2 Years Later

Sage stood in his three-piece custom suit at the end of the aisle, nervous but far more excited. Inilibot niya ang kanyang mga mata at hindi niya naiwasang mapangiti. Kaunti lang ang mga bisita, less than thirty, pero lahat ng importanteng tao sa buhay nila, narito para sa kanila ngayon, sa isang private island malapit sa Palawan na hindi inaangkin ng China.

The first pew on the right side was occupied by four people related to the bride. Riley, Lily and Kendrick's four month old daughter, was snuggled in her father's arms. Her hand was gripping her mother's finger while giggling at her great-grandmother, Catherine, who was making faces to amuse the adorable baby.

On the first pew on the left side were the groom's immediate family. Ang ina ni Sage ang pinakamalapit sa aisle at kasalukuyan itong nakikipagtalo sa ama niya. Whatever they were arguing about would've been resolved by Teri, his older sister. But Teri was too busy making eyes at her boyfriend, Ryuji. Tinupad ni Ken ang ipinangakong date sa lalaking iniwan nito sa altar.

Sa likod ng pamilya ng groom at ng ex-fiancé ng bride nakaupo ang retired chairman ng AIO Group. Abot-tenga ang ngiti ni Mario Hermoso III. He was proud of his grandson who he had seen transform into a responsible adult in the last few years. He was happy for the boy who was finally settling down with a girl who's perfect for him.

Sa kaliwa ng lolo ni Sage nakaupo ang paboritong tita ni Sage at ang asawa nito. Sabik na inaabangan ni Margaret ang pagbubukas ng pinto ng kapilya. As Sage promised over two years ago, she was commissioned to make his bride's wedding dress and she was very excited to see the girl walk down the aisle with one of her masterpieces.

Sa kanan ng lolo ni Sage nakaupo si Jasmine, one of Sage's closest cousins. Mukhang seryoso ang pinag-uusapan nila ng katabi nitong si Daniela, ang erederang naka-date at nakalimutan ni Sage sa restaurant. Daniela also happened to be Valerian's wife—soon-to-be ex-wife, to be more exact. Their marriage was more like a business deal between the two that helped them achieve their separate goals.

Seated behind Daniela was her soon-to-be ex-husband, Valerian. Nakakunot ang noo nito habang nakatitig sa cellphone. He must've had an argument with his wife, considering that they were currently ignoring each other.

Katabi ni Valerian si Tristan. He looked uncomfortable while talking to his son, Max. The little boy must've had questions about Auntie Kendra, who his father dated very briefly. Mia, who probably started the teasing, was just grinning at the other side of the kid as she watched Tristan struggle.

Aero and Istanna Ringo occupied the row behind Lily's family. Nakangisi ang ex-landlord nila. He had been their very vocal shipper, way before they realized their feelings for each other. Istanna was just glad that she could witness the union of two really talented musicians who helped her fix a misunderstanding with her quirky husband.

Sa likod ng mag-asawang Ringo nakaupo ang mga dating miyembro ng Special Resolutions Unit ng kumpanya nila Lily. Matt and Heidi went to pursue their own careers in information security and public relations, respectively, after their team disbanded. Kasama sa na-disband ang relationship nila kaya may awkward atmosphere sa pagitan ng dalawang matalik na kaibigan ni Ken.

On the same row as the ex-lovers were Sage's assistants. Nagsisisihan sina Eli at Janelle, pareho kasi nilang nakalimutang bumili ng regalo para kay boss.

The chatter among the guests stopped when the large oak doors of the small brick chapel opened. All eyes simultaneously turned to the stunning bride when the organist started playing Wagner's Bridal Chorus. A ray of light from the stained glass window illuminated Kendra.

She looked amazing in a white tea-length dress and a vintage elbow-length veil. An intricate lace pattern covered her arms and the tulle skirt flowed gracefully as she slowly walked towards the altar. In her hands was a bouquet of sunflowers.

Napangiti ang lahat nang masilayan ang bride pero wala nang may mas malaki pang ngiti kaysa kay Sage. Despite smiling broadly, tears started forming at the corner of his eyes. I'm the luckiest guy in the world, the groom thought as he watched Ken walk towards him. His heartbeat accelerated with every step that she took.

The bride was halfway through the aisle when Sage got a good glimpse at her face. Napawi ang ngiti ng lalaki. Ken wasn't smiling. At all. She wasn't even looking at him. Nakakunot ang noo ng mapapangasawa niya at nakakagat ito sa labi habang nakatitig sa hawak nitong mga bulaklak.

She suddenly stopped walking and Sage held his breath. Ken remained still for about five seconds before quickly turning her back and running out of the chapel. Before reaching the exit, she dropped the wedding bouquet and placed her hands on her quivering lips.

No, no, no, no, no. This can't be happening! Sage was frozen in shock but his insides were twisting. Kalahati ng guests ang nakatingin sa kanya habang ang kalahati naman ay nakatingin sa pintuan kung saan lumabas ang bride. Everyone was just as stunned as he was.

It took a whole minute before Sage recovered from the shock. Huminga siya nang malalim at tumakbo rin palabas ng chapel. "Please don't let anyone follow me," he said to Eli as he passed by his assistant.

Agad niyang nakita si Ken sa garden sa labas ng chapel. Nakayuko ang babae at dumuduwal sa isang garbage bin habang mahigpit na nakakapit sa arm rest ng katabing bench.

"You've got to be kidding me," Sage said as he walked towards his fiancée. "So mukhang nag-enjoy ka sa bachelorette party mo kagabi."

Tumingin si Ken sa kanya pero bago pa ito makapagsalita, nagsimula ulit itong sumuka.

"I hope that all the alcohol you consumed was worth it," Sage said bitterly as he watched Ken massage her temples.

"Oh my God, shut up," Ken said, glaring at her fiancé before vomiting again.

"Really, Ken? 'Yan ang sasabihin mo sa 'kin?" Sage asked, the hurt evident in his voice. "I mean, sure, simple lang ang gusto nating kasal pero para namang 'di mo pinahalagahan kasi naglasing ka kahapon."

"Hindi ako lasing!" she said, raising her voice in annoyance.

"Mukha ngang sober na sober ka," he replied sarcastically.

"Sage I'm not—" Kendra retched before she could refute him.

Feeling bad for her, Sage sighed and began to rub her back as she vomited. "Pero kahit gaano ka pa ka-hungover sa kasal natin, mahal na mahal pa rin kita eh." Inabutan niya ng panyo si Ken nang matapos itong sumuka.

"Hindi nga 'to hangover. Hindi ako uminom," Ken said, exasperatedly as she wiped her mouth with Sage's handkerchief.

"Shit, are you sick?" he said, eyes widening in alarm.

"Sakit ba ang morning sickness?" she said flatly, pagod sa pagsusuka.

"Mo-morning sickness?" Sage blinked a couple of times in disbelief. "You're pregnant?"

Ken swallowed and took a deep breath before she nodded. "Mamaya ko pa sana sasabihin sa 'yo pero—"

"I'm so sorry, Ken." Biglang niyakap ni Sage si Ken nang mahigpit. "Halos sinigawan pa kita kanina."

"Hey, okay lang. Maiinis din naman ako kung ikaw 'yong may hangover sa kasal natin." She hugged him back. "I hope you're not mad about the pregnancy. We should have been more careful."

Sage let go of the embrace and placed his hands on her waist as he leaned his forehead on hers and stared deeply into her eyes. "I have nothing to be mad about, Ken. Pagkagising ako kaninang umaga, sigurado akong ito ang magiging pinakamasayang araw ng buhay ko. And I was right, this news made my day a thousand times happier."

"I'm scared, Sage," Ken said, her voice trembling . "Pa'no 'pag bano pala ako sa pagiging nanay?"

"Wala kang dapat ikatakot. I will always be here for you, Ken. Besides, if we make it a competition of who can be the better parent, I'm sure you'll be good at it. We're in this together. Mahal na mahal kita," he said, kissing her forehead. He got down on one knee and kissed her still flat belly. "Kayong dalawa."

"Mahal na mahal din kita." Ken pulled him up and wrapped her arms around his neck before capturing his lips with hers. 'Di pa tapos ang kasal pero matagal silang naghalikan sa labas ng kapilya.

"We should get back inside," Sage said as he pulled away. "Gawin na nating legitimate child ang anak natin," he added, grinning.

"You're right," Kendra replied with a chuckle. "Pwede naman 'tong ituloy mamaya."

Hinawakan ni Sage ang kamay ni Kendra at ipinuwesto ang mga daliri niya sa pagitan ng mga daliri nito. Sabay silang naglakad papasok ng simbahan nang nakangiti.