Want to sit right there?
Sure.
I feel like I have to be the man in the house
because my mom does get worried a lot.
You're so sweet.
My dad told me to do good in school, make him proud,
get good grades.
NARRATOR: And, boy, did Fernando follow orders?
He made his school's honor roll.
I know that your papa is really, really proud of you,
and so am I. You've done an amazing job.
You're-- you're awesome, and I love you.
I love you, too, Mom.
You're my buddy.
NARRATOR: Fernando is about to find out just how proud of him
his parents are, because his dad is coming home
with a surprise that will make Fernando
the envy of every nine-year-old on the planet.
[cheering]
The next day while Fernando's at school,
Karen gets that indescribable thrill
of welcoming her husband home.
Oh, they just opened the doors.
They're coming out!
[music playing]
Oh, my god!
[music playing]
I'm so sorry.
What happened?
You OK?
I'm so happy to see you.
I'm here.
Having him in my arms felt wonderful.
I was really, really happy, really relieved.
NARRATOR: With Mama happy, now it's time to kick the surprise
into gear, so Karen brings Fernando
and the rest of the family to Fernando's all-time
favorite place--
the go-kart track.
Nice.
I went to go pick up my son.
I just let him know that, out of the blue,
we just decided to go-karts, and we were just going to have fun.
You all right?
Mm-hmm.
NARRATOR: But Fernando has no idea just how much fun
he's in for because see mystery man
there hiding behind the helmet?
You guessed it.
Dad.
My heart started pumping out of my chest.
I was afraid that he may recognize me,
even though I knew I was covered.
I had a mask on.
I had the helmet on.
I had the race suit.
On he may pick up on little things,
maybe the way I hold my hands, maybe the way I stand.
Go!
It felt like I was a NASCAR driver,
and I was going to go super fast.
[music playing]
NARRATOR: For this plan to play out,
Fernando needs to win the race.
No worries.
This kid has winner written all over him.
[music playing]
- You good? - Yeah.
All right, we'll let's walk right out.
Awesome, super job.
I was so, like, oh, my God.
It's going to happen.
It's going to happen any minute.
Now, in first place today, I have
a special race car driver that wants to present
this first-place award.
I need some help.
[cheering]
[music playing]
I was crying because I saw him.
I love you, baby.
FERNANDO: And I felt him.
I knew he was real and was going to be home with me, my mom,
and with our dog.
Good job.
I was crying myself too because dad
and son were together.
They're best friends.
Fernando is everything to me.
He's a special type of kid.
I mean, if he didn't know how old he is,
you wouldn't believe that he's only nine years old.
NARRATOR: And as if scoring the top trophy wasn't enough--
I also got something for you, papa.
This is a medal that was given to me by my command
during operation steel down two.
I want you to have this as a--
for doing such a good job when I was gone,
and just for being you, OK?
I love you, baby.
I love you.
NARRATOR: It just goes to show sometimes
nice guys do finish first.
Here.
I felt that my son felt that he completed the mission
that my husband had mentioned before he left,
and this was his reward.
Papa, did you like the surprise?
I loved it.