"What did Gothel do then?" Athena asked in her soft baby voice, her curious green eyes wide with concern.
Her mother gazed at her with soft eyes, warmth radiating from her smile. Leaning down, she pressed a gentle kiss on Athena's forehead, savoring the moment. She then turned her gaze back to the book, continuing the story.
"Furious, Gothel grabbed Rapunzel's hair and cut it short. 'You will never see him again!' she cried. Then, she banished Rapunzel to a remote desert where she would be alone."
Athena gasped at the cruelty of the woman who treated Rapunzel so poorly. Her tiny heart ached for the princess.
Her mother couldn't help but give her a sidelong glance, hiding a smile behind the book.
"Heartbroken, Rapunzel missed the prince dearly. But she held onto the hope that one day they would be together again. Meanwhile, the prince searched for her, calling her name, but he could not find her."
Athena's eyes grew even wider. "Oh no! Now how he find the princess, Mama? He can't see!" Her little voice was filled with concern, and she looked up at her mother, waiting for a response.
"Their love was strong, baby. They will overcome the barriers and difficulties soon enough," her mother reassured her, brushing a strand of hair behind Athena's ear.
"But how? He can't see anymore! Will Rapunzel want him back now that he can't see?" Athena asked, her voice trembling with worry.
"Shall I read further for that?" Her mother asked with a playful shrug, trying to keep the mood light.
Athena eagerly nodded, snuggling deeper under her warm blanket, drawing closer to her mother's embrace.
"But Rapunzel was strong. She used her magic hair to heal the wounds of her heart and continued to sing her beautiful songs. One day, while wandering in the desert, she heard a familiar voice calling her name. It was the prince!"
"Rapunzel! Is it really you?" the prince called, hope shining in his voice.
"Yes, it's me!" she replied, rushing toward him. "When they finally embraced, her tears fell onto his eyes, and suddenly, his sight returned. He could see her once again!"
"Yayyy!! They meet!" little Athena cheered, clapping her small hands in delight.
"What happens next, Mama?" she asked, her eyes sparkling with excitement.
Her mother chuckled at her enthusiasm, closing the book and placing it on the nightstand. She tucked a loose strand of hair behind Athena's ear and pressed another kiss to her forehead.
"No more stories. Now sleep!"
"Noooo! I wanna hear it!" Athena whined, her face scrunching up in protest.
"It's late, baby. I'll tell you the rest tomorrow," her mother reassured her, hoping to coax her into sleep.
"But Mama, I wanna know what happen next! They finally meet after long time! What they say? Are they happy? Do they hug? I wanna hear more, Mama!" Athena's tiny voice pleaded.
Before her mother could respond, a voice interrupted from behind.
"When they realized the depth of their love, they decided to get married and love happily ever after!" Her father chimed in, finishing the thought with a grin. He leaned down and tickled her sides, causing Athena to squeal with laughter.
"Daddy, no!" she giggled, squirming away from his playful fingers.
Stopping his playful assault, he leaned down to press a kiss on her forehead, caressing her soft cheeks with gentle fingers. "Will I have a prince too, Daddy?" she asked, her eyes bright with wonder.
Her father paused, looking at his wife with a playful glare. "No! You are gonna stay with Daddy forever!"
Athena frowned, not liking the idea that she wouldn't have a prince of her own. Just as she was about to protest, her father bribed her with chocolates, promising to give them to her first thing in the morning.
Nodding like an obedient child, she finally surrendered to sleep, drifting into her dreamland filled with magical adventures.
As Athena's eyes fluttered closed, her mother exchanged a knowing glance with her husband, who wrapped an arm around her shoulders while complaining playfully, "Don't you think you should not tell her such stories, wifey?"
She laughed at his protectiveness. "You can't stop her from falling in love," she replied with a smile.
He pulled his head from the crook of her neck and said softly, "Nobody deserves my princess..."
She smiled at him, her heart swelling with love for both her husband and their daughter. Athena was their life, and they would do anything to protect her from harm.
As the night deepened and the stars twinkled outside, the couple shared quiet moments together, reflecting on the day. They knew that one day, their little girl would grow up and experience her own adventures, filled with laughter and maybe even love.
"Sleep tight, my princess," her mother whispered to Athena, brushing her fingers through her hair one last time before they left the room.
"Goodnight, my little girl," her father added softly, planting a final kiss on her forehead.
The couple walked out of the room, closing the door gently behind them. They exchanged a loving glance, knowing that their family was a treasure worth protecting.
"Let's hope she dreams of happy endings," her mother said, her eyes sparkling with warmth.
"And maybe a prince or two," her husband teased, wrapping his arm around her as they walked down the hall.
"Only if they treat her right," she replied with a grin, both of them sharing a laugh, their hearts filled with love for their sweet little girl.
As they settled down for the night, Athena dreamed of enchanted towers, brave princes, and a love so strong that nothing could tear it apart. And in her dreams, she knew that one day, her story would be just as magical.
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Bound by blood
Short Story--- Two powerful mafia families, one Russian and one Italian, bound by an ancient code of silence-Omertà. Both driven by secrets, their histories are entangled in bloodshed, revenge, and a deep-seated hatred passed down through generations. Despite...
