Is this destiny?

With both JoAnna and Liz announcing their pregnancies, the party became even more festive.

Sarah hugged her sisters and congratulated Liz and Max before returning to her seat where a big flat rectangle box waited for her.

Sarah looked at the tag which said, 'For you, my love', in familiar handwriting.

She glanced at Aiden and smiled. "What is this?"

He wiggled his eyebrows in response, indicating that she needs to open the box.

Sarah opened the box and pulled a red sweater. She laughed while inspecting the sweater and observing that it was well made and it has extra space for her belly, and then she abruptly froze as her gaze met Aiden's.

"I can't believe you remembered." Tears swelled in her eyes as she looked at her husband lovingly.

Aiden smiled smugly, knowing that he touched her with his present. All those months of hiding and knitting paid off.

He gently wiped the tears from the corners of her eyes with his thumbs. "I told you, I remember everything about you. Everything. How could I forget our talk when you told me that you want me to knit you a sweater for Christmas?"

Sarah's chin trembled and she buried her face in the crook of his neck, letting her emotions out with every sob while he rubbed her back gently, as always when she needs comforting.

Well, she was not sad. She was moved by his constant care and devotion. This was not about the sweater. It was about all the time and effort he invested in learning and making it, yet she didn't notice. And this was about him remembering their silly bickering at the main base of the Voronin family that ended with him promising to knit her a sweater.

Some people know him as Erebus, an untouchable god; Omega, the mysterious hacker; the second young master of the White family; Mister A; Elder of the Voronin family; Mr. White... or a fickle playboy.

For Sarah, he is Aiden, a man who made his way into her life during their last year at college while pretending that he needs help with a project... the one who said that he prefers a hug, who took her to Paris and cooked for her... that's her Aiden, her husband, the most devoted man on Earth.

Sarah fisted his shirt under his suit jacket and sobbed her emotions out, and Aiden waited patiently for Sarah to finish while telling her that he is there for her, as always. 

"What happened?", Mia asked with concern in her voice when Sarah pulled away from Aiden.

Sarah sniffled before answering, "He made me a sweater…" And then she cried more.

"Aww…", Mia thought how that was adorable. She turned to Hunter. "Aiden made Sarah a sweater."

Hunter's lips twitched. Mia is not expecting him to start knitting, is she? Hunter went through a lot of trouble to get the approval of her family and show that he is worthy of being Mia's partner. He will never forget the traps and flying knives and other challenges he needed to survive. Yes, to survive because failure meant death or at least a disability. He didn't want to think about it.1 And now it's knitting? Hunter was not sure if the tasks are getting more challenging, or more bizarre. But for Mia… he will do it. After all, if Erebus can knit, so can Hunter.

Of course, Mia was not expecting that Hunter will make her a sweater. She just thought how Aiden's gesture was sweet because Sarah was touched. However, Hunter sees Aiden as a rival and has a need to best him in everything… or at least in something. Even if that something is knitting sweaters.

From a few tables away, Ben looked at Becca longingly. Becca was dancing with Gabriel, and Ben was still digesting the information that his baby girl is engaged to be married, even though they got engaged three months ago.

Penny gave up on comforting Ben. Since Becca announced that she is dating Gabriel, Ben turned into a big moody man-baby. Penny confirmed on her phone through video surveillance that Oliver was playing nicely with other kids, and then Penny sashayed to chat with Emma, Tiffany, Leah, and Pam who were sitting at the bar. Ben will get over it, eventually… maybe.

Gabriel and Becca were on the dance floor. Gabriel twirled Becca and then held her close as they moved slowly to their own tune.

Becca looked at her fiancé with a goofy smile on her face while enjoying every second of her reality with Gabriel. Since her parents divorced, Becca struggled to find a place she belongs. Her mother used her to get money from Ben and Becca feared lecherous gazes from some of the numerous lovers her mother had over the years. Becca was confident that her only path to happiness is to get an education and independence, but then Gabriel came into her life and showed her what it truly means to be worshiped.

The two of them are engaged and still didn't decide on a day to tie the knot, but it will be soon.

Becca and Merve became close friends and if Corey and Gabriel are not from flashy families, the two young ladies would plan a double-wedding because both of them want only a selected circle of friends and nothing grand. Of course, that is not happening considering that Corey is a Smith and Gabriel is a Long. Both of their weddings will be massive.

Gabriel relished every moment with Becca who always gave him her undivided attention. Sometimes, he still compares this reality with the one from seven months ago when Victoria was part of his life, and he can't believe that he didn't see how Victoria was with him for status and money and lifestyle and… nothing else. Victoria never looked at him warmly, like Becca.

Gabriel is aware that Becca puts him first and that she would do anything for him, and he couldn't be happier about it because he feels the same and he would do anything to make Becca happy.

What Gabriel doesn't know is that behind Becca's smile is a secret. Gabriel's birthday is in a week and she plans to tell him then that she is pregnant; Merve is helping her plan the big reveal.

Becca is aware that Gabriel wants a family. She didn't miss the way his face lights up when he is with Denise and Oliver and that he is great with kids.

Becca will use her pregnancy news as the grand birthday present for Gabriel. It will be his first birthday since the two of them are together, the first one of many to come.

Angelo and Melissa danced, and she giggled like a schoolgirl while he whispered something into her ear. The two of them are getting along well. If not for Grayden and Amber being in Chicago, Melissa would probably move to Sicily to stay with Angelo because Ellie took over as Madam K, and Melissa can relax and enjoy. And she is enjoying with Angelo, but she wants to spend some time with her grandchildren as well. 

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If you want to know more about what Hunter is suppressing, check out my novel "Accident Prone" where Hunter's and Mia's story is covered in detail. :)