54 Merry Christmas (3)

Sarah went to the family room and placed presents she got for her family members under one of the Christmas trees. They have two massive Christmas trees, decorated with red and white ornaments and silver garlands, one on each side of the fireplace. Stella does a great job in getting the Christmas spirit into their home.

Sarah headed to the dining room and saw six people seated for breakfast. She observed that her uncle Owen is there, and he looked like he didn't sleep well. Lexi was nowhere to be seen.

"Merry Christmas!" She wished everybody and took a seat next to Aiden.

They all returned the greeting. Besides Owen's depressed looks, everyone else looked cheerful.

"Uncle Owen, I don't see Lexi. Is she still sleeping?" Sarah asked her uncle innocently.

He looked troubled. "She left last night." That was the only thing he said before lowering his head and sipping his coffee.

Sarah flashed a malicious smile. She and JoAnna exchanged glances, and Sophia looked at them questioning what is going on. JoAnna shook her head to Sophia gesturing her not to ask any questions. She knew what Sarah did last night, but now is not the time to talk about it. JoAnna will tell her later.

When they finished breakfast, they headed to the family room and exchanged presents.

Aiden was a bit embarrassed that he didn't have any presents to give, but ladies of the Hill family ensured him that it's not a problem, while shoving boxes into his arms. Stella, JoAnna and Sophia had presents for him which made him even more miserable. 'If I knew this will happen, I would definitely prepare some gifts for them.'

"Don't be so timid. Just open them!" JoAnna encouraged Aiden.

"He is not used to it. His family does not do presents for Christmas." Sarah explained.

JoAnna, Sophia and Stella looked at Aiden feeling grief in their hearts. For them Christmas is about family and showing care through exchanging gifts. There is no need to make them grand or expensive but giving something is a must. It's the thought that counts. Not having a present exchange in a cheerful atmosphere is something they can't imagine.

Stella gave one packet to Sarah with a meaningful look. Sarah was curious, it seemed that Stella put some extra importance into this one. Sarah opened the box, and inside was a rolled paper and a key. Sarah unrolled the paper and saw that it's a title on her name for a three-bedroom apartment in Fairfield, where Tesla University is. She quickly pulled her phone and searched the address on the title, only to see that it's located downtown Fairfield. Sarah looked at Stella in disbelief.

"It's fully furnished. You can check it out and see if you want to use it yourself or rent it out." Stella smiled. She was happy with Sarah's reaction.

"Wait a minute... I'm still processing this. Thank you!" Sarah hugged her mom.

"Hey, I was involved also!" Edward complained that he is not getting credits.

Sarah laughed and hugged him. "Thank you, dad."

"We wanted to give it to you earlier, but then thought to wait a bit and make it a Christmas present." Edward said.

"Well, Merry Christmas to me!" Sarah laughed. After few seconds she cleared her throat. "If I decide to stay there, I will need to get a car. Cabs are troublesome." She looked at her parents innocently.

Stella laughed seeing that Sarah is pretending. She knows that Sarah wants to get her car in Fairfield for some time already. "Then just get one. It's not like you need our permission."

"You say that, but if I get one without letting you know, you will scold me. Right?" Sarah accused her mom.

"You know mother well." Sophia laughed.

Everyone in the family room was in a good mood. Even Owen laughed. Laughter was echoing through the house.

...

Soon cab arrived to take Aiden and Sarah to the airport. Aiden said his thanks for hospitality and went ahead first to put their suitcases in the cab.

Sarah was saying her goodbyes when JoAnna pulled Sarah on the side. "I think you should exit quickly. Dad just got off the phone with Sam Peterson, and he is not in the good mood. He probably found out about you and..." she tilted her head towards front door.

Sarah took a deep breath. Sam Peterson is Ed's dad. 'Who knows what all Ed told his dad, and he echoed that to Edward.' Sarah felt that a trouble is coming. She thought for a second before going outside. "Wait for me in the cab, I will come out in a minute." She smiled but Aiden sensed that something is off. He thought that it must be something related to family and that he should not interfere. He nodded.

Sarah went back inside and closed the door behind her. JoAnna gave her a look of panic. "Why did you come back?".

"There is no better time than now to face him." Sarah responded stubbornly.

And just as she thought, Edward stepped out of his study and walked towards Sarah in big strides, obviously furious. Stella, JoAnna and Sophia looked toward him with concern in their eyes. Old butler took a step back, and two maids swiftly left towards the dining room.

"Explain yourself!" Edward yelled.

"Explain what?" Sarah asked in a calm voice.

"How can you have a boyfriend behind our backs? And does it have to be him?"

"It's not behind your back." Sarah was controlling her voice to sound as calm as possible. If she raises her voice it will just make things worse.

"Then why are you hiding it?" Edward fumed.

"Because of THIS." She gestured with her hand at him.

Edward paused for a second before continuing. "You are not allowed to see him anymore!"

"You can't do that." Sarah shook her head lightly.

"Yes, I can, I am your father!" Edward's face was red from rage.

"You are my father, but unless you lock me up you can't prevent me from seeing anyone."

"He brings trouble! He is not good enough for you!" Edward hollered.

"And who do you think is good enough for me?" Sarah looked at him feeling helpless.

Edward didn't have an answer to this question. "I can't believe you are so disobedient!" Edward still fumed. He found that he is losing this argument, and that Sarah is not going to leave Aiden. He didn't want to explain himself, but even if he did it would not matter to Sarah. He decided to go another route. "I will cancel your allowance!"

Sarah was surprised but kept her calm demeanor. "That is your right."

"I will stop paying for your education fees!". Edward threw another jab at her.

"That is your right, also." Sarah's heart was constricting seeing her father like this.

Edward was now desperate. "If you don't stop this nonsense, I will not allow you to return here."

Sarah's face fell from sadness to see that her dad will go to these lengths just to get his way. She held back her tears. "Hearing this, makes me very sad." She took a deep breath before continuing. "I'm leaving now. I hope you can enjoy the holidays."

Sarah turned toward the door and made a step when she heard Edward say through his teeth. "Are you really choosing him over your own father?"

She turned to look at him. Barely holding back her tears. "This is not about me choosing him over you. It is about you not respecting my choices."

She turned toward the door and started walking. She stopped before opening the doors. Without turning back, she said, "I can give you a hundred reasons why I made a choice to be in a relationship with Aiden, but I know that now you will not listen, so I will not bother trying. I just hope that in time, you admit to yourself that he is a good man and see how much he cherishes me." Sarah took a deep breath before continuing. "When you calm down, if you are willing to talk reasonably, let me know. Until then I will not come back." She opened the door, stepped out and closed the doors behind her.

Edward stared at the closed door without moving, with a heavy frown on his face.

Sophia and JoAnna looked at each other, concern showing over their little sister. They both looked at their father and anger flashed in their eyes. Sophia and JoAnna could not believe that their father would go to such lengths just to prevent Sarah from dating.

Stella looked at Edward, shaking her head in disappointment. 'How do you think that pushing her away is going to help with anything?' She knew that he will be difficult, but thinking about it and seeing it is different.

...

Sarah got into the cab. "Drive", she told the driver.

Aiden saw her expression and didn't say anything. He took her hands into his and squeezed them gently as the cab drove toward the airport.