Galaxy Fam

Big Girl Sleep

(Riley fic because it's her world and we just live in it)
"Ow! Dad, I just poked myself with a screw!" Hissed Cyrus as he was helping his parents put Riley's toddler bed together. Sunny tended to his son's small wound, while Night attached the headboard. "I say we should've kept her in the crib until she was three because she's still a baby." Cyrus stated with nonchalance, staring at his finger.

"She's gonna be two in March, Cyrus. It's better to start the transition process from a crib to a bed now, so she's used to it." Night explained, Cyrus huffing.

"Well DAD isn't so keen on the idea." Cyrus stated with a snarky tone, pointing accusingly towards Sunny. Sunny stuck his bottom lip out in a pout as a response.
Night turned her head towards her husband, the man rapidly tapping his fingers against his leg. "Sunny..?"

Sunny looked up at his wife, who now held his face in her hands. "What's on your mind, Sunbug?"

"Night, I'm not ready for this. What if she gets hurt? Or falls down the stairs?"

Night kissed his cheek. "We have a baby gate, mi amor. The bed has rails. She's safe."

Sunny's eyes didn't meet Night's. A bittersweet realization had struck Night as she held her husband closer.

"Is this about Riley growing up?" Night questioned warmly, Sunny flopping his head into her lap. That was a definite yes, and the young woman responded by running her hands through his blonde locks. "Sunny Bunny, I know you don't want her to grow up, and trust me, neither do I, but that's just life."

Sunny sighed. "It feels like just yesterday that I was in the delivery room with you as you pushed Riley out. You cried as you held her for the first time."

Night chuckled. "You sobbed."

Sunny sat up. "This isn't a competition!" He laughed, scooting over to finish the bed. "Night, why are we putting it together in our room?"

"I'll explain when Ri is up from her nap."
~~
When Riley was awake, she was sat on the floor of her parents' room, the toddler confused. "Sweet pea, can you look at mommy and daddy?" Night asked in a motherly tone, Riley instantly doing as told. "Following her mama's orders. She's just like her daddy." Night remarked slyly, Sunny blushing sheepishly.

"Riley, where do you want your big girl bed for now? Your room or mommy and daddy's?" The mother asked, the tot thinking for a moment.

Riley giggled. "Mine!!"

Sunny and Night were taken aback at their little girl's answer, as they thought the usually clingy Riley would want to sleep in their room rather than her own.

Night realized the most likely reason as to why Riley chose what she did. "She saw Bingo on TV attempting a big girl sleep on her own. I think that's why Riley wants to try it too."

Sunny smiled softly. He honestly loved Bluey for being the silly little cartoon it was and that it pushed his kids to try new things, but worry soon crossed his mind. "What if this whole thing fails? What if she hates her bed?"

Ah Sunny. Night's hyperactive, playful, yet anxiety ridden and paranoid husband.

"We'll store her bed somewhere and put her back in the crib until her second birthday. It's no big deal, Sunny. You need to relax a bit." Night said, wrapping an arm around her husband.

~~~

That night, Riley decided it would be funny to hide under her bed instead of getting in it. The small child crawled underneath her bed frame, clutching her stuffed 'Mama Bear' tightly.

"Riley?" Night called out as she entered the nursery. The mother now concerned as to where her mini me had gone. A little giggle caught her attention, Night smirking. She crouched down, inching toward the bed.  In one fell swoop, she grabbed Riley, laughing victoriously. "Gotcha! You thought you could hide from mommy?"

"Yeah! Again!" The child cheered, Night shaking her head. "Sorry sunlight. It's sleepy time for you."

Riley pouted. "No!"
"Yes."
"No mama!"
"Yes. Would you go to bed if I sang you a song?"

Riley stopped arguing, cuddling into her mother's embrace and relaxed. Night hummed a soft tune before tucking the child in, planting a kiss on her forehead. "Good night, my sweet girl."

Night exited the room, closing the door.

She relaxed in the living room for a while before heading off to bed. Sunny greeted her with soft kisses and a hug.

"Terrible twos have come early, huh?" Sunny asked as he sat cross legged on the bed. "Nah. She just learned how to argue from our oldest. She's asleep now." Night stated, Sunny staring at her. "Honey..are you sure about that?"

Night was confused by her husband's question, that is until she looked towards the doorway. There stood Riley, Mama Bear and her blankie in her hand.

Night wondered why she didn't hear the monitor go off, but realized she forgot to switch it on. Riley toddled towards her mommy, begging to be picked up as she cried. "Oh, baby, what's wrong?"

Riley made claw gestures with her hands and growled. "Bad dream?"
Riley nodded, clutching her mama's shirt.

Cyrus entered the room, looking exhausted. "The baby monitor in my room went off, so I took care of Riley. Poor thing was terrified. Hell, even Hunter couldn't get her to come out from under her bed. So I placed her in front of your door." The teen said, shrugging.

"Why didn't you come get me, Cyrus?!" Night raised her voice a little.

"Because I didn't want to bother you!" The teen snapped back. Before Night could respond, Hunter and Seren now appeared. "Daddy? Why is everyone being loud?" Seren asked, crawling into Sunny's lap.

"Because your sister was crying and nobody got us." Sunny replied, Hunter flopping on the bed.

"I offered to have her stay with me, but Cyrus said it'd be too much for myself to handle." The blonde looked up at his parents.

"C'mon, my little stars. I guess all four of you are staying with us." Night adjusted a sleeping Riley on top of her chest, Seren already passed out on Sunny's, Hunter slept between his parents, the small plush red cardinal held tightly in his grip. Cyrus found a spot at the end of the bed, sleeping with his arms spread out.
~~~

"Cyrus! You have a letter from Ohio State!" Night shouted, the recently graduated 17 year old being called rushed down the stairs, snatching the letters from his mother's hands. The boy read the letter, freezing up.

"Oh my god..I GOT IN!!"