"Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you, happy birthday, happy birthday, happy birthday to you!!!"
"O daddy, it's your turn to blow the candle."
"Ako ba? Sige ba!" Daddy Dante closed his eyes and after a minute, blowed the three candles.
"Happy Birthday apo! Mahal na mahal ka namin! Sana mayakap na kita ng mahigpit na mahigpit."
"Yon po ba ang wish mo daddy?"
"Marami anak, maraming marami, but the bottom line is, sana tuluy-tuloy na ang paggaling ng apo ko."
"Huwag na po kayong mangamba, your wish is granted," narinig nilang sinabi ng doktora nang pumasok ito ng kuwarto.
They were inside Samantha's room, celebrating the third month since baby Lauren was born. Karga-karga ang bata ng mommy niya.
Napatingin sila lahat sa doktora na may hawak na folder.
"And since we're celebrating her third month, I think it's time for another good news," sabi pa nito sa kanila.
All of them suddenly stopped moving. If only someone could take a picture of all their faces, it would be one of the most memorable moments, because all of them are waiting for the good news to come in. Not that they didn't mind the other good news or miracles that came in the past three months, receiving one that would finally convince them that baby Lauren is fully healed, lalo na siya, is something else.
He felt Sam's hand gripped his shirt upon hearing the word "good news".
"What is it Doc?" siya ang naglakas-loob na nagtanong sa butihing doktora.
"I have with me here the result of baby Lauren's test and progression. And congratulations! She had passed them remarkably! Just one more result that will come in one or two days and she can celebrate her first Christmas at home, with her family."
No one reacted.
She what?
"You're kidding me!" narinig niyang bulong ni Samantha.
"Tell me you're not joking, Doctora," naninigurado niyang tanong.
"I never joke in this kind of situation hijo. But as I said, if the result continues to be positive, then I'll sign the release papers. She can be home before Christmas."
"Oh Christ! Thank you!! Thank you!!" he rejoiced habang yakap-yakap si Samantha. Halos pumutok didbdib niya sa sobrang saya. "Narinig mo yon, honey? Magaling na talaga ang anak natin! We can finally go home!"
Puro tango lang si Samantha sa kanya. Sigurado siya, tulad niya, wala ring pagsidlakan ng tuwa ang babae. All through out the period na nag-stay ang bata sa incubator, wala na namang naging complications pa dito. Sa katunayan, maski ang doktora ay humanga sa bilis ng recovery ni baby Lauren. He was sure his daughter will fully recover, but he never expected it would be this early.
For the first time, he is going to celebrate Christmas, the occassion he never recognized before nor bothered to think about.
And now it would be a complete one. And with his loved ones.
Pero may kulang pa pala.
Hindi pa sila pamilya sa totoong ibig sabihin ng salitang "pamilya".
Plano niya sanang yayain ulit si Samantha. For the nth time, he was opting to suggest they marry, pero sa tuwina, nakikita niyang ang isip ng babae ay nasa bata. Nakatutok sa bata. It even came to a point he got jealous of the attention but he immediately erased the thought.
