Mark: Come on, Liam, let me just take one quick bite. I worked twelve hours today at the office.
Liam: No! Mama first!
Mark: Buddy, Mama is still busy in the kitchen.
Liam: No busy! Mama sit here!
Liam hit the wooden tray of his high chair with both hands, making his plastic cup wobble. His dark eyes stared at his father with absolute discipline, refusing to back down even a single inch.
Sarah: Liam, sweetie, it's okay. Daddy can eat first if he's hungry.
Liam: No, Mama! You sit!
Mark: See what you built here, Sarah? You created a tiny drill sergeant.
Sarah: I didn't teach him that! I swear I have no idea where he got this from.
Mark: Well, he won't let me eat. My hand is getting tired holding this slice.
Sarah: Then put the slice down, Mark.
Mark: I can't put it down! The cheese is going to get cold!
Liam: Down, Daddy! Put down!
Liam reached over again, his little fingers grabbing the sleeve of Mark's button-down shirt, pulling it downward toward the paper plate.
Mark: Okay, okay! Fine! Look, it's on the plate.
Liam: Good job.
Mark: Good job? Did my three-year-old just praise me like a dog?
Sarah: He definitely did.
Sarah laughed, untying her flour-dusted apron and hanging it on the wooden peg near the pantry. She walked over to the dining table, pulling out the heavy wooden chair right next to Liam's high chair.
Sarah: Okay, little boss. I am sitting down right now.
Liam: Here, Mama. Sit close.
Sarah: I am sitting right next to you, see?
Liam: Plate for Mama.
Mark: Alright, Your Majesty. Here is a plate for your mother.
Mark handed a white paper plate over to Sarah, carefully serving her the biggest slice from the center of the box. He turned back to Liam, raising his hands in the air to show they were completely empty.
Mark: Now can I eat, Captain?
Liam: Mama take bite first.
Mark: You've got to be kidding me.
Sarah: Just let me take a bite, Mark, before he starts a full riot.
Sarah picked up her slice, taking a small, dramatic bite while making an exaggerated chewing motion so the toddler could see every detail.
Sarah: Mmm, so good! Thank you, Liam.
Liam: NOW YES!
Mark: Finally! Permission granted!
Mark picked up his pizza slice and shoved a huge bite into his mouth, making deliberate loud chewing sounds to entertain his son.
Mark: YES, BOSS!
Liam: Good Daddy.
Mark: You are unbelievable, kid. Where did you learn to respect your mom like that?
Liam: Grandma say.
Mark paused, his teeth still sinking into the pepperoni crust. He slowly lowered the pizza slice back toward the plate, staring at his son's innocent face.
Mark: What did you say, Liam?
Liam: Grandma say! Respect Mama first!
Mark: Sarah... your mom hasn't visited us in over two months. Who told him that?
Sarah: I... I don't know, Mark. Maybe my mom told him over FaceTime last week?
Mark: Your mom doesn't even know how to use FaceTime without her glasses, Sarah. Who was here with him while I was at work yesterday?
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