Chapter I

A couple nights after his whish for a real boy had come true, Geppetto sat on the edge of his bed, watching as Pinocchio finished getting ready for bed. "My little boy." he whispered.

Pinocchio pulled on his nightcap, and then rushed over to his father's bed.

"I'm ready for bed." Pinocchio said just as Geppetto wrapped an arm around him. He looked across the room, smiling as he noticed Jiminy settling down into his matchbox bed.

"Good. You have no idea how happy I am now that you're truly my son." Geppetto whispered, resting his chin on top of Pinocchio's head.

"I am too father. And, that I'm a real boy." Then he looked toward the workbench, where Jiminy sat watching. "I have something to show you."

Geppetto watched silently, shocked as Pinocchio walked over to the toy-filled shelves and much to his surprise, lifted down a matchbox.

"Do you remember me saying something about my conscience?" Pinocchio asked, walking over, his hand covering the matchbox.

"Well no, not really." Geppetto answered, a confused look on his face.

Pinocchio, with a playful grin, smiled up at him and slowly moved his hand. "Father, I would like for you to meet my conscience . . .Jiminy Cricket!"

"Oh my!" Geppetto stared at his son's hands, not believing what he saw. "But Pinocchio. . .that-it's a cricket."

Pinocchio nodded. "He's my best friend. He tells me what's right and wrong."

"Glad to meet you Jiminy, but how did you meet Pinocchio?"

Jiminy blushed, his cheeks turning slightly pink. "Well I happened upon your shop the same night you finished Pinocchio. I heard your wish and was dubbed his conscience by the same fairy who brought him to life and made him a real boy."

"Wow." Geppetto whispered, still not believing what he'd just seen and heard.

Pinocchio smiled up at his father, the look on his face becoming slightly serious. "Father,. . .Are you proud of me?"

Geppetto smiled, wrapping an arm around his son's shoulders. "Of course. If it hadn't been for you I would probably be dead now."

"I know." Pinocchio whispered, the gleam of a slight sorrow apparent in his eyes. Looking down at his hands he set Jiminy back down on the table. Swallowing back the threatening tears he turned back toward his father. "The horrible things I'd been through made me see how loving and caring you are." Then, walking back toward the bed he let out a few sniffles, he hoped Geppeto hadn't heard.

However, he was mistaken, for when he reached the bed, Geppetto gently brushed a withered finger under each of his son's eyes. "It's all right my son, I've forgiven you." he whispered, lifting the boy on to his lap. Then giving Pinocchio a kiss on the head, he let out a yawn. "I think it's time for sleep."

Pinocchio nodded, his eyes struggling to stay open.

Chuckling, Geppeto slipped under the covers, Pinocchio laying beside him as he had for the last few nights. "I've started on a bed for you." he said, wrapping an arm around his son. "Maybe you can help me finish tomorrow since you don't have school.

"Ok." Pinocchio replied.

And with that all five of them, Pinocchio, Geppetto, Jiminy, Cleo and Figaro, went to sleep.