After a magical day at Disneyland, they finally returned to their luxurious hotel suite.
Matteo was half-asleep in Marco’s arms, his little face buried against his father’s shoulder, completely exhausted from the excitement of the day.
Carmen unlocked the door, stepping inside first. The suite was massive—a penthouse with a breathtaking view of the city lights.
A large living area with plush sofas. A minibar. A spacious bathroom with a jacuzzi.
And, right in the center of the suite—
One. Big. Bed.
Carmen stopped in her tracks. Her eye twitched. “Marco.”
Marco, still holding Matteo, walked in behind her, glancing around casually.
“Hmm?” he hummed, placing Matteo gently on the bed.
Carmen crossed her arms. “Why is there only one bed?”
Marco arched a brow.
“Because it’s a hotel room, Carmen.”
“This is a penthouse,” she snapped. “You could have gotten a suite with separate rooms.”
Marco shrugged, completely unbothered.
“Matteo sleeps better when we’re with him,” he said simply. “And it’s just one night. What’s the big deal?”
Carmen exhaled sharply, pinching the bridge of her nose.
“Marco, I am NOT sharing a bed with you.”
Marco smirked. “Where else are you going to sleep?”
Carmen narrowed her eyes. “I’ll sleep on the couch.”
Marco scoffed. “Absolutely not.”
“Then YOU sleep on the couch!”
Marco chuckled dryly. “Carmen, I’m not sleeping on the damn couch.”
Carmen glared. “Well, I’m not sleeping with you.”
Marco smirked. “You used to sleep just fine with me.”
Carmen picked up a pillow and threw it at him.
Marco caught it mid-air, laughing.
“Carmen, stop being dramatic. It’s just a bed.”
“No, Marco, it’s you!” she hissed. “I don’t trust you.”
Marco rolled his eyes. “Carmen, I’m not going to try anything. We’re here for Matteo.”
“I don’t care!” she snapped. “I’d rather sleep on the floor.”
Marco shook his head, completely amused.
“Fine. Sleep on the floor, then.”
Carmen threw up her hands in frustration.
“You’re impossible!”
“And you’re overreacting!” Marco shot back.
Their voices were getting louder, and neither of them noticed that Matteo was stirring.
Until—
A small, shaky voice interrupted them.
“Mama? Papa?”
Carmen froze. Marco turned instantly, seeing Matteo sitting up in bed. His eyes were wide, full of fear. Tears brimmed his lashes.
“What’s wrong, baby?” Carmen asked, immediately moving toward him.
Matteo sniffled, rubbing his eyes.
“You’re fighting.”
Carmen’s heart clenched.
Marco sat on the bed beside him, his brows furrowed.
“We weren’t fighting, bud,” he said, ruffling Matteo’s curls.
Matteo pouted.
“Yes, you were. You were yelling. I got scared.”
Carmen swallowed the lump in her throat.
Matteo looked up at them, his little hands gripping the blankets.
“Are you mad at each other again?”
Carmen and Marco exchanged a look. A long, heavy silence filled the room. Carmen sighed deeply and sat on the bed next to Matteo.
“No, baby. We’re not mad.”
Matteo didn’t look convinced.
“Then why were you yelling?”
Marco rubbed the back of his neck. “Because Mama doesn’t want to sleep in the bed with me,” he admitted.
Matteo frowned. “Why not?”
Carmen felt Marco’s smug gaze on her. She ignored him. “Because Papa snores,” she said instead.
Matteo giggled. Marco scoffed. “I don’t snore.”
“Yes, you do,” Carmen said quickly.
Matteo let out a small laugh, but then his smile faded.
He looked between them, his small hands gripping the sheets.
“I want you both here.”
Carmen’s chest tightened.
“Baby—”
“Please?” Matteo whispered, his voice trembling.
Carmen felt her resolve crack.
She glanced at Marco, and for the first time that night, they both silently agreed—
This wasn’t about them. It was about Matteo.
“Okay,” Carmen finally said. “We’ll both stay.”
Matteo’s face lit up.
“Really?!”
“Really.”
Matteo let out a happy squeal and quickly crawled under the blankets.
Marco smirked. “See? You made such a big deal out of nothing.”
Carmen elbowed him. “Shut up and go to sleep.”
Marco chuckled, getting comfortable on his side of the bed.
Carmen laid on the opposite side, keeping as much distance as possible.
Matteo, however, had other plans. He wiggled between them, grabbing both their hands.
“I love you, Mama. I love you, Papa.”
Carmen squeezed his little hand. “I love you too, baby.”
Marco kissed Matteo’s forehead.
“Love you, bud.”