~ Reno, White family villa ~

Sarah and Aiden left the island early morning, but due to five-hour flight and three-hour time difference, they reached in the early afternoon, local time.

Elanor was not expecting them and was pleasantly surprised when she saw Aiden and Sarah arrive.

"I am very happy with this unexpected visit. But I also know that you would not come without a reason. Do you need something? Did something happen?" Elanor was getting close, but her mind was drifting toward her hope that Sarah is pregnant and that soon she will get to hold a grandchild.

Aiden's arm was around Sarah's waist and he pulled her closer to him while facing Elanor. "Mom, I want to introduce you to Sarah Hill, my fiancée.", he said with a big smile on his face.

"Oh!", Elanor embraced both of them. "How nice! Congratulations!" She was really happy, and it showed. They are engaged, so soon the grandchild will come as well.

Sarah and Aiden went to study followed by Elanor and they told Oscar as well that they are engaged. He showed one of his rare seen smiles and congratulated them.

Four of them enjoyed a special dinner prepared to celebrate Sarah's and Aiden's engagement.

Sarah was feeling a bit out of place. She told herself that she needs to get used to this. She can't avoid attracting attention if she wants to stand next to Aiden. In the past, she handled the pressure by putting on a mask of a cold and detached person, Frozen Queen. But next to Aiden it's difficult. He melts her away, exposes her, makes her vulnerable.

Sarah realized that she needs to find a different approach to handle facing people, but she is optimistic because she knows that he is next to her, holding her hand under the table, and she can rely on him.

Sarah decided: As Sigma, she will be secretive, but as Sarah Hill, she needs to stand at the top, proudly. Only by putting herself out there will she figure out what works and how to handle situations when she is in the limelight without her Frozen Queen persona.

After dinner, Elanor invited Sarah for a walk in the back garden. Aiden wanted to join them, but Elanor signaled to Oscar and he invited Aiden to the study for an impromptu 'man-talk'. Aiden was thinking how to refuse his father. He didn't want to leave Sarah. Who knows what his mother will say? What if she scares off Sarah? But Sarah told him that it's OK, and he relaxed.

Elanor chatted with Sarah casually while they walked through the side garden and approached pond with a gazebo. Sarah looked at the scenery in front of her and remembered the gazebo on the island. She was happy that dim lights spread through the garden hid changes in her expression while she could not suppress images of her in the gazebo wearing a thin bathrobe, ice cream, Aiden's intense gaze, his touch.. she took a deep breath trying to compose herself, and hoped that in last few minutes Elanor didn't ask any questions.

Two of them crossed small bridge and took a seat in the gazebo. Elanor took Sarah's hand in hers and Sarah could see that she wants to say something. She patiently waited for Elanor to start.

Elanor exhaled. "Most of the time I feel that we failed Aiden as parents. We failed to see how much he is different from Jeffrey. More.. emotional. He needed our attention. We sent him to learn various things hoping that being exposed to them will help him find his own footing. By the time we realized that he is suffering silently by himself, it was too late. I was not able to get in. He refused to open up and rely on me. He refused to rely on anyone. He does not talk about his feelings, but as a mother, I could see that he is hurting. It feels horrible to see my baby hurt and I can't do anything about it, because every time I tried to get in, he would push me away. It puts my heart at ease to see that he opens up to you, he cares about you, he relies on you. I hope that you two get along well and take good care of each other. I can't imagine a better girl to be by his side."

Sarah smiled and hugged Elanor.

"Thank you.", Sarah responded in a low voice.

She was happy that Elanor shared this part of her, it helped Sarah understand them better, as a family.

So far Elanor and Oscar treated her well, but Sarah always kept some reservation due to her belief that they are not caring parents. When she thought that Aiden was being sent to various summer camps as a child, without an understanding why, the only explanation was that his parents didn't want to spend time with him, and they sent him off to keep him busy.

Now Sarah understands that there was a reason, their intentions were good. Her perception of Elanor and Oscar as parents changed, and she thinks of them as loving parents who care about their son.

The fact that Elanor told her this, made Sarah feel accepted and trusted. It made her feel welcome. It was a good feeling.

..

At about the same time, in Oscar's office, Aiden has a slight frown while looking at his father.

"You said you have something to talk about. And I know you made it up so that mom can talk with Sarah in private." Aiden's displeasure was visible. "I'm here, now talk."

Aiden was happy that Sarah finally accepted to step out of her comfort zone related to their relationship, and he feared that his mom will say something that will make Sarah retreat back into her shell.

"Did you think about this carefully?" Oscar looked sternly at his impatient son.

"About what?"

"About getting engaged.", Oscar clarified.

"What do you mean?" Aiden's brow furrowed. He didn't like the question, and part of him hoped that he misunderstood.

Oscar explained further: "Courting, looking, dating.. all those are casual things. But when you get engaged, you are one step away from marriage. When you get married, that is a permanent commitment. It should not be taken lightly. Do you understand?"

"Do you think I'm playing?", Aiden was offended by his father's insinuation.

Oscar shook his head. "You tell me."

Aiden looked his father in the eyes and spoke with unwavering conviction: "I'm not playing. I am committed. There is no other girl who can be by my side other than Sarah, ever."

Oscar's expression softened. "Good." He believes his son.

Only time will tell how things will end up, but if Aiden goes into marriage without resolve to make it work, it will not work.

..

When Sarah and Elanor returned to villa, their arms were linked together as they slowly walked and chatted happily. historical

Aiden watched them walk in with a lingering smile on his face. He pried free Sarah from his mother's hold and pulled her close to him ignoring Elanor's protests.

"We spent most of the day in the plane. I'm taking my fiancée to rest.", he told his mom as they walked away.

As soon as they entered Aiden's room, Sarah's phone buzzed.. JoAnna and Sophia wanted a conference call.