TAMING THE VICIOUS STORM (Familiá Altamirano #4)

【CHAPTER 12: DUSTIN】

One year later.  .  .

   THE steel and glass enclosure was shading us from the scorching rays of the sun. I carefully locked the otteroo on Thunder's neck— it will keep him floating around the water. He was wearing gradient blue swimming trunks, and the pacifier was still between his lips.

I was wearing nothing aside from my swimming shorts. We are in the pool area on the side of the mansion. Nalaman kong pwede na siyang turuan lumangoy at 'yon at gagawin namin ngayon.

Thunder was in my chest— I was cradling him in a standing position. Nang lagpas balakang na ang tubig sa pool, unti-unti ko nang binitiwan si Thunder sa tubig. Dahil nakasuot siya ng salbabida sa leeg, lumutang siya sa pool.

His eyes fluttered wide, and his face crumpled. . . But he didn't cry. I was surprised when he crossed legs and his tiny arms lightly paddled to the water. He was so chill in the water!

I smiled in amusement and gently tapped his head. I'm so proud of this little man. Mukhang nagmana talaga siya sa'kin.

"You're so brave, bud," I praised him.

Hinayaan kong magtampisaw sa tubig si Thunder kahit kalahating oras lang. Hindi naman siya umiiyak kaya sinamantala ko na.

I took a can of beer earlier— maybe I can have a taste even just once. Ang tagal ko na rin kasi hindi nakakainom. Sa dami ng nangyari sa mga nakalipas na buwan, nawalan na ako ng oras sa mga bagay na dati kong ginagawa.

I already accepted everything. . . Life must go on. But the what-ifs are in the back of my mind.

Nang sumapit ang tanghali, kumain kami saglit bago ko maingat na binuhat si Thunder at inugoy sa aking bisig. He fell asleep after finishing his lunch. It was just a mashed potato and a little shred of scrambled egg he ate. Mukhang inantok dahil pagod sa pagtatampisaw kanina.

Suminghap ako nang naramdaman ko ang mainit na likido sa may bandang puwitan niya, kasabay no'n ay ang pag-iyak niya. Natataranta na kumuha ako ng pamalit sa kaniyang diaper. I carefully laid him on the bed and changed his diaper. Mabuti na lang talaga at marunong na ako sa mga ganitong bagay.

"Thunder, peek-a-boo!" I cooed and tickled his squishy tummy, making his little lips turn into a smile until it turned into giggles.

Ngumiti ako at pinunasan ang luha sa gilid ng mga mata niya. Thunder grabbed a handful of my shirt in his tiny baby hands. I carefully picked him up, cradling him over my chest, slowly rocking him.

"Is he going to nap?"

I turned around when I heard Dad's voice from the doorway, making me jump out of surprise. He was still wearing his tuxedo— he probably got off from the senate office.

"Dad," I cooed.

He walked inside my room— his eyes were on my son. "How's he? He became so chunky," he commented.

"Oh, yeah. The breastfeeding milk made him chunky," I answered with a smile on my lips.

Thunder really growing up so fast. Habang lumalaki ay mas nagiging halata ang pagiging magkamukha namin. Iyon palagi ang sinasabi ng iba, na magkamukha kami.

"Where's his milk? I wanna try feeding him."

"Sure," I acquiesced. "Let me get it on the fridge."

Naglakad ako papunta sa milk storage at kumuha ng isang bote ng gatas.

Then I walked towards Dad and carefully transferred Thunder into his arms, making Thunder whine loudly. Dad then puts the blue blanket to cover my son.

"It's okay, buddy. Lolo's here," Dad cooed and brought the bottle to Thunder's mouth.