"In any given moment we have two options: to step forward into growth or step back into safety." -Abraham Maslow

You make me proud everyday, Marina. Always remember to rest and enjoy, okay? Love you ♡ -Mom

☔︎・☔︎・☔︎

6 years later...

"Your car is outside, Ma'am. We left it to the Airport Customer Helper five minutes before your arrival," my assistant, Mia informed me.

"Thank you. Clear my schedule for next week. I won't be going to the boutique. Tell everyone who calls that I will be accepting requests when I'm back," I told her.

"Noted on this, Ma'am," she replied.

"Alright. I have to go. Thank you," I said before ending the call.

As I went out of the airport, I instantly saw the helper standing next to my car. I approached him and gave him my name before getting my keys. He helped me load my bags and I gave him a tip before I drove off.

I just got back from France. I was part of the invited designers for Paris Fashion Week that was held last week. I then extended my stay to tour around Paris and get inspiration for new designs.

"What should I do to get some help on here?" I complained while I'm unloading my stuff. I have already parked my car in our garage.

After getting my bags out, I brought all of them in one by one. I sat on the couch to catch my breath after getting everything inside.

"Maxi, no! Stop!" someone squealed from the kitchen.

I rolled my eyes when I saw Penelope, Faith's sister running out of the kitchen, and Maxwell was chasing her. He was holding a bag of flour.

"So this is the welcome back I get," I said.

Both of them stopped chasing each other and faced me. "Hey, Gabbie," Penny greeted.

"We don't want you here. Leave," Maxwell said.

"Aww... I missed you too, Max," I replied.

Penny laughed. "I'll go so you guys can catch up," she said.

"Wash up before you go home," I suggested. She had flour all over her clothes and face.

"It's fine. I'll just wash at home. I asked Faith to come get me." She smiled.

"Alright, then," I answered.

We then heard her phone ring. She looked at it and said, "It's her. I have to go."

She grabbed her bag from the sofa and was about to leave when Maxwell said, "You forgot something."

Penny faced him. "What?"

Maxwell walked towards her and gave her a quick peck on the lips.

"Oh, my God!" I yelled out of shock.

Penny chuckled before holding his face and kissing him again. I sighed. The f*ck is this?

"I love you," Maxwell whispered.

"More," Penny said, tracing his nose.

They said a few more goodbyes before Penny actually left.

"Really?!" I told Maxwell. "Right in front of my salad!"

He laughed. "We didn't notice you were still there."

I rolled my eyes. "There's a Filipino word that perfectly describes you, you know?"

"What is that?"

I moved closer and pinched the left side of his waist. "Maharot!"

"Ow! Hey!" he complained and I laughed.

Maxwell is now 17 years old. He will turn 18 in two months. He's now in his senior year of high school. Time had flown fast.

"What were you doing with Penny anyway?" I asked before walking to the kitchen.

I shook my head when I saw the mess they made. "I was helping her bake cookies for her club's bake sale. We finished two jars," he answered, proudly.

"You were supposed to finish three before you wasted a lot of flour," I said. "Clean this up," I commanded.

He groaned. "Mom can do it."

I glared at him. "On second thought, I'll do it." He laughed nervously before tidying up.

I didn't watch him and went back to the living room to get my bags before proceeding to my room. I took a hot bath and changed into house clothes before going to the room of the twins.

"Who missed their favorite sibling?" I asked when I entered their room. They were busy playing with their toys.

"Ate!" both of them called in unison.

Meet Melissa Gabianna Winters and Mathew George Winters, the twins with different birthdays. Lissa was born at 11:59 pm while George was born at 12:01 am the next day. They're fraternal twins, a girl, and a boy if it wasn't obvious enough. In the end, Maxwell and I got what we wished for.

Mom and Dad chose their names. I didn't agree with the idea of using their ship name as Lissa's second name but they wanted her to be the remembrance of their love story. Maxwell and I weren't so happy with George's name either because he did not get the 'Gabriel' name but we couldn't do anything about it, of course.

They are now five years old and started attending pre-school. Lissa is very bright while George got his wits from Dad but he is very talented in arts. I guess it really runs in the blood.

"I missed the both of you," I said in a small voice while hugging them. They're so tiny and very cute. "What were you up to when I was gone?"

They started narrating everything that they remembered doing. It's funny because they kept talking at the same time. They also showed me their toys as if I haven't seen all of them already.

I always look forward to times when I get to talk with these little bundles of joy. Every time I'm with them, I feel relieved. They brought so much light into our home.

"My twins, here's your snacks," Mom said while opening the door, holding a tray of food.

Both of them ran towards her and grabbed their bowls and drinks. Mom got a little startled when she saw me.

"When did you get home?" she asked.

"A while ago," I answered. "Didn't you notice?"

She shook her head. "I took a nap for a while," she answered before sitting next to me on the floor. We're watching the twins finish their snacks.

"How's Paris?" she asked.

"Beautiful as always," I replied. "They kept finding you on the show though." I sighed. "I was the one there and they keep looking for you. It's so frustrating." I groaned.

She laughed. "What did you tell them?"

"I told them you were working on something and was busy," I answered. "It's true though. I mean, you are busy with the twins," I added and she nodded, agreeing with what I said.

I crossed my arms. "Should I put up my own boutique?"

Mom shrugged. "You should."

I sighed. "But I can't leave LTB. It's like my child too."

"Yeah, it's going to be hard when you leave too. I like what you're doing, Marina. You're giving the boutique a fresh and youthful vibe so forget about what anyone says," Mom said. I gave her a small smile. "I know what I built will always stay safe with you."

"I really needed that, Mom. Thank you," I replied.

She grabbed my hand and squeezed it. "I'm always rooting for you, Marina."

☔︎・☔︎・☔︎

"Where are you going?" Dad asked when he saw me grab my car keys.

It had been two days since I got back and I had been chilling inside the house for the whole time.

"Second Saturday of the month," I said, hinting where I was going.

Dad nodded. "Will you be okay?" he asked.

I gave him a small smile. "I've been doing this for years, Dad. I'll be okay."

He walked me to the garage after that. He opened the garage door for me and watched me drive off.

I stopped by a flower shop and picked up a bouquet before proceeding to my destination.

When I got to the garden, I walked over to the bench and sat there. I roamed my eyes around before setting it on the stone in front of me.

"I brought you flowers," I started. "I hope you're fine there. I hope you're doing great." I smiled lightly.

"I just got back from Paris. Fashion Week was amazing. Paris was still so beautiful," I narrated. "You would've loved it there."

I sighed and looked at the bouquet I was holding. Every time I come here, I still get the same vibe and feeling as I've felt the first time. It's been six years but everything felt like it happened yesterday.

"You're still rehearsing your lines," someone said from behind.

I turned around and glared at him. He laughed before sitting next to me. "It's just my mom, Brielle," he said.

"I don't know why I keep getting nervous, Xander," I said while shaking my hands as if that would help relieve my nervousness.

He held both of my hands and squeezed them in the most comforting way. "You can do this," he said and I nodded before breathing deeply.

We then walked to the entrance of the detention center. We were directed to the visiting room. We saw Tita Sandra shortly after.

She loved the flowers I bought her. She had been into flowers lately. I brought her an ivy bouquet because that reminded me of her. Sometimes dangerous, sometimes sweet.

I have learned to forgive her even if she tormented me. The only way I can move forward is to forgive everyone who had wronged me. I even forgave Xander's cousin. She was the girl who bullied me before and it turns out she was Hanna's daughter. I am still scared of her but I'm trying my best to get used to her presence again and see her as a friend, not a threat.

"How's my son, Gabbie?" Tita Sandra asked when Xander went to the restroom.

"Still so busy with med school," I answered.

She smiled. "I'm so proud of him."

"He never fails to amaze me every time," I added.

I got a little startled when Tita Sandra reached for my hand. She held onto it lightly so that I would calm down. "Thank you, Gabbie. If it wasn't for you, my son wouldn't be the man he is today. Continue keeping him safe in your arms."

I smiled at her before saying, "I will. I won't let you down, Tita Sandra. You can count on me."

☔︎・☔︎・☔︎

"It's such a mess. I'm sorry," Xander said when we entered his apartment. He started picking up his papers and books that were scattered around.

"Third year's tough, huh?" I said, referring to his third year in medical school.

"Tell me about it. I haven't had any sleep yet," he answered.

While tidying up, his phone suddenly rang. He stopped what he was doing and checked who was calling.

He placed his phone in his ear. "What's up, Ma?" he answered.

I smiled. Ever since Tita Sandra got in jail, Mrs. Phillips stood as a mother to Xander. They got close easily and their bond now is so strong. I am happy that Xander finally got along with his stepmother.

"Yes, I'll be home tomorrow," Xander said. "Where's Maddie now?" he asked.

Maddie is now a travel vlogger. She said it had always been her dream to travel the world and share it with a bunch of people. She's so famous now with over ten million followers.

"I'll see you tomorrow, Ma. Say hi to Dad for me," Xander said before ending the call.

He went back to fixing his stuff. I sat on his couch and just stared at him.

Every moment that I spend with him, I am very thankful for it. Who would've thought that I would still be staring at him like this six years later after thinking that he had given up?

I remember that day vividly. It was the worst but at the same time, one of the best days of my life.

"Xander, I'm sorry. I'm sorry if it took me a while to forgive you. I'm sorry if I didn't give you a chance. So please wake up. Don't end our love story here," I said while tears are continuously streaming down my face. I kissed the back of his hand and leaned my forehead on it before whispering, "I love you."

Silence reigned the whole place. No one could talk. If it's because of pity for me, I don't know. All I know was Xander is gone. He left me. He had given up.

I continued crying while still holding him when I felt him grasp my hand. I was startled and everyone was too. His heart monitor started working again and for the first time in months, he opened his eyes and I was the first person he looked at.

He never let go of my hand even when the doctors were checking up on him. He refused to get my hand out of his grasp.

I then started crying tears of joy. It was such a beautiful miracle that I would be grateful for forever.

"Why are you staring at me like that?" Xander asked, breaking me out of my reverie.

"Come here," I said, patting the seat next to me. He hesitated at first because the whole place was still a mess. "You need to rest," I said before pulling him to sit next to me. I placed his head on my shoulder and started combing his hair with my fingers.

He closed his eyes. "There's something I haven't told you before."

"What's that?" I asked.

"When I was in a coma, I had a dream with you in it," he started. "I think it was the time when they were trying to revive me?"

"Did you hear everything I said?" I asked.

"I did but they were modified by my brain," he answered.

I furrowed my eyebrows. "How?"

"I heard it through my dream. I dreamed of prom. I guess my mind wanted me to experience it because I couldn't actually go." He chuckled. "I saw you in the most stunning dress. You were the most beautiful person in the room and for some odd reason, no one asked you to dance and so I did."

"We weren't a couple there and we didn't experience our sh*tty situation. All I knew was I liked you so much and now, I'm dancing with you. We were talking the whole time. Mostly you were talking the whole time and I listened attentively. I think that was how my brain interpreted everything you said while I was being revived," he narrated.

"What happened next?" I asked.

"I remember hearing you say 'I love you' and so I closed my eyes. When I opened them, I saw you crying and holding onto my hand. I wasn't at school anymore, I was at the hospital," he said.

I felt myself tearing up. His dream was so beautiful. It was perfect. That is how I imagined prom would be like if he was there. I imagined it to be a time where I can let loose and be carefree.

"I'm glad you closed your eyes and opened them again to see me," I told him.

He grabbed my hand. "For what it's worth, Brielle, I would always come back for you."

He took his head off my shoulder and faced me. He intertwined our fingers and raised our hands. "I would never let go of this hand again. If I ever did, I want you to kill me. This is a promise I would keep..." He kissed the back of my hand before looking straight into my eyes while adding the word, "Forever."