Disclaimer: This story is based on characters copyrighted by Warner Brothers and Shoot the Moon P®®roductions. This story is meant for enjoyment purposes only and cannot be redistributed without permission from the author. I retain the rights to the plot, not the characters. No infringement is intended. Disneyland®, Disney World®, and Mickey Mouse® are registered trademarks of Disney.

A/N: I have researched the culture of Disneyland® and studied maps of the park during the time frame that the story takes place in 1993. Walt Disney was very adamant about safety and guest relations. He didn't like cast members crossing between the different lands. In Disney World®, there are underground tunnels in the park for them to pass undetected through the park. At Disneyland® in Anaheim, there are backstage alleys. I have a co-worker whose husband works for Disney, and she's been in the tunnels in Florida. But because I live in California, I'm most familiar with the Anaheim park and had it set there.

I would like to thank Karen L. for being my beta and editor. I appreciate all your hard work!

Chapter 1

The California clouds blanketed the June sky over the 'Happiest Place on Earth.' It was what the natives referred to as June gloom. While the sun was trying to burn the clouds away, the Stetson/King family stood at the Disneyland® entrance, soaking in the moment's magic. The face of Mickey Mouse® in the flowers that graced the outside of the park mesmerized four and five-year-olds Mattie and JJ Stetson.

Lee and Amanda Stetson brought their children to California for a fun family vacation at Disneyland® and to visit Lee's old friend Barney. Barney had never met their children and was in ill health, living with his nephew's family in Los Angeles.

Jamie was missing because he had an interview for an internship at a local Virginia newspaper. If selected, it would lead to a year's scholarship for his college major in Photojournalism. He'd just graduated high school, so it would be an important step toward his chosen career. The plan was, he would be taking the red eye out to Los Angeles to join the family in the morning of their second day at Disneyland®.

Amanda's mother, Dotty, declined to join them, choosing instead to take a cruise with some of her gardening club friends. She said 'she would rather spend some time relaxing with friends than with a big mouse!'

Amanda got her camera out of her backpack that was in the stroller. "Lee, can you find someone to take our picture in front of the Mickey flowers."

"Sure, Honey."

Lee approached another father with his family of five. "Hey, pal. Can you take a picture for me with my family?"

"Sure thing, bud." The man turned and explained to his wife, who nodded her head with an understanding smile at Amanda. Such a simple act made Lee think, How normal can you get? Eight years ago, he would've laughed in the face of anyone who would've suggested such a thing.

Once the picture was taken, the Stetson family went through the short tunnel into the Magic Kingdom.

Lee ordered everyone to stop when they reached the other side so he could study the park map. They all groaned in response. Amanda tapped her foot impatiently, knowing her hyper-vigilant husband's routine would never be swayed or changed. He always did the same thing whenever they went on a family outing to a new place.

Lee instructed, "Okay, now, JJ and Mattie pay attention. If we lose you, I want you to see where we are. That building over there is called guest services." Lee pointed at a quaint building which looked more like a playhouse than anything official. "You find a person who has on those special name tags with Mickey Mouse® on them, like this." Lee grabbed an unsuspecting maintenance man who was scooping up some spilled popcorn off the ground. The worker looked a little surprised but tipped his hat and smiled at the children.

"Papa, we won't get lost!" JJ insisted.

"Mommy, Papa, hold my hand. I don't wanna lose you!" Mattie whimpered.

Amanda sighed, bent down, and explained, "Sweetheart, don't worry. Nothing will happen as long as we keep together. Just don't go running off." She then stood up and hissed discreetly to her husband, "You have to stop scaring her like that!"

Lee huffed. "I just want to make sure…" he stopped talking because Amanda gave him The look.

"Hey, Squirt, you can't get lost. Dad is so tall you can see him anywhere." Philip patted Mattie's head reassuringly.

"Don't call your sister squirt." The parents said in unison.

"Would you rather I call her wor—"

"Never mind, Chief," his father warned.

As the family walked down Main Street, the two little girls stared open-mouthed, in awe at the magnificent storybook-like atmosphere.

Philip kept muttering, "This is the bomb!"

Amanda began to reminisce when she was there last. "I remember when my parents took me here for a family vacation when I was ten. It was so amazing! I loved the carousel and Dumbo's ride, but the teacups… Oh my gosh, I remember I got sick after going on them. Look at the castle, it's so beautiful. Lee, did the Colonel ever take you here?"

Both Mattie and JJ started dancing around at the mention of the castle. They both squealed with delight as they got closer to it.

Lee sighed, frowning. "What do you think, Amanda? Of course, he didn't. I was supposed to come here for spring break with my friend's family one year, but instead, the Colonel forbade me when he saw my grades."

Amanda squeezed his hand and gave him a light kiss on the cheek. "That's okay, Sweetheart. You can enjoy it now with our family."

Amanda's comment made Lee grin. Our family, he thought. That was one thing he never tired of hearing.

They reached the end of Main Street, and before them was Sleeping Beauty's Castle. Both Mattie and JJ stood gaping at the beautiful sight. As they walked through the castle into Fantasyland, Lee promised the girls they'd stop back at the gift shop for some serious princess shopping after riding the carousel.

"Poppy, I love the pretend horses. I can't wait to ride them!" JJ gushed as she galloped around her family.

"JJ, you ride real horses all the time. Isn't that better," Lee asked his enthusiastic daughter.

Mattie laughed. "Silly, Papa, these are more colorful."

"Oh, what was I thinking?!" Lee shook his head and laughed.

After the ride, just like Lee promised, they headed to Sleeping Beauty's Castle to look at all the princess garb. Both girls wanted new t-shirts of their favorite princesses. JJ was having a hard time deciding between Ariel and Jasmine but finally picked Jasmine. Mattie chose the more traditional Cinderella.

As they left the shop, Goofy was standing outside, causing JJ to get very excited because she wanted to see him. Mattie was afraid and refused to go near him, so Amanda and Philip stayed over to the side with her, watching as JJ and Lee greeted him.

JJ was chatting animatedly with him as Goofy made all sorts of funny gestures. After a few minutes, Lee returned to Amanda, informing her he was going to the restroom. Lee left as Amanda and Mattie continued to watch at a distance. Philip became distracted by a pretty girl and wandered off to talk to her.

"Mommy, I'm thirsty. Can you please get a juice box out of my Mickey backpack for me?" Mattie pointed to their double stroller. Amanda had rented it for when the girls got too tired for walking. It'd become quite handy to store all their belongings in as well.

"Sure, my love." Amanda kneeled to get the drink from the bottom of the stroller. She unwrapped the straw and poked it through the hole, handing it to Mattie. It was then Amanda noticed Mattie's ponytail was coming undone.

"Let me fix your hair." Amanda pulled the hair tie out, combed Mattie's hair with her fingers, and gathered it back together into the holder.

As Amanda straightened back up, she turned to look at JJ and Goofy, but they'd vanished. Amanda turned all around, searching for them. Not seeing JJ, she called out her name over and over.

Panic began to set in. "Oh my gosh, where could she have gone? Mattie, did you see where your sister went?"

"No, Mommy."

Amanda picked up Mattie, placed her firmly on her right hip, and glanced around for Philip. She spotted him laughing with the girl he'd gone to talk with.

"Philip, come quick! Philip!" Amanda waved.

Philip waved back, not understanding the urgency.

Amanda ran over and pulled Philip by the arm. As she did, she smiled at the girl. "Excuse me, sorry…"

"Hey, Mom. I met this cool girl, and she is from Annapolis—"

"Never mind her, Philip. Help me find your sister! She frantically exclaimed.

"What happened?"

"I was helping Mattie with a drink and then decided to fix her hair. When I looked up, JJ was gone. You need to get Lee from the men's room, quick!"

Without another word, Philip ran off towards the bathroom.

Amanda began asking every passerby if they'd seen JJ, describing her appearance and what she was wearing. All the responses she was getting were either a 'no' or a shrug of the shoulder. Amanda was beside herself. Where could JJ have gone?