Not Just Another Chapter (Luscious Trans Series #2)

"I'm so happy for your success, Gwen." Ian said with a proud smile, but it quickly turned into a pout, making me chuckle. "Pero ni-isang beses, hindi ka na dumalaw sa amin? Nakakatampo ka!" He huffed before lowering their youngest son to the floor.

"Thank you, Ian. I'm sorry, okay? Happy birthday again!"

"Tita! Pwetty! Tita!"

I turned just in time to see their three-year-old son waddling toward me, his small steps still unsteady but determined. My heart melted at the sight, what a cute little boy!

I gasped softly when he suddenly wrapped his arms around my leg, looking up at me with big, curious eyes. Laughter bubbled between us before I scooped him up into my arms. His tiny hands clung to me as I took a closer look at him. He was a perfect blend of Ian and Lia. A warm feeling spread through my chest, the kind that made me forget about everything else.

"What's your name, baby boy?" I asked, gently pinching his chubby cheek.

The little boy giggled before burying his face against my shoulder, his small frame pressing into me.

"He likes you already!" Lia laughed, rubbing her son's back.

"What's your name daw?" Kinlan coaxed, smiling at his son.

"Killua Chase..." He said in his cute little voice. "Lawson Guevawa!" His tongue tangled, we were all awed 'cause of his cuteness overload.

"Sebastian," Tawag ni Lia sa panganay niya nang pumasok ito sa living room. May kasama siyang babae, probably ka-age niya. Hawak niya ito sa likod, parang ina-assist papasok. Nahihiyang ngumiti ang babae sa amin, panandaliang sumulyap kay Sebastian bago mabilis na ibinaba ang tingin.

Pinanood ko sila habang papalapit. Blanko ang expression ni Sebastian, pero may kung anong tension sa paraan ng pagkakahawak niya sa likod ng babae, parang sanay siya sa control...

Ngumiti si Lia. "Come here, anak. Sit down with us."

Tumango lang si Sebastian bago dahan-dahang inihatid ang babae sa bakanteng upuan. Saglit siyang sumulyap sa akin—malamig, matalim—bago agad na umiwas ng tingin.

Ibinaon ni Killua ang mukha niya sa leeg ko, na agad namang nakaagaw ng atensyon ko. Huminga siya ng malalim, kaya dinungaw ko siya. His eyes were languid and gloomy, at naka-pout pa ang mapupula niyang labi. He's sleepy.

Napangiti ako habang pinagmamasdan siya. Naalala ko tuloy ang mga pamangkin ko. Ngayon ko lang naisip, ang tagal ko na palang hindi nakakauwi. My sister has been bombarding my phone with texts and missed calls these past few weeks, pero hindi ko magawang sagutin dahil sa sobrang busy ko.

"I'm sleepy..." Mahina niyang bulong sa akin, kaya marahan ko siyang hinagod at sinayaw-sayaw sa aking mga bisig.

Napangiti ako habang unti-unting bumibigat ang katawan niya sa pagkakayakap ko. He made himself comfortable on my shoulder, at dahan-dahan niyang ipinikit ang kaniyang mga mata. Halos matunaw ang puso ko sa lambing niya.

"He's so comfortable with you!" Natatawang sabi ni Kinlan. "He usually doesn't warm up to other people, lalo na kapag kakakilala lang niya, pero sa'yo... sobrang lambing na agad! He's hard to please!"

Dahan-dahang hinagod ni Ian ang likod ng anak niya habang nakatitig sa akin. Nagtagpo ang mga mata namin, at bigla akong nakaramdam ng matinding awkwardness. I wanted to look away, pero para akong natuklaw ng alaala ng nakaraan.

Damn it.

Bakit ganito? Bakit parang may bumabalik na kung anong hindi dapat?

Why am I even bothered?