Is this destiny?

The day trickled away and with the sunset, the bonfire was lit up.

Aiden and Sarah were sitting under a big oak tree with their fur-babies around them. Hero, Luna, and Bella were on the ground, while Kitty, Atlas, and Vega relaxed on the branches of the oak tree, above their human-parents.

Aiden\'s back rested against the tree\'s trunk, his legs were half-bent at the knees and spread so that Sarah could sit comfortably between his legs and use his chest as a backrest.

He played with a strand of her hair and his world was at peace.

Sarah enjoyed seeing kids gathered around the bonfire. They were dancing and singing and showing off their moves and Sarah\'s smile widened every time laughter from the bonfire reached her ears.

Aiden noticed that Ellie and Samara were sitting on the side and chatting.

"Did Ellie find out that she will get a sibling?", Aiden asked Sarah.

"Mhm…", Sarah responded with a hum. "Mathew was sheepish about it, but Ellie was cool. She was shocked initially which is totally understandable because she just gave birth to her second baby and her father told her that she is going to have a brother or a sister in a few months. I believe that now she is giving pregnancy tips to Samara."

After some silence, Sarah brought up a topic that hovered silently above them. "You didn\'t say anything about Maksim."

Aiden groaned in annoyance. "What do you expect me to say?"

Sarah lowered her head. She hoped to get his approval, but she knew that it would be hard. She can\'t expect that Aiden will approve of Sarah tolerating Maksim\'s behavior, but she wanted to talk about it with Aiden in order to clarify any possible misunderstandings.

Aiden kissed the back of Sarah\'s head and spoke into her hair. "I know that Maksim\'s cooperation is valuable for what we are doing. I am happy that you found a way to ensure he does not leave, yet at the same time he will be unable to get close to you."

Sarah smiled. "Thank you."

"No, my love. Thank you. You did amazing."

Aiden dislikes Maksim for his shameless (repeated) attempts to woo Sarah. But Aiden can\'t ignore the fact that Maksim has many connections that are making Hong\'s life easier, and in extension, their lives as well.

Their mission is to get Voronins under Hong\'s control so that they are not a threat to Sarah and Aiden, and Maksim is helping by giving his support to Hong.

If Maksim wants to work against them, he might make part of the Voronin organization to rebel. Of course, Maksim won\'t win, but it would bring conflicts and casualties, and the only thing Aiden (and Sarah) want is to go home and leave all this behind.

Aiden likes Sarah\'s solution where she gave Maksim six months to prove himself. Aiden hopes that Maksim will stick around until Hong gets his own footing in the Voronin family and at the same time, that Maksim will give up before the six months deadline (or Christmas) runs out.

While thinking about Maksim, Aiden has to acknowledge that Maksim is a dangerous character and that it\'s better to keep him close and watch over his movements, so there is a big chance that they will need to figure out how to keep Maksim contained after Christmas.

Until Christmas is a long time, and Aiden will worry about that later. There are so many other things to think about, happy things... and Aiden does not want to bother with Maksim.

Sarah was ecstatic that Aiden approved of her solution related to Maksim and that he didn\'t succumb under his protective-jealous mode. No matter what Sarah did, Aiden was always supportive, and she hoped he knows that she appreciates that side of him. Actually, she appreciates every side of him because he is amazing.

Sarah tilted her head to see Aiden.

The bonfire splashed light on his face, and the shadows danced, making his features enchanting and she was lost in the moment.

Aiden smiled. He loves when she looks at him like that… as if she is falling in love all over again.

Aiden ran his fingers over her cheek and asked softly: "What are you thinking?"

Sarah enjoyed his touch, as always. It took her a second to respond. "I am thinking about how lucky I am that the love of my life is also my best friend. You are everything I ever wished for and more. I love the way you think, and the way you look at the world, and the way you look at me."

Aiden leaned closer and kissed her on the lips. "How about we go upstairs?"

His devilish smile directed at her told her that he wants them to make love. She wants that as well, but… there is a party going on. She bit her lower lip while thinking about what to do.

"I would love that, but…" Her words were interrupted when Aiden kissed her. He didn\'t want to hear the \'but\' part because, for him, nothing exists other than Sarah.

She struggled to talk between kisses. "It\'s early and… all these people are here for us… we are leaving tomorrow so… we should stay longer… at this party… and we should mingle."

Sarah giggled when he groaned in disapproval.

"Fine…", he said dejectedly. "Can we stay here a few more minutes?"

Sarah turned sideways so that she can wrap her arms around Aiden and lean her cheek against his chest, silently agreeing to his request.

"I look forward to going home.", Aiden said while cradling Sarah in his embrace.

"What do you want to do first when we get there?"

"Hmm…", Aiden hummed before responding: "I want us to decide which room will be used as a nursery so that we can start setting it up. Now that we know it\'s a boy, we don\'t need to worry about picking the wrong color for the walls. It\'s just about getting the right shade. There are four walls, so you can pick for two and I will get the other two."

Sarah thought how the color of the walls is not important. "I will leave that to you."

Aiden was surprised for a moment, but then he thought how Sarah will probably meddle after he gets the paint. This is a trap! "That is a big responsibility. Are you sure you will let me pick the color on my own? Our boy will look at those walls a lot."

"Our boy…", Sarah said dreamily. "We should pick a name."

Aiden didn\'t respond, and Sarah guessed: "Do you have a name on your mind?"

"Maybe.", he responded mysteriously. The truth is that Aiden was thinking about names since Sarah told him that she is pregnant, and he has favorites for a boy and for a girl.

"Tell me.", Sarah demanded.

Aiden shook his head, refusing to say.

Sarah turned and sat on his thighs, straddling him. Now her back was facing the bonfire and the party, and she was able to completely tune out everyone.

She cupped his cheeks, forcing him to look at her. "Tell me. Please."

He was never able to refuse when she says \'please\'.

Aiden kissed her on the lips, on the cheek, near her ear, and then he whispered the name into her ear.

Sarah closed her eyes and enjoyed the goosebumps that rose when his breath splashed against her ear.

"I love it…", she responded.

Aiden\'s eyes lit up. "You do?"

"Yes. I think it\'s wonderful. Just like you." Sarah kissed her index finger and then placed it on her belly as if to transfer the kiss to the baby. "Did you hear that, Logan? Your daddy picked a perfect name for you and we will stop calling you by fruits that match your size. Now you have a real name, and soon the nursery will be ready, and we look forward to meeting with you in six months."

Aiden wanted to correct Sarah because it\'s six and a half months, but he decided against it. He was happy to hear that she likes the name. "Thank you, Sarah."

Sarah gave Aiden a quick kiss on the lips and stood up. "Let\'s join the party. I am so happy that I wish to dance with the father of my child."

Aiden stood up and took her hand in his. "No sudden movements.", he warned her.

"You are in charge, and I will follow your lead. As always.", Sarah responded.

Aiden hummed in approval and led the way toward the bonfire so that they can join in the dancing.

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