SPECIAL CHAPTER: Welcoming the Precious Jewels

by CeCeLib

SPECIAL CHAPTER
Welcoming the Precious Jewels

REAM ALREADY warned Syl that his friends were surely going to visit because that
was just how they were, but no warning could prepare Syl when Ream's friends
started to show up one after another with balloons and gifts.
She received so many 'get well soon' balloons as if she was sick, saying they
couldn't find a different design. And Khairro, yes, Syl couldn't forget Khairro
because of the balloon he bought for her. It was a personalized balloon of five.
The unforgettable part was the balloons' colors—four pink and one blue.
"Advance ako mag-isip. I thought it was gonna be four girls and one boy. It was too
late to cancel my personalized balloons order," was Khairro's reason and he left
after leaving his gift.
And when Ream opened the gifts to her, they both sighed in unison when they saw
another electric breast pump. Halos lahat kasi ng kaibigan ni Ream, 'yon ang
regalo.
So now, they had twenty plus of those, and all had extra bottles.
"At least we won't have a hard time feeding our little jewels," ani Ream habang
ibinabalik sa box ang regalo ni Khairro. "We already have tons of breast pumps."
Napahawak si Syl sa dibdib niya. "Kakayanin ko kaya?" may pag-aalalang tanong ni
Syl sa sarili at kay Ream na siyang kasama lang niya sa loob ng kuwarto dahil
bumisita sina Rowena at Tom sa NICU para makita ang limang apo nito.
"I already talked to your Lactation Consultant about it and she said you'll be
fine," ani Ream na tinatabi ang regalo ni Khairro. "She said breastfeeding is like
supply and demand. The more often our babies feed from you, the more milk you're
gonna make. It's fascinating, really. She also told me about breastfeeding
techniques. I'll explain it to you later."

While Ream was talking, Syl was watching him softly. She felt moved and amazed by
her husband. Itatanong pa lang niya, naitanong na nito sa Lactation Consultant nila
o kaya nabasa na nito kung saan, tulad na lang ngayon. He was always one step ahead
of her, helping her so much.
That was why she couldn't call her pregnancy just 'her' pregnancy because Ream was
there every step of the way. It was not as difficult because Ream was always by her
side, assisting her and caring for her. Now she understood why those couples said
'we're pregnant' in those movies she watched. It was the woman carrying the baby,
but the father was just as invested as the mother.
And the perfect example of that was her husband. He was fully invested in her
pregnancy that he changed his workplace and schedule so he could stay with her and
help her in every way he could.
"By the way, how's the pain?" Ream had been monitoring Syl's recovery. "How's your
body—like how does your whole body feel, babe?"

"Sore and tired." Syl was actually feeling a little irritated that Ream kept
asking, but she still answered him because she didn't want to feel that way towards
Ream. "There's still pain, but I can manage."
Ream went to sit on the edge of Syl's hospital bed, resting beside her because she
was sitting close to the edge, and cupped her face.
"What?" tanong ni Syl sa asawa nang tinitigan lang siya nito pero wala namang
sinabi.
"Nothing. Can't I look at my wife and admire her up close?" ani Ream saka ngumiti
at parehong inipit ng mga palad nito ang mukha ni Syl dahilan para humaba ang nguso
ni Syl na ikinalapad ng ngiti naman ni Ream.

"Babe, stop doing that to my face," saway ni Syl sa asawa saka ito naman ang
pumisil sa pisngi ni Ream habang masama ang tingin dito. "See? It's not so fun when
it's you, right?"

Ream just chuckled before finally letting go of Syl's face. Then he asked Syl the
question that he always asked her every day. "How are you feeling... emotionally?
You can tell me anything, babe. You know that, right?"

Syl nodded before she sighed and rested the front of her head on Ream's chest.
"Just worried that I might not be able to take care of them all. It worries me so
much."
Hinaplos ni Ream ang buhok ni Syl saka masuyo itong niyakap. "Babe, I'm here
always. Whatever help you need with our babies, just tell me and I'll do it in a
heartbeat. At may kasama tayong mag-aalaga sa kanila. You're not alone in this.
Always remember that you have me—that you have us and that I'll be here for you."

Syl closed her eyes and sighed softly as tears fell from her eyes. She was just
irritated earlier, now she was emotional and crying. "Alam ko naman 'yon, pero
hindi pa rin mawala sa isip ko. I know I'm worrying over nothing, but I just can't
get rid of it. I feel so anxious. And I feel like my mood has been all over the
place lately. I was even mad at you last night because you weren't by my side when
I woke up."

Yeah. Ream remembered that, but he didn't really mind it. Dra. Cza told Ream that
there was going to be a sudden hormone drop after Syl gave birth that may cause
changes in her mood and her behavior, so Ream had been very observant of his wife.
Ream kissed Syl's temple and held her in his arms affectionately. "It's okay, babe.
You can be mad and moody anytime. Naiintindihan ko naman kung bakit kaya ayos lang
sa 'kin. I don't mind. Dra. Cza said it might take months before your hormones
eventually level out, so just be snappy and moody. I'll understand. It'll get
better."

"But I don't want to hurt you... or anyone in my family," Syl whispered while
crying. "I'll feel terrible afterwards and it's not a good feeling. I hate feeling
like this."

Mas lalo pang hinigpitan ni Ream ang yakap sa asawa dahil wala siyang masabi na
magpapagaan sa loob nito. All he could say was assure her that things will be okay
and that they will work together as a family.
Somehow, it calmed Syl down and hugged Ream back. "I love you, babe."

Ream's face softened at that. "I love you too, babe. So much. I know that it's not
going to be easy for us from now on, but as long as we're together, holding hands
and loving each other, we will be fine. I believe in that. Because I know for
myself that as long as I have you, everything will be okay."
Syl was crying again. "I'm really happy that you're my husband and the father of my
children. Really, I'm blessed."

Ream smiled and cupped Syl's face again, but this time, it was to kiss her on the
lips, not to trap her adorable cheeks in between his palms.
And when Syl felt Ream's lips touch hers, her tears stopped, and contentment washed
over her. The feeling of warmth and peace enveloped Syl until slowly, she calmed
down.
And when Syl looked into Ream's eyes after their lips parted, the love she saw in
the depths of his eyes was enough to make her feel better.
"It never changed..."

Ream blinked at his wife. "What...?"

"The way you look at me," Syl answered before she smiled. "Before I became
pregnant, while I'm pregnant, and now that I already gave birth, the way you look
at me never changed."

Ream frowned, confused and curious. "How... do I look at you?"

"Sa 'kin na lang 'yon." Syl grinned and pinched Ream's cheeks. "I want to keep it
to myself."

Ream was about to ask more, but a sound from the door interrupted him. It was his
mother talking excitedly with Tom.
"They are so adorable! I just want to pinch their cheeks!"

"I know." Tom was beaming with excitement. "My first grandchildren are so cute,
especially little Peri. Such a cute baby girl. Always sleeping."

Napangiti si Syl sa narinig. It made her feel better knowing her babies were loved.
It was one of her greatest fears—but now, seeing the people around her already
doting on her babies, she was relieved that her babies were not going to suffer the
same fate she did.
"Dinsyl...!" Rowena immediately went to Syl's side when she saw her. "I saw my
grandchildren and they are so adorable!" Ream's mother was literally blushing
happily while there were unshed tears from her eyes. "I love them so much already!"

"More than me?" Syl teased her mother-in-law.1

Rowena pinched Syl's cheeks. "I love you just the same, Dinsyl."

Syl smiled. "I know, Mamma."

Rowena clapped her hands. "I'm just so so happy with my grandchildren. Ah...I can't
wait to bring them home and cuddle them and play with them."

Tom was beaming with happiness and excitement too. Same with Rowena, he waited for
his grandchildren, and he was just as ecstatic as his wife. "I can't wait to care
for them as well."

And then Rowena and Tom proceeded to talk about things they could buy for the
quintuplets that Syl and Ream just shook their heads.

"Oh, by the way, Dinsyl, the nurse told me they need new milk for the babies,"
imporma ni Rowena kay Syl saka inaya nito si Tom sa labas para mabigyan ng privacy
si Syl.
After Rowena and Tom left, Ream immediately got the new electric breast pump that
Nay Koring already cleaned and sterilized before she left the hospital earlier.
This was the time that the gifts they received from Ream's friends came in handy.
Syl grimaced a little when she started using the breast pump with Ream's help. It
was not painful, but a little bit uncomfortable.
"I think my boobies got bigger," ani Syl na ikinaubo bigla ni Ream. "What? My bras
don't fit me anymore, babe."

"I'll buy you news ones," Ream said while focusing his attention on the bottle
being filled with Syl's breast milk.
Syl narrowed her eyes at Ream. "Babe, why are you looking away? Do you not like my
big boobies?"

"It's the opposite. I'm horny."

Mahinang natawa si Syl. "Yeah?"

"Yes."
"You want to touch them...?"

"Babe!"

Tumawa si Syl saka pinisil ang pisngi ng asawa. "You don't want to taste my milk—"

Ream groaned because he was really horny. "Please, babe, have mercy."

Syl just laughed and teased Ream some more. "Come on, I'll let you suck it—"

"La la la la la la la la..." Ream was now singing to distract himself so he

wouldn't hear Syl's teasing.

And Syl was laughing as she moved to fill the second bottle.
"Babe, are you hard?" Syl asked, seeing the front of Ream's pants.
"Yeah." Ream cleared his throat. "I'll be fine."1

Seeing Ream enduring, Syl lost her teasing smile and sighed. "I'm sorry, babe. If I
could, I would. I can't even lend a hand."

"I told you, it's okay," Ream said nonchalantly. "At saka kahit gusto mo, hindi pa
rin kita hahayaan na gawin 'yon. May it be your hand or mouth, it will still strain
you. It was a surgery to take out five babies. I can't take any chances with you.
You're too important to me. I want you to fully recover first. Then and only then I
will allow myself to touch you and vice versa."

Syl was relieved that she couldn't help but pucker her lips. "Come here, let me
kiss you."

Ream chuckled at that, but he leaned in and claimed Syl's lips for a wet deep kiss.
Their lips only parted when they both realized the breast pump bottle was already
nearly full.
Both chuckling, Ream and Syl finished expressing milk and afterwards personally
brought the express milk to the NICU because they wanted to see their babies too.

Syl could walk now, the pain had become bearable after walking every day in the
hospital's garden and also visiting the hospital's chapel, but it was still there.
No worries though. Syl could take it.
Entering the NICU, Syl and Ream were happy that they could now touch their babies'
hands and softly rub their cheeks through the hand holes in the incubator. It was
one of the most amazing feelings in the world, to touch and play with their kids'
hands and feet and cheeks.
"Look at little Sid, babe," Ream said while rubbing Obsidian's little arm. "I think
he looks like me, don't you think so? We're both so handsome, right?"

Syl couldn't even deny that and just let Ream continue comparing his handsome face
to Obsidian.
"I saw my baby pictures before, and Sid looks exactly like me." Ream was still
rambling on so proudly and excitedly before he looked at Syl. "And little Peri
looks like you, babe."

Bumaba ang tingin ni Syl sa nag-iisang anak na babae saka masuyong hinaplos ang
pisngi nito. As usual, little Peridot was asleep again. The nurse informed them
that Peridot woke up an hour ago and now she was back to sleeping. "Yeah... think
she looks like me."

"I'm sure she'll break lots of hearts because I'm—no, the Oliveros men will guard
and protect her from the species called men!"
Napailing na lang si Syl sa sinabi ni Ream at napailing ulit nang makitang
kinakausap nito si Obsidian kung anong dapat ng mga ito gawin para maprotektahan si
Peridot.3
Syl just let Ream be because even she wanted to protect her baby girl, also her
boys of course. Not too much though, just enough to keep them safe and away from
harm.
"Our boys are too identical, babe," wika ni Ream na pumukaw sa pag-iisip ni Syl.

Syl glanced at their four adorable boys. Indeed, the four boys were really
identical, but to Syl and Ream, they could still identify who was who. Maybe it was
a parent thing.
"I think they'll bring confusion wherever they go." Ream was smiling while rubbing
and poking Onyx's rowdy feet. "They look alike too much. I can already imagine the
chaos they'll bring."

Syl smiled at that as well. "I guess, but I do think our little Obsidian is on the
calm side. He seldom cries."

"And our little Peri is the sleepy one. Always sleeping. Look at her," Ream cooed
and rubbed Peridot's chubby cheek. "Sleeping again—I think she gained weight,
babe."

Syl chuckled. "And these three are the rowdy ones." She was talking about Topaz,
Garnet, and Onyx. "Feeling ko sila 'yong panay sipa sa tiyan ko noon."

Ream chuckled at that too. "I think so too."

Ream and Syl both chuckled before they returned to cooing and bonding with their
babies until Syl had to go back to rest since she was still recovering.
Feeling like happy and contented parents, Ream and Syl went back to Syl's hospital
room with smiles on their faces.

SYL WAS ALREADY allowed to leave the hospital, but she pleaded with Krisz to let
her stay until she could take her babies home with her. Gusto kasi ni Syl na sabay-
sabay silang uuwi ng mga anak niya. Buti na lang pinayagan siya ni Krisz.
At sa mga araw na nagdaan, habang unti-unting nakaka-recover si Syl, unti-unti ring
lumalaki at lumulusog ang lima nilang anak na nasa NICU pa rin. They looked a
little bigger and healthier than the first time they saw them, and every day, Syl
and Ream would visit their babies in the NICU until the day finally came that they
were allowed to leave.
It was one of the happiest days of Syl's life, to see her babies lying side by side
on her hospital bed from eldest to youngest. And all of them were moving their
hands and feet and were just so energetic—even Peridot was awake and moving a
little.
Syl was so happy that they were all finally going to leave the hospital. Together.
The nurses who had become friends with the Oliveros family felt a little
sentimental seeing the whole family leave. Sobrang mababait ang pamilya Oliveros na
walang masabi na masama ang mga nurses na nakakakilala sa mag-asawang Syl at Ream.
Pero hindi ng mga ito inaasahan na mag-iiwan ng regalo ang mag-asawa para sa lahat
ng nurse at doctor na umasikaso sa mga ito.
Everyone was given a set of earrings from Revearos Jewelry shop—the kind of jewelry
that one can sell or pawn—as a token of the Oliveros family's gratitude.
"I hope they like our little token of appreciation," ani Syl nang nasa sasakyan na
sila pauwi sa bahay nila sa Bachelor's Village kasama ang limang anak na may
kaniya-kaniyang baby car seat.

Tatlo ang pinagigitnaan ni Syl at Ream—sina Peridot, Onyx, at Garnet—habang nasa

likod naman sina Obsidian at Topaz at ang nagbabantay sa dalawa ay sina Rowena at
Tom.
Si Rhett ang sumagot sa sinabi ni Syl na siyang driver ng van na sinasakyan. "Who
wouldn't like a jewelry gift that they can sell or pawn? For me, that was an over-
the-top gift, Kuya."

Sinagot ni Ream ang nakababatang kapatid. "They took care of us very well in the
couple of months that we were there. We know it's their job, but the dedication and
the care they showed us, those earrings were not even enough to compensate for it."

Rhett sighed. "Sabi ko nga."

Mahinang natawa na lang si Syl saka tinukso ang brother-in-law. "Rhett, nilambing
ka na ba ni Mamma ngayong araw?"

Kaagad na sumama ang mukha ni Rhett. "You're not pregnant anymore and you're still
bullying me. Ate, even though I'm now against those five adorable babies there, I'm
still the original baby of the family—"

Suddenly, Peridot started crying.

Nagkatinginan sina Syl at Ream dahil madalang lang umiyak si Peri.
"Narinig mo 'yon, Rhett, against si Peri sa sinabi mo," ani Syl na kaagad na
hinawakan ang kamay ng bunso saka nilaro-laro 'yon. "Mommy is here, little Peri.
Malapit na tayo sa bahay. Just hang on a little, hmm?"

Peridot still continued crying and after that, the rest followed except for little
Sid.
The whole ride home, the van was filled with babies crying that even how hard Syl
and Ream tried, the five wouldn't stop.
The only time they did was when the van finally stopped and they were all carried
out. Doon lang tumigil ang sabay-sabay na pag-iyak ng apat.
Rhett was carrying Topaz, Ream was carrying Obsidian, Syl was carrying Peridot,
Mamma Rowena was carrying Garnet, and Pappa Tom was carrying Onyx.
"So, they just all want to step out of the car?" Rhett asked while carrying Topaz.
"It's because you told them you're the original baby that they cried." Rowena
glared at her youngest son. "They were against it!"

Rhett looked at his mother flatly. "Mom! I'm the original baby!"

As if on cue, Peridot started crying and it became a chorus again except for
Obsidian.
"Palit tayo, Kuya! I'll carry little Sid. Siya lang ang nagmamahal sa 'kin."

But when Rhett stepped closer to Ream, Obsidian started crying as well.
Bagsak ang balikat ni Rhett. "Bully na nga ang ina, bully pa ang mga anak kahit
maliliit pa. Where is the love? I'm your only uncle, quints! The only one!"

Rhett was complaining, but one glare from Mamma Rowena and he stopped and just
continued walking towards the door to the house.
Parang naninibago si Syl sa bahay. Ilang buwan din siyang hindi umuwi at nasa
ospital lang kaya halo-halo ang nararamdaman niyang emosyon nang makapasok sa
kabahayan.
And Syl became even more emotional when they entered the house and saw a banner in
the living room.

'WELCOME HOME, OBSIDIAN, TOPAZ, GARNET, ONYX, AND PERIDOT!'

And below that was, 'CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR FULL RECOVERY, SYL!'

And in front of Syl were Ream's friends and all the amazonas who had become Syl's
friends.
Before Syl could pull herself together and dry the tears that fell from her eyes
because of the surprise, everyone was already surrounding them, cooing, touching,
and playing with the quints.
"Aww. So adorable."

"Look! They're really all identical, except for the baby girl."

"Look at those eyes! Goodness! Such stunning light hazel eyes!"

Mamma Rowena immediately smiled and said, "They got it from Grandma," which was
true.
"And they are all healthy. I'm so happy for you, Syl!"

"We know how hard it is to be a mother so don't hesitate to give us a call if

you're having a hard time. We'll help as much as we can," ani SM.
"Don't call Czarina, though," dagdag ni Anniza. "Baka mabuntis ka ulit."

Mahinang natawa si Syl. "Noted. I won't."

"Hey!" Czarina narrowed her eyes at Anniza and Syl.

Syl just laughed before she excused herself and went to greet 'Nay Koring and their
maids who all looked so excited.
"Ang ganda-ganda talaga ni Peri, Ma'am Syl!" ani 'Nay Koring nang hinayaan ito ni
Syl na kunin sa kaniya si Peridot.
"Oo nga, Ma'am!"

"Siyempre, mana kay Ma'am Syl."

"Ganda ng mata."

"Siguradong bantay-sarado si baby girl kapag lumaki."

"Sinabi mo pa, kahit naman tayo, walang makakalampas sa 'tin. Babantayin nating
mabuti ang natatanging prinsesa ng mga Oliveros!"

Mahinang natawa si Syl sa mga katulong nila. "Aasahan ko 'yan. At mula ngayon,
kakailanganin talaga namin ang tulong n'yo."

"Huwag kang mag-alala, Ma'am Syl. Gagawin namin lahat para makatulong."

Syl's face softened and she gave all their maids a hug before she hugged 'Nay
Koring who was happily talking to Peridot. Peridot was just looking at 'Nay Koring
before she yawned.
Syl wanted to stay with 'Nay Koring and the others, but she heard Ream calling for
her.
"Ako na muna ang magkakarga kay Peri, Ma'am Syl. Bawal pa sa 'yo ang magbuhat."

Masuyong napangiti si Syl. "Salamat, 'Nay Koring. Hulog ka talaga ng langit."

Tumawa lang si Nay Koring saka pinabalik na si Syl kay Ream.

Kaagad namang bumalik si Syl sa tabi ni Ream na kinukulit ng mga kaibigan nito na
mag-'prayer reveal' daw kung paano makagawa ng quintuplets.

"Babe, help me with these lunatics," kaagad na hingi ng tulong ni Ream nang
makalapit si Syl.
"Come on, walang tawagan ng babe," ani Cali.
"Walang 'babe' dapat," sabad ni Evren.
"Usapang lalaki lang dapat," dagdag ni Lath.
"Kaya prayer reveal na, Oliveros. Oras na para ibahagi mo ang iyong sekretong
dasal!" sigaw ni Iuhence.
Ream looked at Syl again, asking for assistance.
And Syl did the easiest way to help her husband. "Girls, kinukulit ng mga asawa
n'yo ang Ream ko na mag-prayer reveal daw kung paano kami nakabuo ng quints. Gusto
yatang subukan sa inyo."

Hearing Syl, every amazona went to their husband and gave them an earful about how
rare and dangerous it was to carry quints.

Syl smiled in satisfaction at the outcome as she went to her husband's side and
kissed him on the lips.
"My babe has some talents," Ream said, chuckling, while looking at his friends who
now looked meek after getting an earful from their wives.
Syl shrugged and kissed Sid's cheek. "Well, your friends are all weird, but they
have one thing in common—they place their wives above everyone else, and they love
them so much. Only their wives can shut them up."

"True." Ream chuckled again and kissed Syl. "You're very observant, babe."

"Nope. It was SM who told me that," pagkuwento ni Syl. "Sabi niya, kapag ginulo
tayo ng mga baliw, sabihan lang daw sila, sila na ang bahala."

Ream laughed at that and pressed his lips on Syl's forehead before his attention
was caught by the banner in living room. Then his eyes roamed around the whole
place.
Every quints had a different group of people talking, cooing, cuddling, and
surrounding them. And no quint was crying, it was as if they accepted this warm
welcome by the people around them, and that made Ream smile.
A very simple, but heartwarming welcome. If the quints could see this when they
grew up, they would be very happy for sure.
"What are you smiling about?" Syl asked Ream.
Ream looked at Syl and smiled. "Nothing. It's just... the atmosphere is warm and
nice. I think our babies like it."

Syl observed that too. "They're surrounded by people who care and love them." Syl
wrapped her arms around Ream's waist and hugged him from the back with her chin on
Ream's shoulder. "What's a better atmosphere than that?"

"Indeed." Ream turned his head to look over his shoulder to stare at the most
amazing woman in his life. "You made this all happen, babe. You fought hard for
them, that's why they're here and enjoying this warm atmosphere."

Syl smiled at her husband. "We fought hard for them, not just me."

Ream smiled back so warmly and lovingly. "And we will continue to fight for their
happiness and well-being."

Syl nodded. "We will. I don't know anything about being a parent. My parents are
not exactly good role models, but I'm willing to learn how to be a good parent.
It's exciting and scary at the same time, actually. I have so many doubts in my
mind. So many fears. I feel anxious and I can't help worrying so much. I know being
a mom is not easy and it scares me, but seeing our babies, being with you and our
family..." She looked at Ream who was intently listening to her. "I believe I can
do this, babe. I might make mistakes here and there, but you're with me and I know
that with you, I'll be just fine."

Ream couldn't help claiming his wife's mouth before he said, "We'll learn together,
babe. I'll be with you in every step of the way."
Syl hugged Ream tightly. "Learning together with you... I can't wait, babe."

Ream and Syl's lips met once again for a deep kiss, only to be interrupted by
Obsidian's cry.
Pulling away from each other at the same time, Ream and Syl shared a look before
simultaneously laughing, knowing that it was not the last time they were going to
be interrupted from now on. They had adorable quintuplets, after all. They expected
that already.
Though it wouldn't be long before Ream and Syl found a way to have sexy-babe time
despite being parents of quintuplets.

CECELIB | C.C.

*******
SPECIAL CHAPTER: Busy Life with Quintuplets

by CeCeLib

SPECIAL CHAPTER

Busy Life with Quintuplets

FIVE HEALTHY babies. Seven-month-old quintuplets. Four boys and one girl. What
happens if they all cried and never stop for a reason everyone couldn't figure out?
Simple—fatigue and frustration.
Ream already stopped working to help change the quintuplets' clothes and diapers.
Syl already fed them and hummed them a song. They already checked their temperature
and did everything they could to make the five stop, but nothing. They already
exhausted themselves and all the toys, but the crying continued.
It was chaos in the nursery where everything was a mess. Baby bottles everywhere,
baby clothes, baby blankets, and all the baby stuff. 'Nay Koring and Mamma Rowena
were already helping, so were the maids who were cleaning all the mess in the
nursery as they tried to calm the quints down.
But just when they were all out of their wits' end, Peridot stopped crying and the
rest followed for some strange reason.34
So, after an hour, the nursery finally settled down.
"I swear..." Syl, whose clothes and hair were a mess as if she fought a battle,
narrowed her eyes at her youngest. "You are conniving with your four rowdy
brothers, little Peri."

Peridot, who just stopped crying, waved her hands and legs, acting so adorable
while smiling at Syl. Even chuckling a little, melting Syl's fatigue away.

Bumuga nang marahas si Syl saka nahiga sa kama, sa tabi ng bunsong anak na babae na
ngayon ay marunong nang dumapa at gumapang sa kung saan.
Aside from the five cribs placed side by side in the nursery and a set of sofas and
a little playground, she and Ream also put a bed in the corner for breastfeeding or
when they were playing with the quints or just bonding with them. It was a large
bed, able to accommodate her and Ream and the quints.
Seeing her youngest rolled on her stomach, Syl sighed and softly pinched Peri's
cheek. "Peri, behave," striktong sabi ni Syl.

Peri replied by making bubbles with her saliva and began crawling, and when Syl
didn't stop her, with so much difficulty because she was a very chubby seven-month-
old, she pushed herself to sit on the bed. It was not the first time, but it still
fascinated Syl that Peri could already do that.
Syl just watched her little Peri sit on the bed, wobbling a little as she closed
her eyes and slept while sitting.
Also not the first time.
Syl sighed as she caught Peri's body from falling back into the bed, asleep. Hindi
talaga niya alam kung bakit ganito ang bunso nila. Pagkatapos umiyak, gagapang at
uupo saka matutulog habang nakaupo.
"Thank God she's asleep," ani Syl saka pinalibutan lang ng unan ang bunso saka
kinumotan. Hindi na niya ito ginalaw sa takot na magising ito at umiyak.
Nang masigurong maayos na ang kalagayan ni Peri, bumangon si Syl sa kama kahit
pagod na pagod siya sa pagpapatahan sa anak saka nag-umpisang mag-express ng gatas
sa dede niya para mamaya.
She was feeding five and it was hard to feed them one after another, so she used an
electric breast pump and also made a schedule of who to feed through breastfeeding
first every day so all the quints could feed normally—thanks to Ream's efforts of
making a schedule and also to his friends' gifts back in the hospital. Every gift
was an electric breast pump.
After expressing milk, she went to 'Nay Koring who was in the room with them and
took Topaz from her as she asked a favor. "'Nay Koring, puwede ba akong makisuyong
ilagay sa refrigerator 'yong bagong gatas na inilagay ko sa baby bottle? I'll feed
Topaz now so Garnet could have his turn later."

"Sige, Ma'am Syl." Kaagad na tumalima si 'Nay Koring. "Maghahanda na rin ako ng
tanghalian."

"Salamat, Nay Koring!" pahabol na sabi ni Syl kay 'Nay Koring na papalabas na ng
nursery.
Kapagkuwan ay napatitig na lang si Syl sa anak na may hawak na soft cloth ball at
itapon nito ang cloth ball tapos iiyak kapag wala na sa kamay nito.
Ream, who was carrying little Sid, leaned down to pick up the soft cloth ball and
gave it to Topaz. After chuckling because of the return of his ball, Topaz kicked
it again and Syl and Ream shared a look.3
Napailing si Syl kapagkuwan saka pinisil-pisil ang pisngi ni Topaz. "Kaya inaayawan
ka ng ibang katulong e. You like tiring them so much."

As a reply, Topaz started crying because the soft ball was not in his hand anymore
as if he didn't throw it.
"This kid, really..." Napabuntonghininga si Syl saka tinuro ang soft ball na
napunta sa sofa. "Babe, please, can you get it for me?"

Ream immediately picked the soft ball up and gave it to Topaz, only to be kicked by
Topaz again after accepting it.
Ream let out a loud sigh and picked up the soft cloth ball again and when Topaz
accepted it, he kicked it again, but he visibly stilled when he realized it didn't
fly away.
Even Syl had to hold her chuckle when Topaz looked so confused as he blinked at the
ball he kicked but didn't fly. Syl didn't know if Topaz realized that Ream was
holding the ball so it wouldn't fly again because Topaz kicked it again, a little
harder than the first.
And when the ball didn't fly, Topaz started crying.
"Babe, throw it away," mabilis na utos ni Syl kay Ream. "Baka magising si Peri.
Lagot tayong dalawa."

Kaagad na tinapon ni Ream ang soft cloth ball, at nang makita 'yon ni Topaz kaagad
itong tumigil sa pag-iyak at kaagad na tumawa at pumalakpak pa. Then Topaz started
asking for the ball again.
"Put him down, babe," ani Ream kay Syl. "Palit tayo. Akong bahala kay Top."

Kaagad namang binaba ni Syl si Topaz sa carpeted na sahig na kaagad na gumapang

patungo sa bola na tinapon ni Ream. Habang si Ream naman ay kaagad na ibinigay si
Sid kay Syl at sinamahan si Topaz sa sahig.
With Sid in her arms—the only one of the five who was silent and not very rowdy—she
now had the time to check her other babies.
Garnet was with Mamma Rowena and they were both playing with musical toys, and one
of the maids, Ana, was roaming around the room following Onyx who was crawling on
his knees.
Napabuntonghininga na lang si Syl. Hindi talaga nila alam ni Ream ang gagawin kung
silang dalawa lang ang mag-aalaga sa lima. Good thing they had a very strong
support system.
Another sigh left Syl's lips when somehow, Onyx and Topaz met while they were
minding their own businesses and the two started playing with the soft cloth ball
by throwing it at each other while sitting on the floor.
At nang pinaghiwalay ang dalawa, nag-umpisa na naman ang mga itong umiyak.
Syl could see the fatigue and frustration on Ream's face, but he was still so
patient with their babies.
Really, her husband deserved an award. Well, everyone in their house deserved one.
For a while, the nursery had become quiet until Peridot woke up crying and the
nursery became chaotic again.
Topaz and Onyx were fighting for the ball, Garnet looked like he wanted to be part
of it because he was crying and making sounds they couldn't understand while
extending his hand at the two. Peridot was crying and Obsidian was starting to get
restless as well because of the noise.
Thankfully, 'Nay Koring came back to inform them that lunch was ready.
Kaagad namang dinala nila ang lima sa hapag-kainan kung saan may crib din at baby
dining chair para sa lima.
Putting the five in their own dining chair was not a challenge, but feeding them
with food, like purée, cereal, and some other healthy solid food, was because they
only wanted Ream or Syl to feed them. For some reason, the quints developed this
uncanny behavior that they would only eat if it was their parents feeding them.5
Ream and Syl had always been hands-on parents, and now that the quints were seven
months old, they could now eat a solid food or two, and to be safe and healthy, Syl
and Ream always chose organic.
And so, the messy lunch began with the quints. Syl and Ream were already
experienced with feeding the quints that they did it without complaining, even
playing with the quints while feeding them.
Spitting food. Crying. Moving around. Wanting to touch their spoon, while being fed
and trying to play with their food it had become so normal to Syl and Ream that it
didn't hinder their work which was to feed the quints however messy it got.
Syl and Ream were too focused on the quints that they forgot to have lunch
themselves.
"Ream, Dinsyl, go have lunch you two," ani Rowena. "Sige na. Kami nang bahala sa
limang 'to. Tapos naman na sila kumain."

Sa sinabi ni Rowena, tumalima naman ang dalawa at pinaghanda sila ng pagkain ni

'Nay Koring sa hardin. A lunch for only the two of them with Syl's messy hair and
Ream's messy clothes.
As much as possible, they always ate away from the quints because they couldn't
concentrate when the quints were around, and they also treated it as a time to take
a breather and also to be together.

"I'm really sorry, babe," ani Syl habang nilalagyan ng pagkain ni Ream ang pinggan
niya habang siya naman ay inaalis ang pagkain ng mga bata na dumikit sa damit ng
asawa. "I know that you have to work and all, but here you are."

Ream smiled even though he looked really tired. "It's okay. Every step of the way,
remember?"

Syl wanted to hug her husband, but they were eating so she just settled with
caressing Ream's handsome face. "How about you go work in your private office after
lunch? Kami na ang bahala sa lima. Or you could rest. You look really tired, babe.
I'm worried about you."

A small smile appeared on Ream's lips as he glanced at her. "Says the very hands-on
mom who's always with the quints until they fall asleep at night." Ream playfully
pinched Syl's cheek. "Babe, kung mayroon mang pagod sa 'ting dalawa, siguradong
ikaw 'yon. I only help when I'm not that busy at work, but you...you do this every
day."

"I'm used to it...well, somehow," Syl said with a shrug and smiled at her husband
before she leaned in and kissed the corner of his mouth. "You should rest. You look
really tired. You'd been working so hard these days."

"Well, I have to keep up." Ream smiled lovingly at Syl. "My wife is working hard,
so I should too."

Napailing si Syl. "May katulong naman ako palagi kaya kinakaya. Though I like it
when you help with the kids. It makes me feel comfortable. But I know you have
work, so you don't need to help out so much."

Ream stared softly at Syl before sighing. "It's been a month since we went on a
date. The things I would do to have alone time with you again..."

Mahinang natawa si Syl. "Hmm...Rhett is coming home next week, right? He can be our
babysitter while we enjoy the weekend to ourselves."

Natawa na rin si Ream. "Oh, I can already hear him grumbling."

Nagkibit-balikat si Syl. "He loves the quints even though he keeps on complaining
that he's not the baby of the family anymore. At kasama naman niya si Mamma at sina
Nay Koring. At saka next week din 'di ba ang dating ni Pappa Tom?" Tom had to go
back to Norway for some business a month ago and now he was coming back, excited to
see his grandchildren again. "Ayaw mo ba?" Syl wiggled her eyebrows at Ream who
laughed at that. "There will be lots of hard pounding, so...next weekend?"

Ream grinned at the mention of hard pounding. "Next weekend it is."

"Yes!" Parang bata na napasuntok pa si Syl sa hangin. "Hard pounding date, wait for
me. I'm coming."

Ream laughed at how adorable his wife was. Even though they seldom went out because
of their quints and their alone time in the house was almost non-existent, they
were always open to each other when it came to making love and their sex life, so
this kind of conversation was normal to him and Syl.
And Ream liked that they were very open when it came to that. It was easier to
please each other and also easier to try and explore new things because they didn't
really hold back when it came to that part of their marriage.
"Maria was grumbling about the same thing," pagkuwento ni Syl tungkol sa kakambal
nito na minsan lang nito makita at makasama dahil parehong abala ang mga ito sa
kaniya-kaniyang pamilya at anak. "But she said she and Izaak are making it happen.
But like us, they're having a hard time with Waltz and Disney as well."

"Well, being a parent is not easy," ani Ream saka nilagyan ulit ng pagkain ang
pinggan ni Syl. "We learned that the hard way in our first three months with the
quints. We were both clueless. It was really a good thing that Mom was here, or
else...I don't even want to think about it."

Tumango si Syl. "Ayoko na ngang pauwiin si Mamma sa Norway at mukhang wala rin
siyang balak. Si Pappa Tom na lang siguro ang mananatili rito."
"I hope so. I want Mom to see the quints grow up."

"Hmm." Syl nodded while eating heartily. "By the way, babe, speaking of Izaak and
Maria, we're invited to Izaak's birthday next month. He said it's only family,
so... are we going?"

Ream sighed. "I hate seeing his face, but you seldom see your sister, so of course,
we're going."

That made Syl smile brightly, and Ream was happy that he made the right decision
seeing Syl happy.
"Yey! Thank you, babe!"

"You're welcome. Here, eat more," wika ni Ream kapagkuwan saka nilagyan pa ng
pagkain ang pinggan ni Syl. "You're breastfeeding, you have to eat lots of healthy
food. Here, you can have my soup."

Syl smiled and happily took Ream's soup. Kahit marami ang kinakain si Syl, hindi
naman nadadagdagan ang timbang niya. Siguro dahil napupunta lahat sa lima niyang
anak? Pero siguro hindi din 'yon. She exercised every morning—it was a specialized
exercise taught to her by Czarina—to get her pre-baby body back, especially her
abdominal part. She did give birth to quints and her postpartum belly was a little
bigger than most. It was a slow progress, but she was getting there. She wanted to
be a healthy mom and also, of course, for herself, though she was not in a hurry.
She didn't want her postpartum belly to stress her out.
And she also had amazing support when it came to her postpartum belly exercise. In
the morning, knowing she would be exercising, her husband would sometimes exercise
with her or he'd take care of their quints for the time being. Not only that, not
even once did Ream look at her differently because of her postpartum belly.
He was actually amazed that she carried five babies in there that he would kiss her
belly all the time, thanking her before sleeping—however tired they were—especially
her cesarean scar.
Ream liked caressing it softly before sleeping.
When she asked why he liked doing that, he answered, "It's the symbol of our family
and your love for me and our babies."

She cried, of course. It meant so much to her that her husband thought that way.
"Okay...!" Syl got up from the chair, "time to return to our rowdy quints." She
hugged Ream, who was still finishing his food and kissed him on the forehead. "You
don't need to help out, babe. We can do it. Just focus on your work."

Ream smiled at that. "Okay. Take care of yourself, babe."

"I will."

"I love you. See you later."

"I love you too. See yah...!"

Mahinang natawa na lang si Ream nang nagmamadaling umalis si Syl para bumalik sa
lima nilang anak. Ream knew Syl would be very busy the whole afternoon, so he
planned to finish work early and take a long nap before dinner so he could help out
if their babies woke up in the middle of the night—which was always the case.

NANG MAKABALIK si Syl sa hapag-kainan, wala na roon ang lima niyang baby. Freda,
one of the maids, informed her that the quints were taken back to the nursery to
clean them up after the messy lunch which always happened, by the way.
"Thanks, Freda!" ani Syl saka lumabas ng hapag-kainan at tinungo ang nursery.

Malayo pa siya, naririnig na niya ang ingay sa nursery. Sabay-sabay ang iyak. It
used to bother her so much at first, but now, she had become immune to that noise.
Nang makapasok siya ng nursery at nakita siya ni Peridot, kaagad itong tumigil sa
pag-iyak saka pilit na gumagapang patungo sa kaniya.
Natatawang kinarga naman niya kaagad ang bunso saka tiningnan ang kalagayan ng
apat. Si Topaz na lang ang hindi napapalitan ng damit. Sa sobrang likot nito,
dalawa na ang nagdadamit dito.

"Sa lahat ng anak n'yo, Dinsyl, itong isa talaga ang sakit sa ulo," ani Rowena na
siyang nagdadamit kay Topaz habang si 'Nay Koring ang may hawak sa bata.
Natawa si Syl. "Sumuko na ako sa kakulitan ni Top, Ma. Hindi pa 'yan naglalakad.
Ano na lang kung kaya na niyang maglakad? Baka mas sumakit pa ulo nating lahat."

Lahat napabuntonghininga na lang dahil nakikita na nilang mas lalo silang magiging
abala.
"Sumunod sa kakulitan niya si Nyx. Palaging gustong makipag-away naman ng isang
'to. Si Net naman, gaya-gaya lang sa mga kuya niyang pasaway," obserba ni Mamma
Rowena. "Ang matino lang sa lima, si little Sid lang. Which is nice because he's
the eldest. I think he's more like Ream. Ganiyan na ganiyan din si Ream noong baby
pa siya. Samantalang itong tatlong lalaki, kay Rhett yata nagmana sa ugali."

Napangiwi si Syl. Noong buntis siya, palagi niyang inaasar si Rhett dahil natutuwa
siya kapag naiinis ito. Ito na ba ang kabayaran n'on? Binigyan ako ng tatlong anak
na kaugali ni Rhett?

Syl massaged her temple before she placed Peridot in the playground they made for
the quints where they could move and play as much as they want. The three boys were
already there, playing, except for Topaz.
Nang makaupo so Peridot sa playground, umupo naman si Syl sa sofa na malapit doon
para bantayan ang apat.
The three boys were playing normally until Peridot joined them. And Syl found it so
adorable seeing her sons giving their toys to Peridot as if it was the most natural
thing to do and little Peri was very happy.9

Well, until Topaz was let loose in the playground.

Pinagaagaw ni Topaz ang mga laruan kay Peridot saka pinagtatapon habang tumatawa.
Slowly, Peridot's face started to redden. Little Peri was mad. And Syl was not
ready for the next scene.
Peridot slapped Topaz so hard—well, as hard as a baby at her age could—sending
Topaz falling to the ground. Topaz wailed so loudly afterwards.
Kaagad naman na binuhat ni Mamma Rowena sa Topaz para patahanin, habang si Peridot
naman ay gumapang patungo sa dereksiyon ni Syl at umiyak lang nang malapit na ito
sa sofa at nakatingin sa kaniya.
Before Syl could get up to calm Peridot, Sid beat her to it. He gave her all the
toys close to them as if telling Peridot not to cry anymore.
That made Syl smile even though Peridot still continued crying.
Umalis si Syl sa sofa kapagkuwan saka sinamahan sa playground ang mga anak para
sumama sa laro ng mga ito. That calmed Peridot down and the four inside the
playground started crawling to their mother and surrounded her.
Topaz saw this and wanted it as well, so Rowena put him back in the playground and
he immediately crawled to Syl, even pushing Garnet to reach his mother.
Dinumog si Syl ng lima niyang anak pero panay lang ang tawa niya hanggang sa naisip
niyang mahiga sa playground at nagpanggap na walang malay.
Pinagdadaganan siya ng lima, pinagtatampal din ang mukha niya at hindi lang 'yon,
may gustong hilahin pataas ang damit niya at pinagtatatampal ang dibdib niya. Nang
hindi pa rin kumibo si Syl, nag-umpisa nang umiyak lahat hanggang sa magmulat si
Syl at ginulat ang lima.
A mixture of baby cries and baby laughter could be heard in the nursery as Syl
played with her babies.
Rowena and 'Nay Koring stayed on the sofa, just watching while resting as well
before they became busy with the quints again later.
The whole nursery was filled with baby laughter as Syl played, pretending like she
was chasing the quints while crawling and tickling them once she caught them. The
quints enjoyed it so much that after playing and feeding time, they fell asleep on
the playground together with their mother.
It was a beautiful sight that Ream was thankful to witness when he visited the
nursery after working. His plan to take a nap didn't happen because he just watched
his wife and kids sleep in the playground together.
Ream couldn't help taking a photo and making it the wallpaper on his phone with a
smile on his lips.
"Son, may I ask you something?" Rowena asked after watching the babies and Syl for
a little while.
"Sure, Ma."

"Are you two planning to hold another wedding?" Rowena asked. "You know, something
grand in the church?"

Ream nodded. "In the church? Yes. But grand? Nope. Ayaw ni Syl. Ayaw niyang
gumastos kami nang malaki para sa kasal. Mas okay daw sa kaniya kung simple lang,
basta kasama lang namin ang pamilya at mga kaibigan namin."
That made Rowena nod. "That's nice. Kailan ang plano n'yong magpakasal ulit?"

"After our quints' seven-year-old birthday." Ream smiled. "We want them to be part
of our wedding. It'll be more beautiful."

"How about your father?" Rowena asked. "Have you heard from him?"

Umiling si Ream. "Nope. I think he's busy with his new partner."

Rowena shook her head. "Not even saying hello to his grandkids. So annoying."

"It's okay, Ma." Ream smiled at his mother. "I don't really mind. Masaya na ako sa
buhay ko. I do not need his attention nor validation to make me happy. I'm fine
now."

Rowena smiled and hugged her son, happy that he was happy.
Ream hugged his mother back before he went to the playground and laid himself down
to be with his wife and their quints.
With a contented smile, Ream reached out his hand to intertwine it with Syl's.
However tired he was, everything felt worth it when he saw his wife and kids. As if
everything made sense. And he knew Syl felt the same way.
Because however busy they were with their quintuplets, every day was fulfilling and
worthwhile.

CECELIB | C.C.