-LEAH-
"Once upon a time, there was a pretty young woman. She had long brown hair, bright eyes and a no-nonsense attitude."
"That's mama!" Comes the little voice.
"Yes it is. Now don't interrupt a story, sweetie. Bad manners, remember?"
"Yes daddy." Comes the little reply.
The golden-haired man kneeling at the child's bedside pauses, recollecting his thoughts for his story. He takes a book from the shelf, and holds it so it floats open, the pages flipping so that each drawing makes an animation to his voice.
"There was nothing more this young woman wanted to do than to become a grim reaper. But then, when she went to school, some evil demons decided to destroy the school!"
There's a teeny gasp from the five year old. "They didn't, did they daddy?"
"They did, but that's when I came in to stop them! I stepped on their big toes," He stamps his foot on the floor "Tweaked their noses for good measure, and sent them flying back where they came from."
There's a small chuckle from the doorframe. "More like you hid under a desk, John." The woman laughs. "I helped and I don't even have telekinesis like you do."
"Aw come on, Mari, I came out to help you evetually." Johnathan chuckles.
"What happened next, papa?" The kid tugs on his blue dress shirt.
"Well, your mother was able to finish her training a few years later, and then we fell in love and got happily married and had you." He kisses the little girl's forehead.
"I want to be a grim reaper too!"
"We'll see when you get older, honey." Marianna walks up, patting down the amber strands of her daughter's hair.
"Can you tell me another story?"
"Not tonight, Leah. It's way past your bedtime, you know that." The book shuts itself and slides back into place on the shelf. Her father stands from his spot, taking Marianna's hand.
"Good night sweetheart."
"Good night mama"
"Good night Lee-lee"
"Good night papa."
Mr. and Mrs. Hayes leave the room, flicking off the lights and closing the flower-patterned door behind them.