* * *

"What happened??" Zach asked as soon as he walked inside the room and immediately hugged Sam.

"Thankfully, it's just a common cold," Sam replied weakly, his tone sounded like he just came from crying. If Alex's childhood illness came back, he wouldn't have known what to do. Although the doctor warned him before that Alex's illness might come back when he grows older, Sam didn't think it would be this early where the young boy is still unable to undergo major surgery.

"Thank goodness. This must've been because of the recent events. Our child is strong and I'm sure he will get better with proper rest," Zach cooed as he continued to hug his lover. Meanwhile, listening to the couple's conversation, Garry Welton also felt relieved while touching Alex's warm forehead. He just learned recently of the twins' existence and although he was against his son's relationship with Gregory Abiñon's son, as a grandfather, he also wanted to meet his dear grandsons.

He may look like a very strict person with facial paralysis, but he still loves his grandchildren. He just had trouble showing it openly and instead, he always looked cold and heartless.

"How about you? Are you okay?? How about Allen?" Zach asked affectionately before they pulled away from their hug and he walked closer to the bed where Alex was sleeping peacefully and Garry standing next to his bed. Zach caressed his son's hair before kissing his little forehead waiting for Sam's answer as he faced him again. Meanwhile, Sam briefly greeted Zach's father before he once again smiled weakly at Zach. He knows Zach worries for him because he too had not yet fully recovered from his ulcer but he is fine.

"I-I'm fine... Allen's back home. I was in a rush and I asked your brother to take care of him. I'm just worried that when he wakes up and doesn't find me and his twin beside him, he will cry nonstop," Sam replied. His earlier slightly relieved tone turned worried, remembering his other son who will surely look for him if he wakes up in the middle of the night or the next morning.

"Alright, don't worry. I'll go and take him here with me later. Please just don't stress yourself too much. I told you right that from now on there will be the two of us. So you can rely on me more, you don't have to shoulder everything on your own from here on," Zach replied, kissing Sam's forehead. Since he doubts his wife would allow Alex to check out of the hospital even with the doctor's approval, it's better for him to just pick up Allen so they can all wait for Alex to recover.

"Thank you, Zach," Sam uttered softly. His eyes began to water uncontrollably before he hugged his lover again. He was so used to being alone all this time so seeing Zach with him now and hearing him say all this touched him. He couldn't stop shedding tears because finally, he has someone he can depend on. He didn't need to act all tough just because he was both Allen and Alex's Mom and Dad.

"You don't need to thank me. Allen and Alex are my children too. It's only right for us to share the responsibilities," Zach smiled softly, holding Sam's hand and kissing the back of it. They began to once again hug each other. It lasted for a couple more minutes before they finally decided to let go. And since everything was fine, Gregory decided to leave the two alone and wait in the car for Zach. Sam briefly bid farewell and soon it was only Zach and Sam was left in the hospital room with Alex.

Zach approached Allen's bed and caressed his son's head one last time. Even though the little boy's temperature was still high and his complexion was pale due to his fever, Zach knows that after a good rest his son will soon run around filled with energy together with his twin.

Smiling in relief, Zach sighed before kissing his son's forehead and turned to Sam after.

"I can't say it went well but I promise you. I will get your father's approval and marry you. I will give you a peaceful and happy life just like you've always dreamed of Sam. Just wait a bit more," Zach suddenly said, pulling Sam into his arms again. When Sam heard Zach, his lips formed into a smile. He already knew what Zach was talking about and he felt so touched that the man he thought wouldn't return his feelings before was trying his best to make their relationship possible.

"I know you're doing your best to make us work, Zach. I promise I will do the same, even if Dad still doesn't accept us, I won't ever leave you again," Sam said softly. They stared at each other's eyes before it instinctively closed as they slowly moved closer until their lips touched. Zach squeezed his hand against Sam's hips and gasped in need. It's only been a few months since he reunited with Sam and that time was not enough for his longing to pass. He still very much missed the only person he had ever loved.

The sweet and passionate kiss continued for a bit more before finally they regrettably separated with their forehead still touching.

"I love you," Sam whispered, his cheeks tinted with red pigment making Zach grin happily and kiss his lover once again. When they separated this time, he held both Sam's cheeks as his thumb softly brushed them.

"I've never loved someone as much as I loved you, Sam," Zach replied with a smile before kissing Sam's cheeks one last time. They remained to hug for comfort until at last, it's time for Zach to go and pick Allen from where they're currently staying.

On the other hand, Sam stayed at the hospital. Even though the result of the check-up was just a simple cold a child would catch every now and then, his heart continued to beat uneasily.

"Don't scare Mommy like that," Sam whispered, he held Alex's hand and kissed it while he sat on the chair next to the little man's bed. It's already past 2 am and despite how tired he was, he refused to go ahead and sleep. He wanted to stay up until his little angel woke up. Furthermore, Alex hasn't woken up yet. Even though Sam carried him from the house to the hospital riding a vehicle provided by Timothy, and even after being checked by the doctor, Alex never woke up. Sam was extremely worried and wanted to at least see his precious baby open his eyes and call his name.

Sam squeezed Alex's hand a little and kissed it again. He repeatedly prayed for his son's health and fast recovery until time passed by, even though he planned to stay awake, his eyes deliberately began to close. Due to both being tired and him being a patient as well, he dozed off still holding his son's hand.

However, as he slowly drifted into a deep slumber, he was suddenly woken up hearing the door to their room forcefully being opened and a loud commotion could be heard from there. Sam wondered what it was and reluctantly headed to the door but as he came to check, his eyes went wide seeing his father and mother being blocked by the men Zach left to protect him and Alex.

"Samuel Abiñon, let me and your mother in. Do you think I don't know why this happened? You kept forcing yourself to be with the Welton boy and dragged the children along that this had happened. If you keep doing this, you'll only ruin your children! Now Alex is sick because of you!" Gregory Abiñon yelled furiously despite his wife's constant warning. When Sam heard all this, his heart dropped and it instantly broke into pieces. He watched his father with a face of horror, his voice ringing inside his head forcing him to close his eyes in both pain and frustration.

"S-stop..." Sam whispered, his voice trembling as he clutched his chest. It pains him to see his father being like this and saying these hurtful things to him. His father wasn't honestly the best out there but he still loved him, he didn't want to hate him despite what has been happening but with this now, his heart wanted to give up. His heart and mind want to completely close off the familial love he had with his father and just cut him off. It's painful but right now he has no choice, he and his children will only suffer if he continued to ask for his approval because no matter what, he didn't think his father was going to accept him being together with Zach.

"Please Stop it, Dad!" Sam said with his voice louder. This is the first time that he had yelled at his father. He couldn't take it anymore. His tears stream down uncontrollably looking at Gregory.

"Please, stop it already!" Sam conveyed closing his eyes again. All of this happened because of him. Sam wondered why can't his father couldn't understand that by him refusing Zach as the children's father is why this all had happened. The twins wished they had a complete and happy family with Zach and he's the only one that was against all of this that he and Zach had no choice but to hide and run away. He got sick and Allen and Alex almost even got lost and now Alex is sick. He hates to convey it but will his father stop if he or one of the twins dies?

"When are you going to stop all this, Dad? Just why can't you accept that Zach is Allen and Alex's father, they needed him. This didn't happen because of me, this happened because you're too stubborn to accept us. Please, my children are suffering from your selfish reasons. Are you going to stop when I die? When A-Alex does?" Sam yelled, crying with all his heart. He didn't care anymore what happened next. His father just had to stop.

***

To be continued...