Chapter 179: Should we find our way in?
They left home early that day. Around 3am, just so they could get to California by noon, with Noah’s super-fast private jet.
And due to that, they were able to get there by 12pm, two hours earlier than the initial time. It was worth it, if they put Olivia’s tantrums into account.
Since it was her first time getting on a plane, she didn’t do well during the takeoff and then the landing. And in between, she always asked,
"How much longer?" Or "Are we there yet?"
A child flying out for the first time would tend to be impatient, and she happened to be the epitome of impatience during this flight, she managed to exhaust everyone who tried to take the time with her.
They all took turns to play with her, and only when she fell asleep in between did they have any rest.
"It’s finally over," Alyssa groaned as she got down from the plane.
"I think kids should start participating in wars." Roland suddenly said.
"Why, all of a sudden?"
"That way, we wouldn’t need firearms. Just the energy children possess is enough to crumble a nation." He said and Alyssa smiled awkwardly.
"That’s a bit too much, don’t you think?"
"Daddy, Daddy, are we going there now?" She asked, pressing her daddy’s shoulders.
"Yes, sweetheart. We’re going there now."
Among everyone Olivia played with, only Noah managed to stay spirited. He didn’t get exhausted.
"Like father, like daughter," Michael exclaimed. "The amount of stamina you have is way too much." He added and Noah grinned.
"Oh come on, who’s the one enjoying that stamina?" He asked, pushing his face closer to Michael but Michael pushed it back.
"Get away. My back hurts."
After Olivia fell asleep the second time and they could not calculate how long she would sleep for, fortunately longer than before, Noah took Michael to a separate area and... Ahem, he helped him massage his back but for some reason the back still hurts.
(Maybe he bent it the wrong way, haha)
They got in the car that had been prepared and headed straight for Disneyland. Luckily, they would be able to meet the highlight.
"It would’ve been nice if we could at least go to the hotel first," Michael said.
"But then we’ll be late, Papa," Olivia said.
"Next time, let’s go a day to the weekend," Noah suggested, brushing her hair and Michael sighed.
At least he won’t be the one carrying Olivia around so that was a good thing on its own.
They finally got there, and the buzzing at the entrance couldn’t be underestimated. An untamed crowd that was going in and out of this sacred place for children.
It was afternoon, so it was understandable but no matter what, no kid would give up the opportunity to come to such a place.
Noah looked at Olivia whose eyes were twinkling in excitement.
"Shall we find our way in?" Noah asked, feeling proud and she nodded.
They got to the ticket booth, bought their tickets. They would definitely spend the rest of the day there, and as for how many rides, they didn’t know for sure, so Noah paid for the premium pack, and they all headed in.
"Welcome to Disneyland, and we hope you have a magical visit." The lady at the gate said, waving with a kitty paw, and Olivia yelled, even though her voice was barely audible thanks to the crowd.
"We will!"
She was so excited, and as they walked in through the gate, everything just seemed so different from the rest of the world.
The colors, music spilling from every corner, and the scent of popcorn and sugary churros in the air. Olivia darted from one corner to another, her eyes wide in great satisfaction and excitement.
She was on her Daddy’s arms, but she wouldn’t stop bouncing on him.
"Papa, let’s go there." They bought cotton candy. "Daddy, let’s go there." They bought popcorn. "Let’s try that one too." They bought sugary churros. "Hmmm, let’s wear that."
She just kept pulling them from one end to another, missing no chance to try everything in the little time they had there.
And soon, they were all wearing headbands but unlike the rest, she got a tiara.
"Teehee." She chuckled, her hand over her mouth. She was so excited. "If only Ven was here."
Because of this trip, they had to take Ven back to Zoey for the weekend.
"I’m so happy, Papa," Olivia exclaimed, running around them happily.
They were in an open area with a little crowd so she wouldn’t suddenly disappear from their sight.
"I’m glad you’re happy, honey." He said and carried her, kissing her cheek. "How about a family picture?"
"It’ll be the first family picture, Papa." Olivia pointed out. "So, let’s look out best."
’That’s exactly why I want us to have it now. If we play a lot more than I’ll look too tired to take a picture."
"Should we go get a photographer?" Roland asked and Michael nodded.
"Yes, please." They both walked away to find a cameraman, leaving the family of three seated.
They spotted a bench and sat down for a bit.
They’d only been there for an hour and a half, and yet Michael was already feeling so tired.
Maybe he shouldn’t have allowed Noah to go so many rounds in the jet. His back was killing him.
"Phew." He excalimed.
"Baby, do you want ice cream?"
"Yes please." Olivia and Michael ended up answering and they looked at each other. Noah saw this and laughed.
"Yeah, you’re both my babies." He said. "I’ll get for you both."
The ice cream man was just a few feet away. He wouldn’t worry about taking his eyes off his family for a moment cause it was so close.
He got the ice cream and returned.
"Thank you, Daddy," Olivia said, licking her chocolate-flavored ice cream.
"This hits great," Michael said, licking the ice cream. "But... Why didn’t you get one for yourself?"
"I’d rather watch you," Noah said and Olivia chuckled.
"Papa and Daddy are doing it again." She said, catching them off guard. "But it’s fine. It only means that Papa and Daddy love each other very much."
Before long, the crowd started shifting again and Alyssa and Roland returned with a cameraman after much hustle.
"What took you so long?" Michael asked. "I almost thought you got lost."
"Well, we did get lost," Roland answered. "Someone with her master expertise said she was a great wayfinder." He rolled his eyes towards Alyssa, and Michael could only imagine what had occurred.
"I was sure that was the right way, okay?"
"Well, you were dead wrong."
"Is this the family?" The photographer, with a French accent and a curly mustache, asked, and they nodded.
"Yeah, just take a shot of them."
He saw them and guessed they must be a gay couple. But that aside, the angle they were sitting in was just right.
"Just hold on." He said and leaned forward, his camera positioned in front of him and he took three shots of the family sitting on the bench. "Perfect."
"Papa, I want Daddy to carry me for the next one," Olivia said, and Noah lifted her up.
She hugged his neck, her face pressed to his and the photographer took the picture. Then, she moved away, smiling brightly with her fingers up in a peace sign.
"Cheese."
Another picture taken.
"Come, Papa," Olivia said, and they took a picture together before she suggested getting down on her feet.
She had seen a lot of pictures on the Internet and wished she could take those same pictures with her family as well.
So, they ended up taking several until the Photographer was spent.
"A perfect family photo." He kissed the tips of his fingers, satisfied. "I’ll have them printed immediately."
"Aunty, why didn’t you talk to Uncle?" Olivia asked, taking her by surprise and she flinched.
"What?"
"You two need to take as well." She said and raised her hand. "Mister Photographer s,ir, could you please take another."
Alyssa’s face flushed. What was Olivia doing this now?
She peeked at Roland, wondering what his reaction was but he didn’t look moved. It was as if he didn’t mind if he took a picture or two.
Right. She was the only one who minded such things.
"Are you a couple?" He asked them.
"No, that’s..."
"They are." Olivia said and then his behind her Papa before she could incur any wrath.
"Then please come closer just a little bit." They were standing too far apart. One, Alyssa was nervous and two, Roland didn’t care so long he was in the damn picture.
Alyssa closed the space a bit and so did Roland but they were still too far apart to be called a couple.
Olivia saw this and then went to play Cupid. She sneaked towards Alyssa.
"Ops, I slipped." And with that, she pushed her with her little strength into Roland.
