DS8Uncovered #LuMa #BearCouple #DaggerSeries

A/N: Ito ay after ng wedding nila Luna. Add lang nang add ng months and years :) 

EPILOGUE

Days and weeks and months and years passed by, one after another. There's calmness and stillness despite the continuous flow of change. There are new hellos and new goodbyes. May it be age, youth, time, or life itself. Like leaves falling, pages turning, clock ticking, the shift of a season, rain finally stopping, a coat being hung, shoes on the doorsteps, a closing of a book, and to finally put down the dagger who has fought its battles.

LUCIENNE'S POV

4 months later ...

"Ano bang nangyayari sa'yo? Kanina ka pa tayo nang tayo riyan."

Pinaningkitan ko lang ng mga mata si Trace at pagkatapos ay bumalik ako sa pagsilip sa bintana. May inaabangan kasi ako na dumating.

"May iniintay ka na naman sigurong delivery ano? Shopee? Lazada? Tiktok Shop?"

Napanguso ako nang hindi huminto ang sasakyan na natanaw ko. Kamukha ng kotse nila eh. Akala ko naman sila na.

Being his usual annoying self, lumapit si Trace sa kinaroroonan ko at nakisilip din siya sa bintana. Nang hindi pa siya nakuntento ay siniksik niya pa ako dahilan para halos wala na akong makita dahil di hamak na mas malaki ang sakop niya na espasyo kesa sa akin.

Nagpalingon-lingon siya bago bumulong, "Ang sabi sa akin ni Domino, no'ng minsan daw siyang pumunta rito nakapila ang mga rider sa labas sa dami mong inorder online. May padating ka ngayon 'no at ayaw mong malaman ni Kuya Thorn? Gusto mo akong tumambay sa labas para abangan ko?"

Sa lahat ng kapatid ni Thorn ay si Trace ang lagi kong nakakabangayan. Pero siya rin naman ang kadalasan ko na partner in crime. Kahit nga dis oras ng gabi, kapag natripan ko siyang utusan at alam kong nasa opisina pa siya ay dinadala niya kaagad sa bahay kung anuman ang ipabili ko kahit na nga ang dami niyang reklamo.

Nakasanayan na lang din talaga namin na mag-asaran. Kung ibang tao siguro ang iisipin ay hindi kami nagkakasundo. Pero ang totoo niyan, parehas lang talagang hindi kompleto ang araw namin kapag hindi namin naiinis ang isa't isa. Saka responsibilidad ko na bawasan ang kahanginan niyang mabilis mapuno.

Bumuka ang bibig ko para sana sagutin ang tanong niya pero hindi ko na nagawang ituloy iyon nang makarinig ako ng busina. My heart jumped excitedly and I looked around to find my husband, only to see that he's already at the front door to open it.

"I'm confused," kunot ang noo na sabi ni Trace. "Anong meron?"

Bahagya ko siyang itinulak papunta sa sala kung saan kaniya-kaniya ng puwesto ang iba pa naming pamilya. "Doon ka muna."

"Bakit nga?"

Pinanlakihan ko siya ng mga mata at hinila ko siya papunta sa sofa. "Sit." Sa kabila ng sari-saring emosyon na umiikot sa akin ay hindi ko napigilan ang sarili ko nang basta na lang siyang umupo. Inilahad ko ang kamay ko sa kaniya. "Paw."

Iaangat na sana ni Trace ang kamay niya pero natigilan siya na ikinangisi ko. Nanaig pa rin ang pagiging tao. Sayang.

"Kapag talaga naaprubahan ang divorce sa Pilipinas, i-fo-forge ko ang pirma ni Kuya Thorn," banta niya sa akin.

Binelatan ko siya. "Magpapakasal lang kami ulit at hindi ka namin iimbitahin."

The senior Dawson, Nikolas, shook his head before he took a sip of his coffee. He once told me that I reminded him of Trace. Hindi na raw siya nagtataka na para kaming aso't pusa. Buti na lang ang cool ng tatay ni Thorn at willing siyang magpakulit sa amin ng mga bata anytime kaya lagi namin siyang ka-bonding. Kung hindi baka na-offend na ako.

Tumabi sa kaniya si Ember na marahang tinapik ang balikat niya nang mukhan may sasabihin pa ang lalaki na ikahahaba lang ng pag-aasaran namin. Trace pouted and crossed his arms. Pagdating sa prinsesa niya eh wala naman siyang laban.

"Pero bakit nga ba parang kanina ka pa hindi mapakali, Lush?" Si Belaya ang nagsalita na nakaupo sa kandungan ng asawa niya. Kahit ano kasing laki ng bahay at kahit gaanong kadaming upuan ay talaga namang lumaki na ang pamilya namin ng sobra. Lalo na at may mga bata pa. "At bakit ka nag-aya ng dinner?"

"Hindi niyo rin alam kung bakit tayo nandito?" tanong ni Circe.

"Hindi," sagot ni Belaya. "Basta ang sabi ni Lucienne magdadala raw ng pagkain si Lia kaya hindi na kami nagtanong."

Nagtanguhan ang iba pang mga babae. The men seem to be in agreement too. Kahit ata saang lupalop ng mundo, kapag sinabi kong magluluto si Lia kaya pumunta sila ay walang tanong-tanong na pupunta nga sila.

"So bakit nga tayo nandito?" Tumingin sa akin si Mireia. "Lush?"

Huminga ako ng malalim. This is it pansit. "May surprise kasi kami sa inyo."

"Hala ka." Ekseharadong napatakip sa bibig niya si Trace. "Maghihiwalay na talaga kayo ni Kuya Thorn?"

"Akala ko unggoy lang ang dumadaan sa evolution, pati aso pala. Mukha ka na kasing kuto sa paningin ko. Ang sarap mong tirisin."

He snorted, and I rolled my eyes at him. I opened my mouth to continue what I was saying, when the door opened. The second time around, newlyweds Luna and Magnus strolled in, followed by my husband. As if he could feel my stare, Thorn turned to meet my eyes.

Something passed between us. Bahagyang namasa ang mga mata ko at sa isang iglap ay nasa tabi ko na siya para hapitin ako palapit sa kaniya.

"What..." Napatayo bigla na tinuro ni Trace ang karga ni Luna. "What's that? Is that... is..."

"A baby," Luna said simply.

"You gave birth? Kailan? Kanina? Kahapon?" Nilingon ni Trace ang iba pa niyang mga kapatid pero maliban kay Thorn ay lahat din sila ay mukhang litong-lito sa nangyayari. "Wait. Every week tayong nagkikita pero hindi ka naman mukhang buntis."

"A cryptic pregnancy?" Tiara asked.

"Nope," Luna answered. "She—"

Si Circe naman ang sumunod na nagtanong. "You adopted her?"

Nakangiting umiling si Luna. "She's not mine."

Nalaglag ang mga panga ng lahat. Kung ibang sitwasyon lang siguro ay natawa na ako sa itsura nilang lahat. May mga napatayo, may mga nagkatinginan, at mayroong parang mga naestatwa sa kinaroroonan nila.

"Hoy, Luna! Ibalik mo 'yan. Anong akala mo diyan laruan na pwedeng hingin?"

Nagkakaroon ako ng deja vu sa sinasabi ni Trace. Minsan ko rin kasing naging tanong iyon kay Pierce noong panahon na akala ko ay kung saan niya lang kinuha si Arctic.

Trace shook his head. "You can't do this, Luna. I know I told you when we were young that our parents bought you in the grocery store, but I lied okay?"

Kumawala ako kay Thorn at dumaan ako sa harapan ni Trace. Umakto akong kukurutin siya at kaagad naman siyang umiwas bago ko pa totohanin.

I went to Luna, and we easily did a transfer. The sleeping baby didn't even stir. Her mouth just formed an adorable O, and then, to my surprise, she smiled, as if she's having the best dream.

I've seen her up close before but I really haven't held her this way. A part of me is scared. Would she feel uncomfortable? Would she cry because I'm not her mother? What should I do if she doesn't want me?

But holding her now, I realized that it didn't matter. Hindi mahalaga kung may takot sa akin. Hind importante kung hindi siya sa akin nanggaling. Holding her and looking at her cute, chubby face, she feels like she's mine. She's ours.

It's a bittersweet thing. Her mother would have given anything just to be with her. I'm sure of that.

I met her mother, Erica, during Luna's battle with cancer. Minsan kasi ako ang sumasama kay Luna kapag may check-up siya. Habang iniintay ko si Luna ay doon ko na-meet si Erica na noon ay buntis pa.

Her husband was sick, and unfortunately, he was in the last stage of his life. He died before that year ended.

Erica wasn't sick. But it was heartbreaking that the first time she saw her baby was also the last because she died of childbirth.

Wala na ang parents parehas nina Erica at ng asawa niya. May kapatid ang asawa niya pero hindi interesado na kunin ang bata. According to Dagger, the man was in the kind of environment that wouldn't be safe for the child. Adding to that, he has a lot of repeat offenses and is known for being a drunkard.

Napatingin ako sa pamilya ko nang mapansin ko na natahimik silang lahat. When I glanced at them, I saw that they were all looking at me.

"Her name is Eirian. Her biological mother named her, and Thorn and I didn't want to change that."

They all jumped up from their seats this time, and suddenly, the room was surrounded by their loud exclamations. Para bang sabay-sabay din nilang na-realize na sobrang ingay nila at natigilang napatingin sila sa karga ko na sanggol. But the baby didn't wake up, and instead, her smile just widened. She's perfect.

"Baby Coco!" Lia whispered excitedly.

Belaya touched the baby's soft cheeks. "She's so cute!"

She is baby Coco. I like giving nicknames to my children based on the food that I liked to eat when I was having pregnancy cravings. That's why I call my firstborn Cookie, and my second, IC which is short for Ice Cream.

I had a moment that I've been binge-eating anything that has coconut in it, especially when the food is made by Lia, and I told the women that I want to call my future baby Coco. Infernes hanggang ngayon nahihilig pa rin ako sa coconut. Ako nga lang ata sa amin ang mahilig sa Bounty chocolate. Cookie's even looking at me weirdly every time he sees me eating one.

"Luna picked her up because we wanted to surprise you," I informed them. "So... surprise!"

I wasn't surprised when I was embraced by different sets of arms one after another, congratulating both me and Thorn. Ang pinakahuling lumapit ay si Trace pero hindi ako ang pakay niya kundi ang sanggol na hawak ko na basta na lang niyang kinuha mula sa akin.

"Hello, baby Coco. I'm your favorite tito."

Naiiling na napatawa ako. Ang aga namang pang brainwash niyan.

Imbis na kunin pabalik si Coco ay hinayaan ko na lang sila, tutal ay mukhang nakapila na ang iba at nag-iintay na sila namana ng kumarga sa bata. I stepped back into Thorn's arms instead, and he immediately pulled me into his arms.

Nakasandal ang ulo sa dibdib niya na nag-angat ako ng tingin sa kaniya. "Happy? Okay na tayo sa usapan natin ah? Three children."

"I would have been happy with just you." He bent down and brushed his lips against mine. "But this is so much better."

Namasa ang mga mata ko. It's the same for me. I was used to not having much. But then Thorn came into my life, and now I have so much more. "What if mag-cry ako?"

Bumulong siya sa tenga ko. "What if mag-celebrate tayo? You deserve to open a gift, and I have an idea what I would like to give you."

Lahat ata ng mahaharot cells sa katawan ko, kahit iyong malapit ng maging dead cells, ay mga nabuhayan at interesadong-interesado sa pagpapahiwatig niya ng gift giving slash research.

Mag-a-aggree na sana ako sa kaniya nang matigilan kaming parehas sa pamilyar na mga papalapit na tunog.

"Next time," Thorn murmured and looked at my lips. "As soon as possible."

Nangingiting tumingkayad ako at hinalikan ko siya bago ako naglakad papunta sa pintuan para salabungin si Cookie at si IC na kararating lang galing sa school.

Mabilis na ibinaba ni Cookie ang mga gamit niya. "Mama is she here?!"

"I want to see her!" IC shrieked and ran inside. Pero bago pa siya tuluyang makalayo ay pabalik siyang tumakbo sa kinaroroonan ko at niyakap ako. She squeezed me hard before running towards the horde to look at her baby sister.

Sinarado ko ang pintuan pero imbis na umalis doon ay pinagmasdan ko lang ang pamilya ko na pinagkakaguluhan pa rin ang bagong miyembro ng pamilya.

Thorn's right.

So much better.

LIA'S POV

6 more months later...

"Are you okay?"

Nagbaba ng tasa ng kape si Gun sa harapan ko at pagkatapos ay umupo siya sa sofa para tumabi sa akin.

"Baby?"

I let out a sigh. "I can't write. I can't think of any new songs." Isinandal ko ang ulo ko sa sofa at nilingon ko siya. "Do you think it's time for me to retire?"

"Do you want to? Do you think it's the right time for you?" Nang umiling ako ay may maliit na ngiti sa mga labi na hinapit niya ako palapit sa kaniya. "Then you don't need retirement. Pahinga lang ang kailangan mo."

"What if the music doesn't come to me anymore? "

"You've done a lot since you started your career, Lia. You've given the world so much already. If that time comes, everyone will understand. Don't be too hard on yourself, baby." He pressed his lips on my temple. "At kapag nag-retire ka, magbabakasyon tayo na tayo lang dalawa. If the music won't come, I'll make sure that something... or someone else will­-"

"Gunter Dawson!"

He chuckled, kissing the side of my neck. "I'm kidding." Nang nanatili lang akong nakasimangot ay kinulong niya ang mukha ko sa mga kamay niya. "We got this, Lia. No matter what life throws at us, it will be just like every mountain we face. We'll climb it together, no matter how impossible it is to reach the summit. Before, we'd been braving every mountain alone. We found each other, and it became a fight of two. Now there's four of us." Isinandal niya ang noo niya sa akin. "We're stronger now."

The smile on his face widened as he watched mine appear. Kumilos ako para mapaharap sa kaniya. Straddling him, I wrapped my arms around his shoulders. "Since when did you become the voice of reason?"

"Even dragons born in chaos need the silence sometimes. We're done with the war, baby. We can now enjoy the calm." The corner of his lips tugged up. Napailing ako nang maramdaman ko ang mga kamay niya na umaangat sa magkabila kong mga hita. "But I like our little fights. It's a great introduction to makeup sex."

"Of course you do," I said with a roll of my eyes.

"And you don't?"

Napanguso ako na ikinatawa niya. Alam niyang hindi ko magagawang itanggi ang sinabi niya. Not even the years that passed by changed how we are when it comes to that "department".

"Mama?"

Muntik akong mapatumba pabaligtad nang bigla akong kumilos paalis sa kandungan ng asawa ko. Gun, who caught me before I hurt myself, laughed under his breath as he carefully transferred me to the sofa.

I looked at the direction of the voice, and I saw a boy that looked so much like his father, Gun, and I's youngest, Gavin Caliber.

He looks grumpy when he wakes up, and he also looks it before he sleeps. But just like Gun, he's the sweetest when it comes to his family. Talaga nga lang mukhang suplado.

Natutulog siya kanina sa foldable bed niya na inilalagay namin dito sa sala minsan kapag nap time niya. The bed, when folded, looked like Bumble Bee from Transformers. Regalo kasi sa kaniya iyon ng Tito Magnus niya.

Lumapit ako sa kaniya at bahagya akong yumuko. "What is it, sweetheart?"

"Hungry po."

Ginulo ko ang buhok niya at naglakad ako papunta sa kusina para maghanda ng snacks para sa kaniya. I heard little footsteps behind me, and when I turned to look, I saw my son watching me intently as if he wanted to make sure that I'm going to cook something he likes. Kahit na lahat naman ng lutuin ko gusto niya.

"Want some mini cheese potato burger?"

He nodded once and he was about to walk away when he stopped. "Thank you, Mama."

"You're welcome, Cal."

I prepare the food, which is basically mashed potatoes with flour shaped to look like buns and cheese slices. I already prepped a lot of the potatoes, and I kept them in the freezer in case one of the kids wanted one since it's their favorite snack.

Habang nagluluto ay hindi ko mapigilang hindi mapangiti. Gun always tells our children to thank me whenever I cook or do something for them. Gun told them that it's important that they always recognize what I do for them. Lagi kong sinasabi sa kaniya na hindi naman kailangan. It's part of being a parent. But Gun wanted it, and he even started doing the same so the children would learn from him.

Habang piniprito ko ang pagkain ay napatingin ako sa pintuan nang may marinig ako. Lumabas ng bahay si Gun at hindi nagtagal ay bumalik siya kasama sina Abrial at Aella na kaagad lumapit sa akin para humalik.

"Change your clothes first and then eat with Cal," I said to them.

Abrial is already running upstairs to change her clothes. Nakangiting ibinaba ni Aella ang bag niya. "Okay, Mama."

I was arranging the food when I noticed Gun helping Cal sit on the piano bench. Siya rin ang nagbukas ng takip no'n para sa bata.

The twins are both interested in different things. One, surprisingly, enjoys academics, while the other is into sports. Pero sa kanilang magkakakapatid ay si Cal lang ang interesado sa musika kahit pa noong isang taon pa lang siya.

A happy tune fills the room as Cal begins tapping randomly on the keys. Abrial and Aella, who returned, sat on the carpeted floors near their brother to watch him.

There was a familiar tingling in my mind as I watched them. Our family could be loud, especially when all the Dawsons come over. And yet, everything feels peaceful. Like the storm had already passed. Like finally there's a calm... a sweet silence.

Napakurap ako nang maramdaman ko ang presensya ni Gun. Ibinaba niya sa harapan ko ang notebook at ang ballpen na kanina ay hawak ko. Hinalikan niya ako sa pisngi bago dala ang mga plato ng mga bata na pinuntahan niya ang mga anak namin.

I took the pen and started writing, there in the kitchen, while I listened to Gun's voice and my children's laughter; my new favorite music in this life.

And in here, pain is no longer

Only whispered words, bounty laughter

Gentle smile, softest touch

Chaos has left, the rain has stopped

And in here... the sweet music of silence remained.

BELAYA'S POV

6 more months later...

Arctic looks like he wants to explode, but Pierce and I could see that he's trying to reign it in. Lalo pa sa harapan niya ay nakatayo ang mga mukhang guilty na sina Astrea at Orion. Their chubby cheeks are about to pop as they try not to cry.

Arc is their big brother and they both look up to him. Si Arc pa naman iyong klase na bihira na ma-bad mood kaya siguradong natatakot na ang dalawa sa kuya nila ngayon na ang serosyo ng mukha niyon.

Parang kay Ate Vodka lang. Kahit lagi namang masungit iyon, iba kapag galit talaga siya. When she's in a terrible mood at may nagawa kaming kasalanan ay nagtatago na kami dahil kahit si Mommy ay hindi siya mapipigilan kapag nagsimula na siyang manermon. May one time pa nga pati si daddy nasermunan niya kasi si daddy ang pasimuno.

"Mojito is part of the family. She's not a toy. What you did was wrong. Paano kung masaktan siya? Is it okay to hurt a family member?"

Arctic continued to remove the brown post-it notes they attached to our cat. Kung papagpagin lang ni Mojito ang sarili niya ay baka kusa ng natanggal ang mga nakadikit sa kaniya. Hindi naman makapit iyon talaga pero dahil masunurin si Mojito at paborito niya ang mga bata ay hindi siya gumagalaw para hindi matanggal iyon. But I get Arctic's point. For now it's harmless pero paano kalaunan? What if they put superglue on the cat?

"Sorry, Kuya," bulong ni Orion na hindi makatingin kay Arctic.

"S-Sorry... sorry po..."

Gaya ng inaasahan ay napaiyak na nga ng tuluyan si Astrea. Orion tried not to join her, but of course it was impossible. Katulad ng kapatid niya ay napaiyak na rin ang batang lalaki.

"They're so cute," I whispered to Pierce.

Parehas kaming nasa kuwarto at pinapanood sa camera ang mga bata. Pinaakyat kasi kami ng kambal kanina dahil may surprise daw sila sa akin at huwag daw kaming lalabas hanggang hindi pa tapos. I was curious so I opened the app on my phone that is connected to the camera in the living room.

I love my children, but I'm also a mother. Kilala ko ang nanalaytay na dugo sa mga anak ko kaya ayokong magpakasiguro. The twins are not above putting themselves into trouble so I wanted to be sure.

"Should we go down?" Pierce asked.

"Mamaya na. I want to see what the Arctic will do."

Nagbibinata na si Arctic. Bagay na ayoko pang tanggapin. In denial pa nga ako hanggang ngayon na maraming may crush sa kaniya sa school. Kapag Valentine's sagana kami sa chocolate dahil ang daming nagbibigay sa kaniya. Pampalubag loob na lang na wala siyang binibigyan kundi kami na pamilya niya.

Artic's face softened but he stayed firm, "Say sorry to Mojito."

The twins turned to the cat tearfully. "Sorry Mojito," Orion said.

"We won't do it again," Astrea added.

Naiiling na pinakawalan ni Arctic ang pusa. Mojito brushed her body on Orion's leg and then she did the same to Astrea. It's like she's telling the two that all is forgiven.

"Bakit niyo ba ginawa iyon?" tanong ni Arctic.

Si Astrea ang unang sumagot. "Birthday kasi ni Mommy pero wala kaming nabiling gift. Nag-ipon kami para bumili ng hedgehog because it's cute and unique, and mommy will surely like it, but we couldn't afford it."

"One hundred na lang ang natira sa money namin kasi walang baon 'yung classmate namin at saka 'yung dalawa niyang brothers. We buy them food kasi kawawa naman sila," Orion explained.

"So we decided to just make a costume for Mojito," Astrea finished.

Napatawa ako at ganoon din si Pierce. Give it to our children to think of something like that. Pwede naman silang gumawa na lang ng birthday card o ano, but they decided to turn the family cat into a thorny rat-looking creature.

"I'll call Tito Trace so he can help us find a responsible breeder or much better if he knows someone that has hedgehogs for adoption."

"But we don't—"

Pinutol ni Arctic ang sasabihin ni Astrea. "I saved some money." Nagpakawala siya ng malalim na hininga. He looks so much like Pierce when he's like this. "Next time, sasabihin niyo ako kapag ganito. I'm your big brother so I'll do my best to help you both."

The twins rushed to Arctic and hugged him. I let out an aww and turned to glance at Pierce who was watching the scene with a small smile.

"Kuya di ba po nag-iipon ka kasi gusto mo po ng bagong bike? Paano po 'yon?" tanong ni Orion.

Nilingon ko ulit si Pierce. "Gusto ni Arctic ng bike? Give me your phone, I'll order one."

"I already offered."

Napakurap ako. "You did?"

Pierce tipped his chin to the phone. "It's okay," Arctic told the two.

"Bakit po hindi ka na lang po magpabili kay Mommy?" Astrea asked.

"Mimi Star and Daddy already bought a bike for me last month. But I didn't take care of it and a car backed into it. Pinaghihirapan nila Mimi at Daddy ang pera nila to give us three what we need. It's our job to take care of our things. I really like my bike. I don't want a new bike. I wanted mine fixed but to get it done, I need money." Ginulo niya ang buhok ng mga kapatid. "But it's okay. I can have it fixed next time."

I could feel an overwhelming emotion swirling around me. Arctic didn't come from me, but he's my son. Siya ang panganay ko. He's my first baby, even though I share him with his mother, who has been making a consistent effort for him over the years.

I can't imagine what life would be without having Arctic. He's always been independent, and now that I'm watching him grow more every day, I can't help but think about the future. Kapag nag-college na siya, naka-graduate, at nakahanap ng trabaho. And of course, when the day comes that his Dawson blood will lead the way to his other half.

"Find the man who ruined Arc's bike, and we'll make him pay." I turned to Pierce. "Literal man o hindi."

Nangingiting iginalaw ni Pierce ang mga daliri ko. He formed a claw using my hand. "My kitten's claw is showing." Inangar niya ang kamay ko at hinalikan niya ang likod ng palad ko. "I already found him. In fact, he found me. Gusto niya akong pagbayarin dahil nagasgas ang sasakyan niya. I asked for his dashcam copy but he didn't want to give it to me, so I looked into it deeper."

"It's that asshole's fault isn't it?"

Tumango ang lalaki. "Naka park ng maayos ang bike ni Arctic. It's not even on the road. But the man probably hit the gas too much dahil umakyat sa gutter ang sasakyan." Tumalim ang mga mata ni Pierce. "He could have injured Arctic. If he was on the bike, he would have gotten hurt."

Kumurba ang ngiti sa mga labi ko habang pinagmamasdan ang asawa ko. I could see that the lion was out. The asshole should prepare himself.

Tumayo si Pierce at inilahad niya sa akin ang kamay niya na inabot ko naman. Magkasabay na pumanaog kami kung saan naabutan namin ang mga bata na kumakaway sa phone ni Arctic. Mukhang natawagan na nila ang Tito Trace nila.

"Who wants to go out for dinner?" I asked the three children.

Ngumiti lang si Arctic habang nagtaas naman ng kamay ang kambal.

"Kay Tita Lia po tayo pupunta?" tanong ni Astrea.

I chuckled. Sa lahat ng lugar na pwedeng kainan sa mundo, bahay pa rin nila Lia ang paboritong restaurant ng mga anak namin ni Pierce. Kahit kami rin naman doon ang favorite naming puntahan kapag gusto naming makikain.

"I think they're in Manila, baby," I told her. "Help your daddy look for a place we could go to."

The twins rushed to Pierce, who pulled out his phone. Lumapit ako sa kinaroroonan ni Arctic at bago siya makakilos ay mahigpit na niyakap ko siya. He just laughed, but he didn't complain.

"You're my angel cub, you know that, Arc?" Pinindot ko ang pisngi niya. Hindi na iyon katulad noong mga bata pa siya na sobrang pintog. "You're still my favorite person in the world. A close tie between your daddy and siblings."

"You're my favorite person in the world too, Mimi Star. And you're the best mom for me."

I'm going to cry later. That's one of the best things anyone has ever said to me. "You're the best son a mom could ever ask for. Your siblings have the best example because they got the chance to have you as their older brother."

We stayed in a hug for quite awhile. Nabulabog lang kami nang sumiksik sa amin ang kambal na mukhang nakapagdesisyon na kung saan kami kakain.

"Happy birthday, Mommy," Orion said happily.

"Late lang po ng kaunti ang gift namin pero Kuya Arc helped us na po," Astrea added.

"Thank you, babies." I spread my arms a little so they could join the hug. "I love you, my kitties." Nilingon ko si Arctic. "And my cub." Then I glanced at Pierce. "And my Lion."

"We love you too, Mommy!" the twins exclaimed.

And of course, it wouldn't be complete without Arctic saying, "Love ko rin po kayo."

MIREIA'S POV

2 more months later...

As soon as I was in the car, I popped a medicine tablet in my mouth and grabbed my tumbler to washed it down with water. Pumipintig ang sentido ko dahil madaling-araw na akong natulog para tapusin ang fifty boxes ng custom cupcake at thirty boxes ng cookies na inorder sa The Dawson's Nook. Si Axel na ang nag-arrange ng delivery niyon dahil hindi ko na talaga maimulat ang mga mata ko kaninang umaga.

Ang mga empleyado ko na lang din ang pinagbukas ko ng TDN dahil talagang hindi ko kayang gumising ng maaga para buksan iyon. Weekend pa naman ngayon na kadalasang araw din na ang daming dumadayo sa TDN.

Hindi ko akalain na ang maliit na cafe na ginusto ko lang namang itayo para gawing libangan ay magiging isa sa puntahan ng mga turista rito sa Tagaytay. Hindi na rin ako dapat nabigla. Paano ba naman kasi, ang mga hipag ko puro mga kilalang tao. Dahil sa TDN sila madalas tumambay kapag wala silang magawa at pinopost nila iyon sa social media ay dinadayo tuloy ang TDN sa pag-asang makita sila.

Kami pala. Minsan nakakalimutan ko na rin ang buhay ko noon. Puro pagkain, kape, at kung ano-anong inumin na lang kasi ang nakikita ko. Not that I'm complaining. I loved the career I had for years, but I also fell in love with life away from the spotlight.

Nang makarating sa TDN ay pinark ko ang kotse at dala ang isang malaking paper bag na naglakad ako papunta sa establishment.

"Good afternoon, Ma'am. Akala ko po mamaya pa kayo," bati ni Cody na dinidiligan ang mga halaman sa harapan ng cafe.

"Baka mag-alsa balutan na kayo kapag gabi na ako dumating at pinabayaan ko kayo."

Tawa lang ang naging sagot sa akin ng lalaki. Infernes naman sa empleyado ng TDN ay mga tumagal talaga. Ang mga madalas lang naman na umalis ay iyong mga working student na nakatapos na at gustong maghanap ng trabaho.

Walang problema sa akin iyon. Sa totoo lang ay nakaka-proud ang pagiging maparaan nila. Nagagawa nilang pagsabayin ang pagtatrabaho at ang pag-aaral. I wasn't given the same chance before since I needed to work full time. Kung may matitira man ako na pera noong nagsisimula pa lang ako sa career ko ay itinatabi ko na lang para kay Naynay para handa kami kung sakaling kailanganin niya.

"Ma'am!"

Muntik akong mapatalon sa malakas na pagtawag ng barista ko. Napahawak ako sa tapat ng dibdib ko sa gulat. "Nakakaloka ka, Arah. Hindi pa fully gising ang kaluluwa ko para gulatin mo ako ng ganiyan. Pagkapehin mo muna ako."

Napapakamot sa ulo na alanganing ngumiti siya. "Gawan ko kayo ng kape, Ma'am. Upo muna kayo."

"Gagawa muna ako ng cookies. Mauubos na 'yang mga nasa estante." Humakbang ako palapit sa kusina pero sa pagtataka ko ay humarang si Arah. Nagdududang tinignan ko siya. "May problema ba sa kusina?"

"Uhh..."

Pinaningkitan ko siya ng mga mata. "Nasira ang oven? May leak? Napanis ang ingredients?" Huminga ako ng malalim dahil parang gustong sumabog ng utak ko sa mga sinasabi ko. "Hindi ako magagalit sa inyo. Ako ang madalas na magluto kaya kung may makakasira, ako 'yon."

"Ano po kasi—"

Hindi niya naituloy ang sasabihin niya nang makarinig ako ng tawanan mula sa loob ng kusina. Napabuntong-hininga si Arah.

"Is that my daughter?" I asked.

Nakangiwing tumango ang babae. "May surprise sila ni sir Axel sa'yo kaya nagpatulong sila kay Charles na mag-bake."

Charle's a chef that I hired for TDN. Bukod kasi sa pastries ay may mga meal din kami. Marunong naman akong magluto pero hindi ko naman kayang pagsabayin lahat. Minsan tumulong ang Dawson Wives lalo na si Lia pero siyempre may mga trabaho rin sila na kailangan nilang unahin.

Sumilip ako sa maliit na salamin sa pintuan at sumilay ang ngiti sa mga labi ko nang makita ko ang mag-ama ko na may bahid na ng icing at harina ang mga damit. Bahagyang nabawasan ang sakit ng ulo ko. It's probably the medicine kicking in, but I like to think that it's because of the two best happy pills in the world.

"Magkakape muna ako," sabi ko kay Arah. "Wala akong nakita."

Ngiting-ngiti na nag-thumbs up ang babae. Iniwan ko na siya at naglakad ako sa pinakadulong pwesto sa cafe. Habang hinihintay ang kape ko ay inilabas ko ang mga naka-frame na pictures.

Over the years, TDN accumulated a lot of my family's framed pictures. Dati ay kakaunti pa lang iyon. Pero dahil nagkaroon na ng asawa ang mga kapatid ni Axel ay dumami na rin ang mga ipinapaskil ko na larawan. Idagdag pa ang mga picture ng mga bata.

"Saan ko kaya ilalagay ang mga 'to?" The walls are already covered with pictures in different sizes. "Sa susunod nito, kisame na ang lalagyan ko."

I couldn't help but scan the pictures. Important memories are captured there, and every achievement of the Dawson Family. Naynay would have been proud.

It was just her, me, and Marthena before. Kung hindi siguro dinalang muli si Axel sa buhay ko ay magkakaroon ba ako ng meron ako ngayon? I doubt that. I doubt there's another branch of my life that could have been as amazing as what I have now.

"Kape, Ma'am." Nagbaba si Arah ng tasa sa harapan ko. "Malapit na po silang matapos. Sinabihan ko na rin na nandito ka na. Mag-practice na po kayo ng acting niyo."

"Technically, I didn't see what they're baking. Alam ko lang na may ginagawa sila." Napangisi ako. "Pero makapaghanda na rin. Ayokong malungkot ang magtatay na 'yon na pwede ng ilagay sa oven dahil parang napunta na lahat sa kanila ang ingredients."

Tatawa-tawang iniwan na ako ni Arah habang ako naman ay umupo sa bakanteng upuan at siniguro ko na likod ko ang nakaharap sa kusina.

I was halfway into finishing my coffee when I heard the familiar sound of my daughter. Paris Milaciel lives life in a full way. When she smiles, she smiles big. When she laughs, she does it loudly. That's why it's hard to miss her presence.

She probably got it from me. I didn't mind the attention when I was a model. There are a lot of moments that I enjoyed. Pami's like me in a way. She likes attention, and there are a lot of people who love to give it to her. Malaki ang pamilya namin at ang dami niyang mga tito at tita na ibigay kung anong gusto niya.

But I'm proud to say that Pami's not spoiled. We love to spoil her and give her everything, but she appreciates all of it in a way that shows her maturity. She understands when she can't get things she wants, and most of the time, she accepts it easily when she needs to wait. Pero siyempre bata rin siya. May mga pagkakataon na hindi madaling iproseso sa kaniya ang mga bagay. But Axel and I are very patient with her, and it helps her grow at a pace that is best for her.

She's our only child. Fortunately, ang dami niyang mga pinsan kaya marami siyang kasabay lumaki at natututo siya sa mga iyon.

"Pami!"

Napalingon ako sa direksyon ng kusina at nakita ko si Axel na hinahabol ang anak namin. Parehas pa rin silang mukhang malapit ng isalang sa oven. It's probably the reason why Axel's chasing her. But our daughter is already running towards me as if we haven't seen each other for a long time. Samantalang ngayong umaga lang naman kaming hindi nagkita dahil tulog pa ako.

"Mommy!" Pami excitedly exclaimed and threw her small body at me.

Napapakamot sa batok na pinagmasdan na lang kami ni Axel. Nang sa likod niya ay lumabas si Charles na may dalawang nakatakip na bilog na tray ay napabuntong-hininga na lang ang asawa ko na lumapit sa kinaroroonan namin.

"You look so adorable, Bun Bun," sabi ko sa kaniya nang makalapit siya sa amin ni Pami. Pinangigilan ko ng yakap ang bata at tinakpan ko ang mga tenga niya at pagkatpos ay kinindatan ko si Axel. "And edible."

As always, when I teased him, Axel's face flushed. We've been married for years, so it makes me happy that I can still get that kind of reaction from him. It reminds me of the time when he was pure. Ngayon kasi na-corrupt ko na siya. Though, I can't take responsibility for it all. May tinatagong kaharutan si Axel na na-ti-trigger dahil sa akin. Haba ng hair.

"We have a surprise for you, Mommy!"

I gasped exaggeratedly. "You do? But it's not my birthday today." Nilingon ko si Axel na pinagmamasdan ako na ikinangisi ko. Of course he knows that I'm just acting surprised. "Hindi rin namin wedding anniversary ng Daddy mo."

"It's a special day!"

"It is?" Ano nga bang meron ngayong araw na 'to?

For some reason, I suddenly feel like I forgot something important. But what is it? Nagtatanong ang mga matang sinalubong ko ang tingin ng asawa ko. His face gentled and he gestured to Charles to come.

Ibinaba ng lalaki ang mga dala sa lamesa at pagkatapos ay ginulo niya ang buhok ni Pami na humagikhik bago siya bumalik na sa kusina.

Inangat ni Axel ang mga dish cover. Napa-O ang bibig ko nang bumungad sa akin ang tatlong cake. One is bigger than the other two. Magkasama ang dalawang mas maliit pero katulad ng malaking cake ay puno rin iyon ng bulaklak. They're both beautiful even though there are parts that are obvious that were made by a child's hand. Pero dahil mag-ama ko ang may gawa, para sa akin ay ito ang pinakamagandang cake. There's a scribble on top of them that finally reminded me of what I forgot.

"Happy Mother's day!" pumapalakpak na sabi ni Pami. "We made three cakes because you and the lolas are the best mommies on the planet!"

It's mother's day. It's something that I don't forget. Not when Naynay was still alive. I always make sure to celebrate it with her, but I guess it's something that I'm starting to forget now. Kasi wala na siya na kasama ko para i-celebrate iyon.

I tried to swallow the lump in my throat but it wasn't easy. Axel leaned down and kissed my temple which made my eyes grow misty.

Bahagyang natunaw ang ngiti ni Pami. "You don't like it Mommy?"

"I love it." Kinulong ko ang mukha niya sa mga kamay ko at hinalikan ko ang noo niya. "You're the best baby on the planet. Thank you for reminding me about today. I almost forgot about it."

"Don't worry, Mommy. Every year, Daddy and I will remind you, and we're going to keep surprising you."

I rained tiny kisses on her face which made her giggle happily. Pinicturan muna namin ang cake at pagkatapos ay tinikman namin iyon.

"Share some with Tito Charles and the others, Pami," I told her.

"Okay po!"

Dala ang isang tray na maingat na dinala niya iyon papunta sa kusina. Sinalubong naman siya ni Arah para hindi na siya mahirapan.

"Are you okay?"

Nag-angat ako ng tingin kay Axel na nakaakbay sa akin. "I am. Hindi lang ako makapaniwalang nakalimutan ko."

"Naynay will understand. And like Pami said, we will always remind you. It's our job now. You've been busy as well." Pinalibot niya sa balikat ko ang braso niya. "Too busy in fact."

"Something tells me that my Bun Bun wants to complain," I teased.

"I do. In fact, I want a complaint form." He put a finger on my chin and he tipped my head. "I love that you love TDN. I love that you're enjoying yourself. But you also need rest."

"I know."

"And I selfishly want more time with you."

Umangat ang sulok ng mga labi ko. "I know." Yumakap ako sa bewang niya. "I want to have more time with you as well. I just don't know how to do that for now, but I'm thinking about it."

"I already know what to do."

I chuckled. "Of course you do."

"Hire more staff. Especially another baker."

"Okay," I said. "What else?"

"Napansin ko na may mga araw na may mahabang pila ka na sa labas. Let's renovate the place so you have more space. Of course it means more staff since you'll be having more customers"

"Axel... business is good, but that's a bit of a risk."

"I know. But you need more space to put pictures on."

Napakurap ako sa sinabi niya. "Why do I have a feeling that that's your main reason and not because there's a line outside?"

Nagkibit-balikat siya. "I know how much you like the family wall."

"We can't expand the cafe just for that. Business wise—"

"I'm sure that the expansion will increase TDN's revenue since you'll get more customers seated."

"I need to pay for the staff as well," I reminded him.

"Kung kulang, ako ang magbibigay ng sweldo para sa kanila."

Napabuntong-hininga ako. "Business doesn't work that way, Bun Bun, and you know that."

"I know, but it's not TDN that I want to be happy, it's you." He gently tucked my hair behind my ears. "You love this place, you love baking, and you love the family wall. You've worked hard all your life. You're still working hard even though we both know you don't need to. I'm earning well, I have money saved, and so do you."

"Axel—"

"You love designer things, but you don't necessarily want to buy everything that those labels release. You shop a lot, but it's always for me and Pami." He's looking at me with so much tenderness that I want to just melt in his arms. "I want to give you everything, Mireia. So if it means paying for your staff because TDN can't, though I doubt that, and renovating the whole place just because I want you to have more walls to put pictures on, then I'll gladly do it for you. I want to spoil you. I want to maintain you. I want to work hard on cherishing you."

"You've already done that," I whispered softly.

"Let me do it more."

This is something he needs and it is clearly important for him. Katulad ng gusto niyang ibigay sa akin ang lahat ay ganoon din ako sa kaniya. "As long as you'll let me spoil you on father's day."

His eyes twinkled and he grinned. "Deal."

"Any idea of what you want?"

Nagbago ang kinang sa mga mata niya. He glanced on my lip quickly before meeting my eyes again, showing me the fire that is starting to ignite on them. "Oh, I have an idea."

Napatawa ako. "My pure bunny no more. But I like you in whatever way you come to me." Heat blaze in his gaze when he heard something else in my words. Kinindatan ko siya. "Double meaning intended."

"I want a cake on father's day as well," he declared.

Napaangat ang kilay ko. "Really?"

Yumuko siya at bumulong sa tapat ng tenga ko. "And I'm going to eat it off you."

Now we're talking.

EMBER'S POV

2 more months later...

"Meeeh!"

Napabuntong-hininga ako nang may marinig ako na pamilyar na papalapit na tunog. Kasalukuyan akong nasa gazebo. Mukhang natakasan na naman ni Turbo si Cristiano. He's been doing that since I came back from the hospital two months ago. Hindi lang siya kundi sila Ruby din.

But I doubt they just suddenly learned how to open the gate that is surrounding the huge field of the farm. Sigurado ako na dahil iyon sa lalaking ngayon ay walang pang-itaas at kasalukuyang nakikipag-usap sa iba ko pang mga alaga. More on, inuuto na naman siya ng mga iyon.

Muli akong nagpakawala ng hininga nang makita kong lumalabas na rin mula sa gate si Ruby na sinundan ni Emerald. If they eat my vegetables and roses, si Trace na ang itatanim ko sa lupa.

Napatingin ako sa kinaroroonan ng lalaki nang makarinig ako ng malakas na sipol. He waved happily in my direction and I couldn't help but smile. Pati na rin ako nauuto niya. Trace often gets his way because I know he'll do the same for me and because it's rare that I can say no to his adorable face. I also can't deny him anything in moments like this when he has no shirt on ang glistening with sweat.

"It's hard to have a handsome husband sometimes," I murmured to myself.

The sound I heard coming from the running Turbo had gotten closer so I turned to the sound before he came barreling to me. "Halt."

Huminto si Turbo at hindi siya tuluyang pumasok sa gazebo. He lowered himself on the ground and sat in a way that made him look more like a dog than a billy goat.

Umupo ako sa makapal na kumot na nasa lapag at dahan-dahan na umupo ako roon habang iniingatan na hindi magalaw ang hawak ko. The goat's ears twitched.

"You can't keep running away from the barn, Turbo."

"Meh."

I rolled my eyes. Bahagya kong iniharap sa kaniya ang hawak ko at nagpakawala ulit siya ng tunog.

"Moo!"

I glanced at Ruby who was followed by Emerald. Sa likod nila ay sumusunod na rin si Ranger.

"Be quiet, Ruby. He's sleeping."

The cow gave me a sassy look that is already familiar to me, but she did become quiet.

This is our every day. Kung hindi ako ang pumupunta sa barn ay sila naman ang lumalabas. Hindi naman sila lumalayo, though, paminsan-minsan ay pinasasakit pa rin ni Ruby ang ulo ko kapag kinakain niya ang mga rosas na nakapaligid sa bahay.

I heard another sound, but this time it came from the baby that I'm carrying. Nangingiting marahang tinapik ko ang sanggol na hawak ko na payapang bumalik ulit sa pagtulog.

Keiran Tobias Dawson is Trace and I's youngest. He's our little surprise. Our second surprise. I have him now that I'm in my thirties, which was something that I didn't expect. Pagkatapos kasi ng panganay namin ay hindi naman namin binalak ni Trace na sundan siya agad. We wanted to wait for the right time, but a lot of things happened with the Dawsons, and I've been competing a lot again, so it didn't become a priority.

I didn't mind. We already have a son, and we have a big family. Para sa akin sobra-sobra na ang meron kami. But then the right time came, and we were given our surprise gift.

"Moo!"

"Shh!" saway ko ulit kay Ruby. "You can't play with him yet. He's still a baby, Ruby."

Sumalampak siya sa damuhan. "Moo."

The animals love Lucian, but there's something about Keiran that they just gravitate to. I feel like Keiran took after me when it comes to that. Mula kasi ng iuwi ko si Kei ay lagi na lang kaming binibisita ng mga alaga namin. Even Potchi, Mochi, Matcha, Bingo, and Francis Bacon can't stay away from him.

I guess it's because Keiran has a calm nature that is much like mine. And well, Lucian—let's just say that he's growing more like his father.

Speaking of...

"Pa! Ma!"

Trace heard the loud scream and he immediately stopped what he's doing. Mabilis na tumakbo siya palabas ng kural. I pressed my lips together to stop myself from laughing when I saw Lucian come out of the house and run to me. Trace came into a sudden stop near us, his face a picture of shock which almost pushed me to really lose it.

"Papa!"

Nanlalaki ang mga matang napatingin sa direksyon ko si Trace.

"Help me!" Lucian bawled.

Trace cleared his throat. "Consider it done, capo."

Nagsalubong ang kilay ni Lucien. "Po?"

Tuluyan na akong napatawa. Our little boy, who's growing every day, looks like he came out of an Italian mafia movie. His hair is pushed back and laid flat on his head with tons of gel that he probably found in Trace and I's bathroom. He'll fit right back in the 70's.

"What did you do to yourself, kiddo?" Trace asked our young son.

"I wanted to look good."

"You already do. Mana ka sa akin eh. But why?"

Ngumuso siya. "Hindi po ako crush ng crush ko. Friends lang daw po kami."

I snorted. So much like his father. I've heard the stories about Trace's friendzone era. Mukhang yapak niya pa ang susundan ni Lucian. Siya ata ang magiging bagong landlord ng lupain ni Trace sa "zone" na iyon.

"You're too young. You have a lot of time to fall in love in the future. For now enjoy your childhood first," Trace said, trying to be the voice of reason.

"I'm not a child na po. I'm a big boy. I want to have a girlfriend and get married."

Humihingi ng saklolo na nilingon ako ni Trace na ikinailing ko. Tinawag ko ang pangalan ng bata na bumaling naman sa akin. I gestured with my hand for him to come close which he did.

"Are you going to leave me and your Papa?" I asked the child.

Namilog ang mga mata niya. "Hindi po."

"You said you're a big boy. You're even ready to fall in love and everything. Kailangan mong mag-work, you need to earn money, then you need to provide for your family."

"But you're my family."

"We are. But one day, you'll have your own. You'll live in your own house with her and build a family for the two of you. Matagal po iyon pero gusto mo na ngayon na."

Nangilid ang luha sa mga mata niya. It's heartbreaking to see him sad, but I want to get my point across, so I stayed firm. Iyon nga lang ay mas mahina ang loob ni Trace. His puppy-dog eyes are showing as he watches me and our son.

"There is nothing wrong with having a crush. There's nothing wrong with falling in love. But there's a right time for everything, and right now, you shouldn't be worrying about how to look good so that you can convince her that she should choose you. You are perfect for us, Lucian. And when the right person comes, you'll realize that you don't need to try so hard to make her see you because she already sees everything that you are." I gently tapped his cute nose. "So that means that for now, you need to focus on being a child because you're a child. It means that you need to grow. You need to build on what's inside you first so that when she comes into your life, you'll know how to treat her right. Understand?"

Tumango siya. "Sorry, Mama."

"Don't be. It's okay. You didn't do anything wrong. We just want you to understand that you didn't need to change anything about you."

"I won't leave you ever."

"Someday, it's okay if you do." My heart hurts even at the thought. "Leaving doesn't mean that you'll lose us. Ibig lang sabihin ay handa ka na para magkaroon ka ng sarili mong bubuuin katulad ng nakita mo sa amin ng Papa mo."

"Then I'll buy a house there." Tinuro niya ang kanang bahagi ng farm. "We'll be neighbors and we'll come over anytime."

I wonder if he'll really do it. He might change his mind when he grows up. But for now, I'll be happy with the fact that he wants to stay near his Papa and Mama.

"We'll talk about it when the time comes. For now, wash your hair first because you're all sticky."

"Okay po!"

Patakbong bumalik siya sa bahay at naiwan kami ni Trace na sinusundan lang siya ng tingin. When he was out of sight, Trace let out a sigh.

"What are we going to do to him?"

"I don't know. What did your parents do to you?" I asked in return. Napanguso ang lalaki at napangisi ako nang hindi niya magawang makapagsalita. "Hindi mo rin maitanggi na sa'yo nagmana ano?"

"Sa lahat naman ng mamanahin, ang kamalasan ko pa sa love life." Nang napataas ang kilay ko ay naging alanganin ang ngiti ni Trace. "Pero okay lang na malasin ako ng isang bilyong beses basta sa'yo pa rin ang dulo ko."

Pinaikot ko ang mga mata ko. "Nakabawi pa nga."

Trace chuckled and walked towards us. Yumuko siya at kinintalan niya ng halik ang noo ko bago siya umupo sa tabi ko.

"I thought he'll grow up more like you," he said.

"I thought so too." Nang mapakamot siya sa ulo niya ay bahagya ko siyang binangga gamit ng balikat ko. "Don't worry. I don't mind. It just means that I got to have more of you since I could see you in him."

"Aww."

Natatawang nagbaba ako ng mga mata sa karga ko na sanggol. "Isa pa, I have a feeling that this one will take after me."

"Then I'll get to have more of you as well."

Nilingon ko si Trace. "Yeah."

Trace's eyes were filled with light as he leaned down and brushed his lips with mine. "I like that, princess." Nagpakawala siya ng malalim na hininga at tinukod niya ang mga kamay niya sa magkabila niya at tumingin siya sa kalangitan. "What a fun life, isn't it?"

"That we're surrounded with animals with our oldest son looking like he's part of The Godfather movie?"

"Yeah," he chuckled.

I looked up at the sky. "Yeah. It is fun."

"Ember?"

"Hmm?"

"Are you happy?"

I turned to the man I've been married to for years. We don't have the perfect marriage. I don't think there is one. Minsan nagkakaroon din kami ng tampuhan. Minsan may mga bagay na hindi kami parehas na sang-ayon. But it doesn't need to be perfect for it to be happy. At the end of the day, I know that I wouldn't trade this life for anything else.

"I am. Unbelievably happy," I said softly.

"As I am, princess. Every day with you is the happiest I've ever been."

CIRCE'S POV

1 more year later...

Tutok na tutok ako sa pinapanood ko. I don't think my heart thudded this much when I'm in a competition. Pero ngayon ay pakiramdam ko parang sasabog ang puso ko sa sobrang lakas nang pagkabog no'n.

"Come on, come on," I chanted to myself. "You can do this, Sese."

If she doesn't win, it's okay with me. Her father and I will be there for her to cheer her on. But my competitive self wants her to win, and I know the blood boiling inside her is the same too. Sa lahat naman kasi ng ipapamana ko kay Kaise ay ang pagkahilig ko pa sa pagkapanalo.

"Anak ko 'yon oh! Iyong nauuna. She's going to win!"

I smirked but I didn't look at the woman. My eyes are laser focused on my own daughter.

"Sana lang kayang tumanggap nang pagkatalo ang iba."

It took all my strength to look away from the competition. I glanced at the woman, who unsurprisingly was looking at me. Matamis na nginitian ko siya at nagsalita ako. "Sana nga."

She balked a little but I decided to turn my attention back on Kaise. She was behind the other swimmer. But I didn't lose hope. I know Kaise and I know that she likes a good competition. Hindi niya gusto kapag hindi siya na-cha-challenge.

Isa pa ay anak tubig ang isang 'yan. She's a Baby Shark for a reason. She's interested in any sport that has water in it. That includes surfing, water polo, diving, and swimming.

"Kaya hindi talaga dapat nagyayabang kapag hindi pa tapos ang laban eh," pagpaparinig ng best friend ko na si Tala Natasha na nasa tabi ko. Siniko ko siya pero inignora niya ako. "Baka mapahiya sa inaanak ko na hindi marunong matalo."

My smile turned to a grin when Tala's words showed immediate proof. Dahil tuluyan na ngang naungusan ni Kaise ang kalaban at ngayon ay siya na ang nasa pinakauna sa laban. When a sound blasted, and I saw Kaise's hand touch the pool's gutter first, I jumped to my feet in elation.

Malakas na tinapik ako sa balikat ni Tala. "She won! Go!"

Glancing one more time at Kaise, I took off and ran. Kaise already knew the plan and she didn't mind. Alam niya na manonood ako at tatapusin ko iyon. But I wouldn't be the one to watch her be awarded.

Napangisi ako nang makita ko si Coal na tumatakbo pasalubong sa akin. He put my face between his hands and kissed my lips quickly, then just like me, he continued running.

Dumiretso ako sa loob ng gusali at kumanan ako papunta sa conference room kung saan kasalukuyang a-awardan na ang mga ipinresenta sa mga judge. Coal watched all the presentations to wait for our son, Alon's, turn. Katulad kay Kaise kanina ay umalis lang din siya nang bigayan na ng awards.

I squeezed into the horde of people. When I saw an empty seat, I ran towards it, not minding the people who tried to get to it first.

"I am honored to announce the grand winner for this year's art competition that captured the beauty of family and the beauty of art combined. None other than, Alon Dawson, with his piece, Unwavering."

Siniguro kong pinakamalakas ang palakpak at sigaw ko nang tinawag sa stage si Alon dala ang mas malaki pa sa kaniya na painting. I've seen the painting, and like the first time, it still amazes me how incredibly talented he is.

He showed a family of four playing with sand castles on a beach. The sandcastle was destroyed by the giant waves that splashed over them, but there wasn't a feeling of disappointment in the art, even though their faces couldn't be seen. Instead, it looks like they're laughing over it, one even splashed them with water.

He's still young, and yet the way he draws and paints is just getting better every day. He's interested in sports too, but he's more drawn to arts. Just like Kaise loves art too but she's more into water.

Parang fangirl na napatili ako nang kumaway sa kinaroroonan ko si Alon. Itinaas niya ang trophy niya at ngiting-ngiti na pumalakpak ako. "You're the best, baby!"

Other boys who are at a certain stage of growing up would have been embarrassed but not him. Instead, he made finger hearts and threw them at me.

"Nice one, kiddo!"

"That's my baby bro!"

"Inaanak ko 'yan!"

Nilingon ko ang pinanggalingan ng mga sigawan at nakita ko sina Coal na nasa likod na bahagi ng malaking conference room. Coal has our daughter on his back on a piggyback ride so that she could see her brother clearly. Marami kasing mga nakatayo at nasa may bandang likod sila. Kaise is still wearing her swimsuit but she has a short on, and a towel on her shoulders. Tumutulo pa ang buhok niya pero wala siyang pakielam sa mundo.

I stood up and went to Alon when he got down from the stage. Excited na ipinakita niya sa akin ang trophy niya. I oohed and ahhed, telling him how proud and happy I am for him, until we reached our family. Ibinaba ni Coal si Kaise at kaagad ko siyang ipinaloob sa mga bisig ko habang si Coal naman ay niyakap ang bunso namin.

"Look, Mommy" Kaise showed me her gold medal.

Pinanggigilan ko ang pisngi niya ng halik na ikinahagikhik niya. "I'm so proud of you, Baby Shark." Inabot ko si Alon at ginulo ko ang buhok ng bata. "To both of you."

"Proud of you, babies," Coal said, his eyes saying more than his words. He's been with the kids every step of the way, as I am with them.

"Proud din ako sa'yo," sabi ko kay Coal.

"Me? Why?"

Kinindatan ko siya. "Hindi magiging anito ka-talented ang lahi natin kund na-delute ang dugo ko o ang dugo mo. It's a good thing we found each other."

Our children giggled while Coal threw his head back and laughed.

"Buti na lang talaga at nahanap niyo ang isa't isa," napapailing na sabi ni Tala. "Nabawasan ng sakit ng ulo ang mundo."

"Aww. Nagsalita ang hindi sakit ng ulo," pang-aasar ko. "Buti nga nagmana kay Ashton si Nolan, kung hindi kawawa naman ang asawa mo."

She rolled her eyes but she didn't deny it. "Intayin ko kayo sa sasakyan. Pagbihisin niyo muna si Sese at baka pulmonyahin na 'yan."

She volunteered— no, demanded, to drive us. Hindi na kami tumanggi ni Coal tutal ay iisa lang naman ang pupuntahan namin.

As much as possible, gusto namin ni Coal na parehas kaming a-attend kapag may mga ganitong event sa buhay ng mga anak namin. Kaya nang malaman namin na magkasabay ang date ng events nila ay namomoblema na kami ni Coal. Swerte kami at ang swimming competition ni Kaise at ang art competition ni Alon ay ginanap sa iisang lugar.

It took us almost fifteen minutes before we got out of the place. Dumiretso kami kung saan naka-park si Tala. Sa pagtataka ko ay bigla na lang tumakbo ang mga anak namin at inunahan kami sa sasakyan.

When we reached the car, the trunk opened, revealing balloons, boxes of cookies, and a platter of pansit inside.

"What's this?" I asked, confused. Nag-angat ako ng tingin kay Coal. "Alam mo ba 'to?"

Kunot ang noo na umiling ang lalaki na nagtataka rin. We turned to the kids who looked at each other and grinned. May inabot sa kanila si Tala at pagkatapos ay lumapit sila sa amin.

Kaise gave me a trophy, while Alon put a medal on Coal's neck. Iba iyon sa mga napanalunan nila.

There is something engraved on the trophy I'm holding. "For the best, Mom," I murmured.

Coal read the one engraved on his medal. "For the best, Dad."

I shared a look with my husband before we faced our children who were both beaming at us.

"Thank you for giving us the best support," Alon said happily.

Kaise smiled at us sweetly. "And for believing in us no matter what we choose to do."

Tears pooled in my eyes and I felt Coal gathered me in his arms. It wasn't just the two of us for long, because in a second, our children are also hugging us.

My heart found rest with Coal, and over the years, the heart found more places to land on. Because I found the same thing in our children. I didn't know life could ever be this happy. And I just know that it will keep getting better and better.

Because with them, I am home.

TIARA'S POV

4 more years later...

I waved goodbye to the children as their parents picked them up one by one. I watched as their cars left the tall gate of the castle that had been open for the whole day, or any other day that was just like this one.

Domino built a studio on the property for me years ago. It's a bigger one than the glass house that was on the other side of the castle. My husband knew that I wanted to teach ballet, so he surprised me with it.

"My zmiya is still full of surprises even after all these years," I murmured to myself.

Nang tuluyan na silang mawala lahat sa paningin ko ay naglakad ako pabalik sa bahay. Instead of going inside the house, I took the path that would lead me to my glass house.

I went inside and for a moment, I just took in the beauty of the last warm glow coming from the sun that is already bidding its goodbye.

It's been a good day. A great one. No children cried, which sometimes happened when they didn't get their way. But today, everyone just had fun.

That's the thing about dancing. Sometimes, it has a life of its own. You can't force the body when it's not ready yet or if it's too tense to release all its potential. Children have the habit of pushing themselves too much, even if they aren't being pressured.

While I want to guide them to be better, I don't want them to be forced into it. Their passion should burn more first before anything else.

I put down my phone and pressed something on the remote. When soft music surrounded the place, I started dancing an old routine. I replaced some of the steps and combinations with easier ones.

It's been a few years since I retired from ballet. Injuries are part of a ballerina's life, and near the end, I've had some major ones, including an ACL injury. I decided to retire before I do more damage that will prevent me from dancing completely.

I didn't mind as much as I thought I would. I've enjoyed my career, and I achieved the things I wanted. And since I have my family, letting go was easy. Akala ko magiging boring ang retirement. Iyon ang pinakainaalala ko. But I have a big family now who fills my life every day. Hindi ako nawawalan ng gagawin at pagkakaabalahan, thanks to them.

As my body succumbs to the music, I let myself do multiple pirouettes for old-time sake. The music quickened and got louder, the same way my movements became hurried and I consumed more of the open space.

When the dance ended, I could feel my heart racing fast. It's been awhile.

"Wow."

I was expecting Domino but the voice was different, nonetheless, I almost jumped in surprise.

"Kael, I told you not to do that." I put a hand on my heart. "You're just like your father."

"Vybachte, Mom," he said, apologizing. "Dad said to call you. He made some snacks."

"Of course he did," I murmured.

Every weekend, Domino makes sure that I have food to eat after my lessons. It's either he'll cook for me or if he's in the office, he'll have food delivered to our doorsteps.

After all these years, he still takes care of me.

I turned off the music and I went out of the glass house. Ikinawit ko ang braso ko sa anak ko na konti na lang ay matatangkaran na ako. Not like it's hard to do that. Mukhang namana niya ang genes ng ama niya at obvious na walang laban ang sa akin.

"Did you have fun, Doll?" Dom asked me as a greeting when I entered the house.

Bumitaw ako sa anak namin at lumapit ako sa asawa ko na agad akong ipinaloob sa isang yakap. "I did. Though, my girls keep screeching every time they will catch sight of Kael."

"Ganoon talaga kapag gwapings. Right, kid?"

Kael just grinned, but he didn't deny or agree with his father's words. But Domino wasn't wrong. Kael is a mixture of us both. He got Dom's strong features, while he inherited my eyes, hair color, and complexion.

Personality-wise, he started out like Domino, but as he grew older, he's become more calm. I couldn't really put it into words, but Lucienne did. She once told me that Kael is like a modern version of a handsome vampire. To add to that, he lives in a castle.

"They kept asking me if you know how to dance ballet," I informed my son.

"If I have the talent po pwede naman. But I took after my father."

"Parang na-hurt ako ng slight," sabi ni Domino na ikinatawa ko. "But I think you mean about work and not my two left feet, right? You want to be a detective or something?"

He doesn't have two left feet. I love our sweet dances. If we're talking about ballet, though, then yes.

Napangiwi si Kael at sinaklot ni Domino ang dibdib niya. Giggling, I pinched his side. Natatawa na rin na ikinulong niya ang kamay ko sa kaniya.

"I'm curious, sweetheart. What do you really want to be?" I asked Kael. "Kung wala ka pang naiisip, okay lang naman."

"Meron po..." he trailed off. "I just don't think it will be easy."

"Nothing's easy in life." I gave him a soft smile. "What is it?"

He seems reluctant, which I don't understand. We share everything in this house. It's something Domino really wanted to stay firm on. If we want to say something, we should. Galit man o masaya kami, he wants complete honesty. He wanted us to show that to our child, to lead as an example that any kind of feeling or emotion is not unwelcome in our home.

"A politician."

Domino and I shared a look. I realized why Kael was reluctant. Though my brothers are both in politics now, with Damian completing his term of presidency successfully, the stories of our lives aren't a secret. Hindi na ako nagtataka na alam din iyon ni Kael.

"If you want to be a politician, then we'll support you," I said gently. "Your uncles have given you great examples, haven't they? You'll be the same too. Even greater."

"But—"

"Being good is not inherited. It's a decision and a discipline. Ang pagiging masama ay hindi rin minamana. What you're worrying about wouldn't happen. I'm sure of that."

His young age showed at his unsure whisper. "How?"

"Because you're ours. Mine and your father's. And we believe in you. We believe that you'll make the right choices." I opened my arms and he quickly went to it, and we both ended up enveloped in Domino's embrace. "Don't pressure yourself about it for now. You're young. Be young. When the time comes, we will be there for you."

"Promise?"

"We're not going anywhere, Kid," Domino's arms tightened around us. "Promise."

Nagtama ang mga mata namin ni Domino. Holding the gaze of the man that I love, the man whose strength gives the life we shared a sense of security, I answered our son, "I promise."

MAGNUS' POV

12 more years later...

In the beginning, no hope was given. Not even a year. It's always been the "it could be anytime" words that I kept hearing. Then things shifted, and hope became more tangible. A year became possible. And another and another.

5 years have come. Those five years? A miracle. Then five became ten, ten became fifteen, fifteen became twenty. Twenty was the limit. It was what most have reached.

Now it's been five years since that twentieth mark. It's the twenty-fifth.

We have lost so much but we also gained as much. We said our goodbyes, but we also gave new hellos. We broke our hearts and found more to love again. We have let go, and we have more to hold on to.

I looked at the woman standing beside me, wearing a wedding gown. For a moment, it's like I'm seeing a memory from decades ago come back to life. She looks so much like her.

"Are you okay?" I asked her.

She didn't answer. She just kept looking at the gravestones in front of us. I stepped closer to her in worry when I saw her eyes got filled with tears.

"Haizea."

She blinked and looked up at me. "Sorry, Pa. I'm a bit emotional today."

"I think that's understandable. You're in the middle of a cemetery, hours before your wedding."

Wedding. When she first dated her now future husband, I hated him with a passion. But he's a good man. He didn't get tired convincing us that he's worthy to be with Luna and I's daughter. The greatest miracle we have ever received; our Haizea Ella Dawson-Aquillan.

Haizea wasn't someone that we expected would come into our lives. Luna wasn't given much of a chance when it came to getting pregnant. But like how every day with her was a miracle, Haizea also came to us like one.

So it's not easy to let her go. I married her mother when she was in her thirties. Haizea is only in her early twenties. It feels like I didn't have much time to prepare myself. But it's not like I'm getting any younger. I'm lucky enough to have witnessed my daughter getting married.

"I just kept thinking how much better this day would be if they're here."

I cleared my throat. "I know. But they're here in a way. They never left you." As if on cue, a breeze swirled around us. "You know, a lot in our family said that whenever they are here, they will feel a breeze just like this. It feels warm even if everything else feels cold. It feels like a greeting... a hug. It feels like them. That's why we named you Haizea. It means wind. And Ella—"

"Because she's the smartest eleven-year-old that Mama met before." She smiled the smile that reminded me so much of her mother. "You think they met Ella up there?"

I nodded and wrapped my arm around her shoulder. Parehas na tumingin kami sa mga lapida na nasa harapan namin. For a moment, we said nothing. We just let the silence stretch between us, feeling the warm breeze dancing around us.

"Are you going to read the letter now?"

Haizea looked at the envelope she's holding. Luna's penmanship could be seen on it. "I want to but—"

"For a gramp, you're always in a rush. Maawa ka naman sa tuhod ko, hubby bear."

Nilingon namin at nagsalita at napailing ako nang makita ko si Luna na naglalakad palapit sa amin. Decades later and she's still wearing high-heeled shoes like she's born to walk on them.

Huminto siya sa kabilang tabi ng anak namin at bahagya siyang yumuko para ibaba ang mga bulaklak na dala niya. "Hi, Mama and Papa." Nikolas spent amazing years with his children and grandchildren, and when the time came, he laid to rest beside the only women he had ever loved. "Pakidalaw po ang mga anak niyo. Ang tatanda na pero ang kukulit pa rin. Akala mo mga strong pa ang tuhod. Mga nag-hiking noong isang araw. Mga iika-ika tuloy na a-attend ng asal ng apo ninyo." Napailing siya. "But this is what I wanted so who am I to complain? Mula thirty-five ako, kada magbibirthday ako ay hinihiling ko na tumanda kasama ang buong pamilya. And now here we are."

Binalingan ni Luna ang lapida na may pangalan niya. A gravestone that I kept asking her to have removed but she didn't want to. It's a reminder for her that she has beat a lot of odds. Ibinaba niya ang natitirang bulaklak na hawak niya at nilagay niya iyon sa isa pang lapida. "Hey, Polar Bear. How's my girl? Pakidalaw din ang anak mo. Twelve years old na pero ang tigas pa rin ng ulo. Frost ruined another pair of my favorite shoes."

Polar Bear's the rescue that Luna and I adopted from Embrace's Sanctuary. She spent a lot of years with us, beating the odds the way Luna did as well.

Luna straightened and looked at our daughter. "You can read it now. Para malaman mo kung tama ang hula ko." She tipped her head to the envelope. "I wrote that when you were just a tiny bean inside me."

Haizea's smile widened but she did as her mother asked. Binuksan niya ang envelope at tahimik na binasa niya ang laman niyon. It wasn't long before Haizea's sobbing, and Luna, seeing her baby crying, started crying too.

Napapabuntong-hininga na kumilos ako at pumagitna ako sa kanila. Hinapit ko sila palapit sa akin hanggang sa bahagyang humina ang pag-iyak nilang dalawa.

"I-I'm glad," Haizea whispered while looking straight into her mother's eyes. "That you're here to read this letter to me. That I didn't experience only having a piece of you in the words written on a piece of paper. I'm glad that I didn't need to feel you in the wind, instead, I have you here with me."

Luna's cancer came back twice. She fought it successfully both times. It wasn't an easy battle. Not for us, but especially not for her. But she stayed strong. Especially when we had Haizea.

"It became possible because of you," Luna whispered, putting a hand gently on our daughter's cheek. "I have fought for my family, for myself, and most of all, for your father. But fighting for you was my biggest battle, because you're also my greatest victory."

Being with a Dawson is something that not many could understand. Until you fell in love with one of them.

I've spent years with one. If there's one thing I'm sure of, a Dawson's love persists despite what comes in their way. They are unyielding, the steadiest of the steadiest. Unshakable and unbreakable. Life, no matter how dauntingly enormous it may seem, is like the sharpest of swords fighting with the wind. It's harmless against the wind.

I realized over the years that it's not just because the Dawsons have been strengthened by fire, with everything they've been through, but because they know how to be strong through the people they are willing to fight for.

If you ask someone who received a Dawson's heart, why is loving them the best thing that ever happened to them? They'll tell you that it's because even if this life shows you pain, struggle, goodbyes, and endings. Even if this life isolates you, even if it makes you feel unworthy. A life with a Dawson uncovers an infinite number of great things that make the fight worth it. A life that is full. A life full of beauty. A life where your heart is at peace, no longer needing to wander anymore, because it has found the safest place to rest.

"LA?"

"Yes, hubby bear?"

"Tulog o ako?"

Haizea giggled softly. Ilang beses na niya iyong narinig buong buhay niya. She's read the books that her Tita Lucienne made for me and her mother again and again.

"Ikaw." Luna glanced at our daughter, our miracle. She looked back at me, and I saw the same thing. My miracle, one that stayed with me longer than we were told to hope for. Because I was right years ago. I was right to bet everything on her. I was right that with her, there is no losing. "Tayo."

FIN