Hey everyone, I'm back this is the chapter of the Dia de las Madres era. This chapter will be breaking into four parts and will be a turning point for Carla as she completes her full redemption arc to everyone and you will see that progress play out at the end of this story. I really hope you enjoy this four part series.

Victor and Carla just moved out of the palace and in to their new home in Avalor. Elena provided with finances to get a head start until they find a job.

...

Today was Dia de las Madres and Victor knows this is is going to be her first Mother's Day without Ash, he was expecting for her to be depressed about her mom who betrayed her family's so he was prepared to talk and counsel her.

Victor was get breakfast ready for him and Carla and to his surprise, she came out of her with a smile on her face. "Good morning, Papi!"

"Good morning, Mija...?" Victor was confused, He thought his daughter would be sad about her mother, today was Mother's Day something felt off about her, so he decided to go along, maybe he would figure out what's going on with her.

"You seem happy today." Victor complimented.

"I'm just looking forward to spend some time with my Papa." Carla embraced him with lots of love.

That warmed Victors heart a little as he hugged Carla back, but he was still concerned for her daughters well being.

As Carla released her hug she saw the delicious breakfast sitting on the table. "Is that huevos rancheros?"

"Yep, just like we used to make, I wanted to make something special just for us." said Victor.

"Really what's the occasion?" asked Carla.

"Oh nothing, just wanted to have a little father-daughter moment." said Victor.

Victor knew not to bring up Mother's Day in front of Carla, because of her past traumatic experience with Ash and what it led to.

As Victor and Carla were eating their breakfast, they were having a good time, talking to each other, sharing funny jokes, then a certain topic came up.

"Naomi, Gabe and Mateo invited me to go shopping with them today to get gifts for their moms, but I thanked them and told them I wouldn't come because I'm spending time with you."

Victor was surprised that Carla would it turn down a good time with her new friends, just to be with him, there was no way Victor was coming Carla sacrifice her own happiness just for him he needed to do right by Carla by letting her enjoy her life and letting her be around with people her age. "You should join them, Carla. They really want to get to know you better."

Carla was hesitant at the idea, the last thing she wanted was to be separated from her father again. "But what about you Papa, I want us to time together I don't want to leave you alone."

"I'll be fine Carlita." Victor insisted. "I'd rather be here happily knowing that you have friends to hang around with."

Carla couldn't believe it herself knowing that she use to be their enemy." It's crazy to think that I would never have any friends, but now I do."

Victor gave a lovingly affirmation to his daughter. "After what you did for Elena, you deserve it, Mija. More than anything."

"I'll think about it." said Carla.

"There's no rush." said Victor. "I just want you to have fun, you can always meet me at Señorita Flores chocolate shop, Viva la Dulce, she invited us over their special tradition of giving chocolates away as gifts to their mothers, remember?"

Carla remembered but she was unsure if she wanted to go because, it was a sacred moment for the royal family and being there would just make it awkward, considering she has a criminal record. "Right, sure, I'll be there."

As they finished eating their breakfast, Victor noticed her face giving an nervous expression. He took it as an opportunity to ease into a sensitive topic for Carla. "Carla, is there something else what you want to talk about?"

Carla deflected the question with a question. "Why would there be?"

"I just want to be sure if you're happy." said Victor.

Carla got up from her chair, walked over to her father and hugged him as she spoke from her heart. "Papa, we're finally together again, we can cook meals together like we used to, we put our life of crime behind us, and mostly everyone trusts us now. We're what we always wanted to be, a family. What could be better than this?"

Victor was happy to see his little girl growing up. He couldn't bring himself to ruin this moment for her so he decided to save the sensitive conversation for another time. "Nothing, nothing could be better than this." Victor said as he hugged his daughter.

Since Carla had the best morning with her dad, she decided to take h his advice, "You know what, Papa? I'll go meet up with my friends, i'm sure they'll be happy to see me."

Victor was proud of her, seeing that this will help Carla move on from everything she's been through."That's my girl, have fun!"

"I'll see you soon papa." Carla gave a kiss on her dad's cheek before rushing to the front door and leaving the house.

Victor was happy that his daughter is living a new life without being chased by guards a wizard or a magical princess, for once, he just prayed that Carla would be safe out there.

...

Naomi, Gabe, and Mateo all met at the Mercado waiting for Carla to arrive, in case she changed her mind. They were discussing how to make sure Carla feel like she's part of the group, especially on Dia las Madres today.

"Listen guys this day may be a little sensitive for Carla so let's make sure we're there for her." said Naomi.

"It must be hard, her mom being a wanted criminal, while everyone else has their mom to be with." said Mateo

Gabe felt sympathetic for Carla since he was the one who put her in a cell. "Now I could only imagine how she felt when she was in prison all by herself."

Naomi needed to make sure everyone was on the same page. "Look, Carla's had it tough ever since Ash betrayed her and Victor, she needs to know that she has friends that care,and we need to make her feel like she's one of us, and we do that by showing her a good time, you guys with me?"

Gabe and Mateo nodded their head in agreement

Mateo recognized Carla coming over to them"There she is now!"

Naomi was Carla was excited to see them. "Hey guys, sorry I'm a little late, I appreciate you guys inviting me.

"What changed your mind?" asked Gabe.

Papi thought that I should get out a little more." said Carla.

"Well we're about to do some last minute shopping, if you're still up for it. said Naomi.

"Of course, I'm excited to see all of Avalor in person." said Carla.

Mateo was a little concerned for Carla. "Are you sure you're going to be okay you know with Mother's Day and all?"

Gabe bumped Mateo on the arm, signaling him not say the wrong thing.

"Sure, no big deal. I mean everybody else everybody else is getting gifts for their moms so I might as well get a gift for my dad." Carla said these words as if they didn't bother her.

Naomi, Gabe, and Mateo were surprised, they thought this holiday would make her depressed since Ash abandoned her and her dad, but it seems like she's handling it very well.

"Well, if you say so." said Naomi.

"So are we going shopping or what?" said Carla.

They were bewildered that Carla would be filled with joy considering that this is a holiday dedicated to mothers, and she has one absent in her life. But she's in a good mood and that's all that matters, so they decided not to worry about Carla and enjoy this moment.

...

As the gang went to different stores at the Mercado They picked out the gifts they are going to get for their moms. Along the way Carla found the perfect gift for her dad, a special cooking apron, her dad could wear it as he and Carla fix meals together it'll be a reminder of their bond as father and daughter. It was perfect.

Carla, Naomi, Gabe, and Mateo went up to the counter and put the items they were going to buy on there, but as soon as they we're about to make their final purchases a lot of people in the store were staring at her menacingly.

"Don't look now but I think we have an audience" Mateo said to Naomi.

Everyone was looking at Carla gossiping about her and her father, they were saying hurtful things about the criminal things they've ever done and the harm they brought to the people of Avalor. She didn't make eye contact them, but she could hear all the negative insults that were being thrown at her.

"Look at her, pretending to be kind and sweet."

"She probably came in here to steal something for herself, like she stole from the royal family."

"She doesn't belong here!"

"The crown princess should've never offered her mercy!"

"She and her father have done a lot of things to hurt us!"

"They worked with Shuriki, murderer of the King and Queen, Elena's parents!"

"Her dad would've been better off frozen as a statue."

"She's nothing but a spoiled brat!"

"Carla doesn't deserve to be loved!"

"She's evil, cruel, and wicked just like her mother, Ash."

As soon as she heard her mother's name, images of Ash kept playing in Carla's head, bringing flashbacks of her own mother petrifying Victor. She was starting to feel uneasy, squeezing her eyes shut, grabbing the edge of the counter and tapping her finger rapidly as comments kept flying right at her as if they were lightning bolts to the chest.

Naomi, Gabe, and Mateo knew they had to step in and do something.

"Hey, leave her alone she's not doing anything to you right now!" Naomi told off Carla's accusers.

Gabe intervened as captain of the guard. "You heard her, there's nothing to see here." He said in an authoritative tone.

At the sound of Gabe's everyone scattered and minded their own business.

As soon as everyone left, the group of friends had to make sure that Carla wasn't hurt.

"Are you OK?" asked Naomi

Carla tried to pull herself together from her breakdown as she took a breath and started to feel calm. "Yeah I'm fine, some people can be mean but I'm used to it by now."

...

As a soon as the gang left the store with gifts for their moms. Carla saw people all around the Mercado being with their moms, showing their love towards them.

"Feliz Dia Las Madres, Mama"

"you're the best mom in the world."

"I'm so lucky to have you as my mom."

"I am proud to be your child."

"I love you, mami."

"I love you too."

Carla felt a little depressed being around this kind of environment, she didn't want this holiday to bring up memories of her mom, nor didn't she want to spoil this moment with her friends, so she decided to call it in and head back to her father so she can give him her gift.

"Hey guys, I'd better go Papa is waiting for me and I want to give him his gift. Thanks for having me around." Carla told her friends.

As Carla left, Naomi looked around and she saw what was happening, there were lots of people are showing love to their mothers, it's making Carla feeling left out because of her traumatic experience with Ash, she decided to follow her to make sure she was okay.

"Hey guys, I'll catch up with you in a bit." Naomi informed Gabe and Mateo."

The guys read the room and figured out what's going on, so they decided to give her and Carla some space so they can talk.

Naomi had to catch up to Carla as quickly as she can.

"Carla!" Naomi called.

Carla looked behind her to see Naomi catching up.

"I'm sorry those people were saying all these terrible things about you it going to take a while for people to get to used you." said Naomi.

"That's okay." said Carla. "I can't really blame them."

Naomi was worried. Carla was in self denial that all of this wasn't making her happy. This was the time to start acting like a true friend to her. "Carla, I know this holiday must hard for you, not having your mom around after what she did, so if you want to talk about it...

Carla stopped Naomi right there. "Look, Naomi, I appreciate that you guys being concerned about me, but there's nothing to talk about, I'm not worried about Ash anymore, I'm totally fine. I just need some time to myself, but thanks for being there for me, it really means a lot."

Carla gave Naomi a little smile as she walked away.

Naomi watched her go with a worried look on her face, She can tell deep down that Carla was not fine. She was hurting inside because of her unresolved trauma with Ash. She only wished there was more she can do to help.

to be continued...

Thanks for reading part one of this Dia las Madres my dress series. What do you think of it? Leave a comment and review section and I'll see you on the next part. And be sure to favorite and follow the story. Thank you!