Six years had passed since Frank and Mariely were married, and her heart remained full of happiness in their married life.
That day, they were strolling inside the mall with their two children. Liam was now six years old, while their second son, Andrei Theo, was two. Mariely was also six months pregnant with their third child—a daughter this time. She lovingly rubbed her growing belly as they walked.
"Hon, let me know if you're tired," Frank said gently while carrying their toddler in his arms.
She only smiled and nodded. Beside her, Liam held her hand, quietly gazing at the items on display.
Mariely whispered a silent prayer of thanks. At last, she was carrying a baby girl—something she had hoped for deeply.
"Dad, I need to pee," Liam said, finally revealing the reason for his silence.
"Just hold it for a second, Liam," Frank replied.
"Hon, over there—there's a restroom close by," Mariely pointed out.
"Alright. Andrei, stay with Mommy first." Frank placed their toddler in the stroller and smiled at his wife. "We'll be right back."
She chuckled as she watched her husband and eldest son walk off together. She was about to continue strolling when she heard someone call out.
"Is that you, Ma'am Faith?"
She turned, surprised, and saw two young men and a young woman smiling brightly at her. For a moment, her forehead furrowed as she tried to recall their faces.
"Don't tell me you've forgotten us already?" one of them teased.
She gasped softly. "Wait… is that really you?" she asked, finally recognizing them. They were her former students—Rodel, Neil, and Shaina.
"Look at you, Ma'am," Shaina said warmly. "Your dream came true. You have your own family now, don't you?"
Neil laughed. "And this cousin of mine—Rodel—he's about to get married, same with Shaina and me."
Mariely grinned widely. "Well then, I should congratulate the two of you. And you, Neil? What about you?"
"I'm engaged too, Ma'am," Neil answered proudly. "My fiancée just isn't with me today."
Mariely's heart swelled. She laughed softly. "I remember how you boys used to fight over girls back then. Now look at you—grown up, building your futures."
"Ma'am," Rodel said suddenly, "if you're willing, could you and your husband be Ninong and Ninang at our weddings?"
Shaina leaned closer, eyeing the stroller curiously. "By the way, Ma'am, is this your child?" she asked, smiling.
Before Mariely could answer, a familiar voice called out.
"Hon, you're still here?" Frank returned with Liam in tow.
Rodel's eyes widened in recognition. "Oh—it's really him," he said with a grin.
Mariely laughed lightly.
"Are they acquaintances of yours, hon?" Frank asked.
"No, they're my students from my very first advisory class," she explained proudly.
"I see." Frank nodded politely.
"So, you really did change your heart, huh?" Rodel teased Frank, smirking.
"Yeah," Frank replied with a grin. "You've all grown up well."
There was a knowing look between Rodel and Frank, as if they shared an unspoken understanding.
"We've invited Ma'am to our weddings as Ninang," Neil added.
"I see," Frank said calmly.
"If you're not too busy, we'd love to send an invitation to you both," Rodel continued.
"Of course," Frank agreed. "Just send us the invitation."
Mariely's heart warmed. "I'd be honored. It will be wonderful to see my former students again."
"Then it's settled. Thank you, Ma'am Faith Mariely Celestial-Montero. We'll see you soon," Shaina said brightly.
As the three former students bid farewell, Mariely waved at them with a soft smile. She sighed afterward, her heart swelling with gratitude and nostalgia.
Frank placed his arm around her shoulders.
"You really are close with that student of mine," she teased lightly.
He smirked and winked at her. "Come on, let's eat. I'm starving."
She laughed, nodding as she pushed the stroller. Liam, looking sleepy, climbed into his father's arms. Mariely shook her head with a smile. Perks of being a teacher—you never really lose your students, even when they're all grown up.
******
Later, Mariely spent her lunch break with her best friend, Veron, who was also heavily pregnant with her third child.
"You're close to your due date already, huh?" Veron asked, admiring her friend's glow.
Mariely smiled, dressed comfortably in a maternity dress. Her eldest, Liam, was now in kindergarten along with Veron's daughter, Ellianne Celine, who happened to be his classmate.
"Don't worry, Zean and I already arranged who'll fetch Liam once I'm on leave," Mariely reassured her.
"Well, if you ever need me, I can look after Liam for a while. I am his tita after all," Veron offered.
Mariely laughed. "You and your offers. But thank you."
She couldn't help but notice how radiant Mariely looked in her third pregnancy. "I knew it—you're glowing. A baby girl will do that. I was the same way when I carried Ellianne."
"I didn't even notice. I was too stressed back then," Mariely admitted.
Veron chuckled. Both of them now had two children each, and their lives as mothers were beautifully busy.
"So, when are you planning to give Ellianne a sibling?" Mariely teased.
"As long as she's not an only child, that's fine with me. I just don't want Steve to feel alone," Veron answered with a laugh.
They both shook their heads in amusement, heading toward the primary school to fetch their children. Veron collected Steve, her eldest son in third grade, and picked up Ellianne.
As the children rushed out, Veron smiled and scooped Ellianne up in her arms.
"Mom, Dad's fetching me later. You don't have to; I don't want you to get tired," Liam said with concern.
Veron laughed. "Your son is growing up to be just like his dad."
Mariely ruffled Liam's hair with a fond smile. "Of course. He's his father's son."
Back at the faculty, they prepared their children for lunch. Steve quietly ate, knowing he had another class in the afternoon, while Ellianne played with her food until Veron patiently fed her.
Andrew called a little later, stuck in traffic. "Don't worry, hon. I'll feed the kids so by the time you arrive, they'll be full," Veron assured him.
Life was hectic, filled with teaching, parenting, and marriage—but Veron wouldn't trade it for anything. With Andrew, her children, and her closest friends by her side, she felt nothing but blessed.
Because truly, this was the life she had once prayed for.