CHAPTER 58: START OF A NEW BEGINNING

Rian's POV: Dino stayed in the hospital for another two weeks. We followed what his doctor's advice regarding the unusual behavior he showed during the days that he's been staying in the hospital. And regarding Francine's body, Alex helped Myla to release her corpse from the morgue for cremation because nobody claimed her since the day she was announced dead from the accident. Alex and I already filed a direct petition for legal adoption to take Dino's full custody. But since it will take months for it to be granted by the court, we also filed a temporary guardianship so we can bring Dino home with us, while waiting for the adoption result. But one day before Dino was released from the hospital, we decided to tell him the truth about what happened to his recognized mother. Although he never asked again about her, but we still informed him about what happened and the truth about his life. Dani and Belle was also with us that day. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Flashback... After we explained to him everything, he remained quiet and didn't speak for a while, so we waited for him to analyze the information on his head. "So, I don't have mommy anymore?" that was his first question. Alex and I shared a look. "Can you be my mother, Aunt Rian?" A smiled crept on my lips when he turned to me with a hopeful look on his both eyes.  "Yes, I can be your mother from now on." "Huh! Really?" his eyes lightened in full surprise and happiness. "Yes, really. And you can now start to call me mommy." "Yey!" he lunged at me and wrapped his arms around my neck. "But, can I also call Daddy Alex my Daddy, even though I'm not his real son?" "Of course, son! You can still call me Daddy. Nothing's changed." Alex said while taking him from me. "Yey! I now have a new Daddy and Mommy! Yey!" we all chuckled when he squealed in Alex hands. He seems excited to be with us and to become his parents. He's not even affected by the news that we told him. Or maybe that just proves that Francine never become a good mother to him. "Ohh!" my hand automatically lifted over my round stomach when I felt my baby kicked inside.  "Baby, are you okay?" Alex asked with concern  "Yeah, she just kicked inside. Maybe she's also excited that she's now having a big brother." I said with a wide grin. "She?" Alex and Dani asked in unison. I haven't told them the gender of our baby. Alex wasn't with me when I visited my OBGyne this last weekend, so like the couple in front of us, he doesn't know anything yet about his baby's gender. "Yes, it's a she." I smiled. "Oh, baby!" Alex pulled me into his arm and give me a peck on my lips, while Dino was still on his other arm. "We're going to have a princess!"  "Can I also call her my little sister, Daddy?"  "Of course, honey. She's your little sister." I answered his innocent question. "Yey! I also have a baby sister! I'll promise I'll take care of her when she came out from your tummy, Mommy." "You'll do that?" Alex asked him, grinning. "Yes, daddy! I'll also protect her and love her 'till we grow old!" "Okay.. and don't let those guys hang around her in the future!" "Yes, I'll punch them and I won't let them touch my baby sister!" "That's good, son. You'll make me proud if you do that. Give Daddy a high-five!" -'Oh my God!'-  I silently muttered as I watched and listened to the father and son's conversation. I won't be surprised if  Dino becomes like Alex in the future... possessive and overprotective.. because as they say, like father like son. We have all decided not to mention the petition for adoption and the temporary guardianship to him. It's the things that he doesn't need to think and to be stress about while it's still in the process. What important is that he knows all the truth about himself. And if one day, he wants to search for his biological father or his other relatives, we will just support and help him to find them. End of flashback... * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *  Two months later... "Dino honey, have you seen your Daddy?" I asked my son on a Sunday morning when I didn't find Alex inside our room and even around the house.  "No, mommy." he said and turned back his attention to his new car toy. I crunched my eyebrows with his short answer. Two words.. 'No mommy'? He usually answered me with a whole sentence, and sometimes with a lot of explanation. I just ignored it, maybe he's just too focused with his new toy. It's ten o'clock in the morning when Dino run to me in the kitchen with the cordless phone in his hand. "Mommy, mommy... Aunt Belle is on the phone. She said she wants to talk to you." "Thank you, honey."  I take the phone from his hand and kissed his head before I talk to my sister in law. "Hi, Belle. How are you?" I asked while pouring an orange juice to my glass using my left hand. "Hi, lovely pregnant." I smiled with her greeting. "Your mom wants us to go in the mansion this afternoon for a family dinner." "Whoa! Family dinner, I missed that." I said as my smile turned wide. "Yeah, I know. Wear something red tonight. Long gown, short dress or whatever you want, as long as it's red." "Red? What's that.. dress code?" my eyebrows knitted in confusion. "Nope, not actually a dress code. But your Mom said, we should wear something red, because it's our theme tonight." "What? Since when did we have a color theme for a family dinner?" "Well, I don't know. And by the way, boys were going to wear white, so make sure that the cute little boy wear white tonight." "Wow! I'm surprised by that color coding, ahh? What's with my Mother this time?" she just chuckled on the other line. "I have to go, Rian. You should come before five pm." "Okay. Thanks, Belle." When I ended the call, I decided to call Alex on his phone. And I've been calling him for five minutes but he's still not answering. After a few more minutes, he texted me that he's in the office and just talking to some of their investors with Ryan. And he said he didn't have the heart to wake me up this morning because he noticed how tired I was. I am now in my eight months of pregnancy, and our baby wants me to stay up at night. She loves to dance and do some acrobatic moves inside of my stomach. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ "Mommy, where is daddy?" Dino asked me the moment we exited from the car. I called Alex four o'clock this afternoon, but he told me that he's still in the office and he will just follow to my parents' house. "Hmm.. your Dad is still in the office, honey. But he said he will come before dinner." "Okay." he shrugged. "Mommy, let me be your escort for tonight, while daddy is not here." he said and take my hand. "Ohh.. s-sure, honey."  I was surprised by his word..'escort'. I'm wondering where did he get that word and what did he know about it? But I keep it aside and just appreciate my son's gentleman gesture. When we are in the entrance, all the lights were suddenly died. "Oh my goodness! What happened?" I asked loudly but Dino just giggled beside me. "Don't worry mommy, I'll protect you. I'm not scared in the dark." He said tapping my arm. I can contain the smile that formed on my lips. "How sweet of you, my baby boy." I bend a little and kissed his hair. We both knocked on the door, and it's opened by none other my Nanay Emily, she's holding a huge flashlight on her hand. "Nanay Ems?" (Mother) I asked in surprise. "You're here!"  "Yes Anak, they also invited me here." (Daughter) She said and pulled me into a hug. "Wow, how far are you?" "Eight months, Nanay." I answered and she kissed my cheek. "Wow... another Apo for your old parents."    (Grandchild) we both chuckled before she turned to my son. "Hi, our little Dino, how are you, apo?"  "Hello, Nanay Emily. I'm good." he answered taking her hand and planted a kiss on her knuckles. "Ohh.. such a sweet kid, Anak." she said in awe.  "What happened inside, Nanay? Why all the lights suddenly went off? What's that---"  I didn't finish my question when the lights suddenly turned back. And because of that, I had to cover my eyes with my hand, it didn't immediately adjust to the sudden brightness. I didn't notice that Dino were no longer on my side and when I opened my eyes again... "Dino---- huh!"  I gasped as I blinked repeatedly when I saw the people that gathered in the living room. My parents, Alex's parents, and all of our friends, and some of my husband's and brother's business colleagues. But my eyebrows scrunched in confusion when I noticed the color of their outfit. They were all wearing white, including all the girls. "I thought, it's red for the girls?" I asked Belle, who's just grinning on the side. But she just continued her wide smile. "This party is for you." she winked at me. "Huh?" what did she say? She ignored me again, and I don't have the time to talk to her when my mom and dad, including my in-laws, walked their way towards me. "How are you, my baby?" my Mom asked me and pulled me into a hug. "I thought it's a family dinner?" "It is, sweety." My dad answered and kissed my forehead. And they all hugged me, including my bestfriends. "Congratulations, Mrs. Smith." Gavin said, grinning. "Thank you." I said and smiled at him, because I know he's just talking about my pregnancy. "Congratulations, Rian." and Cari kissed my cheek. "Thank you, Cari."  "Best wishes."  -'Best wishes?'- I asked myself. They were all wearing a wide smile on their face. And after a few moments... "Good evening ladies and gentlemen."  I gasped and looked around to find that voice. I couldn't be wrong about it, know that voice. And my eyes landed at the mini-stage in the other end of the living room. I was right, it's Gelo, and our band behind him. What are they doing here? "Thank you for inviting us to this very important day of our friend, Rian Kelley-Smith."  "What?" I asked in no particular as I walked closer from where they stand. "Okay, let's not keep this any longer! Let's call the man behind this wonderful idea.. Mr. Alexander Jonathan Smith!"  And they all give him a round of applause, while I am still standing there.. stunned and surprised. What is happening here? Alex came from nowhere with a microphone and a bouquet of white roses on his hands. He's wearing a black tux with a white shirt and red necktie that matched with what I am wearing tonight. I looked down at my dress just to realized that it's only the two of us were wearing red and with the touch of it tonight. "Good evening everyone, and thank you for coming to this one memorable event to happen on this night." he smiled to everyone and his eyes landed on me. "Good evening Mrs. Kelley, my lovely wife." he winked at me. And that caused my heart to beat in an erratic movement. He slowly walked towards me with the most handsome smile on his face. His gray eyes shine with the brightness of lights in front of us. He turned off the microphone when he's already in front of me.  "Hi, baby." he said before pulling me into a toe-curling kiss. "What's this, Alex?" I asked him while he's busy wiping the smudged lipstick around my lips. "It's a surprise, baby. Let's go to the front." he took my hand and guided me to the front of the mini stage. He let me sit and walked his way to the LED monitor behind the band. "Baby, before I start my long speech, I want you first to watch this." he said in an open microphone. Then on the screen, it started to show my pictures.  "Huh!"  My mouth hanged in mid-air when I saw my pictures in a slideshow. It's a compilation of pictures from the first time we met.. I was just sixteen years old with an ice cream on my hand. Then next were taken in my college days, my graduation day, our engagement party, the wedding day, and the rest when we're finally together. After five minutes of watching my face on the screen, I turned to Alex just to see him staring straight at me. He takes my hand and put a white folded paper. "What's this?" I asked looking at the paper that he give me. "It's a part of the surprise. Open it." I slowly open the paper and the two words that registered first to my mind... Petition Granted.  "That means we are now his parents?" I glanced up at him with teary eyes. "Yes, baby. We are now Dino's legal parents." he said kissing my forehead. He called the little boy and he run towards the stage. "Yey! You are now my parents! I now have mommy and daddy!" he squealed in excitement and peppered me loud kisses all over my face. "Wait.. he knows?" I furrowed my eyebrows at my husband. "Yeah, I already told him yesterday." "Ohh.. and you didn't tell me, little guy?" I playfully pinched my son's nose and he give me his boyish and cute giggles. "Sorry mommy, but daddy told me it's our secret and it's our surprise to you." "Ahh.. I love you, my baby boy!" I said hugging him tightly on my chest. "I love you too, mommy." "What about me? Where's my hug and kisses?" he asked the two of us.  "Oh.. you don't need kisses anymore, daddy." Dino said in his childish tone. "Huh? But why?" "Because you're already old, so you don't need kisses anymore. My mommy's kisses are just for me." "Oh good heavens!" We all chuckled at Alex reactions. I shake my head while watching the two with their kisses conversation. I'm sure my husband wouldn't live without kisses. He can't even last a day without hugging and kissing me, what more if his son take that opportunity from him. "I can't believe my own son called me 'old!" he looked shocked but I know he's just being playful with the kid. "Because you are daddy! You're old enough so you don't need my mom's kisses. I can't live without my mommy Rian------" "And I can't also live without her!" "Oh, I'm sure you can, daddy. You can live without kissing my Mom, because you're already old!" "Oh my God! How many times do you have to mention that I am old?" and we all heard the chuckles from the people around us. "Okay, you're not old. But you're already an adult, so it's just the same." "My sweet Jesus! I can't even last a day without kissing your Mom." -'See? That's what I'm thinking.'- "Okay, stop it, boys. I won't kiss the both of you anymore, so you don't have to fight-----" "No!" they both turned to me. "Ohh, baby. You can't ever do that." Alex turned to me with a surprised look. "Then explain all of this to me." I said pointing all the things around us. "I'll go back to Aunt Belle, Mommy." Dino kissed my cheek. "Sure honey." In the next second Alex is kneeling down in front of me. A gasp escaped through my lips when I saw his serious face. He takes my hand and looking so nervous while staring at me. "What are you doing?" I asked barely a whisper, but he just ignore me and bring my hand to his lips. "Baby, we both know that we just get married almost five years ago because of a contract. I love you Rian, and it took time and years before I could finally admit my feelings for you. We've been through a lot this past few months of being a couple, and I know we still have a lot to through the coming years of our lives together. And because of that, I want us to start a new beginning for the both of us, with our Dino and of course for our new baby. I want to take this opportunity to formally ask your hand from your parents."  He stand and walked straight to where my Dad and Mom were seated. We can hear the loud gasps coming from all of the people whose watching his act. "Dad, Mom.. I know how much you love your only daughter, that you even trusted me five years ago to be her husband. Although I know it's just for a contract, but you still supported our decisions. By this time, Mr. And Mrs. Kelley, I want to ask for your daughter's hand to be my wife not just contractually but for a lifetime. I want to add myself to the list of the persons who loves her and takes care of her. I want to show her my love and adoration forever, if only you would let me." My mother was in teary-eyed when she stand and hug Alex. My father also hugged him and whispered something into his ear which caused him to chuckled. I just raised my eyebrow while looking at them. When he walked back in front of me, he kneeled down again but this time he has a white velvet box in his hand and a diamond ring inside of it. "Baby, I got their permission." he smiled at me. "Do you remember the when were in Paradise resort?" I scrunched my eyebrows. "Where all it started---" "Wait! You got your memory back?" I cut him as my eyes turned wide. "Uhm.. yes----" "Since when?"  He suddenly become nervous. "Uhm...before Dino's accident." I gasped and give him a glare. "And you didn't tell me?" "Oh, baby... can I finish my speech first? I - 'll promise, I will explain everything later." "Make it sure Alexander Jonathan Smith!"  "Yes, I'll promise, just please don't get mad at me right now, baby. I'm so freaking nervous, you know."  He said scratching the back of his neck, which caused me and all the people with us to chuckled at him. "As I was saying, when we were in that resort and you perform on the stage with your bandmates, from that night I've realized to pursue our marriage and chase you no matter what happen. And I'm glad I did, because we are here right now. Baby, this is my first time of doing this after five years of being married to you. Woooh!"  I can't help not to laugh again, but I let him continue. I really wanted to tell him that whether he asked me the magic question or not, my answer would still be 'yes.. but I also know that he really made an effort for this, so I just give him all the chance to continue. "Arrianna Angela Kelley, would you give the honor to marry you and be my wife for the rest of our lives?" I smiled at him. He looked so cute when he's nervous. "Yes, Mr Smith, I'll marry you. I love you." He slid the ring into my finger and claimed my lips in a possessive manner... the kiss that told me that I was only his and he's only mine. "I love you too," he said pulling away but in a second he captured my lips again.  I kissed him back and poured into my kiss all the feelings and emotions I have for this man. The man of my dreams, my husband and a father to our kids.