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Ever the same

Nakaramdam ako ng masarap na tama ng saktong init sa mukha ko. Iyong parang gigisingin ka pero tama lang para bigyan ka pa ng pagkakataon matulog.

All my senses spiked up.

Dinig ko pa rin ang tunog ng aircon sa gitna ng pag tama ng init ng araw. Nilukob din ako ng sarap at lambot ng kumot na bumabalot sa akin. Pero higit sa lahat ng nararamdaman ko, nanalo ang tamis na hatid ng yakap at halik ng pinakamamahal kong lalaki... at hindi napigilan ng ngiti kong ipakita iyon.

I felt him nibbling my ear. His lips pursed repeatedly on the corner of my left ear. His warm breath almost tickling me!

Nahigit ko ang aking pag hinga at pinagdikit ang aking mga labi para hindi matawa.

He pressed warm slow kisses on my ear... to my left cheek.

Uminit ang puso ko lalo na nang matantong naka dantay ang braso niya sa ibabaw ng tyan ko at sakop-sakop niya lahat ng espasyo. Hindi nakakatulong ang malaki niyang pangangatawan! Isa na akong palaman para sa kanya ngayong umaga!

Ang lambot ng kama... higpit ng kanyang yakap... pag taas at baba ng kanyang dibdib... at tamis ng kanyang maiinit na halik sa akin ay nagpakalat ng napakagandang pakiramdam.

A feeling that can be described as a start of something good... or a protection from something bad... or... whatever happens... everything will be okay because... I am surrounded by his presence.

I felt my left side dipped a little, signifying his movements to hover me.

Mula sa pisngi ko ay umabot ang kanyang halik sa gilid ng aking labi pero bago niya pa malapat iyon sa mismong labi ko ay ako na ang gumalaw para mangyari iyon.

I moved sideways and reached for his nape to pull him closer.

I pushed myself a little higher to reach him.

He dipped himself more to accommodate me better.

I felt him stiffened for a second, akala siguro tulog pa ako? Kinuha ko iyon na oportunidad para ilapat ang labi ko sa kanya. Napabuntonghininga ako sa kaloob-looban ko nang mapagbigyan ang kagustuhan kong halikan siya sa gitna ng magandang umaga.

My relief gave him an opposite feeling. He groaned and pushed himself more to deepen the kiss! His languid kisses before turned aggressive which earned a moan from me!

Oh, Tobias! Iba ka talaga... he can be calm and chaos for me!

I wrapped both of my arms around his nape and pulled him more to make him stop supporting himself using his arms. Gusto ko siyang bumagsak ng tuluyan sa ibabaw ko! I want his weight on me! I want to feel him!

"B-baby..." he huskily stopped me but I shook my head!

"Tob... please..." Bulong ko, nagmamakaawa na mapagbigyan ako.

"I am heavy... you're going to get hurt..." napapaos niyang sabi sa gitna ng mga halikan namin.

Wet kissed rained on me. Halos mabaliw ako sa sarap ng mga halik niya. Fuck. Morning kisses are my weakness. I love how intimate they are.

Napakagulo ng mundo namin dalawa. Maraming tao sa paligid. Ang daming iniisip at tinatapos. Ang dami pinag ta-trabahuhan.

And yes, we certainly make a good team in finding peace now but...

Iba iyong dala ng umaga sa akin para sa amin. It's like... realizing that he is the first person I see in the morning. That I am with him. At... sa gulo ng mundo, sa mga oras na 'to... kaming dalawa lang ang nandito.

Itong sandaling pagkakataon na 'to, kami lang... ako at siya.

Sa gitna ng pag usbong ng araw, nasa lilim ako ng pagmamahal niya.

I have always loved sunsets and associated it with him. But eversince we got married four years ago, I have loved sunrises too... equally... as long as I wake up beside him.

"I missed you... please... I want to feel you... Tob..." desperada kong hiling.

Muli siyang napadaing mula sa narinig sa akin at tulad ng laging nangyayari, kahit noon pa, kahit noong nag sisimula pa lang kami hanggang ngayon...

Pinagbigyan niya ako.

He frustratedly groaned again as he crushed above me. I felt his weight on me and welcomed it with gratitude. I sprawled eagerly to feel him more and I almost rolled my eyes back when I felt him between my legs.

"Oh... f-fuck..." mura niya, marahil ay naramdaman din ang pag didikit ng aming gitna.

"I missed you..." bulong ko habang gumagalaw para damhin pa siya lalo.

"I missed you too... I am sorry for not being able to be the one driving you and Nicholas here... y-yesterday" he pressed soft warm kisses on my forehead as he positioned himself above me better.

Gabi na siya nang makasunod sa amin dito sa La Union. Nauna ako at ang anak namin. Hindi ko na nga siya nadatnan dumating, nakatulog ako ng wala pa siya kaya ganito nalang ako kasaya na nagising ako na nandito na siya.

Umiling ako. "It's okay... I know you have work."

A soft moan escaped my lips as I feel him move to dry hump me. I was only wearing a silky short sleepwear while he's with his usual black sando and sweatpants.

I bucked my waist against him making him whisper my name with both pain and pleasure.

The silky material felt so rough.

"No..." iling niya habang bumababa uli ang halik sa aking labi.

"You are the most important, Ave... I'll kill Basty for needing my help..."

Hindi ko mapigilan matawa ng kaunti kaya naibuka ko ang bibig ko— he took that as an opportunity to push his tongue inside and I literally arched my back when I felt him invading my mouth.

Soft tingling electrolytes guiltily pleasured my skin to my veins down to the smallest molecule inside of me.

Mas dumiin ang kanyang pag galaw sa aking ibabaw at umikot ng isang beses ang aking mga mata sa sarap na tinatamasa. I pushed myself towards him to meet him halfway as I embrace the pleasure of his erratic movements above me.

Hindi ko alam kung saan ko ibabaling ang atensyon ko. Sa sarap ng mga halik niya. Sa kamay niyang hinahaplos ang bawat parte ng katawan ko. O sa bawat pag salubong ng kanyang pagkalalaki sa akin.

I gasped for air but he didn't give me an opportunity to breathe as he continued to savor our wet kisses. He swiped his tongue up and down, lunging as if he was attacking my being.

He bit my lower lip and grazed his tongue after... as if that could equalized the sting of his bite.

"T-tob..." I hoarsely called out for him.

Gush of pleasure came out for a release just from his tongue and I know I was building some more from his maleness poking on my entrance.

Hindi niya ako binibigyan ng pagkakataon magpahinga.

But I don't want him to... give me rest too...

I ached for this.

"T-tob..." I voiced my ache for him.

I felt the tip of his maleness flicked my clit.

Umakyat na ang damit ko papunta sa aking beywang kaya tanging ang aking underwear at ang kanyang sweatpants nalang ang nakapagitan sa amin.

"Tob!" I almost shouted out loud if he didn't silence me with his lips.

We were tongue-tied together.

He locked our lips together as I felt his right hand reached for my center.

Ang pantulog ko ay napakaikli para maitago pa ang naroroon. Hindi rin nakakatulong ang manipis na lace underwear na suot ko kaya naman nang maramdaman ko ang kamay niya roon at pindutin ng dalawang daliri niya ang pinaka ibabaw doon ay halos mabaliw ako sa pagiging sensitibo 'non.

Gusto kong sumigaw! Pero alam kong hindi maaari dahil maririnig kami sa labas. We're in a hotel suite together with Willow and Ina, nasa kabilang kwarto lang sila kasama si Nicholas.

Kaya naman laking pasasalamat ko sa agresibo niyang mga halik na nagpapatahimik sa akin.

I am sure my lips are already swollen by our kisses but I couldn't care less because of the pleasure building inside me as he continued to swipe his fingers up and down above my panty.

I was too sensitive and I was throbbing!

"M-more... b-baby... please..." hiling ko sa gitna ng mga halik.

"I love you so much..." he drawled as his tongue grazes my lips once more.

"I love you too, baby... love..." matamis kong sabi habang pababa ang kanyang mga halik.

I sucked my breath when I felt his tongue flickered on my neck. I arched my back again, pero tila hindi ko maabot-abot ang gusto kong marating dahil sa mabagal niyang pag galaw. He sucked my skin there and trailed kisses downwards... to the valley of my breast.

His hands were working wonders. Tuluyan na niyang pinasok ang kamay niya roon at napasigaw ako nang ipasok niya iyon sa aking pagkababae. Mabilis kong inabot ang kanyang balikat at kinagat siya roon para mapigilan ang pag labas ng kanyang pangalan sa bibig ko!

Fuck...

He grunted because of the pain but he bucked himself once again as if the pain of my bite was nothing as long as he could give me more pleasure.

I can hear the wetness of my center as he entered me using his two fingers.

"Tob... I love you... I... love you so much..." I whispered repeatedly as I spread myself wider against him.

He found the peak of my breast and flicked his tongue over it. He knows... it was my favorite!

If I could only bend, I would bend myself more and make him embrace me that no air could pass between us.

Pinasok niya ang aking dibdib sa kanyang bibig at ninamnam iyon. He sucked and lapped it like a hungry baby...

Just because he knows it was my favorite!

Sa tagal ng pagsasama namin, he knows me more than I know myself! I could only curse and love him more whenever he proves me that he knows how to make me happy... always. Hindi lang sa pisikal, mental o emosyonal... pero sa lahat ng parte ng buhay namin, we found our middle ground together.

It was tough but him being patient contributed a lot. He... is... everything that I want and needed.

He bit my nipple which earned a shout from me!

I giggled a bit and slapped his back.

"Tob! I... I-I can't be this noisy..." bulong ko.

Naramdaman kong gumalaw ang labi niya para sa isang ngiti pero hindi ako pinansin. Nagpatuloy siya sa pag bibigay ng halik sa aking dibdib at hindi pa nakuntento!

He pressed my sensitive spot... my clit... just to make my head shut down!

I squeezed my eyes shut and focused on the pleasure instead of everything else.

He went in and out of me, I joined him and tried to reciprocate his every movement. I called out his name as he called out mine. We whispered soft assuring words to each other. I felt pleasure and love all at once. I should have been used to it by now but no... bawat araw na ginawa ng Diyos, parang bago lang lahat.

Parang araw-araw nahuhulog siya sa akin, at araw-araw nahuhulog din ako sa kanya.

"I love you... I protect you... I am your home... you are mine as well... you make... m-me happy..." mabagal, sigurado at ulit-ulit niyang bulong sa akin sa bawat pasok ng kanyang mga daliri.

I squeezed my eyes shut as the building inside me intensified. Halos umangat na ako ng buong-buo para lang salubungin siya. Hapong-hapo ako sa pag pipigil na makagawa ng ingay. Hinihingal ako sa bawat rurok na naaabot ko pero hindi pa rin sapat dahil may gusto pa akong mas maabot.

I was breathless when he hit a spot again and pleasure exploded inside me like I was a train-wrecked. Pleasure convulsed me, at damang-dama ko ang panginginig ng tuhod ko sa matinding pagod at sarap na nararamdaman.

I wanted my shaking legs to stop but it came involuntarily.

He slid his fingers out and kissed my shoulders. He crushed against me again, with a labored breathing. Pinaulanan niya ako ng halik doon at ang tangi ko lang nagawa ay huminga ng malalim at yakapin siya pabalik.

"Good morning..." bulong niya at alam kong nakangiti siya!

My lips curved for a smile and hugged him tighter.

Binaon niya ang mukha niya sa leeg ko.

"Good morning too, my love..." matamis kong bati.

"Urgh... I love you..." ulit niya.

Napahagikgik ako nang hagkan niya ulit ang leeg ko.

"I love you... so so so so so!!!!" Inabot ko ang kanyang noo para halikan siya roon. "Much!" Gigil ko!

Narinig ko siyang bumuntonghininga.

"Anong oras ka nakarating?" Tanong ko nang makabawi na ako ng kaunti.

Nanatili siyang nasa ibabaw ko, nakadagan sa akin, ang buong katawan ay pinaibabawan ako.

"Past midnight..."

I can feel both of our labored breathing.

"Bakit hindi tumabi si Cole sa atin?" Dugtong niya, he's talking about our son, si Nicholas.

"Alam mo naman iyon... he likes being around everybody... kahit na tahimik lang siya."

Our baby turned four years old a month ago and I can say even at this early that he got Tobias' personality. Tahimik at masungit. Pero kahit ga'non, gusto niya kasama ang iba tuwing ganitong bakasyon. He likes listening silently and observing everyone else. Kaya ayun, tumabi kay Willow at Ina.

"Oh... he slept beside Koa."

"Huh? Akala ko tumabi kina Willow... I left him with them kagabi..."

He placed soft kisses on my jawline again.

"I thought so too. Kaya lang noong hinanap ko bago ako tumabi sa'yo, Willow said he was in the next suite... may ni-ke-kwento raw kasi si Koa..." anito.

I giggled again.

"Our baby..." buntong hininga ko.

"I think he needs company? Don't you think?"

I felt his hot breath on my neck, sending shivers down my spine. I am getting hot again...

"Well, papasok na siya sa school this year..."

Umiling ang asawa ko.

"What I mean is... company... another one... of us... a sibling..."

Bahagya akong gumalaw para maitagilid ko ang aking ulo paharap sa kanya. Our nose touched and I saw his warm eyes looking at me. Pawisan din ang kanyang noo kaya marahan ko iyong pinunasan.

His handsome eyes warmly and gently gazed on me.

My heart thumped hard with my view of him.

"Y-you think... we're ready?" I nervously asked.

Kung may ilalambot pa ang paningin niya ay ga'non niya ako tignan ngayon.

"I should be asking you that..." bulong niya.

Inabot niya ang pisngi ko at malamyos iyon na hinaplos. His skin almost not touching my cheek yet enough to sent tingling feelings all over me.

"You'll bear our next child, ikaw ang mahihirapan... I could only support but you will be the one going through all that pain... so if you're not ready, I understand... but if yes... then I am more than ready..." he said lovingly...

"Para saan pa lahat ng pinagta-trabahuhan ko, diba?"

Nanlambot ang paningin ko lalo.

This man...

"B-but... our parents haven't accepted us yet..." pag amin ko sa mga kinatatakot ko.

"Alam kong matagal na tayong nag simula ng pamilya. And we have been doing well all these years. But having another child without their acceptance is like sealing the deal... na hindi na natin iyon mahihintay..."

Nicholas was the fruit of our love and decision to stay together...

But having another one is like telling our families that we no longer need their acceptance.

At hindi ko alam kung saan ang lugar ko sa desisyong 'yon.

Mainit ang naging tingin niya sa akin.

"Okay..." bulong niya.

Inabot niya ang gilid ng mukha ko at bahagyang hinawi ang buhok ko roon.

"Pag-isipan mo muna."

Marahan akong pumikit at malugod na ngumiti.

I leaned on his touch as I gave a nod.

"Thank you..." I said breathlessly.

I felt him move and then felt his soft lips on my forehead.

"No... thank you. I love you, Avery."

Hinayaan kong malunod ang puso ko.

"I love you too."

"I'll help them prepare for breakfast. Dito ka muna?" Tanong niya.

Umiling ako. "Sabay na tayo. I miss Cole..."

"Okay, let's dress up..." aniya sabay halik muli sa noo ko.

Sabay kaming naligo at patuloy niya akong pinagsilbihan.

People say that there is no manual for married people or people starting a family. May nabasa pa ako na huling natututo ang mga lalaki at madalas ay hindi nila alam ang gagawin. Pero iba ang kaso sa akin...

I felt like... Tobias had a manual.

Most of the time, he knew what to do.

He prepared almost everything, noong pinag bubuntis ko si Cole. He was there all through out. He was the one who packed our bags the night I will go through my labor. He made sure that the nursery room was prepared. He initiated to take turns during those nights na nag pupuyat pa si Nicholas. He bathe me when I couldn't stand up from pain. He made sure I have even the extra ten minutes of sleep... noong naka oras ang pag be-breastfeed ko.

He was true to his words that I... come first before anything else. He toned down his workaholic tendencies. He let me finish my studies. He was there when I graduated. He even helped me study for my board exam. He prayed hard with me. He was always present. We always have our weekly dates. And, he made sure that I celebrate the special occasions I usually celebrate, kahit kami lang. Tulad ng birthday ng parents ko... ni Kuya Archer...

He never made me feel that I really lost my family.

He made sure... that I still remember them, at alam kong ginagawa niya 'yon kasi iyon ang gusto ko.

We were not perfect. Lalo na sa parte ko. Minsan, lumilitaw pa rin ang pagiging immature ko. But... his patience is on another level.

He didn't spoil me but he explains.

Tinulungan niya ako na matuto. Minsan kapag nag-aaway kami, kahit hindi niya kasalanan ay mag so-sorry siya. Hindi para konsintihin ako pero sabi niya, ayaw niya akong umiiyak. Pero pag humupa na ang galit ko at nakakaintindi na ako, he will still explain if I was wrong so I could see his reason.

And through all that, we learned how to compromise and we continue to build our relationship for our little family.

"Let's go?" Abot niya sa kamay niya sa akin.

Tumango ako at tinanggap iyon.

Intertwined hands, sabay kaming lumakad palabas para hanapin ang pamilya namin.

"Nag text si Willow na nilabas niya ang mga bata. Kasama nila si Koa."

Tumango ako. "Sigurado ako na nasa dalampasigan na ang mga 'yon. Kahapon pa nag-aaya si Ina lumangoy."

Lumabas na kami at bumaba. Tumuloy kami sa dalampasigan dahil beachfront ang hotel na tinutuluyan namin. Hawak-hawak ko ang kamay niya at sabay namin dinama ang malambot na buhangin.

Masakit sa balat ang init pero nangiti ako nang makitang nag tatampisaw na si Nicholas kasama si Koa. It was obvious that Cole was preventing himself to show an ounce of reaction but failing miserably because of Koa's playfulness.

Kamukhang kamukha niya ang tatay niya.

Chinito.

They both looked dangerous and commanding.

Tumigil kami ni Tob ilang dipa lang mula sa tubig. Humilig ako sa kanya at lumipat naman ang kamay niyang nakahawak sa kamay ko kanina papunta sa likuran ko hanggang maabot ang baywang ko.

We were both wearing white. I was wearing a white maxi dress while he wore a white sando top and white linen pants. Kaya naman natawa ako nang makitang ganun din ang suot ng baby namin.

Nicholas loves his father so much that he copies everything.

"Dapat ako nag impake ng mga gamit niya... he should wear more colored clothes, my love..." komento ko.

My love chuckled.

"He chose that. I only packed but he chose."

I felt him kissed the side of my head again.

Napabuntonghininga ako at ga'non din siya.

"Papunta na raw sina Basty." Balita niya.

"Kasama niya ang lahat? Sina Rakesh?"

"Yes. Everyone."

I nodded.

"Si Kuya Andres? May balita na ba kailan uuwi?"

I felt him stiffened.

I know he misses his bestfriend.

"This year. Sabi niya." Simpleng sagot niya.

Tumango nalang ako at tumahimik. Inabot ko ang kabilang parte ng baywang niya at kumapit doon. I half hugged him while watching Koa and our baby play on the water.

"Atleast we have our mini family..." bulong ko.

"Mini? Do you call our family mini? Ang laking tao nina Basty..." pag subok niyang mag biro.

Ang corny talaga nito...

Bahagya akong natawa at mahinang hinampas ang dibdib niya.

"Sabagay... we quite have a big family, huh?"

"Yeah... at nakakatuwa na si Nicholas pa ang pinaka madaling palakihin sa kanilang lahat."

Muli akong natawa at napailing. We considered our friends our family now. And we're getting bigger. Sila ang kasama namin tuwing may okasyon, pasko, new year o sa mga birthdays, kahit na rin sa mga biglaang bakasyon na ganito ay sila rin.

"We'll be okay..." he assured.

"I know..."

I trust him. I trust us. I trust our family.

Natigilan ako nang matigilan si Koa sa pag lalaro kay Nicholas. Mabilis ang mga galaw niyang bumalik sa dalampasigan at agad naman siyang sinalubong ni Tobias. Kumalas siya sa akin at kinuha ang anak namin mula kay Koa.

"W-what's wrong?"

Hindi ko nasundan ang mga pangyayari.

One moment I was watching my family happy and playing. The next moment... I saw Willow a few meters away from us...

Gulat... nakatakip ang mga bibig... basang-basa ang mukha sa mga luha.

"Willow!" I shouted for her and almost half-ran to get to her pero muli akong natigilan nang masundan ang paningin niya.

Napako ako sa kinatatayuan ko at napatakip din ng bibig.

There...

Ina was standing in front of a kneeling man...

A man we all knew...

Gulat na gulat din siya, hindi makapaniwala sa batang babae na kaharap. She looks just like him so I could only imagine how shocking it may be for him.

To see someone almost a replica of you? Knowing nothing about her?

My heart broke for them.

Naramdaman ko ang presensya ni Tobias sa gilid ko. Koa followed and was behind me. Inabot ako ni Tob mula sa kanan niya at niyakap habang hindi ko maalis ang paningin ko sa bestfriend ko... sa pamangkin ko... at sa tatay niya...

Tobias hugged me while carrying our son on his other side.

"Koa... go to Willow, please..." bulong ko.

"No..." aniya.

"Koa." Banta ko.

"I think... it's time, Ave. To let them be..." ani Koa.

Marahan akong napikit at nanlambot sa bisig ni Tobias. Siniksik ko ang sarili ko sa bisig niya at hinayaan siyang suportahan ako dahil pakiramdam ko ay bibigay ang mga paa ko.

The tension of protecting my bestfriend's secret was too heavy... but I never thought it is this... heavy...

Na ngayon na tapos na at pwede ko ng bitawan... ay manghihina ako ng ganito.

"Do you know about this?" Tanong ko kay Tob.

Nag-angat ako ng tingin sa kanya at nakita siyang mataman na nakatingin sa akin. Nakahilig na ang anak namin sa balikat niya at mukhang inaantok.

He gave me a small smile and nodded.

"I didn't tell him about her... but I told him to come here..."

Bigong sabi niya, hindi marahil inaasahan ang tindi ng pag-aalala ko. Walang makakaintindi. Lalo na at kami lang ni Willow ang mag kasama noong mga panahon na 'yon. Everything was just to heavy that time.

"I am sorry. I just... think... that they all deserve to know each other..."

Mula sa akin ay tumingin siya sa anak namin na nakasiksik na ang mukha sa leeg niya. Dinampian niya ng halik ang pisngi nito bago binalik ang tingin sa akin.

His jaw clenched but his eyes get softer with every passing second.

His hand holding my waist moved towards my right hand. He held it and raised it closer to his lips before dropping a soft gentle kiss there.

He was so beautiful carrying our son like that. Behind them was the large view of the beach. The sun shining bright on us. Him... gently kissing my hands. His heart... offering me the world again.

How can that happen? To feel the kiss... inside me? Like he was kissing my heart.

"Don't you think... they deserve to be happy too? Willow. Ina. And... him. I am sorry for meddling..." his voice broke with so much worry.

My tears fell from all sorts of emotions floating inside me.

Napasinghap ako sa literal na kirot sa puso ko.

"... but... he is important to me. And... now... pati na rin si Willow at Ina. They are our family. Each one of them... and I can't let them... continue to be in agony... lalo na kung may magagawa naman ako..." he carefully explained.

Naiintindihan ko.

Gusto kong magalit dahil gusto kong panghawakan na sikreto iyon ng bestfriend ko at wala kaming karapatan makielam pero... hindi ko makakaila na naiintindihan ko.

"I am sorry for hurting you by doing this..."

He kissed my fingers again.

"But you showed me the colors that I haven't discovered yet before I met you."

I nodded trying to understand everything he says.

"I may not be sure of the outcome but... I want them all free... of the burden of this secret..."

I nodded again.

My heart bursting into little pieces.

How did I get so lucky?

"And perhaps... that freedom could show them... the colors they haven't seen yet... mag desisyon man sila ng magkasama o hindi..."

Oh, Tobias...

"If they decided that they can't be together... Willow and Ina have us. But let's give Ina the chance to get to know her father and give... him a chance to choose... kung gusto niya ba maging parte nito o hindi..."

I gasped for air and nodded repeatedly.

He groaned out of frustration and hugged me again. Paulit-ulit niyang hinalikan ang noo ko. Kumapit ako sa bisig niya at niyakap siya ng mahigpit.

His warm huge body sheltered me and cradled my worries away.

Nanghihina ako para sa kaibigan ko at nagpapasalamat ako na mayroon akong nakakapitan.

And my heart and mind wandered to my bestfriend...

How hard could it be not to have someone to lean on. Oo, nandito ako... kaming lahat, simula noon... para sa kanilang dalawa.

Pero kung mabibigyan ng pagkakataon na magkaroon ng isa pang tao na susuporta sa kanya, pipigilan ko ba iyon?

I want her to be happy...

"It will be okay. Everything will be okay." He once again assured me.

And I believe him.

"You gave me a different kind of happiness, baby. Something that I never thought existed. Never in my wildest dreams. This... makes me breathe a little better, dream... a little higher, work... rightfully and love... tremendously..."

I painfully smiled.

"And everybody deserves to have a chance on that. So... please... let's give him a chance... because..."

He believes in him...

"I believe in him..." aniya.

"I love you... thank you..."

Paanong napuno ng pasasalamat ang pagmamahalan naming dalawa?

I can't recall the number of times I was grateful towards him.

I am happy that he never changed. If he did, it was all for the best.

He... stayed... ever the same. Same to his beliefs... his words and his drive to protect us all.

"I love you... I love Nicholas... and our big family. I will protect you all."

And I am thankful that I stayed too.

Ever the same.

Same... love...

My love for him.

Hi Inspirados,

This is the first installment to a long series of strong love and emotions. It was a struggle to write this series because Montgomery Series has been a comfort zone. I never thought that I would write a series without completing the Montgomerys but... as I faced the world, as I have my own questions about life and love... I realized it was also time for me to go out from my comfort zone.

Nagdalawang isip ako kung anong klaseng kwento ang gusto ko para sa series na 'to. Do I want something peculiar or not? I wanted something different at first. Pero sa totoo lang, I was struggling. I have faced problems in my personal life that made me question my beliefs. In life. And in love. So... I had a hard time completing our stories. I think... you noticed that.

So I had to find my core. I had... to go back. So I decided to write a series... with a touch of familiarity. What I did differently is I decided also— to focus on emotions— extreme ones. Kaya kung mapapansin niyo, this story was emotions > story.

I wanted to feel again. So that you could feel it too. And I hope this story did that.

I hope... you felt what I wanted you to feel.

Strong, true, unyielding love.

Words aren't enough to do that. It requires me to feel it too. So I hope... this story delivered.

I am excited for this series because I know I am starting to feel again.

Imagine my happiness now that I have completed a story. Finally. :')

Thank you for the continuous support and I hope to see you on the next ones.

Thank you for accepting their story.
Tobias and Avery's story.

See you on the next installment! ❤️

Love, SilentInspired