Emma
I sighed.
It's been two weeks. Gavin was sent abroad for a two week training session and Lily and I miss him badly.
"Mommy, when will Daddy come home?"
"A few more days, baby. Do you miss him?"
"Yes. Can we call him?"
I checked the time and then his schedule and figured that this should be a good time to call but we asked first. Sent via short message, we asked, Hi! Can we videocall? Miss ka na ni Lily.
Gavin called within a few minutes. I focused the camera on our daughter.
"Daddy!!! I miss you! Come home na!"
"Hi baby! I miss you. Are you behaving for Mommy?"
"Yes, Daddy. Try ko to make Mommy happy, sometimes I make clown faces but sad pa din siya. Hug pa din niya yung picture mo pag-sleep."
"Lily!"
Gavin chuckled. "Why can't I see Mommy?"
I sat beside Lily. "Hi! How was your day?"
"It was productive. Ang daming tinuro. I'm sorry hindi ako naka-text masyado today and the past few days. Ayoko na kasi mag-extend, so I'm trying to advance some stuff," he explained.
"It's okay. We understand," I said.
"I miss you, Sweetheart," he told me and again I melted.
"I miss you, too, Gavin. Uwi ka na soon ha?"
"Yes. Miss na miss na kita. Can I take you out on a date when I get home?"
"With Lily too?!" She asked.
Gavin laughed. "Yes, the three of us but Daddy-Mommy time also."
"Okay!" She said, happily. "Hmmm Daddy? Do you have pasalubong already for Mommy?"
"Not yet, I'll buy tomorrow. Why?"
"Maybe she wants clay. Sabi ni Lola Mimi, Mommy is sad because hindi na kayo nag-clay to make babies."
I groaned. Since we got together, Tita Amelia has been praying for another grandchild. But, she didn't want to pressure us and still hoped that we would have the next baby when we get married. Still. She hoped. And she had Lily in on it.
Gavin and I had discussed it and we did want to wait until after marrying to have another baby, but kung ako lang, ready na ako mag-practice ulit.
Pero ayaw ni Gavin.
He hasn't forgiven himself completely for his carelessness before that led to Lily, that now, he won't do anything below the waist.
I also caught him once begging his mom to stop meddling. "Mama, nakakahiya naman kay Emma."
"Bakit? Concerned lang naman ako na happy kayong dalawa. Aba! Kasama yun sa mga important na gawin ng mag-asawa! You know your dad and I—"
"Stop, Mama. I don't want to hear it."
Tita Amelia waved him off. "Fine. All I'm saying is that your father made me very happy in that aspect. O see? Kahit matagal na siyang wala, hindi ko maisip palitan."
"Mama! I think I need therapy."
"Oh don't be so maarte. Just make sure you make Emma happy. Happy wife, happy family, happy life."
I was getting frustrated and, in this day and age when sex is everywhere, I worried that Gavin would lose interest without it.
So, a number of times, I tried to set up dates where we would have the whole evening to ourselves.
But Gavin didn't bite.
After one date that he didn't touch me again, I ended up picking a fight. "I'm trying to make you happy! Paano kung ipagpalit mo ako because I don't satisfy that?!"
Tita Amelia heard and spoke to me. "Oh darling, don't worry about my Gavin. He adores you. He doesn't need it that desperately, kahit na anong kulit ko. And I'm sorry if I'm not helping things by pressuring you."
"No, Tita. Ako yung may gusto nito, hindi naman po ako nagpapapressure. But... sometimes kasi din po, I wonder if Gavin still finds me attractive that way or he's with me only because of his sense of responsibility to Lily."
Tita Amelia laughed. "Believe me, he wants you and loves you not just because of Lily. But, sometimes, these men, they need a little push."
"Push?"
"Darling, the Art of Seduction! Hindi mo ba binasa yung isang book that I gave you?!"
I blushed and shook my head.
"Maraming ways! Read it and tell me when you need me to take Lily."
I chuckled. "Okay po."
"Pero may chance pa din na hindi bumigay si Gavin ha? Kung talagang hindi mo na kaya tiisin, gamitin yung bigay ko sayo. Yung mukhang -"
Hotdog. Yup yun ang sinabi ni Tita.
Hotdog.
"- top of the line daw yun. Guaranteed to have multiple org -"
"Mama! Anong sinasabi mo kay Emma?"
Gavin walked in on us talking.
I've come close to using one, but hindi pa ako susuko! Tita Amelia promised to take Lily over the weekend to the beach and I've done a lot of research.
Humanda ka sa akin pag-uwi mo Gavin.
