“Dad, where is this photo?”
“That’s a photo of Mom and Dad when we were in Malaysia.”
“How about this one? The one with lots of teddy bears?”
“That one is from South Korea.”
“Why isn’t Andromeda in any of them?”
“Well, sweetheart, you weren’t born yet.”
Darwin couldn’t stop laughing. He looked affectionately at Andromeda, who seemed either annoyed or maybe a little upset because in every baby photo he showed, there was not a single picture of him.
At just three years old, Andromeda had grown into a curious and critical thinker. Every day, he had new questions or things to say to Darwin and Veronica.
“But Andro also wants to go here and here, Dad,” the toddler said, pointing to photos of places Darwin and Veronica had visited before.
Darwin nodded, of course. Granting Andromeda’s requests was not a problem. Moreover, he and Veronica had plans to take their son on a vacation together soon.
“Sure thing. When Daddy has time off work, we’ll all go where Andro wants.”
“Yay!”
Andromeda cheered and even jumped for joy. Seeing this, Veronica, who had just entered the room, addressed her son.
“Andro, why are you jumping like that? You might fall, honey.”
“Andro is happy, Mom.”
“Why are you happy?” Veronica asked, curious.
“I’m happy because Dad is taking me out.”
“Oh, really? And what about Mama? Am I going with you?”
Andromeda nodded eagerly, responding to his mother’s question with enthusiasm.
“Of course, you’re coming too, Mama. If you don’t come, who will buy me snacks?”
“So, Mama’s only invited because of your treats, huh?”
“Dad says Mom has lots of money.”
Veronica chuckled, finding it amusing. She glanced at Darwin and then spoke to her husband.
“Enough playing. Let’s change your clothes quickly; it’s already six o’clock. We need to go to Dad’s birthday party, right?”
Darwin nodded. Originally, he had planned to get ready already, but since Andromeda came and started talking, they got caught up in the conversation and forgot their initial purpose.
“I’m getting ready now. But, your child here came with a photo album and wanted to chat, so I had to keep him company first.”
“Alright, change now. Take Andromeda with you. I’ll prepare the rest.”
Darwin nodded again, agreeing. He then took Andromeda to the walk-in closet. He decided to dress his son first. Once he finished changing Andromeda’s clothes, he began getting ready himself.
“Should we wear matching outfits, Dad?” Andromeda asked as Darwin was putting on his shirt.
“Sure thing. So Andromeda’s handsomeness rubs off on Dad when we wear matching outfits.”
“But Mom says Andromeda is handsome because he takes after Dad.”
Darwin laughed again. For a toddler, Andromeda was remarkably articulate and responded well to what adults said to him. This made Darwin enjoy chatting with Andromeda a lot, but he also had to be careful not to say anything inappropriate because Andromeda was so critical and always asked questions or responded to things he heard.
“How are you, all set, champ?” Darwin asked after finishing putting on his shoes with his son.
“Ready, Dad.”
“In that case, let’s head down now. Mom has probably been waiting downstairs for a while.”
Darwin and Andromeda then walked together to the first floor. Meanwhile, Veronica below was seen preparing some gift boxes that she might give to her father.
“Later, when we get to the event, Andromeda, give these gifts to grandpa, okay?” Veronica reminded Andromeda of his task when they arrived at the event.
“Sure, Mom. But these boxes are big. Andromeda might not be able to carry them.”
“Don’t worry, Dad and I will help Andro carry them and give them to grandpa.”
Andromeda nodded in agreement. After that, the three of them headed to the party.
Thirty minutes later, the three of them finally arrived at the Pullman Hotel. They immediately went to the ballroom where the party was held.
Inside, there were already many guests in attendance. Not wanting to waste any time, Darwin led his wife and son to quickly approach his father-in-law, who had just finished chatting with one of his business associates.
“Grandpa,” Andromeda called out as he ran toward Damian. “Happy birthday,” the little toddler said.
“Thank you, dear,” Damian replied, hugging his beloved grandson.
“Pa, happy birthday,” Darwin said after Damian released his embrace on Andromeda. A moment later, he handed the box he was carrying to his son to give to Damian.
“Grandpa, this is a gift for you. Andromeda has brought a lot tonight. I hope you like it. And when it’s Andromeda’s birthday, give him lots of gifts too, okay?”
Everyone present laughed, finding Andromeda’s behavior adorable and amusing.
“It wasn’t me who taught Andromeda to be like that, Pa,” Darwin said, making Damian laugh even more.
“I’m sure it wasn’t you, Win. But Andromeda’s behavior is very much like Veronica when she was little.”
“Papa!” Veronica protested playfully. “Don’t reveal all my secrets.”
Everyone laughed again. Afterward, Veronica approached her father and hugged the man who was her first love tightly.
“Happy birthday, Dad. May you have a long and healthy life. May Dad always be with all of us until death do us part. Hopefully, Dad will still be here when Veronica has a second, third, fourth, or fifth child.”
“Why does it sound like there will be so many, dear?” Darwin wondered.
“Yeah, I plan to have many children with you.”
“Papa agrees,” Damian chimed in. “If we can have three or four children at once, that would be lively. So that Papa has lots of company in his old age.”
“Darwin should be prepared. If that’s the case, we’ll start producing again tomorrow,” Darwin joked, making everyone laugh once more.
While Darwin was chatting with his father, Veronica approached Cristina. Her stepmother was, of course, faithfully accompanying her father.
“Mom…” Veronica called out.
“Thank you for coming, dear,” Cristina said sincerely, reaching for Veronica’s wrist and gently holding it.
“No need to thank me, Mom. Veronica was definitely going to attend this event. I should be the one thanking you because up to this moment, Mama has always been by Papa’s side.”
Cristina nodded. Over the years, their relationship had improved, especially after the incident a few years ago when Cristina was about to undergo surgery. Now, they were close and accepted each other without any hostility or barriers.
“Well then, Dad and Mom want to meet the other guests too. You guys can go around. Maybe you’ll meet people you haven’t seen in a long time.”
Veronica nodded in agreement. Together with Darwin, they circled around, greeting other familiar guests. After just one round, Darwin clearly saw Randy there. As one of the company leaders and also Veronica’s friend and brother-in-law, he was invited to Damian’s birthday party tonight. Interestingly, Randy didn’t come alone. He brought his wife and child along.
“Wow, Randy. Why are you always everywhere?” Darwin teased as he held Andromeda’s hand.
“That’s what you call fate, Win.”
“I don’t like being fated with you.” Then, Darwin’s gaze shifted to the beautiful woman standing next to Randy. “Ghea, how are you?”
“I’m good, Ka. How about you and Kak Veronica?”
“We’re both good.”
“How about yourself? Are you still sane after marrying Randy?”
“Hey!” Randy interrupted. “What kind of question is that? That’s so impolite.”
Darwin laughed teasingly. He was deliberately teasing his cousin.
“Just asking. Just answer it.”
Randy rolled his eyes lazily. Instead of engaging Darwin, he looked at Andromeda and began talking to the toddler.
“Andro, how are you, sweetheart?”
“I’m good, Uncle Randy.”
“Doesn’t Andromeda want to say ‘hi’ or give his future bride a kiss first?” Randy quipped as he approached a little baby he was holding toward Andromeda.
“Hey, don’t do anything weird, Ran,” Darwin teased, watching Randy’s behavior as he retaliated for what he had done earlier.
“Don’t say weird things in front of Andromeda, Ran. It’s dangerous. I’m tired of him asking all sorts of questions at home.”
Randy laughed. He understood what Darwin meant. Ending the conversation with his cousin, Randy chose to leave with his wife to have some food. Meanwhile, Darwin chose to take Andromeda to meet Veronica, who was engrossed in a conversation with a familiar guest.
“Mr. Sean?” Darwin greeted when he was standing right next to Veronica.
“Good evening, Mr. Darwin. How are you?”
“Good,” Darwin replied with a smile. “Finally, we can meet here.”
“Just so you know, dear. Sean also brought his future wife,” Veronica added.
“Oh, really?”
Sean nodded, confirming what Veronica said to Darwin. Then he waved at the woman who was getting a drink and quickly approached her.
“Just pray that the two of us will get married soon, sir.”
“Of course,” Darwin nodded. “When that happy day arrives, please don’t forget to invite Veronica and me. We’ll be more than happy to attend and celebrate that special day with you both.”
Everyone that night seemed to be enjoying the party. They got lost in the euphoria of happiness that was created. Just like Darwin and Veronica, they too were currently experiencing immense happiness.
Brought together by chance. Starting everything with tears. The twists and turns that weren’t easy at all. They had to overcome all sorts of obstacles, tests, and hard work to prove the strength of their love. Until finally, they are together. United and promising to be faithful until old age.