Over The Rainbow (COMPLETED)

Over The Rainbow

Year 2023, Faulkerson Residence:

RJ sits face to face with her as she stands in front of him. Bright and curious brown eyes with a hint of juvenile concern gaze into his.

"Papa, why cwy Mama? Sad Mama?"

Charmaine, their 3-year old is smart. She is a keen observer, very curious, willful and smart, much like her Mom. She's also honest and speaks her mind which she got from him. It's hard to keep things from her so they decided to be just be straight with her about everything, explaining things to her in the best way that they can in ways that she can understand at her age.

They did not intend for the kids to speak in pure English but they learned and imitated the language from the shows they watch so they decided to just reinforce it to avoid confusion.

"They'll learn Filipino eventually." M said.

He straightens out her pigtails before saying, "Sweetheart, Mama's not sad. She's actually happy because Sebastian is coming. Her tummy just hurts a little that's why Papa has to take her to the doctor."

"S'astian huwt Mama?" She asks with tiny frown lines on her forehead.

RJ smiles to reassure her. "No, my Sweetheart, Sebastian is not hurting Mama. He loves Mama like you love her."

"Can I go to Mama now?"

"Yes, Sweetheart, let's go to Mama."

RJ takes her hand and leads her to the bedroom. They see Maine lying on her side and exhaling slowly. "Must be another contraction." He thought.

Charmaine rushes to the side of the bed. RJ helps her up to sit beside M.

"Mama, awe you okay?"

Her muscles are starting to relax now. Her contractions are now 30 minutes apart and they really need to go to the hospital. She chose to stay at home until she's into active labor because she wants to stay at home and around the kids as long as she can before leaving for the hospital.

Dra. Labrador is monitoring her via video call.

She manages a smile for their little girl and takes her tiny soft hands in hers.

"I'm okay, Sweetheart. Don't worry about Mama. I've been through this with you and Kuya Thirdy. Now Sebastian will be with us soon. Mama can handle it."

"Because Mama is super." Charmaine beams. She sees the sweat on M's forehead and wipes it with her hands. "Mama, I'll sing for you wike Papa does, okay?"

"Okay, Sweetheart. Mama would love that."

Charmaine crawls up by M's head with RJ's assistance and makes M lay her head on the little girl's lap. Their baby then starts combing through M's hair with her hands and sings in the best way her 3-year old voice can.

🎶Somewhere over the rainbow
Way up high
And the dreams that you dreamed of
Once in a lullaby🎶

It was a song she knows by heart because M sings it to them every night.

RJ then sits beside M and takes her hand. He joins their little girl in singing.

🎶Somewhere over the rainbow
Blue birds fly
And the dreams that you dreamed of
Dreams really do come true ooh oh🎶

Another contraction kicks in. M inhales slowly with her eyes closed, squeezes R's hand, bites her lip and exhales slowly. She tries her best not to show Charmaine her pain. Thankfully, she doesn't notice.