Another Beginning

• TWENTY TWO •

"I know you can Richard, I just don't want you to make rushed decisions when it comes to big issues like this.  But now that you've explained it, I understand."

"You asked me about my supporters?" 

I nodded. 

"They love you.  They  are surprised, of course, because after a week of being MIA,  here I am announcing my engagement in social media.  But they are excited, and happy.  Well, of course we can't make everyone happy and excited there are a few that have negative reaction about my announcement, but they'll get over it. It doesn't really bother me."  He shifts on his seat,  leaning back on the couch.

"The thing about show business hon, is that you cannot please everybody and everybody is not your friend.  One day they are happy for you, patting your back. The next day, they are the same people saying ill things about you, stabbing your back."  He stopped and rubbed his stubble, as if thinking of something deep. He then shook his head, trying to get rid of that  thought.

"Hon, I know you are scared. I understand that.  What you are about to do is big and totally out of your comfort zone and I appreciate that you are doing it because you love me and that you wanted to be with me.  What I want you to do, for me and for the twins, is to trust me.  Know that I will always be here for you, that what I will always be thinking about from now on, is yours, Katie's and Enzo's best interest.  You just have to trust me Maine.  Trust me." 

I am looking at him, like I was looking at him the first time we met.  He is so handsome, his face so sweet,  but there is something different now when I look at him.  I see sparks that I haven't seen before, sparks in his eyes.  Love, that's what it is.  I see love.  I see love, his love for me.  I see a genuine smile in his lips, happiness and joy, that's what it is.  He is happier and that's because of Katie, Enzo, and me. 

Trust him,  he tells me.  I think I already did trust him the first time we met, because if not,  I wouldn't have agreed to spend a day with him.  And I think because there is just a lot going on, I put that in the back burner.  And also I need to get used to the fact that Richard is here.  I am not doing this alone.  Katie, Enzo and I have him now.

Yes, of course I trust him.

"I trust you Richard." 

~~~~~~~~~~>•<~~~~~~~~~~

"Mommy!  I want GwamaTen's soup!"  Enzo tells me, licking his lip.

"That's hot and spicy buddy."  Richard tells his son, messing his hair. 

We are inside a Japanese restaurant, having a late lunch.

"This really surprised me hon.  I never thought that the twins will like ramen.  I mean, the taste is really different from what they're used to."

"Not me hon,  remember Enzo snacked on the olives before?"  He reminded me.  He takes a shrimp Tempura from the bento box and offered it to me.  I take a bite  and savor its taste.

"Oh yeah.  I cannot wait for them to try a lot of Filipino food though,  I'm sure they'll love it."  I tell them.

"I am glad that the twins didn't have food allergies Maine."  Sam said.

"I know, I had them tested for food allergies when they were two years old.  I don't want to take the risk."

"That's good.  You're really a very good mother hon."  Richard tells me.