Lily loved visiting Grandma and Grandpa. Their house always smelled like warm cookies, even when they weren't baking, and the garden outside was full of busy bumblebees and bright flowers. This time was extra special because Lily was staying the whole night. It was her first time sleeping over by herself!
Grandma showed Lily to the guest room. It was a quiet room at the back of the house, with a big window that looked out at the tops of the trees. The bed in the guest room was different from Lily's bed at home. It was covered in a patterned quilt with stars and moons, and there were extra pillows stacked neatly against the headboard.
Lily felt a tiny flutter in her tummy. Sleeping in a new bed felt a little strange. What if it wasn't as comfy as her own bed? What if the quilt felt funny? She sat on the edge and bounced gently. The mattress felt soft, but also firm enough.
Grandma smiled. "This is our cozy guest bed," she said softly. "Lots of people have slept here and had wonderful dreams. Your Aunt Carol slept here when she was little, and your cousin Tom napped here just last summer. It's a bed for making happy memories."
That made Lily feel a bit better. Thinking about happy people sleeping in the bed seemed to make it feel friendlier. She helped Grandma lay out her pajamas and toothbrush on the little table by the bed. Everything was ready for bedtime.
Later, after a story and a warm mug of milk, it was time to tuck in. Lily climbed under the patterned quilt. It was surprisingly soft and smooth. The pillows were just right for resting her head. She wriggled her toes, feeling how warm and snuggly it was under the covers.
She lay still for a moment, listening to the quiet house. She could hear Grandpa humming softly downstairs and the gentle tick-tock of a clock somewhere far away. It wasn't the same sounds as home, but they were peaceful sounds.
Lily looked around the room in the dim light from the hallway. She saw a little picture of a boat on the wall and a small wooden bird on the dresser. These were new things to look at, different from the pictures and toys in her own room.
But even though it was different, the guest bed felt safe. It was strong and steady, holding her up gently. The blankets wrapped around her like a warm hug. She thought about Grandma and Grandpa sleeping just down the hall, keeping her safe.
She imagined all the happy dreams that had been dreamt in this very bed, woven into the fabric of the quilt and the softness of the pillows. Maybe she would have a happy dream too.
Lily closed her eyes and took a deep breath. The air smelled clean and soft, like the quilt. She felt her body sink just a little into the mattress, supported and comfortable. The tiny flutter in her tummy was gone, replaced by a calm, sleepy feeling.
Being in a new place, in a new bed, wasn't scary at all. It was just a new kind of cozy. And with that thought, surrounded by the quiet and warmth of the guest room, Lily drifted off to sleep, ready for whatever happy morning the guest bed would bring.