I know it's been forever since I updated this and I know this chapter isn't much but truth be told, I'm a little beyond this story and I want to start new ones. So I'm just posting short little chapters to give a better, happily ever after ending.
Some time had passed, though it seemed to drag on for Ace. However, he finally had Ember in his care. She was stable enough to be home with him and honestly there was nothing in this world that could make him happier.
Ace sat in the rocking chair within her room, it was early morning... EARLY morning. She had woke him up crying as she had done every couple hours. He rocked her back and forth gently, holding a warm bottle for her to suck from. She was wrapped up in a pink blanket, staring up at him with the brownest of eyes that he had ever seen. Ace couldn't stop smiling. He hasn't since he brought her home.
He hummed a lullaby, unable to stop staring at the beautiful human being he and Smoker created. Ember was everything he thought perfection was. He felt himself starting to get teary eyed, as he thought back to when she was first born, how he was terrified she wouldn't survive but here she was, in his arms, a place she could always call home.
The bottle was empty shortly after, and Ace proceeded with the steps of burping her. Once she had been successfully relieved, he got up and placed her gently in the crib. She never fussed when he laid her down to sleep. In fact, the only time Ember cried was when she needed a diaper change or bottle. Otherwise, she was a fairly quiet baby and seemed to enjoy her sleep as much as Ace does.
He tucked her, and cranked the toy above her bed to play soft, gentle music as it spun slowly in a circle. He smiled, as Ember's eyes closed and she began drifting off.
"Goodnight, my angel." He whispered, and leaned down to place a kiss to her head before walking out, silently closing the door behind him.
The house was quiet and still. He took a moment to just stand in the darkness of the hallway. Smoker was not here, work had claimed him again. It bothered Ace, tremendously, more so at night. While Ember was sleeping, Ace felt alone, something he had hated since he was young. He never complained though, and worked through it. He had to now, for Ember.
Another thing that plagued his mind was Luffy. He hadn't heard much from him lately, his little brother and Shanks being too busy preparing for their own child. The last time he had seen Luffy though, both his brother and the baby were doing well.
He nearly chuckled at how he still worried for the now eighteen year old. Luffy didn't need him anymore, but still he guessed it was a brother thing.
After a moment, Ace decided to head to the kitchen, his stomach growling with hunger. He fixed up a sneak and sat at the table. However he was fast asleep before he got four bites in. This happened many nights before until Ember would begin crying again.