Note: Hi! I've been meaning to individually reply to all your comments, but I don't know why after reply to a few, WP won't allow me to anymore, so pasensya na! But I am so thankful and greatly encouraged by your words. And I do hope the story puts a smile on your face =)
~maia~
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Gavin
"Good morning, Lily!"
"Daddy!!!" Lily launched herself to hug me. "You're here early!"
"Siyempre naman! You were good in school last week and this was your wish, di ba?"
My little girl nodded. "Thank you, Daddy! Mommy made pancakes!" We headed to the dining room, where Emma was setting up the table. "Mommy! Daddy's here!"
Emma, wearing a blue dress that hugged her curves perfectly, but barely showed any skin, looked up and gave me a wide smile. "Good morning!"
I walked up to her and kissed her cheek, then handed the flowers I got for her. "Good morning, Sweetheart. You look breathtaking today."
"Thank you. You're not so bad yourself."
I liked holding her like this, one arm around her waist, the other massaging her neck and keeping her even closer to me, her hands on my chest... Then, a certain little girl found a little space between us and camped there, hugging our legs. "Daddy, do I have choco milk? Mommy, can I have pancakes now? My tummy says 'penge food, Beary Beary'."
I laughed at Lily's antics. "Yes, I bought you your choco milk. Let's go, eat breakfast na and I'll bring you and Mommy to school and her office."
"Really?!" They both asked. When I said yes, they both gave me giant hugs.
This has to be what heaven feels like.
During breakfast, I brought up another topic with Emma. "Em... ano kasi... may family day sa office namin, two Saturdays from now. Gusto ko sana kayo invite ni Lily? Parang fair kasi yung set up and I think Lily might enjoy?"
"Sure. Wala naman kaming lakad. You can take Lily."
"No, ano... kayo sanang dalawa? Free ka ba?"
"Me?"
I nodded, hoping.
"S - sige. Sasama kami."
"YEHEY!!!!!!!! May carousel ba dun, Daddy?! I want to ride there." Lily chatted away, excitedly speculating what she would find in the fair.
I turned to Emma, took her hand and kissed the back of it. "Thank you, Sweetheart."
"You're welcome. Thank you for inviting me. Gavin, after the fair, we have to start discussing plans for Lily's birthday, malapit na din kasi." She leaned closer to me.
"Oo naman. How about a surprise party? Is she too young kaya?"
"I don't know. Maybe we can ask her first what she would want."
"MOMMY, DADDY why kayo nagwhiwhisper? Is it a secret? Why is Lily not kasali?" We turned to find her curiously looking at us.
"Yes, it's a secret, baby! We'll tell you soon, okay?"
"Okay! I know about secrets. Lola Mimi and Lily has also."
Emma and I exchanged a look. "Lily, baby, what did Lola Mimi tell you?" Emma asked.
"It's a secret, Mommy! No pwede to tell you!" Lily then zipped her lips, locked it and threw the key away.
Emma rolled her eyes and I laughed. "Naisahan ka dun."
*
Family Day... I'm psyched! First time kasi ito na may activity for families and Emma and Lily will be with me. Si Mama kasi ayaw sumama, hindi na daw siya makakasali sa mga sack races and other activities; sila Emma and Lily naman, ngayon lang because Lily was too young before.
But now, complete kami!
When my mom found out that Lily would be going, sumama na din.
I've forgotten how many times Lily rode the carousel, then Mama brought her to ride the ferris wheel, while eating cotton candy. Ngayon, takbo siya ng takbo with other children her age in one of the play areas for the younger kids.
"Ang dungis na ni Lily!" Emma exclaimed, seeing Lily fall on the ground for the nth time. We were seated in a nearby picnic area, while Mama was closer to Lily at the playground.
"Hayaan mo na. Minsan lang yan. She looks like she's having fun 'no?"
She nodded. "Sobra. Thank you for bringing us here."
I smiled. "May gusto ka bang rides? Punta tayo later?"
"Hmm... the ferris wheel sana? Can we go?" We went when Mama and Lily wanted to go for a second round, but somehow we ended up in separate pods. Kami lang ni Emma in one, and then Lily and Mama in another.
What happened?
Emma's a little scared of heights and held my hand the entire time, but she would try to peak down or take on the sights. Me? I just stared at the play of emotions on her lovely face. My favorite would be when she was looking back at me and I could see happiness in her eyes.
Pwede ko na kayang sabihin sa kanya?
I've known it for awhile now. Taguan ng feelings lang yung gimmick ko.
"Emma?"
"Yes, Gavin?"
"I'm in --"
"Ma'am, Sir baba na po kayo!"
Panira ng moment.
I wanted to get it back, but as soon as we were out, my mom called to us. "I think we have to go. Inaantok na daw si Lily."
We dropped off my mom, then headed to Emma's house, quickly washed Lily and settled in bed. "Daddy, can you stay with Mommy and me when we sleep?"
"Okay lang ba, Emma?"
"Yes. Please stay."
I smiled and hugged Lily, who was between us. As she drifted off, our Lily whispered to her teddy bear, "It was the most funnest day, Beary Beary. Lily has the most pinaka-happiest heart."
Emma teared up with happiness. "Thank you for making her so happy."
"Ano ka ba it was us. US."
But when she didn't stop crying, I moved so Lily was at the side of the bed rail, then lay down beside Emma. "Hey. Tama na. Don't cry."
"I'm just so happy. Sometimes I worry that I'm not doing enough for her and then this happens and I'm just overwhelmed."
I stroked her hair and kissed her forehead. "Tama na. Iiyak na din ako niyan. Panget pa naman ako umiyak."
"Gavin naman eh."
I took her into my arms and she rested her head on my chest. "You're a great mom. Don't ever question that. Thank you for letting me be your partner."
"Sana we can be more, Gavin," she whispered.
My heart soared. Ito na. Ito na. Don't screw it up. "I adore you, Emma. I'm never leaving you and Lily."
She responded with a soft snore.
I chuckled and pulled her closer. "Good night, Sweetheart."
