"There is no fear now,

let go and just be free

I will love you

Unconditionally"

Katy Perry

***

The journey to the aisle was a long time coming.

The road was littered with heartbreak, sacrifices, time lost and betrayal.

But despite the misery and the drama, the clear blue Baguio sky never hinted about the treacherous road we had to trek to get to where we are.

Instead, the sky held a promise of forever.

I saw infinity written in the horizon and it gave peace to my heart.

***

I watched in my hotel room window as the golden yellow light welcomed me to my destiny.

It was only five o'clock in the morning and despite the fact that I didn't get to sleep, I felt so alive.

Jade was in another room.

The night before, she texted how she wished she could spend the night cradled in my arms.

"I miss you lablab," she wrote.

My heart overflowed with love as I read the message repeatedly.

The moment was a far cry from the months we endured after she woke up from her coma.

***

On the day Jade woke up, the same doctor who wanted to charge me with trespassing frankly told us there are long days ahead for Jade and her family.

Her muscles atrophied while she was comatose.

Jade had to undergo therapy for her body to function normally.

She also needed neuro testing to make sure the impact of the fall to her head doesn't have long-term effects to her cognition and memory.

I was in the same room with Oscar and Amanda for reasons unknown to me.

"I will explain later," he told me as we followed the doctor to the office.

In my mind, David should be the one with them. Not me.

They are still married and whatever Jade decides to do about their relationship, I had to wait.

But Oscar had other plans.

"I am not under any illusions that things will be the same after this," he said as we walked side by side.

Amanda was dismayed to hear the doctor talk about the effects of the coma.

She laid her head in Oscar's shoulder as he calmed her down.

"We are not alone in this," he reassured her and then glanced at me.

Although unsure of what he meant, I nodded my head in understanding.

I remembered what I told him when we were at the cafeteria.

I professed my love for Jade.

That means being on her side in sickness and in health.

***

The following days and months were spent going to numerous doctor's appointments and countless therapy sessions.

I made sure that I was with Jade 24/7.

To make that commitment, I called for an emergency meeting declaring my resignation as the owner of my company.

I gave full control of Batchi while I would act as the consultant.

My decision was a surprise to everyone but these men and women are smart enough to know that it would ultimately happen.

I went on hiatus during the past months and Batchi steered the ship to where it was supposed to go.

The night before the meeting, I called Batchi and Wila over to my place to tell them of my decision.

"Are you sure about this?" was the question.

"Yes," was my reply.

We toasted our plans and took a trip down memory lane, back to the time when the three of us struggled to start the business.

We didn't have enough funding but we carried on.

Our dreams were the only compass we need.

Now, with my decision to devote my time to Jade, my heart is the compass leading me to the direction I need to go.

There is no hesitation on my part.

I know I would give her my heart, broken or otherwise.

Jade never had to ask.

***

The support from her family was overwhelming.

I saw a different side of them and I discovered why they were so protective of each other.

Family comes first.

Although this was subject to different interpretations, it all boiled down to one thing: love.

What was supposed to be a tragedy cemented the strength of their family.

Oscar reconciled with his sons.

He welcomed them back to the mansion but they both declined.

Paul wanted to prove to himself and his father that he could rebuild his life from scratch.

Gab wanted to follow in his father's footsteps minus the drama.

When Jade returned to the mansion, I was invited to join the family for a celebratory dinner.

She already knew about David and the woman he met at the bar.

The same woman who dropped by at the mansion unexpectedly, demanding to see David and make him accountable for her pregnancy.

For his part, David insisted that he would wait for Jade to decide.

He told Oscar he would not leave the mansion.

"We are still married," he argued.

DJ was temporarily taken into custody by Gab and Angeline.

This was what Amanda planned to do to protect the girl from the complications of the impending divorce.

They were worried that David would take her away.

The moment gave Gab the opportunity to reunite with his daughter.

It was a confusing time for the little girl and Gab did the thing he knew best—shower DJ with love until she slowly accepted him in her life.

I, on the other hand, spent countless hours with Jade.

Not only during her physical therapy but also during the times when depression threatened to break her spirit.

The revelations and the changes were a lot to take.

Although she never really felt passionate love for David, she felt sad for the loss of their friendship.

Also, she pitied him because we learned that the woman was a hooker.

David put up a fight when Jade told him they are divorcing.

He begged her for forgiveness and for her to take him back.

Jade told him they lived a lie for the past eight years.

"Let's not make the same mistake again," she said.

He kneeled, cried and pleaded but Jade's mind was made up.

David left the mansion distracted.

He sought solace in the bottle and found himself knocking on the same door he'd been visiting since Jade was lying motionless on the hospital bed.

***

Four months later, Jade and I were on our way back to the mansion when she asked me to bring her somewhere else.

"Aren't you tired from your therapy?" I asked, concerned.

She smiled at me and told me to trust her.

Unsure of whether it was a good idea for us to go on a road trip, I gave in to her request.

I saw the eagerness in her eyes.

Also, I didn't want to deny her the joy of escaping the confines of the mansion and the hospital.

When I realized the familiar road we were taking, I played along with her plan.

At the time, she was already able to walk with assistance.

When we reached the cemetery, I parked the car closed to where my father was buried.

I opened the car door hoping Jade would stay inside but she wanted to do things properly.

"What do you mean do things properly?" I asked, puzzled at her plans.

"Just wait and see Althea," she remarked.

She asked me to help her get out of the car.

Once she was standing in front of my father's grave, she took my hand in hers and asked him for my hand in marriage.

"I love your daughter with all of me Tatay," she said to him.

"I couldn't see myself spending another day without her by my side,"
"Please give me your blessing as I take this journey to eternity with Althea," Jade squeezed my hand and a soft wind blew as we stood in silence in front of my father's grave.

Suddenly, a white butterfly landed on her left shoulder.

I stared at the beautiful creature in awe and turned to look at Jade.

She had tears in her eyes.

I pulled her close and held her in an embrace as I whispered thank you to my father.

***

My phone rang and I turned away from the window.

Jade was calling me.

"Good morning lablab," she said in a cheerful tone.

"Are you ready to do this?"

I lay on the bed before answering.

"Hmmm.....I don't know," I teased her.

"Are you?"

"I think so," she answered.

"Let's do this then," I replied.

"I can't wait to see you Althea" her voice was filled with longing it touched me to the very core.

***

There was a knock on the door and I told the person to come in.

It was room service.

Batchi and Wila stood behind the woman who pushed the cart to the middle of the room.

"This is it Althea" Batchi told me as soon as the woman left.

She was still in her pajamas and made herself comfortable on the king-size bed.

"Did you sleep?" Wila asked, touching the dark circles under my eyes.

I shook my head.

"Of all the days you need to rest, this is the one time you chose not to have a beauty sleep." She sounded exasperated.

She sat beside Batchi who covered herself with the thick white blanket.

"How could I when I'm so excited?" I answered as I walked over to the food cart and took a strawberry cream cheese Danish.

Continental breakfast was on the menu and I feast my eyes on the assorted pastries.

The fresh smell of the bread made my stomach churn.

I took a bite and asked the two of them to have breakfast with me at the balcony.

Wila stood up from the bed followed by Batchi who pushed the cart outside.

Once we were seated, the three of us stared at the orange sky.

"Your dream is finally coming true Althea," Batchi said to me.

"It is," I answered.

"Thank you for everything," I said to both of them, my eyes starting to well up.

"Here," Wila gave me a tissue.

I took it from her and wiped the corner of my eyes.

"Friends forever?" I said to both of them.

They took the teacups and raised it.

"Friends forever," they declared.

***

There was one more thing I needed to do before I leave the hotel room to meet Jade at the venue.

The plan required the help of Batchi.

She came back to my room after I was done with my make up and my dress.

Batchi was awestruck when she saw me in my wedding dress.

For a moment, she just stood in front of the closed door, unable to say anything.

I frowned at her.

"Are you okay?" I asked.

She looked elegant in a black and white suit.

A white rose was attached to the buttonhole adding a nice touch to her outfit.

"You are so beautiful Althea," she remarked.

"Papa would be so proud of you,"

A huge mirror was in the room and I checked myself one more time.

The strapless lace-over-charmeuse white trumpet gown looked elegant and timeless with its beaded soutache floral detail adding a rich texture.

I took a deep breathe as it dawned on me that in a few minutes, I will be forever bonded to the woman I've prayed for in my life.

I saw a vision of my father standing beside me, smiling happily.

I closed my eyes and thanked him for his unconditional love.

"Are you ready?" Batchi handed me the red silk scarf.

"I am," I replied and smiled at her.

***

I've never been this nervous in my entire life.

As my female assistant did the finishing touches to my dress, my restlessness increased.

I will wed Althea in a few hours and I haven't seen her since last night.

If it was up to me, traditions be damned!

But Althea insisted.

"I want this marriage to last forever," she told me before we said goodbye to each other.

"Do you doubt that it would?" I asked, worry clearly showing in my face.

She lightly touched the tip of my nose.

"Of course not my love," she smiled.

I kissed her lightly on the lips in response.

There was a knock on the door and I looked at my assistant.

"Are you expecting anyone?" I asked her.

She shook her head and left to answer the door.

It was Batchi looking classy in her suit.

She had a smile on her face as she pulled out a red silk scarf.

The puzzled look on my face didn't bother her.

"Trust me," she said.

I took the scarf and saw the embroidered letters J & A.

I grinned at Batchi and willingly obliged as she blindfolded me.

***

I wore white Chucks underneath my gown.

Not that I'm planning to run away from Jade but because I know it would be a bitch to wear stilletos during the entire ceremony.

I hope she did the same.

The first time I suggested the idea, she was appalled at the thought.

"It would ruin the classy appeal of my Vera Wang gown," she argued and I only laughed.

"Do whatever you please my future Mrs.," I told her.

She grinned at the last word.

Now here I am, waiting outside of her hotel room, blindfolded.

My hands were sweaty with anticipation.

This was a last minute idea and I could have skipped this part but I missed her.

We weren't supposed to see each other until the ceremony but my heart can't wait.

Wila called me cheesy but Batchi was game, like she always was.

I heard the sound of voices and the door opening.

My heart skipped a beat as I heard Jade's voice.

"I'm so glad I'm wearing white Chucks," she said and I smiled, feeling triumphant that she went along with the plan.

"You're almost there Jade," Batchi told her.

"Stop!" Batchi commanded.

As her back touched mine, I searched for Jade's hand.

"Althea?" she said to me as our fingers intertwined.

"I'm here Jade," I said to her.

"Don't turn around," I reminded her.

She chuckled.

"I can't see you anyway so what's the point?" she said to me.

"Let's get married?" I asked.

She gave my hand a light squeeze and said yes.

"I heart you," my voice broke as I said the words.

"I heart you too," was the sweet reply.

***

" A wedding by any other name is still a wedding," this coming from a man who was hell bent on separating me from Jade.

When I told Jade that I wanted to ask for his father's blessing as well, there was panic in her eyes.

"He's not going to agree, Althea." She told me.

I understood where she's coming from but a part of me wanted to do it whether he agreed or not.

Oscar and I are on the path to healing and the last thing I want is to make him feel insignificant.

He is the father of my bride to be.

Without him, she would never be in this world.

I was prepared for his objection and countless diatribes but that's not the sole purpose for talking to him.

I want him to know that I value his opinion but it doesn't mean I have to agree to it.

I set up a meeting with him at the mansion.

Once we were face to face, I told him the reason why I asked to see him.

I was ready for the usual scowl or the snicker I was sure to receive but there was none of that.

Instead, a thoughtful look passed his face.

A serenity I've never witnessed since I first met him.

"Promise me you'll take care of my girl?" he said.

"I promise," I answered, my mind in disbelief of what I just heard.

"Because you know me Althea," was the warning.

The stern expression stayed for a few seconds and then a rare smile broke from his face.

I could count the times I saw Oscar Tanchingco happy.

That moment in his study was one for the books.

***

It was like falling in love again.

The moment I saw Althea, my heart overflowed with joy the tears threatened to ruin my carefully made up face.

I stared at her as she slowly walked down the aisle with her eyes locked on mine.

My family and the wedding guests turned to look at her and if they could see what I'm seeing, they would feel the radiance coming from her soul.

This was a long time coming.

I never realized it would happen.

Not with the separation, the amnesia and the obstacles we faced on our way to the altar.

Yet, here we are.

The look of happiness on the faces of my family especially my father, as he stood beside me waiting for Althea to claim what was hers from the beginning, was priceless.

As she slowly made her way to me, I saw the two of us sitting on the porch of our house on the beach, watching the sun set on the horizon as our grandkids play in the sand with a grown up DJ with her wife or husband.

Our hairs are grey, the once flawless skin wrinkled but it doesn't matter.

The love we have for each other will never get old.

Once Althea was standing beside me, I was speechless.

Her face glowed with ecstasy and the tears gleamed at the corner of her eyes.

I reached for her hand and as she took mine, the doubts and fears disappeared.

We have our love.

That is all that matters.

The End

***
A/N: Thank you to all of you for your words of encouragement and inspiration.

I had fun writing this story and I am glad you came along for the ride.

Salamat po ng marami at sana ay huwag kayong magsawang sumuporta sa lahat ng sumusulat  para sa TRMD, Jathea, Rastro etc.

We are lucky to have each other.

Let's keep this ship sailing.......

Namaste! :)
***