FINALE.

"Eli," marahang nilapitan ni Nate ang anak na nakatulala habang naka-indian sit sa gitna ng kama nito. "Time to see your doctor, anak."

Pakiramdam niya kinurot ang puso niya when Eli didn't even look at him. His little girl was drowned into her thoughts again.

"Elisha, Dr. Railey is already waiting for you." Tinabihan niya ang bata at kinabig ito para halikan sa ulo.

"I don't need a doctor, daddy," mahinang usal ng bata. "I'm not sick."

"He will just talk to you, anak." Dr. Railey was Eli's psychiatrist. For a week now, nakakailang session na si Elisha and yet parang wala pa ring improvement. Madalas pa rin itong tulala at bigla na lang umiiyak at sumisigaw. "Hey, do you like to visit mommy?"

Upon hearing the word mommy, Elisha nodded almost eagerly. Gano'n naman lagi. Kapag nahihirapan siyang kausapin ito, Hannah would always do the trick. Kapag nababanggit ito sa bata, Elisha would start responding like her normal self.

"Yes daddy! I miss mommy so much!"

"We're going to visit her. But, first you have to talk to Dr. Railey, okay?"

"Okay," kusa na itong bumaba mula sa kama nito.

He bent at kinarga si Elisha.

"I love you, anak," he whispered.

Hinatid niya ito sa garden kung saan ito kinakausap lagi ng doktor nito for a therapy session while he would wait patiently til it's over. Elisha was traumatized dahil sa mga ginawa rito ni Olive.

She's a brave kid pero nababahala siya sa mga ikinikilos nito. May iniwang impact ang pangyayari na iyon sa buhay ng bata and he wasn't sure how to erase the memory from her young mind.

It's been tough. But he needed to be strong for his daughter and most especially for his wife.

"I miss you, Hannah," bulong niya sa hangin, tumingala at tumingin sa mga ulap para pigilan sa pagtulo ang kanyang mga luha.

—

"When I first met you, I was certain I didn't want to do anything with you. Pero halos dalawang buwan lang ang lumipas, nahulog na ang loob ko sa 'yo. Funny thing was, you stayed not because of me but for Elisha. Pero ako pa iyong mas apektado noong umalis ka.

Hannah, I'm always scared to wits whenever you leave me. Please, don't ever ever think of leaving me again.

Come back now, Mrs. Sarmiento."

Nate let his tears fall on Hannah's bed as he held her hand almost tightly.

"I need you. I love you so much. Please, wake up, Hannah."

Hannah didn't hit the ground as there was an airbag ready to catch her and Olive. But for some reason, she fell unconscious and had been sleeping for the past week.

The doctors were looking at a head injury na natamo nito. Hannah hit her head on the railings before completely falling off the balcony. It wasn't fatal. They assured him na magigising pa si Hannah. She just needed that will to live. 'Yon ang sinusubukang ibigay ni Nate araw-araw sa loob ng isang linggo. He would stay by her side and talk to her even when she wasn't responding.

Minsan si Elisha ang kumakausap dito at nagmamakaawa na gumising na ang mommy nito. Naniniwala si Nate na babalik sa dati si Eli kapag nakita nitong okay na si Hannah.

Hindi niya mapapatawad ang sarili niya kapag hindi na nagising si Hannah. He should've told her about Olive. Ang masakit, his honest intention to protect her led her to be like that– comatosed.

Falling off from the twenty-fifth floor was no joke. At tuwing napapanood niya ang CCTV footage ng pangyayari na 'yon, it never failed to scare the hell out of him.

Hannah chose to save Olive even when she had the chance to run and save her own life. But since Olive was such a traitor, itinulak pa nito pahulog ang kaibigan nito.

He felt proud that his wife had such a big heart. Pero kapag hindi ito nagising dahil sa pagiging mabait nito, hindi niya alam kung ano ang kaya niyang gawin kay Olive na sa kasalukuyan ay nasa recovery stage na sa kabilang panig ng ospital.

Bakit hindi na lang ito ang hindi magising? Bakit kailangang ang asawa pa niya?

If he had to instruct the snipers that time, iuutos niyang patayin na lang si Olive.

He shook his head at the thought. Surely, Hannah wouldn't be happy because she risked her very life for her friend.

Mabuti na lang din at mabilis ang responde na mga awtoridad. The snipers were actually in the other building where they could have a better view of Olive's unit. As for the fire, kumalat iyon and nearly burned the whole building down.

Nandamay pa si Olive. Dahil doon, kailangang lumikas ng ilang residente ng condominium building.

"Daddy, is mommy alright?" Untag ni Elisha na nakatitig sa mukha ni Hannah.

"Of course, anak." He smiled at his daughter which was a very hard thing to do. He had to appear strong, especially in front of Elisha.

"Then why is she crying?"

Napatingin naman siya sa mukha ng asawa niya. And true enough, there were fresh tears on either side of her cheeks.

"Hannah," he whispered while drying her tears. "I'm here with Eli. Can you hear us?" That's actually the first time na nagreact ito and he believes that it was a huge thing.

"Mommy, Dr. Railey said I'm getting better. But I don't think he's right. I'm not even sick. I don't need a doctor. But daddy said I just need to talk to him always. Good thing he doesn't have an injection," kwento ni Elisha.

Natawa siya at ginulo ang buhok ng kanyang anak.

Still, he would forever thank Hannah for Elisha's life even if she wasn't her mother.

Elisha was a very wonderful kid. The perfect daughter any father could wish for.

"I love you, mommy," yumakap ito kay Hannah.

He hugged his wife too while Eli was hugging her.

"I love you, Hannah. Wake up soon..."

They stayed like that for a couple of minutes before Nate noticed movements in Hannah's hand.

Agad siyang kumalas ng yakap and looked at her face and was surprised to find her eyes open while staring at nothing in particular.

"Mommy! You're awake!!!" Tuwang-tuwa si Eli while Nate pressed the buzzer to call for a nurse. Hindi pa siya nakuntento, lumabas pa siya para tumawag ng doctor. They gotta make sure his wife was doing well.

—

"Hey..." hindi mapigilan ni Hannah ang malaking ngiti sa pinaggagagawa nina Nate at Elisha sa kanya mula nang makaalis ang mga nurse at doktor na tumingin sa kanya.

"We missed you, Hannah." Nate's lips lingered a little longer on her right cheek habang si Elisha naman ay halik ng halik sa bakanteng space ng mukha niya.

"Enough guys, okay? I missed you too." She giggled. Finally ay tinantanan na siya ng dalawa.

Seeing them again was like the best thing that ever happened in her life. Actually, this was her second life. She never thought na magigising pa siya ulit. So she better be thankful to God for this second chance.

"You scared us, Hannah," Nate said while caressing her face lovingly.

"I'm sorry..."

"It's okay. Don't do it again, please?'

She smiled. Just now, Hannah had proven once more how much Nate Sarmiento loves her…

—

"Leah, where are we going?"

Protesta niya sa kaibigang hila-hila siya sa kamay gayong pwede namang sabihin na lang sa kanya kung saan sila pupunta at maayos naman siyang sasama.

"Basta!"

She rolled her eyes. Malalaki na sila para sa mga sorpresa pero itong si Leah, mukhang nag-eenjoy pa sa mga ganoong bagay. At saka nasa bahay nila ito. May maitatago ba ito sa kanya sa mismong bahay nila?

'You live in such a big house, Hannah.' Her mind reminded her. Oo nga pala. At wala siyang kapasidad na makita lahat ng aktibidad sa bahay nila nang sabay-sabay.

Three months after niyang makalabas ng ospital, her life was back to normal again. Gone were the threats to her happiness. Si Olive, nasa isang mental institution. Pero mahigpit pa rin ang security nito.

One time, when she finally found her courage to see her, binisita nila ito ni Nate. The latter didn't want to pero ayaw naman nitong pumayag na siya lang mag-isa ang pumunta.

'You're so hardheaded, Hannah. Olive nearly killed you and yet para kang gamu-gamo na lumalapit pa rin sa apoy,' sermon ni Nate sa kanya na tinawanan lang niya.

She wanted to make him understand that Olive wasn't just some random friend of hers. She was her best friend. Marami silang pinagsamahan dati. She couldn't just throw away their memories together.

True enough that Olive tried to kill her. But that was because she was no longer in her proper state of mind.

At kaya niya ito bibisitahin ay para isara na ang bahagi nito sa buhay niya. Kung posible nga bang gawin 'yon. Olive would always hold a part in their lives dahil ina ito ni Elisha. Pero siguro, pwede nilang i-limit ang involvement nito sa buhay nila.

When she finally saw Olive, habag na lang ang naramdaman niya. Hindi na sila nakikilala nito. Nakatulala lang ito sa kanila habang walang sign of recognition sa mga mata nito.

Hannah just bid her friend goodbye and wished na sana maka-recover pa rin ito. Pero sana bumalik ito sa dating Olive na kaibigan niya bago dumating si Nate Sarmiento sa buhay nila.

After choosing to close Olive's chapter in their lives, Nate and Hannah flew to Europe for a tour slash long overdue honeymoon.

Hindi naman nagpilit sumama si Elisha but without them promising to her that nine months from that time, she was going to have her sibling.

"Leah!" Protesta niya, napapagod na siya sa paglalakad.

"Ito naman, napakabilis mapagod. Alam ko, buntis ka pero maganda sa 'yo ang paglalakad!"

"Whatever!" Indeed because she was already four weeks pregnant. Nalaman na nila kahit isang buwan pa lang dahil napakakulit nina Nate at Elisha na magpacheck up siya lagi. Nahihiya na nga siya sa OB niya pero naintindihan naman ng doktor niya ang excitement ng mag-ama niya.

"What are we going to do here?" Tikwas ang kilay na tanong niya nang dalhin siya nito sa isang kwarto.

"Para ayusan ka." Pinaupo siya nito sa harapan ng vanity at inumpisahang ayusan. "Light lang dahil 'yon ang gusto ni Mr. Sarmiento."

Matapos siyang ayusan, hinila naman siya nito sa walk in closet at doon niya nakita ang damit na nagpatulo ng luha niya.

"Hep, 'wag kang iiyak. Masisira ang ayos mo. Mukhang wala na nga eh tapos iiyak ka pa. Tsk!" galit-galitan ni Leah habang tinutulungan siyang isuot ang pinakamagandang wedding gown na nakita niya sa buong buhay niya.

"It's my wedding day? Again?" Nakatawang naiiyak na tanong niya sa kaibigan..

"More like, renewing the vows since you're already married," tugon ni Leah.

"After just three months?"

"Quick, right?" Leah grinned. "Put it this way, syempre hindi kami papayag na hindi namin masaksihan 'yong kasal ninyo. So we bugged Nate Sarmiento to do this. Pero hindi naman ibig sabihin na napilitan siya, ha? He was actually so excited for this day. Hindi naman daw kasi kayo naka-wedding attire noong una and he thought you deserved the kind of wedding that a man of his status could give." Ngumiti ito at ginagap ang mga kamay niya. "You're so blessed to have such a wonderful man, Hannah."

"I know." Tuluyan na siyang napaiyak. Matagal na niyang alam na sobra siyang blessed for having Nate. At araw araw niyang ipinagpapasalamat iyon. "I hate you," sabi niya in between uncontrolled sobs. "Why are you surprising me like this?"

"OA nito," pabiro siyang binatukan ni Leah. "Let's be quick. Baka mainip ang groom mo."

Inulit ni Leah na ayusan siya. Twenty minutes later, paalis na sila sa bahay. Hindi raw doon ang venue dahil walang way na makapag-ayos ang mga ito nang hindi niya nalalaman.

—

Sa high class na clubhouse ng subdivision nila ang venue. Ayaw ni Nate sa NS Hotel dahil masyado raw predictable kapag gano'n. Ayaw rin nito sa mga mamahaling lugar not because he couldn't afford it but because he knew na hindi siya magiging komportable. Three months into being Mrs. Sarmiento and yet hindi pa siya fully adjusted sa bago niyang estado sa buhay na kabilang na sa upper class society.

It was a clubhouse. Pero dahil pangmayamang lugar, napaka-elegante pa rin naman at nalula pa rin si Hannah.

A private wedding still.

Hindi tataas sa singkwentang tao ang nakita niya sa loob. Pamilya which included of course their little Elisha, Sarah, Martha, Lucas, Mrs. Everett and Adam, closest friends like Leah, Caleb, their kids, Paul and Mia and business associates ang present sa okasyon. But despite having everyone's attention on her- Hannah's zeroed on the man waiting for her at the other end of the aisle.

She wouldn't get used to Nate Sarmiento's stares. For the second time, marrying this handsome man still made her knees weak. He still caused her heart to beat its quickest. He still made her feel like the most beautiful woman alive on the planet.

"Mrs. Sarmiento," Nate whispered as soon as she reached him.

"Nate," she managed her sweetest smile despite her teary eyes.

"Don't smile at me like that or we'll never finish the ceremony," he teased.

"I love you so much!"

"You don't have any idea how much I love you, Hannah."

She smiled again while pulling away her gaze from him to the officiating minister in front of them.

"Nathaniel and Hannah, it is a pleasure to share today’s very special occasion with you," he started.

Shortly after, was the ceremony. Nate prepared a message for her and it really brought her to tears. But Hannah, being unprepared and all was almost speechless. Still she managed to promise Nate her life.

"It is with pleasure that I conclude the ceremony of renewing the vows of marriage that join you and bind you as husband and wife. Please celebrate this renewal of vows with a kiss!"

Being a well known man in his industry, Nate and Hannah's renewal of vows was exclusively covered by the country's largest magazine publisher.

—-

"This is mine!"

"No! This one is mine!

"No!!!! Mommy!"

"Mommy! Eros is lying!"

"No! Eiden is the one lying! This is mine, mommy!"

Hannah wanted to facepalm. Her five-year old twins were fighting again like they would do every now and then. Pero tumatagal lang naman 'yon nang ilang minuto and they're back to being the best buddies that they are.

"Mommy, ako na ang magre-referee," nine-year old Elisha volunteered with a huge grin on her face.

Mas napatampal siya sa noo. Siguradong may pinaplano na naman itong dalagita niya sa mga kapatid nito. Elisha was a big bully to her brothers.

Pero hinayaan niya itong puntahan ang kambal. Hindi naman nito sinasaktan ang dalawa dahil at the end of each day, mahal na mahal ng ate Elisha sina Eros at Eiden.

She was busy in the kitchen when her phone rang.

"Hey handsome, coming home yet?" Bungad niya sa asawang nasa kabilang linya.

"I'm actually three blocks away, love. But I'm almost sure something is wrong."

"You guessed just right," she chuckled.

Biruan na nila ang pagiging aso't pusa ng mga anak nila. Hindi nila ikinakabahala iyon dahil cute pa. They're too young to know they're actually fighting over the silliest things. Isa pa, kung gaano sila kadalas mag-away, gano'n din kadalas magpakasweet ang mga ito sa isa't isa.

"Tell them I'm coming."

"Yes, daddy," she answered.

"Don't call me that. You make me want to give Eli another set of siblings."

"Nate!" She blushed involuntarily.

"Why, Hannah? Isn't it our agreement to create a basketball team?" He teased her. "With bench reserves." He laughed at that.

"I didn't exactly agree to that." Napapangiting sagot niya.

"You did."

"No."

"You don't remember?" Amused nitong tanong. "Then let me remind you... Turn around."

"Turn, what?" Confused niyang tanong but she did turn around. "Hey..." ibinaba niya ang phone niya when she found Nate Sarmiento standing behind her with a huge bouquet of flowers in his hands. "Three blocks away, huh?"

"I used the back door so the kids won't see me," there was a sexy smile playing on his lips habang papalapit ito sa kanya.

"And why would you do that?" She managed to ask before Nate eagerly claimed her lips, almost crashing the flowers between them.

"So we can have the privacy we need to make a baby," he teased in between the kisses.

"Then you sure know what to do, Nate Sarmiento!"

"Of course." Binuhat siya ng asawa niya after getting rid of the flowers he brought, their lips still together as her hands were around his nape.

"Mommy! Daddy!"

Moment busted.

Three pairs of eyes stared back at them by the door.

"Oh well," ibinaba siya ni Nate. "Guess we'll have to wait til these three are already asleep," bulong nito.

Hannah giggled as their children surrounded them.

She was happy. Very, very happy and content. She will always remember to thank God for the wonderful people He chose to give her to spend her lifetime on earth.

The End

To God be the Glory!