Maybe This Time

16

"Maxie, baby, may sasabihin ako sa'yo, ha?" Aiah's voice was gentle but hesitant as she crouched down to meet Maxwell's wide, curious eyes. The little boy was in the middle of playing with his toy trucks on the living room floor, but the seriousness in his mommy's voice made him look up, pausing his play.

Maxwell, with his thick brows furrowed—so much like his father's—blinked at her, clearly confused. His messy curls bounced as he tilted his head, his tiny lips curling into a pout. "What, Mommy?"

Aiah bit her lip, her heart racing. She had practiced this in her mind so many times since that emotional night on the beach with MJ. Explaining to a 2-and-a-half-year-old that MJ, the man Maxwell adored so much, was actually his real father felt both overwhelming and heartwarming. This was the moment of truth, a delicate and precious step in finally making their little family whole.

She smiled softly, reaching out to gently push his curls back from his forehead. "Do you remember si Toto MJ?"

Maxwell's face lit up instantly. "Yes!" he squealed, bouncing excitedly in his little spot. "Toto MJ! He's coming to pick us up for work today, right Mommy?" The excitement in his voice made Aiah's heart swell. Maxwell loved MJ so much, always running to him the moment he saw him. She couldn't wait for the day MJ could be more than just "Toto" to him.

"Yes, baby," Aiah nodded, her heart racing as she prepared for the next words. "Pero," she paused for a moment, her eyes meeting Maxwell's, "Maxie, Toto MJ isn't just Toto. He's... he's actually your Daddy."

Maxwell's brows furrowed again, blinking up at her. "Daddy?"

Aiah nodded, swallowing the lump in her throat. "Yes, baby. Toto MJ is your Daddy. You can call him Daddy from now on, and he's going to take care of us, like a real Daddy does."

For a moment, there was silence as Maxwell tried to process the information, his little mind working through the words. Then, after what felt like an eternity, his face broke into a bright, toothy grin.

"Daddy MJ!" he squealed, jumping up and down, clapping his hands excitedly. "I have a Daddy! Yay!"

Aiah let out a breath she didn't realize she was holding, tears pricking at the corners of her eyes. She pulled him into a tight hug, kissing the top of his head. "Yes, baby, you have a Daddy. And he loves you very much."

Just as they embraced, the familiar sound of a car horn echoed from outside. MJ had arrived.

"Mommy! Mommy!" Maxwell squealed, wiggling out of Aiah's arms and running towards the door. "Daddy's here! Let's go!"

Aiah stood up, her heart filled with both nervousness and excitement. Today marked the beginning of a new chapter for all of them—a chapter where Maxwell would finally get to call MJ "Daddy," and where their friends would soon learn the truth.

---

When they arrived at the office, MJ parked the car and hopped out, his usual cool demeanor masking the nerves he felt inside. He walked over to Maxwell's side of the car, opening the door for him. The little boy practically leapt into his arms.

"Daddy!" Maxwell squealed again, wrapping his tiny arms around MJ's neck.

MJ froze for a moment, taken aback by the word, but then his heart melted. He hugged Maxwell tightly, his lips twitching into a warm smile. "Hey, buddy. How's my little man?"

"I'm good, Daddy!" Maxwell giggled. "We're going to work now, right?"

"Yup," MJ chuckled, lifting him up as they walked towards the office entrance with Aiah by their side.

But as soon as they stepped into the lobby, MJ's friends were waiting. Stacey, Maloi, Sheena, Cole, JC, and Gian were all gathered near the front desk, ready to bombard MJ with their usual teasing. Stacey, always the most boisterous of the bunch, was the first to speak up.