The Legend of Satchmo
Lou chuckled as Stu set down the first aid kit. "I think we'll be fine son, but thanks for that anyway."
"Can't be too careful, pop," Stu told him. "We are in the great outdoors."
"Right next to the house," Lou reminded him. "We'll be perfectly fine." It had taken some convincing, thanks to Stu having a bad experience getting lost in the woods a year back just before Tommy had been born, but Lou had managed to convince his son that they should take the kids camping, if only in the backyard. All the fun of being outside with none of the dangers. 'And it'll be good for Stu to get over his fear,' Lou thought to himself; his son used to love camping but now he was a nervous wreck.
Stu rubbed the back of his head nervously. "I just want everyone to be safe."
"Which is why we're doing things like this," Lou told him. "The safest kind of adventure!" He looked down at Tommy, the baby staring back with a funny look on his face. Lou had no idea that Tommy was trying to figure out how 'safe' and 'adventure' could go together. "Now come on, sit down and lets get the little grill started so we can cook some hot dogs!"
Night eventually fell and Stu and Lou worked together to help the kids roast marshmallows over the grill. Not actually roasted, as that would have made them too sticky and hot for the babies, but JUST enough to warm them so the kids thought they were getting a rare treat.
"Now, I think it is time for one last story," he told the pajama-clad babies. "You ever hear the Legend of Sasquatch?"
"Pop," Stu warned. "Isn't that-"
"Let me tell it!" Lou complained, staring down his son. "Sasquatch is a protector of the forest," Lou said, picking up a stuffed monkey Phil had brought with him to play with. "Stands taller than even me and is covered in hair."
"In hair?" Angelica asked. "All over?"
"Of course! Just like ol' Spike here!" Lou reached down and petted the dog, who yawned. "And just like Spike old Sasquatch is a protector of the forest and all that dwell there. If you love and respect the forest then he will love and respect you. And all those that don't…" Lou chuckled, "Well, you young'ens don't need to worry about that one bit!"
As Lou and Stu tucked the babies in Stu glanced at his father. "Sure that wasn't too scary?" he whispered.
"Not at all! They ain't gonna do anything bad so they'll see Sasquatch as someone that can protect'em! Simple as that. Not like I told'em about the time I took on that hockey mask wearin' maniac when I was a camp councilor!"
"Yeah… I suppose so." Stu settled down, the babies lying between him and his father. "Pop?"
"Yeah?"
"…this was a great idea."
"Thanks sport."