If you thought seeing Nikki Bella walking down the aisle was going to be an emotional moment, wait until you watch this.
While Nikki and her twin sister Brie Bella head off to Paris in part three of E!'s four-part wedding special Nikki Bella Says I Do, her soon-to-be-husband Artem Chigvintsev takes their 2-year-old son Matteo on a trip to Turkey for a very special reason in E! News' exclusive sneak peek at the Feb. 9 episode. And that reason is so his parents Vladimir and Anna can meet Matteo in person for the very first time.
Much of Artem's family were unable to meet Matteo after his birth in July 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic and now the ongoing war in Russia...until now. And the Dancing With the Stars pro couldn't be happier that the moment has finally arrived, as he points his parents out to Matteo upon arriving at their hotel in the preview.
But as any parent knows, 2-year-olds can be temperamental, and Matteo begins to cry as Artem's parents envelop the two of them in a hug. So, Artem lets him burn off some steam by adorably running around in his light-up shoes as they make their way to their hotel room.
As Artem and his mother share another tearful embrace, he doesn't even notice that his dad has managed to calm Matteo down by picking him up. He jokingly remarks in a confessional, "Well, I guess my dad's a charmer."
The moment leaves him feeling nostalgic about his own childhood, as he recalls in a confessional, "Me, growing up, we're going to like a dance competition, my mom would sit in the front row and my dad would sit in the back. But it was different. My dad actually took the initiative to play with Matteo."
Seeing his father come out of his shell is a "beautiful moment" for the star, as he ends the preview by stating, "Them meeting for the first time, it was definitely a moment that I will remember forever."
Watch the heartfelt moment in the full clip above, and keep scrolling to relive all of Matteo's cutest childhood photos.
Catch part three of Nikki Bella Says I Do Thursday, Feb. 9, at 9 p.m. on E!.
Nikki commemorated the family's 2022 Thanksgiving trip to Lake Tahoe by posting several pics of Matteo playing in the snow and at an arcade on Instagram.
Artem and Matteo showed off their best duck lips pose with this fun selfie.
"Someone had a lot of fun baking with Mama yesterday lol," Nikki captioned this hilarious pic, adding, "It was a very chocolatey Sunday!"
Nikki snapped a pic with Matteo in front of the Eiffel Tower during her and Artem's Paris wedding trip in August.
The family of three celebrated Matteo's second birthday a day early at the pool on July 30.
Matteo enjoys a Fourth of July vacation with his parents at the lake.
Matteo visits Nikki's work in July 2022.
Artem honored Nikki in May 2022 with a collage of cute photos, writing, "Happy Mother's Day love, you are honestly the best momma in the whole entire world , your love your patience your care and thoughtfulness have no limits. Matteo and I are so so lucky to have you."
"We are messy and we love it," Artem shared in March 2022.
"Our attempt for a family photo," Nikki captioned this hilarious pic. "Matteo does not like the phone at all!"
Nikki and Matteo surprised Artem (aka Dada) during a stop on the 2022 DWTS Live Tour in March.
"Matteo didn't dig Santa this year but I think next year he will," Nikki captioned a 2021 Christmas Day post. "He did love the train he brought him!"
"Happy Thanksgiving from Chigvintsev's family," Artem captioned this Instagram pic in honor of Turkey Day.
"Happy first birthday Matteo," Artem captioned this sweet Instagram post in July 2021. "Mama and Dada loves you so so much."
In this June 2021 snap, Artem and Matteo took a closer look at some chickens.
The father and son duo enjoy a nature outing.
Artem and Matteo checked out a chicken coop during an outdoor outing.
Watch out for pecks, Matteo!
For Matteo's 10-month milestone, Artem wrote, "I can't believe Teo is 10 month today , time flies I wish I can slow it down and enjoy every second of it it's so so precious @thenikkibella you've have been a super mom. I love you #nevergrowup #son #family"
Artem, Nikki and Matteo were all smiles in this family outing pic.
Artem wrote, "Dada's back."
Matteo looked like a literal hair model in this picture from May 2021.
Nikki smiled as her son Matteo pulled a silly face in a new photo from Instagram.
Little Matteo had total bed head in this pic with dad Artem.
Matteo enjoyed some sweet potatoes in this May 2021 image.
Matteo clearly enjoyed those sweet potatoes.
Alongside a photo series, Nikki wrote, "Best 10 months of my life so far. These are from the last two days. Can't believe our baby is going to be 1 in two months!!!"
Nikki wrote alongside this May selfie, "Baby boy and me."
"I wish I was as cool as him," the Total Bellas star remarked.
"My love @theartemc sent me this yesterday! My heart melted," Nikki wrote in May 2021. "Our Teo is growing up so fast! A, you have been such an incredible Dada this past week as Mama has been off working. The best Daddy and fiancé! I just love you so much! And love my Matteo so much! Excited to get back to my boys!"