked at him in surprise.
“Ace you are moving a little fast, aren’t you? I know you have been talking via email for several months, but you’ve only been together for what 10 days?” Wallace questioned.
“I know it seems that way, but you saw how Hawk and Charlotte got together and now Deadeye and Elise. They hadn’t known each other very long at all. I know she is the one for me. I just have to help her see that,” Ace enlightened him. Ace reached in his pocket to pull out a small jewelry box. He opened it to show Wallace the ring he had purchased. It was a carat round cut diamond on a white gold band.
“Whoa! You are definitely serious. I’m happy for you man. I didn’t realize you were getting ready for that,” Wallace exclaimed. Which alerted all the others that something was going on. They all crowded around to see the ring Ace had gotten. Hawk entered the conference room about that time and came over to see what all the fuss was about.
“Wow, Ace. That’s a beautiful ring. She will love it. I’m really happy for you. When you find the right woman, it makes your life complete,” Hawk said with a grin as he slapped Ace on the back.
“Don’t say anything yet. I’m not sure Daisy is as far along in this relationship as I am, so I’m waiting until I’m sure she is ready. It may take months and hopefully not years, but I am willing to wait as long as it takes,” Ace said.
“You are a good man, Ace. Daisy is a smart woman. I’m sure it won’t take her long to be ready,” Hawk assures the man. Ace appreciated the confidence Hawk had in him. He just wished he was that self-assured. The men got back to what they were supposed to be doing as Ace placed the ring box back in his pocket.
It only took a few days for Daisy to get antsy. She was more than bored being at home day after day. Just when she thought she couldn’t stand it another day; Ace came home with bad news. He was being sent on a mission. They were leaving in the morning at 0400. Daisy felt a lump form in her throat when she thought about the danger he would be facing. She had every confidence in the team, but she knew better than anyone that soldiers could be wounded or even killed when out in the field.
While they were finishing up dinner, Daisy was worrying over the danger he would be in. Ace entered the kitchen to find Daisy staring out the window at the back yard. He walked up behind her and she jumped when he wrapped his arms around her waist.
“You scared me,” She admonished. “You shouldn’t sneak up on me.”
“I wasn’t trying to sneak up on you. You were a million miles from here. What’s on your mind?” Ace asked quietly even though he already knew the answer. Daisy turned in his arms and layid her head on his chest.
“I know you and the team are well trained, but I also know the danger you can be in. I have just gotten used to having you in my life. Now, you could be gone,” Daisy said as she lifted her head to look him in the eyes.
“I know there is an element of danger every time we are sent on a mission, but I promise you, sweetheart, I will do everything in my power to come home to you,” Ace declared. “You have made my life complete, better. I don’t want to lose that either,” Ace lowered his head then to kiss her long and deep. Daisy let her worry get lost in the love she could feel coming from him. She didn’t want their last moments together to be ruined with worry and sadness.
After dinner, Ace cleared the table and loaded the dishwasher. Daisy helped him and wiped down the table. When the chores were finished, they headed up the stairs to the bedroom. Daisy entered the bathroom to get ready for bed. She took her time brushing her teeth, washing her face, and using the rest room. Daisy was trying to get her emotions under control before facing Ace. She didn’t want to be a blubbering mess on their last night together before he left. She was desperately hoping it was not their last night, ever.
When she finally emerged from the bathroom, Ace took her in his arms. It was as if he knew the turmoil she had been battling. He kissed her briefly and then headed into the bathroom. He emerged a short time later to join Daisy in the bed.
“Daisy?” Ace inquired after he had lain down in the dark next to her on the bed.
“Yeah, Ace?” Daisy replied.
