Abandoned Baby
Chapter 62
Author's Note:
First of all I want to say thank you for all the reviews, favorites, and favoriting me as an author of this story. :-) I really appreciate it.
Chapter Disclaimer:
I was listening to this beautiful song called "Kanlungan" which means either Cradle or Shelter and is sung by Noel Cabangon. I thought of adding it to this story as Bless sings it to her little girl. I don't own the song nor song lyrics and thought of adding it because I love the song so much and found a perfect time to put it up for only this chapter.
I'm also adding an OC girlfriend for Wade and my own characters such as Yaya (Helper/Maid) Meera and her family in this chapter. Again I don't own anybody else except for my own characters.
Enjoy the story!
The next day Bless decided to take Catherine out grocery shopping since they needed to stock up on some stuff and plus she would make some dinner for the guys just as a get together as a family.
"Ma..."Catherine spoke softly.
"I know baby, mama's here."Bless said bending down to kiss her daughter's forehead as she pushed the shopping cart to see what she needed to get that was on her list.
While Bless was getting some things she needed, she saw a woman that looked so familiar that she couldn't put her finger on it. She knew she saw her from somewhere but wasn't sure.
She shook off the feeling and continued to shop when the woman stopped and took a good look at her.
"Mercy, ikaw ba yon?" (Mercy, is that you?) The tall woman asked Bless.
"Um...Hi...Ako si Bless...Um...sino ka?"(I'm Bless, who are you?) Bless asked looking at the familiar woman that she seemed to know and how did she know her mother's name.
"Ikaw ang anak ni Mercy Mendoza?" (You're Mercy Mendoza's daughter?) The woman asked the young woman.
"Opo...kilala ang ina ko?" (Yes, you know my mother?) Bless questioned the woman.
"Opo ako si Yaya Meera..." (Yes, I'm Maid Meera).
"Yaya (Maid)?"Bless was surprised to her see her and realized how familiar she looked. She was the one that took care of her and Evelyn and her mom when they were all so young.
"Bless...akala ko ikaw ang mommy mo kasi ang ganda ganda mo." (I thought you were you're mother because you're so beautiful.) The tall pretty older woman said.
"Such a small world nandito mag meet." (Such a small world we would meet here).
"Oo noh?" (Yes right?) Bless asked.
"Tira ka dito sa Tampa?" (You live around here in Tampa?) Bless asked in surprise.
"Opo...about 25 minutes lang. Tira kami dito for the past 2 years."
(Only 25 minutes. We've lived here for the past 2 years.)
By the way, ito ang asawa ko si Jonathan at an anak ko si Carla." (This is my husband Jonathan and daughter Karla).
"Hi."Bless greeted the lovely family.
"Hi. I'm Jonathan."The older man greeted her with a warm smile.
"Hi. Ako si Carla." (I'm Carla). The beautiful raven haired beauty greeted Bless with a warm smile and handshake.
"Hi. I'm Bless." The older woman greeted them with smiles.
"Ma..."Catherine made her presence known.
"Oh...by the way I forgot, ito ang anak ko si Catherine." (This is my daughter Catherine.) Bless said introducing her daughter.
"Anak?" (Daughter?) Her mother's helper asked surprised when she saw the young girl in the cart.
"Opo, ampunin siya." (Yes, she's adopted). Bless smiled at her baby girl.
"Ang cute cute yung baby." (The baby is so cute). The helper couldn't help but smile at the cute baby in the shopping cart.
"At ang buntis ako. May second baby na..." (I'm pregnant, There's now a second baby). Bless was proud to say.
"Congrats ha!" (Congrats) The helper was very happy for her that she was having another baby.
"Hay jusko mare... ang dalaga ka na...the last I remember seeing you when you were a little girl now at ang ganda ka...parang ang mama mo..." (My gosh girl...you're so grown up. You've gotten so beautiful...just like you're mother.) The helper couldn't help but look at how beautiful the young woman had gotten.
"Salamat Yaya..." (Thank you maid). Bless sweetly smiled at the older woman.
"By the way kumusta ang pamilya mo, yung kapatid mo?" (How is your family, your sister?) The helper asked her as Bless looked down awkwardly not knowing what to say.
"Um...Yaya...can we exchange e-mails or numbers...maybe we could talk somewhere in private about this...besides I have to get home sa syota at pamilya ko..." (Boyfriend and family). Bless wanted to change the subject and didn't feel like talking about it and would want to talk about it more in private when they saw each other.
"Yeah sure. Here's my number and e-mail that way kung gusto mo (If you want) we can talk more." The older woman said giving her a piece of paper to give to Bless as Bless exchanged her's hopefully to communicate more with her.
"Thanks yaya and it was nice seeing you." Bless gave her a warm hug and kiss to the cheek.
"Tawag mo ko okay...Pangako?" (Call me okay...Promise?) The older woman gave her a warm smile before letting Bless on her way.
"Opo yaya." (Yes maid). Bless smiled a little as she went on her merry way to shop for a few more things until she went up to the cashier to purchase her stuff and made her way to her car strapping in Catherine before putting the groceries in the car.
Making her way home, she was greeted by the South African wrestler who just pulled up and the Southern redhead. They must of just gotten home after running errands.
"Hey kiddo..just just got home?" The South African man greeted her and asked as he saw her BMW roll up.
"Yup. Just got some grocery shopping done and you wouldn't believe this but I just bumped into my mother's helper and family at the store...such a small world." Bless giggled telling him what had happened during her day as she got the baby out into her arms.
"That must have been one hell of a surprise."He smiled at her.
"Oh yeah. It definitely was. I'm gonna try and give her a call later though."She said leaning on her car.
"Hey sweetcheeks, need some help with the groceries?" The redhead asked as he came up to greet her with a kiss on the cheek and gave Catherine a kiss on the cheek as well as she giggled.
"Sure, I could use a hand."Bless was glad to have her favorite two men around.
"Are Drew and Stu home?"She asked about her boyfriend and the Brit.
"Stu went out with a girl and Drew's probably around."PJ guessed shrugging telling the PA.
"Wait...back up, Stu went out with a girl?"Bless giggled when the South African mentioned that.
"Yeah he met this girl Vanessa at a club we went too and they pretty much hit it off pretty well with one another."PJ said with a chuckle.
"Well...that's a surprise but I'm very happy for him."Bless was happy for her British friend that he found a female companion.
"Here, let me help with the groceries as well."PJ was glad to help Heath and Bless with some of the stuff she bought which was a lot for them. She knew they were hungry boys as well and needed to stock up more on stuff plus she got a lot of stuff for Catherine as well.
"Thanks guys I really appreciate the help."Bless smiled as she grabbed her purse out of the car before locking up and heading for the house.
"Drew!"Bless called for her boyfriend.
"Comin' sweetie!"He heard her from upstairs after finishing an early workout and had just showered and was now drying his hair.
"Sweetie, you stay here while mama helps Uncle PJ and Uncle Heath okay?"Bless said to Catherine putting her down in her playpen.
"Ma..."Catherine cried wanting to be held stretching her arms out for her mom to hold her.
"Sweetie, mama can't hold you while she helps Uncle PJ and Uncle Heath."Her mother told her sweetly.
"You have to stay here and be a good girl."She bent to kiss the baby on the forehead.
"Ma..."Catherine cried softly wanting attention from her mommy.
"Bless, don't worry...Heath and I got everything under control plus you can't carry anything heavy now that you're pregnant well for the exception of Catherine."The South African man reassured her with a warm smile as he saw Bless get Catherine and cuddled her.
"Thanks so much for caring PJ."Bless thought he and Heath were so helpful as they were helping her unpack the groceries plus they didn't want to see her lift anything now that she was three weeks along with her and Drew's second child.
"No problem."The young man smiled as Bless was tending to Catherine to make her a bottle to see if it would help calm her down.
"Ma...Ma..."Catherine cried in her arms with a cranky tone in her voice.
"I know sweetie...Mommy knows you're cranky and needs a nap. Mommy's making you're bottle."Her mom told her with a sweet smile kissing the baby's forehead.
As soon as Drew finished drying up his hair and changing into a tanktop muscle shirt, basketball shorts,and his hair up tight in a ponytail, he came down to see his girlfriend with Catherine who was cranky and looked like she needed an afternoon nap.
"Someone is mighty cranky."Drew said taking the little one from his girlfriend patting Catherine's back.
"I know...she needs her nap."Bless said feeling relieved Drew was there when she needed him most as he carried their daughter while she was making Catherine's milk.
"Maaaa..."Catherine cried softly as she was being cuddled by her daddy.
"Shhhh...lass it's okay...Mommy's almost finished with your bottle."Drew comforted his little girl while gently patting her back and walking around bouncing her in his arms.
Once Bless finished making Cat's bottle, she tested it on her wrist just to make sure it was warm enough before feeding it to her.
"Here sweetheart."She gave the bottle too Drew as he sat down with Catherine in his arms feeding her as she took it right away and drank it with the help of Drew holding it.
"Here's her spit rag just in case you need it."She tossed Drew the cloth.
"Thanks babe."He said as he put it over his shoulder as he began to burp Catherine while she went to help the boys unpack some of the stuff since she was gonna help make dinner for all of them later that evening.
"Seems like you got the little almost down to bed." Heath noticed Catherine was almost falling asleep on the Scot's shoulder as he smiled at them.
"She'll be out soon like a light."Drew smiled mentioning it to the redhead continuing to pat Catherine's back softly as she burped.
"Good girl."Drew said as he wiped Catherine's mouth and stood up and walked around with her for a little bit to see if she would drift off.
"He's so good with her."Heath was amazed at Drew's parenting skills with Catherine.
"I agree he is. He loves that little girl."Bless said as she got some stuff she needed to start dinner.
"I guess the fatherly instincts finally kicked in."PJ too noticed Drew walk out of the kitchen to the den area to put Cat down for her nap.
"I'm sure you two are excited about the little one and will be doing the same with the baby."Heath knew they both had to be happy about baby number two.
"We sure are and this time we're planned."Bless replied as she put her hand to her still flat stomach where her and Drew's baby was growing.
"Are you planning on putting the baby and Catherine in the same room soon after you have the baby?"The one man rock band asked her.
"We can use one half of the room for the nursery for the baby and Catherine is still a baby so she too can use the other half of the nursery so it shouldn't really be a problem until she grows a little older we have to start to ween her off the crib and put her in her big girl bed when she's either two or three."Bless had it already planned out what she wanted to do with the nursery to use it for the new baby and Catherine and at least they didn't need another spare room.
"You already have this all planned out already?"The South African high flyer asked.
"Have to be planned in advance. Usually I'll have ideas from time to time and jot it down when something comes up just so I don't forget it."She was smart on her tasking on what to do with the babies and the nursery room so everything was prepared in time.
"All Drew and I have to do is buy a few more things for the baby and once Catherine grows out of her clothes,toys, and whatever else she has, we can give it to the baby that way Drew and I don't have to buy a lot of stuff."She knew even the budget spending how she and Drew could save their money on not spending too much for the baby once Catherine outgrew her toys,clothes, and the stuff she wouldn't use anymore that way they could use it for the baby.
"Girl is really good!"Heath was floored how she coordinated so well and she seemed very organized.
"I'll say."PJ agreed with his best friend about Bless' and Drew's plans when the baby got here.
"Thanks guys. I guess I got that part from my mother when it comes to planning early and still have it in me."She appreciated their thoughtful comments and thought how sweet they were.
"Are we having some sort of party tonight?"Heath was curious what Bless was up too with the oh so many goodies she had bought from the store earlier.
"No silly...we're just having a little family get together tonight you know just as a family and you can bring Steph if you want."She didn't mind if his fiance came along if she were in town.
"Awwww sweetie, really?"Heath's eyes lit up excited and thought it was great that Bless had planned a get together that way they could all be together.
"Yup. If you'd like go ahead and invite her over for dinner."She told him that as she started unwrapping some stuff from the fridge and thawing some of the meat from the freezer that she would use.
"Sweet. Thanks sweetcheeks."Heath went over and kissed her cheek as he went to call his fiance.
"You're welcome."She called over her shoulder giggling watching him leave the room to see if he could get in contact with the pretty brunette.
"What are you making this evening baba?"PJ was curious.
"We're having lasagna, porkchops, my mom's specialty recipe Chicken pot pie, mashed potatoes and gravy, garlic bread, salad on the side, banana cake or chocolate cake if you guys prefer for dessert."She told them what she was making.
"Sounds great baba."The South African smiled at what she was making for all of them.
After Heath called he returned with a smile.
"Steph is home so she'll be able to make it. She says thank you for the invite."The redhead told her as he decided to help her at the kitchen while PJ too was helping mix up some stuff that was on the counter.
"That's great red."Bless said to him with a bright smile.
After Drew put Catherine for her nap, he returned to the kitchen.
"Finally, Catty is down for her nap and she tried to fight it and conked out."Drew was relieved he was able to put the baby down after she was so cranky.
"We'll have to get her to adjust sometimes when we travel on the road more I think."Bless told her boyfriend with a smile.
"I guess so huh?"He asked as he walked up behind and kissed her neck.
"Hey, no PDA please while we're here."Heath teased the lovebirds as Bless playfully giggled at Drew's sweet touch. Drew flipped his friend the bird playfully and knew he just wanted a little time with his favorite girl.
"Drew, you want to help us with dinner?"His girlfriend asked him.
"Sure I could babe."He didn't mind helping at all with whatever task was at hand.
After dinner was set, Stu was just coming home and smelt the aroma of food as he and his new girlfriend Vanessa walked through the door.
"Do you think your family will like me?"The beautiful dirty blonde asked her boyfriend hesitantly.
"I'm sure they will love."Stu reassured her squeezing her hand as he put up their jackets and walked hand in hand with her to where everybody was talking and laughing.
"Hey everybody."Stu greeted everyone that Bless invited to the table even seemed like a family friend of her's that sat with her family.
"Hey Stu."Bless greeted him first with a friendly peck on the cheek and hugged him.
"Guys and Bless, this is my girlfriend Vanessa. Vanessa, this is my best friend Bless, her boyfriend,soon to be father, and my best friend Drew Galloway, and their daughter Catherine. This is my other friend Heath Miller and his fiance Stephanie, and the man next to her is my friend Paul Lloyd Jr but goes by PJ which is easier to remember by." Stu introduced them.
"Hi Vanessa. I'm Bless."Bless greeted the pretty blonde with a hug and a kiss to the cheek.
"Hi,Vanessa or Nessa whichever you prefer."The blonde greeted the young woman with a warm smile.
"Oh where are my manners, Stu this is our helper or Yaya Meera we will call back home, her husband Jonathan,and their daughter Carla."Bless introduced them.
"It's nice to meet you all."Stu greeted the family with a warm smile as he and Vanessa sat down at the table.
"We happened to bump into each other this afternoon at the market and decided to invite them."The expectant mother explained.
Everybody enjoyed a wonderful and peaceful dinner talking and laughing like a normal family at a gathering.
20 minutes later Bless heard Catherine on the baby monitor.
"I'll get her babe."The expectant mother told her boyfriend standing up.
"Do you mind if I help, I love babies."Vanessa asked getting up too.
"Sure."Bless didn't mind at all as they got up to the den where Catherine was just waking up.
"Hey sweet girl. There's baby girl."Her mother said with a smile as the baby was just getting up and smiled sweetly when she seen her mommy.
"Ma."Catherine cooed cutely.
"Oh she's so cute...How old is she?"Vanessa couldn't help but smile.
"She's 10 months old."Her mother smiled as Catherine stood up and wanted to be held as Bless carefully got her up from the playpen into her arms.
"Is she yours?"The dirty blonde asked.
"Yup by adoption actually. Drew and I adopted her after her biological mother died and we've had her for quite awhile."Her mother said as they walked back into the kitchen that way the baby could eat.
"That's really sad her mother died. It's a good thing you have her now and in yours and your boyfriend's care."Vanessa felt so touched they would look after such a defenseless little infant and take her into their home. They looked like such great people to be parents.
"I agree with you Vanessa. I love this little girl already with my heart and soul and so does my boyfriend. I knew from the moment I saw her, I knew she was meant to be ours."She spoke to the young girl.
"She's lucky to have such loving parents."Vanessa could see how much they loved their little girl.
After a peaceful evening of festivities and fun, Bless bid her helper and her family good night since they were leaving to go home early and would get in touch with them again. Heath too said good night to his girlfriend Steph since she had work the next day and couldn't stay long. She hoped to come back again when she had another day off from the office. Bless was happy to have her around and was glad to meet her. Heath had a nice choice in his fiance.
"Sweetcheeks, since you made us dinner, us boys will do the dishes tonight. You and Drew deserve the rest for the night with the baby plus you shouldn't work when you're pregnant."Heath suddenly spoke up volunteering to clean up the table and everything else.
"Heath's right Bless, I'll be gladly to help as well."PJ agreed with him that he would help out after she had been such a great hostess for the night and made them feel at home.
"Awww that's so sweet. No wonder I love you guys so much."She giggled loving her two favorite men in the world hugging them both.
"We love you too sweetcheeks. Now go take it easy."The one man rock band shooed her off at the table as he and PJ would help.
"Do you need me to walk you out Vanessa if you're heading home?"Stu asked his girlfriend.
"That would be nice. By the way, I love your family. They're all so sweet."Vanessa already felt welcomed by everyone and felt like a part of the family."Vanessa told her boyfriend with a smile.
"I'm glad you enjoyed yourself tonight love. I think once they get to know you more you'll fit right in."Stu told her as he lifted up her chin and cupped it gently to look into her beautiful blue eyes.
"Stu,Vanessa, Drew and I just wanted to say good night to you before we head up to bed."Bless made her presence known hoping she wasn't in the way as she carried her daughter with her.
"Hey Baby girl, no problem at all. I was just bidding Vanessa good night."The Brit smiled a warm smile at Bless in her direction and was glad his friend seemed very supportive of them already.
"Vanessa, it was nice meeting you and hope to have you over again sometime soon."Bless was glad to meet her and she seemed very friendly.
"It was nice meeting you too Bless."Vanessa smiled kissing the other girl's cheek and hugging her.
"Bye munchkin."The young blonde waved to the little girl who smiled around her pacifier.
"Drew, it was nice meeting you."Vanessa told him with a warm smile.
"Nice meeting you too."The Scot nodded at her with a smile.
They watched Stu kiss her good night and swore they saw sparks fly between them. He was so smitten it wasn't even funny as he watched her wave at him as she got into her car.
"Man, you are so into her..."Drew chuckled watching his best friend with puppy love dog eyes for Vanessa.
"Yeah yeah yeah laugh it all up buddy..."Stu playfully glared at his best friend and put him in a noogie hold.
"Dude, the hair!"Drew laughed as he was put in a tight noogie by the Brit.
"Alright boys, enough rough play and let's get inside that way I can put this little one down." Bless playfully scolded them as they walked back into the warm apartment complex.
"Your girlfriend seems very nice and down to earth. Very nice choice Stuart."Bless approved of her.
"Thank you doll. That means a lot coming from you." The bad boy Brit had been tamed by that sweet girl.
"Any time."She smiled as he playfully ruffled her hair.
"I think I'm gonna help the boys after all the hard work you did at the kitchen then head to bed."He told her.
"Okay." She smiled.
"Honey,are you gonna come up to bed because I'm giving this little angel a bath then put her down for bed."Bless asked her boyfriend who was talking to the two boys about something.
"Right behind ya lass."He said after speaking with Heath and PJ for a few minutes.
"Excuse me boys, the misses is calling."He told his friends that he was going up to help her with their daughter.
"Goodnight lovebirds."PJ chirped to them as they waved a good night walking upstairs.
"Come on little lady. Mama is gonna give you a nice warm bath that way you can go sleepy."Bless got some stuff to give the baby a bath before laying Catherine down on the little changing table taking off her diaper putting it in the trash beside her then took off her jammies that she would put in the laundry afterwards.
Drew helped with giving Catherine a bath as he started up the water to make sure it was at a comfortable temperature.
"There's dada..."Bless said to Cat pointing to Drew.
"You want to go to dada?"Her mother asked with a smile.
"Come here sweets."The Scot chuckled opening his arms out for their daughter.
"Da..."The little girl squeaked happily in her mother's arms.
"Yeah that's dada. Dada will put you in the water while we give you a bath."Her mom spoke too her as she passed the baby to Drew who kissed Catherine's head and placed her safely in a sitting position while holding her that way she didn't fall over.
15 minutes after giving Catherine a bath, Drew helped to clean up the bathroom while Bless had to put a new diaper on her and new PJ's.
"My baby smells so good."Bless giggled tickling her baby girl which caused Catherine to giggle outloud which was music to Bless' ears.
"I love you little one."Her mother gave her daughter a kiss on the cheek.
"Do you want mama to rock you to sleep?"She picked up the little girl and walked over to the rockingchair to sit down while giving her daughter a binky.
While rocking the little one, Bless began to sing a beautiful lullaby to her little girl.
"KANLUNGAN" by Noel Cabangon
Pana-panahon ang pagkakataon (Time is chance)
Maibabalik ba ang kahapon? (Can we bring back yesterday?)
Natatandaan mo pa ba (Do you still remember?)
Nang tayong dal'wa ang unang nagkita?(When we last saw each other)
Panahon ng kamusmusan (Age of childhood and innocence)
Sa piling ng mga bulaklak at halaman (In the company of flowers and plants)
Doon tayong nagsimulang mangarap at tumula (There we started to dream and create poems)
Natatandaan mo pa ba (Do you still remember?)
Inukit kong puso sa punong mangga (The heart that I etched in mango tree)
At ang inalay kong gumamela(And the flower I gave)
Magkahawak-kamay sa dalampasigan (Holding hands at the sea shore)
Malayang tulad ng mga ibon (free as a bird)
Ang gunita ng ating kahapon (the memories of yesterday)
Ang mga puno't halaman ay kabiyak ng ating gunita (The trees and plants are the spouse of our memories)
Sa paglipas ng panahon (In the passing of time)
Bakit kailangan ding lumisan? (Why do we also have to leave?)
Pana-panahon ang pagkakataon (Time is like chance)
Maibabalik ba ang kahapon? (Can we bring back yesterday?)
Ngayon ikaw ay nagbalik (Now you've returned)
At tulad ko rin ang iyong pananabik(And my eagerness is like yours)
Makita ang dating kanlungan (To see the old cradle/place)
Tahanan ng ating tula at pangarap (The home of our poems and aspirations)
Ngayon ay naglaho na (Now it disappeared)
Saan hahanapin pa?(Where shall we find it?)
Lumilipas ang panahon
Kabiyak ng ating gunita
Ang mga puno't halaman
Bakit kailangang lumisan?
Pana-panahon ang pagkakataon
Maibabalik ba ang kahapon?
After Drew finished cleaning the bathroom, he heard the most beautiful voice come from his girlfriend from the nursery. He stood up from his spot and walked over to where Catherine's room was and as he got closer, he could see his girlfriend singing in the dark room where the rockingchair sat by the window where the moon was shining down on both of them beautifully as he stood at the frame of the door just listening to her.
She had such a gorgeous voice like an angel. Though he didn't understand the words, it just hit him in the heart at how beautiful and soulful her voice was. It took his breath away. He didn't know she had such hidden talent.
Bless looked so gorgeous under the moonlight as if a halo was shining on top of her while rocking their little girl who was almost asleep just by the sound of her mother's beautiful yet angelic voice.
As she got to the last note of the song, She smiled at the beautiful angel in her arms as she got up slowly from the chair not seeing Drew putting the little one in her crib and kissing her good night.
"Good night sweetheart, I love you."Bless said whispering to the little one kissing her chubby little cheek before covering her up with her baby blanket.
The young mother turned on the night light in the room before getting the baby monitor and got a little startled not seeing her boyfriend standing at the door.
"You scared me babe."Bless took a breath putting her hand to her chest.
"Sorry beautiful. You have such a gorgeous voice. Since when did you learn to sing?"He asked in amazement at her voice.
"Since I was 5. Usually I'm shy singing in front of people but it helped to put Catherine to sleep and thought it was the perfect moment. I didn't realize you were watching us."She smiled while blushing into his frame that held her tight.
"You should sing more. You have such a beautiful talent honey."Drew told her as he held both her hands.
"Thanks babe. I guess I just hid it well and now you've found out."She giggled about her hidden talent.
"I guess I have huh?"He smirked while wrapping his arms around her.
"What does the song you sang to Catherine mean, it's beautiful."He inquired as they stood in the hallway together.
"It means spending time in a former cradle,shelter, or place that was once remembered. I heard my mom sing it to me when I was a baby and loved it all of a sudden and wanted to sing it."She explained what the song meant that she sang to Catherine.
After the young couple talked for a few minutes, The expecting parents snuggled into bed with one another and drifted off into a deep slumber.