Date: Fri, 17 Aug 2012 23:22:06 -0700 (PDT) From: John Michaels Subject: FILIPINO LOVE - Chapter 11 FILIPINO LOVE By JM Disclaimers and other info: see chapter one Email: mmanlookin@yahoo.com CHAPTER ELEVEN The kids ran up to Mrs. Martinez and threw their arms around her, one on either side, both keeping up a constant stream of chatter. Mrs. Martinez put an arm around each, giving them a mild squeeze to get their attention. She spoke to them softly, telling them about running in the house, especially the kitchen, and about the amount of noise they produced...I think. She never once raised her voice, and all was spoken with a loving smile on her face. Then I heard her say something to them while indicating my presence with a nod of her head. Both of the kids turned their heads to look at me, and their eyes flew wide open. They both quickly buried their heads in their mother's sides, accompanied by peals of laughter from Ronni. The boy raised his head from his sanctuary and scowled at him. This only set Ronni off into more laughter. When he finally calmed down, he started talking to the boy, although it also may have been for the benefit of sister as well. I'm sure, at least, I HOPE, he was giving them some information about me, and I'm assuming it was the PG version since his mother didn't seem to be upset. She simply smiled and nodded, giving the kids reassuring pats from time to time. Finally, the boy raised his head, looked at me and gave me a shy smile. I smiled back and winked at him. His smile got a bit bigger and he giggled cutely. Huh. Must be a family trait. The girl, thinking she may be missing out on something, decided to abandon her impression of an ostrich and see what's going on. She looked at me with her wide dark eyes, and I gave her a smile and wink also. The beginning of a smile was creeping across her face, and she quickly went back to burying her head in her mother's side. From what I've seen, these two must be twins. Everything about them is identical...well, except for the obvious factors that made one a boy and the other a girl. Reasonable assumption, talaga? (Remember this from a previous chapter?) I turned to Ronni, who was still highly amused with the situation, and asked, "I take it that they are your brother and sister, and they're twins." "Oo, yes. The boy is Christian, the girl is Sara" he replied while looking at them with fondness. It was obvious by the soft look of love on his face that he loved his brother and sister. "How old are they," I asked. "They are five years." This answer surprised me, but really shouldn't have. I could see for myself that they were very young, but it just didn't register in my brain until Ronni told me their ages. "That's quite an age difference between you and them." I noticed a look of sadness cross Ronni's handsome face. Shit! What's wrong? Was it something I said? "We talk about this later, when we go home, ok?" he said. I reached over and gently rubbed his back. "It's ok, Love," I said softly to him. "Obviously something is bothering you, and I don't want to do anything that makes you sad. You can tell me later or not at all. It's ok either way." "No," he said, with a small shake of his head. "Is something I NEED to tell you." "Ok, Sweetheart," I said, as I continued to rub his back. " But only when you're ready." "I love you," he said, with moist eyes. "And I love you too, my Ronni, more than I could ever find words." With that, he climbed into my lap facing me and wrapped himself around me, totally unconcerned that his mother was sitting right across from us. I rubbed the back of his head and neck gently and kissed him on the side of his head. I raised my head to see what Mrs. Martinez' reaction was to all this and saw her looking at me holding and caressing her son. There were silent tears streaming down her face, and a smile and look in her eyes that carried such great love. The mood was broken, when Christian pointed at the cake and started talking to her. This also got Sara's attention as she soon joined her brother in asking for her treat too. Mrs. Martinez smiled, wiped her eyes with the back of her hand to clear the tears, and proceeded to get the twins their cake. Once that was accomplished, and the twins were silenced by mouths full of cake, Mrs. Martinez looked across the table where Ronni and I were still wrapped in our embrace, smiled beatifically and slowly nodded her head. I knew right there and then that no matter where life took Ronni and me, as long as he and I were together, she would be happy for us. Now, all I had to worry about was Papa! As I sat there in Ronni's house with himself comfortably ensconced on my lap, I was basking in all things warm and fuzzy, but there was something that was tickling the back of my mind that I found annoying. Suddenly, it came to me. I had an appointment with the agent. Shit!! What time is it? I raised my arm from Ronni's back and looked at my watch. It was almost 10:30, and we are supposed to meet the agent at 11:00. Ronni must have sensed my body tensing as he lifted his head. "What, Love," he asked. " I just remembered we have an appointment with the rental agent in just half an hour. I hate to leave, but we need to get going, unless you want to stay and spend more time with your family, and we'll meet at the house later." "No!" he said very emphatically. "I go where you go!" "Ok, then," I said. "You need to get dressed and get some clothes to take back to the cottage." From the first time I met Ronni until this very moment, his only garment had been his bathing suit. He didn't even have anything on his feet. "And be sure to get something to wear on your feet," I added. "Please tell your mother what's happening, and be sure to thank her for the tea and cake. Tell her will see her again soon." Ronni turned to his mother and explained why we had to leave. She sighed resignedly and nodded. She stood and came around to where we were standing and gave her eldest a hug and a kiss. It surprised the hell out of me when she came up to me and hugged me too, which I returned warmly. I like this lady! "Salamat (thank you)," I said. She smiled broadly and patted my cheek. "Love him," she said with moist eyes. My own were also getting moist as I replied, "Always!" This garnered me another hug, much tighter and longer than the first. With that, Ronni and I went into his bedroom to get his clothes. He went to the small bureau where he retrieved a pair of boxer briefs (YUM!), t-shirt and a pair of nylon basketball-style shorts. Stripping off his bathing suit, he stepped into and pulled up the boxer briefs. DAMN!! They really accented his generous teen package! He finished dressing then went to the wardrobe, where he retrieved a backpack. He then went back to the bureau where got two pair of shorts, two more t's and several changes of underwear, all of which he proceeded to place in the backpack. He then slipped his feet into a pair of sandals, and we were ready to go. His mother and siblings were standing by the door, and as we got there she gave Ronni a big hug and a kiss. She then shocked the hell out of me when I got the same treatment, although she had to stand on her tiptoes and pull my face down so she could kiss my cheek. We both chuckled at that, then I also kissed her cheek, causing her to blush. Ronni was on his knees hugging his brother and sister while the exchange between his mother and I was going on, but he was sort of sideways, so he was a witness to it. He had the biggest shit-eating grin ever! Kids have always seemed to be comfortable around me, so I thought I'd take a chance. I got on my knees beside Ronni and held my arms open, waiting to see what would happen. It surprised me that it was Sara who almost leaped into my embrace. I gave her a gentle hug, rubbed her back, and then opened my arms so she could step back. I was astounded when she not only did NOT step away but tightened her grip on my neck. I again put my arms around her then pulled her away slightly to give her a kiss on the cheek. She giggled, stepped back, and then I found my arms full of Christian, where everything played out all over again exactly as it had with his sister. With a final wave, Ronni and I stepped out into the courtyard and made our way back to the street, where we hailed a pedicab. In case you're wondering, a pedicab is one of the most common forms of public transportation in the Philippines and many other Asian nations. Basically, it's a motorcycle with an attached, covered sidecar with seating for four small individuals or two my size. Since it was just Ronni and me, there was plenty of leg and seat room, although in my case, the headroom left much to be desired. I handed Ronni the business card I had with the agent's contact information, which he translated to the driver, and we were off. I hope you're enjoying reading this as much as I am writing it. If so, let me know by sending an email. The address is at the top of the chapter. Please donate: http://donate.nifty.org/donate.html