A/N: Successful ang Book Signing/Launching kahapon. Sana sa susunod ay makapunta na rin 'yung iba. Thank you! ❤️

CHAPTER TWENTY SEVEN

THE NURSES hurriedly attended to Alexza the moment they enter to the City hospital. Inilapag siya ng kapatid sa hospital bed at dinala siya ng mga nurse papunta sa delivery room.

"I'll be right here. Be strong, okay? I'll be right here." Dwaye keep saying the words before the door closed.

"Breath, Misis." The doctor said softly.

Her legs is already parted. Tagaktak na rin ang pawis niya sa noo. Kung sana kasama niya si Drake, baka nakagat niya na sa sobrang hirap palang magluwal ng bata. Pero kakayanin niya ang lahat ng sakit mailabas niya lang ang anak nila. Masakit pero excited na siyang makita ang baby. Sino kaya ang kamukha? Baka si Drake? Sana.

"Aahhh!" She shouted when she push her baby out.

"Push!" The doctor order and she did again. "Where's the baby's stuffs? Get it from her husband." She commanded with the nurses there.

"He's my brother," she weakly said and tried hard to open her eyes to see the baby.

The doctor gently slap her baby's butt making him cry. She gasped as she heard her baby crying.

"It's a handsome baby boy. Congrats Misis."

She smile weakly and she never leave her eyes on him. Her baby, finally. Makakasama niya na ang anak nila ni Drake. The pain of giving birth was all worthy especially when the doctor put her baby beside her after cleaning him and wearing his baby clothes.

Balot na balot ang anak niya. Mamula-mula ang balat. His small pointed nose is proud like his father and his cute lips were same as hers. He's sleeping and God knows how much she wanted to burst into tears while looking at her son who look exactly like his father.

After a few minutes, the nurses brought her to one of the private room in the hospital. Dwaye was already there, waiting for their arrival. He stood up from the couch and help the nurses to transfer her to the bed. He's the one who carry her baby and she was surprise by his actions. It was so hard to believe that a man like him can actually carry a baby like he's used to it.

"How are you feeling?" He asked smoothly.

"Feeling tired, I need some rest."

"You need to eat first before you sleep."

"Yes please,"

Dwaye put the baby beside her carefully before he prepare the foods for her. She's caressing her baby's soft cheeks and smile.

"My baby, you're so handsome. Mommy loves you."

"Here, you eat first."

Naupo ang kapatid niya sa gilid na upuan. Inilapag ang mainit na sabaw at kanin sa lamesa na nasa gilid rin.

"Can you feed me, Kuya Dwaye? I can't move yet. I have stitches."

Her brother remain silent while feeding her. He looks so serious that it bother her for some reason. Natapos siyang pakainin ng kapatid nang at painumin ng gamot para sa kirot ng tahi niya nang hindi ito umiimik, ganon din siya dahil pinag-aaralan niya ito.

Alam niyang nababahala ito sa nangyayari sa kanya at sa magulang niya. Ayaw niya na nga sanang isipin 'yon. Hindi makakatulong ang labis na pag-iisip lalo sa kalagayan niya ngayon. Her body felt so weak that she badly need to rest. Her stitches was hurting her, making it hard for her to move.

"Please take a rest, Alexza. I'll take care of the baby." Dwaye voice is almost begging after a long while of being silent.

He looks really in trouble. Parang mas problema pa ito kesa sa kanya. She never see him like this before. He's expert in keeping his cool. He's good in hiding his real emotions. What is happening on her brother?

"Are you okay, Kuya?"

He suddenly look around, avoiding her gaze.

"I'm fine, just rest, will you?"

"Nagpapahinga na ako."

"You need some energy for tomorrow, Alexza. You know, we can't stay here. They might following us. We need to leave here as soon as possible."

"Bukas kaagad?!" She gasped at that.

"Unless you want them to catch you and the baby?"

"No! Not my son!"

Kaagad na pinalibot niya ang mga braso sa anak, pinoprotektahan sa mga taong nagbabalak ng masama sa kanila.

"Then get some rest. I can't leave you here and my nephew."

"Promise ha? Huwag kang aalis, Kuya Dwaye. Bantayan mo kami ni baby."

"I promise." Her brother kiss her forehead. "Please, sleep. I'll be right here."

She nod her head and close her eyes. She trust her brother so much more than anyone else. Alam niya rin na hindi talaga siya nito papabayaan at iiwan sa ere. He's the only one she can trust.

SEEING A WOMAN crying is a torture for Drake especially if that woman is Alexza. He's hypocrite if he would deny his feelings for her. 'Yung nararamdaman niya para rito ay nando'n pa rin. Nabawasan man at napalitan ng galit pero hindi nawala. Hindi na mawawala pa. Hindi na mapapalitan pa. She's the only woman who let him get a holds of his heart.

Dinala niya ang mukha ni Alexza sa dibdib niya at do'n ito pinaiyak. Habang si Blake naman ay tahimik lang na karga niya, ang mukha ay nakasampay sa balikat niya. Sobrang tahimik ng anak niya na mapagkakamalan ng tulog, pero sigurado siyang hindi. Blake is listening to them.

He doesn't want his son to witnessed how Alexza's mourn for their child, but the fact that he couldn't stop her from crying, frustrates him more. He's thorned between his son's feelings and Alexza's feelings at the moment.

He wanted to be happy for Blake's birthday, but this day is also his child's death anniversary and the woman on his chest was still mourning. It was hard to be happy in this kind of situation. It was just a coincidence alright, but it made him think that maybe destiny's just playing with them.

Why it needs to be like that? Of all the dates, why it needs to be the same? Kung hindi niya lang nalaman ang halos lahat nang nangyari kay Alexza at sa anak nila ay baka naniwala na siyang si Blake nga ang tunay na anak nila. He always wish for that even before, but it would not happen. Because he knew that their son is really dead and he needs to accept it.

"He's there, Drake! He's there!" Alexza said while sobbing.

She grip on his chest. He could feel his polo shirt getting wet because of her tears.

"He wasn't there, love. He's in heaven." He whispered, kissing the top of her head. "Maybe, it would be better if we leave here? It's getting dark."

Pagkadating palang nila ay humupa na ang tirik ng araw, kumulimlim na tila ba nakikiayon ang panahon sa nararamdaman nila ngayon.

"You weren't mourning for his lost!" She accused him, giving him a pang on the chest.

A small sad smile unwillingly escape his lips. He look down at the dangerous cliff in front of them and think what his child felt when the car fell down. Mariin siyang napapikit sa pag-guhit na naman ng matalim na kutsilyo sa dibdib niya.

Kung alam niya bang nabuntis niya si Alexza, mangyayari pa kaya ang lahat ng 'yon? Nakakasigurado siyang hindi. Hindi niya hahayaan na masaktan ang mag-ina niya! But it was too late to regret now. Nangyari na ang lahat ng wala siyang kaalam-alam. Pakiramdam niya nga ay ninakawan siya ng karapatan bilang ama. Pero gaano ba ka-importante ang nararamdaman niya kumpara sa nararamdaman ng babae sa bisig niya?

Alexza carried their child for nine months. While on that months, he was being a jerk and a bad boy for bedding different women just to forget her. Pero nagtagumpay ba siyang kalimutan ito? Napabuga siya ng hangin sa bibig. Hindi! Hindi siya nagtagumpay.

"I know you were hurting, but I hope you won't judge my feelings 'bout our child. I'm the father. Nawalan din ako. Masakit din para sa akin ang nangyari sa anak natin."

Halos ibinulong niya ang mga salitang 'yon sa hangin, may pagdaramdam bilang amang nawalan ng anak. Hindi niya pa man din nakakasama ang anak niya, kinuha na sa kanila.

"Ngayon lang...ngayon ka lang nasasaktan. Samantalang ako, ilang taon na."

"Dahil ipinagkait niyo siya sa akin."

He bit his bottom lip, he titled his head back, feeling frustrated.

Nanatiling tahimik si Alexza na para bang may punto ang sinabi niya. Damn, he has a point! Ipinagkait sa kanya ang anak nila! Ni hindi niya man lang nasilayan o nahawakan.

"Did my baby angel brother fall on the cliff, daddy?" Blake suddenly ask sadly.

Alexa stilled when she heard their son's voice and hurriedly wiped her tears and look up on Blake, who's in the same position.

"B-baby," Alexza stuttered. "Ahm, l-look at me."

Blake shook his head on his shoulder.

"I don't want to see the cliff, mommy. I'm scared po."

Nagkatinginan sila ni Alexza. Namumugto ang mga mata nito at namumula ang tungki ng ilong.

"G-gusto mo ba umuwi na tayo?"

"Iiwan na po natin ang baby angel niyo ni daddy?"

Muling lumipat ang tingin ni Alexza sa bangin at muling bumalatay ang sakit sa mga mata. Using his free hand, he brush her hair making her look up on him, with sadness and regrets on her eyes.

"Let's celebrate your birthday? Like what we promised." Pinasigla ni Alexza ang boses pero halata sa mukha nito ang lungkot.

"Can we stay for another minutes, son? Daddy's still wants to be with your baby angel brother." He requested.

Blake nod his head. "Okay po daddy,"

"Yakapin mo lang ako para hindi ka na matakot. You will be safe with me, son."

Tumango-tango ulit ang anak bago siya niyakap sa leeg. Then, he grab Alexza on his arm and they both looking down on the dangerous cliff.

"I can't even see the car," She whisper carefully. "Our son...he was in pain so bad. I wish I could help him. I wish I could rescued him."

"You were still lucky because you had the chance to see him, to carry him and to kiss him. We should be still thankful because we have him."

"Pero kinuha siya sa atin kaagad,"

"We can make his baby brother or baby sister, love. Kahit ilan pa ang gusto mo."

"Are you kidding? Really? Are you thinking 'bout that while I'm crying?" Alexza slap his chest, not enough to hurt him.

"Our baby angel would love to have siblings. And I'm not kidding, Alexza."

"I want siblings din po daddy. Please make a baby girl and baby boy." Blake requested. "My birthday wish!"

"You heard our son, love?" He whisper on her ear. "Baby girl and baby boy were his birthday wish."

"Shut up," she leered at him and wipe her small tears.

"Mommy, are you okay? Hindi ka na po ba nagka-cry?"

Alexza lips for a small smile while watching their son's back body on his arm.

"I'm finished crying, baby. I'm ready to celebrate your birthday today."

"Hindi ka na po sad?"

"Umm, sad pa rin."

"How can I make you smile mommy?"

Kumislap muli ang gilid ng mata ng magandang babae sa harap niya bago napangiti sa anak nila.

"You don't need to ask that, anak. You always makes mommy smile. It's just that I am so emotional today and this past few days. I'm sad for what happened to your baby angel brother, but I feel happy also because you are with me. You and daddy."

He kiss Alexza on the forehead down to the tip of her nose. He stare on her little bit parted lips and he move closer to give him a gentle kiss on the lips. His eyes shut close, feeling her soft lips on his.

"Its my birthday but I'm feeling sad, mommy."

"I'm sorry baby," she caress their son's back. "We can go home now and celebrate your birthday...and, and be happy."

"We don't need to pretend being happy if weren't deep inside. Mahirap po magpanggap mommy ko." Blake squeezed his nose on his neck. "I can't be happy today. I'm thinking 'bout my baby angel brother."

"We can still be happy," he whisper. "Your baby angel brother wanted us to be happy even without him by our sides."

"How did you know that daddy ko?"

"Well, when you love someone, you will always wish for their happiness even without you, right?"

Blake nod on his neck. "Why it's hard to be happy..."

He swallow hard. He can feel the sadness over his son's voice and the way he said the words. Muli ay nagtama ang mga mata nila ni Alexza at nanghihingi ng paumanhin itong ngumiti sa kanya. Patuloy nitong hinaplos ang buhok ng anak nila.

"I didn't mean to make you feel sad, baby. I'm sorry." It was Alexza in apologetic tone.

"I want you to be happy, mommy. I don't wanna hear you cry again. Please, huwag ka ng mag cry kasi po gusto ko na rin mag cry pero big boy na po ako kaya dapat pipigilan ko." Blake voice cracked and he hug him tightly. "I don't want you to get hurt anymore...mommy."

Pinahid niya ang nahulog na luha sa pisngi ni Alexza habang nakatingin ito sa anak nila. Umihip ang malamig na hangin mula sa ilalim. Napasulyap siya sa baba, isinasayaw ng hangin ang makakapal na dahon sa mga puno.

"L-Let's go?" Aya ni Alexza.

"You sure?"

"I don't want our baby to be sad, Drake. It's his birthday. It's not too late to celebrate it and be happy. Right?"

Marahan lang siyang tumango at muli nilang sinulyapan ang bangin.

'Anak ko...I'm sorry I wasn't here to rescue you. But Daddy loves you so much even I didn't have the chance to see you. Please, be happy whenever you are and we will try to be happy here too. You will always be remembered. I love you, son.'

He silently said before guiding Alexza and Blake back to the car.