Is this destiny?

Sarah went to JoAnna in order to check on Vasily\'s condition.

She hoped that she can bring him out in the garden for the party (how she did with Aiden when he was comatose), but JoAnna objected.

"He is stable, but the wounds still didn\'t heal, and we should not risk worsening his condition. What if it gets infected?"

"Will he be OK to travel with us to Los Angeles tomorrow?", Sarah asked. She wanted Vasily with them, but not at the risk of endangering his life.

"Yes. The swelling is reducing, and we have all the equipment in the plane for an emergency procedure. He needs to be transferred, and it won\'t make much difference if we do it now or in a few weeks.", JoAnna assured Sarah that they will take all necessary precautions for the trip.

JoAnna was eager to return home. She wanted to check on the LA Medical Center, which she left in Emma\'s care, and on the Golden Ocean Resort, which is managed by Bridgette, and on all other things that she left behind due to this mess with the Lebedev family. Now that things are settled, and Aiden is safe, she wanted to go home and relax, even though she knew that there will be a lot of work when she returns to Los Angeles.

JoAnna also craved for a mini-vacation with just Jeff and her. Probably on Jeff\'s island where he took her when they started dating. It is a place where they escape from reality a few times a year, and she really needs a break.

JoAnna reminded Sarah to get ready for the party. "Everyone is eager to see you, don\'t make your guests wait. I will have a few things to do here and then I will join you."

Sarah moved to leave and stopped at the door. "You remember that Aiden and I want to find out the gender of our baby during this party, right?"

"Yes, yes. This party is centered on revealing the gender of your baby. Felix is working on it."

Sarah\'s eyes widened. "Felix knows?"

JoAnna shrugged. "This is for you and Aiden to find out. Why do you care who all knows?"

Sarah was not pleased that so many people know about the gender of her baby before her. "Can you tell me?"

JoAnna could not believe this. She asked Sarah so many times if she wants to know, and Sarah objected, yet now when they are a few hours away from the big reveal, Sarah flipped and wants to know. "Are you kidding me?"

"Come on, Anna. Why am I the last one to know?"

"If I tell you, Aiden will be the last one to know. Are you OK with that?"

"Yes!", Sarah exclaimed without missing a beat. "If it\'s a problem, I can pretend to be surprised."

Sarah made an exaggerated expression of shock.

JoAnna burst into giggles. "Get out!"

Sarah pouted and left.

By the time Sarah and Aiden stepped into the garden, the place was bustling with activity while music filled the air from wireless speakers that were hidden in the trees and bushes.

The cooks started the fire for the barbeque, and the staff was arranging drinks and snacks on the tables.

Tables with chairs were arranged on the flat non-grassy areas, shielded from the heat of the afternoon sun with big umbrellas. Picnic blankets were spread under the shades of the trees.

People were standing or sitting, and talking lively in a good mood.

The people from the Voronin family were entertained by Konstantin, Stella, Dmitri, Todor, Edward, and Owen. They all mingled with others, and it didn\'t look much different than any other party where people gather for socializing.

Further down, on the right, they arranged several areas for various games such as ring toss, jumbo-Jenga, and Sarah saw that Ade and Hande were busy filling balloons with water. It seems they will have a water-balloon fight later, which will be perfect for this hot summer day.

The lively crowd around Jamari was suspicious. It seemed that Jamari is taking bets if the baby will be a boy or a girl.

Sarah chuckled, happy that so many people are excited about the baby in her stomach. She rubbed her belly subconsciously while thinking that it will be the luckiest baby in the world with so many Uncles and Aunts, and the most caring father ever. She knew that Aiden will be amazing.

Sarah\'s eyes lit up when she saw Sean and Ryan chatting with Ellie and Jasper.

"Hey! I am happy that you are here!", Sarah exclaimed while giving them hugs.

"We were in Italy, and since we expanded our territories and influence thanks to you, we could not ignore the news that you are having a party today.", Sean spoke for him and Ryan. Sarah thought about how the Ronin twins look mature; they grew up a lot since they appeared in Los Angeles for the first time to train with Allen and Julius.

"Yes, yes… Same with us.", Ellie bobbed her head. "We were in Ireland for the operation and since you were generous to give us resources, we decided to get more from you and shamelessly fill our bellies also!"

"If you excuse us, we are going to mingle.", Ryan said and pulled Sean, and their boyish grins and sparkles in the eyes dispelled the mature image Sarah built up of them a minute ago.

The Ronin twins went to join Allen and Julius who were spreading a long plastic on the grass, to be used later as a water slide.

The water slide was beyond the area where Ron, Haru, Tejan, and Daniel were arranging logs that will turn into a bonfire with the first signs of a sunset. Sarah was surprised to see that Maksim helped out with bringing the logs. It seems that Haru got Maksim to join in on that activity.

With everything being set up, Sarah was convinced that it will be a fun afternoon (and evening).

Sarah was overjoyed to see Ellie and Jasper. "How is Amber? Did you bring her here? What about Grayden?"

Amber is one and a half months old, while Grayden is two years old.

"Amber is fine. Grandma Melissa was happy to stay and babysit both of her grandbabies… with Angelo", Ellie added this last part with a whisper.

Sarah was sad that they left their kids in Chicago. She hoped to see baby Amber at least. "You left Grayden and Amber?"

"Gray is too little to care for parties, and he loves Lisa and Angelo because they are spoiling him. As for Amber, I pumped enough milk to last her for days." Ellie hooked her arm with Sarah\'s and pulled her to the side. "It\'s not easy to leave the baby behind and I am missing her like crazy. But I know that she is in good hands and I needed a break, or I would risk losing my mind. How are you doing sweetie? You are three months pregnant now, right?"

Aiden watched Sarah and Ellie chat with big smiles on their faces and he was glad to see Sarah in such a good mood. He can\'t wait to go home and organize gatherings where Sarah will be surrounded by friendly faces. He smiled at the thought of Saturday mornings when all the girls gather for a brunch in the garden of the Cliffside Villa, and he could hear their chatter. It always left Sarah in a good mood.

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