[A/N: Favor, please listen to the song while reading to get the feels! Haha! Enjoy!]
Carisia
I think I'm getting the hang of picking up and putting the baby down on her bassinet because of the countless times I've carried her in my arms since earlier today.
We're able to go home na, but Enrico insisted for us to stay another night at the hospital just to make sure daw na we're completely fine. He's overprotective, I know.
Right now, he's waiting for our parents downstairs at the lobby so they could meet this little cutie.
And while they're still not here, Cassie is taking advantage of her feeding time. She's awake and staring at me with those precious sleepy eyes.
"You're still not full?" I asked her jokingly.
The feeling is so foreign, but I love it. I think I'll prefer breastfeeding her over bottle feeding. It's just so wondrous to think that my body produced what my baby needs.
"You're so beautiful, you know that? I love your lashes! Reminds me of mine when I was a baby like you."
I just can't stop babbling to my newborn! I want her to hear her Mommy's voice all the time.
Her tiny hands are triggering my cuteness aggression so I gently touched it, but I was even more delighted when she gripped my finger using her entire hand.
"Oh gosh, you are so adorable! I love you so much," I couldn't help muttering in excitement.
She held my finger!! She gripped it tight! Aaaaahhh!!!
"You know, I never really understood when people described seeing their baby for the first time as something so magical. I thought they're overreacting. Little did I know, it was more than that. You're a fairytale come true, my love..." I softly whispered while craddling her to help her fall asleep.
In this world, you might just be another child born, but to me, you are my whole world, my little one.
I guess it was valid that I never understood people who said that meeting their child for the first time was magical because I don't think other people will understand what kind of heartwarming feeling I'm having, since the first moment I laid eyes on you.
It transcends any kind of emotions there is to feel.
Slowly, her eyes shut themselves, bringing my daughter into a peaceful slumber.
I planted a soft kiss on her forehead while inhaling that sweet scent that seems to resemble the feeling of happiness and contentment.
As I laid her back on the bassinet, the door pushed open, revealing Enrico and behind him are our parents, seemingly excited to meet their grandchild.
They all rushed to the baby's side, while Enrico sat beside me on the bed, watching our parents gush over Cassie.
After catching a glimpse of our baby girl, they went towards me, giving me a hug and congratulatory words.
"She really looks like a mix of the Belvederes and Ignacios," Papa, Enrico's dad commented while looking at Cassie.
"What's her name?" Mom asked curiously.
"Castalia Evyn," Enrico answered with great pride embedded in his voice.
"But we call her 'Cassie'," I followed.
"Such a beautiful name! Fits her perfectly," Mama, Enrico's Mom, said with a huge smile on her face.
"We brought foods and gifts nga pala," Dad said while pointing at the bags on the table.
My eyes spotted the grapes sticking out from the side of the basket so I looked at Enrico and he immediately understood what I meant. He got up and headed for the fruit basket.
My Mom replaced Enrico beside me, and she patted my back in a comforting manner. "How are you?" she asked.
I flashed a tiny smile at her. "I'm okay. My body just hurts, but it's manageable," I responded.
"Take lots of rests, Cari. It helps. Don't worry, we'll tell Enrico not to stress you out," Mama said in a joking manner, making us slightly laugh.
While the grandpas are with Enrico around the table, us, girls are gathered here at the bed.
"I'm so glad it worked out for you and Enrico. I hope he's not giving you too much headaches?" Mama kidded.
I shook my head 'no' while laughing. "Hindi naman po. He's been very good with me. He knows better than to stress me out," I joked to match the light ambience.
"From the looks of it, balae, your son is taking such good care of our daughter," Mom told Mama.
Mama nodded her head, flashing that comforting smile. "It seems so. Buti na lang! Mukhang alaga rin naman ni Cari ang anak namin."
I glanced at Enrico, and I happen to catch him staring at me, as well.
He showed a little smile before continuing on to cleaning the fruits that our parents brought over.
***
I can't sleep. There's a lot going on in my head, and they're keeping me awake.
When I get home, I can't just be the same old Cari who works and lives just to get by. I have someone who depends on me now. Someone who depends on her Dad and I.
To ease the weird, anxious feeling I have-- I tried looking over at the bassinet where Cassie is currently asleep.
My heart is full just seeing her comfortable and at peace. I don't know when or how I transitioned into being a Mom, but I can definitely feel it hitting me.
Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed someone moving on the couch.
Turned out, it was Enrico who was awakened. "Why are you still awake?" he groggily asked as he walked over to my bed, looking curious.
"Wala lang. Just soaking the feeling of seeing Cassie. I can't even imagine that that little cupcake was just in my belly a few days ago."
He chuckled slightly as he sat beside me, his arms going around my waist and his face rested on my shoulder. "Glad to know that I'm not the only one feeling like I'm stuck in a long dream," he said.
Silence reigned over us as we watched our daughter sleep, her breathing slowly synchronizing with ours.
"Are you happy?" I spoke in the midst of the silence.
"Of course. The happiest I've been in a while," he answered in a warm tone.
"Is this what you wanted? What you dreamed of?"
He tenderly planted a soft kiss on my cheek. "It's not what I dreamt of to begin with, but now I realize that it's the fulfillment of my dreams and more," he said. "Can you promise something to me?"
I curiously looked at his face, wondering what that promise is.
"From now on, it's just gonna be you, me, Cassie, and our children that are yet to be here. I don't want anyone else, Carisia."
Little did I know, a tear has already escaped from my eye upon hearing his sentiments.
No one expected love to blossom from this relationship of ours, but here we are, wrapped with nothing but love.
"I promise."
*
End of Chapter 28
*
