Chapter 523 - Perfect date - day 4 (1)

Aiden and Sarah cuddled in the bed for some time, and then showered before late breakfast.

While eating, Sarah was thinking about their housing arrangements. Even though Aiden is not voicing his complains, she knows that he feels like a guest because penthouse in Fairfield is hers, apartment in Los Angeles is hers, even their future house in California is also something she started. And between those, they spend most to the time in Cabin or in Hill family villa, which belong to her parents. She wants to change that.

"When we get a chance, I want us to go to Fairfield and to empty the penthouse.", Sarah said before putting a piece of egg in her mouth.

Aiden looked at her and raised his eyebrows asking for clarification.

"Our coursework is done, only graduation ceremony is left, and there is no need for us to stay near Tesla University. I'm thinking between renting it out or selling. I will pull out some estimates on both, and I hope you help me analyze which one is the better option. But in any case, we should get our things out.", Sarah explained.

He liked that she will ask his opinion between renting and selling that place. "Do you want to go to the graduation ceremony?"

"Sure, why not. I would love to go and show you off.", she smiled.

He was pleased with her comment. "We should empty the penthouse after that."

The graduation ceremony will be held in August, less than two months from now. Aiden assumed that they can go to the penthouse and spend a night or two there, if not more, at that time.

Sarah shook her head. "No need to wait. We can always stay at your place while in Fairfield, right?"

For a moment, Aiden was surprised. She never wanted to stay in his apartment.

He smiled. "I would like that."

He remembered sweet moments two of them spent there while their relationship was only sprouting. That is the place where he cooked for her, and she praised his cooking skills, he hugged her and she hugged him back for the first time, she slept next to him for the first time, they watched their first movie together (she slept off halfway), they spent countless hours working on projects side-by-side, and chatted endlessly, and he made her tea, and she wrapped Christmas presents... There are many firsts in that apartment with Sarah, and he told himself that he will never sell that place.

Sarah giggled. "Who knows? Maybe you get lucky and I sleep in that bed again with you."

He laughed.

Sarah hesitated a bit before bringing out another topic. "I was also thinking that we can buy a house."

"Where?"

Sarah shrugged. "Anywhere… we are not bound to a place, are we?"

His confusion was obvious, so Sarah decided to explain.

"Penthouse in Los Angeles in OK, but how about we get something with a basement? You know I love basements! And house we are building now will be great for relaxation and for training purposes. I love the lot, and the house will be amazing… But it's quite isolated, and it will not serve us on a daily basis where we need a coffeeshop, or a restaurant, or a walk in the neighborhood. What do you think?"

Aiden tilted his head slightly while thinking about what she said. "Is this one of the changes you mentioned earlier?"

Sarah didn't deny. "Yes. I want us to have our place. Something that we pick together, and we make sure it works for both of us. For occasional short visits, we can stay at penthouse in Los Angeles, or in apartment in Fairfield (and here I'm talking about your apartment), or we can stay anywhere else. There is nothing wrong with each of us having our own properties and investments, but I would like us to have a permanent place… a home, for both of us."

Sarah saw him smile and her face lit up. "Great! Let's come up with locations… Do you have a place where you would like to settle? I definitely want to have access to amenities that a modern city provides. If we go for Los Angeles area, we will be close to Anna and Jeff, and if we are in Seattle area, Sophia and Felix will be close… your parents are in Reno… do we want family nearby, or we want to keep them at a distance? So much to consider!", she was happily chattering, and Aiden enjoyed listening.

Aiden liked the idea of two of them getting a home. He added that he wants a big garage and a gym, and he agreed that they should be in close proximity to some large city. He also voiced his concern about being too close to their parents, which eliminated Reno and Seattle areas.

…

Sarah and Aiden enjoyed food and discussing their requirements for a home, unaware that internet exploded because of photo that Sarah posted on her social media accounts.

"OMG! Do I see that youngest frozen queen is officially taken?"

"She didn't post in ages, and now a bomb that she is engaged?"

"Who is the lucky guy?"

"Do you think this is valid information?"

"It's her official account! It's valid!"

"I hope there will be pictures of her wedding dress! They always dress up fashionably!"

"I'm dying to find out whose that other hand is…"

"Did you see that ring? Those are some shiny rocks!"

"Love for my frozen queen!"

"It's going to be like a royal wedding!!!"

"The man must be loaded to afford such a ring."

"Poster above, shut it! Did you think that just anyone can get my queen?"

…

Sophia and JoAnna also received Sarah's photo and they frantically called Sarah to hear more, but her phone was in the bedroom, so she didn't pick up.

After breakfast, Sarah and Aiden returned to the bedroom and Sarah checked her phone.

There was a text response from Bridgette, congratulating them on the engagement.

Based on other messages and missed calls, it was obvious that her sisters want to talk about the engagement. Sarah's first impulse was to tell them that they will talk when she gets back, but then she remembered Aiden's words from last night, how she is hiding him, and she reminded herself that she should not avoid these things. Sarah texted both JoAnna and Sophia: "Video conference in 2 min"

She powered her laptop and logged in, making sure that Aiden sits next to her. If she needs to go through this, then so does he. But he didn't mind. Aiden wrapped his arms around Sarah and was ready to show his affection to whoever wants to watch.

Sarah and Aiden are on 12 hours difference from Paris. It was close to midnight for JoAnna who was in Paris, and 9 AM for Sophia in Seattle. Both of them seemed very energetic.

First few minutes were mostly filled with screams and congratulations while Sarah had to hold her left hand in front of the camera so that JoAnna and Sophia can inspect the ring up close.

"Three stones? Do they have a meaning?", Sophia asked.

Sarah looked at Aiden who took her hand in his and pointed at the ring. "This one is for past, the middle one is for present, and third one is for the future." Then he kissed the ring while maintaining eye contact with Sarah.

Sarah's heart fluttered, and her sisters sighed at the lovey-dovey scene.

"Ah! So, the biggest one is for the present, because you should live and enjoy the present!", JoAnna exclaimed and it made Sarah snap out of her daze.

Aiden nodded and ignited another round of screams and praises from Sophia and JoAnna.

When girls calmed down, Jeff came next to JoAnna for a minute to congratulate them. Sophia called Felix who came in the view with a spatula in one hand and a "Kiss the cook" apron. He quickly gave his congratulations and returned to work on preparing breakfast.

Sophia and JoAnna were curious about the details.

Sarah was a bit uncomfortable. It's one thing only with sisters, but Aiden was next to her, Jeff was with his laptop, visible behind JoAnna, and there was a possibility that Felix can hear the conversation as well.

"He said he loves me and that he wants to hold me every day… for the rest of his life… and that he wants to marry me, later.", Sarah finished, and even her ears were red.

"Later?" Sophia didn't get that last point. JoAnna was also confused. But no one clarified.

Aiden just shook his head, he didn't want to comment. That was a blooper, and Sarah had to bring it up. He tried to leave but Sarah held him back.

"Did he get on his knee?", JoAnna asked.

Sarah's face changed few expressions while thinking about Aiden's position and lack of clothes before settling on a smile. "Yes, on both of his knees."

Sarah heard Aiden chuckle, and he kissed her cheek.

She turned to him. "How about you answer these? Hmm?"

JoAnna and Sophia were not successful in getting more information.

"Well, I'm happy for you two!" JoAnna exclaimed. "Hey, baby sis… I see that your fiancé is changing you in so many ways…"

"What does that mean?", Sarah cautiously asked.

"You are much bolder… so bold that you are sending us bed selfies.", JoAnna grinned.

Sarah facepalmed. JoAnna is right, the selfie was taken in the bed. Only shoulder-up of their bodies are visible, but picture reveals that they are in the bed, covered with a bedsheet, and their shoulders are bare, so it's safe to assume that at least their tops are without clothes.

Aiden saw that Sarah is red like ripe tomato, and unable to respond to JoAnna. He stepped in. "My fiancée and I have plans… we will be back in two days." He waved and disconnected from the video.

Aiden wrapped his arms around Sarah and rubbed her back gently to get her to relax. He was grateful that she went through this in order to show him that she will not hide their relationship. He was hoping that she knows that she can count on his support. Always.