The Cosy Fireplace (Christmas Sleep Story)

This bedtime story is the second in the '12-days of Christmas bedtime stories' series, related to 'two turtle doves'. This bedtime story for grown-ups unfolds on a serene winter morning, where a family’s home is warmed by the crackle of a fire and the hush of snow outside. As the day begins, the parents and children move through peaceful rituals—coffee by the fire, a walk to school, and quiet moments together.

The story captures the gentle rhythm of life, where every small detail, from building snowmen to warming up by the hearth, is infused with warmth and calm. The day concludes with a soft descent into sleep, as the fire dims and the night cradles the family in peaceful rest.

Transcript

Okay so just take a moment to allow your eyes to close and allow yourself to begin to relax and as you begin to comfortably fall asleep.

I don't know whether you'll drift asleep faster to the sound of my voice or whether it'll be to the spaces between my words and as you comfortably drift asleep I'm just going to tell this bedtime story in the background.

The morning arrives gently like the brush of a soft hand across the sky.

The pale light of winter stretches through the curtains casting silver shadows across the room.

Outside a thick blanket of snow drapes over the world turning every edge into a softened curve as if the earth itself has surrendered to a long dreamlike slumber.

The silence is profound,

Deep,

Peaceful as if the snow has hushed all sound into a quiet,

Tender lullaby.

And inside the house,

Warmth embraces every corner.

The fire in the hearth crackles softly,

Its flames flickering lazily,

Casting a golden light that flickers over the walls.

The faint scent of wood smoke drifts through the air weaving with the aroma of freshly brewed coffee.

The fire's steady warmth is the pulse of the home,

Its constant presence,

A promise of comfort while the world outside remains cold and distant.

The mother moves through the house,

With graceful ease her footsteps a mere murmur against the wooden floor.

She pauses at the window,

Watching the snowflakes fall in snow,

So gently,

So slowly,

And deliberate spirals,

Each one unique,

As it delicately descends.

Her lips curve into a quiet smile as she watches the landscape transform into the most beautiful winter wonderland.

The air,

Thick with the promise of a peaceful day,

She inhales deeply,

The scent of the fire mixing with the crisp coolness that seeps in through the windowpanes.

Upstairs the children are cocooned in their beds,

Tucked beneath thick,

Cozy blankets.

The youngest is a small bundle of warmth nestled deep within his covers,

Resisting the pull of the morning.

His face is half hidden in his pillow,

His breath slow and steady.

When his mother enters the room,

Her gentle voice guiding him towards wakefulness as he burrows himself deeper into the warmth of his bed,

Trying to resist her coaxing.

Her voice guiding him in the land of dreams.

And downstairs,

The father sits in his favorite chair near the fireplace,

His hands wrapped around a steaming mug of coffee.

The rhythmic crackle of the fire and the steady warmth of the flames have become part of his morning ritual.

Gazes into the fire,

His thoughts drifting as the golden light reflects off his face.

Outside the snow continues to fall,

But inside there's only the comforting hum of the house,

Gradually awakening.

The older children eventually tumble down the stairs,

Laughter filling the quiet with a bright,

Joyful energy.

Their excitement is as fresh as the new snow outside.

Their laughter mingles with the sounds of the home,

Bringing it to life.

The father smiles over the rim of his coffee cup,

His eyes lighting up at the sight of them.

The happiness is contagious,

Filling the house with warmth that rivals even the fire.

The mother gathers the children at the front door,

Wrapping them in thick coats,

Scarves and gloves.

Their breath rising in soft clouds,

Fogging the cool air that slips in through the cracks.

The youngest tugs at his mittens,

Still half asleep,

While the older two bounce on their toes,

Eager to race into the snow.

The door opens with a soft creak and a rush of cold air sweeps into the house,

Swirling around their feet,

Yet the fire's glow remains steady,

Promising its warmth for their return.

As they step outside,

The crunch of snow underfoot is the first sound to break the stillness of the morning.

The cold air is sharp and crisp,

Invigorating in its clarity.

The world outside is transformed,

Clean,

Untouched,

And glittering under the pale winter sun.

The mother breathes out,

Her breath visible in the cold as the children's laughter fills the frosty air.

Behind them,

The house remains,

Its windows glowing faintly with the warmth of the fire,

A beacon of comfort awaiting their return.

The world outside is a canvas of white,

The snow sparkling like a sea of diamonds under the pale morning light.

Each step sinks into the snow with a satisfying crunch,

Leaving behind imprints that mark their path.

The children,

Bundled tightly in their coats,

Walk alongside their mother,

Their small boots creating a trail of footprints that meander through the pristine landscape.

The air is cold,

Biting gently at their cheeks and noses,

Turning them a soft shade of pink.

Above them,

The sky stretches out in shades of silver and grey,

Blending with the snowy world below.

The trees stand tall,

Their branches frosted with delicate icicles that catch the light and glimmer like crystals.

Icicles hang from the rooftops,

Each one a winter jewel,

Sharp and glittering in the soft sunlight.

The youngest child lags behind for a moment,

His mittened hand outstretched to catch a snowflake.

He marvels at its intricate pattern,

Watching as it melts almost immediately upon touching the warmth of his glove.

His breath forms soft puffs in the air,

Each exhale mingling with the falling snowflakes,

As if he's adding his own breath to the quiet stillness of the morning.

His mother watches with a smile,

Her heart warmed by the sight of his wonder.

The streets are quiet,

The snow muffling every sound,

Creating a serene stillness that feels almost otherwildly.

Only the occasional bird calls out,

Its voice a bright contrast against the muted tones of the snowy morning.

As they near the school,

The sounds of children begin to rise.

Laughter,

Shouts and the scuffle of boots against the snow as they play in the schoolyard,

Their scarves fluttering in the cold breeze like colourful flags.

The mother watches as her children join the fray,

Their faces bright and full of life.

The youngest hesitates at the gate,

Turning to wave his small hand raised in a gesture of farewell.

She waves back,

Her heart full with the sight of her children,

So at ease in the world,

Their joy as pure as the snow itself.

She stands for a moment longer,

Watching the schoolyard fill with the busy energy of the day,

Before turning back towards home.

As she walks,

The quiet returns,

Wrapping itself around her like a comforting blanket.

The snow beneath her feet is soft,

Absorbing her footsteps.

The air is filled with the sharp,

Clean scent of pine and cold.

Her thoughts drift,

Carried along by the rhythm of her steps,

And the peacefulness of the morning settles deep into her bones.

The world feels hushed,

As though it's waiting,

Wrapped in the soft promise of a day full of quiet,

Unhurried moments.

Back at the house,

Time seems to slow.

The gentle,

Rhythmic fall of snow outside matches the quiet stillness within.

Inside,

The warmth from the fire embraces the entire room,

Its golden light flickering across the walls in a lazy dance.

The father sits at his desk near the hearth,

His back warmed by the steady heat from the flames.

It's a comforting presence,

As familiar as an old friend.

His pencil moves steadily across the paper,

Sketching the lines of a new design.

Each stroke is careful,

Deliberate,

The soft scrape of graphite on paper blending with the crackle of the fire.

His eyes are focused on the intricate details of his drawing,

But his mind drifts in the calm of the moment,

Absorbed by the peaceful rhythm that surrounds him.

The room is filled with the faint scent of wood smoke,

Interwoven with the cool freshness that slips in from the snowy world beyond the windows.

Occasionally,

He pauses,

Stretching his arms above his head,

Feeling the warmth of the fire seep into his muscles.

Loosening the tightness in his back,

There is something deeply satisfying about the quiet.

The only interruptions are the occasional pop of the wood in the fire,

Or the soft ticking of the clock on the wall.

It's a moment,

Suspended in time,

Where the rest of the world feels far away,

And all that matters is the present,

The warmth,

The fire,

And the quiet space he inhabits.

And as the day stretches into the afternoon,

The fire continues its steady crackle,

A low and constant murmur.

The room remains wrapped in the golden light,

And the father continues his work in peaceful silence,

Absorbed in the quiet rhythm of his day.

But eventually,

The soft chime of the clock stirs him from his reverie.

He closes his sketchbook with a quiet thud,

Satisfied with his progress,

Though knowing there'll be time later to finish.

He rises from his chair,

Shrugging on his thick winter coat,

And wrapping a scarf around his neck.

The house holds a cold at bay,

But as he steps through the door,

The air is sharp and crisp,

Crisp,

Biting at his skin with its clarity.

Snowflakes drift lazily from the sky,

Catching in his hair and resting momentarily on his coat before they melt.

He smiles at the sight of the snow-covered world,

His breath rising in soft clouds before him as he makes his way towards the school.

The walk is brief,

But it feels almost magical as though he's journeying through a winter dream.

The snow glistens like diamonds on the rooftops.

The trees stand tall and bare,

Their branches dusted with silver frost.

The world is quiet,

Peaceful,

As though nature itself has settled into a gentle meditation,

Inviting him to slow down,

Slow down,

To breathe,

To be fully present.

At the school gate,

His youngest child is waiting.

The child's face lights up at the sight of him,

Their wide smile full of excitement and warmth.

The child rushes forward,

Slipping their small hand into his,

And together they begin the walk back home.

The child's voice is filled with stories of games played during break time,

Of snowflakes caught on their tongue,

Of friends and laughter.

The father listens,

Nodding along,

His heart full with the simple joy of his child's voice.

They take their time walking home,

Letting the snow fall around them like soft feathers.

There's no hurry,

No urgency,

Just the unhurried rhythm of a winter's day.

A father and child sharing the quiet joy of the snowy world,

Knowing that the warmth of home waits for them at the end of the journey.

And later in the afternoon,

As the sun begins its slow descent towards the horizon,

Casting the sky in soft shades of pink and gold,

The older two children make their way home.

Their breath rises in puffs of mist.

Their footsteps are slow,

Sinking into the thick layer of snow with each step.

The biting cold gives them a feeling of invigoration,

As though the air is alive,

And humming against their senses.

As they near the house,

The untouched snow in the garden beckons to them,

Snow in the garden beckons to them,

Its perfect surface inviting them to play.

Without a word,

They exchange a glance and with a shared smile they veer off the path and begin rolling snow into large,

Solid balls,

The foundation for their snowman.

The air is filled with their laughter,

Bright and clear against the quiet of the winter afternoon.

Their gloves grow thick with snow as they work,

Their cheeks flushed from the cold.

They press the snow together with careful hands,

Building their snowman higher and higher,

Until it stands proudly in the garden,

Complete with stick arms and a crooked grin made of stones.

The children stand back admiring their handiwork,

Their breath coming in little puffs of steam as they add the finishing touches,

A scarf borrowed from one of their necks and a pair of old buttons they found in the snow.

Something magical happens.

From the bare branches of a tree nearby,

Two turtle doves descend,

Their soft grey feathers are fluffed up against the cold,

And they perch delicately on the snowman's stick arm,

Their gentle cooing adding a soft melody to the quiet.

The children freeze,

Their eyes wide with wonder,

Watching the doves as if they stumbled upon something from a fairy tale.

There's a stillness in the air now,

A kind of enchantment as though time has paused to let them fully absorb the magic of the moment.

The soft light of the afternoon,

The snowman,

The doves.

The doves.

It all feels like part of a story,

A winter tale where the world holds its secrets close,

Waiting to be discovered.

For a long moment,

The children stand quietly,

Watching the doves as they fluff their feathers,

As they gaze back with dark thoughtful eyes.

The children stop noticing the cold lost in their quiet wonder.

Finally,

The doves take flight,

Their wings beating softly as they soar into the pale sky,

Disappearing into the distance.

The children look at each other and smile,

As if they've just shared a secret,

Something precious,

A fleeting moment only known to them.

With their fingers tingling from the cold,

They head back towards the front door of the house.

Their boots crunch through the snow.

The warmth of the home glowing ahead like a beacon in the twilight.

The snowman remains standing in the garden,

A silent sentinel watching over the house.

Its crooked grin a reminder of the simple joy of the afternoon.

As they push open the door,

The warmth from within the house hits them immediately,

Enveloping them like a soft blanket,

The fire crackling softly,

And the air inside is thick with the comforting scent of wood and warmth.

They remove their coats and scarves,

Shaking the snow from their gloves,

Their faces glowing from the cold and from the joy of the day.

The house welcomes them back,

The door closing softly behind them.

They embrace the warmth of the home,

The warmth of the children,

They embrace the warmth of the cosy,

Glowing house.

And the kitchen begins to hum with quiet life,

The warmth from the stove emanating through the room,

The father standing at the counter,

A wooden spoon in hand as he stirs a fragrant stew that simmers gently on the hob.

The air is rich with the aroma of herbs and vegetables,

The scent curling through the house,

Mingling with the ever-present warmth from the fire in the next room.

And outside,

The sun has begun to sink lower,

Painting the snowy rooftops in shades of lavender and gold.

The kitchen windows are fogged slightly from the warmth inside,

A soft contrast to the frost-kissed scene beyond.

Bicycles hang from the eaves,

Catching the last light of day,

Sparkling like the winter jewels they are.

The snow outside,

Freshly fallen and untouched,

Lies still and serene,

A blanket of quiet over the world.

The children bustle about,

Their cheeks still a little rosy from the cold.

They move and dance and play around,

Before beginning to focus on setting the table for dinner.

The clink of plates and cutlery,

Adding to the gentle rhythm of family life in the room.

The sound of the simmering stew,

The crackling of the fire,

A peaceful moment,

A peaceful moment,

Full of the kind of quiet togetherness that fills a home with contentment.

And the door creaks open,

And a brief gust of cold air sweeps through the house,

As the mother steps inside,

Her boots dusted with snow.

She pauses for the moment in the doorway,

Breathing in the warmth of the home,

The scent of dinner,

Enjoying the sight of her family,

Feeling a deep sense of joy.

And as the door closes behind her,

The cold is instantly replaced by the deep,

Soothing warmth of the house.

The children run to her,

Their laughter bubbling up as they fling themselves into her arms,

Their excitement filling the room with a renewed energy.

She wraps them in hugs,

Brushing the snow from her hair as she leans down to kiss the tops of their heads across the room.

The father glances up from the stove,

His eyes meeting hers with a look of quiet affection.

There's a wordless greeting shared between them,

A warmth of love,

That fills the space between them like a second hearth.

With dinner being finished,

The father brings the steaming pot to the table,

Its rich aromas filling the air as bowls are passed around.

The family sits down together,

The clinking of cutlery blending with the gentle murmur of conversation.

Their voices are low and easy,

The worries of the day melting away with each bite of food.

Laughter flickers lightly across the table,

And the warmth of the meal,

The home,

The fire,

It all wraps around them a comforting cocoon of contentment.

Outside,

The last light of the sun fades,

Giving way to the deep,

Cool blue of evening.

Inside,

The glow from the fire spills into the kitchen,

Casting everything in a soft golden light.

The house is full but not crowded,

Lively but not loud,

It's the kind of evening where time seems to stretch out,

Inviting them to linger in its warmth to savour the simplicity of shared community.

And when the meal ends,

The plates are cleared and the soft rhythm of the evening continues,

Flowing gently from one moment to the next,

Like a river that knows its course,

Leading them deeper and deeper into the heart of the night.

And with dinner behind them,

The family naturally drifts towards the living room,

Drawn by the steady warmth of the fire.

The flames are low,

Flickering gently,

Casting long,

Dancing shadows,

That move with a rhythm that feels as old as time itself.

The fire is more than just warmth,

It's the heart of the home,

A steady,

Glowing presence that draws them all together.

The family settles into their favourite places around the fire,

The father reclines back into his armchair,

His feet resting on a footstool,

The soft creak of the leather chair,

A familiar sound,

The mother curls up on the sofa,

The youngest child nestled against her side,

Their eyelids already drooping,

With a gentle and deep pull of sleep.

The older children sit cross-legged on the floor,

Near the fire,

Their faces illuminated by its golden light,

As they share stories from their day,

Their voices a soft murmur in the quiet room.

Hot chocolates passed around,

Thick and creamy,

Its rich scent mingling with the warmth of the fire,

Each sip is a comfort,

Warming them from the inside out,

The sweetness lingering on their tongues as they sink deeper and deeper into the calm of the evening.

The youngest child is cradling their mug in both hands,

Eyes barely open.

The heat from the fire and the velvety taste of the chocolate is soothing them all into a peaceful drowsiness.

Outside,

The snow continues its slow and steady descent,

But the world beyond the window feels far away,

As if the house exists in its own pocket of time,

Separate from the cold night outside.

The fire crackles softly,

Burning low and steady,

Offering a gentle glow,

A soft pulse filling the room with warmth.

The youngest child sinks even deeper against their mother,

Enjoying the warmth of the sofa,

The desire to sleep growing stronger with each passing minute,

And their eyes flutter closed.

And then open again briefly,

With the child fighting the inevitable,

Heading deeper and deeper towards sleep.

The mother brushes a stray strand of hair away from the child's forehead,

The older children still chatting quietly,

Occasionally pausing to enjoy the fire,

With thoughts drifting in the soft glow.

Their voices growing slower,

Their words fewer,

As the calm of the room pulls them into its peaceful embrace.

The evening continues to settle over the house,

Like a thick,

Soft blanket,

Filling every corner with warmth and the steady rhythm of nightfall.

The youngest child is ready for bed.

The mother rises slowly,

Careful not to disturb their child,

Before gathering them up in her arms,

Feeling the comfortable weight of their body,

The warmth of their skin,

And carries them in their half-awake,

Half-asleep state,

As they drift even more asleep,

Carrying them up stairs to bed.

Carrying them up stairs to bed.

And this child's room is dimly lit by a small nightlight in the shape of a crescent moon,

Its soft glow bathing the walls in silvery light,

Casting delicate shadows that dance across the floor.

The bed is waiting,

Layered with thick blankets,

Promising warmth and deeper comfort.

The mother tucks in the child,

Smooths down the blankets up to their chin,

Sits on the edge of the bed,

And begins to read.

A children's storybook from the bedside table.

A voice is calm and rhythmic as it fills the room.

The child,

Barely awake,

The child,

Barely awake.

Each word flowing so softly,

So gently.

The story familiar to the child,

Like an old friend,

Guiding the child's mind deeper and deeper asleep.

The pages being turned quietly,

The sound blending with the slow,

Steady rise and fall of the child's breathing.

Each breath a little slower and deeper.

The child's eyes finally close fully,

As they sink deeper and deeper as they sink deeper and deeper into their dreams.

And as the child drifts and sleeps deeply,

Their face looks so soft and peaceful.

The room is still,

Bathed in the soft glow of the nightlight.

The mother lingers for a moment longer,

Watching the peaceful rise and fall of the child's chest.

She bends down,

Pressing a soft kiss to their forehead,

Then quietly,

Ever so quietly,

Stands,

Leaves the room,

And pulls the door closed.

Leaving the child to the deep,

Peaceful rhythm of sleep.

And back downstairs,

The older children remain by the fire,

Their bodies stretched out on the rug,

Their eyes half-focused on the simple card game they're playing.

The air is warm and still.

The fire now just glowing embers.

The house,

So full of laughter and energy earlier,

Has now settled into a quiet rhythm,

As though it too is preparing for a deep,

Peaceful night's sleep.

The children talk in soft,

Unhurried voices,

Their movements slow and relaxed.

Every now and then,

One of them yawns.

The sound blending into the soft crackle of the last few embers.

The warmth of the room,

The softness of the light,

Everything seems to lull them deeper,

And deeper,

Into a sense of drowsiness.

Like leaves slowly drifting down,

To rest on a still pond.

The father watches them from his office,

The father watches them from his armchair.

He knows,

They're going to be transitioning from wakefulness to sleep,

And they're trying to stay up,

And not be the first to go to bed.

With each child wanting to outdo the other,

But eventually,

Sleep catches up with them.

They both rise from the floor.

The father stands with them.

They head up the stairs,

And in their rooms,

They head to their beds.

And the father says goodnight to the children,

And the mother comes and says goodnight to the children.

And now the house is still,

Wrapped in the deep quiet that only comes when the day is done,

And everyone is finally tucked up in bed.

The fire still just embers.

The parents head down to the sofa.

They sit together on the sofa,

Wrapped in a thick woolen blanket.

They feel the stillness in the room,

The comfort in the room,

How cosy this room feels.

They talk of little things like the children's laughter,

The stoneman now standing proudly outside in the garden.

The way the house was so warm and alive earlier.

And every now and then,

They fall into a comfortable silence,

The kind that doesn't need to be filled.

The kind that doesn't need to be filled.

They sit side by side,

Resting on each other,

As outside the snow continues to descend.

The mother pulls the blanket tighter around her,

Resting her head on her husband's shoulders,

Just enjoying relaxing together.

And as the night continues to deepen,

And the fire burns out,

And the fire burns out,

The parents begin to drift to sleep.

And so they head to bed.

They let go of the last traces of wakefulness,

And they drift so peacefully,

So relaxed,

Asleep,

Into slumberland.