Heaven in Your Arms (SERIE FEROCI 11 - Book 2)

LAST CHAPTER

Lorden Levesque

I had a feeling that Black Cross wouldn't follow me. I had a feeling that they wouldn't be able to watch me die just like that... and I'm happy that they didn't obey me for the first time.

I smiled while watching Kate beside me as she caressed her huge and rounded belly. She was quietly sitting on our bed, reading a book for our children... Yes, children. We're having twins. I cried like an idiot when we discovered that we're having twins. I was happy and nervous at the same time.

What if I f****d things up? What if I wasn't deserving to be a father after all? What if Kate and our children were too good for someone like me after all? Do I really deserve this? Do I really deserve to be happy after all that I did to them... to the people I love?

I stopped thinking when Kate looked at me. She gave me a loving and tender look. She gave me her warmest smile and touched my hand... and it was enough to stop me from thinking negative things. She's always enough... No, she's more than I deserve.

"Lorden... Excited ka na rin ba?" she asked. She put my hand on her belly and smiled at me.

I smiled at her and caressed her soft cheek. "I'm very excited, love." I kissed the tip of her nose.

I caressed her belly and kissed it too. "My babies... Daddy is so excited to finally meet you. I love you both so much," I whispered.

Kate caressed my hair. "Mahal ko rin kayo, Lorden..."

I smiled and took the book from her. "Do you want me to read this for you and our babies?" I asked in a soft tone and kissed her lips.

Kate hugged my arm and snuggled beside me. It was such a good feeling. Being beside her like this feels heaven. She's the only one who can make me feel like this... so happy and contented.

When I met her, I realized a simple and happy life is all that I wanted. I wanted to work my ass off to provide for her. I wanted to work for it in a hard way, not just through the money that I earned from doing bad and illegal things. I loved seeing her smile as she wiped my sweat due to heavy work. I loved seeing her so happy and loved as she deserves it.

I already promised to myself that whatever happens in our life, as it isn't all about happiness and smiles, I will always be beside her in every hardship. I will always make her happy. I won't let that beautiful smile on her face fade... and even in times of cries and tears, I will be there for her, I will cry with her and comfort her right after.

I stopped reading when my lovely wife finally fell asleep in my arms. I smiled and gently laid her back on the bed. I kissed her forehead and caressed her rounded belly, then I covered her with a comforter up to her chest.

I smiled while staring at my angel. I still couldn't believe this... we've been married for months now, but this still feels like fantasy. I still couldn't believe that I'm finally living a happy life with the woman I love the most.

We held a simple wedding here in Cavite six months ago, since Kate wanted a simple wedding. We invited our friends, Feroci, Black Cross, and our neighbors here. I still tear up every time I remember our wedding. I was so happy that I was crying the whole time... my friends teased me like hell, but I was too damn happy to even care about it.

I love Kate Sydney Levesque so damn much. She made me want to pursue life and live for her... and for myself.

"Hmm hmm hmm..."

I stopped watering the plants when I saw Kate humming while preparing our food through the window. I immediately put the watering can down and went inside the house. Kate glanced at me and smiled.

"Lorden... kain na tayo, mahal ko..." sabi niya saka sinenyasan ako na lumapit.

Lumapit agad ako. I took the plates from her and kissed her lips. "Love, I told you to call me for these chores. Ayokong mapagod ka." I touched her soft cheek.

Kate giggled and gently punched my chest. "Ano ka ba? Para ito lang, e. Kayang kaya ko 'to. Sige na, upo na tayo. Hmm?"

I sighed and guided her to her seat. I kissed her forehead before I sat beside her. Ipinaghain ko na siya agad para hindi na siya kumilos pa. She was just smiling at me while caressing her belly.

"Hindi ba sumasakit?" I asked in a soft tone and touched her belly too.

"Sumasakit, lalo kapag sumisipa sila... but it's bearable. Don't worry about me. Sasabihin ko kaagad kapag sobrang masakit." Humawak siya sa kamay ko.

I just smiled as we started eating. I stared at her and watched her eat. I wanted to pinch her cute chubby cheeks but I didn't want to disturb her. She gained weight due to pregnancy... but she just has become more beautiful and more breath-taking in my eyes because of that. Do I really deserve such a beautiful and wonderful wife?

"Lorden... ano'ng gusto mo? Babae o lalaki?" tanong ni Kate habang nakayakap sa braso ko. Naglalakad-lakad kaming dalawa ngayon sa tabing-dagat.

I never left her side since she reached her seventh month of pregnancy. Tumigil din muna ako sa pagtatrabaho sa talyer. I want to focus on Kate and our children in her womb. The doctor told us to be extra careful because Kate had miscarriage before... Thinking about it still pains me.

I put my arm around her shoulder and kissed her temple. "Hmm... Both."

Kate giggled and caressed her belly. "What if parehas girls?"

I smiled. "I'll be so happy... wala naman sa akin kung babae o lalaki. I still love them with all my heart."

Hindi muna namin inalam ang gender dahil iyon ang gusto ni Kate.

Kate also stopped studying as soon as we discovered that she was pregnant. I asked her if she was sure... sinabi na lang niya na saka na siya tutuloy ulit. I will just let her do what she wants, I will always support her.

* * *

"Lorden... kalma lang, p're. Malakas 'yon si Kate," Draxon said and tapped my shoulder.

I didn't listen to him and paced back and forth like an idiot. Gusto ko sana ulit pumasok sa delivery room, pero masyado akong nagpa-panic. I even fainted there, kaya pinalabas na ako. My stupid friends just laughed at me as if they didn't faint when their wives were giving birth.

"If things go wrong, I'll f*****g burn this hospital down," I muttered. "Damn. Tell them I'll go inside again. I won't leave my wife there alone. She needs me there."

"Woah, akala ko nagbagong buhay ka na, bro?" natatawang tanong ni Cadence saka umakbay sa akin. "Saka makakaabala ka lang doon at baka himatayin na naman."

I just hissed and bit my nails nervously. When was the last time I became nervous like this? Siguro noong kasal namin ni Kate.

We all stopped when the doctor went out of the delivery room. She removed her face mask and smiled at me. "Congratulations, Mr. Levesque. Your wife safely gave birth to healthy twins... both girls."

My knees weakened and I almost lost my balance. My friends just laughed at me and held my arm.

"Congrats, Lorden." Rivero tapped my shoulder. "Ako naman sa susunod," nakangising sabi nito.

Everyone congratulated me. I was tearing up as I went inside the room. I saw Kate lying on the bed, with our girls on her side. Mas lalo akong napaluha, hindi ko na nakontrol pa.

I looked at them and teared up even more. It was the most wonderful and beautiful sight I've ever seen in my life. My whole body was shaking in so much happiness... If this is just a dream, I will never want to wake up anymore.

"L-Lorden..."

I looked at Kate. She slowly opened her eyes and smiled faintly at me. I caressed her hair and kissed her forehead. "Love... y-you're so brave. I love you so much," I whispered.

"I love you too, Lorden... I love Laureen Keira and Larissa Kae too..." she mumbled in a soft voice.

I smiled and caressed her cheek. She chose a good name for our angels.

I stared at our children. They look like angels who were sent for me to love and take care of. I love them so much... I love my wife and our children so damn much.

* * *

"D-daddy..."

I stopped fixing my customer's car when I heard Larissa's sweet voice. I put the wrench down and wiped my sweat. Napangiti na lang ako nang lumapit siya sa akin, pero napawi rin agad nang makita kong naluluha siya.

"What's wrong, baby?" I immediately stood up and wiped my dirty hands and carried her.

My angel sniffled and showed me a piece of paper. "N-natapunan po ng juice ang letter ko for Mommy." She teared up even more.

I took the piece of paper and sighed when I saw it was covered with orange liquid. I looked at Larissa and smiled at her. "We can just make a new one. Don't worry, tutulungan ka ni Daddy." I kissed her soft cheek.

I looked at Adrian. "Kayo muna ang bahala rito."

"Sure, boss!"

Pumasok na kami ni Larissa sa bahay. Naabutan ko si Laureen na tatalon mula sa mesa. I immediately put Larissa down and ran to Laureen. I blew a breath in relief when I caught her. She just laughed and raised her small hands, then jumped in excitement.

"Yehey! Catch."

I sighed and pinched Laureen's cheek. "Baby, don't do that. Delikado 'yon," sabi ko na lang sa kalmadong boses.

"Daddy, don't worry kasi meron naman pong cushion sa baba, e," pangangatwiran pa niya.

"Kahit na, anak. Paano kung sumala ang talon mo sa cushion? Don't do that again. Magagalit ako," sabi ko na lang.

Laureen just pouted and hugged my nape. "Hindi mo naman po ako matitiis, e."

Laureen and Larissa are eight years old now. They are twins but their personalities are way too different. Larissa is soft-spoken, emotional, easily cries, and likes spending her time reading books. Laureen on the other hand likes adventure and doesn't always listen to me, she's quite hard-headed, but she has a talent in painting just like Kate.

"You're so loud, ate..."

I looked at my six-year-old son, Keon Lachlan. He was busy reading a book that I think is way too advanced for someone his age. He's always like that. He hates noise and doesn't like playing with the other kids. Masungit talaga ang anak kong 'to. Sinasabi madalas ni Kate na mana sa'kin si Keon.

"Daddy... May ginawa po akong tula para sa'yo."

Napatingin naman ako kay Lucas Keaton, he's Keon's twin brother. Tumungtong siya sa couch saka inayos pa ang damit niya. He cleared his throat and started reciting his poem.

"Daddy, I love you,

Ito ay very true,

I know you love me too,

Because I'm the only one and not two." He bowed right after that.

I chuckled and rumpled his hair. "That was great, son. I love you too."

Laureen laughed out loud while pointing at his brother, Lucas. "Tula ba 'yun? Ang panget!"

"Mas panget ka naman. Baho pa ng utot mo!" ganti naman ni Lucas.

"Bakit? May mabango bang utot?" tanong naman ni Laureen.

I just chuckled and shook my head. Si Lucas naman, may pagkakapareho rin kay Laureen at medyo matigas ang ulo, pero malambing din naman ito.

Laureen and Larissa had their green eyes from me. Lucas and Keon had their brown eyes from Kate. May mga nagsasabi na mas kamukha ko ang mga anak namin, may mga nagsasabi rin naman na mas kamukha ni Kate... sabi naman ng iba, magkahalo raw.

I admit, taking care of our four children is quite hard, but it's also fulfilling, and it always fills my heart. Pangarap lang namin ni Kate ito noon... Hindi pa rin ako makapaniwala na natupad na.

"D-daddy... my letter."

Bumaba ang tingin ko kay Larissa na nakakapit sa damit ko. I smiled and carried her. Ini-upo ko siya sa couch saka umupo sa tabi niya. She smiled sweetly at me and started preparing her papers and color pens.

"Daddy, ano'ng gagawin niyo po?" tanong ni Laureen saka tumabi sa akin.

"Gagawa kami ng letter for Mommy kasi natapunan ng juice," sabi ni Larissa sa kambal.

"Ako rin po pwede sumali? Gagawan ko rin po letter si Mommy kasi love ko siya," Laureen said and pouted.

"Yes, sulat tayo ng letter," nakangiting sabi naman ni Larissa.

"Of course, baby... Come here. Tutulungan ko kayo."

Lumapit din sa amin si Lucas at nakisali. Pati si Keon na kanina ay nagbabasa, tumigil at nakisali sa paggawa ng letter para sa Mommy nila. I helped them with putting stickers and drawing, though I have no talent for it. Panay naman ang tawa nila sa mga ginuguhit ko.

Excited ang mga bata pagsapit ng hapon dahil umuwi na si Kate galing sa art school. She finished taking fine arts years ago. Ngayon, nagtuturo naman siya sa mga bata.

"Mommy!"

Napangit!i na lang ako nang sugurin nila si Kate. My lovely wife gave her most beautiful smile at our kids and kissed them one by one. Our precious kids giggled and hugged their mother.

"Bakit parang excited yata ang mga baby ko?" nakangiting tanong ni Kate, napatingin pa sa akin.

I winked at her and muttered I love you. Her cheeks reddened and smiled at me. To my surprise, she also winked at me. I chuckled and shook my head... We're acting like some teenagers again, huh.

"Mommy, may letter po kami para sa'yo."

Binigay naman nila ang letters nila para kay Kate. She gasped and opened them and read the letters out loud. I smiled while staring at them. My kids were giggling while my wife was about to cry because of too much happiness. Napailing na lang ako dahil maiiyak din yata ako habang pinagmamasdan ang mag-iina ko.

"A-ang sweet naman ng mga baby ko... Mahal na mahal ko kayo," Kate muttered. Her tears finally fell from her beautiful eyes. She hugged our children and kissed their forehead.

Lumapit naman ako sa kanila at yumakap. Kate kissed my lips and smiled at me. "Mahal na mahal kita, Lorden."

I smiled at her. "Mahal na mahal din kita, Kate... Ikaw at ang mga anak natin. Mahal na mahal ko kayo."

Maybe love isn't something that we can define. But for me, love is something that keeps us alive. Love is a feeling of contentment, happiness, and comfort. Love is about being with each other despite the hardships and challenges. To love is to forgive yourself, to be the best version of yourself, and to live for it.

I lived a life not worth living for. My life was a living hell, but when I met Kate, she showed me her heaven. She made me realize that despite all the bad and hateful things, life can still be wonderful, heavenly... and full of love.