Carisia
I just opened my eyes up from my deep and comfortable slumber, but still doesn't have the urge to get up.
The AC was blowing such cold air into the room, but I don't mind, because I've got a human blanket, literally, who's got me wrapped up with his arms and body.
He's still asleep like a baby, his eyelids heavy and his face snuggled next to mine.
It's a slow morning because aside from me taking my maternal leave from work, he's also on a break because of what happened recently. May mga kailangan kaming ayusin at siya ang naghahandle ng lahat.
My back was feeling a bit numb so I tried turning to the side, making him shuffle from his position, but his arms remained around me, much tighter this time.
His face being the first one I see every morning is such a refresher, and especially now after reflecting how life can change in a snap...
I learned not to take anything for granted-- even moments like this.
As I stared at his handsome face, I couldn't help but let a gentle smile appear from mine.
I don't know what pushed me to do so, but I just found myself reaching his lips for a soft kiss.
It didn't wake him up, nor startle him, so it kind of amused me a little bit that I didn't notice how many times I kept going in, for more.
Suddenly, his eyes opened abruptly, catching me off guard, making me laugh.
"What are you doing?" he chuckled hoarsely. "I thought I was dreaming that someone was kissing my lips, turns out that it was you."
I stared at his eyes for quite some time before leaning in for another kiss, but this time, he's conscious already.
"You're in a happy mood?" he asked while staring at me.
I smiled, as I felt that familiar warmth spread across my chest. "Yeah, I am. I woke up with you next to me eh," I answered.
His brows furrowed, his lips pouted. "You always wake up next to me ah? What's different about today?"
I shrugged my shoulders, lacking for an actual answer.
"So you just woke up and you suddenly wanted to kiss me?" he asked.
I bit my lip as I nodded my head.
Okay, I'm so in love with him.
"And plus, Cassie's not making a morning fuss so better make the most out of it," I added to my gestures.
He laughed as he cupped my cheek, pulling my face for another soft and tender kiss.
I could get used to this. Slow, flirty mornings with him. No appointments needed to get done immediately, no meetings, no deadlines waiting on the desk.
Just...pure admiration for each other's bare faces and vulnerable states.
"Should we head down for breakfast?" he asked after feasting on my lips.
I pulled him by his shirt's neckline as he was about to get up. "No, let's stay here, please?"
It's not everyday that an arranged bride and groom actually wants to spend their mornings next to the person who was once a stranger to them, but here we are, proving all of it wrong because tell me why I'm so obssessed with my husband just existing next to me on a random morning?
"Let's just stay like this until we grow old, okay? Because of what happened, I realized what I actually want," I told him.
He lingered his kisses on the side of my face like a vine in a garden, crawling it's way up, searching for a place to settle.
"What do you want?" he whispered against my skin.
I smiled, just thinking of my answer to that question.
If you told me a year ago that I would be this happy and content, I would've probably laughed at your face.
"I want a family. I want to go to family doctor appointments, I want to go on roadtrips while the kids are at the backseat, sleeping. I want to bring the kids to school, then you will fetch them, and we'll have lunch together, just laughing about what happened to each of us..."
I turned my head to face him, and I found him staring intently at me, looking like he's actively listening to my sentiments.
Oh goodness, what took me so long to realize that all I ever wanted was you?
"I want...a life...with you."
Each word escaped my mouth tenderly, like they meant to caress Enrico's heart with gentleness.
As if needed, there came a wave of silence between the two of us. No words, just exchanging knowing looks.
"I've been wanting the same thing for quite some time now..." he muttered underneath his breath, as his gaze lingered around my face.
It's been made clear between the two of us that we love each other, months ago. We said it, we both felt it, but I just had the urge to tell him how exactly I want to love him. I want to narrate each and every ways that I want to love him for the rest of our days.
He brushed the tip of his nose along the side of my face, unintentionally blowing hot air towards my skin.
This. These simple moments are what I crave for.
The flirty looks during meals, the delicate touches when we're next to each other and we want to feel each other's presence, those deep kisses that come out of nowhere, the intimate nights reminding us that we belong to no one, but to each other-- those are what my heart has been secretly wishing for, but just didn't know how to ask for it.
Not until I found out how deeply he is into me, and how naturally he made me experience those things.
I'm truly grateful for that day when I just woke up and I began seeing him in a different light.
"I want you to know that even though my lips don't say it much, you can be sure that I have nothing else in mind and in my heart but you and Cassie," he added, further melting my already vulnerable heart.
His arms felt like a safe space, pulling me in until our skins are the only thing stopping us from joining our bodies together.
As we were bathing in the serenity of the moment, our little one decided that it would be a good time to wail her heart out, breaking the peaceful sound barrier.
"One kiss before I get up to tame the awakened dragon," Enrico said so I rewarded his request before he got up to begin Daddy duties.
As for me, I might just lay here for a couple more minutes, just to take it all in.
"Hey...good morning, little one!" Enrico greeted her as if she can respond to him.
He gently picked her up from the crib and carried her for a morning cradle.
With each sway, she began to calm down. Her cries lessened, especially when she heard her Dad's voice.
"Mommy and I were just talking, and you, munchkin, decided that it's the best time to disturb us, huh?" he chuckled as he softly touched our daughter's hand.
Man, I still can't believe that we made that cute, baby girl. I mean...that's a human child! A child who holds half of me and half of him.
My heart undeniably melted when I saw Enrico kiss our daughter's forehead.
Cassie's going to grow up, being so loved by her Dad. Lucky kid.
He glanced at me, and he flashed a bright smile. "Look, baby oh. Mommy is so beautiful, and you look just like her," he softly said.
Yep, I want endless moments like this. That's all I want.
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End of Chapter 38
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