"Daddy!" Jamie leaped into Nat's arms upon spotting him at the door.

"Hi Princess! I missed you!" Nat snuggled Jamie close.

"I missed you too! Where's ninang? Did she not come with you?" Jamie cranked her neck looking for Aika.

"She's going to meet us at the airport straightaway with your titas...say bye bye to Mummy and we can go." Nat nodded towards Aly.

"Right...bye Mummy! I love you!" Jamie give Aly a hug.

"I love you too, baby..." Aly squeezed her tight.

"Thanks for the last 3 days. She looked like she really enjoyed herself." Nat smiled at Aly.

"I'm her mother, Nat. It's the least I can do." Aly smiled back.

"Uh...right. I'll text you next week then. Bye." Nat stuttered.

"Come on Daddy, let's go see ninang, tita Tricia and tita Jill!" Jamie was already running to the car.

"Slow down Princess! Your ninang will kill me if you fall and hurt yourself!" Nat chuckled as he called out.

"Let's see if my Cinderella story worked." Marco whispered into Aly's ears, making her jump.

"God! Anyways, what Cinderella story?" Aly was confused.

"Nothing. I just made Cinderella come to life." Marco smirked.

"What did you say to Jamie?" Aly was totally in the dark.

"Nothing? Maybe I added some seasoning to an already cursed story?" Marco avoided the question.

"I...You...God! Jamie is 5 for God's sake!" Aly cursed.

"Old enough to know. I'm doing her a favour by giving her a heads up. The fastest way to get to a child is through her emotions." Marco shrugged.

"You're incorrigible." Aly spat.

"You'll thank me when we get the child." Marco was unfazed.

~

"Look who's there?" Nat pointed the Robredo sisters waiting near the check in counter.

"NINANG!" Jamie breezed through the busy airport with one person in mind.

"Hey sweetie!" Aika picked Jamie up and did a little swirl, glad to see her after an entire week.

"Sometimes I think two of them are the ones in a relationship..." Jill joked as Nat approached them.

"Tell me about it..." Nat agreed.

"Daddy, can I sit next to ninang on the flight, please?" Jamie looked at Nat with her puppy eyes.

"What's the configuration like on the plane?" Nat turned to Tricia.

"I think it's a 2 by 2...the flight was full so we have 40A, 40B, 43A, 43B and 45A and 45B." Tricia read out their seat numbers.

"If Jamie wants to seat with ate Aiks and ate is sitting with kuya Stephen...that leaves me with you, kuya..." Jill did the math.

"I could seat with Steph...right?" Nat eyed Stephen, who had just joined them.

"Sorry bro but I haven't seen my mahal in a week..." Stephen shook his head.

"No worry kuya, Jill doesn't bite." Tricia joked.

"Yeah kuya, I don't bite. I'll just swallow you whole." Jill put on a serious face.

"Okay, now I'm scared..." Nat raised his arms up in surrender.

"Calling all passengers flying Cebgo from Manila to Naga. Boarding is now open." The announcement made the 6 get ready.

"I will be praying for your safe arrival in Naga, kuya..." Tricia patted Nat on the shoulder as Jill dragged him to their seats.

"Sunshine..." Nat tried calling out to Aika.

"You'll be fine...I hope?" Aika joined in the fun.

~

"Glad to see you make it out in one piece..." Aika chuckled as she saw Nat and Jill walk out.

"I thought I was on an hour long job interview or something..." Nat laughed nervously as Jill crossed her arms.

"I'm considering hiring kuya for the job..." Jill nodded, obviously pleased.

"You do know kuya is the General Manager of the Lee Holdings, don't you? If anything, he'd be the one interviewing you." Tricia raised an eyebrow.

"Yeah, but I'm the CEO of Robredo Holdings. That makes me higher-ranked than him." Jill retorted. Paborito rights, they said.

"Job? What are you all talking about?" Jamie chimed in, making everyone look down at the confused girl beside Aika.

"Nothing sweetie, your Daddy was just saying that you can sit next to ate on the way back because he likes sitting next to me on the plane!" Jill smiled at Jamie.

"Are you and Daddy best friends now?" Jamie asked.

"Of course we are, right kuya?" Jill turned to Nat.

"Of course we are..." Nat let out a resigned laugh.

"Uh oh...you just lost your best friend status, tito Stephen..." Jamie pouted.

"It's okay Jamie, I have your tita Tricia as my best friend. Who needs your Daddy..." Stephen added salt to Nat's wound.

"HOME SWEET HOME!" Jill crashed onto the couch as Aika pushed opened the doors to their home in Naga.

"There aren't enough bedrooms in here for everyone so..." Tricia was thinking of how to split the rooms.

"I don't mind sleeping here, so that leaves the 5 of you in two rooms..." Nat offered.

"I can join you here so Jill and mahal can have one room while Aika and Jamie can have the other?" Stephen volunteered as well.

"I feel like I'm the issue..." Jill stood awkwardly.

"You know we'll never let you sleep in the living room." Nat and Stephen knew not to get on the paborito's bad side.

~

"This is awkward..." Nat stared at the ceiling.

"We've never had a bro talk without alcohol..." Stephen was also staring at the ceiling.

"How is it going with you and Doc?" Nat asked.

"Great. It's going great. Our 3rd anniversary is coming up in 3 months." Stephen smiled thinking about Tricia.

"How does it feel to have the entire of Philippines simp over your mahal?" Nat chuckled, remembering the tweets he'd seen about Tricia.

"Jealous but I mean, they ain't wrong. My mahal is the full package. You have your fair share of competitors too, don't you?" Stephen returned the question.

"This election ban is both a blessing and a curse..." Nat remembered Aika's split second answer during her interview with Tricia.

"Anyways, I heard from mahal that you've indirectly proposed to Aika?" Stephen turned to face Nat.

"I did...but..." Nat sighed.

"But what? You regret it?" Stephen's eyes widened.

"NO! I don't and will never do. But it's just that I don't know if it's okay for me to tie Aika down like this..." Nat explained.

"So are you a) worried that you aren't good enough for Aika; b) worried that people will gossip or c) unsure that your relationship will last? These are all very different..." Stephen probed.

"I just don't want Aika to get the shorter end of the stick...she deserves the best and more." Nat sighed again.

"What's wrong with you anyways? Aside from the fact that you are a single father with a complicated relationship with the child's mother and her husband. Oh, and the fact that your father is one of the top 10 richest men in Southeast Asia." Stephen couldn't understand.

"That's the whole point. Aika doesn't need more complications in her life. Especially not when she's going to be the President's daughter in 2 months..." Nat hated it when he saw how the media treated the family sometimes.

"Have you asked what Aika thinks?" Stephen nodded at the steps leading to the bedrooms.

"I once told her...if things ever start to hurt her, I would be the one letting go. We had a big fight." Nat remembered that night months ago.

"Not gonna lie but you're an idiot bro. You don't start a relationship with a Robredo girl and think about things like this." Stephen punched Nat.

"I am an idiot, I know. Enough about me, what about you and Doc? Are you going to propose anytime soon?" Nat figured that it wasn't the best way to go down this spiral of self doubt.

"Mahal wants to pursue a Masters at Harvard. She's applying for the upcoming semester. I think she's gonna get it." Stephen grinned.

"Masters at Harvard? Wow, the brains in this family is no joke...Wait but that means a 2 year LDR?" Nat realised.

"Yeah but if this is what mahal wants, I'm 100% supportive. I mean, I could fly over if I miss her...my brother and I own the company." Stephen was more than happy to support Tricia's dreams.

"You two are illegally cute." Nat smiled.

"Cut it out, you and Aika are literally a match made in heaven too. Stop being a wimp about it. Just trust your heart and the love you guys share. Don't complicate things so much." Stephen gave Nat a second punch, a harder one.

~

"Tita Tricia...tita Jill..." Jamie was standing by the side of the bed where Tricia and Jill were sleeping.

"Morning sweetheart...what brings you over?" Tricia made space for Jamie on the bed.

"I didn't see ninang when I woke up...did she leave already?" Jamie had woken up to an empty bed.

"Ate and your Daddy headed to the market to campaign this morning. Your Daddy told you yesterday, didn't he?" Tricia smiled as she cuddled the girl.

"Uh huh...Does that mean I can play with ate Nat and kuya Alo today?" Jamie's eyes sparkled. It had been a while since they had a play date.

"That's right sweetie, tita Tricia and I will drop you off later after breakfast." Jill added.

"I spy the return of Mr Pogi Bodyguard..." Joy revived up her teasing engine the second she saw Nat.

"I actually brought gifts for everyone from Singapore but I guess someone doesn't want them?" Nat handed out the boxes of traditional cookies that he had gotten a colleague to bring over from Singapore.

"Maraming salamat kuya Nat!" Joy held onto the box of cookies meant for her and gave Nat a placatory smile as she wrestled it over.

"If Uncle met papa before he was the mayor...does it mean you grew up in Naga?" The thought suddenly struck Aika.

"Hmm, let me see...I was born in 1989, left Philippines in 1995 while Sir Jesse was mayor from 1988 to 1998...the timing matches! Maybe I should ask Dad?" Nat calculated the dates and pulled out his phone to text his father.

"Does it mean you two could have been childhood friends?" Annie eyed the two.

"Maybe your parents wanted you two to get married too!" Ella chimed in.

"See? Even the heavens think kuya and ate are a match!" Joy clapped excitedly.

"Siya ba yun? Siyang na Pogi Bodyguard?" Most people were focusing on Aika but there were a few audible whispers about Nat.

"Leni Robredo for President po! Number 10! Salamat po!" Nat repeated the sentences he was adept at.

"Ms Aika!" A group of children called out to Aika, making her turn.

"Picture po! Picture!" The group surrounded Aika as she smiled at them. Aika hugged each kid that reached out for a hug afterwards, making an effort to talk to all of them individually.

"Aika is going to be such a good mama to your future children. She is a natural with kids." Ella lightly hit Nat on the arm.

"I know. Aika's going to be the best mother. She's definitely a better parent than I am." Nat almost had heart popping out of his eyes.

"You sound as if you guys already have a kid." Annie chuckled.

"We do. I mean, at least I do." Nat corrected himself.

"YOU WHAT?" The ladies turned concurrently to look at Nat.

~

"How is it that we are finding out that you have a child for the first time today..." Joy stared at Nat as she took a long sip of her drink. They were having lunch as a team after their morning run.

"It just never really came up I guess..." Nat smiled awkwardly.

"How old is your child? A girl or boy?" Annie was more interested in the details.

"A girl. She's five this year." Nat replied.

"Here, I have a picture. Her name's Jamie." Aika showed the team a picture from her phone.

"I saw her on your wallpaper and thought she was your niece..." Ella gasped.

"You aren't the only one, tita." Nat admitted.

"What about Jamie's mother? Is she out of the picture?" Joy blurted.

"Joy!" Ella and Annie chided Joy.

"Oops, sorry kuya..." Joy covered her mouth.

"It's okay. It's a long story but it's over between us already. I have my present and future right in front of me." Nat grinned cheekily at Aika.

"I didn't order cheese with my food Nat." Aika refused to meet Nat's eyes.

"It's okay, I'm just happy to be looking at you." Nat was unfazed.

"Did your daughter come with you to Naga?" Annie had enough of Nat's cheesiness too.

"She did. She's with Natalia and Alo today." Nat showed them a picture that Gaile sent him.

"Will she be joining us? I want to say hi to her!" Ella wondered. They were going to have a conjoined house to house with all three sisters and Gaile on Sunday.

"She is! I'll make sure to bring her to say hi to everyone!" Nat nodded.

"Oooh can't wait!" Joy squealed.

"Speaking of which, look who's calling?" Aika saw Gaile's name her buzzing phone.

"HI DADDY! HI NINANG!" Jamie waved excitedly when Aika picked up the phone.

"Hi Princess! Have you had lunch?" Nat waved back.

"Ate Nat and I made bolognese spaghetti with tita Gaile's help! It was delicious!" Jamie boasted about her creation.

"Wow, maybe you could help me make it again for dinner when we're back in Manila? We can add as much ham and broccoli as you like!" Aika grinned.

"Okay! We can make those octopus sausages too!" Jamie was excited.

"Sounds great already, sweetie!" Aika agreed.

"What are you doing now Princess?" Nat wondered.

"It's a secret but we are painting presents for lola's birthday! Tita Gaile bought us a big tote bag that we could customise for her!" Jamie turned the phone camera.

"Hi ninang! Hi tito Nat! We are painting this tote bag for lola! I took charge of the design!" Natalia took over the phone.

"I knew I could trust in you, Natalia! That looks amazing!" Nat affirmed the girl. Funny enough, Nat and Natalia had hit off the moment they met. Not only do they share a name, Nat knew exactly how to click with Natalia.

"Ang cute sila!" Joy whispered to the titas.

"Please...May married na sila. Cutest parents!" Ella agreed.

~

"Tita Jill...when's Daddy and ninang coming back?" Jamie was having dinner alone with Jill. Gaile's family had gone out to meet some family friends and Jill was the only one done with her day.

"Soon I hope? They have one more place to be at." Jill smiled as she gave Jamie a tiny hug.

"It's okay, I like being together with you too!" Jamie held Jill's hand.

"I need to record this and send it to your tita Tricia. She keeps saying that you like her way better." Jill took out her phone and snapped a selfie with Jamie before sending it to Tricia.

"Tita, can I ask you something?" Jamie looked at Jill.

"Sure, what is it?" Jill smiled.

"Do you know Cinderella?" Jamie started hesitantly.

"The fairytale? What about it?" Jill wondered why Jamie suddenly asked about it.

"Is it true that Cinderella's stepmother was nice to her before she married Cinderella's Daddy?" Jamie repeated the exact thing Marco had told her.

"Sweetie, who told you that?" Jill furrowed her eyebrows.

"Someone told me that Cinderella's stepmother was nice to her so that she wouldn't complain to her Daddy. But once they got married and had their own children, Cinderella's stepmother became really mean to her and only loved her younger sisters..." Jamie was on the verge of tears. At Jill's silence, Jamie started crying.

"Oh gosh sweetheart..." Jill's heart broke as she saw Jamie's tears. She held the girl close, not knowing what to say.

Just then, Tricia and Stephen entered the house, confused at what was happening.

Why is she crying? Tricia mouthed.

Long story...Jill replied.

"I'll call Nat and Aika." Stephen stepped aside as Tricia sat next to Jill and Jamie. Jill whispered to Tricia what Jamie had told her.

"Sweetheart? Can you look at tita for a while?" Tricia stroked Jamie's back gently.

"Tita Tricia..." Jamie reached over into Tricia's embrace.

"Shhh...it's okay sweetheart...." Tricia comforted Jamie.

"They are 5 minutes away." Stephen just got off the phone.

"Your Daddy and ninang are coming back soon...we can talk when they get back okay, sweetheart?" Tricia whispered.

"Princess..." Nat and Aika hurried into the house.

"Daddy..." Jamie immediately reached for Nat's arms.

"Daddy's here...it's okay..." Nat comforted Jamie.

"Daddy, will you still love me when you marry ninang?" Jamie was still sobbing.

"Daddy will love you forever, Princess. I promise." Nat kissed Jamie on the cheek.

"Ninang..." Jamie reached out got Aika.

"Yes sweetie?" Aika smiled as she held Jamie's hand.

"You will continue loving me after you marry Daddy, right? And even after you and Daddy have babies? You will still love Jamie, right?" Jamie was quivering.

"Come here sweetie..." Aika carried Jamie over from Nat.

"I will. I love you now, will love you after I marry your Daddy and will continue loving you even if you have baby siblings. My love for you will always be there." Aika assured Jamie softly and wiped her tears.

"Really? I told him that you will love me no matter what but he said you wouldn't..." Jamie sniffled.

"I will always be your ninang no matter what others say. You and me, we made a promise, didn't we?" Aika reminded Jamie.

"Promise..." Jamie repeated after Aika, feeling assured.

"Me, you and ninang. Us three. Together." Nat hugged the girls tight.

"I'm not crying..." Tricia sniffled as she watched.

"I'm sweating from my eyes..." Jill wiped a tear from her cheek.

~

"Princess...can you tell Daddy who told you the Cinderella story?" Nat, Aika and Jamie were in the master bedroom.

"...I...don't...know..." Jamie avoided Nat's eyes.

"Was it a friend from school?" Aika held Jamie's hand to assure her it was okay.

"No...it wasn't my friends..." Jamie shook her head.

"Who was it?" Nat felt his anger rising. Not at Jamie but at the person.

"I can't tell you..." Jamie refused to answer.

"It's okay sweetie...you can tell us when you're ready. But I want you to know that you can say no to this person if they try to tell you things like this again. Okay?" Aika stepped in.

"Okay..." Jamie replied.

"Do you want me to lie with you?" Aika waited patiently for Jamie.

"Yes please. I like it when you lie beside me, cuddle and kiss me before bed..." Jamie confessed. After Nat, Aika's embrace felt the safest to her.

"Me too, sweetie. Bedtimes with you is something so precious to me." Aika felt the same way.

"I love you ninang." Jamie whispered.

"I love you so much too, sweetie." Aika kissed the top of Jamie's head.