Back In Your Arms (GM Series #4)

13

I can see how those words made Aydan feel. He was stunned and wasn't able to say anything for seconds, that if I didn't call his name, he wouldn't be back to himself.

He was surprised and... terrified.

I know he was afraid and seeing how he smiled at Mari, I knew he was doing his best to fight back his fears.

"She called me daddy," he said, still shocked even though it has been hours since then.

We were already home. Aydan drove us home and now, we are outside our house. I could leave him here and wait until he leaves, but I knew he needed this talk. He needs to be reminded that he was doing great being our daughter's father.

"Because you are our daughter's father," I told him. "You are your daughter's father and you are doing a good job, Aydan," I told him, assuring him that he was succeeding in fighting his trauma.

"I... I didn't know this feels like this," he said, tearing up. "My heart hurts but it feels so good at the same time," he continued, smiling as tears started to fall from his eyes.

"Aydan," I called him, reaching for his hand and squeezed it.

My heart aches hearing him say that and seeing him like this.

He shook his head. "I'm scared but I want this. I want more of this."

"You can have more of this, Aydan."

I told him and his eyes immediately met mine. He removed my hand from his and held mine instead.

"Amara, please let me. Let me make up to all of my mistakes. Please give me another chance," he said, pleading. "Please let me in our daughter's life."

This is what I have been waiting for... something I have been praying silently.

I nodded. "Can you promise me one thing?"

"What is it?"

"Please never break Mari's heart like what you did to me," I told him honestly. "I can take all the heartbreaks but Mari, I don't think I can bear to see my daughter get hurt just because of her own father."

"I will not, I promise."

He swore and without thinking twice, I agreed. This is for Mari, finally, I can give her the complete family she deserves.

"Sure ka na ba talaga dyan?" Joanne asked and I nodded undoubtedly.

"Mari needs her father. She deserves a complete family," I answered.

Aydan and I decided to live together again, this time with Mari; the three of us as a family. It was a choice we both thought of thoroughly and agreed.

This is the first mutual decision we agreed for our daughter's sake.

Una, dahil ayaw kong masaktan lang sa huli ang anak ko kung kalaunan ay ma-re-realize ni Aydan na hindi nya pala talaga kaya ang maging ama. Pangalawa, si Aydan. Walang kasiguraduhan kung hanggang saan niya makakayanan ang labanan ang takot niya. At hindi ako natatakot na masaktan lang ulit ako sa huli. Ang iniisip ko lang ay ang anak ko; hindi ko gustong ilagay siya sa sitwasyong makakasakit lang sa kanya sa huli.

"I can see that he is trying. Sinusubukan niya at nakikita kong malapit na siyang pagtagumpay," dagdag ko pa.

Joanne nodded and held my hand. "Do what's best for your daughter, Amara. Ikaw lang ang nakakaalam ng kung ano ang dapat at hindi para sa anak mo. Pero huwag mo ring kalilimutang tanungin ang opinyon ng anak mo. Bata pa sya, oo. Pero nakakaisip na rin si Mari. Pwede mo na siyang tanungin sa mga gusto at hindi niya gusto."