#DS8Uncovered #LuMa #BearCouple #DaggerSeries

CHAPTER 20: BABY

LUNA'S POV

Kinawayan ko si Kuya Domino na nakita kong kadadating lang kasama si Kaise. Ibinaba niya ang bata na kaagad tumakbo sa kinaroroonan ng iba pang mga anak ng mga kapatid ko.

I love all my nieces and nephews. Sanay kaming lahat na magkakapatid sa malaking pamilya kaya nang magkaroon sila ng mga sarili nilang mga anak ay talaga namang lahat kami ay excited sa paparating na mga bulilit.

Though I don't have favorites since I love them all just the same, I can't say the same thing to the kids. May mga mas close talaga sila sa amin. Siguro dahil na rin iba't iba ang mga trip namin sa buhay. I can't imagine the kids picking Kuya Gun, the broodiest and grumpiest out of all of us, as their favorite uncle.

Ang pinaka-close sa akin ay si Arctic. Sa akin kasi siya laging naiiwan noong baby pa lang siya lalo na kapag may trabaho si Kuya Pierce. Although, it's only when he doesn't have a choice and the ones left are leaving Arctic with me or with Kuya Trace. Pang two years old daw ang utak namin ni Kuya Trace pero mas advance lang daw ako ng kaunti kaya kapag wala na siyang magawa ay napipilitan siya na ako na lang ang pagkatiwalaan kay Arc.

I remember those days na wala akong kaalam-alam kung paanong magpalit ng diapers at nakikisabay ako sa iyak ni Arctic habang ginagawa ko iyon para sa kaniya. I was the youngest in the family, so I really didn't have the same experience that my other siblings had.

But I know without a doubt, even though we don't really have our favorites, all of us have a soft spot for Kaise. Sa lahat kasi ng mga pamangkin ko ay siya ang muntik naming hindi makilala. Siya lang din sa lahat ang hindi namin nakita no'ng pinanganak pa lang siya.

"Bakit ganiyan ang mukha mo?" tanong ko kay Kuya Domino nang makalapit siya sa kinaroroonan ko. Kasalukuyan akong nakasalampak sa damuhan na may nakalatag na picnic blanket. Lia, Belaya, Lucienne, and Ember, who were all holding wine glasses, were with me. "May hangover ka pa rin dahil sa adventure day niyo ni Sese kahapon?"

Siya kasi ang sumama sa field trip ni Kaise kahapon. Ang kuwento sa akin ng mga kapatid ko ay pinaghabol daw siya buong maghapon ni Sese dahil hanggang nakauwi sila ay hindi naubos ang energy ng bata.

"Kuya Coal is acting weird," kunot ang noo na sabi niya. "Kahapon si Circe ang kakaiba pero ngayon si Kuya Coal naman. Akala ko nagpapasundo kasi trip niya akong gawing driver. Pagdating ko ro'n basta na lang ibinigay sa akin si Sese tapos pinagsaraduhan na ako ng pintuan. Susunod na lang daw sila."

"Baka naman... you know. May swimming lesson sila ni Circe," sabi ni Mireia na kalalapit lang at narinig ang pinag-uusapan namin. "Alam niyo naman ang dalawang 'yon. Akala mo mga newlyweds pa rin."

"Nagsalita ang parang hindi laging nasa honeymoon stage," pang-aasar sa kaniya ni Lucienne.

"Axel was a virgin for most of his life. Siyempre nasa hayok phase pa siya hanggang ngayon at ako ang mapalad na alay ng mundo sa kaniya."

Parehas na umakto kami ni Kuya Domino na nasusuka. We've been around these women, but I don't think any of us will ever get used to them talking about any of our siblings and their... escapades.

"Naalala ko lang. Maybe Circe was acting differently yesterday because of Tala. She called me to ask for a favor," Belaya shared.

"A favor?" I asked.

"Kailangan bumalik ni Tala sa Siargao para makipag-usap kay Ashton. She's pregnant. My brother Ram flew the jet so that she could go back home."

We let out a collective "ooh" at the news. Tala Natasha is Circe's best friend and surfing coach. She became our friend when Circe came into our lives.

"Why am I not surprised?" nangingiting tanong ko. "Ramdam na ramdam ko talagang may something sa kanila ng yoga instructor na iyon."

"Right? And their cute moment during Circe's wedding." Mireia clasped her hands together. "I told Belaya that there's no way that Ashton hasn't shown Tala the other use for his yoga skills. Mapapa-sana all ka na lang."

It was the moment that Kuya Axel chose to approach us. He clearly heard her because the moment she's within distance, my brother puts a finger on her chin to tip it up so their eyes would meet. "I can show you mine, angel."

Impit na nagtilian ang mga babaeng kasama namin kasama na si Mireia na namula ang mukha habang kami naman ni Kuya Domino ay parang gusto ng tanggalin ang mga tenga at mga mata namin.

Lahat kami ay naagaw ang atensyon nang ingay na nagmumula sa unahanag bahagi ng malawak na garden na kinaroroonan namin. Damian, accompanied by his wife Savannah, finally arrived. Nakasunod sa kanila sina Emeric at Tiara na mga kapatid ni Damian sa ama.

Nangingiting pinanoog ko ang bigla na lang nagtakbuhan na mga bata. They're all focused on one thing, and that is to run straight to where Damian is.

"When the right time comes, they will be the best first time parents in the world," Ember murmured with a smile on her face.

Damian was the son of the former president. His father was known for his crimes and cruelty, but Damian was known for being the opposite. Kaya sa kabila ng nalaman ng mga tao tungkol sa pamilya nila ay nananatiling may tiwala ang publiko kay Damian.

Bukod doon ay kilala rin siya ng maraming mga tao dahil sa mga libro ni Lucienne. Particularly Lia and Kuya Gun's story. Minsan kasing nagpakita ng interes si Damian kay Lia. Mula noon ay hindi na siya naalis sa buhay ng babae at maging namin.

He became the official babysitter for the Dawson Babies. Hindi ko alam kung paano pero hanggang ngayon ay kapag walang mapag-iwanan ang mga sister-in-law ko ay siya ang unang tinatawagan. Hindi naman siya tumatanggi o nagrereklamo. Mukha ngang sanay na sanay na siya to the point na kapag ang tagal nilang hindi nakikita ni Savannah ang mga bata ay sila pa ang nagtatanong kung kailan babalik ang mga iyon.

"Mas marami pang bisitang mga bata si Damian kesa sa mga matatanda," natatawang sabi ko.

"I can't blame him," Lia voiced out. "His circle isn't exactly the greatest."

"That is true."

Mukha tuloy children's party ang birthday niya na ginanap dito sa bahay nila. Makukulay ang dekorasyon na nakakalat sa paligid at maraming pagkain na patok sa mga bata lalo na ang dessert table na kanina pa iniikutan ng mga pamangkin ko.

"Do you think they want one?" tanong ni Belaya. "Not that there's something wrong if they don't."

"They're trying." Binigyan kami ng maliit na ngiti ni Lia. "Sav's open about it, and she doesn't mind talking about it. They've been trying, but it's hard for them. There's also been a couple of times that they almost..." Something crossed her eyes. Pain that doesn't only sympathize, but also empathize. "But I guess the right times haven't come just yet."

I forced myself to smile. I might have come from a big family, and I loved how they created their own huge circus, but I never really thought about having my own. I was too busy, and it's not really something that is a priority. Until recently. Ganoon naman kasi ata. Hindi mo pa ma-re-realize kung gaano kaimportante ang isang bagay hanggang sa malagay ka sa isang sitwasyon na wala na iyon sa'yo.

Even if Magnus and I have a different kind of relationship, having children might be difficult for me. It's not impossible, but it wouldn't be easy. But since we are in a situation we're in, it's not like we can just decide to suddenly try and see how low that chance could be.

"I'm going to refill this." Inangat ko ang baso ko ng watermelon shake. "Do any of you need anything?"

"Wine," sabay-sabay na sagot ng mga babae.

I rolled my eyes. "I'll get a whole bottle."

Nilagpasan ko ang mga bata na kasalukuyang nakikipag-wrestling kay Damian at kay Emeric na nakahiga na sa damuhan. Dumiretso ako sa loob ng malaking bahay at tinungo ko ang kusina kung saan nila tinambak ang mga alcoholic drinks. Children's party talaga. Paunahing pandangal pa nga ata ni Damian ang mga bata kesa ang iilang mga taong may koneksyon sa politika na inimbita niya.

I grabbed the first bottle of wine I saw, and I carried it out of the kitchen. Pabalik na sana ako sa labas nang saktong bumukas ang pintuan at pumasok doon si Magnus na may dalang ilang kahon ng donuts.

His eyes narrowed a bit when he saw what I was holding. Pinaikot ko ang mga mata ko bago pa niya maisipang sermonan ako. "Hindi para sa akin ang mga 'to. Ako lang ang nag-volunteer kumuha."

"Good." He walked towards me, and I felt my face heat up when he leaned down to kiss my cheek. "I bought you your pink donuts."

Circe and Kuya Coal aren't the only ones acting weird. In fact, Magnus might be acting weirder.

There's something different about him. Pati ang pakikitungo niya sa akin ay iba. The Magnus I knew before I married him was already different from the one I married. But these past few weeks, he has become more different.

He's more gentle... and I don't know. It's like he's everywhere I go. Obviously, not just because we're living together. Matagal naman na kaming nagkasama pero may iba akong nararamdaman.

"What's with pink donuts anyway? Ang alam ko chocolate ang paborito mo?" tanong niya.

"Chocolate nga. But Ella told me to try fun things, not just the things I love. Kung favorite ko raw ang chocolate, mag-try ako ng iba na mas cute at mukhang masaya. She said I should try wearing mismatched colors just to see the reactions of others. I already wear a lot of colors, but she said it looks too perfect, and being a bit chaotic could be fun too."

The corner of his lips tipped up. "Should I be jealous of her? Kapag siya ang nagsasalita sumusunod ka kaagad."

"She's a friend."

"I'm your husband."

I blinked at him. "She's a child, and she's cuter than you." Natatawang inangat niya ang mga kamay niya bilang tanda ng pagsuko. I, again, rolled my eyes before I looked down at the boxes he's still carrying. "Bakit ang dami mo namang binili? And by the way, when I mentioned it earlier, I didn't mean that you should go out and buy it instantly."

I just mentioned it in passing when I saw the dessert table when we arrived. Sabi ko lang naman ay sayang na walang pink donuts na may sprinkles dahil gusto ko pa naman sana no'n. Nagulat na lang ako na nagpaalam siya bigla at umalis dahil bibili raw siya.

"You said you wanted it," he explained simply.

"Porke ba nagustuhan ko ibibigay mo?"

He held my eyes, and without looking away, he answered, "If it's within my power, yes."

This is what I'm talking about. What makes it feel different with him. He'll say things or do things that he doesn't normally do. Kahit na mas iba ang nakilala kong Magnus nang magpakasal kami kesa sa supladong Magnus na lagi akong tinatakbuhan kapag hinaharot ko siya noon ay mas lalong may iba sa kaniya nitong mga nakaraan.

Before, it was like he was in control. Like he's always trying to stop himself. Kapag nag-uusap kami nararamdaman ko na parang hindi niya sinasabi ang lahat sa akin. He confuses me when that happens, but I get used to it. I just chuck it as him reminding himself that he doesn't need to share everything with me since we're just married on paper.

But nowadays, it's like he's unrestrained. As if he came to a conclusion and decided to stop trying to keep everything in a tight hold.

"Ewan." Nagpakawala ako ng malalim na hininga. "Tara na bago pa tayo hanapin ng mga iyon."

Magkasabay na naglakad kami palabas ng garden kung saan nagkakasiyahan pa rin ang mga tao. Damian and Emeric are no longer sprawled on the grass, but they're both running after children without a care in the world.

Lumapit ako sa kinaroroonan ng mga babae habang si Magnus naman ay nagtungo sa dessert table para ibaba ang mga dala niya.

"Dumating na pala si hubby bear mo," sabi ni Lucienne na siyang umabot sa bote na dala ko. "May nakalap akong tsismis tungkol sa inyo."

I have a feeling I know where this is going. "It's probably been exaggerated."

"Weh? So hindi ka nagselos nang may humaharot sa asawa mo at tinalunan mo siya para ipakita sa babaeng iyon kung sino ka sa buhay ni Sir Magnus?"

"Hindi." Nang akmang aangal siya ay nagpatuloy ako, "Hindi ko siya tinalunan. Natapilok lang ako."

"So hindi rin totoo na hanggang sa makapirma ng kontrata si Vixen Wilder ay nakaupo ka sa kandungan ng boss namin?"

Kasabay ng kantiyawan nila ay ang pag-iinit ng buong mukha ko. I can feel the blood creeping down my neck, and it's probably spreading above my chest. I'm not the kind of person who blushes profusely, and now here I am.

I've been trying not to make a big deal of that night. Magnus hates being flirted with. Kaya nga ako ang major stress niya noon dahil wala akong ginawa kundi landiin siya. He probably just found an opportunity to get away from that woman's claws, and that is by using me as his shield.

"No comment," I grumbled.

The women let out a shriek. Nagtutulakan pa si Belaya at Mireia na akala mo ay may nakakakilig na palabas silang pinapanood.

"Nakakainis. Kukuha dapat ako ng complimentary books ng araw na iyon kaya lang ang lamig kaya tinamad akong maligo." Ngumuso si Lucienne at humalukipkip. "Matanong nga sa mga editor kung meron sa kanilang nag-video. So unfair!"

"Pakipasa sa GC," nakangising sabi ni Mireia na kinindatan ako na ikinabuntong-hininga ko na lang. "But seriously? Her pen name is Vixen Wilder? That's like a porn—" Hindi niya natuloy ang sasabihin niya nang ma-realize niya kung nasaan kami. There are too many little ears around us. "Corn starch. It sounds like a corn starch's name."

I shrugged. "She's an erotic writer." Nginuso ko si Lucienne. "Iyan ngang isang 'yan gore writer pero ang pen name parang pang erotic."

Umaktong kumakalmot sa hangin si Lucienne. "Rawr."

Natatawang napailing ako at iniwan ko na muna sila dahil hindi pa rin ako nakakakuha ng inumin ko. Dahil malapit sa dessert table, ang kinaroroonan ng mga shake ay nadaanan ko si Magnus na hindi na nakaalis doon dahil naglapitan ang mga bata sa kaniya na isa-isa na niyang binibigyan ngayon ng donuts.

"Bakit po hindi na lang kami tig-isa ng boxes?" tanong ni Cookie na may hawak na dalawang donuts. "Kaming kids lang din naman po ata ang kakain."

"Because I need to save some for your Tita Luna."

"She likes this too po?" Abrial giggled. "She's not a baby anymore."

"Food is for all ages. Not just babies," Magnus said to her.

"And everyone can be a baby," Arctic said, entering the conversation. "Mimi's my father's kitten, and she's a grown up."

"Why is that?" Aella asked.

Arctic shrugged his little shoulders. "Because girls deserve to be taken care of like they're precious."

Nalulot ang ilong ng bata. "Girls are strong."

"They are, but sometimes they need someone who they don't need to be anything to."

Abrial looked at the sky as if thinking. "I don't understand."

Huminga ng malalim si Arctic. "Even superheroes need to rest too. Girls need time to rest, and they can do that with their person. Like Mimi with Daddy. She can act cute with him, he buys her food that she loves, they hug a lot, and Daddy sometimes will carry her, and her laugh will fill our house."

Halos sabay-sabay na napatingin sila kay Magnus. It was Abrial who spoke first. "Are you like that with Tita Luna too?"

Halatang hindi inaasahan ni Magnus ang tanong ng bata dahil ilang sandaling hindi siya nakasagot. Napapakamot sa pisngi na lumapit ako sa kanila at pinandilatan ko ang mga bata na mga napahagikhik lang.

"Huwag niyong kinukulit ang tito niyo at kulang pa sa tulog 'yan. Shoo!"

Their bell-like laughter echoed around, and they ran away carrying their donuts. Pero bago sila tuluyang makalayo ay may pahabol pa si Aella. "Tita you should be cute too! You're always scary eh!"

"I don't need to be cute! Maganda na ako!" I said loudly so that she could hear.

I felt Magnus stand close to me. Just like me, he's also looking at the direction of the children. "They're like their mothers. Too perceptive."

I scoffed. "Mana kamo sa mga tatay. Mga mahihilig tsumismis."

"At ikaw hindi?" He looked at me closely, probably waiting for me to lie. "You're still doing it right?"

I know the it he's talking about. Nagkibit-balikat ako. "Sometimes."

"Luna—"

"Not all the time. Kayang maghanap ng impormasyon ng mga kapatid ko sa paraan nila. But sometimes I do what needs to be done. Bakit ko pa sila pahihirapan kung kaya ko namang ibigay?"

No one really asked, but it's obvious if you think of it. Walo kaming magkakapatid. Hindi naman pwedeng iwan lang sa pito ng mga magulang ko ang kompanya. Of course, even if I'm not interested in the company, I was given my own share.

Noon ay sinasabi kong binenta ko na ang shares ko. That my brothers bought me out. Kailangan ko rin naman ng pera noon dahil madami akong balak gawin sa buhay ko. My brothers gave me money, however, they don't consider it to be them buying me out. Binigyan lang nila para makapagsimula ako. Technically, I still have my inheritance, and it's been growing because of my brothers.

So para hindi naman ako walang silbi sa kanila ay nagdesisyon akong tumulong paminsan-minsan. I've been somewhat of an informant for them for years. Kapag hindi nila makuha ang isang impormasyon ay ako ang tumutulong sa kanila. The industry I'm in helped me gather a lot of connections, and I know how to use those said connections.

Ethical-wise, it's not really something that a journalist should do. It's a conflict and could compromise the credibility and integrity of a journalist. However, being in fashion became a loophole that I took advantage of. It's not like helping Dagger would be a conflict of interest in what I do.

"You need to be careful."

I let out a sigh. "Stop worrying. I'm not doing anything dangerous. In fact, wala nga akong ginagawa ngayon. I told you, I only do it sometimes."

"Good. Stay that way. I need you safe." Umangat ang kamay niya at inipit niya sa likod ng tenga ko ang buhok ko na tinatangay ng hangin. "I've always seen you pretty, so I haven't had the chance to see you act cute yet. Para namang maranasan ko kung paanong..."

I swallowed the lump in my throat. Parang may sariling utak na bumuka ang mga labi ko para tanungin siya kung ano ang gusto niyang sabihin na halata namang sinadiya niyang bitinin. "Paanong ano?"

"Paanong maging baby ka." His eyes glinted with mischief, and his lips spread into a smile. "Like Arctic said, everyone could be a baby, and I haven't got the experience to have you as mine."

"Ay bongga!" Parehas na napatalon kami ni Magnus at napalingon kay Mireia na nakalapit na pala sa amin. Muling nag-init ang mukha ko nang makita kong nakasunod sa kaniya ang iba pa. "May isa pang mukhang nasa honeymoon stage din dito."

Tuluyan na akong napatakip sa mukha kong nag-aapoy nang nag side step side step pa sila nina Belaya at Lucienne habang kumakanta.

"Baby! Baby! Baby oh!"

______________________________End of Chapter 20.