Chapter 663 - Landscaping is done

"It's done!" Sarah breathlessly exclaimed while looking at the completed landscape from the rooftop terrace of their two story high Cliffside villa.

She took her time to take in the sight in front of her: colorful flower garden with white pebble covered paths and a large fountain in the middle; a small lake with several willow trees lining the bank and a bench nestled between them, perfectly placed for enjoying the view of a wooden bridge which connects two narrow sides of the lake. Further down on the left, there is a large lake with a gazebo in the middle, park with paths and benches around a large cage, and on the right is a forest and what looks like glimpses of a training ground hidden between trees.

"Are we getting a helicopter?" Sarah noticed a helipad on the far left in the middle of a wide open area surrounded by tall trees on three sides. She can see that it's above underground airport.

Aiden nodded. "I have few models in mind and will show them to you later, so we can pick one… helipad can be lowered, so the helicopter will be underground when not in use." Aiden paused and continued reluctantly. "I was thinking, when we get the helicopter… I can teach you how to fly it… if you want."

Sarah showed a wide smile and nodded. "I would love that!"

She missed how nervous he was about suggesting to teach her.

Aiden was not sure how Sarah will react to his idea to teach her piloting a helicopter. When he saw her response, he scolded himself for overthinking it. 'Why did I worry that she will not go for it?'

"You thought of everything." Sarah smiled while her gaze was glued to the huge white bell shaped cage in the park-like-area from which bird creaks and chirps could be heard. She wondered what type of birds are inside.

"I'm glad you like it. Let me give you a tour…" Aiden was about to take her to the stairs down and through the villa, but Sarah leaped on a nearby tree, swung herself off the branch and landed softly on the ground.

Sarah looked up at Aiden who was still on the roof, looking at her with a complex expression. She grinned. "What are you waiting for? Is there something else up there?"

Aiden shook his head and followed her path, using the tree to slow down his descent.

"Sometimes I forget that my future wife has skills of a monkey.", he teased while pulling her close to him.

"A monkey? You did the same thing!" Sarah squinted, ready to argue, but all her fighting spirit disappeared when Aiden sealed her lips in a hot kiss. Oh, how she misses feeling him… She was disappointed that he ended the kiss just as the things started getting heated up, but she didn't voice her disappointment. During last few weeks, she (almost) got used to it. And she reminded herself not to show that she is bothered with his sudden display of chastity.

They strolled through the fragrant flower garden and he explained how watering is covered with an automated sprinkler system, and gardener will come once a week to maintain lawn and plants.

Sarah's eyes lit up when she saw birds in the cage. The cage is massive! And the birds are the same type as the ones from the island where Aiden proposed to her. She would be happy with any birds, but she was concerned about taking care of them. Sarah loves animals, but she does not feel responsible enough to take care of them. Aiden explained that he hired someone to keep the cage clean and automatic feeders full, and she can come anytime and enjoy watching the birds, or luring them on her hand with snacks which are already prepared between two-level door entrance.

"Just make sure to open the doors one at a time, so that birds don't escape. If they get out, it will be difficult for them to survive on their own.", Aiden mentioned while showing her where bird snacks are.

They took a stroll following a path through the forest and ended up on a well-designed training area.

Sarah was more than impressed with all details Aiden thought of, and he was happy to hear Sarah praising him.

Sarah was ecstatic to see that small pond has koi fish.

"Here…" Aiden gestured toward an area of the pond and explained. "…two times a day, dispensers will release food for the fish. Willow trees above pond provide protection from the predators…"

Sarah was fascinated to hear that colorful koi fish are an easy catch for many birds of prey, and that willow treetops above pond provide shelter by blocking the view of the birds.

"You really thought of everything!", Sarah exclaimed when he was done with his explanation.

He smiled and led her to the next point of interest.

When they reached large lake with the gazebo in the middle, Sarah glanced around and noticed two things. One is that trees and foliage around the pond provide privacy, second thing is that there is no boat (or some other vehicle) to reach the gazebo.

"How are we supposed to reach there?", she pointed at the gazebo.

His sly smile confirmed her suspicion: they need to swim.

"What are you thinking? How should we reach there?" He asked seeing that she started blushing.

"Skinny dipping?" That was the first thing that came to her mind.

He laughed. "No objections from my side… but there is another way."

Aiden revealed a control panel hidden within one rock and pushed a button. Sarah was surprised to see a bridge rise from the water. It has handrails and provides a way to walk from the shore to the gazebo.

She was not sure if his smile is mischievous or evil, but she can see that he is barely controlling himself from teasing her until she weeps.

"You did that on purpose!", Sarah cried, forgetting her plan to stay calm and composed.

Aiden exaggeratedly placed his palm on his chest, showing that accusation offended him. "Are you placing the blame on me because your first thought is to get naked?"

Sarah was speechless. He is teasing her, but he is right… she did bring out skinny dipping. 'Ah! Why didn't I say swimming?'

Aiden stopped himself from teasing her further. He pulled her closer and kissed her forehead before continuing his guided tour.

"The bridge can go five feet down, or it can stay just below water level." Aiden was explaining the options available on the control panel. "We can walk on the handrails while they are less than an inch under water. Gazebo has another control panel, and Eve can also control the bridge. Gazebo has a hidden door to an underground passage which connects to the house on the fourth level below…"

Sarah was in awe while listening to Aiden's explanation. He worked with the crew not only on the landscape, but also on building passages underground. Passages are useful for staff to move around, and also in case of danger. They can use them to covertly change location and even escape if necessary. Additionally, passages have number of doors which can seal-off the access.

The more Sarah learned about what Aiden did, the more she liked their spy-dungeon-cliffside home.

She wanted to go and see what is done underground, but he said they will do it some other time. 

"Come, let's go back. Dinner." Aiden pulled her toward the house.