CHAPTER 51

MOMMY HENREITTA was safe and unharmed. Wala ito sa loob ng sasakyan nang sumabog 'yon. Nauna palang umuwi ang driver nito dahil dumaan pa si Mommy Henreitta sa ospital kasama sina Tita Beth at Bailey para dalawin si Lucky.

But still, Happy felt bad. May nasaktan pa rin. Ang driver ni Mommy Henreitta na ngayon ay nasa ospital na at ipinapagamot ng ama niya.

It had been days since it happened, and the driver was still not out of the intensive care unit.

They really have to stop the Triad. Fast.

And Helena, her mother. Was she doing all this? For what reason? Hindi ba dapat nasa panig niya ito kasi anak siya nito? Helena's actions confused her. Wala naman sigurong ganoong ina na gagawin ang mga 'yon sa anak niya? Pero ginagawa iyon ni Helena sa kanya.

What kind of mother is she?

Happy sighed heavily.

"You okay?" It was Blaze.

Mula sa pagkakaupo sa uluhan ng kama at nakasandal ang likod niya sa headboard, tumingin siya rito. "Just thinking..."

Sumampa sa kama si Blaze, saka umupo sa harap niya. "Thinking of?"

"Helena, my mom," sagot niya. "Anyway... kadarating mo lang mula sa raid, magpahinga ka na kaya?"

Pinakatitigan siya nito. "Kanina pa ako dumating, nakaligo na rin ako, ngayon mo lang napansin?"

Happy sighed. "Sorry... ang dami ko lang iniisip. Anyway, kumain ka na ba?"

"Wala akong gana."

She frowned. "Bakit? Okay ka lang ba? May sugat ka ba? Ayos lang ba ang pakiramdam mo?"

Umiling si Blaze, saka tumitig nang matiim sa kanya. "Can we talk about us? Alam kong sinabi mo na saka tayo mag-uusap kapag maayos na ang gulo pero hindi ako makapaghintay."

Umayos siya ng upo. "What do you want to talk about?"

"Are we okay?" he asked in a hopeful voice. "I saw the annulment papers on the trash bin."

"Itinapon ko 'yon." Wala sa sariling napahawak siya sa tiyan, saka hinaplos 'yon. "I want to fix this... for our baby."

Blaze nodded but there was pain in his eyes. "What about me? I mean, don't you want to fix this for us? You and me?"

Kinuha niya ang kamay nito, saka hinawakan 'yon. "Blaze, yes, I wanna fix it for our baby but I also wanna fix it for us. Unfair naman 'yon sa iyo kung makikipag-ayos ako para lang sa kapakanan ni baby. Siyempre, nasa isip din kita. I threw our annulment papers because I want to give you the chance you're asking. Sige... ayusin natin 'to."

Pinagsalikop ni Blaze ang kamay nilang dalawa. "You're still in pain. Nakikita ko sa mga mata mo tuwing titingin ka sa akin."

Tumango siya. "Still am..." Malungkot siyang ngumiti. "But in time, it'll fade away, I guess."

Tumango si Blaze at may inilabas na flash drive sa bulsa nito. "Sir Ruthgar gave it to me. It's the video in that house." Iniabot nito iyon sa kanya. "Can you please watch it? Maybe it'll help."

Umiling siya. "Sabi mo hindi mo ginawa at dahil gusto kong magtiwala sa iyo uli, hindi ko panonoorin 'yan. If I want to trust you again, I have to start somewhere."

Blaze fisted his knuckled around the flash drive. "Just for clarification, maybe?"

Happy shook her head. "When you said you didn't... I believe you."

Pinakatitigan siya ng asawa niya. "I really didn't."

Kinagat ni Happy ang pang-ibabang labi nang may pumasok sa isip niya. "Just one question though. It's bothering me. Sorry if I have to ask this, I just want to let this out of my chest."

"What is it?"

"Were you aroused? When you were with the fake Cassie?" she asked. "I mean, she did try everything to seduce you, right?"

Blaze looked at her in the eyes. "Takot ang naramdaman ko actually, hindi 'yon. Kung naramdaman ko 'yon sa kanya, hindi kita pupuntahan at magmamakaawa sa iyo. I would have stayed with her." Napailing ito. "Baka wala na akong mukhang maiharap sa iyo kapag ganoon. Sa iyo lang naman ako malibog nang ganito. My lust is concentrated to one person only. My wife. That's you."

Hindi alam ni Happy bakit siya natawa. "You should get checked."

Blaze frowned. "Why?"

"It's just... you know, not even a little? I mean, don't get me wrong," mabilis niyang bawi. "Masaya ako na wala kang naramdamang ganoon pero 'di ba may porn magazine ka nga?"

"Baby, the last time I read a porn magazine was before I met you." He sighed. "Lalo naman noong naging tayo na. Nasa kuwarto ko lang talaga siya kasi nakalimutan kong ibasura. And why would I need a porn magazine when I just have to look at you and I'm all hard and ready. And... I spoke to Blake about it actually. I was curious as well why I didn't feel you know... that thing. He knows about behavior and stuff."

Natawa uli siya. "Your twin was your therapist?"

"Yes. He always knew what to say."

"What did he say then?" She was actually curious.

"Blake said it depends on a man. He said lust is not automatic for some men... but not all."

"And you're part of this 'some men'?" Happy actually quoted in the air.

"I guess. Blake said I didn't feel that way because I was so focus on you and thinking of you and remaining loyal to you that I didn't feel that. Sabi niya ganoon din daw siya kay Lucky. He was focus on his wife. I was so focus on my wife that I didn't, we didn't have the time to entertain that thought."

Happy chuckled. Hindi niya alam kung bakit natatawa talaga siya. "I'm still skeptical but... I'm thankful that you didn't cheat on me... that your mind and body was really mine alone. Thank you for respecting me, Blaze. It means a lot."

Blaze smiled before lying on the bed, making her thighs his pillow. Kapag ganito ang asawa niya. Alam na niya 'yon agad. Nagpapalambing ito sa kanya.

"Ayaw mo ba talagang panoorin 'yong CCTV footage?" tanong ni Blaze sa kanya kapagkuwan.

Sinuklay niya ang buhok nito. "Bakit ba gusto mong panoorin ko 'yon?"

"Because I'm desperately hoping that if you watch the video, magiging okay na okay na tayo uli." His face fell. "Palagi kong iniisip kung paano ako makakabawi sa iyo. Kung ano ba ang puwede ko pang gawin maibalik lang 'yong dating tayo. Pero wala akong maisip kundi ang tulungan ka sa Triad. I know you want to take them down and I wanna be useful to you, even in that way."

"Blaze, give it time. Magiging okay rin tayo at babalik sa dati," sabi niya habang sinusuklay ang buhok nito. "Huwag nating madaliin para kapag okay na tayo, okay na talaga. Wala nang multo na babalik-balik pa."

"Slowly but surely..." Blaze whispered.

Happy nodded. "Yes. Though my hiling ako."

He looked up at her. "Anything."

"Next time na may gulo tayo o may mga pangyayari na hindi natin inaasahan at apektado tayong dalawa, don't walk out. I promise to not leave either. Let's stay with each other and talk about it. Para maiwasan natin 'to na nagkakasakitan tayo."

Blaze guided her hand towards his lips before kissing her palm and the back of her hand. "Hindi na ako uli magwo-walk out o magsasalita kapag galit ako. Nagka-phobia na ako, baby. Nakakatakot."

Nagsalubong ang mga kilay niya. "May ginawa ba ako para magka-phobia ka?"

"The annulment paper," sagot nito, saka tumingin sa kanya. "Every time I see you reading or signing a paper before I saw it on the trash bin, I got really nervous. Baka 'yong annulment na natin 'yon."

Napatingin siya sa trash bin nang banggitin nito ang annulment papers nila pero nagsalubong ang mga kilay niya nang makitang wala na roon iyon. Nasisiguro niyang walang pumapasok sa kuwarto niya para pakialaman ang basura niya.

At mukhang napansin ni Blaze na nakatingin siya roon dahil nagsalita ito.

"I burned the papers," pag-amin nito. "Walang natira." Tumagilid ito ng higa, saka yumakap sa baywang niya habang nakaunan pa rin sa hita niya. "I miss this... I miss you."

Huminga si Happy nang malalim, saka ipinalibot niya ang mga braso payakap sa leeg ng asawa at inilapat ang mga labi sa noo nito. She pressed her lips harder on his forehead before hugging her husband tighter. Wala siyang sinabi, basta niyakap lang niya ito nang mahigpit.

Natigilan siya nang kumawala si Blaze sa yakap niya at bumangon. Pero agad din naman siya nitong niyakap nang makaupo paharap sa kanya at isinubsob ang mukha sa leeg niya.

"Baka maipit si baby..." bulong nito. "Ako na lang ang yayakap sa iyo."

Napangiti siya at hinayaang yakapin siya ng asawa.

She couldn't deny... she missed this. She missed her husband.

"Blaze?"

"Yes, baby?"

"I miss you."

Humigpit ang yakap nito sa kanya. "Miss na miss na rin kita. Sobra. Sobrang miss na miss kita. 'Yong ang hirap kahit magkatabi tayong matulog kasi hindi kita mayakap nang ganito. I'm sorry... I'm really sorry... I'm sorry for hurting you, baby. I'm sorry."

Happy took a deep breath. "Stop saying sorry. We're already fixing it, slowly but surely. Kaya natin 'to."

Blaze nodded still burying his face on her neck.

They stayed like that for a while. Si Blaze nakayakap sa kanya habang siya ay paminsan-minsang hinahaplos ang likod ng asawa na ayaw siyang pakawalan sa pagkakayakap.

Hanggang sa nakaramdam siya ng antok.

Pinakawalan din siya nito at pinahiga sa kama pero pinaunan naman siya sa braso at niyakap na naman.

And she slept in Blaze's arms like a baby.

Nang magising siya ilang oras ang lumipas, wala na sa tabi niya ang asawa. Bumangon siya at itinali ang buhok, saka lumabas ng kuwarto. Hinanap niya si Blaze.

Natagpuan naman niya ang asawa sa kusina, nakaupo sa hapagkainan kasama si Kane. Kumakain ang dalawa ng ice cream.

Hindi tumuloy si Happy sa pagpasok. Humilig siya sa hamba ng pinto, tiningnan ang dalawa at nakinig sa usapan ng mga ito.

"It's good, yeah?" nakangiting sabi ni Blaze kay Kane. "I told you, hindi lang chocolate ang masarap. May mga ibang flavors pa na masarap maliban do'n."

Kane nodded earnestly while eating a cookies and cream ice cream.

"So... " Itinuro ni Blaze ang cell phone na ihinarap nito kay Kane. "Kapag nasugatan ka, alam kong kaya mo 'yong sakit, pero kailangan mong linisin 'yon. Just like this in the picture. To disinfect it because, buddy, infection can kill you. And my wife will be devastated. So, take care of yourself, 'kay?"

"Okay."

"At magpasalamat ka kasi ikaw lang ang lalaking hinayaan kong makalapit sa asawa ko na hindi ko pinagseselosan at hindi ko gustong gilitan ng leeg."

"Thank you, Your Highness."

Tinapik ni Blaze ang balikat ni Kane. "And if you already decided that you don't want to be a virgin anymore, come to me. I will ask King to bring you a stripper club. Of course, I can't go with you because my wife will kill me but I know you can do it even without me with you."

Inubos muna ni Kane ang ice cream sa lalagyang hawak nito bago sumagot. "I'm not interested, Your Highness."

Blaze frowned. "Why? I mean... you have to know about sex, man. It's important." May diin pa sa boses ng asawa niya na ikinailing niya.

Umiling si Kane. "If I'm not a virgin anymore, I don't think Lady Happy will like me anymore."

Happy stilled, the same as Blaze.

"Natatakot ka na baka hindi ka na baby-hin ng asawa ko kapag may karanasan ka na?" hindi makapaniwalang tanong ni Blaze.

Tumango si Kane. "I'll choose Lady Happy over sex. Because of Lady Happy, I now know how it feels like to have a caring mother. She's really nice, Your Highness. It was uncomfortable to call her 'Mom' but she's pregnant so I'll endure. King, Deth and Lyf keep teasing me about it but I like it. That simple thing from me makes her happy. Before, I thought that moms are all the same, you know... the one that hurt me. But when I met Lady Happy, she gave me a new perspective in life and she treated me like family. Your children will be very lucky to have her as their mother."

Blaze smiled while nodding. "True... I'm very lucky too. We're both lucky."

Kane smiled. "Lady Happy is just months older than me but I enjoyed being babied by her, Your Highness. That, I admit. I like the attention she's giving me, the care she has for me. And I treasure her. I don't want to lose the only woman who made me feel the love of a caring mother."

Blaze nodded like he understood Kane. "Okay. No stripper for you, buddy, and don't let King or Lyf talk you into going to a club. They will taint you, trust me."

Kane nodded earnestly. "I won't."

Blaze shook his head. "You know what, Kane, it's really awkward to hear you call my wife, 'Mom,' but don't let her hear you call her Lady Happy. She will be very sad. Pinaglilihian ka pa naman n'on."

Mabilis na tumango si Kane. "Kumusta na pala kayo ni Lady—I mean, ni Mom? Okay na ba kayo?"

Ngumiti si Blaze. "We're getting there. Slowly, but surely."

"Mabuti naman," sabi ni Kane. "I want my family intact and not broken. I'd been there before, no family, and I don't want that anymore. It's very lonely."

Blaze tapped Kane's shoulder as he stood up. "We will not be broken, Kane. Team Happiness till the end. And since I'm the closest thing you have to a father, trust me, okay? I won't let that happen. Just please, don't call me dad because I will really murder you."

"Of course, Your Highness," sabi ni Kane.

"Sweet, right, Young Miss?" tanong ni King na nasa likuran niya. "His Highness is a dick sometimes but he really has a soft spot for Kane."

Nanunudyong nilingon niya ang butler niya. "Jealous?"

King just chuckled. "I would be if Kane started calling His Highness 'dick.' Only I get to call him that."

Happy laughed, getting Blaze and Kane's attention.

"Baby..." Blaze smiled at her. "Ice cream?"

Tumango si Happy habang naglalakad palapit sa hapagkainan.

"I want more," pahabol na sabi ni Kane kay Blaze na naglalakad patungo sa ref.

King tsked. "Kane, dapat hindi ganoon. Hindi mo inuutusan ang ama mo. You're the baby, go and get it yourself."

"Oh. Sorry." Tumayo naman agad si Kane, kapagkuwan ay napatigil sa pag-alis at bumaling sa kanya. "Do you want some ice cream, Mom?"

Ice cream. She remembered Midnight. She promised herself, after this mess with the Triad, she would focus her attention looking for Midnight.

Nginitian niya si Kane. "Ikinuha na ako ni Blaze. Kumuha ka na lang ng sa iyo."

Kane nodded but didn't move. "May cookies and cream do'n, 'tapos may chocolate, 'tapos vanilla. Hindi pa ako nakakatikim ng vanilla. I was always in war with the Triad. I don't have time to eat ice cream. Puwede ba akong kumuha ng lahat ng flavor?"

"Of course." Si King ang sumagot. "You can even mix the three flavors, no one will judge."

"Okay." Kane looked at King. "You want some?"

"Just chocolate," sagot ni King.

"Vanilla for me, Kane," sabad ni Yrozz na naglalakad papasok sa kusina habang dala ang laptop nito.

Napasimangot siya. "Huwag n'yo ngang utusan ang panganay ko!"

"Boss, he's the kid in this family," sabi ni Yrozz, saka tinapik ang balikat ni Kane nang madaanan nito. "You can do it, buddy. I will teach you how to hack later."

"If you say so." Napakadaling kausap ni Kane. Tinahak nito ang daang tinahak din kanina ng asawa niya para kumuha ng ice cream.

Unang nakabalik si Blaze na may dalang chocolate ice cream para sa kanya. Tumabi ito ng upo sa kanya. Pagbalik naman ni Kane, tatlo ang dala nitong lalagyan.

The mixture of vanilla, chocolate and cookies and cream for Kane, chocolate for King and vanilla for Yrozz.

Masunurin talaga si Kane. Siguro dahil sanay itong sumusunod sa utos palagi mula nang bata pa ito at wala pa talagang muwang sa ibang bagay.

Pero isa naman itong halimaw sa labanan.

It was like... he was raised to be a warrior... not to be a normal human being.

And that was what got her. Alam niya iyong pakiramdam na walang alam sa paligid. Ganoon siya noong una siyang nagising mula sa coma. 'Buti na lang naroon ang daddy niya at si Midnight na nagturo ng lahat ng bagay sa kanya.

Kaya 'yon din ang gagawin niya para kay Kane. He needed someone who would take care of him.

Tahimik na kumain si Happy ng ice cream habang nakikinig lang sa usapan ng mga kasama niya. Kapagkuwan ay kinuha ni Blaze ang atensiyon niya.

"What?" The ice cream was still melting inside her mouth.

May ipinakita itong larawan sa cell phone niya. It was from an email.

It was Blaze and fake Cassie. She was hugging Blaze from behind. The picture was cropped, she couldn tell.

"Baby... I didn't do it." He looked agitated. "Please believe me. Yes, she hugged me like this in the house only when I'm off guard. Pero itinutulak ko agad siya palayo. I swear."

Hindi siya umimik at tinitigan lang ang larawan. Mula sa gilid ng mga mata, nakikita niya ang pagtatagis ng mga bagang ni Blaze.

"This is the reason why I want you to watch the footage," sabi ni Blaze na madilim ang mukha. "They will ruin us, Happy. They will send pictures like this until you can no longer trust me anymore and then you'll leave me and—"

"Blaze... stop overthinking," saway niya sa asawa, saka kinuha ang cell phone nito at iniabot iyon kay Yrozz. "Can you track down this email address? The sender is really pissing me off."

Tinanggap naman agad ni Yrozz ang cell phone habang kumakain ito ng ice cream. "Sure. On it."

"Kapag nalaman ni Yrozz kung nasaan ang sender..." Tumingin siya kay Kane. "Pakibisita. Isama mo sina Lyf at Deth at magsama ka ng dalawampung tao sa Organósi. Ayokong mapahamak ka kaya mag-ingat ka ro'n, okay?"

Kane nodded while eating ice cream.

"I'll go," boluntaryo ni King.

"No. Stay here," pigil niya. "Nagpapagaling ka pa. Baka mapaano ka pa ro'n. Saka ka na sumama kapag magaling ka na talaga. Don't make me worry."

"Then I'll go with Kane," boluntaryo ni Blaze.

"No. Don't." Inubos niya ang ice cream sa maliit na bown bago humarap sa asawa. "Ikaw o ako ang pakay nila kaya ginagawa nila 'to. Hindi sa wala akong tiwala sa kakayahan mo pero kailangan nating mag-ingat. Kapag may ginawa sila na maging dahilan para mahuli ka, they will use you against me. They will blackmail me using you. At dahil mahal kita, siguradong hindi ako makakahindi kung ang kapalit n'on ay ang kaligtasan mo."

Napakaseryoso niya habang nagsasalita pero si Blaze naman ay may sinusupil na ngiti sa mga labi.

Tumaas ang kilay niya. "What?"

Blaze was full on smiling now. "Wala. Hindi ako puwedeng ngumiti?"

Napailing si Happy. "Ayoko lang na may makuha sila sa isa sa atin—o sa ating lahat. And I'm pregnant now kaya dapat sobrang pag-iingat na ang gawin ko. Hindi na ako puwedeng makipaglaban baka mapaano si baby. Kawawa naman siya. I have to take care of him. And you have to be by my side in case something happens."

Tumaas ang dalawang kilay ni Blaze habang nakangiti pa rin. "Him?"

Tumango siya. "Naniniwala akong malakas ang lahi n'yo kaya lalaki 'to."

Blaze laughed. "Ano'ng ipapangalan natin sa kanya?"

"Hindi ko alam." Kumain uli siya ng ice cream. "Pero sana hindi siya magmana kay Daddy na maraming panganay."

Blaze sighed. "Kay Dad din, dalawang panganay."

Nangalumbaba siya, saka tumingin kay Kane na kumakain pa rin ng ice cream. "Sana maging katulad siya ni Kane. Hindi naman inosente sa lahat ng bagay pero sana naman hindi fuckboy ang anak natin. Dahil kapag talagang nakita ko siyang papalit-palit ng babae, ibabalik ko siya sa sinapupunan ko."

Blaze chuckled before holding her belly and caressing it. "Ngayon ang checkup mo sa ospital, 'di ba?"

Tumango siya. "Mamaya."

"Sama ako."

"Oo naman."

Blaze smiled. "Thank you... for not keeping this from me even in our situation now."

Happy shrugged. "I hate lying. Saka kahit ano'ng mangyari, anak mo pa rin naman 'to. At isa siya sa mga dahilan kung bakit gusto kong maayos natin ang gusot natin. I want to give him a good family. Hindi man perpekto, pero buo at hindi magulo."

Blaze continued caressing her belly. "Hindi ba kasama rin naman ako sa rason kung bakit aayusin natin 'to? Kasi mahal mo pa rin ako?" He rested his chin on her shoulder while looking at her. "Kasi ayaw mo ring mawala ako tulad ng ayokong mawala ka sa akin?"

Happy nodded. "Yes." She glanced at him. "Masaya ka na?"

He nodded while grinning. "I love you, Happiness Aravena Quinn-Vitale."

"I know," was her reply before glancing at Kane who was now getting ready to go. He was cleaning his gun and sharpening his knives.

Looking at Kane at that moment, her baby Kane was gone. This was the Kane that was called monster by many.

"Don't worry, Mom," sabi ni Kane pagkatapos ipasok ang magazine sa baril at tumingin sa kanya. "I will kill anyone who blocks you and Your Highness' way."

Yrozz smiled. "Coming from the guy who took down the Triad's HQ in Taiwan—alone. Your enemies are shaking, Boss."

Kane was really good at fighting.

"Dapat lang na manginig sila," sabi niya na nakangiti. "I just don't have Kane, I have all of you." She glanced at Blaze. "And I also have my husband who's also an animal."

Slowly, the smile on Blaze's face fell. "Walang karugtong? Not animal in the battlefield or something like that? Because I feel like you're cursing me, baby."

She smiled at Blaze. "Just animal."

"Yep." Blaze said popping the "p." "Minumura mo ako."

"I would never..." sabi niya sa inoseteng boses, saka tinapik-tapik ang tiyan. "Look, baby, pinagdududahan ni Daddy ang sinabi ko. We didn't mean it like that, right?"

Blaze tsked. "You're bullying me."

"I would never!" she exclaimed innocently before smiling at Kane. "Baby Kaney, ingat ka, okay? If mas marami sila kaysa sa inyo, bumalik ka. Be careful out there. Don't make me worry."

"Yes, Mom," Kane replied like a soldier to his commanding officer but with soft tone. "Where am I going?" tanong nito kay Yrozz.

"Just an hour away from here," sagot ni Yrozz, saka ibinigay nito ang address kay Kane. "Ingat ka." Binigyan nito ng micro-earphone si Kane. "Talk to me. I'll save your ass if worst comes to worst."

Kane put the micro-earphone on his ear. "It won't."

Nagpaalam na sa kanila si Kane. Tinawagan naman ni Yrozz sina Lyf at Deth na magkita na lang sa address na ibinigay nito sa dalawa.

Sila naman ni Blaze ay nagpunta ng ospital para sa checkup niya.

"Is this really necessary?" tanong ni Blaze nang makasakay sila sa helicopter na maghahatid sa kanila sa ospital.

Tumango si Happy. "Maraming puwedeng mangyari kung magkokotse tayo."

Umayos ng upo si Blaze. "Or they can shoot us with a grenade launcher here."

Ngumiti siya. "Don't worry, hubby, your wife comes prepared."

Napatanga na lang si Blaze nang tumaas ang sinasakyan nilang helicopter at nakita nito ang apat pang helicopter na nakapalibot sa kanila.

"What the fuck..." Gulat na bumaling ito sa kanya. "What—who are they?"

"Bantay natin in case may mangyaring hindi maganda. And so the enemies won't know which helicopter we're in."

"Wow..." Blaze looked at her in amazement. "Ginagamit mo na talaga ngayon ang posisyon mo. I'm so proud of you, baby. Keep it up."

Ngumiti si Happy, saka tumango at humilig sa balikat ng asawa hanggang sa makarating sila sa rooftop ng ospital.

"How's Kane?" tanong niya kay Yrozz sa phone nang makasakay sila sa elevator.

"He's okay. No worries, Boss. I'll update you."

"Thank you, Yrozz. How's Lyf and Deth?"

"Okay as well."

"Thank you. Sabihin mo kay King na magpahinga siya. Huwag matigas ang ulo."

"Yes, Boss."

Nagpaalam na siya, saka pinatay ang tawag at natigilan nang makitang titig na titig sa kanya ang asawa niya.

"Ano?" tanong niya.

"You're like a mother to them."

"Well..." She shrugged. "My team members are children in an adult body. Even my husband is a big baby."

Dahil pareho silang nakahilig ni Blaze sa magkabilang panig ng elevator, nag-flying kiss ito sa kanya at kinindatan siya.

"This big baby loves you so much."

Natawa siya sa ka-corny-han ng asawa niya. "Ewan ko sa iyo."

'Buti na lang nakarating na sila sa floor na pakay nila kaya hindi na nakapagpa-sweet si Blaze. Kilala niya ang asawa niya, magpi-PDA na naman 'to. 'Buti nga nirerendahan pa nito ang sarili, eh.

"Here," sabi niya, sabay turo sa opisinang pakay.

Bago pa siya makapasok, pinagsalikop ni Blaze ang kamay nilang dalawa.

"Don't leave me behind," pakiusap nito. "I'm your husband."

Happy took a step back to level with Blaze. "There. Sabay na tayo?"

Blaze smiled before nodding. "Okay."

Sabay silang pumasok sa opisina ng ob-gyn na pinili niya. Parang nakahinga nang maluwag si Blaze nang makitang babae 'yon.

"Takot ka, 'no?" tanong niya sa asawa.

Blaze let out a sigh of relief. "You wouldn't want to see the animal side of me, baby."

Napailing siya, saka nginitian ang doktor para mag-umpisa na ang checkup.

Nalaman nilang magpo-four weeks na ang tiyan niya. Baka nabuo nila 'yon ni Blaze noong nasa penthouse sila at inaya siya nitong gumawa ng baby.

Napangiti si Happy. Kung nang araw na nga 'yon sila nakabuo, hindi na iyon ang pinakamasakit na araw sa kanya kundi isa sa mga araw na pinakamasaya.

A blessing was given to her and Blaze. God really worked in mysterious ways.

Nang makalabas sila sa opisina ng ob-gyn, pinagsalikop uli ni Blaze ang kamay nila. Nasasanay na uli siya sa ginagawa nito kaya naman hinayaan niya lang ang asawa hanggang sa makapasok sila sa kuwarto ni Lucky.

"Ate..." Agad na nginitian siya ng kapatid.

Happy immediately went to her sister's side while Blaze went to Blake's. Nag-uusap ang dalawa habang nag-uusap din silang magkapatid. And when their parents entered the room, Happy felt elated. Looking at her father and Mommy Henreitta together, and Daddy Von and Mommy Beth together with Bailey, it made her heart swell in happiness.

"Since nandito kayong lahat, I have an announcement to make," sabi niya habang nakangiting nakatayo.

Lahat nakatingin sa kanya.

"Ahm..." she smiled. "Dad already knew this and maybe some of you had heard it so I will confirm it all to you. I am four weeks pregnant."

Her dad clapped his hand and Mommy Henreitta congratulated her and Blaze. Daddy Von congratulated them as well while Mommy Beth hugged her and said thank you for giving her another grandchild. And Bailey was happy to be an uncle.

While Blake proudly tapped Blaze's shoulder with some advice. "Be a good dad and an amazing husband."

Blaze nodded. "Thanks, Blakey."

Lumapit naman sa kanya si Blake, saka mabilis siyang niyakap at tinapik-tapik ang likod niya. "Thank you, Happy," he spoke earnestly. "I know it's not easy dealing with that big baby, that's why I'm thankful that you're still together. Sapakin mo paminsan-minsan, wala kang maririnig sa aking angal kahit bugbugin mo pa siya basta huwag mo lang iwan. Mababaliw 'yan. Trust me, ilang araw na niya akong ginugulo kong ano raw ang dapat niyang gawin para magkaayos na kayo."

Napabaling siya kay Blaze na nakangiwing nakangiti habang napapakamot sa batok.

Ibinalik niya ang tingin kay Blake. "Ano'ng pinayo mo?"

"Well, he made his bed, he'll lay on it," sabi ni Blake. "Though he told me that the bed was not crumpled, that he didn't do anything stupid other than the words he lashed out on you. Then I told him that only time can tell if the bed is really good and if it's comfortable to stay on and sleep in."

Blake's words made her smile. "That was actually nice. I like it."

"Hey!" Blaze's face was dark. "That's my wife."

Blake looked at Blaze flatly motioning his hand on Lucky who was smiling from ear to ear. "And that's my wife, you asshole."

Napailing si Happy at hinayaan ang asawa na yakapin siya mula sa likuran. She was happy, the heavy feeling on her chest was slowly fading away while she conversed with her family.

Her dad and Daddy Von were arguing again. As usual. Kaya naman iniwan nina Mommy Henreitta at Mommy Beth ang dalawa, saka sa kanila ni Lucky nakipag-usap. Habang sina Blake at Blaze naman ay nag-uusap din hindi kalayuan. Habang si Bailey ay abala sa paglalaro sa tablet na dala nito.

But from time to time, Blaze would look at her mouthing "I love you" to her. He did that again and again every time their eyes met.

Napapailing at napapangiti na lang siya.

"Mukhang maayos na kayo," sabi ni Mommy Beth. "Nakatulong ba ang mga payo namin?"

Nakangiting tumango siya. "Slowly..."

"That's good." Hinaplos ni Mommy Henreitta ang buhok niya. "Congratulations. Again."

Nanunudyo siyang tumingin kay Mommy Henreitta. "Please don't shock me with the same news."

Mommy Henreitta chuckled. "Silly."

Nagtawanan sila at nakisabay na rin sa usapan nila si Lucky na mahina lang ang boses. She kept on teasing her two mommies about her two daddies as well and Lucky would just chuckle and laugh a little.

That was how they spent their afternoon until she received a text from Yrozz. A text message that made her and Blaze borrow her father's car and drive madly towards the mansion.

From: Yrozz

House. Now. It's Kane. 911

CECELIB | C.C.