They had sweet spaghetti, glazed chicken, mixed green salad and avocado cheesecake for dinner. Lahat 'yon ay galing sa farm pati na ang cheese, pasta, at tomato sauce para sa spaghetti. The sugar was even from the farm.
Hindi na siya nagulat na may cat at dog food si Declan kasama na ang mga paraphernalia para sa mga 'yon. The guy had thought of everything.
Matapos ang gabihan, umakyat ulit sila sa roof deck. Umupo sila sa wooden swing sa pergola sa ilalim ng namumulaklak na mga pink bougainvillea.
Malamig ang simoy ng hangin, at mabango ang paligid sa amoy ng mga puno at halaman. Umahon na ang buwan at mga bituwin sa langit, at nakabukas na ang ilang lamppost sa paligid, gayundin ang mga fairy lights, pinapaliguan ang hardin sa malamyos na sinag. Sa ibaba, napapaligiran sila ng dagat ng mga ilaw mula sa mga bahay at establisyamento.
"So pretty, Momma," manghang usal ng anak sa kanyang tabi. Nakaupo ito sa pagitan nila ni Declan at manghang nakatunghay sa nagliliwanag na hardin.
"Yes, baby." Marahan niyang hinaplos ang kulot na buhok ng anak. "This place is very pretty."
Humagikhik ang anak at sumiksik sa kanya.
Hinagkan niya ang mabangong ulo ng anak. "Anaya, baby, we need to tell you something."
"What is it, Momma?"
Humilig ang anak sa kanyang braso.
Sinulyapan niya si Declan. Bakas ang tensyon sa guwapong mukha ng lalaki, gayundin sa linya ng matitigas nitong mga kalamnan.
His gaze flicked to hers, the warm lights reflecting on his hazel eyes.
Malalim siyang huminga at umusal ng mabilis na panalangin sa isipan.
"Remember, baby," she murmured softly against Anaya's curly hair, "you've been asking me about your daddy?"
Nanigas ang maliit na katawan ng anak, tapos ay umigkas ang ulo pataas kay Declan. Pareho silang napatigil sa paghinga ng binata.
Suminghap ang anak. "Are you going to be my daddy?"
The raw hope and excitement in her baby's voice made her throat close up.
Declan swallowed and brushed the back of his fingers across Anaya's chubby cheek. And in a hoarse voice, he answered, "I am your daddy, princess."
Namilog ang mga mata ng anak, at napakapit sa braso niya. "Y-you're my daddy?" mangha nitong usal na para bang sinabi nila na isang superhero si Declan at dadalhin nito ang paslit sa fairyland.
She saw Declan pull in a deep calming breath as he stared at her baby's sweet angelic face. She could hardly breathe herself from the ball of emotions climbing up her throat.
"Yes, Anaya, I'm your daddy."
Tumili ang kanilang anak at itinapon ang sarili kay Declan. Agad itong niyakap ng huli at ibinaon ang mukha sa balikat ng bata. His hands were shaking.
"Daddy! Daddy! I have a daddy! Momma, I have a daddy! My daddy!"
Her baby squealed and laughed.
And just like that, Anaya accepted her father.
Naramdaman niya ang pag-iinit ng mga mata.
There were no questions, no accusations. It was just acceptance and joy.
Someday, there would be questions, there would be accusations. They would prepare and wait for that day. But she would bask in this moment now–this gift–this moment of happiness in its purest and simplest form.
BINABASA MO ANG
All That I Am
RomanceR18 | MATURE CONTENT He was the kind of man mothers warned their daughters about. The kind who could get a woman's panties wet just with a look, the kind who would ride a woman hard and fast, make her c*m around his c*ck until she screamed and begge...
