Emma
I woke up earlier than Gavin and Lily the following day.
It was a Saturday and he didn't have work and Lily didn't have play school, so I let them sleep in. Watching them as I sipped my coffee, I recall the sacrifices Gavin and I had to make when we found out we were having a baby.
*
Luckily, we had our parents support and living at home meant savings for me. I saved part of my salary for my medical expenses and spent some of the rest to buy stuff that the baby would need. Gavin did pretty much the same.
When he found out the cost of a caesarian section, he sold his condominium unit, moved home, and added the proceeds of the sale to our fund.
"I'm sorry. I know that unit meant a lot to you. First home mo yun eh."
He looked sad, but shrugged if off and faced me with a brave face. "Don't worry about it. The baby and you are more important. I need to make sure we have enough just in case you would need that operation."
Other than financial support, he established himself as a real partner with me in this. After apologizing again to my parents, with his mom in tow, he made sure to be with me in every check up and ran around town to get what I was craving for at any particular day.
One time, he arrived at our house very late at night and my dad reprimanded him. "Gavin, anong oras na o? Tulog na nga ang asawa ko. Ano bang ginagawa mo dito?"
"Sorry po, Sir. Naghahanap po kasi si Emma ng mangga't bagoong tapos kailangan daw ako pa magluluto nung bagoong. Pati balot nagpahanap, pero gusto niya daw puti yung sisiw sa loob."
My father took pity on him and let him in. None of the balut had a white chick inside and just looking at one made me sick. "How dare you! That's a baby! Tapos ipapakain mo sa kin! You vile human being!"
"But, ikaw ang nag request nito, di ba? Ginawa ko lang naman yung gusto mo. Sorry kung walang puting sisiw. Paano ko naman kasi titingnan?"
He was begging for me to understand, but my irrational mind was so pissed, I didn't want to see him for days. However, on the third day of not seeing him, I found another reason to pick a fight. I called him and ranted, "Ganun nalang? Iiwan mo na ako? Ha? Ha?"
He appeared at my house as soon as he could and begged,"Emma naman... hindi ko na alam ang gagawin ko. I'm really trying my best."
My heart broke seeing how dejected he was. I rushed to him and held his face. "I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I can't control my emotions lately. I'm sorry."
Gavin looked at me and stroked my hair. "Nahihirapan ka ba?"
"Not really. Just... I have these cravings and I'm usually annoyed at you or at want to look at you all the time. And my god, your scent. It's driving me crazy, Gavin," I admitted. His mother was right. "Would it be so bad to... you know? I'm pregnant na naman eh."
He laughed. "Ikaw talaga. I don't want you to regret anything."
"I won't. When the baby is out, I promise not to jump you. Just please help me out!"
*
I blushed at the memory.
"Hija! You're here!" Tita Amelia walked in dragging a trolly of groceries, toys and clothes. "Is it good news? Are you and Gavin finally making my second apo?"
"Mama!"
We turned to see Gavin, carrying a barely awake Lily, enter the dining area.
"What?" Tita Amelia asked, innocently. "She's here, you're here. Or is my baby Lily sick?"
"I'm not sick, Lola Mimi."
"Oh good! So, it's baby-making!"
"Ma!" Gavin covered Lily's ears.
"How to make babies, Lola Mimi? With clay?"
Gavin and I groaned. This was not the talk we wanted to have with Lily.
"Hmmm.... yes clay. Mommy has a special clay and Daddy has a special clay. And Mommy's clay looks like pot and Daddy's stick clay will --"
"Ma!!!!"
