~ Los Angeles, the Cliffside Villa ~
June 12
Aiden and Sarah arrived home around 4 AM.
Genie, staff, and the kids who stayed at the Cliffside Villa were overjoyed that Aiden is back safely and they all waited for them in the underground parking.
After greetings, Sarah and Aiden and went to check on Hero with the rest of their fur-babies.
Hero greeted them with whimpers and licks, and he showed that he can stand up and move slowly.
Aiden's heart ached when he saw Hero limping. "I'm sorry, boy… I shouldn't have let you off the leash. None of this would happen if I was more cautious."
"It's important that we are all here.", Sarah comforted Aiden. "He will recuperate soon."
Sarah and Aiden left Bella and Luna with Hero and went to catch up on sleep because they have a busy day ahead of them. Kitty, Atlas, and Vega went to find their favorite branches to relax there.
Sarah and Aiden started their morning by confirming internships for every kid who returned to Los Angeles.
Charlie was happy to hear that Corey is back and unharmed, and he was even happier when he heard that Corey wants to work as Sophia's assistant. At least, Corey will be out of trouble. Or so Charlie thought.
"That's it.", Nala said when they finished with the Allen and Julius, who were last for internships. "Do you need us for anything else?"
"Just a minute…", Sarah said and glanced at Aiden. "Chelsea, David, Victoria, and a number of other people who were involved in the attack are kept as prisoners at the base of the Army of Chaos. What will we do with them?"
Aiden thought for a second before responding. "They were part of the plan, but neither of them targeted us. Correct?"
Sarah confirmed.
"Then, we should let others deal with them.", Aiden said before adding: "We don't have much time, anyway, and honestly, I don't know how to punish Victoria without angering Gabriel. She used him to act against Steve, so the two of them should decide on her punishment. Let's invite Jeff, Steve, and Charlie here, and we can talk to them. Gabriel as well. I will prefer that they take care of their baggage."
Sarah agreed. "While at it, we can invite Sophia and Felix. Everyone was impacted and we should all know how the perpetrators will be handled."
Sarah glanced at Nala and instructed her to send invitations for a dinner. She thought that it will be a good chance for Aiden to tell Steve and Charlie that he will be a father and by dinnertime, they should have ultrasound photos as proof as well.
Until lunchtime, Sarah and Aiden worked on fixing Eve. Mishi and his team cleaned up most of the code, other than the core which Sarah didn't want to share with anyone other than Aiden.
Because there was a lot to do, Sarah and Aiden decided not to go to the computer room, but to work from the living room, where kids and staff can find them. The two of them sat side-by-side on the sofa with their laptops, and Sarah was reminded of the time from Aiden's apartment in Fairfield, when they worked on a number of school projects, and on the project Aiden made up so that he can get close to her.
"What are you thinking?", Aiden asked when he noticed that Sarah is spacing out and smiling dreamily.
"I would like that we go to your apartment in Fairfield."
Aiden smiled. That apartment is special for both of them, and they call it the place where it all began. "We can go anytime."
"Let's go when we are done with this mess."
Aiden's handsome eyebrow arched. "Are you sure that another mess will not come?"
"I can hope."
"Hope is good...", Aiden said and passed her a plate with cut apples. "Healthy snacks. It will be good for the baby, and you..."
Sarah didn't take a piece. She opened her mouth.
Aiden shook his head helplessly and started feeding her. He spoiled her, and he wouldn't want it any other way.
…
The exam at the LA Medical Center was a traumatic experience for Aiden.
He thought that the doctor will listen to Sarah's heart, put the ultrasound stick on her belly, and that's it. But he was wrong.
First, they did a blood draw and made her pee in a cup. Next, Sarah needed to undress.
"Why are you undressing?"
"How else is the doctor going to check the baby?"
"You lift that shirt and expose your belly.", Aiden said matter-of-factly.
Sarah giggled. "That is not how gynecological exams work. This is to confirm that the baby and I are both in good health. If you can't watch, you can wait outside."
"There is no way I'm leaving. Here… put this hospital gown on to cover up…"
Sarah thought that he is silly. Based on the amount of anxiousness, maybe it would be better if he goes to the waiting room.
The doctor entered and introduced herself. Aiden shook hands stiffly and waited for the doctor to finish her introduction and for the exam to start.
One nurse was present as well.
It started OK, in Aiden's opinion. They measured Sarah's blood pressure, temperature, weight, height, Sarah opened her mouth, the doctor pressed some points on Sarah's neck and jaw and asked about eating and sleeping habits.
And then it got weird… Sarah laid down on the exam table and the doctor pulled from the side something that looked like leg-holders with cup-like endings where Sarah placed her heels. Her legs were open akimbo, and Aiden would think how that is an interesting contraption, maybe something they can get for home, it would make certain activities more convenient... but he could not think much about pleasure, because two women were looking at the cradle of Sarah's thighs! And it got worse! The doctor was touching and pressing and took a swab and used some gadget to see inside!
"Love… you are squeezing too hard…", Sarah groaned.
Aiden realized that he is holding Sarah's hand and that he is gripping her. Probably due to anxiousness. "Sorry, sorry…"
"You can wait…"
"No.", Aiden interrupted Sarah's offer for him to wait outside. "Doctor… how much more?"
The middle-aged lady smiled. "We are done with this… Only the ultrasound is left."
"It's not going inside, is it?", Aiden had to make sure.
"Unless something is wrong, no."
Aiden watched the doctor apply gel on Sarah's abdomen and then there was silence as the sound of rhythmical whooshing was heard.
"What is that?", Aiden whispered.
"That is your wife's heartbeat… we are trying to find…" Another whooshing sound was heard, faster than the previous one. "Here it is… Your baby's heartbeat…"
Aiden held his breath and listened. This was the first sound his child made, and it was a miracle.
He looked at Sarah and met her gaze full of love as the sound of the rapid heartbeat filled the exam room.
After the exam was over, Aiden was trembling from excitement. "Our baby looks good and healthy and I can't wait to meet her."
"Her? What if it's a boy?"
"I would prefer a girl. Smart and kind, like her mother."
"Boys can be smart and kind also. I married one. If our child is like you, I will be delighted."
Aiden grinned. "Let's go and celebrate. How about a fancy lunch? Something tasty and healthy. The doctor said that you should gain some weight and to stay away from junk food."
Sarah pouted at the thought of no junk food and rejected his idea for a lunch celebration. "We had lunch already and you made up the part that I should gain weight. I was there… Let's go home. Eve is waiting for us, and we will have guests for dinner. We can make it a fancy dinner and have that as a celebration."
Aiden agreed. He was so happy that he would agree to anything. "OK. Momma sweet pea."
Sarah giggled at the sight of his goofy grin. "It's should be momma blueberry. Our baby is seven weeks old, and the size of a blueberry."
"She is growing nicely… blueberry...", Aiden murmured.
Sarah smiled. What if it's a boy? She would love to have mini-Aiden running through the house.
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