It wasn't every day that all the friends assembled together. Each had a very busy schedule, all being distinguished in their own fields. However, it wasn't unheard of for them to drop everything to indulge in a little playfulness. It was autumn and everyone was gathered at the local park. Thomas's twins, Damien and Trent were running in circles around Stella. Andrew's daughter, June, was seated under a tree playing with her Barbie. Few feet from her, Rupert's brother, Henry, sat watching the girl with hawk-like eyes. Rupert was deep in the woods, talking over the phone with someone regarding their business. Daisy was busy sorting through everyone's picnic baskets. A year into their marriage Daisy had decided to stop working in her husband's company and opened a bakery from her home. Now that same Daisy's Delights had more than a dozen outlets. As a result, she became the designated chef of the group. Tom was standing beside her and helping. He made it a point to find ways to be with her ever since she moved out of his office space. Tom understood that Trent and Damien needed her more but he couldn't help feeling sidelined. They were his flesh and blood, however.
Frederick was sitting beside Daisy and Tom but his eyes followed Damien and Trent as they captivated Stella with their antics. Stella laughed with them and played with them. It was not something new. Fred always knew that Stella is good with kids. However in the last six months every time he thought about it he couldn't help imagining her with children of her own, of their own. It had a lot to do with the vows that they spoke in a small chapel that many months ago. Nothing had changed between them after that. Now they officially slept on the same bed and Fred accompanied her to her uncle's parish every weekend. One should say that nothing had changed on her part. Fred no longer slept around even when she insisted that he did. In return, he would only tell her, "I was raised Catholic" which didn't mean anything because Stella was Baptist. Nonetheless, he found excuses to be faithful without pushing Stella into changing anything about herself.
Stella attended Stanley's wedding with Fred by her side. When she introduced Fred as her husband Stanley almost fainted. It turned out that the company he worked for was a subsidiary of BLIC and Fred was his boss in a way. This led to him buttering him up every weekend until Fred noticed that it bothered Stella very much. That was when Stanley got transferred to Europe. Stella's face looked flushed from all the activities. Unbeknownst to them both, another pair of eyes took in his look of adoration as Daisy winked her husband.
"When are you getting married and have kids of your own, Stella?" It was Tom who asked.
Stella looked up from the twins and her eyes met that of Fred and she looked down. They had religiously maintained avoiding the topic from their friends because it would complicate matters.
"In God's time," Stella replied hesitantly.
"God's taking too long," Daisy commented.
"You were older than me when you met Tom," Stella pointed out.
"I was older in years. You are simply old," Daisy teased.
"I heard Fred was having a steady girlfriend nowadays?" it was Rupert who stepped into the conversation. The words stung but Stella kept her peace. She knew exactly who that steady girlfriend was. She also knew her intentions full well. What Reagan Adams didn't count on was that Stella was capable of going to every depth for the sake of Fred's well being.
"She isn't a girlfriend. She is supposed to be Jenny's replacement. But she manages to come before the paparazzi every time she accompanies me to an event. I am beginning to think she is doing it on purpose." Fred complained.
"Maybe she is in love with you. Isn't it time you settled down, old man?" Tom teased his best friend. "Nah, she is too young for me," Fred replied, unknowingly causing more pain to Stella than he did to himself.
"You and Stella are simply old souls. You could both benefit with getting laid every now and then," it was Julia who commented, walking towards them, holding Andrew's hand in a firm hold.
"He does get laid every now and then. Doesn't change him much. He is still morose as always," Tom complained.
"Oh, I forgot about your weekend sexcapades. Andrew narrates some of them occasionally and I can't help analyze your motivation. Why weekends only and why get your security to rape them afterwards? The women may behave like sluts but aren't it illegal?" Julia accused. Stella's head snapped at the accusations.
"Firstly, he hasn't been with a woman in six months and even when he did he didn't ask his security to rape them. They were told to get them to safety and in the process give them whatever they want. They fully understood that there was no chance of sex without consent whatsoever," she ranted.
"I knew you would defend him. Cut it out, Stella. Everyone knows that you have the hots for each other. You literally live together. Why can't you be with each other?" Tom whined.
"Tom, no. Everything is not a joke. We can't be together because the Regnante would try to get rid of her if they find I am settling down. I am destined to be with Amanda Regnante or none at all and chose the latter option," Fred announced.
"Who the heck is Amanda Regnante?" Daisy and Stella asked simultaneously.
"She is the embodiment of the Italian Mafia," Tom informed them in a whisper. He realized he had touched a nerve.
"But that means you would be with Stella if the Italian Mafia were not on your case?" Julia asked, still adamant to see them together.
"We are together. We just can't be a couple. Ever," Fred announced.
The note of finality in his words made Stella sigh but life moved on.