Song: Through the Night- IU

Family

"You should wear skirts often," Dominic said once we'd entered his car.

Natigilan ako sa pagkabit ng seat belt ko nang dahil sa sinabi niya. Kuryoso ko siyang tiningnan.

"Why?"

Dominic devilishly smirked. "Easy access."

My jaw dropped because of that. This brute!!! How can he? Oh my god!

Agad na namula ang mukha ko kaya mabilis akong nag-iwas ng tingin sakanya. Dominic chuckled when he saw how embarrassed I got. I was frozen in place when he rested his hand on my thigh. I gulp.

Akala niya ba nakalimutan ko na ang ginawa niya sa akin kanina? I was scared to death that someone might hear us so I tried to be as quiet as possible. But this guy!!! He likes to make me scream!

"I'm just kidding." Aniya.

I rolled my eyes. "Stop it."

He chuckled sexily. Hindi ko naman naiwasang mapangisi nang dahil doon. I bit my lip as the images of our heated scene a while ago replayed inside my head. I never would have imagined us doing that on the swivel chair!

Gosh! There could have been a better place! He has a sofa inside his office for goodness' sake! But on a freaking swivel chair!

"So... you're coming?" he asked.

I tried not to think green towards that question. God knows how I answered him a while ago! It was double meaning!

Tumikhim ako at umayos ng upo.

"Yeah. It's your birthday so..."

"My whole family's going to be there."

"It's okay. I already met them before."

"No, I mean... my whole family. Including my cousins and their families."

Bumuka ang bibig ko. Is he trying to make me nervous or what? It was already awkward for me when I met his family. Paano ba kaya kung buong angkan niya na pala ang makikilala ko?

"Don't worry. I know they're gonna like you." He assured me.

Ngumuso ako. I hope so. My own family never liked me and made me feel like I didn't belong. So I hope this time, I wouldn't feel the same. I just want a family that I can call my own. I wanted to know how it feels like to have a real family because that's something that I was deprived of feeling while I was growing up.

Mabilis lang ang naging byahe namin pabalik ng penthouse. Of course, Dominic and I's day wouldn't end without us having another intense make out session inside his car. I think that's already our hobby ever since we got back together.

Tumingala ako at kinagat ang pang-ibaba kong labi nang bumaba ang halik ni Dominic sa leeg ko. Napakapit ako ng mahigpit sa balikat niya.

"Oh..." I moaned.

I wonder if this is still normal. We just got back together and here we are obsessing over each other that we couldn't end the damn day without getting our hands all over each other!

Maybe that's cause we missed each other so much. Or maybe I was just so ready to give myself to him!

"Let's do it, Dominic..." I whispered on his ear.

I gasp when Dominic found my sweet spot. He was busy sucking on my breast so it took him a while to speak. Even without him inside me yet, I could feel mine throbbing already.

"Not yet, baby."

I groaned but that didn't last long when I let out another long moan. He just found my wetness and took it to his advantage! I got shy when I didn't stop moaning as he inserts his finger in and out of me so I hid my face on his neck.

For a moment, I thought about marrying him already just so we can do it. But I know that's it's going to be a bad reason to say yes to him so I just let it be. Ayaw ko namang isipin niya na 'yun lang ang habol ko kaya um-oo ako sakanya!

Fine. If he wants us to always be like this, then fine!

I didn't know what time we finished. All I know is that we're both breathing heavily once we're done. When everything's becoming heated, we transferred to his back seat to continue what we're doing. And there, we both had our own release without even going inside each other!

It was wild and hot but I did not regret every second of it.

"I love you so much, Arielle." Dominic whispered and hugged me tighter.

I smiled and kissed him deeply again to show him that I feel the same. Bumangon na ako at kinuha ang damit. I started to dress up.

"I need to go. I'll see you when?" I asked.

May isang araw pa akong natitira bago ako magtungo sa Thailand. I would love it if we get to spend our day with each other again tomorrow but if he's busy, I'll understand.

Dominic sighed heavily.

"I have some errands to do tomorrow. But if I finished early, I'll come and visit you."

The idea made me smile wider. But then I thought about Carol and her watchful eyes! Baka hindi namin magawa ang gusto naming gawin dahil palagi siyang nakabantay sa amin!

"I'll go to my condo! Let's meet there!" I suggested.

He nods his head. Dominic pressed another kiss on my lips before letting me go. I made sure that I didn't look flushed once I entered the penthouse so that Carol wouldn't suspect anything.

"Enjoyed your date?" Carol immediately asks once I entered the room.

I smiled a little and nod my head. "Yeah..."

"Are you still going out tomorrow?"

"Probably."

Ngumuso siya at tumango, like she was already expecting that.

"I'm happy that you're happy, Serena."

I scoffed and rolled my eyes playfully at her. "Don't go drama on me, Carol."

"But I'm serious. I can see how genuinely happy you look with him. It's a yes for me."

"What? Are you Simon Cowell now?"

Carol chuckled. "Maybe. As your manager, I have a say on who you're dating. And so far, I don't have anything to dislike about this guy. He's perfect." 

And Dominic Donovan got another praise from the people who are closest to me. Maybe it's in his asset that's why everyone likes him.

I look at Carol teasingly. Konti nalang talaga at iisipin ko nang may gusto rin 'to kay Dominic, e. She must've realized the look on my face that's why she pushed my face away and made me turn towards the stairs.

"You really like to tease me huh?" aniya bago ako itulak paakyat ng hagdan.

I laughed and waved at her.

Sakto naman na pagkatapos kong mag-ayos ay tumawag si Dominic. We stayed up late again just talking about some random things. Hindi ko naman maiwasang isipin kung ano ang maaaring mangyari sa medical mission na tinutukoy niya? His whole family is going to be there!

And most importantly, what should I give him as a gift? He's turning a year older! I should give him something special.

Natuloy nga ang plano namin ni Dominic kinabukasan. Pagkatapos niyang magtrabaho ay dumiretso siya sa condo ko. Nalaman ko rin na dito siya madalas mag-stay kaya naman ang dami niya ring gamit dito.

Simple lang ang naging takbo ng gabi namin noon. Right after we watched a movie, we go to bed and... there we all know what happens next. I feel so exhausted that I didn't want to back to my penthouse. Mabuti nalang talaga at hapon pa ang flight ko patungong Thailand.

Dominic drove me back to my penthouse. We won't be seeing each other for a week because I have a lot of shoots and events to attend to while I'm in Thailand. Pagkatapos naman no'n, may fittings ako with some renowned designers pagbalik ko dito sa Pinas.

Kaunti nalang ang magiging oras namin para sa isa't isa kaya napagkasunduan namin na pagkatapos ng trabaho namin ay magkikita kami sa gabi.

"Miss Serena, totoo po bang may dinedate kayong sikat na businessman?" tanong ng isang taga media habang papasok ako ng airport.

I keep my head down and refused to answer their questions, like what Carol instructed. Ilang araw nang nag-cicirculate sa Internet ang litrato namin ni Dominic noong nagpunta kami sa Rockwell. People are not sure if that was me since I'm wearing a cap.

But there are other fans who theorizes that there really was something going on between Dominic and I. Well, their theories aren't wrong. There really is something going on between us. But I didn't want to tell it to the world yet since I want to keep our relationship private.

I don't want the world's attention to be on us.

My trip to Thailand was tiring and yet still fulfilling. I've met lots of Thai models and fans and I enjoyed the time where we get to roam around the streets of Bangkok. Dito din ako nakahanap ng ireregalo kay Dominic.

Nang bumalik kami sa Pilipinas, kabi-kabilang fittings, interviews, at shoots naman ang dinaluhan ko. I had dinner with Dominic and Carol that night. Masaya ako na nagkakasundo silang dalawa. Pakiramdam ko pinapakilala ko siya sa nanay ko.

"I'll see you again tomorrow." Ani Dominic bago ako patakan ng halik sa labi.

I smiled. Tomorrow is going to be his birthday so meaning, bukas na rin ang medical mission. I feel so anxious just by thinking about it. It's my first time meeting his whole family! I just hope I wouldn't act too awkward.

I woke up to my alarm the next day. Pagkatapos kong mag-ayos ay namili na ako ng susuotin ko ngayong araw. I decided to wear a simple shirt and a pair of jeans. I partnered it with my white shoes. Pagbaba ko ay nabigla ako nang makita ko si Dominic na nakaupo na sa hapag!

"Hi! Good morning, love!" tumayo siya upang bumati sa akin.

I saw Carol smiling at us. Hindi naman nawala sa mukha ko ang pagkabigla.

"You didn't tell me you were coming over early!" sabi ko.

"Because I wanted to surprise you."

I look at him ridiculously. It's his birthday today. I should be the one surprising him! I smiled at him and gave him a tight hug.

"Happy birthday, my love." I whispered.

Abot tainga naman ang ngiti niya dahil sa pagbati ko. He grabbed my hand and guided me towards the dining table. Si Carol naman, nagpipigil ng ngiti.

"Let's eat now, kids." Aya niya.

We had a normal conversation while eating breakfast. Pagkatapos noon ay agad rin naman kami umalis ni Dominic.

"Nandoon na ba ang pamilya mo?" kuryoso kong tanong.

"Kanina pa."

Namilog ang mga mata ko. It's not a good impression that we're late! Gosh!

"Tayo nalang ang hinihintay?!"

Dominic nods his head like it was not a big deal to him. He must've noticed the worried look on my face that's why he grabbed my hand to assure me.

"Don't worry. They know how busy you are. I told them to let you rest for a bit that's why I informed them that we're going to be late."

Ngumuso ako. Totoo naman pero... nakakahiya!

"I can adjust, Dominic. Nakakahiya na late tayo!"

"It's fine. They're not going to start not until we arrive."

"Bakit? May special treatment ka?"

"Syempre! Birthday ko, e."

I rolled my eyes at him. Umiling ako at hinintay nalang na makarating kami sa paggaganapan ng medical mission na iyon.

I was surprised to see how many people are waiting. Nakita kong marami na ring abala sa pag-aayos ng mga gamit. Pagbaba namin ng sasakyan ay agad naman kaming sinalubong ni Felicity.

"Kuya!" anito at sinalubong ang kapatid.

Nang ibaling niya ang tingin sa akin ay agad na sumilay ang ngiti sa kanyang labi. I smiled at her in return.

"Serena! I didn't know you were coming!" she hugged me after.

I hugged her back and chuckled. "Nice seeing you again, Fel."

"Nagsisimula na ba?" tanong ni Dominic.

Felicity nodded her head. "Yeah. We just started five minutes ago. Come! Let's go get your shirts."

Kinuha naman ni Dominic ang kamay ko at hinila na patungo sa kung saan man kami dadalhin ni Felicity.

I roamed my eyes around to see what's happening. May iilang tent na nakatayo sa gilid. Ang isa, tent para sa mga doktor. Ang iba naman para sa ibang gamit at gamot.

Everyone is so busy. May nakita pa akong mga bata ns tumutulong sa pagbibigay ng iilang gamot. I smiled at the scene. Nawala lang ang tingin ko sakanila nang iabot na ni Felicity sa amin ang t-shirt na susuotin namin.

"Here." Inabot ni Felicity sa akin ang isang puti na t-shirt. May print doon kung saan nakalagay ang pangalan ng ospital na pagmamay-ari ng pamilya ni Dominic.

"You can change over there."

Dominic and I both turned towards a portalet. Tumango ako at sinabayan na si Dominic na magpunta doon. Pagkatapos naming magpalit ay may lumapit naman sa amin na iilang katulong upang kunin ang damit namin. Dominic smiled at them.

"Thank you po."

Inilibot kong muli ang tingin ko. Halos lahat ay abala na sa kani-kanilang ginagawa na hindi na nila napansin ang pagdating namin. May iilang mga doktor din silang kasama na sa tingin ko ay matalik ring kaibigan ng kapatid niya.

"You have a big family." Sabi ko kay Dominic habang naglalakad kami patungo sa pwesto ng magulang niya.

He smiled like he is proud of being a part of it.

"Yeah. It's fun having them around all the time."

If there's on thing I envy about his life, it's this. He's got everything including a happy and a complete family.

Habang ako, mayroon nga ng mga bagay na gusto ko, kulang naman ako.

There will always be a part of me that longs for my family. I've always wished that things were different. Sana ganito rin kami kasaya at magkasundo. Ariana would like that.

"You ready to meet them now?"

Nawala lang ang lahat ng iniisip ko nang dahil sa tanong niyang iyon. I tried my best to smile as I nod my head. Nang mapansin ng magulang niya na papalapit kami ay masaya nila kaming sinalubong.

Gio is with his wife and parents. Nakita ko naman na ang ate nila ay abala sa pag-attend ng ilang pasyente.

"Birthday boy!" salubong ni Gio sa kapatid.

Dominic chuckled and hugged his brother tightly. Agad naman na tumama ang tingin sa akin ni Gio pagkatapos.

"Serena? Long time no see!" he looks surprised to see me here. "Dominic didn't tell me you were coming!"

"This is the surprise I was telling you about." Si Dominic.

Mapangasar naman na ngumisi si Gio sa amin. He pointed at the both of us.

"So, you two are back together now huh?"

"Yes." Dominic answered confidently.

Gio raised his fist like he is very happy about it. They fist bumped each other.

"That's my brother!" they both chuckled. "Anyways, this is my wife, Zaylia."

Humakbang naman palapit ang asawa niya sa amin. She stretched her arm to me.

"Hi! I'm Zaj!"

I smiled. "Hello. I'm Serena."

Habang nakikipagkamay naman sakanya ay hindi ko naiwasang mapansin ang iilang peklat sa kanyang kamay. It looks like a cigarette burn. My forehead creased.

Zaylia must've noticed that I was looking at it so she chuckled.

"It's s scar from the past," I didn't get what she meant by that. "I'm a domestic violence survivor."

My jaw dropped. "Oh! I'm sorry! I didn't mean to‐"

"It's fine," she smiled reassuringly at me. "This is something that I'm not afraid of sharing with anyone."

Gio smiled proudly at his wife. He pulled her closer and rested his head against hers. Bumaba ang tingin ko sa tiyan niya. Her baby bump is big now.

"Congrats with the baby!" bati ko. I pointed at her stomach.

Zaylia ran her hand through her swollen belly. She smiled sweetly at me.

"Thank you!"

Masayang ngumiti si Gio sa aming dalawa bago kami ipaubaya sa mga magulang nila. Unang lumapit ang Papa sila sa amin. He hugged Dominic first while his mother kissed me on the cheek.

"Nice seeing you again, hija!" I smiled at her while she caresses my hair.

"Nice seeing you, too, po."

"Happy birthday, son." I heard his father greeted. 

"Thank you, pa."

Sabay namin silang nilingon dalawa. Kahit na nakakatakot tingnan ang Papa niya ay nagawa parin nitong ngumiti sa akin.

"Hello, Serena."

Oh! He still knows me!

"Hello po! Nice seeing you again!"

Nilingon niya namang muli ang anak. "You can help your brother over here. Baka kailanganin nila Margaux iyan mamaya."

I look over the bunch of medical equipment on the table. Gio and Zaylia are now busy segregating them. I saw some syringes, gauze pads, and micropores. May iilang tubes din akong nakita.

"Sige po, Pa. Papakilala ko lang po muna si Serena sakanila Tita Lorena."

Tumango ang Papa niya. Kinuha naman muli ni Dominic ang kamay ko. I let out a deep sigh as I remember how awkward it was when I noticed Zaylia's scar. Nilingon ako ni Dominic.

"Don't worry. Zaylia's already used with talking about her past. She's now an advocate for domestic violence survivors. She's a speaker and she also provides a pro-bono legal counsel for them."

Napakurap ako. "Oh! Wow! That's... amazing!"

I was lost for words. I couldn't imagine myself going through the same pain. Hindi ko rin maimagine na pagbuhatan ng kamay ng tao na mahal mo. It must be tough.

"I know. She's very brave."

Sunod naming pinuntahan sila Aiden na abala naman sa pagalaalay ng ilang pasyente. Agad silang ngumiti nang makita kaming papalapit.

"Happy birthday, Dom!" bati ng mag-asawa sakanya.

Pinakilala niya ako sa dalawa na masaya naman akong winelcome. They pointed at their kids who's now busy helping their aunts and uncles. Sila pala iyong mga bata na kanina ko pa napapansin.

Sunod naming pinuntahan sila Benjamin at ang asawa niya. She's pregnant, too. Sa tingin ko mas nauna lang siya ng ilang buwan kaysa kay Zaylia.

"Here comes the birthday boy!" masayang salubong sakanya ni Benjamin.

They both hugged each other tight. May kung anong binulong si Dominic sakanya para naman magawi ang tingin sa akin. His eyes widened a bit as he pointed at me.

"Hi! I believe I wasn't able to introduce myself to you before. I'm Benjamin and this is my wife, Kelsey."

Kelsey waved at me. Pagkatapos kong makipag-beso kay Kelsey ay agad naman kaming inasar nitong si Benjamin.

"Ano, Dom? Body shots ba mamaya?"

I couldn't help but chuckle as I remember how he used to chant that the first time I saw him. Kelsey hit her husband's arm ridiculously. Nilingon niya kami at umiling. Tinuro niya ang asawa.

"Don't mind him. Kanina pa kasi siya inom na inom ng alak, e."

"Syempre! Tubig ko 'yon, e."

Kelsey shakes her head again. Kulang nalang talaga ay mapahawak siya sa noo niya dahil sa sinasabi ng asawa. Nagpaalam naman kami pagkatapos upang magtungo na sa pwesto nila Margaux. On her lap is her son who's innocently watching her as she writes something at the prescription paper.

"Hi." Dominic greeted.

Napaangat ng tingin ang kapatid niya. Behind her is a tall and handsome man which I presume is her husband. I already knew that he's going to be this good looking in person!

"Dominic! Serena! Hi!" pagkatapos niyang mag-sulat ay ibinigay niya naman sa pasyente niya ang kanyang reseta. She smiled at at patient.

"Diretso po kayo doon para kumuha ng libreng gamot."

Tumango ang pasyente at agad naman na sumunod. Margaux gave her son to her husband to stand and greet us. Sunod namang nagpakilala sa amin ang kanyang asawa na inilapit ang anak nilang si George para may bless kay Dominic.

"Welcome back, man." Ani Dominic sabay nakipag fist bump kay Jaxon.

"Thanks. Happy birthday to you!" 

Dominic smiled. "Thank you, my favorite brother in law."

Jaxon chuckled. Kinuha naman ni Dominic si George upang buhatin ito. I couldn't help but smile as I watch them. He looks good with children. Mukha ring malapit siya dito sa pamagkin niya dahil kita ko sa mga mata nito kung gaano siya kasaya nang buhatin siya ni Dominic.

Margaux switched places with her co-doctor to guide us towards their other cousin Brittany. Nang makalapit kami sa pwesto niya ay agad siyang tinawag ni Margaux.

"Britt!"

Agad itong nag-angat ng tingin. Her gaze first landed on mine the reason why her eyes immediately widened. Sa gulat niya ay kulang nalang ay iwan na niya ang pasyente na kausap niya para lang lumapit sa amin.

Napansin kong nagmamadali na rin siya sa ginagawa para lang makalapit na sa amin.

"Hi! Oh my god!" bati niya pagkatapos niyang kausapin ang pasyente.

She hung her stethoscope around her neck and walked towards us. Nabigla ako nang yakapin niya ako ng mahigpit.

"I've waited so long to finally meet you!"

Hindi ko naiwasang magulat sa sinabi niyang iyon.

"She's a fan," si Dominic. "Right, George? Tita Brittany is a fan of Tita Serena?"

Pinaglaruan ni Dominic ang kamay ng pamangkin. George cutely rested his head against Dominic's neck. He sucked his thumb and nod his head.

"I've been wanting to meet you ever since I saw you on the business party! Hindi ko alam kung anong ginawa ni Dominic sa'yo pero sana hindi ka naman ginayuma nito 'no?"

Tumawa ako. "Hindi naman. Nag-pauto lang."

She hissed and laughed after. She told me that she couldn't bring her son here since he's only a few months old. Pinakilala niya naman ako sa asawa niya at napagalaman kong magkapatid pala sila noong asawa ni Margaux! And they're both soldiers, too!

"As much as I want to talk to you longer, I gotta go. We have a lot of patients lining up and they kind of need me." Brittany smiled awkwardly at us.

Tumango naman ako at hinahayaan na siyang bumalik sa pwesto niya. Dominic gave George back to his father then he guided me towards his aunts and uncles who's busy setting up the foods on the corner.

They all gave me a warm welcome. Palabiro iyong Tito Francisco niya kaya alam ko na rin kung saan nag-mana si Benjamin.

Tumulong na rin kami pagkatapos. Masyado na kaming naging abala lahat dahil patuloy sa pagdagsa ang mga tao. Kabi-kabilang trucks naman ang dumadating dala ang mga gamit medikal at mga gamot.

Nagtutulong tulong ang lahat ng mga lalaki sa pagbubuhat. Habang kami namang mga babae ay nagtutulong tulong sa pag-aayos. I was fun being around them. Marami akong natutuklasang mga bagong bagay at masaya rin ako na may mga bagong nakikilala.

The kids are also busy giving out the medicines. They are assisting the pharmacists that works at their hospital. Napangiti naman ako nang makita ko si George na inaalalayan pa ng kanyang Daddy habang inaabot sa isang pasyente ang gamot nito.

After he reached the medicine to the patient, he shyly hid behind his father's leg. Natawa si Jaxon kaya binuhat niya ang anak at hinalikan ang pisngi nito.

I imagined Dominic doing the same. I know he's going to be a great father to our children.

Wait... our?!

I must be insane to be thinking about this. Ano? Nagagaya na rin ba ako kay Dominic? Now that we've gone through the past, we're now all over the future?

I shake my head and remove that thought out of my mind.

Tumigil lang ang operasyon dahil oras na para kumain. Their hospital also provided free foods for the patients. I was left alone in one area because I didn't know where Dominic went.

Habang mag-isa ay kinuha ko naman itong oportunidad upang panoorin ang iba niyang kamanganak. Aiden and his wife are now guiding their kids towards the food. Tita Lorena are waiting for them at the table so when her grandchildren saw her, they ran up to her and hugged her.

On the other side, I saw Felicity carrying George. Beside her is Margaux and Jaxon. Nakapikit si Margaux habang minamasahe ni Jaxon ang ulo nito.

Brittany and Kiel are both going towards the food now. The same goes with Benjamin and Kelsey. Sila Gio at Zaylia naman, kasama ang mga magulang nila ni Dominic.

Nagpakawala ako ng malalim na hininga. I almost jumped in my place when I felt someone's arm wrapped around my waist. I turn to look at Dominic when he rests his chin on my shoulder.

"You can always call us your family, Arielle."

"Huh?"

Umayos siya ng tayo upang hayaan akong paharapin sakanya.

"I know that this is something new for you. You've always told me before how you wanted a complete and happy family. And this is it. This is what a complete and happy family looks like. We can be your family, Arielle."

I tried not to stifle a smile. Dominic tucked a strand of my hair behind my ear.

"And no, this is not me asking you to marry me again. But I just want you to know that you can always come to us whenever you need help. Even if we don't up together, you can still come to us."

I chuckled. "That would be too awkward."

"That's why we have to end up together so it won't be too awkward." He smirked.

Hindi ko na napigilan ang pag-ngiti. Who wouldn't want that though? Only fools wouldn't want to end up with the love of their life! My love for Dominic isn't just something that I could let go that easily. It is something that I'm going to bring with me for the rest of my life.

"Thank you..." I mumbled.

Dominic smiled and pressed a kiss on my temple before we walk towards the food area. We joined Felicity, Brittany, Kiel, and their parents on their table.

Pagkatapos kumain ay nagpatuloy na ulit ang operasyon. Kaunti nalang ang mga dumadalong pasyente ngayon dahil bukod sa paubos na ang mga gamot, papalubog na rin ang araw.

Today just felt so light that I wish this day wouldn't end too quickly. I feel like I've unlocked a new version of myself that I can only see if I have a normal and happy family.

Sobrang gaan ng loob ko dahil sa unang pagkakataon sa buong buhay ko, I finally felt belong even if it's in someone else's family.

"Let's take a picture!" aya ni Brittany nang matapos ang lahat sa ginagawa.

They all agreed with excitement. They automatically found a spot. Dali-daling nagpunta ang lahat doon upang maghanap ng pwesto. Margaux and Brittany's friend, Ethan, is going to be the one to take the picture.

Hinila ako ni Felicity at pinawesto sa tabi niya. She giggled.

Sinong mag-aakala na dahil sa relasyon namin ni Dominic ay nagkalapit kami ni Felicity? She was just my classmate whom I don't pay much attention to before. All I know about her is just she's kind and bubbly. I never really had a normal conversation with her unless it's for school.

Pero ngayon, akala mo'y hindi nag-isnoban noong Senior High School. Akala mo ang tagal na naming magkaibigan.

Pumwesto rin si Dominic sa tabi ko. He snaked his arm around my waist. I leaned myself against his chest as we wait for Ethan to take a picture.

"Bagal naman niyan!" narinig kong reklamo ni Margaux.

Ethan glared at her. Dumating na rin si Rico upang tulungan ang kaibigan na ayusin ang tripod.

"Eto na po, boss!" sibat ng kaibigan ni Margaux sakanya.

Natawa ang iba sa asaran ng dalawa. Yumuko na si Ethan upang tumingin sa viewfinder ng camera. He raised three fingers up.

"Smile!"

Malaking ngiti ang binigay ko habang hinihintay siyang matapos magbilang at i-click ang camera. He instructed us to do a wacky pose. Hindi na pinag-isipan ni Dominic ang pose niya dahil bigla nalang siyang humalik sa pisngi ko.

I closed my eyes and acted like I was getting too excited about Dominic's kiss on my cheek. I put my hand on my other cheek.

"Now let's point at the birthday boy!" si Benjamin.

"That's me!" turo ni Dominic sa sarili niya.

We all turned towards his direction. I was about to point at him when I heard Brittany said something.

"Let's also point at Serena since she's a new addition to our family!"

My eyes widened a bit so I turned to Brittany in surprise. She winked at me. Nawala lang ang tingin ko sakanya nang yakapin ako ni Dominic patalikod. Agad na nagkanchawan ang lahat nang dahil sa ginawa niya. My face heated.

"This is the best birthday ever." Dominic whispered in my ear.

Sakto naman sa pag-ngiti ko ay ang pag-click ni Ethan sa camera.

I couldn't find the right words to describe how this day went for me. All I know is that I'm happy. I am grateful to have met these people. They made me feel like their own; na para bang parte na talaga ako ng pamilya nila kahit na hindi pa naman kami mag-asawa ni Dominic.

I smiled at the realization that I will no longer wish for a happy and complete family because... finally... I have one now.