~~
Today, Irene and Small will meet up with their husbands and kids. They discussed their plans last night, deciding to spend the entire day together. Irene needs to head back home later as Alfonso and Andy are arriving from Manila, and they need to prepare for the upcoming Christmas with their family.
Irene: I've talked to Small, honey. They'll first go to Target to get their boosters, then we'll have lunch at The Ivy.
Greggy: Well then, you better get ready now, sweetheart.
Yara: [excited] Yes, dad!
They're already prepared; Irene has chosen her daughter's outfit and done her ponytail. The Ivy is a popular spot, frequented by many celebrities, so reservations are recommended due to the usual crowds.
They arrived early, with the Laude family following, and everyone settled in warmly, exchanging heartfelt greetings.
Small: Irene! [plants a kiss on her cheek]
Irene: Hi Smalley! [joyful] Welcome to L.A.
Phil: Greggy! [shook hands] Great to see you!
Greggy: It's been too long. Busy as ever with business. How about you?
These two enterprising gentlemen delved into discussions about their respective industries and company operations. Meanwhile, the kids
PJ: [calling Yara's full name] Alana Yara Victoria Marcos Araneta! [smiled] We've missed you so much, little girl.
Yara: Hi Ahia PJ! I've been eagerly awaiting your arrival in America too.
Allison: [shouted in excitement] Yaraaaaa!!!
Yara: Allison!! [embraces each other]
These two little girls, daughters of Irene and Small, had been anticipating this reunion for a long time, finally meeting after enduring through lockdowns and other challenges.
Michael: [laughs] Allison's overjoyed!
Tim: Her BFF is finally here.
Small: [gazing at her kids] Our little girls have grown so much, it brings tears to my eyes.
Irene: I know, it's incredible how quickly time flies!
Small: [looking back] It feels like just yesterday they were so small, and now they're young ladies.
Irene: Mothers tend to get sentimental. [teary-eyed]
Small: And here we are, getting teary-eyed already. [laughs]
The Araneta and Laude families opted for an open-air dining experience, choosing a table on Ivy's patio. They had already placed their orders; Irene and Small went for Lobster Pasta and fresh grapefruit juices, while Greggy and Philip opted for glasses of wine along with Cobb Salad and Tuna Tartare. The kids excitedly anticipated their burgers, ravioli, pasta dishes, and black truffle pasta.
Allison: Will you be staying here in L.A for Christmas?
Yara: We're heading back after our stroll. Ahia will be here by Monday.
Allison: That's too bad. We won't have much time to hang out then.
Yara: Yeah, but we'll definitely plan another visit soon!
Allison: That sounds wonderful! I've been dying to go to Glossier and get matching makeup bags.
Yara: [getting excited] Oh, I love that idea, Ton! We'll definitely make a day out of it. Oh, I have a little surprise for you, Ton!
Allison: Oh wow! [surprised] Thank you, V! Here's for you too! [handed a gift]
Yara: [shocked] Yay! Thanks for this!
Small: Oh dear, Yara!Here's Tita Alice's gift for you.
Yara: [thankful] Thank you, Tita Smalley! Will just message Tita Alice later!
Small: Give me nalang your bank details, will transfer you my gift.
Yara: [shyly smiles] Tita Small! Oh my gosh! No na!
Small: [disagreeing] No no no, that's my gift for you so you can buy whatever you want
Yara: Thank you Tita Small! But I don't know much about bank transfers [beams]
Small: Neither am I, will make utos with my secretary lang [laughing]
Phil: Just call the secretary of Irene nalang too Babe, para no hassle for both of you
Small: Oo nga, para no stress! [giggled]
Irene: I will send you her number Smalley, but you don't have to do that.
Phil: [insisted] Take it, Irene, it's Christmas too!
Small: Ninang duties for my other Chinadoll inaanak [winks]
Greggy: We also have a small gifts for the kids!
PJ/Mike/Tim: Thank you, Tito Greg and Tita Irene
Small: How sweet naman this family, thank you, guys!
Irene: I have a special gift for our little Chinadolls, Smalley
Phil: Best friends ever since [smiles]
Greggy: [nodding] Since preschoolers
Irene: Here, take these Allison and Yara [handed a box]
Allison: Thank you, Tita Irene! [embraced Irene]
Allison/Yara: [wowed] Twinning bracelets!!
Small: Is that the Pearls of Tiffany & Co., Irene?
Irene: [nodded] Yes, it is from there!
Everyone shared laughs and stories as they enjoyed their meal, and Irene handed out gifts to Small's sons, who graciously thanked the Aranetas.
Small did not vlog their lunch with the Aranetas since she is fully cognizant that her friend Irene and her family are very private individuals who are rarely seen, and the couple is not particularly active on social media.
When they were done at Ivy, they went out for a walk and proceeded to the Chanel Store near where they ate.
Greggy: Seems like your wifey will buy another bag, Phil!
Phil: Credit bill is waving, Greg! *giggled*
Yara: Your mom is really a vlogger na, Ton!
Allison: I know! Do you remember me crying at you while we were calling?
Yara: Oh yeees! I do!
Allison: I begged her at 2 am and told her not to do it
Yara: Really!? Oh my gosh.
Allison: But she got sad and even told us that vlogging makes her happy
Yara: And her viewers are so aliw with her and your mom is naturally super fun and she makes people happy talaga.
Allison: I know that but you know bullies everywhere
Yara: Yes but I think our classmates are not naman like that
Allison: Yes, good thing. Wait look at these belt bags!
Yara: I have like that in black!
Allison: Me too! We should wear them together!
Yara: Yes! When we go in here again!
Small: What should I get!? This color or the black one?
Irene: I think that color you are holding is new
Staff: Yes it is!
Small: I think this is nice for some dresses! Allison, what do you think?
Allison: I think the left bag you're holding is good for everyday use but what else do they have?
Irene: Yara's like that too, I make tanong her opinions as well
Small: Thankful that we have our daughters with us, Irene!
Irene: I know! *laughing*
Staff: We have a boy bag in the belt bag
Allison: It's too small
Yara: Yes it is, compared to that one, that's more spacious
Irene: Take a look at this Smalley
Small: Oh my gosh, it's even nicer!
Irene: And it's pink!
Small: My fave color, so kikay!
Small already has decided on what bag to buy, and Greggy, Philip, and his sons make a short visit to Rolls-Royce Motors to look at the cars that we would all know almost all men love. While the girls, went to Kitson to search for cute stuff.
Small: Wow, they have Hermes paintings. You know what I should get three of these!
Irene: What a classic Smalley! *chuckled*
Irene: Look at these mugs and Smalley you're freaking fabulous *showing the mug*
Small: *laughing while making pa-cute*
Yara: Tita Smalley, you will love these!
Small: That's so cute!!
Allison: Anything Beverly Hills, she loves! My mom is buying so much stuff and she doesn't need it at all tho
Yara: *laughing* Oh my gosh, you talaga Ton!
Allison: How about Tita Irene, is she like that too?
Yara: Mom doesn't make buy so much stuff, she loves to wear local products but she has luxury brands as well.
Allison: I love that!
Yara: It's super nice actually.
While waiting for their husbands, they took a walk down Robertson Boulevard and just talked in the park they passed.
Small: When are you coming back to L.A?
Irene: Maybe after the holiday season, Smalley!
Small: Marge is here too!
Irene: Yes! In San Francisco.
Small: Thank you for the DIOR bag, Irene! And for my kids as well, you make gastos pa!
Irene: Of course! All for you guys! You nga, you've given Yara so much.
Small: Syempre, she's my inaanak. Look at these two *looking at their daughters*
Irene: They are super dalaga na but nothing changed, they're still the closest to each other.
Small: I know! Good thing that they catch up with here so they can be safe too.
Irene: Right, and Yara's doing well in here too!
Small: Yara's so close to you Irene, my daughter isn't super close to me na kasi compared to when she was little
Irene: That's what I'm thankful for Small, she's super open to me and the sweetest talaga but maybe Ally is sorta shifting you know youths now, they have to make adjustments first and eventually they be fine at it and you know with all your vlogging and stuff, she'll be ok with it in no time.
Small: You know, you're right! Well, maybe am being too emotional and too OA *giggled*
Small accompanied her daughter to the women's bathroom for a brief time and left Irene and Yara, and she take this opportunity to thank her mom for today.
Yara: Mommy, thank you for today! And for this bracelet, you gave me and Aton!
Irene: Of course, all for you my little girl. I hope I made you happy today
Yara: I am beyond happy, mama! *kisses her mom*
Yara kissed and hugged her mom tightly before standing up she told her mother that she would take photos of her because she was sitting in a nice seat, and Irene smiled at Yara's camera.
Yara showed her mom the picture and said.
Yara: Mama, look! You're so pretty!
Irene: Awww, Thank you a lot, my little girl! You and Luis have excellent photographic skills.
Yara: Got that from you, mommy! Will airdrop this to you mom!
Irene: Sure, I love that baby!
Just before Small finished, the boys arrived to pick them up. They said their farewells and wished to see each other before returning to Manila just after thanksgiving to bond for longer though since they can't do much more in the Philippines as it's strict and there are far more restrictions.
Phil: Thank you, Greg!
Greggy: Will see you soon, Phil! I had fun at Royce
PJ: Thank you Tito Greg for the tips
Greggy: Welcome Peej!
Tim: Will see you soon, Big Boss!
Michael: I learned a lot from you, Tito Greg! Thanks!
Greggy: Will see you in the coming days, Timboy and If you have some more questions you can message me, Michael
Small: Am sad na. See you then?
Irene: Oh Smalley, will meet again soon.
Small: Advance Merry Christmas, dearest Irene, and your family, regards me to your kids and grandkids
Irene: Will do Smalley! Have a Merry Christmas too with Phil and the kids *beso*
Allison: Please come back here, okay? Will need to catch up some more and will go to Glossier together!
Yara: Yes, Ton! We will! Mom and Dad said, after the holidays.
Allison: Great! Advance Merry Christmas, my Victoria! *tightly hug Yara*
Yara: *whispered* Happy to be with you today and advance Merry Christmas, my Alily!
The Araneta and Laude families have gone their separate ways to return home. Irene as well as her husband and daughter went to their hotel first to take up the stuff they had purchased during their short stay in Los Angeles before returning to their house to start preparing for their Christmas activities and the arrival of their children and grandchildren in the following days.