heya, this is the last chapter! thank you for joining this journey with me, Jacinta, and Fabio. Hope you enjoy it.

*

Chapter 35

When we found out I was positive through the pregnancy test, Fabio immediately set me up on an appointment with a doctor. I even told him na bakit ba siya nagmamadali at unahin na lang naming ang weekly check-up ni Matteo at iyong follow-up check-up niya rin sa doctor pero sabi niya we can do all those things together naman.

Hindi na rin siya mapakali. He became so frantic when he found out about it. He couldn't stop being affectionate and clingier to me. It's like he's showing me what he could've done to those days he missed when I was pregnant with Matteo.

He's trying his best and I'm seeing those efforts of him.

We haven't told anyone yet, even Ale on Sicily. I'm not even sure what would be his reaction if he finds out that I'm pregnant. He might be happy for me.

It's not like we wanna keep this a secret from everybody, but we'll find a perfect time for it. Hindi naman ako worried sa parents ko, they'll be happy pa nga. Seeing them getting so comfortable around Fabio makes me feel better. Ang inaalala ko na lang ay ang parents niya. We really haven't had a chance pa na magkausap ulit. I've caught him sometimes na kausap sila, but I really don't have the courage to speak with them.

It seems like I'm too low to be Fabio's partner and the mother of his child.

Or maybe I was just worrying too much.

After our weekly check-up with Matteo sa pedia niya, we went to Fabio's follow-up check-up and his doctor said he was good to go, but reminded him to be careful next time when driving on the road. Though he couldn't avoid what happened to him dahil hindi naman siya ang may malakasan, we're hoping it won't happen again.

Everything is fine with Fabio and Matteo kaya naman nag-aalala ako habang naghihintay na kaming tawagin for my check-up. Nanginginig ang tuhod at kamay ko so I was a little surprised when Fabio reached for my hand and hold it tightly.

"What are you worried about?" he asked.

"I don't know..."

"No, tell me."

"I really don't know... maybe I was just nervous."

He smirked. "That's normal, and you don't have to be. We're with you... and this time you're not alone."

"I know that."

"It's not like you're getting pregnant for the first time." He chuckled. "I'm glad we find it out sooner than later."

I stare through his soul and squinted my eyes. Nagtaka siya sa mga tinginan ko sa kanya.

"Did you really intend to get me pregnant?" I questioned.

He cackled, shaking his head. "No, I do not. I don't have a plan on having another baby—not at this moment. I was just trying to win you back. I did and gave me more than I could've asked for."

Siniko ko na lang din naman siya. "If you didn't provoke me, I would've left you with blue balls that night."

He laughed. "No, I don't think so. You were too so horny that night, I can't imagine you running away from me."

Pinanlakihan ko siya ng mata dahil may mga katabi rin naman kami na pasyente rin at malakas nang kaunti ang boses niya. Hindi naman siya nahihiya. Proud pa nga ang loko.

Hindi rin katagalan nang tawagin na kami sa loob. Inalalayan pa naman ako ni Fabio na para bang kay laki-laki na ng tiyan ko. Halos hindi pa nga ramdam ng katawan ko na buntis na ako.

We were greeted by the doctor as we settle down. She checked me up kung anong nararamdaman ko. We go through her set of questions and then checking of my vital signs, everything went great there so it was a little relief for me there.

When she finally asked me to go through the next part she'll be using ultrasound to figure out how long it has been since I was pregnant. Humiga naman ako sa adjustable bed while she asked me to raise my shirt up so she could put some gel on my stomach. I looked back and forth to the doctor, Fabio, and then the monitor which will show whatever it may scan on my stomach.

Pagkalapat niya ng gel sa tiyan ko ay malamig pa 'yon at bahagya pa akong nanginig.

"Doc, don't tell the gender yet," babala ni Fabio.

Natawa naman ng bahagya ang doctor. "It's hard to know the gender of the baby at this stage of pregnancy. If there's life inside her stomach, it may not still be developed. But we're doing this so we can verify how many weeks it has been."

"Oh... alright, that's good."

I looked at him and mouthed. "Don't be too excited."

A lopsided grin showed up on his face.

When the doctor started scanning my stomach with the transducer, my heart was beating too loud. It doesn't take too long before the doctor found the spot and there announced to us, pointing to the monitor where a small blob inside my stomach started to form.

"Congratulations," she said. "Based on the images, you have been pregnant for about two to three weeks now. This is a good sign of life, right there. I'm sure your baby would be so excited to have his sibling coming soon."

Pero nang lingunin ko si Fabio ay nakatapat ang camera ng phone niya sa akin at kinukuhaan niya ako.

"Jacinta, Saluta mamma e papà!" he exclaimed. "E ' incinta!" (Jacinta, say hello to mama and papa! She's pregnant!"

Napangiwi na lang din ako dahil hindi ko naman inaasahan na magvi-video call kaagad siya with his parents. Hinarap pa niya sa akin ang selfie cam so I can see them as well and they were excited for this news. I'm not sure if it was genuine, but I could see the smile on their faces as well. Pinakita pa ni Fabio iyong doctor ko at nagpabati pa ito.

"Ci sentiamo dopo," he said and dropped the call. (We will talk to you later.)

I noticed how he was excited, too. Hindi maalis ang ngiti sa labi niya.

"Sorry," he apologizes. "I am just excited."

"I can see that, Fabio. But now let's proceed to some things we need to discuss for your pregnancy," she said talking to me.

Nakinig naman kaming dalawa ni Fabio. There were so many things to remember and advice to comply with. I know Fabio would be so strict with me about this, but I wouldn't let him stop me from doing what I love. Kung nagawa ko no'n, I bet I still can do it this time. Iyon nga lang, he's there for me—finally.

When the doctor finally let us go, I was relieved, but a little scared for what's coming. Hindi pa nga ako tuluyang nakare-recover kay Matteo, I would be giving birth ulit. But this time, alam ko na ang gagawin ko.

We went back to his car and thought about calling his parents again. When he contacted them earlier, I was shocked and scared about their reaction.

From the first and last time we me back in Sicily, it doesn't really feel like I was belonged. Feeling ko mas bet nila si Giana that time kaya namuo rin sa isipan ko na hindi ko na dapat ipagpilitan ang sarili ko kay Fabio.

"Here they are," he announced as they finally answered the call. "Hey, guys."

"Fabio," pagbati ng mamaya niya. Iniharap naman niya sa akin ang selfie cam at kumaway ako. "Here's Jacinta, pregnant with our second baby."

"Gosh, you both surprised us," she said. "We're not expecting that'll happen sooner, but as you should know, we're here to support both of you. We're happy... I am happy."

That put a smile on my face and warmth my heart.

"Thank you, tita," sagot ko. "That means so much to me."

"Oh, no, don't thank me. I should thank you for making Fabio set his mind straight. You're the only one who made him like this, so... that's quite an achievement, really. I cannot wait to see you here back in Italy. We're in Rome right now, but we could fly back to Sicily in case you'll be there."

"I'm not sure about that, we don't have a plan yet," sagot ko.

"Why don't you guys travel here in the Philippines, right? It's been so long since you've come here."

"We'll think about that," sagot naman ng tatay niya sa nanonood sa tabi ng mama nito.

"Yeah, we will..." she said. "We have to go for now. Call us again, alright?"

"Certo, vi voglio bene," he said. "Ciao." (Sure, I love you guys. Bye.)

Napabitaw naman ako nang malalim na hininga nang matapos ang tawag. Napansin iyon ni Fabio.

"What was that for?" he asked.

"Well, I was scared of your mom," I confessed. "I thought she hates me that's why I'm not comfortable since I feel she's going to scrutinize my being anytime."

He laughed, shaking my head. "No, that's just her. But see what she says? Don't think about it anymore, she likes you..."

"Yeah, good to know..."

"Let's go meet your parents?"

My forehead creased when he asked me. "Why?"

"Don't you want to tell them about it?" he asked. "This is good news... they should know it, too."

"Of course, they do."

"Then let's go," he said. "I wanna see your father's reaction, to be honest. I'm not sure if he's going to kill me or not, but that's what I was thinking."

I chuckled. "Let's just hope not."

He drove the car away from where we parked and go to my parent's house. While we were on the road, I took a picture of the ultrasound and send it to Ale.

To: Ale

Look who's pregnant? : )

Hindi pa naman niya agad nabasa. He could be busy sa bar niya sa mga oras na 'to, but once he opens my message, his reaction is something I'm also dreading to find out.

"Who'd you sent those?" he asked.

"To Ale."

He smirked. "Alessandro."

I rose a brow. "What's the matter?"

"Nothing..."

"No, I don't think so," sagot ko. "I know you're still wondering, but we're just friends. He's been part of my life since I'm pregnant with Matteo so I guess it's okay to share the news with him as well. I'm actually anticipating his reply."

"Okay," he said. "But, I didn't tell you this... Back in Sicily, by the time I was still looking for you, remember we got into a fight, right? At that moment, he said to me he likes you, and at some point before, you both kissed." He scoffed. "But that's all in the past now, it's not like you're going to run from me to be with him, are you?"

I shook my head. That's the only response he gets from me about what he shared with me now.

I remember the time we kissed, but I held myself back at that time. We were both confused and might be only fueled by something else.

Tahimik lang kaming dalawa sa biyahe hangga't sa marating namin ang bahay. Before we even left the car, I told him na 'wag na 'wag siyang mag-aalala sa pagkakaibigan naming ni Ale.

Ale's a good friend of mine. May utang pa nga ako sa kanya at hindi ko pa nababayaran pero hindi pa naman niya ako hinahabol patungkol do'n.

"I know," he said. "I believe in you." Was all Fabio's word before kissing me and getting off the car.

When we arrived at home, they were surprised dahil hindi naman nila inaasahan na dadalaw kami. Since the day Fabio went home from his accident and I had to stay on his condo to look after him, hindi na ako nakauwi ulit sa bahay. Hindi na rin naman ako pinapauwi ni Fabio at mag-stay na lang daw ako since kasama na naman namin si Matteo.

He really took that opportunity for us to be together. Gano'n din naman ang sabi ng parents ko. Para maiwasang mangyari ang aksident na kinasangkutan ni Fabio, it would be better if I'll stay na lang sa condo niya he wouldn't have to drive early and go home late dahil sobrang hassle sa kanya ang one to two hours drive every single day.

Si mama ay mabilis na inalaga si Matteo while we gather them all around to make the announcement.

"Aalis na kayo?" pangunguna ni papa. "Babalik na kayo sa Italy?" I could sense the sadness in his tone, but good thing hindi iyon ang dala naming balita.

"Hindi po, pa," sagot ko pa.

"E, ano naman 'yon."

Ipinakita ko naman sa kanila iyong laman na envelope na hawak ko. Iniladlad ko sa kanilang harapan ang images from the ultrasound itself. Tinitigan pa nito iyon ng ilang Segundo hangga't sa maglulundag-lundag sila sa tuwa.

They quickly hug us both and super happy for the news they received. Katulad nila, I was surprised that I'm pregnant and be having another baby soon. Iyong mga kapatid ko ay tuwang-tuwa rin dahil magkakaroon na naman sila ng bagong kukulitin na pamangkin.

All I ever wanted is to be happy and have a life ahead. Fabio promised me he could give me one so I'm holding on to those promises he made for me. I know he's trying his best. I know he'll be a good father. I know whatever happened after this day, I'll be fine... I made it the last time, hindi na ako susuko ngayon.

Jacinta never gives up, now that it feels like we'll begin a new journey again—a rebirth of our relationship—of truth, love, and hope. All feels right... and sure, maybe forgiving him was the best decision I've ever done.

#BirthOfLiesInSicily #BOLISChapter35 #WTS9