Little Leo loved bedtime. Not just because he was a little sleepy bear, but because it was special time with his Dad. The sun had tucked itself in behind the hills, and the moon was starting to peek out like a friendly face in the dark sky. Leo and Dad were in the living room, the lamplight making everything feel warm and soft. It smelled faintly of Dad's tea and Leo's bedtime milk.
"Look, Dad!" Leo pointed to the window. "The first star!" Dad came over and knelt beside Leo, putting an arm around him. "You're right, champion. There it is, winking hello." They watched the tiny light together for a moment. Dad said, "Stars are like little sleepy dust sprinkled across the sky, aren't they? They remind us it's time for little boys and big dads to rest."
Leo snuggled closer. "Will the stars watch me sleep?" Dad smiled. "Yes, just like I will. They shine from far away, but they're always there. Just like love is always there, even when we're in different rooms sleeping." He ruffled Leo's hair gently. "Alright, sleepyhead. Time to get ready for your own cozy bed."
They walked hand-in-hand down the short hallway to Leo's room. Dad helped Leo pick out his favorite soft pyjamas – the ones with the sleepy sloths. Getting dressed felt like a warm hug all over. Leo giggled as Dad pretended the pyjama leg was a tunnel his foot had to race through. Simple things like this always made Leo happy.
After a quick stop to wash his face and brush his tiny teeth until they sparkled like the moon, Leo bounced towards his bed. Dad pulled back the covers, and Leo climbed in, burrowing under the soft quilt. Dad sat on the edge of the bed, tucking the covers just right around Leo's shoulders. "Nice and snug?" Dad asked softly.
"Snug as a bug!" Leo whispered back. Dad stroked Leo's forehead. "What do you hope you dream about tonight?" Leo thought for a moment. "Maybe about flying like a bird," he said, already feeling peaceful and floaty. Dad nodded. "That sounds like a wonderful dream. Remember, if you ever have a wobbly dream, you just think about our cozy home and how much I love you, and the wobble will feel smaller."
Dad leaned down and gave Leo a kiss on his forehead and a big, warm hug. "Goodnight, my sweet boy," he murmured. "I love you more than all the stars in the sky." Leo hugged him back tight. "Love you too, Dad. Goodnight." As Dad quietly left the room, leaving the door a tiny crack open with the soft landing light on, Leo closed his eyes, feeling safe, loved, and ready for dreams, knowing his Dad was close by.