"Ninang, are you free on the 12th?" Jamie looked at Aika expectantly. Nat gave Aika a knowing look.

"Hmm, the 12th? I think I have something really really important on that day..." Aika stifled a laugh.

"Oh, really? Okay then..." Jamie let out a soft sigh.

"You're not going to ask what the important thing is?" Aika bent down to look at Jamie.

"Is it for lola Leni? That's really, really important right? Daddy says that it's for the people..." Jamie remembered what Nat had told her.

"What lola is doing now is indeed important but that's not what I'm going to be busy with on the 12th..." Aika held Jamie's hand.

"Are you busy with work then?" Jamie wondered.

"Nope, not that either. In fact, I'm going to be busy with a birthday party. Someone very important is turning 5 on the 12th." Aika grinned. Jamie stared at her for a second.

"I LOVE YOU, NINANG!" Jamie figured what Aika meant and immediately went in for a hug.

"I would never miss my sweetie's birthday for anything." Aika planted a kiss on Jamie's forehead. Thank goodness Aika was scheduled to be in Quezon City over the weekend. 

"Will you be here the whole day?" Jamie was hoping on the spot in excitement.

"Sorry sweetie but I'll only be able to make it during the night. I have to help your lola with something before that...is that okay with you?" Aika hoped Jamie wouldn't be too bumped.

"But you're going to come, right? As long as you can make it, I'm okay with anything!" Jamie was just happy to have Aika celebrate her birthday with her. 

"I promise." Aika hooked pinkies with Jamie. It was the first time Jamie would have a celebration in the Philippines. 

"Sorry that you have to take care of all the party preparations alone..." Aika gave Nat a kiss on the cheek. 

"I'll take care of everything, all you need to do is appear. That will probably be the best gift for Jamie." Nat hugged Aika, knowing how sorry she was feeling. 

"Does Aly know about it? I'm sure she would want to help?" The thought suddenly popped into Aika's head. 

"I did tell her about it and she did offer to help. It's her first time celebrating Jamie's birthday so she wanted to be part of it." Nat nodded. 

"What does she want to do for her birthday?" Aika was curious. 

"She hasn't decided...and it scares me. I'm not sure if I can deliver in a mere 10 days..." Nat bit his lip nervously. 

"Let me see if I can help you figure what she wants." Aika headed over to Jamie, who was sitting on the couch reading a book. 

"Ninang, can I do anything I want on my birthday?" Jamie asked as Aika sat next to her. 

"I would say almost anything...what do you have in mind?" Aika chuckled at how easy this was going. 

"I want to share. Instead of buying me presents, can we use the money to buy presents for the friends who don't have any toys?" Jamie looked at Aika, wondering if she was asking for too much. 

"Of course you can, sweetie. We can definitely do that. How about this...we could ask the friends coming to your party to bring presents that they want to gift to others. Afterwards, you can personally gift those out to the friends without toys?" Aika suggested, with pride overflowing inside her. 

"That sounds great! Daddy, can we do that, please?" Nat joined them on the couch. 

"It's the best birthday plan I've ever heard, Princess. I'm so proud that you thought of sharing during your birthday. How did you think of this?" Nat had never been a prouder parent. 

"Daddy and ninang were the ones you taught me about sharing and being grateful for the things I have! I have so much already, I don't need more! There are many friends who don't have as many toys as I do!" Jamie remembered the things that Nat and Aika had told her. 

"Thank you for affirming my parenting, Princess. God, I love you." Nat squished Jamie's cheeks lightly as Aika gave Nat a smack. 

~

"What does Jamie want for her birthday? I can get her anything she wants." Aly asked. Jamie and Nat were on their usual visit to Aly and Marco's house. 

"She doesn't want anything. She said she wanted to donate all her presents to an orphanage. A simple party with some food and cake would be enough for her." Nat shook his head. 

"A 5 year old wants to do charity during her birthday? Have you been depriving her or something?" Marco scoffed.

"Shut it, Marco. I think that's a great idea. Anything I can help with?" Aly glared at Marco.

"Hmm, we're having the party at the function room of the condo so do you mind helping with the decorations before?" Nat gave Aly an awkward smile.

"Sure! Anything else? I could get the cake too?" Aly offered.

"It's okay, Aika's getting the cake. Jamie and her were discussing about the cake before this." Jamie had reminded Nat and Aika about the cake that Tricia had got them.

"Auntie Aly, Uncle Marco, are you coming to my party?" Jamie ran up to the adults.

"Of course we are, Jamie. We wouldn't miss it!" Aly smiled.

"Yay! Oh, and remember to bring presents not for me but for the friends we're giving it to!" Jamie reminded them.

"I wonder what on earth he's teaching your daughter..." Marco rolled his eyes after Nat and Jamie had left.

"How to share and be a good person?" Aly retorted. She was equally proud of Jamie. 

"I mean, why not just donate money? Why go through all that trouble? Or give up what belongs to you?" Marco couldn't understand.

"You know what, I wouldn't expect someone like you to understand the concept of sharing..." Aly sighed.

~

"Nat posts one picture and you two come after us like this?" Aika stared at her sisters.

"I meant it as praise, ate." Jill shrugged.

"Patty, where did you get the birthday cake from last time? How early in advance do you need to order?" Aika took a seat on the couch. 

"I'll send you the IG account. 5 days should be enough. Who's it for?" Tricia sat next to Aika.

"Jamie's turning 5 on the 12th. I'm getting it for her birthday." Aika browsed through the account.

"JUSKO! DID WE JUST FORGET ABOUT HER BIRTHDAY?" Tricia gasped.

"You did, mama and I didn't. How could you forget your niece's birthday..." Jill teased.

"My little sweetheart is going to be so disappointed to hear that her tita Tricia forgot about her birthday." VP Leni added to the fun.

"Uh, what does she want for her birthday? We need to get her a gift, it's the first time we're celebrating together!" Tricia changed the topic.

"She wants to donate all her presents to charity. She says she doesn't need more toys, having a small celebration with food and cake is good enough for her." Aika's words make the entire family swoon.

"She's more loving than most adults, I swear. But still, shouldn't we get her something?" Jill suggested.

"I won't be able to wish her on the day itself but how can I as a lola not send her anything..." VP Leni agreed.

"Let's get her something small but special..." Tricia was already penning down possible gift ideas. Aika chuckled at the sight of her mama and sisters discussing about what to get Jamie.

"I think we've found the perfect gift." The Robrdeo girls exchanged hi-fives after a fierce 30 minute debate on what would Jamie like. 

~

"I'm coming over on the 8th. I booked a ticket already." Nat almost dropped his phone when Alice spilt the news. 

"You're coming over? Like to the Philippines?" Nat stuttered. 

"Yes. It's my one and only granddaughter's birthday, how can I not be there? Plus, your dad and I figured you might need help with Jamie during these two months. Am I not welcome?" Alice had discussed her trip with Kevin, who was more than supportive. 

"No, no. Of course you are. I was just surprised that Dad agreed..." Nat was happy to have Alice over. 

"In this house, your father doesn't get to dictate my movement. You know that." Alice shrugged. Then again, if there was anything that Nat learnt from his father, it was respecting women and treating them as equals. 

"I'll go pick you up from the airport." Nat smiled. Alice coming to the Philippines was a blessing he never expected.

Mum's coming

Auntie is coming? Coming where?

Here. To Manila.

WHAT? 

For Jamie's birthday and to help take care of Jamie for the next two months...

When is she arriving? 

The 8th. Oh, and she warned me multiple times to not bother you. She said she would kill me if I bothered you about her arrival. 

Tell Auntie I love her. But still...

Mum isn't going anywhere for 2 months, you have lots of time to say hi <3 

She's going to meet Aly and her husband during Jamie's party then...

Right...that was not part of the plan :")

Nat let out a sigh, wondering what Alice's reaction to Aly and Marco would be. Alice, for obvious reasons, wasn't going to cordial with Aly. Nat decided that he'd cross the bridge when he came to it.

~

"I've been keeping up with the tweets and news! The campaign is going strong!" Nat was immensely proud of and amazed at all the work that the Leni-Kiko team had been putting in. It was a whole new world of politics that he'd never seen back at home. 

"70,000 was indeed huge. One of our biggest yet!" Aika was still dressed in her pink polo after the eventful night. 

"Ninang, are you very tired? Daddy said that you have been really busy with lola Leni and tita Tricia recently..." Jamie was next to Nat.

"I was a little tired but after seeing my sweetie's face, I feel much more energised!" Aika smiled at the girl. 

"If you are too busy, you don't have to rush back for my birthday tomorrow. We can always celebrate another day!" Jamie took over the phone from Nat. Aika's heart melted. 

"I'm okay sweetie, I'll be there at 6pm sharp, okay?" Aika held up her pinky to make a virtual promise. 

"Promise!" Jamie gave Aika a virtual flying kiss before hanging up. 

"She reminds me of the time you told mama not to rush back for your birthday..." Aika turned to Tricia, who she was sharing a room with. 

"I did? Oh right, that embarrassing text message she posted..." Tricia stuck her tongue out shyly. 

"It was far from embarrassing, Patty." Aika gave her sister a thumbs up. 

"Oh right, the seller said that the package should be waiting at the security guard's office already. Remember to pick it up before going tomorrow!" Tricia showed Aika the screenshot from the seller. It was Jamie's birthday gift from the Robredos. 

"Gotcha." Aika was the only one going back to Quezon City while Tricia and VP Leni were bound for Cagayan and Batangas respectively. 

~

"Why didn't you tell me that Jamie's mother will be here?" Alice whispered to Nat when she saw Aly walk into the function room at 1pm. 4 hours before the start of the party. 

"It kinda slipped my mind. But like you said, she's Jamie's mother. I can't say no to her joining her own daughter's birthday...Be nice, mum. At least for Jamie's sake." Nat whispered back as he gave Aly an awkward smile. 

"Hi Nat, I got all the decorations here!" Aly approached Nat. 

"Oh hi...and uh...this is my...mother." Nat introduced Alice to Aly. 

"Nice to see you Ma'am. My name's Alyssa Carlos, Jamie's mother." Aly stretched her hand out.

"Alice Lee, Jamie's grandmother. I've heard a lot about you, Ms Carlos." Alice reciprocated the handshake. She was still suspicious of Aly. She was one there for Nat when he first brought Jamie home as a baby. 

"Uh, how about we work on the decorations together and Mum, you can go join Jamie and her yaya upstairs?" Nat tried to defuse the situation. 

"Why didn't you tell me that your mum was coming?" Aly asked once Alice had left. 

"What's so surprising about that? She's Jamie's grandmother." Nat raised an eyebrow.

"But...never mind. Anyways, where's ate Aika?" Aly didn't see Aika anywhere.

"Ate? Since when was were you two these close?" Nat didn't know they had settled on such close sounding addresses. 

"We decided on that like last year?" Aly shrugged. Although she wasn't really sure if she could really see Aika as an older sister. 

"She'll be here at night. She's coming from Bacolod. Is your husband coming?" Nat returned the question.

"Marco's coming at night too. He has an appointment until the evening." Aly replied. 

~

"Auntie Aly!" Jamie hugged Aly as she entered the function room. 

"Hi, little one! Happy Birthday! That's a beautiful dress you're wearing!" Aly smiled at Jamie, who was dressed in a baby blue dress. 

"Thank you! Ninang bought it for me!" Jamie did a twirl for Aly. It was one of her favourite dresses. 

"Princess, your friends are here already!" Nat called out to Jamie. 

"Happy birthday Jamie!" Jamie had invited her class of 15 to her party.

"Thank you for coming to my birthday! And thank you for bringing these special presents for our friends who need them! I promise to deliver your thoughts and gifts safely to them!" Jamie thanked her friends. 

"Jamie's parents raised her so well!" Alice heard the parents whisper beside her. 

"We should go talk to her parents afterwards. Get some tips from them!" Another parent commented. 

ETA 15 minutes. I'm leaving the house now.

Be careful otw here, don't rush <3

Is the cake there already?

Yep, it arrived 15 minutes ago

Great! See you <3

"Daddy, is ninang arriving soon?" Jamie looked at her watch. 5.50pm.

"She's on her way. Should be arriving...Look who's at the door?" Nat was about to finish his sentence when he spotted Aika. 

"NINANG!" Jamie headed straight for Aika. 

"Hey my birthday girl!" Aika picked Jamie up. 

"You're early!" Jamie gave Aika a kiss on the cheek. 

"I came as fast as I could because I missed you." Aika grinned. 

"You're just in time for the cake cutting." Nat stopped himself from giving Aika a hug and a kiss since all the parents where here. 

"Auntie!" Aika gave Alice a hug.

"So good to see you!" Alice returned the hug warmly.

"Sorry I wasn't here to greet you earlier..." Aika apologised

"Don't worry about it at all! You're doing more important things!" Alice waved it off.

"Daddy, can we cut the cake now? My friends want to see the cake!" Jamie pointed to the cake on the table.

"Of course, Princess." Nat helped Jamie place the cake on the table as her friends gathered around.

"Wow! Your cake is so pretty!" One of the kids commented as Nat lit the candles.

"Thank you!" Jamie secretly gave Aika a thumbs up.

"You okay, Aika?" Alice joined Aika, who was standing at the back. She was checking the little goodie bags meant for the children when they left. Nat and Aly were helping Jamie give out the cake.

"I'm great, Auntie. Aly deserves that place next to Jamie. She is her mother." Aika smiled. She was glad to see Aly and Jamie passing the cakes together.

"Being caught on camera isn't exactly the best in this season, I guess. I'm sure Jamie will understand." Alice nodded at Aika's security detail who was blending in with the crowd. Alice and Nat both knew what it would mean if anyone recognised or caught a picture of Aika.

"I just wanted to be here on her special day, that's all." Aika assured.

"Jamie's looking for you...Sorry mum, I'm going to steal Aika away for a while." Nat approached the ladies and lead Aika away.

"I told the photographer to avoid capturing you with the others. The other parents are done taking pictures too." Nat whispered to Aika. He had hired a photographer to reduce any chances of parents having to take their own pictures.

"Relax, I'm not my mama. Patty is more recognisable than I am anyways." Aika chuckled. She was nonetheless grateful.

~

"What a nice sight, isn't it? Could have been me, you and Jamie in a fancy location with the best presents." Marco crept up behind Aly. She was standing by the side watching Nat, Aika and Jamie.

"You're late. And is that seriously all you can say?" Aly rolled her eyes.

"Don't need to put up a strong front, dear. Your clenched up fist tells me everything." Marco scoffed.

"Did you bring the present?" Aly turned to Marco. His driver entered with a huge present in hand, placing it at the side before taking his leave.

"Of course. I have to make a good impression on my future daughter." Marco quipped.

"You better watch your words later. Nat's mum is here. You don't want to shoot yourself in the foot." Aly nodded towards Alice.

"Auntie Aly, Uncle Marco! Come and take pictures with us!" Jamie waved to the two.

"Okay, how about one with your Mummy and Daddy?" The photographer suggested once all the kids were done.