Owtor's Nowt: I read this back and I was so embarrassed to see missing letters or word from this chapter. It irks me because it was a careless move on my part. Please forgive me. (060118)

"ALDEMAR Denreich!" She yelled at the top of her lungs. She can't move. She can't make another step. "Oh, God. Alden where are you. This is killing me. Ow..." She continued to try as hard as she could to move, unfortunately, moving is not her body's option at the moment.

She still tried even if it was and still is really hard. She bitterly smiled when finally, she was able to make a step. She's in their garden at back of the house. Alden is inside the house on a phone call.

The pain is ripping through her body like it is splitting her apart on all directions. It was the most painful feeling ever. It wasn't like this before. Yes, she have three but the pain was nothing like this.

"Mom?" She heard the most angelic voice calling out her name. She thought she had died and gone to heaven. Exaggeration you may ask? Well, yeah duh. She's on a freakin' labor and all that she have right now is she, herself, and yeah, herself. Then came that voice calling her out. Maelee Daine Richards, her beautiful daughter, she's now 22. "Mom! Are you okay?" She asked sweetly and overly worried. Maine just shook her head slowly side to side. She is rubbing her protruding belly, bigger than a mutated watermelon, hoping the pain would subside.

"Ate Lee, is mommy okay?" Alex asked. She's their third child, Alexa Deanne, 14 years old. She's so clueless to what is happening to their Mom.

"No, sweety. I think I'm going to have your sister now." She replied hushly yet full of pain. She almost can't hear her voice, she felt like she's running out of breath. "L-lee, call your Dad. Get my bag. It's inside my closet, on the left side. Just pick it up, it's all packed and ready to go. Please grab the other bag, too, behind it. Thanks, baby." Maine added in a very low vouce. Maelee Daine nodded and rush through the sliding door and open it as wide as she can and yell at her father who was still on the phone, furiously arguing with someone, and not realizing what is happening to his wife.

"Alex, stay here with Mommy." She quickly said before seeing her Mom having another round of hard and painful contraction hit her good this time. She saw her started marking the pain intervals.

"One, two, three, four, five..." Alexa Deanne started counting with Maine.

"Dad! Drop that stupid phone call!" She yelled. Alden was about to get mad at her when he heard what she said next. "Mom is going to have the baby!" She added and passed her father.

He was stump at first but then quickly realized as things started to clear up, he dropped the call and rushed to Maine's side in the garden, following him is Aldrin, 23, their first born, which came out if nowhere.

"I'll get the car, Dad!" Aldrin was quick to snatch the car key from Alden's belt loop and run towards the house and out to the garage.

Alden was maybe so fast that when Aldrin turn as get out of his Dad's car, he is already there and behind him is Maelee and Alex. He went around and opened the back passenger door for his Mom and Dad.

"Dad, be with Mom, Me and Kuya will be here in the front. Alex sit with Mom and Dad. Kuya, go." She's taking charge. Aldrin smiled inwardly.

Maelee is a very, very shy girl. She's very, very beautiful, gorgeous even, smart, funny, talented and a dork at times but only around her family. She is a different person when she gets out of the house. She's a total introvert, a very opposite of her brother.

Aldrin, on the other hand, is very outgoing, outspoken, smart, handsome, serious at times and most of the time people avoid him because he exudes a powerful aura, not to mention he got his father's looks, strictness, especially at work.

With Alexa, the third child? She's her own person. She's strong-willed, straightforward but only she knows she needs to. Without her and her brother. Alexa sometimes crumble when stressed.

Aldrin, with Maelee in the shotgun seat, they drove quietly out of the subdivision to the hospital.

Alden made a call to Maine's doctor. He was panicking in the back, and she van hear her daughter, giggling the front.

Thi fourth child is a surprise child. They went to the Maldives for their anniversary and came home pregnant a few months after, it was a shocker for all of them. Who would have thought that at 47, she'll have another baby which made Aldrin the only boy in the family. Isn't it crazy?

"Dad, are you okay?" Aldrin asked quickly glancing at the rear view mirror. Alden just nodded and smiled nervously.

ALDEN and Maine lived a life that is beyond their expectations. They went through hell and back and they stood tall on all that came by them together, hand in hand, they face it.

Yes, they have a few slip ups, few bumps, few scratches, some hurdles but those are all normal part of a couple's life, their lives, but they raised above it all.

They love each other's too much that they can't stand being away too long from each other. They somehow have that magnetic pull that attracts them to each other. They may have been busy with their jobs and businesses, but they never forget to give each other a time.

They are now sitting on one of the benches here in front of By The Bench on Main St. Yes, Maine have another branch of her coffee shop. She put up one in this place, which at first everyone was so iffy about because this area is so dark and scary. She got stranded here a few times but luckily, Alden always finds her.

The neighborhood is now a little brighter. The only people she hires here are the people from here. She made sure of that. And during the time that she and Alden would want to have a cup of coffee or two. This is where they always go. It is a home away from home.

This branch here strive hard at first. Slow footworks, not much sales to keep up with the utilities and salaries of the workers. They had put more money in here than earning it, but Alden knew how much this area means to Maine.

He gayhered what he haf saved and put money here without her knowing it. He had asked his uncle to help them out with the street lights in this area.

That is when they both found out that one of the city councilman had a hidden agenda in the area. The Baranggay leaders and the residence and small time business owners in this area won't agree to the type of business he wanted to set up in the place. In anger and being vendictive, he blocked all the funds for the said place including the work order for and from Meralco. For some mysterious and odd matters, all of the Meralco work orders gets completed in a moment's time without showing any proof of completions. Wonderful, right?

Gen. Reyes requested the disposal of the councilman and given the TRO. The court had ordered Councilman Guzman to step down from his post and never return to the said place. The court ordered a shut down of his bar/lounge not far from it.

In an investigation made, it showed that there had been an excessive use of armed people to terrorized the residence in the area and that really helped the People's case against the city councilman.

From then on, the street was well lighted. No one knows who made it happen. All they know was that someone made a complaint and the area was investigated, Meralco came on board and found out that a few of the Meralco crew are on it, too with the councilman and few other local residence who wanted quick money in the expense of others.

It was a big hot mess but Maine and Alden just stood by, patiently waiting for the result. Then finally, the case was over. The Councilman wasn't allowed in the area and if any of his man should be seen there, the residence should call it in and if there are commotion, whether his people did it or not, the councilman will be responsible for it and all the damages that might incur due to the said commotion. Those will be added onto the his plate.

It is almost midnight. The crew are almost done with the store clean up. She and Alden were both sitting at the corner of the shop watching them with a smile on both of their faces.

Maine could not believe that this once a dead, scary area and feared by many is now a very alive yet peaceful place. She is very thankful to the man she married to. Every now and then the crew would ask why they decided to open up a coffee shop here. Their answers is always the same. "This is where we found ourselves."

Their crew would tease them and they would turn red. A few crew that was employed by them are now graduated from college. Some of them are working in FGC and some were sent to Bacolod branch and some are working in his brother's construction office and some are working on Tony's flourishing company and Patty and Sam's hangar and travel agency.

"Ms M, Sir A, we are done here. We got all the utensil cleaned up and dried and put away. The baked cupcake are in the fridge and ready for frosting tomorrow. The 100 cupcake order for Immaculate Conception School is ready for pick up tomorrow anytime." Lindy, the night shift supervisor informed her. "Is there anything else you need us to do before we lock up?" She added.

"No. We can lock up the place and go home. You guys did a good job." She stood up and pulled Alden's hand. He smiled and followed her. The girls giggled as they whisper kilig stuff to each other.

"Oh Lord, where will I find someone like Sir A?" One would say dramatically and they all laugh.

"Tange! Didn't you know that Sir A's kind has passed endangered species state? Is kind is extinct now, you know." More giggles came from the four girls that was following them. They were just listening.

"Hey, you guys need to shut up. Nakakahiya kayo! They might hear us talking about them." The only guy in the crew commented.

"Tse! You know what, Chris you are just jealous." And the girls would giggle again. Chris just tsked and smirked, took the key out of the supervisor's hand and lock the door for her. He jiggled the door to make sure that it was locked. Maine smiled at the crews' joyful banters. Chris gave the key back to Lindy.

"Thanks." She simply said but Alden saw her blushing.

Once upon a time, he experienced that, too. The first time she laid his eyes on his wife's beautiful face, he may have not realized it then but his heart knew, she will be the one.

"You guys, take care." Alden uttered waving at them. "Chris make sure she gets home safe." He added pointing at Lindy. The other girl giggled loudly which made Lindy red as a tomato.

Akdrn shook his head as he ushered Maine to their car parked on the street right in front of the cafe. They all waved back at them and started walking away.

As they approached their driveway in the exclusive subdivision in that area of Makati, he held his wife's hand and squeezed it and everytime he does that, he'd feel a squirming warm sensations in his heart.

Maine is the same way. It's been almost 25 years since they got married, but the feeling of still being in love for the very first time is still much there.

They wake up every morning to the same feeling of waking up in each other's the first time that first night in Sum-ag. He would hear the soft rustling sound of the water in the stream behind the house not far from it.

Everytime they end the day in their bedroom, before all the heated banters of their bodies, and the occasional flashback stories, they would play the same music over and over and over again, Alden would set it on single track loop.

Baby, frozen tears
It was hard through the years
I'll never give up
Never one of my dreams.
Deep inside is my love still alive
And God only knows that I can't let you go.
When I'm in love it'll be for better

Yes, they were arranged to marry someone at first and they strongly disagree with that idea with so much passion but falling in love with each other happen by chance. Was it meant to be? Yes. Was it destined? Yes.

No arms can ever hold you more than I do
No man can ever love you
No, it's true.
No arms can ever hold you more than I do
You came to me from heaven
Girl, it's true.
And if I ever lose your love
If I ever lose your heart
Oh baby, I'm dying for your love.

They had parted ways, too many times in the past, yes. But it was for the best it made them strong and it made their hearts grow ponder. They learn to love each and respect each other more and the people around them. They learn to be patient, to endure it all, and to sacrifice for true love.

Baby, now I'm alone and I try to be strong
But my baby I cried
Silent tears without pride.
And I can't hold on to the feeling that's gone
And there's nothing to lose 'cause I'm playing the fool.
When I'm in love it'll be for better
I gave you my he'art for ever and ever.
No arms can ever hold you more than I do.

They may have parted ways for a while but their world became bigger and wider, they become smarter and stronger. They learn the importance of the today, as it gives them something yo enjoy and to discover.

They learn to leave the past behind where it belongs and face the beautiful tomorrow with hope, trust and perseverance. They learn the meaning of true and perfect love.

No arms can ever hold you more than I do
No man can ever love you
No,it's true
No arms can ever hold you more than I do
You came to me from heaven, girl, it's true.
And if I ever lose your love,
If I ever lose your heart
Oh baby, I'm dying for your love.

After having four children, almost 25 years together, they know, it is time to part. It is time leave the first 25 years in the vault and face the new tomorrow with the new chapters in their lives, with Maelee Daine being on her own, and Aldrin Dennison running the big corporate office with Alden in the background, he knew things are going to where it supposed to go.

Alexa Deanne and Aliraine Maisie being to far from who they want to become, they would gladly spend all their waking moment loving their children and hopefully, grandchildren in the future.

Everybody needs someone to love and I say...
No arms can ever hold you more than I do
No man can ever love you,
No,It's true
No arms can ever hold you more than I do
You came to me from heaven,
Girl,it's true
And if I ever lose your love,
If I ever lose your heart
Oh baby,
I'm dying for your love...

He kissed his wife with so much tenderness and love. Tomorrow morning as they wake up after this night's hot steamy performance, it will be a more fruitful moment. A life filled with bliss, love, happiness and of course, occasional hot steamy nights.

Parting time? Definitely not. Nevermore.

------------------
End of Chapter 25: Special Chapter

Please vote, comment, share and good vibes

💖~Ms. J~💖
01.06.18

Parting Time
Arrange Marriage: Destined? 2
©️All Rights Reserved
First Published: October 9, 2016