Is this destiny?

~ Los Angeles, the Cliffside Villa ~

6:03 PM

JoAnna and Jeff were at the Cliffside Villa when Sarah and Aiden arrived with the others. The jet landed on the underground strip, and JoAnna and Jeff welcomed them as they came out of the jet.

Sarah got out first with Kitty by her side.

"Kitty didn't stay back?", JoAnna asked the obvious. She was more interested to find out if Sarah even gave Kitty a chance to stay back.

Sarah grinned. "She was free to choose and she decided to come home with us."

JoAnna was not sure how much to believe in this, but she decided to let it go. This is between Sarah and Kitty, and she knows that Sarah is not abusing the leopard. JoAnna's attention got onto the crate in Aiden's hands. Are those little black heads sticking out?

"And these are?", JoAnna asked while gesturing to the three pups which Aiden carried in a crate.

"Lucky, Bella, and Luna.", Sarah proudly announced the names she picked for the pups. Well, she is still not sure if the boy-pup will be 'Lucky', but she needed a name, and it was the first one to come to her mind. However, she is pleased with 'Bella' and 'Luna' for the girl-pups.

Sarah realized that when she called JoAnna to tell her that a patient is coming, she mentioned Master Hollow, and his three disciples, but she forgot to mention the pups. "Can you get the vaccines and whatever else the pups need? They are about seven weeks old and I assume that they didn't see a vet yet."

JoAnna stifled a laugh. "You should hire a vet."

"Finding a vet is not a problem. The problem is finding someone trustworthy." Sarah said while gesturing toward Kitty who was making her way out of the garage. Probably to go to her favorite tree. It seems that Kitty is missing her home (or maybe her favorite nap-spot), because she was willing to leave Sarah's side.

JoAnna is aware that holding such a big cat as a pet is not legal in California, that is why Sarah does not want to invite a vet to the Cliffside Villa. JoAnna responded with a nod. "I will have things ready in a day or two. But I advise you to find a vet for these three and take them to their appointment."

JoAnna glanced behind Sarah at Master Hollow who was in the wheelchair, pushed by Haru toward them and she knew that is her patient.

Sarah introduced Master Hollow, Bo, Souta, and Wing to JoAnna and Jeff before they made their way out.

"The kids are waiting for you in the garden.", JoAnna told Sarah. "They are thrilled that you are back and are hoping that you can approve for dinner an outdoor barbecue."

Sarah glanced at Aiden and he nodded in approval. After the mess with Shadow Ravens and the poachers, everyone can use a party with good food.

Bo, Souta, and Wing were visibly excited. They met everyone and were observing the garden and the houses, and they saw the training grounds. Daniel and Tejan took the initiative to show them their rooms and the common areas in the house.

Sarah was happy to see that Michael and Oni came out to greet them as well. Michael's right hand is still in a cast (and it will be for another three weeks), but his left hand does not look like a giant mitten. Now his fingers are individually wrapped, and he can use that hand to some extent.

Michael was pleased that Master Hollow, Bo, Souta, and Wing remembered him, and he introduced Oni.

After initial greetings, JoAnna went with Master Hollow to check his condition while grills outside were being fired up. Imani joined them. She spent her summer following JoAnna and Emma, and she is very proficient in taking care of patients.

As expected, JoAnna said that Master Hollow is doing OK considering what he went through and his age, but he needs to rest and to take it easy.

Genie had the rooms ready. Boys will stay with the kids, while Master Hollow will stay in the main house.

Imani volunteered to take care of Master Hollow; she will ensure that he takes his medications on time and she will tend to his wounds. Bo, Souta, and Wing will take turns to help their master with non-medical needs.

Dinner was lively. Everyone was in a good mood, and the pups were center of the attention.

Master Hollow observed the commotion, but he didn't eat food from the grill. Genie brought him specially made nutritious soup, which is easy to digest, per doctor's orders.

"How come Sophia couldn't come?", Sarah asked JoAnna. She texted Sophia and Felix about the dinner, but they just responded that they will pass on it. Sarah hoped that JoAnna knows more about it.

"I'm not sure. I saw her yesterday, she was fine. Do you think that something is wrong?", JoAnna guessed.

Sarah shrugged. "Not really. It's just that I haven't seen them in a while, and we have new faces and a barbecue, and they are only five minutes away. This is the first time big sis and Felix refused to come. I got something for Lia from Europe, so I will go there tomorrow to see them and drop it off."

Sarah noticed that Jeff and Aiden are missing, and she guessed that they went to talk about the currently hot topic: Voronin family and their ties to the Whites.

"How are things with you and Jeff?"

"We are fine. He is uneasy since you shared that information related to Voronins. He is not sure whom to trust and he was relieved when he heard that you are coming back."

Sarah nodded in understanding. "Aiden is uneasy as well. Did Jeff investigate something?"

"He is looking into some files, but mostly waiting for Aiden to return. It seems that other than Aiden, Jeff is not sure with whom he can talk about it."

Sarah agreed that Jeff can trust Aiden and there is also one more point... "They have us."

"You are not concerned.", JoAnna observed that Sarah is talking lightly about this situation.

Sarah confirmed. "I am not concerned about Voronins. We already had them on our list to watch for, and I don't believe that what happened twenty years ago will change what we are planning to do."

"What if Elanor and Oscar knew about Voronins?"

Sarah does not think that is a big deal. "If that is true, I would like to find out more. But that will be only my curiosity and it will not change anything. However, Jeff and Aiden might end up being disappointed in their parents, just how we were when we found out about the Lebedev family and that mom and dad kept us in the dark about it."

"Jeff is concerned that they are deep into the White family."

Sarah patted JoAnna's hand. "We are back now. We will find every Voronin who ever came close to Jeff and Aiden. Maybe we can use them to our advantage…" Sarah inhaled deeply, and her gaze moved to the kids who were chatting and goofing around in a good atmosphere over food. "We have a big family. If anyone tries to mess with one of us, they are messing with all of us. We are not going to allow that to happen."

"Sarah, don't you think that we can work with them?"

Sarah shook her head, indicating how that is not a possibility. "We still don't know the nature of the relationship between Voronins and Whites. But we know that there is a connection. And we also know that Voronins and Lebedevs are on opposite sides." Sarah gestured toward Master Hollow. "He knows some stories about that rivalry. Ask him if you get a chance. He loves stories…"

JoAnna didn't respond. She understood that regardless if Voronins are allied with the Whites or are trying to use them, they will not be happy to know that someone from the Lebedev family is involved. But, is it possible that they don't know? Sarah's wedding was low-key, but JoAnna's was in most of the magazines in Los Angeles and in business magazines across the country because of the big news: Jeffrey White, CEO of the White corp. got married.

Sarah and JoAnna sat in silence for some time.

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