Someday Soon, With You

Chapter 56

“Wow” Archi said smiling a bit to Mira, awkwardly. “You two” he started.

“Archi” she said stopping him from saying anything. “Just help me take this off” she said.

“Really? Can we do that?” he asked teasing her. “I don’t think Tatay would want that to happen” he said baby talking Astoria.

“Tatay?” Astoria asked after hearing Archi.

“Just take this off, Archi” she said trying to take off the sash. Archi helped her take it off and saw Astoria on her left breast looking at him.

“Oh” he said and looked away when he saw Mira’s chest almost bare, except where Astoria’s mouth is. “This is why Tatay doesn’t want me to see” he added awkwardly laughing still baby talking his daughter.

“Stop it” she said. “We’re way past that. We already have Astoria” she said rolling her eyes.

“Okay” Archi replied. “Do you want to go to the house later? Have Astoria visit Mama and Papa?” he asked as he prepared food in front of her.

Now she felt guilty about letting TJ go without as much as a breakfast. “Okay” she said as she started eating. Astoria fell asleep on her chest still sucking on it. “Are you going to wait for me?” she asked.

“Of course,” he answered.

After breakfast, she gave Astoria a bath and gave her to Archi. And then she took a bath. She looked at the toothbrush holder in the bathroom and smiled a little when she saw TJ’s toothbrush with hers. After taking a bath, she prepared their bag, put Astoria’s diapers, change of clothes and towels.

“Let’s go?” she said as she walked down the stairs. Archi nodded at her, carrying Astoria and took the bag she’s carrying. “It’s okay, it’s not that heavy” she said. They drove for more than twenty minutes before they parked to a familiar house. Archi carried the bag and helped her got out of the car since she’s holding Astoria. Archi opened the door of the living room and they both saw Arthur and Aya in the kitchen. “Hello, baby you say hello” Mira told Astoria.

“’Lo” Astoria said following her mother’s instructions.

“Mama Aya, Papa Arthur” she said teaching Astoria.

“Papa!” Astoria shouted making everyone laugh.

“Hello, hello” Arthur walking out of the kitchen and greeting them. “Who’s this beautiful little lady?” he asked looking at Astoria.

“Papa!” she shouted with a bit of giggle at her grandfather.

“Oh, it’s papa” Arthur said taking Astoria from Mira.

She smiled looking at them. “Is that papa?” she asked Astoria who seem not to notice anyone anymore. “Then, who’s this” she asked her and pointed at Archi.

Astoria looked at Archi and shook her head. She then pointed at Arthur, touching his cheek. “Papa” she said and hugged him.

“Oh, you love Papa Arthur more than me” Archi said scratching his head.

Mira went to the kitchen and saw Aya preparing fruits, rice cakes and iced tea. There’s also fried rice, sausage and fried eggs. “Hi Tita” she greeted.

“Hi Mira” she greeted and glanced at her and continued preparing the food. “Did you have breakfast, already?” she asked.

“Yes, Tita. But can I eat again? I still want to have breakfast” she said smiling.

“Of course, you can” she answered without looking at her. “Breastfeeding makes mothers always hungry” she said.

Mira nodded and watched her prepare the food. It felt like there’s something wrong, but talking about problems just before a meal doesn’t feel like the right move. After a few while they all ate again, except Archi and Astoria who he just carried around in the front yard.

“So, Mira” Arthur started. Mira looked at him waiting for what he’s about to say. “How’s life overseas? It’s your first time living away, right?” he asked.

“Yes, Tito” she answered. “It was a bit hard at first, but living alone isn’t really something new for me” she added.

“Yes, but it’s your first time having a baby. It must be hard, you should’ve called us so we can help. Even just a bit” he said worriedly.

“Thank you, Tito” she answered smiling.

“I guess she got a few advises from Dolly” Aya said joining their conversation.

“Dolly?” Arthur asked. “You told Dolly about your pregnancy?” he asked Mira.

“Uhm” she stammered, feeling cornered. “Yes, Tito, Tita” she answered. “It’s because Tita Dolly have the experience of being a single mom. I don’t mean to make you feel bad or—”

“It’s okay” Arthur stopped her. “Just let us know from now on if you ever need anything, for you and our grand-daughter” he added.

Mira smiled hearing him say it. “Thank you, Tito” she said.

After breakfast, Archi took Mira and Astoria to the house next door and as soon as they opened the front door, they saw Ara jumping up and down.

“Baby sister!” she shouted still jumping up and down. “Baby! Baby!”

“Hello Ara” Mira greeted Ara. Dolores and Aro came out of the kitchen.

“Hi Mira” Aro greeted her.

“Is my baby sister staying here now?” Ara asked.

“No baby” she answered. “I can leave her here, but you will have to come with me in my home in Denmark” she told Ara.

The little girl started to have a puzzled look on her face. “Why?” she asked.

“Well, I need to have a baby of my own. If I will leave Astoria here, you will have to be my new baby” she continued teasing Ara.

“Is daddy coming with us?” she asked again.

“No, just you” she answered.

“I can’t do that” Ara answered. “Daddy can’t live without me” she whispered.

“Then, how about, we visit each other from time to time? How’s that?” she asked her.

Ara nodded. “We can do that” she answered and smiled a bit. Mira patted Ara’s head and looked at Aro and Dolores.

“Hi, Tita” she greeted her.

“Hello, darling” Dolores greeted back and hugged her. “So, how’s living back at your home?” she asked Mira.

“It’s” she paused. “It’s different” she answered.

“Really?” Dolores asked. They both looked at Archi, Aro and Ara playing with Astoria. “Why don’t we have coffee in the kitchen” she offered.

“I’ll have tea, Tita” she smiled as they both walk to the kitchen.

“Starting to appreciate tea, now?” she started when she saw Mira sat in the table. “So, about your house. What’s wrong with it?” she asked as she put a cup of tea in front of Mira.

“It doesn’t feel the same. It doesn’t feel like home” she answered Dolores.

“Well, that might be true before, when you don’t have anyone. But what about now? You have a family already. You have Astoria” she said.

Mira didn’t respond for a while, thinking about it. “You’re right, Tita. Maybe I was still just adjusting but with Astoria with me, it is home” she smiled at Dolores. The older lady stood next to her and gave her a quick hug. She’s always been so motherly to her, with or without Aro. She used to think Dolores just missed the feeling of having a child next to her, but talking to her now, it might not be the case. She’s just as loving as when she first met her. Mira’s eyes suddenly went to Archi’s parents’ house and saw Aya closing the back door. Maybe she needs to talk to her. There seem to be a problem and she wants to resolve it before they go back to Denmark.

They talk about her life in Denmark while having tea, and she’s even teasing her to TJ. After almost half an hour, they walked back to the living room and saw Ara teaching Astoria to talk.

“You call me ‘Ate’” she said to Astoria who just looked at her. “A-Te” she continued. (*Ate is a term used to address an older sister)

“Tete?” Astoria said making Archi and Aro both look at her.

“Yes, baby! That’s correct! A-Te!” Archi said raising her up and down. “My baby is so smart!” he added with a very wide smile.

“Archi, don’t raise her too much” she said shaking her head.

TRISTAN JAMES

It’s still six when TJ parked at their garage. It’s a good thing his brother is very tolerant of him, he doesn’t get mad when he doesn’t return his car immediately. He walked at the front door and stopped when he saw his mother sitting at the sofa in the living room. “Hi, Mom” he greeted.

“TJ” Flora started. TJ sighed. His brother is tolerant, but not their mother. He stared at her waiting for an earful. “You just got back yesterday” she continued.

Yep! An earful, TJ thought. He sat at the sofa opposite to her. This will be a long morning.

“Is there any way you can just spend your time here, with family” she asked her.

“I’m sorry, mom. I was just so tired I fell asleep” he explained.

“Where?” she asked.

“Mira’s” he whispered.

“Are you two going out? And that child of hers, is she yours?” Flora barraged him with questions.

“Well” he didn’t know how to answer it. Astoria’s not her daughter biologically, but he loves her like she’s his.

“Is she?” Flora thought TJ’s hesitation means yes. “Oh my God, Tristan! You had a child out of wedlock?!” it’s more of a shout that a question.

“Mom, no!” TJ denied. “Astoria is Mira’s child with her ex-boyfriend” he said.

“Then why did you sleep there last night? Are you two dating?” she continued asking.

“No” he whispered again. “But—”

“Good” she said not hearing TJ’s whole reply. “You are an eligible bachelor. Find someone more suitable” she added.

“What?” he asked. “What does ‘more suitable’ looks like, mom?”

“She already have a child, TJ. Are you going to take a responsibility for someone else’s—”

“Mom” he cut him. “Let’s stop you there” he said. He feels like his ears are ringing with what his mother’s saying. “I can’t believe you’re saying that. You, of all people” he stood up and started to walk.

“What do you mean me of all people?” Flora asked TJ.

“You are judging Mira for having a child” he answered direct to the point.

“I am not judging her” Flora said with a low voice.

“Yes, you are” he insisted. “You don’t think she’s suitable for me for having Astoria” he said while Flora just remained quiet. Between him and Anthony, they both know Anthony’s the mild one. Not him. “You are a single mother, mom. And I’ve never thought of you as unsuitable. You are the strongest, most wonderful person I—” he stopped and even raised both his hands before walking to his room. TJ threw himself to the bed and looked at his phone. No message. He sighed again.

TJ woke up and looked at the clock on the table on his bed side. It’s two in the afternoon. He went to the bathroom and brushed his teeth and washed his face. He went to the kitchen and saw his brother and mother drinking coffee.

“Hey” Anthony greeted him. TJ nodded. “You should at least join us for meals” he said.

“I’m sorry, Kuya. Tomorrow” he promised. Anthony nodded and watched him took a plate in the cupboard.

“TJ” Flora called. TJ looked at her. “I’m sorry about earlier. You’re right, I was unfairly judging Mira” she apologized.

“It’s okay” he answered.

“I guess I always see you as my baby boy, I forgot you are a good judge of character” she added.

TJ looked at her and nodded. “Thank you, mom” he smiled.

“Yes, you are. Because you are judgmental” Anthony interrupted smiling silly.

“No, I’m not” he said. “And I’m not your baby boy, mom. It’s kuya” he told her making Flora laugh.

She took the plate from TJ and started to put rice on it. She also reheated the dish they had for breakfast and lunch and put it in front of him. “Such a baby boy you are” Anthony teased.

“Kuya!” he glared at him making Anthony laugh.

“TJ, invite Mira on my birthday” Flora said as he put coffee next to him.

“Are you sure?” he asked. Flora nodded. “It’s Mira and Astoria, mom” he said while Flora continued nodding. “Okay” he said smiling.