A few minutes later…

Sophia exited the restroom. After Liz and JoAnna, she had to go also. Sophia is three months pregnant and it’s making her go often.

“Your test results are out!”, Sophia announced.

Liz didn’t react, but JoAnna happily went to the restroom.

“AHHH!”, JoAnna screamed, and Liz dashed to see what’s going on, thinking that something happened to JoAnna. She missed Sophia’s knowing smile.

“Wow, this… this…”, Liz stuttered while looking at two pregnancy tests side-by-side, both showing results: ‘PREGNANT’.

JoAnna hugged Liz and grinned. “Our babies will be close in age! Maybe they share the same birthday! The room down the hallway is full of gift-wrapping material, let’s go there. You should give this to Max as a Christmas present!”

JoAnna chattered and Liz blinked while slowly absorbing the news. She is pregnant! Well, it was not unexpected, but she dropped the contraception less than a month ago and she is pregnant already? Wow… just… wow.

…

Dinner was festive with lots of good food. For entertainment, previously recorded music played with snowy and Christmasy images being projected on big screens that were along the walls among the glitzy décor.

Laughter and friendly chatter were mixing with the music, reflecting the relaxing and harmonious atmosphere.

Stella was looking around and she admired everything. Only a few years ago, their villa in Seattle was bustling with parties.

Stella always loved hosting parties where people would gather. She knew one day that will end, and she guessed that the imaginary party-hosting baton will end up with meticulously organized Sophia, or with a social butterfly known as JoAnna. Stella would never imagine that her introvert Sarah who preferred to be stuck in a room with her computer will become a person who can attract so many people.

Sarah changed, and Stella was aware that the catalyst for that change was Aiden. From the beginning of their relationship, Aiden supported Sarah unconditionally and that allowed Sarah to bloom into the confident young woman she is today.

“What are you thinking?”

Edward’s question pulled Stella out of her thoughts.

Stella wiped tears from the corners of her eyes before they fell. “I am grateful that Sarah and Aiden found each other.”

Edward was not sure how to respond to this. “They are a good match.”

Stella smiled. “They are a perfect match. I wish that there is something I can do to show him my gratitude.”

Edward exhaled heavily. He had no idea why Stella brought up the topic of Sarah and Aiden being a good match, and for what Stella was grateful to Aiden. However, he saw that Stella was emotional and that this was important to her, so he nodded his head in support of whatever was on her mind.

After dinner, kids took to the stage in turns to showcase their talents.

Allen and Julius played an enchanting piece on grand pianos; Ron and Zula performed a fiery Latin dance; ten kids led by Corey and Merve did a play of Rapunzel (with a twist where princess saved herself and prince only supported her); Harini and Panya sang to Sean and Ryan who silently promised that for the next year they will get to perform as well, maybe something together with their girlfriends; Masika and Zack showcased their knife-throwing skills by piercing flying apples at nearly-impossible angles… there was more music and singing and dancing, and the last act was Ade and Hande uplifting everyone’s mood with their violins.

After Ade and Hande finished, Sarah and Aiden took to the stage.

Sarah looked at the friends and family gathered and smiled. Her eyes lingered a bit on Vasily who was nearly glowing from happiness.

Sarah was elated that Vasily was present and that he was enjoying. Every day with him chipped a bit of her guilt. She was grateful for this chance to spend time with her Uncle, and she was determined to treat him well this time. 

“Thank you for joining us tonight.”, Sarah said while leaning on Aiden who was embracing her from the side. “We hope you enjoyed the party so far and that you will enjoy the rest of the evening as well. There will be more food and dancing. Please, accept the presents we prepared for you. Thank you.”

While Sarah spoke, the staff was silently moving through the event hall and placing small gift boxes in front of everyone.

Each gift box contained a unique piece of jewelry from Blanc. 

Every box also came with a small booklet that explained the mechanism and gadgets hidden within stylish jewelry.

Gasps and laughter filled the event hall as people opened the boxes. Most of the guests knew the value of the items received, and the few who didn’t, heard from others within minutes.

Sarah and Aiden returned at the table in time to hear JoAnna say to Jeff, “I prepared something for you…”

Sarah didn’t know what was in the rectangle-shaped glittery box, but based on JoAnna’s smile, she guessed that Jeff will like it.

Jeff bobbed his head excitedly while opening the box. His first thought was that it was a sex toy or some lingerie, but then… JoAnna wouldn’t give him that in public.

He froze and his eyes widened in slow motion as he observed the contents of the box.

“You are!!?”, he shouted at JoAnna, unable to control his voice.

JoAnna nodded while biting her lower lip in order to contain her laughter.

“WE ARE!!?”, Jeff shouted louder, making JoAnna burst into laughter.

Jeff pulled JoAnna to sit on his lap and gave her a smacking kiss on the lips. “Thank you, love. This is the best present, ever… it’s comparable only to the one you gave me for my birthday three years ago.” And then he kissed her again.

“What made Jeff so happy?”, Steve asked while craning his neck to see what’s in the box.

“Anna is pregnant.”, Sophia said to what everyone around her gasped and clapped while words of congratulations filled the space. The ones who sat further away heard the news that JoAnna is pregnant, as the whispers traveled quickly.

Max was happy for his friend and his hand that was holding Liz’s shoulder moved a bit as he caressed her exposed skin with his thumb.

He glanced at Liz and they smiled at each other.

“Will you open my present?”, Liz asked and wiggled her eyebrows while gesturing with her chin to the table in front of him.

“Eh?”, a silly sound escaped Max’s lips when he saw the box. Why did this box look like the one that Jeff opened a minute ago?

He opened the box, and his mouth hung half-open. “Is this for real?”

Liz smiled so much that her cheeks hurt.

“WOOHOO!”, Max shouted and cupped Liz’s cheeks before giving her a smacking kiss. And then he kissed her again and again, every time the kiss turned softer and longer until it morphed into a long sensual kiss that took her breath away.

“What’s with Max?”, Hunter asked while craning his neck to see what’s in the box that Max opened. He wanted to ask Max (or Liz), but they were making out and it seemed that it will take a while.

Sophia giggled. “Liz is pregnant.”

“Wow!”, Hunter said under his breath. “I will be an Uncle again!”

—

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