DS8Uncovered #LuMa #BearCouple #DaggerSeries

CHAPTER 59: VOW 

LUNA'S

"You look like you're shopping for groceries."

Nilingon ko ang nagsalita at nabungaran ko ang nakangiting mukha ng kapatid ni Belaya na si Cross Lawrence. He's a doctor here at the hospital, specifically in the cardiology department, but he's been working with Galen Cuevas lately. Belaya mentioned before that it was because Cross was interested in studying primary cardiac sarcoma.

The vendo machine in front of me made a sound. Kukunin ko na sana ang inilabas no'n ang kaso ay bumagsak ang isa sa napakarami kong bitbit na mga pagkain.

"Here, let me help you."

Lumapit sa akin ang lalaki at kinuha niya ang ilan sa mga dala ko. He bent down to get the pack of chips that fell on the floor and I couldn't help but follow his movements, especially when the scrubs he was wearing stretched, giving me an idea of what's behind it. Lord, sorry po. I love Magnus, but I'm not blind not to appreciate one of your gifts to mankind.

"Are you going to eat all of these?"

Umiling ako. "My sisters-in-law are here, as you probably know."

"They made a patient get up from bed and buy food for them?"

Napatawa ako. "No. I made them. Naiinip na ako eh." Inginuso ko ang direksyon ng hospital room ko. "They've been watching me since I left the room."

Lumingon ang lalaki pero hindi niya na nakita ang mga hipag ko. But I know he heard the same thing I did, which was the door closing loudly.

Nang humarap ulit sa akin si Cross ay binigyan niya ako ng maliit na ngiti. "Want to go back to your room?"

Nang tumango ako ay sinabayan niya akong maglakad patungo sa kabilang panig ng pasilyo. Siya na rin ang nagtulak ng IV pole ko. Nasa dulo kasi ang kuwarto na inookupa ko.

"How are you feeling?" he asked as we walked slowly. He's matching my pace without impatience.

"I feel tired all the time."

Tumango lang siya at hindi nagkomento. It's something I noticed with my other doctors as well. They don't comment a lot, but they listen to more things than most. Sometimes I feel like they even notice what is not being said by their patients.

"Dr. Lawrence?"

"You can call me, Cross." He glanced at me. "You're my sister's sister-in-law. You're one of our own."

For some reason, it feels nice to hear that. His family has been actively involved with mine. Mandalas pa ngang mag-overnight ang mga pamangkin ko sa kanila dahil naaaliw ang mga magulang niya sa mga bata. But more than that, their family has also been helping with the progress of the clinical trials I've been participating in.

"What was your question?" he asked.

"The treatments... why do you think they're not working on me?" Nang hindi siya kaagad nakasagot ay muli akong nagsalita. "Can you answer me like I'm not your sister's sister-in-law?"

"You want me to answer like a doctor." He said it more as a statement than a question, but I still nodded. He let out a huge sigh. "I'm not an oncologist, and I'm not your doctor, so I don't really think I'm the best person to give you advice."

Knowing there is one, I asked, "But?"

"But I think, like in most illnesses, the progress of the medicine being provided depends on how the body will receive it. Everyone is different. Even if it's a case of identical twins that are supposed to have identical genetic makeup, there is still no assurance that they will respond to treatments the same way." He regarded me with a gentle look. "What does your body say, Luna?"

"That I'm nearing the end."

He didn't balk at my answer. He just looked at me as if he understood me. "Medicine has advanced over the years. My family and the people they worked with had contributed greatly to creating possibilities that weren't there before."

I know all about that. It wasn't just his family or the organization of his family that honed brilliant minds. It's also him who has been making a name for himself.

"We wanted to help you too." He held my eyes. "I'm so sorry that we can't do anything."

It wasn't anyone's fault. For years, my doctors have been reaching out to different countries to find something that could help me. They all believe that I have a lot more time and that even if everything fails, the original treatment for what I have could work. After all, the cancer I have has a slow growth pattern.

But I know better than to be comforted by that since my mother had the same thing and she still died. B-cell follicular lymphoma could transform into an aggressive one at any moment. It's like a ticking time bomb. Beside that, it's also known for its relapsing nature.

"It's cancer, Cross. It's not one organ failing. Sometimes it feels like everything at the same time is failing." I gave him a reassuring smile. "It's genetically complex, and we all know that. The best thing that countless studies could do is to invent the best accurate treatment plan that will work for all kinds of cancer, but even that is hard to find."

Just like he said, everyone is different. At kung pagiging kakaiba na lang ang pag-uusapan, cancer holds a title when it comes to being different. Even people on remission for a long time and those that are considered cancer-free continuously monitor their health and are on a management plan, because while they have no sign of the cancer anymore, it doesn't mean that it doesn't have the possibility of recurring. That's why they call it complete remission rather than calling it cured.

I would be happy with a treatment that works. Being on treatment for life doesn't sound so bad. At least I still have that... life.

"I understand that you don't want to undergo chemo—"

"I didn't want to." Sinalubong ko ang mga mata niya. "But I might. I have so much to lose now."

"But?"

"I still believe that it wouldn't work. It feels like stepping on the gas instead of the breaks of a car. I think it will just make me worse. I don't want to spend my last moments like that. And now..." It's too late. Humugot ako ng malalim na hininga. "Honestly... I just want to go home. I want to be with my husband."

"I don't think Gale will allow that. And you'll see Magnus tomorrow, right? You're getting married."

My eyes misted over. "I want to go home, Cross."

Sandaling nakatingin lang siya sa akin na para bang pilit iyang inaarok ang nararamdaman at iniisip ko. "I'll see what I can do. Pupuntahan kita."

Iginaya niya ako pabalik ng kuwarto at siya na ang kumatok doon. Sakto namang ang kapatid niya ang nagbukas. Ipinasa niya ang mga hawak niya sa babae bago ako tinanguhan.

"What was that?" Belaya asked when we entered the room.

Hindi kaagad ako nagsalita at ibinaba ko muna ang mga dala ko. When I turned back to my sisters-in-law, I found all of them watching me... and waiting.

"I want to go home."

"Luna—"

Pinutol ko ang sasabihin ni Lia at umiling ako. "I really just want to be in my own home with Magnus."

Nagkatinginan sila maliban kay Mireia na tahimik lang na nakamasid sa akin. I forced a smile, and her lips trembled in response. She knows.

"I'll drive you."

Napalingon ako kay Lucienne. "Lush—"

"You want to go home, then I'll take you home."

"Maghahanap muna ako ng pamalit mo na damit," sabi ni Lia na nagmamadaling tinungo ang closet kung saan nilagay nila ang mga gamit nila kanina.

They stayed over because my wedding is tomorrow. My brothers stayed with Magnus, and they're at the family penthouse.

"I'll fix your hair," Tiara said.

"May dala akong makeup," sabi ni Mireia. "If you want a little color."

Circe walked towards Lia. "I think my sandals could fit you."

"I'll call your husband once you're on your way," Ember said gently.

There was a flurry of activities in the room, and I just changed into a dress that Lia gave me when there was a knock. Hindi pa man pinagbubuksan ay pumasok na si Cross na kunot na kunot ang noo.

"Gale said no," he announced unceremoniously.

My sisters-in-law froze, but Cross didn't. Lumapit siya sa kinaroroonan ko at inabot niya ang kamay ko na may nakakabit na IV. May kinuha siya sa bulsa niya at sa pagkagulat ko ay sinimulan niyang tanggalin ang nakatusok sa akin. It was like a cue for everyone else to start moving again.

"Meet me in my office. There's a door there that will lead you to the back of the hospital and the parking lot."

"You have a secret door in your office?" I asked. "Why?"

"Because I don't like interacting with people unless I'm treating them." He pressed on my hand, and when he let it go, I saw that there was already a cotton and band aid on it. Nilingon niya ang ibang mga babae. "There's an extra hospital gown in one of the drawers. One of you should wear it and pretend to be Luna. The other will find out soon enough, but it will buy us some time."

Cross turned to his sister. "We need a commotion."

"Bakit ka sa akin nakatingin?"

"Because you're good at it." Dinutdot ng lalaki ang noo ng kapatid. "Pretend that you're in pain or something."

Everything was a blur. Not even five minutes later, Cross exited the room, I'm wearing a hoodie over my dress, and Belaya is on the floor, writhing in pain. Kung hindi ko lang alam na scripted ang lahat ay baka nakumbinsi niya na ako dahil binasa niya pa ang gilid ng mukha niya para magmukhang pinagpapawisan siya. The others rushed out to call out a nurse while Ember pretended to sleep on the bed, her back on the door.

Lucienne and I managed to slip out without anyone noticing us. Dumiretso kami sa kinaroroonan ng opisina ni Cross kung saan naghihintay na siya.

"Thank you, Cross. I hope this won't get you in trouble."

"It will, but it's okay. They wouldn't want to lose me, so I won't get fired." Binigyan niya ako ng maliit na ngiti at pinisil niya ang balikat ko. "Do what you have to do. No regrets."

I nodded. "No regrets."

Tahimik ang naging byahe namin ni Lucienne. It's strange when it comes to Lucienne, since she always has something to fill the silence with. Pero para bang alam niya na iyon ang kailangan ko kaya iyon ang binigay niya sa akin.

It didn't take long for us to reach the condo. Nilingon ko si Lucienne pero sa pagkagulat ko ay sinalubong niya ako ng yakap.

"I'll see you tomorrow," she whispered. "But if I don't, I'll understand."

"Lush—"

"You welcome me like a part of the family, even when I wasn't anyone to you or your brother back then. You didn't treat me differently, you didn't look at me like you were afraid of me. You gave me my first makeover, but you didn't try to change me. You didn't find my weirdness weird, instead you urged me to celebrate it. Trace was my first best friend, but you're my first sister." Humigpit ang yakap niya sa akin. "I want you to be happy. Just like Cross said, no regrets."

Hindi ako kaagad lumayo sa kaniya nang lumuwag ang hawak niya sa akin. I met her eyes, and I held them for a moment. "I'm happy."

Basa ang mga mata na tumango siya. I reached for her hand and squeezed it before I opened the door and stepped out. Kinawayan ko siya at ibinalik niya iyon sa akin bago walang lingon na pinaandar niya na ang sasakyan na para bang kailangan niya iyong gawin kundi ay hindi niya magagawang umalis.

Yakap ang sarili na pumasok ako sa building at dumiretso ako sa elevator na mabilis na dinala ako sa penthouse. Hindi pa man ako nagtatagal sa loob ng bahay at iilang mga paghakbang pa lang ang nagawa ko ay nakarinig na ako ng mga mabibigat na yabag na bumababa mula sa hagdanan.

"Luna!"

The house wasn't illuminated much except for the lights coming from the garden and a glow coming from the skylight windows.

"I'm home, hubby bear."

He was beside me in a second. "Ember called me, then the hospital reached out to tell me that you—"

"I want to come home to you."

His gaze locked with mine, and just like he always does, he understood me with that one look.

"Come here," he murmured.

I stepped into his arms, and he hugged me tight. Pagkaraan ay naramdaman kong umangat ang mga paa ko sa sahig. Kumapit ako sa balikat niya nang buhatin niya ako papunta sa reading nook.

He lowered himself to the sofa, positioning me so that I'm sitting on his lap and still gathered into his arms.

"You're not supposed to see your future husband before the wedding," he told me.

"You're already my husband."

"That's true."

Sumandal ako sa dibdib niya at tiningala ko siya. "Did you have fun with my brothers?"

"Yeah. We played cards, and I beat them in every game."

I chuckled. "You need to lose sometimes."

"Why?"

"So the Dawsons will not hate you?" patanong na sabi ko.

"It's okay. I have a Dawson who loves me." Hinalikan niya ang tungki ng ilong ko. "Right here with me."

I wrinkled my nose. "Do it again."

Nangingiting hinalikan niya ulit ang ilong ko bago bumaba iyon at mga labi ko naman ang pinagtuunan niya ng pansin.

It was supposed to be a light kiss. Just a touch of the lips. It was his intention... but it wasn't mine.

Ikinawit ko ang mga braso ko sa balikat niya para laliman ang halik. He didn't deny me of it. He answered my kiss with the same intensity I'm giving. And yet his touch remained gentle, as if he were afraid of crushing me.

"Mags," I whispered as I pulled away from the kiss.

"Hmm?" he murmured as he rained light, playful kisses on my lips. "What is it?"

"I'm not going to break. I know I'm sick that's why you're being gentle—"

"Luna," he said, cutting me off. "I'll always be gentle with you. Not because you're sick, but because you're my LA."

Maybe it was my insecurity talking. I wasn't exactly looking my best.

"Don't." Para bang alam niya ang iniisip ko na hinawakan niya ang baba ko para hindi ko magawang iiwas ang tingin ko sa kaniya. "I want you more than anything, Luna. You. I will always want you."

"Even now?"

"Always," he repeated.

"Then can you do me a favor?" When he nodded, I threaded my fingers through his hair. "Can you make me yours completely?"

His expression morphed into one of shock, like he was sucker punched by someone out of nowhere. But before I could do or say anything, he had already recovered. In a flash, I was back in his arms, and he was kissing me again. I felt him lift me, and in a second, I felt the carpeted floors on my back.

"This..." He kissed the side of my neck and down to my collarbone, which is more pronounced than before. "This is not a favor. This is not something you needed to ask for." Napakagat ako sa ibabang labi ko nang maramdaman kong naglandas ang kamay niya mula sa binti ko, paakyat sa hita ko. "Don't you know by now, LA? I'm all yours to take."

He put some distance between our bodies for a moment, and he pulled the hoodie and dress I'm wearing swiftly off me. I watched him do the same as he took off his shirt, revealing his hard body for my eyes to feast on.

Magnus hunched down, going back to raining kisses on my skin. It was all chaste kisses, but it caused the burning inside me to build and build.

My lips parted when I felt his teeth graze the side of my hip. Hindi ko na nakuhang mabigla nang sa isang iglap ay nahila niya na pababa ang natitirang saplot na suot ko. He gave me no time to recover because, at the next second, his tongue was there, dipping into the sensitive flesh between my legs that was aching to be touched.

Napatukod ang mga kamay ko sa sahig at napaangat ang likod ko habang patuloy siya sa ginagawa. He flicked his tongue at the rigid nub, sending voltages of electricity to course through my body.

The ends of my hair touched the hollow of my back when I threw my head back and cried out his name. It felt like there were suddenly stars in the currently starless sky when Magnus led me to my orgasm.

Habol ko pa ang hininga ko nang muli akong kubabawan ng lalaki. He moved, and when I looked down, I saw that he bared to me completely.

"We don't need—"

"I told you." Looking at his readiness for one more second before I glanced at him behind my lashes. "I am already yours as well, Magnus, but I want you to take it all." As if my words weren't enough, I opened my legs a little wider, which made him growl under his breath. "Completely all of me."

His lips crashed against mine at the same time that I felt him hike up one of my legs. I could taste myself in his kiss, but I didn't mind. It drives me more to the edge that I was already nearing again.

"Please," I whispered. "I need to feel you."

Magnus always wanted to give me everything, and tonight wasn't an exception. But just like he said, he will always want me, and I could feel that. I could feel it in his kiss, his touch that sends a fiery trail all over me, and with how deliciously hard he is for me.

His cock's large head touched my sensitive entrance, and when our eyes met, that's when he started pushing inside.

I could feel his every inch stretching me. It was a mixture of pain and pleasure. He feels so hot inside me, and I feel so full of him.

Ikinapit ko ang isa kong kamay sa balikat niya habang ang isa ay dinala ko sa likod ng ulo niya. The moon peeking from the skylight windows bathed our bare skin with light, embracing us as we did the same to one another. It was our sole witness, the only one that saw us finally become one.

He kissed the side of my neck as his hips moved back and forth, the friction igniting more of the fire blazing around us. "I love you, my Luna."

My nails dig through his skin as my legs that are wrapped around him tighten. I tried to match his movement, joining him in the dance that only our bodies know the melody of.

"You feel so perfect." He leaned his forehead on mine, holding my eyes. "You feel like mine."

A lone tear glides to the side of my face as I push myself up to kiss him. His movement quickened, pistoning inside me with long, hard strokes. My cries of overwhelming pleasure were drowned out by his lips as he filled out his release.

Mahigpit na niyakap niya ako sa katawan niya at ganoon din ako na nakakapit pa rin sa kaniya. None of us moved. We both just laid there, still connected.

It was Magnus who first moved, but he didn't do it to pull away. Instead, he buried his face on my neck as he put both of his arms to the side of my head so that he wouldn't crush me with his body.

Marahang hinaplos ko ang buhok niya habang nakatingin ako sa langit na kita sa bintana na nasa kisame ng reading nook.

"Thank you."

MAGNUS' POV

There was a lump that formed inside my throat when I heard her whispered words. I didn't know why she thanked me when it was she who gave me everything, but my heart constricted with pain as if responding to her own heart. Like mine could feel its unspoken words.

Naramdaman kong bahagya niya akong itinulak para umalis sa ibabaw niya at kaagad ko namang sinunod ang gusto niya. She sat up and pushed me more a little so that I could lie down, and then she crawled up back in my arms, using my chest as her pillow. But before she could get comfortable, I sat up, her gaze shooting up at me in surprise.

"Bear with me for a second," I told her gently as I reached for her dress. Isinuot ko ulit iyon sa kaniya bago mabilis na nagbihis din ako. "I don't want you to get cold."

"I'm still cold." Inangat niya ang mga braso niya. "Hug me."

Nangingiting ikinulong ko siya sa mga bisig ko at bumalik kami sa pagkakahiga. We both just stared up at the starless sky.

"Mags?"

I could hear exhaustion from her voice, but it doesn't seem to be because of what we just shared moments ago. Marahang inangat baba ko ang kamay ko sa braso niya at hinapit ko siya para mas mapalapit siya sa akin.

"Hmm?"

"I think we covered the things on our very short LuMa list."

I tipped her head up so that I could see her face. "We can add as many as we want."

A multitude of emotions flickered in her eyes. "I don't think I have more to add."

"Not even one?"

Umiling. "I just have a list of dreams... of wishes."

"Can you tell me?" She seems to be torn. I've been noticing that lately. That she's trying to be careful around me, as if she's afraid to hurt me. To hurt me more. But not once did I blame her for the pain, because I know there's no greater pain than not having her in my life even once. "You know that you can tell me everything, right? I told you that I wanted to share everything with you. I haven't changed my mind, LA."

"Mags..."

"Please?"

Her lips trembled a little. "Okay."

"What's on the top?"

"I wish that we have our own child. Just one. A girl or a boy. It doesn't matter."

"Done."

Her lips tugged up at the corners. "And a dog."

"Okay." Inipit ko ang buhok niya sa likod ng tenga niya. "What else?"

"I want to travel the world with you."

"I'll put in a notice that I'm going on an indefinite vacation. Ano pa?"

"I like that you bond with my family, especially my brothers, so I want to see more of that."

I chuckled. "Okay."

Hindi siya kaagad nagsalita at nananatili lang siyang nakatingin sa akin na para bang iniisip niya kung sasabihin niya pa ang kasunod. She looks pale, even though our recent activity should have put a flush on her cheeks.

She shouldn't be out of the hospital. It's our wedding tomorrow, and even then, there will be a medical team on standby. Her doctors don't want her out of their sight.

I have been informed of her condition. It was worse than before, and it's been exhibiting aggressive behavior. She also developed resistance to treatment, which is why she has made no progress. The most worrying part, though, is the masses that have been found in her lungs and signs of possible pericardial effusion.

"It could be anytime."

I tried to push away the memory of Cuevas' words from my mind. I don't want to believe it. I'm trying not to. Because I promised her that even if the world stopped believing, I wouldn't. Maniniwala pa rin ako na gagaling siya kahit na anong mangyari. Kahit minsan ang hirap na.

"Luna, maybe we should get you back to the hospital."

She shook her head and smiled. "I wish that I could stay with you for a long time."

My chest tightened, hearing the finality behind her words, and for some reason... even if she's still here, I could feel the weight of the inevitable.

Her eyes pooled with tears. "I wish that I could be there tomorrow... to marry you."

I swallowed, forcing myself to speak. "We're already married."

"Mags—"

"There's nothing wrong with our first wedding. You love me, and I love you. We both married for love. Hindi man natin sinasabi sa isa't isa ang nararamdaman natin. You're my wife, and I'm your husband. Even without another wedding, you're already mine." Inabot ko ang kamay niya at hinalikan ko ang palad niya habang nananatiling nakatingin sa mga mata niya. "A lot of people walk the earth without having the chance to find their other half. I found mine in you. I am already luckier than most that I got the chance to be with you."

"I.. I am lucky too," she whispered, her voice shaking. "To have the chance to be loved by you." Inangat niya ang kamay niyang hawak ko at inilapat niya iyon sa pisngi ko. There was a distant look in her eyes, which wasn't the first time I'd seen it. Ilang beses ko na iyon na napapansin sa kaniya nitong mga nakaraan. "She was right."

I barely caught her words. I don't even know if it was for me. "LA? What was that?"

"She was right," she repeated.

"LA—"

"I read my mother's letter for you a month ago. I couldn't stop myself. She said that the safest place in this world is in the arms of the one who is willing to share both pain and beauty with me. She was right. You're my safe place, Magnus. Most people try to avoid hurting on their way to find their happy. But my life is full of both, sometimes one stronger than the other, trying to tilt the balance. With you, it gets easier not to be afraid, no matter what the end result is. Kasi kahit anong mangyari, masaya man o masakit ang kakaharapin ko, lagi ka lang nandiyan. You don't move away from pain, you face it and you hold my hand through it."

Muli kong ginagap ang kamay niya. I held it on my face, wanting to feel her touch on me. "Are you... are you in pain right now?"

"It hurts every day. I... I'm tired, Mags. I'm trying not to be, but I'm so tired of being in pain all the time." Even saying that, her smile didn't falter. "But... but I'm glad. I'm glad to be here. Here in our house, with you... my home, it feels a little better. It feels like the right place to be."

My jaw clenched at her answer at the same time that I felt like a vise was tightening around my neck. "Tell me what to do. Tell me another wish."

"To try." She pulled herself up a little, brushing her lips on mine before whispering, "I want you to try to be happy even when I can't be with you anymore."

"Luna—"

"I love you, Magnus Aquillan. And... and in the name of God, I vow to take you as my husband, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, for as long as we both shall live. This... this is my solemn... vow."

I tightened my hold on her hand when I felt it almost slip from me. A crushing weight pressed down upon me at the realization of what just happened. I struggled for words, not even one forming as I gazed at her closed eyes.

Heavy sobs reverberated through me as I pressed a kiss on her forehead. "And in the name of God, I vow to take you as my wife, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, for as long as we both shall live. This is my solemn vow."

_________________________________End of Chapter 59.