Is this destiny?

Bridgette got her turn to hold Lia. She was making silly faces and talking in baby-language to make Lia laugh.

"You like babies.", Steve said when he took a seat next to Bridgette.

"Don't you?"

"I'm going to like all our babies.", Steve said with a sly smile.

"Can I hold her a bit?", Penny asked Bridgette while gesturing to Lia.

"Me next.", Emma announced while standing next to Penny.

"Sure…", Bridgette responded to Penny while her eyes darted toward Steve who was looking at Bridgette like he wants to have her for lunch. Since they got engaged, Steve is much more... intense.

A shrill double-scream came from the side when Elanor and Stella found out that Sophia is pregnant.

Stella glanced at Edward who was sitting nearby and staring at them. She knew that he heard the news and is currently processing it.

"Are you sure?", Elanor asked Sophia excitedly.

Sophia gestured for them to calm down. "Yeah. Actually, I'm more than two months along. Everything looks fine so far, and… it's a boy."

Stella's bright smile faded while she carefully observed Sophia. "Why do you look like you lost weight? Are you eating enough?"

Sophia sighed. "Don't remind me. Only few days ago I started keeping my food down. But I still eat mostly dry food..."

When Sarah and Aiden joined others in the garden, Sarah was surprised to see that Vincent, Ashley, Russel and Anita are there.

She regretted not being able to control her expression, because they noticed and assumed that she is not happy to see them.

"We had a meeting with Jeff, and he said that there is an awesome party this afternoon, so we thought of joining.", Vincent explained their presence. "We hope it's not a problem."

"Please, make yourselves at home.", Sarah assured them that they are welcome.

She found it a bit suspicious that if Vincent and Russel are here for a meeting, how come Ashley and Anita are here as well? Sarah does not mind because she has a good opinion of Ashley and Anita, they got along well during Ellie's and Jasper's wedding. However, when she looked at Aiden and saw him smiling slyly, she confirmed her doubts that this is not a coincidence. He invited them. Well, she definitely does not mind.

Just before lunch, Paulette, Ava and Luna arrived. Paulette is Ellie's assistant, and Ava and Luna are models who work with Ellie often. Sarah and Aiden met all three of them before Ellie's wedding when they were modeling for EY. The three of them jokingly said that they are coming to represent Ellie and Jasper who are currently on her honeymoon and unable to join in person.

Sarah saw Jarred sitting with Elanor and Oscar and then her sight landed on Mason and Ryder (lieutenants from the White foundation) who were there with few of their closest subordinates.

Sarah's eyebrows shoot up in surprise at the sight of Noah and Aaron who were seated at the table next to each other and talking in low voices.

Sarah looked at Aiden and blinked. "You invited Aaron and Noah?"

Aiden forced a smile. "Maybe I don't like them, but I know that you do."

Sarah was not sure how to respond to this. Is it possible that the green monster of jealousy in Aiden is under control? She wondered, if it's the other way around, and those are two girls… would she be so magnanimous? Probably not.

While Sarah was in her thoughts, at the table where Noah and Aaron are sitting…

Noah and Aaron were catching up on what they are doing since their incident in Austin when Sarah and Aiden demonstrated what happens with people who dare to plot against them.

Aaron mostly spoke about his modeling career, and Noah had difficulty explaining his last nine months without mentioning the army of Chaos.

"I regret my actions, and I decided to dedicate my time on helping Sarah.", Noah said vaguely.

Aaron's face lit up. "Me too."

Noah smiled knowingly. "I hope that she will forgive me."

"Me too.", Aaron repeated and observed Noah for few seconds before asking. "You like her?"

Noah lowered his head and sighed. "I am not worthy of her."

Aaron patted Noah's shoulder to comfort him. "Me neither."

Noah shoot a side glance to Aaron. "I'm not giving up. I will stand by her side and be there when she needs someone to rely on."

Aaron smirked. "Me too."

The two of them found more than one topic in common (all related to Sarah) and they were lucky that Aiden didn't hear them, or he would kick them off the planet.

When few more high-ranking people from the army of Chaos arrived, Aiden told Sarah how that is everyone. Probably.

She laughed.

Members of the army of Chaos present (Noah included) already saw faces of most generals and over time (and numerous missions), Sarah and Aiden developed confidence that these people will not disclose their identities recklessly. Well, based on the information they gathered, King (who is currently their biggest threat, and why the whole army of Chaos started) already suspects that it's them behind the army of Chaos, so keeping it a 'secret' is more of a formality.

The biggest secrecy currently was needed for Kitty. It is not legal to keep large cats as pets in California, but Sarah told everyone that Kitty is not a pet. She is family. Who is here illegally. And that they should treat her as a distant cousin who is staying with them without papers. Newcomers all confirmed that they will not mention Kitty to anyone.

Sarah thanked them for understanding, but she is not really concerned. Animal control can't approach the villa without Eve alerting them and by then Kitty will hide in her spot on the fifth floor underground while everyone in the house will swear that they never saw any black panther (they practiced).

After a lengthy chat with Noah, Aaron found a spot next to Paulette, Ava and Luna. He knows them because he did few gigs for EY (thanks to Sarah).

Ron, Zula, Haru and Nala were at the table with Mike and Tiffany. By the way Nala and Tiffany talked, everyone could see that the two of them are good friends. Nala and Tiffany bonded additionally since Tiffany started coming regularly to the Cliffside Villa for her trainings. Tiffany is accompanying Emma who is taking her training seriously. After Emma confronted Aileen in the restroom of her rehabilitation center, Emma's resolution to toughen up increased. She does not want to be Charlie's weakness.

Mike was seated next to Tiffany and on his right was Kitty, holding her head in his lap and enjoying the head-scratches Mike provided.

Ryan and Sean were next to Allen and Julius, discussing latest moves and progress in their training and studying. Ryan and Sean are officially staying in the Charlie's guesthouse, but they are spending about half of their time at the Cliffside villa, training and studying with Allen and Julius. The four of them are very good friends.

Jarred was with Mason and Ryder at the same table with Hill and White parents and it was a natural flow of people taking their seats and chatting lively.

By the time the lunch was served, kids and the staff joined at the tables, and even bodyguards who came with the guests. Everyone was welcome.

Sarah looked at people sitting and chatting while enjoying their meal, and counted more than a hundred.

"I never had so many people to celebrate my birthday.", Sarah said while hugging Aiden. "Thank you."

Aiden arched his eyebrow suspiciously. "Really? I thought there were more people at your party last year, when Stella and Edward hosted."

"More people, yes. But more friends, no.", she clarified. "I can say with confidence that everyone present is friendly and means no harm. That means a lot."

Aiden was happy to hear that. He knows that Sarah always craved to be surrounded with people who don't try to take advantage of her, and his heart was full with knowledge that he is the one who arranged all this, and that she approves.

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