The rest of the day was pretty peaceful, but that night when everyone was in bed, Woody could not sleep. He didn't want to have nightmares again, or wake Buzz and Jessie because they'd have to rouse him out of another bad dream. He wanted to be rested up for Bonnie's return tomorrow, but he just couldn't let himself drift off. He sat up and glanced around. As far as he could tell, all was quiet, and still, and...safe. He saw Slinky lying next to Rex and Bullseye on top of the basket at the foot of Bonnie's bed.
Woody slowly stood up, wincing, and decided again to check on his daughter, and make sure she was okay. So far, he hadn't heard her screaming from night terrors, which should be a good thing. But he couldn't shake the restless feelings he had through his rag doll body. He climbed up on Bonnie's bed, being careful not to wake the others. Jack, again, was curled up against the big pillow, and Mitsy was on her side, resting her head on his leg, safe in the nest of her dog. Yet, as Woody shifted closer, he could see that her eyes were wide open with fright. And she was nervously twisting her fingers through her hair. He stepped toward them quietly.
"Hey, Little Bit," Woody spoke softly. "Having trouble sleeping again?"
"Yes," Mitsy nodded. Woody knelt beside her.
"Everything's going to be okay. You know that, don't you?" Woody asked, rubbing her shoulder.
"I'm trying to, Woody. But I still feel scared. Yesterday, I...I thought that I knew I was safe, playing in the yard with the others. But now, I-"
"Shh. Come on. Let's go over there and talk." Woody whispered, taking her hand. She grimaced, biting her lip as she sat up. They both tip-toed to the tea table just below the window. "Now, why can't you go to sleep?"
"I'm afraid to. I'm keeping an eye out," Mitsy said sadly. "I keep telling myself that nothing's going to happen, that we're safe here. B-but, the last time I thought that way, well, the outcome didn't follow through."
"Yeah." Woody agreed tiredly.
"Woody, I don't know if I can ever bring myself to play Hide-and-Seek outside again! Or, any other game for that matter! Does that sound crazy?"
"No." Woody squeezed her hand.
"Don't you feel that way?"
"Sort of, but differently." Woody admitted.
"I don't want to live my life always looking over my shoulder! But, how do I not? How are we supposed to accept life as safe and normal after what happened?"
Woody remained silent a few moments, contemplating what to say. "Well," he began slowly, "when we reached home at Andy's, how did we know, how were we absolutely sure that the danger of Sunnyside and the dump were behind us, that we were safe?"
"Because the danger was over," Mitsy answered, smoothing out her dress even though it didn't need it. "It was nowhere near us anymore."
"Right," Woody nodded. "And you remember when Jessie and Bullseye first came to Andy's? They were both thrilled, but there were times that Jessie still had misgivings about being owned again, because of the hurt she'd gone through when Emily gave her away. It took her a while to put that to rest and enjoy Andy's childhood while we still had it."
"I do remember that." Mitsy said. "And then Wheezy, B-I guess it's just, when things do happen or we know what could happen, it's scary to us because it really shows just how much we are not in control of the events in life."
"Mmm-hmm. Come here." Woody helped her up to the windowsill. He leaned against the wall and Mitsy huddled closely to him, clasping her arms around his and resting her head on his knee. He patted her shoulder. "Look up at the sky, Little Bit. What do you see?" He pointed out.
"I see thousands of beautiful, shining stars," Mitsy sighed softly.
"Yes, and they were shining last night too," Woody remarked wistfully. "Though at the time, we were too weary to take notice of them because of what had happened. But they were still there, bright and glistening."
"Yeah. Like life," Mitsy started. "It may be bright or it may be cloudy, but no matter how long or dark a night someone has, the sun always comes up in the morning! Sometimes the clouds hide it, but that doesn't mean it isn't there."
"Now you're catching on," Woody agreed. "We've been through some rough and painful things in life, Little Bit. But how about now? We're home, where it's peaceful, never a dull moment, and we are loved very much. I too thought we'd never see each other again. But, hey, we did! We are! I know yesterday was horrible. But we're safe and together now. I didn't think we'd be found, but Buzz, Jessie, Jack, and the others did find us and bring us home safely. Someone or something must be watching over us."
"You think so?" Mitsy tilted her head to look up at him.
"Well, I mean, something indicated to us that trouble was in the air, which led us to search. I don't think it was mere coincidence when I looked toward that car and saw you being held in the trunk."
Mitsy shivered. She didn't like thinking about those frightening moments. But, heck, it was all she had been thinking about today! But that was over. And they were home. "You're right. We have so much to be grateful for," She smiled. "We're very blessed. But I don't ever want to be taken like that again!"
"No way!" Woody shook his head. "Not ever!"
Mitsy snuggled up closer to him, resting her head in his shoulder. He kept his arm wrapped warmly around her, trying to keep her safe, wishing he could erase the troubles of yesterday. "Just think, "Mitsy mentioned, "at this very moment, Andy, our old friends, even Bo, may be gazing right now at these same stars!"
Woody wistfully smiled. Ahh, Bo. Though Bo Peep and Mitsy had both come from different worlds, there were some areas where they were very much alike. Bo was her own special person, but Mitsy was like a small part of Bo to Woody. This moment reminded him of the starry night conversations he and Bo had enjoyed, and it brought a lump to his throat, wishing she was here. But spending this special time with his 'daughter' gave Mitsy a glimpse of the deep love her adopted mother and father had shared.
"Hey, look down there," Woody whispered, and Mitsy followed his pointing index finger. Down in the yard, the cowgirl and space ranger lying on their backs closely to each, stargazing. Jessie's head turned around when she broke the beautiful silence.
"Buzz, look out!" She gasped lowly.
"W-what? What?" Buzz stammered in shock.
"Oh, Buzz, do something!"
"What's wrong, Jessie? What is it?" Buzz was automatically drawn into protective mode.
"Buzz, we're being spied on!"
"Who? Where?"
"Up there. Look!" Jessie pointed toward the window. Buzz turned his head to see the cowboy and the little princess sitting up there, smiling at them. Mitsy waved to Jessie, who put her hands on her hips. "What are you guys doing?" She huffed.
"Same as you two," Mitsy said innocently. "It's a perfect night to be soaking up the beauty of the stars."
"I agree," Buzz smiled, beginning to relax again. "Come back, Mia more," he tugged on Jessie's hand. Jessie stared down at him wide-eyed, then smiled widely at her husband and nestled down next to him again.
"Woody, can I see the bottom of your boot?" Mitsy asked. Woody raised his eyebrows, but complied. The last time she'd requested this, she'd been in deep grief over her loss of Jack. Mitsy smiled, seeing the familiar, childish written name that was so dear to them. "Andy's been one of the best kids ever." She said softly. "You said that we've all been through a lot, Big Guy. Do you...regret any of the relationships we've had?"
Woody blinked, surprised at such a question. He pondered hard for about five minutes before answering. "No, I can honestly say no." He said quietly. "I've made some bad decisions in the past, and cooked up some things I wish that I hadn't. We've ended up in some places we didn't want to be. Some things I would've given anything to prevent in our lives, and still can't believe they happened. But as for relationships, every friendship that we've made-real friendships-has been something special. I do miss not being able to share everything with everyone that we care about, but the time we had with them I wouldn't trade for anything in the world! Each one was worth embracing."
"You honestly believe that, Big Guy?"
"Yes, I do."
They both sat in peaceful silence for a few more minutes, then Woody tilted his head to the side and chuckled when he saw Mitsy's head swaying, her eyes drooping, and she couldn't stop yawning. I guess getting the tough stuff off her chest wore her out, he thought. "Hey," he playfully tugged on her hair, and she awkwardly raised her head.
"Wha-?" She grunted sleepily.
"Come on, Little Bit. You're tuckered out. Time to sleep it off," Woody whispered, but she fell forward and leaned her head on him, starting to doze off. "Okay, come on." Woody sighed and lifted her in his arms and carried her back to Bonnie's pillow where Jack was still sleeping. Woody set her down in her spot next to Jack, then handed her her cape to use for a blanket. "There, now you get some rest this time. Okay?"
"Yeah." Mitsy yawned again.
"I meant what I said at the school, Little Bit," Woody said seriously, but with a warm smile. "I love you, princess. We're family, and I would never want anything bad to happen to you. Well, within my ability to stop it, that is." He was stroking her small cheek with his hand.
"I know you did," Mitsy smiled tiredly, "and I love you too, Sheriff. Thank you for the way you've been trying to make sure I'm okay."
"That's what fathers do." Woody murmured. "I-I mean, leaders! Leaders. I mean-" Mitsy reached up and hugged him tightly.
"You meant exactly what you said." She whispered. "I'm glad you did."
Woody's shoulders deflated from the tension and he lightly kissed the top of her head. Mitsy slid down back onto her side, pulling her cape up around her shoulders. "Goodnight, Little Bit." Woody smiled warmly. "And sweet dreams."
"You too! Goodnight, Woody." Mitsy said fondly and finally closed her eyes. Woody stepped away, and Jack opened his eyes. He licked Mitsy's face then rested his big head close to hers.
Woody trudged slowly to the bean bag. He heard a faint chinking sound behind him. He turned. "Slink, you're awake?" He whispered.
"Yeah." Slinky hung his head shamefully.
"What's wrong, pal?" Woody frowned with concern. "Trouble sleeping?"
"Yeah. I know it's going around, but-"
"Come here, bud." Woody knelt down on the floor. Slinky walked over to him. Woody rubbed his ears. "It's okay." Woody smiled.
"I know." Slinky mumbled. "I'd just rather not be alone tonight. Reminds me of when I was trapped under them books, in the dark, by myself."
"Well, you're not by yourself. Here, come here." Woody stood and climbed up into the bean bag. He patted an empty spot next to him.
"You sure it's alright?" Slinky asked.
"Sure! Come on, buddy." Woody encouraged him. Slinky hopped up and as Woody lay back, Slinky set his paws across his chest. "Honestly, I'm glad for the company. Haven't been sleeping too good myself." Woody admitted.
"I noticed." Slinky sighed as Woody rubbed his head. "I couldn't help overhearing what you said to Mitsy. Sorry, but after you woke up wailing and panting, I couldn't go back to sleep."
"It's okay, Slink." Woody said. "And by the way, thanks for coming to get me out of a jam-again!"
"You don't have to thank me for that, Woody. No toy gets left behind, remember?"
"Yeah." Woody nodded. Slinky began to shudder as his memories of nearly getting crushed, helpless to free himself, taunted his mind. "Hey, I'm right here, little buddy. We're okay." Woody reminded him. He pet the dog until Slinky drifted off.
Woody finally yawned. Then he looked up once more at the stars outside and smiled. "Goodnight, Andy," he whispered. "Goodnight, Bo...my sweet." Though he was dozing, Slinky placed a paw comfortingly on Woody's hand. Woody breathed deeply and then closed his eyes.