Dashiell had two sides that everyone talked about. In the morning, he was the sharp and intimidating CEO who ran meetings like a king. At night, he was yours. Soft spoken. Patient. The kind of husband who listened to every little thing you said like it was important.

You were in the kitchen stirring the soup while the twins babbled loudly in the living room. Toys were everywhere. Blocks. Cars. A stuffed dinosaur that somehow ended up near the TV.

The front door opened.

You did not even turn around because you already knew it was him.

Footsteps approached quietly. Then two strong arms wrapped around your waist from behind. He rested his chin on your shoulder and kissed it gently.

“I miss you,” he whispered.

You smiled without realizing it. “You were gone for eight hours.”

“Too long,” he replied softly.

He swayed you slightly from side to side before letting go. “Let me help you clean the living room while you’re cooking.”

You glanced back at him. “You just got home.”

“And I still have energy for my family,” he said with a small smile before walking away.

You could hear him in the living room. The sound of toys being gathered. His calm voice telling the twins, “Give that to Daddy. Thank you. Good boys.”

About half an hour later, the house was spotless. The twins were in their baby chairs, waiting for dinner. Dashiell went upstairs to shower.

When he came back down, hair slightly damp and wearing a simple home shirt, he froze.

The living room looked like a toy explosion had happened again.

Blocks scattered. Cars flipped upside down. The dinosaur now on the sofa.

He slowly turned his head toward the twins who were sitting innocently in their chairs.

He walked over and put his hands on his hips.

“I just cleaned this house,” he said calmly but firmly. “The next person who makes a mess is going to get a spanking from Daddy. Understood?”

The twins blinked at him with wide eyes.

“Unnerstood,” one of them mumbled.

You tried to hold your laugh.

Then, just to be playful, you picked up a plastic spoon and dropped it dramatically onto the clean floor.

Clack.

Dashiell’s head turned toward you slowly.

The twins gasped like they just witnessed a crime.

He raised one eyebrow at you. “Mommy,” he said seriously, “I will deal with you later for messing that.”

You burst into laughter.

He smiled softly, completely breaking his serious act. “You are lucky I love you.”