Chantall

"Where is Xander, Arlin? Mommy Liz are on their way na. Baka malate tayo. That doesn't mean na may private plane tayo we can just go wherever we want to go." I asked Arlin while I'm checking up the things that we need to bring.

We're going to Amanpulo for Xander's 3rd Birthday and we'll stay there for a week kasi birthday din ng Tito Simon niya.

"Ate, nakipaglaro po ng hide and seek. Hindi ko po makita. Napakagaling na po tumago." I just closed my eyes and sighed like I am giving up with this potato. As he's growing older, mas malikot, mas makulit na siya. Especially when he's starting to run and walk. Kawawa si Arlin kakahabol sa kaniya. And knowing Xander, hindi siya lalabas as long as hindi siya makikita ng taya.

"Ferdinand Alexander!" My voice echoed in this house as I muttered his name with warning tone.

"Wait, Love! Are they already there?" Sandro went down panicking as he's wearing his polo shirt kaya napakamot nalang ako ng sentido. I remember, dalawa palang ang Ferdinand Alexander sa pamamahay na 'to.

We already separated from Mommy Liz since we get married and they are just visiting us here in Laoag also.

"Not you! 'Yung anak mo. Pakihanap, he  played hide and seek again with Arlin and hindi na mahanap ang bata. Mom are on their way na." Napapikit na lang din si Sandro ng mata. Xander is really pro on hiding. Sometimes nakikita na siya sa backyard, sa mga halaman.

"Xander!" Sigaw din niya. Kaunti nalang, magiging loud house and loud family na kami.

"What's with the yelling? Ready na ba kayo? Halika na! We need to go," Sabay kaming tatlo napalingon sa entrance where Mommy Liza appears wearing her red dress. I smiled at her and approached her to kiss her cheeks.

"Good morning, Mom. Si Xander kasi, naglaro na naman sila ni Arlin ng taguan. You know that kid, mahirap hanapin." I replied on her as some PSG went inside the house to take our baggages.

"Oh? Xander is with his Wowo na inside the van. He just appeared when the PSG opened the door for us and there he is, playfully greeted us with his smile.. But he's dugyot. Sandro, kuhanan mo muna ng damit si Xander. Madumi na ang polo niya." oh God! That kid! Sandro went upstairs na to get some shirt so that we can't get his clothes on the baggage na. Mommy and Arlin went outside na and nagpakuha na din ako ng snacks sa pantry as I am waiting to Sandro.

"Let's go!" I told him as I saw him walking down the stairs and he smiled at me. He went on me to hold my hand and kisses my forehead kaya napatingin ako sa kaniya na nakakunot ang noo. He's so random, as always.

"Why? What was that for?" I asked him confusedly and he shake his head as he smiled at me.

"Thank you for being a hands on Mom to our son and also to me. I do really appreciated it." Napangiti nalang ako sa sinabi niya. His sweetness and kacornyhan never vanished.

"That's the best thing I can do for you.. for Xander.. for our family. Ano ka ba!" he went closer on me as he captured my lips. I just smiled in between our kisses.

"Ehem! Gov.. Ma'am, pinapatawag na po kayo ni Ma'am Liza." we break our kiss immediately and I pursed my lips. PSG na naman ang nakakakita sa kalandian namin. Sandro licked his lips and gave that guy a glare kaya siniko ko ito.

"Let's just continue it later at Amanpulo. Let's make a made in Amanpulo daughter." Sandro whispered at me while we're walking and that made my cheeks felt like burning.

"Umayos ka, Sandro! Lumugar ka!" Saad ko dito and he just laughed at me.

"What took you so long?" Bungad ni Daddy Bong sa amin na kandong si Xander at may hawak na chocolates.

"You know what, Dad. You're so unfair. When I was a kid I can't eat chocolates. But you're spoiling Xander a lot of chocolates now." Sandro muttered kaya natawa nalang silang dalawa ni Mommy. May pagkasadboy po ang aking asawa, yes po. And siya lang ang tinatanggap ko na sa Sadboy.

"I'm a grandparent eh. Remember, your Mama Meldy also always spoils you a sack of chocolates back then? Grandfather things." Sandro rolled his eyes to Daddy and  pinalitan na muna si Xander ng damit. I gave Dad a kiss nalang as we entered the van.

"Everyone is already at the airport, tayo nalang daw ang hinihintay." Mom said and ibinalik ang phone sa bag niya, Xander is sitting on my lap drinking his milk on his bottle and Sandro is having a phone call

"I told you, I'll be out for a week because it's my son's birthday. Just give it to my assistant." napangisi nalang ako and I took a bottle of breast milk on the bag of Xander and nilipat ito sa mini baso. He hates breast milk, he really do. But he loves sucki... nevermind!

I handed him the milk and he took it and ininom naman.

"What the hell, Chantall!" napahagalpak ako sa tawa as he handed me back the glass.

"What happened?" Dad asked.

"She made me drink her milk, Dad." sumbong nito and I just laughed my ass out while Xander is confusingly staring at us.

"The hell?" we all stared at Xander as he muttered that word innocently.

"What the hell." saad niya pa kaya napatingin nalang ako kay Sandro ng masama.

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"Kailan niyo balak sundan si Xander, Hija?" Dad asked me and they all laughed. We're already here in Amanpulo and we're having a lunch together. The Titas and Titos are here of course, the cousin din with their wives. More likely parang reunion na 'to. Arlin is in the room because Xander is asleep. I told her to join us but she can't leave my son alone on the room daw. I'm so amazed on that girl,

"Tito, how about. Why don't you ask Matt when to marry me? I'm so tired of waiting for him to propose on me." singit ni Jamie so Tita Imee gave her a glare,

"Hahahah! Hija, ayaw ka na daw pakasalan ng anak ko. He wants to settle on that kind of relationship of the both of you." Tita Imee jokingly said that made Jamie frowned and glared to Kuya Matt.

"Oh! My future manugang is mapanaket ha, I can't!" Jamie then drinked her juice and we all laughed.

"When are you going back to modeling and showbiz career nga pala, Chan. You still have your curves oh." Cara pointed out and pointed me with her forks so I stared at Sandro and lahat na din napatingin sa kaniya.

"What? She can go back to her career whenever she wants to. That's her passion, I don't want her to be imprisoned to me and Xander." he explained.  We still respect our own lives pa din 'no. But asking permission or advices is a must before entering the situation that we need to because hindi lang kami dalawa pa. May Xander na,

We just have our chitchats about life, family, ourselves and career.. most especially the political career.

"Hirap talaga pag ganda lang ang ambag oh!" Jamie said and sighed. To be honest, were out of place on this situation because usapang politiko na.

"Mahirap talaga pag Marcos's wives lang 'no." Xandra muttered with her tease voice para asarin si Jamie.

"But my Love is the most beautiful! Ako ba naman ang asawa.. Pogi." Sandro said proudly kaya siniko ko ito and everyone reacted on what he said.

"Hey! Don't be harsh on my Sandro, he's really pogi naman talaga ah." I defended and everyone reacted like the cringe is underneath their skins.

"May Xander na kayo't lahat-lahat, corny pa rin kayo?" Simon said bitterly. Kanina pa siya tahimik eh. Scarlette really changed him.

"It runs in our blood. Look at Dad to Mommy." Pagsisingit pa ni Vincent. Sana all may defender.

"By the way, Xander requested RJ to come with us. Hahabol 'yun." Mom said. Speaking of RJ or TP. Jusko po! Close na close po so Xander sa kaniya. I swear, and nisspoil naman nung isa. Yung si Sandro din, if magkasama si Xander and TP, grabe yung selos.

"Ito siguro yung consequences sa paglilihi mo kay TP, Love." We all laughed on what he said. Makadrama 'to. Daddy's boy din nga ang anak niya.

"Pasalamat ka nalang na hindi nakamukha ni TP, 'no. Kuhang-kuha nga niya lahat ng features mo, hindi ako nagreklamo." saad ko dito.

"Yeah! I agree! Pati kakulitan, yung kakulitan at kalikutan ninyong dalawa, nakuha ni Xander kaya 200% na malikot ang bata na iyon." We also agreed on what Dad have said. Ako na din ang naaawa kay Arlin dahil always nitong pinagttripan ang Ate Arlin niya. I don't want Xander to call Arlin and know her as a Yaya kasi. She really is so close to us.

"Pati ka-savage and material girl ni Xander nakuha sa nanay at tatay niya." Singit din ni Jamie.

"Nagpagawa ako ng tree house ni Xander sa backyard, Chantall, Sandro. Magugustuhan ba 'yun ni Xander?Don't worry, it's child friendly tree house." Mommy said so me and Sandro stared at each other shockingly.

"And ako ang sumagot ng interior. Furnitures and stuffs." Dad continued.

"Daddy.. Mommy! No need naman na pagawan si Xander ng ganun. It's too much." Sandro said and napatango ako,

"Hoy! Ano ka ba! Normal lang 'yan kasi unang apo, eh." Tita Irene said. Kahit na 'no! A tree house na parang bahay na din is too much.

"You're spoiling him too much, Mom. Dad. Baka lumaking demanding 'yan." I told them and they just shake my head,

"Sorry Dear, it's already under construction!" we just gave up on what Mom said. Napagawa na eh. On Going!

"Sarap naman maging apo nina Tita Liz and Tito Bong, oh! Pero mas masarap maging daughter in-law ng isang Imee Marcos 'no." Banat ni Jamie and we all laughed.

"Mommy.. Dada." Sabay kaming lumingon when I heard Xander's voice who's in the arms of Arlin.

"Good afternoon little boy, how's your sleep?" Dad asked his grandchild as I take Xander to Arlin.

"Kumain ka na, Arlin." Sandro said,

"How's your sleep daw? Your Wowo asked you," I asked Xander as I take a fork and gave him the fried chicken,

"Do you want ice cream, Anak?" Sandro asked his son and he replied a nod on his father.

"Sandro, isa ka pa. Di pa nakalunch ang bata, ipapadessert mo agad?"

"Kiss Dada muna.. and ikaw Mommy, kiss mo din ako." Nahampas ko si Sandro deoras sa saad niya.

"God! There they are again." Vinny muttered.

"Wowa? We will swim there?" Xander asked Mommy and pointed her tiny fingers on the beach and Mommy giggled as she nodded,

"Yes Apo, later. Sunset. We'll have a swimming there. Are you excited to swim?" Xander nodded cheerfully to Mommy.

"But before that, eat your lunch so that you have an enough energy to swim." I told Xander and tumango naman ito. Masunurin siya 'no.

Before I am so afraid na baka mapalaki ko ng hindi maayos ang bata, but.. gladly, we did well on raising him up. We will do our best to make him better as he grows older,

Around 5pm, we're here already on the beach because the kids are having fun in playing and swimming, while the oldies.. nandito while eyeing our own kids.

"Sino kaya ang susunod sa yapak ng henerasyon?" Cara asked while watching the kids.

I'm resting my head on Sandro's shoulder while watching the sunset and the kids, listening to their playful laughter and also the waves.

"Matik na si Kwatro na 'yan." Vinny replied, he calls Xander 'Kwatro' in his fine expensive accent.

"Vince, stop calling my son 'Kwatro'." sita ni Sandro, he doesn't want na may tumatawag kay Xander na ibang nickname.

"Okay po, Tres." Napatawa naman kaming lahat sa mapang-asar na si Vincent kaya 'tong Kuya niya, binigyan ng pamatay na titig.

"Asus! Masanay ka na, Sandro. Soon, nickname na niyan is 'Babe' or 'Baby' or 'Love'." saad ko dito.

"Please pray for your son na hindi maging babaero. Alam mo na, lahat ng kay Sandro nakuha na niya, pati ugali. Pero huwag yung madaming babae pag nagbinata na." Mom uttered so I jokingly stared at Sandro na naniningkit ang mata.

"What? What did I do wrong? Mommy naman kasi," nanisi pa. Hahahahaha!

"I'm just saying. Oh God!" Mom replied and shrugged her shoulders.

"Lagot! May matutulog sa beach side mamayang gabi ah." Kuya Matt teased Sandro and gave him a 'hala-sign'

"Love, don't worry. Ikaw na ang pinakamamahal ko ngayon, you're the most beautiful woman I ever known and I ever had." Takot yarn? Hahahaha!

"Pang-ilan ako, Sandro?" I asked him seriously pero syempre, nagbibiro ako.

"Before Jillian?" Singit ni Simon and everyone stared at him na parang winawarningan.

"Hey! Mas nauna kaya si Channy Baby kesa kay Jillian Robredo." Pagtatama pa ng isa.

"Ssshh! Don't include the past." Dad said calmly.

To be honest, we already forgotten about that Jillian incident. Kinalimutan na namin siya. Ever since we reconcile, that's the sign that we should forget and avoid Jillian. There's no bitterness nor hatred na din sa puso ko. But there's a hint of fear in my heart na baka bumalik ulit siya and baka masira niya yung pamilya na binuo namin.

"Happy birthday to you! Happy Birthday to you! Happy birthday, happy birthday, happy birthday to you!" we all sang. It's already 12 in the midnight, ginising nila si Xander.. kami rather.

The three of us are sitting on the bed smiling at them while Xander is staring at them sleepily and dumbfounded.

"Happy birthday our little The Fourth!" Dad greeted him and nilapitan kami.

"Come on, tell a wish and blow the candle, Anak." Sandro said and pinatayo si Xander sa kama kaya tinignan niya si Sandro sabay hikab that made everyone giggled.

"You know how to blow a candle right? Come on, Baby." Binuhat nalang ni Sandro si Xander and lumapit kay Daddy na may hawak na cake.

"What's your wish?" I asked Xander and he stared at me and Sandro. He smiled and tinignan ang kandila.

"Hoy! No!" We all panicked nung hahawakan niya sana ang kandila sa cake niya. He just laughed at us while kami kinakabahan.

"Don't touch it, you'll burn your finger. What's your wish na?" I asked him once again while Sandro is holding his hands.

"Baby.. baby Sister.. Ate Mia." Sabi niya sabay turo kay Cara,

"You want a baby sister, Apo?" Mom asked him and he nodded.

"Mommy, alam niyo na. Sa inyo muna ang bata." Sandro said kaya kinurot ko ang likuran nito and he reacted while they all laughed again.

After nung pasurprise nila kay Xander, pinatulog na namin ito and we planned to walk on the beach to unwind.

"We're growing older, Love. And still together." Sandro said and that made me smile.

"We're growing older and my love for you is also growing bigger." sagot ko dito at napapikit ito ng mariin sa sinabi ko. Kilig yarn? Hahaha! He hugged me tight and he sniffed my neck that made me laugh because it tickles.

"I love you, Chantall Marcos." I hugged him back and kissed his cheeks,

"I love you more, Sandro ko." I replied and he faced me.

"Can't believe that you're my wife.. God! This beautiful woman in front of me is in my arms and.. asawa ko pa." Asus! Bolero,

"Asus! I can't also believe na sa dinami-daming babaeng minahal ka, nagustuhan ka, pinagdasal ka. Kesyo daw gwapo, matalino, mabango, ma."

"I know I'm not tall. Shut it, love." I laughed and give him a peck on his lips.

"Masipag. Hahahahaha!" suplado, he just rolled his eyes on me. God! Dukutin ko mata neto eh. Hahahahaha!

"Sa dinami-dami ng babae na nagdadasal sayo na sa kanila ikaw mapunta. Sakin ka pa binigay ni Lord. How unlucky am I." Pagbibiro ko dito so he frowned at me and kumalas sa yakap. I laughed and hinila din siya to hug him.

"Hahahah! I'm just joking! You know what, I'm the luckiest woman living. Because I have the most handsome man in the world. Meron akong Sandro na mahal na mahal ko and Sandro na mamahalin ko. I won't get tired of loving you," I told him and ito umiiwas ng tingin habang namumula ang tainga.

"Ito, pikon! Tulak kita doon sa tulay makita mo." I told him as I pointed the bridge.

"I'm not." he hugged me behind and we stared at the moon.

"Parang kailan lang ikaw pa lang ang baby ko 'no? But, look. May kaagaw na ako sa'yo. May baby pa ako na isa." saad nito kaya napangiti ako.

God, I do really love this man, I faced him and wrapped my arms around his neck while staring at his eyes with full of love, I smiled at him as I tiptoe to capture his lips. He smiled in between our kisses and kisses me back.

"Are we going to answer Xander's wish?" He asked me while we're gasping an air.

"Let's give him a sister," he said and he crashed his lips on mine.

Can't believe that the man that I married.. is the man na malayo ko na makuha. He's too far, can't even reach him. But if he really is destined for you, God will really make a way for the both of you to meet, to fall in love, and to build a life that you deserve. Even though how impossible it is, God's plan is more clearer than the water. Even though how chaotic and depressing the world is, this man.. my husband is the clarity and remedy to my life.. my husband and my son. The remedy that I will always remember in the midst of battles and the clarity that I will also always remember in between of the storm.

"Mommy.. Dada." Xander went back inside the room wearing his polo shirt and his pants.

"Wow! How handsome our Xander is." Sandro said and carried our giggling son.

"Wabyu Dada." Xander said sweetly on his father and kissed his lips. I frowned and Sandro laughed at me sabay belat kaya inirapan ko ito.

"Bakit ako magseselos sa inyo? Eh ampapanget ninyo, no. I don't cry. I don't cry. I'm strong." sabi ko sa kanila and I crossed my arms on my chest.

"Hihihi! Wabyu Mommy." Xander said and spread his arms para mabuhat ko din siya so I smiled and kinuha siya sa tatay niya. I kissed his cheeks playfully and even his neck that made him laugh.

"Kanino nagmana si Xander?" I asked him. I know he will answer Dada.

"Nangnang!" He replied in between his giggles. Namana na din ang mapang-asar side neto galing kay TP eh. Kaloka!

"What the?" Sandro said unbelievably. Xander's Nangnang is TP kaya kung makareact