Chess Pieces Aftermath: Lucius D'Angelo

Chapter 5

I went with the Sanfords to the airport. Hindi lang ako ang sumama sa paghatid sa kanila. Loki and Eresh were there as well as Apollo and Daphne.

They were going away for Gray's medication. Hunter found a psychiatrist. They were hoping that he could help Gray get better. Kaya pansamantala, doon muna ang buong pamilya hanggang sa maging mabuti na ang kalagayan ni Gray.

River cooed while I held him in my arms. I looked at the baby who was busy with my face, particularly on my stubbles. Kanina pa dinadama ng bata ang mukha ko gamit ang maliliit n'yang mga kamay. He was giggling, probably got ticklish with my stubbles pero hindi pa rin naman nilulubayan ang mukha ko.

I smiled at the baby. Hindi ko napigilan na halikan ang pisngi ng bata na mas lumakas ang tawa dahil mas nakiliti yata. Hunter, Artemis, and Gray looked at me with a smile on their face as they watched River giggling nonstop. Kahit si Silver ay nahawa yata sa pagtawa ng kambal at nakitawa na rin.

"Hey," tawag pansin ni Apollo sa kakambal n'ya. "Call me. Tawagan mo 'ko madalas."

Artemis scrunched her nose as she frowned.

"So bossy..." she said. Umirap pa na nagpasimangot na rin kay Apollo.

"Gusto ko lang makasiguro kung maayos kayo ro'n! May mga anak ka na pero nami-misinterpret mo pa rin ako."

"Don't worry, Apollo. I'll take care of them," sabi na ni Hunter nang sasagot pa sana si Artemis. Mukhang nakahalatang mag-aaway pa ang dalawa kung hindi s'ya sisingit.

"Just make sure of that, Hunter."

Natawa si Gray dahil sa seryosong mukha ni Apollo. Lumapit s'ya at umakbay.

"Just chill, Gallagher... You know how reliable my brother is," may pagmamalaki sa mukha ni Gray nang sabihin iyon.

"Mag-ingat kayo ro'n," Daphne said as she hugged Artemis.

"Gray..."Eresh called him. "Focus on your medication, okay?"

He smiled. And I could see it wasn't only me who missed that carefree grin of his.

"Yes, my Queen," he said playfully which made Eresh roll her eyes.

We all know that it was just him being Gray. It was him making fun of the past pero lahat kami ay napatingin kay Loki. Kahit si Gray. Nakitaan ko pa nga ng takot at pag-aalala ang mukha n'ya.

"Sorry, Kuya..." Gray mumbled. Yumuko pa na parang isang batang nakagawa talaga ng kasalanan.

Loki just chuckled. Tinapik n'ya sa balikat si Gray.

"Don't hesitate to call us if you need anything."

"Yeah..." I seconded. I looked at Hunter. "Like what you've told me, we're here, man."

Mahinang tumawa si Hunter bago kinuha na rin sa 'kin si River. Ilang mga bilin pa bago sila naglakad papunta sa private plane.

"Kuya Lucius." Nagpahuli si Gray. "Can I ask for a favor?"

"Sure. What is it?"

"Okay lang bang pakibantayan si Rey? Pati pamilya n'ya. Just make sure they're okay."

I couldn't help the sad smile on my lips. Nakitaan ko ng panghihinayang at lungkot ang mga mata ni Gray. I heard what happened but I guess he really loved the woman and even though they weren't together anymore, he wanted to make sure of her safety.

If only... If only Angela and I were like this. Tatanggapin ko kung magkalayo man kami as long as I know that she was alive and safe out there.

But it wasn't. It was just one my 'if onlys' again...