Tough & Classy

Epilogue

Epilogue: "You're that 'Once in a lifetime dream come true.'"

"Don't let them in. Don't let them see. Be the good girl you always have to be. Conceal, don't feel. Don't let them know. Well, now they know. Let it go. Let it go. Can't hold it back anymore. Let it go. Let it go. Turn away and slam the door."

I smiled watching my husband rock out to a Disney song while styling our five-year-old Chasia's pigtails. Our three-year-old, Coreen, played with her Barbies next to him, making the moment even sweeter.

This is the usual scene between my husband and our daughters. He has watched all their favorite Disney movies, memorized all their favorite songs, and even took them to Disneyland in Florida two months ago. Who would ever imagine that the resident bad boy of Imperial U would do all of these? 

Chester is a loving and devoted dad to our girls.

"How about Cierra, bubbs? Should we also tie her hair like her two sisters?" I asked, gently lifting our one-year-old daughter after getting her dressed.

He glanced at Cierra who was engrossed in her little world, busy sucking her tiny fingers, and smiled. "She hates it when we tie her hair."

Pursing my lips, I looked at our youngest and sighed. "Right."

Cierra looks just like my husband, while Chasia is my mini-me, both in looks and in being girly. Coreen, on the other hand, is a perfect mix of both of us.

"We should go. They're all waiting for us," he said, standing up and taking our youngest from me. 

I held the hands of both girls as we went down the stairs. On our way to Abuelita's house, the girls were happily singing Disney songs with Chester. 

When we got to Abuelita's house, Chester's parents were already there, waiting for us at the door. Both of them are so smitten by their granddaughters. They often visit our house and bring toys for them. Hindi sila nagkabalikan pero bigla silang nagkasundo dahil sa mga apo nila.

"Who would've thought I would get to see this?" Napatingin ako kay Abuelita. There was a look of contentment on her face while watching Chester and his parents playing with our girls. "I'm happy to see them like this. And we owe it all to your efforts, Claire."

On my fifth month of pregnancy with Chasia, I flew to Singapore without informing Chester. Naturally, he got upset. I could've explained the reason for my sudden trip, yet I chose to keep it a secret as I wasn't certain of the outcome. 

"I came here to give you this personally," I said, putting my baby's first sonogram on her table. "It's your grandchild."

Her brow rose and said coldly, "You came all the way here in Singapore just to give me this? Are you making me laugh?"

I smiled, ignoring her sarcasm. "Chester is so thrilled to meet our little one. I know he'll be a great father to our baby." Smiling, I caressed my tummy. "You can visit us anytime, tita. We would love to have you around and be part of our lives."

Her forehead creased.

"Chester doesn't say anything. But I know, deep down, he's hoping that one day you'll be part of his life. Our baby's life."

After that, I heard nothing from her. But I didn't let her silence discourage me. Hence, time and time again, I made sure to update her about my pregnancy, even sending recordings of her granddaughter's heartbeat.

Still, I got nothing from her. 

Fast forward to the day I gave birth to our little Chasia, she unexpectedly visited. I vividly recall the surprise on Chester's face when his mom made a surprise visit to the hospital.