Bella's POV:
It's been four months since Ace came into the world and whilst things have been trying, it's been the best four months of my life.
Jex is an amazing father, as I knew he would be. He assists with nappy changes, feeding, getting up in the middle of night, cleaning; anything I need help with he's there, which I am so thankful for.
For the first month Jex worked from home, so that he could be close to Ace and I if we needed him, which I also appreciated more then he'll ever know.
While Ace is still so small I'm doing all of the paperwork for the Vipers at home. I'm spending as much time with my little man as I can, before I blink and he's all grown up before my very eyes.
While most of the family have been involved in Ace's life, Dad has chosen not to meet his only grandson. Whilst it hurts me, I have to respect his wishes. I'm just glad that Jex is such an amazing father, he'll be able to look up to him.
Two months ago Marni welcomed her and Ace's baby girl Mila into the world. It was the name that Ace had chosen for her. Even though he wasn't here to sign the birth certificate, Mila has his last name. That was very important to Marni, which I understand.
Sitting on the lounge room floor, while Ace lays on his play mat, I place my hands over my eyes and remove them quickly, "peek-a-boo." I say with a smile and he giggles loudly.
I continue this a few times, his giggles getting louder and louder, filling the house.
"Oh my little man you're so cute," I tickle his belly and he continues to giggle.
"He takes after his father, clearly," Jex grins, as he makes his way into the room and sits down next to me.
"Mmm, even though I know you're being cocky, I have to agree with you on that. He looks so much like you."
"Mmm but with your personality, thank goddess for that," Jex grins, as he picks Ace up and stands him on his feet, whilst supporting all of his weight. "Hey buddy," he smiles and tickles his belly.
Ace giggles up at him, as he holds onto his fingers for support. Jex picks him up once more, in the air and kisses all over his face, before snuggling him.
I love watching the loving interactions Jex shares with Ace, I hope they continue this as he grows up.
"Are you going into the office today?"
"Yeah I have a few things to do," he says, as he sits Ace down on his butt and he begins playing with his toys. "Why?"
"Well, I was kind of hoping you'd work from home today."
"Is this about the alarms last night?"
I nod. "I just have a really uneasy feeling Jex. I know it sounds silly."
"Hey," he takes my face in his hands. "It was just the wind, I checked all of the cameras and there was nothing. You're safe, Ace is safe."
"Okay," I say softly, as I look down.
"Baby if you're that worried about it, I'll stay home," he raises my chin once more.
"No, it's okay. I'm just being silly," I shake my head. "Go to work. The sooner you leave, the sooner you'll be home," I give him my best fake smile.
"I'll be gone a couple of hours maximum," he leans in and presses a kiss to my lips. "I love you and if anything happens, you call me."
"I will. But we'll be fine like you said," I lean in and press a kiss to his lips once more. "I love you."
After rerunning my kiss he leans down and kisses Ace on the head. "I love you buddy, be a good boy for mommy," he tells him as if he understands.
Jex then presses another kiss to my lips. "I love you," he says once more and stands to his feet.
"I'll see you when you get home," I smile softly, as he leaves the room.
Once I hear the car pull out of the driveway I stand up and make my way down the hall. I unlock the safe, reach in and pull out a gun, check it's loaded and take it into my hands. I don't know why, but I have this uneasy feeling washing over me and it just won't go away.
I make my way back into the kitchen and sit the gun on the kitchen bench, then head back into the living room and sit back down with Ace. "Just you and me cutie," I smile.
...
By the time Ace's nap time rolls around I'm feeling rather tired myself, but I have housework to do, so I head downstairs and make a start. While Ace is usually a good sleeper, sometimes he only sleeps for an hour during the day. I need to as much as I can quickly.
Vacuuming the living room and packing away Ace's toys I hum softly to myself. Suddenly the vacuum stops and I turn, looking at the cord in the wall. It's then I come face to face with a male I've never seen before, he's dressed in black and has a mask covering half of his face.
I run towards the kitchen, but stop when he speaks. "Looking for this?" He holds up my gun.
I hold my hands up in defence, my breathing becoming rapid. "W-whatever you want just take it."
"You're what I came for Bella," he says, as he moves closer.
"P-please," I say softly. "My baby is asleep upstairs, he's only four months old. J-just leave now and I won't tell anyone you were even here."
"I don't think so sweetheart," he shakes his head, as he moves closer and closer.
Turning, I run quickly and just like in all horror movies I head for the stairs. If I was alone I'd go for the front door. But my son is upstairs and I have to protect him.
Hearing his footsteps behind me I pick up the pace. But my ankle is grabbed and I fall, smacking my head on the staircase.
"Nice try Bella, but you're coming with me," he says, as he begins dragging me down the stairs by my ankle.
"Please," I scream, as I cry out. "My baby needs me."
"You know Bella I wanted to do this the nice way, I really did, but you're making it hard on me," he says, before swinging a punch hard to my face.
All I see is black.
...
Jex's POV:
I was caught up at work a little longer than expected. So now I'm just glad to be home, to spend the rest of my day with my girl and my son.
I park my car in it's usual spot and head for the door, unlocking it. The second I step in, I hear Ace screaming like I've never heard before.
I run for the stairs and find him sitting in his cot, hanging onto the rails, screaming. His face is bright red and his diaper needs changing badly.
"Bella?" I call, as I pick him up from his cot and rub his back. "It's alright little man, Daddy's got you," I soothe him.
I carry him to the change table and change his diaper quickly, before dressing him once more. "Gosh where is mommy huh?" I ask him and press a kiss to the side of his head, exiting the bedroom.
"Bella?" I call more, but nothing.
I head back down the steps, still carrying Ace in my arms. I decide to check the security footage in the hours I've been gone. Upon doing so it's then that my biggest fear comes true. I watch as Bella is dragged unconscious and bleeding across the gravel of our front yard. She is then thrown into the back of a van, like a dead animal someone found on the side of the road.
"Oh my god," I breathe, as I reach for my phone, sending an S.O.S text.
...
"I should've listened to her, she said she had a bad feeling about today and I didn't listen," I pace the room.
"Jex it's not your fault honey," Sara says, as she nurses Ace. "Everyone is working on it, we'll find her."
"How are you so calm right now? She's gone and we don't even know if she's alive."
"I have to be calm. Ace can pick up on our emotions, that's why he won't settle for you. He can feel your stress, anger and fear."
"I just need to find her Sara, I need to know she's okay."
"And we will honey, we will find her. I've already called Abel and the family and they're on there way."
This chapter has been proof read & Edited by ElleRWrites.