Chapter 74: Chapter 74

Anastacia Solei Alcaraz

"They are healthy. You will see them when you are well, so get stronger soon," he told me softly and brought his face closer to my cheek.

I closed my eyes. I feel the extreme fatigue in my whole body and the pain of the wound in my stomach. I had a C-section. The last time I remember, I really tried to make it in normal delivery but my body gave up suddenly. Everyone gave in to me, so everyone immediately made a decision for me because if not, my children will be in trouble.

I could feel Hector's tight grip on my hands so I looked at him again. He closed his eyes while his face was still buried in my neck. Apparently, resting... or praying? I smiled and almost cried when I remembered the first time I gave birth and he was not by my side during those times. It was normal delivery yet it was hard for me to carry. Because I'm all alone. Everyone was there for me, cheering me, but I still felt loneliness during those times. But now, despite the pain and fatigue that my whole body feels, I feel that everything is fine. I feel everything is light. I feel like I can handle anything because he's here. I'm safe.

"I-I'm sorry..." I whispered to him, which made him look up at me. His eyes sparkled as he raised his hand to caress my cheek.

"Why..."

"I could not take it. I want to-"

"Hush... you did well today. You're doing well all the time. Stop saying that. The important thing is that they are safe, especially you, hmm?” He cut me off while still caressing my face full of love and compassion.

I cleared my throat. That nagging pain in my throat went to my heart. I bit my lower lip and nodded to him.

"T-thank you for being here. That time I gave birth to our Amari was so hard for me because I needed you and you weren't there. And now that you're here... with me... I feel safe...” I trailed off and reached his face. "And I'm so happy. I'm very happy, Hector. I'm really happy." My tears kept falling.

It was only interrupted when the door suddenly opened and I was immediately exposed to the noise of all those who entered.

“Where's the twin? I'm excited to see them!” Vera screamed so I just laughed.

Elena, Via, Riley, Ulysses, and my daughter Amari immediately came straight to me. But Hector stopped them immediately because I was not quite well. I even have a bag of ice on my stomach and I can't move much.

"Mommy! Are you okay?” Amari asked me, which made me smile, and simply nodded at her.

"She's fine, baby. Your mommy needs a lot of rest. We'll see your twin brother and sister soon," Hector answered him. I just watched them.

"Why not now? Is there a problem with the twins?” Leon asked worriedly and came to me then kissed me on the forehead.

I saw Hera smiling at me while her son Zeus was next to Amari. They are still holding hands. Ever since Leon introduced his mother and daughter to all of us a year ago, he and Amari have become very close. I smiled.

"They're fine. They are just being prepared.” Hector also answered.

Everyone is so excited to see the twins. I feel my heart bursting with joy because so many people love my children. I did not expect the events of the past months while I was pregnant with them. Some of them even traveled here to Las Vegas just to see us in person. They say they will not be satisfied with just video chat.

A few months after Hector and I got married again, I got pregnant again, and with twins. We both didn't expect this because the last thing my Doctor told me was that the chances of me having another child were low due to the miscarriage of my daughter. They said my body was too affected. It is true that not everything is impossible. That even if the chance given to you is low, the important thing is that there is still something left.

I was busy staring at my children sleeping soundly next to me when the door opened so I looked up. Everyone left even Hector to buy something for us to eat with Amari.

I smiled when I saw him. She came to me with tears in her eyes. He is alone. I found out that Elena brought him here and will also go back to the Philippines tomorrow.

“Oh... my grandchildren.” Tears rolled down his face as he held her and gently kissed her hands.

"How are you, Ana? Was there any problem? How are you feeling?” It's one question after another.

"We're fine, Ma..." I answered her in a tone that was still weak.

It smiled. Her smile suddenly melts my heart. It is so genuine. As if she's very proud of me for something I've done. I suddenly felt like a missing dad. I wish he was here with me, too. I can imagine how happy he would be seeing my twins. His grandson and granddaughter... his grandchildren, he didn't even see them.

"I'm happy because, despite everything, you chose to be stronger. Sorry for everything, Ana. Forgive me..." she softly said to me. He gently caressed my face. I feel my heart softening more because of what he did.

“I understand if you can't give that right away. The important thing is that you are safe." He added. I have completely softened.

Instead of answering him, I hugged him because I could feel the vibration of my voice... everything in me.

"Your dad... I know he's proud of you too," he whispered to me. I feel his kiss on my head.

"I'm proud of you" I haven't heard of that in a very long time not until now. It's been a while and I'm honestly barely holding on. I wish I could skip all the sudden bursts of emotions and the catching of breath at 2 AM-midnight, but I know I can't and it's frightening how I get used to it more and more. An everyday routine I'm drowning myself off. That was before when I haven't yet realized my real worth. That was before when I haven't yet noticed the people who really love me for what I am. That was before when I haven't yet known the real meaning of home.

"Are you alright? Tell me right away when something hurts you."

From time to time, Hector was checking on me and says those words to me. I looked at him and just laughed. He stared at the twins even at Amari who was already sound asleep. When I didn't answer, he completely tilted his head to look at me.

"Hey... are you alright? Do you need something?” He softly asked me and even held my hand. I knew it from the very beginning... this is my home.

"I'm fine, Hector. Take a rest," I ordered him when I noticed his eyes were already wide. Tiredness is also visible on his face. I know it hasn't rested since I was in labor until I gave birth.

He smiled gently and sat next to me. He fixed me on the bed and hugged me tightly.

"You know you're my best ever since," he said in his hoarse voice.

I looked up at him. I caressed his eyes while he closed his eyes.

"Rest well, my love," I whispered to him. I saw his lips lift and form a smile.

"You're so sweet I want to make another baby right here, right now." He said to me with a smile that made me laugh.

"Not allowed. I'm going to close my ovary and then you stop," I joked to him so he completely opened his eyes.

It made me smile even more. After a while, he reached for something from his bag so I just watched him. A moment later, he reached for something in the envelope, so I immediately took it.

"What's this?"

"Just open it," he ordered me, so I only made him suffer. I heard her laugh.

When I opened it, I saw the familiar paper. It has the HAA Estate logo. When I read what was written there, I immediately turned to Hector.

"You're kidding..." I exclaimed to him. He laughed again.

"I signed it before we migrated here. The whole estate is under our name now," he told me arrogantly and winked at me.

I almost wanted to jump for joy because of what I heard. But because I couldn't move much yet, I just hugged him first. I feel my heart pounding hard. I feel like I'm going to cry again! He has been fixing it for a long time and because of the chaos that happened, only now was it paid attention to.

"Y-you sure is full of surprises, huh..." I whispered to him and lightly slapped his chest. The lazy Hector just laughed harder.

"Get used to it because I will do this to you for the rest of my life," he whispered to me. "I will love you and our children with all of my heart and soul."

No one warns me about you, Hector, not even about the pain you could cause me. Apparently, you hold a big part of my life that you are free to take away or not, but I hope you choose the latter.

Even before you came back into my life, I didn't know, I wasn't sure what the true meaning of the word home was. I was really trying hard to know what was the meaning of it that it made my heart shatter into pieces along the process. But now that you're finally here, with our children, with me... seeing you here with us... feels like home... finally. I waited for this for so long and all I can say is this is worth the wait and worth the risk.

“We're home!” Hector shouted when we entered our house. After a week of staying at the hospital...

"Yeah... we're finally home..." I whispered.