Leni turns the car off and takes the keys out. She gets out of the car and ensures that the driver's side is locked before Aika and Jillian find themselves at her sides and they start walking. Tricia offers you her hand with a smile, you take it and you follow behind the three.

The five of you stop at a black polished tombstone, and the mother of the three is the first to step forward. She runs her fingertips across the engraved letters.

Jesse M. Robredo

1958 - 2012

"Kamusta ka na jan Jes, sana naman ay hindi mo na iniistress ang sarili mo kakaisip tungkol sa mga pangyayari dito. Me and our girls are doing okay- More than okay actually, ung pangalawang anak natin nag-uwi na ng kasintahan."

Tricia smiles as Aika and Jillian nudge her shoulders with theirs. All she does is swat at them with no real annoyance before her sisters settle back into calm and quiet poses.

"I'm running for President and kahit na magkakaroon ng malalang dayaan, alam ko sa puso ko na manalo man o matalo hindi ako magsisisi sa pagtakbo at pangangampanya. Bitbit nila yung pangarap natin Jes, yung pangarap na kumilos ang mga kabataan kapag may oportunidad sila para sa mas maliwanag na kinabukasan. Kumikilos sila subalit hinuhusgaan at minamaliit sila ng mga mas nakakatanda..."

The sisters step forward to hug their mom, you let Tricia's hand slip from yours as you stay back. You only place a hand on her shoulder, it feels too much like a private family moment. You're not going to complain about the honor of having the chance to be here, but you don't exactly feel like you should be. Or that you deserve it.

Leni steps back and Aika steps closer, giving her mom a kiss on the temple and a gentle squeeze to her hands before she finally takes her mother's previous place beside the polished stone.

"Hi Papa, nakuha ko na ung promotion na ang tagal tagal po nang hinahabol. Sobrang swerte ni Trish na di niya kinailangan maghabol na tulad ko- Char lang po. Nakaboto na pala kami, muntik na pong maiuwi ni Trish ung resibo-"

"Nakikita to lahat ni papa no need to drag me through the mud."

Laughs resound from all three of you minus Tricia, who crosses her arms and rolls her eyes in mock offense. The breeze blows a little stronger and you caress your lover's shoulders before pressing a kiss to one. "Okay lang yan Mahal, deserve naman ni tito makabonding pamilya niya after so long."

Aika finishes her narration and meets Jillian halfway. The two throw smiles of support at each other before the eldest daughter makes her way to your side, taking the place that the youngest has left open.

"Hi papa, Rocco says hi. Patapos na po ako sa college ko, onti na lang po at you can finally rest easy na. Alam ko naman po kung gaano kayo ka tapat sa paniniguradong makakapag tapos kaming tatlo. Salamat nga pala sa pag gabay saamin, yung pasensiya mo na ipinag halo sa pagtuturo ni mama sobrang nakatulong sa pamamagitan ng campaign season."

"Kakaboto lang namin, and we came straight to you to let you know how we've been doing. At ang tagal na rin po kasi namin kayong hindi nabisita, I'm doing my best na mapatupad yung hiniling mo saakin noon sa letter nung bata pa ako. I'm taking care of mama to the best of my abilities, and I don't cry as much anymore na."

Jillian's voice shakes as she wipes a tear away and finishes the last sentence of her story.

"I love and miss you papa, yung mga pagtuturo niyo saamin hanggang ngayon bitbit pa namin. At sisiguraduhin namin na hindi namin jto makakalimutan."

She places her hand on her lips before she presses it to the tombstone. Jillian walks back to you with red rimmed eyes and the Robredo family moves on autopilot to intercept their youngest member with a hug. They light candles and replace the dried flowers with new ones before standing up and bidding their goodbyes as you stay behind and wave your hand and mutter a small farewell to the man who has loved his girls to the Moon and back.

It's been years, and it feels like a lifetime for them. But their hearts never forget the pain of losing a member of their family.

The sisters link arms and start walking back to the car after their mother motions for them to go ahead. Your eyes trail after them with a soft smile on your lips. A hand rests on your shoulders and you look to your left to meet the concerned eyes of one Leni Robredo.

"Bakit parang ang layo ng iniisip mo 'nak?"

The smile from your lips disappears and you stuff your hands into your jean pockets.

"Ma'am para po kasing nag i-intrude ako sa inyong family moment. I don't want you guys po to feel na may humahadlang sa mga activities niyo dito with Sir Jesse kaya po medjo lumayo layo po ako at nanatiling tahimik."

Leni hums in understanding before the hand on your shoulder slides off as she links her arm with yours, turning you in the direction of her late husband's tombstone.

"Salamat at concerned ka para saamin Y/N, pero alam mo- Hindi ka namin yayayain dito kung may isa man lang parte sa puso namin na hindi komportable sa presence mo dito. At lalong lalo nang hindi ako papayag sa relasyon niyo ni Trish kung hindi ko nakita na mabuti kang tao."

"I'll go stay with our girls muna ha? Baka sakaling nahihiya kang marinig ka namin. You stay here and say what you want to say to Jesse and we'll be waiting for you in the car, wag ka mag madali. He approves of you as much as I do. Don't ask how I know, Mother's instincts na yun anak ha? Kaya sige na, it's your time to shine."

She squeezes your hand and pats you on your shoulder to show her support and appreciation before making her way back to the car as well. You take a moment to stay where you are and inhale deeply- Gathering your courage to talk to the man you're going to thank for such an amazing handful of people who love your country and its citizens with no limitations.

"Hi po Sir, ako nga po si Y/N. Jowa po ni Tricia... She's doing good po on her own and although I don't think I could do much to help her become a better person kasi she's amazing naman na- I stand by her and do my best to lift her up when she's down."

You take a small look around the cemetery, your eyes catching the sight of the black car where your girlfriend's family is waiting for you.

"You're all amazing po Sir Jesse, the girls all tell me stories about you and tita Leni has been insisting for two years na tawagin ko na rin po siyang Mama. I didn't feel like it was right to do so na hindi ko pa po kayo nakikilala at nakakausap. After all po, they're your girls."

You smile with pride.

"I wanted to say thank you po, for giving our soon-to-be president strength in the toughest times of her life, and for being such an amazing role model and father for your daughters. A lot of the lessons you taught them po ay naipapasa din saakin and I can confidently say na it has helped me become a better person po."

"I've been granted the honor of getting to meet you po, and if you'll allow me? I'd like to express my thanks and my gratitude to you by taking care of your family po. They mean a lot to me at mahal ko po silang lahat, hindi man po ako perpektong tao pero I can assure you po na they're safe with me."

The sun shines a little brighter and a breeze blows your hair back. The heat means nothing to you when it feels as if the Husband of one of your role models and the Father of the your girlfriend and her sisters has just approved of you.

"Maraming salamat po Sir Jesse, I'll watch over them and support them for you. I know you'll be by my side in being there for them po. I hope we'll get to visit you again sometime, the girls truly do miss and love their papa."

You make your way bacl to the car, and you see Tricia and Jillian in the backseat with their faces pressed to the glass, Ate Aika in the passenger seat looking like a carbon copy of Mama Leni who's smiling at you with a hand on the wheel and the other on the gear stick.

It feels amazing to be part of a family that stands and represents unconditional love and goodness.