Andie can't help herself but look at Will who was nervously pacing back and forth in the living room. Doon sila dinala ng pag-iisip nang malaman nila ang dahilan nang pagtawag ni Chief kay Dax. 

Will stopped moving and looked at her and Dax. Magkatabi silang nakaupo ni Dax sa mahabang sofa, magkahawak-kamay. 

"So let me get it straight one more time. You and him and him and you?" anito, pinagsalit-salit ang tingin sa kanila. 

"Hey, I think we've established that a dozen times already,"  ani Dax, may bahid na ng iritasyon ang tinig nito.  She squeezed his hand gently, trying to calm him. 

Nagkamot na ng batok si Will, hindi pinatulan ang inis ni Dax. "I was just making sure, man. And Chief will be here in the morning you said?" 

Dax huffed. "That's right."

"I saw you both here. I'm sure he'd question me when he arrives. Maybe he'd find out that I have been getting laid here instead of me hiding and going off the radar. Dammit! We're all effin' doomed," Will declared nervously as he continued to pace once again. 

She slowly shook her head. Will is right. Her going there would put all them in a bad light. But she got nowhere to go. And she really need only one person now and that is Dax. 

"We'll think of something," alo ni Dax sa kanya. Marahil naramdaman nito ang bahagyang panginginig niya. Alanganin siyang tumango. 

"You need to leave," ani Will maya-maya. 

Agad na nalukot ang mukha niya. Agad siyang napatayo mula sa sofa. "That's all you got? Kicking us out?" Tumayo na rin si Dax, hinawakan siya sa magkabilang balikat. 

"I am not kicking you out. I'm just telling you that if you'd leave now and go into hiding, it would buy you some time to think of a solution with your situation," paliwanag ni Will. 

Muli siyang nagbuga ng hininga, pilit pinakalma ang sarili. There's truth in Will's explanation. She and Dax would really need to get out of the safe house until they'd figure out what to do with their relationship. Kaya lang...

Bumaling siya kay Dax. "Sa'n tayo pupunta?" Every place she can think of as a potential place for her and Dax to hide for a few days is known to Chief. 

He saw confusion crossed Dax's eyes. "My grandfather owns a small estate in the French Riviera. But we can't go there because Dad would know it. At kung magtatago tayong dalawa, sigurado ako, magtatanong si Chief kay Dad." 

"E kung umuwi na lang kayong dalawa sa Pilipinas--"

"No!" sabay nilang sagot ni Dax sa suhestiyon ni Will. 

"We can't go home. Chief will find us faster there," paliwanag niya. 

"Yeah that was a stupid idea," bulong ni Will, napahilot na sa batok. 

"Just go and grab your bag, Andie. Kailangan na nating umalis ngayon din. We'll just pick some random place  when we get to the airport," ani Dax habang nakatingin sa tactical watch nito. 

Agad siyang tumango. She was about to ran to  the staircase when she heard Will murmur something like a solution, but she wasn't sure. 

Agad niya itong nilingon. "What's that?" aniya.

Will chuckled, trying to dismiss her. "Nothing. It's just a crazy stunt I thought and it's stupid."

Pumihit na siya paharap dito. "Tell me then I'd get to decide if it's stupid or not." Will scoffed. He kept mumbling again. "Tell me Will or I swear to God I will tase you again!" banta niya rito, seryoso. 

He glared at her. "Namimihasa ka na, Andie, ha? Porke't alam mo na hindi kita gagantihan."

Namaywang na siya. "So what it is that you said? I heard you said it was a solution? Say it again."

Will huffed. "It's not really a solution. It's more like a crazy stunt I had pulled off a couple of years back to spite my father but it failed."

Nagkatinginan sila ni Dax. Sabay din silang tumango. Si Dax ang nagtanong. "Then tell us. It might work for us this time."

Will crossed him arms. "Are you sure?"

"We'd try anything just to solve this... this... misunderstanding," sabi niya, alanganin. She doesn't want to call their situation as a mess anymore. Because she knew, when Chief finds out that she went to Dax after she went missing for a few days, mess wouldn't be enough to call the chaos her reunion with Dax would bring. 

"Say it," sabi ni Dax. 

Sandali ulit na nagpalipat-lipat ang tingin ni Will sa kanila bago, "Marry each other."

-----

Panay ang lakad ni Dax sa harap ni Andie habang kabado silang dalawa sa paghihintay sa pagdating ng pari na si Will mismo ang tumawag. She and Dax are getting married tonight or technically, early this morning. It was friggin five minutes after midnight! And who in their right mind would get married at this unholy hour? No one. 

Sila lang. 

Napabuga siya ng hininga. 

When Will told them his solution to their situation, he wanted to slap the back of his head for coming up with such stupid and ridiculous idea. Even Dax agreed to her the first time they've heard it from Will. However, as the cloud of confusion settled in,  naintidhan nilang dalawa ni Dax na hindi titigil si Chief na paghiwalayin silang dalawa hanggang hindi nito nagagawa ang gusto nito, kung ano man iyon. Kaya nang muli siyang tanungin ni Dax tungkol sa pagpapakasal, agad na siyang umoo. She knew in her heart, kung puwede na, she'd gladly marry Dax even with her eyes closed. She wanted to spend the rest of her life with him-- loving him and building a family with her. Plus,  them getting married would be her perfect act of rebellion to Chief and Kevin-- the people she trusted who chose to betray and manipulate her with their lies. 

She balled her fists and heaved a deep sigh-- dismissing the unwanted thought in her head. Kasal niya ngayon, nila ni Dax. And no matter how simple or in haste it will be, she still needed to be a happy bride. 

Maya-maya pa, bumukas ang pinto ng chapel. Napatayo siya. Lumapit naman agad si Dax sa kanya at hinawakan ang kamay niya. Unang pumasok si Will, kasunod nito si Ingrid-- one of the lays Will had while in hiding there in Zurich. Kasunod ng mga ito si Gunter, ang kapatid ni Ingrid na isa raw altar boy sabi ni Will. It was through Gunter that they were able to contact Father Joaquim to marry them. Sunod na pumasok ang dalawa pang lalaki na hindi niya kilala pero kausap si Ingrid. Mapurol ang German niya kaya hindi niya maintindihan ang sinasabi ng mga ito. 

A man with thinning white hair and  wearing a black clergy uniform was the last one to enter the chapel. His eyes quickly fell on her and Dax's intertwined hands. 

"You must be the couple," anito in a heavy German accent. Sabay silang tumango ni Dax. "Sehr gut! Please follow me," anito bago ito humakbang sa harap ng chapel. Mabilis silang sumunod ni Dax sa pari  sampu ng iba pa nilang kasama. 

Nang nasa altar na sila, agad silang humarap kay Father Joaquim. The clergy wasted no time to begin the ceremony. Humigpit ang pagkakahawak niya sa kamay ni Dax, earning a glance from him. She gave him a nervous smile before turning her attention to the clergy once again. 

Her heart was overdriving in joy and excitement. It's really happening. She and Dax are getting married... in jeans, shirt, and combat boots! Pinigil niya ang matawa. She was never a fan of fancy or girly things but she had always dreamed of getting married in a gown and all the thrills and frills of a wedding. But this is okay for now. Ang importante makasal sila ni Dax ngayon. 

"Do you have the rings?" pukaw ni Father Joaquim sa kanila maya-maya. Taranta siyang napatingin kay Dax. She had never thought of that.

Dax gave her a reaasuring smile before fishing a small velvet box on his pocket. When he opened it, she saw two identical rings both with silver finish. "I would've have given this to you during our AP graduation," anito pabulong. He picked up one of the smaller rings and showed her the engraving inside the band. "Mon Eternité. My forever," anito bago inangat at tingin sa kanya. 

She wanted to cry but she composed herself. It's just that it's too overwhelming to think that when he was silently suffering inside the agency, he still wanted to pursue her despite of everything. 

Guilt suddenly rose to her chest thinking how people close to her had been so unfair to the man who only wanted to be with her, love her and make her happy. 

Dax must've sensed her sadness and her quickly touched her face with his hand to comfort her. She leaned in his hands and his comforting warmth. Maya-maya pa, binitiwan siya nito at inabot sa pari ang mga singsing. 

"Andrea, do you take Damien Xander to be your husband, to live together in holy matrimony, to love him, to honor him, to comfort him, and to keep him in sickness and in health, forsaking all others, for as long as you both shall live?"

She looked up at Dax and his eyes mirrored her own joy. "I do, Father."

"And you Damien Xander, do you take Andrea to be your wife, to live together in holy matrimony, to love her, to honor her, to comfort her, and to keep her in sickness and in health, forsaking all others, for as long as you both shall live?"

"I do, Father," Dax replied, giving her hand a gentle squeeze. 

"Now you may say your own vows as you give each other your rings as a symbol of your promise to each other," ani Father Joaquim. The priest gave her the ring she will give Dax. 

She looked at Dax and tears instantly brimmed on her eyes. She took a deep breath and blinked her tears away. "I'll love you with all my heart and I can't wait to spend my forever with you," she declared, before slipping the ring on Dax's ring finger.  He reached for her face again and gave her cheeks a gentle rub with his thumb, warming her heart some more. 

Dax took a ring from Father Joaquim before reaching for her left hand. "Tu seras toujours le soleil de ma vie. Mon amour, mon éternité." Ngumiti ito ng mangunot-noo siya. "You will always be the sunshine of my life. My love, my forever." He gently slipped the ring on her finger before he gaze at her lovingly-- like she was a dream fulfilled in his life.  And her heart was filled with so much happiness for she knows, for the coming days to come, she will live and breathed for his love. 

Muling nagsalita si Father Joaquim. After that, the clergy had them sign some papers. Ingrid and her two male friends signed as their witnesses. Will was smart not to involve himself with their mess. Other times, that would've earned Will a pinch from her, but she was too happy and thankful for Will's help she was willing to look pass at his small faults. 

"And now, by the power vested in me by God and man, I now pronounce you, Damien and Andrea, as husband and wife. What God has joined together, let no man put asunder. Damien, you may now kiss the bride," ani Father Joaquim. 

Humarap sa kanya si Dax. And without warning, he reached for his hand and pulled her closer to him. Taranta niyang tiningala ito. May naglalaro nang kapilyuhan sa mga mata nito at hindi niya alam kung dapat ba siyang kabahan o mahiya sa siguradong kalandiang iniisip nito. After a while, he grinned.  "May I kiss you, Mrs. Lavigne?" he whispered, his lips just a few inches above hers. 

Mrs. Lavigne. She smiled and threw her arms on her neck. 

"Yes, you may, Mr. Lavigne," she replied, smiling. 

Dax lowered his head and claimed her mouth for a sweet kiss. It was not as hot and sexy as they used to do, but she knew, she will always remember that kiss for the rest of their life. 

Dammit! Husband and wife.

Dax is now her husband and she is his wife!

The thought screamed in her head as joy filled her heart. Maya-maya pa, binitiwan na siya ni Dax. Noon lang niya napansin na nagpapalakpakan na pala ang mga kasama nila sa chapel, kasama na si Father Joaquim. Agad na namula ang pisngi niya. Bigla siya tuloy nahiya dahil nakipaghalikan siya nang may malisya kahit na may audience silang kasama. 

Lumapit sina Ingrid at ang mga kaibigan nito sa kanila at nakipag-kamay. Huling bumati si Will, panay ang ngisi. 

He shook her hands. "Don't worry, your secret is safe with me," anito bago kumindat. 

"Thank you," she said sincerely.  

Bumaling din ito kay Dax at bumati rin. Maya-maya pa,  sumulyap ito sa tactical watch nito. "You better hurry up, lovebirds. You might want a headstart before Chief starts scouring all corners of the world to look for the two of you," anito. 

Nagkatinginan sila ni Dax. He quickly held her hand and gave it a gentle squeeze. Tumango ito. Tumango rin siya. Matapos nilang magpaalam sa mga kasama, they hailed a cab and went to the airport. 

They quickly booked  to the first flight leaving from Zurich. And as they settled on their seats on the plane, she realized something. Today is the start of her new life with Dax. And she knew, deep inside her heart, even if she lived and died a thousand times, she will always choose to spend the rest of her life with him like she did today. 

"Are you okay?" tanong sa kanya ni Dax maya-maya. 

She smiled and rested her head on his chest, reveling to the comfort of his warmth. "Never been better," aniya. 

Dax tugged her closer, leaving a gentle kiss on her hair. "Sleep, mon cherie. I will wake you up when we're in already in Edinburgh."

She smiled and closed her eyes. Dax was worth it. The love of her life will always be worth it. ###

A/N: It's been a while. I missed you all :)