A few days after…
DK opened the function hall he prepared for them. A tall Christmas tree colored in white captured their attention. The gifts under the tree are specially bought and packed by DK himself. Some staff were present there, ready to serve the food and make the venue comfortable for Joanna and DK’s families.
“You really managed to prepare all of these?” Joanna asked DK while they are walking towards the long table they would be using for the midnight celebration of Christmas. “Do you like it? I did everything to make this place ambient so we can stay here and wait for midnight” DK asked, glancing at Joanna’s eyes that were busy wandering around.
“I appreciate this so much! It’s been so long since I spent Christmas in a fun way” Joanna answered. DK chuckled, “If you’ll give me a chance to enter your life again, I will surely make every Christmas as special as this one,” he said romantically while aiming to hold Joanna’s hand. She looked down to hide her blush; DK was still more charming than ever.
King stood from afar, holding a glass of liquor in his hand. JL noticed how King glares at DK as if he wants to kill him. “Got something in mind, King?” JL, DK’s cousin asked. His hideous look turned calm the moment JL asked. “Nothing. I am just bothered by work” he simply answered and left JL at the buffet table.
A few hours passed by, and the staff presented a simple program for them to enjoy. Just like the typical Christmas party gatherings, both Joanna and DK’s families enjoyed games and socialization. The host tapped the microphone and called out the attention of everybody in the place while they are preparing for dinner.
“May I call on Sir DK and Miss Joanna to come here on the stage to say some words? I believe this couple is the reason why we are all gathered here” the host that Paola assigned uttered. DK stood up, handing over his palm to assist Joanna. She gladly accepted DK’s hand and both walked up to the stage. Both of them held the microphone to give a few words.
DK started opening a talk to clear up his intention of gathering all of them in his resort. “Before I start, let me first wish everyone a pleasant evening and a merry Christmas. As we all know, we are here because of one reason – Joanna and I finally came into mind to reveal our small family” he started.
Joanna continued, “DK and I are actually married even before our son was born. We were in a relationship since I was a freshman”. DK smiled; memories came flooding into his head. “Us having a child was never a wrong move. We parted ways to continue our studies, but during those days, I supported Joanna’s pregnancy and birthing, until today” DK added.
Their family were all ears and all smiles. They were calm, different from what DK and Joanna were expecting. “I planned this carefully. To be honest, I just got in touch with DJ and Joanna this year because of some circumstances that we are afraid of. But now, it is over for us. We can’t hide any more. And we don’t think DJ deserves to be unacknowledged by his family” DK explained. He held Joanna’s hand; it was trembling out of nervousness.
“Now that we are all here, I want everyone to enjoy the holiday. We own the night this time. Thank you for granting my request” DK concluded. Everyone is proud of the two, except for King who is faking his reactions. He almost burst out because of jealousy when he witnessed how Joanna liked the way DK held her hand.
Jake lit up a piece of firecracker outside the hotel’s function room. They altogether uttered the last ten-second countdown before December 25th. The place was filled with joy when the clock ticked at midnight. DK held Dion in his arms, but his eyes were focused on Joanna who is smiling widely. He gently pulled her close and kissed her on the forehead. “Merry Christmas, my wife” he whispered while the others were still busy with the fireworks display.
Joanna leaned closer to his shoulder and caressed their baby’s cheek. “After this, everything will be alright. Merry Christmas, Dior and Dion” she replied, heart full of satisfaction. King just sat back and continued drinking. He has not spoken to Joanna the whole evening.
They enjoyed the first few hours of Christmas with loud music, gift-giving, and a lot of stories to catch up on. DK pulled a cart full of boxed gifts and placed it beside DJ’s stroller. “Guess I shopped too much that I forgot that DJ won’t be able to use this all at his young age,” he said while scratching his nape. Miss Elizaga chuckled, “You did just fine. It is your son’s first Christmas after all” his mother replied.
“Carmensita, bring the gifts here” Miss Elizaga ordered. Carmensita, the mayor doma, and Georgia went to grab some packed gifts. “Though your gifts are enough, I still managed to get something for my grandson” Miss Elizaga added while handing over the gifts to Joanna and DK. “Woah, how can they bring these things home?” DK commented.
Joanna’s heart is filled with joy. She once thought that DK’s mother would not accept her because of her status. But she was wrong; Miss Elizaga just looks fierce on the outside, but her motherly love is beyond what everyone could ask for. They were all enjoying the vibe of the Christmas music, forgetting all the stress away, however, one drowns himself with alcohol inside his hotel room.
DK used his jacket to cover Joanna’s exposed back. The cold atmosphere filled the area. They were all retreating back to their rooms to rest after a blasting Christmas celebration. DK asked his staff to bring all the gifts DJ owns upstairs to their room. “I’m sorry I did not get you anything for Christmas” Joanna apologized while they are walking in the hallway.
DK smirked; “Your presence is enough already. I couldn’t ask for more” he simply replied while holding the sleeping DJ in his arms. “How can I thank you? Even the words ‘thank you’ are not enough to show my gratitude” Joanna again asked out of politeness. An idea popped into DK’s mind.
“I wish for one thing right now. If you really are grateful…. can I sleep with the two of you right now?” DK asked. Joanna could feel her cheeks burning up. DK added, “No, it’s not what you think. I just want to feel again the moments where we share a single room as a family. But if it does not make you secure, then it is fine. Not forcing you, though”.
Joanna combed her hair. “No, it’s fine. We can spend the night together with Dion. Take this as my Christmas gift to you” she answered.