Chapter 632 - Guys are grounded! (1/2)

Hill sisters helped their respective men take warm shower and dress up before they all enjoyed dinner in a pleasant atmosphere.

Besides breakfast, guys had few skimpy granola bars through the day, so they were very hungry. Homemade dinner hit the spot just right and they all praised it as the best meal they ever had.

After dinner, they all sat around the dancing fire in the living room and chatted happily while enjoying hot beverages.

Guys realized that something is off when girls suddenly got serious and sat on a separate sofa from them.

Sophia got everyone's attention and addressed Felix, Jeff and Aiden: ”We gave you time to warm up and eat, and now it's time to address the elephant in the room.”

Sophia stood up and faced the guys in silence for some time before speaking: ”We listened to your talk with Edward on the morning before Felix's and my wedding…” Sophia started, and she could see that guys are uncomfortable. ”Is that the reason behind this outing? Why did you hide that from us?”

Felix felt that she is directing those questions toward him. ”We got Edward's message and decided to strengthen bond between us, like men.”

Sophia raised her left eyebrow, indicating her displeasure.

JoAnna stood up next to Sophia. ”Our dad talking is one thing. You doing something extreme because of that is totally different. Why did it need to be something in the wilderness? In the snow? Do you know how much we worried while watching all this snowfall with you outside and we can't contact you?”

Jeff and Felix glanced toward Aiden.

Aiden was not sure what to say not to incriminate himself further.

Sarah stood up next to her sisters. ”Why didn't you strengthen your manly bonds over a game of cards? And why are we excluded?”

”Exactly!” Sophia exclaimed. ”It's six of us. And we all need to be stronger if this is going to work. Keep in mind that we are as strong as the weakest of us.”

”Don't treat us as damsels in distress.”, JoAnna added.

This JoAnna's sentence hit Aiden where it hurts. He looked at Sarah full of guilt.

”You want to strengthen your bonds without us?” Sophia had a wicked smile on her face. ”How about three of you sleep together tonight… without us?”

All three guys widened their eyes in horror.

Felix collapsed under pressure first: ”Ma chéri, I will go through three more avalanches, but don't do that…”

Jeff and Aiden shoot piercing glares at Felix, but it was too late.

”What avalanche?!” JoAnna snapped.

After some hesitation, guys told them how they went to cut down a tree and caused an avalanche… and how they were stuck for hours in the snow-cave.

Girls were not sure if they should laugh or cry… or scold them.

”If we knew this earlier, we would leave you out there longer so that you can reflect on your behavior. How reckless can you be?” Sarah was outraged.

Sarah pointed out how that was a close call. The guys could have died out there if they didn't manage to find a shelter at the last moment. All three girls thought the same thing and the atmosphere got heavy.

”For the rest of this weekend, you are not allowed to go out!” Sophia ordered. She was grounding them!

”If you want to do any additional BONDING, do it inside.” JoAnna added. She was not trying to hide her anger.

”…and include us.” Sarah finished with a big sigh.

All three guys nodded in agreement.

Sophia took a deep breath to calm down, before speaking again. ”While three of you were out there testing limits of mother nature, three of us had constructive discussions and made few decisions. We want to be stronger, to show others that they can't scheme against us. Tomorrow, let's talk about it and see who is facing what challenges and how can we help each other. OK?”

They went to their respective rooms early that evening.