The Domesticated Lion

I came home from work tonight to find Ashlee and Nick in the kitchen making dinner.

“Hi baby!” I smiled and kissed him. “What smells so good?”

He told me. It was a Mexican dish I can’t pronounce let alone spell. It smelled fabulous!

“How was your day?” he asked with a big smile.

I looked up at him for a moment. I realized my once wild and scruffy workaholic lion is now relaxed, clean-shaven and domesticated.

“Do you want some help?” I asked.

“No. Monkey and I got this!” he smiled again and went back to stirring. “Why don’t you go relax until supper’s ready.” He handed me a glass of wine.

“Ok,” I replied.

When I sat down on the couch, my dogs Bandit and Xena jumped up on either side of me. As I pet the dogs and sipped on my wine I looked around and noticed how clean everything looked.

“The house looks really nice, honey!” I complimented him.

“After I got back from PT (physical therapy) this mornin’ I had some energy left over and decided to give the place a good spit and polish!” He smiled at me from inside the kitchen.

A few minutes later...

“Table’s set and supper’s ready, baby!” he kissed me on the cheek.

The three of us sat down to eat together at the table.

“This is really good, daddy!” Ashlee smiled at Nick.

“I’m glad you like it, baby girl!” Nick smiled at her and continued to eat.

“This is delicious, Nick!”

“Glad you like it, too!” he grinned and kissed me on the cheek again.

When dinner was finished, I started to load the dishwasher.

“Whoa! Whoa! Whoa! What are you doin’, honey? I got this! You worked all day,” he said.

Ashlee gave me a hug.

“I’m gonna help you with your homework ‘cause your mom’s got studyin’ to do tonight. You go get your books and we’ll work at the table.” Nick leaned down and kissed her on top of the head.

She hugged Nick. “Okay daddy!”

This whole thing was so Twilight Zone for me. Complete role reversal. Nick actually seems happy and really enjoying his new role as a stay at home dad and househusband.

He pulled me into his arms and kissed me. “You look real nice, Viv!”

“Gee, honey…all you’re missing is your pearls!” I snickered.

He reached down inside his shirt and pulled up one of my long strands of pearls he was wearing around his neck. “Got ‘em right here!” he chuckled and smirked.

Good to know he still has that freaky weirdness factor about him I adore. ;)