Chapter 538 - Two days before wedding (S&F)

~ Seattle, Martin-Hill family villa ~

(July 12, two days before Sophia's and Felix's wedding)

Sophia and Felix invited JoAnna, Jeff, Sarah and Aiden for lunch to celebrate their official move-in to the new home.

They are seated in an expansive dining room which is well decorated.

Sophia said that there is still much work to be done, but that is mostly for decorations. Big things like furniture and appliances are in place. Any construction work is completed as well, and all walls have a fresh coat of paint.

They hired several maids, cook and a gardener as well as a butler as permanent staff. Out of security, four people passed initial rounds of testing done by Sarah and Aiden at the cabin. They started working as temporary employees, but there is still additional training they need to go through before they are officially hired.

Sophia and Felix are getting ready for the upcoming period. After their wedding, they are both taking four weeks off from work. Out of those four weeks, they will spend two on a honeymoon on Bora Bora, and other two will be at their new home, relaxing. They also plan to go for few days to White family property in Reno where intense training for security will be performed.

In last few days, they talked about security for all six of them, and agreed that while Sophia and Felix are on their honeymoon, other four will focus on reinforcing their security and training new and existing personnel.

After the wedding, Sarah and Aiden will be in charge of physical training and hand-to-hand combat. Aiden is working on getting the training ground ready for this purpose. JoAnna will be in charge of weapons. Jeff is on top of hiring, managing the personnel and background checks. He can't leave White corp., so he will work remotely how much possible, to accompany JoAnna who took few weeks off from work.

Even Oscar is excited about this. After the incident when Timothy Cox got into White property and almost killed Jeff, Oscar was looking for a way to improve his bodyguards. That is why Oscar was more than willing to offer his property for the purpose of this training, with only condition that his staff gets trained as well.

White family bodyguards are excited that their Master JoAnna will come to train them personally. Since that Cox incident when they saw JoAnna come down the two story villa like it's nothing, they all hoped that she will teach them some moves.

Our team of six also agreed that Sarah and Aiden can bring 'their kids' with them to White family property for additional training. From there Sarah and Aiden will take few days off to go with 'their kids' to the Hill family property in New Mexico to try out new cars and for the kids to learn from Skipper.

Lunch was lively and the mood was good while they discussed future plans.

Sophia was excited about the honeymoon. It will be first time to go on such a holiday with Felix, and now they will go a as a husband and wife! She was showing them brochures of the villa they rented, azure waters, paradise-jungle. Sarah and JoAnna said that they will need to go there as well, some other time.

Felix wanted to show everyone Eve because he was excited to have this feature in his new home, but Sarah and Aiden reminded him to keep Eve as a secret because of Jeff. If Jeff finds out that Sarah gave Eve to Sophia, he will probably understand that JoAnna will get Eve as well. In that case, the surprise will be spoilt. And Sarah wants to see Jeff's face when he realizes that he got Eve in his new home.

"For tomorrow, did everyone arrive? Bridgette will arrive later in the afternoon. How about others?", JoAnna switched topic to the event they have planned for Sophia and number of ladies who will attend the wedding.

"Isabella will arrive later tonight.", Sarah said.

"Jessica, Brie and Maddie arrived this morning. They are sightseeing Seattle today, and will join us tomorrow." Sophia informed them about her three friends from the University.

JoAnna beamed. "Great! That means everyone for our day out will be here."

Felix, Jeff and Aiden were not so excited about this. The afternoon in the spa is acceptable, but then they plan to go for a dinner and evening in the Black Rose. Those evening events mean that their girls will attract attention from other guys.

Felix still didn't accept that Sophia will sleep in Hill family villa after that. "What is this nonsense about not seeing each other before wedding? What do you mean by: sleep separately?"

But Sophia didn't leave him much choice. She wanted to do this as part of some tradition which he refused to understand.

Felix said that he will accept it only if Jeff and Aiden stay with him in the apartment while three sisters stay in Hill family villa. If he shares his misery, it will be easier.

When JoAnna and Sarah agreed, Jeff and Aiden almost collapsed. They don't like Felix much at this point because he dragged them into this, and they will end up spending the night without their ladies by their side.

Gustav will join them, as well as Steve, and five of them will spend the evening doing some guy-stuff. They are not-excited, and no one made any plans.

~ Hill family villa ~

It's late in the afternoon, Aiden and Sarah are in the PC room, in the basement of the Hill family villa working on improving performance for facial recognition software.

Sarah got a notification from Eve that her grandparents entered the property and jumped out of her chair.

"Let's go!", she pulled Aiden's arm while ignoring his protests.

"I was in the middle off… Where are we going?"

"My gran and gramps are here! Hurry up!"

They reached main entrance just a bit before car parked in front.

Sarah welcomed her grandparents. "Hi gran, hi gramps!"

After a round of quick hugs, she took Aiden's hand in hers. "Gran, gramps, this is Aiden White, my fiancé!" Sarah was happy that she finally got to introduce Aiden as her fiancé to someone.

"Oh? Did you hear that, James? Sarah is engaged!", Mary smiled. "Let me see you.", she glanced at Aiden and then turned to Sarah. "Sarah, dear. Your fiancé is very handsome."

Sarah was grinning and wrapped her arms around Aiden's waist.

James scrutinized Aiden. "Aiden White, a? How come I never heard of you?"

Sarah rolled her eyes. "Gramps, you can stop that. Anna told me how you welcomed Jeff."

"Hmph!", old man was obviously displeased. "Young people don't know how to have fun…", he grumbled and walked into the house.

"Edward! Where is that son of mine? ..." His voice trailed off as he walked into the house.

Stella was at the door, and she helped Mary get inside while butler Joe and two maids got their suitcases from the back of the car.

Sarah looked up at Aiden. "How was that?"

He saw her expectant eyes and smiled. "Perfect." He knows that she is happy that she got to introduce him as her fiancé. And he is happy about that as well.

…

They all gathered for dinner in large formal dining room.

"I don't remember last time we had so many people at the table.", Stella was very happy seeing ten people, her included. "And to think that we are all family!" She raised her glass with wine. "Here is to add at least one more chair at the table next year!", she was implying to the grandchild from Sophia and Felix.

"You can add one chair now.", voice came from the hallway. A second later Owen walked in.

"Uncle!", Sarah and JoAnna said in unison.

Sophia was confident that Owen was not invited for the wedding. But her mom added so many people, she probably added him as well. She glanced at her mother and observed a slight change in Stella's expression, but it was only for a second before her smile returned.

"Welcome, uncle! I was not sure if you will be able to make it.", Sophia smiled. Even if she missed the invitation, she got notifications for every RSVP, and he didn't respond.

"I would not miss it for anything in the world.", he flashed his best smile while his eyes were locked on Stella.

The maids already added a chair and tableware for him.

"What happened to your hands?", JoAnna observed that every Owen's finger is bandaged.

"Eh, accident at work. But it's healing well. Thank you for your concern.", he smiled and took a seat at the table.

Owen looked at Stella. "I believe there is a guestroom for me?"

Stella paused for a second before nodding and gesturing to Mr. Joe to go and prepare room for Owen.