On that evening, Erik also accompanied his mother home. But he promised to come back the next day because Aurora said she would cook Beef Caldereta.
"Happy?" Erik asked her as she asked him to lie down beside her.
Mia lovingly leaned her head on his shoulder. "Extremely happy," she said, gazing at him.
Erik gently kissed her forehead. Afterward, their lips met and lingered for a while.
"Wait a minute," Mia said, releasing her lips from the young man's as she noticed the deepening of his kisses.
Erik was surprised by what she did, then he held her face to claim her lips once again.
"We can't do this here," Mia said, laughing.
Even though Erik didn't say anything, she knew him well. And the way he kissed her now conveyed a different kind of passion that she knew the meaning of.
"I'm not saying anything," he playfully replied, attempting to claim her lips again, but she evaded him.
"It's just that someone might see us," she explained.
Erik sighed again. "They would knock before entering," he added.
Mia found herself powerless to resist the truth in Erik's words. After all, every member of the hospital staff would knock before entering the room.
"Alright," she finally surrendered.
A wide grin spread across Erik's face, reaching his ears. Then, he propped his elbow on the bed and raised his head.
"I've missed you so much, you know?" he whispered, his fingertips gently tracing her forehead, brushing aside a few stray strands of hair that adorned her face.
Mia's heart fluttered as she gazed into his eyes. "I've missed you too," she confessed, her voice filled with joy.
"Let's focus on getting you better so we can go home and start planning our dream church wedding," Erik suggested, briefly lowering his head to capture her lips in a tender kiss.
Their lips met, and time seemed to stand still as they savored the sweetness of the moment. Erik reluctantly pulled away, his eyes locked with Mia's.
"A church wedding?" Mia gasped, her disbelief evident in her voice.
Erik nodded, a look of sincerity in his eyes. "I've been thinking, maybe we should seize this opportunity and turn the wedding postponement into something beautiful. What do you think?" he asked, eagerly awaiting her response.
Tears of happiness welled up in Mia's eyes as she realized the depth of Erik's love. "Yes, yes! That would be perfect," she exclaimed, her voice filled with excitement and anticipation.
Erik smiled, his heart filled with hope. "In that way, we can create new memories and leave the past behind. I want our wedding to be a grand celebration, just like the dreams we've always had," he shared, seeking her approval.
At that moment, Mia knew that their love story was about to take an enchanting turn, leading them to a future filled with love, happiness, and the magical promise of forever.
In a world where their love story unfolded, Mia's brows furrowed as her eyes remained fixed on Erik's deep, captivating gaze.
"What do you mean?" she questioned, her confusion intertwining with curiosity, seeking clarity from Erik's enigmatic words.
"I mean what happened? Bernie's actions," he clarified.
"Ah, I see," she responded, a flicker of understanding illuminating her eyes.
Erik nodded, allowing the silence to linger for a moment, inviting Mia to express herself further.
"In truth, even without a grand wedding, I will cherish the beauty that bloomed from the circumstances," she confessed.
"Truly?" Erik's tone resonated with a hint of doubt as if he yearned for assurance.
"Yes, without a doubt. Numerous moments of beauty have unfolded lately, and perhaps, none of it would have come to pass if not for Bernie's intervention. Do you not see the merit in my words?" she asked, her voice filled with conviction.
Erik's gaze softened, contemplating her words, yet still harboring reservations. "While I understand your perspective, his actions were still far from commendable."
Mia emitted a soft, melodic laugh as Erik shrugged his shoulders, a playful gesture. "What I mean is, even without a grand wedding, the beautiful moments that sprouted from Bernie's influence will forever be etched in my heart," she clarified.
"But you still agree with my desire for a grand wedding, don't you?"
"For a grand wedding?" Mia's laughter bubbled forth, tickling the air with its sweetness.
"Yes, because that's what I yearn to give you. Our initial plans were hindered by time constraints, but now, everything is falling into place. And, above all else, there are no longer any obstacles involving my parents," Erik declared.
Amused, Mia tenderly caressed Erik's face, her fingers dancing along his features, before playfully pinching the tip of his enchanting nose.
"Okay, if that's what my beloved man desires," she uttered, her eyes instantly lighting up with evident happiness. And as Mia expressed her approval of the scene, Erik chose to observe her a little longer, captivated by her presence. His actions were momentarily paused when he leaned in and claimed her lips with a tender kiss.
"Shall we retire for the night? I'm feeling sleepy," she spoke with a smile, as Erik released her lips.
He nodded. "Good night. Are you certain that having me lying beside you isn't causing you any discomfort?"
She shook her head. "I'll sleep more peacefully with you by my side," she responded, her voice unwavering as Erik cradled her head in his arm.
Her companion remained silent, opting instead to plant gentle kisses upon her hair. Mia mirrored the gesture. With a firm closure of her eyes, she surrendered herself to the soothing embrace of sleep, carried away by the tender embrace of slumber.
*****
The days raced by swiftly. The day of Mia's discharge from the hospital arrived. Erik's mother requested that they return to their own house, as the transaction for the sale of Erik's house was still ongoing. However, Mia decided to stay in her own home, feeling more at ease there. Erik's mother understood her choice and accepted it gracefully.
"They no longer want to proceed with the sale, but I told them it's okay with me. It feels like I prefer this house," Mia and Erik sat together in the living room, watching TV. It had been several hours since they finished dinner.
"Thank you. I know that if Nana Rosita were still alive, she would be delighted to hear from you that you like her house," Mia said with a smile.
"Aren't you getting sleepy?" Erik asked her.
She shook her head and leaned her head on his broad chest. She was about to say something when she was silenced by Erik's kiss on her lips.
"What are you doing?" she asked breathlessly as she managed to break free from his possessive lips.
"I just wanted to know if your wound is still hurting," he asked, holding her face tightly. It seemed as though he didn't want to give her a chance to touch her own face, even just a little.
"It's not hurting anymore. Why?" she asked, already having an idea why Erik was behaving that way again in those moments.
Erik kissed her neck before answering her question. "I've missed you so much," he said in a tone that, despite its playful nature, conveyed his intense longing. Mia couldn't help but be affected by his words once again. Her emotions heightened for an inexplicable reason, and she felt a growing warmth deep within her.