Today's Forecast: 100% Chance of Changing Plans

Click for the full-resolution version.

About the Image

Serena is looking stylish, even in a downpour, thanks to a new release from JUSTICE for the current round of FaMESHed. The Rowan Shirt and Rowan Skirt are sold separately by mesh body type, offering plenty of opportunities to mix and match. The shirt is fully customizable, with a variety of colors, including string and metal colors, and can be worn with or without the decorative stars (Serena opted to keep hers!). The skirt comes in a selection of denim shades and features an optional advocacy ribbon charm keychain, customizable in different colors to show support for a cause close to your heart. Serena chose yellow in support of endometriosis awareness.

Whether you wear the pieces together or pair them with other wardrobe favorites, Rowan is a versatile addition to your fall fashion collection. Stop by FaMESHed to try on a demo and find your perfect combination!

Complete credits are below the story. Store and event SLurls are available on the Store & Event Links page.

The Story

The smell of freshly baked croissants and warm cinnamon lingered in the air as Serena stepped out of the little bakery in Missing Melody. She had a steaming coffee in one hand and a canvas bag filled with goodies in the other. Inside were buttery croissants, a bottle of wine, a small bouquet of flowers, and the morning newspaper. It was an odd assortment for a breakfast delivery, but she had her reasons.

Gavin had spent the entire night at the veterinary clinic, keeping watch over a critically ill golden retriever named Bailey. The old dog had undergone emergency surgery the previous evening, and although the procedure had gone well, his condition was still touch and go. Gavin had refused to leave until he was certain Bailey was out of danger. Serena had spoken to him around midnight, and again at six that morning. Both times, he’d sounded exhausted.

Serena offered to bring him breakfast, but he’d insisted she stay home and get some sleep. Naturally, she’d ignored that part.

The croissants were for breakfast, the coffee was an absolute necessity, and the newspaper was something Gavin enjoyed reading when he had a rare moment to himself. The flowers were meant to brighten up the clinic’s reception desk. As for the wine, Serena had plans for that later. If Bailey continued improving, she intended to convince her hardworking fiancé to come home, take a long shower, and spend the evening doing absolutely nothing.

She was feeling rather pleased with herself until she looked up.

“Oh, you’ve got to be kidding me.”

The cheerful morning sky she’d admired on her way into the bakery had vanished beneath a thick blanket of charcoal-gray clouds. A flash of lightning illuminated the distant waterfront, followed several seconds later by a low rumble of thunder. A few fat raindrops splattered against the cobblestones.

Serena glanced at her bag, then at the coffee in her hand, and finally toward the street where she’d parked her car several blocks away.

Her umbrella was sitting in the front hall at home. Of course it was.

She considered ducking back into the bakery to wait out the storm, but another glance at the sky suggested that the weather had no intention of improving anytime soon. Besides, Gavin was probably surviving on vending-machine snacks and whatever terrible coffee the clinic had left over from yesterday.

“Right,” she muttered, shifting the bag higher on her arm. “A little rain never hurt anyone.”

She made it approximately twenty feet before the heavens opened.

Within seconds, rain was pouring down in sheets, bouncing off the cobblestones and running in little rivers toward the harbor. Serena spun around and hurried back beneath the bakery’s awning, clutching her coffee against her chest and trying to protect the bag with her body. Her hair was already damp, and the bottom of her long denim skirt had begun soaking up water.

She pulled out her phone and called Gavin.

“Hey, beautiful,” he answered after several rings. His voice was rough with fatigue. “Everything okay?”

“That depends. How do you feel about soggy croissants?”

There was a pause. “What?”

“I’m in Missing Melody. I was bringing you breakfast, but apparently the weather has declared war on me.”

Gavin chuckled. “You’re supposed to be home sleeping.”

“And you’re supposed to be home sleeping, too. How’s Bailey?”

“Better, actually. His temperature’s down, and he managed to lift his head and wag his tail about half an hour ago. I’m cautiously optimistic.”

Serena smiled. “Oh, that’s wonderful! See? Now we have something to celebrate. Assuming I don’t drown on the way to my car.”

“Where are you exactly?”

“Outside the bakery near the waterfront. I’m hiding under the awning, looking like a drowned rat.”

“Stay there. I’ll come get you.”

“Absolutely not! You haven’t slept, and I’m perfectly capable of getting to the clinic myself. Besides, who’s going to watch Bailey?”

“Ben just arrived for the morning shift. He’s keeping an eye on Bailey while I finish my notes.”

“Good. Then you can finish those notes while I rescue your breakfast from this ridiculous weather.”

“Serena—”

“Love you! Bye!”

She ended the call before he could argue.

The rain showed no signs of letting up, but Serena decided she’d waited long enough. She tucked the newspaper deeper into the bag, took a determined sip of coffee, and prepared to make a run for it.

Then a voice behind her said, “Excuse me, miss. Are you planning to swim home?”

She turned to find the elderly bakery owner standing in the doorway, holding a large black umbrella.

Serena laughed. “I was considering it.”

The woman smiled and held out the umbrella. “Take this, dear. You can bring it back another day.”

“Oh, I couldn’t possibly—”

“Nonsense. You’ve been standing out here for ten minutes looking miserable. Besides, I have six more in the back. People are always leaving them behind.”

Serena gratefully accepted the umbrella. “Thank you so much! I promise I’ll bring it back.”

“There’s no hurry. Just get those pastries somewhere dry.”

Twenty minutes later, Serena pulled into the veterinary clinic parking lot, feeling quite proud of herself. The croissants were dry, the coffee was still reasonably warm, and even the flowers had survived the journey. Her skirt, unfortunately, was another matter.

Gavin met her at the door.

He looked every bit as tired as she’d imagined, with rumpled clothes, messy hair, and dark circles beneath his eyes. But the moment he saw her, his face broke into a smile.

“You’re soaked.”

“Only from the knees down. Mostly.”

He took the bag from her and kissed her forehead. “You are an incredibly stubborn woman.”

“Funny. I was just thinking the same thing about you.”

Inside, Serena arranged their breakfast on the little table in Gavin’s office while he went to check on Bailey one more time. She found two mugs, divided the coffee, and spread out the croissants on a paper towel. She put the flowers in an empty glass jar on his desk and tucked the wine bottle into the bottom drawer for safekeeping.

A few minutes later, Gavin returned, looking noticeably happier.

“Bailey just ate a little bit of food,” he announced. “First time since the surgery.”

“That’s fantastic!”

“I think he’s finally turning the corner.”

Serena wrapped her arms around him. “Then I think you’ve earned a proper breakfast. And maybe a nap.”

Gavin glanced at the food, then at the flowers, and finally at the newspaper she’d placed beside his chair.

“You brought all this for me?”

“Well, the wine is for later. I’m hoping to lure you home with the promise of a quiet evening and absolutely no responsibilities.”

Gavin smiled and pulled her closer. “You know, you didn’t have to go to all this trouble.”

“I know.”

“And I hope you’ve learned your lesson about leaving home without an umbrella.”

“Oh, I certainly have! Thank goodness for the lovely woman at the bakery. She took pity on me and loaned me one. Otherwise, you’d be having very soggy croissants for breakfast.”

Gavin laughed. “Remind me to send her a thank-you.”

“Better yet, we can go back together and return the umbrella. They make wonderful pastries, you know.”

“Are you suggesting we make a date of it?”

“Well, I did notice some rather delicious-looking cinnamon rolls…”

Outside, thunder rolled across the harbor, and rain drummed steadily against the clinic windows. Gavin leaned down and kissed her, a long, grateful kiss that made the miserable walk through the storm seem entirely worthwhile.

“Thank you,” he whispered.

Serena smiled. “You’re welcome. Now eat your croissant before it gets cold.”

They settled into the two chairs by his desk, sharing breakfast while the storm raged outside. For the first time in nearly twenty-four hours, Gavin allowed himself to relax.

Halfway through his second croissant, Gavin’s phone buzzed with a message from Ben, who was monitoring Bailey in the treatment room.

Bailey’s sleeping comfortably. Vitals are looking good. Everything’s under control here. Go home and get some sleep, Doc.

Gavin showed Serena the message.

She raised an eyebrow. “Well?”

He looked at the rain streaking down the window, then at the woman sitting beside him.

“Think that umbrella’s big enough for two?”

Serena grinned. “Only if you promise to carry the bag.”

And for once, Gavin was too tired to argue.

CREDITS

Serena

DOUX Leaf Hairstyle (@ Equal10)
Glam Affair Lybra
AvaWay Melody Earbud Anti-Loss Chain
AvaWay Keep Time Necklaces
JUSTICE Rowan Shirt (NEW @ FaMESHed)
AvaWay My Love Belly Chain
JUSTICE Rowan Skirt (NEW @ FaMESHed)
LittleP Bouquet & Bites