Is this destiny?

~ Los Angeles, the Cliffside Villa ~

While Chloe and Noah enjoyed their first morning as an engaged couple, the mood at the Cliffside Villa was heavy on that Monday.

"Are you saying that Vasily is dying and there is nothing we can do?", Sarah asked JoAnna who came with Jeff to discuss Vasily's condition.

Jeff and Aiden were in the room as well, and they silently observed their wives talking.

"No one can predict the future, Sarah.", JoAnna said honestly, but the lack of denying it outright confirmed that Sarah's guess was correct. "I can tell you is that his condition is deteriorating. It's subtle, but I compared the data we collected during the time Vasily is in our care, and on his good days, there are no improvements."

Sarah exhaled dejectedly. "I thought the surgery was a success."

"Yes. But the surgery was only to repair his skull, I have no expertise in fixing the brain. I'm not a neurosurgeon."

"Can't you learn? Why don't you find a neurosurgeon?", Sarah snapped. She took a deep breath to calm her emotions. "Sorry, I know it's not your fault, but… can you find a neurosurgeon who can fix him?"

JoAnna shrugged. "I talked with several experts in the area, and they all agreed that considering the extent of injuries and his age, Vasily is lucky to be alive. When I asked them about the procedure to improve his condition, some said that there is nothing they could do, while others openly admitted that they wouldn't dare to operate on him."

"What kind of doctors wouldn't help a dying man?", Sarah was outraged.

"Their refusal to help should tell you how bad his condition is. Sarah, this is not a broken bone or a torn muscle. He is missing a piece of his brain and no matter how successful the surgery is, he might die. Added death during or post-surgery is bad for the doctor, and no one will ask why the patient died or how complicated the procedure was. This is not about the money or about their oath to help a patient. Doctors wouldn't dare take the risk of damaging their reputation for a case they see as hopeless."

"Search more.", Sarah urged JoAnna. "Everyone told Charlie that it's hopeless, yet you made him walk. Everyone told me that my left arm will be useless, and you fixed me. Find someone who can fix our Uncle."

JoAnna exhaled. "As I said, those are not the same. Charlie was in the wheelchair and even if I failed, his condition would be the same. You are my sister, and I would do whatever I can. However, I am not able to help Vasily because, in the area of neurosurgery, I know basics at best."

"Is there really no one?", Sarah asked JoAnna in a shaky voice. "You took the risk and beat the odds. Is there no one who is capable and willing to help our Uncle?"

"I'm not giving up, Sarah. I will keep on searching. However, I need you to prepare yourself for the possibility that things won't work out and he might die without waking up from the coma.", JoAnna said honestly.

JoAnna didn't want to be the bearer of bad news, but Sarah was always optimistic about Vasily's condition, without considering that this might end badly. JoAnna feared that if Sarah is focused only on the possibility that Vasily will wake up and if he dies suddenly (but not unexpectedly), it will be too big of a shock for Sarah. That is why JoAnna decided to share facts with Sarah and keep her grounded.

Sarah pressed her lips into a line and nodded. She knew that JoAnna was doing her best and she knew that it was not fair to make this sound like it's JoAnna's fault.

They all did what they could and hoped for the best.

When Sarah saw that Vasily was alive in Maksim's villa, she saw that as a chance to fix her mistakes in mistreating her Uncle.

Sarah imagined many times that Vasily will wake up and smile and listen to her talk about her day and tell her about his, and meet her friends and family, and that he will forgive her. No matter how hostile she was, Vasily would brush it off and be in a good mood and she really wanted to tell him that she is sorry for everything and if he dies without waking up, how is she supposed to fix things?

Sarah's guilt was swelling because Vasily would always forgive her. If he was not so kind, it would be easier to let go. Maybe.

Sarah found herself in Aiden's embrace and she leaned on her husband, silently asking for him to comfort her.

"That's enough, Anna…", Aiden said to JoAnna sternly. He didn't want for Sarah to get upset more than she already is. It's not good for the baby.

"I would like to transfer Vasily back to the LA Medical Center.", JoAnna said.

"Will it increase his chances of recovery?", Sarah asked.

JoAnna wanted to say 'yes', but she couldn't lie. "Probably not. But there will be a group of professionals monitoring him around the clock, and you are welcome to visit anytime you want."

"If it will not make a difference, then I would prefer that he stays here.", Sarah said. "You have access to all medical data regardless of where he is, and here, he is with family. I'm sure that he would prefer to stay with us compared to some strangers… even more so if he is dying."

JoAnna glanced at Jeff who lifted his hands in surrender, indicating that he will not weigh on this. If he learned anything from his time as JoAnna's husband, it is to stay out of arguments between Hill sisters.

JoAnna exhaled in defeat. "Fine. I will keep on searching for neurosurgeons and let you know of any changes."

JoAnna and Jeff left, and Aiden took Sarah for a walk in the garden.

They ended up sitting on a bench overlooking a massive white cage that was holding several dozens of tropical birds.

"I remember your enthusiasm in trying to make them stand on your hand.", Aiden said with a small smile on his handsome face.

Sarah knew that he was talking about their first trip to the island in the Pacific Ocean. That is where he proposed to her, the first time (stark naked), and she was looking forward to their walks because she would try to get close to colorful birds which fascinated her.

Part of her knew that he was talking about the birds to distract her from heavy thoughts related to Vasily, and she welcomed that distraction because negativity didn't help anyone.

"If you gave me a handful of nuts to lure them right away, it would save me a lot of trouble."

"And miss the joy in watching you struggle?", Aiden asked teasingly.

Sarah narrowed her eyes. "Why is my struggle bringing you joy?"

Aiden chuckled. "You were so cute." He leaned closer and spoke softly, "I walked after you and soaked in your every expression. I was absolutely smitten. Just like now."

Sarah melted on the inside. He managed to divert her attention to sweet memories and to bring her back to the present without negativity. "What would I do without you?"

"Let's not think about it, love. The three of us, you, me, and baby Logan are, and will be together...", Aiden murmured softly sweet nothings close to Sarah's ear, and she leaned into his embrace and soaked in the joy her husband provided her with.

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