Doing this because of HobbitLover13 and Unicorn_Princess_45 because they really wanted a part 2 to this one shot I did a while back. I hope y'all like it! ☺️
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I took Ace's advice and went home that night. But not because he told me to. I wanted to get outta there anyway. I got on the first plane and went home to my parents.
That was three years ago. I tried to move on. I almost got married last year but my brother, Peter, told me not to.
He's going to hold a little party for my niece's Christening soon. He invited everyone he keeps close to his heart. And yes, that includes Ace too.
'Does he have anyone right now?' I asked, my niece in my arms, giggling freely.
'I don't know, Y/N.' He sighed.
Since he sabotaged every one of my relationships, I decided to move in with him and his wife, Debra. My parents were glad when I told them that I'm gonna live with my brother.
'Never-mind.' I shook my head. 'I don't care about him anymore.'
'You sure?' He cocked an eyebrow, with a smirk.
'Completely.' I nodded. 'Here, change your daughter's diaper.' I handed her to him.
He made a face at the smell. He hates changing diapers. He's done it enough when I was little. He hated to it then and he hates it now.
I went to the kitchen and made myself some coffee. I stopped smoking, everything, a year and a half ago. Coffee became my new obsession. I needed it. Two cups every day. And painting. Peter set up a whole room for me for that. I already did five huge paintings since I settled in. He wants me to put them in a gallery but I'm not that talented. Although I could sell them for some money.
'What's up dear?' Debra walked into the kitchen. 'Do you have a dress for our princess' big day?' She chirped the question.
'No. I haven't got time to shop.' I smiled.
'We can go shopping tomorrow then. The party is on Friday, so we have a little time before that.' She suggested.
'Sure.' I shrugged.
I wasn't too happy about a shopping spree. Paparazzi are everywhere and I hate them.
'I'll let Peter know.' And with that she disappeared.
...
The shopping spree with Debra was a pleasant surprise. There were only a few paparazzi. Only like two or three. We went to four different shops before we found two dresses. One for the ceremony, I mean it will be in a church after all. And we got another one for the little get together party at our house.
The first one was a long, dirty white, silky dress, with lace sleeves. The second dress was a red, knee length, also silky but it was more revealing around my cleavage, and it had spaghetti straps. Debra chose it, reasoning that there will be men at the party.
Yeah, but I only cared for one person. I only wanted to see one man. But I wasn't sure if he wanted to see me too. He probably doesn't know that I live with Peter. But he maybe suspects that I'll be there too considering that it's my niece we're talking about.
'What are you thinking about?' Peter asked me as he sat down next to me in the grass.
'Nothing.' I took a deep breath.
'You wanna smoke something for old times sake?' He smiled, taking a big joint out of his pocket.
I know I said I stopped. But one time won't hurt me, right?
'Sure.' I nodded.
He lit the joint and inhaled the first drag before handing it to me.
'Do you still talk to him?' I asked my brother.
'Yeah.' He nodded. 'He's single, if you're curious.' He laughed.
I rolled my eyes at his comment.
'I'm not.' I took another drag and gave it back to Peter. 'Why did he want me out of his life?' I asked suddenly, after the fifth drag.
'He was doing bad shit.' Peter laid down on the grass. 'And I threatened him. I didn't want him to hurt you.' He exhaled the smoke. 'But I didn't know he would push you away. I'm sorry for that.' He looked at me.
Peter always played the big macho brother role. He always acted like a father when we were away from home. Although he's only eight years older than me. He was my second father, in a way.
'It's okay. It wasn't your decision.' I shrugged, laying down, next to him.
'I know. But I hate seeing my baby sister hurt. And you haven't changed since that day.' He held my hand. 'Don't lie.' He added.
'I wasn't gonna.' I turned my head to look at him.
And also to steal the joint to take the last drag.
'Debra will kill me.' He cleared his throat.
'Most likely.' I laughed.
I loved these honest moments that I had with Peter. Always brought back lots of memories from my childhood.
...
Friday came sooner than expected. We were already in the church, waiting for everyone to arrive. I looked around the place trying to find Ace, but I couldn't. There were too many strange faces. Some I couldn't recognize, and some I wanted to get to know more.
But my searching was interrupted by Peter and Debra when they walked in with my niece. They handed me the fragile girl, as they we waited for the priest.
When everyone settled down, the ceremony begun. They wanted me to hold her as they asked me to be her Godmother as well. I didn't think they would want that. But I had no choice now. The ceremony was short and after an hour we were back in our house.
I just got changed into my red dress when someone knocked on my door.
'A minute!' I shouted. 'Come in.' I said once I got my heels on.
'I want to introduce you to someone.' Peter held out his hand for me.
He helped me get up from my bed and walked me down the stairs and out to the backyard where everyone else was.
'Did Debra choose this dress?' He looked at me.
'Yeah.' I said shyly.
'My momma got taste.' He smirked.
We didn't stop until we met a man with big wild hair.
'Y/N this is Eric, he plays drums in KISS now. Eric, this is my baby sister, Y/N. She used to love KISS, now she only lives for her paintings.' He introduced us.
'I'm twenty-eight.' I rolled my eyes.
'Doesn't change anything.' Peter laughed and left us.
'I've never heard of you.' He admitted.
'Same.' I chuckled awkwardly. 'I stopped listening to KISS three years ago.' I scratched the back of my head.
'How come?' He asked, taking a big gulp of his drink.
'It's, uhm... A little bit personal.' I grinned.
'Oh. Sorry. Didn't mean to open wounds.' He smiled genuinely.
'It's okay.' I shrugged while I scanned the crowd.
'You're looking for someone?' He asked.
'Actually... yeah.' I looked into his eyes. 'But I'm not sure if he's here.' I sighed.
Instead of sitting around and lurking around trying to find Ace, I decided to chat with Eric next to the alcoholic beverages. We talked about art, music, politics while we drank a few glasses.
'Y/N! Haven't seen you in forever!' Paul interrupted our conversation.
'Hi! How are you?' I stood up to give him a hug.
'I'm great. I see you already met Eric.' He grinned.
'Yeah, Peter introduced us.' Eric told him.
'Is Gene here too?' I asked afraid of the answer.
Three years might have went by but my fear of him never disappeared.
'Yes, he must be somewhere seducing women.' He joked.
But he wasn't really.
'It was nice seeing you.' I give him another hug. 'But if y'all excuse me, I need to use the ladies room.' I got up from the chair and went inside.
I used the guest bathroom. It was weird because there was a bag on the bed and some stuff thrown around the room. Was someone going to stay here without Peter telling me?
I washed my hands and examined myself in the mirror. I had to stop drinking today. My eyes already looked funny. I splashed some water on my face trying to get more sober. I reached for the towel and dabbed it on my face. Then I went to the kitchen to pour myself some water.
'Y/N.' I heard my name being said.
I recognized that voice.
'Ace?' I turned around, the glass almost dropped from my hand. 'What are you doing here?' Fuck, stupid question.
'I was invited. Just like you.' He said.
'I-i live here.' I raised a brow.
'Oh, I didn't know.' He lowered his head, looking at the floor.
'You want something to drink? We can go to my room and talk, if you want to.' I suggested.
This was all too familiar. And I was prepared for his answer.
'Yeah. I'd like that.' His answer took me by surprise.
My eyes grew bigger and this time I actually dropped the glass.
'Fuck!' I sweared as I crouched down to pick up the pieces.
'Here, let me help.' He stood in front of me with a broom and a shovel.
'Thanks.' I looked up at him, admiring.
We dropped the pieces into the trashcan. I grabbed two plastic cups and I stole a bottle of red wine from the table outside.
'Come.' I nodded towards the stairs.
He followed me up into my room where we sat down on the bed. He popped the bottle open and poured equally into the cups.
'How have you been?' I asked him, taking a sip.
'Good. It's been weird without Pete in the band though.' He drank half of the cup. 'You?'
'I almost got married last year.' I laughed.
'Almost?'
'Peter told me not to.' I added.
'Oh. Yeah, Peter can be determined when it comes to you.' He cleared his throat then his cup.
He poured another round into his cup.
'Yeah.' I avoided his eyes.
'Look, Y/N. I'm sorry I pushed you away. I shouldn't have. But I was knee deep in bad habits that I wanted to protect you from.' He apologized.
'I know.' I nodded. 'Peter told me yesterday. That he threatened you and you thought that was the best thing to do.'
'I was wrong.' He put his hand under my chin, making me lock eyes with him. 'I shouldn't have let you go, Y/N.' He put his forehead against mine.
'Ace, don't.' I put my hands on his chest, ready to push him away.
'Can you forgive me?' He looked deep into my eyes.
'I can try.' I lied.
I already forgave him the moment I saw him in the kitchen.
'Can we try again what we had?' His question surprised me.
'Do you... Are you asking me to be your girlfriend again?' I took a step backwards.
'Kinda, yes.' He grinned. 'Please. I want to give it another chance. I won't fuck it up this time.' He kissed my forehead. 'I promise.'
'It's gonna take some time.' I said.
'It's okay.' He smiled. 'But can I steal a kiss now?' He licked his lips.
I nodded and he kissed me immediately. He pulled me close to him, embracing me in the biggest hug I've ever had.
'Thank you.' There was a strange shine in his eyes.
Probably hope. Maybe this time would be different. At least I really hoped so.