Carisia
"Surprise!"
I jumped in shock when I was greeted by familiar faces!
Enrico checked us in a hotel and brought me to a suite as his 'just because' gift, but turns out na it's something totally different pala!
"What are you all doing in here?" I asked in surprise as I switched gazes between my husband who was standing behind me and to the girls who mean so much to me.
"Well, we thought maybe the aunties could already give their gifts to the baby!" Mia answered enthusiastically.
I looked at Enrico so I can thank him for helping with the surprise, but he looked a bit busy on his phone so I diverted my attention back to the girls.
Mia took me by the arm and carefully pulled me to sit on the sofa.
"Kayo na munang bahala kay Cari. I'll leave you girls so you can enjoy," Enrico told us.
Though I wanted him to stay, I realized that this is a chance for us, girls, to bond. It's been a while na rin kasi.
I clutched the hem of his polo shirt and I pulled myself up with his immediate assistance. "Where are you going?" I whispered.
"I'll be in the room if you girls need me. Enjoy it," he said before discreetly planting a kiss on my cheek.
After he walked away, the girls pulled me back towards them. "We missed you ha! Ang dami mong na-miss and we definitely need to catch up!" Xandra cheerfully said.
***
"Thank you, girls ha! You didn't have to, but I appreciate every single gift, and your presence rin, of course," I spoke with the utmost gratitude for their time and effort to throw a cute and intimate baby shower for us.
"Ano ka ba? Of course, this is the first baby of the group, 'no! We'll spoil her rotten and there's nothing you can do about it, mommy," Mia teased, making the rest of us laugh.
Trina, who was sitting beside me, couldn't stop rubbing my small baby bump the whole time. "And syempre, we have to be the best Titas because what are we still doing here if we're not?" she said.
"By the way, have you thought of a name na ba?" Mia asked, sparking the curiosity in the circle.
"Oo nga, I'm sure her name will be as beautiful as she is," Xandra agreed.
"Enrico and I are still deciding on it," I answered with a smile plastered across my face.
"I'm excited!" Trina gushed while clapping her hands together.
In the midst of this lighthearted conversation, my gaze met with Mia's, and as if we both understood what each glance meant, a heartwarming smile appeared on our faces.
They all know what I went through in this marriage, but the deepest parts of it were known only by Mia and I. She's the one I used to call when I'm crying because of my situation, and she's the one who I first tell about the good things that are happening between Enrico and I.
"Tara! Let's eat na, baka the baby's hungry already!" Xandra exclaimed as she stood up, inviting us to get up, as well.
"You girls go ahead sa dining. I'll just check in with Enrico," I told them. It's been an hour na rin kasi, and I'm wondering what that man is up to.
They all flashed a teasing smile at me, causing me to roll my eyes at them. "Sige na, save me some food. I'll join you in a few."
They headed to the dining area, while I made my way to the master bedroom.
The door was unlocked so I knocked twice before I turned the knob.
On the bed, I found Enrico sitting against the headboard with a laptop placed on his legs.
He instantly noticed my presence, a smile drawing on his lips. "What are you doing here?" he asked.
I got in bed with him, so he set his laptop on the bedside table and scooted next to me.
"Wala, I just wanted to see what you're up to. Kakain na kami. You want to join?"
He pulled me by the waist, and slightly tickled my neck by nuzzling his nose there. "No, I want you to enjoy your time with your friends," he said.
I clung around his stomach for quite and while, just enjoying this quick, little escape.
"Go back to your friends. Baka hinahanap ka na nila."
I pouted as I lifted my head up from the crook of his neck, flashing a frown on my face. "Are you pushing me away? Did you plan this baby shower so you can get rid of my clingy-ness for a while? Are you tired of me, huh?"
He looked confused as he pulled his head back with his eyes looking puzzled. "What? What are you saying? Is that the hormones making you moody again?"
I rolled my eyes at him because I feel like he wants some time to himself kaya niya 'to ginagawa. I might be pushing him too much. Ugh!
"I'm letting you enjoy with your friends because after your little party, you're all mine again," he huskily uttered while playing with my hair.
Okay, I admit, that was hot!
"So you'll be fine here?" I asked to make sure.
"Yes. I'll wait for you here." He gently grabbed me by the neck, directing my face towards him before kissing my lips, tender and sweet.
"Okay, I'll see you later!" I winked after.
He flashed a smirk while eyeing my entirety, not just my face. "See you later."
***
Enrico
That was a quick save. She almost saw what I was doing on my laptop.
Well, it's nothing much. I'm just browsing for the best shops and companies that we could buy the baby stuff from. I want it to be the best for our girl.
At the same time, I'm also thinking of what I could give as a present for Cari once she gives birth. Deciding whether to take her on a vacation or just buy her something that she could use for a long time. Maybe both? I don't know.
It's a funny thing actually. I used to always know what I want, what I need, but somehow, I'm stomped right now and I don't know what to decide on, without Cari's help.
On another tab, I was looking up for baby names. There's an awful lot to choose from, but I still can't decide what to pitch to Cari when we start having name suggestion talks.
I didn't realize that having a baby is this hectic, and it's not even me who's giving birth. In a few months, we'll meet our little bundle of joy, and I don't know how ready I am to parent a child. Never done it, and have no experience whatsoever. All I know is keep a company thriving and standing tall. I have no idea how to raise a child.
Dang, I might mess this child up. I can't do that! I shouldn't.
It sounds awfully cheesy, but I want to give this kid what Cari and I weren't able to have as children. I don't want her to think that her father could easily give her up for business or money, and I don't want her to think that her mother just obeys whatever her father says, despite how wrong things are.
I don't want this child to have the childhood that Cari and I had. I want her to be surrounded by healthy relationships and a happy environment, and that meant keeping my promises to her Mom because I love them both.
I didn't realize how deeply in love I am now with Cari, until I found myself only thinking about her and the baby almost all day, everyday. To some, it might sound unbelievable that the Enrico who was once in love with another woman, the Enrico who wanted to fight for that relationship fell madly inlove with the woman who used to treat him as her mortal enemy.
Maybe destiny is real. Maybe that's what brought Cari and I together.
Maybe that destiny is our child.
*
End of Chapter 22
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