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Time for bed. By now all children in Hell and Paradise too at this time are already dreaming of being rulers of their fantastic kingdom, have a bizarre pet or be in a giant playground and much more! But only a little boy could not sleep...
Hector was in his bed, clutching Gertrude, his shark plush. The little one couldn’t close his eyes because in the darkest corner of the room, there seemed to be a horrible monster. Thanks to Gertrude and Camillo, his second older brother, who slept in the bed on the other side of the room, felt a little safe. Also for the slightly ajar door that let in the light of the corridor. But he didn’t have enough security, he was still very, very scared. He wanted someone who was brave like... Mom. Oh, there’s nothing better than protection, courage and a hug from Mom! If you were worried or afraid of something, she was always there for you and of course that goes for Dad too.
Immediately the child got out of bed and ran out of his room. The corridor was lit and in front of the bedroom he shared with his brother, there was that of his older sister Roxana, then next to it the bathroom, but when he looked to his left, where there was the living room, it was pitch dark. He got a shiver, thinking about how many other monsters there could be and so he ran to his parents' room. He turned the knob and saw his mother Vaggie sat on the bed, with the lamp lit over her bedside table. She was already wearing pajamas and reading a book, waiting for her husband who was probably in the bathroom.
«Mommy» Hector called.
His mother looked up with a look of surprise «Hector?» She asked and then put the book on the bedside table «Why are you awake?».
«I can’t sleep, there’s a monster in my room» He said with fear.
«I thought I had already driven him away».
«But he is back».
She murmured, understanding and thought for a moment.
«Come here, my boy» Vaggie said affectionately, arms open.
Without having to repeat it twice, Hector ran into her arms, put himself under the covers and hugged her tightly. In return, Vaggie did the same and planted a kiss over his head while stroking his fluffy hair.
«Who knows what it could have done if I stayed there» Said the frightened child, beginning to cry «And also what it could have done to Gertrude!» Then his face then expressed pure terror when he remembered something «They told me that some monsters can steal the love you have to those you love very much!».
«Who said that nonsense?» His mother asked amused by this ridiculous fact.
«A classmate of mine» Hector said, calming his voice, even though he was still very terrified.
«Well, if this classmate of yours thinks so, they're wrong. Because it’s not possible» She said, giggling.
«It's not possible?» He asked in disbelief.
«Yes, it is not. They can take away everything they want, but our love? Not even by a long shot, honey» She said shaking her head «This is impossible, because nobody and then nobody will ever be able to do it».
The child looked at her, leaning his head, confused, tears falling one after the other. Vaggie, noticing his pajamas had stars, came up with an idea. Maybe it will start not so well but it will certainly work.
«Shall we take a walk?» His mother offered.
«A walk?» He was more confused.
«Yes, why not? We'll get bad thoughts out of our heads».
«But it’s dark, mommy».
«I know, honey, but it will help, I promise» She said reassuringly.
The little one thought and was a bit unsure but he still nodded and said: «Okay».
Mother and son got out of bed together and left the house wearing jackets. The confusion of the child only increased and unfortunately the darkness did not help at all, it only fueled his fear. Although his house was in a street lit by streetlights. He clung to his mother’s leg. In response, she gave him a caress and a reassuring smile. The child, a bit reassured took a good view of the surroundings. Hector realized that he was shaking more with each thing he found creepy. After a couple of seconds he stopped looking and said to his mother:
«Mommy, I’m scared, I don’t want to take this walk anymore» He said, holding his plush more tight.
Hector looked back at her, hearing no answer from his mother, and was amazed at what he saw. His mother was surrounded by a light that gradually became brighter and behind her back a pair of white wings with black stripes would be seen.
«Mommy...? Is it you?».
«Yes, honey, it’s me» She turned to him and crouched, opening her arms again «Come to your mother».
As when he was at home, he ran to her to hug her. Vaggie wrapped and lifted him.
«Mommy, you have wings» He said slightly touching them.
«Yeah» She smiled and then whispered «And if someone asks you, do not tell anyone, pinky promise?» And she showed her pinky finger.
«But why should I not tell anyone?» He asked in a whisper too.
«It is a secret to keep strictly, otherwise bad things will happen».
Hector gasped anxiously «I promise, I promise» and gave her his pinky finger.
Once he held the promise, his mother smiled more at him and then the child saw how she spread her wings and lifted herself off the ground. To the child, fear came again, this time to fall and squinted not to see how far they were from the ground. The poor child trembled and cried as before.
«Hey hey, don’t worry, I’m here with you» She said in a reassuring tone.
The little one opened his eyes full of tears and saw how his mother smiling affectionately at him.
«I am here» She gave him a caress on the wet cheek and then began to sing softly:
«Come stop your crying, it will be alright
Just take my hand, hold it tight
I will protect you, from all around you
I will be here, don't you cry»
Her son looked at her curious and slowly the bad thoughts were slipping away. She began to fly around and continued to sing.
«For one so small, you seem so strong
My arms will hold you, keep you safe and warm
This bond between us, can't be broken
I will be here, don't you cry»
By now in the child’s head there was no longer the thought of monsters, darkness and fear of falling but only how much his mother loves him. In addition to that, Hector felt lulled by both the song and the flight. Now he was giggling when she did tricks.
Meanwhile, from the window of the parents' room there was Angel looking for his wife, with his toothbrush in his mouth and his robe on. When he caught the light with his eyes he looked out the window and was dazzled by the lovingly scene. He quickly left the house to see better.
«Cause you'll be in my heart
Yes, you'll be in my heart
From this day on
Now and forever more».
Sleep, too, was slowly catching him. As she flew on her back, she gently leaned her forehead against his, her eyes expressing love for her son. He smiled sleepy at her action.
«You'll be in my heart
No matter what they say
You'll be here in my heart, always
Always».
Vaggie ended the last word in a whisper, seeing that her sweet baby had fallen asleep. She chuckled softly and kissed his forehead. She returned to the ground gracefully and re-holsted her wings, walking home. When she looked up, she found her husband staring at her, enchanted and shocked. Which is more of the two is a big question.
She raised an eyebrow as to say: "What?".
Angel tried to answer her but with the toothbrush in his mouth and because he stuttered, nothing was understood. His wife made a confused gesture.
He took off his toothbrush and said: «In all these years that we have been together you have never sung...».
«So?».
«So you make me fall in love more» He sighed dreamly.
Vaggie shrugged, smiling smugly, caressing their younger son. Angel approached her.
«Why did you never do it?»
«Let’s say it wasn’t the time, and this was it».
«Oh, baby, you should do it often!».
Hector muttered a little. He heard it in his sleep.
«Shh, he’s asleep» The mother warned.
«Oops, sorry... but you really should do it more often».
«I do it».
«Really? Then why do I never hear you?».
«Because I do it without you realizing it».
«Aw» He complained «Will you sing me one day?» He smiled at thirty-two teeth.
«No».
He pouted, «Come on, baby» he begged.
«Nuh-uh» She denied again, walking towards the entrance of their house.
«Please? Many times please? Porfavor?» He asked following her.
«All right, but shut up before you wake the kid» She said slightly annoyed.
«Evvai» He made a small gesture of victory.
«Well, now we can go to bed» She calmed down when she looked at the sleeping child.
«All right» he said in agreement.
Once back in the house they lay on the bed and get comfortable their son among them, under the covers. Angel gave a caress and a kiss to the head of their son, then gave a kiss to his wife’s lips, to which Vaggie reacted with a smile, and he embraced them both. She gave one last kiss to the child and all three of them slept hugged.
The End