Miggy's POV
I didn't expect that Alex and I would end up seeing Gabie at their house tonight. Honestly, I haven't thought much about her lately. Maybe because I've grown used to not seeing her.
On our way back to the condo, the silence stretched between me and Alex. Neither of us spoke. I didn't know if I should bring up what happened earlier—or if it was better not to. I decided to stay quiet. I didn't want her to misinterpret anything. Better safe than sorry, as they say.
Alex has been more emotionally sensitive lately, and I totally understand. Her doctor warned us about the hormonal shifts that come with pregnancy. That's why I try harder now to be more patient and understanding. I used to get easily distracted or annoyed, but now I think about what's best for her—and for the baby growing inside her. I don't want to be the reason she feels stressed. I've seen how even the smallest worry can affect a baby. And I won't let that happen.
"Babe?" Alex finally spoke, breaking the silence.
"Hm?"
"I just want to ask… Did you feel anything earlier? After seeing her?"
"I knew she was going to ask."
"I'm honestly just happy she came back," I said. "Aunt Teresa's finally at peace. She's been waiting a long time to see Gabie again. And I think it's good for Mom, too—she's been wanting to meet her."
"That's all?" Alex asked, gently.
"Oh no, babe. Please, don't overthink this," I reassured her. "I've accepted long ago that Gabie is my sister. Whatever thoughts you're having—erase them. I love you, okay? That's why I'm marrying you."
I pulled over the car, reached for her hand, and looked her in the eyes. Then I leaned over and kissed her softly.
"Thank you… and I'm sorry," she said, her voice small.
"It's alright, babe. I understand. But please remember, you're the only one for me. I love you with all my life. Gabie's just my sister now. That's it. The idea of anything else still makes me cringe, honestly."
She laughed, finally. I was relieved.
And it's true—if I had known from the start that Gabie was my sister, I wouldn't have flirted with her. Maybe I wouldn't have been so confused about my feelings. Uncle Manuel helped me understand that—it wasn't really about love or attraction. It was the blood tie that made things complicated. I used to blame myself, but now I'm letting that go.
It's not about the past anymore. What matters is what my dad left behind for her. I want to make sure everything is in order. Mom already knows, and she's okay with it.
***
The following day when I arrived, I handed Aunt Teresa the food I brought.
"Even though you're so busy, you still brought something. Thank you," she said warmly. "I'll just call Gabie from her room."
She left, and I sat on their sofa, looking around the room. A few minutes later, Gabie walked out, smiling.
"Hi! How are you?" she greeted.
"Hi! I'm good. Sorry to disturb your rest," I said, standing up and giving her a quick hug. There was no awkwardness between us—thank God. It meant we were both at peace with where we stood now.
"What do you want to talk about?" she asked, straight to the point.
"It's about what Dad left for you," I said. "Don't worry—Mom already knows, and she's okay with it."
"Huh?" she blinked, confused.
"I mean… Dad left a trust fund and a property for you. You're in his last will and testament. Aunt Teresa knows about it—dad's lawyer spoke with her. But she didn't want to interfere. She told me to speak with you directly and that we'd call the lawyer once you were back."
"Luh... Even if there wasn't anything like that, I'd be okay," she said softly.
"I know. But it's rightfully yours. You have to accept it. Just let me know when you're ready to meet with the lawyer."
"Can I think about it first? Then you can update us."
"Of course," I nodded. "No pressure. But just so you know—this is really what Dad wanted for you."
We talked a bit more after that—about her plans to visit Mom soon. Mom's excited to meet her. It's funny, actually—she said she feels like she's gaining a daughter, even if Gabie is the child of my dad and another woman. It just means she's accepted it all. And I admire her for that.
Even Aunt Teresa and Mom are getting along well. That in itself is already a blessing.
I am deeply thankful that, through every storm our family has faced, God has guided us toward peace. It wasn't easy for any of us to accept everything that happened. We were all hurt in different ways, and for a while, it felt like we were drifting apart. But time has a gentle way of teaching us that there are things beyond our control—things that happen for a reason, even if we don't understand them right away.
The family dinner originally meant for Mommy and Gabie's first meeting turned into something far more meaningful. Out of that night came an unexpected decision: we would be having a double wedding. Everyone agreed, and the joy was unanimous. Before the big day, though, we planned one more family gathering—a dinner filled with prayer and thanksgiving with August grandparents and his sister. It will be held again at our home, since Aunt Teresa was worried her place might not be big enough to accommodate everyone. Mommy gladly offered to host, saying the house and the garden would be perfect for another celebration.
It warms my heart to see us all united—at peace, supportive, and filled with hope for the future. Although Daddy is no longer with Mommy and me, we have found joy again. Gabie, our newest family member, brought with her a new chapter for all of us. Our family continues to grow in the most unexpected and beautiful ways—especially now that both Alex and Gabie are pregnant.
Once the settlement was finalized, wedding preparations moved quickly. The four of us were hands-on every step of the way, working closely with our wedding coordinator. Both brides chose a church wedding with simple yet elegant gowns. They didn't want anything overly grand—they simply wanted the day to be meaningful and not rushed, especially since they were both expecting.
Our reception was held at a five-star hotel in Manila, just a short distance from the church. Mommy, Aunt Beth, and Aunt Teresa were especially enthusiastic, sometimes even more excited than the brides themselves. We had a rainbow color theme for both couples, but each pair chose unique wedding favors to reflect their personalities.
People were pleasantly surprised by the idea of a double wedding—it's not something you see every day. Usually, even a single wedding feels like a whole town celebration, but this felt twice as magical.
For their honeymoon, Gabie and August flew to the Maldives, a generous gift from uncle Manuel. Alex and I went to Malibu. We all left the day after the wedding, heading to our own destinations filled with love and anticipation.
A few months later, something even more surprising happened: both Gabie and Alex gave birth. While August and I had planned for it, Gabie's pregnancy progressed faster than expected. The doctor said it was normal, especially for a firstborn. As fate would have it, their babies were born within just thirty minutes of each other—but in different hospitals. Mommy had to rush back and forth just to visit them both, and we joked that she was the busiest grandma in the world that day.
The biggest surprise? Both mothers gave birth to beautiful, healthy babies—on the same day! It quickly became the talk of the family, almost as if the two little ones were twins. At our double wedding, we held a double christening for Satin Christian Alonzo Sansebastian and Dexter James Alonzo Marquez. When their first birthday came around, we celebrated another shared milestone. That joyful day marked the beginning of a new family tradition: joint birthday parties for our bundle of joy every year.
Two years into married life, I finally fulfilled my dream of opening my own advertising firm. Alex and I now run it together, a partnership that balances love and business. Gabie, after graduating with a degree in Psychology, joined us as our HR Manager. Her husband, August, also received a promotion—from Police Major, PMAJ to Police Lieutenant Colonel, PLTCOL. Our careers were thriving, but family always remained the priority.
At home, the twins stayed mostly under the loving care of Mommy and Aunt Teresa. Teresa eventually gave up her online business so she could focus on watching over DJ. Just like us, they didn't want to entrust the kids to just anyone, even if we had hired a babysitter. Mommy still helped out, never failing to support us even as she watched over a growing household.
I also encouraged Alex to continue pursuing her own dreams. Marriage and motherhood didn't mean giving up on her goals. As for Gabie, she promised August that she would eventually step back from work once they had another child.
Life hasn't always been easy. We've endured moments that tested our strength, times when the pain was so deep that giving up seemed like the easier choice. We asked ourselves why we had to face such trials. But through it all, we came to understand that pain can shape us—make us stronger and prepare us for the life we're meant to live.
Who would have thought that after everything, we would become a big, united, and joyful family?
So, I've learned this: whatever trials come our way, we must not lose hope. We must continue to trust in God, who never leaves us. Even when we don't understand why things happen, He has a purpose. Let us allow Him to take the wheel of our lives, because only He knows the beautiful plans He has in store for us.
"I will say of the Lord, 'He is my refuge and my fortress: my God, in Him will I trust.'"
—Psalm 91:2
The End.