The Quiet Night
As darkness enveloped the sky, stars twinkled above a snug little home nestled in the heart of the woods. Inside, Father Nutbrown Hare was wrapping up his day, surrounded by the serene calm of the night. He paused for a moment, soaking in the tranquility that only comes when the world goes to sleep.
The Bedtime Routine
Slipping into his nightwear, he gently brushed his teeth, then hopped into bed, ready to end the day. Yet, lying there, something felt incomplete. His gaze drifted to Nutmeg, his son, peacefully sleeping nearby. Warmth filled his heart, a love so profound words barely did justice.
The Question
Picking up a storybook, he attempted to read, but his thoughts kept wandering back to Nutmeg. Softly, almost like a whisper carried by the night’s breeze, he mused, “Guess how much I love you?” It was more than a question; it was a feeling too vast to contain.
Suddenly, Nutmeg appeared at his bedside, rubbing his eyes. “How much, Daddy?” he asked. Father pondered for a moment, then held out his arms. “I love you this much,” he said, spreading his arms wide.
Nutmeg looked thoughtful for a moment, then hopped up onto the bed and wrapped his little arms around his father’s neck. “I love you this much,” he said, giving him a big hug.
The Comparison
Father smiled and hugged his son back. “Well, Nutmeg, you are a very thoughtful little rabbit. But I think I love you just a little bit more.”
The Game Continues
Late into the night, under the soft glow of the moonlight, father and son kept at their playful banter. Every time the father thought he had finally expressed the vastness of his love, Nutmeg, with a twinkle in his eye, would come up with another way to show just how much he loved his daddy back. Whether it was “as high as the sky” or “as deep as the sea,” each declaration was more imaginative than the last.
The Blessing
Lying there, with the stars as their only witness, the father felt a wave of gratitude wash over him. This game, simple yet profound, illuminated the truth he’d always known deep down: the bond between them was unbreakable, limitless. No words or gestures could ever fully encapsulate it, yet they tried, night after night, and that in itself was a blessing. He hugged Nutmeg closer, cherishing this moment of pure connection.
The Goodnight
Eyes growing heavy, the father let the quiet of the night lull him toward sleep. Before succumbing to his dreams, he gave Nutmeg one last squeeze. “Goodnight, my little hare,” he murmured, his voice barely above a whisper. “My love for you stretches beyond the farthest reaches of the universe.”
Nutmeg, now cozy and warm in his father’s embrace, mumbled sleepily, “And mine for you, Daddy, is bigger than the biggest mountain, wider than the widest river.” As sleep claimed them both, they rested easy, knowing that their love was a gift without end, a treasure beyond measure.
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