"Happy Grad, Jill!" Nat and Jamie were video-calling the Robredos the night before Jill's graduation ceremony in New York.

"Thanks for the flowers and balloons, kuya!" Jill showed off the gifts that Nat had got his acquaintance in New York to order.

"You're welcome, Ms NYU. Would a NYU cap be too much to ask for?" Nat grinned.

"A jacket on top of that." Jill winked.

"I want a t-shirt too, tita Jill! Like the one ate Nat has!" Jamie chimed in.

"Your wish is my command, sweetie!" Jill promised.

"Have fun and make good memories! Call me whenever you're free, sunshine. Love you!" Nat waved to Aika.

"PDA is not allowed on my computer, thank you very much." Tricia rolled her eyes.

"I love you, lola Leni, tita Tricia and tita Jill!" Jamie sent them a huge heart.

"We love you too, sweetheart!" VP Leni sent the girl a heart too.

"Gosh, Jamie is a genius at melting hearts. The Duke University genes is running strong." Jill joked.

"What does Nat's university have to do with this?" Aika chuckled.

"Harvard and Duke...I can already imagine the amount of brain in your future grandkids, mama." Tricia gasped.

"Aiks, you better start saving money. College tuition isn't cheap..." VP Leni warned.

"How did the conversation lead to this..." Aika was speechless at how off course their conversation had veered.

"Look, Jamie is 5 and that means 13 more years! You'd be like 47 by then!" Jill did the math.

"Shush, Jill. I know very well how old I am." Aika threw a pillow at Jill.

"Medically speaking, you have about 2 years. So if you and kuya get married by next year and work fast...we'll get a little niece or nephew by the end of 2023 or early 2024!" Tricia counted.

"Woah, woah...hold your horses, Patty..." Aika calmed her sisters down.

"Patty ain't wrong, Aiks..." VP Leni chimed in.

"Not you too, mama?" Aika felt betrayed.

"Unless you don't want kids with kuya Nat?" Jill realised they hadn't asked Aika the most important question.

"I do...I do want kids with Nat but 2 years just seems so short..." Aika frowned slightly.

"Right...it does." Tricia agreed.

"Let's just take things one step at a time." Aika shrugged.

~

"Daddy, when are we seeing Mummy again?" Jamie asked as Nat put her to bed. It had been 2 weeks since Aly last saw Jamie.

"Let me call her and check. She's probably busy with work." Nat assured Jamie.

"Are you expecting someone?" Alice looked at Nat as they heard a knock on the door.

"No..." Nat got up and looked through the peephole. His eyes widened upon seeing who was at the door.

"Niel..." Aly cried as Nat open the door.

"Aly...what are you doing here so late? Woah, watch out!" Nat caught Aly before her legs gave way.

"I can't do this anymore..." Aly clung onto Nat's shirt. He could smell alcohol.

"Come in first..." Nat helped Aly into the house.

"What..." Alice was flustered to see a drunk and crying Aly.

"I'll handle her, mum. You can go rest." Nat gave Alice a nod of assurance. Looking at Aly one more time, Alice shook her head before heading into her room.

"Nat...Nat..." Aly called out as she swayed in Nat's arms.

"How much did you drink?" Nat lay Aly on the couch as gently as he could.

"Just a little bit...4 glasses of wine." Aly held up 3 with her fingers, obviously drunk.

"You're drunk. I'll send you home. Marco must be worried." Nat was ready to help Aly up.

"No! I'm not going back to him anymore! I'm getting a divorce!" Aly pushed Nat away.

"Divorce?" Nat repeated.

"I'm done with him. He's beyond redemption...." Aly sat up, crying. Nat was flustered at her crying.

"Okay, okay...I won't send you back home...how about your parents' place? Where do they stay?" Nat probed.

"I haven't told them yet...Can't I sleep here tonight?" Aly whimpered.

"Here?" Nat hesitated.

"Niel...please? Niel..." Aly begged. Aly called Nat by the nickname she gave him when they were dating.

"You can take my bed, I'll take the couch." Nat gave in.

"I knew I could trust in you, Niel..." Aly drowsily wrapped her arms around Nat.

"Just for one night, Aly." Nat pried Aly's arms away from him.

"You know what?" Aly sat upright and squeezed Nat's cheeks with her hands tight.

"......You're drunk...let's talk tomorrow..." Nat sighed.

"I'm not. I'm sober. Sober enough to know that I regret leaving you and Jamie." Aly looked straight into Nat's eyes.

"Let's not talk about the past now...we both know it's a done deal." Nat tried to help Aly to his room.

"Stay with me, don't go." Aly grabbed onto Nat's hand.

"I'll be on the couch." Nat released Aly's grip. He offered to take the couch just in case Jamie woke up early. He didn't want Jamie to see Aly like that.

"Niel..." Aly called out again. Nat closed the door without turning back.

~

"4 plates? Why is there an extra plate today? Isn't ninang in New York?" Jamie wondered.

"Morning baby..." Aly called out from behind.

"Mummy?" Jamie was confused but gave Aly a hug nonetheless.

"Good morning, Mrs Lee...Sorry for last night..." Aly had realised what she'd done yesterday.

"Sit down and have breakfast first." Alice nodded to the chair next to her.

"Mummy, when did you come? Why didn't you say hi?" Jamie sat next to Aly.

"I came when you were asleep so I thought I'd say hi to you in the morning...I missed you, baby." Aly hugged Jamie.

"I missed you too..." Jamie smiled.

"This jam is really good..." Aly commented as she took a bite of the pancakes with the blueberry jam.

"Ninang and I made it!" Jamie was proud.

"Oh...that's a really cute plate you have there, baby..." Aly pointed to Jamie's plate.

"Ninang and I made this too! We painted it together!" Jamie lifted up her now empty plate to show it off. Aly fell silent.

"Jamie, do you wanna go downstairs and get a snack with Grandma?" Alice knew Nat and Aly had to talk.

"Ooh, okay! Mummy, do you want a snack too?" Jamie offered.

"I'm good, baby. Thanks for asking." Aly stroked Jamie's cheeks.

"Whenever you're ready..." Nat leaned against the dining table, looking at Aly.

"I'm getting a divorce. I'm ending things with Marco. Forever." Aly confessed.

"I'm in no position to question your decisions but I trust that you know what's best for you..." Nat was sympathetic.

"I don't have anywhere to go..." Aly bit her lip.

"What about your parents' house?" Nat furrowed his eyebrows.

"Marco will find me there..." Aly refused.

"So what's the plan? I can get you a room in one of our hotels nearby if you want?" Nat suggested.

"Can I stay here for a while?" Aly blurted.

"Here?" Nat was flustered.

"Please, Niel...I really don't want to see Marco..." Aly pleaded.

"I'm...not..." Nat was in a dilemma. Aly staying with them would make things uncomfortable but he couldn't say no to Aly outright.

"I could stay on the couch, I won't bother anyone. I promise!" Aly held Nat's hand.

"It's not about you staying on the couch or bothering anyone, Aly. It just doesn't make sense. You may be Jamie's mother, but that's all there is..." Nat sighed.

"Then just treat me as Jamie's mother, nothing more...I can spend more time with Jamie too!" Aly harped on the fact.

"You can take my room." Nat gave in.

"Thank you, Niel...I knew you wouldn't leave me in the lurch." Aly smiled.

"This is just temporary. You'll have to settle things with Marco in due time..." Nat set the boundaries straight.

"My lawyer is already working on the papers. I've had enough of him." Aly was firm.

"I know this isn't the best time but if you're getting a divorce, it means that the custody talk is not going to continue right?" Nat felt bad but he needed to get things clear.

"That's partially one of the reasons I left him. I wasn't going to let him make use of our daughter for his own selfish gains." Aly explained.

"...Thank you...for protecting Jamie...I really appreciate it...Really." Nat heaved a sigh of relief. He'd been weighed down about the possibility of losing Jamie.

"I want to be a good mother to Jamie. I really do." Aly looked into Nat's eyes.

"I hope so too..." Nat looked away.

~

"She's staying with us...in your room? Do you hear what you just said, son?" Alice questioned.

"Yes, mum. I know. But I couldn't say no...she left partially because of Jamie. How was I supposed to turn a blind eye when she helped protect Jamie?" Nat knew what Alice was concerned about.

"I'm not being heartless but you do know how this looks right now, don't you?" Alice crossed her arms. This tangled mess was more complex than she thought.

"There's nothing between us. I am fully devoted to Aika. I'm going to tell Aika about Aly staying with us for the time being." Nat assured Alice.

"One thing crazy about feelings is that you can't control them. You know what I'm referring to." Alice made it clear.

"I know. I know the boundaries, mum." Nat was only doing it for Jamie's sake.

"She can sleep with me. You can keep your room." Alice patted Nat on the shoulder before leaving the room.

"Hey sunshine...I have something to tell you..." Nat called Aika as soon as he could.

"Did you do something wrong? What's up with those puppy eyes of yours?" Aika joked as she saw the look in Nat's eyes.

"Actually..." Nat hesitated.

"I'm listening..." Aika realised it was serious.

"Aly's staying at our house for the time being..." Nat confessed.

"Oh...is everything alright? Is Aly okay?" Aika was concerned.

"She's okay. She's divorcing Marco and she said that she didn't have anywhere to stay...but I promise, nothing's going to happen between us. I won't be alone with her in the house...I won't..." Nat wanted to assure Aika.

"Relax muscles. I trust you 100%. With that being said, Aly must be having a hard time..." Aika knew Nat would never betray her. She was more worried about Aly.

"She says that she's taking time to settle things with Marco and spend more time with Jamie in the meanwhile..." Nat shared.

"That's good to hear..." Aika smiled.

"I miss you..." Nat pouted.

"Me too, muscles." Aika felt the same.

"Don't worry about us. Have lots of fun and take that well-deserved break, sunshine. I love you." Nat gave Aika a cheesy flying kiss.

"Love you too, my big baby." Aika returned the flying kiss before ending the call.

"I feel my pizza coming back out, bunso..." Tricia and Jill walked into the room just as Aika ended the call.

"Everything okay, ate? You don't look good..." Jill noticed the slight frown on Aika's face.

"Wanna talk about it?" Tricia asked as she and Jill sat on the bed next to Aika.

"Aly's staying at Nat's house. She's getting a divorce from her husband." Aika spilled.

"Oh...that's..."Jill couldn't think of a proper description for the situation.

"You're worried?" Tricia asked quietly.

"If you're talking about something happening between Nat and Aly, no. If you're talking about how things have gotten more complex, then yes." Aika sighed.

"What did kuya say?" Jill probed.

"He's doing this for Jamie's sake. On the bright side, he doesn't have to worry about any custody issue since Aly isn't with her husband anymore. There's no more third party." At least there was someone good coming out of this complex situation.

"Sometimes, some problems just need time. I'm sure kuya will deal with it well. I trust him." Tricia comforted her ate.

"So I do." Jill hugged her ate Aiks.

~

"Mummy, did you fight with Uncle Marco?" Jamie and Aly were spending time alone since Nat had to work late.

"I guess you could put it that way..." Aly sucked her breath.

"Are you going to make up with Uncle Marco?" Jamie blinked.

"I don't think so baby...I'm really, really angry at him." Aly shook her head.

"What did he do to make you angry? Ninang says that the reason behind your anger is more important than the object of your anger..." Jamie remembered what Aika had told her.

"He wasn't nice to Mummy. He wasn't thoughtful like your Daddy, loving like your Daddy or kind like your Daddy." Aly smiled wistfully.

"So you don't love Uncle Marco anymore?" Jamie concluded.

"Yes, baby. I don't. You are the most important person in Mummy's life now." Aly hugged Jamie.

"Hi Princess..." Nat knocked and popped his head into Jamie's room.

"Daddy!" Jamie ran to Nat and was lifted into the air.

"Hi, you're back..." Aly smiled.

"Sorry I'm late, I had a meeting...Princess, shouldn't you be getting ready for bed already?" Nat gave Aly a brief answer before turning his attention to Jamie.

"Wanna wash up with Mummy?" Aly offered her hand, which Jamie gladly took.

"Good night, Princess." Nat kissed Jamie on the forehead.

"Sweet dreams, baby." Aly followed suit.

"Good night, Daddy. Good night, Mummy." Jamie smiled.

"I never thought I'd ever get to hear that from Jamie...it's feels so surreal. Like we're an actual family." Aly was visibly emotional. They were in the living room.

"Aly, I'm going to be 100% honest with you. I am all for your relationship with Jamie as her mother but that is all. I just want to make it clear that the relationship we share will purely be as parents of Jamie, now and in the future..." Nat laid out his intentions.

"Did ate Aika say something? Is she angry about me staying here?" Aly pursed her lips.

"She didn't. In fact, she told me the opposite. But I don't want to give you any false hope. It wouldn't be fair to you or your happiness." Nat explained. He wanted Aly to be able to move on eventually.

"I'm sorry...I know I'm making everyone uncomfortable here...I'll move out soon..." Aly was surprised at Nat's straightforwardness.

"You don't have to rush. You can take your time, but remember that taking small steps in the right direction is always better than huge strides in the wrong one." Nat assured Aly.

"I thought you'd hate me after all I've done to you and Jamie..." Aly felt guilty.

"No point harping on the past. Might as well focus on creating a better future. I genuinely hope that you'll find your happiness, Aly." Nat shrugged before turning and returning to his room.

"You've never changed...You're still the same old Niel I knew..." Aly knew it was a step in the wrong direction but she took it anyways.

~

"Are you taking Jamie to her ballet lessons? Can I come along?" Aly knocked on Nat's bedroom door and peered in.

"Sure." Nat nodded.

"You changed your perfume?" Aly commented as Nat walked past her.

"I like this better. So does Aika and Jamie." Nat gave Aly a small smile. They both knew that Aly had picked the perfume that Nat used to wear when they were dating.

"See you later, Princess. Have fun in ballet, I love you!" Nat waved as Jamie skipped into her ballet studio.

"So what do you do while waiting for Jamie?" Aly wondered. Jamie's lessons were 1.5 hours long.

"We usually grab some coffee. But Aika's been busy for the past 3 months and Mum's here so I'd just follow her while she shops." Shopping wasn't Nat's forte but it was a good way to bond with Alice.

"How long is your Mum staying here for?" Aly had been sleeping in the same room as Alice for the past 10 days but the older lady still wasn't warming up to her.

"She's heading back in a week actually. My Dad and sister have been complaining about missing her." Nat let out a tiny chuckle.

"Oh..." Aly didn't know whether to feel relieved that Alice was leaving or worried that Nat would chase her out once Alice left.

"Anyways, don't you need clothes? The small carrier you brought seems pretty insufficient..." Nat had observed that Aly was running low on clothes.

"I actually do...do you mind coming with me?" Aly was expectant. Nat nodded.

"Which one looks nicer?" Aly held up two dresses.

"Both look good." Nat commented. Nat wondered if he made a mistake by saying yes to shopping with Aly.

"I'll get both then. How about this?" Aly held another one up. By the end of 30 minutes, Aly had chosen a mountain of clothes.

"Coffee?" Nat offered as they passed by the shop he'd usually grab coffee from.

"I'll never say no to coffee, you know that." Aly grinned.

"Hi, could I please have one iced americano and one iced vanilla latte with almond milk, sugar free syrup and a thin layer of froth on top? Thanks." Nat ordered for both of them.

"You still remember my order? Marco still gets it wrong even after 4 years." Aly was surprised when Nat gave the exact order she had been drinking since their undergraduate days.

"I guess my brain somehow remembered it..." Nat scratched his nape awkwardly.

"Haven't seen you in a while, bro." The barista recognised Nat.

"Hey! I've been a little busy recently. I missed your coffee though." Nat greeted the young male barista.

"Where's your girlfriend? I noticed you only got one iced americano...Is the vanilla latte for your sister?" The barista looked around for Aika but only spotted Aly.

"She's overseas for these few weeks. By the way, when's that chocolate crumble coming back? I wanna get first dibs on it." Aika really loved their chocolate crumble but the shop hadn't been offering it for the last 2 months.

"I was waiting for you to ask me that. I heard from the kitchen staff that it's finally making a comeback next week. Should I keep a box for you?" The barista winked.

"You bet. She's been dreaming about it for weeks. Can you make that 2 boxes? Her sisters love it as well. Give me a call when it's back. I'll come pick it up." Nat was excited to surprise Aika when she got back from New York. Aly stood silently behind, having mixed feelings.

~

"Aly!" Aly froze at the familiar voice. She refused to turn back and continued walking.

"Babe! Aly!" Marco called as he ran after Aly.

"I have nothing to say to you, Marco." Aly tried to shake off Marco's grip but it was too tight.

"Can we please talk?" Marco pleaded.

"You can say what you need through my lawyer. I'm not changing my mind." Aly was resolute.

"I'm sorry. I really am. You're the only thing left in my life now..." Marco begged.

"It's too late, Marco. I don't feel the same towards you anymore." Aly confessed. If Aly was honest, she did love Marco and she couldn't deny that Marco loved her dearly. She admittedly approached Marco for other reasons but Marco had been serious about her, albeit his pride and greed. She found herself being moved by his sincerity...until he started allowing greed and jealousy blind him. She could overlook the flaws in his personality but there was only so much Aly could stand.

"Is it because of him? You want to go back to him, don't you?" Marco brought Nat up.

"Have you ever reflected on your own actions and behaviour? Instead of blaming others, have you tried looking at your own mistakes?" Aly was frustrated. That darn pride of yours, Marco.

"I'll change...I promise! Come back with me please?" Marco held onto Aly with both hands.