As the clock strikes midnight, the darkness outside seems to seep inside the car, filling the air with an unsettling silence. Max sits on the backseat, drawing random patterns on his palms. Beside him, Carl is sleeping peacefully, his head resting on Max's shoulder. That annoys Max, and he pushes his brother away, whose head hits the door, but the little one simply wakes up with a jerk, looks around for a moment, and falls asleep again. His eyes travel to the shadowy figures of his family members, their faces illuminated only by the faint glow of the dashboard light.

The tension is still palpable, the weight of last evening's accident lingering like a ghostly presence. As he gazes out the window, Max's attention is drawn to the commotion outside, where his family is gathered, their faces bathed in the harsh light of the car's headlights.

Outside the car, Vincent and Clara, with guilty faces, are bending in 90 degrees and apologizing to David and Ellena about the possible mishap which could have happened. Luckily, for them, the baby was not hurt, but its position was disturbed. On the doctor's advice, David decided to drive back to his home, despite it being 12 am.

"I am extremely sorry, David! All because of Maxwell's..."

David places a hand on Vincent's shoulder,"Vincent... It's alright,nothing happened to the baby. Now,we must leave brother!"

Vincent looks down and nods,"Call me once you reach home."He pulls him in a and whispers another apology before parting.Jaden is sleeping on the backseat,and Ellena slips on the co driver seat while David takes the steering wheel in hand,and wave before driving away. As soon as they are out of sight,Clara places her hand on Vincent's shoulder,who is standing with crossed arms and let's out a sigh.

The engine's gentle purr was the only sound that broke the silence as Vincent drove home, the darkness outside seeping into the car like a chill. Carla's gaze remained fixed on the road ahead, her hand a steady presence on his shoulder. Vincent's eyes, however, were locked on the asphalt, his jaw tense, his mind stuck in a loop of regret, replaying the evening's events like a bad habit.

The silence is oppressive, weighing heavily on their shoulders. They don't need to say a word to each other; they both know that the evening's accident has left its mark.

Finally, they pull into the driveway, and Vincent kills the engine. The sudden silence is almost deafening. Carla gets out of the car, her movements mechanical, and Vincent follows suit. They exchange a look, but neither of them says a word.

Inside the house, Clara tucks Carl into bed, her movements gentle, her face a mask of concern. Once she's finished, she calls out to Maxwell, her voice soft but firm. "Maxwell, can you come into the living room, please? We need to talk."

Maxwell who was getting ready to sleep,feels uneasy despite knowing that the talk was going to happen. He jumps from his bed,and walks with his mother to the living room where his father is already sitting with a stern expression.

Clara takes the seat beside Vincent, while Maxwell sits on his small chair, facing his parents.Vincent cracks his knuckles before speaking,"Maxwell do you realize the consequences of today's accident?"

Maxwell breaks into a small giggle, which shocks Clara while Vincent's expression turns angry,"Sorry sorry mum and dad! It happened yesterday, not today! It's already past 12 a-"

"This is all my fault! It was my extreme love and fondness which has made him so carefree and irresponsible! Maxwell,this matter is not funny and I am extremely disappointed in you." Vincent storms towards his room,while Clara tries to stop him. She gestures Maxwell to go to sleep and turns the lamp off, before calling Vincent's name several times.

Maxwell simply stares at the closed door of his parents room. He can hear the murmurs from inside. After a while he retires to his room,and sits on his chair staring at the clear bright sky from his window.

Just then a certain yellow shiny star catches his attention,he keeps looking at with great attention until he realizes that it's getting bigger and bigger.
Happiness bounces into the room, her smile infectious, as she exclaims, 'Oh, Maxwell, I've been watching you, and I just have to meet you! You're so full of potential, and I'm here to help you unlock it!" Maxwell who was lying on the floor due to the extreme wind which blew when Happiness entered, is extremely bemused. The presence of an unknown glowing entity, scares him making him jump right into his bed and covering himself with a blanket.

He grabs his torch,and turns it on with shakey hands,"It's okay Maxwell, you are just dreaming. It's just a dream, just a dream,just a dream!" Just then he feels a touch on his shoulder,and he peers out to the blanket to see Happiness who is beaming. "This is not a dream Maxwell,this is just a whimsical reality." She tells him.

Maxwell's eyes widen as he gazes up at Happiness, her words sending a shiver down his spine. 'Whimsical reality?' he repeats, his voice barely above a whisper.

Happiness nods,her yellow ocher hair shining like fireworks,her lemon yellow eyes twinkling like stars. She brings her hands together and the room turns golden yellow while the front wall looks like a screen. "You see Maxwell," Happiness begins her voice gentle like the breeze,meanwhile Max sits and grabs his cereal box and seems completely absorbed in her narrative, it felt like a movie to him,"I am responsible for maintaining the peace and harmony of the entire world!"

"The world?" His eyes widen and he stares at the globe in his room for few seconds,"You mean,like,the entire world?"

Happiness slowly nods,her eyes sparkling with hope."Well Maxwell just how your school has a principal, teachers and helpers,I have my own team consisting of several types of magical pets! They help me spread joy and harmony throughout the world!" Maxwell's eyes widen when he sees the globe in his room glowing with a bright golden light,and laughter is heard.

"This is awsome!" Maxwell jumps to his feet,"What kind of magical er pets are they?"

"They are of all sorts! There are the smiley spirits,who spread happiness by simply touching the head of a human. Then we have the kindness knitters with their wand,all they have to do is sparkle some kindness and good habits. Then my favorite! The sunshine team! They are main source of warmth and harmony! The feeling which one feels when they see the love of their life for the first time! When they welcome a newborn in their family!Or when they are given a small gift by someone special,that feeling and maintaining is handled by the squad!"

"That's really cool! But then I don't understand,what brings you here?" Maxwell inquires.

"Well I came to know by Santa that you have been a bad boy."Maxwell scowls and pouts,"I have not been a bad boy."

"But my records say something else little one,"The wall in front of him turns into a transparent screen,and starts displaying the events of yesterday's fall.
Maxwell looks away,his grip on his toy tightening,"That wasn't my fault!",he protests. "I was just trying to get the gift and aunt Ellena slipped.It was an accident,and definitely not caused because of me!"

Happiness listens attentively her expression calm and unreadable. She nods encouragement,her eyes sparkling with interest,"Go on little one."

Maxwell feels sweat developing on his forehead,his voice cracking at times."I have been a good boy! I swear on my astronaut I have! I help mom and dad in chores,and I am nice to my brother! I should be removed from the naughty list! I think you should leave!"

Maxwell closes his eyes while trying swallow his lies. Happiness smiles but her eyes remain serious,she turns arounds and pauses the screen behind her. "I don't think I will leave so soon Max! After all,"she stretches her arms, "Even I deserve a break! I have decided to stay with you for a few day!"

Maxwell's eyes snap open, his face paling at the thought of Happiness staying with him for a few days. "N-no, no, no! You can't stay here!" he stammers, his voice laced with panic. "My parents won't like it, and what about school? I have to go to school tomorrow!" He takes a step back, his eyes darting around the room as if searching for an escape route.

Happiness chuckles and speaks,"Don't worry Max! Only you can see me,no one else can! Now there go to sleep!"

Maxwell's eyes widen in suprise,his mind racing with questions."What do you mean,only I can see you? How is that possible?" Happiness's grins, "That's a secret little one,but don't worry I will here when you wake up tomorrow!" Saying so she disappears into thin air,while Max continues staring at the spot where she was standing.

[A/N- The third prompt Yesterday is used as a dialogue which is spoken by Maxwell when he was correcting his father. I hope you liked the chapter. Stay tuned!]