The soft glow of the nightlight in the hallway barely reached the master bedroom. It was late, and the house had grown quiet after a long day. Five-year-old Rhea clutched her favorite bunny plushie tightly against her chest. Her small bare feet padded quietly across the wooden floor as she made her way toward her parents’ room. She felt a little shiver run through her body every time she looked at the dark corners of the hallway.

Rhea stopped in front of the door and gently pushed it open just enough to peek inside. Her mommy was lying on the big bed, still awake and reading a book under the warm lamp light. Her daddy, Sylus, lay beside her with his head resting comfortably on her chest.

“Mommy,” Rhea said in a soft voice that sounded close to tears.

You looked up from your book and smiled gently at your daughter. “Hey sweetheart. What’s wrong?”

Rhea stepped a little farther into the room, still hugging her bunny plushie. “Mommy, I am scared of the dark. Can you come and sleep with me?”

You set the book down on the nightstand and sat up a bit, careful not to disturb Sylus too much. “You are growing up, sweetheart. Mommy can’t sleep with you anymore. You need to be independent now.”

Rhea’s lower lip trembled. She looked at her daddy, who was still cuddled close to you, then back at her mommy.

“But Daddy is bigger than me. He should be independent first.”

Her words made you chuckle softly. Sylus lifted his head slightly from your chest, a warm smile spreading across his face as he watched the little girl standing there in her pajamas.

“Sorry, Rhea,” Sylus said in a calm and kind voice.

“Daddy needs Mommy every night.”

Rhea’s face changed at once. She crossed her arms, puffed out her cheeks in a big pout, and stomped her little feet on the floor. The sound was light but full of frustration. “That is not fair! Daddy is so big and he still sleeps with Mommy. I am small and I have to sleep alone. It is scary!”