Break Fresh Ground

28: FOREVER AND ALWAYS

I woke up because of rustling of sheet. As I opened my eyes, the first thing I saw was this breath-taking beauty and goddess flashing a soft smile at me.

"Good morning, love," she greeted, pushing gently aside the hair that is on my face.

There's something about the way she said it, or maybe because she is the first thing I saw this morning, that makes my heart flutter and spread with warmth.

In response, I wrapped my hands around her neck and pulled her towards me. I heard her soft chuckles and her breath on my neck.

"May balak ka bang bumalik sa pagtulog?" She asked when I didn't speak. How can I? I'm just so happy and content with her in my arms, feeling her.

Umiling ako. "No. I just want to cuddle," my voice in lower pitch.

She pushed herself up, her arms holding her weight. "Christmas morning cuddle?"

"Please?" I asked.

She teasingly scoffed. "Okay, bring it in." I scooched in and hugged her again, nestling in her warmth. "Nakatulog ka ba ng maayos?"

I nodded. "Yes, thanks to you." I heard her chuckle. "Ikaw?"

She hummed as a response. "Sobra."

I felt her softly stroking the back of my head making me close my eyes. "Thank you for the gift," I said pertaining to her painting.

"My pleasure, love," she mumbled.

"Hindi mo ba ako tatanungin kung may regalo ako sa iyo?" I felt her shake her head. "Why?"

"Para saan pa? I've already had the color I've never thought I'll be giving meaning to and be my favorite."

Tumingala ako sa kaniya, only to find her looking at me. She really knows what to say and how to make my inside panic yet calm. I don't know how she does that, but it's only her I allow to do that.

As I felt my cheeks burned, I sighed to calm my kilig down. "Well, o-okay." I can't even tell her that I did pull some strings just to have a Christmas gift for her. I'll give her the gift soon, and I hope she won't be mad.

"At hindi ako magtatanong kung may regalo ka sa akin o wala dahil masaya na akong nag-effort ka kila Mama. Masaya akong masaya sila." With how her smile is so soft, it melts my heart. She really loves her family.

"But I do have a gift for you," I said almost a whisper.

"Hmm?" The side of her lips upturning. "Saka mo na ibigay kapag kailangan ko na."

"Talaga?"

She nods. "Oo."

"Okay. Madali akong kausap." I intertwined my hands on her nape, locking our eyes together.

"Pero anong regalo 'yon?" she asked, making me laugh a little. "Curious lang."

I smirked playfully. "Saka mo na malalaman kapag kinailangan mo na."

She pouts. "Daya naman. Clue?"

I immediately thought of some words that could make her curious about my gift. "It's pretty... expensive." I watched her reaction, and she slightly furrowed her eyebrows.

"Kotse?" Hula niya. Umiling ako. "Branded na alahas?"

"No. Expensive than that."

Her eyes widen while her eyebrows are still furrowed. "Scarlett!"

I pouted. "Kanina love lang tawag mo tapos ngayon Scarlett na?"

Her breath hitched. "Bakit ka naman kasi gagastos ng mas mahal pa sa sasakyan?"