Make It Without You

Chapter 19: I'm Home

Billy pulled away from Gabo when she heard the voice. Tumingin siya sa pintuan at nakita si Jessica na tinatakpan ang mata ng kambal. Gabo smirked and helped her down from the counter. "Tita," he said smoothly pagkalapit nilang dalawa sa mga bata. "You didn't text."

The twins hugged them. "Tatay, Nanay, sabi ko po kay Lola Jessica, we want to surprise you!" Brielle said with a grin. "Did we surprise you?"

Obviously! Billy kissed the kids. "Yes baby."

"Kids, wash up na muna kayo?" Jessica said. "May pag-uusapan lang kami ng Nanay at Tatay niyo."

"Okay po Lola! Buh-bye po!" sagot ni Gavin bago sila umakyat ni Brielle sa kwarto nila.

Jessica looked at them. "Kayong dalawa ha, kung gagawin niyo yan, go lang pero 'wag niyong ipapakita sa kambal! It's too early for them! Ikaw Gabriel, alam kong five years kang tigang pero ikalma mo yan. Dun kayo sa kwarto, maglock kayo! Nakakaloka kayo!" sabi niya, medyo natatawa pa.

If Billy was embarrassed a while ago, triple na ang hiya niya ngayon. "Sorry po."

Inakbayan siya ni Gabo. "Tita, wala naman silang nakita," he said and laughed. "Pero fine. We'll be more careful from now on."

Umalis din si Jessica pagkatapos magrestroom saglit at pagkahatid nila sa kanya sa pinto, yumakap ulit si Gabo kay Billy.

Sobrang clingy naman nito! "O, baka makita na naman tayo ng mga bata ha," Billy warned.

"Hug lang naman!" Gabo bargained. Tinitigan siya ni Billy nang masama kaya bumitiw din siya, tumatawa-tawa. Their hands clasped together, pinuntahan nila ang mga anak

...

It was harder than usual for them to say goodbye at the end of their weekend together as a family. On Sunday night, nung pinag-impake na ni Billy ang mga bata, Brielle was crying and telling Gabo she didn't want to leave. The twins very rarely threw tantrums kaya alam ni Billy na masama talaga ang loob ni Brielle.

During the drive to the condo, nakatulog si Brielle sa kaiiyak. Si Gavin naman, tahimik lang. Pag-akyat nila, nagpaalam na agad ang mga bata kay Gabo at dumiretso sa kwarto nila. Walang kiss o hug, basta bye lang.

"Will they be okay?" Gabo asked Billy, concerned. Kasi naman. Kung pwede lang, dun na lang kayo sa'kin. But Billy will need some time. I don't want to pressure her. Everything's going well and I don't want to ruin it this time.

"They'll get over it," Billy answered. I hope. "Hatid na kita sa baba? May trabaho ka pa bukas."

Gabo shook his head. "Walang kasama yung mga bata. And I can manage," sabi niya at lumapit para yakapin siya. "Good night. I'll see you sa moving up nung mga bata. Sana by then bati na kami."

Laughing, Billy tapped his back twice. "I'm sure 'di ka naman nila matitiis."

"Parang ikaw lang?"

"Hay nako, umalis ka na nga!" sabi ni Billy at natatawang tinulak siya papunta sa pinto.

Gabo naughtily stole a kiss before waving goodbye and finally leaving.

After washing up and making sure the kids were already sleeping, naupo ulit si Billy sa sala para hintayin sina Sputnik at Mikael na makauwi. Lagi kasi silang nagkakasalisi nung dalawa nung nakaraang linggo and Billy needed to talk to Sputnik about Gabo's request to change the children's surname. Nagdate lang daw sila kaya matatagalang makauwi pero ang huling text ni Sputnik, pauwi naman na sila.

Billy heard the door open and a few seconds later, pumasok na sina Sputnik. Mikael said a quick hello to Billy pero natulog na rin agad kasi maaga daw ang duty. Nagsalang si Billy ng kape at ginawan din niya ng hot chocolate si Sputnik para sa usapan nila. Pamalit man lang sa free legal consultation!