Is this destiny?

~ Hill family villa ~

Sarah was in the closet of her room, humming a tune while packing a suitcase for a five-day-tropical-date with Aiden.

Earlier that day Sarah went to Seattle and had lunch with Sophia.

Sophia was happy to hear that Aiden is taking Sarah on a surprise-secret date. She wished them to be safe and have fun and reminded her to stay in touch.

Main topic of conversation during lunch was Sophia's wedding and her pre-wedding party.

Sophia reminded Sarah to come back in time for her pre-wedding party. She does not want to have a usual bachelorette's party. Sarah and JoAnna tried to persuade her to at least get a male stripper, but she refused. She agreed to have a pre-wedding party where they would spend time together, enjoy some food and drinks… but NO strippers or other crazy behavior. Sarah and JoAnna pouted for some time, but they knew that Sophia would not yield on this no matter how inviting the idea of an almost-naked-ripped-hunk-jumps-out-of-cake sounds.

Eventually they agreed to spend the day in the spa, pampering themselves. Few other ladies will also join, including Leah, Isabella and Bridgette. Sophia invited few of her friends from college, but they still didn't confirm if they will come. After spa, they will go to spend some quality time in Black Rose. Sophia didn't want to go to Black Rose, but Sarah and JoAnna reminded her that party needs to have some music and dancing, and she gave in on this one considering how many of their ideas she rejected previously.

When the pre-wedding party is done, Hill sisters will spend the night in their family villa. This will ensure that Sophia and Felix don't see each other 24 hours before wedding. Felix still didn't agree to this part. He was fine with the spa, and after some convincing he gave in on Black Rose. But for Sophia to sleep anywhere else other than with him, Felix objects firmly. Sophia told Sarah and JoAnna that she will handle this.

Sarah assured Sophia that she will be back in time to finalize everything for her pre-wedding party and to help out with wedding preparations.

After lunch, Sarah shopped for some clothes, and other necessities, mostly for the upcoming trip. Aiden didn't join her, but she didn't find that unusual… since they came from Las Vegas he would occasionally disappear. She assumed that he is busy; maybe he found some hobby. She was busy herself with kids and setting up Eve for Sophia and Felix, and more than once she would not notice that he is not around. By the time she realized that he is not present, he would come back. Now that she knows they are going on a date, it all made sense… he was making arrangements for The Date! And he was doing it secretly so that she does not find out. Sarah melted while thinking how sweet he is to go to such length for her.

She remembered first time he took her on a date. They were on campus, and he told her to have her passport ready… and they went to Paris. He made sure to plan all the details, private jet, booking a whole boat-restaurant just for two of them, walk on the streets of Paris. It was very romantic. And when she thinks that at that time, they didn't even kiss… Now she can't imagine keeping her hands (and her lips) off from him. 'How is it possible that we spent so much time together without even kissing?' She knows that he was waiting for her to let him know that she is ready… He always waited for her, no matter what. Part of Sarah was happy at this thought, and part was concerned… she was wondering if she is doing enough to let him know that he is very important to her.

Sarah's phone rang, it was a video call from JoAnna.

"Hey, baby sis!", JoAnna almost screamed as soon as the call connected.

"You look ready for a party…", Sarah observed that JoAnna has feathers in her head, and pink and blue flower designs on her cheeks done with face paint.

"Hi, Sarah!", Bridgette got into the view as well. She also had colorful feathers sticking out of her hair, and a white macaw painted on most of her face.

"Yes! It's always party time here! While men are working, two of us are partying!", JoAnna blew in a whistle.

Sarah laughed, "I'm happy that you are happy…"

"I wanted to call at least once from Brazil, before we go to France… we are leaving tonight. I will call from there as well.", JoAnna grinned. It was obvious that she is happy.

"Oh, I don't know if you can reach me in next few days."

"Why not?"

Sarah smiled. "Aiden is taking me to a secret five-day date. I don't know if I will have signal or internet." She moved her phone so that video shows almost-packed suitcase.

"Eeeeeh?" JoAnna grinned mischievously. "Remember, you promised not to get married without me and Sophia present!"

Sarah did her best to keep her smile on her face. "Is that the only thing on your mind?"

"What else can I have on my mind? Big sister is two weeks away from tying the knot… I'm getting married in two and a half months… you are the only one left." JoAnna did her best not to laugh seeing Sarah's stunned-almost-furious expression.

"I don't think that is how things work…" Sarah knows that her sister is teasing her, but still, she finds the topic uncomfortable. Just when she thought that Aiden is interested in taking their relationship to the next stage, he stopped showing any signs related to marriage. She is not sure what to think and decided not to think about it at all. Luckily, she was busy with other things… but now JoAnna brought it up again.

"Hehehe…" JoAnna creepily giggled.

"If you don't change the topic, I'm hanging up!" Sarah was frustrated.

JoAnna stuck her tongue out at Sarah.

Sarah rolled her eyes. "Bridgette, make sure to take care of this loony sister of mine."

"I am, don't worry." Bridgette laughed.

JoAnna was outraged. "Hey! You are supposed to say that I'm not a loony!"

They all laughed and chatted for some more time before hanging up.

Sarah went back to her suitcase… they are leaving tomorrow morning. While packing last few items, she was wondering where they will go… he said 'tropical' and he didn't tell her to prepare her passport… that already gave her some hints. Sarah had internal fight between her curiosity and desire to leave it as a surprise. She forced herself to focus on packing… she will find out tomorrow anyway. She smiled. She was happy.

"Ready?", Aiden was watching her from the door of her closet. Faint smile lingered on his face.

She looked up at him and nodded while closing the suitcase. "Where did you disappear?"

"I had a talk with your father."

"Long talk." She observed that Aiden was not with her for a while.

He nodded in confirmation.

"About?" She was curious and slightly frustrated that she needs to pull answers out of him like that.

He frowned slightly while formulating answer in his mind. "About our upcoming trip." He gestured to the suitcase.

Sarah raised her eyebrow. "Since when Edward asks such questions?"

"He didn't ask." He reached for her suitcase and pulled it out, not giving her a chance to ask more questions.

Sarah was left in the closet wondering why they would talk about the trip if Edward didn't ask.. After some time, she gave up and walked out trying to get more answers out of Aiden, unsuccessfully.