" We will read the ripped pages but you have to sign a paper that we will never stop from reading it, till we finish. Now, I'd like to rea.s.sure you that I'm not upset, okay?" She saw him smiled and took his towel and took a bath.

When he got out, she told him to sit beside him on bed and even put a pillow on his lap. Interestingly, George tried to look around and he noticed that every thing's in tact.

"Here, look at me George, promise me that whatever you hear, whatever I read, you must be ready to continue from listening. You should not walk out nor stop me, okay?" Then she sat beside the bed, next to the big candle and took something from the sewing it.

" Before I start reading, I have a gift for you. Hmm....see this? A baby pajama." Then she motioned closer to him and slowly put it on his palm.

"This is the partner of that baby s.h.i.+rt I gave you, so you have a complete set now. You must keep them because regardless of whatever gender, it fits. So, hope I have given justice for my birthday today.. Hmm...I made these baby stuffs for you that whenever you'll be very busy on this war, I'd be busy finis.h.i.+ng for baby stuffs. We can't buy nor borrow, its nowhere, so next time, you have to orient me on what will I do if I get pregnant and supposed you're at war, tell me if what will I do to nurse myself. Hmm I'm just practical whether what to do when I'm alone giving birth. You have to teach me tomorrow for such an emergency response. Remember, if this isn't wartime, I won't be telling you about these things. My mother died here after she gave birth on me, the journal told us. Its an isolated case, but its possible. George, I wanted to live for my baby in order to make our family complete, so there are a lot of things to prepare and we're just starting, at least we're already married." She smiled and took his hand and put it on her face.

"So, I'll start reading now."

" Wait, hmm, ah, nothing." He smirked.

" Yes, you can." She smiled.

Then he slowly kissed her cheek noiselessly and she was very still like a monument and he also slowly detached himself and sat back to his place beside her.

She smiled and said. " I thought you'll ask something that's why I said, "yes, you can." She smiled again and pinched his ear. "Anyway, let's call it an accident."

He smiled and excited to hear the contents of the ripped pages.

17 October 1937

Chuck arrived and was a bit disgusted to George. He had a lived-in partner and Chuck was afraid that our plans for him and Magee will be in vain.

"Mag...hmm, its...its something we need not to discuss, please." George shook his head.

She moved too close to him and tightly held his left hand with her right.

Now, you know the reason if why I ripped them and she looked at him smiling, while breathing so deeply. This is what I know of marriage George, Lolo Sibal prepared me for this. So, let's continue.

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... I was saddened. My Magee is a sweet 15 year old girl and so pa.s.sionate. I hope my little boy George who is now getting bolder would take a step to mature and leave that woman he's staying with. Chuck hated them together but he's always drunk. Since Chuck was busy at work, so he hired someone to watch over George. Hopefully, Chuck would go back here next year to fetch Edward, Albrecht and Baldur so that the brothers can accompany and can help my baby boy too.

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"Mag, please stop it..." He was teary eyed and hugged her. She was on his shoulder and comforting him.

"Please, let's bury my past. I was very young then before Baldur arrived and I worked hard to change."

" Calm down, I didn't say anything against it. I understand. My concern of letting you wait is part of my tradition, second its wartime and its risky to be pregnant, third, I'm preparing. Have you seen a hen when she's about to lay eggs? She'd gather some feathers, dry cogons, withered gra.s.ses for her nest. Its an animal but I tell you when a hen lays her first egg on a nest, its safe. I see myself more than a hen, of course. I'm human, so I prepare my place the best way I could and since its wartime, I find it difficult to gather the things I need, that's why." He was still hugging her tight, so emotional. Calm down. I know everything about you. Its just that ther never told me of your name. Hmm, they just tell me you're a "handsome guy." This, George - is my concept of marriage.