*Takes place in a theoretical timeline where Leo and Calypso return to camp on their own. Lester has not made his grand entrance yet, so there is no oracle. It is summer. Also disclaimer, I'm not a writing master, so OOC will happen very frequently.
Prologue.
Written in the book, Pinocchio:
My dear Hope,
May you and Sammy find happiness and light in this world. Always follow your heart and your head, no matter what anyone may tell you. You are my true hope for this world.
All my love,
Maria Collins Carbonell
When Maria Collins Carbonell handed over the book to her lover, she knew it'd be the last time she ever would see it. She knew the child she was handing over alongside with it may throw it away in disgust, not seeing any worth from a gift from a mother she would never meet.
"It's better this way," She reminded herself, over and over again. After all, she was only sixteen, and Sammy was nineteen. He was a man, and responsible, and though she knew he didn't love her anymore, he loved the little girl. Maria didn't know how to be a parent.
Sammy slowly took the book from Maria. Then, he slowly took the baby. When looking at the bundle, Sammy's face was full of love, but when he looked back up to Maria his face was full of doubt.
"Are you sure?" He asked again. He needed her to be sure.
Maria nodded. Sammy watched her for a moment before turning and securing the baby in her car seat, carefully placing the book beside the sleeping baby. Sammy shut the door, and Maria watched her child disappear.
Sammy turned to Maria, opening his own car door. "Make sure you're happy Maria," he told her, before settling into the car himself.
Maria watched as Sammy buckled himself in and turned on the car. As he started to drive away, the baby began to cry, and Maria felt a tear escape.
She went home that night without her daughter, and she did as Sammy told her. She made a life for herself. She met a nice man. She had a son. She was happy. But she never forgot about her little Esperanza.