Chapter 1929 - Saturday's Brunch (2)

"I'm sorry we missed the gender reveal party…", Emma pouted while giving Sarah a sad look.

"Me too.", Tiffany chimed in. "We watched the live stream but being there in person would be better."

Sarah was about to respond, but Aiden was first to speak: "Make sure not to miss the next time."

Emma was confused. "You will have two parties?"

Sarah looked at Aiden's smirk and she understood… "He is talking about my next pregnancy."

"Why don't you go and hang out with guys?", Sarah urged Aiden to give the girls some privacy. Since they joined their guests, he didn't show any intention of leaving her side. Well, she loves his company, but this is her girl-time and they can't have naughty girl-talks with him around.

Aiden put his hand over her stomach. "I am hanging out with my favorite guy."

Sarah was not sure how to respond, so she just shook her head and Aiden grinned victoriously, knowing that he won this round, and he won't be shooed away.

Emma started laughing at Aiden's silly antics. Two seconds later, Emma grimaced and held her belly.

"Are you OK?", Sarah was on the verge of panic and she wondered how can Tiffany be so calm.

Emma waved her hand to tell Sarah to lower her voice. "It's fine. Just a cramp, but it goes in a second."

"Is it normal to feel cramps?"

"Yeah. They are called Braxton Hicks contractions…", Emma started explaining about fake contractions and how they are preparing her body for the delivery and both Sarah and Aiden listened attentively.

…

Jeff, JoAnna, and Leah went to talk to Julius and Allen, to see if they want to work as Jeff's assistants. The boys were excited to get this opportunity. Nothing beats working next to almighty Jeffrey White. Allen and Julius have about one year's worth of courses until they can graduate with University degrees and they were thinking about their employment options. This came unexpectedly, but the truth is that Jeff could use more than one permanent assistant.

They agreed to start on Monday and that for the first week, their task will be to follow Leah and help her out while figuring out ins and outs of Leah's daily responsibilities, and after that Allen and Julius will be on their own as Leah will take some time off from work. Leah and Jeff still didn't decide how long Leah's vacation will be, but Jeff said that they can talk about it on Monday.

JoAnna was listening to Jeff and Leah as they talked to Julius and Allen and she was glad to see that the boys are interested. She hoped that things will work out and this turns into more than just a month-long internship. Of course, that will depend on their performance and if Sarah and Aiden will allow it, which they probably will, as long as Allen and Julius can prove that this is what they want and that it will not impact their education and career goals negatively. Being an assistant is not a long-term career but by working next to Jeff, boys will gain immense experience in business that will help them greatly as they become managers or business owners themselves. Knowing Sarah and Aiden, they will not let their kids start from the bottom, especially because Sarah and Aiden own businesses where their kids can work.

Seeing the boys chatting excitedly with Jeff and Leah, memories of several bed climbers resurfaced in JoAnna's mind. One, in particular, was Vera Rogers who within two days as Steve's helper (and a candidate to become Jeff's assistant) got herself comfortable in Jeff's office, and she even made pastries for him and tidied up the bed in the suite. And all that is only how much JoAnna observed during the ten minutes she spent with that woman. JoAnna's mood dropped. She couldn't' help it. She was aware that many women are coveting her husband but knowing that some came so close and he didn't even notice, hurt.

JoAnna left the four people who were immersed in their talk and she walked toward the garden until she reached the bench which is facing the massive cage with birds.

"Hey…", Sophia called before taking a seat next to her sister.

JoAnna gave her a tight smile.

"Did something happen?", Sophia asked. She could see that JoAnna is upset and decided to come and check on her.

JoAnna exhaled a long breath and her gaze didn't leave the birds as she responded. "I remembered when I was very pregnant at home, and Jeff was oblivious that the woman in his office wants to get in his pants. I still don't know if she really was clueless that he was married, or if she chose to ignore that fact. I was so angry that I contemplated divorcing him." Sophia didn't say anything so JoAnna turned and met her concerned gaze. "Soph, am I a bad person because I can't forget those things? I tell myself that it's not his fault, but every time I remember it, I become angry. I am afraid of going to his office because every time I see how women are looking at him, I start wondering if they came close to him during a coffee break. Did their hands touch while giving him a folder? Or maybe they tripped in the hallway while passing next to him so that he can catch them, or…"

"You need to stop torturing yourself.", Sophia interrupted JoAnna. "I don't know what to say other than: Jeff truly loves you."

"I know…", JoAnna said in a small voice. "That is why I am berating myself for being unable to let those go. For the last month, Jeff literally didn't leave my side as he worked remotely. Now that he is back in the office, all my insecurities bubbled up."

Sophia put her arm around JoAnna's shoulders and pulled her to lean on her. The two of them sat in silence and observed colorful birds in the cage which were chirping loudly, as if to compete with the music that was playing from the speakers.

…

Becca was sitting in the area where the little kids are, and her dreamy gaze was glued to Gabriel who was chatting with Felix, Steve, Mike, and Charlie. They were further away, and she could not hear what they were saying, but their expressions were serious. Gabriel looked at Becca and as soon as their gazes met, a small smile crept on his face, making Becca's heart flutter.

"You look smitten.", Bridgette said when she approached Becca.

"Yeah…", Becca could not deny the obvious.

Bridgette glanced around, to make sure that Ben and Penny are not nearby before asking: "How are the two of you doing? Is Gabe treating you well? If he is bullying you, let me know."

Becca was surprised by these words. "No, no. He is great. Everything is great."

"Are you sure? You can tell me."

"Yes. Uhm… he wants me to meet his parents."

"And you don't want to?", Bridgette guessed.

Becca hesitated before responding. "I want to do it for him, but I have a feeling that it will not go smoothly." Seeing that Bridgette didn't say anything, Becca asked: "Can you tell me something about his parents?"

Bridgette chose her words carefully. "They belong to the older generation and that comes with mindsets that were fine for thirty years ago. Look at Ben… well, Gabe's parents are older and grumpier."

Becca was not sure how to take this.

"You said that you want to do it because of him, but you should put yourself first.", Bridgette advised. "If you are in a relationship where you always eat the bitter part of the fruit, you will fall out of love eventually."

"To be honest, I am doing it for myself also. Biddy, I don't want to be an unknown girl. I want everyone to know we are dating even though I am aware that some will not approve, and that there will be people who will hate me for it. I believe that people knowing I am his girlfriend is worth it. It will be a way of me claiming Gabriel as mine and it will give me the right to tell other girls who have their eyes on him to scram. Is that shallow of me?"

Bridgette smiled and shrugged. "You should do what you feel is right. Only like that, you will have no regrets. When do you plan to meet with them?"

"Tomorrow we will come to the Long family."

Bridgette bobbed her head and then her eyes flashed when she got an idea. "Do you think you can make it for lunch with us?"

Becca thought how that is doable. "We didn't talk if we will go in the morning or evening, but lunchtime should work."

Bridgette smiled. "Alright. I will confirm with Gabriel."

Becca saw that Bridgette walked to Gabriel with a spring in her step and Becca was happy that they will get to see Bridgette and Steve tomorrow for more than just a quick visit where Gabriel picks up more clothes. And Denise is a cutie.

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