Is this destiny?

~ Los Angeles, Cliffside villa ~

Wednesday, December 11

It's Sophia's birthday.

She woke up in the arms of her beloved Felix, and everything would be perfect if she didn't roll on the back in her sleep. Her back is killing her! The 7-month pregnancy belly is growing, and it's making her uncomfortable.

Luckily, Felix helped her lay on the side and he provided the best massage for pain relief there is.

As soon as the pain subsided, Sophia started squirming and being grabby, and they ended up making love.

Besides increasing her physical discomfort, the growing baby is the cause of Sophia's frequent restroom breaks… and also limitations in their lovemaking positions. Her most comfortable position as of lately is what she calls 'the sideways': she is lying on her side, and the leg on the top is on Felix's shoulder while the other one is on the bed (or the floor, or the sofa… depending where 'the mood' strikes).

"Happy birthday, ma chéri…", Felix murmured while holding panting Sophia in his arms.

"Mmm…", she hummed in approval. "Happy it is."

After getting ready for the day, Sophia went to the home-office to work from there, and Felix went to the workshop. In last few weeks he is spending most of his awake-time in there.

When Sophia reached into the dining room for lunch, Sarah, Emma and Penny were setting up a giant 'Happy birthday' banner. Charlie was making sure that the banner is centered, from his wheelchair.

JoAnna and Jeff arrived shortly after, with Steve and Bridgette and they brought more guests.

"Happy Birthday!", JoAnna exclaimed while gesturing toward the door from where Isabella and Leah emerged.

Sophia was very happy to see them. She misses Leah very much.

Isabella came to Los Angeles for few days to set up her new art gallery which will feature her works and it will have artwork of some other artists as well. She spoke with Penny online few times, and Isabella believes that Penny will do great as the curator of her gallery.

They already agreed that Isabella will pay Penny a base salary and benefits, and Penny will get a percentage of any sales the gallery makes.

Penny is excited. This is her next step toward independence: a job.

On Sunday, Emma accompanied Penny for her makeover. Charlie was there as well. They drove in his car to the styling salon and then they had a lunch in a restaurant.

Penny wondered if there is a need for her to be the third wheel, and wanted to avoid that lunch, but Emma insisted that it's not a problem. Penny is confident that she saw Charlie purse his lips in protest.

Penny's hair is now short. Pixie bob cut with dark red highlights on her dark brown hair against her fair complexion looks amazing. It's edgy and classy at the same time. Perfect.

Emma offered Penny to accompany her for the apartment-hunting, when Penny starts getting her salary. Sarah overheard them and told Penny that there is no rush.

"Feel free to stay here in order to save two-three months' worth of salary before heading out. You will need it.", Sarah advised. "The expenses are much more than just the rent and utility bills."

Penny nodded in agreement. After all, she never lived on her own, and she will trust Sarah on this.

Emma is getting along great with Penny, and she is thinking that maybe two of them can be roommates, because she will move out of the Cliffside villa (eventually) as well. But it's too early to bring that up. 

The lunch was a celebratory one. Matias (the cook) made sure to prepare Sophia's favorites.

Sophia's mood dropped when she realized that Felix is not present. She didn't need to check his location… the workshop!

Sophia usually does not mind, she is happy that her husband loves what he does to the point of losing any sense of time. But today is her birthday, damnit!

…

Sophia entered the workshop, ready to scold Felix right from the door, but her steps halted at the sight of the drones. Hundreds of them… everywhere.

"What is all this?", Sophia asked Felix when she approached him, unable to hide her surprise.

"Drones.", Felix stated the fact.

Sophia rolled her eyes telling him that she can see that. "Why so many? Is Eve planning an invasion?"

Felix stifled a laugh and pulled Sophia to sit in his lap. "Sarah told me to prepare them. I'm not sure why, she said that it's better if I don't know… and I know enough that if any of you three sisters tell me not to ask questions, I listen."

"Look…", he gestured to the side toward one large cube-shaped device which has number of lit-up displays. "I automated the drone-testing process, so I don't need to do it manually. Without it… it would take me forever to go through all these."

Sophia took a mental note to talk to Sarah about this. But later, now they have guests upstairs.

"Come, lunch is served.", Sophia told Felix.

…

Sophia was all smiles when she saw that Stella and Edward are there as well.

"When did you arrive?", she asked while hugging both of her parents.

"This morning. Here…", Stella handed her a box. "I've made your favorite: dumplings with plums."

Sophia swallowed the saliva which pooled into her mouth unexpectedly, to prevent herself from drooling. "Thank you." She kept the box with precious dumplings in the back of the fridge. That is HERS.

The lunch was very lively. And it went into the afternoon with a cake and a lot of well wishes.

Haru, Jesse, Ron and the kids as well as every other staff member joined for the cake. Even Bob1 and Bob2 joined.

This was the first time for Penny to see them all gathered, and she was surprised to see that everyone is… happy.

She remembered the stone-faced maids who didn't have a problem to bring her one meal a day while she was held captive in the basement… and the bodyguards who left her with Lukas White in that private room to do with her as he pleases, they even guarded the door so that she can't escape... It will take time for Penny to heal and not to drift into those unpleasant memories. All that is behind her, thanks to the people who are here gathered, laughing and exclaiming 'Happy Birthday!' randomly.

One person is not here… and Penny wondered for umpteenth time if Ben is missing her as well. Sarah told her that he started working on Monday, and that he is OK... and that should be enough.

…

In the evening...

"My birthday celebration is not over?", Sophia asked curiously when Felix blindfolded her and started leading her out of the house. Based on the noise, she can tell that they are in the garden.

Early afternoon, the guests dispersed, and Sophia went back to work thinking that her birthday festivities are over. She was surprised to see Felix enter the home office with an enigmatic smile on his face. Oh, how she loves those dimples. In the hallway he blindfolded her and started leading the way outside…

Back to present…

"Oh!", Sophia exclaimed and patted her chest at the sight of a super-romantic candlelit dinner which is set up for two of them in the gazebo.

There are flower petals, and the soft music… the spacious seating is lined with comfortable cushions and there are few fluffy blankets available.

Felix draped one blanket over Sophia's shoulders. She should not feel chilly.

The creamy soup was delicious, and Sophia is sure that it tasted better because Felix fed her… one spoon at a time. Every time there was a spec of soup on her lips, he would lick it off. Well, it started with a lick, and it ended up with a kiss.

"At this rate, we will go to the bedroom before we finish food.", Sophia warned him with a mischievous smile on her face.

Felix raised an eyebrow. "Bedroom?"

Sophia shivered when she felt his hand sneak up her thigh, under the dress.

"We are outside…", she protested when he pulled her panties down.

"They have all been warned to stay inside and not to disturb our romantic birthday dinner."

Sophia was not sure at what point Felix turned off the lights, or when did she start pulling him closer instead of pushing him away… but they confirmed that 'the sideways' works great on the seating in the gazebo as well.

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