Hello, Love, I'm Home!

xvii: IN-GAME

RJ's POV

Isang napakaganda at payapang hapon na naman sa Casa Faulkerson. It's my game time before the princess Kaiah arrives from school.

Kathryn sat on the couch, her feet propped up on a pillow, scrolling through her phone. I had been playing Mobile Legends for years, lost in the thrill of the game, but it was a different kind of excitement when she looked up and said, "I want to try playing too, Love." Eyyy..

At first, I was surprised. She had never shown much interest in gaming. Diba palagi pa nga kami sinasaway dati? But the thought of us sharing this hobby made me grin. "Are you sure? It can get pretty intense, Mrs. Faulkerson," I warned her, half-joking.

"I'm ready for it, Love. Besides, I could use a distraction," she replied, a spark of determination in her eyes. With our baby due in just a few months, she was craving some fun amid the preparations and nesting.

I settled next to her, pulling out my iPad. "Okay, let's start with the basics. How about we play as a team? I'll teach you how to play as Angela—she's a support hero, so it'll be a good introduction."

"Sounds good to me," she said, smiling.

As I helped her download the game, I explained the basics: the map, the lanes, and the objective. I could see her eyes glazing over a bit, but I knew that once she got into it, she'd catch on. Matalino asawa ko eh. After a few minutes of navigating the menus, we finally entered the practice mode.

"Here we gowe!" I said, excitement bubbling in my chest. "Just remember, your main job is to keep an eye on me and help me when I need it."

"Got it. I'll be your guardian angel then," she teased, and I couldn't help but laugh.

Nag-umpisa na kami, and I took control of my favorite jungle hero, Lancelot. I explained how I would roam the map, securing objectives and ganking enemies while she focused on healing and supporting me. At first, she struggled with the controls, fumbling with the joystick and buttons.

"Just take your time," I encouraged. "You don't need to rush, Love. It's all about positioning."

As we ventured into our first match, I noticed how Kat's concentration deepened. I could see her taking in the vibrant graphics and sounds of the game, her nervousness slowly fading. I guided her on when to heal and how to use Angela's ultimate skill, which allowed her to dash to me, providing crucial support.

"Use your skills wisely," I reminded her. "Timing is everything."

After a few matches, she began to find her rhythm. I watched her blossom as she began to anticipate my movements, darting to my side just when I needed healing. "I think I'm getting the hang of this!" she exclaimed, a newfound confidence radiating from her.

"Absolutely! You're doing amazing," I praised. "Just keep watching the mini-map. You'll see where I'm headed and when we need to regroup."

As the hours passed, we lost ourselves in the game, the worries of the outside world fading away. Every victory felt like a triumph, each defeat a lesson learned. Kathryn's laughter filled the room when we outmaneuvered an enemy team, and I felt my heart swell with pride each time she made a critical play.

"Love, maghanda ka, I think I see a gank coming!" she shouted, her eyes wide with focus.

"Nice call! Let's regroup!" I replied, impressed by her growing instincts.

In the midst of our gaming session, she leaned back against the couch, her belly round and beautiful. "You know," she said, glancing at me, "this is more than just a game. It's like we're training for parenthood."