Hearing Carmela suddenly call Maria 'Mama' caught all three of them completely off guard.
After all, it made no sense.
Even if Carmela had called her 'sister,' that might've been understandable; Maria was a Sister of the Church, after all.
But Mother?
That was something entirely different—deep, intimate, personal.
Aqua, of course, was the first to react.
"Oh. My. God!" She cried dramatically, pointing at Maria in shock. "Auntie Maria! Don't tell me Carmela is actually your secret daughter you've been hiding all these years?!"
Maria's eyes widened. "Aqua!"
But Aqua was already spiraling, hands flailing in theatrical disbelief.
"No, wait—it actually makes sense!"
She said, turning between Joy and Carmela as though comparing their faces.
