Is this destiny?

~ Texas, the White Rock Lake ~

5:19 PM

The afternoon was passing in a good atmosphere.

Until dinner, they have free activities with several to choose from: ring toss, jumbo Jenga, and a trampoline. Some kids are cruising the lake in three boats which Aiden secured for this occasion, some are swimming, and the music is blasting. The only things louder than music are the occasional cheers and laughter when someone scored a difficult point or did an unexpected move.

There are snacks and drinks and those who want to slow down can sit and chat or play card games and dominoes.

There is something for everyone.

Even Master Hollow joined the event. He is sitting at the table with kids who are telling him stories about their adventures. No one is talking about the Army of Chaos, but they can say everything related to their activities in the home, and trips to the ranch in New Mexico where they drive cars and ride horses, and their ski trips, and all the fun when they go to Los Angeles. 

Shortly after five o\'clock, Sarah got a message to call the Cliffside Villa, so she went to the study room.

In the study room…

Sarah ended the call with Genie and sighed.

"Problems?", Aiden asked with concern obvious in his voice.

Sarah looked at him for some time before responding: "The kids we left at home are missing us."

Aiden was visibly confused. Did they leave some kids at home? He is sure they counted everyone two times before they left the Cliffside Villa. "Who?"

"Kitty and the pups are restless, and they are refusing to eat.", Sarah explained.

Aiden stifled a laugh. "That bad?"

Sarah didn\'t think it\'s funny. "Pups are crying, and Kitty is going through the house and sniffing while growling at the staff. Even Tristan can\'t approach her. Pups are used to us, well you mostly. And whenever we left Kitty, at least some of the kids were at home, so she was not this lonely. I am confident that they think we abandoned them."

"We should get them here.", Aiden said without much thought.

Sarah agreed with Aiden, but how can they make that happen? She does not want to go to Los Angeles to fetch the pets. That will take hours and other than Master Hollow and Michael, they are the only grownups present. And both Master Hollow and Michael are hurt; they are supposed to rest and not to take care of fifty kids.

Sarah saw only one possibility. "Can someone bring them?"

"Pups are not a problem, but not many can take Kitty.", Aiden stated the facts.

Sarah stood by the window and looked at the garden. She spotted Masika, Art, Femi, Rosa, and Tejan sitting at the table and playing cards. Suddenly, while looking at Masika, Sarah got an idea. "Zack!"

Aiden needed to confirm that they are talking about the same person. "The one who is eager to serve Masika?"

Sarah confirmed. "He saw Kitty more than once, and she was fine with him, so he can bring her here. Someone from the army can take one of the helicopters, pick up the animals, and bring them here with Zack in the back. And it will be perfect: Ryan and Sean bailed out at the last minute, so the accommodations which were prepared for them are available. Zack can stay here and make sure that Kitty does not go to neighbors and causes trouble."

In Texas is legal to have large cats as pets, so if Kitty is seen, it will not be a problem. However, if a leopard roams the neighborhood and spooks the neighbors (or eats their pets), that is a problem.

Aiden frowned. "The only one from the army who knows where we live is Noah."

Sarah grimaced. She is aware that Aiden has issues with Noah. Well, she is not OK with Noah\'s behavior either, but he is respecting that she is taken, even though he is not hiding his infatuation with her. But Noah seems to be the only one who can do this... "We can ask Noah to return the helicopter right away, so he will not stay longer than necessary."

Aiden closed his eyes and exhaled. He can\'t be unreasonable. "It will be late; he can stay at least for a meal. And overnight…"

"Thank you, hubby…", Sarah said sweetly and gave Aiden a light kiss. "You are the best."

Aiden smiled. He likes it when Sarah is praising him. Ah, he does not need much to melt. "Call Noah before I change my mind."

Sarah swiftly reached for her phone. She knows that Aiden means it.

"Noah and Zack will leave in ten minutes, and Genie is expecting them. So, they should be here by eight.", Sarah told Aiden when she finished the call. "It is good to have people who can drop everything and come here on short notice."

"Of course, they will drop everything...", Aiden grumbled. He is aware that Zack is eager to go wherever Masika is, and Noah is in his own league of creepy.

Sarah hugged Aiden and kissed his chin repeatedly while talking in a soft voice: "You are a very considerate husband... And a wonderful father... Putting your family first... Our fur-babies will be with us soon... And they will be happy… And it\'s all thanks to you... There is no better husband in the world… And I am lucky to have you… We all are…"

Aiden smiled. He knows that Sarah is buttering him up... and it\'s working.

There was a knock on the door.

"Come in…", Aiden called.

Merve peeked in. "Sorry to disturb you."

"Not a problem.", Sarah waved Merve to come in. Based on Merve\'s expression, Sarah saw that it\'s something serious.

"Can you come and talk to Hande?", Merve asked Sarah.

Sarah was alerted. Didn\'t Masika say that everything is fine with Hande? And other than being scared and not talking, she looked fine to Sarah as well. "What is wrong with Hande?"

Merve shrugged and helplessly shook her head. "Since that incident, she is not saying anything other than telling me to leave her alone. She is in her bed and crying. I tried talking to her, but she is dispirited. She was looking forward to this, coming together with everyone, and I never saw her in such a bad state. I believe that she is blaming herself, and I hope that she will listen to you."

Sarah glanced at Aiden who gave her a small nod.

"OK. I will talk to her.", Sarah assured Merve. "Go and join the party, leave Hande to me."

Merve thanked Sarah and left.

"You said that I am a great father…", Aiden reminded her. "And I believe that you are an amazing mother."

Sarah smiled. She believes that everything will be fine as long as they are together.

Sarah gave Aiden a quick kiss and left him in the study. Ah, parenting is hard.

---

If you are not reading this at \'W e b n o v e l .. c o m\', then the content you\'re reading is stolen! Please support the author by reading this novel from the original source.