'Til I Found You (COMPLETED)

52

Their fingers intertwine as she rests her head against his chest. The night's solemnity settles around them, and Aga inhales her scent—sweet, feminine, and familiar. Stroking her smooth skin while kissing the top of her head, he realizes he loves every fragmented bit of her. They have been pacing a narrow road, enduring endless bumps that they thought would break them, but this quiet moment proves they have finally reached the end of the struggle. Those shed tears of yesterday have dried out, displaced by a steady simper of happiness. The past was a rollercoaster of regrets and pain, but looking at her now, he knows it was all written by destiny. Finding her is the best part of his story.

Both of them head to their reserved family room. It is against their traditional wedding "game rules" to see each other, but Aga cannot take another hour without her. Upon entering the room, they find their offspring already fast asleep.

"Kami na dito, Tricia. Pahinga ka na," she tells the nanny in a soft whisper.

"Sige po, Ma’am."

Aga hugs her from behind as they take pleasure in watching their sleeping kids. "You know what, babe? I used to imagine this before. I kept on asking myself what life would be if I wasn't an asshole for hurting you. Maybe we’d have kids running around our home. We might have little ones who would run to us once we return home from work."

"And a snoring first-born just like her dad. When one stops, the other begins, eh," she cuts him off, teasing.

Aga simpers at her remark. "We're living in that dream now, babe. Plus the snore."

Lea snorts out a laugh. "Loko! Tomorrow is our big day. Let's all leave behind those bad memories. I'll be legally bound to you."

"At wala ka nang kawala pa," he murmurs, carrying her in his arms. He gently lays her down on the bed next to Eli. She claims his lips once more and Aga gives in to her. They kiss until losing their breath becomes a physical ache, and they exchange their whispered "I love yous."

---

"Mommy! I can't find my shoes," Eli pouts, looking around the room.

"Baby, check the backseat of daddy's car. I put it there yesterday," she responds while checking her own reflection.

Everyone marches back and forth as the wedding takes place at the nearby cathedral this afternoon. She concurred to have the reception at the same resort. Jason and Emma take care of everything since Lea cannot fully cooperate with two crying babies in her arms and a temperamental daughter. In spite of the grand day, her motherly side always stays on top. As she wears her wedding gown, her heart pumps in a mix of happiness and a confusing maze of memories. Her mind recalls those times she got engaged, only to be left alone at the end.

♡ ♡ ♡

With tears drifting down her face and the broken pieces of her heart, she drives back home in her wedding dress. It was her supposed wedding day to Walter—son of a district congressman. Their two years of on-and-off relationship ended in a snap. She thought of telling him the truth after the marriage, believing firmly that he would understand and accept her. He was the nicest guy she had ever known. But things happened unexpectedly. She arrived at the church to find a disheveled version of Walter. All eyes were on her as she stepped out of the car, but those stares were like daggers piercing into her.

He grabbed her by the arm. "Baka naman may gusto ka munang sabihin?!"

She went silent. At that juncture, she felt her happiness slowly subsiding.