Chapter 16

16

Kara

With the time change and the five-hour flight, when we land in Southern California, we pretty much only have time to get our bags, grab some dinner, and head to the hotel. Since we only get one day in the park, Silas wants us to get up super early so we can spend every second there.

I know it’s going to be a completely exhausting day, but the excitement of it all will be so worth it.

As we lie in bed, facing each other, I ask, “Why Disneyland?”

His grin is adorable. “You said you’ve never been anywhere, so I knew you hadn’t been. I’m a true believer that everyone should experience the happiest place on earth at least once. Plus, you talk about Katy and Lana so much that I know you like kids, so I thought this would be right up your alley.”

“I really do. I can’t wait to have kids of my own someday,” I reply.

His face falters, but he doesn’t say anything as he leans over, kisses me on my forehead, and says, “Let’s get some sleep.”

We wake up and are out the door with ease. Once we get to the park, there are already people lined up, waiting to get in.

Silas pulls out a map. “I figured we’d start in the back, then work our way forward, hoping most people will rush to the first thing they see.”

“Do you have this whole day mapped out?”

“Of course I do. There’s a lot to see, so I want to make sure we get to it all!”

His response makes me giggle.

“You’re too cute.” Then, I look at him in question. “Have you ever been here?”

He shakes his head. “I’ve only ever been to the one in Florida.” He wraps his arms around me. “We’re seeing this for the first time together.” He kisses the top of my head. “Just don’t make me wear the ears, okay?”

“Ah, you won’t wear them with me?” I pout.

He sighs. “Okay, maybe, but only if you ask nicely.”

I laugh, and he holds me tighter.

The doors finally open, and as we make our way through them, the little kid in me is absolutely overjoyed. I dreamed of being able to come here when I was younger. They used to have all those commercials of people yelling, “We’re going to Disneyland!” and I so wished it could be me. I never would have thought my boyfriend would be the one to bring me here all these years later.

I’m overwhelmed by the noise, the visuals, and even the smells as we walk into the park. There’s so much to take in, and I don’t know where to look, as I’m afraid I’ll miss something if I look the wrong way.

After taking in the map, then my actual surroundings, I can see why people plan more than one day here.

I grab Silas’s arm. “Please tell me you’ve mapped out the things we have to see versus things to do only if we have time?”

“You know I did.” He pulls out the map again, but this time, he shows me his notes as we walk. “I made sure to balance it out with rides where we don’t sit for long with rides like Pirates of the Caribbean, where you sit the entire ride.”

I grab the small piece of paper, where he wrote what order we’d do things and when.

I smile up at him. “You put so much effort into this. It’s truly amazing.” I stand on my toes to give him a kiss.

“It’s your first real trip anywhere, so I had to go all out.” He takes his note back and folds it up to put it back into his pocket. “Now, let’s run, so we don’t have to wait in line as long.”

We race like excited children to the Star Wars ride, and I laugh the entire time.

His idea works perfectly, and we’re one of the first people to ride. When we exit, the line is already longer than I imagined it could be.

He leads the way to our next attraction, and I follow with ease, loving the fact that I don’t have to think or plan a thing since he has it all covered.

As we walk past a booth selling Mickey ears, I stop and grab one to put on his head. He gives me the silliest expression, then grabs a princess version with a veil attached in the back, putting it on my head. He reaches for his phone and holds it up to take a selfie of the two of us.

I wrap my arms around him with a cheesy grin as we both look at the camera. He snaps the photo, then opens it up to show me.

With a kiss on my head, he says, “Love it. Our first picture together.”

I hold him tighter, wanting to enjoy this happiness he fills me with for longer.

He takes the ears off my head, then puts his own back. “They have these stores all over the park. We’ll make sure to get Katy and Lana something before we leave, just so we don’t have to carry it now.”

My heart grows two sizes with joy when he mentions the girls in this thoughtful way, and I want him to know just how wonderful he is, so I stop him in his tracks and pull him into me, giving him a kiss.

“This is all so unbelievable. I don’t know how I’ll ever thank you.”

“Just seeing you happy is all the thanks I need.” He kisses me again. “Now, let’s hurry to get to Big Thunder Mountain Railroad!”

Just like that, he goes from the sexiest man I’ve ever dated to the most fun.

We spend the day going from attraction to attraction, having a blast and laughing at every turn. I don’t remember a day where I’ve been so happy, so carefree, and just loving life like this. Now, I fully understand why they call it the happiest place on earth.

We have dinner in New Orleans Square, where we can sit down for table service and get off our feet.

“Are you having fun?” he asks.

“I’m having the best time! Now, I see why you told me to pack comfortable shoes.” I lean down to rub my calves. “I can’t believe how much walking we’ve done.”

“Yep. I knew I had to warn you somehow. We can relax here for a bit.”

The waitress comes over to greet us. “Hello, I’m Erin. I’ll be serving you guys today. We’re staying for the show, correct?”

I turn to Silas and ask, “The show?”

Silas addresses the waitress first. “Yes, that’s the plan.” Then, he grins and winks at me.

She takes our drink orders, then I ask, “Show?”

“These are the best seats to see the Fantasmic show. I made the reservations so we’d have a view.”

“You really thought of everything, didn’t you?”

He shrugs nonchalantly. “I tried.”

I lean across the table to kiss him. “You did good. Thank you.”

The dinner, the show, and the entire day was more than I ever dreamed.

As we exit the park, hand in hand, with bags full of stuff for Katy and Lana, both completely exhausted from the day, all I can think about is how I’ll remember this day for as long as I live. All thanks to Silas.