#DS6Unwavering #CirCoal #SharkFamily #DaggerSeries

CHAPTER FORTY: STUCK

CIRCE'S POV

Nag-angat ako ng mukha kay Coal bago natatawang ibinalik ko ang mga mata ko sa malaking cake na nasa harapan namin.

The wedding reception was held right on the beach as well. Mas malapit nga lang ang reception sa bahay kesa kung saan kami kinasal ni Coal kanina. The reception was located on the far left side of the beach house.

Thousands of lights hang above us, arranged to look like a canopy surrounding the whole area used for the party.

We already ate, the speeches were done, and there was a lot of dancing and singing. Now it's finally time to cut the cake that wasn't displayed here at the reception. I realized why when Coal and his brothers carried the giant cake out of the house. Unang beses kong makikita ang cake dahil isa iyon sa bagay na gusto ni Coal na siya na ang bahalang magpagawa.

I couldn't stop the giggle that bubbled out of me. "This is the goofiest cake I've ever seen." Ibinalik ko ang tingin ko sa cake na hindi ko alam kung matatawag nga na cake. The giant thing in front of us is made of layers of huge cookies. Each layer is separated by white cream frosting. It's topped by a bride and groom gingerbread cookies. "And I love it so much."

"Good. Because we made that."

I blinked at him. "What?"

"Mireia gave me the recipe, but my brothers and I baked that last night."

Magkakasama sila kagabi rito sa beach house. I thought the men would do something fun, like go out to drink.

Nagtatanong na nilingon ko ang mga kapatid niya. The four older Dawsons shrugged while Trace and Domino comically made Korean finger hearts.

Giggling, I looked up at my husband. Husband. It felt good to say that, even though it's been a week since he's been that officially to me. "Is there anything you can't do?"

"There is."

"What?"

"Not loving you."

I pressed my lips together. For the first time in my life, I feel like I'm a teenager who's about to squeal loudly. Sa buong-buhay ko ata kay Coal ko lang naranasan na kiligin.

"You say the right things, Mr. Dawson." Inginuso ko ang nagpapanggap na cake sa harapan namin. "I want a taste of this giant thing."

Kinuha ni Coal and cake knife. "I'll let you taste another giant thing later," he winked.

Kinurot ko siya sa tagiliran na ikinatawa niya lang. He cut the cookie slash cake and put a piece on a dessert plate. It looks soft, and the center looks gooey with chocolate. Yum. When he turned around to get another plate, I entirely forgot about the tradition of the bride and groom feeding each other. I took a huge bite of the goodness I'm holding, a piece hanging out from my mouth, because I didn't expect how big the cut would be.

Nang muling bumaling sa akin si Coal ay parehas pa kaming natigilan. I have no doubt I looked highly guilty. Coal, being Coal, threw his head back and laughed loudly, our guests joining in instantly.

He leaned down, and before I knew it, he bit the piece still jutting out of my lips. He chewed, and the corner of his lips tugged up. "Yum," he said, echoing my earlier thoughts.

Yum indeed. This time, though, it wasn't the cookie I was thinking of.

"Sorry," natatawang sabi ko sa kaniya.

"Matagal ko ng natanggap na cookies ang karibal ko sa'yo."

"Hindi mo karibal ang cookies sa buhay ko. You should treat it as your best friend."

"And why is that?"

"Do you know how many calories one cookie has? I eat a large amount of them, so I need to find a way to sweat them out." Tinaasan ko siya ng kilay. "And as far as I remember, you helped a lot with that."

Kumislap ang mga mata niya. The way he looks at me is the same way I look at cookies when I have an intense craving for them. The only difference is that Coal is not looking at me like I'm his dessert. He's looking at me as if he plans on making me his main course.

Bahagya siyang yumuko para bumulong sa tenga ko. "Eat more, baby. We have two weeks to ourselves, and I plan to make use of every second of it."

We actually planned to just have one week of honeymoon. Nag-aalangan kasi kaming iwan si Kaise ng masyadong matagal kahit na sinabihan naman na kami ni Tala na hindi problema iyon. But she and Coal's family insisted that we didn't need to hurry back. In fact, Lia and Gun will stay at the beach house with their kids so that someone can help Tala with Kaise. Sigurado rin ako na pupunta-punta rin ang iba pa nilang mga kapatid.

"Ehem, ehem. May I get the attention of everyone at ng dalawang may sariling mundo riyan?" Coal and I turned to the dance floor. Nandoon si Lucienne na may hawak ng mic at nakatingin sa direksyon namin. She gestured to the two seats they placed in front of the glass dance floor. "Upo muna kayo at parang napupunta na sa restricted ang dapat ay family channel lang natin tonight."

Heat spread on my face, but Coal just grinned. Iginaya niya ako sa kinaroroonan ng dalawang upuan na ang likod ay nakaharap sa iba pang mga bisita. Lucienne met my gaze, and she winked. I pressed my lips together to stop myself from smiling.

Akmang paglalapitin ni Coal ang mga upuan na malaki ang pagitan pero umiling si Lucienne. Nagtataka man ay nagkibit-balikat ang lalaki na pinauna akong makaupo bago siya pumuwesto sa isa pang bakanteng upuan.

"We prepared something, so hold on tight, everyone." Dumilim ang paligid at may ilan na impit na napatili. "Chill lang tayo. Kasama 'yan. Pero habang naghihintay tayo, what if kuwentuhan ko kayo ng nakakatakot?"

Ilang pag-angal ang pumainlang sa paligid na sigurado akong karamihan ay galing sa magkakapatid na Dawson.

"Fine. Kuwentong pambata na lang para family-friendly pa rin."

I felt someone tugging me up from my seat at the same time that Lucienne started narrating a story about a meteor sent by an alien planet that crashed on Earth, carrying a cyborg chihuahua that has been adopted by two humans who she said happened to be animal lovers.

Mabuti na lang na natural na talento ni Lucienne ang magkuwento at nagkataon na mayroon din siyang innate talent pagdating sa "pangyuyurak" sa pagkatao ni Trace na siguradong siyang inspirasyon sa kuwento ng manunulat.

After a few struggles and a lot of quiet giggles, someone led me to the center of the dance floor. Or at least I hope it was at the center.

"The end," Lucienne said, cutting off her story. Laughter echoed around us, and I just shook my head with a smile. "Without further ado, let's give it up for The Woman at the Opposite Side of the Bar who wants to dedicate this song to her Saint Coal."

A familiar opening of a song sounded. Something that's only familiar because it's been on repeat for weeks already. Bukod pa roon ay buong maghapon kahapon ay iyon lang ang pinapatugtog ko.

The lights of the hanging canopy above opened one by one. Ganoon din ang ilaw ng mismong dance floor at ang ilan sa mga nakapalibot doon. They didn't open all the lights and instead, they kept them focused on the dance floor.

Coal's surprised eyes were the first thing that I saw. Nilingon niya ang binakante kong upuan bago nagtatakang tumingin siya sa akin ulit. His eyes travelled down the white crocheted bikini top and white loose pants that I'm wearing, and his eyes flashed in recognition.

It's the same outfit I was wearing the night we first met.

"When I first saw you, I already knew. There was something inside of you. Something I thought that I would never find... angel of mine. I look at you looking at me. Now I know why they say the best things are free. Gonna love you boy you are so fine. Angel of mine."

If he was surprised awhile ago, he is even more so right now. Hindi ko siya masisisi. It's not like I've ever sung in front of anyone. Shower lang ang nakakarinig ng boses ko.

I can carry a tune, but I don't consider my voice special. Pero dahil na rin sa tulong ni Lia at sa pagmomotivate niya sa akin ay kahit paano nabawasan ang kaba ko. She said that I have a sweet voice and that Coal will surely appreciate it.

Mula kasi ng makilala ko si Coal ay parang lagi na lang siyang nagbibigay ng ikakasurpresa ko. I mean, even our daughter was a surprise. The first surprise he had ever given me.

These past few months, it's like he made it a habit to keep spoiling me. Kahit walang okasyon ay bigla na lang siyang may bagong pakulo. From gifts to surprise dates, a grand proposal, and an impromptu wedding, he has it all covered.

I wanted to do something for him in return.

"How you changed my world you'll never know. I'm different now, you helped me grow. You came into my life, sent from above. When I lost all hope, you showed me love. I'm checking for you. Boy, you're right on time. Angel of mine."

Everyone was swaying their hands with the music, but all of my attention was centered on Coal, who was looking at me as if I were the only person in the room.

"Nothing means more to me than what we share. No one in this whole world can ever compare. Last night the way you moved is still on my mind. Angel of mine. What you mean to me you'll never know. Deep inside I need to show."

I repeated the refrain of the song as I walked closer to Coal. I reached out my hand to him, and he immediately stood up to take it. Paatras na naglakad ako habang hila ang kamay niya para mapunta kami sa gitna ng dance floor.

"I never knew I could feel each moment. As if they were new. Every breath that I take, the love that we make. I only share it with you." I suppressed a startled gasp when he pulled me closer to him. Even for one moment, he didn't take his eyes off me. "When I first saw you I already knew. There was something inside of you. Something I thought that I would never find. Angel of mine."

Before the last word of the line even left my lips, Coal leaned down and kissed me. Niyakap ko ang mga braso ko sa balikat niya at tumugon ako sa halik niya.

Dati tinatanong ko sa sarili ko kung dadating kaya ang araw na may mababago sa paraan kung paano niya ipakita sa akin na mahal niya ako at pagbabago sa sarili ko mismo sa pagtanggap sa mga bagay na ipinaparamdam niya sa akin. That what was between us wouldn't be as intense as time passed. But from the start until now, the way Coal loves me hasn't eased down even for one second. It never dulls, and instead, it's like the fire between us ignites more and more each day.

"I didn't know I could love someone as much as I love you," he murmured against my lips. He pulled back a little, and my arms tightened around him at the same time that I made a small sound of protest. "Fuck, I want to carry you out of here so bad." His eyes searched my face, and I know he didn't read anything that would tell him that I don't want the same thing. Umangat ang sulok ng labi niya at muli siyang yumuko para bigyan ng magaan na halik ang tuktok ng ilong. "But this is our first wedding party, and I don't want you to miss it."

"First? Bakit may kasunod ba?"

Nagbago na ang tugtog na bumabalot sa paligid. This time, Feels Like Home is currently being played, and Coal started swaying me with the music.

"There are a lot of wedding themes in Vegas," he said, the corner of his eyes crinkling.

Hindi ko mapigilan ang ngiti na sumilay sa mga labi ko. "So you plan to try them all?"

"Only if you're the one I'm marrying."

"As if I'll let you marry anyone else." Tinaasan ko siya ng kilay. "At kung dadating man ang panahon na magbabalak ka, ako na ang nagsasabi sa'yo na wala ka ng kawala. You spoiled me, you made me get used to depending on you, and you made me fall in love so hard that there would be no one else after you. So you're stuck with me for life, Coal Dawson."

He leaned down and whispered right in my ear. "You can hold me captive forever. Haven't I told you? I'm already your prisoner. I don't have plans to be free if freedom means not having you."

HALOS SUMAKIT na ang tiyan ko kakatawa habang pinapanood si Domino na kampateng kampante kanina na naglakad papunta sa dance floor nang tawagin ang mga single na kalalakihan para sa tradisyon na pagtapon ng garter.

Confident kasi siya kanina dahil alam niyang kasal na ang mga kapatid niyang lalaki. He just hasn't thought about the fact that we already realized it even before the wedding, so we already informed the organizer on what to do. Kaya dahil kasal na ang mga kapatid niya ay nagtawag na lang ang wedding host ng iba pang mga single na lalaki na dumalo sa kasal.

That's when Domino comically grabbed a chair and threatened anyone who came close to the dance floor.

Naiiling na umakto si Coal na itatapon na ang bagay na hawak niya. Instead of tossing it normally, he acted like he was a pitcher on a baseball team while Domino pumped himself up, jumping up and down from where he was standing as if he were a boxer ready to fight.

When Coal let the garter go sailing, Domino leaped so high and caught it mid-air. Buong pagmamalaki na nag-bow siya bago hawak sa isang kamay na ipinakita niya iyon sa lahat ng bisita. He even theatrically scanned the crowd with the hand that was holding it.

Lumapit sa kinaroroonan niya si Tala. According sa tradisyon ay dapat isuot ni Domino iyon sa babae. Pero imbis na lumapit sa nakahandang upuan si Tala ay inabot niya ang boquet niya kay Domino na nagtataka na tinanggap iyon.

"Para more chance of winning," natatawang sabi ni Tala.

Domino grinned, and he made a deep bow again, the garter and the boquet on each of his hands.

"The poor soul that will cross his path needs to prepare herself," Lucienne said while making a "tsk" sound with her tongue. "Parang hindi patatahimikin ni Domino ang buhay niya hanggang hindi siya nahuhulog sa isang 'yan."

I slide my gaze back to the second youngest Dawson. "Yeah. Her life wouldn't be quiet anymore the moment he's in her life. But she also won't ever be as happy as she would be when she became his."

Naglalaro ang ngiti sa mga labi na nilingon ako ng babae. "Look at you now. Parang kailan lang na nasa wedding reception tayo ni Luna at hindi mo pa nakikita ang bagay na alam kong napansin mo kay Sir Magnus kapag na kay Luna ang atensyon niya."

Nagkibit-balikat ako. "You were right. Minsan talaga kapag ikaw ang nasa sitwasyon, hindi mo maiwasan na maging bulag." I looked in Coal's direction, and my heart squeezed at the thought of how far we've come in such a short time and how there's so much more that we'll get to experience together. "But I could see clearly now. Thanks to his love for me..." I turned my gaze to the woman. "And to his family's love for him."

Lucienne's eyes warmed, and she tapped me lightly on the arm. Naglakad siya para lumapit sa asawa niya kasabay nang muling pagbalik ni Coal sa tabi ko.

"Did you see?" Coal asked.

"See how Domino is basically trying to make fate bend to his will? I did."

His lips quirked, but he shook his head. "Not that." Inangat niya ang kamay niya para tumuro. "That one."

Sinundan ko ang direksyon na nakakuha ng atensyon niya at bahagyang nanlaki ang mga mata ko nang matanaw ko si Tala na kasalukuyang kausap si Ashton. Mukhang nasa gitna sila ng mainit na pagtatalo.

Tala Natasha, who always has a solution for everything, looks like she's about to explode, and Ashton, who I never saw lose his composure, looks angry. Gulat na napakurap ako nang hindi pa nagtatagal sa kung ano man na pinagdidiskusyunan nila ay biglang yumuko si Ashton at basta na lang binuhat ang mukhang nabigla rin na si Tala.

"Holy shit," I whispered.

"I'm going to break his face if he breaks her heart."

Nakangangang nilingon ko si Coal. "Holy shit. Tala's in love."

Coal's face crumpled in disgust. I'm sure it's probably because he still has some leftover irritation with Ashton because he once thought that the yoga instructor liked me. "She could do so much better. That one's a player." I gave him a pointed look, and he rolled his eyes. "I never dated a woman without telling her the score between us."

"Alam ko. Pero saame league pa rin 'yon. Maharot ka at maharot si Ashton."

He hooked an arm around my waist, and he pinned me to his side. Sinubsob niya ang mukha niya sa leeg ko dahilan para mapahagikhik ako. "Sa'yo na lang ako haharot ngayon."

"You better." My eyes went back to the direction Tala and Ashton went in. "Malay mo naman magiging ex-maharot na rin si Ashton soon."

"Whatever. I stand by what I said. He's going to lose that face of his if Tala even sheds one single tear for him." He grazed my earlobe with his teeth. "And can you please stop saying his name? Umiinit ang ulo ko."

I chuckled and turned my body fully towards him. Yumakap ako sa beywang niya. "Magseselos ka pa rin ba talaga hanggang ngayon? I have your engagement ring and wedding band on my finger. I also have your anklet on me. And—" I stopped myself just in time. I almost said it. "So you have no reason to be an ogre anymore."

"The day that the ogre inside me won't come out is the day the world will end." Kumunot ang noo niya at pinakatitigan niya ako. "What was that?"

Pilit pinainosente ko ang ekspresyon sa mukha ko. "Hmm?"

His eyes narrowed into slits. "What did you do?" I could see his mind racing just by the way he looked at me. "Are you—"

"I'm not pregnant. Your super sperm didn't make another miracle this time." I mouthed a sorry to Pierce, who was close enough to us. By the way he stepped away from us, I'm pretty sure he heard us. "It was nothing."

Coal believed the first thing I said, but I doubt he believed the latter. He knows how to read me, so he probably feels that I'm hiding something from him.

Mukhang may sasabihin pa sana siya pero naudlot iyon dahil sa muling pagsasalita ng host. We were called to the ministage to say a few words for our friends and family.

I'm safe for now. He'll see it soon enough, anyway. It's not like I want to hide the other surprise I prepared for him for too long.

Unless I planned to spend our whole honeymoon clothed.

Which I don't.

"Let's go, Mrs. Dawson so we can get out of here." Umangat ang sulok ng mga labi ni Coal. "I have a lot of plans for you."

"So do I, Mr. Dawson. So do I."

Wedding reception venue.

________________________End of Chapter 40.