Chapter 43: Chapter 43

EPILOGUE

JACOB's POV

Tatiana Kristine remarried me, barefoot in the island of Palawan where it all began. We invited our close friends and family. It was simple, intimate and special, witnessed only by the people important to us.

Her parents where there, Christian, my brother-in-law whose starting to warm up on me. My beloved sister and her husband Jasper, and my nephew James and baby Mikaela. My bestfriend, Andrew and his little family. Calixto was also there with his naughty ward. He even gave us a trip to Bahamas as a gift. I was hoping I can get her pregnant in that two week vacation of us.

Now just imagining some sexy time with my wife, in her lingerie, fucking drives me hard.

Julian, the little boy who happened to be the center of Tatiana and I's universe walked down the aisle as our ring bearer.

Tatiana and I decided not to change our wedding rings.

We still used the wedding rings we have from years back. Though it didn't cost much, that was the first symbol of our love, and what we went through..Though, I bought her an engagement ring, a simple rose gold with a big diamond on top, and little more all over it, with our names engraved inside.

I was in tears while she walked closer to me. I mean, this was it. The moment of truth, the second chance our love deserves.

I was so enchanted by the beauty of that woman walking down the aisle, though I looked at her everyday, I have never seen her this beautiful, this perfect. And I don't think I can ever ask for more.

That was Tatiana. My first love, my only love... the mother of my children and my wife.

My whole life...

It was served all over me, God knows how much I thank him for Tatiana. For bringing her back to me.

"The love that I have for you and Julian is an unconditional love, knowing that both of you and our future children are the best thing in my life. I am sorry I had been weak in the past, I am sorry for hurting you, for breaking us apart but I promise to make it up to you forever. I will endure everything as long as I am with you. I love you so much, Jake. I love your perfection and flaws.

I love that you could take my breath away by just rolling up your long sleeves into your elbows." She paused to chuckle. Even her chuckles turn me on. I am so crazy for her.

Thinking dirty taughts about your wife is appropriate, right?

"I will always be here for you, to support you in everything, to be proud of your achievements and to correct you if you're wrong. From now on I will never be separated from you. Never again."

Her voice broke so I took out a handkerchief from my pocket which I used to wipe my tears earlier. God, I hate the veil. I couldn't wipe her tears.

I heard the guests' laughte but I was too light headed to even focus to them. Tatiana's got my whole attention. I swear I got it bad, she's in my veins.

I swallowed hard. Trying to compose myself. I might cry harder here infront of everyone.

"

You are my everything. Starting from now this will be until death do us part. I love you, and you are my rock."

She just altered some from her vows before. I still remember it. But I like this vow more. Because right now we're mature enough to prove our vows.

"The very first time I saw you again  after nine years, I knew I had to do something to not let you slip away. My life flashed before me, and how much I had been missing since you were gone.

I didn't know I was ever capable of loving someone aside from my family until I met you. I didn't even know that a person could stay inlove even if he hadn't seen her in years." I looked at her in the eye.

She's so beautiful, I don't know what I did to deserve her again.

She's too much.  She's such a blessing in my life.

"I promise that I will always be there for you, I promise to never hurt you or leave you.  I will always be faithful, I will take care of you and our family. To extend my patient, to be extra understanding and to not argue with you so much because you're a lawyer.” I heard the guests chuckle.

Our priest was the same priest who officiated our marriage. We told him what happened to us. He was too ecstatic when he learned we were getting married again.

"I will never be separated from you, ever again. And like I said, we will go for our dreams together. We'll work with it. We'll raise our children well and whatever problem comes we'll stay together.

You are the love of my life, Tatiana."

Jerome came back into Tatiana's life two years after our marriage. I had to understand that my son will always love him. We became good friends especially knowing he's no threat. He's got a girl named Barbara, with their kid on the way.

I will always be thankful to him, for taking care of them those times I was not there for them and for letting her go, for sacrificing his happiness so that Tatiana will get hers.

I felt little fingers tapping my cheek, before I felt someone pinching my cheeks making me open my eyes.

“Ouch!”

I heard Juliana's soft chuckles before she straddled me in my stomach. I don't know what's wrong with my daughter, but she finds me cute. She loves pinching my cheeks.

"Goodmorning papa! Mama told me to wake you up, but you can't hear me and you look so cute..."

Eleven months after our marriage, we had a daughter. We named her Juliana Christia. While Julian was an exact replica of me, Juliana was Tati's photocopy. She looks so much like her, even that sassy attitude.

"And where is momma? Is she cooking breakfast?”

“Done, papa. We ate ahead. It's nine in the morning!” I swear, her voice just lifts my spirits up. “Mommy said not to wake you up because you're worn out.”

Yep, I did.

"Papa, Are you going to work?"

"Yes, sweetheart. Why?”

She frowned, that same frown I've gotten so accustomed to. “But you told me we're gonna watch a disney movie later!" She crossed her arms on her chest, still wearing that big frown. Oh this little girl, she's got me wrapped around her little fingers. I'd give anything for my princess.  If she asked me to be a clown for a day, I'll gladly do it

"I'm kidding!" I held up both my hands. "Daddy's not gonna go to work, we're watching the movie.”

Now I'm fucked. I'm trading a Disney movie over work.

"And what are you gonna do with Julian, papa? He doesn't want to come because it's too girly! Scold him, papa!”

Oh god, my little boss.

Juliana prefers to be carried on her father's shoulder everyday. so, that's what I did.

I smelled Tatiana before I saw her. I don't how she does that, leaving her fragrance all over our home.

I found Tatiana in the kitchen, washing the dishes. From head to toe I looked at her, she's wearing my shirt and her cotton shorts.

I set down Juliana and asked her to go to her brother who was at the living room, playing his console.

I locked her in my arms. My hands immediately found her waist before I nuzzled my nose on her neck.

"Goodmorning, baby."

God, she smells so...

"Someone had a good morning."

"Yep, because I had a good night. This goddess vixen kept me occupied last night." I winked at her. "I mean, you're not mad right? You're still the one I come home to."

"Mm hm." She tilted her head. "Is she pretty?"

"Yep." Fuck, I just had my wife last night, and we were up to it until the morning but I just couldn't get enough. There is no getting over this woman. I swear to god... "And she's also hot, and sexy. I can invite her over  for a tea with you, if you want?"

She laughed sexily and shook her head. "Nooo. I'm a jealous wife, remember?"

Right after out honeymoon we moved in to the house. The house we both wanted, I can still remember the look in her face when she saw it. I had my reward for giving her our dream house. She gave me a head that night in the shower. Fuck, it was so hot.

"So, have you been thinking about that vacation in Japan I told you about?" I looked at her lips, if only she knew how those lips drive me crazy and mad.

"Yes."

"And?" I prompted.

"When are we leaving?"

Tatiana and I have been trying to fall pregnant again but we still haven't been. I'm fine with two kids actually. But Tatiana m, she's been really stressed about it.

Because at 32, she couldn't understand why she's not getting pregnant. that she's useless... well, those are all just in her head.

"Next week, babe. The kids will stay with your parents, and then with Miana and Jasper...they loves them."

"Mm hm." She murmured. "I'm sorry, I'm such a nagging wife these days."

"Tati, you're not a nagging wife, okay? You've been really thinking out of the gutter. Stop it."

I combed her hair before I placed kisses on her neck.  "We need this vacation so you can rest. You've been so stressed out. You see, before we come back here, I'll make sure of that."

Marriage isn't a marriage without a fight. Totoo iyon. Tatiana and I would sometimes argue in little things, there are days she would stop talking to me and then she'd punish me by wearing provocative clothes and wearing just lingerie right before we sleep. She wouldn't let me touch her. I was so pissed I chose to sleep in the guest room.

Five years of marriage made our love stronger. Now Tatiana and I never sleeps fighting. That was our rule, we shouldn't sleep angry.

My wife has inscuries, too. Especially when she was pregnant with Juliana. She gained weight, really gained weight. And because of the pregnancy hormones, when I come home late from work she often thinks I've been with a woman.

I have never cheated on her. Ever. Not even looked into any other woman since our marriage.

Our daughter started to go to school the next year, we still haven't fallen pregnant after our vacaton.

"Ah, babe. Please drop our children off in school for their camp. I don't think I can pick them up."

I enrolled Juliana in a taekwondo summer class so she knows self defense while she's still young. While my eldest, he went to an art workshop. He's already good but he wanted to learn more. I once over heard him saying he wanted to be an artist.  He has lots of years to think and decide. and whatever he thinks he want to become, I will be there to support him.

"Julian, take care of your sister okay. Check on her on your breaks. It's just down the hall anyway."

"Yes, papa." My big boy draped an arm on his sister's shoulder. It reminded me of Miana and I when we were  younger. Though I was younger, I did my best to protect her. I'll still do it now, would take a bullet for my big sister.

I went home late that night, I was bothered when our gate wasn't locked. The doors were open and they were awfully silent. Most of the time, Juliana would be there greeting me. Tonight, she isn't. It's as if there's no signs that my family were there.

My heart beat tripled especially that Juliana's toys were scattered in the living room.

I put down my car keys.

"Tatiana? Babe!"

My hands were cold. I can feel cold sweats trickling down my forehead while I searched them anywhere in the first floor. I skipped steps until I was at the second floor of the house. . Running, hoping that my wife and my children were just playing with me.

Fuck.

"Tatiana!" I was screaming. Our room was empty. I checked the children's room, they weren't there.

I felt like the blood in my system drained.

Fuck. I was on my way to the last room when all the worst scenarios clouded my mind.

I closed my eyes.  No, don't go there, Jacob.

Fuck, I'd loose my mind.

I dialed Andrew's number which was on a speed dial. "My wife and children are not here, can you call the police? Please have them. The... watch Tatiana's wearing has a tracker.”

My voice was shaking, I can't even recognize it.

"SURPRISE PAPA!"

I almost lost my mind when I saw my wife and my kids inside that room  they were all laughing. My kids have a party hat on their head. My wife was holding a stick, her eyes were proud.

"Drew, nevermind. They're here..." I cut the call. I can still here Andrew laughing.

Oh god. I'm starting to be that paranoid father and husband...

I almost died in worrying.

"You scared me..." I whispered. Tatiana walked closer to me while I still haven't gotten over.  "God. You're gonna give me a heart attack.”

Tatiana only chuckled. I noticed she's glowing. "We just want to surprise you."

That's when I scanned the whole toon . Blue and pink balloons were scattered, there was a white new crib at the corner, and words 'welcome baby number 3'  in a poster that obviously was written by my daughter.

Baby number 3.

Shit. I'm having a new baby.

"Does this mean..."

Tatiana wrapped her arms on my waist, leaning her head on my chest.  "Yes. I'm 12 weeks pregnant."

You see, when I married Tatiana, I didn't just marry one woman.

Nineteen, I married a girl, she was too innocent, she was too passionate about cooking, yet she didn't know alot. She cries on little things, she was vulnerable. But that girl was too optimistic, she didn't care about the world just as long as we're together. She was careless and naive.

At twenty eight I married a lawyer, tough woman. Righteous, stone cold. The chef within her was dead, the reckless girl was gone, She had issues, she was broken from her past. She was selfish I admit, but it wasn't just for her, it was for her son.

At thirty two I married a mom of two. She was hands on, she loved her children more than anything. I admired her everytime she makes love to me, I admired her more everytime she makes lunch boxes for our kids, kisses them and waves them goodbye. I admired how she pulled me close to fix my tie, to tease me with those provocative clothes just to frustate me.

I had married three different women in the past years and I know I'd have alot more, I've got the rest of my life to figure her out.

I watched her turned out the lights, laying beside me. I smelled her neck and her exposed shoulder blades.. Hmm.

"I'm sorry, the surprise was kind of epic fail." My wife hugged me. She surprised me by kissing me on my lips.

“Don't scare me like that again.  Fuck, I was so scared." I breathed against the crook of her neck. Sometimes I want to use her shower gel so I can smell her all over me.

My wife's sexy laugh... "Sorry. It was Julian's idea."

I propped against my elbow so I can look at her. My woman has this pregnancy glow, I don't know how she does it, but she only looks more beautiful as time goes by.

"So, have you decided on names?"

"Names? Wow, aren't you a bit excited, Mr. Shaw?" She chuckled. "Hmm. Let's see, have you got a name in mind?"

I've been thinking of names already before she was even pregnant. "Hmm. If it's a boy, maybe Ethan... Evan... or Joshua."

She pursed her lips as she continues to listen. "And if it's a girl?"

"I'm thinking about Ezra... and Jennine."

"I like Ezra and Ethan." She whispered.

"Hmm. Ezra or Ethan it is, then." I whispered back.  Funny, the rooms here were soundproof but we were whispering among each other.

It wasn't long enough when Tatiana fell asleep. I couldn't sleep so I went out to check on the kids.

Julian was really growing so fast. Few years from now she will be a man and bring home a girl to introduce. I can't wait to see the look on Tatiana's face when that day comes.

My princess was curled up in a ball when I went into her room. She's always moving. she was even out of the mattress.

I tucked her into the covers, silently praying that she doesn't grow up so fast. And oh, she can't have a boyfriend until she's 30. I'm gonna make sure I'll be the only man in his life for quite some years.

I shook my head on the crazy thought.

I tiptoed slowly in our room. I found Tatiana's eyes open when she felt I wasn't beside her. "You went to check them?"

I nodded, slid inside the covers. "Go back to sleep," I said lovingly.

Tatiana immediately snuggled to me.   Her hand was on my stomach and it wasn't long before she fell asleep again.

I kissed her forehead, muttering a silent prayer that God will keep my wife safe throughout the pregnancy.

I caressed her belly. She isn't showing yet but I can feel my heart burning because my baby is inside her we are gonna be parents again. It seems like Tatiana and I are making our dream come true, that we want a large family.

Baby, I can't wait to see you.