where will destiny take us?

afterstory 3

"What if we adopt them?"

I paused for a moment, the word floating in the middle of my head. It's not that kind of situation where I forgot what the word means. I've heard that word a lot from our visit to the foundation that was taking care of Justin and Jericho. I would often hear the word around when people talk around us.

I knew what the word meant. I just didn't know how heavy it was now that it came directly from Val.

"Adopt them?" I asked to make sure.

She got up and sat in front of me. "Become their legal guardian. Do you think that would be a great idea?"

I stared at her from the bed. I can see the determination in her eyes. The determination I knew very well from the time she was my notetaker. That determination was the reason she became my wife. I hated it before but when I got to know her, it became a part of her charm.

Val is... makulit. She likes to jump in situations without thinking. And this is an example.

I got up from the bed, sitting in front of her and looking straight into her eyes. "In terms of idea, it is, considering what had happened. I don't think bringing them back to the foundation would be a great idea if their aunt is still in the picture. But..."

She eyed me when I stopped. "But?"

"Can we do it?"

Her brows moved, the fever patch on her forehead scrunching. "What do you mean?"

"A lot of things can be sudden. But this, I think we should think it over first."

Bukod sa determination ni Val, she's also a person who I think would fit the saying YOLO. Ang bilis niya magdesisyon. Madalas, hindi niya pinag-iisipan. It's a good thing, but not on this.

Nagdikit ang labi niya and she looked down on her hands playing with the comforter. "Yeah, I think we should."

I sighed, feeling the heaviness in my chest disappear.

"Ivan."

"Yeah?"

Her eyes went to me and she asked again, "Do you think you want to adopt?"

Her eyes stayed the same. Although now, they look heavier. She's sad. "If you—"

"No," she cut me off. "I want you to answer without considering me. Please."

I pursed my lips into a thin line. She got me. "No." I shook my head. "I'm afraid of many possibilities. It never crossed my mind. It's either we have kids or it's just us. I never really considered kids until you came."