CHAPTER 45: The Epitome Of Love

CLAIRE’s P.O.V.

“That’s it. Let’s stop apologizing to each other now... I-I... I love y-you, Claire. I haven’t told you that before you leave and I know that I’ll regret it again if I didn’t tell you that phrase right now. I love you, ever since I saw you standing in the pouring rain that night in front of the school. I’ve been loving you since that day and until now... Two years had passed but nothing changed. I’m still into you. I love you so much. Please, don’t leave me again, wife.”

After he said those words, I couldn’t suppressed the sadness mixed with joyous emotion inside of my chest. I cried, half happy and regretful at the same time. If only I didn’t leave. But that doesn’t matter now that Darren is already holding me securely in his arms again.

“I’ll do everything to earn your trust again, Claire. I’ll do everything to show you that I wasn’t that man who hurt you two years ago... Just please, let me. Give me a second chance.”

I looked up at him, and I saw his eyes filled with tears. I couldn’t believe it. He loves me too. I wasn’t just the one who suffered after all these years. He keep on searching for me even though he didn’t know that we have a child. He loved me... And he still do.

“I’m willing to let you prove it to us... I-I... I’ll give you another chance... For Cloey... For us... My feelings hasn’t change a bit, Darren...”

His eyes lit up, before he lifted my right hand to kiss the back of it.

“I wouldn’t waste this second chance, Claire. I promised.”

Our bodies collided once more for a tight embrace that is full of love. I buried my face on his shoulder, remembering every memories that we shared together before.

“I love you...” he whispered. “Now let’s go and see our daughter.”

I smiled at him, before nodding. He didn’t let go of my hand as we enter into the hospital room of our child. Cloey was laying there on the bed, sleeping peacefully. Darren and I kneel beside her bed, before I reached out for her head. She still have a fever but it wasn’t that high just like before.

“She look a lot like you,” I unconsciously stated.

“Yeah. But she’s as beautiful as her mother.” I blushed, feeling the butterflies in my stomach.

“Thank you for finding us, Darren. Thank you for letting our daughter experience to have a complete family... ”

He tucked a hair strand on my ear before saying anything. He’s currently staring at me intently, and I didn’t bother to look away for I have missed this face of his.

“You don’t have to worry about that now. Because soon enough, Cloey will have an officially complete and happy family. Her Dad will work very hard for that to happen someday...”

I smiled, before returning my eyes on my daughter. She’s like an angel in disguise, given to us by fate in order to reconnect our relationship that caused a wrecked hearts to the both of us.

“Uhm... Claire?” Darren called my name all of the sudden.

“Hmm?”

“One more thing about Cloey... I want her to use my surname. Is that okay with you? I don’t want to push my luck but... I want her to be a legitimate child of a Herrera.”

“Sure, I guess.”

He looked at me in disbelief, surprised at what I just stated. He kissed the top of my forehead, before whispering something into my ears.

“Thank you, wife.”

I blushed, hearing him called me using that endearment again. I smiled to myself, but of course I tried to hide it from him.

“Momma?” Darren and I were both stunned to heard our daughter’s voice.

“Hey!” Darren greeted her enthusiastically. “You’re awake now, my princess. Daddy is here. Just be a good girl and take a rest for us, huh? After you recovered, Daddy will bring you to any place that you want.”

She beamed towards us, before clapping her hands happily.

“Sleep, Cloey. Mommy and Daddy will never leave you here. We love you,” I promised.

I reached out for her, hugging her very lightly for I’m too afraid to crush my fragile daughter. I felt Darren came closer, before he hug us both.

“I love you, and your mother. I won’t leave you two alone ever again. I’ll stay, no matter what happens. I promise that, my child. I’ll make you my queen and princess. I love you so much.”

A tear of joy escaped from the corner of my right eye. I saw how Darren secretly wiped his own tears before he planted a kiss at the top of Cloey’s forehead. He then grabbed my hand before kissing it several times making our daughter giggle.

“Dada loves Momma.”

Darren laughs before pinching our daughter’s cheeks. That memory will remain crystal clear inside if my brain and I will forever cherish it. That’s the epitome of love for me, seeing my family as one and whole again.

Another two months had passed. Mr. Herrera often called Darren for he was now wondering what taking him so long in finding me. Darren just laughed as he asked me to keep this a secret for a while. He wanted to surprise his Dad and come back to the Philippines when we all settled down the things that is needed to be done. Just like our family.

Darren promised to his Dad to bring his wife back home, and that wouldn’t happen if we still haven’t got married yet. Not that I’m already assuming but I knew that he wanted to ask me about it for a while now. He’s just finding the right time and place. And also, he’s still having a hard time earning the trust of my family. But if ever he asked me now, I’m more than willing to be his wife... For real, this time.

“Claire! Darren is waiting for you outside!” my grandma shouted.

“I’m coming!” I nearly shouted.

I almost jumped out of our couch as soon as I heard his name. I saw how Alexa’s lips curved as she saw how I panicked when I heard Darren’s name.

“Claire looks excited!”

“No, I’m not!” I quickly answered, looking guilty.

She just laughed at me before she continued playing with her toys. I didn’t mind her, for I was already in front of our door ready to open it to see Darren again.

“Hey...” I greeted him.

“Hi,” he whispered, while scratching his nape nervously.

“Why are you here? It’s not yet weekends,” I asked, curious.

“Uhm... I just wanted to see you... And Cloey as well. Can we go out or s-something?” He’s now stammering.

“You mean, right now?”

“Yeah. I just... I really wanted to see you two today. Please?”

I chuckled as I saw how hard he tried just to be cute in front of me. I wanted to laughed, but I jut keep it to myself.

“Sure. I’ll just make sure that Cloey is ready. Do you want to go inside?”

“Sure.”

I motioned him towards the entrance of our home and as he entered, Alexa instantly smiled to him.

“Hi, Darren! My sister was very excited earlier when she heard that you came.”

“Alexa!” I looked at her with wide eyes.

Darren chuckled, before sitting on our couch. Dad wasn’t home so he couldn’t talk to someone. Grandma was doing something in our kitchen too.

“Where are you going, Claire?” Alexa asked as I made my way upstairs.

“I’m going to fix Cloey. Darren wants us to go out so... Would you like to come?” I asked her back.

“Can I?” She fluttered her eyelashes towards me.

“Sure.”

Darren eyes widen, as if he was surprised that I let my sister come and join us. His face almost lost it’s color, and I nearly laugh at his funny reaction.

“What’s the matter?” Alexa looked at Darren, confusion in her eyes. “You don’t want me to come, do you?”

“No! It’s not that... It just that...”

Alexa put her arms in front of her chest before rolling her eyes towards him.

“I’m sorry! I didn‘t mean to...”

I just laughed as I heard his nervous explanation towards my little sister. I finally went upstairs, fixed Cloey while she acted so stubborn and excited at the same time knowing that her father is here again.

“Dada!” she clapped her hands happily as soon as we reached the final steps of the stairs.

Darren stood up and almost run towards us. She took Cloey from my arms and gave her a shower of kisses.

“Daddy missed you so much!”

Cloey laughed playfully, and I couldn’t hide the happiness I’m feeling right now. I was about to kiss my daughter when she moved away and instead of her, my lips landed on his father’s cheeks. Darren instantly blushed, before a playful smile formed on his lips.

“I d-didn’t m-mean to...” I stuttered, unable to say anything.

“I’m not complaining, Claire. Even if you do it again on purpose,” he teased.

“I didn’t do it on purpose!”

“Yes you do!” Alexa jumped into our conversation, teasing me as well.

“How I wish we could live on the same house together so I wouldn’t miss my child anymore... And of course my wife.”

“I’m not your wife.” I stick out my tongue towards him.

“Well that’s immature. Not yet, but soon to be.”

“In your dreams,” I teased him back, not wanting to lose.

He just chuckled, while shaking his head.

“So, shall we go now?” Darren asked.

“After you,” I answered.