Happy Ending's
Chapter 18: Casey's Room

"So go to Africa, James?"

We're having dinner. Fried rice favorite vegetable Awan. "Yes. I'm leaving tomorrow." James continued to chew the food in his mouth while Cloud instantly stopped scooping the rice on his plate. "You can't go anywhere, Papa!" his protest then got down from the chair and approached his papa and put on a face of melas. Her eyes were teary and prepared to blow her cries.

Since he was a baby, the Clouds have been very close to James. Although he is not his biological father but the man who is now 40 years old loves Awan more than his own biological father.

At that time, when I was four weeks pregnant and my neighbor found me unconscious in the yard, I knew there was a baby in my womb. "Congratulations Key. You are pregnant" said Erika, an Indonesian who has a Canadian husband. He had long been neighbors with James but rarely met because James was rarely at home.

As a professional photographer a well-known wildlife magazine throughout the universe, he often travels abroad. And ever since I lived in his house, I've been the one guarding that house.

"I told your husband you passed out. But he can only come home next week. The doctor said you shouldn't be tired."

Husband? It must be James Erika meant. From the first day of his stay, he introduced me as his wife. He said, so that I would be more comfortable living in Quebec because after all I am still an Indonesian who is known for eastern customs. Neighbors around also believe just like that and no one tries to find out the truth because they are busy with their respective affairs. Here, no one likes gossip shows and respect each other's privacy. And even though James introduced me as his wife, he respected me a lot. He never touched me or looked at me with negative eyes. And all this goes on until now.

Once Awan asked me why I didn't sleep with his papa," Papa said. So mom and dad are separate rooms." The clouds nodded in understanding and never asked again since then.

"Here ... here .. his son Papa. What do you want to buy if Papa comes home?" James lifted the Cloud into his lap. And when you hear the word toy, the clouds get distracted. "Aircraft ... air plane ... air plane .. wuuuuz," he replied while demonstrating to fly the plane.

"James, I hope you don't want to buy him any more toys. Look ...." My index finger pointed towards the toy basket. " ... The pile will be as big as a mountain. You're spoiling the clouds too much." My next. Grumbled because James was too pampering the Clouds and it wasn't good for him.

"Don't listen Mama, Papa! You know what?" answer stammered. "Mama is always angry if you are not at home" continued Awan. 

"Really?" His father pretended not to know and was shocked. 

"yeah. But I love Mama," continued Awat gave two thumbs up.

James kissed his little prince. It felt like whatever he had wanted to give to the Clouds. "Papa love Mommy, too," James said as he looked at me and our eyes met.

"Key," James began the conversation when the Clouds fell asleep and was probably dreaming of playing with Bunny because he had been smiling since he said the name of the rabbit he had kept for two months. James bought it, he said, for the Clouds to practice responsibility. And sure enough, it was the Clouds who gave Bunny food and drink and occasionally helped clean the cage.

" Will you marry me? This is my 151st request. Does your answer remain the same?" As usual, he always spoke frankly and directly to the point.

James, that angel-hearted man has always asked me to be his wife. But I'm not ready to get married again. "James," I said as subtly as possible so that the clouds wouldn't wake up. "Can you give me some time?"

"Does that mean I have a chance?" His face looks bright. Did he think I would answer yes this time? Because usually I will answer directly with the word 'no'.

James is the perfect man. Not only is he handsome, but his temperament is very gentle, authoritative, and responsible. For the past four years, he has been a good father figure to Awan. Not only was it showered with gifts, my little prince was also given boundless love. And I began to think, was my attitude too cruel? After all, James was a normal man and needed a woman who welcomed and served in bed. While me? I don't think there's any loneliness in my heart. And the body that asks to be warmed when winter comes. I want to open my heart, even if it's only in return.