Memories of Maine

Names

"It's a baby..."

"Girl!"

Everyone rejoiced. They were excited to see the outcome of the two if they have a baby girl, they actually thought that the 1st baby was a girl, but it came out the opposite. Still worth it. Maine looked at Alden then smiled. A few minutes later, Alden decided to end the party earlier than expected. He saw Maine already tired from the party, and he didn't want to her be exhausted.

"Yay! Girl ang baby kapatid ko!"

"That's right. Excited ka na makita si baby girl?"

"Yes po, Daddy! Pero ano po name nya?"

"Kuya, wala pa kaming naiisip eh... How bout' you? May naisip ka na?"

"Hmmm... I want her name to be 'A' also! Like me!"

"Kung A si baby girl, paano na lang ung kay mommy? Puro kay Daddy na lang kayo?"

"Syempre may M po si baby kapatid."

"Kuya, how bout' "Athena" for A?"

"Athena? San nyo po nakuha yun, Daddy?"

"Ummm... Athena kasi is the Goddess of Wisdom. Mahilig si Daddy magbasa ng mythology, dyan ko nakuha un."

"Eh mommy, for 'M' po?"

"Actually, kuya, dati ko pang gusto ipamana ung 'Nico', kahit nga sayo eh. Pero ang hirap maghanap."

"How bout' 'Nicoleisha', Love?"

"That's nice. Nicoleisha Athena Faulkerson?"

"Yep."

"So, it's settled then, Nicoleisha Athena."

"Yay! Hello, baby Nicoleisha!"

"Dapat pala may nickname sya. Leisha? Athena? Thena?"

"Every name sounds good."

"I love you mommy, daddy, and baby Leisha! I promise to be a good kuya to you."

********

"Love, sorry talaga kung nasaktan kita ah..."

"Okay na tayo, Love. Ginawa mo lang naman un para mapasaya kami ni Baby Leisha, at nasaktan din naman kita sa mga sinabi ko, kaya sorry din..."

He embraced her then kissed her forehead.

"Basta alalahanin mo na hindi ko magagawang lokohin kita, o kahit ang mga anak namin. I love you too much to do that."

"I love you too..."

"Love, kelan mo balak mag-baby shower?"

"Love, kahit sa 7th month ko na lang. Kakatapos lang ng gender reveal, baby shower agad? Tsaka, di ka ba nasasayangan sa pera?"

"Hindi. Kung alam ko namang worth it, why not give it a try? Besides, life is short, make the most of it. Basta sa pamilya, walang kuri-kuripot. Give them all of your best."

"Hmmm... I like that. Pero, di pa rin ako makapaniwala eh... This is all so surreal. Parang kailan lang, pinagbubuntis ko pa lang si Andrew... At ngayon, si baby Leisha naman..."

She said as she caressed her belly.

"Yes. Ang bilis ng panahon, and I still can't believe that Andrew's growing up so fast. He's excited to see his baby kapatid, actually, more excited than us."

"Kaya nga. Pero hayaan na natin, at least we know that he's ready to be a kuya na. Pero Love..."

"Hmmm?"

"Paano kung... kung sobrang busy mo na sa work, sa mga anak natin, hindi mo na ako mabigyan ng oras, mahal mo parin ba ako?"

"Ano ka ba, Love? Kahit ilan pa ang ibigay ni Lord, ikaw ang pinaka-special at irreplaceable sakin. And I'm glad he gave me you."

"Me too. I love you, Alden."

"I love you too, Menggay ko."