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Harvey brushed back a strand of soft brown hair from her little face, smiling as she wriggled down into the blankets. He chuckled, pulling them up to her chin before leaning over as he switched on a string of glowing nightlights. He picked up her small plush toy before booping her on the nose with it.
'Pinkie-pie!' She giggled as Harvey continued to nuzzle the toy against her face. 'Daddy!'
'Time for a story?' He asked, placing the toy in her arms. He glanced over his shoulder, meeting your gaze as you leaned against the doorframe, a soft flutter in your chest at the scene before you. Your baby slept soundly, tucked up in her bassinet just next door. You could now find a few extra moments with your eldest girl, part of your nightly ritual before you and your beautiful husband tumbled into bed. He smiled widely before turning back to her.
'Once upon a time, there was a princess…' He took another moment to steal a glance at you, and you knew what was coming. His favourite story. Hers too.
'And the princess was brave, clever and so beautiful, but she was also very sad…'
'Oh no…' Her tiny voice rose to interject. 'Poor princess…'
'She lived in a kingdom of tall towers and rainy days, a lonely place that did not make her happy. One day, she learned of a magical valley. It sounded so pretty, with sparkling rivers, flower fields, lush forests, and mines that went deep underground.'
Her eyes widened and Harvey swept his thumb over her cheek.
'Don't worry, sweetheart. Two brave and fearless heroes from the Adventurer's Guild kept everyone safe.'
'They did!?' She whispered and Harvey nodded convincingly.
'Absolutely, darling. So… what do you think the princess did?'
'She went to the valley.' She smiled, knowing the story she loved almost by heart.
'Yes! You're so clever! How did you know!?' Harvey beamed and she giggled. Your heart squeezed in your chest. This really was your favourite time of the day. Seeing the look on his face, you were sure it was his too.
'The princess came to the valley, exploring the beach where mermaids sang from the waves, the secret woods where birds and animals roamed, she even found a wizard's tower, with vines that crept all the way to the roof.' He nodded as she sighed in wonder.
'The princess needed somewhere to stay and close to a little town, she found an old farm. No-one lived there anymore and she wondered if she could make it grow again, wishing to see apples in the orchards, juicy strawberries in the garden, and colourful flowers in the fields.'
'I love strawberries.' His daughter grinned, and he couldn't help but chuckle.
'You would love her farm, sweetheart… all the strawberries you could eat.' He glanced back at you, and your bright smile grew wider, there was absolutely no way to contain it. This sweet man, love of your life, father of your children, still gave you butterflies.
'Now, the princess worked very hard to make her farm come alive, but she needed help, so she began to meet her neighbours… friendly people that lived in town. She met an artist who made sculptures, a lady who cared for animals, a fisherman who told tales of the sea… she even met a clever scientist who built magical machines'
'But that sounds like Mommy's…' Her words trailed off with a giggle as Harvey made a shocked face.
'Oh…? That can't be…!? This is a story about a princess.'
You lifted your hand to your chest, pressing it against your heartbeat with a delicate sigh.
'Was the princess happy, Daddy?' She asked, snuggling against her pillows.
'She was, my darling, but there was still something she hoped for. She was a lovely and kind princess, and she wanted someone to love.' He smiled tenderly at his daughter as he continued. 'One day, she bumped into a tall and handsome man…' He looked over at you with a mischievous waggle of his eyebrows, causing a breath of laughter to burst from you. 'He was the town doctor… a quiet man who loved living in the little town, even though he was lonely too.'
'Just like the princess...'
Harvey nodded in agreement.
'Although he was probably very silly and a little shy at first…' He shook his head lightly, much to her delight, 'The doctor and the princess became friends. She would bring him gifts to show she cared, and he told her about all the things he loved… until one day, he realised he loved her too.'
It was at this point, you knew you couldn't stay away, placing your hand on his shoulder. He reached back, threading his fingers through yours.
'He told the princess how he felt, giving her a beautiful bouquet of flowers. The princess was so happy. Do you know why?' He leaned his head against your fingers as he waited for her response.
'… Because the princess loved him too!' She beamed.
'She did love him too. The doctor came to live on her farm and soon, on a sparkling winter's day, he gave her a shimmering pendant and asked her to marry him.' He lifted your hand from his shoulder, pressing a soft kiss to your fingers.
'And so, the princess and the doctor got married, and they lived on their wonderful farm, which grew the best strawberries in all the land, and lived happily ever after, their days becoming even more happy when they became parents to two special little girls.'
'The end.' You added as your daughter looked up at you with a sleepy smile.
Harvey brushed her hair from her face once more before pressing a kiss to her forehead as she closed her eyes. He looked back at you as he rose to his feet, wrapping you in his arms. You rested your head on his chest, whispering against his comforting warmth.
‘You’re my favourite bedtime story.'