NOVEL NEXT Chapter 51: The vacation
The morning after their wedding, the house was filled with the gentle hum of quiet contentment. Levi and Sana woke up to the soft light of dawn filtering through the curtains. The air smelled of roses and the faint trace of candle wax from the night before. The world outside seemed a distant hum, allowing them to bask in the tranquility of their new reality.
Levi stretched, his movements slow and unhurried for once. Sana lay beside him, her head resting against his chest, listening to the steady rhythm of his heartbeat. "One week," she murmured. "We get one whole week to ourselves."
He let out a small huff that might have been a laugh. "Don't let Isabel hear you say that. She'll make you cook and take you into her endless babbling the moment she arrives."
As if on cue, the sound of Isabel's cheerful voice carried from the front of the house. "Aniki! Sana! Get up, lazybones! We've got things to do!"
Levi groaned, pulling a pillow over his head. "And so it begins."
Sana laughed, slipping out of bed and tugging at his arm. "Come on. It'll be fun."
---
By midday, the house was a hive of activity. Isabel, Farlan, and Layina had arrived, stepping into the extra rooms that they already arranged and cleaned several days back. They wasted no time making themselves at home. The quiet home now buzzed with energy and laughter.
Layina was in the kitchen, perched on a stool and giggling as she played with a wooden spoon and a mixing bowl, pretending to cook. Sana watched her with a smile, amused by her daughter's endless energy and imagination. Levi, leaning against the doorway, glanced at them with a rare softness in his eyes. He walked over and ruffled Layina's hair. "What are you cooking, chef?"
"A surprise!" Layina announced with glee, stirring the empty bowl as if it contained magic.
In the living room, Farlan was helping Levi rearrange furniture. "You're really settling down, huh?" Farlan teased. "Never thought I'd see the day."
Levi shot him a look but didn't respond, focusing instead on moving a small bookshelf into the corner. But Farlan caught the faint smile tugging at the corners of his mouth.
Meanwhile, Isabel had taken it upon herself to organize the garden. She darted in and out of the house, hauling pots of flowers and armfuls of tools. "Aniki, the backyard's a mess! Don't worry, I'll fix it up. It'll be a proper garden in no time."
Levi watched her from the porch, arms crossed, his expression unreadable. But when Sana came to stand beside him, he let out a soft sigh. "She's going to turn this place into a jungle."
"And you'll love every bit of it," Sana replied, bumping her shoulder against his. Levi's lips twitched into a small smile as he slipped his arm around her waist, pulling her closer.
---
The house quickly became a place of shared meals, laughter, and quiet companionship, with moments seamlessly blending into one another. The sound of Layina's giggles filled the air as she played in the living room, while Isabel and Farlan debated over how to best organize the bookshelves. The aroma of freshly baked bread wafted from the kitchen, where Sana and Levi worked together, their quiet banter a rhythm that anchored the bustling activity around them. Levi, usually so reserved, found himself smiling more often, especially when Sana playfully teased him about his cooking skills.
"Your knife skills are impressive, Captain," she said with a smirk, watching him chop vegetables with precision. "But can you handle seasoning?"
"Watch and learn," Levi replied, sprinkling spices with deliberate care. Sana chuckled, leaning in to steal a quick kiss before returning to her task.
In the evenings, they gathered in the living room, the soft glow of the night lamps creating a cozy atmosphere. They took turns telling stories, with Isabel's animated retellings drawing peals of laughter from everyone. Layina, curled up on Sana's lap, listened intently, her eyes wide with wonder.
One evening, they all sat around the dining table, a deck of cards spread out between them. Isabel was determined to win, her competitive streak on full display. "I'm telling you, Levi Aniki, you don't stand a chance. I've got the best poker face."
Levi raised an eyebrow, his expression as impassive as ever. "Sure."
Sana leaned against his shoulder, laughing. "I think she might actually beat you this time."
By the end of the night, Isabel was victorious, much to her delight. Levi didn't seem to mind, though his deadpan delivery of "Congratulations, don't let it go to your head," made everyone laugh.
---
On the fourth day of their break, they decided to take a trip to a nearby lake. It was a short walk from the house, the path winding through fields of wildflowers and tall grass. When they arrived, the sun was high, casting sparkling reflections on the water's surface.
Isabel immediately raced ahead, dragging Farlan and Layina with her. "Come on! Let's see who can skip stones the farthest!"
Levi and Sana stayed behind, walking at a leisurely pace. He held her hand, his thumb brushing over her knuckles. "You're quiet today," he observed.
"Just happy," she replied. "It's been a long time since I've felt this... at peace."
He stopped walking, turning to face her. "I'll do anything to give you days like these filled with happiness." His voice was quiet but firm, the weight of his words settling between them.
Sana smiled, leaning up to press a kiss to his lips. "So will I." For a moment, the world around them faded, leaving just the two of them in their bubble of contentment.
---
The week passed in a series of moments that felt both fleeting and eternal. When it came time to return to their duties, the house had transformed into something more than just a place to live. It was a home, filled with memories and the promise of more to come.
As Levi and Sana prepared to step back into the world, they shared a quiet moment on the porch. The morning light painted the sky in soft hues of pink and orange. Isabel's laughter echoed from the garden, where she was showing Layina how to prune the roses.
Levi slipped an arm around Sana's shoulders, pulling her close. "Ready?" he asked.
She nodded, her hand resting on his chest. "As long as we're together."
With that, they stepped off the porch, ready to face whatever came next, knowing they had built something unshakable in the quiet strength of their love and the warmth of their family.