Sleepover

Ruth climbed out of her bed clutching her Mickey Mouse plush in her arms. She crossed the hall and opened her parents door and peered inside.

Her Mommy was away for work. She had to sleepover at work sometimes and Ruth was always sad when her mommy didn't sleep home with her and her Daddy but her Daddy was always there and he always made her feel better. She wanted him to make her feel better now but he was sleeping.

"Daddy?" Ruth whispered.

When Steve was young he was always a deep sleeper. As a teenager he could sleep through three alarm clocks and an earthquake but as soon as Ruth was born he would wake up at the smallest sounds.

Steve rolled over to face the door and saw his daughter standing in the room clutching her Mickey Mouse doll.

"Hey Pumpkin, what's the matter?" Steve asked sitting up already knowing Ruth was missing Nancy.

"I miss Mommy." Ruth's voice wobbled but she didn't cry.

Steve patted the bed next to him. Ruth didn't hesitate she jumped up onto the bed and jumped into her fathers arms. Steve gave her a big hug wrapping his arms around her back and her bottom holding her against him. She put her head on his shoulder wrapped one arm around his neck and with her free hand she began playing with the stubble on his chin.

"Why does your chin feel funny sometimes?" Ruth asked feeling her own chin after feeling his.

"Daddy is a little hairier than you and Mommy. It's just tiny hairs growing on my chin.

"It feels weird." Ruth said giggling as she continued to absentmindedly play with his chin.

"Oh yeah." Steve said as he brought her cheek to his and rubbed his stubble on it.

"Daddy stop it tickles!" Ruth laughed and Steve went back to just hugging her. "Don't worry I'll shave it off in the morning." Steve told her.

"Daddy, I don't like when Mommy isn't here." Ruth whispered to him.

"Neither do I but it's part of her job. I promise she will be back tomorrow."

"Okay." Ruth said snuggling deeper into his embrace.

"Come on let's lay down and get some more sleep." Steve said as he put her down next to him. "The suns not even awake yet so you shouldn't be either." Steve said poking her little nose. Causing Ruth to giggle.

"Can we have a sleepover in my room instead?" Ruth asked looking around her parents dark bedroom. "It's weird to sleep in here without Mommy."

"Tell me about it kid." Steve agreed with a sigh. "Okay, come on." Steve slipped out of the bed and picked up Ruth. He knew it would be a terrible night of sleep in Ruth's little bed but Ruth's big sad Nancy eyes were out in full force and Steve just couldn't say no.

He walked across the hall and plopped Ruth on her bed causing her to bounce a little and she laughed.

Ruth's little bed was way too small for Steve but he climbed in it anyway. His feet hung off the end and Ruth had to practically sleep on top of him for both of them to have room but they managed to get semi-comfortable well Steve got semi-comfortable Ruth was never uncomfortable. She was always happy to snuggle.

"Good night Daddy. Love you."

"Love you too Pumpkin."

In the morning Nancy came home early. She knew Steve and Ruth would both still be sleeping and if she had to guess she would say they were sleeping in her and Steve's bedroom. When she opened the door to her bedroom she just saw an empty bed with rumpled sheets. She went to Ruth's room and opened the bedroom door quietly and smiled at the sight of them. Steve looked very uncomfortable but he was lightly snoring somehow being able to fall sleep in the tiny bed. Ruth was snuggled up to Steve's chest their blanket kicked to the foot of the bed not needed. Nancy walked over to the side of the bed and gently ran her hand over Ruth's hair and then Steve's hair.

"Good morning you two."

Steve stirred first and smiled up at Nancy and then Ruth woke faster than Nancy had ever seen her.

"Mommy!" Ruth jumped up and flung herself into Nancy's arms.

"Hey baby. I missed you so much." Nancy said squeezing her daughter tight.

Ruth pulled back from the embrace. "I missed you this much!" Ruth held her arms opened as wide as she could to emphasize how much she missed her mother before going back in for another hug.

"Oh yeah, well I missed her this much."Steve held his arms out as wide as he could.

"I missed you both more." Nancy turned her attention to her husband who looked adorable with his sleepy smile, bed head, and Ruth's drool on his shirt. He got out of bed and came around to give her a tight hug and a kiss.

"Sleep well?" She teased.

"I think we should start thinking about investing in a bigger bed for Ruth." Steve joked rubbing his neck.

"Welcome home Nance." He said giving her another sleepy smile.

Nancy leaned in and kiss him. "It's good to be home."