Is this destiny?

The event hall in the hotel is set up for dinner. 

The table closest to the back is one long rectangle with seats in the middle for Sarah and Aiden. On the left and right are seats for Bridgette and Steve, and Hill and White closest family members (siblings and parents).

Other tables are circular ones with eight seats each. 

Elanor and Stella were in charge of seating arrangements. JoAnna, Sophia and Bridgette helped them by providing input on relationships between youngsters so that some people don't sit too close to each other (like Isabella and Leah).

The event hall is decorated in white and light green colors. It is not super-luxurious, but it gives of an elegant and clean feeling. Just how Sarah likes it.

And just how Aiden likes it, there is plenty of food and it's delicious to look at. 

Aiden was eager to dig in as soon as the servers laid out the plates heaping with food on their table, but Sarah stopped him. "Aren't Steve and Bridgette going to give a speech?"

Aiden grunted unhappily. "Yeah."

Sarah stifled a laugh. Here he is, grumpy Aiden because of the food.

She took one bite-size appetizer and stuffed it in Aiden's mouth. "This should keep you busy for a minute…"

His mouth was full, but Sarah could tell by the way he looked at her that he is happy with this compromise.

Sarah hoped that the speech will start soon, and she was happy to see that less than a minute later Steve and Bridgette stood up and took the microphone. The two of them decided to give a joint speech. 

Steve was the first one to talk. He thanked everyone for coming and wished to Sarah and Aiden many-many years of happiness and then Bridgette took over.

"Sarah has a special place in my life." Bridgette started with a bit of history: "We met on our first day at White corp. That day I saw Aiden for the first time as well. He was all suave walking toward us and Sarah introduced him as her team lead, but I could tell by the way they are looking at each other that there is much more between the two of them than just a professional relationship. It didn't take long for Sarah to confirm that suspicion when she told me that Aiden is her boyfriend. I've had an opportunity to watch their relationship evolve, and I am amazed that after a year and a half their love and passion for each other is only growing. Thanks to these newlyweds right here, I am engaged. I can say that with confidence, because if not for Sarah, I would not score my first date with Steve. For the ones who don't know, Steve is this man right here… my man. We are engaged so he is mine." 

Bridgette's warning 'glare' made everyone laugh.

At Bridgette's words, Sarah drifted into her memories. She remembers how on the first day she had a NEO (aka New Employee Orientation) at White corp. and Bridgette was chatting her up. Sarah liked Bridgette right away, but she was reserved at the beginning, as usually. Sarah has to admit that Bridgette is right: Aiden was all suave as he walked toward her after the NEO, taking her breath away with every step he made.

Sarah thought how Bridgette used to be flirty, but not in a way Marija is. Bridgette would say provocative things, but only to single males and as soon as there was a hint that the guy is taken, Bridgette would stop with her behavior in order not to hurt anyone. Bridgette's flirting would stop at words, and it was more like teasing. Sarah remembers that when Bridgette spotted Steve, she didn't catcall after him and in a way, that told Sarah how Bridgette is seriously attracted to Steve. As for Marija, she does not care who gets hurt as long as she gets her fun.

Sarah did her best to get out of her thoughts and to focus on Bridgette's speech. Her maid of honor is still talking!

While Sarah was in her thoughts, Bridgette returned to her smile as she continued: "Sarah and Aiden are probably not aware but many of the couples right here would not happen if not for the two of them." 

Bridgette swept her eyes over the people in the event hall and asked: "I want you to take a minute and think: how did you get together with your significant other? Is it somehow related to the two of them?" 

Bridgette made a dramatic pause and smiled smugly when she saw many people nod toward her: Haru, Nala, Ron, Zula, Emma, Charlie, Lucija, Petar, Penny, Ben, Sophia, Felix, JoAnna, Jeff, Tiffany, Mike… ah, even Allen and Julius were nodding. 

"How many of you here can say that when you are thinking of a perfect couple, these two come to your mind?" 

Bridgette smiled again when she saw the reactions from the guests and raised her glass toward Sarah and Aiden. "I hope that the two of you know how you are showing to many of us that we need to stick together and work through challenges in order to have our happily ever after. I wish you eternity of happiness. To the perfect couple!"

Everyone raised their glasses and said in unison: "To the perfect couple!"

Sarah was overwhelmed. All those people are looking at her and Aiden with faces full of smiles. It's much-much more than her wildest imagination.

Half-dazed, she turned to Aiden who greeted her with a smile. 

Her daze popped at his question: "Can we eat now?"

Sarah was not sure if she should laugh or cry. How come he is not moved by that speech and all these people toasting for them as a perfect couple? That is her Aiden. Food will move him more than almost anything. Almost.

"Yes, we can eat.", she said through giggles when she saw that he is still looking at her expectantly while waiting for permission to dig in.

Sarah was surprised when she noticed that the perfect bite of chicken, potato and red sweet pepper is on his fork and directed at her. 

"I thought you want to eat.", Sarah teased him.

"I want you to have my first bite." 

Sarah swiftly cut chicken from her plate and stabbed a potato and pepper on her fork and offered it to Aiden. "Together."

Aiden nodded in approval before opening his mouth and taking her offering. 

They ended up feeding each other through dinner because neither of them wanted to be the first one to stop. 

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