"Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass. It's about learning to dance in the rain." - Vivian Greene

I admire you for being so strong, Brielle. Thank you for teaching me to dance and love in the rain. With all my heart, I love you. -Xander

☔︎・☔︎・☔︎

"I know you're busy but I'm getting anxious here. Call me!" I said after hearing the beep, indicating I have to leave a message. I've been trying to get a hold of Xander since yesterday but I didn't get a single reply or call back.

I sighed and just focused on my sketches again. I am working on my spring collection. Mom said I'm working on it too early. It's just December now and we are to release it in March.

I hate working in a rush so I usually start on new designs long before their release. I only do rush work on wedding dresses.

"It's so cold outside," Mom said when she entered our office.

I got startled when I saw her. "Mom, what are you doing here? Who's with the twins?" I asked.

"They're at school," Mom answered, removing her coat.

I nodded before finalizing my sketch. I faced Mom who just sat on her desk and showed her my design. "What do you think?"

She tilted her head to the side. "Don't you think a halter strap would be better?" she said.

I looked at my sketch again. "Really? I think the square looks cute."

"Believe me, the halter gives it an accent," Mom asserted.

"Okay, halter then," I replied before fixing my sketch. I showed it again to her and she gave it a thumbs up.

I breathe a sigh of relief and stretched my arms before standing up. I fetched my coat from the coat rack and wore it.

"Where are you going?" Mom asked.

"I'm gonna grab some coffee," I answered. "Do you want some?"

"I already had some at home," she replied.

I nodded before grabbing my handbag. "I'll be back," I told Mom before exiting the room.

After leaving the boutique, I walked over to the cafe a few blocks away. I ordered my usual before sitting on one of the chairs.

While waiting for my order, my phone rang. I grabbed it from my bag and answered it. "Hello?"

"I have a problem. Where are you?" Jay said.

I shook my head. "You know the cafe near the boutique, right?"

"Okay, I'll be there in ten minutes," he said before dropping the call.

I was called to get my coffee. I stood up to get it before walking back to my seat. I started sketching again while waiting for Jaden.

"One white mocha latte, please," a familiar voice said to the cashier.

I furrowed my eyebrows. It can't be her. She said she was busy so how could she be here?

I turned around and my eyes widened when I saw who it was. "Shine!" I called.

She jumped a little from the shock before facing me. She walked towards me. "You can't tell anyone that I'm home," she said.

"Why?" I asked.

"Nica's birthday is coming up, remember? I wanted to surprise all of you there but then you saw me." She sighed before sitting on the chair across from me.

I chuckled. "This cafe is near our boutique so expect to see me here."

She closed her eyes. "I forgot."

"Why are you home? I thought you were busy," I said.

"Short vacation." She shrugged. "I'll leave after New Year."

"That's still a long time!" I squealed.

She laughed. "Did you miss me that much?"

"Of course. You rarely went home," I answered.

"White mocha latte for Shine!" the barista called.

"That's my cue," she said before standing up.

I watched her get her coffee before waving at her because she was about to go. She waved back before exiting the place.

I went back to sketching again but stopped when I saw something shimmer across from me. I looked at it and saw a bracelet. It must've slipped from Sunshine's wrist.

I grabbed the bracelet and placed it in my bag. I'll just give it to her at Danica's party.

"I'm in serious trouble," Jay said when he arrived at the cafe.

"Hello to you too," I said. "What's your problem?" I raised both my brows.

"I accidentally saw Shine's picture," he answered before putting his hand on his forehead.

I laughed. Ever since Shine left, Jay tried his best not to get updated on her whereabouts and what she was doing for a reason we don't know. I just realized why recently because I'm the person he always runs to whenever he has the "Sunshine" problem.

"And what about it?" I asked, suppressing a laugh.

"I..." He sighed. "I miss her," he honestly said.

I whistled. "Wow, you just laid it flat."

"I'm tired of denying, Gabbie. I'd do anything to see her again," he replied.

I was in awe. I am happy Jay finally saw Shine. It's what they both deserve.

I grabbed my phone from my bag and texted Shine. I told her she left her bracelet.

"Hey, are you even listening?" Jay asked, making me look up at him. "Who are you texting?" he asked, trying to peek at my phone but I didn't let him see.

I placed my phone inside my bag. "I'm done now. Proceed," I said.

He sighed. "What do I do? Seeing that picture just made matters worse. I want her back." He groaned.

"You should've realized that when she was–"

I wasn't able to finish what I was saying because I saw Sunshine enter the cafe. Jay did not notice the direction I was looking at.

Shine slowly walked towards us, careful not to make any sound.

"I was so blind, Gabbie." Jay took a deep breath. "It's true that you'll only realize someone's worth when they left. She's been there for me ever since, Gabbie and I'm so stupid not to realize. I like her and I don't know what to do. Where can I find her?"

I cleared my throat. "Turn around." I pointed at Shine who was standing behind him.

He immediately turned around and got startled by what he saw. "Sunshine," he blurted.

"Jaden." Shine gave him a small smile.

I finished my coffee before grabbing Shine's bracelet. "Here you go, Shine," I said as I handed her the bracelet.

"I'll let you guys catch up," I said before grabbing my bag, getting ready to leave.

When I turned my back, Jay grabbed my arm. I faced him and gave him a questioning look.

"I don't know how but thank you," he said.

I smiled. "Treat me to a nice meal when everything works out," I said before finally leaving, feeling accomplished.

☔︎・☔︎・☔︎

"You've been working all day. Where do you wanna go?" Dad asked when he entered our office. Mom stepped out for a bit to work on something.

"Ice skating?" I suggested.

He nodded. "Let's go," he said. I excitedly got up and grabbed my jacket.

It didn't take long before we reached The Rink at Rockefeller. Dad and I had been skating since I was little so going here to skate wasn't really brand new. It's a good thing that it was already dark when we arrived. The lights are so beautiful at night.

Dad and I started skating. We always do weird stuff whenever we skate but my most favorite is when we sing and dance to Disney songs as if we are part of the Disney on Ice show. People were staring but we didn't care. They could judge us all they want but we're having so much fun so to hell with them.

"I'm getting old. I don't remember ice skating to be this tiring," Dad said after we sat down on the bench to take off our skates. We are already finished with our session.

I chuckled. "You want me to massage your back, Sir?" I teased.

Dad shook his head. "You should massage the back of your future husband instead," he said and I looked at him in disgust. He laughed at my reaction.

"I would never do that. Oh, my gosh!" I said, shuddering from the thought. "And really, Dad?! You, of all people, are talking about my marriage when you didn't even want me to get a boyfriend in the first place."

He shrugged. "I changed my mind and besides, I am at ease because you're going to be marrying a good man," he answered.

"Why are we talking about this suddenly?" I asked. "Xander hasn't even asked me to marry him."

"There's no better time than now," Dad answered. "Your mom and I will have to face the music eventually. I can't say we're ready to let you go but we'll accept whatever comes our way."

"I won't be leaving just yet. I assure you," I said.

He turned to his side and got something out of his pocket. It was a small box. He handed it to me. I opened it and saw the most beautiful raindrop necklace.

"I gave your mom a raindrop figurine before," he said, referring to the figurine that was on Mom's office table. I remember Mom telling me that she only found out it was from Dad years after they got married.

"I gave her that because I realized my love for her under the rain," he explained. He took the necklace out of the box and helped me wear it.

He smiled at me. "Now, I'm giving you this because just like your mother and me, I want you to choose love even on the rainiest of days."

☔︎・☔︎・☔︎

"Where are we going?" I asked Mom after getting some stuff. We'll be gone for the night and she didn't tell me where we're heading to. She just said that it's for work.

"You'll know later," she answered.

"What about the twins?"

Mom groaned. "Do you want to join me or not?" she asked, getting annoyed by my questions.

"I'm just worri-"

"Your Dad's home and Maxwell is too. Nothing to worry about."

I sighed. "Okay, okay," I said before walking to the garage.

"We'll use my car," she said before getting in the driver's seat. I placed my stuff in the back before walking over to the passenger seat.

"I'll drive," I told her before getting in.

"No," she replied.

"Mom, let me. I don't want you to-"

"Marina Gabrielle!" she scolded.

I pouted and just buckled my seatbelt. "Parang 'di naman pamilya."

"You know I can understand you," she said and I rolled my eyes.

I just played some songs on the way. As usual, NYC is still the busiest at night. It still had the same energy and vibe ever since.

After a few minutes, Mom stopped the car. I furrowed my eyebrows and looked around. We're at a diner.

"Marina, can you get my order for me?" Mom said while handing me her wallet.

"You already ordered?" I asked.

"Yeah, I called a while ago," she said and I just nodded before getting out of the car.

Before I could enter the diner, someone grabbed my arm. I was about to slap that person but stopped myself when I saw who it was.

"Xander!" I exclaimed before hugging him. I haven't seen him in weeks.

"What are you doing here?" I asked.

He smiled. "I wanted to see you."

"How did you know I was here?"

"I got a little help," he said before signaling Mom's direction. I looked at her and she waved. I gasped when I saw Dad too with Max and the twins.

"What's happening?" I asked.

"Remember this place?" Xander said, ignoring me. "This is where you agreed to become my girlfriend. The site where Mission: Payback started."

I smiled while remembering that day. It was one of the best nights of my life. After admiring Xander for so long, he finally became mine.

"That time, I didn't like you yet. I just wanted to get the plan done so that my mom will finally be proud of me," he confessed. "I didn't think I would fall this hard for you. I am in love with you to the point that losing you now will make me insane so I want to set things right."

I covered my mouth when he kneeled on one knee and held out a ring. I pinched myself secretly to see if I was dreaming, but no, everything was real.

"Marina Gabrielle Winters, my mission is to become the best husband to you. Part of this is to make you happy until we both shall live. Will you grant this mission?" he asked.

My eyes started to water. Who would've thought that the man of my dreams and the man who hurt me but also built me is now kneeling in front of me asking me to marry him?

I wanted to answer yes right away but I thought of something.

"If it rains, it's a yes," I answered.

Xander stood up in shock. Mom held her mouth and Dad shook his head.

"Like mother, like daughter," Dad said. "Does snow count as rain?"

"I'm gonna get the hose," Mom said and was about to walk away when I laughed.

"I'm kidding!" I said and all of them breathe a sigh of relief. "I'm not doing the same thing you've done before, Mom. I don't want to take any more risks. I've already exited the dark tunnel and I don't want to go back," I told Mom. "I know you said that before for assurance but what if it didn't rain that time and you ended up losing that one person who made you feel like you're in cloud nine? You were very brave, Mom. I'll give you that but I'm not as brave as you," I added.

Mom smiled proudly. I can tell by the way she looks at me that she is proud of my choice.

"I can't risk the chance of being with this amazing man right here." I looked at Xander. "I don't need assurance anymore. His love is enough to make me feel at ease," I said while looking him in the eye.

Suddenly, everything came flashing back. Xander and I had been through a lot. We were dragged to something we didn't even want but found solace and comfort in each other.

"Would you like to spend the rest of your life with me?" Xander asked.

I bit my lip before nodding. "Yes, Xander. It would be my pleasure," I answered.

Xander slipped the ring on my finger and embraced me. Mom and Dad cheered. Maxwell and the twins did too.

Love can come in different shapes and forms. It could be what you hoped for or turn out completely out of proportion.

Our story was a result of one of the biggest problems of love, pain. All my life, I had to deal with a lot of emotion. People would ask me if I am okay and I would lie telling them that I am when I'm really not but when Xander came, everything changed. I found the true meaning of being okay and learning that there are times when it's okay to not be okay. He was part of the reasons why I'm broken but in his arms right now while hearing the beautiful beat of his heart, I can finally say I am healed.