Is this destiny?

~ Los Angeles, the Tuscan Villa ~

March 21

11:01 AM

JoAnna and Sarah are sitting on the terrace with Sophia and watching four kids running around the large tree while trying to catch Hero, Bella, and Luna.

The three German Shepherds are fully grown with a majestic appearance of their shiny black fur, but in front of four toddlers who want to pull their ears and tails, the dogs are running for cover while trying to preserve their dignity. The dogs are regretting that they followed their mommy when she asked them if they want to come for a ride. If only their daddy is here, he would not allow them to suffer this mistreatment! The only comforting thing is that the toddlers are not very fast and that they run out of steam quickly.

Lia celebrated her third birthday more than a month ago, and she is the leader of the human-pack of toddlers. Adam is two years old and he is following his sister like she is a goddess. Alice and Jayden are easily agreeing with whatever their big-cousin Lia commands. Lia is enjoying the glory of being the oldest kid in her generation.

Three sisters laughed and watched the commotion in the garden while sipping tea and snacking on fresh pastries that Felix made.

Two nannies are sitting at a nearby table, ready to take care of anything the kids might need. One nanny came with JoAnna, and she takes care of Alice and Jayden, and the other nanny is for Lia and Adam. Since kids have playdates often, the two women got to know each other, and they are getting along well.

"How are you doing?" Sarah asked Sophia who was rubbing her huge belly.

"Good. One more month to go but I have a feeling this one will come sooner." Sophia said with a gentle smile on her face.

"Did something happen?" JoAnna asked Sarah with concern in her voice. She saw that Sarah\'s mood fell.

"I got my period today." Sarah said dejectedly.

JoAnna made a face. "Come on. You stopped taking pills two or three weeks ago? Don\'t tell me that you expected to get pregnant right away? You know that healthy couples take on average six months to conceive a child."

Sophia hummed in agreement.

Sarah snorted and looked at JoAnna. "Yeah, easy for you to say. You got pregnant as soon as you stopped the pills and this one…" Sarah gestured toward Sophia. "This one is getting pregnant no matter what contraception she is using."

Sophia frowned in outrage. "Hey! It\'s not me! It\'s Felix. He is a freak."

"I heard that!" Felix grumbled from the door. He was carrying three large glasses of freshly squeezed orange juice for Sophia and her sisters, and four small ones with straws and plastic lids for the kids, but now he is having second thoughts. Why would he give healthy beverages to women who are talking smack behind his back?

Felix looked at Sophia with disapproval obvious in his expression. "You used to call me mighty. And now I\'m a freak?"

Sophia glared at Sarah and whispered: "Do you see what you are doing?"

Sophia turned to Felix and smiled sweetly. "Ma chéri, you are always mighty, and I would never call you a freak. It\'s just that you are so mighty that it\'s freaky sometimes." 

Felix raised his eyebrow suspiciously while arranging juice on the table. He was not sure how to respond, but he knows that Sophia is pregnant, so this is not the right time to bicker. How can she talk like getting her pregnant is his fault? The fact that he can impregnate her easily is his pride, and there is nothing wrong with it! 

"Should I call the kids to come and get juice?" Felix asked while looking at the little ones who are chasing after the dogs.

"Let them be, they are having fun. We will call them in a bit." Sophia responded.

Felix lowered his head and kissed Sophia\'s belly before going for her lips. "Call me if you need something…" Felix murmured into Sophia\'s lips. "I will be in the workshop, so that you girls can talk."

Sophia smiled. "OK."

"Eat more fruits, it\'s good for my baby..." Felix reminded Sophia while gently rubbing her belly.

JoAnna waited for Felix to be out of the sight before comforting Sarah: "Don\'t worry. I\'m sure you will be pregnant soon, if that is what you wish. But give it some time. On the other hand, if you suspect that something is wrong, we can do tests, but that will increase the possibility that Aiden finds out about it, and you said that you want to surprise him… I remember how delighted Jeff was when I told him about the pregnancy."

"No, no tests." Sarah responded quickly. "I want to surprise him. I know that he is looking forward to this and now that I decided it\'s time, I want to make it very special. I was thinking to have a surprise romantic dinner, with flowers and music and then I break the news to him. Maybe I can get him a glass of wine and a juice for me, and when he asks why I\'m not drinking the same, I give him a series of hints." Sarah ended with a dreamy smile on her face while imagining an array of expressions Aiden might make.

"That sounds nice…" JoAnna said and her eyes flashed when she remembered… "How was your trip to Romania?"

Sarah was surprised by this sudden change of topic. "Fine. Nothing unusual. We did a tour of our company, gave an afternoon off to all employees while we upgraded the security systems, my team is doing well and Ade and Hande participated in hack-battles."

"Anything else?" JoAnna continued probing.

Sarah pursed her lips while thinking about what she forgot to mention. It\'s obvious that JoAnna is asking about something specific. "We did one mission; it was a success… Aaron is getting along well with Vega… Attila and Milica are super-cute. Milica can walk now."

Sarah ran out of ideas and JoAnna was still looking at her expectantly. "What?"

"Did anything ELSE important happen?" JoAnna asked.

Sarah\'s eyes darted aimlessly while she tried to come up with something, but she was not successful. "No. Can you tell me what is on your mind?"

JoAnna bobbed her head in slow motion while thinking about how to start the topic. "You returned last night. Right?"

"Yes." Sarah confirmed and waited for JoAnna to continue. What\'s with all the dramatic pauses and building up expectations?

"I\'ve got a call from Hande. Last night." JoAnna said mysteriously.

"And?" Sarah was losing her patience.

"She asked me about protection."

Sarah blinked. "Protection, from what?"

"From unwanted pregnancy." JoAnna said flatly.

Sarah thought that she is going to pass out. "WHAT!?"

JoAnna stifled a laugh. "Hande told me that she and Ade did it and she does not want to get pregnant, so she wanted me to give her tips on how to protect herself."

Sarah\'s face darkened and her hands balled into fists. "When I get home, I am going to strangle Ade…" Sarah squeezed through her teeth and then snapped at JoAnna: "Why are you laughing?"

Sophia agreed that it\'s not funny. Hande is only twelve years old! And Ade is fourteen. Aren\'t they too young? How can JoAnna not take this seriously? Does she know something they don\'t?

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