Is It Fate? (An AlDub Fanfic)

Epilogue

"Happy ka?"

I was startled out of my reverie when I heard his melodious voice.  This question was always the one thing he would ask of me every single time, assuring himself and I - that we chose correctly and that we were undoubtedly - happy.  

I looked up and saw him standing beside me, the bedimpled smile on his face shining down on me, which never failed to make my breath hitch.  

"Oo naman.  Ikaw ba?"

He sat down beside me on the park bench as we watch our grandchildren play on the playground across from us.  He took my hand in his large ones before answering me. 

"Palagi.  Basta kasama ka."

I chuckled.  "Hindi mo na kailangan pang bolahin ako, Mr. Rioja."

He turned his head towards me and squeezed my hand, looking affronted but still with a smile on his lips.  "Huy!  Di kaya kita binobola!"

"Ewan ko sa'yo."

We stayed silent after that, my hand still in his as I leaned my head on his shoulder.  I sighed wistfully and smiled as I remembered what we had to go through to get to this point.

It was a rough journey.  Never really easy.  There were times when we both wanted to give up but the love we have for each other was too strong that we were still able to endure.  To stay.  Together.

"Mom, Pops!  Come over!  Athena will be blowing her birthday candle na."

We heard Celestine, my eldest daughter, call us - waving at us to approach one of the picnic tables that was set up with the birthday cake of our grandchild.  Friends and family were all around us as we celebrate Athena's 7th birthday.  

We stood up and slowly walked towards everyone, still hand in hand.   

At the other side of the table that we were approaching, I saw Jake, my ex-husband, with his arms around his wife.  He gave me a soft smile and a small nod of his head which I returned.  Alden, on the other hand, gave him a small wave and a grin.  Surprisingly, they stayed in touch even after the whole ordeal we all went through and even managed the become friends.  How that came about, I would never really comprehend.

I didn't question it anymore though.  Given that everything seemed to be smooth sailing at this point.  Why question something good, right?

"Dad," I heard Celestine softly call for Jake, reaching out her hand towards him.  Even after all this time - she was still her daddy's little girl.  Jake approached her and gave her a kiss on her head once he was near, his arm automatically going around her shoulder.  

I smiled wider, however, when Celestine turned towards Alden and reached out her hand towards him as well.  

"Pops," she called.  "I want you here, too."

Alden smiled and came forward, reaching out his hand towards Celestine.  I was teary-eyed as I saw them by that table, holding each other - behind Athena, our granddaughter.

Together, we all sang 'Happy Birthday' before Athena blew her candles and everybody cheered.

I was flat-out crying at this point.

"Ma?"

I turned towards the deep baritone voice of my son, Sebastian, who at that moment stood beside me, his arm suddenly circling my waist.  He dropped a kiss on my forehead after as we continue to watch the festivities, with him scolding his own son every now and then while he played with his cousins.  

"Kamusta?  Happy ka?" he continued as he turned towards me again.

I chuckled.  He got that question no doubt from Alden.  

"Oo, anak," I answered as I watch my family in front of me, celebrate love and happiness, wishing that this would go on until I leave this life. 

"Sobrang happy," I added quietly, a smile still on my lips.

//

A/N:  And that's it, you guys.  Thank you for staying with me on this journey.  It wasn't easy, writing this one as this story is loosely based on reality.  

Some of you hated this story and felt like FicMaine was using others for her own selfish reasons. Others felt like FicAlden was too good to be true, but I can assure you that there are people in this world who are like him (and her) - one in a million though they are. And he wasn't exactly perfect, having played with girls before finally realizing that he must fight for FicMaine all along.  Or at least, wait in the sidelines until FicMaine realizes what her heart wants all this time.

We all have that 'the one that got away' person.  Or maybe - only some of us and not all, teehee.  Nevertheless, having one doesn't mean that you are unhappy with your current life.  It does tend to leave you with what-ifs but I can assure you that having one doesn't necessarily mean that you have regrets in life because of that one that got away.  If anything, having a TOTGA could also mean that you could look back at your life and reminisce fondly about what happened between you.

Anyway - ang haba na ng author's note.  Pasensya na.  Hahahaha.

Imma start another story soon - probably a dark fantasy one (would anyone like to read about a vampire Maine or Alden?). 

Thank you always for reading.  You, my readers, always give me the inspiration to go on.

And of course - to my muses - Richard and Nicomaine - this one, this is for you.  I love you.