Chapter 29 – Where Laughter Lives

The next day was a beautiful Saturday morning_ The idea began, as most of the best ones did, with the children.

“Pleaseeee.”

Aria clasped her hands dramatically, lower lip trembling as if she were auditioning for the role of Most Heartbroken Child Alive.

“A-amusement park,” Aiden added, voice small but hopeful, eyes shining as he looked between May and Damien. “With rides. And ice cream. And the big wheel.”

May bit back a smile.

Damien sighed—long, resigned, completely defeated.

“You rehearsed this,” he said.

Aria gasped. “How dare you accuse me of manipulation.”

Aiden nodded solemnly. “We just… planned.”

May laughed, the sound light and free. “Looks like we’re outnumbered.”

Damien raised his hands. “I surrender.”

The cheer that followed could’ve shaken the walls.

The amusement park was alive with color.

Music floated through the air, mingling with laughter and the distant screams of thrill-seekers. Bright balloons bobbed above stalls, and the scent of sugar and popcorn wrapped around them like nostalgia.

The moment they stepped in, heads turned.

It wasn’t intentional—but it was unavoidable.

May walked with quiet elegance, dressed simply yet effortlessly—confidence radiating from her every step. Damien matched her stride, tall and striking, his presence commanding without trying. Between them, Aria skipped happily while Aiden held Damien’s hand, eyes wide in wonder.

They looked like a picture.

Whispers followed.

“Are they celebrities?”

“They look unreal.”

“Those kids are adorable.”

May felt it but didn’t let it bother her. She bent slightly toward Aria. “Where first?”

“The carousel!” Aria declared.

“No,” Aiden said firmly. “The big wheel.”

They looked up at May and Damien in unison.

May smiled. “Carousel first. Big wheel later.”

Aiden considered it. “Deal.”

Damien chuckled. “You negotiate better than most adults.”

The carousel spun slowly, music chiming sweetly as Aria chose a white horse with a golden mane. Aiden picked one beside her, gripping the pole tightly until May knelt to his level.

“I’ve got you,” she said softly.

He relaxed instantly.

Damien stood just outside the ride, phone in hand as May climbed on behind Aiden, one arm around him, the other waving at Aria.

As the ride began, Aiden’s laughter rang out—pure and unguarded.

Damien’s chest tightened.

He hadn’t realized how much he’d missed moments like this… moments he never knew were missing.

When the ride ended, Aiden ran straight into Damien’s arms.

“Again next time,” he said breathlessly.

Damien kissed the top of his head. “Every time.”

May watched them, heart full.

They moved on to the bumper cars next.

Aria was ruthless.

“Sorry!” she yelled gleefully as she crashed into Damien’s car for the third time.

Aiden laughed so hard he nearly forgot to steer.

May drove carefully—until Damien bumped her from behind.

She turned, mock-offended. “Did you just—”

He grinned. “You started it.”

Her laughter surprised them both.

Later, at the ice cream stand, they ordered too much.

Chocolate smeared Aiden’s cheek. Aria’s cone dripped dangerously fast. Damien held four napkins and still wasn’t prepared.

May wiped Aiden’s face gently. “Slow down.”

“But it’s melting,” Aiden argued seriously.

“Life lesson,” Damien said. “Good things don’t wait.”

May rolled her eyes. “You’re encouraging chaos.”

“I’m embracing joy,” he replied.

Their eyes met over the children’s heads—soft, warm, unguarded.

A passerby snapped a photo quietly.

They didn’t notice.

The Ferris wheel came just before sunset.

Aria insisted on sitting by the window. Aiden sat between May and Damien, clutching both their hands as the wheel lifted them into the air.

The city stretched beneath them, glowing gold.

“This is so high,” Aria whispered in awe.

Aiden leaned closer to May. “I’m not scared,” he said bravely.

“I know,” May replied, squeezing his hand.

Damien watched them both, emotion pressing against his ribs.

Up here, with the world small beneath them, everything felt… right.

“I’m glad we came,” he said quietly.

May nodded. “Me too.”

She rested her head lightly against his shoulder.

He didn’t move.

For a moment, there was only the gentle creak of the wheel and the sound of their children’s breathing.

Family.

Night fell softly.

Lights blinked on, the park glowing like a dream. Aria rode on Damien’s shoulders, waving at everything. Aiden walked beside May, fingers laced with hers.

“Can we come again?” Aria asked sleepily.

“Yes,” Damien said without hesitation.

Aiden looked up at him. “Promise?”

“I promise,” Damien replied.

As they headed for the exit, tired but glowing, people still glanced their way—drawn to the warmth around them.

May felt it then.

Not admiration.

Belonging.

At the car, Aria yawned widely. Aiden leaned into Damien’s side.

May watched as Damien buckled them in, gentle and careful.

When he closed the door, he turned to her.

“Thank you,” he said.

“For what?”

“For choosing joy,” he answered. “For them. For us.”

She smiled. “This is only the beginning.”

He reached for her hand, intertwining their fingers.

And under the glow of fading park lights, surrounded by laughter’s echo, their small family drove home—full, happy, and stronger than ever.