Sara and Cookie stepped into the warm apartment. The door clicked shut behind them, locking out the chilly night. Sara kicked off her snowy boots and hung her rainbow jacket on the hook. Her legs felt heavy, and her eyes were starting to droop.

"What a big day, Cookie," Sara yawned. "Magic doors, star maps, new friends… and finding you again!"

Cookie gave a soft, tired woof and shook the last bits of snow from his fluffy black fur. He trotted over to his big round bed in the corner and flopped down with a happy sigh. Sara smiled, watching his tail give one slow, contented wag.

She padded to the bathroom in her fuzzy socks, brushed her teeth, and washed her face. The mirror showed rosy cheeks and sparkly eyes that still remembered the glow of the magical forest. Sara touched the little star sticker she had put on her cheek earlier—it twinkled just a tiny bit, like it was saying goodnight.

Back in her room, Sara slipped into her soft pajamas with little sailboats on them. She climbed under the thick blue-and-white striped blanket. Cookie jumped up too—he always slept at the foot of her bed like a warm, furry hot-water bottle.

Sara reached over and patted his curly head. "Tomorrow is another adventure," she whispered. "Maybe we'll find more magic… or maybe we'll just make snow angels and eat too many pepparkakor. Either way, it'll be perfect because you're with me."

soft sleepy breathing and gentle tail thump-thump

Cookie let out a long, happy sigh and closed his eyes. Sara pulled the blanket up to her chin, hugged her favorite stuffed bunny close, and looked out the window. Outside, big soft snowflakes were falling again, covering Norrtälje in a quiet white blanket.

Her eyelids grew heavier. The star map in her sketchbook lay open on the nightstand, still faintly sparkling. Sara smiled one last sleepy smile.

Tomorrow would bring new wonders. But for now… it was time to dream.