Make It Without You

Chapter 13: Secret's Out

After that heart to heart talk with Gavin, Gabo could feel that his son was slowly warming up to him. The little boy had taken it upon himself to protect Billy and his twin sister in the absence of their father, who was supposed to be the man of the house. Naintindihan na ni Gabo kung bakit mailap si Gavin noong una. Billy raised him well. Fine, and maybe the fake Daddies, too.

They were busy testing Gavin's newly assembled race track using the different cars. Masayang masaya si Gavin sa laruan and that made Gabo extra happy. He wasn't trying to bribe his way into his kids' lives with toys — he just wanted to make up for lost time. And that included the time Gabo knew he would've spent spoiling the twins, giving them everything they could ever want and need.

"Look Tatay!" Gavin said. "This looks like your car!" He held up a black luxury SUV. "Tapos ito yung kay Attorney Daddy!" The kid pointed to the yellow toy Beetle. Gavin placed the two cars in the tracks and then pressed on the start button. Naunang nadiskaril yung Beetle.

Ha! Gabo smiled at Gavin. "Do you like it?"

"Yes po! It's so cool! Thank you po Tatay!" Gavin was very excited.

Sa sobrang busy at excitement nila sa paglalaro habang nakaupo sa sahig, hindi nila napansin na nagising pala si Brielle at lumabas sa kwarto nila. The little girl gently tapped Gabo's back as she hugged her Nemo toy to her chest. "Tatay." She sat awkwardly on his crossed legs but Gabo immediately took her into his arms.

"Sorry princess, did we wake you up?" Gabo asked and kissed the top of her head.

"No Tatay," sabi ni Brielle habang kinukusot ang mata. "I woke up because I want milk. I'm hungry," she said with a frown.

Ang cute naman nito kapag bagong gising. Kagigil. Gabo kissed Brielle's cheek. "Okay baby. Where's Nanay?"

Brielle rested herself against Gabo's chest. "I think she's taking a bath po," she replied. Her eyelids were dropping a little at mukhang inaantok pa rin.

Gabo slowly stood up, carrying Brielle. Pati si Gavin, tumigil sa paglalaro at tumayo na. "I'll make it for you. You have to show me where I can get everything though," sabi ni Gabo.

"I'll do it, I'll do it!" Gavin said and pulled on Gabo's hand. Hinila niya ang ama hanggang sa kitchen. "Tatay, that cabinet is where the glasses are!" the little boy said, pointing at one cabinet. "Dyan naman po yung milk!"

Everything Gabo needed was where Gavin said it was. Pinagtimpla na ni Gabo ng gatas si Brielle. "Gavin, ikaw, you want one again?"

Gavin shook his head. "Hindi na po. I already had milk. Nanay made some for me," he said and sat at the dining table. Binaba na rin ni Gabo si Brielle para makaupo na siya sa lamesa. He set the glass of milk down before her at uminom naman agad ang anak. Umupo siya kasama ng mga anak.

"Okay Puddings, after Brielle finishes her milk, you need to go to sleep na ha," sabi ni Gabo nang makita na malapit na palang mag alas diyes. The twins nodded and Brielle continued drinking her milk happily, pausing after a few gulps.

"Tatay, can you read us a story?" Brielle requested with her heart-melting smile.

"Sure, princess," Gabo said and wiped a little milk left on one side of his daughter's mouth.

The twins cheered. "Yay!!!"

Yun ang nadatnan ni Billy paglabas niya ng kwarto niya. Dumiretso siya sa kusina, following the kids' voices. She saw Gabo and the kids sitting at the table. "Nagising?"

Gabo nodded. "Nagutom daw siya. She asked for milk," he answered.

"Tatay, Brielle's done na! Let's go to our room!" Gavin said, barely even glancing at Billy. Hinila na niya si Gabo tapos si Brielle naman, nagmamadaling nilagay sa sink ang ginamit na baso para kunin ang kabilang kamay ng tatay.