Page 115 of The Love Syllabus

By the time night falls, we’re exhausted, but there’s no way we’re leaving before the fireworks. We find the perfect spot near the castle for the girls to sit and rest, and asthe sky lights up in bursts of color, Ari and Syd let out synchronized “Awws.”

Then, I feel Vic’s arm tighten around my waist and his lips brushing against my ear. “This is beautiful, Kerry,” he murmurs. “You’re beautiful.”

I lean into him, my body melting into his warmth. “I love you, Vic.” I whisper.

He kisses my temple. “I know, baby. And I’ll always love you.”

The next morning, the reinforcements arrive.

Our families flood in—my parents, Vicky, Hudson, Serena, Izzy, Kiera, and all their kids. Suddenly, our cozy vacation becomes a full-blown takeover.

Epcot turns into a battle between food and competition. We eat our way through the World Showcase, but the real showdown happens on theTest Track, where Vic and Hudson spend way too much time designing their cars.

Vicky swears she’s going to go on the fastest rides in the park, but somehow ends up riding theFrozenback-to-back, announcing it’s the perfect “pace for royalty.”

Syd’s favorite day is when we visit Animal Kingdom. She swears the animals are somehow related to Tum Tum! If she had it her way, she would’ve taken home a tiger.

“Oh, c’mon! We need another cat. He’s gotta be his uncle or somethin’.” She says during a temper tantrum.

“They don’t. That tiger’s gonna put a restraining order out on you.” She and Vic argue.

“He loves me! Look, he’s staring right at me.”

Vic chuckles. “Because he’s hungry, Syd.”

When frick and frack finally stop arguing the rest of theKilimanjaro Safariis peaceful until we hitExpedition Everest, and suddenly, we’re screaming again. Then, Vic ends up completely drenched onKali River Rapids, glaring at me like I personally orchestrated the betrayal.

“You planned this.” He accuses, flicking water off his fingers.

“I don’t control physics, my love.” I say sweetly, biting into a pineapple skewer.

On the last day, we tackle Hollywood Studios, and it’s absolute chaos.Tower of Terrorhas Kiera shrieking while Izzy laughs so hard she can’t breathe. Vic and Hudson, of course, takeIndiana Jones Stunt Spectacularway too seriously, reenacting scenes like they were born to be cast.

My mom is on a mission to take a photo with every Disney character in existence—Mickey, Minnie, Goofy, and even the green army men from Toy Story. She drags my dad along for all of them.

And my poor dad! He’s gonna go broke from buying Syd and Ari every stuffed animal, bubble wand, and light-up souvenir they point at.

“You have no concept of price tags, do you?” Mom teases as he forks over cash for yet another Mickey Ear balloon.

“They’re my grandbabies,” he shrugs. “I can’t tell them no.”

Syd makes us sit through the Frozen sing-alongtwice, belting every word like she’s the sixth member of the cast.

By the end of the week, everyone is exhausted. We’ve had to have taken at least a hundred thousand steps. So, while the kids and grandparents enjoy a rest day, we sneak in a little grown-up escape.

Me, Serena, Izzy, Kiera, and our men book a couples’ tour at Lakeridge Winery. Eighteen tastings in, we’rebeyondtipsy, giggly, and full of stories.

“Did we just buy six bottles of wine we can’t pronounce?” Serena asks, wobbling a little in her heels.

“No,” Vic says, looking entirely too proud of himself. “I bought ten.”

Izzy’s husband raises his glass. “To no kids, poor decision-making, and even better wine.”

“I’m adding this entire selection to our wine and whiskey evening talks.” I say, swirling my glass.

“If it keeps making you this handsy,” Vic mutters under his breath, sliding a warm hand over my lower back, “then absolutely.”

I playfully smack his chest. “Says the man who’s been smiling and all over me all week. We need to go to Disney more often.”

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