#DS6Unwavering #CirCoal #SharkFamily #DaggerSeries

CHAPTER THIRTY-NINE: UNWAVERING

CIRCE'S POV

I don't know when I started trembling. Whether it was when I saw the Circe Isle yacht that has been prepared to look bridal or at the thought that it wouldn't be long before we arrived at the beach house where everyone is waiting.

But the thing is, I'm not nervous. I certainly don't feel scared. In fact, what I'm feeling is very familiar to me. Adrenaline.

Inalalayan ako ni Domino para makaakyat ng yate. My dress doesn't have an excessively drawn-out train, but I do have a long veil, so his help was very much appreciated. Inalalayan niya ako hanggang sa makarating sa cockpit. They covered its sides with sheer white fabric so I wouldn't be seen inside.

"This is a first for me." Napakurap ako at nanlalaki ang mga mata na bumaling ako kay Domino. He grinned at my visible panic. "What I meant was seeing a bridal yacht."

I let out a shaky laugh. "Akala ko may posibilidad na lalangoy tayong dalawa papunta sa beach house eh."

Instead of going straight to the beach house, we went to a nearby resort, where the yacht was waiting for us.

Sumandal ako sa upuan at pinanood ko siya ng kumilos na siya para paandarin ang sasakyan. "And it was Tala's idea. Since I can't surf on a wedding gown, she said I should just take the yacht with me. Para cool daw," natatawang paliwanag ko.

He winked at me. "She's a smart woman so of course as always she's right."

"Interested? Pinamimigay ko na 'yon."

"Dancer ba si Tala?"

I laughed, remembering the conversation we had in Vegas. "She'll probably slap you if you ask her if she would dance for you. Saka isa pa, with your Dominoness, mas may chance pa na si Tala ang kumontrol sa'yo. There's not a man yet on this planet that could rattle someone like Tala Natasha. "

"I think you're wrong about that. She was exactly what you described when she was talking to someone on the phone when we were in Vegas."

Pakiramdam ko ay umangat ang imaginary antenna ko. "Baka naman kausap iyong isang surfer na alaga niya o isa sa mga sponsor?"

"I doubt she would tell those people that she's going to shack up with a stripper who's built like a mountain, so whomever she's talking to can fuck off."

My jaw dropped. "Who was she talking to?" I rasped out.

"I don't know, but I could find out for you." Naramdaman ko ang pagbagal ng yate at nakangiting nilingon niya. "But for now, you should marry my brother first."

My heart thudded so loudly that it felt like it wanted to jump out of my chest. Sumilip ako sa labas at napahugot ako nang hininga nang matanaw ko ang papalapit na kinaroroonan ng beach house. The procession was already starting.

Even from a distance, I could see how the place transformed into a wedding venue that exceeded what I imagined it to look like.

There's an aisle runner on the sand with different colors of flowers, creating a path from near the docks that will lead to the wooden benches carefully arranged where the entourage will be. The triangular arbor at the end of the aisle, where Coal and I will exchange our vows later, is situated right at the edge of the shore and has its back to the ocean, making it a beautiful backdrop for the ceremony.

"Nervous?"

I turned to Domino, and I shook my head. "Excited."

He chuckled as if he already expected my response. Tuluyan na niyang hininto ang yate at itinapat iyon sa dock na natatabingan ng manipis na puting tela ang ang magkabilang gilid hanggang sa kabilang dulo niyon. Lumabas siya sandali at namataan ko siyang ibinababa ang hagdanan ng yate. When he was done, he went back for me and helped me up. Kinuha ko ang boquet ko ng sari-sari na mga kulay asul na bulaklak bago ako sumunod sa kaniya.

Nauna siyang bumaba ng yate at inilahad niya ang kamay niya sa akin. Before I reached for his hand, I took off my white, heeled shoes. May pagtatanong sa mga mata niya, pero nginitian ko lang siya.

I never intended to wear the shoes when I walked the aisle. It's one of the reasons why I told the organizer not to put a carpet on the path that will take me to Coal. I spent the majority of my life barefoot in the sand. It's the most comfortable for me.

"Are you good here?"

Nakangiting tumango ako. "Go to your brother." Hindi siya kaagad nakakilos paalis nang abutin ko ang nagulo niyang necktie at inayos ko iyon bago ako tumingkayad para marahang tapikin ang ulo niya. "Thank you for everything. Pinapasa ko na sa'yo ang swerte na inambon sa akin ng tadhana. I hope you find your "one" soon."

There was surprise in his eyes, but it quickly melted into amusement. Naiiling na ginaya niya ang ginawa ko. He patted my head, and then he started walking to where the others were waiting so that he could stand by his brother's side.

I didn't start walking instantly. Kita ko sa baba ng dulo ng kinaroroonan ko ang mga babaeng Dawson, ang Yogi Babes, at si Tala na nang mamataan ako ay kumaway sa kinaroroonan ko. The bridesmaids are all wearing sky blue dresses, while Tala, my maid of honor, is wearing one that is the color of prussian blue. I waved back at her before I turned to look behind me. The ocean isn't as calm as the other days, and instead the tide seems to be strong today.

"I never called you mom, but you're that to me, you know?" I whispered to the wind. "I hope you're happy for me. I knew that during your last moments, you were worried for me. Hindi mo ako tinanong kung bakit kita hinanap at kung bakit hindi ko binabanggit sa'yo ang kinilala kong mga magulang. You never asked about it, but I know that you can feel why. And I also know that it was hard for you because there was nothing you could do." A warm gentle breeze swirled around me, and I smiled. "I was lost for a long time, and in my heart I know that you recognized that. I just want you to know that I'm okay now. He got me. He will always do so from now on.

I stayed there for a few moments, closing my eyes as I listened to the waves and the sound that the wind was making. When I heard the song from the speakers surrounding the entire venue change and it was replaced by Lia's soft, beautiful voice singing the version of Becca Bradley's Till I Found You, I turned to face the other end of the wooden dock and started walking.

I can feel the ends of my dress and the train of my veil dragging behind me. My hands tightened their hold on the boquet when I finally reached the stairs. I carefully descended the stairs until I could feel sand on my feet.

If my heart was thudding loudly earlier, it paled in comparison with the noise it is making now that I can see everyone that is waiting for me. Wala naman akong masyadong kinumbida. There are more from the Dawsons, which is not a surprise. On my side, I only invited friends from Siargao, including Levi and Ashton.

I could feel all their eyes on me, but only one pair stood out from the rest of them.

"I searched through the Earth for something that could satisfy. A peace for the hurt I had buried deep inside. Knees on the floor, I finally found everything I needed. You lifted my soul and opened up my eyes."

Holding Coal's gaze, I crossed the distance between us. His eyes warmed, and the corner of his lips tugged up. I couldn't help but return his smile until it grew and I was beaming at him.

I feel so light. It's like I'm bursting with so much joy, and I don't know where to place all of it.

"And I never knew anything lasts forever till I found you, till I found you. I never dreamed anything could be better till I found you, till I found you. You're rewriting my story. And I'm brand new like a morning. Oh, I never knew anything lasts forever till I found you. Till I, till I found you."

I wouldn't have looked away from him, but something caught my attention. Before I knew it, my eyes began to water.

Nestled around the bed of flowers on each of my sides are small hand-drawn images. Mga larawan na alam ko na si Coal ang lumikha. Someone needs to collect the drawings after the wedding because there's no way that I'm not keeping all of them.

There are images of me alone. Smiling, laughing, with my nose crinkled, my annoyed face, and there are some drawings where I look like I just woke up in the morning, my gaze hazy from sleep.

Then there are those with Kaise. When I'm carrying her while looking out the beach, when we're surfing or swimming, playing in the sand, and there's one with us both asleep with my arms wrapped around her.

"Gone are the days I'm chasing after what won't last. I'm done with building these castles that crumble like sand. Oh, knees on the floor I finally found that everything I needed was always right in front of me. You gave me a name. You changed everything."

I thought I already knew how much Coal treasures Kaise and me. But now I know that I haven't realized yet the extent of his love for us.

He has us memorized by heart. It's like he stores every memory that he has of us. Something he kept close enough as if they were the greatest gift in his life.

"Mommy!"

I automatically hunch to catch Kaise, who's running after me. She's wearing her blue flower girl dress, and there are flowers decorating her hair with the same color.

Kaagad siyang yumakap sa leeg ko at kaagad ko naman siyang kinarga. Tinuro niya ang kinaroroonan ni Coal at malakas siyang nagsalita, "Daddy!"

The crowd laughed, and I couldn't help but join them. Niyakap ko sa akin ang anak ko at bitbit siya na pinagpatuloy ko ang paglalakad ko.

"I never knew anything lasts forever till I found you, till I found you. I never dreamed anything could be better yill I found you, till I found you. You're rewriting my story. And I'm brand new like a morning. Oh, I never knew anything lasts forever. Till I found you."

It's only right that she'll be the one who will be beside me as I walk toward the other love of my life. With the other being her. After all, everything that happened between Coal and me led us to have her. Our surprise little one. Our baby shark.

Kaise touched my wet cheeks. "Mommy, sad?" she asked worriedly.

"No, babi. Mommy's happy."

If she was confused about why I'm crying when I'm happy, she didn't show it. Humigpit lang ang yakap niya sa akin at isinandal niya ang ulo niya sa balikat ko.

My gaze went back to Coal, and my lips quivered when I saw that Domino clapped him on the back, an apparent struggle with his own emotion visible in him as he watched us.

Till I found him.

Everything was just what it was before I met him. Sometimes I feel like I'm happy, and sometimes I feel like I'm not. Everything was centered on the ups and downs. Like I need to anticipate what I will feel the next time I open my eyes.

And then I found him, and it's like it doesn't matter. Kung masaya man ako o hindi. Kung puno ako ng pag-aalala. Kung natatakot ako. It doesn't matter because as long as I have him, I know that I will be okay. I know that there's nothing to worry about because he will always be with Kaise and me.

I came to a stop when my feet finally carried me to the end of the aisle, where Coal was waiting. Lumapit siya sa amin ni Kaise at yumuko siya. He kissed Kaise's cheek at the same time that I also did. Our eyes met, and he smiled, which I immediately returned.

I let him take Kaise from me, and with another kiss, this time on the forehead, he transferred her to Domino, who easily carried her in his arms.

When Coal turned to me, I expected him to just reach for my hand. Pero sa pagkagulat ko ay naramdaman ko ang kamay niya na gumapang sa likod ko at hinapit niya ako palapit sa kaniya. His lips took mine into a kiss, and my arms, as if having a mind of their own, wrapped themselves around his shoulders.

I don't think anyone of us wanted to end the kiss, except we didn't have a choice when we heard clapping and whistles. Natatawang nilayo ko ang mga labi ko kay Coal. A growl roared from his chest, but when our eyes met, I saw that his were alight with the same happiness that is surrounding me.

"Let's get married," he murmured. "Again."

Nilingon ko ang kinaroroonan ng best friend ko at kaagad siyang tumayo para lumapit sa akin nang makita niyang pinapalapit ko siya. Her right eyebrow went up when I handed her the bouquet of flowers that I have no intention of getting back later. I smiled at her sweetly, which only made her shake her head as she walked back to her seat.

"You know, that reminded me that we're going to get so confused with our wedding anniversary. We have to celebrate twice," I told Coal as he led me toward the waiting priest.

"We'll celebrate for one week. The beginning of the week when you first took my name, and at the end of it when you married me again."

"I like that," I said to him softly.

He squeezed my hand gently before he planted a kiss on the back of my hand. Parehas na may ngiti sa mga labi na humarap kami sa pari na nasa harapan namin na naghahanda na para simulan ang seremonyas.

Without letting my hand go, the ceremony commenced without falter. Coal and I listened attentively, basking in the blessings that we were receiving.

"Circe Isle Andino and Coal Dawson, have you come here to enter into marriage without coercion, freely, and wholeheartedly?"

"Yes, Father," Coal and I answered at the same time.

Pinagharap niya kami at kaagad naman kaming sumunod. Coal took both my hands in his, and he smiled when our eyes met.

"This congregation has only been possible because of the love that binds you, dearly beloved. You have come here, united, so that your marriage be strengthened in the presence of our Lord." The priest gestured to our hands that are already wearing rings. "You are here as each other's partner, a friend and companion, a family, a love from halves that finally found their whole, blessed by God and the church, and witnessed by all those that come here today." He turned to Coal and spoke, "Coal Dawson, do you accept Circe Isle Andino to be your wife, to live together as friend and mate? Will you love her as a person, respect her as an equal, sharing joy as well as sorrow, triumph as well as defeat, and keep her beside you as long as you both shall live?"

Coal didn't let go of my gaze as he answered, "I do, Father."

"Circe Isle Andino, do you accept Coal Dawson to be your husband, to live together as friend and mate? Will you love him as a person, respect him as an equal, sharing joy as well as sorrow, triumph as well as defeat, and keep him beside you as long as you both shall live?"

I nodded, my eyes watering. "I do, Father."

Trace approached us while carrying his son. Kinuha namin sa maliit na unan na dala ang dalawang bagay na pinagawa namin ni Coal.

"Circe Isle Dawson." Lumiwanag ang mga mata niya at lumawak ang ngiti sa mga labi niya. If there's something he loved more than marrying me, it's the fact that he gave me his name. "The first time I met you, you were just a stranger. You haven't even noticed my presence yet, but I couldn't keep my eyes off you. This beautiful stranger who enchanted me at first glance. One moment I was okay living the life I'm used to having, and at the next it feels like I'm being hit by the reality of how my life has been lacking. At the sound of your voice, at the sight of you... I found what I never dreamed to have. But the dumbass side of me didn't recognize that. All I know is that after a long time of mindlessly going through the motion, having nothing but temporary, I found the one that I want to share every tomorrow with."

"A part of me that was probably in denial of the truth wanted to give you the space that you seem to need that night. Kahit na parang buong ako ang sumisigaw para gawin ang kasalungat no'n. I wanted to watch your lips move and hear your voice more. I want your warm chocolate-colored eyes to look at me. I want to know you more than I want anything else. But thank the heavens that you're Circe Isle. My wild-haired enchantress who rarely let anything stop her."

"We shared the most amazing night of my life. One that I didn't want to end. So I said to myself that when tomorrow comes, I want you to know me the way I want to know everything about you. But then the sun came and you were gone."

"I was used to living the way I did. Just half of what a whole should be. But for one night you showed me how to have everything, and when you left it's like I couldn't come back to who I was before you. I couldn't stop caring. I couldn't stop feeling. Everyday, no matter how I kept denying it, my mind always comes down to the memories of you and what it's like to belong to someone."

"My fears and doubts kept you away from me when I could have searched for you. But I guess it's true that when fate writes the story it wants for you, there is no way you can unwrite it. Not even the harshest storm, violent earthquakes, and strongest waves could have kept us from each other. Dahil natagpuan ko na lang ang sarili ko na dinadala kung saan kita mahahanap muli." He looked at someone from the audience, and when I followed the direction of his gaze, I saw that he was looking at our daughter. When his eyes returned to me, they were liquid with emotion. "It wasn't just fate but also our daughter that led me to you. Our baby shark that, even at that time when I didn't know about her existence, could command me like no one could. Our daughter whose eyes have the same ones that have been visiting me in my dreams and that I often wake up longing for."

"I know that I did nothing in this life that is equivalent to the blessing that I was given when the waves of our lives brought you back to me." Marahang hinaplos niya ang pisngi ko gamit ng likod ng palad niya nang makita niya ang pagtutol ko. "I know that I don't deserve you even if you believe otherwise. But if there's something that I can promise to do, it's that I will do all that it takes to be that for you-someone that is deserving to stay beside you, hold you, and love you."

"It feels like I've been lost for such a long time that I grew accustomed to it to the extent that I don't have any left fight in me to look for anything else that could change that. Pero nang dumating ka sa buhay ko lahat iyon nabago. I found my way because of you. I found the home that I didn't know that I was missing. But most of all, I found the me that I wanted to become for you, our daughter, and the family that we will create."

"My Circe. The only person that woke up a jealous, annoyed ogre that I didn't know existed inside me, the only woman that sees me like no one else does, the one who seems to understand what I feel even if I try to hide it, the only one who makes me feel safe enough to be vulnerable. I was so done with love until I met you and realized that I haven't known what it feels like yet."

"No matter how many current tries to wash us away from each other, I know that we will brave all raging waves. My love for you will never find its end the same way my heart won't ever stop beating for you. Not even when the sun stop shining. Not when nature lose all of its colors and that last leaves finally fall. Not when the deepest ocean has been drained into nothing. It will always be you, my Circe, the only one in this life that owns all of my heart because you were the only one that showed me what it means to really fall in love. And in the name of God, I vow to take you as my wife, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, for as long as we both shall live. This is my solemn vow."

With a tear-streaked face, I watched him kneel in front of me while holding a blue anklet in one of his hands. He slipped it on my foot, which is already wearing the one that my mother gave me.

When he straightened, he gently wiped the wetness from my cheeks, his own eyes glassy with unshed tears.

It took me a moment to compose myself. He waited patiently, holding my hands the way his eyes held mine.

"Coal Dawson, when I first met you, I thought that you were this intense rogue current that could wipe everything into massive destruction. Kasi nang dumating ka sa buhay ko, ramdam ko na may mababago. I already felt my life turning and shifting the first time our eyes met. But you were not a violent current; what you were was a gentle wave carrying me to the shore so that I could find the home that I never had."

"They said that I breeze through life easily. Hindi ko hinahayaan na manatili akong nakatali sa iisang emosyon, iisang lugar. I didn't have roots, didn't have anything permanent. I wanted it but I didn't think it was possible for me. Not when all my life it's like I've always been an afterthought. Something you can easily forget about. Something you can just leave on the shelf. Buong buhay ko kasi parang iyon lang ang pinaramdaman sa akin. Na madali akong kalimutan, na madali akong iwanan, na madaling piliin na saktan ako."

"But then one night when I was trying to drown myself away from all the things life thrown at me, I found you. We found each other. You intervened and saved me while still recognizing that I have the strength to do it myself. We were strangers, but you were so gentle with me as if you were afraid of breaking me. Something that most of the people in my life never considered to think about even for one moment. Pero merong ikaw na kayang iparamdam sa akin ang isang bagay na hindi naibigay sa akin sa mahabang panahon. Something steady. Something unwavering. Unfaltering strength that envelops me in a way that I felt safe."

"Despite all the things you made me feel, I still left you. I tried to return to my life before you, burying at the back of my mind what I consider a reckless mistake. Kasi may parte sa akin ang natatakot sa mga ipinaramdam mo sa akin. With everyone else, they made me taste a glimpse of what I could have, and them taking it away hurts. With you, you made me feel something greater, something I never experienced, and I just knew that there's no one in this world that could destroy me more than you do."

"But fate has plans for us. Wala siyang plano na pakawalan tayo." A tear glided down my cheek when I remembered his mother's words. "We are each other's unconquerable wave. There was no way we could have won. Babalik at babalik pa rin tayo kung saan natin natagpuan ang isa't isa."

"You gave me the greatest gift that I never in my wildest dream thought I could be ready for. At that time, I didn't have anything. I was just about to start planting roots. But then I found out that I have a piece of you growing inside me. Our babi Kailani Sereia."

"I wanted to find you. You deserve to know her. Something as precious as her. Akala ko hindi na iyon magiging posible. Until one day, I saw you again." Nilingon ko si Tala at tinapunan ko siya ng ngiti. She has lost the fight to keep her tears from falling. "I was told that me asking for help is like pulling out a tooth without anesthesia. Unless the people around me demanded to help me, I wouldn't let them. Kasi iyon ang nakasanayan ko eh. I was so used to being independent. Sanay ako na kayanin ang lahat ng mag-isa. But you, the way only someone like Coal Dawson can, entered my life in a way that it would be torture to not have you in it again. Sinanay mo ako sa pakiramdam kung paanong mahalin ng isang katulad mo. And day by day that passed, I found myself leaning more and more to you. Until I couldn't imagine not waking up and seeing you, not hearing you call my name, and watching you be the greatest dad that I have ever seen with our daughter."

"Everything with you is an adventure worth taking, a surprise worth having. Bawat araw na lumilipas pinaparamdam mo sa akin na may mga pwede pa akong bago na maranasan. I thought surfing was the only dream I had. It was what I always wanted. I thought it was the only thing I needed. But you gave me more. More to dream of, more to love." I bit my trembling lip for a moment as the wetness in my eyes blurred my vision. "I love your family. I love our family. And I love you. You have a hold on me so strong that I know that there won't be a time that we will find ourselves drifting again. And even if there would be a moment like that, it will only bring us back to where we started. Not even the vast ocean could separate our hearts that will always belong to each other. And In the name of God, I vow to take you as my husband, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, for as long as we both shall live. This is my solemn vow."

I slid on his wrist the same thing that he slipped on my ankle. A simple blue woven string with two antique gold charms on it. One is a wave that reminds him of me, and the other is a leaf that reminds me of him.

"Now that Coal Dawson and Circe Isle Dawson have given themselves to each other by the promises they have exchanged, I pronounce them to be husband and wife, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Coal Dawson, you may now kiss the bride."

Standing there in front of our family and friends, I can see the sun starting to set on the horizon. The yellow and orange of the sky are slowly succumbing to the beautiful darker colors to welcome the coming night.

A shaky laugh fell from my lips when Coal mouthed "about time" before claiming me in a kiss that should be criminal to show to other people.

Hoots and cheers filled our surroundings, but Coal didn't end the kiss the same way I didn't want it to stop. I clutched the lapel of his suit to hold on to him, answering his kiss with the same fervent passion. Kung hindi pa parehas na kaming kapos sa hininga ay hindi pa kami maghihiwalay.

Malakas na palakpakan ang sumalubong sa amin. Hawak ang kamay ko na iniharap ako ni Coal sa pamilya at mga kaibigan namin. It was as if he was proud to show the world his wife of only a few days, whom he married again for the second time.

Your hand will always have someone to hold. Your tomorrows will always have something to look forward to.You will have someone by your side no matter how many times the world tries to turn its back on you. And your heart will always have a home where you will forever belong.

I looked down at our joined hands, and I couldn't help but smile. His mother was right.

Deep in my heart, I know that the fate that led me to him was the love of a mother who wishes for her son to find the person who will love him the way I do... at the same time, I know that what led him to me was a whisper from the mother who loved me but wasn't given enough time to show it to me.

Thank you. We're going to be okay now.

We have each other now. As long as forever takes. We will remain steady. Because we were no longer lost.

We found our home.

Wedding venue inspiration.

_________________________End of Chapter 39.