"Hi, mommy!"

Karina smiled as soon as she entered their apartment. She's greeted by a sassy Ginger already rubbing her head on Karina's leg. Sumunod naman si Winter, karga-karga niya si Luna who was already making grabby hands at her.

Agad naman nagpabuhat si Luna sa mommy niya. Nakabihis na siya sa scrubs niya before siya umuwi.

"Mommy!" 

"Hi, baby," Karina cooed, kissing Luna on the cheeks. Then she turned to Winter who was smiling at them. "Hello to you, too," bulong niya before pecking Winter on the lips. 

Hindi pa rin talaga sanay si Winter na ganito si Karina sa kanya. Kinikilig pa rin talaga siya. Parang kahapon lang kasi senior high lang siya at takot na takot sa feelings niya para sa kaibigan. 

Ganun din naman si Karina.

She can't believe how everything unfolded. Hindi naman kasi to kasali sa bingo card niya. Karina just needed a safe place to stay, she didn't think she'd get something else out of it, too.

Ang surreal lang.

It's been a month since Winter and Karina decided to see each other romantically. And it has been great since then! 

Matinding pag-uusap ang ginawa nila after that night. Karina expressed that hindi lang to landian para sa kanya especially with Luna in the picture. Winter agreed. Hindi naman niya magagawa yun. 

This is for long term. 

It may be hard to believe because of Winter's past pero seryoso siya kay Karina at Luna.

And Karina doesn't doubt it. 

Sa totoo niyan, matagal ng napansin ni Karina na may nag-iba sa kanila. Even before the whole confession. 

Winter was too obvious. 

When she started being weird around Karina after Luna got hospitalized, parang bumalik si Karina nung high school pa sila when Winter started being weird din.

It was the same exact thing she did. 

Biglang naging mailap si Winter, avoiding her gazes and giving her one worded answers.

Tinago na lang ni Karina when she asked Giselle and Ning what was wrong with Winter that time, binuking agad nila si Winter na may gusto to sa kanya.

So, when Winter started not seeing her eyes when they talked after they slept on the same bed, Karina had a pretty good feeling why. 

Nakakainis na nga yun, mas lalo naman siyang nainis when Winter started dating again. Ilang weeks na rin kasi na walang kadate si Winter tapos biglang meron na ulit. 

One day when Karina was off duty, nagsabi na lang si Winter na aalis siya. Bihis na bihis and it was only five! 

Napatingin na lang si Karina sa kanya, eyeing her outfit up and down. 

"That's what you're wearing?" Karina asked, taking in Winter's outfit of choice. It was too y for Karina's liking. Sa isip niya, Winter should only dress like that for her. 

It was a black camisole dress that hugged Winter's slender body, its straps a little too thin to even hold on to Winter's shoulders.

May slit pa sa thigh! 

Malandi ka talaga, Winter.

"Oo, bakit?" 

Karina cleared . Gusto niyang sabihin na magbihis siya kasi hindi dapat ganyan ang suot ng mommy ni Luna! 

Instead, she hiked up Luna in her arms and asked the baby, "Does Mommy Win look good, baby?" 

Luna just clapped her hands messily habang bungisngis na ngumisi sa Mommy Win niya. Her fine motor skills are getting there na talaga. 

"Luna says you look good, Win," palusot ni Karina. "Anyway, maaga ka yata?" 

Tumango si Winter. "Early dinner lang." Winter took her purse and her keys before lumapit kay Karina at Luna. "Uhm, gusto ko lang makauwi before matulog si Luna. I don't want to miss her bedtime." 

If you told Winter before that she'd be home before eight after a date, tatawanan ka niya. Pero heto siya ngayon, sobrang attached na kay Luna — sa mag ina — na parang hindi makompleto ang araw niya if she doesn't kiss Luna good night.

And for Karina, well, she was fighting all urges to hold Winter down and tell her not to go.

Pero hindi niya ginawa.

Kahit naman may idea siya kung anong nangyayari between them, ayaw naman niyang mag-assume. Kaya hinayaan niya si Winter umalis. Kahit labag sa loob niya. 

Hindi naman selosa si Karina. 

She just wants Winter near her at all times. 

Ang hindi alam ni Karina, pumayag lang makipagdate si Winter para makalimutan niya yung feelings na bumabalik. 

Gaya ng dati nung senior high pa siya.

Pero ang hirap kalimutan ang isang Karina, especially if she's so close. And most especially when her daughter already stole her heart. 

So, Winter only bent down to kiss Luna on the forehead before saying goodbye. 

Pinet niya rin si Ginger. "Bantayan mo si Mommy at kapatid mo ha." 

Then finally, she looked at Karina for the first time in weeks. 

There was something in Karina's eyes Winter couldn't figure out.

Longing? Like parang sinasabihan siya na wag umalis?

Umiling na lang si Winter. "I'll be home before eight," pagpaalam niya kay Karina.

"Okay, have fun," Karina reluctantly said. 

Pero parang wala pang dalawang oras ay nakauwi na agad si Winter na may dalang paper bag.

Karina had to hide her smile.

Kasi dessert niya yan eh.

"Ready for bed na ba si Luna?" Winter asked while hanging her purse sa may closet.

Karina nodded her head. Hawak-hawak niya yung sterilized bottle ni Luna. She was in the middle of making Luna's mik-mik. 

"Magbihis lang ako then ako na magpatulog sa kanya." 

"Sure ka?" 

"Yeah, namiss ko siya today," sabi ni Winter. Kinagat niya ang dila niya kasi gusto niya rin sabihin na 'namiss din kita.' 

Sinayang lang naman ang araw niyang makipagdate sa babaeng ayaw niya when she could've spent time with her girls.

Nagmamadali si Winter magbihis and immediately went to their room. Kinuha niya si Luna sa crib where Karina safely left her.

"Ready ka na matulog, Luna?" Winter sweetly asked the baby.

Karina entered the room, swirling the bottle around para ma mix ang formula. Binigay niya to kay Winter who was putting Luna on her lap. 

"Good night, Luna. I love you." Karina kissed her daughter's forehead before sitting beside Winter. 

"Mommy Win loves you too, baby. Good night " sabi naman ni Winter habang nagpadede kay Luna.

The thing with babies is that they love to make eye contact with you and hold it for the longest time. And while Winter was feeding Luna, nakatingin lang ang baby sa kanya, occasionally smiling at her other mommy. 

Karina would be lying if she said the sight before her doesn't melt her heart. 

Because it does.

And it stirs something in the pits of her stomach because, God, Winter is so good with Luna that it was getting harder and harder to ignore her growing feelings.

When Karina gave birth, she resigned to the fact that she possibly might never date again. Mahirap na since she's a busy single mom and not everyone is so accepting of that.

At hindi rin niya ma-accept if ever Luna won't like that person and vice versa.

But with Winter…

Sometimes, pinipigilan lang talaga ni Karina ang sarili niya pagdating kay Winter.

Unti-unti ng pumikit ang mga mata ni Luna habang iniinom ang gatas niya. And with that, Karina turned off the lamp.

When Winter finished feeding Luna, she held Luna carefully, propping her up a bit. Binigyan niya muna ng time marelax si Luna and for the milk to properly go down before putting Luna in her crib. 

They both left the room, Winter carefully closing the door. Tinurn on naman ni Karina ang baby monitor para mabantayan pa rin si Luna kahit wala siya sa kwarto. 

"Thanks, Win," Karina whispered. Tumango lang si Winter before stalking back to her room, Ginger following behind.

Karina sighed, annoyed at Winter's aloofness.

Karina remembered how awful it felt eating her dessert alone in the kitchen. 

Kaya naman she was glad that they were able to really tell each other how they felt even if it took a long time. On Karina's part, iniisip niya talaga if she should even pursue the idea of dating again because it would affect Luna.

But si Winter naman to. And so she said it. Deserve niya rin ng happiness. She's allowed to be selfish. 

Si Karina lang talaga naglabas ng sobrang emosyon that time. Tuwang-tuwa pa nga si Winter. 

As a matter of fact, it's not the first time Karina has toyed with the idea of being romantically involved with Winter. 

Saan ba nagsimula? 

Sa tingin ni Karina, it all started when she got pregnant and her then boyfriend left her. 

Mas mabilis pa sa alas quatro si Winter mag message at murahin ang walang kwentang boyfriend. 

At that time, Karina was already two months pregnant. 

Late na niyang nalaman kasi wala siyang masyadong symptoms. She was just extra exhausted but she chalked it up to her working multiple 12-hr shifts. 

But when she remembered that she hasn't had her period yet, nag test siya kaagad and told her boyfriend right away.

And then he left.

And then it was Giselle, Ning, and Winter who stayed by her. 

Pero si Winter yung palaging present. Sa mga check ups niya pati na rin sa mga times na kailangan ni Karina ng kasama sa condo niya. Work from home lang kasi si Winter so she had all the time to do the 30-minute drive for Karina. 

At one point, sumagi sa isip ni Karina na sana si Winter na lang. With how caring the girl was to her, she has fantasized being with Winter. Because maybe things would be easier with her. 

But she was pregnant and her hormones were on fire.

So inexcuse lang niya yung pregnancy and hormones niya. She thought it was ridiculous to even think about it. 

Hormones lang talaga niya yun. 

Gaya nga ng sinabi ni Phoebe sa Friends, she was weirdly attracted to Evander Holyfield in her second trimester. So probably the same nga yun.

Plus, it was Winter. She was promiscuous. 

And she couldn't just dump this huge responsibility on Winter. That's just crazy. 

But now, Karina could only shake her head in amusement at how everything turned out.

Baka hindi nga hormones lang yun that time. Maybe it was just the start of her growing feelings for her childhood friend, now partner and co-parent. 

"How was work, Mommy?" Tanong ni Winter habang tinutulungan si Karina sa bag niya.

Karina had a graveyard shift and being an ER nurse, mostly sa gabi talaga ay sobrang busy. 

"Terrible," pag frown ni Karina. Naalala niya yung nangyari sa shift niya and her mood turned somber. Niyakap niya ng mahigpit si Luna. "There was a very sick baby." 

Immediately, alam na ni Winter kung gaano ka affected si Karina. 

Karina is very soft hearted. Kahit naman alam niya na dapat hindi magpaapekto sa mga patients pero sometimes she can't help it. Especially, when they're children.

She's a mom too. 

Winter led Karina to the couch at pinaupo. Niyakap ulit ni Karina ang anak niya, kissing the side of her head.

"Anong nangyari?" Winter asked. She sat beside Karina and held her hand. Alam niya kasi that Karina tends to release her stress sa work niya by talking.

Kahit nandidiri si Winter minsan sa mga kwento ni Karina, she still listens.

"The baby was very dehydrated," she sighed. "Tae ng tae at hindi dumedede ng maayos. It was going on for three days." 

"Bakit hindi dinala kaagad sa hospital?" 

Karina rested her head on Winter's shoulders, sighing. "Win, taga bundok sila. It took them almost two days to get to the city," naiiyak na sabi ni Karina. "Kawawa yung baby, pati na rin yung nanay. I know how it feels not knowing what's wrong with your baby." 

Hindi naisip ni Winter yung situation ng nanay. Privileged talaga siya masyado to not even think about it.

Of course, may mga taong hindi nakaka access ng medical care kasi walang hospital sa bundok or clinic man lang.

Mas lalo na lang hinigpitan ni Karina ang hawak niya kay Luna. Si Luna na walang alam sa nangyayari ay patawa-tawa lang dahil kay Ginger.

"Two months pa lang yung baby, Win. It could've been worse." 

Winter put her arm around Karina, trying to calm her down.

"Ang hirap maging nanay." 

"I know," sabi ni Winter. Winter doesn't know how hard it is but she knows it's hard. Kahit naman madali bantayan si Luna, nahihirapan pa rin si Winter. Especially, when Luna gets sick. Emotionally, sobrang hirap. Hindi mo alam kung anong mafifeel mo. You're always worried about everything. "You're trying your best, Karina. And you're doing so well," pag-assure ni Winter sa partner niya. 

"We." 

"Hm?" 

"We're trying our best." Inadjust ni Karina ang pagkaupo niya so she's facing Winter. "You're as much of a mom to Luna as I am. You're so good with her. Sabi mo diba we're in this together? Tayo — we…we're trying our best." 

Winter felt overwhelmed. Alam naman niyang Mommy Win ang tawag ni Luna sa kanya but did she really see herself as Luna's mommy like Karina? 

Oo.

Pero hearing it from the mother herself, nakakataba ng puso.

Who knew magiging mommy si Winter? Eight months ago, pa date-date lang siya almost every week. 

Ngayon, she's just with her girls. 

And she wouldn't want it any other way. 

"Thank you, Mommy," Karina whispered.

"Para saan?" 

"Just for being here for Luna and me. I know hindi mo to inexpect pero nandito ka palagi, especially for Luna. So, thank you."

Bakit ba nagpapaiyak si Karina? Wala pang ten sa umaga. 

Clearing , Winter smiled at Karina. "Anything for my girls."

Nakaupo lang silang tatlo na nagyayakapan. Pati si Ginger sumali na rin sa moment nila. They were quiet for a while, just basking in each other's presence hanggang sa mabore si Ginger at tumalon pababa.

"Gutom ka ba?" Tumango si Karina. "Maligo ka na muna. I'll get breakfast ready." She reached for Luna at pinaupo sa lap niya. "Luna, gusto mo tumulong kay Mommy Win magluto?" 

Excited na tumango si Luna. "Yes! Luna hep!" 

Karina stood up and reached down to kiss Winter on the lips. "Okay, I'll be quick." 

The three sat together on the dining table. Nagluto lang naman si Winter at Luna ng bacon and eggs plus avocado for Luna.

Ayaw masyado ni Karina ng matatamis sa umaga, especially after a shift kasi it makes her gag daw.

Which makes sense naman. You see a lot of blood and all kinds of disgusting stuff in the ER. 

"Thank you for cooking, Mommy and Luna." Masarap na kumagat si Karina sa eggs niya na sunny side up, just the way she likes it.

Now that Luna is talking and can say a few broken words, Karina makes a point to talk politely in front of her daughter. Dapat may po at opo, please and thank yous. 

Mabilis kasi matuto ang mga bata. They're like sponges. They take everything in and imitate what they see and hear. Mas mabuti na matutunan ni Luna ang magandang asal sa bahay so she can be polite and kind to others sa labas ng bahay. 

"Yay!" Pag cheer naman ni Luna habang nginunguya niya yung avocado niya.

"Luna, chew your food before you talk po," pangaral naman ni Winter sa baby.

"O-tay!" Sagot agad ni Luna pero nginunguya pa rin niya yung avocado.

Tumawa na lang ang dalawang mommies.

Patience. 

Walang kwenta ang pangangaral kapag nagagalit kaagad kapag hindi sinusunod. It takes time for the baby's brain to register some things so you let them process it first. Matutunan at matutunan rin naman nila yan if you keep encouraging. 

It's called positive reinforcement.

Maya maya naman ay nag 'oops' si Luna when she belatedly realized what she did. "Sowwy," Luna cutely said and covered . 

Pinisil ng mahina ni Karina ang pisngi ni Luna, gigil na gigil sa cuteness niya. 

"By the way, Mommy Win, kumusta si Luna kagabi? Hindi ka ba niya pinahirapan? Nakatulog ka ba?" 

Luna has been waking up in the middle of the night ever since Karina started her graveyard shift. May mild separation anxiety yata siya kasi umiiyak at hinahanap niya mommy niya.

Kaya si Winter, doon na natutulog sa kwarto nila para mabantayan ng mabuti si Luna at para may kasama na rin. 

Umiling lang si Winter, reaching to wipe away the ketchup on Karina's lips. "Hindi naman. She woke up once lang pero hindi umiyak. Nakabalik rin sa pagtulog."  

Karina sighed in relief. "That's good. My new schedule has been hard on her." 

"Don't worry. Nandito naman ako. Tumatabi lang siya sa akin kapag hindi siya nakakabalik sa pagtulog." 

"Thank you. Ayaw ko naman mapuyat ka rin."

"Maliit na bagay, Mommy," pag-assure ni Winter. "Nag na-nap din ako with Luna kapag tapos na ako sa work."

"Alright."

"Ikaw ang dapat na matulog, mommy." Niligpit ni Winter ang kinainan ni Karina. "12hr shift ka kaya." 

Bumuntong hininga si Karina, busog dahil sa kinain niya. "Yeah, I will. Magpapatunaw lang ako ng pagkain. Ako na maghugas." 

Karina was about to reach for the plates in Winter's hands pero pinalo niya si Karina ng mahina. "Ako na. Just go rest with Luna sa sala." 

Tumalikod na si Winter and started rinsing the plates. Nagulat na lang siya and almost dropped a cup when long arms s around her waist.

Goosebumps.

"A-anong ginagawa mo?" She stuttered, halatang nahihiya sa pagiging clingy ni Karina in front of Luna. 

Karina chuckled, and then softly sighed. "Resting," she whispered, gently rubbing her cheek on Winter's shoulder. 

Kung nahalata ni Karina ang pagbilis ng takbo ng puso ni Winter, hindi niya to sinabi. So Winter just let Karina rest her full weight on her back while she was washing the dishes.

Matapos ng ilang minuto, kumawala din si Karina, dropping a kiss on Winter's cheek and whispering a 'thank you' before grabbing Luna and walking towards the living room.

Napahinga na lang ng malalim si Winter at napatawa ng mahina, trying to steady her heartbeat.

Ibang klase pala si Karina. 

Now that Luna can walk and basically open anything that can be opened, they baby proofed their apartment. 

Nilagyan ng outlet protector ang mga outlets. They also put corner guards on the table edges, pati na rin cabinets nila ay nilagyan ng childproof locks. All standing furniture has been properly mounted on the wall as well para hindi matumba in case Luna tries to climb or pull on the cabinet doors too hard.

However, they missed one thing. 

Being a curious one year old, pinaglalaruan ni Luna ang mga bagay na pinagkakainteresan niya. Normal lang naman yun sa development ng baby. They should be able to discover different things. 

Gaya na lang ng remote control at mga unan sa couch, pinaglalaruan nilang dalawa ni Ginger yan. 

Pero hindi nila inaasahan na pati formula ni Luna ay paglaruan din nila.

Winter was doing a bit of work lang sa sala so iniwan na muna niya si Luna with Ginger where she can still see them.

Si Karina naman, naliligo. 

Pagkatapos ni Winter sa work niya ay nakita niya si Luna covered in her formula and Ginger trying to put the formula back in the can.

Ginger looked like a thief who got caught by the way her body tensed. Luna just continued playing.

Gulat na gulat si Winter at biglang niyang hinablot si Luna away from the formula.

"Luna anong ginawa mo?" Frustrated na tanong ni Winter sa baby. First of all, they created such a mess. Second of all, ang hirap at ang mahal ng formula para paglaruan lang na parang buhangin. 

At Winter's outburst, napatingin lang si Luna sa kanya, eyes wide in wonder.

"Luna, bakit mo pinaglalaruan yung formula?" Winter dusted off Luna's hair while reprimanding the baby. "Alam mo ba ang mahal ng formula mo? Tapos ang hirap pa hanapin dahil may shortage? Luna naman, bakit mo ginawa yun?" 

Inis na pinangaralan ni Winter si Luna na hindi niya napansin na tapos na pala si Karina.

"Winter?!" Karina briskly walked towards them and took Luna from Winter who was close to crying. 

At dahil madaling makiramdam ang mga baby, umiyak na ng tuluyan si Luna. When Luna felt Winter's frustration and anger, she cried, asking for her mommy.

"Ano ba ang nangyari?" Karina asked, while trying to calm down Luna.

Winter explained what happened and Karina snapped when Winter said pinagalitan niya si Luna. "Hindi mo dapat binlame si Luna ng ganun lang, Win!" 

"Pero dapat niyang malaman na mali siya."

"Alam ko. Pero not like that!" 

At dahil nagsasagutan na ang dalawang mommies, mas lalong umiyak si Luna. Karina tried calming her down, to no avail, and turned to Winter before going into their room.

"I'll talk to you later," she hissed. 

Nilinis na lang ni Winter ang kalat. Hindi niya alam kung anong mali sa ginawa niya pero she's willing to hear Karina out. She's a beginner parent and she bases everything she knows about parenting sa pagpalaki ng parents niya sa kanya.

Winter knows most of it are old school and not necessarily the best, pero sa isip kasi niya, diba dapat pagsabihan ang mga bata kapag may mali silang nagawa? 

"Meow." Bigla na lang lumapit si Ginger kay Winter at nagpacute.

"Ikaw ang pakana neto no?" Pag-accuse ni Winter sa pusa. Meow lang ng meow si Ginger as if disagreeing with her mom. "Hindi naman abot ni Luna yung table, Ginger."

"Meoooowwwww!" 

"Lagot talaga tayong lahat kay Mommy." 

As soon as Winter finished cleaning, Karina came out of the room looking rather upset.

"Kumusta na si Luna?" Winter asked. 

"Nakatulog dahil sa pag-iyak niya." Karina sighed heavily. "Win, bakit mo pinagsabihan si Luna ng ganun? You shouldn't use blame language sa bata." 

"Kasi may nagawa siyang kasalanan, Karina," Winter tried to explain. "Paano ba niya malalaman na mali siya kung hindi ko siya papagalitan?" Mahinahon na tanong ni Winter. As much as possible, ayaw niyang kontrahin si Karina when it comes to parenting.

Kahit na Karina sees Winter as the other parent, anak pa rin ni Karina si Luna. Winter doesn't think she has all the right to go against Karina and do whatever she wants with Luna.

"Alam ko pero there is a better way to do it. Baby pa lang si Luna, Winter. It's her first time to do that. Hindi niya alam na mali yung ginawa niya," Karina explained. "Umiyak siya kasi hindi niya alam kung bakit ka galit sa kanya. Ang alam niya, masaya siyang naglalaro. She thought that was okay to do because she doesn't know any better." 

Naawa tuloy si Winter kay Luna after sa sinabi ni Karina. She didn't mean to make Luna cry naman. She only wanted to let her know na mali yung ginawa niya. 

Karina motioned for Winter to sit with her on the couch. 

"Winter, next time explain to her what she did and why it was wrong, hindi yung automatic pinagalitan mo yung bata. Traumatic kaya yun para sa kanila." 

Hindi naman alam ni Winter yun. Ganun kasi siya pinalaki. 

Again, naalala ni Winter ang palaging sinasabi ni Karina to forget about how she was brought up kasi iba ang parenting style ni Karina.

It's not like Karina is not guilty of doing that because she is. Nauubusan din siya ng pasensya especially when Luna is being a little too makulit. Natataasan niya ng boses si Luna ng hindi niya sinasadya. And she really tries not to. So sometimes, Karina reprimands Luna with an air of authority so the baby still knows that she's still Mommy and you should listen to her and respect her.

With her head down low, Winter apologized. "Sorry. Hindi ko naman alam. I'm not meant to be a mom talaga." 

"Don't say that!" Karina snapped. "You're a great mom to Luna. We're both new at this at alam kong mahirap hindi gayahin ang nakasanayan natin noon. Ayokong matakot si Luna magkamali. Ayoko rin na matakot siya sa akin — sa atin," Karina said. 

Because God knows how scared they were of their parents when they were kids. Ang tagal ngang tinago ni Winter ang kabadingan niya sa parents niya dahil natatakot siyang itakwil. 

When she finally told them, it wasn't easy. Nagulat sila, of course, halatang disappointed sa nalaman. Pero sa tulong Ate ni Winter, their parents slowly accepted that Winter was a lesbian.

Considering na sobrang religious at conservative ang parents ni Winter, natutuwa siya that they were able to slowly unlearn and be more open sa mga ganyang bagay.

"Next time, take it easy on Luna. Matutunan naman niya ang mga tama at mali without getting angry at her." 

"Opo." 

"You're a good mom,