Goodnight, Sleep Tight, Don't Let the Bedbugs Bite

and everything will be okay

I folded back my duvet with his words echoing in my head.

"...close your eyes, lay your head down...now it's time to sleep..."

My heart ached for home. I missed him and the way his chest vibrated when he sang his lullaby. Our lullaby.

I grew up surrounded by melodies and harmonies, grand swells of splendor and soft gentle hums, music and beauty. I don't ever remember silence, our home was always filled with noise. Whether it was a song in progress or laughter, or even the annoying alarm clock every morning. Sound was bliss.

I slipped under the covers and plugged in my phone charge. The screen lit up and I closed my eyes to try to stop the tears. I felt so silly, crying at a lock screen. But our faces, side by side, beaming at the camera the last time we were able to meet. Before, it used to be him who was constantly busy. I never complained, but I would always bite back a frown whenever he had to leave. Now, it seems we've traded places. His life has slowed down while all mine ever does is speed up.

I found myself not being able to sleep. I would call him, to ask him to sing me to sleep, to hear his voice, to get myself to stop crying. But I didn't. I couldn't. He was probably already sleeping, and if I really wanted to be honest with myself, hearing his voice would only make me cry even harder.

My mind flashed back to the song, and remembered that it wasn't originally our lullaby. It was his lullaby, one that he shared with the world. It was the world's lullaby. I searched for the album on my phone, and found the song.

Track number thirteen, Light In The Hallway.

I pressed play and let their voices wash over me. It reminded me of a vacation we took, when I was younger. Anguilla was beautiful, and I remember learning to swim in the clear waters right by our hotel. He let me float in the water on my back and I closed my eyes and let the water lap over me. He had to actually drag me back to the shore so I wouldn't get a sunburn, I was so stubborn to stay and float forever.

I already felt myself nodding off by the time I heard the final words.

Goodnight...goodnight....

When I woke up, I smiled at the ceiling. It had been one of the best sleeps I had ever had. I stretched my arms above my head and turned my head to my phone, the screen lit with a notification.

He had texted me overnight.

"Hi princess, I just wanted to let you know that I love you. I've been missing you more than usual, lately. <3"

I smiled at the message and sighed contently.

"Same here. Can't wait to see you next month. Love you, dad."

A/N: If this was confusing for you, basically this was supposed to be from the perspective of Avi's adult daughter. I didn't give her name or much background on her, or even who her mother was. I was just inspired by the song, which I am completely in love with, and also by the fact that Avi said he imagined singing this song to his children. :)