"ATE!" Aika was ambushed by Tricia and Jill the second she stepped out of the arrival hall.

"What's with this unusually warm welcome..." Aika joked as Jill offered to take her luggage.

"We were just glad to see you, ate." Tricia grinned cheekily.

"More like you were glad to see my credit card, right bunso?" Aika teased Jill.

"Can't refute that...you know what's it like being a poor undergrad!" Jill leaned her head onto Aika's shoulder and whined.

"One second..." Aika's phone was buzzing. It was Nat.

"Hey, isn't it like 4am there?" Aika turned on the video function at Tricia and Jill's nudging.

"It is, I happened to wake up and wondered if you reached safely..." Nat was obviously half awake.

"HI KUYA! JILL AND I ARE HERE TOO!" Tricia and Jill squeezed next to Aika.

"Oh hi ladies! Please take care of yourselves and your ate for me! I'll call you later, sunshine..." Nat smiled as he waved.

"Go get your sleep, big boy." Aika chuckled as she saw Nat yawn.

"Sunshine? Big boy? I think I have goosebumps..." Jill and Tricia imitated Nat and Aika.

~

"So...tell us more about Singapore! How was it like meeting the in-laws?" Tricia bugged Aika the second they reached the apartment.

"It was great, better than Nat and I expected? Uncle, Auntie and Karine, Nat's younger sister were really welcoming. Oh, Uncle was friends with papa! He knew papa since he was mayor of Naga and even came for his funeral...although I think none of us really had a memory of seeing him." Aika shared.

"No way...does mama know him too?" Tricia and Jill were equally surprised.

"Uncle mentioned that papa and mama helped him the most when he was struggling with the passing of Nat's mother." Aika nodded as she explained further.

"Woah, so you and kuya were destined for each other?" Jill was amazed.

"Destined or not, we did find each other..." Aika smiled.

"Goosebumps but true. Anyways, we have a full course planned out for us powerpuff girls for the next 3 weeks." Tricia and Jill beamed proudly as Jill whipped out her iPad with their schedule.

"Full force until the 24th of December?" Aika looked at the fully packed timeline.

"It's our last dose of fun before going into campaign season, we have to make full use of it, ate!" Jill reasoned.

"Jill's right. Both of us have been so busy that we deserve a break." Tricia agreed.

"Also, I signed me and ate Trish up for a marathon next week." Jill announced.

"Please tell me I'm not involved?" Aika's eyes shook.

"You are. As our cheerleader!" Tricia winked.

"I'd rather do that over running 21km in winter." Aika chuckled.

"That aside, a new restaurant just opened across the street but we haven't got to try it yet because it's so pricey..." Jill showed Aika pictures from Instagram.

"It's my treat tonight, let's go." Aika knew what her sisters were hinting at.

~

"It's been so long since we all bunked in one room...reminds me of when you guys were still so tiny." Aika, Tricia and Jill were squeezed on the king-sized bed together.

"Yeah, Ms 12 years older than me. I was always the one squashed in the middle!" Jill rolled her eyes.

"Now I'm the shortest one and paying back, aren't I?" Aika retorted.

"Let's do a life update. Starting with you bunso." Aika suggested, like the 'boomer' that Jill called her.

"Final semester shenanigans...life is hectic but fun as usual." Jill shrugged. 4 years had passed by in a flash.

"Ehem...Mickey...Ehem..." Tricia faked a cough.

"We are just best friends, I swear!" Jill defended.

"Mickey is mama approved so if by any chance..." Aika added.

"Yeah, yeah...if that by any chance ever happens, I will tell you guys okay?" Jill placated her ates so they would move on.

"Oh...my turn? Erm...I'm doing good? MD life is tough but rewarding." Tricia gave her sisters her signature eye smile.

"Love update with kuya Stephen?" Jill wasn't going to go down alone.

"We're great! Really great in fact. He's considerate about my work and always finds time to spend with me in between breaks..." Tricia smiled as she recalled how Stephen would drive all the way to the hospital to meet her, even for a short 15 minutes. Of course armed with bread and coffee.

"Aww so sweet...what about your big boy, ate Aiks?" Jill swooned.

"Uh, for one, he's really grounded and humble. He's always really intentional about setting aside time to spend alone with me...what else do you wanna know?" Aika didn't know what to add.

"Uh...what about the relationship with Jamie's birth mum? What's it like?" Jill was curious.

"It's good actually. She's really nice and it's obvious that she really loves Jamie. They spend time together every Sunday but Nat's taking it slow for now..." Aika answered.

"Gosh from the pictures I've seen and the times we've met online, I can't wait to see Jamie when I get back next year!" Jill grinned.

~

"What's on the agenda today?" Aika asked as the girls were getting ready for the day.

"Morning bagels and coffee, work for me while you and Ms NYU go gallivanting...." Tricia made a funny face as she held up her scrubs.

"Dr Tricia let's go!" Aika chuckled as she helped Tricia fill up her water bottle.

"Doesn't a long overdue ate and bunso date to random places sound fun, ate? Don't forget your wallet too!" Jill joked as she grabbed Aika's sling bag.

"My name's Aika, not ATM." Aika rolled her eyes. Jill was never a spendthrift neither did she ever whine for anything to be bought for her. In fact, she had been working so hard at her part time job that Aika was the one who offered to pay for the small expenses during this trip.

"Jessica Marie ATM Gerona Robredo sounds pretty nice to me..." Tricia reappeared in her scrubs.

"Yeah, Janine Patricia Key-Misplacer Gerona Robredo. I am begging you to remember where you put your keys..." Jill crossed her arms, remembering how Tricia always texted her about misplacing the keys to their apartment.

"Ok, Jillian Therese Favourite Child Gerona Robredo." Tricia stuck her tongue out.

"In the end, the paborito wins..." Jill silenced her sisters in one sentence.

"Oooh, is that kuya?" Jill peered at Aika's screen. Tricia had grabbed her bagel to go while Jill and Aika sat down to enjoy their breakfast.

Hey, are you enjoying yourself?

Having bagels and coffee with Jill ^^ What are you and my little sweetie doing?

Your sweetie is using me as her make up canvas. Karine kindly shared her makeup with Jamie and now both of them are giggling non-stop.

I need a picture now.

Sunshine, I love you but this is not it...

Actually on second thought, maybe not. I want to enjoy my bagel.

I'll call you when I'm back in my natural state, promise.

Gotcha Mr Canvas.

Love you, sunshine. Say hi to Jill for me.

She's literally part of this conversation already.

"It's so sweet that your iced americano won't even need sugar..." Jill took a sip of her latte.

"Iced americanos aren't supposed to be sweet anyways." Aika retorted.

~

"Jill, smile!" Aika snapped a picture of Jill. Jill had brought her to the trick eye museum.

"Let's take one together so we can send mama, ate and kuya!" Jill passed her phone to a kind passer-by. Jill and Aila spent the entire afternoon laughing over the goofy photo spots and taking unglams of each other.

"Ate, can I ask you something?" Jill set her fork down.

"Hmm?" Aika swallowed her bite of chicken.

"What made you want to commit to kuya Nat? I mean, no doubt he's a great person but there's just so much that seems at stake..." Jill was curious. She hadn't interacted with Nat as much as Tricia or her mama did.

"You know bunso, I asked myself the very same question when Nat first confessed to me. What would it mean for me to date and one day, marry a single father who wasn't even local...not to mention the possible complexity with Jamie's biological mother." Aika confessed. 

"So what convinced you?" Jill was getting invested in the story. 

"A lot of different things actually. Firstly, us getting together wasn't something to be ashamed of or scandalous to begin with. Nat and I were both single. Secondly, although we first met because of Jamie, never once has he made me feel like he was just seeing me to give Jamie a mother-figure. Third, he always had my interest at hear. I don't mean the usual gentleman mannerism but the immense consideration he has for the people around him. When he confessed, he ended with a sentence that told me he was the right person for me..." Aika smiled. 

"Ooooh, what did he say?" Jill leaned in. 

"He said. If you decide for us to remain as friends, I hope you remember that your happiness means the world to me. If being friends with me ever makes you unhappy, please let me know. I will do anything to make you happy, even if it means leaving." Aika repeated what Nat told her word for word. 

"FOR THE LOVE OF TAYLOR SWIFT...Kuya actually said something like that?" Jill's jaw dropped, prompting Aika to close it for her. 

"It's something I've been working on with him...how he's always so used to putting himself down. He tends to put everyone before himself, it ends up hurting him. And I don't want that to continue." Aika sighed. 

"Sounds a bit like you, ate. Putting people before yourself." Jill knew how much her ate sacrificed at times. 

~

"Is it time to pick Patty up from work already?" Aika looked at her watch. It was almost dinner time and Tricia was done for the day. 

"Come on, let's go get our Doc and I'll cook dinner tonight. Anything you two want." Aika offered since she knew Patty and Jill weren't the best cooks. 

"How is my baby...I mean how are my babies doing?" VP Leni laughed nervously as her two older girls gave her looks of disbelief. VP Leni had called them to catch up.

"Ate made us dinner!" Tricia laughed as she held up her plate to show her mama the food. 

"Have you had your breakfast yet, mama?" Aika asked out of concern. 

"Of course I did, Aiks. How can I forget when you got Nat to remind me!" VP Leni chuckled as she recounted how Nat had sent her a message. Good morning ma'am, Jamie wanted to remind her lola Leni to not skip breakfast! 

"I didn't, mama..." Aika was confused. 

"You didn't? Oh, I thought you were the one that asked him for a favour...Gosh, this boy is so sweet!" VP Leni realised that Nat had done so out of concern for her. 

"I bet it's because kuya knew mama was the only one at home and that ate would be worried!" Tricia chimed in. 

"I told Nat thank you already but be sure to tell him again for me! Have fun and don't fall sick!" VP Leni had to go for a morning meeting. 

"Bye mama!" The girls waved goodbye. 

"Swoon-worthy much?" Jill looked at the picture that their mama had sent. Despite being in Singapore, Nat had asked Gabe to help send a food delivery to the OVP. 

"Stephen needs to up his game soon..." Tricia joked as she sent the picture to her boyfriend. As future sons-in-law of the family, Stephen and Nat had built up comradery over the months.

Thank you for sending breakfast to mama <3

My pleasure, sunshine <3

How's work coming along? 

It's good, just tying up some loose ends and trying to secure more funds for our office back in the Philippines. How's the trip coming? 

I'm now known as ATM Robredo. Courtesy of Ms NYU.

You can't see me but I almost laughed out loud in front of everyone. 

Oops. How's my sweetie doing?

She wanted to go back to her old kindergarten and so she's spending half a day there. We'll probably be back in Philippines about the same time as you. You're coming back before New Year's right?

Yep, we land 28th December. Don't miss me too much ^^

You don't know how many times I've watched the interview you did with Rappler in October. And of course, those old interviews you did with Doc and Jill. 

NO YOU DIDN'T...

You bet I did. That fast talk one where you mentioned being in a relationship? 

Uh oh, not that one...

I fathom it wasn't the most comfortable interview that you and Doc had to go through...

It did take us by surprise but we made the best out of it I guess. And about that relationship...

What about it?

Nothing. Also, please don't watch those anymore! I look so bad...

I think you look cute though! My phone gallery is full of screenshots. Wanna see?

No thanks. I think the now me looks better.

Amen to that but I also think you look beautiful no matter what<3

~

"I can't believe that Christmas is in 2 days..." The girls were strolling around the streets and soaking in the festive spirit.

"Mama is going to spend her Christmas with ate Gaile right?" Tricia asked Aika.

"Yep. They are having a simple dinner at home." Aika was grateful that her mama had Gaile and the family.

"What are we doing during Christmas Eve?" Tricia turned to Jill.

"What can be more magical than a White Christmas?" Jill winked.

"Sounds cold but fun already..." Aika chuckled. She had a love-hate relationship with the cold.

"I bet you won't say that when Christmas actually comes around." Tricia teased.

"Are we doing presents between the three of us?" Jill asked the important question.

"Why not? Budget of 20 dollars?" Aika suggested.

"We're in." Tricia and Jill nodded.

"Anyways, the plan is dinner and then an outdoor light show since snow is expected to fall on Christmas Eve!" Jill answered Aika's original question.

"This is going to be a fight between me and sleep..." Aika thought about the cups of coffee she would have to drink.

"Trust me ate, you wouldn't want to miss any part of this." Tricia assured her ate.

~

"Ninang, Merry Christmas!" Jamie was calling Aika with Karine's phone.

"Merry Christmas, sweetie. How was your Christmas? Did you get lots of presents?" Aika smiled as she saw Jamie in her cute Christmas hat and a Rudolph onesie.

"I did. I have a present for you too, ninang!" Jamie held up a a wrapped box to the screen.

"Aww, I have something for you too! We can get exchange it back in the Philippines okay?" Aika held up her present for Jamie too.

"Where's your daddy?" Aika wondered why Nat was so silent except for a brief Merry Christmas text this morning.

"Nat's kinda busy at work...there was a work emergency but he told me to tell you that everything was okay. He said that he'll text you when he's free. Sorry, da sao..." Karine explained.

"All's good, no need to be sorry. Help me wish your parents a Blessed Christmas!" Aika assured Karine.

"See you soon, ninang!" Jamie waved.

"Hey, I heard you're busy. Don't work too hard and don't worry about me. Love you." Aika left Nat a voice message.

"It's so crowded everywhere..." They had finished dinner and were heading towards an open area where people were gathering. The light show was already on.

"They said snow could fall any moment now..." Jill was checking the weather forecast.

"Let me just head to the washroom for a while." Tricia checked her phone and saw that it was 11.45pm.

"Be careful. Do you want me to come with you?" Aika was worried.

"It's just there, I'll be fine..." Tricia pointed to the washroom.

~

"Doc!" Tricia turned at the familiar voice.

"Kuya! Over here!" Tricia waved.

"Sorry I'm late. The traffic was horrible so I ran here from 5 streets away." Nat was panting.

"We still have 15 minutes, come on!" Tricia beckoned for Nat to follow her.

"I'm nervous..." Nat whispered as Tricia pointed out Aika and Jill in the crowd.

"Ready?" Tricia asked.

"Here goes nothing..." Nat held his breath as he approached with Tricia. He stood behind as Tricia joined her sisters.

"Aika." Nat called out softly from behind.

"What...Nat! How..." Aika turned at the voice and saw Nat standing behind her with a smile.

"Surprise?" Nat took a step closer and wrapped Aika in his arms.

"How did you get here? I thought you were still in Singapore?" Aika was still confused.

"Because I missed you. Plus, this is our first Christmas together. How could I miss it for the world?" Nat gave Aika a kiss on the forehead.

"Gosh, you and your surprises..." Aika gently smacked Nat's chest.

"Hey, I flew 24 hours to see you and this is how you say hi?" Nat chuckled.

"Oh, you mean you wanted this?" Aika cupped Nat's cheeks, and tip-toed to give him a peck on the lips.

3...2...1...MERRY CHRISTMAS!

"Merry Christmas and I love you, my sunshine..." Nat wished as he lifted her up gently and swoped in for a kiss.

Tricia and Jill watched as snow started falling, creating a beautiful white frame around Nat and Aika.

Surprise!