His Virgin Stripper

31

I had gotten used to hospital silence for almost a month now.

Not the peaceful kind.

The kind that just sits in your chest until you stop noticing it.

I heard Celestine wasn't fully awake most days.

She would open her eyes sometimes, stay for a few minutes, then drift off again like her body couldn't decide how long it was allowed to stay in the present.

But I still came every once in a while.

Because even if it was only for a little while, she was here.

And that mattered more than anything else.

The Cuerva name didn't feel like something people adored about anymore.

It felt dirty.

 Something that had been broken in front of everyone and could never really go back to what it was before.

But strangely, people didn't turn away from us.

They stayed and sent messages. About how cruel Richard was and how they pity us. It spread like crazy.

I stood outside Celestine's room for a moment but decided not to go in.

I always did that.

Not because I was scared, but because I want to distance myself for now.

A nurse went in quietly, probably to check her monitors, then stepped back out again 

She saw me and smiled. 

"She was awake longer today," I said quietly.

I didn't respond, and just saw my mom incoming. 

She saw me.

"I just came from Aero's room" she said softly.

I watched as she gave me something.

Photos.

Old ones.

Some of them looked restored.

Baby pictures I didn't even remember seeing.

I stayed quiet.

"I don't expect anything," she said. "I just wanted you to have them. Incase  you need to see how you resemble your son"

I gave her a small nod.

"It's okay," I said quietly. "Take your time."

I stood outside Celestine's room for a moment longer before turning away.

Aero's room was still down the hall.

The NICU always felt different the moment I stepped inside. Quieter in a way that wasn't peaceful, but babies fighting for their lives.

Aero was still inside his incubator, but he looked better than before. 

He was not completely out of danger, not fully healed, but no longer  fragile.

His breathing looked steadier. His skin looked healthier.  

I moved closer and stood by the incubator for a moment before speaking.

"You're getting stronger," I said quietly.

He shifted slightly when he heard my voice, just a small movement under the blanket, but enough to make me pause.

I leaned in carefully and slipped my finger inside.

Almost immediately, his tiny hand wrapped around it.  

I let out a slow breath without realizing I was holding it.

"Good job," I whispered.

Behind me, the door opened.

I didn't have to turn around to know it was Elijah.

He came in quietly and stopped beside me, not interrupting anything, just staying close. He looked at Aero first, then at me.

"Mas maayos na siya," he said softly.

I nodded. "Oo. Kita naman, hindi na siya buto't balat" I chuckled.

Elijah shifted a little closer, his shoulder lightly brushing mine.

" You should rest na, palagi kang pagod lately," he said.

I exhaled slowly. "I will, after a few more weeks and Aero's going to be out of here."

He didn't answer right away. He just looked at Aero for a second, then back at me.

"Thank you for being a strong mommy," he said softly.

I gave him an assuring smile. "And thank you for staying by my side and taking care of all my problems, my family and us"

Aero moved again, still holding onto my finger.

That small grip kept me grounded more than anything else.

Elijah reached for my hand and held it gently.

"I love you," he said after a moment, simple and steady.

I looked at him this time.

"I love you since the day you checked me out" I said as he gently chuckled.

"When we get Aero out of here, I'll marry you and make you the happiest person in the world. You may not forget everything but I'll make sure the happy memories will take over the unpleasant ones my love. So stay with me and let's start a new season together." He kissed my temples.

"I promise you." I answered back.

Hindi ko alam kung pwede ba ang eksenang ganito sa loob ng NICU pero bahala na. All babies are witnessing our love for each other.