Send Me In Orbit

Perfect

Clark knocked on the door of the Presidential Suite where his daughter was currently getting ready.

CJ opened the door and grinned at him. "Dad! Tamang tama. Pupuntahan ko na ang groom."

His son patted him on the shoulder and walked past him out onto the hallway. Clark made his way into the suite until he saw her...the bride.

Leah stood up from where she was arranging the train and smiled at him.

"Puntahan ko lang ang mga bridesmaid, tingnan ko kung ready na sila." She gave him a kiss and patted his chest before making her way past him.

The bride turned around and Clark's breath was taken away.

"Claire Bear..."

She beamed up at him. "Hi Daddy."

Tears filled his eyes as he looked at her. She was a vision in her white wedding dress, it had thin straps and the bodice was beautifully embroidered with silver beads, the skirt flowed down around her and spilled out behind her in a short one foot train. She was carrying the paper bouquet that Leah held at their wedding 27 years ago and on top of her head was the crown of little doves that Leah had worn, but Claire wore her long hair down with a small portion of it braided in the back. She looked so much like Leah on their wedding day but also like herself...his Claire, his baby. She was getting married.

"Daddy, huwag ka umiyak," Claire said. "Kapag umiyak ka, iiyak rin ako!"

"You're so beautiful, Claire," he said.

"Ikakasal na ako..." She breathed, like she still couldn't believe it.

"Are you ready?" He asked.

She nodded eagerly, no doubts or hesitations in her eyes.

"Good. Ang laki ng ginastos ko dito," he joked.

"Daddy!" Claire laughed and slapped his shoulder.

Clark took both of her hands in his. On her left hand was a simple and small but beautiful diamond ring. Big, flashy, shiny things never suited his simple tomboyish Claire. Her soon-to-be-husband knew this very well.

"Are you happy, Princess?" He asked.

"Sobra, Daddy. Sobra sobra. Hindi ko mapaliwanag, parang...buong buhay ko hinihintay 'to. Ang weird, noh? Hindi naman ako katulad ni Ceres at ni Issa na mahilig maglaro ng kasal kasalan. Hindi ako girly girl na nangangarap kung anong gown ang susuotin ko...pero ngayon na nandito na ako, parang natupad ang lahat ng pangarap ko na hindi ko alam na meron ako. Papakasalan ko si Henry." Her wide smile lit up her eyes and face and made her even more beautiful.

A tear fell down Clark's cheek. "Ganyan din naramdaman ko noong nagpakasal kami ng Mommy mo. I'm happy for you, Baby. I'm happy that you found a real love."

"Talaga?" Claire asked. "Kahit ikakasal na ako na wala pa akong 30?"

Clark laughed. "You know I was never serious about all that. Basta masaya ka at nakahanap ka ng tao na magmamahal sa 'yo ng buong buo...masaya ako."

Claire hugged him and Clark held her tightly, relishing holding his little girl for the last time. In an hour's time she will no longer be his Claire Medina. She will be Mrs. Claire Suarez.

~

The backyard was full of screaming and laughter. A two year old ran past wearing only his diaper, his clothes suddenly gone. CJ's eyes widened and he handed the barbecue tongs to Lucas.

"Alexander Clark!" He yelled. "Alex! Bumalik ka dito!"

Clark watched his son chase his grandson into the very playhouse he had built for CJ, now being used by his grandchildren.