"Mama, Mama! Can you read us a bedtime story?" a little girl's voice called.

Two little boys immediately began bickering. "I want to pick the story!"

"No, I want to pick the story!" They started to roughhouse.

A chuckle came from their mother. "Boys, if neither of you can behave, then there will be no story time."

The boys let out a whine of complaint but meekly obeyed and crawled into their beds.

"Felicia?" their mom asked. "What story would you like tonight?"

The little girl beamed up at her. "I want to hear how you and dad met!"

"You do?" Mom laughed. "But you've heard that story a hundred times! Are you sure?"

"Pleeeeease?" she begged, her big brown eyes wide.

Surprisingly, the boys joined in. "Pleeeease, Mom?"

"Very well." Fiona chuckled.

Outside the window, fireflies danced in the darkness while crickets began their nightly song. A soft breeze fluttered the curtains.

The triplets Felicia, Fergus, and Farkle snuggled deeper into their beds, pulling their blankets to their chins, ready to hear their favorite story about a feisty princess, a talking donkey, a giant dragon, a terrible king, and an ogre who fell in love.

She began, softly, "Once upon a time..."