The afternoon sun cast a warm glow over Little Oaks Academy as Carmen pulled up outside in her sleek black car.
Her fingers tapped anxiously against the steering wheel as she waited, watching the doors of the preschool.
A few moments later, the glass doors swung open, and a familiar little figure came bounding outside.
Matteo.
His curly brown hair bounced as he ran toward the car, his small backpack slung over his shoulders.
Carmen felt her heart melt a little at the sight of him.
For all the chaos and nightmares they had been through, Matteo was still just a little boy.
Her little boy. She stepped out of the car and crouched down, opening her arms.
“Mama!” Matteo squealed, throwing himself into her embrace.
Carmen held him tightly, pressing a kiss to his forehead.
“Hey, baby. Did you have a good day at school?”
Matteo nodded excitedly.
“Yes! Miss Alexandra taught us a new song, and we painted, and—and I made a new friend!”
Carmen smiled.
“That’s amazing, sweetheart.”
She pulled back slightly, brushing his curls out of his face.
“I have some exciting news for you.”
Matteo’s eyes widened.
“What is it?”
Carmen grinned. “We’re going on a vacation!”
Matteo gasped, his tiny hands gripping her arms.
“Where?!”
Carmen’s grin widened.
“Disneyland.”
For a moment, Matteo just stared at her, as if processing what she had just said.
Then—
A loud, high-pitched squeal of excitement erupted from him.
“DISNEYLAND?! REALLY?! MAMA, REALLY?!”
Carmen laughed, hugging him again.
“Really, baby. You, me, and Papa are going together.”
Matteo bounced on his feet, clapping his hands.
“Oh my gosh! Oh my gosh! Mama, are we going today?! Right now?!”
Carmen chuckled. “We have to go home first, take a bath, pack our things, and then we’ll go, okay?”
Matteo nodded eagerly, practically vibrating with excitement.
“Okay! Let’s go, let’s go!”
Carmen opened the car door, helping him into his car seat.
As she buckled him in, she couldn’t help but smile. For the first time in a long time, she saw a genuine, carefree happiness in Matteo’s eyes.
And that was worth everything. Back at the mansion, Matteo was practically bouncing off the walls.
“Mama, hurry! We have to go to Disneyland before it closes!”
Carmen laughed, grabbing his tiny hands.
“Baby, Disneyland doesn’t close forever. We’ll have plenty of time when we get there.”
“But I wanna go nooow!”
“First, shower.”
Matteo groaned dramatically.
“Do I have to?”
“Yes,” Carmen said firmly.
“What if I just wash my hands?” Matteo bargained.
“Nope. Bath. Now.”
“Fiiine.”
Carmen led him to the bathroom, filling the tub with warm water and bubbles.
Matteo splashed around excitedly, humming a tune. “Mama, do you think Mickey Mouse will be there?”
“Of course, baby.”
“And Goofy? And Donald Duck?!”
“All of them.”
Matteo gasped. “And the castle?! Can I see the castle?!”
Carmen chuckled.
“You can even go inside the castle.”
Matteo’s eyes widened.
“NO WAY!”
After scrubbing him down and rinsing his curls, Carmen wrapped him in a fluffy towel and helped him into a pair of comfortable travel clothes.
A soft hoodie, sneakers, and his favorite Mickey Mouse backpack.
He looked adorable. And so, so happy.
Marco was already waiting outside when they stepped out.
The private car was ready to take them to the airport, the chauffeur standing by. Marco looked at Matteo’s beaming face and smirked.
“Someone looks excited.”
Matteo nodded furiously.
“PAPA! We’re going to Disneyland!”
Marco chuckled, lifting him into the car.
“Yeah, buddy. Are you ready?”
“YES!”
Carmen slid in beside Matteo, and soon they were on the way to Marco’s private airport.
The moment they arrived, the sight of the massive private jet made Matteo’s jaw drop.
“WOAH!”
He grabbed Carmen’s sleeve.
“Mama, is THAT our plane?!”
Carmen smiled.
“It is, baby.”
Marco lifted him up, walking toward the jet.
“What do you think, bud? You like it?”
Matteo gasped.
“PAPA, IT’S SO COOL!”
Marco chuckled. “Then let’s get on board.”
Inside, the jet was pure luxury.
Soft leather seats. A long couch. A small dining area.
Matteo’s eyes sparkled as he explored.
“Can I sit by the window, Mama?!”
“Of course, baby.”
The pilot’s voice came over the speaker.
“We’re ready for takeoff.”
Marco, Carmen, and Matteo buckled their seatbelts.
As the jet started moving, Matteo gripped Carmen’s hand.
“Mama, we’re flying!”
Carmen smiled. “Yes, baby. We are.”
Marco glanced at Carmen. For the first time in a long time, there was no tension.
No fights. No anger.
Just their family.