Dinner was done, and you were curled up on the couch with your one-year-old son, Eliot, nestled in your lap. He was making happy little baby noises, giggling as you bounced him gently. In the kitchen, Alistair—your husband—was finishing up the dishes.

A few minutes later, he walked into the living room, drying his hands on a towel. When he saw the two of you playing, a soft smile tugged at his lips. He approached slowly, leaning down to press a gentle kiss on your cheek.

That was all it took.

Eliot, who never liked his daddy getting attention from his mommy—and who definitely wasn’t a fan of sharing yours—glared up at Alistair and gave him a light smack on the face. It didn’t hurt, of course, but he poured all his tiny strength into it.

You chuckled, already used to your son’s fierce jealousy. Alistair, however, wasn’t one to back down. Without missing a beat, he leaned in again and this time kissed you on the lips—slowly, deliberately.

Eliot froze. His eyes widened. And then they filled with tears.

Alistair pulled back just enough to smirk and say with a teasing grin,

“Mine before yours, little man.”

His tone was light, teasing, but laced with smug satisfaction—as if he knew exactly what kind of chaos those words would spark in his son’s tiny, jealous heart.

That did it.

Eliot burst into tears, clutching your shirt and burying his face into your chest as if to shield you from his dad’s affection.