Is this destiny?

As Sarah and Aiden danced next to the bonfire, Sarah felt like floating. Her body swayed under Aiden\'s immaculate guidance, and they were surrounded by music and laughter and it was surreal, like the last month (or two) didn\'t happen at all.

"Are you going to cry?", Aiden asked softly when he noticed that her eyes are glistening.

He was worried that she might be in pain or stressed or something like that. He did a lot of research related to a woman\'s body during pregnancy and he found out that many things can go wrong. Is she having discomfort because of all the meat she stole from his plate? But how can he deny her food?

Sarah looked into his dark eyes that were full of worry and she smiled to reassure him that everything is fine. More than fine. "I am happy."

Aiden exhaled helplessly. He didn\'t want her to cry ever again, but if it\'s from happiness (or pregnancy hormones), then it\'s fine.

"Let me know if you are tired or if anything is bothering you. Can I get you something?"

Sarah responded with a hum and hugged Aiden, leaning her head on his chest. She thought about returning home, and remembered… "We need to wrap up a few more things before…"

She lifted her head just in time for Aiden\'s lips to cover hers.

"We will talk about it in the morning.", Aiden said when he inched away. "Tonight is about dancing, food, fun, and relaxing. Think of it as a night off. I will let you work in the morning and until we leave, but when we reach home, I want you to let me handle all the taxing things, and you focus on your health and our baby. OK?"

"I don\'t know about it…", Sarah drawled. "You know how I am. I like to work as long as I have energy. But you can make sure I am out of energy…", she grinned and wiggled her eyebrows, making Aiden laugh.

"I will see what I can do about it.", Aiden responded with a devilish smile on his face. Oh, yes. He can do that.

Maksim was sitting on the log and observed Sarah and Aiden as they danced and flirted like no one is watching.

Maksim was on a mission to find out bits and pieces of information in order to complete the puzzle of Sarah\'s family and friends. The more he found out, the more fascinated he was.

"The perfect couple got your attention?", Ellie asked when she took a seat next to Maksim.

"The perfect couple?", Maksim repeated.

"Mhm… Look at them. Moving as one, thinking as one to the point of completing each other\'s sentences, oblivious that anyone else exists around them."

Maksim was happy that finally someone wants to talk openly about Sarah and Aiden. So far, everyone would only say a word or two (always something good) and then switch the topic. Seeing that Ellie brought up Sarah and Aiden on her own, he decided to ask questions. "Are they always like that?"

"Yup. Aiden kissed Sarah when she was four years old. They have it recorded and are always in the mood to play for anyone who is interested.", Ellie said and made a dramatic pause. "The two of them reunited at college and since then they are inseparable so, whatever you are thinking, I suggest you drop it."

"Or what? The pretty boy will give me a beating?"

Ellie laughed. "Oh, Aiden is not the one you should worry about. It\'s Sarah\'s sisters.", Ellie pointed at Sophia who was dancing with Felix, and then at JoAnna who was sitting at the table with Jeff and enjoying Jeff\'s service of feeding her ice cream cake (vanilla with chocolate swirls, her favorite). With the kids gone to sleep, JoAnna and Sophia were able to relax and enjoy with their husbands.

Maksim\'s eyebrows shoot up in surprise. "They don\'t look dangerous."

"Neither does Sarah.", Ellie said and gave Maksim a knowing look.

Maksim had to agree with Ellie on this. He approached Sarah first because she was beautiful. And then he found out that she has spunk… and then that she has skills and boldness with a hint of insanity and… the more Maksim knows about Sarah, the more he is enchanted. He can\'t help it.

As for Sarah\'s sisters, Maksim reminded himself that all three of them are Lebedevs and as such, they are not weak women. He glanced at Ellie. "I assume you are here for more than just to deliver a warning."

Ellie smiled. "Of course, I came to chat with young master Maksim. Who knows, maybe we collaborate in the future?"

Maksim hummed. "Maybe… How can I help Madam K?"

Ellie was not surprised that Maksim knows who she is. "Nothing comes to my mind at this point, but I know that you have an elaborate network, and if there is a chance, I would like us to be on the same side and exchange information."

Maksim nodded in agreement, but he didn\'t make any promises. "While on the topic of exchanging information, how are you related to Goddess Nyx?"

Ellie smiled as she remembered her childhood in Seattle that seemed like a lifetime away. "We grew up as neighbors."

Maksim was not sure if Ellie made that up. What are the chances for something like that to happen? But then… there are many powerful characters at this party. If it\'s related to his Divna, anything is possible.

"Do you mind if we join you?", Ryan asked when he and Sean approached Maksim and Ellie.

Maksim gestured for them to sit and they started chatting.

Hong watched from the side, and he was glad to see that Maksim is keeping busy with youngsters who are close to his age.

Hong spent the last two days with Maksim, and he found that Maksim is smart and resourceful. Hong wondered how Maksim would turn out if he didn\'t grow up in the Voronin family and if his father was not Simeon. In a way, that gave Maksim power, but it shackled him as well and it allowed his mind to be enveloped in darkness. Hong experienced that environment firsthand and he hoped to help Maksim break out of that mold. Hong was confident that with the right support, Maksim will tone down his violence and find his way.

"You grew affections toward Maksim?", Stella asked Hong.

Hong shot her a side-glance. "I would not call it affections."

"You were smiling.", Stella voiced her observation and saw that Hong looked away. He obviously wanted to avoid the topic, but Stella was not willing to drop it. "That is nothing to be ashamed of, Gedeon. I know that you raised your disciples because they had no one to take care of them, and you did a good job. Maksim is a lost boy, and he could use your guidance."

Hong pressed his lips into a line and didn\'t respond, but Stella knew that she got it right.

Stella looked toward the area where people danced and she saw that her three daughters are dancing with their husbands among several other couples. Ron and Zula, Michael and Oni, Imani and Jamari, Corey and Merve, Mathew and Samara... and even Mr. Wang and Suvedini were dancing. They all had smiles on their faces and it was a nice sight.

The only bad thing was that they will all leave tomorrow and Stella was sure that this whole place will look deserted.

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