Lea's POV
"Come on, Soph, don't be shy. Your Lolo and Lola haven't seen you yet."ako
I held Sophia's hand who's really being timid to go where her grandparents are. The reception program has been going on for an hour already and yet she hasn't still gone to her grandparents table. She really waited for us to be free so she could ask us to join her and go with her.
"Here you are! Kanina ka pa hinahanap ng Lolo at Lola mo, anak. Nagrereklamo na sa akin."Aga
"Eh, Daddy, nahihiya po kasi ako. Sama ka rin po, please?"Sophia
I just shrugged my shoulders when Aga looked at me as his daughter held his hand, begging him to join us.
"Ikaw talaga. Hindi naman nangangain ang Lolo at Lola mo ah. You have already talked to them through video calls for so many times pero nahihiya ka pa rin?"Aga
Aga chuckled then held his daughter's hand even tighter.
"Iba pa rin po 'yung sa personal! Samahan niyo na lang po ako."Sophia
I laughed when she pouted her lips. Ayun na nga at pinuntahan namin ang lamesa ng Lolo at Lola niya while we were sending our gratitude to the guests who are at the table we passed by.
"Ma, Pa."Aga
Aga placed her hand on his mother's shoulder and both of his parents smiled when they saw us.
"Oh, Lea! You are so gorgeous! I've been watching you from here!"Donita
I grinned when Mama stood up from her seat and hugged me.
"I missed you so much, anak."Donita
"I missed you too, Ma. So much! Long time no see po. Pa, thank you po at nakapunta kayo."ako
I said, almost teary-eyed. Their presence meant a lot to us, especially to Aga.
Mama gripped my hand with a smile on her lips while I kissed Pa's cheek.
"Naku! Hindi pwedeng hindi namin masaksihang muli ang kasal ninyo. Mabuti nga at nakaya ni Fernan ang bumyahe. Maraming salamat talaga sa Diyos. Pero ang apo namin? Kanina pa namin siya hinahanap!"Donita
"Oo nga naman, Lea, Aga. Kanina ko pa hinahanap ang apo ko. Nandito naman siguro siya, ano? Charden told us she met her cousin at the church."Fernan
"Yes, Lolo! I've seen her and we're already close! Like this!"Charden
I chuckled when Charden showed her two index fingers and made it close to each other.
"Well, Ma, Pa, she's here. Nandito po sa likod ko."ako
I grinned then tried my best to pull Sophia here in front, which I finally did dahil kanina ko pa siya hinihila't nagtatago sa likuran ko at ng Daddy niya.
"H-hi! Hi po, Lolo, Lola."Sophia
I refrained myself not to laugh when she waved her hand with a nervous smile on her lips. So, I gripped her hand so she'd know I'm here. She's just so cute!
"Oh my goodness, my apo!"Donita
Mama hugged her so tight, tinulungan naman ni Aga na tumayo si Papa upang mayakap din ang apo niya. Naluha pa nga si Mama. I can't blame her, it's their first time to see each other in person.
"Ay apo, napaka-laki mo na pala talaga. Noong huli kitang nakita ay baby ka pa, buhat-buhat pa kita noon. At kamukha ka pa rin ng Mommy mo."Fernan
I laughed when Papa pinched Sophia's cheek after he hugged her. I couldn't help but to sigh in relief when I saw that Sophia is already being comfortable with them.
"I'm so happy! Maybe we should really stay here for a long time to spend time with our apo. Right, Fernan?"Donita
Papa nodded with a smile on his face. This looks like a reunion and I'm very happy. This scenario is one of many scenarios I never thought would happen in my life again, but here it is.
The reception program is going perfectly until it's time for I and Aga's closing remarks. Aga was the first one to speak while I followed him.
"I also want to say thank you to everyone who came. I really do appreciate the time you've given us to be here with us on our special day. Don't worry, this is going to be the last time that you're attending our wedding, sa susunod wedding anniversary na, I swear."ako
All of laughed when I said that.
"But seriously, thank you. To Aga's parents, Ma, Pa, thank you so much. You made our day perfect. Also, to Charity and her family na umuwi pa para rito. To my loved ones, thank you so much. To I and Aga's friends, thank you for the time you spent with us. Ayaw ko nang pahabain pa, my husband- wow husband!"ako
I laughed then looked to Aga whose cheeks have turned into crimson red already.
"Well, my husband had already said what I wanted to say. So, let's enjoy the rest of the night!"ako
I raised the glass of champagne as I heard everyone's chant because it's time for the after party. I went towards Aga and hugged from his side before I let him drink the champagne in the glass I'm holding dahil bawal nga sa akin.
The night turned out so good, one of the happiest nights of my life with the best people I know. We just talk, dance, and laugh. Aga never left my side, he's making sure that I feel fine especially our baby.
"Hon, let's dance for the last time."Aga
I immediately smiled when he whispered that into my ears. Of course, I agreed and went to the dancefloor with him.
I wrapped my arms on his nape while he placed his hands on my waist.
"If this is a dream, I don't want to wake up."Aga
I smiled then tapped the tip of his nose with my index finger.
"This is not a dream, asawa ko. This is our reality, and I'm ready and very excited to spend the rest of it with you."ako
He smiled then gave me a peck on my lips and kissed my forehead for a long time.
"Excited na rin ako, at sobrang excited na rin akong lumabas si baby."Aga
3 months later...
I sighed then looked at the television again. I'm so bored when I'm alone at home. Aga's at work while Sophia's at school, kaya ganito lang ako palagi. But I don't watch TV all the time, radiation is not good for the baby. I read books sometimes, I sing or talk to my baby, I do crochet too. Bukod sa Nurse ko, who already went home earlier since it's Friday, si Manang at Wilma ay nakikipag-kwentuhan din sa akin. They just know how bored I am, but most of the time I sleep, I always feel sleepy. Bawal na rin kasi akong magkikilos masyado.
When I reached my third trimester, my doctor told me to be extra careful. Dahil nga may edad na ako, maselan ang pagbubuntis ko. When I reached my 7 month, my doctor suggested me to do bed rest. I had to oblige because I am aware of my situation, ayaw kong ipahamak ang anak ko dahil lang sa pagiging matigas ng ulo ko, although matigas ang ulo ko minsan kaya napapagalitan ako ng mag-ama ko. They can't blame me, mag-iisang buwan na ako rito sa kwarto. I just want to walk sometimes.
"Baby ko, kapit ka lang maigi kay Mommy ah? I am very excited to meet you. Your Ate and I will still sing you a lullaby. 'Yung Daddy mo? Hayaan mo na 'yun, wala 'yung talent."ako
I laughed because of it. I'm actually thankful because she seems like listening to me. Yes, she. She's a baby girl. We were all thrilled when we found out, especially Sophia. Nauna pa siyang umiyak sa akin. She was there when we found out the gender of her sibling. Also, Aga's parents, they stayed with us for a month before they flew back to America.
I had a sudden adrenaline rush when I heard a honk of car, that means Sophia and Aga are already here. However, kahit gusto ko silang salubungin ay hindi pwede at baka bungangaan lang ako ng overprotective kong mag-ama. I couldn't help but to remember happened the day after my doctor told me to do bed rest.
"Mommy, we're h-Mommy! Bakit po mag-isa kayong bumababa?!"Sophia
Her eyes widened and immediately ran to where I am to guide me go downstairs.
"Ahm, I'm... just going to get something in the kitchen? At saka, nakaka-bored sa taas, anak."ako
"Mommy naman eh! Hindi ka po sumusunod sa sinabi ng doktor mo."Sophia
She said, almost in the verge of tears that made me really feel so bad.
"I'm sorry na, anak. It won't happen again, promise."ako
She sharply exhaled.
"Promise?"Sophia
"Promise."ako
I smiled then kissed her forehead.
"I'm sorry for making you worried."ako
She just nodded then hugged me from my side then caressed my baby bump that immediately made her smile.
"Oh-hon! What are you doing here downstairs? You should be in the bed, right?"Aga
We looked to Aga who just entered our home.
"I... was just about to get water."ako
I answered, but it was too late before I realized that I should have not answered that.
"Water? Hon, nandiyan naman si Wilma ah."Aga
He exhaled as he guided me to sit on the sofa.
"I'll just go get water then we're going upstairs. Don't worry, hon, your private nurse is going to be here tomorrow. You don't have to go downstairs kahit na ang sabi ng doktor mo ay mag-bed rest ka."Aga
"Eh tubig lang nama-"ako
"Lea."Aga
"O-okay po. Masusunod po, mahal kong asawa."ako
Umiling lang siya at umirap habang nakapamewang. Nakakaloka.
"Mommy!!!"Sophia
She hugged me then kissed my baby bump many times. Kinumusta nga rin niya ito.
"How are you, hon?"Aga
He kissed my forehead then caressed my bump with a smile on his face.
"As usual, I missed the two of you. But! I'm so happy because it's already weekend tomorrow! You two are going to be with me. Kulang ako sa atensyon ninyong dalawa."ako
I laughed as they did too.
"Oh sige na, don't make me bitin with our kwentuhan kaya magpalit na kayo ng damit. Bilis!"ako
"Ok, just stay there in the bed."Aga
I playfully rolled my eyes.
"Of course, I will!"ako
After they changed their clothes ay kaagad na silang tumabi sa akin sa kama. Sophia immediately hugged me from the side.
"Mommy, bukas po pupunta raw po ulit sina Sheena at Clang para hindi kayo ma-bored."Sophia
"Oh goodness! I missed that two! They are really sweet to me."ako
Sophia giggled then nodded. I'm just so happy that Sophia has good friends, that she's being surrounded with the people that I'd also want for her.
"How about you, hon? How are you? How's work?"ako
"It's very tiring yet fun, hon. I had a great time at work and everyone misses you. But I think we should not talk about me or work, but the guy who was with Sophia earlier at the gate of their school?"Aga
I looked at Sophia who has her poker face already so I laughed.
"Kaibigan ko nga lang po 'yun, Daddy!"Sophia
She irritatedly said with her arched brows.
"Kaibigan lang naman pala eh. And my baby is honest, ok? So, if she said that it's a friend then it's a friend. Ikaw lang ang overreacting, hon."ako
"Eh kailan ba ako nagkaroon ng kakampi sa pamilyang 'to?"Aga
Sophia and I immediately laughed because of it.
"By the way, hon, we are invited for a business conference in Australia for three days. I was thinking if I should come or not?"Aga
I creased my forehead.
"Why not?"ako
"Eh paano kayo? Paano ka? I'd probably think about you all the time."Aga
"Hon, I'm just going 8 months next week. Matagal pa ang due date ko, ok? Don't worry. At saka, maiiwan 'tong anak mo, sa tingin mo may takas ako diyan? Saka kay Nurse Sandra, parang every second nga kung manghingi ka sa kanya ng update."ako
Aga sighed so I held his hand.
"I can handle myself and I have a lot of people with me, who care for me. Saka tatlong araw lang naman, it'll be fast, although I'm going to miss you."ako
I smiled then pinched his chin.
"Don't worry, Daddy. Mommy has been very disciplined and careful this whole month, she will not make you worry. At saka sabi nga ni Mommy, nandito po ako, hindi ko po sila pababayaan."Sophia
Sophia closed her eyes then hugged me even tighter that made me chuckle. Afterwards, I looked to Aga who's complacent now because of his smile.
"Basta, you should also take care of yourself just like how you want me to take care of myself, all right?"ako
Aga nodded.
"All right, I promise."Aga
He kissed my baby bump and gave me a smile again.
"So, anak, how's school?"ako
The three of us just talked even during our dinner. Sophia's telling so many things about school stuff. I feel great knowing that she's being active at school and she likes what she does.
I just feel really safe when I'm with my family and I'm very excited for tomorrow since it is weekend. However, after that, Aga's going to be in Australia for three days. It makes me feel blue actually but what's great about it is I'll be excited for him to come home just like how we're all waiting for our baby's arrival. And I hope that they'll be both safe.