Three Little Heartbeats

Chapter 52: Building Bridges

Morning sunlight streamed through the curtains, bathing the room in a soft, golden glow. Alexia stirred first, blinking against the light as she slowly became aware of her surroundings. For the first time in what felt like forever, there was no weight pressing down on her chest, no lingering worry keeping her from fully breathing in the peacefulness of the morning. She glanced over at Sandro, still asleep beside her, his face calm and serene. The lines of tension that had once marked his features had faded.

For a moment, she just watched him, feeling the quiet contentment that came with knowing they had crossed the hardest parts of their journey. But even with the peace they had found, there were still bridges to build—within their relationship and with the extended Marcos family.

Alexia slipped out of bed quietly, careful not to wake Sandro, and padded down the hall to check on the twins. Pushing the nursery door open gently, she found them still asleep, their tiny chests rising and falling in perfect unison. A smile tugged at her lips as she watched them, thinking of the future ahead. This was home now—a place where they could raise their children, far from the chaos of secrets and misunderstandings.

Her phone buzzed on the dresser, breaking her reverie. She glanced at it and saw a message from Imee, Sandro's aunt.

**Imee Marcos**: *Good morning, Alexia. I wanted to check in on how you're settling in. The family is asking about you and the twins. Perhaps you'd like to join us for lunch today? No pressure, of course—just family time.*

Alexia hesitated for a moment, her thumb hovering over the screen. She still wasn't sure where she stood with the family, even after the dinner the previous night. Though they had been warm and welcoming, she knew that her presence—and the twins'—was a significant change for them all. But then, she thought of Sandro, of the promises they had made, and of the future they were trying to build. If they were truly going to move forward, she had to find her place in his world, not just as his partner but as part of his family.

With a deep breath, she typed a response.

**Alexia**: *Thank you, Tita Imee. I think we'd love that. See you at lunch.*

As she sent the message, she heard Sandro's footsteps behind her. Turning, she saw him standing in the doorway, his hair tousled from sleep, a sleepy smile on his face.

"Who's that?" he asked, rubbing his eyes.

"Imee," Alexia replied, slipping her phone into her pocket. "She invited us for lunch today."

Sandro raised an eyebrow, intrigued but cautious. "You're up for that?"

Alexia nodded. "I think it's time. If we're really going to make this work, I have to stop holding back. Your family has been supportive, and I want to be a part of that."

Sandro crossed the room and wrapped his arms around her, pulling her close. "Thank you," he whispered into her hair. "I know this isn't easy, but we'll do it together."

By the time they arrived at Imee's house for lunch, the sun was high in the sky, and a light breeze carried the scent of the sea through the air. The gathering was far more intimate than the dinner at Malacañang of the North, with just Sandro's immediate family and a few cousins present. Imee greeted them warmly at the door, her sharp eyes immediately softening as she spotted the twins in their stroller.

"They're growing so fast," Imee said, bending down to smile at the babies. "We'll need to start planning family outings before they're old enough to run off on their own."

Alexia smiled, feeling her nervousness ease slightly. There was something about Imee's directness that put her at ease, like she didn't have to guess where she stood.

As they made their way inside, Sandro's father, Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr., was seated at the dining table with his wife, Liza. Both of them looked up as Alexia and Sandro approached. Bongbong smiled warmly, though there was a seriousness in his eyes that Alexia couldn't quite place.

"Welcome," Bongbong said, rising to greet them. "It's good to have you both here."

Liza stood as well, her gaze softening as she looked at the twins. "They're beautiful, Sandro, Alexia. You must be so proud."

Alexia smiled politely, her heart still beating a little faster in the presence of Sandro's parents. She had met them before, of course, but now everything felt different. There was an unspoken acknowledgment in the air—that they were not just guests, but family. And with that came the responsibility of navigating the complex dynamics that came with being part of the Marcos legacy.

As they sat down to lunch, the conversation flowed easily, centering around family stories and memories. It was Imee who eventually steered the conversation toward the twins, her curiosity apparent.

"So, Alexia," Imee began, her tone light but probing, "what are your plans now that you're back here in Ilocos with the children? Will you be staying here long-term?"

Alexia hesitated for a moment, glancing at Sandro, who gave her an encouraging nod. "I think so," she said slowly. "This is where Sandro's family is, and it's where our children belong. We want to build a life here, where they can grow up surrounded by family."

Imee nodded approvingly, though there was a sharpness to her gaze that didn't escape Alexia. "Family is everything. But it's also important to think about the future. Raising children in the public eye, in this family, comes with its own set of challenges."

Alexia understood the underlying message. Being part of the Marcos family meant more than just being with Sandro. It meant being part of a legacy that was constantly scrutinized by the world. And while she had known this intellectually, hearing Imee say it aloud brought it into sharp focus.

"I know it won't be easy," Alexia admitted. "But Sandro and I are committed to making it work. Our priority is our children and giving them the best life we can."

Sandro reached over and took her hand under the table, a silent show of support. "We'll figure it out together," he added.

Bongbong, who had been quiet for most of the conversation, finally spoke up. "You're right to be thinking about the future, Alexia. And as long as you're both committed, you'll find a way to balance everything. Family comes first, always."

Alexia smiled, feeling a sense of relief wash over her. Despite the underlying complexities, there was a genuine warmth from Sandro's family, a desire to welcome her and the twins into their fold. And that was a start.

After lunch, as the family gathered in the living room for coffee and conversation, Sandro's cousins gathered around the twins, who were now awake and babbling. The sight of the Marcos family—so often portrayed in the media as distant and powerful—fawning over her children, laughing and cooing, filled Alexia with a sense of calm she hadn't expected. This was her new normal, and slowly but surely, she was beginning to find her place in it.

Later that afternoon, as they prepared to leave, Imee walked them to the door. "We'll be seeing a lot more of each other, I hope," she said, her tone lighter now. "Family gatherings are always more fun with little ones running around."

Alexia smiled. "We'll be there."

As they drove home, the sun beginning to set on the horizon, Sandro reached for Alexia's hand again. "That went well," he said, his voice filled with relief.

Alexia nodded. "I think we're starting to find our way."

Sandro smiled, glancing in the rearview mirror at the twins, who had fallen asleep once again. "We've got this. Together."

And as the car wound its way through the peaceful streets of Ilocos, Alexia couldn't help but feel that for the first time in a long while, she was exactly where she was meant to be. A part of something bigger, a part of a legacy—but most importantly, part of a family.