It was a cold December evening, and the D\&Z Family was busy transforming their cozy home into a Christmas wonderland. The living room smelled of fresh pine as the family decorated their tall tree with shiny ornaments, twinkling lights, and a bright golden star on top. The parents laughed as they untangled strings of lights, while their child danced around with excitement, placing candy canes on the lower branches. Soft Christmas music played in the background, creating the perfect festive atmosphere.

To celebrate finishing the decorations, the parents decided to surprise their child with something extra special: a mug of creamy hot chocolate topped with marshmallows and a swirl of whipped cream. The child’s eyes lit up in delight, holding the warm cup carefully while sipping the sweet, comforting treat. It was the perfect ending to a joyful evening, and the family gathered together on the couch to admire their glowing tree.

Later that night, after everyone had gone to bed, something strange happened. Around midnight, the parents heard the sound of soft footsteps echoing in the hallway. At first, they thought their child was simply thirsty or had woken up from a dream. But when they peeked into the hallway, they were startled to see their child walking slowly, eyes half-closed, whispering to themselves.

“Hot chocolate… more hot chocolate…” the child murmured, shuffling forward in a dreamlike state. The parents exchanged concerned glances. They gently guided their child back to bed, tucking them in and making sure they were safe. Though the child quickly fell back asleep, the incident left the parents uneasy.

The next morning, when they asked about the sleepwalking episode, their child looked puzzled. “I don’t remember,” the child admitted with a small shrug before heading off to play. Still, the words about wanting more hot chocolate stuck in the parents’ minds.

That evening, the family carried on with their Christmas preparations—wrapping gifts, hanging stockings, and baking cookies. But the parents decided to be extra cautious. They made sure doors were locked, toys weren’t scattered on the floor, and candles were blown out, just in case their child wandered again during the night.

Sure enough, a few nights later, the sound of soft footsteps returned. The parents quickly checked and once again found their child sleepwalking. This time, the child reached toward the kitchen, whispering, “Hot chocolate, please…” The parents carefully redirected them to bed, whispering reassuring words until their child was safe under the covers again.

Though concerned, they also couldn’t help but feel a little warmth in their hearts. Their child’s innocent love for hot chocolate had woven itself into dreams so deeply that it carried over into sleep. Still, the parents promised each other to stay watchful until the holiday season passed.

As Christmas drew nearer, the house grew brighter with decorations and laughter, and the hot chocolate became a special evening tradition—one enjoyed together, not just in dreams. The D\&Z Family realized that while the sleepwalking might pass in time, the memory of these sweet, mysterious nights would forever be part of their holiday story.