Accident Prone

Nearly four years later…

In a certain oasis above it all, a massive cherry tree is in full bloom and Liz and Max are preparing to welcome their friends and family for an afternoon of snacks, drinks, and a good time under the majestic tree with an amazing view of Seattle.

The weather is perfect with only a few cotton-like white clouds in the bright blue sky.

On the platform above the house, the staff set up a number of tables with chairs, to accommodate everyone, but most of the guests are coming with little kids, so there are several picnic blankets that are more child-appropriate.

There will be child-friendly snacks and toys to keep the little ones busy as their parents catch up.

Since Liz is 3 months pregnant, Max helped Liz climb up and he told her to sit and wait for their guests to arrive while he checks on the staff. The guests should be there any minute.

Liz loves this house. It's far away from the commotion of the city, and the view is amazing. Normally, Max and Liz spend their weekdays in their penthouse and come to this house on the weekends.

The penthouse is spacious and close to work. Max is busy as the CEO of the Alpha Group, and Liz is managing the Franciscan Medical Center in her role as the chairwoman while reserving two days a week to take care of her patients. Isaac is gradually handing over the management of Williams Medical corp. to Liz and at least one week a month Isaac and Foxy spend in Seattle, while the rest of the time they are in New York.

Liz's workload is increasing, but she is balancing it with Rhonda who accepted to work as Liz's assistant, and her three ex-interns (Valentina, Stephanie, and Gordon), are now three MDs with senior positions in the hospital. Other than them, Liz has Dr. Kaviraj and several other reliable coworkers who are all helping Liz manage the hospital.

"Slow down, Mila!", Liz shouted after a 20 month-old girl who was chasing behind the pup that Max brought home two weeks prior. Mila said that she wants a puppy and Max melted when she gave him a sloppy kiss on the cheek, and all that resulted in a puppy. Liz shook her head in disapproval because Max is spoiling their child, but Max was spoiling Liz as well, so she didn't say anything.

Mila is the nickname they use for their daughter, Emilia Anderson, who has deep blue eyes like her father and dark hair like her mother. Max and Liz agree that Mila inherited mischief from her father, as for the smarts, they can't come to an agreement.

"No one is welcoming us?", Mia huffed while climbing up the side stairs that were etched in the rock, with Hunter supporting her. Mia was holding her belly; she is eight full months pregnant and looks ready to explode.

Mia and Hunter nearly combined Fabricio's men and Max's security guys with Mia handling tasks from external customers, while Hunter ensures that the Alpha group and their family are safe. Hunter is also Max's right-hand-man at the Alpha group and he acts as Max's proxy when Max is not available.

Liz laughed seeing how Hunter was waving his arms wildly in an attempt to shoo the puppy away from Mia. It's not that he dislikes dogs, but what if Mia trips or loses her balance? Hunter grabbed the pup in one hand, and with the other hugged Mila who was happy to be snuggled with her Uncle but a second later she was trying to reach for the pup. 

Two moments later, Hunter ended up in a chase that involved a toddler and a puppy. Hunter loves to play with his Nieces and Nephews. He is a great Uncle and will be an amazing father.

"Stop complaining and come here…", Liz waved at Mia. "I have watermelons, strawberries, and pineapples."

Mia grinned at the sight of fruits. She always had a big appetite, and the pregnancy only made it worse.

"Good, good… we came here first so I pick the best spot.", Mia said while stuffing a piece of watermelon in her mouth.

"Are others coming?", Liz asked.

Mia nodded and swallowed before responding: "We all arrived together, but they have kids in car seats which gave us an advantage…"

Liz turned toward the garden and saw Brianna and Quentin coming with their son Luke. Brianna and Quentin are growing their Reynolds Media empire and they love to travel and enjoy fine things in life with their son who is always looking sharp, like he came from a fashion shoot. Even now, Luke walked in steady steps in front of his parents dressed up in a suit, his hair was slicked back, and he had a dignified demeanor, like a young prince. If not for his tiny three years old size, Luke would easily pass as a young adult. 

Sabrina and Ashton were behind them with William, and Ashton was holding their 4 months old daughter Zoe. Sabrina's FD Studio became an established brand in Seattle and last year they opened branches in Portland and San Francisco. Ashton got his Ph.D. and is working at the Alpha group as a team leader in the experimental research department.

Angela and Derek were chatting with Sabrina and Ashton, while their twins Ryan and Stella were chasing after their cousin William. William was a full year older than his cousins, but Ryan and Stella developed teamwork and were good at playing tags.

Angela is still working at FD Studio, now in the role of the main manager who is overseeing all three stores, with store managers reporting directly to her. Derek does not mind that Angela is earning more than he is, and he is happy to take off from work and take care of their twins whenever Angela is busy.

Olivia and Mike were right behind with their one year-old daughter Ester. Mike and Olivia waited for Olivia to graduate from her art school before they got married and starting their family, and overall they are happy.

Grace and Jake were not present. Since Grace gave birth to their son Dylan, seven months ago, they are always late because they pack things like they are going for a long vacation. Grace's parents didn't accept Jake at first, but since Dylan was born, the walls between them are reducing.

Andrea and Valentina said that they might come later, but not to wait for them. Well, Andrea and Valentina are always busy, but they seem to balance their careers and relationship well, so Liz can only be happy for them. Max was ecstatic that Liz invited her interns to their pre-wedding party (and wedding), so Andrea found herself a love interest that is not Liz. His biggest fear is that Andrea and Valentina will break up and Andrea will return to her attempts in seducing Liz.

Madeline, Nathan, Isaac, and Foxy, also said that they will come but it seems that they got delayed. Knowing them, they probably made a stop to buy toys for the little ones, as they never come to these events emptyhanded.

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