Chapter 1928 - Saturday's Brunch (1)

~ Los Angeles, the Cliffside villa ~

Saturday

9:49 AM

Sarah was excited to see the lively atmosphere in the garden.

They set up tables and chairs under the shades of massive cedar trees. There was a long table with food and beverages, and a separate area for babies and toddlers.

Staff was busying to set up everything as people started coming in.

Other than the kids and fur-babies who are living at the Cliffside villa, present were Sophia, Felix, JoAnna, Jeff, Charlie, Emma, Steve, Bridgette, Penny, Ben, Mike, Tiffany, Pam, Leah.

In the baby-toddler area that was guarded by nannies were Lia, Adam, Valentin, Alice, Jayden, Oliver, and Denise.

"I think almost everyone is here.", Aiden told Sarah while checking the time as they walked out from the villa. "They are early."

Sarah smiled until her cheeks hurt. They told everyone to come at ten o'clock, but it seems that they were eager to meet them.

"Hmm…", Sarah hummed while looking at the people. "Gabriel and Becca are still not here."

Aiden moved his fingers in the air and responded after reading the information on his Eve-lens: "They will enter our property in about two minutes."

Pam and Leah joined forces to demand a vacation from Jeff and Sophia.

"After the last two months, you deserve it.", JoAnna responded cheekily, making Jeff and Sophia frown.

"You can't give a vacation to my assistant.", Sophia said stiffly.

JoAnna bobbed her head. "With Corey and Merve around, I'm sure that Pam can take some time off."

"What about me?", Jeff asked. If Pam takes time off, Leah will want a vacation also, and he does not have additional assistants.

JoAnna shrugged. "Talk to your brother and see if he can fix you up. I heard that Al and Juju are interested in dipping their hands in some office work."

Jeff thought how that is doable. Allen and Julius are smart and capable, and for the last three years they are doing internships at the White corp., so they are actually familiar with some departments in the company.

Sophia saw that Pam and Leah and looking at her and Jeff with sparkles in their eyes, and she couldn't say no. "We will see. Maybe we can get the youngsters to work with the two of you for a few days and you show them the ropes before you take some time off."

Pam and Leah smiled happily. Without substitutes, they can get a few days at most, but if the youngsters step in, they might get a week or two, easily.

Just as Aiden announced, Gabriel and Becca arrived.

"Are we late?", Becca asked.

"No. Everyone was early.", Sarah responded.

Ben glared at Gabriel whose hand was around Becca's waist and he diverted his gaze only when Penny elbowed him.

"What's with you?", Penny asked.

Ben grunted before voicing his thoughts. "Why did they come together? The Long properties are on the opposite side from Becca's apartment. Wouldn't it be more convenient if Gabriel came with Steve and Biddy?"

Steve and Bridgette exchanged glances and then stared at their waffles which suddenly became very interesting. They understood Ben is not aware that Gabriel does not stay with Longs… and that he is with Becca. Of course, Gabriel didn't announce it, but both Steve and Bridgette noticed that Gabriel is not living with them, and Steve found out that Gabriel is with Becca because they are working together.

Becca saw Bridgette and smiled happily when she observed free chairs at their table. Becca and Bridgette get along fine. Actually, Bridgette gets along fine with everyone, and because Becca is an introvert, she enjoys being next to Bridgette because then Becca does not need to talk much (Bridgette talks for both of them).

Bridgette has a bubbly and outgoing personality, but in the Long family as Steve's wife, she needs to act all prim and proper and it's suffocating. That is why Bridgette really-really loves these informal gatherings where she can be herself.

Ben chuckled before saying to Steve: "We might be related in the near future."

Gabriel's eyebrows ears perked up and he was disappointed when he saw that Ben is looking toward the area where the kids are.

Oliver was holding Denise's hand as he helped her walk to catch the dogs and pet them. Usually, Hero, Luna, and Bella love when someone pets them, but Denise is only 11 months old and her petting is technically smacking. Leopards are safe from excited toddlers in the tree canopies above.

"Aww…", Bridgette gushed. "Oliver is sooooo sweet! He will be an amazing big brother. Will you have more kids?", Bridgette asked Penny who smiled and shook her head.

"One is enough.", Penny said.

"Oh…", Bridgette looked disappointed, and then she diverted her gaze at Becca. "Well, maybe it does not need to be a direct sibling. Oliver can be a good Uncle also."

Becca flushed profusely and regretted that she sat at the same table with Bridgette. Becca didn't dare look toward Ben who was glaring daggers at Gabriel, fearing that those same daggers will be directed at her and that her father will figure out that she and Gabriel did the naughty.

Gabriel had his own ideas. He ignored Ben and casually put his arm behind Becca's backrest. "Oliver is such a sensible child. He is smart beyond his age. I'm sure that Oliver will be a great Uncle one day, but Becca will need to finish her school first."

Bridgette's eyes widened. She never saw Gabriel so confident and happy. "Oho! It seems you have some plans."

"Hopes…", Gabriel corrected Bridgette. "I hope that Becca will be able to focus on her education while we are dating so that she can graduate as soon as possible. Once she is done with school, we can talk about a family of our own."

Becca was not sure where to look. She wanted to pinch Gabriel or to smack him. Or anything, just to make him stop talking. But Bridgette, Ben, and a few other people were looking her way and she could not do anything. She wondered, did Gabriel go mad to say such words? Her father is right there!

Gabriel chuckled and took Becca's hand in his and kissed the back of her palm. Without letting go of Becca's hand, Gabriel looked at Ben. "You don't mind. Do you?"

Ben pressed his lips into a line. How can he say that he disagrees with Becca finishing her education before thinking about family and stuff?

"Of course, not.", Ben said stiffly.

Gabriel smiled and turned to Becca. "There you go, my sweet Becca. And you were worried that your father won't approve."

Ben narrowed his eyes. Approve what exactly? Something fishy was going on but he was unable to figure out what it was.

"Did you try the pancakes?", Penny spoke to Ben, to get him to stop staring at Becca and Gabriel like he has x-ray inbuilt in his eyes. "They have a pinch of vanilla and they are super-soft…"

Ben saw that Penny is holding a bite-sized piece of pancake on her fork in front of his mouth and he parted his lips, allowing her to feed him.

"Tasty, right?", Penny asked with a smile.

Ben nodded in agreement.

"Good, then take more.", Penny said before stuffing another forkful into Ben's mouth.

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