The Second Bride on the List

Chapter 29

The first week of new year found Alyssa back to work, but she has that happy glow in her, as if she's happy to be back for work.  While others felt too lazy, or too hooked up with the holiday spirit, Alyssa felt light and carefree, like the first breeze of spring...

Kiefer has practices as he has an upcoming game, and Alyssa would find a way to prepare his snacks or meal with an extra touch - a note, a small token, an extra dessert.  And Kiefer would smile when he finds the surprise.  It's as if he is starting to excitedly anticipate all the surprise that Alyssa would tuck away everyday.

And at night, Alyssa would wait for him, and Kiefer would rush home, so that they could have dinner together.  They'd just  have a simple fare, whatever Manang would cook for them.  Then they'd go to the backyard porch, and chill, and exchange ideas, dreams, hopes, memories.

And they'd go back in, with Manang out already, Alyssa would start washing the dishes, while Kiefer would watch her from behind, sometimes hugging her, most of the time helping her but annoying her as well, depending on his mood and energy level. It's a chore that Manang can definitely do in the morning, washing the dishes, something Kiefer got used to by dumping his dirty dishes on the sink, but something that Alyssa insists that she can do herself.

Kiefer loves watching her from behind, mentally tracing her contour, anticipating how she could fit in his arms.  He loves how she looks so domesticated, and at home, in the kitchen.  She makes him feel things which he hasn't before.  Something new, yet familiar and welcoming,

Something like home.

And every night, every time, just after Alyssa would finish the dishes, he'd ravage her with kisses on the counter, on the kitchen top, on the island, and kiss her until she surrenders and shivers with need and passion.  And it gets exciting each and every time.

But they knew they had limits.  They had to stop the urge to be too intimate.  Kiefer has decided to open up to the Valdezes, and they will be meeting them some time over the weekend, when suddenly, early Friday evening, while cozily having dinner, Grandpa arrived - with a surprise.

"Lovebirds," Grandpa's booming voice echoed across the room.  Alyssa and Kiefer stood up, and raced for Grandpa's blessings, like two kids trying to outdo each other in a silly competition.  They were both laughing and giggling, which warmed Grandpa's heart, and he reached out to pat Kiefer on the shoulder, "I've never seen you so happy in your life, other than when you play basketball."

Kiefer grinned, and pulled Alyssa by his side.  They have done this a hundred times in front of Grandpa, and yet this time, it was real.  The feelings were real.  The love is real.

The beam on Grandpa's face was priceless, and he gave a happy sigh, "Well, I just dropped by to tell you that I have forfeited my wish to travel to Maldives, and instead, give you two happy lovers a well-deserved 5 day honeymoon in Santorini..."

Jaws dropped, and after a few seconds, Alyssa squealed, and Kiefer beamed.  "Greece? Seryoso, Grandpa?" Alyssa was too excited  for words.  Grandpa nodded happily, and Alyssa gave him a hug and a kiss on the cheek. 

"But Gramps," Kiefer suddenly turned serious, "Nasa kalagitnaan ako ng conference... "  Grandpa shook his head, and laughed, "I had asked some help in your schedule, and I had booked on the long break that you have after 2 weeks.  Just  in time for you to prepare your travel documents."

Kiefer and Alyssa exchanged happy glances, and Grandpa smiled  lovingly at them, "I don't want to remind you about the grandchild, but somehow, I wish that you spend that time discovering each other."  He turned around, together with his aides, and said, "I'll ask Myles to help you with the travel documents.  Kiefer, you know where to find her."