“NEVER BEEN THIS HAPPY”

It was a tiring but happy day for Joaquin and Lara. And even though she didn't ask, she knew that their daughter, Callie, felt the same way. Even though she didn't tell her about that. Or even if she didn't ask, it wasn't hard to tell because it was obvious from the bright sparkle in the girl's eyes.

"She asleep already," she said to Rodolfo who was on the terrace of their house and was getting some fresh air.

What she was referring to at that moment was Callie. The connection between her husband and daughter cannot be denied because they were unable to tone down their daughter until Joaquin accompanied her to her room to read her favorite fairytale book. The Beauty and the Beast.

It was eight o'clock in the evening and they had finished eating dinner. Leandro was in the living room and was busy watching TV.

"Would you like coffee or tea, Papa?" she asked Rodolfo as she sat down in the garden chair opposite the one her father occupied.

The old man shook his head one after another. "It might be difficult for me to sleep if I will have coffee this late, Lara," he said, following what he said with a soft laugh.

Lara just nodded at what her father said and then sighed even though she was smiling.

"That was deep," Rodolfo joked to her, referring to the deep breath she took and released.

Lara immediately laughed weakly at that joke. Then she opened her mouth again to speak although the beautiful smile remained on her lips.

"That's a sigh of happiness, Papa," she promptly explained still smiling.

Rodolfo nodded before speaking. "I know, and even if you don't say it, I can see it in your eyes. Aside from the fact that I can feel it too," he said.

"Am I that obvious, Papa?" asked Lara in disbelief in a tone that she couldn't help but mix with overwhelming joy.

Rodolfo just shrugged his shoulders to answer her even though she could see in his eyes that he was happy for her too.

"My family is complete, Papa," she said in a way that was not loud because she didn't want anyone to hear the other things that she wanted to say.

"Your dream for Callie has come true," Rodolfo agreed with what she said.

Lara nodded then grabbed her father's hand. "Can’t you change your mind, Papa? It would be happier if you were here in this house with us," that was true inside her.

"I understand and you are right about that. But you also know what my reason is, don't you?"

"Yes, Papa. And like you, well, I understand you too. I just can't help feeling somehow sad because I'm used to always being with you," she said, squeezing her father's hand afterward.

"But sweetheart since we are here already. I just want to remind you of what you must confess to your husband," in his usual calm tone, that's what she heard from Rodolfo next.

Lara's chest rose again because of that. Then her grip on Rodolfo's hand got even tighter because of the worrying feeling that suddenly came to life in her chest.

"I will never forget that, Papa. The truth is that I am afraid of my husband's possible reaction. Also, I don't know how to tell him the truth. How do I start," she admitted to her father.

"It doesn't matter how you confess to him. While you prolong everything, you keep denying your husband the truth. But do you know who is the most victim here? Your daughter. So please stop delaying, Lara. Even before he learns the truth from another person or in a different way," Rodolfo advised her, still in his calm and understanding tone.

Rodolfo's words echoed repeatedly in Lara's ears like a broken record.

"Papa, you're scaring me," she said humming like a sullen child.

She couldn't stop herself from reacting like that because that was how she felt. She was afraid of what Rodolfo said, so her chest pounded even more. Although she knew that she didn't have to give in to such emotions, she still couldn't help it because her father had a huge point.

Her father let out a soft laugh before answering what she said.

"I'm not scaring you, sweetie. I'm just stating the possibilities that can happen. And if that's how you're referring to how you feel, maybe you need to prepare yourself just in case," he said to her.

Lara swallowed at what she heard.

She knew it was not her father's intention to scare her. Because just like what he explained, he's just telling her what might happen if she continues what she's been doing. By keeping Joaquin, a secret.

"But do you think he will be angry with me if I confess?" Lara still asked even though the truth was that she knew what her father would answer.

Maybe she just wanted to hear a different answer from him. So that’s why she asked a question whose answer was obvious or easy to predict.

“That's possible, yes, Lara. But a lot can change if you confess and explain everything to him as soon as possible. Even if it's just like what I told you, everything might get worse if someone else happens to hear about your secret," he told her.

"But Papa, no one else knows everything except you and Cynthia," she insisted.

That's when her father sighed. “There are many ways to reveal that secret, Lara. So, before the thing that you fear happens, listen to what I'm telling you,” insisted Rodolfo.

Lara knew that everything her father said was right. She was only able to reason with him at the moment because of the fear she was feeling. And that gives her the courage and reason to stand for her beliefs.

"Don't let the dream that you've already achieved be destroyed, Lara. Even though you see that Joaquin is a good person and loves you very much, you still don't know what he can do once he gets hurt," Rodolfo advised again and patted her hand that remained on the table.

Lara nodded and then smiled at the old man. "Thank you for all the understanding and reminders, Papa," she said.

"You are welcome," he replied standing up. "I'm going to sleep. Wait, will my granddaughter’s nanny come tomorrow?"

"Yes, Papa," she answered, the enthusiasm in her voice returned.

"Has your husband known her for a long time?"

"Yes. She also took care of Joaquin when he was young," she answered.

She had already told Rodolfo the details about her husband.

While according to Joaquin, he called his former nanny named Loring in the province. She is said to be a widow and has an adopted son who will take care of the variety store she has.

"It's good then. It is better that you know who will take care of Callie. Only a few people can be trusted nowadays," said her father.

Lara did not comment on what Rodolfo said. Instead, she just nodded her head in agreement with what he said.

"I'm going to sleep, you too rest. I know you are tired of all these moving kinds of stuff," he said to her.

"Okay, Papa," she said.

Lara's eyes just followed her father's moving bulk. While in her heart, she couldn't stop the sadness that was once again living and growing in her chest. It was because of the thought that she would be separated from Rodolfo.

Yes, and once her father lost his way, and it started when her mother died. Rodolfo loved her mother very much.

And it was Rodolfo's wandering that paved the way for her and Joaquin to meet. So, she got pregnant and had Callie in her life.

But despite those mistakes, Rodolfo made up for her. He changed and went back to being a good father to her. Even though she wasn't his flesh and blood, he didn't make her feel like she was someone else.

Maybe there is such a man. Unlike her biological father whom she doesn't know and has no idea where he is.

Maybe that explains how Joaquin treats Callie.

At the thought, Lara was stunned.

Of course, she and Callie have different situations.

Because she knows that Joaquin and Callie have a special bond. And that is what they say leap of blood.

So, Rodolfo is right.

She has to confess the truth to Joaquin so as not to destroy an entire family that the Lord has now given her. A whole family for Callie that she had long dreamed of.