"Tristan..." Nagising ako sa impit na ungol ni Andi. I opened my eyes and saw her writhing in pain next to me. Agad nawala ang antok ko at napaupo ako sa mula pagkakahiga. 

"Is it time?" I asked her as I wiped the beaded sweat from her forehead. I could see the agony on her face and I tried hard not to freak out.

"I- I think so." She said in a shaky voice, gripping on my wrist and squeezing it as if she was trying to stop the pain. "Ang sakit, Tristan. It hurts so bad."

She was already on her ninth month and when we went for a check up last week the doctor said she was ready to give birth anytime soon. Now was the time. My heart was pounding so loud that I could almost feel it jumping out of my chest. I didn't know what to do to comfort her. Hindi ko alam kung paano ko pahihintuin ang sakit. Kung pwede nga lang ako na ang sumalo nun.

I tried to calm myself down and got up from bed. We already packed the things we needed for the hospital weeks ago. Kinuha ko ang bag kung saan nakalagay ang mga gamit ng baby at mga damit ni Andi at sinabit sa katawan ko.

"Kaya mo bang tumayo?" I asked her.

She nodded. "Yeah... It just hurts so bad. I just want it to stop." She said in a wince. I hate seeing her in pain like this, if there's only something I could do to take it away. Andi carefully rolled to the side of the bed and sat up. Hinawakan ko siya at inalalayan sa pagtayo. I wrapped my arm around her waist and held her wrist in the other hand as I guided her downstairs. She looked at me and I smiled hoping it would hide the turmoil and panic I was feeling inside.

Maingat ko siyang inupo sa passenger's seat at sinuotan ng seatbelt. Then I hurridly ran to the driver's seat. I was so excited but at the same time I was scared, worried, panicking. I had no idea how to handle things like this.

"Masakit pa ba?" Kinuha ko ang isang kamay niya habang nagmamaneho ako. I just held and stroked it, wishing it would ease the pain she was feeling. 

She just nodded as an answer. I didn't let go of her hand hanggang makarating kami sa ospital, that was the least I could do for knocking her up and putting her through this kind of pain. Agad na may sumalubong na nurse sa amin pagpasok namin sa ER. Namumutla na si Andi sa sakit ng makarating kami doon. They made her lie on the bed and the doctor checked her.

"The patient is in active labor. Eight centimeters dilated." Sabi ng doktor. The doctor told me it wouldn't take long before she gives birth. I already wanted it to end. Nahihirapan akong makitang nahihirapan siya. It was almost like I could feel her pain.

"You'll be fine. It's going to be ok." Bulong ko sa kanya habang hawak ko ang kamay niya at hinahalik-halikan ko siya. I did my best to stay calm and try to comfort her.

She smiled faintly at me. "I'm so excited to see him."

"Ako din." I smiled back at her and kissed her on the forehead. I stroked her hair as I whispered things to her. Anthing to get her mind off the pain. We waited and waited until she was finally ready to give birth. At that moment I never wanted to get her pregnant again even though we were planning to have two children. If it means she'd have to go through this pain again then I think I'd pass.

"Anak, huwag mong pahirapan ang nanay." Sabi ko habang marahang hinahaplos ang tiyan niya.

"TRISTAAAAAAAAAAN!" She screamed on the top of her lungs as her fingers dugged on my wrist. After about an hour of labor, our baby was ready to come out. 

"Misis, relax lang po." Sabi ng nurse. Andi's face was red, she was breathing heavily and sweating like hell.  

"It's okay... Nandito lang ako." Sabi ko sa kanya habang hawak ko ang kamay niya.

"Okay, misis, push." The doctor instructed her and she did. It took her several push before the baby came out. Tears automatically fell down my eyes when I heard our baby's cry. Tumingin ako kay Andi. She looked exhausted, her eyes half open but happiness was radiating from her face. I kissed her on the lips and thanked her for putting up with the pain and for bringing my son in this world.

Pinahawak ng doktor sa akin ang bata. His warmth and his cry were overwhelming, I couldn't believe I was holding my child for the first time. He was so beautiful. Everything went quiet the moment I held him. It was as if time stood still for me, as if the universe allowed me to have this moment with my child. A moment that would last forever. All I could feel was pure happiness, so much happiness that it made me cry.  He was worth it.

 "He has your eyes and your lips." Nakangiting sabi ni Andi habang karga si Yvo. The sun was just starting to rise and we were in our private suite. Sandali kong pinagmasdan ang mag-ina ko at napangiti. Motherhood really suited her. 

Andi looked heavenly as the morning rays of sun shined lightly through the window highlighting her face and hair and glowing her skin. It gave her an almost otherwordly glow. She looked like an angel with an angel baby in her arms. It was the most beautiful sight I've ever seen. My heart swelled with pride and joy that I felt like it could burst. This woman is my wife and the child in her arms is our son. I felt like I was the luckiest guy on earth.

"Isn't he cute?" Andi looked up at me with her beautiful smiling face.

"He's perfect." Sabi ko bago nagbaba ng tingin sa anak namin. "He has your nose and the shape of your face. He's the perfect combination of us."

Pagkaraan ng ilang sanadali ay nagsimula ng umiyak si Yvo. I watched as she pulled her hospital gown to reveal one of her perfectly round and full breasts. Inilapit niya ang anak namin sa dibdib niya. Yvo quickly latched on her nipple and suckled on it. I was wrong about what I said earlier. This was the most beautiful sight I've ever seen. It looked so pure, so serene, it filled me with some form of peace. I didn't know how to explain it but it was close to the feeling you get while watching the ocean or a beautiful sunset. Only a hundred times better. 

I reached over and carressed Yvo's cheek with one, single finger as he sucked on Andi's breast. 

"You're a lucky little man, do you know that?" Sabi ko habang pinanonood siya. "Those used to be mine."

Andi chuckled. "Nagseselos sa'yo ang tatay, baby." Then she looked at me. "From now on, you'd have to share me."

"I know." I said, faking a pout before kissing her on the lips. "Thanks for having him, Andi. I love you."

"I love you, too."

"How are you feeling?" Tanong ko sa kanya.

"How am I feeling?" She said as if she didn't understand what I just asked her.

"Yeah, you just gave birth a few hours ago. Are you okay?" 

She noddded her head and smiled. "Yeah, I'm just a little tired."

"Pagkatapos mong magpadede matulog ka na. Ako na ang bahala kay Yvo." Sabi ko.

Once Yvo was done, I took her from Andi and I burped and rocked him to sleep. It wasn't long before the two of them were sleeping peacefully. I sat on the chair next to Andi and rested my head on the bed. I hadn't realize I fell asleep too until a small knock on the door woke me up. Tinignan ko ang mag-ina ko na mahimbing pa rin na natutulog bago tumayo para buksan ang pinto.

Bumungad sa akin ang mommy at daddy ni Andi. Tinawagan ko sila kanina para sabihin sa kanila na nanganak na si Andi. Napatawad ko na sila sa ginawa nila. He had already paid for his past mistake. Masakit pa rin ang nangyari sa unang anak ko pero kailangan na namin isara ang bahaging iyon ng buhay namin. For me, forgiveness was part of the healing process.  And who was I to not forgive? 

"Congratulations, Tristan, you're now a dad." He happily said, giving me a pat on the shoulder.

"Thanks, dad. Come in." Aya ko sa kanila.

"Where's our grandson?" Tanong naman ng mommy ni Andi at naglakad papasok sa kwarto. She stopped in front of the hospital bassinet where Yvo was. "What a gorgeous baby. Harold, tignan mo, he looks just like our Andi when she was little."

Lumapit si dad at sinilip ang sanggol. "Hello there, little guy."

Yvo started to move and began making small noises. 

"Aw, you woke him up." Mom said with a giggle.

Lumapit ako sa kanila at maingat na kinarga si Yvo para mahawakan nila. "Anak, may bisita ka. Nandito ang lolo at lola mo." I softly whispered to my son.

"Oh no, I'm too young to be a lola. That just won't do." She said while playing with my son's hand, he caught her finger and cluched on it. Dad rolled his eyes smiling and I grinned back at him. Then he turned his attention to Yvo.

"Do you want to carry him?" Tanong ko.

"Sure." Excited na sabi ni mom. I handed my son to her. "Harold, parang kahapon lang buhat buhat ko si Andi. Ngayon ang baby natin may baby na."

"Yeah." A nostalgic smile appeared on his face while fondly looking at his granchild. Nag-angat siya ng tingin sa akin. "You better enjoy him everyday. He'll change and grow so fast it will make you crazy." 

I smiled at him and nodded my head. Pinanood ko lang sila habang nilalaro nila si Yvo. They were both mesmerized with our little cherub.

"Mom... dad..." Napalingon kami kay Andi ng marinig namin siya. She was finally awake and smiling while staring at us. 

"How's my baby?" He asked in a concerned tone while stroking her hair.

"I'm fine, daddy." 

"Yvo looks exactly like you when you were little." Sabi ni dad kay Andi.

"How are you feeling?" Tanong naman ni mom. I took Yvo from her para maasikaso niya si Andi. 

"I feel great." Andi said with a wide smile on her face.

"You know, after I gave birth to you I felt like crap. Twelve hours yata akong naglabor noon." mom chuckled.

"Buti nga hindi niya ako masyadong pinahirapan. And Tristan made it alot easier for me." She looked at me lovingly.

"Isn't it cute? Two fathers taking care of their babies." Sabi ni mom habang nagpalit-palit ng tingin sa amin. Andi reached out her arms to me at lumapit ako sa kanya. She took our son in her arms and held it gently. Hinalikan ko siya sa noo. Just when I thought it was impossible to love her more than I already do, she proves me wrong.

That afternoon my father and Valerie came to see Yvo too. Tuwang-tuwa si dad ng makita niya ang unang apo niya at ganun din si Valerie. 

The years had flown by so quickly and so much had happened. Yvo was now four years old. Harold died peacefully after Yvo's first birthday. We made the best out of his remaining time and I believe that he died happy. Olivia opened her own orphanage at doon niya inilaan ang oras niya. Inimbitahan namin si Aiko at Jason noong binyag ni Yvo bilang ninang at ninong, akala ko nga hindi sila dadating but they did. Naayos na ang lahat sa pagitan namin, napatawad na nila kami. We even became good friends. Nagkamabutihan silang dalawa hanggang nauwi din sa kasalanan. Yes, Aiko and Jason got married. Who knew they'd end up together? Nang ikasal sila inimbitahan nila kami sa New York at ginawang ring bearer si Yvo. 

"Pew! Pew! Pew!" I shot him with a water gun, he ran away from me and I pretended to miss him. Then he squirted the water gun he was holding to me. We were at our backyard playing like any other ordinary day. 

"Aaaaahhh!" Ipinatong ko sa dibdib ko ang palad ko, kung saan niya ako natamaan ng tubig at nagkunwaring nasaktan. I dropped to the ground and just layed there. I slightly opened my eyes and saw him walking towards me.

"Tatay..." He shook my shoulder.

Bigla ko siyang niyakap pahiga at tumawa siya. "Drop the gun and surrender yourself!"

"No!" He laughed, shaking his head.

"Tristan... Yvo..." Narinig kong tawag ni Andi. Natigilan kaming dalawa at nagkatinginan.

"Naku, lagot tayo sa nanay mo." Sabi ko sa kanya. Agad kaming tumayo at nagtago sa likod ng puno. We watched from there as Andi walked outside. Luminga-linga siya sa paligid na parang hinahanap kami. Yvo covered his mouth, trying to surpress a laugh.

Nagkatinginan ulit kaming dalawa ng anak ko. "Okay, on the count of three babarilin natin si nanay. One... Two... Three..."

Lumabas kami sa pinagtataguan namin at binaril ng water gun si Andi.

"Ahhh! No! Stop it, you two!" She held up her hands as if to shield herself. "Kayo talagang mag-ama kayo!" She grabbed my water gun and started shooting both of us. Kinarga ko si Yvo at tumakbo, he started shooting her while he laughed.

And then her gun ran out of water and when I realized it, she quickly dropped the gun and ran away from us.

"Bwahahahaha! Victory is ours!" Sigaw ko habang hinahabol ko siya at binabaril siya ni Yvo. We chased her until she was trapped.

"Barilin mo si nanay." Sabi ko kay Yvo.

"No! Yvo!" She pleaded.

He aimed the gun at his mother. "One, two, three. Fire!" And he shot her. Andi squealed as we squirt her with water. By the time the water gun ran out of water she was already soaking wet.

"Okay, enough!  Come on you two, time for a bath!" Sabi ni Andi.

"Tatay!" Yvo said as if complaining. 

"She's the boss." Sabi ko sa kanya.

"I don't want a bath." He said, pouting his cute little lips.

"You don't want to take a bath?" Hinawi ni Andi ang ilang hibla ng buhok na nakatabing sa mukha ng anak namin. "You're way too dirty. At saka basa ka na, baka magkasakit ka."

"We'll take a bath together. How does that sound?" Sabi ko sa kanya.

"Mmm..." He paused for a moment, as if he was thinking about it. "Okay!"

Pumasok na kami sa bahay at umakyat sa kwarto namin ni Andi papunta sa banyo. Andi already had a warm water ready in the tub. We both got in and I watched as Yvo played with his boat toy. Andi sat on the side of the tub and shampooed his hair. She was the best mother and wife anyone could ever ask for. 

When we were all finished cleaning ourselves and getting dressed we decide to visit Junjun, our first baby and Andi's dad. Magkatabi lang ang libingan nila. Yvo knew about his 'big angel brother'. Madalas sabihin sa kanya ni Andi na may kapatid siyang anghel and that he was looking after him.

"When will I get to play with kuya Junjun?" Tanong ni Yvo habang nakaupo kami sa harap ng puntod ng kapatid niya.

"You can't because he's in heaven." Sagot ni Andi.

"Where's heaven? Pwede ba tayong pumunta dun?" He asked, innocently.

"No, baby, heaven is too far away." Sagot ko. "May kalaro ka naman dito, yung mga pinsan mo at saka yung mga kaibigan mo sa orphanage."

"But I can't play with them all the time." He pouted.

Nagkatinginan kami ni Andi. Maybe Yvo wanted a sibling. I wonder if she was thinking the same thing. 

Andi's POV

Nasa kwarto ni Yvo si Tristan, he was reading our son a bedtime story when I left them. It became our ritual, every night we'd sit next to him in his bed and read him bedtime stories. Iniwan ko muna ang mag-ama ko para makapag-shower. I put on a really sexy nightdress and waited for my husband. I decided I wanted to get pregnant again and I was going to tell Tristan.

I positioned myself when I heard the door open, laying myself on the bed with my elbows propped. He had a tired look in his eyes when he came in the room but when he saw me his eyes immediately lightened up. I guess he wasn't so tired for this after all.

"Report for duty, my soldier of love." I seductively said as I opened my legs. I was only wearing an almost see through nightdress with no underwears. He stared at me for a moment and a smile formed on his lips when his eyes lowered between my legs.  

Without saying a word, he jumped on me and attacked my lips. I answered his kiss with the same intensity. And that night we made hot, passionate love.

I woke up to the feeling of his fingers running down my belly to my groin.

My husband was so instiable. We just made love last night and here he was again trying to get his morning fix.

Oh, who was I kidding? 

I was just as bad as him. 

I opened my legs wider to give him better access. He ran his finger through my slit, stopping on my clit to massage it. I let out a soft, lazy moan as I felt myself getting damp and him hardening on my back. His other hand went to my breast and started teasing and lightly pinching my nipple. I turned my head to him and he crashed his lips to me. The kiss started out slowly and grew to a hungry, passionate one. I let out another moan in his mouth when i felt him slip a finger inside of me and pumped it in and out. It made me wreathe in pleasure and I could already feel the familiar heat pooling in my stomach. I was getting close to orgasm and he knew it. He slipped another finger inside and rammed faster and harder again and again. 

"Tristan!" I cried out as I felt the heat exploding between my legs, pulsing and throbbing. My body limped against him, my orgasm subsiding. He pulled his fingers out of me and sucked the juices of it.

"Mmm... what a great way to start the morning." He said in a husky voice. Humarap ako sa kanya at pinagmasdan siya sandali. I could never get used to waking up next to him.

"Sundan na natin si Yvo." I said, breaking the silence between us. "I want to have another baby, mahal." 

"So do I." He smiled.

"Well then." I rolled on top of him, straddling his torso. "Fuck a baby inside me."

I took his rock hard shaft in my hand and lowered myself to him without breaking our gaze. I could see the need burning in his eyes and I knew my eyes were the same too.