Is this destiny?

~ Los Angeles, the Cliffside Villa ~

4:24 PM

The massive event hall became the center of the activity.

The center of the hall is the dancefloor and there is a stage for the band (and upcoming performances), the round tables sit up to ten guests each and there are sofas next to the walls for guests to get more comfortable, if needed.

The event hall is decorated in Christmas style.

There is a massive lit-up Christmas tree with white and red ornaments and presents heaping under it. Sarah and Aiden bought presents for everyone, and kids and staff contributed as well. Also, the guests didn't come empty-handed, it was a present bonanza.

Other than the tree, there are garlands with shiny ornaments on the walls, snowflakes made out of LED lights are shimmering from the ceiling, and the table décor is in silver and white. It looks like winter-wonderland, but it is not freezing and there is no actual snow.

Everyone is dressed in formal wear and looking very fancy.

For the next two hours, kids are providing entertainment.

Other than the people who are staying at the Cliffside Villa, there are many other guests.

Jeff, JoAnna, Sophia, Felix, Damien, Smita, Rishi, and Shibu arrived at lunchtime and they chatted with Stella and Edward while keeping busy with the babies.

Rishi and Shibu didn't linger much with babies (or grownups), they went to join the rest of the kids.

Sarah and Aiden prepared baby-room for the little ones. In this way, Lia, Adam, Alice, Jayden, and Oliver had their space to safely move, explore, and nap under the watchful eyes of their nannies.

In the baby-room, Lia is the most mobile. She can walk while holding onto things and if she sees the toy of interest, she can move her chubby legs swiftly to reach her goal. Oliver can sit and roll around, while Alice and Jayden can sit with support. Adam is the tiniest one, and as long as his tummy is full and the diaper is dry, he is sleeping.

The fur-babies had to stay in their rooms. Atlas and Vega are too small for a party, and Kitty was by their side. Hero, Bella, and Luna suffered from rough baby-handling by Lia when she started pulling their tails and trying to chew on their ears. And the teenage-pups could not come in the event hall either, with all the excitement they would jump around, bump into people, and try to snatch food from the table. They need more training.

Ellie and Jasper arrived with Melissa and Mathew. Sarah asked where is Norman, but Melissa said that he was not feeling well and decided not to come. Melissa and Mathew bonded over the topic of Ellie inheriting their forces and are staying in Ellie's villa in the Bel-Air neighborhood. Sarah is happy to see that they are getting along well, but she was not sure what to think about Norman's absence. It's not so much that he is not here, but Sarah noticed that Melissa looked almost annoyed when Sarah asked about him.

"Is everything OK between Lisa and Norman?" Sarah asked only for Ellie to hear.

Ellie was not sure how to respond. "In the last few months, they are distant. Jasper thinks that they might get a divorce. I suspect that their conflict is somehow related to Madam Kiani's position. Also, Norman has a panic attack whenever he sees Mathew and since I married Jasper, Mathew comes to Chicago at least once a month."

It was Sarah's turn not to know what to say. Ellie must feel horrible to think that she is the cause behind Melissa's and Norman's divorce. Sarah decided not to say anything.

Jarred and Donnie came with presents. They got souvenirs for everyone from their honeymoon in the Caribbean and wrapped them so that they go under the Christmas tree.

"Uhm… You didn't need to get all this…" Sarah said awkwardly when she saw two maids arranging numerous packages that Jarred's bodyguards brought in. Sarah was surprised that other than for them and kids, there were presents for the staff as well. "How thoughtful of you…"

Jarred laughed and pulled Donnie closer to him. "How can we come empty-handed, when this is the home where I met my Donnie? I feel that I owe something to everyone here… Going forward, even if we can't come in person, I will make sure to send presents every year…"

Noah arrived with three of his deputies, Finley, Arlo, and Zack. They also brought presents.

Noah was about to give his present to Sarah personally, but he saw Aiden's murderous glare, so Noah decided to put that present under the tree. Sarah will open it later, and she will know that it's from Noah because he labeled it.

Sarah didn't notice that Aiden is on the verge of strangling Noah, or it's more accurate to say that she is used to it when Noah is nearby. She smiled. "Thank you for all the presents, you really didn't need to bring so many. We have a load ready for you, to take for the people at the base when you return."

"More presents?" Noah beamed. Each member of the Army of Chaos got a Christmas bonus which came as money and piece of jewelry or accessory which Sarah and Aiden picked personally.

Noah made sure to take a few photos, one was with him and Sarah and he sent them to Aaron. More than once, Aaron said how he and Noah are equal in Sarah's eyes, and Noah made sure that Aaron can see the difference. How can they be equal? Aaron is in Europe, while Noah is here… next to Sarah.

Noah grinned when he saw the response from Aaron, full of red-faced emojis. Yup, enduring Aiden's glares while he took the photos was worth it.

After greeting Sarah and Aiden, Zack made his way toward Masika. With her hair braided up and decorated with glittery pins, delicate chiffon flowing around her, and jewels at the waistline, she looked like a fairy.

"You look nice in that dress. I didn't know that pink would fit you so well."

Masika turned toward the voice and smiled at the sight of Zack in a formal dark blue suit.

"You are handsome." She returned the compliment.

"I've got this for you. Merry Christmas." Zack said while handing Masika a small box.

"You can keep it under the tree, with the rest of the presents. We will open them after the show."

"I was hoping that you will accept it, personally." Zack said awkwardly.

"Oh, OK. Can I open it now?"

Zack responded with an enthusiastic nod.

Masika removed the colorful wrapping and revealed a small black box. When she opened it, there was a golden necklace with a pendant shaped like a star.

"Wow… thanks…" Masika said absentmindedly. She was not sure if her present for him with match up to this. And his present is under the tree.

"I saw it and I thought that it suits you. Do you like it?" He wanted to say that he thought how the star suits her, shining brightly in the dark sky, but he kept that part to himself.

Masika observed Zack's expectant expression and assured him that she likes it. "It's beautiful. Thank you. It is a fortunate coincidence that you got me this on a day when I forgot to think about accessories and I don't have anything around my neck. Help me put it on."

Zack struggled with the small clasp, but he managed to hook it properly. He was happy that she decided to wear it immediately, and his happiness increased when Masika called Imani and showed her the necklace.

Angelo arrived with Sean and Ryan.

About a month ago, Angelo purchased a villa in Los Angeles, and this is his first time staying there. His men are securing the property, and Sean and Ryan are staying there instead of in the guesthouse at Charlie's villa.

"Really, presents…?" Sarah was not sure what to say when Sean and Ryan dragged a wheeled cart with a small mountain of colorful boxes. There is no such thing as too many presents for Christmas, but their Christmas tree is overflowing, and presents are getting into the dance area. Sarah glanced at Aiden who smiled at her. He is amazed that all these people came here to spend Christmas, and they are here thanks to Sarah. She always had a gift to make unusual friendships.

"How can I come without bringing something to the family who helped me reunite with my family?" Angelo responded with a grin. "My boys made sure we didn't miss anyone, and they helped me pick."

Aiden ushered Angelo to sit at the table with Mathew and Melissa and he introduced them to each other. Hong (aka Master Hollow), Demien, and Smita were at that table as well. Sarah thought that Angelo and Mathew might have topics in common, considering that they are both from Europe. And she didn't want Angelo to sit at the same table with Jarred and Donnie, you can never be too careful.

Emma and Charlie entered with Corey, Mike, and Tiffany, and shortly after them, Pam, Leah, Bridgette, and Steve arrived.

Each group had large bags with presents, making this wonderful event more festive.

"It's four-thirty..." Sarah reminded Aiden. "Let's start the show."

Aiden put his arm around her waist, and they made their way toward the stage.

"Thank you for organizing all this..."

Sarah smiled. "The evening just began..."

Aiden was wondering what else Sarah prepared. His family was never big on celebrating Christmas. They had a tree and a dinner with a few festive dishes. Nothing so grand like tonight. And he is curious to see what is next.

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