Sweet Mischief’s Rollercoaster Romance

"Chad, who got my dad so drunk tonight?"

Leo shrugged. "No clue."

The Byrne family had already called it a night. Molly carried her little boy in her arms, trailing after them as they all headed back to their villa.

Last to leave was the Cedillo family. Leo walked back home by himself. Mia called after him, teasing, "Didn't manage to bring Anya back with you?"

Leo just shook his head. "No luck."noveldrama

He helped steady his father, and Andre came over to support his own dad, too.

Little Henry, the youngest in the family, was still wide awake—his big curious eyes refusing to sleep. He reached up, insisting on holding his dad's big hand. Mia and Naomi Mastin strolled close behind, side by side. Women always seem to read each other's minds; just one look between these two sisters-in-law and they knew exactly what the other was thinking.

Mia pulled out her phone and snapped a quick picture of the Cedillo men from behind: fathers guiding sons, sons supporting fathers.

From the nearly eighty-year-old grandpa down to the toddler just learning to walk, three generations moved together.

The night breeze was soft, brushing gently against their faces.

Back at the biggest villa-with the best view around-the living room was wide and open, and if you stepped outside, you could still hear the ocean waves crashing on the shore.

It was different from the hotel they'd stayed at last year. Back then, they were up on a high floor, watching the sea from far away. Here, you could walk out onto the balcony and look right down into the water. In the morning, you could even see the sea floor.

Everyone's luggage was already in their rooms.

Andre helped his father get ready for bed. Henry, always eager to help, hurried over. "Henry, pull the blanket back for Grandpa so he can lie down," Andre gently told him.

Henry gave it his best shot. Once Grandpa was lying down, Henry tried to tug the blanket up over him, but his little feet got tangled up and he could only pull it as far as the edge.

Andre bent down, scooping up his helpful but clumsy son, and tucked his dad in with one arm.

Back in the bedroom, Mia had already changed and was in the shower.

Leo went to his own room. He still felt like this was home, like nothing had really changed with his uncle, but suddenly realized he'd been living away for a year and a half now.

Andre, still holding his chubby little boy, was about to leave when Leo spoke up, "Uncle, want me to take care of the little guy tonight?"

Andre hesitated.

Henry, realizing he was the "sweetie” in question, looked up at his dad with big hopeful eyes, silently begging not to be handed over. But Andre just sighed and passed him along. "Here you go."

Leo scooped up his little brother and grinned, landing a loud kiss right on his cheek. "Come on, buddy. You're bunking with me tonight."

With nobody else to keep him company, Henry was the perfect little sidekick.

Back in Leo's room, he asked, "Do you know why big bro brought you here? Want a little sister?"

Henry, perched on the bed and busy wiggling his toes, just looked at him, not understanding a thing.

When Leo started getting ready for bed, he paused, suddenly realizing, "Hey, Henry, did you even get a bath tonight?"

Henry flashed a big grin.

He smelled like sea salt, a hint of greasy food from dinner, and that sweaty little- boy scent you only get after a day of running wild. No way he could sleep like this.

Leo groaned. "Man, you're a handful."

Big brother scooped him up and carried him to the bathroom. Bath time was pure chaos-Henry cried and fussed more than once. "Close your eyes, sweetie! Shampoo's gonna get in your eyes. Don't cry, Henry, hush or you'll get bubbles in your mouth. And don't walk around-floor's slippery!"

Henry's howls bounced off the tiles, and Leo scrambled to get him clean. He wasn't even sure he'd rinsed all the soap off by the end. He wrapped his little brother in a towel and carried him out.

And Henry realized, every time he was alone with big brother, it felt like some wild adventure-a real test of survival.