Chapter 6

"Do parents fight all the time?" asked Sasha. She and Rico were sitting on a two-seater swing in the backyard.

Sasha really wanted to go to the swimming pool but Rico decided to take her to the backyard instead. She wasn't interested at first but since he insisted it would be the best place to do a dance for tiktok, she decided to come.

He was right! Aside from the swing, there was also a large grass area much bigger than the front yard was. A silver maple tree stood tall in one corner of the yard giving shade to the swing, and flowers such as hydrangeas and tulips filled the sides of the whole yard.

It could have been the perfect spot for their dance routine or to show off her gymnastic moves, yet she didn't have an ounce of excitement within her. She was still bothered by the argument that ensued a few moments ago between her parents. Somehow she blamed herself for it since she was the one who insisted to her mom to meet her dad.

"Rico!" she called as she softly wiggled him. He had fallen asleep in the swing beside her and his whole body weight was now on her. "Wake up!"

"What?!" Rico suddenly sat up and rubbing his eyes, he turned to Sasha. "Why did you wake me up?"

Sasha rolled her eyes. "It's not yet time to sleep, stupid!"

"Sorry," he scratched his head. "I got really tired from the pillow fight awhile ago and it is so breezy. I like it when its really cold, you know. It makes me sleepy. Anyway, are we going to do the dance now?"

She sighed. "No."

"Why? What's wrong?"

"I was asking you a question awhile ago before you conked out."

"Sorry. What was it?"

"Do you think parents fight all the time?"

"You're asking me?"

"Why not?"

"I don't have a dad. So how will I know?"

"Oh!" she suddenly felt sad for him. "I'm sorry. So... it's only you and your mom?"

"Yeah."

"So you're like me then."

"No, because your mom knows who your dad is while I don't."

"What?! How was that possible? You cannot be born without a father!"

"Well, Mom said she went to a special hospital. She always says I'm her miracle baby."

"Hmmm... that's weird. I never heard of a special hospital before. I thought all hospitals are the same."

"Well, Mom said this was different. It was special. It has a machine that makes babies. You know, like in Iron Man where he got the claws and such to make everything. Well, that's how I imagine it."

Sasha rolled her eyes. "You boys and machines! What?! You're a cyborg then?"

Rico laughed and stood up.

"I-AM-A-RO-BOT," he said imitating the movement of the robot.

Sasha laughed. "Stop it! You look stupid."

Rico laughed, too.

He sat beside her again.

"You know, I always wanted to have a girlfiriend," Rico said.

"What? Girlfriend? I don't want to be your girlfriend!" Sasha reacted, and she pushed him.

"No, stupid! Girl-friend. A friend that's a girl. Not girlfriend. Like smooching girlfriend. Ugh!"

"Oh!" she chuckled then she suddenly felt sad again.

"Hey! Are you worried about your parents again?"

She nodded. "I think it's my fault."

"Why'd you say that?"

"Well, I'm the one who ask her to meet my dad and now, they keep arguing because of me."

"Hey! You gotta stop blaming yourself. Like my Mom always said, whatever mistake the grown-ups did, it's never gonna be our fault. It's a grown-up thing. You know, they're grown-ups. They know what they're doing."

Sasha looked at him amused. "You sounded like a grown-up when you talk like that."

Rico chuckled. "But I don't wanna grow up yet. I still love being a kid you know. So I can eat all the ice cream I want and don't get fat and play with all my legos."

She smiled.

"You got legos?"

"Yeah. You gotta come to my house one time so we can build together. My room is filled with tons of legos, like TONS. I'm not kidding! You're gonna feel like you're in Legoland when you go there."

"Wow! That's fantastic. Can I go tomorrow then?"

"That would be great! Let's tell Tito Robbie. I'm sure he's not gonna say no."

"Okay. But first, let's do our dance."

"So you're up for the dance now?"

"Yeah. Thanks for cheering me up, dude!"

"You're welcome. So, game?"

Sasha nodded and they both stood up from the swing.

*****************

IN THE GHOST ROOM...

The sudden knock on the door had forced Robbie to stand up from the bed. Alex had fallen in a deep sleep beside him, uncaringly holding on to his waist. She had called Sasha's name three times while her eyes were still shut closed, thus the arm on his waist happened. He didn't mind at all. In fact, that was the closest contact she had made with him today and somehow he actually missed her being that close.

The familiarity of her smell kept lingering through his nose, leaving him stunned as he continued to watch her for more than an hour now before this sudden disturbance. Even when they were younger, Alex had always talked in her sleep and hugging him like a teddy bear was not very new to him.

That's why when she left, he couldn't bear to be in her room. There were so many memories that kept reminding him everyday when he enters her room, so he decided to strip it to basic just to forget. All the pain she had caused him had slowly went away as years passed and he still hoped that someday he would see her again.

Sasha was a surprise to him. A really great surprise and he couldn't let himself not to be part of Sasha's life. She was his dream to become a father, and never once did he regret doing it to Alex. Although she might not acknowledge it but they both know that whatever happened between them had resulted to the most wonderful child in the

whole universe.

No treasure can be more worth than having a brilliant child like Sasha.

Knock. Knock. Knock.

Whoever that was just made his blood boil by killing the moment. Reluctantly, he let her hand slide off as he got up. He walked towards the door and opened it.

"Sir, I'm sorry to bother you but Attorney Ledesma is here," Tonya told him and her eyes went towards Alex who was still sleeping on the bed.

Robbie raised an eyebrow and cleared his throat.

"Thank you, Tonya. Kindly let him know I'm coming in a few minutes."

If he had his way, he could have said some mean things to her but he decided to let it go to keep his word to Alex.

Tonya looked up, feeling embarassed and nodded quickly before heading towards the stairs.

Robbie closed the door again and headed back towards the bed. He knew he needed to wake Alex but a part of him dreaded it. Her response to this agreement would seal the fate of both she and her daughter. If only she would agree... but knowing Alex she would still fight him if she could.

But right now, he wanted to enjoy watching her in this peaceful state. Since they came, the endless argument they had earlier, had made him furious.

He didn't like it at all and yet, that's what they have always been. They argued, fought and then they soon reconciled. Either one of them would back down, and everything was fine again. But eversince that incident happened, it seemed like they were throwing stones to each other every time they spoke up.

He sighed. He sat down beside her on the bed, pushed a small strand of hair that fell over her cheek and placed it behind her ear. He let his finger traced her jawline and he lifted her chin. Bending down, he slowly braced for another taste of her soft lips. That lipstick which had always been her favorite color on her, had left a small taste on his lips when he gave her a quick peck awhile ago. Now, he wanted more.

When his face was almost an inch to hers, her eyes suddenly opened wide. Realizing what he was doing, as an impulse her hand lifted up and quickly landed on his smooth cheek.

Robbie was shocked and embarassed. He held his cheek that was now red as a beet and stood up from the bed. He walked over to the window and turned his back on her. He placed his hands on his waist, trying to recuperate from the sudden reaction he had received from her.

"Robbie... I..." Alex tried to apologize as Robbie took deep breaths to calm himself.

He didn't know if he wanted to get mad or not. Looking at it, he knew he was out of line. Somehow he violated her, but then he never expected him to slap him or maybe he was just too vulnerable to even expect it.

Alex stood up from the bed and started to walk towards him. She didn't mean to slap him but then why would he even try to kiss her? Was her dream real then?

"Robbie, I'm-"

"It's fine," he said turning abruptly. "Let's go to the office. Attorney Ledesma is waiting for us downstairs."

He walked towards the door expecting her to follow but instead she just stood there.

"I said let's go, Alex. Why are you still standing there?"

"Don't you even want to talk first?"

He sighed. "I don't get you, Alex. We have been talking since you came and yet, we never really end up finalizing anything."

"So you think if we're in front of Attorney Ledesma, everything will be finalized? I haven't agreed to anything yet."

"Dammit, Alex!" he yelled, his eyes fuming. "I'm tired of this back-and-forth conversation we're having. Why can't you just agree with me? Just for once, for godsakes! It's not even for you. It's for Sasha!"

"Then why don't you give me my freedom?!"

"FREEDOM?! What freedom?! Is ten years not enough for your freedom, Alex?" and he walked briskly towards her. "Ten years, I didn't look for you. Ten years you did whatever you wanted to do and now all I'm asking of you is a chance for my child. MY CHILD, Alex! In case you forget, I still have my rights on her."

She stared at him for a moment, thinking. She took a deep breath before speaking.

"Fine..." she sighed. "I'd agree."

"Finally!" said Robbie, relieved. His face suddenly changed.

"But there's one condition."

"And what is that?"

"I don't want to be married to you. I want a joint custody with Sasha."