"Shia!"

I looked behind and I saw Avery with her husband and her two kids. She's smiling broadly. She seems happy.

It has been 5 years and inside those 5 years, Avery and Jarred fell apart. I saw how devastated Avery that time because for the second time, Jarred left her. And seeing Avery happy makes me happy too. She deserves that peace and happiness.

"Avery, I missed you!" Binitawan ko muna ang mga anak ko at niyakap ang kaibigan na matagal ko ring hindi nakita.

We stepped inside the venue and I noticed Nicole, Lallaine, and Julia with their families. They look contented just like us. This is the real goal. To be happy and prosperous with them. Ngumiti ako nang makalapit na kami sa kanila. Ang mga kaibigan ni Noah ay nasa kabilang lamesa habang ang mga kaibigan ko naman ay nandirito.

Their husbands are with Noah too, they are drinking whiskeys at their table while we are sipping wine here and our kids are at another table with their babysitters.

"So how's life?" Lallaine asked while drinking her wine.

"So far, it's good. I'm happy with my life right now." Nicole responded while staring at her kids who are playing with our kids too.

"Same," Julia retorted. "I'm happy with my husband and my kid." She beamed.

"How about you, Av? Are you happy?" I questioned when she didn't responded earlier.

"Of course, I am." She grinned.

"Are you sure?" I probed one more time.

"Yes, don't worry, I already moved on from him if you're thinking about Jarred. We didn't have the closure that we both deserve but keep in mind that I already forgave him." She laughed genuinely.

"And I love my husband and my kids. I'm already contented with my life." She continued.

"Pero mukhang mahal ka pa rin no'n." Ngumuso si Lallaine sa direksyon ni Jarred na umiinom nang mag-isa. Sa kanilang lahat siya nalang ang walang kasintahan o asawa man lang.

"That's not my problem anymore, Lallaine." She spoke.

It makes me think why Jarred did that. Avery gave him his second chance but why did he waste it? All I know is that he went back to another country while he was still with Avery and months after that he's not responding to Avery's messages.

And Avery couldn't take it anymore so she chose to end her connection with Jarred. And years passed, she met Aidan who's crushing on her since we were in college. And they have their kids now.

Mapaglaro talaga ang tadhana. Ang taong akala mong makakatuluyan mo ay isa lang palang instrumento para makita mo ang taong para sa'yo.

"I'm happy that you're all happy. I remember how we surpassed those problems together without breaking this bond and now we're here, blissfully married with our husbands." I giggled and peered at them.

"Grabe ang drama niyo naman!" Nicole said as she dried away the tears that were near the drip.

We all had fun that night. Our children went home earlier with their nannies and the driver because we stayed longer.

I woke up with the fragrant smell and the loud sound coming from the outside. I opened my eyes and I met the warm rays of the sun. I saw Ava still in her cradle and sleeping. Ava is our youngest kid, she's our bunso.

Tumayo ako sa kama at tinali ang aking buhok at pinuntahan ang anak na natutulog. I kissed her forehead and decided to leave her there since she was still sleeping.

I went out of the room and I saw Hezekiah, Adam, and Shazelle eating their food while Noah's topless, and the only clothing that's covering his body is the apron. He's smirking while looking at our kids.

Lumapit ako sa kaniya nang hindi niya napapansin at niyakap ko siya mula sa likuran. I kissed his broad shoulders and chuckled when I felt that he was startled because of me.

"Good morning!" I greeted him and I also attended to the kids who only smiled at me 'cause they were eating their breakfast.

"Morning, baby." He greeted and turned his back to face me. He kissed the side of my forehead and then my lips.

"What do you want to eat?" He probed while encircling his arms on my waist.

"Anything. What are they eating?" I asked and looked at our kids. Tumingin din siya roon.

"They are eating pancakes." He replied.

"Then I'll eat pancakes nalang din." I beamed and went to my kids. I pulled a chair closer to them and kissed them one by one.

"Morning, mama." Hezekiah embraced me with his low voice.

"How's school?" I probed.

"Fine, mom. I'm doing great." He smiled a little.

He grew up having his Dad's eyes, nose, and hair and the only thing that he inherited from me is my skin color.

"You're growing up so fast, love. I already miss your chubby cheeks, it's gone now." I pouted while holding his cheeks.

"Mama, that's because I'm not a baby anymore. Adam still has his chubby cheeks so don't be sad." He comforted me. I smiled at his answer. At a young age, he was too mature to think. And in every question, he has a serious answer.

"Nagmana ka talaga sa 'kin, wala kang namana sa daddy mo." I joked. I heard Noah scoffed because of that.

"Your momma's bullying me again, huh?" I heard Noah uttered.

"Bakit? Aangal ka?" Nakataas ang kilay na tanong ko.

"Hindi, boss." He chuckled.

"I love you." I giggled.

"I love you too, baby." He responded. I felt his arms on my waist and he kissed my hair from behind.

"Sundan na natin si Ava." Bulong niya sa akin na nagpalaki ng mata ko.

"Grabe ka na! Namimihasa ka ha, baka maghirap tayo dahil sa sobrang dami nating anak." I rolled my eyes and he only chuckled. He hugged me and filled me with his kisses.

"Sali, momma!" Shazelle giggled and hugged both of us. Adam and Hezekiah did the same so we hugged them back.

"Pack your bags, we're having a vacation!" Noah announced and we were all hyped up because of that.

We spent the rest of the days in Tagaytay and we visited his Mom's grave and we left several flowers and candles in her tomb.

The satisfaction I feel is beyond the reach of anyone. My family is my life and without them, I'll cease breathing. Growing up, I was deprived of having a happy family but now, God has allowed me to have the family on my own and I promise that I will never inflict the same pain that my family inflicted on me. I will give them the world if I have to.

This is Shia Alcazar,

signing off.