Is this destiny?

The audience sighed and giggled at the sight of Sarah and Aiden kissing like no one else is there. Well, most of the people know them as a couple who does their own thing, but this is the first time to see them kiss like this in front of everyone. And everyone IS watching because they are standing on the elevated podium with Mr. Price between them (when looking from the audience's perspective, he is actually two steps away from them).

Mr. Price wanted to leave. Standing so close to the kissing couple is uncomfortable, but he needs them to sign the documents, so he will stay there and maintain his poker face.

JoAnna (and almost everyone else) watched Sarah and Aiden kissing and she rolled her eyes when she saw that no one will say anything and bring the newlyweds back to Earth. Don't these people know that those two can go at it for hours?

JoAnna approached them with a reminder: "Oy! You will have plenty of time for that! When can we congratulate?!" When she saw that Aiden and Sarah are still kissing, she added in an urgent whisper: "Your kids are watching!"

Sarah and Aiden broke the kiss and laughed. JoAnna is the only one who will interrupt two people who are kissing.

After signing the paperwork, it's official: Sarah and Aiden are married!

Aiden signed first and Sarah right after him. They held hands and inched toward each other, going for some more sweet kisses when JoAnna's hand came between their faces.

Aiden directed a displeased look at JoAnna. He almost kissed her palm!

"Your guests want to congratulate you…", JoAnna was exasperated. These two are worse than teenagers.

People lined up to congratulate them. It was not a massive wedding party, so it didn't take long. To help speed up the process, JoAnna and Bridgette were reminding everyone to keep it short because they can talk later at the afterparty.

While accepting congratulations and well wishes, Aiden's left hand was holding Sarah firmly around her waist. If it's up to him, he will never let her go outside of the touching distance because he always wants their wedding bands to be white.

When they reached the end of the line for congratulations, Sarah observed that the people are moving in the direction where JoAnna pointed as a stop for the gondola and their kids are swiftly folding the chairs and dismantling tents, packing everything in large boxes which were secured inside nets so that helicopters can take them away.

Hill and White parents surrounded Sarah and Aiden and did another round of congratulations and well wishes. They were the first ones to congratulate the newlyweds, and now that everyone else took their turns, the parents of the bride and the groom got more ideas what to say.

JoAnna, Sophia, Felix and Jeff were there as well while grandparents stood few steps away and observed the lively group with big smiles on their faces.

Damien and Smita were further away, entertaining Lia under the watchful gaze of Lia's nanny.

Rishi and Shibu blended in with Sarah's and Aiden's kids. Over the time, Rishi and Shibu visited the Cliffside villa several times, and they know the kids well, so Damien and Smita are not worried that their two sons will be bored.

"You started dating before any of us... What took you so long to get married?", JoAnna teased.

"She is the youngest one. This is the way it should be. Me first, you second and Sarah third.", Sophia responded instead of Sarah and Aiden.

Sarah is leaning her back on Aiden whose hands are around her waist and neither of them is noticing anything other than the pink hearts which are floating around them. All this chatter from their family members sounds like a distant noise. But that is not preventing others from talking.

"It does not matter who gets married first.", Elanor spoke excitedly and turned to Sarah and Aiden. "Now that Sophia and Felix are pregnant for the second time, and Anna and Jeff are expecting as well, the two of you are next! When can I expect a grandchild from you?"

JoAnna and Sophia laughed seeing Elanor wiggling her eyebrows playfully, and they both expected Stella to chime-in because she is also super-excited about grandkids. A moment later, the two sisters looked at their parents and didn't miss that Stella and Edward were uncomfortable for a second before they nodded in agreement.

As on cue, JoAnna and Sophia exchanged 'something is fishy' glances. They will investigate later because it seems that it's not a pleasant topic and they don't want to taint this celebratory atmosphere.

With the wedding preparations ongoing, Stella and Edward didn't have the time to confirm if the information they found on the USB drive Ivan gave them is true or not, but it is impossible to ignore what they read in those files. Stella and Edward agreed that unless they confirm that the information is correct, they will not share it with Elanor and Oscar. After all, if it's false, there is no point in alarming others. And even if it's true, they are not sure if they will share this with the Whites.

"They are still young.", Oscar told Elanor when he observed that Sarah and Aiden are not responding.

"They are both grownups, and it would be great if Jeff's and Aiden's kids are close in age…", Elanor started explaining.

"Come on.", Stella interrupted Elanor's excited chatter. "We should go down where the party is. Most of the guests left already."

"You are right!", Elanor confirmed and tugged Oscar's hand, indicating him to start moving. "There must be many things that will require our guidance. At this rate, Melissa will take over! I saw her going toward the gondola as soon as she congratulated them. That was more than fifteen minutes ago! Let's go!"

"We will see you at the party!", JoAnna exclaimed toward Sarah and Aiden while walking away with Jeff.

"Do you think we should leave them here?", Sophia asked JoAnna. "It does not look like they are aware that there is a party. Or that we are here."

JoAnna waved her hand dismissively. "It does not matter. We will enjoy the food and dancing, and if they are not there by dinner, I will cut the cake myself!"

Sophia laughed and linked her arm with Felix's while walking away toward the gondola stop.

Sarah turned to face Aiden and the two of them held each other while looking in the direction of their departing family members.

"It seems that we are alone, Mrs. White.", Aiden told Sarah as his deep gaze moved to examine every detail of her face. He knows it very well, but this is different. Now she is his wife and there is a different glow coming from her, like he can see her happiness.

Sarah smiled and glanced around, noticing that there are still some people lingering on the meadow. Mostly their kids. "Almost, Mr. White."

Aiden's smile reached his eyes and he took a deep breath before saying: "Finally. You are my wife."

"Mhm…", Sarah hummed in agreement. "And you are my husband."

They stood like that in the middle of the meadow, gazing into each other's eyes with goofy smiles on their faces for an unknown measure of time.

Both Sarah and Aiden were high on love and on the fact that they are married. It is a relief, but not the one which allows them to relax… it is as if they crossed into the next stage of life which has its own challenges and they need to stay vigilant, and at the same time they got an upgrade. Their commitment to each other is more solid, acting like a shield, giving them confidence that whatever is coming their way, they can handle it. Together.

"I can't find the words to tell you how happy I am.", Sarah broke the silence.

"That is all that counts, my love."

Aiden rested his forehead on Sarah's, and they held each other, both immersed in this moment on the meadow, surrounded with a forest and breathtaking snowy peaks above.

They created the perfect wedding photo (thanks to Eve who is capturing everything with drones). That photo will be magnified and hung on the wall of the Cliffside villa and also in the homes of each of their family members.

---

If you are not reading this at 'W e b n o v e l .. c o m', then the content you're reading is stolen! Please support the author by reading this novel from the original source.