A-Deen

Kasalukuyang kabuwanan na ni Aryana Grace Smith. "Huwag ka na masyado gumalaw, Agee, baka kung mapaano pa kayo ni Aranya." Paalala ni Byron Smith sa asawa.

Kumurap at pinanliitan niya ng mga mata ito. "Hay naku, Byre! Such a worrywart! I need to move in order to have an easier birth." Nagpatuloy siyang mag-dust ng mga alikabok sa book shelf. "We should build a room behind this shelf and make it into Aranya's haven." Tumango si Byron sa kanya. "Sige, hahanap ako sa online ng magandang design for her special room."

He kissed her temple and went up to their bedroom to fetch his laptop.

Hindi pa nakaka-tatlong apak sa pangalawang step ng staircase ang lalaki nang marinig niya na may kumalabog sa sahig. "Oh no! I think my water broke."

He hurriedly went back to his wife and carried her towards the kiddie pool na malawak. Nag-set up ng inflatable pool si Byron kanina kasi gusto ni Agee na maranasan ang water home birth. "Keep on breathing like we practiced okay? I'll call the midwife." She nodded while breathing through her mouth. "Aranya is coming!"

Nataranta naman lalo si Byron at chineck ang birth canal niya, "Niloloko mo naman ako eh, wala pa," he pouted and she laughed. "Excited lang ako kaya ko nasabi na parating na si baby." Agee feels excited, scared and happy at the same time.

"My contractions are three minutes apart." She updated him.

"Okay, I'll tell the midwife." He dialed the midwife's contact number and told her their situation. "Hee-hoo!" she breathed in and out.

After fifteen hours of labor, lumabas na sa birth canal si Aranya and as expected the once clear water na nakalagay si Agee, it turned red. Yet, she and her husband didn't mind. "Congratulations! It's a girl!" Naiyak sa tuwa ang bagong mga magulang.

"Thank you Lovey, for bringing our healthy and pretty daughter with us." He again kissed her temple and she held the newly wiped clean baby from the midwife.

"Salamat Nana Ris!" The midwife is named Trudis pero palayaw niya ay Ris. "Walang anuman, tawagan niyo ulit ako kapagka ipapanganak na yung sunod niyong anak ah?"

Natawa ang mag-asawa pero nang mapatingin si Byron kay Agee, he felt her sadness. "Lovey, don't be sad, malay mo, mabigyan pa natin ng kapatid itong Aree natin, right?" Tumulo ang mga luha niya at sumandal siyang nakapikit sa dibdib ng asawa. "Thanks for comforting me with a white lie, Byron."

Nang gumabi na, hinayaan ni Byron si Agee na katabi nito sa kama nila si Aranya.

"Just for tonight okay?" Agee drowsily nodded and quickly feel asleep while hugging the arch shaped pillow na nakapaligid sa baby. "Night!" he caressed her forehead and kissed Aranya's hair. "Night too, my dearest child."

He went downstairs and exited the house. "Has she given birth?"

He nodded and told her they were inside sleeping. It was Rose and her companions.

"Good!" She nodded back and introduced the people around her. "These are her new guardians, Ace and Ao." He stared at them and back to her. "Understood." He went back inside and let their demon guardians 'Catty and Deana,' greet their new co-demon guardians. At times, he hoped for a normal life but ever since he held Aryana Grace in his mind and soul, he knew, they could be together but for a price.