What Becomes Of Us (An Anthology)

Rare Star - 7

The next morning, Doc Allen opened his planner and started writing his schedule for the week.

From Monday to Friday, he set his schedule to drive to Mae's house to have breakfast with her and Ethan at 7am. He will then leave after an hour to get in time for work at 9am. He scheduled a 30-minute break time at 10:30am everyday to call party suppliers. Lunch breaks were set to have a video call with Mae and Ethan while they ate at different locations. He would get back to work after that. He would then leave work at 7pm sharp every night to make time for dinner with Mae and Ethan. Weekends were cleared for "Family Day".

He checked the details and smiled. "Now, that's perfect."

He happily followed his schedule to the T and made sure to call Ethan and Mae at least twice while he was at work. He arrived for his daily visits with either food, toys, flowers, balloons, and other little surprises for them.

He would help Mae in taking care of Ethan and planning his birthday.

And after Ethan had gone to bed and it was just the two of them, they spent hours quietly talking to each other about anything in the world as they watched the stars in the garden.

He hugged her. A LOT. And she let him. She cuddled and snuggled with him as they lay on a blanket laid out on the grass while he told her how much he loves her.

Mae remained quiet and never confessed her love but he knew (or thought he knew) how she felt with the way she wrapped her arms around him, leaned her cheek on his chest and sighed contentedly as she hugged him tighter.

["But does she really love me too? Or did she just find comfort in my presence and embrace."]

Allen didn't know the answer to that question but he knew that whatever the answer was, he would be happy to cherish every moment he spent with her and hold her in his arms.

***

Mae entered the room with Ethan. The little boy jumped and cheered when he saw the venue.

"Wow! Mama! Wow!" He kept saying as his bright eyes widened in awe and surveyed the area.

Allen approached them with two party hats. He crouched down to speak with Ethan.

"Hey, buddy. Happy Birthday. Do you like your party?"

"Thank you, Daddy. I wuv it! Avengers! Woooh!" Ethan cheered and kissed Allen’s cheek.

"Thank you, Allen, if it weren't for you I wouldn't have pulled this off. Buti na lang you're as big an Avengers fan as Ethan." Mae said. Allen looked up and smiled then turned to the little boy again.

"Here, buddy, enjoy your party. I think your Ninang Colleen is looking for you. Ayan na nga." Allen put on Ethan's party hat and watched as the little boy ran to Colleen's table.

Allen stood up and met Mae's gaze who watched his whole interaction with Ethan.

("You are such a great guy, Allen. What did I ever do to deserve your love?")

"Are you ready for your surprise?" Allen beamed.

"Wait. What surprise? Si Ethan ang may birthday."

"I know kaya nga may surprise ka din. For you and Ethan." He smiled and offered his hand to Mae.

She placed her hand on his palm. After seeing that Ethan is with Colleen, Allen and Mae walked hand in hand to the parking area.

They stopped beside a black SUV.

"We're here." Allen whispered and clutched Mae's hand tighter as the vehicle's door opened.

She looked at him anxiously. She didn't understand why she was so nervous but was reassured by Allen's smile.

"Here he comes." He said and they both turned to see who went down from the car.

"Tatay?"

Mae wanted to run and meet her father but her emotions overtook her. She froze in place and her whole body trembled as tears streamed down her face.

"Mae... Anak..."

Her father called softly as he slowly walked to his daughter.

Allen let her hand go as her father stretched out his arms to hug her.

"Tatay!" Mae ran into her father's arms and cried. "Tatay, I'm so sorry. I'm sorry." She sobbed.

"Tahan na, anak. Sorry din at naging matigas ang Tatay. Matagal din kitang tiniis, anak. Pagpasensyahan mo na ang Tatay, mahal ko." Ted said as he held her only child in his arm, with his own tears flowing from his eyes.

"Tataaay..." She cried, hugging her father tighter.

Ted gently patted Mae's shoulders and rubbed his daughter's back.

"Andito na ang Tatay, anak. Tahan na. Tahan na."

"Daddy, who's that? Why Mama cwying?" Ethan, who went out with Colleen to find Allen and Mae, asked.

Allen wiped his own tears before looking down at the little boy with a smile. He picked Ethan up and carried him.

"That, buddy, is your Lolo. Mama's crying because she missed her Daddy. Do you want to meet him?"

“Wowo Wicky?"

"Yes, like Lolo Ricky. His name is Thomas."

"Wowo Thomas?" Ethan asked.

Mae and Thomas turned to Allen and Ethan. She sniffed, wiped her tears away and smiled.

"Baby, come here." She called and Allen walked with Ethan in his arms towards them.

Thomas nodded at Allen and smiled.

"Thank you, Dr. Reacher for getting me to see my daughter and grandson. If you didn't go to see me the other day and insisted for me to listen. I wouldn't have known what happened to Ethan. Matagal kong tiniis si Mae dahil alam ko namang kakayanin niya. Pero bilang magulang alam ko kung gaano kahirap na magkasakit ang anak, di ko na kayang tiisin ang paghihirap na iyon ng anak at apo ko. Salamat, Doc, at nandyan ka para sa kanila."

"Walang anuman po. I know it will make Mae really happy kung magkausap po kayo. Atsaka, Allen na lang po itawag niyo sa akin, Chairman Mendez."

"Kung ganoon, Tito na lang din ang itawag mo sa akin, Allen." The two gentlemen shook hands.

"Tay, si Ethan po. Ethan, this is your Lolo Thomas."

"Hi Wowo!" The little boy beamed.

"Hello, Ethan. Happy Birthday. I have lots of gifts for you in the car. Do you want to see them?" Thomas smiled at his grandson.

"Wow. Yes, Wowo! Ethan see!” Ethan cheered then paused as if realizing something. He turned to Mae and asked, “Mama?", asking for permission.

"Of course, love. You can go with Lolo Thomas."

"Yehey!" Ethan cheered and pulled his grandfather's hand as soon as Allen set him on the ground.

Thomas and Ethan happily walked to the car. The little boy enthusiastically told his Lolo random stories about him, Mae and his "Daddy" Allen.

"Thank you." Mae whispered as she slipped her hand into his palm.

He smiled and held Mae's hand firmly then intertwined their fingers. He looked into her eyes and found a different sparkle.

"You're welcome. Always welcome. I am happy that you're happy."

"I am very happy. You made this day even more special. Thank you, Allen."

"Anything for you and Ethan. Always." He smiled.

"Baka mapagod ka o magsawa."

"No, Mae. That will never happen. Hinding-hindi ako mapapagod o magsasawa dahil mahal ko kayo. Mahal kita." He said his eyes glued on hers.

"I love you too." She smiled.

Allen felt like the world hushed and stopped for a while after she said those magical words like a spell and they repeatedly echoed in his mind. He stood frozen like a statue with his mouth agape and his eyes wide with bewilderment.

"Huy, Allen! Did you hear what I said?" She giggled.

"I did. I think I did. Totoo naman yun di ba? You really said you love me too? Mahal mo din ako?" He asked in joyous disbelief.

Mae laughed. "Yes. Yes, I did. I love you, Dr. Allen Reacher."

His mouth opened even wider in shock then slowly lifted up in a huge grin. "Aaah... Yes!" He jumped and threw his fist in the air in celebration, like he just won the lottery.

Then he hugged Mae, lifted her off the ground and spun around.

"I love you. I love you. I love you so much." He set her feet back on the floor. "Wait. That means tayo na, right? Girlfriend na kita?"

Mae giggled and pinched his cheek. "You're so cute. Napaka-specific mo lang. Yes, my dear Doc Allen, tayo na. I am officially your girlfriend. Okay na? Clear?"

"Loud and clear, Babe. I love you."

"I love you too, Babe." She smiled.

Allen smiled and caressed her face as he stared at his beloved girlfriend, both surprised and grateful.

Once again, Mae Mendez went against all his plans and took him by surprise and once again, despite that, he felt like everything was right where it should be.

Allen slowly inched his face closer to hers and kissed her tenderly on the lips, savoring each precious second of their first kiss.

"Mae?" A man's voice called from behind them.

Her eyes flared open like waking up to a nightmare in her most beautiful dream. She quickly turned to look at the man who called her.

Mae felt Allen's arm protectively wrap around her waist and pull her towards him.

"Luke? What the hell are you doing here?" She asked.