Ash pouted as he climbed into his bed. Emily put her phone away and walked over to tuck Ash in. She smoothed the covers and then sat down on the bed.
"Your mommy said she's not coming home until later tonight. Between you and me, I think she made a friend. A guy friend, I mean. But I shouldn't say any more. I don't think that's the kind of thing babies should hear." Emily said, the teasing note in her voice returning.
Ash didn't mind this knowledge. His mother often went out on Friday and Saturday nights and didn't come back until way past his bedtime. Aunt Sara was usually the one watching him on those nights. Ash didn't think his mother ever brought men home, but he was always fast asleep anyway. They were never there in the morning, at least.
"By the way, I don't know if you're mature enough to call her 'mom'. I think calling her 'mommy' would be better. What do you think, sweetie?" Emily asked lightly.
"O-Okay, Emily." Ash answered. He knew by now that questions like weren't really questions.
"I'm sure she'll like it more. Want a bedtime story, sweetie? It's a few minutes after your bedtime, but I think we can squeeze a quick story in." Emily said with a smile.
Ash nodded. He really did like it when his mother read him a story before bedtime, and he was worried Emily might not. He watched as Emily walked over to the bookshelf and read the titles.
"'How Do Dinosaurs Say Goodnight', 'Bear Snores At Night', ooo 'Goodnight Moon'. My sister loves this one." Emily said as she pulled the book from the shelf.
Ash blushed a little as she selected a book his mother hadn't picked for a long time, but he didn't complain. Emily sat down on the edge of Ash's bed and started reading.
"In the great, green room, there was a telephone. And a red balloon. And a picture of a cow, jumping over the moon. And there were three little bears, sitting on chairs. And two little kittens, and a pair of mittens." Emily read in a soothing, rhythmic tone.
Ash's eyes began to droop. He was usually asleep already by now, and Emily's relaxing voice was making him very drowsy.
"And a little toy house, and a young mouse. And a comb, and a brush, and bowl full of mush. And a quiet old lady, who was whispering, hush. Goodnight room. Goodnight moon. Goodnight cow jumping over the moon. Goodnight-" Emily said, dropping her voice a little after each sentence.
Ash didn't get to hear the rest of the book, because he had gone to dreamland.