Dagger Series #8: Uncovered

Chapter 20: Baby

Parehas na umakto kami ni Kuya Domino na nasusuka. We've been around these women, but I don't think any of us will ever get used to them talking about any of our siblings and their... escapades.

"Naalala ko lang. Maybe Circe was acting differently yesterday because of Tala. She called me to ask for a favor," Belaya shared.

"A favor?" I asked.

"Kailangan bumalik ni Tala sa Siargao para makipag-usap kay Ashton. She's pregnant. My brother Ram flew the jet so that she could go back home."

We let out a collective "ooh" at the news. Tala Natasha is Circe's best friend and surfing coach. She became our friend when Circe came into our lives.

"Why am I not surprised?" nangingiting tanong ko. "Ramdam na ramdam ko talagang may something sa kanila ng yoga instructor na iyon."

"Right? And their cute moment during Circe's wedding." Mireia clasped her hands together. "I told Belaya that there's no way that Ashton hasn't shown Tala the other use for his yoga skills. Mapapa-sana all ka na lang."

It was the moment that Kuya Axel chose to approach us. He clearly heard her because the moment she's within distance, my brother puts a finger on her chin to tip it up so their eyes would meet. "I can show you mine, angel."

Impit na nagtilian ang mga babaeng kasama namin kasama na si Mireia na namula ang mukha habang kami naman ni Kuya Domino ay parang gusto ng tanggalin ang mga tenga at mga mata namin.

Lahat kami ay naagaw ang atensyon nang ingay na nagmumula sa unahanag bahagi ng malawak na garden na kinaroroonan namin. Damian, accompanied by his wife Savannah, finally arrived. Nakasunod sa kanila sina Emeric at Tiara na mga kapatid ni Damian sa ama.

Nangingiting pinanoog ko ang bigla na lang nagtakbuhan na mga bata. They're all focused on one thing, and that is to run straight to where Damian is.

"When the right time comes, they will be the best first time parents in the world," Ember murmured with a smile on her face.

Damian was the son of the former president. His father was known for his crimes and cruelty, but Damian was known for being the opposite. Kaya sa kabila ng nalaman ng mga tao tungkol sa pamilya nila ay nananatiling may tiwala ang publiko kay Damian.

Bukod doon ay kilala rin siya ng maraming mga tao dahil sa mga libro ni Lucienne. Particularly Lia and Kuya Gun's story. Minsan kasing nagpakita ng interes si Damian kay Lia. Mula noon ay hindi na siya naalis sa buhay ng babae at maging namin.

He became the official babysitter for the Dawson Babies. Hindi ko alam kung paano pero hanggang ngayon ay kapag walang mapag-iwanan ang mga sister-in-law ko ay siya ang unang tinatawagan. Hindi naman siya tumatanggi o nagrereklamo. Mukha ngang sanay na sanay na siya to the point na kapag ang tagal nilang hindi nakikita ni Savannah ang mga bata ay sila pa ang nagtatanong kung kailan babalik ang mga iyon.

"Mas marami pang bisitang mga bata si Damian kesa sa mga matatanda," natatawang sabi ko.

"I can't blame him," Lia voiced out. "His circle isn't exactly the greatest."

"That is true."

Mukha tuloy children's party ang birthday niya na ginanap dito sa bahay nila. Makukulay ang dekorasyon na nakakalat sa paligid at maraming pagkain na patok sa mga bata lalo na ang dessert table na kanina pa iniikutan ng mga pamangkin ko.

"Do you think they want one?" tanong ni Belaya. "Not that there's something wrong if they don't."

"They're trying." Binigyan kami ng maliit na ngiti ni Lia. "Sav's open about it, and she doesn't mind talking about it. They've been trying, but it's hard for them. There's also been a couple of times that they almost..." Something crossed her eyes. Pain that doesn't only sympathize, but also empathize. "But I guess the right times haven't come just yet."