Six months later…
Gavin checked his email as he thawed some hotdogs in the microwave. It was his turn to make breakfast that weekend so he let Fran sleep in. She had moved in with him in a plush condominium unit near Orchard Road, one of the many perks afforded by his job. Business was doing great; Lee Holdings was slowly but surely gaining a foothold in the Southeast Asian market.
There were several emails needing his attention --- some from his assistant and some from his account managers. He quickly scanned through each one and made a mental note to reread them later. Domestic duties were calling.
While the hotdogs fried, he quickly whipped up an omelet and started the coffeemaker, humming an old song as he did. He enjoyed cooking for Fran, just as he enjoyed doing the laundry and dishes with her. Fran would often tease him, saying that he was becoming domesticated. “Puwede na ba ‘ko mag-asawa, babe?”, he would tease her in return. In truth, nothing was too trivial or too difficult for him, as long as they were together.
Fran emerged from the bedroom just as he finished cleaning up.
“Morning, babe. Breakfast?” Gavin placed the plateful of hotdogs on the table.
Fran took her seat, unusually quiet.
“Babe, still sleepy?” Gavin poured her some coffee and placed two hotdogs and an omelet on her plate.
“Thanks.” Fran muttered and took a tiny sip of coffee.
“Since school break niyo na, where do you want to go? I can take three days off from work. How does Bangkok sound?” Gavin went on while bolting down his food.
Fran shrugged as she picked at her food. “Anywhere, babe. You decide.”
Gavin paused, fork in mid-air. He sensed something amiss. “Babe, what’s wrong?”
She shook her head. “Nothing…..maybe I just need to sleep.”
“Sige, just go back to sleep after eating….I’ll clean up….. And by the way, Pam texted me a while ago…..she’s inviting us to her wedding.”
Fran’s face lit up a bit. “Talaga?”
“Yup, next month.” Gavin nodded. “It’s a weekend….puwede tayong balikan.” He paused, gazing at her with a faint smile. “You’ll be graduating in six months, tama ba, babe?”
“Maybe.” She eyed him warily.
He reached across the table to cradle her hand. “After you graduate in six months…..we can get married.”
Fran resisted the urge to suddenly giggle. “Gavin….is that a question? Or a statement.”
“Both.”
She paused, weighing her words. He watched her reaction like a hawk.
“My answer is…No.”
“No?” His face went pale. “Why?”
“Because I’m delayed.” She remarked matter-of-factly.
“Babe, that’s okay.” He let out a faint smile. “I don’t care if it takes you another year or even two years to graduate……I’ll wait.”
“That’s not what I meant.”
Gavin scratched his temple. “You lost me there.”
Fran sighed. “I meant --- I can’t wait for six months to get married because---“ She hesitated.
“Because?” Gavin urged her.
“Because… I’m pregnant.”
.
.
.
.
Several weeks later....
.
Gavin awoke to the sound of light snoring beside him. He turned his head to gaze at his wife, her face half covered by her long hair and one leg crossed over his thigh. He turned his body to fully face her, careful not to make any sudden movement. With his hand, he brushed away her long tresses from her face and planted a soft kiss on her forehead.
“Hmmm..”, she grumbled softly and turned on her back.
He gazed lovingly at her peaceful face, now with a hint of a smile on her lips. “What could she be dreaming about?”, he wondered. He glanced down at her hands, both resting on her lower abdomen, a seemingly unconscious gesture to protect the growing life within. He wrapped his arm around her and buried his nose in her hair.
“I love you.”, he whispered.
She stirred ever so slightly, her eyes still shut, and mumbled, “Luv wrr..” Gavin laughed softly. She stirred again, this time opening her eyes.
“Why are you laughing?”, she muttered sleepily.
“Nothing….ang cute mo kasi.”
She yawned and rubbed her eyes. “Pinapanood mo na naman ako?”
“I love watching you sleep.” He smiled, gazing into her eyes.
She let out a faint smile. “I know why……kasi pag tulog ako….di kita sinusungitan.”
“Hindi naman.” His brows creased. Although it was true that she was more irritable these past few weeks, he kept his cool. He had been sufficiently warned by his mom and sister and even by Fran’s OB-Gyne, about the possible extreme moods of infanticipating women and that it was up to him to adjust.
Fran shifted to lay her head on his chest while he caressed her back. “Sorry babe, kung masungit ako lately.”
“Babe, it’s okay. Besides, cute ka naman pag masungit eh.”
She lifted her head and pouted at him. “Hmp.” Abruptly, she pushed herself off the bed and stood up.
“O, bakit?” Gavin sat up, wondering what he said wrong.
“I have to pee.” Fran hurried to the bathroom as he watched her, relieved and amused at the same time. She emerged from the bathroom after a few minutes, her face worried.
“What’s wrong, babe?”
She stood in front of the dresser mirror, studying her reflection. “Naisip ko lang….in a few months ang taba ko na siguro….”
Gavin stood behind her, enveloping her in his arms. His hand caressed the tiny bump on her tummy. “Even if you weigh 200 pounds, you’re still the most beautiful woman in the whole world.”
She leaned against his chest with a half-smile which quickly turned sour.
“O, bakit na naman?” Gavin was baffled.
Fran pursed her lips. “I’m hungry…..gusto ko ng cereal…with banana slices.”
“Tara na, let’s have breakfast then.” Gavin took her hand and led her through the door.
“…and siomai.” She added.
“At your service, Mrs. Lee.” Gavin laughed.
THE END
