Is this destiny?

~ Los Angeles, the Cliffside Villa ~

Wednesday

3:42 PM

Aiden found Sarah in the study room. She was seated at her desk and staring at the monitor in front of her.

Aiden walked behind her and started massaging her shoulders. He saw that she is going through her emails.

"What are you up to?", Aiden asked.

Sarah closed her eyes and enjoyed the feeling of Aiden's hands pressing on her shoulders just right. She is in the same position for some time, and this massage is heavenly.

"I'm reading the email from the tailor. Office clothes for the kids will arrive within one hour.", Sarah responded to his question while pointing at the currently open email.

Aiden's eyebrow arched questionably. "Do they need more clothes? And these are custom made?"

Sarah tilted her head up to see him and narrowed her eyes. "You don't want our kids to look shabby on their first day at work, do you? The first impression is important. Besides, they are growing, and their bodies are changing and…"

"OK. OK." Aiden interrupted Sarah. He has no intention of arguing with her about clothes. He does not object, he was only asking, alright? "What else?"

Sarah closed her eyes and relaxed before responding: "All the kids have their schedules in place over summer. If they are not part of the internship at the White corp. or some other apprenticeship, they will continue on their general studies and skills. With this, summer planning for kids at the Cliffside villa is over."

"We didn't talk with Michael and Oni related to them being our assistants.", Aiden reminded Sarah.

Sarah made a face. "I forgot. Let's chat with them when we get a chance. Tonight maybe. But I already made arrangements for Oni for this internship so if she wants to be my assistant, it will be a problem…"

Aiden looked at Sarah rambling and smiled dotingly. They had to follow up with so many things, it's no wonder she forgot something. The last few days were super-busy. Ah, they just returned from a break, and they need a break already!

When Sarah paused to catch her breath, Aiden moved to lean on her desk (and see her face) before suggesting: "How about we add in the summer schedule for everyone a field trip? Maybe we can go camping with all the kids and make it educational?"

Sarah stared at Aiden with her mouth open wide.

Aiden was not sure what to make out of her reaction. "You don't approve?"

Sarah snapped out of her daze. "No, no… I approve. I approve! We can make it about survival skills where we need to catch our own food and everything. Let's pick a spot with a lake and a forest and stay in tents for a few nights and go fishing and… You can teach them how to cook a rabbit with a thermal blanket."

Aiden chuckled. He likes that Sarah remembered their adventure with Master Hollow. "If you give me a few dates that work for everyone, I will make the necessary arrangements."

Sarah beamed. "Absolutely!"

She knows that Aiden is the planning guy and any event which is in his care ends up being absolutely perfect. He is awesome like that.

As much as they did a lot of things, few more are still pending. "We should go to the Beach house in the next few days. Maybe to stay overnight and check on the girls there.", Sarah reminded Aiden.

"Do you want them to join for the camping trip?"

Sarah had a troubled expression. "I'm not sure. I want to include them, but part of me fears that it's early. Let's talk about this after we visit them at the Beach house. If we are unsure, we can ask them if they want to join so that they don't feel excluded or forced."

Aiden agreed.

Sarah remembered: "Based on the reports, some of the girls want to start with training. I suggest we give them exercises to increase their stamina and flexibility. Running and yoga. A number of girls don't know how to swim. They should learn over this summer."

Aiden observed that Sarah didn't mention one point: "You don't want them to fight?"

"Not yet. There is no rush. I want them to heal and to enjoy while they can. Other than that, I want us to talk to them about attending regular school starting in September."

Aiden admires Sarah's optimism. But he needs to remind her of the reality that no kid in their care was willing to take a route of an average teenager. They were all super-excited about learning to fight and the homeschooling program which is a combination of online courses and in-person tutors is giving them an opportunity for an individually tailored pace where they can focus on things they are interested in. In return, the kids are rapidly completing courses and passing exams with stellar grades.

"Do you think that they will accept a routine with no combat and regular school? After everything they've been through and when they find out about the routine our other kids have?"

Sarah looked at Aiden helplessly. "I can hope. I really wish to give them a chance for a normal childhood. But one way or the other, I decided that until September, they are staying at the Beach house. That will give us the time needed to prepare living quarters for everyone and the girls will get time to think about what they want to do. Other than living quarters, we will probably need to add a few more study areas."

"Let me know if you need help."

"I always need your help.", Sarah said with a big smile.

Sarah's face lit up and she announced: "I was thinking that in September, when internships are done and the girls come here from the Beach house, we all go to our mansion at the White Rock Lake and spend a few days there. It will be a celebration for completed internships and a welcome for the girls…"

They chatted about kids and plans for occasional outings, when Aiden remembered: "Did you check the USB which Owen sent?"

"Not yet. I was waiting for you so that we can do it together." Sarah saw that Aiden's eyebrows shoot up in surprise and she clarified: "Few days here or there will not make much difference, and I wanted to take care of things at home first before I get distracted with this. Because I have a feeling that whatever is on it, it will be distracting."

Aiden made a face. "I see that since you got married you developed patience."

Sarah looked at him in disbelief. "Are you making fun of me?"

Aiden's expression shifted into a mocking grin. "And not only patience, but wisdom as well."

Sarah frowned when she realized that he is teasing her and she opened her mouth to protest, but all her words were swallowed in his kiss. For the first few seconds, Sarah resisted. She has things to argue about, damnit! But his lips glided over hers just right, and his scent was intoxicating, and his flavor made her crave for more, and she forgot what she was angry about.

"Eve, lock the door…", Aiden called, and the distinct sound of the door locking was heard a second later.

Aiden went down on his knees and Sarah slid off the chair and the two of them made love under her desk in the study room.

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