Mariely was being picked up by her boyfriend.
"Hon," he called out to her, planting a kiss on her cheek and lips.
Mariely just smiled at him; her heart still fluttered from the proposal he had made during their date. She looked at his hand and held it.
"We're matching colors," she laughed.
He tightened his grip on her hand. "Yeah," he replied, then suddenly kissed her palm.
She blushed at his sudden gesture.
"Hon, what are you doing? Don't make my heart get used to this."
"You should get used to it," he teased.
"Hon, I already transferred ten thousand to your account. Just little by little, okay? But I'll double it with my 13th-month pay."
He went silent for a moment and shook his head. "Make sure you have savings, alright? You worked hard for it." He reminded her seriously.
She just nodded. "Hon, are you going out today?" she asked.
"Shoot, is it Xyrel's birthday today?" he asked in return.
She nodded.
"You always spoil those kids," she teased.
"Because I want to. They've gone through bad experiences at such a young age," he explained.
She smiled. "Thank you for caring for my mischievous nieces and nephews."
"Come with me today; we're buying gifts," he invited.
She laughed. "Yes, hon."
"Don't go overboard. Stick to your budget," she reminded him.
"Okay, okay—we'll also get a cake and some food," he said.
She just nodded.
"By the way, hon, isn't NatNat going back and forth to the hospital?" he asked.
She chuckled. He was talking about Kaye, the youngest child of her brother Nathan.
"No, she's doing better. She still has check-ups, but now it's yearly, not every three months like before."
"That's good to hear," he said as he drove.
Frank had grown close to her nephews and nieces, so it was natural for them to miss him more than her.
"You know, hon, those kids get a little jealous. Whenever I visit, they're always looking for you," she said.
He laughed. "Let it be. I'll tell them—they'll be looking for their aunt when we have a baby soon," he teased, glancing at her.
She blushed. "Hon, are you really okay with having a baby soon? I don't want to pressure you."
"What are you talking about? If it happens, I'll be a father. I told you before, if you're not ready, I will wait."
She just smiled. That was why she loved him so much.
"Hon, if I give you everything, you won't leave me, right?" she asked.
He suddenly stopped and stared at her. "Are you inviting me to do it?" He leaned close to her ear, and she could feel his warm breath. "Because I really want to, hon. Also, to make you mine even more," he whispered.
She blushed at his words.
"H—hon," she stammered, glancing at Frank, seeing his serious expression.
"See? You're not ready; don't even say it. I might not be able to hold back," he warned.
"Sorry, I was just asking," she said softly.
"Don't cross that line. You know I always want you, but I don't want to force you," he reassured.
She nodded.
"Damn, it's so hard to hold back," he muttered.
She blushed again at his words.
"Let's go. I need to get the kids' toys," he said.
She nodded and hugged him. "I love you, hon."
"I love you more," he replied.
They went down to the car and headed straight to shop for toys and other supplies for the kids. She knew how much he loved her. She was willing to give herself to the one she loved. Frank's words were true—they hadn't gone that far yet, but she admitted to herself that she always anticipated it, especially when his hands wandered over her body. Frank was always touching her, and she willingly gave herself more.
Frank only restrained himself when necessary. She knew she was lucky and was happy about it.
She noticed he had gifts and food with him.
"Hon, this is too much," she said, scratching her head.
"No, it'll all be gone," he laughed.
"You really are something. Let me help you, hon," she said.
****
When they arrived, Mariely and Frank carried gifts for the kids, and Nathan could only shake his head.
"Tito Frank!" the mischievous children greeted him excitedly.
"Hello there," he replied.
Nathan saw Faith carrying food as well. Nathan approached her.
"Let me help you."
"Thank you, brother," Faith smiled.
"Your fiancé really spoils your nephews and nieces," Nathan commented.
"Yeah, I didn't know he liked kids so much," she replied.
"When are you going to start a family?" Nadia suddenly asked.
"What are you saying?" Faith blushed.
"Come on, don't tell me you haven't… you know?" He teased further.
"Brother! That's private," she said, glancing at her happy boyfriend.
"Yeah, yeah, but I'm sure when you're in bed, don't be surprised. He's very wild," he teased.
"Brother, stop talking!" she said, blushing.
Frank picked up Xyrel, laughing along with Kaye, the youngest.
"Tita!" Kaye hugged her excitedly.
"Kaye, are you okay now?" she asked, holding the youngest.
"Yes, Tita, I'm really fine," Kaye replied energetically.
"Good, but don't overexert yourself," she reminded.
"Yes, Tita," Kaye said happily.
"Brother, have you talked to Veron and Andrew?" she asked.
"Ah, yes. They said they'll be late," he replied.
"Shall we wait for them?" she asked.
"Sure, it's still early," he said.
Soon, the doorbell rang.
"Hon, I'll get it," Nadia said, tapping her husband.
"Thanks," Nathan smiled.
Veron and Andrew arrived and went straight to the dining table.
"Where's the birthday girl?" Veron asked.
"Tita Veron, I'm here!" her daughter laughed.
"You always spoil these kids," Nathan said, shaking his head.
"Brother, they're only kids once," she replied. "Are Mom and Dad coming?"
"No, they're busy, but they'll send a gift today," Nathan explained.
She noticed their engagement rings and smiled.
"When is your wedding?" He asked her sister.
They exchanged glances. "We'll discuss that, brother," they replied with happy smiles.
"Why am I always in the hot seat when it comes to weddings? Others are getting married too," she teased her friend.
"We're just afraid that man will take you and not return," Veron joked.
Nathan laughed at the two. "You two are something else," he said, shaking his head.
After eating, they gathered in the living room for drinks.
"Clover, is your wife really okay?" he asked.
"Hon, I'm going to sleep," Clarisse said, holding her three-month-old baby.
"Don't get too drunk," she warned.
"Clarisse, if you need help, I'll assist," his wife, Nadia, offered. "I know taking care of a baby is hard."
"Thank you, Nadia," she said.
"We're just here if you need anything," her sister added.
"Hey, you two, don't bring alcohol and get drunk," Nathan warned the two women.
"No, we're good. We're taking care of the baby," Veron said.
"Zean, I'm going upstairs," Faith said.
"Yeah," he replied.
She watched her sister hug Frank. "I'll go up too," she smiled.
Upstairs, the women left, leaving the four of them in the living room.
"It's our first time all together here," she said.
"In unexpected ways," Andrew replied.
"Hey man, that's for courage, to make a baby with Veron?" Frank joked.
"Idiot, we've been trying, but we can't conceive. Maybe it's just not the right time," he explained.
"Well, you will once you're married; maybe the baby comes first, like my crazy cousin," Frank teased, referring to Clover, who quietly shook her head.
"But damn, Nathan, you and Nadia have been together a long time with three kids, and she's really happy with married life," Andrew observed.
"Yeah, I need advice. Clarisse is stressed now, so I help with the baby. We take turns."
"You need to understand your wife too. When Nadia got pregnant with our first, it wasn't easy. You need to remember why you married and started a family. I don't make Nadia work now. By the time Xavier turns seven, maybe she'll return to nursing," Frank said, holding his drink.
"You need patience and communication. We're happy our child is growing up now; be supportive. You both work together. For me, it's challenging. I promised Nadia's parents I'd make their daughter happy," he laughed.
"But Nadia is happy now; she glows differently while managing marriage," Frank observed.
"Yeah, because we always hold hands tight, no matter the problem," Nathan said.
"It's not easy to be a father and husband," Nathan added.
"I understand that. I need to help Clarisse and be aware of her needs as a mother," Clover replied.
"If you're ready to become a man for your soon-to-be wives, make sure you won't regret it. There's no second chance if you back out."
"Hey Frank, if you get Faith pregnant and don't take responsibility, watch out," Nathan warned.
"Me again? I may have been an idiot before, but Faith is everything to me. I hold back because I respect her so much," he said.
"Good, I get your point," Nathan nodded.
They drank until they were drunk, forgetting everything they were talking about.