Saving Harper

I felt a kick in my tummy. I know love, you miss your dad. So clingy. He'll be here soon. I said to my baby rubbing my belly. I swear palikot na sya ng palikot.

"So where do you want this again?" Tiff held up a lamp. "I think sa study? Xavier's going to work there a lot so magagamit talaga yung room na yon. And we have to keep that out of reach from the little one. Bagay ba?" I asked my architect sister-in-law slash interior designer. I'm so happy she took on the project of setting up our house. It was my surprise for Xavier.

"Yes, bagay to sa lahat kaya ko nga binili." Tiff said proudly. Yup inembrace na nya ang interior designer sideline job nya. "Okay, I think I'm almost done here. We have to leave in a while dahil traffic daw and Mom is too excited so papatayin nya ko if magtatagal ako." She hurried off to position the lamp sa office ni Xavier.

"Mom, can I bring this?" A very pacute loud voice called out followed by a running boy to join me in the sofa. I turned to my three year old son who was holding up a red car to show me.

"Tyler honey, what did daddy say about your toys?"

"That I can bring ten toys with me. But this is my favorite! Please??" He pouted. He's the spitting image of Xavier, so di ko sya natitiis at all.

"Okay honey, I'll make you a deal. You can bring that one only if Tatay agrees to put it in his luggage." Hindi din sya matitiis ni Tatay for sure. Everyone falls prey sa charm nitong batang to. I'll handle your crazy-strict-packer of a father. Kasi if weakness ko yung anak namin, weakness naman ako ni Xavier.

"Tyler baby! How are you?" Tiff suddenly came back into view sa iPad ko so I moved it so she can see her pamangkin.

"Tita! Are you bringing gifts when you come here?" Every family member spoils Tyler with lots of toys. Ayaw ko nung una, pero dahil Xavier insisted by convincing me na sya magliligpit lahat, pinabayaan ko na. After a few months, unti-unti na nyang tinatago yung mga laruan ng anak namin para mabawasan yung mga nililigpit nya. Nakakatuwa silang mag ama.

"No baby, all your new toys will be waiting for you here." Tiff beamed at my son. See lahat in love sa kanya.

"Wag mong ipapakita sa kanya yung kwarto nya mag sasabi to sa daddy nya." I said to Tiff and kissed my son in his cheek who can't understand tagalog yet. Thank god. And he's busy with his toy cars.

"O sige na, bye na. Tumatawag na si mommy, and the house is done! Xavier will love it! You both will!" Tfiff said proudly.

"Thanks ate for doing this. We'll see you soon." Tyler also waved goodbye at her. They were flying in for Xavier's graduation rites.

"Mom can I bring this as well?" Ayun na nadadagdagan na yung hinihingi ng batang to dahil pumayag ako sa una. He held up a tiny yellow car.

"Don't tell me it's another favorite of yours. You know what daddy will say." Alam ko naman na hindi papayag si Xavier but will eventually stow it in his own luggage for Tyler.

We're packing to move back to the Philippines.

Right after Xavier left after New Year four years ago when we got married, hindi ko din natiis. I handed in my resignation and sinundan ko din sya agad dito sa Seattle. My boss though didn't accept it and told me that he plans to go digital to keep up with the times and so I continued working for Carte and I oversee our digital publications. Franco became CEO of the company.

Funny that it was a position we both vied for, but when it came to deciding if I still wanted it, it was easy for me to make up my mind and give it up. My life is with Xavier and our family as I promised when we got married.

When I gave birth to Tyler, our families came here to visit and helped us settle. Tatay moved here with us soon after nung nag retire na sya sa firm nila. My mom and dad also decided to live here to be near us and to help me take care of their apo. Sadly, my mom passed away last year but it made her very happy na nakasama nya and naalagaan nya si Tyler. We all think that it was Tyler who extended her life. After her passing, my dad moved back sa Philippines to live with Hilda and Nick sa dati naming bahay and may baby na din sila.

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And now, after Xavier's graduation in two days, babalik na kami finally to start our next chapter in our home. The one Xavier gave us when we got married. The one where we promised that we will raise our family.

"No mom, this one is for Heather." Tyler said in a shy voice and he ran the small car in my tummy, probably to show his sister. Heather is what we are naming our baby girl, after my mom. My heart melted at what he said. I swear this kid, Xavier na Xavier. I hugged him and kissed him. "In that case, you can bring five more toys that you want to give to your sister." He excitedly ran back to his room. I don't think kokontra si Xavier once he hears what his son just said. The front door opened and Xavier finally arrived. "Hi love, are you almost done?" Umirap ako sa tanong nya. As if I can pack anything without him.

His lists still drive me crazy and I don't think that will ever change. He grinned at my reaction and kissed me longingly. Na parang hindi lang sya ilang oras nawala. He went sa UW to make sure he has submitted every requirement for his graduation.

"Look, binigay na nila saakin. Papel nalang ata iaabot saamin don." He handed me a thick envelope and I took out the contents. It was his master's degree diploma.

"Love I'm so proud of you!" I hugged him tight.

For years I've seen him work hard for this. He attends his classes after having breakfast with me, Tyler and Tatay every morning. Then after class he plays with Tyler, reads to him, puts him to bed, then he would study. Weekends were reserved for family.

"I love you so much, Harper. I have this because of you." He kissed me again.

"Daddy!" Tyler, as always, whenever he hears his father's voice, would run towards him. I remembered na nasa tyan ko palang sya ganyan na yung effect ni Xavier sa kanya. Alam ko na talagang magiging close sya sa tatay nya.

"Mom said I can bring more." Lakas din manlaglag agad ng anak namin. Two Xaviers in my life is a dream come true. Tinaasan ako ng kilay ni Xavier. "More toys?"

"Sige ikaw mag sabi sa anak mo na hindi sya pwedeng magdala ng laruan para sa kapatid nya." I said smugly.

"This is for Heather." Tyler showed the yellow car to Xavier na ngumiti sa anak namin. "Do you think she will like it?"

"She'll love it." Xavier smiled and kissed Tyler's hair.

I looked on as Tyler started telling Xavier about what he did for the day and Xavier gave him his whole attention as if everything our kid was telling him was important. This is the family that I have always wanted.

I smiled as I watched them. They are my world. Two of the most important people in my life who saved me by coming into my life so I can love them with everything I have. They are my purpose and will always be the reason why my life with them is the best thing that I'll ever have.

The end.