Alejandro's Hombre

AFTERALL, ME AND YOU

"aftreall the stops and starts we
keep coming back to these two hearts
two angels who've been rescued from the fall
and afterall that we've been through it all comes down to me and you
I guess it's meant to be
forever You and Me
Afterall...."
---Afterall, Peter Cetera and Cher
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a warm welcome is given to them when they arrived at the airport. sinundo sila ng pinsan kasama ang anak nito, na agad naging malapit kay Gabriel. naging mabuti naman ang muling pagkikita ng dalawa; there was no animosity between them, a thing he's so thankful for. it's nice to be in a vehicle with two matured, grown men.

pagkarating nila, his Uncle is busy with the housemaids in preparing for their food. it's almost lunch nang makarating sila, and the aroma of the best Portuguese cuisine is served before them.

"I didn't expected you to be wed so fast, mijos." his Uncle said. "but it's alright, don't worry. you have waited way too long for it. I'm happy for the both of you. congratulations."

"thank you, Si---"

"Sir? nah, don't say that Gabriel. Tito, you call me Tito Santi from now on." wika ng tyuhin sa asawa nya. "You're my nephew's husband now. you're now a part of our family."

Gabriel smiled and nodded.

"thank you po, Tito. and I'm sorry po talaga kung madalian ang kasal namin." Gabriel said, scratching his nape bashfully. "ayoko ko na kasing palampasin pa yung pagkaka-taon. sobrang mahal ko lang talaga ang pamangkin nyo."

Chandler teased them to no ends, making Xander blush so hard and the good old man holler in laughter. Gabriel gave him a quick kiss, and Xander just hid on his husband's back. the lunch was fun and full of laughter.
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Xander is feeding the pair of blue macaws when he felt a pair of strong arms wrap around his waist. Gabriel place his chin on Xander's shoulder, then placed chaste kisses on his husband's neck. Xander sighed and turn around, cupping his husband's face and kissed him deeply.

"wanna take a walk at the beach?"

Gabriel said, now kissing Xander's neck and the latter held unto him firmly. Xander nibbled at the shell of his husband's ear, making Gabriel hiss and kiss him again. they're nearly breathless when they let go.

"sure. let's take Vince with us, he said he wants to build a sand castle there." he said. "is it okay?"

"ofcourse. I'm also planning to take him with us." said Gabriel, taking Xander's hand. "let's go? timing, hapon na. malapit na ang sunset."

Gabriel gave little Vince a piggyback ride as they descended on the stairs at the back of his Uncle's house. they're so lucky that the pristine and beautiful beach is just right below his Uncle's abode, making it easier for them to access it. Xander is holding the pail, shovel and other things needed for Vince's sandcastle making, while his other hand held Gabriel's. then moment their feet sink into the white, powdery sands---Vincere climb down Gabriel's back and run. agad nila itong sinundan and as they look around, marami na ring tao sa baybayin. all of them have their cameras ready, dahil unti-unti nang nagpapalit ng kulay ang kalangitan.

the couple sit on the fine sands, Xander's head is on Gabriel's shoulder. Gabriel had his arm around Xander's waist, them leaning on the body of a coconut tree. not far from them, Vincere enjoyed building his sandcastle. later on, other children joined him.

The sky is now the color of embers---the red and orange blending together like a master painter's magnum oppus. Gabriel then took his camera, and took shots after shots of nature's splendid display. and since he brought with him a Polaroid, Xander is so amazed of his husband's photography skills. the one photo with Vincere in it looks so breathtaking.