It had been a long day, but a fun day.  The library was relatively quiet with few customers loaning books at this time of year.  Sure they had their regulars in and it was generally a happy time.  If people weren't stressed shopping or preparing for the big day they usually had a smile on their face and greeted each other with kindness.  Sam had lost count of the amount of times he said, "Merry Christmas," wishing the old ladies getting another stack of romances, or school kids working on their next project.  It was a nice time of year and Sam often pondered that the world would be a better place if people showed the joy they felt at Christmas time all year round.

Of course, if you asked Sam when he missed Brooklyn and Louis he would say 'all day', but it always seemed to get to him around 3 p.m.  A couple of hours to go and he'd really start to miss them both.  He knew they were both at home and couldn't wait to see them - he wasn't the kind of guy who went for drinks after work, he went straight home to see the only people who mattered.  Sam popped into the supermarket on the way home to pick up a few pieces for dinner.  He enjoyed his time in the kitchen and he saw his role of provider, not through the wage of his job but in the food that he cooked and the love he tried to bring into their home.

Sam pulled up in their drive way and walked to the front door.  Before he put his key in the door he lifted his arm several times as if placing things on a coat stand.  It was his 'trouble tree'.  Every night when he returned home from work, he placed all the issues and annoyances of the day and hung them on his 'trouble tree', there was no reason to bring them into the home and if he still needed them they would be there tomorrow.  It was a 'thing' he did so that the Sam who entered their home was the best possible version of himself.

Entering their living room he called out 'Hey Honey!" to Broooklyn before swooping down to pick up Louis and giving him a hug, twirling him around in his arms, his smile mirroring the babe's.  "Hiya big man!" he said to the boy, "You been looking after Mommy today?" he said turning to see where his amazing fiancé was.