True Happiness

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The busy road became a common sight every night.
Nearly five more years, and continue, I feel like I can close my eyes just to run one day.

The house is only a place to sleep and eat. It's always the same routine even on weekends and holidays.

City's surface is populated with people passing by to complete their tasks for the day. The man in his mid-thirties walked slowly into the apartment he rented. The hall lights were on, he was sure that soon there would be—

"Papa! Papa is home!"

"Ahaha, hello Papa's favorite champ and little girl. How are you today? Nothing naughty?"

"Of course not Papa! Lucas can look after Jane well!"

"Jane too!"

The laughter of three people from the front door brought another head peeking out of the wall to shake her head slowly. There was a warm smile on her face, she was wearing an apron and cooking gloves.

"Lucas, Jane, let's let Papa rest first," her voice seemed to remind the little boys to let go of their bear-like embraces to the man. With laughter, they grabbed his arm and ushered him into the room full of warmth.

It was about to enter winter, but the joyous atmosphere brought by the children was enough to dispel the freezing and fatigue that plagued his back.

"Now get ready for dinner, okay?"

"Got it, Mama!!" There is one of the behaviors that manage to attract the laughter of their parents.

"I'm home, Louise. Tired of taking care of them all day?" He got a sweet kiss from his wife. The bags and jackets he used were taken over to be tidied up and washed. A soft chuckle was heard as his hands were busy untying his strangled tie.

"It's okay, I feel nice even though sometimes I'm curious where they got that much energy from. You? I should be the one asking, John."

"As usual, full of patient complaints and jokes, mostly from the children's ward and the elderly. Tomorrow I can leave at noon. There is only one surgery schedule, then I can relax," he explained, knowing if his wife likes details.

He got a satisfied nod, "Good, then can you apply for a day off for the day after tomorrow?"

"Off?" This time he gave an interesting look. "It's time for me to take time off, but there's still a week left. What's wrong?"

"Ehehe, look," two long pieces of paper in Louise's hand. "While I was shopping, I won a coupon for a trip to the Warner Bros Studio London! It's only for two people, but I thought about we go on vacation together? The kids are on winter break anyway, and I also get annual leave from the office. Isn't this a good opportunity to cheer them?"

It seems that the frills 'fun for the kids' and Louise's pitiful look have managed to shake John's faith.

"Okay, you win again Louise," caressing the blonde strands on her forehead made John realize how soft Louise's hair is even though there are so many things to do every day.

From dawn prepare all the equipment that he and their two children will need, make breakfast, and do other household chores. Then she took the children to school before she left for work, as well as when she came home later. Continue to play and learn with them before starting to prepare dinner. Louise would make sure all her work was done and her two children were asleep, then she could close her eyes. And all that does not include shopping and other interlude activities.

'Looks like I'm not the one who needs a vacation here,' his smile softened even more as his eyes met with the cheerful behavior of Louise who was eager to finish her cooking. 'Sometimes I have to please my wife too, eh?' It was no longer a question in his mind.

"John, I've prepared warm water for you. Go take a shower and then we'll have dinner together, and don't fantasize too much."

'My wife is the best,' he smiled, walking towards the bathroom.

It didn't take long for the family to gather and eat a warm meal made by their wife and mother. The feeling of pleasure seemed to immediately cover the tiredness that was felt all day.

It was nine o'clock. Their son and daughter had fallen asleep after being lulled into fairy tales by their mother. Now John and Louise were relaxing for a while in their room.

"Ukhh.. slow down, John.."

"It's slow, honey."

"Ahh..! It's hurt, how could you treat my feet like a patient in a hospital?"

"W-well it's not like that, Louise.."

Oh, John is massaging his wife's cramping leg. Louise's sullen face and John's resigned smile closed their day with a warm atmosphere even though winter had entered the middle of its second month.

***

1 Week Later

"Mama! Have you seen my scarf and socks?"

"It's on the bed, Lucas. Don't forget to wear your glasses too and bring spare socks. They're all on your study table."

"Ma-Mama, Lulu is missing— hiks.."

"Oh dear, Lulu is in your backpack. Do you want Mama to get it so you can carry it yourself?"

"Ah! No need, Mama. Thanks for the help."

"You're welcome, Jane. John, your car keys and watch are on the dining table. Lucas, your shoes are already prepared."

"Ahaha, thank you, Louise / Mama."

It was only five o'clock, but unlike the others, everyone was busy preparing themselves. For Lucas and Jane, this activity will not make them sulk. They have been taught to wake up early even for holidays.

Not to mention today they started going on vacation together.

From Durham, they planned to head to London and spend the first day of a 'three-day trip to the park'.

Today they will be visiting Louise's brother and John's friend who does live there. Then they spent the second day at Warner Bros Studio, where they had already ordered the tour and all the tickets were online.

They will travel by car so that it will not be a hassle and the children can also rest. The distance of about four hours, that's more than enough for the children to fill their stamina.

Exactly five o'clock in the morning their family car slid down a still quiet street. And just as Louise expected, the two children had returned to dreamland.

"Ahaha, their sleeping faces are really cute," Louise didn't hesitate to take out her cell phone and take pictures of her child's funny moments.

Curious John asked her, "aren't their sleeping faces the same as at home?"

"Ei, you," Louise's pouting face showed, "it's different. Very different!"

"A-alright, Louise."

For a moment there was filled with the sound of the morning radio. "After arriving you want to go straight to Lily's house?"

"Yeah, Lucas and Jane can have time to play with Aiden and Kaiden. You also want to talk a lot with your friends, don't you?"

"There's a lot of things that weren't discussed over the phone, I think we should make this a routine in our free time," now it was Louise's turn to let out a soft laugh. Her gaze softened when she accidentally saw her husband's eyebags.

"Doctor must be diligent in taking time off and not too much work overtime," she joked slightly quipping John's habit of forgetting the time when he was at work.

Somewhat disapproving of himself being teased, this time it was John who replied to Louise, "I didn't ask the patient to be sick in the middle of the night. Louise also likes to work late. When everyone is asleep you like to open files hidden under the bed."

"H-how did John know!?"

The corners of John's lips twitched to hold back laughter as Louise's face showed a protest, "Your husband still has eyes and ears, dear."

"Idiot."

"Why am I wrong again..!?"

"Ugh.."

"Shhh!" Louise raised her hand, covering John's mouth. Her pomegranate glances over to the backseat, making sure the children are still asleep. When she finished looking at the situation, an annoyed look was on her face.

"Speak more slowly," she said, lowering her voice.

John's nod was the end of their conversation.

***

The sun had risen perfectly when they set foot in London, to be precise in the simple apartment where Louise's sister's family lived. Indeed they could have lived in the mansion, a wedding gift from their brother. But for Lily and Louise, it didn't matter if they had to stay on the road, as long as they were with their loved ones.

So now Lily lives with her husband and their twins in a simple apartment that was formerly occupied by her husband and John. Meanwhile, John decided to move to Durham.

"Lucas! Jane!"

"Aiden! Kaiden!"

The four children immediately ran when their eyes met. Tight hugs and cheerful laughter erupted around them. Adults who were watching just shook their heads, giving some leeway since this was their meeting after a long time.

"Louise! I've been waiting for you! How are you guys? Are you all right? Is no one sick? Is everyone there—"

"We're all good, Sis. You? It must be hard to deal with twins with your husband like that," her pomegranate beads glanced back, where the person they were talking about was smiling annoyed when they heard Louise's words just now.

Louise deliberately spoke loudly.

"Oh! We are fine, sister-in-law."

While Lily and John laughed resignedly, tired of their partner's unchanging behavior.

"Mama! Papa! Look, Aiden shows a bottle that will glow when shaken hard!"

'Bottle? Shine?'

"AH! THROW THE BOTTLE OUT OF THE WINDOW!"

BOOM!!

***

The room was shrouded in the dim light of the sun slowly dawning. A large mattress is comfortable to occupy with a warm blanket even though it is narrow because it is used by four people at once.

"Ma-Mama," said the little girl softly who pulled the blanket up to cover half of her face. Beneath the thick cloth, her hand gripped her brother's hand tightly.

"Louise—"

TAK! TAK!

"Ouch..!!"

The little beads looked teary like they were ready to cry but were held back with all their might.

"I'm sorry, Mama, Papa." Those were the only words they could come out with after the incident this afternoon.

The shining bottle that Jane was carrying turns out to be the result of research from Sher, the father of the twins. Luckily before it exploded John managed to throw the item out the window right beside him.

Both Lucas and Jane were prepared to receive the wrath of their notoriously strict mother. One minute, two minutes, a few minutes of waiting, no shouts came out.

Kiss!!

Instead, they felt a warm caress and a kiss on their foreheads.

"Next time, if there's something new that you don't know what it's used for, don't play with it. The same goes for when you meet a stranger or you get food from someone else. Now you know how dangerous it can be, don't you?"

"We're sorry we misbehaved. I'm sorry, Mama, Papa."

"Papa is not angry, neither is Mama. We are just worried that something will happen to you."

Now two beads that matched their parents looked on with clear determination, "We will no longer worry you. I will take care of my sister as best I can."

"I-I will also take good care of Brother Lucas so he doesn't get hurt," continued Jane, who turned to hug her brother.

"You two," even so, Louise pulled her two children in her arms, holding them as tightly as possible without making them both feel suffocated. "We will always worry about you. Now go to sleep. Tomorrow we are going to see 'magic', remember?"

Louise's wide smile seemed to jolt their memories and plans that were almost forgotten.

"We're going to bed now! Good night, Mama. Papa."

In a flash, the four of them exchanged kisses before going to bed, a habit when all family gathers together.

Seeing his two children had closed, John let out a mischievous grin at his wife. Louise? It's more than memorizing the manner.

"Go to sleep. No kissing when sleeping with the kids."

"Louise, come on..!"

"Ugh.."

"Shhh! Sleep."

***

A new day awaited them. It had only been an hour of commotion in their apartment, and now Lucas and Jane were busy staring out the bus that was going to take them to Warner Bros. The studio, to be more precise, the Harry Potter Studio, the place the two of them wanted to go to after killing off the entire series.

'The glasses look like Mama's! He must be a cool guy!'

'But mine is more square, and cuter,' for some reason, John could see his wife suddenly flushed after getting a comment from his son.

After waiting and checking security, they were immediately greeted by a familiar staircase with a small door below that became the room of little Harry.

Both Lucas and Jane got even more excited when their tour guide started explaining everything they needed to know about the world of a Harry Potter.

Not long after, they were brought back on their way to a large door with a unique design around it.

"The Great Hall!!" Shout the two, running to the front of the crowd of their group. Louise quickly walked after the two, afraid that something might happen.

Entering the big door, they were again amazed by the familiar sight, many scenes from the original film were shot in this room. Some of the people scattered took photos or videos, as well as Lucas and Jane who asked to be photographed under a statue of whatever shape it was.

TUTT!!

The sound that was heard stopped their activities for a moment. A large carriage dominated by red and black greeted them. Not a few were amazed by the replica of the vehicle that brought the magicians to their school.

At this time, most of the guests feel thirsty. Luckily now they are served by a restaurant that serves the iconic drink in the world of Harry Potter, Butterbeer.

"I don't like it," Lucas' sour expression was the exact opposite of his sister's thirst for a glass of golden drink in her hand. Looks like Lucas is a copy of his father who doesn't like beer, even though there's no alcohol sold there.

Now they were shown a house building and a famous dark purple bus with unreasonable speed. A relatively quiet place, but Jane found it very cool to ask their tour guide about the machinery and construction of the two-story house.

"John, do you think Jane will be an architect when she grows up?" Louise's eyes narrowed as her daughter seemed pleased with the knowledge of dimensions and construction from the guide, who seemed overwhelmed by the question.

"Rather than an architect, isn't she more like a cop interrogating someone?"

Their guide decided to take them to another main activity. Along the way, a view of the magical world unfolds in front of the visitors.

"Dear visitors, welcome to Diagon Alley, a place where you can shop for all your magic needs and get a sparkling touch from the tip of a wand. Enjoy your visit!"

A long hallway with colorful nuances, not to forget there is a classic feeling that surrounds it. From Ollivanders Wand Shop to Honeydukes, everything you can imagine in a movie set can be found here.

The excitement grew when they were allowed to borrow Hogwarts robes. Lucas couldn't stop himself from jumping for joy, he got the Gryffindor robe, and his sister got the Ravenclaw. John got Hufflepuff and Louise got Slytherin.

"Ahaha, like a complete package— ouch!"

A photographer came closer to the family, offering to capture the rare moment that happened to them today. And here they were, in front of a giant replica of Hogwarts castle, embracing each other and laughing happily. The photo clerk didn't even bother asking them to pose. Everything happens naturally.

A picture of a family with the mother trying to silence her son, next to them is the father and the daughter being held tightly. Big smiles did not leave the faces of each family member, not until they returned home where they shared warmth to close a day that will not be forgotten for the rest of their lives.

***

A husband and wife exchange toast for a cup of tea. It was a quiet night after they came home from a long and tiring trip.

Oddly enough, tiredness is not hitting both of them.

John's brown beads didn't take off Louise who was sipping the tea in her cup, "Are you happy, Louise?"

A question that seems stupid, very rhetorical to just make small talk. "If there's a phrase that can exceed the word 'happy', then that's how I feel right now," but seems like Louise didn't mind it.

John slowly stood up, walked behind Louise, and hugged her. "I think coming home after work, meeting the three of you, exchanging a few stories, and then sleeping together is a vacation, a sufficient reward after I worked hard," a sweet kiss landed on the woman's temple.

"But turns out I am more greedy. I wanted more, and today I just found out what gift I've been looking for."

Louise slowly turned her body, bringing their foreheads together without taking her eyes off him, "if you know it means we have to plan our next vacation, what do you think?"

"Ahaha, I guess Disney Land isn't a bad place?"

No one will ever realize how much they need to pipe their tiredness. Just a minute or a few seconds, as long as you do what makes your breath light, then the vacation has been earned.

And it's not bad to extend it until your shoulders get lighter, right?


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