Hello, Nak.

The skies were clear as RJ drove through the interstate. The bag of clothes he packed the night before, sliding along the back seat of his rented pick-up truck as he drove through the winding roads that led up to the ski lodge, his window rolled down slightly.

The funeral he attended for Mackenzie--his supposed to be goddaughter from Kevin-- earlier made him appreciate his family more, gave him all the more reason to relish in the fact that they were with him. He remembered how he found himself imagining how his goddaughter would look like, wondered how she would grow. She'd probably have Anj's eyes, he thought sadly as he took a right and merged to the second freeway.

It was heartbreaking to say the least, to see two people who'd make wonderful parents mourn for the loss of their child. He felt his tie tighten around his neck as his mind flew back to what had happened earlier, the tears that fell from Anj and Kevin's face, and the ones others tried to hide for them, flashing in front of him as if it were happening again. He had been where they were, felt what they felt, and mourned what they mourned. And as much as he wanted to be there for them, there was something at the back of his mind that told him to let them be for a moment, to let them realize the reality of their situation themselves and come in when they ask.

The air felt hot and heavy around him, his chest heaving. He loosened his tie in a haste and threw it haphazardly on the passenger seat, his fingers fumbling as he unbuttoned the tops of his shirt.

He focused on calming the beating of his heart, focused on how he looked forward to this week, and how he was finally given a small window of escape from work and its troubles-- The Faulkersons were in a vacation after all.

A smile crossed his lips as he imagined walking through the doors of the suite Maine got for them, saw how his kids would be running around or playing with their electronics as his wife held on to their newborn while laughing or maybe screaming at the rest.

Coming up to the entrance of the ski resort, RJ slowed his truck down to a stop and asked the guard for the quickest way to the lodge, listening intently to the directions he gave before he nodded his thanks and began driving.

The resort was beautiful, just as Maine mentioned, snow covering almost everything and glistening below the sun that shone above them. Wooden cabins lined up the streets with pine trees littered on either side, all stretching for as far as his eyes could see.

Shutting the engine of his truck off, he reached behind him to grab his bag and checked himself in quickly through the reception area, his duffel moving lazily as it hung from his shoulders. He climbed up from one floor to the next, his eyes darting from one room number to another until he found what he was looking for.

Using the card given to him by the receptionist, he slid it through the door swiftly before pushing it forward, his head peaking through the gap before the familiar voice of his daughter suddenly bounced against the walls of the suite.

"Daddy!"

A chuckle escaped RJ's lips as he walked in through the door, setting the duffel he carried aside before he bent on his knees and opened up his arms to receive the hug from his daughter. "Bibi ko!" he sang as he hugged her off the floor. Pulling away from his daughter, he glanced around for his sons, his eyebrows furrowing when he wasn't able to see them. "Nasan sila kuya?" Meeting little Rosario's eyes, RJ offered her a smile as he fixed the collars of her sweater, his eyebrows raised in anticipation of her answer.

"They're outside playing po with lolo."

"Ohh," he said, "How about mom? You know where she is?"

A huge grin crossed Rosario's lips as she grabbed her father's hand and began to drag him to the room Maine was, skipping in her steps as she told him the things they have already done and the things they could do for the whole week in a breath.

"All that sounds fun, Bibi," RJ said, his voice soft as he took in what was in front of him: Maine, standing over the crib the lodge provided for them, her back facing him as she bent over and carried Nathan out from the crib.

His eyes grew warm as he walked towards her, little Rosario quietly in tow. He tapped Maine's shoulder once just to let her know he was there before wrapping an arm around her. "Hi, Mommy," he said quietly as he kissed her on the cheek.

"Na miss ka ng mga anak mo, mahal," Maine answered with a smile before leaning her head back onto RJ's chest.

"How are you holding up?"

"Better, nandito ka na eh. Pa-sub ref, si mommy kailangan ng maligo ." She laughed.

RJ chuckled and kissed Maine on her forehead before digging his nose into her hair and pulling back with scrunched up look on his face. "Bango padin!"

"Utot mo."

It's time like these that RJ looked forward to, time spent with his family doing anything and nothing under the sun, time he'd always do anything for, even when it sometimes meant spending an entire day awake for a shoot because he wants it all done before a Sunday.

Picking Nathan up from Maine's arms, RJ could already feel his heart soar heights just by looking at his newborn, his eyes swimming with overwhelming love, adoration and pride for the little one he carried in his arms.

He glanced up at Maine with a huge grin on his face and leaned in to kiss her softly on the lips. "Kamukha mo talaga, mahal," he said as he looked at Nathan, rocking him back to sleep. "Hi, nak, miss mo na ako noh? Okay lang yan, di mo na ako kailangan mamiss dahil I'm here. Nandito na si tatay."

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A/N

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