It was a peaceful evening when the entire Watterson family just finished their dinner about half-an-hour ago. The Watterson household, a modest but vibrant dwelling nestled in a typical suburban neighborhood, was a constant whirlwind of activity. However, tonight was a bit different. The three siblings were doing homework together, or playing a board games together in their bedroom. At downstairs, Nicole was sitting on the couch as she's having a thought about something.

Nicole has noticed something different, something... unusual. It was Richard, her famously lazy and often clueless husband, was actually helping around! He wasn't just lying lazily on the couch eating and sleeping, offering questionable advice or accidentally creating more mess. He was actively involved. He was clearing the dinner table, cleaning up the kitchen and loading the dishwasher with a surprising efficiency. Earlier, he'd asked Nicole to let him handles everything for her.

Nicole watched her husband from the couch, a mixture of suspicion and cautious optimism swirling within her. Richard, the man who considered taking out the trash as intense as wrestling with a dinosaur, was willingly contributing to the smooth running of the household. Had she somehow entered an alternate dimension? Or was this some of his elaborate prank, along with the support of Gumball and Darwin, to test the limits of her sanity?

She shook her head, trying to dispel the nagging uncertainty. Whatever the reason, she couldn't deny that it was a welcome change from her husband. For years, she had carried the brunt of the domestic responsibilities, juggling her demanding job with the never-ending tasks of motherhood and wifedom. Richard's contributions had often been... well, minimal, since he'd being unemployed and being utterly dependent on her.

Later that night, after the kids were finally tucked into their bed and the house had settled into a semblance of quiet, Nicole, after arranging the dishes neatly, walked back into the living room and found Richard sprawled on the couch, channel-surfing with the remote. He was wearing his usual white shirt and a contented smile played on his lips. It was the perfect opportunity.

Nicole sat down beside him, the cushions sinking under her weight as she began, her voice soft.

Nicole: "Richard, can we talk for a moment?"

Richard looked up, a flicker of surprise in his eyes.

Richard: "Sure, honey. What's up?"

Nicole responded, carefully choosing her words.

Nicole: "It just... I've noticed something different about you lately. You've been... helping out around the house. A lot."

Richard chuckled, a low rumble that vibrated through the couch.

Richard: "Well, I figured it was about time I pulled off my weight a bit more. You've been carrying the load for far too long, honey."

Nicole raised an eyebrow, genuinely surprised by his self-awareness. This was definitely not the Richard Watterson she was used to know.

Nicole: "I know. But why? What prompted this sudden burst of domesticity?"

He shrugged, a sheepish grin spreading across his face.

Richard: "I don't know, really. I guess I just realized how much you do for this family. You work so hard, and then you come home and have to deal with all this... messes. It's not fair to you."

Nicole's heart softened. She had often fantasized about having this kind of conversation, about telling her husband how overwhelmed she felt, how much she longed for him to share the burden. But she had never actually voiced her feelings, fearing his softheaded reaction, his potential to dismiss her concerns or, even worse, to make her feel guilty for asking for help.

Nicole looked at him with her admiring and appreciative eyes as she spoke.

Nicole: "R-really? You did all of it for me?"

Richard: *nods* "Mhm! All for you!"

Nicole then responded, her voice thick with emotion.

Nicole: "Thank you, Richard. I appreciate that. I really do. It means a lot to me."

He reached out and took her paws, his hand surprisingly warm and gentle before he replied.

Richard: "I should have realized it sooner, Nikki... I'm sorry it took me so long for it."

Nicole: *smiles* "It's okay, Richard. At least you had awakened to it now."

A comfortable silence settled between them, broken only by the gentle hum of the television. Nicole leaned back against the couch, finally allowing herself to relax. The tension that had been building within her for years seemed to dissipate, replaced by a sense of profound relief.

After a moment, Nicole looked at her pink bunny husband as she spoke, breaking the silence.

Nicole: "So, are you planning on keeping this up?"

Richard held her hand tightly.

Richard: "Absolutely! You can consider it my new hobby. Household Husbandry! I'm going to be the best stay-at-home dad of Elmore! Even the world!"

Nicole laughed, a genuine, heartfelt laugh that filled the room.

Nicole: "Oh Richard, don't get ahead of yourself like that. You still have a long way to go, alright?"

Richard concedes.

Richard: "Yeah, I know, I know. Maybe I spoke a little bit too much. But I sincerely promise you that I have changed and from now on, I will continue to improve myself, for you and our family! No more lazing around and eating mindlessly. I swear!"

Nicole smiled before she let out a smirk.

Nicole: "I will remember this saying of yours."

They spent the next few minutes playfully bickering about the finer points of household chores, their voices filled with affection and good humor. As Nicole listened to Richard's absurd pronouncements on the proper way to fold laundry and the optimal angle for vacuuming, she felt a warmth spread through her, a feeling of contentment and gratitude.

But amidst the laughter and playful banter, a small seed of doubt remained. What had truly motivated her husband's sudden change of heart? Was it simply a realization of her own burdens, or was there something else at play?

Later, as they lay together on the bed in their bedroom, the moonlight streaming through the window, Nicole decided to broach the subject again. She looked at her husband as she said softly.

Nicole: "Richard? There's something I've been wondering about."

Richard turned to face her, his eyes crinkling at the corners.

Richard: "What is it, honey?"

Nicole: "You said you realized how much I do for the family, and that's why you started helping out more. But was there any reason else? Something that really made you think about things differently?"

Richard hesitated for a moment, a flicker of uncertainty crossing his face. He sighed, then put his hand on her arms as he said.

Richard: "Well, there was one other thing. Remember a couple of weeks ago, when I accidentally ate that whole family-sized tub of ice cream?"

Nicole nodded, a knowing smile playing on her lips.

Nicole: "How could I forget? That ice cream tub was supposed to be for me and the kids too. But as you said, you ate all of it. And you were sick for days, you know?"

Richard took a deep breath before he continued.

Richard: "Well, on one night while I was recovering, I had a dream. A really weird and scary dream. I dreamt that I was old and grey, sitting in an old, torn-up couch on the living room, watching you, also old, struggle to do everything around the house. And you looked so tired, honey, so worn out. Then you literally collapsed and broke into pieces! It was a terrible dream, honey, it really shook me up! It made me realized that I had spent my whole married life letting you do everything, taking you for granted."

He paused for a moment, his voice thick with emotion before he calmed down and continued.

Richard: "The following morning, when I woke up from that dream, I felt like a total idiot. A truly pathetic husband and father! And that's when I knew I had to change, Nikki. I had to be better. For you, for our kids, for all of us!"

Nicole's eyes welled up with tears at his words. It wasn't just about the chores, or the housework. It was also about him finally seeing her struggles, truly seeing her pain, and realizing the sacrifices she made for their family. She reached out and wrapped her arms around her husband, burying her face in his soft, fluffy fur as she whispered.

Nicole: "Oh, Richard... T-Thank you for everything! I love you so much!"

Richard held her close, his arms enveloping her in a warm embrace.

Richard: "I love you too, Nicole. More than words can express."

As they lay there in their bed, wrapped in each other's arms, Nicole knew that things were finally changing. Richard wasn't just helping out more; he was becoming a true partner, a true equal in their marriage. And while she knew that there would still be challenges ahead, she felt a sense of hope and optimism that she hadn't felt in a long time. The Watterson household may be still chaotic, still unpredictable, but now, with her loveable husband by her side, she knew they could face anything together. The weight on her shoulders felt lighter, the future seemed brighter, and the blue cat wife and the pink bunny husband were ready to embrace whatever life threw their way, together, as a team!

~ END OF STORY! ~