The following week after finishing up the funeral arrangements Nyssa meets with her father's lawyer, "Ms. Traken, I'm sorry it took so long for us to meet. I have been looking over your father's last will and testament."
"It's not on you, I was having a hard time. I still am."
"Again sorry, your father loved you dearly. He left all of his money to you and a Ms. Tegan Jovanaka; there is a clause to that."
"What is it?"
"You both must finish school and not leave the house you are in. You can hire anyone to step in as a CEO."
"Wow," she slumps back."
"There's something else."
"What is it?"
"Since your college is paid for through your grandfather. If you and Ms. Jovanka ever have kids, there is already a scholarship in a joint name. He also started one for a baby O'Brien."
"That's the baby of two of my good friends."
"How old is the baby?"
"Not born yet, she's going in for another test."
"Is everything all right?"
"She is told it's a normal test, a glucose screening," Nyssa says without thinking.
"It's very normal so she's around 24 weeks."
"I guess, but this isn't my place to talk about. What do I say to them?"
"That there is already someone looking out for their baby."
"She'll have two people that are no longer with us looking out for her."
"Probably a lot more."
"You could say that, many aunts, a few uncles. Maybe a nephew that is a handful of months older."
"Complicated family."
"Is there something more I should know?"
"That's all."
"Is it ok if I have some other grown ups that I know and trust help me pick out a figurehead?"
"Of course it is. It would be my advice to turn to people you trust that won't take any advantage of you."
"Thank you, I should head on out."
As she arrives at home everyone is sitting still in all deep reds as it was her fathers request that Nyssa remembered from when her mother died. "What is going on?"
"You may want to sit, when we came home the officers were waiting for us, they recognized me from when they told us about what happened to your father. I told them Tegan was your girlfriend and you two have been together for 6 years."
"Ace, what is going on?"
"Please sit." Tegan scouts over so Nyssa can sit down next to her. "Through DNA found under the nails of your father and Kassia, the identity has been discovered."
"Really, what is their name?"
"We only have an alias; someone called the Master. It seems they have been active for over a decade."
"Why haven't they caught him by now?"
"They couldn't answer that," Ace leans forward. "They said they don't think you are in any danger though. The Master only goes after rich businessmen. They think Kassia was attacked because she saw him."
"So only because of the fact I haven't been home since the holidays is the reason why I am alive."
"Nyssa, no. How often were you out with your Dad?"
"Not too often since high school."
"That is why."
"How am I to set someone to take the place of my father at his business; if they might become in danger."
"How much control would they have?"
"According to the will, they would just be a figurehead while I am in charge."
"So we can come up with an alias for you, so that no one knows who the puppeteer is." Smiles Tegan.
"Maybe, he also set up money when we ever get married, if we have kids, and Ace, Graham; he also started a college fund for Manisha."
"What, why?"
"Ace, your parents have two more kids to worry about for school. He has me, future grandkids that aren't a guarantee."
"So he wanted to help the baby of his daughter's friend's kid."
"His daughter's goddaughter. Before he died, I told him that you two named me godmother along with Mel. He was overjoyed."
"I guess in some ways he might've played a grandfatherly role." Ace now starts to tear up, "these fucking hormones." She gets up.
"Dear, it's ok, I think right now we all are a little saddened." Graham puts his arms around Ace, she leans back into his touch. "I just so hate being like this."
"Under 20 weeks left my love."
"That's still too long, I want to be back to normal."
"Ace, this house will never be the same. It will be even more full of love come September."
"Graham and I will try to find a place before then."
"Not until Manisha is at least one, or you are out of university. This will be a safe place full of love and free babysitters."
"What," asks Ace.
"We will have no word of you and Graham moving out. Right Tegan, Mel?"
"Right," Tegan says, followed by Mel.
"I want to be able to see my niece as much as possible. I am going to miss the first years of Steven's life. I never got to see yours or Liam's. Please grant me this."
"Graham and I will talk about it."
…
Two weeks later Ace and Graham are finally having some alone time while the other three are out at the mall. "Graham what are you doing," asks Ace as she steps out of the bedroom.
"Trying to romance you," he says, turning around with a large smile.
"I think there is evidence right here," she runs her hand over her well rounded stomach; "that you don't need to romance me."
"I never want to stop romancing you," he leans over to kiss as the baby kicks.
"I think Manisha agrees."
"How was that bath, did it help your headache?"
"A little bit, but that doesn't mean a different kind of romance can't happen tonight."
"I think some of that can be on the menu." He helps her into a chair and takes the bowl off the plate to reveal Ace's current favorite foods, of ribs drenched in ketchup with a side of pasta and pickles.
"Mmmm," he pours her some apple juice and sits across from her. "Is this a special occasion?"
"Just to see you smile after everything these past few weeks."
"I did get the results, all clear."
"That's good, we both were worried," he picks up her hand and kisses it. "How is your portion?"
"Amazing," she tells him, "yours?"
"It's ok."
"Why just ok?"
"The sauce I like keeps upsetting Manisha."
"Oh Graham, it only does when it's cooked, go pour some on your plate." She smiles at him as he gets up into the fridge.
"Thank you Ace."
"No need to thank me; your taste buds matter to me."
….
"Come on Nyssa, let's go into this store," Mel tries to drag Nyssa into a store.
"Dad, how can it be?" Tegan wraps one arm around Nyssa's midriff and drags her back.
"Mel, call the police. I think it's time we leave after they arrive."
….
"Ace," they are slowly swaying to the music that is quietly playing.
"Hmm."
"I love you."
"I love you too," she leans up to kiss him. "I know I have said this before, but I used to think I was incapable of being in love. Then you smiled at me."
"You smiled right back; with that smile I was a goner." They start dancing again.
"Graham, can we move this somewhere else?" He stops dancing and takes her hand to the couch. Sitting facing each other, Graham takes hold of her face, before he can ask she closes the distance. Before the kiss can grow too deep they hear keys in the door.
"Take my hand Ace." As the door opens their bedroom door shuts.
"He took my Dad's face. Who does that?"
"I don't know," they turn as a high pitched giggle is heard from the rooms.
"His romancing worked," says Mel.
"He did ask for us to be gone until late," Tegan says while trying to get Nyssa out of herself. "Nys, you are home now." Bedsprings are now heard, bouncing and creaking.
"How?"
"We just remained there until we could answer questions."
"Did they get him?"
"No he was gone before the police arrived." The sound gets louder. "Can we go to the park? I don't think any of us want to hear the sex that is happening."
"That's rich," Mel says, "the times I have come home late to hear two bedsprings moving more than just for tossing and turning."
"Sorry Mel."
"I live with two couples, it is bound to happen. I think it's a little more weird hearing my sister and her boyfriend enjoy it. Doesn't help that they are having a kid, so I know they do it enough to conceive. Can we leave before?"
"A.A.A.A.A. ACE!"
"GRAHAM!"
"Well, I think they're done."
….
"Were we too loud," he asks Ace, who now has her head on his chest. Graham's hand moves to rest on Ace's stomach. Feeling the flutter of movement.
"What's that?"
"Manisha is moving around, wow that feels amazing. You're growing a human being."
"One we made. Though if I already wasn't pregnant, that might've made me pregnant."
"Really?"
"Yes, now sleep, I'm tired." They both fall into a nice sleep not knowing what happened to Nyssa.
…..
Ace is woken by the baby moving, "please tell me you're not always going to be a night owl Manisha," she tells the baby as she walks to the bathroom. After she uses the bathroom she feels the pains of hunger and makes her way to the kitchen. "Nyssa?"
"What are you doing up?"
"The baby decided to dance on my bladder and wants me to eat something. What about you?"
"He stole my father's face."
"Who did what now," asks Ace, getting a bowl down and some ice cream.
"The person who murdered my father is now wearing his face."
"Gordon Bennant," Ace says leaning against the counter. "That's horrible."
"Yeah, I had a nightmare about it. When I was out I saw him. He got away before the police got there."
"Pregnancy brain, please explain that again."
"While Graham asked us to disappear so the two of you can have a date night, Mel, Tegan and I went to the mall. While there I saw someone wearing my dad's face. I woke up from a nightmare and came out here."
"Seems like you need this too," Ace puts the bowl away and grabs two spoons and a carton of ice cream. "Let's share." She hands Nyssa the spoon and sits across from her digging in. "Eat, get something in you."
"I don't need to."
"This is junk food, humor me." Nyssa rolls her eyes and takes the overed spoon and starts to eat some. "Why has this all been happening to me?"
"I don't know, sometimes the best people are dealt the worst hands." Ace hears some footsteps in the hallway.
"Nyssa, why aren't you in bed," Tegan asks.
"I couldn't sleep?"
"Ace is that you?"
"Yeah, the baby woke me up, now I am sharing ice cream with Nyssa. Grab a spoon and join us."
"No thank you, Nyssa, why don't you come to bed."
"I don't want to keep you up."
"I don't care if you keep me up. I just sleep better with your warm body next to mine." Tegan says, stepping closer to Nyssa.
"I understand, I sleep better next to Graham. This one likes to hear his stories." Ace covers her ice cream, "shh don't tell Graham I shared with you." Ace walks almost waddles to the bedroom.
"Come on Nys, if you want to be held, I'll hold you forever."
…..,
The next morning Graham wakes up early, kisses Ace on the cheek then her stomach. "Let your Mommy sleep in please." He gets up and moves to the kitchen whistling while he makes breakfast.
"Morning Graham," says Mel as she enters the kitchen. "What are you doing?"
"Making breakfast for everyone."
"So the date went well," Mel pretends not to know how well it went.
"It did, thank you and I'll be thanking the other two when they are up." Graham focuses back on making breakfast as Tegan and Nyssa join them.
"So Graham, have any explosions last night," asks Tegan.
"What do you mean?" More footsteps are heard as Ace joins them in the kitchen.
"I wanted to surprise you."
"M," she isn't awake yet.
"What did that sex you two have last night keep you up all night?" Graham's eyes go wide as Ace processes the information.
"No, the baby woke me up to use the bathroom, then eat. Don't you dare put that spatula down Graham Nelson O'Brien. Your Daughter wants food again."
"What about her Mum?"
"Both do, no get." He turns as everyone else snickers at Ace. She then turns to Mel, "what did you say?"
"When we got home last night, we heard the two having sex." Graham turns around to put pancakes on a plate.
"Please tell me your joking Mel," says Ace.
"Nope, there is now definitely no question on how you conceived Manisha."
"Was there anyway," she steps closer to her sister, hands moving to her hips. "Graham and I have been together since we were 15. He is 19, and I will be 19 in a few months. Our first few times was when we were in London, and the first time we didn't wear protection was during Thanksgiving break."
"How about we all eat and simmer down, while I don't like we had people listening to us, we all do need to get ready for a get together with Harry, Zoe, Liam and Aunt Sarah Jane." Graham says.
"Finally telling us the whole name," asks Nyssa.
"What, you were the first to accidentally find out the first name." Teases Ace.
"What can I say, people just love to tell me all their secrets," says Nyssa with a smile that doesn't reach her eyes.
….
Hours later the five arrive at Ace and Mel's parents, Zoe rubs Ace's stomach, "how are the two of you?"
"We're fine, but I need to pee," she hugs her mom before running inside.
"Mel," her mom asks as her daughter comes to give her a hug, a cry is heard from the inside. "Harry's here. He'll get Steven. Who's next," she goes to Tegan who diverts the hug, then to Nyssa, Graham went inside to make sure Ace was really ok; this was their first long drive since nearing the third trimester. "How are you holding up?" Zoe asks Nyssa.
"There have been worse days."
"All I can say is that those days will get fewer, but will always have the chance of biting you in the ass."
"I know, do you have any idea what the full name is?"
"We don't even know the first. All we know is that the baby will have Graham's last name." Zoe says as they enter the house as Ace is now holding Steven.
"Dad went upstairs to grab something. Didn't say what." She watches as Zoey smiles.
"What?"
"Oh I know what it is, you'll love it." Zoe takes Steven who nuzzles into his mother's embrace.
…..
After dinner Ace gathers everyone into the living room. "I know everyone minus one of you," she looks at Liam who shrugs looking at his phone.
"Liam Brian, put down your phone for a few minutes."
"What, we know she will be naming her baby after those closest to her."
"And after she will receive the only thing I was able to bring with me since it is a McShane first born tradition."
"Dad?"
"I will explain it all Fire Princess." He smiles at her as Graham joins Ace's side.
"Ace," he hands her a small photo album. She opens it and starts to read.
"To Manisha Melissa O'Brien. You are named after two friends of mine. One will be watching over you from above. The other by the side of your parents and godparents as you grow up." Tegan stands up taking the book.
"You named her after me? Not after Mel or Nyssa, or even Zoe."
"Tegan, we want you to know you will have as big of a role in her life as much as her grandmother, and godmothers," Ace replies, taking Tegan's hands. "Plus there is the rhythm of Manisha Melissa."
"I don't know what to say, other than thank you both." They share hugs as Harry stands up with a blanket in his hands.
"Now is the time for a McShane tradition that started with my great grandfather. This blanket is passed down from the first born each generation. I remember when my father gave it to me for my daughter. He said she would change me forever and she was right. It taught me what unconditional love felt like. I am saddened you didn't get that until you moved here. I know when you hold your daughter in your arms you will feel the same." The small blanket that Ace can tell was hand washed and line dried.
"Dad?"
"My daughter, it brings me joy to know that you have found your love, and I know with him and those around you, including Zoe and I; your daughter will be well loved and protected."
"Probably the best, next to Steven." She hugs her dad.
That night next to Graham in bed, she has the blanket over her stomach. "To think in 13 weeks she will be in this blanket, in our arms."
"As each day passes, my excitement grows and grows. I love you Dorothy McShane."
"I love you to Graham O'Brien," she cuddles into him and kisses his neck before letting herself fall into an easy slumber.