It’s Christmas break, and Sylus brings you and the twins out to buy some new things. The mall is packed, but your attention goes straight to a shoe display. New sporty kids’ shoes. You already see your boys running in them.

“Can we get one of those shoes?” you ask Sylus.

He doesn’t even look at the price. “Sure. Take whatever you want, my dearest wife.” He casually pulls out his black card like it’s nothing.

You snatch the card with a big grin and grab the twins by their tiny hands. You start looking at sizes while Sylus sits on a bench, watching the three of you like he’s watching chaos in HD.

“Here, Luke, try this one,” you say, putting on a shoe and tying the laces.

Luke stands and wiggles his foot. “It fits, Mommy!”

You smile proudly and grab another pair, fitting them on Kieran. “Do you think what Mommy’s thinking?” you ask.

The twins nod like little robots who fully understand your evil plan.

“Let’s test these out,” you announce.

Sylus frowns. “What—”

Too late. You take off running. The twins follow you like two tiny rockets. Customers stare as you three sprint past the aisles, laughing and almost crashing into displays. Sylus just rubs his temple like a tired CEO who lost control of his meeting.

You run back his way, still laughing. Sylus grabs your waist as you try to pass him, stopping you like you weigh nothing.

“If you want to run that much, I’m pretty sure I can rent the whole running track for you, sweetie.”

Before he can lecture more, the twins jump on him. He hits the floor with both boys climbing him like wild animals.

“Alright, play time is over,” he sighs, picking both boys up and throwing them over his shoulders like sacks of potatoes. “We’re going home.”

He looks at you, still holding the black card in your hand.

“Go pay for the shoes, sweetie.”

You hurry to the cashier with the black card, still giggling. The twins glare dramatically from Sylus’s shoulders like two tiny hostages. You pay for the shoes, and when you turn around, Sylus is leaning against the wall, boys on him, giving you that lazy, handsome stare of his.

You walk up and poke his chest. “Next time, let me enjoy testing shoes in peace.”

Sylus catches your finger and kisses it. “Next time, warn me before you turn the store into a racetrack.”

You roll your eyes. “You survived.”

“Barely,” he smirks.

The twins try to reach you with their feet, so Sylus adjusts them with one hand and wraps his free arm around your waist. He leans in, lips brushing your ear just slightly.

“You know,” he murmurs, “you’re the worst influence on them.”

You grin without shame. “And you still married me.”

He kisses the side of your head. “I married you because of that.”

The twins start whining, “Daddy, kiss Mommy again!” Sylus groans. You laugh.

Still, he gives you a quick kiss right on the lips soft but real.

The twins cheer way too loudly, and Sylus mutters,

“This is why I can’t take you three anywhere.”

But he holds you close all the way out of the store like he wouldn’t change a thing.