Epilogue

©S A F I E

EPILOGUE

ELLE

It takes a while for me to believe that what I am seeing is real, that it is not a dream I made up, a wish that I have longed for.

Gabriel and I have started upon a rough path, just like any other arranged marriage would be. I hated him back when we were young but ended up infatuated, charmed. He was the bad boy who made me cry and made me hate myself though all of that changed when he and I were trapped inside a broom cupboard. From then on, I am entrapped, captivated by the innocence that is thriving inside him. I notice that this vulnerability of his can still make him love, can still make him human - and I have not been wrong to assume that.

It appears to be a mistake when our parents decided to tie us up in marriage; it gave us little to no time to get to know each other's dislikes and moods. Gabriel has taken it as his personal mission to ignore my existence and proceed with his life as though nothing has changed. In my part, I have decided that this is not the life I wanted and therefore I planned to have a child with him, without his knowledge.

And Jacob came; my little warrior, my beautiful prince. He was the beacon to our relationship, our glimmer of hope. Even when Victoria tried to ruin us with her lies and schemes, our love had prevailed and we managed to survive all the misfortunes we have to face. It is true, for a relationship to last a lifetime, one must not give only love but also develop the trust in each other. It always includes both of us for I and Gabriel are a package deal, an entity.

I stare back at my son as he giggled in delight. I'm very glad that he's able to survive the things that are thrown on his way even before he was born. He was such a strong little man who has faced his battles in such an early age. I let out a breath as I hug myself again, resting my back on the chair as I sat by the patio.

It felt quite cold for a May evening, unusual because the sun is sitting up on the sky, gleaming brightly.

I never wanted anything but to have a peaceful life, away from danger and chaos. I'm glad to have it now after all the sacrifices we made.

Gabriel and I have agreed to keep things slow as we restarted our relationship as husband and wife. The marriage happened in a small garden back in Verona, near the lake where their house was located. It was simple and romantic and I thank Gabriel for granting my request on keeping it private. Neola attended with a few of their relatives on tow. Mom and dad are also there with a few of our close friends who are delighted to see us together again.

I'm a bit disappointed though because Luke wasn't there to hand me over to Gabe. He has called weeks before the wedding, informing me that he won't able to attend because he has something to talk with his parent. He apologizes for it but still, I felt hurt for it was like I have lost him again. It is hard to accept that the only person that I'm related in blood with, is not there on my special day. I haven't told him what I have discovered about our relation but it appears like he knows and he is only waiting for me to approach him. I understand why he is doing that; he's just as shocked as I and also curious.

After the wedding, I and Gabe spent the honeymoon at one of our summer houses in California while Jacob stays with my mom. Jacob has fallen in love with Choco and has refused to let the dog out of his bed, insisting that he is a stuffed to. We only spent a week away though, as much as I wanted to spend a month alone with Gabriel, I have a son now. He is the apple to our eyes, our little prince and we cannot afford to let him out of our sight longer than a week, even when he has his grandma caring for him.

The days pass by so quick that before I knew it, Jacob is turning five today. FIVE. It was mindblowing but I have to accept the fact that my baby is getting older and he is starting to explore the world alone, not asking for his 'mum'. Sometimes, I cradle him in my arms and hope that he was still the baby I used to rock so that he will fall asleep. Jacob disliked being held or carried now, he has stated that hugs are for babies and not big boys like him.

Gabriel spoils Jacob so much that sometimes it worries me. As much as possible, even though Jacob is born a billionaire, I want him to live a simple life although it's most likely that he will soon be swarmed by the media and he will be exposed to the world that is full of chaos and sin.

We have decided to live in Gabriel's childhood home in Verona in the meanwhile as Gabriel ventures on the restaurants by the sea. Jacob loves going there with Gabriel during sunset and sometimes I join him for a late morning stroll, finding inspiration for my paintings and liking the idea of the humid air threading through my hair and the sun glaring down on me.

I am happy to watch Gabriel grew warmer with Jacob time passes by. They have this special bond that even I cannot understand sometimes and it was a good thing for Gabriel strives to be a better father for Jacob. He always tried to be there for Jacob in every waking moment, teaching him how to ride a bicycle, guiding him in his daily adventures. Gabriel even asked me not to transfer Jacob to his new room for he doesn't want Jacob to feel alone but I decline; I worry that Jacob might grow dependent to his father, and that would be very hard to be the refrain of because of Gabriel's actions.

I am not fond of his idea of pampering Jacob for he has to stand in his own feet in the near future, having none of us beside him to answer to his woes.

Jacob needs to learn his way in the world without our help. He doesn’t need to be dependent for I cannot guarantee that we will always be there for him. I start accepting job after job from other people as they ask me to teach them arts and I thought them some of my technique; some, not all. I am a selfish person and I dislike people getting ahead of me after I thought him the things they know. Gabriel didn't want me to work, of course, but I know what he was trying to do and I won't be so stupid this time. It's pretty obvious that he wants me to just stay at home let him work his arse off all day but I refuse. I am not letting him do that. He's done so much for us already that it is just right for me to return the favour.

I don't want him to fend for us forever.

I carefully dip down in our indoor pool as I watch them play; it was a fine evening and I am thankful for the warmth the water has provided. It was a good decision to install a heated pool by the patio - this appears to be one of my greatest decisions. Jacob screamed as he flayed his arms around, his swimming gear complete as he jumps at Gabriel who readily receives him in his arms chuckling. My heart couldn't help but lurch every time they decided to do such things. I can't help but feel nervous about what injury my son might attain just because they have a different idea of what fun is.

Gabriel was trying to teach our son how to swim and it's very funny how Jacob tried to crawl up of Gabriel's head, now afraid of the water. He was shivering and Gabriel was trying to pry his fingers off from his neck. With Jacob's effort to get away from his father I snatched him off Gabriel's arms and swing him on my back "Maaaa!" He screamed like a little girl, making me laugh as I descend on the water, submerging only to the point where I am sure that Jacob has no choice but to get wet. I earn another scream of protest from my son, as he flayed his arms around, making bubbles around me as I look up in the blue haze. "Papa!" He called out, stomping his legs on the water making me stand up from the pool.

I draw him from my back and smiled as I settled him on his arms, blowing at his stomach making him giggle once again, "You are so cute, my little prince.” His giggles halted as the hair on the back of my neck rise. I shuddered as I felt him draw closer. I can feel his arms on my waist as Gabriel lean his body on me, his voice full of emotions "Elle," I turn around and stared upon those ocean orbs that have to drown me with affection every waking moment, "I love you."

“And I love you,” I whispered, caressing his cheek. I adjusted my son and look at him as he returns the same ocean gaze at me, a spitting image of his father, only a miniature version. Gabe pouted his lips, asking for a kiss. My son nodded his head furiously at me, giving me a sly grin as if he was watching a romantic movie that he's been gushing about.

I bit my lip and turn to stare back at Gabriel's eyes as Jacob wriggle down on my arms. Gabriel let out a chuckle before leaning in close, dampening my dried lips with his, making me smile.

"Yeeeee! Mama and Papa sittin' on a tree, K-I-S-S-I-N-G!"

I smiled as Jacob chanted wildly with his baby voice. He squeaks, covering his eyes again as Gabriel and I share another kiss, Jacob wildly screaming his chant.

*

"Wake up, Prince Jacob!" Me and Gabriel's voice filled the room as we stare at our son. Jacob has insisted last night that he would like to sleep next to us because today will be his birthday, thus, he will be transferred to his new room tomorrow and won't be having kisses and hugs in the mornings. He twisted on our bed, scrunching up his nose "Ummph," Jacob groans before rubbing his eyes to open them. "Happy Birthday, baby..." Both of us whisper to our Jacob as we each kiss his cheek, his droopy eyes tried to focus on us.

He blinks a few times before he purses his lips, "Pa, Ma..." His lips curve into a smile as he raised his arms, looking at Gabriel, asking for his dad to carry him. I shake my head, but Gabriel shrugged, after earning a pointed glare from our son.

Gabriel chuckled as he pulled him up. He turns Jacob on his arms before blowing at his stomach, "Paaaaa!" A high squeal almost broke my eardrum as Jacob twist and turn, not caring about his jammies going down to reveal him bum which I pinch making him scream some more, muttering, "Bad Mama! Stop pinching my butt cheeks," I laugh at his words and Gabriel joins in, kissing Jacob's forehead.

After a while though, I pulled Jacob to my arms and kiss his cheek, unable to stop myself from crying as I realize that Jacob has turned five and soon he will be starting school, have his own world and activities, have his own life. Soon enough, he won't need pampering anymore as he grows older. Jacob looks at me, and asked: "Mama, why are you crying?" He purses his lips, resting his forehead in mine as he asked again, eyes focused on mine, "Why are you crying, ma?

"Oh my baby, I love you so much...." He held my face with his hands and rubs his nose on mine, "I love you too, Mama." I chuckle at his cute face as I carry him towards the bathroom, resting his head on y shoulders as I do when he was still a baby, "Come on, then. You're going to take a bath now..."

Gabriel's voice startles me as he let out a laugh, "Oh geez, Elle. You should've seen his face!" I turn at Jacob as he covers his face, "Papa you're selling me out!" Jacob squeaks as I rub his head, affectionately. "No more dramas, mister. Come on, now."

I enter the bathroom and put him down on his feet. I began removing Jacob's clothes as Gabriel stood by the door, towel in hand. Jacob lets out a breath before speaking, "I don't want to take a bath today, ma. I already did it yesterday. Isn't that enough? You have mentioned that we need to conserve water and I want to save the earth by not take a bath." Jacob insisted as he crosses his arms, making it harder for me to remove his clothes.

"Jacob."

"Mama."

We both have a stare down but it was soon interrupted by Gabriel as he clear his throat. "Quit it you both." He pulls Jacob nearer to him and said, "Son. The party won't start unless you are there to celebrate it with them. Do you want your friends to wait and leave because you are taking too long to prepare?" Jacob didn't answer as he stares down at his hands, fiddling with them before scratching his ears just like how Gabriel does when he is irritated, "Do you want them to leave? " Gabriel repeated this to Jacob in a calm voice, making him stare up to his father.

"No, papa." Jacob focused his gaze back at me, his cerulean eyes gleaming, "Sorry, mama." He bolted unto my arms and tighten his hold on my body as I kiss his cheek.

It took me only fifteen minutes to finish his bath. Another ten minutes to fit him in his robin costume and I smile as he stood there in front of the mirror, raising his eyebrows and making pouty faces, "Mama? Haven't I told you that I'm going to wear my batman costume? Why am I---" I couldn't stop myself from laughing when Gabriel bolt out from the closet with the batman costume on him.

"Oh, my-" Jacob started before bending over, letting out a giggle as he pointed at his dad, "Papa! You forgot something." He walked closer to his dad and started pointing at his father's crotch, making me blush.

Gabriel look down his body and ask, raising an eyebrow, "What have I forgotten?" Jacob continued to laugh as he started pointing at Gabriel's crotch again, "You forgot your underwear! Hahahaha!" Jacob stumbles and collapses down on the floor, his hair sticking up to every direction as he laughs, hitting the floor with his fist before toppling over, completely losing it.

I can't help but laugh too when Gabriel's face resembled ripe tomatoes. It was my first time to see him as red as this and I didn't waste the opportunity to annoy him further. "Did you really forgot your undies?" I tried to speak in an even tone but failed as I hear his answer. "N-no." Gabriel stuttered before turning his gaze down, "You stuttered! Aww, what are you trying to prove, Mr. West?" I point out as I laugh with my son.

"Papa forgot to wear undies! Papa forgot to wear undies!" Jacob chants as he dances around his daddy.

"I didn't, I swear. I am wearing underwear right now, only that...I put it inside!" He argues making Jacob stop and look at his father, his eyes wide beneath his mask. "You put it inside?" Jacob asked before he continues his laugh-fest earning a groan from Gabriel.

*

The rest of the day happens so fast. Right after Jacob has stopped laughing, we descended the stairs and Neola open the poppers making Jacob scream in delight.

A few kids are also invited, some of them are the children of our business partners and others are children of our relatives. Jacob has a lot of fun playing Robin and Batman with his father that I can't help but take pictures here and there.

Ice cream and cake is served. Candies distributed, games played...even the clowns performed well.

And lastly, the highlight.

"Jacob! Jacob, time to blow the candle, " I called out as I light up the simple 3 tier chocolate cake designed with a batman theme, bursting with chocolate decorations. "Ma!" Jacob jumps on my back as he hugs me from behind. I pull him close and sat him on top of the table.

"Kids! Okay, settle down now. Settle down, you munchkins!” Neola screams at the microphone as she stands on the stage. The kids immediately stopped, settling down on their respective seats facing us. They wore excited faces and eager expressions as they notice the numerous chocolate decorations on the cake. It appears that their parents will be complaining about a hyperactive child tomorrow.

"Good." Neola nodded her head in appreciation as she approaches us, " Now let's sing a happy birthday for, Jacob!" She waves her hands on the air before placing a party hat over her head "Happy Birthday to you..."

"Happy birthday to you..." I whisper at my son and he giggled in response. "Happy birthday, Carlos Jacob..." Gabriel sang as he snatched Jacob from me, making me shake my head at the pair.

"HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU..." We conclude, Gabriel settling Jacob down in front of his cake. "Make a wish, son." Jacob nods his head, eager to make a wish, closing his eyes.

"I wish, I'll have a baby brother soon!" Jacob whisper shout before giving me a wide grin, opening his excited eyes.

"Don't worry, son. That will happen very soon." Gabriel winked at Jacob before turning his at me and asking me the most bizarre question that made me splutter on my drink,

"So, Elle. Ready for a Jacob no. 2?"

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