Is this destiny?

The party progressed in a lively and harmonious atmosphere and no one noticed the time passing. When the announcement was made that fireworks will start in 5 minutes, everyone was surprised that it's close to 11 PM.

The grownup guests emerged out of the villa and stood in the garden, facing the ocean, to enjoy the show.

The kids were sleeping on cots in the toy room. They wanted to watch fireworks, but by 9:30 PM all of them fell asleep while playing, so nannies moved the little ones to sleep on cots.

Outside…

"Where are Max and Liz?", Mia asked while looking at the crowd gathered. Quentin and Brianna were right next to her and Hunter, but Liz and Max disappeared about half an hour ago.

"Here we are…", Liz said while walking toward Mia with Max behind her. Liz was adjusting her hair and was slightly out of breath, and Max had a satisfied smirk at the edge of his lips.

Mia couldn't believe it. "Did the two of you celebrate pregnancy news by reminding yourself how babies are made in the bathroom?"

"Storage room…", Sarah corrected Mia from the side.

Mia giggled when she saw that Liz's eyes nearly popped in shock. Max didn't care that Sarah knew where they were getting handsy. He stood behind Liz and wrapped his arms around her from the back and at that moment the first blast sounded, and red sparks filled the dark sky and reflected in the ocean.

'Ohs' and 'Ahs' were heard between loud explosions that originated from the boat floating further away from the Cliffside Villa.

Sarah used Eve-lens to see faces of people present that were changing colors based on the fireworks that lit up the sky.

Kitty, Atlas, and Vega gathered around their human mommy in search of comfort. They didn't like the colorful noise.

Hero, Bella, and Luna were hiding inside the villa. Fireworks terrified them.

Sarah leaned her back on Aiden's chest and smiled. A lovely party, friends, family, fur-babies, fireworks, and Aiden all around her, cradling her belly and their son in it. It was perfect.

Her smile widened at the thought that next year their baby-Logan will also be present, and so will another two babies (JoAnna's and Sophia's), and maybe even Liz's and Mia's babies if they decide to join them next year. Oh, and Samara's baby also... So many babies! Well, Logan will have plenty of company.

…

In the toy room…

Luke woke up at the sound of fireworks. It was heavily muffled by the soundproofing, but his keen senses still picked up the commotion and the colors that lit up the dark sky and reflected in the ocean. It was beautiful.

Nannies gathered at the window and enjoyed the show while commenting in whispers. They were happy that the staff brought them dinner, so they got to enjoy delicacies while watching over kids. Now the fireworks got their attention, so no one noticed that Luke stirred from his sleep. 

Luke observed that Mila was sleeping on the adjacent cot. Her mouth was half-open, and she drooled a bit. He exhaled and shook his little head. A lady should not drool.

Luke saw Aunty-Liz sleeping and she drools as well. It seems that Mila picked up this little habit from her mother.

He scooted off his cot and went to the cabinet where diapers and wipes are stored. Luke got a wipe and gently cleaned Mila's face. Her lips twitched, but she didn't wake up.

Luke discarded the wipe in the trashcan and returned to his cot.

His little hand reached for Mila's and he smiled. Now he will know that she is by his side, even with his eyes closed. Uncle Max is relying on him to keep Mila safe, and Luke will not disappoint him. And with that thought, Luke joined other kids in dreamland.

…

Shortly before midnight…

Steve and Bridgette walked out of the toy room with Steve carrying sleeping Denise in his arms.

Ben and Penny followed with Ben carrying Oliver.

Jasper held sleeping Grayden in his arms and a nanny carried Amber. Ellie was following behind them.

Sophia and Felix went home with Valentin, leaving Lia and Adam to sleep at the Cliffside Villa. It wouldn't be the first time.

There was a line of parents and sleeping children that moved from the toy room toward the main entrance where cars waited for them.

Max and Quentin looked at Luke and Mila helplessly, wondering if moving their kids will wake them up. Luke was holding Mila's hand and they were absolutely adorable. Liz and Brianna took a few photos.

"You can leave kids here to sleep…", Sarah suggested in a whisper, careful not to wake up the kids. "We have free bedrooms, and you are very welcome to stay the night."

"Can we?", Mia asked enthusiastically in a low voice. Her child is not in the toy room (it's in her belly), but she came with this group from Seattle, and she really-really wanted to spend the night at the Cliffside Villa.

"Of course, you can.", Aiden assured them that it's not a problem. "We will set up the security to sound the alarm in your room when kids wake up, so you can sleep peacefully."

"Oh, then we will also stay.", Jeff said. This will give him more time to spend with Max, and JoAnna is getting along with Liz very well. 

Jeff looked at Max expectantly. "In the morning we can have a friendly spar." Jeff glanced at Quentin. "I heard that you know how to throw a punch."

Max and Quentin smiled in response while JoAnna and Liz shook heads in disapproval.

Brianna didn't get it. What punch-throwing?

"We will invite Jasper and Ellie for brunch.", Sarah threw in the idea and the sparkle in Brianna's eyes told Sarah that her lure was effective.

Of course, the guests from Seattle stayed, as well as Jeff and JoAnna.

They gathered in the living room for a chat while staff set up four guest bedrooms, and then they dispersed for the night.

After wishing everyone a good night, Aiden led Sarah to the rooftop terrace.

Sarah shivered when the chilly Ocean breeze caressed her skin.

"This is a good chance to try it out…", Aiden said while handing her the red sweater he personally knitted for her.

Sarah smiled and put it on. The sweater was soft and a bit loose and now that she had it on, Sarah realized that it reached half of her thigs.

"This is more like a dress than a sweater…", Sarah commented.

"I thought you will like a bit more length. If you don't want it, I can shorten…"

"It's perfect.", Sarah interrupted Aiden. "Everything is perfect. This place and people and you. Us. Perfect."

Aiden smiled smugly and reached for her hands. "Can I have a dance, Mrs. White?"

Sarah wanted to say how there is no music, but that never stopped them before.

She knew that Aiden was looking forward to dancing with her. When they dance, there is an invisible connection where he leads and she follows, and she trusts that he will catch her every time and not let her fall… but she was crying and now the party was over. However, that doesn't mean that they need to skip dancing.

"It will be my honor, Mr. White.", Sarah responded with a smile.

They moved slowly and she followed his lead, as always.

Aiden's intense gaze made Sarah's cheeks heat up. It was hungry and possessive and lusty and like she was the only woman in his world. And she was.

Sarah and Aiden danced without music, under the dark sky that was speckled with millions of stars, illuminated by the moon which reflected in the Ocean and it was magical.

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