Fading Echoes

Special Chapter 4.2

Lui had been sick since the morning, his small body trembling with fever, and Irene, six months pregnant, had been tending to him all day. Lia, still a toddler, was also demanding her attention. Manang Yeda stepped in, doing her best to keep Lia occupied as Irene managed the chaos.

"Mommy... Mommy!" Lia cried out, her little arms reaching for Irene as Manang Yeda gently rocked her, trying to soothe the restless child.

"Shhh, busy ang mommy kay kuya... Kuya's sick," Manang Yeda whispered, her voice warm and soft, though Lia's tears were relentless.

Irene, exhausted, paced in Lui's room. The sight of her eldest lying there flushed and whimpering, tugged at her heart. She had already called Chelsea, who reassured her and prescribed some medicine, but the fever wasn't subsiding as fast as she hoped. Every whimper or cry from Lui made her want to break down herself, but she kept it together, placing a cool fever patch on his forehead and kissing him softly on his head.

"Mommy's here, baby. I won't leave you," she whispered, brushing his damp hair away from his forehead.

As the afternoon wore on, Lia eventually calmed down and fell asleep in her own room, thanks to Manang Yeda's care. Irene was still by Lui's side, comforting him as he cried softly, his small hands clutching her shirt, not wanting her to move. It was then that she heard the front door open. Greggy was home.

He checked in with Manang Yeda first, who told him Lia was napping but to check on Irene right away. "Naku, tignan mo rin si Irene at buong umaga na 'yan aligaga sa mga bata. Siguraduhin mong makakapagpahinga rin 'yan. Hindi magandang napapagod at stressed 'yan"

Greggy nodded, concern flashing across his face as he made his way upstairs. When he entered Lui's room, his heart clenched at the sight. Irene was curled up beside Lui, gently stroking his hair as their son rested fitfully against her.

Greggy let out a deep sigh and walked over. Irene looked up, her eyes tired but relieved to see him. She managed a small smile.

He bent down, pressing a soft kiss to her temple. "How are you, and how are the kids?" His voice was filled with concern.

Irene pouted, her lips trembling slightly as she felt the weight of the entire day rush over her. "It's been tough, love. Lui's been sick all day, throwing up since this morning. Lia wouldn't stop crying, and I just... I had to manage everything while also trying to take care of the baby," she said, placing a hand on her growing belly, her voice cracking slightly.

Greggy's heart ached for her. He could see how worn out she was, physically and emotionally. "I'm so sorry, lovey," he murmured, wrapping his arm around her. "Why don't you go to our room and rest? I'll handle the kids. You've done more than enough."

She hesitated at first, but her exhaustion was overwhelming. With a soft nod, she carefully disentangled herself from Lui and went to their room. As soon as she lay down, sleep took her.

Greggy, meanwhile, slipped into dad mode. He prepared dinner, checked on Lui, making sure he was still comfortable and had taken his medicine. When Lui asked for his mom, Greggy explained gently, "Mommy's resting so she can take care of baby Liam too. But I'm here, buddy. You need anything, you let me know."

Lui, though disappointed, seemed to understand, his eyelids growing heavier. Greggy kissed his forehead before heading back downstairs, where Lia had woken up and was pleading to see her mom.

"No, sweetheart. Mommy's resting. Let's play with these toys, okay?" Greggy said, pulling out Lia's favorite busy books and toys. He got her distracted enough that her demands for her mom quieted down, and soon, she was smiling again.

As they sat down for dinner, Irene instinctively reached for Lia, wanting to tend to her daughter. Lia wiggled in her high chair, impatiently waiting for her mom's attention, but before Irene could even lift the spoon, Greggy reached over and gently stopped her, placing his hand on hers.