CHAPTER 60: NEW

MAGNUS' POV

3 years later....

Dumiretso ako ng tayo pagkatapos kong maibaba ang dala ko na bulaklak. I glanced at the man standing beside me, who was quietly looking at the place where his wife lay at rest.

"You really don't want to have yours removed?" Binalingan ko ang lapida kung saan nakaukit ang pangalan niya. Nikolas Clarence Dawson.

Umiling siya. "When the time comes, that is where I prefer to be. Isn't that the same thing for you?"

I looked at the other gravestone next to Liana's. The letters written in gold stand out against the black gravestone that Luna personally selected for herself. "Sometimes when I look back, I still can't believe that she really thought about everything." Napapangiting napailing ako. "But you're right. When the time comes, I want to be buried next to her."

I could feel his eyes on me, but I couldn't look away from the gravestone. A familiar ache grips my heart, but it's something that I've already gotten used to over the years.

"Are you finally going to read it?"

Nagbaba ako ng tingin sa hawak ko na sobre sa naging tanong niya. The envelope is already opened, proving that Luna has already read its contents.

As an answer to his question, I took out the letter inside and unfolded it. Liana's beautiful handwriting greeted me. To the man that my daughter Luna will love someday.

She has been gone for years and I wasn't given the chance to meet her. And yet through this piece of letter, it feels like she's alive and that she's really here to give me her blessing. Something she had given to seven people before me that are now happily living their lives with her sons.

To the man that my daughter Luna will love someday,

If you're reading this, then I guess that it finally came. The moment when someone is brave enough to get through eight strong men just to get to the princess. She's not their prisoner locked in a castle, but instead, she is their most treasured jewel.

It wouldn't be easy for them to give her up. Her brothers and my husband don't even like her being approached by boys in the park. Kahit na nga ba magkakasing-edad lang sila at gusto lang naman nilang makipaglaro kay Luna. But the hard-headed Dawson men are very protective of her because for them, she's a dream come true that has been brought by a rare shooting star that only comes once in a lifetime.

But you know what? I'm not worried. They might give you grief from time to time, but this is not a fight between you and those eight men. It's a fight between them and Luna, and if I'm going to bet, I will bet on her.

I don't think there's anything that exists on this planet that could say no to her. Even if one tries, she will somehow get what she wants in the end. Those men are not an exception. When Luna fall in love, none of them could stop it. Which is why you're here, reading this letter.

There are a lot of words that could be used to describe her. But for me? The moment my husband handed her to me when I gave birth to her, I knew that the perfect word for her was strong. I had seven pregnancies before her, all of them were baby boys. Imagine the millions of boys that Luna needed to fight just to reach the egg and be born? I can already imagine her cute baby face wearing combat armor, beating up everyone that comes her way. I made everyone in the delivery room laugh when I told them that it's probably the reason why she came out of me looking annoyed.

Napatigil ako sa pagbabasa at hindi ko mapigilan ang tawa na kumawala sa akin. The imagery she just gave me was so vivid that I could also imagine it.

She was the most beautiful thing I have ever seen, and I know the rest of the family agrees with me. As I watch them dote on her, even the youngest ones who will sit by her side just to stare at her sleeping face, I know for sure that she was worth the wait.

We have strong men in the family, and they needed someone to protect. But they also need someone who would do the same, and without a doubt, Luna will do that for them. She might be interested in clothes more than the things her brothers are teaching her to defend herself, but only a fool wouldn't see the lengths she would be willing to go to make sure that she can protect the happiness of those around her.

But more than her strength? She's also the most stubborn soul I have ever met, and that is saying something because I have a lot of stubborn children. She hates being given a limit.

There was one time in grade school that she was curious about academic scholarship, so she asked her teacher during class, and her snobby, snotty classmate—her words, not mine—who was the top one in class told her that it would be hard for Luna because it's only given to intelligent students. The next school year, Luna managed to push that student out of the top place and replace her. Once she got her point across, she went back to her original place, which was in the top ten the following year.

Merong ding isang beses during their sports fest. Hindi nila gustong isali si Luna sa race dahil baka matalo sila. Noong mga panahon na iyon ay mas maliit si Luna kumpara sa iba. Luna asked to be moved to a different team, then she joined the race and beat all of them.

If you tell her that she can't do something, she'll do everything to prove a point to show you that you're wrong. She could do everything that she put her mind to. She could conquer the world if that's what she wishes to do. She can have the word in the palm of her hand if that's what she wants. But the thing is, Luna doesn't want the world, she just wants the things that matter. And I have a feeling that you're one of them.

Like I have my own set of worries about my other children, I also have one about her, which is the same thing that I admire about her. Luna might be the youngest in the family, but she can stand on her own. She can withstand anything for those she loves without a single complaint. She's independent in every way, and that includes her pain and struggles. She handles them alone, not letting anyone come near the fortress she built, not to protect herself but to protect others from it.

You know what she said to me after I told them that I have cancer? She said that I didn't need to worry because her brothers would be okay. That it might not seem like it, but one day they will find the same love that their father and I have. When that moment comes, she promised me that I will become a part of it through her. She promised that she would be there every step of the way, and so will I. Dahil hindi niya raw gusto na hindi ako makasama ng mga kapatid niya sa pinakamasayang sandali ng mga buhay nila.

She said that without crying. Hindi niya kinuwestiyon kung bakit ako, kung bakit pamilya pa namin ang nakakaranas ng ganito. She just looks at me, hiding everything, as if she wants to calm my heart.

But I'm her mother. I know her heart is breaking. I know she's scared. But she just watches and watches, only responding to what we need. Kapag kailangan ng maingay, mag-iingay siya. Kapag masyadong malungkot, kukulitin niya ang mga kapatid niya. When I'm in pain, she'll suddenly ask me if I want a spa day, and then she'll kick everyone out so we can have our mother-daughter day. When she could feel her father's fear, she'd ask him to go out with him and bring him somewhere where she knew that he could breathe for awhile.

Our family is bleeding, but she keeps patching us up tirelessly. Again and again and again.

Pero paano siya? Paano kapag nahihirapan na siya? She loves her father and her brothers, but there is no way that she'll show them her pain. She will not add her struggles to theirs. Because she might give them a little sister to protect, someone to laugh with, someone who will listen, someone who will be there as constant as the moon above, but her pain will be hers alone because she will make sure that it will be.

I want her to understand that the safest place in this world is in the arms of the one who is willing to share both pain and beauty with her. And I wish that it could be you, her safe place. Where she can cry, she can be in pain, she can be weak, she can be breakable, and in the end, as long as she's with you, as long as she's holding your hand, it will be okay. She might hide from the rest of the world, but I wish that with you she can be just her. That despite the chaos and the wreckage, in you she'll find her sanctuary. Because everyone needs a place like that. A place where one can start to heal.

This thing we call life... it's too fragile, too fleeting. Everything passes by so quickly. But I hope that with Luna, the love you have for each other will show you that life isn't about having a lot of years together. It's not about how much grain is left in the hourglass or how long the clock will run. Life is when you forget that there is time. It's when a second could feel like a million years because each moment you have with each other is so full and rich. 

But with my own remaining time, with all I have left, I am praying that she'll get to spend as many years as she wants to have with you. I wish that, just like I did, she gets to experience a fulfilling life. To hear the words of her heart be answered by another, to see the love she witnessed through her father and me be reflected in the eyes of the person she chose to be with, and for her light to always be cherished and protected.

Be with her, even if it's hard. Hold her hand, even if life is trying to pull you away from each other. Stand by each other, even if it's excruciatingly painful. Because loving her, you should know by now, that there's no greater pain than the idea of not having anything to fight for. Of not having her.

To the man that my daughter Luna will love someday... please give her the best life that she deserves. As her mother, who loved her the very moment I felt her first sign of life, thank you. Thank you for giving our little moonbeam a place where she can safely shine as brightly as she can and a home where she can rest her heart.

This is my last letter. The last one for my last love. Writing this, I feel at ease knowing that all the hopes and wishes I have have been granted, even if I couldn't be there to see them come true. Just knowing that my letters eventually fell into the rightful hands... it brings me peace.

Love,

Liana Irene Dawson

Humugot ako ng malalim na hininga nang marating ko ang dulo ng sulat. My eyes flickered at Luna's gravestone, and it took every bit of my strength not to crumble under the weight of what I'm feeling.

"She had a way with words."

I cleared my throat and nodded. "She did."

"Luna took after her, you know? Liana is unstoppable and as stubborn as Luna. They don't just share the same face. They also have the same personalities. So I wouldn't be surprised if, up there, she's creating havoc just to make sure that her babies will find the best ones."

"She said in the letter that I should give Luna the life she deserves." Nilingon ko siya at sinalubong ko ang mga mata niya. "Nagawa ko po ba?"

Nakangiting tinapik niya lang ang balikat ko. We stayed over for a few more minutes. I have a feeling that he needs it too.

Parehas na tahimik lang kami sa biyahe. Over the years, I got the chance to get to know him. It took awhile for him to go back to the way he was before. There were moments when things still confused him, like when the loopholes in his memories were sometimes colliding with the things that had been fabricated. But he has his family, he has us, and it helps.

He's working back at Dagger, but according to Thorn, not as much as before. Gusto rin nila kasing makapagpahinga ang ama nila. Isa pa ay hindi naman maiinip ang matandang Dawson. He has a lot of grandchildren that he spends most of his time with.

We reached the destination, and I parked the car easily. Bumaba kami at maglalakad na sana kami papasok ng may lumapit sa amin na lalaki na may dala na bungkos ng lobo.

"Kayo po ba ang ama ng birthday celebrant?" nakatingin sa akin na tanong niya. "Ito po iyong pinadedeliver—" Hindi niya natapos ang sasabihin niya nang may tumawag sa kaniya na isa pang lalaki na may hawak na clipboard. Bumaling siya sa akin at basta na lang inabot sa akin ang mga lobo. "Sandali lang po. Balikan ko po kayo."

The senior Dawson chuckled as he reached for the balloon. "You go inside first. Ako na ang bahala rito."

I know someone who's birthday is today but I doubt that she needs balloons with Cocomelon characters on them. Unless prank iyon ni Trace.

I stepped inside the establishment, and as if on cue, everything erupted into motion. It's rare for me to be surprised, but I found myself almost jumping to my feet when music blasted so loudly that I could feel it ringing in my ears.

White confetti rained everywhere, making it almost impossible to see anything, and a huge poster of what seemed to be a printed document descended slowly from above. A woman appeared out of nowhere and handed me a marker pen before leaving without a word.

"Hey, boy. Look, I'm gonna make this simple for you."

Napakurap ako nang bumukas ng bahagya ang kulumpol ng mga tao sa unahan na nakatalikod sa akin at iniluwa niyon ang taong hindi ko inaasahang makita.

"You got two choices. Yes, or yes!"

I was frozen to the spot when the crowd who had their backs to me turned to face my direction and started moving their bodies in time with the music. The choreography didn't look easy, and with the way they are nearly colliding with each other, it's not supposed to be danced by fifteen people, with half of them taking up a lot more space than the rest.

The woman in the center wasn't the only one singing this time. Dahil sumabay na rin sa kaniya ang mga kasama niya. The others looking more reluctant than the others. "Ah-ah-ah, ah-ah. Dul junge hanaman golla yes or yes? Ah-ah-ah, ah-ah, ah-ah Hanaman seontaekae eoseo yes or yes?"

Naramdaman kong may bahagyang tumulak sa akin at nang lumingon ako ay nakita ko ang mga empleyado ng lugar na inilalapit ako sa mga nagsasayawan at nagkakantahan.

If one sees me at this moment, they will probably see a mixture of shock, hilarity, and astonishment on my face. Shock, because I didn't expect this. I didn't know how this was planned and how they had the time to practice. Hilarity, because who wouldn't find the situation hilarious? Bigay todo ang mga babae habang ang mga lalaking Dawson ay parang gusto ng tumalon sa pinakamalapit na bangin para lang matakasan nila ang pinapagawa sa kanila. Maliban na lang siguro kay Trace na feel na feel ang pagsayaw na para bang nawawala siyang miyembro ng Twice, the girl group that has always been involved in this kind of thing.

But that's the thing. This only happens during proposals and no one is proposing today.

"You better tell me yes, hubby bear."

Where was I? Astonishment. She will always be the focus of my admiration. Every single day with her fills me with a grateful wonder.

Ibinaba ng babae ang mikropono at hinihingal na huminto siya sa harapan ko. I was surprised that she was here. She wasn't supposed to be here in the first place. Hindi naman kami rito dapat magkikita.

"Sabi ko sa mga kapatid ko kapag hindi ka nag-yes, sasayawin namin lahat ng hits ng Twice."

"Maawa ka, pareng Magnus." Pinagsalikop ni Trace ang mga kamay niya. "Masakit na ang mga tuhod ng mga kuya namin—aray!"

Humalukipkip si Pierce na siyang bumatok sa lalaki. "Parang kanina lang nagrereklamo ka na masakit ang balakang mo ah?"

"Professional ako 'no. Kahit More & More pa. Mas mahirap sayawin 'yon."

Naiiling na inabot ko ang kamay ng babae habang nagtatalo ang mga magkakapatid na Dawson at iginaya ko siya sa malaking puting poster. It has a mock design of a marriage certificate. Wala ng isang salita pa na pinirmahan ko iyon at pagkatapos ay nilingon ko ang babae. "Of course it's a yes, LA. We're already getting married today. Kahit ilan pang marriage certificate ang gusto mo, pipirmahan ko."

LUNA'S POV

"Ready?"

Bilang sagot sa tanong ni Kuya Thorn ay inabot ko ang nakalahad niya na kamay at bumaba na ako ng sasakyan kung saan ako naghihintay kanina pa. I felt someone tugging at the long trail of my dress and veil, and I saw my father behind me, making sure that my dress got caught on the car's door.

When he straightened, he winked at me, and a smile immediately curved my lips.

"They're at the hanging bridge," my brother informed me. Napabuntong-hininga siya. "There are two chapels before this one, and you chose the hardest to reach."

"Your sister always likes a challenge." Tumayo sa harapan ko ang ama namin at pinakatitigan niya ako. "Everything set?"

Itinuro ko ang hikaw na suot ko. Belaya's family gave it to me. "I have my something blue and old." Inangat ko ang bouquet ko at ipinakita ko sa kaniya ang naka-clip doon na kulay asul na shark hair clip. "And I borrowed this from Sese."

"You don't have something new?" Sinipat ni Kuya Thorn ang suot ko na puting sapatos. "Are your shoes new?"

"Nope." Ikinawit ko ang mga braso ko sa kanila at iginaya ko na silang maglakad. We have a long trek ahead of us. Dahil katulad ng sabi ni Kuya Thorn kanina ay pinili kong magpakasal sa pinakamahirap na maabot na chapel sa kinaroroonan namin.

Calaruega is known for its church on the hill or the Chapel of Transfiguration. But they also have two more beautiful wedding venues. One is the Don Bosco Chapel on the Hill, and the other is the Tent Chapel of Transfiguration.

I chose the latter because like my father said, I like a challenge. But aside from that, it's for the simple reason that I fell in love with it. It wasn't easy to reach, the long walk makes you want to give up halfway, and it can even trigger your fear what with the hanging bridge feature, and of course the climb to the chapel that seems to take forever. But it reminds me so much of what it took to get me and Magnus here.

It wasn't easy, I wanted to give up, it was frightening, and it feels like it took us forever to get to where we are right now.

"Are you sure that you're okay that you don't have your something new?" Kuya Thorn asked as we walked through the elevated bridge, surrounded by a huge Koi pond. The meditation garden. "Not that I believe that any superstitions will stop this day from happening."

"I didn't say that I don't have a something new. The shoes are not new, but it's not my something new." Nakagitinging nag-angat ako ng mukha sa kaniya. "It's this life."

There were a myriad of emotions that crossed his face. It's been years since all of them thought that I left them for real. I've been brought to the hospital before that, but it wasn't as bad as the last.

Magnus told me that my heart hadn't been beating for a long time. I could have really died. It could have ended there. Our story could have reached its conclusion at that very moment.

I am not a religious person. Not as much as Kuya Axel is. But when I opened my eyes, when I myself believed and accepted that I wouldn't be able to, I felt like it was God telling me that it wasn't my time yet.

"Sometimes it feels too good to be true."

"What is?" my father asked.

"I've been in remission for two years. It's not a long time, and sometimes I feel like I'm just waiting for another ball to drop."

Marahang tinapik niya ang kamay ko na nakakapit sa kaniya. "If it did, we'd be by your side. You'll survive it again."

"I know," I said softly. "That's why it's getting easier to believe."

Hindi ko mapigilan minsan na hindi mag-isip at mag-alala. But it's easier now to push past the noises and focus on the life I was given. It's been three years. One was spent in the war that I've been fighting in for years, while the other two were times of victory. But those three years... they have been a miraculous years of my life. Every day feels like a gift.

"Minsan po kasi akala ng mga tao kapag sinabing miracle dapat makuha nila ang gusto nila. Pero minsan po iyong miracle ay parang ngayon na nandito pa ako. Pwede naman pong wala na ako unang araw pa lang na nalaman na may sakit ako. O iyong kasunod na araw o linggo. Pero nandito pa po ako ngayon. Hindi pa po ba miracle 'yon?"

It's like I could hear Ella's voice telling me those words. She really was the smartest eleven-year-old I have ever met.

We reached the hanging bridge, and Kuya Thorn stopped to look at me. "Ready?" he repeated the same question he asked me just moments ago.

"Kaya pa ba ng tuhod mo?" nang-aasar na tanong ko

Umakto siyang pipitikin ang noo ko pero natatawang yumakap ako sa braso ng ama ko. Kuya let out a sigh of exasperation. "I'll go first. Hihintayin ko kayo sa dulo." Pinaningkitan niya ako ng mga mata. "At kung kaya ng asawa mo, kaya ko rin."

Napuno ang katahimikan ng lugar ng tawa ko. Isa lang ito sa napakaraming katibayan na talagang mahal ako ni Magnus. Kung nagrereklamo na si Magnus sa penthouse namin na may hagdanan, ano pa kaya sa mahabang lakarin na kailangan naming harapin sa araw na 'to?

But Magnus didn't say a peep. I doubt he'll deny me of anything even if I tell him that I want to get married on top of Mt. Everest.

Sabay na umapak kami sa tulay ng ama ko na bahagyang pumusisyon sa harapan ko habang hawak pa rin ang kamay ko para masigurong hindi niya matatapakan ang suot kong damit. It was a short bridge, so it didn't take us long to cross it.

Bumalik sa tabi ko si Kuya Thorn at magkasabay ulit na naglakad kaming tatlo. We were on a rougher path, and the ends of my veil and the beautiful dress that Belaya's aunt gave me were probably getting dirty, but I didn't mind. This was, as everything else is, part of the journey.

We started climbing what seemed to be endless stairs, but I didn't feel even a hint of exhaustion. The sky transformed into breathtaking hues of color as the sun began to set, the breeze was cool on my skin, I could see nature stretching in front of us, and I knew that no matter what, even if rain pours and the earth under our feet trembles, I would marry the man waiting for me at the end of this long walk.

Nasa kalahati na kami ng inaakyat namin nang marinig ko ang pagsimula ng pamilyar na kanta na naghuhudyat sa mga pamilya at mga kaibigan namin ni Magnus ng pagdating ko.

We didn't choose this song. In fact, we would have chosen a classic one if Artic hadn't come to us one day and made me listen to this song that he told me sounded perfect for me and Magnus. Narinig niya raw kasing kinakanta ng crush niya sa school. I think I teared up a little that day, and it wasn't just because of the song but more because of the fact that he's growing up so quickly.

But Arctic was right. He Knows by Almira Lat feels perfect for this day. A song that could be heard being sung by Lia.

He knows it's you I pray for

He knows it's you I pray with

He knows you are my armor

My protector, my relief

He knows you are the music

When silence brings me down

He knows you are the perfect fit

For the soul behind this gown

"Your mother and I didn't get married the conventional way. But I always wondered what she would look like in a wedding gown." Nakangiting nagbaba ng tingin sa akin ang ama ko. "Now I know."

My eyes misted over but I returned his smile. "You think she would have been happy for me?"

"She would have been the happiest, Luna."

And as I walk down the aisle

I couldn't help but smile and cry

Cause he knows just what I needed in this life

Our steps halted as we finally reached the top, where the end of the white carpet was waiting for us. There was a combination of white, yellow, and orange flowers adorning each side of the path leading to the open chapel. Malapit sa kung saan naghihintay ang pamilya ko ay may mga wooden bench na inayos dahil hindi naman kami magkakasiyang lahat sa loob ng chapel. Nandoon ang mga empleyado at mga kaibigan namin ni Magnus. Even Ella's parents are here. They're all wearing a shade of orange, our motif for this day. Where's Magnus, though?

My father leaned down to kiss me on the forehead. He held my eyes for a moment before he gently placed a hand on my cheek. "I am lucky to be given a chance to see and be with you on your wedding day, little moonbeam."

"Thank you, Papa, for coming back just in time."

His breath hitched, but he forced a smile and gave me another kiss before letting me go. Nang magsimula na siyang maglakad papunta sa chapel ay humarap sa akin si Kuya Thorn na inabot ang veil ko na nakaipit sa likod ng ulo ko at inayos niya iyon.

"Kuya?"

"Hmm?"

"Thank you." His head lifted, and our eyes met. "Thank you for everything that you've done for me. We weren't your responsibility pero hindi mo kami pinabayaan. I'm sure it wasn't easy."

"It wasn't. But you don't need to thank me." He tapped my forehead before he stepped forward to give me a soft kiss on the cheek. "It wasn't just me who took on the responsibility of keeping our family going. It's all of us. Hindi magiging posible kung wala kayo. We were only strong because we were together." He inclined his head toward the chapel. "There was someone else who also stayed strong for you. Pull him out of his misery and marry him again already."

I watched him follow our father. As I did, I caught sight of my sisters-in-law, who were all looking at me. Sabay-sabay na kumaway sila sa direksyon ko na natatawang ibinalik ko naman. Lia started singing again at the same time that I finally got a glimpse of my groom.

I realized why I couldn't see him moments ago. Pinalibutan pala siya ng mga kapatid ko at sa hindi malamang kadahilanan ay ipinaloob siya sa isang malaking group hug. My brothers were all his "best man" because he didn't want to choose, and Kuya Trace suggested that they could all just be that for him. Kaya may pito rin ako na matron of honors. I, of course, still have my bridesmaids. I selected a few friends and employees of Dagger.

All we know is He knows and we follow His direction

Even though life is short we'll share forever in salvation

Through this life and beyond we will let His will be done

Cause he knows that I am yours and you are Mine

Lumiwanag ang mukha ni Magnus nang makita niya ako dahilan para lumawak din ang ngiti ko. I started walking the path that would lead me to him, even though I knew that this was just one of the many paths. It doesn't matter what road I take. Each of those will take me to where he is.

He's my end game. The epilogue. The happily ever after.

He knows you are my power

When I'm feeling weak and sick

He knows you are my harbor

That is just within arms reach

He knows us even better

Than we ever know ourselves

He knows that we have differences

But He pulls us back in place

When the roads we take get rough

He knows that we can steer them back

And He's ever there to help us clear the path

The way we spend this life is up to us. Who we choose to spend it with is our choice. But this life is not just ours, and that's what I've realized over the years.

Madaming bagay sa buhay ko ang wala sa mga kamay ko ang desisyon. Things that are not in my power to control. I fought as long as I could. There was even a moment that I wanted to give up, but it was then that life chose to give me hope through Magnus. So I tried to fight again. But in the end, it wasn't about how long I could struggle and keep myself afloat. It wasn't about accepting that I couldn't anymore and giving up. It was about surrendering. In accepting that He has a plan greater than what I could have imagined.

All we know is He knows and we follow His direction

Even though life is short we'll share forever in salvation

Through this life and beyond we will let His will be done

Cause he knows that I am yours and you are Mine

We have made some mistakes

But He's there to tidy up our mess

We are blessed by His embrace

We serve together through His Grace

Magnus once said to me that a second could be our eternity. He was right. It doesn't matter if we just have a few years or if we'll have twenty more. Any of those could be our forever, and we are just only starting.

And I know and you know that He knows and it shows

And with faith our love withstood the blows

'Coz He knows that only you can see me through

And because of this I give you my "I do"

Hindi pa man nagagawang tapusin ni Lia ang huling mga salita ng kanta ay nagawang tawirin ni Magnus ang natitirang distansya sa pagitan namin. At the next moment, I was engulfed by his strong arms.

"You missed me already?" I teased.

"I always miss you." Naramdaman ko ang mga labi niya sa balikat ko. "Is this really happening, or am I dreaming?"

Ikinulong ko ang mukha niya sa mga kamay ko. "This is real, hubby bear. We're really here. The first time we got married, though it was out of love, it was more for my family. The second one, though we wanted it, we were rushing things because I was dying. Now that we waited for a time that felt right... we finally arrived."

His eyes glossed over, but he nodded. Inabot niya ang kamay ko at hawak iyon na iginaya niya ako sa harapan ng chapel.

There was no giving away of the bride. There was no need to, and my family knows that. Magnus has taken ownership of everything that is me the way he has become mine through all this time.

Kuya Trace clapped his hands loudly. "Group hug ulit!"

Sa pagkakataon na ito ay pati ako sinama nila sa group hug. Hindi rin nakaligtas si Papa at si Kuya Thorn. Lalong lumaki ang group hug namin nang mula sa kung saan ay nagsulputan ang mga hipag ko at yumakap din sa amin.

Mama, are you watching? Our family's bigger now. We have more to love, and more to love us. And all of them know you. They remember you even if they haven't had the chance to meet you.

We stopped in front of the priest who would deliver the sermon. Without letting go of each other's hands, Magnus and I received the words being given to us.

"Luna Alondra Dawson-Aquillan and Magnus Aquillan, have you come here to enter into marriage without coercion, freely, and wholeheartedly?"

Magkasabay na sumagot kami ni Magnus. "Yes, Father."

"In here, in the presence of God and this sacred assembly, we are bearing witness to these two hearts who are seeking for the church's blessing to sanctify their Holy Matrimony." He gestured to Magnus and I's intertwined hands, symbolizing what his words are conveying. "The path you took to get here is not without adversity. It wasn't without struggle. But through finding a friend to each other, a life partner, a companion, the half of your whole, all of it became possible."

I shared a smile with my husband, who squeezed my hand. Our life together feels like it's full of impossibilities. But like the priest said, it became possible because we have each other.

"Magnus Aquillan, do you accept Luna Alondra Dawson-Aquillan to be your wife, to live together as friends and mates? 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?"

"Without a doubt, Father, I do."

"Luna Alondra Dawson-Aqillan, do you accept Magnus Aquillan to be your husband, to live together as friends and mates? 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?"

These are questions I have heard before. While I do understand that it's an easy question to answer, it is only now that I realize the weight of it. Magnus and I are already married, and yet this feels surreal.

When we first got married, it's like the scripted vows just went in one ear and went out the other. I married him knowing that there's an end. But now I'm marrying him, not thinking of how we will end, but rather I'm thinking about the future just waiting ahead of us.

It feels overwhelmingly different, and yet the answer remains the same. There's only one answer that feels right.

"I do, Father."

The ceremony moved forward, and it wasn't long until the time for the rings arrived. Pero dahil suot na namin ang mga singsing namin ay hindi na kailangan iyon. Sa halip ay may inilabas si Magnus mula sa bulsa niya, bagay na napag-usapan na namin.

He reached for my hand, and he clasped one of the two bracelets that Ella made for the two of us. Bracelets that have the letters LUMA on them.

"Luna Alondra Dawson-Aquillan, you were the most annoying person that I have ever met in my life." Hindi lang ako ang napatawa sa sinabi niya kundi ang mga kaibigan at mga pamilya namin na nakarinig. "You like making your presence known in my life, even though back then I would rather that you didn't. But nothing can stop you. Nothing in this world could have stopped you from making me yours. Your bright eyes full of mischief keep appearing in my mind, your voice, your smile, your laughter—everything about you has become the most beautiful disturbance in my life. Trying not to see you and to feel anything for you is the most exhausting thing that I have ever experienced. It's like fighting gravity, the apocalypse, and the ruin of the whole galaxy all at the same time. You fell first, like you said. But then I fell harder. Laban sa'yo, wala akong tiyansa na manalo. And now, it's something that I know for sure that I will willingly lose at. Dahil wala na akong balak pigilan ang puso ko na mahalin ka."

"I thought I knew what it's like to be in love. I thought I'd seen it enough in the pages of the books that I've read, and there was once that I thought that I'd felt it myself. But with you, I realized that I was living a life with a blindfold on. Only when you barged into my life that I finally started to see that I haven't gotten to know it yet, because I still haven't had you."

He brushes the beaded bracelet with his thumb. "Life has its own plans for us. The way it brought us together was unorthodox. Araw-araw nagpapasalamat ako na kasama kita, pero hindi ko maiwasang hindi humiling pa. Konti pang panahon na mahalin ka, konti pa na malaman mo rin na mahal kita, konti pang panahon na maiparamdam ko sa'yo paulit-ulit na mahal kita."

"I haven't told you this, but I've been visiting your mother since that night that I got drunk with your brothers. The heaven and your mother have shown miracles to your brothers. I begged for the same thing. Paulit-ulit kong hiniling, paulit-ulit akong nakiusap, na huwag ka muna nilang kunin sa akin. But as I watch you struggle, as I watch you be in pain, I can't help but think that maybe I was being selfish by wanting to keep you. But that's the thing. I could handle everything, I could face anything, but I can't look at a world without you in it. It's the only thing that I can't be strong enough for."

"Your love was the most beautiful thing I have ever experienced. Your love is resolute and constant. Your love is brave and strong. Your light, your love, your heart—all of that makes you my Luna, I vow to protect them, may it be in this life or the next."

"In me, you will always find a place where you could be anything. You can scream and cry. You can laugh and smile. You can be the badass boss that you are, or you can be my LA, who curls on my side as if it's the best place to be. You can panic buy when someone annoys you. You can feed me your salmonella-filled sandwiches. You can leave as many Edward Cassius Cullen notes on my work computer. You can take everything that I own and make it yours. Anything. You will always have me. You will always have all of me. Lagi lang akong nandito para maging kakampi mo. Lagi lang akong nasa tabi mo kapag gusto mong magtago sa mundo. When the world is being cruel or when life is too painful, I'll be anything that you need. When the world feels like it's against you, I'll be beside you to create another one that is just ours. And if the day comes that one of us takes our last breath, I promise that I will still be holding your hand even then. Because I promised you, didn't I? I want to share this life with you. Every part of it... until the very last second that we will get to have. "

"I thank God that out of all the stars in the sky, He gave me the moon. One that shines the brightest even in the dark. No matter where life takes you, no matter how fast the time sometimes feels for us, I promised to fill every second with the love that you deserve to have, because you're it for me. My only love, the only one that I will always choose against my precious sleep, my annoying brat, my bride, my wife... my LA. 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."

I feel like I was drowning, not just from the tears but also from the surge of love that surrounded my heart at his words. I've known him for a long time. I spent a lot of years with him. And yet, every day feels new. Every day, I keep falling for him, just like the first time.

Huminga ako ng malalim bago ko inabot ang kamay niya at isinuot ko sa kaniya ang bracelet. My hands were trembling that it took me forever to clasp it on him. When I was done, he instantly enveloped my hands in his as if he knew that I needed it.

"Magnus Aquillan, I fell in love with you at first sight. You don't know me, not even my name. You have feelings for another person, and that's clear as a day to me. But I never back down from a challenge. Especially when I know that the fight is worth it. I knew it wouldn't be easy. Not when you're the kind of person who's very honest with your feelings. Pero hindi ako nawalan ng pag-asa na makikita mo rin ako. Kasi wala naman akong planong hindi mo ako makita. Wala akong plano na makalimutan mo ako kahit isang segundo lang."

"They said that a way to a man's heart is through his stomach. Kapag pinagluto kita ay lalo akong hindi makakarating sa puso mo. Pero ikaw makakarating sa ospital." He threw his head back and laughed, and I couldn't help but join in. "A way to Magnus Aquillan's heart is through annoying him. And it worked, didn't it?"

"You're hardworking, you care so much even if you don't want anyone to see it, you're one of the smartest people I've ever met, and you're fiercely loyal. The more I get to know you, the more I love you. I love you so much that I couldn't let you go, even during those times that I should have. I convinced myself that it was okay. I can have you stay with me even though you can't love me. That you shouldn't. I just selfishly want to spend my counted days beside you. Gusto ko lang mahalin ka kahit na hindi mo ako pwedeng mahalin pabalik. Na hindi pwede. Kasi kapag minahal mo ako, masasaktan kita. I didn't want to break your heart, something that I've been wanting since the moment I first saw you. But life pulled a giant plot twist on me. You started showing that you love me. But still, I keep denying it. Until you couldn't hide the words anymore. Until you finally set everything you've been hiding free."

"You said that my love is resolute and constant. That it's brave and strong. But my love has no match against yours. Or maybe... they're the perfect complement for each other. Your love is unrestrained. You love without reservation. Your love is unyielding."

"I don't know how I could have survived everything if not for you. You believed in me when I couldn't anymore. You always see a hundred percent chance of winning, when I can't even see one percent. You understand my heart more than anyone. You know what I'm thinking without me even telling you. Your eyes follow my every movement the way your heart follows every beat of mine."

"I know that it hasn't been easy for you, Mags. Hindi lang ako ang nahirapan. Ikaw din. Hindi lang ako ang nasaktan. Ikaw din. I'm so sorry for breaking your heart countless times. I understand how much it hurt you to watch me go through all that I did. Alam ko rin na marami pa tayong laban na kakaharapin. But if there's one thing that I could promise you, it's that I will try. I will always try to fight for this life because this life has you in it."

"Thank you for loving me the way you do. You said you made me wait, but I've been doing the same. You have been patient, Mags. You've given me everything that I needed, even things I didn't ask for. When my heart feels cold, you are there to give me warmth. When I couldn't move, when I was too weak to do anything, you were there. When I couldn't stand, you didn't just lift me up, you carried me. And when it's so hard to hold on to anything, you hold my hand without letting go."

"I have died, and I was given another life. Just to be with you. Just to have this one more chance. Ilang beses akong bumitaw habang hawak mo ako. Ilang beses kitang muntik iwan. This time, I'll do better. I'll fight better. This time, I won't just fight for myself. I'll fight for us. I'll survive for us. I'll live every day not just for me, but also for you, my first and last love, my grumpy gramps, my hubby bear. 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."

After saying the last words of my vow, I threw my arms up his shoulders. Natatawang ikinawit niya ang mga braso niya sa bewang ko at hinapit niya ako. Pero nang yumuko siya para halikan ako ay bahagya kong inilayo ang mukha ko para lang lingunin ang pari na nakangiting pinapanood kami.

"Okay na ba, Father?" tanong ko at nag-thumbs up pa ako.

Napapailing na nag-thumbs up din siya pabalik. "Now that Magnus Aquillan and Luna Alondra Dawson-Aquillan 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. Magnus Aquillan, you may now kiss the bride."

The claps and the deafening cheers were all drowned out by Magnus' kiss, which, as always, demands my full attention. Iyon nga lang ay napilitan kaming maghiwalay nang bigla na lang dumagundong ang langit kasabay ng pagguhit ng kidlat doon.

"Ayan. Malalaswa kasi kayo," pang-aasar ni Kuya Trace. "Tara na! Ang layo pa ng lalakarin natin bago tayo makakain."

"Hanggang sa kasal ng kapatid mo PG ka pa rin," napapalatak na sabi ni Lucienne.

"Pagka-gwapo?"

"Asa. Patay-gutom na Piggy." Tumingin sa langit si Lucienne. "And FYI, blessing 'yan kaya tigilan mo si Luna."

"Ulan ang blessing. Katulad sa kasal namin ng princess ko."

"Mas malaking blessing 'yan kasi may kasalamang kidlat at kulog. O kaya si Mama Dawson 'yan na nagsasabi na kapag hindi ka tumahimik, tatamaan ka na sa kaniya."

I giggled while Magnus buried his laughing face in my neck. Kahit kailan talaga 'tong pamilya ko.

"Tara na?" tanong niya.

Bago ko pa masagot ang tanong niya ay bigla na lang nagbagsakan ang malalaking patak ng ulan. Napasigaw ang mga bisita namin at lahat sila ay nagsiksikan sa loob ng maliit na chapel. Uh oh.

We have a long trek ahead of us, and it's raining buckets. Idagdag pa na kanina pa lumubog ang araw. Kahit pa sabihin na may mga nagkalat na liwanag dahil sa mga ilaw na ikinabit para sa daraanan sana namin pabalik ay dahil sa lakas ng ulan, halos hindi makita iyon.

But I didn't feel any panic, even though chaos was erupting around us. "Hubby bear?"

"Hmm?"

"Tulog o ako?"

Bahagya siyang yumuko. "Ikaw at walang matutulog ngayong gabi."

Napangisi ako. "Good answer." Hinawakan ko ang kamay niya. "Let's go?"

His eyes widened a little, but he understood what I meant. I gathered the ends of my dress, and without alerting everyone, Magnus and I both ran out of the rain.

Habnag tumatakbo ay nilingon ko ang pamilya ko na nakangangang nakatingin sa amin. "Ipapasarado ko ang reception kapag wala kayo in thirty-minutes. Bye!"

"Ano pang iniintay niyo mga tropa?!" sigaw ni Kuya Trace. "Sugod!"

_________________________________End of Chapter 60.