Is this destiny?

The party progressed in a good mood.

Teams of two were formed for badminton and they drew lots to see matching of who is playing against whom. Winner progresses to the next round, just like in official matches.

Among the teams, Anita and Ashley were one.

Since Ellie\'s and Jasper\'s wedding, Anita and Russel are dating and because Russel and Vincent are close, Anita and Ashley started bonding also and so far it\'s going well.

The pregnant ladies (well, JoAnna mostly) complained because she can\'t play badminton or volleyball due to too much running and jumping, but she was happy that she can be a judge.

Bridgette and Sophia commented how JoAnna\'s sassy personality went up by few notches since she is pregnant, and other than her two sisters, no one dares saying anything about it because JoAnna has a man like Jeff backing her and in Jeff\'s eyes: what JoAnna says goes and she is never wrong.

As badminton ended, volleyball matches started.

Kids were excited about the volleyball and many bodyguards joined as well so there were a lot of powerful teams.

When Aiden saw how much kids stirred around the volleyball court they set up for this occasion, and many even went online to research rules and strategies, Aiden promised that they will keep the net on, so they can play anytime. The kids rejoiced.

They had tennis courts, but kids were not much into it mostly because only two can play at a time, or four if they play doubles. Considering how many kids are there and that everyone wants to have a go, it was a long line to wait for a match to end and kids lost interest. Volleyball is different, because each team has six members, and that means how twelve kids can play at a time.

"How come Sarah and Aiden are not playing?", Emma asked JoAnna and Sophia when she joined them. Everyone knows that Sarah and Aiden are super-active and always first in line when it comes to games and competition, and other than few quick games, the two of them are mostly sitting on a bench within a touching distance and talking in whispers.

JoAnna knows why, so she shared: "Gran and gramps sent an old video which shows Aiden at age of seven kissing Sarah who was four at that time and declaring that she is his woman… so now they are acting like they just fell in love."

Emma widened her eyes in surprise. "Oh, my… that is so sweet…"

"What is sweet?", Charlie asked when he took a seat next to Emma.

"Aiden claimed Sarah as his when she was four year old."

Charlie gazed longingly at Emma for few seconds before responding: "I would do the same if I met you when you were four."

Emma giggled and kissed his cheek. "Charlie, this is not a competition."

"What is not a competition?", Jeff asked when he approached them and grinned while looking at Charlie. "I have four trophies."

"Damnit!", Charlie cursed and stood up while glancing around to see what games are on so that he can join. He has only three trophies.

Charlie went toward the ring toss and Jeff sat next to JoAnna with a smug expression.

"Are you OK with this?", JoAnna asked Jeff while gesturing toward Charlie.

Jeff raised an eyebrow suspiciously. "Why?"

JoAnna gave him a knowing look. "When he wins this one, both of you will have four trophies. And then if he wins any other, he has more."

Jeff paused for a second before responding: "You are right. I will be back in a bit."

JoAnna laughed while watching Jeff walk in hastened steps after Charlie.

Sophia and Emma shook their heads.

JoAnna glanced at Sophia. "You should worry about your husband. I heard him talk with Steve, they are going to spar…"

Sophia exhaled helplessly. "There is nothing I can do. Boys will be boys."

Emma glanced around nervously. "Oh, no. If Charlie hears, he will go as well. Last time he got such a nasty bruise on his left arm. It took more than a week to heal."

JoAnna twirled her glass of iced mint tea while telling Emma: "Get ready for what is coming, because when they are done playing with rackets and balls, most of the people here will go to compare skills in the rink."

…

At the table in the corner, Stella, Edward, Oscar, Elanor and Jarred are sitting and observing the youngsters.

"So, we agree to work together?", Oscar asked while glancing at people at the table before his sight settled on Jarred.

Jarred nodded and gestured toward Charlie and Jeff who were currently immersed in the ring toss game. "Our kids are already collaborating. I see no harm in us exchanging some information and services." Jarred leaned back into his chair and added: "And I see that you are already working together."

"We want to keep our kids safe by creating a safety net in this area.", Stella responded. "We have a good coverage everywhere except from the West."

Everyone understood that Stella is talking about the ports which are on the West. Long family has influence in that area and if they get Longs to be on friendly terms enough so that they keep an eye on any threat coming from there, that would be for the best.

Hills and Whites never had conflicts with Longs, but Long family is a proud and competitive one where strict tradition is followed. On top of that, Richard Long (the current patriarch) believes that they are showing strength by holding onto their territory and assets without allying themselves with others. Also, Richard Long does not believe that Hills or Whites have anything to offer that can benefit them. However, Jarred might have something of interest.

"Since Steve told them that he wants to stay with Jeff, Longs are wary of us.", Elanor said.

Jarred knows that this is his part: "I will talk to Longs and see what I can do."

"We don\'t expect you to do this out of your good will.", Edward told Jarred. "We are aware of your family situation and we will help you remove some of the threats Charlie is facing."

Jarred had a troubled expression. He is grateful that they want to help Charlie, but at the same time he is ashamed that others know about his family\'s dirty laundry. Also, he is not confident that he will make a deal with Longs. "As much as I would like to ensure you that I will succeed, Richard Long is not known to listen to anyone."

"Do what you can.", Elanor told Jarred. "We hope that we can come to an agreement because Steve is close to our kids. However, if they are not willing…" Elanor paused while malicious grin appeared on her face. "We can take care of it in a different way."

Jarred furrowed his brows. "You plan to go to a war with Longs?"

Elanor stifled a laugh and shook her head slightly. "A war? With us working together it will be a total annihilation. However, how much they suffer will depend on how much resistance they put."

Jarred looked at Oscar, Elanor and Edward and saw that all of them are silently supporting what Elanor said.

"This is for our kids.", Stella said. "Steve is loyal… so far. But soon he will be married and have his family."

"You think that Richard will use that to force Steve into obedience?", Jarred guessed.

"You know Richard better than all of us.", Oscar responded. 

"Also, we have evidence that Longs are collaborating with a non-friendly organization from Eastern Europe.", Edward added. "Longs are either going to work with us, or they are out."

Jarred can see that those four already talked about this. "What do you plan to do if Richard refuses to listen?"

"There are few options. If Richard does not agree to work with us, he can\'t stay in power but that does not mean that we need to destroy them.", Elanor explained while gesturing toward Steve. "We have a Long right there. He can take over, if he is interested. As you know, they are sticking to the tradition blindly, and we have the information that most of the people in the higher tier of the Long family business will follow the patriarch if he is a Long."

Jarred sighed in resignation. "OK. Tell me… what do you expect me to accomplish by talking to Richard…"

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