"Just watch." Vittoria grabs a remote and hits play.
The screen flickers to life, and suddenly Mickey Mouse appears. Standing in front of a castle I'd recognize anywhere. Sleeping Beauty's castle. Disneyland Paris.
"Bonjour, Lily!" Mickey waves at the camera. "Happy birthday!"
Minnie Mouse bounces into frame, holding a sign that reads: Lily, we can't wait to meet you!
I feel Lily go completely still on my lap.
"That's..." Her voice is barely a whisper. "That's Mickey Mouse."
"We heard it's your fifth birthday," Mickey continues, "and we wanted to invite you to come visit us! We'll be waiting for you right here in Paris!"
The video ends with both characters blowing kisses at the camera. The screen goes dark.
Silence.
Then Lily turns to look at me, her eyes enormous. "Mommy?"
I can't speak. My throat has closed completely. I look at Nico, then at Vittoria, then back at the blank screen where Mickey and Minnie just invited my daughter to the happiest place on earth.
"You're going to Disneyland, piccola," Nico says quietly. "The day after tomorrow."
The scream Lily releases could shatter glass.
She launches off my lap like a rocket, throwing herself at Vittoria first. "Thank you thank you thank you!" Then she's running—actually running—toward Nico, who barely has time to uncross his arms before she's climbing him like a tree.
She grabs his face between her small hands and plants kiss after kiss on his cheeks. "You're the best! The best!"
I'm crying. Fat, ugly tears rolling down my face while I watch my daughter cover Nico in kisses.
"Oh!" Vittoria snaps her fingers dramatically. "I totally forgot—we need ice cream. Lily, come help me pick flavors?"
Lily releases Nico's face, leaving him looking slightly dazed. "Can I get chocolate and strawberry?"
"You can get whatever you want, birthday girl." Vittoria shoots me a knowing look before herding Lily toward the door. "We'll be in the kitchen."
Then they're gone, and it's just me and Nico.
I stand on shaky legs and cross to him. He hasn't moved from the doorway, watching me approach with that intensity that used to terrify me.
"When are you going to stop spoiling us?" My voice cracks on the words.
Nico reaches out, his thumb brushing away a tear from my cheek. His hand is warm, calloused, steady.
"Never."
One word. So completely him.
I melt into his chest, his arms coming around me like they were designed to hold me together. His heartbeat thrums against my ear—strong, alive, here.
"I love you," I whisper into his shirt.
His arms tighten. "I know."
I laugh wetly. "You're supposed to say it back."
"I show you every day." His lips brush my hair. "But fine. I love you. Both of you. More than I knew I could love anything."
