Maybe This Time

17

The weekend sun filtered through the large windows of MJ's condo, casting a warm glow on the three of them as they prepared for their first weekend together as a family. Aiah was in the kitchen, prepping snacks for Maxwell, while MJ was playing with their little boy, who was currently fascinated with his miniature cars. The sound of their laughter echoed through the room, bringing a smile to Aiah's face as she glanced over at them from the kitchen.

It had only been a few days since Maxwell had started calling MJ "Daddy," and Aiah still felt a mixture of joy and nervousness about it. But every time she saw how happy Maxwell was with MJ, she knew she had made the right decision. Today, they were going to MJ's parents' house for dinner, where they would finally tell them the truth about Maxwell.

"*Mommy! Daddy said I can drive!*" Maxwell's high-pitched voice broke through her thoughts. He was sitting on MJ's lap, his small hands on the toy steering wheel of MJ's old car keys.

MJ grinned, ruffling Maxwell's hair. "*Oo, pero sa imagination lang muna, ha? Hindi pa puwede ang real car!*"

Aiah chuckled, shaking her head as she placed the bowl of fruit on the table. "*Masyadong excited si Maxie, Daddy MJ.*"

MJ looked up at her with a smile, the warmth in his eyes making her stomach flip. "*Anak ko 'yan, kaya mahilig sa cars,*" he said with a playful wink, earning a giggle from Maxwell who was now focused on pretending to steer an invisible car.

As the hours passed and afternoon turned into early evening, the three of them piled into MJ's car to head to his parents' house. Aiah felt a tightness in her chest—nervous anticipation as they approached the moment of truth. MJ had been calm about the whole thing, assuring her that his parents would be nothing but happy to finally know about Maxwell. But still, there was a part of Aiah that worried. What if they thought she had kept Maxwell away on purpose?

"*Don't worry,*" MJ's voice broke through her anxious thoughts, his hand reaching out to give hers a comforting squeeze as they drove. "*They'll be over the moon. Maxwell is their grandson, and they've been waiting for something like this forever.*"

Aiah gave him a small, grateful smile, squeezing his hand back. "*I hope so.*"

---

When they arrived at the Lim family's beach house, Aiah was momentarily distracted by how beautiful the place was. The house stood right by the shore, and she could hear the waves gently lapping against the sand as they walked up the path. Maxwell, ever the bundle of energy, bounced excitedly between them, holding both Aiah and MJ's hands as they approached the door.

"*Yay! We're going to see Lolo and Lola!*" Maxwell chirped, skipping along.

MJ laughed softly. "*Excited ka, ha?*"

The door opened just as they reached the porch, revealing MJ's mother, Myrla, with a welcoming smile on her face. "*Ayan na ang mga bisita ko!*" she exclaimed, her eyes twinkling as she crouched down to scoop Maxwell up in a big hug. "*Kamusta ka na, apo ko?*"

Maxwell giggled, wrapping his arms around his grandmother's neck. "*I'm good, Lola!*"

"*Tara na, pasok kayo, Aiah, MJ,*" Myrla said, waving them inside with a wide grin. "*Naku, your dad's been grilling nonstop since we told him you were coming.*"

Michael Lim, MJ's father, appeared from the kitchen, apron on and tongs in hand. "*Saktong-sakto! Handa na ang barbecue! Ako pa!*" he boomed, giving MJ a proud slap on the back before pulling him in for a quick hug.

Aiah smiled at the warmth of the welcome, though her heart still pounded in her chest. Maxwell wriggled free from Myrla's arms and ran towards Michael, who immediately scooped him up and held him high in the air, making the little boy squeal with delight.