Is this destiny?

~ Los Angeles ~

Saturday

1:24 PM

Ben and Penny are having lunch with Charlie and Emma in a private room of a fine French restaurant downtown Los Angeles.

They came here from the courthouse, and this is Ben\'s and Penny\'s first meal as Mr. and Mrs. Casano.

The ceremony was simple with a goal to make Ben and Penny a couple in the eyes of the law. Their wedding with friends and family will happen later. Penny thinks that a good time will be in one year from now, on their marriage anniversary. 

At first, Penny was not sure if she wants them to get married now or after the baby is born. Ben assured her that they will do it anyway she wants. Penny thought of their baby and decided that she does not want her son to be born without having both parents properly. After all, her baby-daddy is right by her side and there is no need for Ben to fill up the paperwork in the hospital which he will state how he acknowledges their child as his. And she will not be marked as a single mother.

Charlie and Emma picked the restaurant and reserved a private room for this occasion.

The food was served as a vast variety of small portions and everything was delicious. What Penny appreciated the most is that this restaurant has a Water menu with water options from all over the world. Penny would prefer a glass of wine, but she is pregnant, so a variety of water choices made her happy. It made her go to the restroom often as well, but she is used to it (baby is pushing on her bladder).

"What are your plans after this?", Emma asked Penny and Ben before putting a heavenly bite-sized fruit tart in her mouth.

Penny looked at Ben who smiled mysteriously before answering: "I\'ve made some arrangements for the rest of the afternoon and a romantic evening. We will return to reality tomorrow morning."

He booked them a spa treatment for couples which includes Penny\'s favorites: facial and a massage. She will get a massage for pregnant women and they will get it in a luxurious room of a hotel where they will spend the night with non-alcoholic wine and fruits, on a bed covered in rose petals. But that is a surprise for Penny, so he does not want to disclose details.

He wanted to add more things, but considering that Penny\'s belly is large, he didn\'t want to overdo it. She can\'t sit for long in the same place, so travel is out of the question and she is not capable of vigorous (or potentially dangerous) activity either. They agreed to keep this low key and enjoy their weekend together which will end with the two of them (three of them with baby included), moving into their Spanish mansion in West Hollywood neighborhood.

After the junior is born, the two of them (and the baby) will travel to many places. And after their wedding ceremony which will include friends and family, Penny and Ben are planning for a honeymoon as well.

"Oho, overnight!", Emma exclaimed after hearing Ben\'s plans.

Emma leaned closer to Penny to ask in a whisper: "You can still do it?" She glanced at Penny\'s big belly.

Penny laughed when she understood that Emma is asking about the intercourse. "Actually, there are positions where my belly is not in the way. Just so you know, the additional hormones and the blood flow in the lower areas makes everything more intense."

Emma widened her eyes. "More intense? How much more?"

"I can\'t explain it. I can\'t stop screaming, but at the same time I want more of it. When you are pregnant, you will see."

Emma was curious. "Ben does not mind the changes?"

Penny laughed. "Ben likes that my breasts are larger. And based on what I\'ve read, the junior enjoys the serotonin which is released during the orgasm, and he likes the rocking as well." Penny paused and burst into a laugh before adding: "I guess it\'s fun for the whole family."

Emma laughed with Penny. She remembers that when they met, Penny was quiet and shy. Penny changed.

Ben was not sure what to say. Should Penny talk about this in front of others? Emma is one thing, but Charlie is right there! Ben looked at Penny and he is happy that she is happy. He still can\'t believe that a magnificent woman like Penny decided to marry him. Ben told himself not to mess it up this time. 

Emma looked at Charlie who was slightly uncomfortable.

Charlie likes to eavesdrop, but he knows that he should not show any visible reaction or Emma might get angry.

"When are you going to make me pregnant?"

Emma\'s question made Charlie choke on non-existent saliva.

He drank water to calm down.

"I wanted to make you pregnant on day one, and what did you do? Took a pill.", Charlie said matter-of-factly.

Emma smiled while her thoughts wandered to that evening: a party, four women, a ruined dress, she left with Brian, and Charlie came to get her. And she is glad that he did because that was the beginning of the rest of her life. That evening he said that he wants to kiss her all night long and he did.

Penny observed Emma and saw that her friend is blushing while spacing out.

"I think that we should head out because it seems that Emma wants some privacy with Charlie. I can see that she is thinking about making babies…", Penny told Ben through giggles.

Emma snapped out of her lusty thoughts and looked at Penny in disbelief. "Are you so blatant because you are pregnant, married, or because you are spending too much time with Anna?"

Penny looked at Emma and responded with a straight face: "I am like this because I\'m spending so much time with you."

Both Penny and Emma burst into laughter.

Shortly after that, they parted ways.

Ben and Penny were a few blocks away from their next destination and arrived in a few minutes.

Penny was delighted by the arrangements Ben made. She looks forward to the relaxing afternoon which she will share with Ben. Her husband. And she looks forward to the night as well. 

While Penny and Ben enjoyed their facials side-by-side, accompanied by the soothing music and lavender essence, Emma and Charlie headed to Jarred\'s villa.

Emma needs to talk to her mom, and this is something that can\'t be delayed further. It is convenient that Emma\'s mother is spending her weekend with Jarred at his villa. At least Emma does not need to fly to Seattle for this chat which is overdue.

~ Los Angeles, Jarred\'s villa ~

Emma asked her mom if they can talk in private, and the two of them went to the garden, while Charlie stayed in the living room with Jarred.

"Do you know what Emma wants to talk about?", Jarred asked Charlie.

Charlie waved his hand dismissively. "It\'s something between a mother and a daughter."

"Yet, you know about it." Jarred was upset that Charlie is not telling him.

"Emma is my fiancée and she tells me things. Mrs. Ronin will be the one to decide if you will know about it or not.", Charlie said smugly.

Jarred grunted while his eyes wandered toward the door through which Emma and Mrs. Ronin left. With every passing second, Jarred was getting more anxious.

"I have a feeling that Emma does not approve of me and Donni.", Jarred said after some time.

Charlie was amused to see Jarred so insecure. "Let\'s say that is true. So, what if she does not approve?"

Jarred frowned. "Donni talks about her kids often. If they don\'t approve…" Jarred sighed. "I don\'t know."

Charlie observed Jarred\'s fidgeting and a thought hit him: "Are you in love with her?"

"How long are you by my side? When did you see me with a woman?"

Charlie paused. Jarred\'s answer implies that he loves Emma\'s mother because Charlie never saw Jarred with a woman since his wife passed. This makes things more complicated. But it\'s not his business. Emma will talk with her mother, and relax when she gets it out of her system, and after that it will be between Mrs. Ronin and Jarred.

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