Is this destiny?

It was time for the birthday celebration to begin officially.

JoAnna went on the stage and spoke into the microphone while servers entered and silently served the first course: "Thank you everyone for coming here to celebrate Jeff's birthday. It means a lot to all of us. As you can see, lunch is being served and we will stay here until three o'clock. Each of you has a pamphlet on the table which will give you a variety of options you can do until eight o'clock at what time we will gather here for dinner…"

"Is this seat taken?", a deep male voice came from behind Penny who was focused on JoAnna.

Penny glanced on the side and saw finely pressed pants of someone who is standing behind the empty seat next to her. "Not taken." She said while focusing back on the stage.

"...Today's event will end at eleven in the evening with fireworks. I hope you enjoy!", JoAnna ended her speech and walked off the stage.

Penny followed JoAnna with her sight and was confused to see that she sat at the table with Sophia and Sarah and that all three sisters are looking at her. Glancing at her table, everyone was looking at her as well. Is something funny? Did she mess up her makeup? She touched her hair thinking that something is out of place.

"This hairstyle suits you very well.", man next to her said and suddenly Penny realized that his voice is familiar.

She turned slow motion and her eyes fell on Benjamin who was smiling at her.

Penny thought that she is about to pass out.

"What are you doing here?", she asked when she found her voice.

"Sarah and Aiden believe that your family is not a threat anymore so… here I am.", Benjamin said and then added: "If you want me."

"Oh, God!", Penny exclaimed and hugged him with all her might.

Benjamin hugged her back, closed his eyes and smiled. His Penny is back, and they can be together.

Penny glanced at three Hill sisters who were still looking her way with big smiles on their faces.

"Thank you", Penny mouthed to them.

"I have so much to tell you.", Penny whispered to Benjamin.

Benjamin confirmed that he has a lot to tell her too. So many things happened since they saw each other last time. "I think it's not appropriate if we leave now. After lunch, we can go wherever you want."

Penny wanted to go with Ben right away, she missed him immensely. But she has to agree that this is a birthday party and they should not leave before the party even started.

While thinking about where to go, Penny remembered that JoAnna insisted for her to get a suite at the resort.

"But I will not stay overnight…", Penny did her best to reject JoAnna's offer politely.

JoAnna pushed the cardkey into Penny's hands. "You never know… What if you need a place to rest?"

"I can manage one afternoon without rest."

JoAnna didn't accept the cardkey Penny was trying to return. "Then you will not use the room. Drop off the key at the reception on your way home. But if you change your mind, the room is yours until Monday…"

Back to present…

Penny smiled and leaned into Ben's embrace. They can stay here until Monday. Two nights of catching up and enjoying each other's company. Now Penny understood the empty chair by her side as well. It was strange because all seats are pre-assigned, but at that time she didn't think much about it.

Ben touched the gold pendant around her neck. It's five linked hearts which he sneakily gifted her for Christmas.

She glanced at the pendant and then looked at Ben. "I'm wearing it all the time."

He smiled. "Luckily, we didn't need to wait five months."

Penny confirmed. "Every day was an eternity…"

"Hey!", Emma protested. "Aren't you going to introduce us?"

Penny then realized that Steve, Bridgette, Charlie, Emma, Jasper and Ellie are watching them. She straightened up and cleared her throat awkwardly. "This is Benjamin… My boyfriend."

Benjamin lit up at her introduction. It's the first time that she gave him a tittle. A boyfriend. It made him feel giddy like a teenager.

…

The lunch proceeded in a celebratory atmosphere.

People were chatting cheerfully over scrumptious food.

The desserts were served, and the band took the stage. The beats coming from the speaker sent a clear message that it's time for dancing.

…

"Anna, is it OK if Ben and I leave?", Penny asked JoAnna. She wanted to make sure that no one is upset if they just disappear.

"Dinner is at eight o'clock, but the room service is great as well.", JoAnna winked at Penny. "Your room has an ocean view, don't forget to enjoy fireworks at eleven."

Penny thanked JoAnna and left the event hall while holding hands with Benjamin.

…

"Waah! What's with those moves?", Ade exclaimed while watching Ron and Zula on the dancefloor.

Even to the untrained eyes it is obvious that Ron is skillfully leading Zula, making her move and turn. And she is smiling while following his lead. The two of them look like professional dancers!

"If you want a girlfriend, you need to dance…", Jamari mused and took a mental note to talk to Aiden and Sarah about dance lessons. He wants a girlfriend who will look at him with stars in her eyes, how Zula is looking at Ron.

Ade frowned. "You want a girlfriend?"

"You don't?", Jamari answered with a question.

At his eleven years of life, Ade doesn't think that there is a need for girlfriends. Based on his observation: girlfriends are noisy, expect you to take them places and give them first turn when gaming, AND they eat your desserts. Compared to that, having a friend like Jamari is much better.

Ade placed his arm around Jamari's shoulders.

"I have you.", Ade grinned.

Jamari pushed Ade's arm away and snorted. "Don't put me in the same category with you."

"You can't be serious!", Ade said in disbelief.

"You are the not the serious one. We are not kids anymore. It's normal to have a girlfriend. It makes you a man.", Jamari lifted his chin proudly.

"What man?", Ade grimaced. "You are twelve years old!"

"If we stayed in our tribe, that is a marriageable age.", Jamari retorted. "But it does not matter if you are here or there. Age is just a number, my friend…", Jamari mumbled while looking at unsuspecting Imani.

About ten minutes later, Ade observed that Haru and Nala spoke with Sarah and then headed toward the exit. He swiftly went to intercept them. Jamari, Masika and Imani were right behind Ade, as usually when there is an opportunity to tease Haru and Nala.

"Leaving the party?", Ade said louder than necessary.

"Yes.", Haru ignored Ade's arrogant stance. "Sarah said that once missions are done we can do what we want. The two of us are going to the stables to pick horses."

Ade's face fell. "You finished your missions?"

Nala and Haru both grinned at the four youngsters, confirming that they completed their tasks.

"Why are you surprised?", Nala smirked while enjoying the shock on Ade's face. "Jesse, Oni, Ron and Zula also finished. Allen and Daniel as well. I'm not sure about the others, but it seems that you are the only ones lingering…"

Haru held Nala's hand and gently pulled her toward the exit. "Let's not delay them. They will run out of time and end up with extra homework and less missions… I want to show you how to ride a horse without a saddle."

Nala is happy that her boyfriend is capable, but…"I think you need to use saddles here…"

---

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