Ever since her pregnancy started, Kylie noticed that her husband got clingier by the day. It all started with random kisses on her belly. Then, he'd whisper things to their son that, apparently, she wasn't supposed to hear. Next, the eagerness to come home. It melted Kylie's heart that her two boys already loved each other before they met, but sometimes it gets a little impractical. Like now for an instance, he doesn't wanna go to work.

"Love, you have to," Kylie stood her ground. She sat on the couch with her eight months old belly in front of her and Ruru's face gently pressed against it.

"I don't want to," he pouted. "Anak, tell Mama you want Baba to stay here."

"Love, I'm sure the baby understands if Baba goes to work because it's for him din naman," she smiled at him, running her fingers through his hair.

"Ayokong iwan siya, kayo," he stated dramatically and kissed her bump. "I mean, what if pag-laki niya, magagalit siya sa akin dahil I left you guys for work?"

"Ru, huwag kang OA- aray!" she winced as the baby kicked hard against her womb.

"Don't call me OA daw kase."

"It's just for a few hours naman eh. You'll be back really fast," Kylie reasoned, hoping to convince him because even as early as now, when her boys worked together, it was so hard to resist.

He only looked at her with whale eyes.

"Ganito nalang. The sooner you go, the sooner you'll be able to get back, diba? Diba, Anak?"

Ruru sighed in defeat, "Okay, fine."

"That's my boy!"

He zoned out for a bit to a universe where only him and his baby existed. "Anak, aalis muna si Baba, ha? Work muna si Baba. You understand naman, diba? Ginigawa ko lang naman to para sa iyo at kay Mama, para pag-labas mo may toys ka tsaka books and food and everything you'll want and need. Ayoko naman talaga umalis, Baby, pero kailangan pero promise ko, babalik ako kaagad, ha? Babalik ang Baba kaagad, mabilis lang ako. I love you," he kissed her belly in between sentences.

Then, he felt movement and there was a little bump against his lips for a split second before the movement stopped.

"Our son just leaned in to your kiss," Kylie grinned.

"I know," he whispered with eyes as wide as saucers, "Isn't that just amazing?"

"It is, Love."

"Bye, Amir. Baba has to go now. I love you, Son," he whispered like he was afraid his voice would scare the baby.

"Bye, Baba," Kylie replied as he kissed her good bye.
-
Never did Ruru ever think that he could fall in love this deeply with someone he just met three days ago. He never thought he would fall in love so quickly with a guy so small, but it happened. It happened. He is so in love with this tiny living thing he calls his son.

Ruru crouched into his son's crib and placed support where it was needed. He then lifted the baby and carried him. There was nothing wrong, the baby wasn't crying, he just really wanted to hold his son in his arms.

"Holding you in my arms feels like holding a miracle, Baby," he said, slowly sitting on the rocking chair.

He couldn't help but marvel at this little miracle of life that has proven to him just how great the wonders of this universe really are. His heart turned into goo at the mere sight of Amir.

"Hey, little man," he whispered as he brushed the back of his hand against Amir's cheek, "You could use some man-to-man talk after all those months in Mama's body, huh?"

He took a moment to gather himself.

"You know, son, I know you'll find this out someday, so I'll tell you now. The world is a cruel, cruel place, Baby. There are mean people everywhere. They'll tell you mean things and make you feel bad about yourself, but I'll tell you one thing. Baba and Mama are going to be your refuge. We're gonna shield you from everything, 'Nak, promise. We will always be at your back, okay? When you grow up," he stopped mid-sentence, realizing that just the thought of this tiny thing growing up made his chest tighten.

"Anak, this part is really, really important, okay? Mean people out there are going to tell you you're an accident, I just know it. But, you should never believe them, Son, never ever. You are the greatest treasure that has ever came into me and Mama's lives, Amir. You make me a better person. There is absolutely nothing in this world that could compare to how happy you make Mama and Baba. And I can only hope I do the same to you."

He paused.

"Amir, Baba knows nothing about being a father. It's my first time having a son, Anak. I don't know anything about this fatherhood stuff, but, for you, I'm gonna try, okay? I'm gonna try my best to pretend like I know what I'm doing," he snickered to himself, "But, Baby, there is one thing I know and I guess this will have to serve as an outline for me- it's that I want you to be happy, Son. I want to raise you happy and kind and healthy, that's all that matters to me concerning you."

He rocked the boy in his arms and touched his cute little chin and the areas around his mouth making the baby open his mouth as a reflex, bringing out his little dimples.

"My beautiful boy," he silently gushed, "I love you."

A sudden burst of light filled the dimly lit nursery as the door opened, revealing the silhouette of the woman Ruru calls his wife.

"Hey, what are you doing still up?" he asked as Kylie walked towards them in her nightgown.

"Shouldn't I be the one asking you that, Love?" Kylie responded, her voice thick with sleep.

"I'm not the one who had to go through four days of labor, mi amore," he kidded, kissing Amir's forehead.

"Love, put him back in the crib na. Let's go back to sleep," she yawned.

"I don't wanna put him down," he whispered. "I feel like if I put him down, when I pick him up again tomorrow, he'll be so big already. I know it's probably too early along for this, but I just wish time could slow down for us."

"I know, Love, I want him to stay this little forever too," she said. She never really thought she would say those words. She used to think they were cliché, but now she understood. They both understood.

Suddenly, Amir's face muscles came alive and his lips started to form a curve, a smile. He was smiling in his sleep and that was the most adorable thing they ever witnessed in their whole existence.

"Baby, you're so full of surprises," Kylie giggled.

"Little lover boy, not too fast, okay? Not too fast," Ruru whispered and brushed one finger against the baby's arm. "Stay this little muna."
-
"Go, Baby! You can do it!" Kylie cheered as her son started to wobble his way to his father one shaky step at a time.

"Go on, Son. You're doing such a good job," Ruru widely grinned, his arms wide open for his son.

Amir's face was a canvass painted with colors of determination as he put his chunky baby legs to use. Saliva was dripping down his chin, bit his parents didn't care because he was taking his first steps.

One foot in front of another, he walked and right when he was about to fall on his face, a pair of arms caught him by the armpits. He was raised up to his father's head level and kissed on the cheek.

"Well done, Amir! Yey!" Kylie clapped in front of him, trying to get him to copy her.

"Good job, Anak!" Ruru applauded subtly.

The baby saw his parents' clapping hands and looked at his own. He started swinging them together and realized he was doing it! He let out a toothless grin full of pride.

"You did it, my boy! We're so proud of you!" Ruru jests and kissed the infant's chubby cheeks.

Just a week ago, Ruru was asked in an interview about being a father to an unexpected kid. At first, he was offended at how rude the interviewer was for saying that about his son. He wanted to strangle the guy.

He was a hundred and one percent sure the guy would receive an online beating from the fans on how mean he was to their baby brother (which did happen).

"My son is the best surprise I have ever received and being a father to him is like doing a favor for the president. To be honest po, mamasabi ko talaga na it's the most fulfilling job I will ever have. And gusto ko lang po talaga na malaman niyang he and his mother are the best things that ever happened to me," he had smiled and pretended like it was okay.

"Baba, you there?" Kylie waved her hand in his face.

"Oh, I'm sorry just zoned out for a moment," he bashfully chuckled and kissed his son's nonexistent neck.
-
Ruru just loved to play with his son. To other people, it was nothing special because playing with your kid is a priority, but to him, it was something amazing. It gave him so much joy because when they play, he is being permitted to enter his little boy's world. It was wonderful to see the world through Amir's eyes. In his eyes, the world was filled with majestic dragons, warriors that have won countless battles, and spider-shaped shadows that ate children. In Amir's world, waterfalls were made if lemonade, streets were strips of fruit roll-ups, trees were homes of powerful gnomes and wise sages, and a simple fort was a refuge against a vast battlefield.

"Baba, the spider-monkey alien is in the kitchen! I saw it!" three-year-old little Amir exclaimed, his words stumbling upon one another.

"Oh no! Mama's in the kitchen, Super A!" Ruru played along, feigning a worried face like the great actor that he was.

"We're coming, Mama! We'll save you!" the boy exclaimed before running out of his room.

Ruru followed shortly and caught up with him, "Oops, can't run on the stairs, Bud."

He scooped down to carry the little critter and speed walked down the stairs.

"Down, Baba, please! I need to go save Mama from the spider-monkey alien!" he squiggled.

"But, there's lava on the floor, you need to fly, Super A!" he exclaimed and put his son on superman position and blasted towards the kitchen.

"Mama!" Amir called out as they entered the kitchen.

"Yes, my lovebug?"

"Spider-monkey alien! Baba, we need to save her!" he dramatically exclaimed as his father put him down. The boy wobbled the toy sword he had and started to stab imaginary aliens.

"Am I safe yet?" Kylie chuckled.

"This is no laughing matter, Mama," Amir stated and continued 'fighting' with unseen beasts of the dark.

Ruru laughed at how mature that just sounded coming from a three-year-old, "Yeah, Mama. No laughing matter."

"Where's my trusty sidekick?" Amir asked.

Ruru quickly went back to his playful mood and held his toy sword sturdily, "Right here, Super A."

"Aaah! It's right behind you! Oh no! It bit you! You're on of them now! Aaah!" Amir shrieked, horrified and pointed his sword at Ruru. "Mama, run!"

Ruru let out a loud roar and tightened his joints to make his body look like a monster's.

"My sidekick is a spider-monkey alien now! Oh no!" he exclaimed hitting Ruru on the abdomen. "Die, spider-monkey alien, die! Die!"

"Roooaaaar!" Ruru said before running after his son who quickly sprinted to the living room. "I'm gonna get you!"

"No, you won't! I'm Super A, you can't get me!" the boy said proudly as he stood on the coffee table.

"Baaah!" Ruru startled as he sprang from the bottom of the table and swept the boy in his arms. "I got you! Now, I'm gonna eat you alive! Roooaaaaar!"

"Nooo!" he shrieked and thrashed his arms around playfully.

Ruru started to forcefully nuzzle on Amir's belly while his hand was on the child's underarm. He gently nibbled on his pudgy belly which made the youngster laugh even harder.

"Baba, stop! Stop, it tickles!" he managed to say in between giggles.

"What was that? You want me to tickle you harder?"

"No! No! Baba, have mercy on me please!" he pleaded, making Ruru laugh at his choice of words.

"Okay, okay, I'll stop," Ruru smiled and positioned the kid upright and kissed his cheek.

"Naptime, lovebug!" Kylie announced.

"Nooo," he whined before yawning, "I don't want to. Baba, I don't like naptime."

Kylie gave Ruru a look that told him not to take his son's side this time.

Ruru cleared his throat, "Amir, Anak, nap ka muna tapos play ulit tayo later."

"Baba, nooo!" he whined again, throwing his head back as tears prickled the back of his eyes.

"Hey, Super A needs some rest too, you know. Tignan mo, you didn't nap, I caught you kaagad," Ruru reasoned, trying to soothe the little boy. "Sige na, nap na tayo?"

Amir pouted, "Baba, nap with me."

"I'll nap with you, promise," Ruru hid his grin and kissed the child's sweaty hair.

"Go na, you two, naptime," Kylie chuckled, pushing Ruru towards the stairs.
-
Amir slept peacefully, his tiny arms wrapped around Ruru's muscular arm. His head was pillowed upon his father's shoulder.

"Is he asleep?" Kylie asked in a whisper as she entered the room.

"Yeah," Ruru shortly replied. "He's so cute, look at him."

"He looks like a Koala bear wrapped around your arm like that," she snickered.

"Do you still think he's a Mama's boy?" Ruru grinned, challenging her.

"Neh, not anymore," she shook her head. "He's a Baba's boy now."

Ruru pumped his free hand in the air, a sign of sweet victory. It made the bed shake.

"Baba," Amir tightened his grip.

Baba's boy indeed.
------
Dedicated to @keirralou because I was literally halfway done with the chapter when you requested. Thanks for being there since the start.

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