No Way! Absolutely Not!

Early morning light filtered into the bedroom as a chubby little hand shoved the door open with a thud.

Buddy clutched his teddy bear, those big round eyes scanning the room until they lit up at the lumpy mound under the covers.

Ethan was still deep in sleep, eyelids shut tight, his chest rising and falling steady with each breath.

In the next beat, Buddy's tiny legs pumped as he toddled over fast, then flopped right onto that bump.

"Daddy, time to get up! The sun's gonna bake your butt!"

Ethan felt the weight hit him, let out a soft grunt without cracking an eye, but the corner of his mouth quirked up.

Buddy had inherited his dad's sharp features, already showing that refined edge and boyish charm even at his age.

The kid sprawled across him, hollering in that sweet baby voice, "Daddy, no sleeping in. Teacher says if you do, you'll..."

He trailed off, puffing his cheeks as he fished for the words. "The bad guys'll snatch you!"

Buddy wasn't in school yet, but he already had pros handl