Is this destiny?

~ California, Beach house ~

Monday, March 9

9:46 AM

Sarah and Aiden are at the Beach house, talking with their nineteen kids which they brough from the diamond mine in Sierra Leone.

The kids are super-excited to see them after many months.

Sarah and Aiden appeared with Nala and Haru without previous announcement at breakfast time. Kids thought that they are imagining things.

"It is six months since you are here. All of you made great progress in your academics and as fighters…", Sarah spoke to the nineteen boys whose ages range from 17 year old to 12 year old. "We apologize that we were unable to come here and guide you in person as often as we would like to…" Sarah paused while remembering that she is the one who didn't come. Aiden was in a coma so she can't blame him. Instead of taking care of the kids, she focused on Chaos while letting Jesse with other kids to come here occasionally, and the rest of the work was done by various tutors.

Sarah read the reports, but she didn't come in person.

At that time she didn't think about it much, but now when she looks at these kids and how happy they are to see her, she feels guilty for not checking on them.

Aiden placed his hand on her shoulder. "It is my fault that we didn't come. I was unwell and Sarah took care of me.", he explained vaguely.

Kids nodded in understanding and asked Aiden how his health is now and what are plans for the future.

"I am doing well, thanks to Sarah.", Aiden held Sarah's hand in his and interlaced their fingers. "As for the future plans… that is why we are here…"

Sarah looked at Aiden with gratitude. He understood what is bothering her, and was telling her that it's OK and not to blame herself. Her man is amazing like that.

"Seven of you are older than sixteen, and eligible to get a driver's license.", Sarah said. "Those seven will go with us to Los Angeles to take care of that. We will head from here tomorrow. And also, we want to personally check everyone's progress and to talk about your future plans. You have options to stay here, come to Los Angeles and enroll as full time students, or… let us know if you have any other plans. We will do our best to advise and to support you."

"We can come with you to Los Angeles?", a 12 year-old Bas asked in wonder.

"Yes. Who wants to come, can join us tomorrow.", Aiden confirmed, amused by Bas' shock. It's obvious that kids didn't expect this, and that they are looking forward to it.

"What other options do we have? Is it only to study?", a 14 year-old Wally asked cautiously.

Sarah exhaled. It seems he is not very happy with the example to study, and they all told her many times before that they want to be bodyguards. She gestured toward Haru and Nala who are sitting on the side. "They can tell you what everyone else is doing, so you can consider that as well."

Haru and Nala came with Sarah and Aiden for this two-day stay. Jesse and Ron are with the other kids at the Cliffside villa, to take care of Chaos with help of Noah and his deputies. They are all dependable, and Sarah and Aiden are very happy with current progress.

Haru and Nala stepped forward. They know not to talk about Chaos, but they made sure to talk about being bodyguards who can go once a week into a super-popular fight club to hone their skills.

The boys had a lot of questions, and their eyes sparkled.

Sarah looked helplessly at Aiden and they both knew that all the boys will ask to be bodyguards. It is not a secret that they wanted that from the beginning. It seems that their security team at the Cliffside villa will increase from ten to twenty nine. Well, they can accommodate everyone, and it will be livelier. Kitty will enjoy, she gets head scratches from everyone (she prefers her Mommy first, Daddy second and then everyone else).

Sarah was happy that Haru and Nala made a point that academics are important.

"If you slack on your homework, you can't be a bodyguard.", Nala said.

"And you need to do well on your tests too…", Haru added. "The good thing is that you can do everything online, so you don't waste time in class and traveling. And that means more training."

Nineteen kids understood that if they do good in academics, they can be bodyguards.

They spent the morning sparring with Nala, Haru, Aiden and Sarah.

Each of the four took notes with a goal to compare them and assess the progress boys made.

After lunch, they moved onto academics. Sarah and Aiden looked at the reports from tutors, while Haru and Nala watched the boys while they took additional tests.

Sarah also gave them brochures for various schools and programs. "Look into these tonight, so that you can consider it when we talk about your plans. Tomorrow. Even if you want to be bodyguards, we want all of you to have at least a college degree. Understood?"

All boys nodded.

The day ended celebratory. And their celebration is: barbeque on the open. In the Beach house, that means barbeque on the beach.

Lots of food, drinks, laughter, and there was some sparing in the sand as well. It was a lively atmosphere. It was too bad that the ocean is too cold for a swim, otherwise they would go swimming as well.

Haru and Nala were sitting in the middle of it all, sharing a large stone which is sticking out of the white sand. Her head resting on his shoulder. Lately the two of them grew closely together, almost inseparable. Who wakes up first goes to the other one's door and knocks until there is an "I'm awake!" response. They start their days with a morning exercise, then a breakfast… they would study together, even if they are preparing different exams. Holding hands is not awkward anymore, and Haru kissed the back of Nala's palm more times than they can count, but every time it feels nice. And few times, when they were by themselves in the shroud of privacy, Haru kissed Nala on the cheek.

Later that evening…

Aiden is standing on the balcony, facing the ocean.

"What are you looking at?", Sarah asked while her hands wrapped around his chest from the back.

He craned his neck to glance at her. "Did you talk to girls about contraception?"

"What?!", Sarah snapped.

Aiden showed with his chin toward the beach.

Sarah used Eve-vision to zoom in at two shadows which blended into one.

She frowned. "It's Nala and Haru. They are only sitting next to each other. Why are you scaring me?"

"Scaring? In this romantic atmosphere, it is only a matter of time…"

Sarah pinched him on the arm and snorted. "Not everyone is like you."

Aiden rubbed his arm and turned toward Sarah abruptly. "Why did that sound like you don't approve? I remember what we did on that beach, and you made a lot of sounds, but not a single one told me to stop."

Sarah buried her face in his chest and mumbled: "We are different."

"We are in love. And so are they…" Aiden touched her chin, making her look up. "When two people are in love, they want to be close, until their shadows merge into one." He tightened his hold on her and kissed her on the lips. "And they want to kiss each other, and to feel each other… It is a normal thing for people in love, right? You can't deny that."

"No… I won't deny that…", she whispered while getting on her toes to kiss him.

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