Emma
Gavin and I decided to spend the evening with Lily. Together.
We both wanted to talk and planned to do so as soon as she was asleep. After dinner, she had some playtime and then started yawning. "I'm screepy."
I smiled. My baby girl talked a lot, but she still had some trouble with her L's. I stood and made a move to get her but Gavin stopped me. "Ako na. Pahinga ka na diyan. Turn ko naman talaga tonight."
He picked her up and washed her. After changing her into her night clothes, he started reading to her so she can fall asleep. It's been months since I last witnessed this and it still astounds me what a great father Gavin is.
He joined me at the couch in his living room when Lily was finally knocked out. "O, bakit ang lalim ng iniisip mo?"
"Wala naman. I'm just thinking ulit na swerte din ako na ikaw yung naging daddy ni Lily," I admitted.
"Naks. Mangungutang ka ba?"
I hit him. Turning serious, I asked, "Do you ever regret it? That we had Lily?"
"God no. Ano ka ba? Nahirapan ako, oo. But never kong naisip to not have her and I always prayed that you'd keep her and allow me to take part in raising her."
I sighed.
Our Lily was unplanned. Gavin and I weren't even really dating. We met at a bar when we both got dragged along by friends. Our friends knew each other and joined tables and I ended up talking to Gavin.
On the third time our group met up, he brought me home for the first time. I was home alone, we were tipsy enough to let our inhibitions down and things happened.
And happened again the following day.
We said it was just that, a one night stand.
"Hanggang dun nalang yun ha?" I wasn't looking for a relationship and planned to focus on work because I was just a year out of college.
Gavin agreed. "Sige... pero ibig sabihin hindi na pwedeng mag request ng isa pa?"
"No... or... well maybe one more... long goodbye?"
Sobrang long and madalas and inabot ng one month yata ang paalam. Masarap eh. We just went at it.
So, I wasn't really surprised I was pregnant, but of course it still shocked me when I confirmed it.
Gavin was apologetic, but cautiously happy. "Anong plano mo? Please know that I'll support you whatever your decision is."
"I'm keeping our baby. I'm scared but... I'm keeping the baby."
He sighed in relief then smiled.
"I'm sorry I wasn't more careful about..."
"Ako din naman, I was too caught up. Ikaw kasi, ginalingan mo masyado."
My parents were disappointed at first and mad at Gavin, but eventually, when they saw how he helped me and was by my side every step of the way, they've accepted him as Lily's father. Still, they remain confused why it even happened when we weren't together.
Gavin, raised by a single mom because his father died when he was just a year old, didn't have difficulty when he informed his mom.
Tita Amelia was quiet at first, after we told her. She looked at me, as if assessing me because it was the first time we met, then asked, "Ibig ba sabihin nito magaling ang anak ko?"
"Ho?"
"Ang worry ko kasi diyan sa anak ko, sobrang nashelter ko... baka hindi marunong magpasaya ng babae!"
"MA!" Gavin protested.
"Ano?! Anak, those magazines you tried to hide from me can only teach you so much."
"Ma, naman!"
I tried to suppress my chuckle.
"Naku, hija! Pregnancy hormones will make you want more. Sana my anak can please you."
"Mama, please!!!"
"What?! She needs to be happy! If you don't, I'll disown you." Tita Amelia got up to leave. "But, oh my... an apo! I will spoil the baby and you can't stop me."
And just before she left, I heard her whisper to Gavin, "Galingan mo ha."
"Ma, buntis na nga!"
"Malay ko kung one time, big time yan." She pinched Gavin and then said, "I love all of you, you know? You, of course, but now also Emma and the baby! I cannot wait!!!"
—-
Note: Yes, kamag-anak ni Melissa si Tita Amelia.
