Is this destiny?

~ Eastern Europe, the base of the Lebedev family ~

Sarah returned to the base with Aiden, friends, family, army members, fur-babies, Elders of the Lebedev family, loot, and prisoners.

Aiden hoped for a chance to talk to Sarah and get the details on what exactly happened while he was gone (because the previous night they made love and whispered sweet nothings while relishing their reunion), but Sarah told JoAnna that Aiden was forced to take some drugs. JoAnna pushed Aiden to the room which was full of medical equipment and Imani assisted in giving him a full checkup. Aiden said that other than a headache, he feels fine, but that didn't stop JoAnna and Imani to get x-rays, blood analysis, and various other tests.

JoAnna told Aiden that Hero is recuperating well after the surgery, and for the rest, she told him to talk to Sarah. "Many people participated on both sides, and I'm confident I will miss something. Besides, only Sarah knows the whole story. But this was not random. It was well planned and organized. The only thing that went against their plans is that they didn't get their hands on Sarah, and they decided to kidnap you instead."

Aiden frowned at the thought that someone wanted to kidnap Sarah. Did they plan to give her that memory-erasing medicine? He wanted to find out about everything, but Sarah left him to do the checkup while she deals with prisoners, loot inspection, and a few matters from the Lebedev family. Sarah was busy before and now on top of that, she needs to manage the Lebedev family. Aiden wanted to talk to Sarah about the plans because this is not sustainable. At this rate, she will not have any time left for him.

"Aiden… I hope that you are able to get Sarah to slow down.", JoAnna said. "While you were gone, she barely ate or slept, and when I told her to take care of herself she would go into a rage. I'm afraid that at this rate, her body will give up on her."

JoAnna didn't want to mention the pregnancy test, because that is for Sarah to disclose. Usually, JoAnna would be close to bursting from speaking up, but Sarah's words that she is meddling and causing problems echoed in JoAnna's mind, and because of that, keeping mum was not a problem.

Aiden remembered that Sarah noticeably lost weight and guilt swell inside him. He knows that Sarah didn't eat or sleep because she was looking for him.

By the time Aiden got out of the exam room, it was close to lunchtime, and everyone wanted to talk to him.

"I'm sorry for messing up…" Ade said when he approached Aiden. "If I was more competent, they would not get their hands on you."

"Don't blame yourself. As the team leader, I was supposed to ensure the area was safe before we got in, but… I failed. Thank you for staying with Sarah and not giving up on me."

"We are glad you are back.", Hande said before she and Ade went to take their seats.

"Sorry, Aiden.", Michael said dejectedly. "This is all my fault."

"And mine.", Oni added.

They know that if Michael didn't fool around with Marija three-four years ago and if Oni didn't embarrass Marija and broke her fingers, Marija would not be set on revenge.

Aiden looked at Michael and Oni and he didn't get it. How can this be their fault? "Don't blame yourself. No one saw this coming. If it's anyone's fault, it was mine for not taking safety more seriously. We had it easy for such a long time, that I relaxed and walked straight into a trap like I'm invincible."

"Your parents will be here in time for dinner.", Stella told Aiden when she joined for lunch with Sarah.

Stella explained that Oscar and Elanor left the previous day to handle some business, and they hoped that Aiden and Sarah will return to Los Angeles. However, since Sarah confirmed that they will stay here for some time, Oscar and Elanor want to see him.

Aiden was not happy about this. "Why are they coming? They can confirm that I'm fine with a video call."

"They want to talk to you. In person.", Stella clarified.

Aiden didn't want to talk to them. He glanced at Jeff who was obviously ignoring the ongoing conversation, and then he turned to Sarah. "When can we go somewhere, just the two of us? It's our anniversary."

Sarah understood that Aiden wants to leave as soon as possible.

"Everyone is eager to spend some time with you.", Sarah reminded him. "There is a lot to do and this is not a good time to disappear but I'm sure that we can take a small break. How about tomorrow? We can leave in the morning."

"How about we leave tonight?"

Sarah shook her head inwardly at his childish expression. But it was cute, and she could not refuse him. "Do you know where we are going?"

Aiden interpreted Sarah's response as an agreement. "Make your pick. But no fighting or interrogating or anything like that. Just the two of us. If we see anything that can make us fight or get into trouble, we will turn the other way. Give me the location and I will take care of the rest."

Sarah smiled. How can it be just the two of them when she is pregnant? But she does not want to tell him that yet. It needs to be perfect. "OK. We will leave tonight. As for the place..." Sarah thought about their properties that provide privacy, but everything requires several hours of travel and she does not want to spend too much time in a helicopter. "Uhm… how about… Moscow?"

Aiden had no objections. It will be his first time in Moscow, so he will start checking out places online. "If we are staying here for dinner, we might as well have a party tonight to celebrate your birthday with everyone and we can head out after that."

Sarah was touched that with all this mess, he is thinking about her birthday. 

Aiden called Michael, Oni, Haru, and Nala and told them that tonight they will have a dinner event. "We have a lot to celebrate and I hear that you were all busy while I was gone. Everyone deserves a break."

Sarah agreed. "How about we invite Mishi, Petar, Lucija, Emir, and Tereza? Aaron can come as well. Attila and Milica played well with the rest of the kids, I'm sure they will enjoy it here. Stella and Elanor filled one room with toys for their grandkids…"

The four of them confirmed that they will make all the arrangements.

"Ask Corey and Merve to help you.", Sarah added. She saw Aiden's questioning gaze, so she explained: "Corey and Merve are working as Sophia's and JoAnna's assistants since we arrived here."

Sarah remembered. "This might be a good opportunity to thank Mr. Wang and Suvedini. I will invite them to come here for dinner."

"Can they come here?", Oni asked reluctantly. "Isn't this like a secret base or something?"

Sarah shrugged. "Secret or not, I'm the boss and they are my guests."

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