Bedtime Story. Novels & Stories

Madison After dinner, I supervised bath time while Hazel cleaned up the kitchen. Ethan splashed enthusiastically, creating tidal waves that soaked my sweater. "Mommy, can we read three stories tonight?" "One story," I countered, wrapping him in a towel. "It's a school night." "Two stories?" "One and a half." "What's half a story?" "You'll find out." I got him into pajamas and tucked him into bed, selecting his current favorite book about a dragon who was afraid of his own fire.

Ember's POV I pulled the duvet up, tucking the kids in properly as I turned off the light and made to leave but Bella suddenly grabbed my little finger stopping me. "Mommy," she called. "What is it, baby?" I asked, settling back on her bed. "I don't think I'll fall asleep anytime soon. Can you read me a story?" She asked. "Stop acting like a baby Bella. Bed night stories are for babies and not soldiers," Atlas said, making me chuckle.

Then, I lay beside him once he was fully settled and comfortable. “Mommy, tell me a bedtime story,” “Now?” “Yes. It will help me sleep faster. Also, nobody has told me bedtime stories since you left…” ‘since I left to prison…’ I wanted to say it out loud but I didn’t. The tears I’d been holding accidentally fell out of my eye, and I sniffed discreetly. “Of course.” I cleared my throat and began. “Story, story, story time. There was a far, far away land, and a King ruled a nation known as Anthill, filled with so many people who called themselves Anthillians.”

Her eyelids grew heavier until she finally allowed herself to be tucked into bed. “Story, Mommy?” “Which one would you like?” I perched on the edge of her bed, stroking her hair. “The princess wolf,” she mumbled, eyelids fluttering. I began the familiar tale, watching as Debbie fought valiantly against sleep. By the third page, she had lost the battle, her breathing deep and even. I leaned down, pressing a gentle kiss to her forehead before standing. Edward waited by the door, watching us with an expression I couldn’t quite decipher. We slipped out of the room, leaving the door slightly ajar as Debbie preferred.

Davina lamented. “Are you a grown-up? The answer is No! You are still a child and sleeping early would help your brain’s activities.” I responded. I tucked them in successfully and turned off the light after reading a short bedtime story of Mama Bear and Baby Bear. Striding carefully out of the room I closed the door gently behind me. “Is there anything you want me to do for you before retiring for the day?” Nana Amy asked. “No, you can leave now. But before you go, where is Father?” I inquired.

They just lay dormant, waiting for someone to wake them. Tonight, they would wake. “I can’t believe we’re doing this,” Grace whispered, her voice barely audible over the crackling of the fire they’d built in a small clearing. “Just think of it as a challenge,” Travis said, grinning as he passed her a flask. “We spend one night in the woods, come out, and we’ll be legends. Everyone will want to know us. They’ll be talking about us for years.” Grace rolled her eyes, but she couldn’t help but smile. Travis always knew how to make things sound like an adventure.

“Here, Daddy.” I laid down next to them, and when I started to weave a story about the animals on the ceiling, Naomi linked our fingers together, while Becky laid her head on my arm. Just like that, all the stress from the day was gone, and I knew that no matter what, I was never going to miss another bedtime story.

her father asked with amusement. "Prince Charming is in all the stories we've read. Right, Mom?" she turned to her mother. "Yes, baby. But that's enough for now," her mother said, gently taking her from her father's arms and carefully laying her back down on the bed. "It's your bedtime now. It's time to sleep," she added softly. "Oh, so it's your bedtime now, baby. You should sleep. Close your eyes," her father said warmly. "Okay, Daddy, Mommy!" she obediently responded before closing her eyes.

]* Bedtime. Not Alex’s room. Not ‘through.’ Our room. Big bed. Knight bed. Day 1 bed. Twins. Middle. Already asleep. Sand in hair. _HOME_ washed off. Still there. Alex. End of bed. Book. _Not_ shark. _Not_ court. _Not_ 11 seconds. _The House That Was Just Home._ Susan wrote it. Last night. 4 AM. “Therapy,” she said. Illustrated it. Stick figures. Us. Bear. No bad men.