~ Los Angeles, Cliffside vi ~


    Saturday, February 1


    11:27 AM


    nor and Oscar arrived at the Cliffside vi. JoAnna was in charge to invite them to a lunch, afternoon fun and dinner, without arousing a suspicion that Aiden is awake. She told them that they have some important news to share.


    Since getting a call two days ago, nor is all giddy because she knows what JoAnna wants to tell them: she is pregnant!


    Ah, it''s great news! And it''s about time… they are married for more than four months already!


    nor is a bit suspicious… Why are theying here and not to the Mediterranean vi? But those are the details. Not important. What matters is that she will be a grandmother!


    "Ah, I see that the party started…", normented when Sarah greeted them at the door. She heardmotion from the garden, and she wants to go and see JoAnna as soon as possible!


    "Yes. Ste and Edward are on their way, and they should be here shortly. We are having a BBQ party, Aiden''s favorite.", Sarah responded.


    nor gave <em>''you are so sweet''</em> look to Sarah and pressed her lips into a thin line. "Thank you for doing all this for him, sweetie."


    Oscar followed nor''s statement with an approving hum.


    "Come, everyone is in the garden.", Sarah smiled while wondering what will nor''s reaction going to be. She didn''t expect much from Oscar, the range of emotions visible on his face is equivalent to a block of wood.


    nor stared at Aiden without moving, unsure if her eyes are ying tricks on her. She realized that JoAnna tricked them with an ambiguous reason toe here, but she does not mind. Not even a little bit.


    "Hi mom… dad…", Aiden greeted them with a big smile on his face while walking toward them.


    "Oh…", nor exhaled and her whole body shook before she plunged toward Aiden to give him a big hug.


    "You are awake… you are awake…", nor chanted with eyes full of tears while cupping Aiden''s cheeks in her palms and turning his head left and right like she is trying to confirm that he is not missing any hairs from his head… and then she hugged him again.


    It was a very emotional reunion.


    Oscar waited for his turn to approach Aiden, but he saw that nor has no intention to let go so he joined, and it became a three-person hug.


    Ellie and Jasper also came. JoAnna told Sarah and Aiden that Ellie and Jasper were there while two of them were missing, and they helped by using their connections. Sarah and Aiden thought it''s a good thing to have them at this party as well. They are all good friends, and Ellie and Jasper don''t minding to Los Angeles for a weekend. They get to spend time in Ellie''s vi, and they get out of the snowy Chicago.


    Ste and Edward arrived shortly before 1 PM. The first round of BBQ was already on the table. Sophia had a task to invite her parents without alerting them in advance that Aiden is awake. Sophia''s due date is a week away, and Ste and Edward nned toe on Wednesday in order to be here when their first grandchild is born. They arrived earlier because Sophia told them that she is feeling contractions. When they saw Aiden, they didn''t mind that Sophia tricked them. Well, baby wille soon. And they are d that Aiden is awake, and that Sarah is smiling again.


    With Bridgette, Steve, Emma and Penny there, and everyone else who is staying at the Cliffside vi, it was very lively.


    "Charlie is noting?", JoAnna asked Emma.


    "I don''t know.", Emma responded. "Last few days he is not here as much."


    JoAnna perked up at Emma''s apparent displeasure. "Do you miss him?"


    Emma didn''t deny it. "Of course, I do. This is what I was fearing… that I will get used to spending time with him and once he goes back to his business, I will have this gap..." She ced her palm over her chest unknowingly. "…and I don''t know how to fill it up."


    "Maybe you don''t need to worry about that.", Penny''sment admitted that she was eavesdropping on their conversation.


    Emma and JoAnna looked at Penny who pointed with her chin toward the garden entrance.


    Emma turned her head toward the direction where Penny pointed and held her breath at the sight of Charlie who walked in unhurriedly. He looked dashing in dark jeans and a gray zer over a light blue shirt… and his charming smile was directed at Emma... and the way he ran his hand through his hair was mesmerizing.


    JoAnna and Penny exchanged knowing nces and moved away from Emma.


    Charlie was few steps away from Emma when she snapped out of her daze and rushed toward him.


    "Are your legs OK with this?", she asked while supporting his arm.


    "Thanks to you.", he responded.


    Emma looked at Charlie standing straight in front of her and she thought how she didn''t realize so far how tall he is… or how wide his shoulders are… or how his smile makes his eyes crinkle at the corners… She lowered her head while trying topose herself. Why is her heart beating so wildly?


    From a bench nearby, Penny and JoAnna carefully observed Emma and Charlie. Those two just needed a popcorn to have a full experience. Both Charlie and Emma were full of smiles, and JoAnna noticed that Emma is shy.


    "This is NOT how two <em>''only friends''</em> interact.", JoAnna mused while scrutinizing them.


    "Do you think that something will happen?", Penny asked.


    JoAnna shrugged. "I hope so… but considering that those two are ying this game for months now and the score is still 0-0, I don''t know. However... based on Charlie''s attitude, it seems that he made some decisions during these few days he was noting here."


    Pennyughed and grimaced.


    "Are you OK?", JoAnna asked her.


    "I will be. Lately I''m getting these dizzy spells and difort in my stomach. But it gets better on it''s own after a minute or so.", Penny exined.


    "That does not sound normal. Are you eating well?"


    Penny confirmed that she is following dietary rmendations that JoAnna and Emma provided.


    "Let''s go quickly to theb. I want to check your bloodwork. It is time for us to see the improvement, if any.", JoAnna didn''t give Penny an opportunity to refuse.


    The atmosphere was good.


    Sarah was happy to see everyone gathered, but she didn''t like that their parents are hogging Aiden. They are around him, asking endless questions. Sarah told herself that it''s only for the afternoon. He woke up recently, so everyone wants to spend time with him, especially his parents.


    Sarah sat on a bench with a te full of food and Kitty by her side.


    ---


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