Sweet Mischief’s Rollercoaster Romance

The rest of the crew was still out cold, snuggled deep in their blankets.

It wasn't until ten in the morning-way past any mom's usual wake-up hour-that anyone started stirring, and only because their hungry little ones couldn't take it any longer.

"Ahhh! Henry, why are you gnawing on me?!"

Henry sat up in bed, cheeks puffed out, looking ready to start a protest. "Mom, I'm starving!"

Mia groaned. "Alright, alright, I'm up.”

She slid out of bed and headed off to fix him a bottle to quiet his rumbling belly.

On her way past Molly's room, she caught another commotion. "Wayne! Why are you poking my nose with your tiny fingers? The way you wake me up is even wilder than your dad!"

Wayne wasn't talking yet. He just opened his mouth wide, latched onto Molly's chest, and left a big wet spot behind, drooling away as he suckled.

"Hungry, huh?" Molly's annoyance melted in an instant.

A second ago, she was ready to wrestle him for jabbing her nose, but looking at his desperate little face, she sighed, crawled out of bed, and scooped him into her arms. "Okay, let's get you some milk."

As she stepped out, she spotted Mia already busy mixing up three bottles.

And the living room? Completely spotless.

"Mia, what time did you get up? You already cleaned everything?"

"I just woke up. Annie did all the cleaning."

Moments later, Henry slid off the bed and scampered out, his bare feet smacking the floor. "Bathroom! Mommy, I gotta pee!"

Molly blinked, not quite catching his drift, but Mia was on it. She set down the kettle. "Molly, you finish the bottles, I'll take Henry to the bathroom. He really needs to go."

She whisked him away just in time.

Molly glanced at Wayne. "You need the bathroom too?"

Wayne just stared at her like she was speaking Martian.

"Oh, right—you're still in diapers."

After the bathroom run and a quick hand wash, she walked out with Wayne.

Mia had finished the bottles. She handed them to the boys, and Henry and Wayne, both absolutely famished, grabbed their bottles and started chugging.

Mia picked up Jared's bottle and headed to the other bedroom. She knocked- nothing. She eased the door open.

Aimee was still completely zonked out, buried under her comforter, while baby Jared sat beside her, lower lip trembling, looking totally pitiful.

Mia hurried in, passed Jared his bottle, and scooped him up.

By then, Anya was up too. "Auntie, is there anything to eat in the fridge?"

She opened it, and nothing. Completely empty.

Luckily, Anya remembered spotting a grocery store downstairs yesterday. She checked her

phone-the store would be open by now. "I'll run out and grab some groceries. I'll make breakfast!"

Molly tried to stop her. "Anya, let's just order some takeout."

But Anya was already halfway out the door. "Auntie, takeout isn't healthy for the

kids. I'll be back before you know it!"

And she was gone-no one could catch her.

After last night's drinks, Mia felt like her breath could knock someone out. "Molly, keep an eye on these three. I'm going to shower. I'lbswap with you after." noveldrama

Mia took the fastest shower ever, and by the time she came out, Anya was already busy in the kitchen.

Henry wandered in, clutching his bottle, chirping nonstop. Anya, totally smitten, kept handing him bites of banana and toast between cooking.

Molly took Wayne and Jeffree so Anya could focus, then headed for her own shower.

By ten-thirty, Aimee finally woke up. She reached for the empty spot next to her and shot upright. "Jared!"

ps: The recent appearances of "the unreliable mom" and "the sassy little heiress" are shout-outs to the main characters from the book Heiress: Darling You're Mine (also known as Obsessive Mr. Patrick Loves Her to the Core). Aimee's true nature? She's the ultimate clingy, bossy wife!