CHAPTER 64

AN OFFICIAL ANNOUNCEMENT made by the second Arkhon, Happiness Aravena Quinn Vitale was released and disseminated to every tracker of the Organòsi. The content was to look for members who would be a part of Venator, a special team who would look for Midnight Velasquez whatever it would take, whatever it would cost.

Susuyurin ng mga ito ang lahat ng parte ng mundo para mahanap si Midnight at para malaman kung ano ang nangyari dito.

And as the months progressed, there was still no sightings but Happy never gave up on her brother. Wala sa bokabularyo ng asawa niya ang sumuko sa paghahanap kay Midnight.

And as Blaze walked back and forth in front of the operating room, he was having a mental breakdown. His wife who wouldn't stop looking for Midnight, bled this morning and he rushed her to the hospital where she had to undergo a C-section.

Her water already broke at seven months!

The baby had to come out. Fuck! At first he thought that it had something to do with so much stress and fatigue. Looking for Midnight really took a toll on his wife's health. But while in the middle of nervousness, fear and panicking in the ER, he heard the term two transverse lines from his wife's OB while talking to them about doing a C-section.

That was where he fully grasped what was happening.

Two! Twins!

They were having twins!

Kaya hindi siya mapakali. Mababaliw siya sa kakaisip kung maayos lang ba ang mag-iina niya sa loob. A premature birth was already risky, but twins? He couldn't stop worrying if his babies were doing fine!

He had been pacing back and forth and he was panicking as time passed.

"How's Mom?" humahangos na tanong ni Kane na kadarating lang kasama si King. "Is she okay?" Mukhang kababalik lang nito galing sa pakikipaglaban sa Triad sa Mexico.

"Your Highness..." Hinihingal si King dahil sa pagtakbo. "How's Young Miss? Master Dominick and Madam Henreitta are already on their way. Master Clev just left London after I told him the news. Yrozz, Lyf and Deth are all coming back from New York as we speak."

Tumango lang si Blaze, saka tumingin na naman sa pinto ng OR. "Fuck..."

"Bakit daw premature?" nagtatakang tanong ni Kane na nakatingin din sa pinto ng OR. "Is Mom really okay? Hindi ba tayo puwedeng pumasok?"

Tumayo sa tabi niya si King, saka pabulong na nagsalita. "Please tell me that Young Miss' premature labor has nothing to do with you two having sexual intercourse."

Kung hindi lang siya nag-aalala sa mag-iina niya, baka nasuntok na niya si King. "Dalawang buwan na akong tigang dahil ayokong stress-sin ang asawa ko kaya tigilan mo baka mapatay kitang 'tang-ina ka."

King chuckled. "I'm just trying to calm you down, Your Highness."

"Not working." He tsked before running his fingers through his hair. "Fuck."

"Blaze!" It was Blake, running towards them. He was in the hospital because Lucky just gave birth yesterday. "How's Happy?" May pag-aalala sa boses nito. "I heard what happened. Is she okay? Is this because of staying late for Lucky yesterday?"

"I don't know. It's preterm," sagot niya na bakas ang pag-aalala sa buong mukha.

Blake gave him a quick hug and a tap on his shoulder. "She'll be okay. Si Happy pa. Lalaban 'yon, lalo na't maayos na ang lagay ni Lucky."

"Nag-aalala pa rin ako," sabi niya, saka napasabunot sa sariling buhok at pilit na inaaliw ang sarili. "How's Lucky by the way?" pag-iiba niya ng usapan para malibang siya. "Have you named the baby yet? It's been a day."

Blake's lips formed into a happy smile. "Lucky is doing fine. So is our baby. He's so cute and adorable. I think he got it from his mother."

Blaze tsked. "Guwapo at cute ako, sa akin nagmana 'yan."

Tiningnan siya nang masama ni Blake. "Ang hilig mo talagang mambasag ng trip. Mukha mo kaya ang basagin ko?"

Kahit nag-aalala sa asawa, natawa siya sa sinabi ni Blake. "Ang dali mo talagang mapikon. Binibiro lang naman kita."

King snorted. "Says the one who gets easily irritated."

Pinagkrus niya ang mga braso sa harap ng dibdib. "Hindi ako madaling mapikon."

"Dad," tawag ni Kane sa kanya.

Tiningnan niya nang masama ang panganay. "We're in public!" he hissed.

"What is it again?" King sounded so sarcastic. "You don't get easily irritated? Lies, lies, lies, Your Highness."

Tiningnan niya nang matalim si King. "Butler ba talaga kitang 'tang-ina ka? Where's the King who doesn't talk back to me, huh? Bring him back."

Nagkibit-balikat si King. "He changed."

Nalukot ang mukha niya. "How?"

"His master became his friend," King simply answered him. "Or do you want us to be not friends?"

He glared at King. "Do you want me to fire you?"

"Aww... so sweet," nanunudyong sabad ni Blake. "Magseselos na ba si Happy sa inyong dalawa?"

Mabilis na umigkas ang kamao ni Blaze sa kakambal pero agad iyong nasalag ni Blake at nginisihan siya.

"Sino ang hindi pikon?"

Iritadong inagaw niya ang kamao na sinalag ng kakambal, saka umupo sa waiting area para iwasan ang tatlo. At nang makapag-isa, hayun na naman ang pag-aalala niya sa asawa. Panay ang tingin niya sa pinto ng OR habang kabado.

In the middle of his nervousness and fear, his phone vibrated from his pocket. Inilabas niya iyon sa bulsa, saka nagsalubong ang mga kilay nang makitang FaceTime call 'yon galing kay Titus.

Nagtatakang sinagot niya ang FaceTime. Napaigtad siya nang makitang ang lapit ng mukha ni Titus sa camera.

"The fuck?!"

"Oh! Sorry." Ngumisi si Titus sa camera, saka unti-unting umatras.

Doon niya nakita ang mga baliw niyang kaibigan sa Bachelor's Village. Mukhang nasa Bachelor's Hall ang mga ito at nagtipon lang para makipag-video call.

Kumaway si Tyron. "Yow... we heard from Blake that your wife is in the OR and we know that you're panicking right now and we feel you, bud. So... we're here to calm you the fuck down." He smiled. "By the way, welcome to Understanding Club.

At sumigaw ang lahat habang nakangiti naman ang iba at tumatawa. "May you enjoy your stay because there's no going back!"

"What is that, a choir?" nakakunot ang noong tanong ni Blake nang umupo ito sa tabi niya.

Umiling siya. "No. I think it's a fucking a capella."

"Then they should be singing," sabi ni Blake.

"How's the wife?" tanong ni Phoenix na hindi pinansin ang pinagsasasabi nila ni Blake.

"Don't ask him." Si Blake ang sumagot. "His legs are shaking."

"You were shaking too when Lucky was in the OR," buwelta niya sa kakambal. "Umiyak ka pa nga. eh. Huwag ako ang ginagago mo, Blake. Lalaban ako."

Tumawa lang si Blake at hindi siya pinansin. "So, what's happening? What's with the video call?"

"Moral support," sagot ni Khairro. "At siyempre, ang pa-barbecue namin at pa-beer. Hindi puwedeng pass lang kayong magkambal. Ano 'to, lokohan?"

Napailing siya. Ang mga gago talaga. Hindi nakakalimot sa barbecue at beer. "Hindi ito para sa moral support na video call, paniningil 'to mga gago."

"Simpleng tao lang naman kami," sabi ni Iuhence. "New baby, means barbecue and beer."

Tumango si Calyx. "Bagong kasal meaning barbecue and beer uli."

"Lahat ng achievement na hindi n'yo nailihim sa amin, barbecue and beer 'yon," dagdag ni Beckett.

Napailing na lang sila ni Blake.

"Saka na kayo maningil," wika ni Blake. "Kapag nakauwi na kami. Lulunurin ko kayo sa beer at tatabunan ng barbecue."

"We need a date," sabi ni Knight na kumakain ng cake. May dala pa talagang pinggan ang sinto-sinto. "So, we can set an appointment. Hindi puwedeng kulang tayo niyan. And please look for some rainbow cake on the way home. I heard there is such cake in New Jersey."

He looked at Knight flatly. "Gusto mo kaming dumaan sa New Jersey para lang sa cake mo?"

Knight grinned. "Yes please."

"Nope," sagot niya, saka napatingin kay Kane na tinitingnan ang nurse na dumaan sa harap nito. Nagsalubong ang mga kilay niya. "Kane, are you checking her out?"

Kane looked at hin, clueless as ever. "King said to look at her breasts. It's big. Hindi kaya siya nabibigatan?"

Napangiwi siya. And here he thought Kane was improving. "No. She's not and her breasts are normal."

"So, it's true. You adopted someone who's just years younger than you," sabi ni Andrius. "Salute to that."

"He's family," sagot niya.

"How old is he?" tanong ni Pierce.

"Twenty-seven," sagot niya.

"And a virgin," dagdag ni Phoenix, saka napailing. "And the people around him can't seem to taint his innocence. Many tried. He won't budge. Gusto niyang manatiling inosente."

"Really?" hindi makapaniwalang tanong ng mga kaibigan niya.

Tumango siya. "That's my son."

Napailing si Shun. "I can't believe there's still a man like that... Oh, well... what's your baby's gender?"

Umiling siya. "Hindi sinabi sa akin ng asawa ko. Surprise daw."

"Baka naman triplets 'yan," natatawang sabi ni Ream.

"Gago. Ako lang ang sharpshooter sa atin," agad na pagmamalaki ni Calyx. "Ako lang! Ako!"

"O, eh, di magpa-barbecue at beer ka na," sabad ni Train. "Achievement 'yan, pero magbayad ka muna ng utang. Mahiya naman kayong mga nangungutang!" Tumingin ito kay Iuhence. "Ang kakapal ng mukha. Lilipas na naman ang isang taon!"

Natawa na lang siya ng nagbingi-bingihan si Iuhence na nakipag-usap pa kay Tyron.

"Sige na, bye na," sabi ni Evren. "Magtitimpla pa ako ng gatas ng anak ko. May girl bonding mamaya ang mga amazona."

"Oo nga pala. Kakatayin ako ni Etheyl! Shit! 'Yong gatas ng triplets!"

Nagkanya-kanyang alis ang mga baliw niyang kaibigan dahil hands on ang mga ito sa pagbabantay ng mga anak. Hanggang sa ang natira na lang ay sina Titus at Phoenix.

"How's the house?" tanong niya kay Phoenix na ang tinutukoy ay 'yong mansiyon nila sa Pilipinas.

Nag-thumbs-up ito sa kanya. "Approved. Walang makakapasok sa mansiyon n'yo nang puwersahan." He shook his head in disbelief, "Niccolo Racini is one hell of a security geek. That was an amazing system. Like fuck. I was amazed."

"So, the walls are really bulletproof?" hindi makapaniwala niyang tanong.

Tumango si Phoenix. "Walls, doors and glass windows. All bulletproof. The gate is nearly indestructible. What I mean by nearly is that only a nuclear can destroy it. Courtesy of Racini. Even the roof has sprinklers. Wait, speaking of sprinkles, me and Racini made a sprinkle system that will release a fire extinguisher-like formula instead of water once there's fire. And trust me, it's powerful."

Napasipol siya. "Damn... that's not a house, it's a fortress."

"Raccini and I design it like a fortress but it's pretty cozy and comfy inside. Hindi mo iisiping may canyon sa bubong ng bahay na 'yon."

"Thanks for the upgrade," sabi ni Blaze.

Magpapasalamat din sana siya nang bumukas ang pinto ng OR at lumabas ang OB ng asawa niya.

"Gotta go," sabi niya, saka mabilis na pinatay ang tawag. Tumayo siya, saka nilapitan ang doktora. "How's my wife? My babies? Are they okay?"

Nakangiti itong tumango. "Yes. Your wife is okay. Though it's preterm, they're all safe."

Pumikit si Blaze at nagpasalamat sa Diyos dahil nakahinga na siya nang maluwag. My babies are safe.

"They're out of any harm, right?" paniniguro niya.

Tumango ang doktora. "The twins are being transferred to the NICU as we speak."

His knees wobbled hearing the word "twins." Good thing Blake was quick to grip his forearm to steady him.

"Huwag kang mahihimatay. Sasaksakin kita. Huwag kang gumawa ng eksenang 'tang-ina ka," pabulong na sabi ni Blake sa kanya na halos hindi bumuka ang bibig habang nagsasalita, saka ngumiti sa doktora. "We're very thankful that they're okay. What's the gender?"

"It's a girl and a boy."

His lips gaped open. He was filled with so much happiness and emotion. His brain actually froze and it stopped working that was why Blake did all the asking while still gripping his forearm to keep him steady.

"Who's the eldest?" Blake asked.

"Are the babies cute?" tanong naman ni Kane.

"I'm sure they're as cute as me," sabi ni King. "Since I think I will be the nanny of the two."

The doctor smiled. "The eldest is the boy. And yes, they're the cutest. Anyway..." She clasped her hands. "You can visit the babies later, while Mrs. Vitale will be delivered in her room shortly. You can wait for her there."

"We would really appreciate it if Happy can share a room with my wife. They're very close sisters and they both undergo C-section. It would make them recover faster if they're together," nakangiting sabi ng kakambal niya, saka sinabi kung nasaang room si Lucky.

"I'm sure we can arrange something for them to make them comfortable."

"Thank you, Doc." It was King.

Nang mawala ang doktora sa harap niya, doon lang siya binitiwan ni Blake. Napahawak siya sa braso ni Kane para hindi siya matumba.

"Fuck..." Hindi kayang ipaliwanag ni Blaze ang sayang nararamdaman niya sa mga sandaling 'yon. "It's twins... It's really twins... fuck! We have twins!" Parang doon lang nag-sink in sa utak niya ang lahat na nagawa niyang mapatalon sa sobrang saya at sumuntok pa sa ere. "Twins! It's twins!" Malapad ang ngiting humarap siya kay Kane na tipid na nakangiti. "It's twins! Fuck!" Then he faced Blake. "Yes! Twins!"

Blake laughed at his reaction. "Ngayon alam mo na ang naramdaman ko nang manganak si Lucky. Pinagtawanan mo pa ako. Ngayon, ako naman ang tatawa sa iyo." Napailing ang kakambal niya. "Hindi naman halatang masaya ka. Para kang baliw na tumatawa at umiiyak nang sabay."

Natigilan siya at napahawak sa pisngi niyang basa. Hindi niya napansing umiiyak pala siya sa sobrang saya. "Fuck..." Tinuyo niya ang basang pisngi. "I'm just fucking happy. Masaya akong ligtas ang mag-iina ko. Hindi lang 'yon, kambal pa. I mean, nalaman kong kambal kanina pero iba pala sa pakiramdam kapag lumabas na at kambal nga, 'tapos maayos ang lagay nila."

Fuck! I think my chest will explode. Fuck!

Blake smiled softly. "Amazing feeling, isn't it?"

Tumango siya habang nakangiti pero nanunubig naman ang mga mata. "Very... very amazing. Happy... she's so amazing."

"Hindi niya pala talaga sinabi sa iyo na kambal?" hindi makapaniwalang tanong ni Blake sa kanya. "Kanina mo lang nalaman sa ER?"

Tumango si Blaze. "She didn't. Palagi akong nasa labas kapag ultrasound niya. Kaya naman pala ganoon kasi may nililihim siya. I thought it was hormones."

"It's a secret," wika ni Kane. "Ayaw ni Mommy na sabihin sa iyo."

Namimilog ang mga matang napabaling siya kay Kane. "You knew all along?!"

Kane nodded. "Mom said it's a secret, so I kept it."

Napahawak siya sa dibdib at umaktong nasasaktan. "You betrayed your father. How dare you."

Kane smiled. "I'm pro Mom. Sorry, Dad."

Blaze tsked. "I'm not even shock, but I'm still hurt."

"Do you want an apple pie as peace offering?"

Natigilan siya, saka napatitig sa panganay niya. "Apple pie? Gagawan mo talaga ako?"

In cooking, Kane had improved. He now knew how to make an apple pie and it was really good.

Kane smiled. "Basta hindi ka na magagalit sa akin kasi nagsinungaling ako sa iyo. Though I didn't really mean to lie, but I'll make it to you with apple pie." He grinned. "It rhymes."

Blaze sighed. "Mga gago talaga. Por que pagkain ang kahinaan ko, ginaganito n'yo ako? Ipapaalala ko lang, Kane, sa batas, ama mo ako."

"Kaya nga kita gagawan ng apple pie," sabi ni Kane na natututo nang sumagot.

Hindi niya alam kung maganda ba 'yon o hindi. Hindi rin naman na kasi bumabata si Kane at palagi itong sumasama kay King. Hindi puwedeng puro lang ito sang-ayon. He had to decide for himself. 'Yan ang palagi nilang sinasabi ni Happy kay Kane.

"Siya lang ang ginaganyan ka," wika ng kakambal niya, sabay gulo sa buhok niya na kanina pa magulo.

Tinabig niya ang kamay nito. "Huwag mo akong gaguhin, Blakey, ginaganyan mo rin ako. Baka akala mo hindi ko napapansin. Nang mainis ako sa iyo dahil inilipat mo ng channel habang nanonood ako ng Tom and Jerry, ipinagluto mo ako ng pasta."

Natawa si Blakey. "Eh, marupok ka, eh."

Tumango si Kane. "Marupok ka sa dalawang bagay. Kay Mom at sa pagkain."

King nodded in agreement. "Yep. You're a glutton and a stuffed toy. Soft."

Umigkas ang kamao niya kay King pero mabilis itong nakailag habang tatawa-tawa ang loko.

"Doon na tayo sa kuwarto ni Lucky," aya ni Blake sa kanya.

Umiling siya. "Hihintayin ko ang asawa ko na makalabas. Mauna na kayo."

"Sige." Tumingin ito kay King. "Come on, help me to make sure everything is in place."

Tumango si King at sumama naman kay Blake. Samantalang naiwan naman sila ni Kane sa labas ng OR at hinintay na ilabas si Happy.

Moments later, his wife was finally wheeled out from the OR, nurses surrounding her while being delivered to Lucky's huge private room. Nasa likuran naman sila ni Kane at humahabol, saka sumusunod sa asawa niya.

When his wife was transferred to her bed, He immediately went to her side while attentively listening to the doctor's instructions.

Panay tango lang siya habang nakikinig. At nang makaalis ang doktor at mga nurse, bumaba ang tingin niya sa asawang wala pa ring malay hanggang sa mga sandaling 'yon.

Blaze's face softened as he caressed his wife's face. "Thank you. For making me happy... for completing me." Hinalikan niya ito sa noo, kapagkuwan ay maingat na pinagsalikop niya ang kamay nilang dalawa.

While Kane held Happy's other hand while smiling. "She's okay," sabi nito. "Mom is okay."

"Of course." King smiled. "It's Young Miss. She always fight for her family."

Sabay silang tumango ni Kane at nanatili sila sa tabi ni Happy kahit wala pa rin itong malay. Nakaupo lang siya sa tabi nito habang nakikinig kina Lucky at Blake na nag-uusap.

"I already have a name." Pinakatitigan nang masuyo ni Lucky ang anak nito na nakahiga sa tabi at ngumiti. "Verdict," sabi nito. "But instead of 'i' we'll use 'e' to put a twist on it. Verdect because he is my verdict. My judgement in everything that has happened to me. And I get through all that—my sickness, every pain I felt. He was my verdict."

"Verdect," Blake whispered as he softly caressed his son's face. "Yeah... I like it. Verdect." Then he glanced at him. "Kayo? May pangalan na ba?"

Bago pa siya makasagot, pumasok sina Daddy Dom at Mommy Henreitta.

"How's my princesses?" agad na tanong ni Daddy Dom na lumapit muna kay Lucky para halikan ito sa noo at kumustahin ang lagay bago nilapitan si Happy at hinalikan din ito sa noo.

Kadarating lang na dalawa mula sa paglilibot ng mga ito sa iba't ibang bansa.

"How is she?" Daddy Dom asked him.

"She's fine. Just sleeping," sabi niya para mapanatag ang loob nito.

Nakahinga naman ito nang maluwag. "Thank God." Then he smiled. "So it's a twin, huh? King told Klaus and Klaus told me," deretso nitong paliwanag kung bakit nito alam na kambal nang makita ang nagtatanong niyang tingin.

Blaze smiled. "Yeah. It's a twin. The boy is the eldest."

"The first born," Daddy Dom whispered before looking at Lucky and Blake's son. "And his hippeis."

Akala niya aangal ang kakambal niya sa narinig pero ngumiti pa ito. "I like that thought, that my son is the hippeis protecting Blaze's son, because it feels like my son is me and I'm protecting Blaze. Just in another way though and in a different situation."

Blake. His always protective brother. He would never change.

"Nasaan ang mga apo ko?" tanong sa kanya ng ama ni Happy.

"Nasa NICU," sagot niya, saka bumuntong-hininga. "They're premature and had to be incubated."

Tumango-tango si Daddy Dom, saka tinapik ang balikat niya. "Thank you for taking care of her."

"My pleasure," sagot niya habang titig na titig sa asawa. "It will always be my pleasure to take care of this amazing woman in front of me."

"Still smooth as fuck," natatawang sabi ni Daddy Dom. "Anyway, it's all good. Natapos na ni Ruthgar lahat. You and Blake can now go back to the Philippines as an alive person." Tinapik nito ang balikat niya, saka lumipat kina Lucky para kargahin si Verdect.

Daddy Dom and Mommy Henreitta had been travelling the world together as part of their bonding before the wedding. While his parents were already on the way from Tuscany with Bailey. Hindi muna nagpakasal ang mga ito dahil hinihintay na makapanganak sina Happy at Lucky at maging maayos ang lagay ni Lucky. Daddy Dom wanted his two princesses present in his wedding, same as his parents.

"Why are you so cute?" nanggigigil na tanong ni Daddy Dom kay Verdect. "Ano'ng pangalan nitong apo ko?"

"Verdect," sagot ni Lucky.

"Verdect," ulit ni Daddy Dom, saka ngumiti. "I like it." Kapagkuwan ay bumaling ito sa kanya. "Kayo, may pangalan na kayo?"

Bago siya makasagot, pumasok sa kuwarto ang Team Happiness. Fresh from battle with cuts and bruises.

"How's Lady Happy?" tanong ni Deth na humigingal pa.

"Is she okay?" tanong ni Lyf na puno ng pag-aalala.

"She's gonna be fine, right?" Yrozz asked in fear.

Nakakunot ang noong tumango si Blaze. "She's just sleeping."

"Oh," sabay na sabi ng tatlo, saka sabay ring tiningnan nang masama si King.

"You said it's life and death!" Yrozz hissed.

King shrugged. "It is. Giving birth is always a life and death."

Lyf gritted his teeth. "My dad is on the plane as we speak because I told him it's serious."

King shrugged again. "Then we'll be complete. I called Uncle Ruthgar to come here and Master Von Per and Lady Beth are on their way also. Reunion."

Napailing na lang si Blaze. Siguro dahil naging kanang-kamay ni Happy si King at nahasa ang isip nito kung ano ang magandang gawin sa mga sitwasyon, magaling na itong magmanipula nang mga tao para ilagay sa iisang lugar.

"Ang ingay na naman nila," reklamo ni Kane. "Nasanay na akong walang maingay."

Natawa siya. "Hayaan mo na, ang importante nandito sila."

Kane nodded. "Okay."

Blaze leaned in to kiss Happy's forehead and he just stayed by her side until she woke up, still weak from the operation.

"Hey, baby..." he whispered.

Kumurap-kurap ito sa kanya, saka inilibot ang tingin sa kabuuan ng kuwarto. Unti-unting gumuhit ang ngiti sa mga labi nito nang makita si Lucky at ang ibang naroon.

Then her eyes settled on Kane. "Hey."

Kane smiled. "Hey, Mom."

When she returned her eyes on him, her smile widened. "Surprise," bulong nito. "We have twins."

Blaze chuckled. "I know. You shock me in the ER all right."

Nanatili ang ngiti sa mga labi nito. "Hindi mo pa dapat do'n malaman, eh. Surprise dapat."

Napaling na natawa na lang si Blaze, saka hinalikan ang asawa sa mga labi. "My knees wobbled. Sapat na ba 'yon para sa reaksiyon sa sorpresa mo?"

Umiling ito. "Gusto kong mahimatay ka sa sobrang gulat."

Natawa siya. "Atapang-atao ako, baby. Manginginig lang ang tuhod ko pero hindi ako mahihimatay."

Happy pouted. "Epic fail and surprise ko."

"Ayos lang, mahal naman kita."

Mahina itong natawa, saka napabaling sa amang hinalikan ito sa noo.

"How's my princess doing?" Daddy Dom asked tenderly. "Feeling okay?"

Tumango si Happy. "A little bit uncomfortable but I'll manage."

"That's my princess," Daddy Dom said proudly.

"Congratulations," sabi ni Mommy Henreitta na kanina lang ay kausap si Lucky tungkol sa pagbe-breastfeed. "I know you two will be good parents." Hinaplos nito ang buhok ni Kane na tahimik lang na nakaupo sa kabilang gilid ng kama. "You already prove it with this one."

"Thank you," sabi niya.

"Nasaan ang mga baby natin?" tanong ni Happy.

"Nasa NICU," sagot niya. "We can visit them later, if you're already allowed to move, okay?"

Nakangiting tumango si Happy. "Excited na akong makita sila."

"Us too," sabad ni Lyf. "Since the boy is the eldest, the girl will be heavily guarded."

Tumango siya. "Yes. She will be and if someone even dares to hurt her..."

"We'll kill them," sabay-sabay na sagot ng Team Happiness, lalo na si Kane.

Napailing na lang si Happy sa kanila.

Pumasok naman si King sa loob ng kuwarto at humarap sa mga naroon. "The nurses asked us to leave the two patients with only their families to care for them. And because we're good citizens, we're leaving."

Lyf tsked. "Fuck."

Deth tsked. "We'll be outside."

Yrozz sighed. "Uuwi na lang ako sa bahay." Sa mansiyon nina Happy ang tinutukoy nitong bahay. "See you around."

Isa-isang naglabasan ang naroon at ilan lang silang naiwan.

Siya, si Kane, si Blake at sina Daddy Dom and Mommy Henreitta. Paminsan-minsan ay pumapasok si King para itanong kung may kailangan sila.

Blaze stayed by his wife's side while Happy talked to Lucky, to her parents and to the other people who visited her.

And when the doctor finally allowed Happy to move, they went to the NICU. Nakaupo ito sa wheelchair at itinutulak niya iyon kasama si Kane. King had to stay because Blake wanted him to run some errands.

When they arrived outside the glass wall where their babies were inside, Happy stood up from the wheelchair when their babies were moved to the front so they could see them, even when they were inside an incubator.

Those tiny hands and feet. My babies. Blaze felt a tear fell from his eyes. Hindi niya maipaliwanag ang nararamdaman sa mga sandaling 'yon. All he could do was held Happy's hand and looked at their babies.

He felt so blessed and complete and just so so happy. He couldn't explain this feeling of contentment and happiness all together inside him.

So, this was what it felt like to see his children for the first time after birth.

"Look, Kane," sabi ni Happy na nakangiti. "Mga kapatid mo. You will be a good big brother to the for sure."

Kane had a soft smile on his lips. "They're so tiny. I think if I hold them, I'll break them."

Happy smiled. "Vraxx. His name is Vraxx," his wife whispered while looking at their twins. "From Dad's middle name."

Blaze smiled and carefully hugged his wife from behind. "And our baby girl? What's her name?"

"Fiery," Happy answered. "Because her father is blazin' hot."

Natawa siya, saka hinalikan sa balikat ang asawa niya. "How about Fiery Essence and Vraxx Ethos? I'd been thinking about names too."

Nakangiting lumapat ang kamay ni Happy sa salamin habang titig na titig sa kambal nilang anak. "Welcome to our dangerous and crazy world, Vraxx Ethos Quinn and Fiery Essence Vitale."

Ngumisi si Blaze, saka inakbayan si Kane. "May you live good lives. Daddy and Kuya Kane will love you to the moon and back and back again."

Happy smiled softly. "And Mommy loves you two. Mommy will do anything to keep you two safe."

Me too, Blaze promised.

He would kill and die for his children. And he knew that Kane would also kill and die for his siblings, so were the other who were close to them. Because they were family and family had always looked out for one another.

Family. One word. Three syllables. Six letters. And what he learned from his experience was that family wasn't always blood. It was the people in your life who would do anything for one another, to keep each other safe, happy and unharmed. They were the people who would love and care for you no matter what.

And someday, he wished for his children to find the same kind of family he found. Not related by blood, but they were all connected by heart.

CECELIB | C.C.