About Sophie

Steady Me, Be My Source of Gravity

"Well, about Sophie po... paano ko po ba sisimulan. Sophie is just as special to me as Maine and I also love her dearly, with all my heart and life. Hindi ko po masasabi sa inyo kung sino ang mas mahal ko sa kanila kasi mahal ko po silang dalawa. It was love at first sight with Sophie. Come to think of it, na love at first sight din po ako kay Maine, hindi ko lang agad na-realize until nawala sya sakin noon. Pero si Sophie, the first time I met her, tumigil po ang mundo ko. Medyo dramatic pakinggan, pero yun po ang totoo. When our eyes first met, hindi ko na po ginustong alisin ang tingin ko sa kanya. When I first held her, it felt like I found a higher purpose for my life. Maine completed me, and Sophie solidified my existence in this world." I couldn't help but get teary eyed while watching the video of RJ's press conference. I didn't think it was possible to love him more than I already did. I will never tire of thanking God for bringing him to my life.

"So sino nga si Sophie? And okay lang ba kay Maine na may Sophie ka pa sa buhay mo?" Lhar Santiago, a reporter from GMA I was told, asked again.

"Tito Lhar, everyone, I've kept this long enough and I am sincerely regretting it because she deserved so much more. Sana matanggap nyo pa rin ako kahit malaman nyo kung sino siya sa buhay ko." He paused and roamed his eyes all over the room, as if making sure that everyone got his attention. The silence must have been deafening at that moment, because even I had to check the volume of the video I was watching if I lost the audio. After a few seconds, he nervously ran his fingers through his hair, then cleared his throat before speaking again.

"Sophie is my daughter. Anak po namin sya ni Maine." He finally said.

I had to pause the video and remove my sunglasses to wipe away my tears. I thought it was not a big deal to me, but now that he had announced it to the world, I realize how much I really wanted him to proudly talk to everyone about Sophie. I was full on crying while I continued watching the video and the commotion after his announcement. The press clamored for more and from what I could see from the video, the room felt every bit chaotic, but he just sat there smiling, contented, like heaven suddenly sent him angels to take all his burden from him.

I knew that smile. That's his smile whenever he would talk to me and Sophie. He'd never smiled like that on TV even when he's acting happy or being interviewed about random things. That was the first time, and it brings me so much happiness and assurance knowing that I was seeing that smile because he was talking about us.

I wiped the rest of my tears and closed the video coverage of his press conference. He didn't tell me that this was going to be the day. It was the best anniversary gift he could ever give me, even if it was a day late. I continued going through the hashtag of the day to see people's reactions about my husband's major revelations. #WhoIsMrsRichards trended almost immediately. Most fans were supportive and were just really curious about how I looked like and if our daughter got his dimple. #Sophie and #MaineRichards trended as well. It was crazy... and weird on my part because, well, first of all, our last name was Faulkerson. The only photos circulating in the twitter world were our photos two years ago at the airport when we finally reunited. There were no clear photos of me nor Sophie, most probably because the fans who took them were only interested in RJ at that time and focused all their lenses on just his face.

"Anak, look who made it." I looked up to see RJ standing next to Tatay who was holding a tall glass of halo-halo. I immediately stood up and threw my arms around his neck.

"O sya, iwan ko na muna kayo dyan." I mouthed a quick thank you to Tatay before he turned around and walked away.

"I've missed you, love. Akala ko mamaya ka pa dadating." I said against his neck. He held me tighter and lifted me off the sand before putting me down again and planting a soft but wet kiss full on my mouth. Good thing I was lounging at the farthest beach chair, away from the rest of my family, or they'd definitely feel uncomfortable at how RJ was being touchy right now. His hands roamed all over my body and his kisses were so intense that I imagined myself just melting in the heat of his entire body. Then he kissed my temple and just held me in a tight embrace when we came up for air.