Sweet Mischief’s Rollercoaster Romance

Ash was the easiest sleeper-he didn't even kick off his covers. Mia got up to check on him a few times, then finally let herself relax and drift off.

Eight o'clock.

Both men pressed down on the door handle, but neither opened the door.

Back in the living room, Hansen munched on a dinner roll, watching his three sons at the table. "You three are really something. Every one of your wives has left home mad at you."

Bruce shrugged. "Naomi will be back tonight."

Hansen shot him a look. "Yeah? How'd she storm out, then?"

Bruce just glanced at his dad.

Andre, ever the authority in the house-except when it came to his two little ones just picked up his chopsticks and said, "Let's eat."

It wasn't until the sun was high in the sky that the two women were finally woken up by their three little monsters.

They carried the kids downstairs, lining up as if on parade-some waiting for their bottles of milk, others for water.

Then it was a round of washing little bottoms, changing diapers, and escorting the bigger ones to the bathroom.

That afternoon, they dropped by Leo's place in Bluewater Gardens.

Leo couldn't help but blurt out, "Seriously? Five kids again?"

Later, they took the three little ones back to the Cedillo family's house.

Hansen was the picture of bliss-one kid in his arms, one on each side. Anya watched, more than a little envious.

That night, the two men headed home.

Mia decided to sleep in the kids' room again. Molly planned to do the same, but Chad grabbed her hand. "I'm not ignoring you, so why are you giving me the cold shoulder?"

Jade paused, realizing, "Wait, you're right. Mia's got me all mixed up."

Back in their bedroom, Jade had another epiphany. "Actually, our problem isn't the silent treatment—it's you deliberately making me crazy."

Officer Chad just stared at her.

She tried to storm out again, but this time, Chad wasn't letting her go anywhere.

Mr. Calder also came to stay at the Cedillo house.

Late at night, Mr. Calder and Bruce were both wide awake.

They'd heard the flight carrying the four women was delayed-it wouldn't land until 2 a.m.

So they sat up, drinking tea and chatting, killing time.

Andre knocked on Mia's door. "Mia, Naomi and Mrs. Ning are almost back. Open up the nanny will want to check on Ash."

Mia answered, "Let's talk when they get back. We're still in the middle of our cold war."

"Can't we just call it off?"

"Nope. You started it, so I get to decide when it ends."

Midnight.

Three cars waited outside the airport.

Mr. Calder and Bruce shared a ride. By the time they got there, members of the Byrne and Irvin families were already waiting, too.

The four men exchanged looks and grins. Everyone knew the drama in their own home, but nobody dared say it out loud.

Kendrick sighed, "With Coleen gone, the house doesn't even feel like home. Too quiet."

The past couple of days, neither hisnoveldrama

son nor daughter had come home,

and his grandson was staying with his other grandpa. It had just been him and his parents, catching up on old times.

Family was family—when his

parents found out Juliana was

struggling, they wanted to help. Not wanting to upset their

daughter-in-law, they talked to their son quietly.

One day at work, Kendrick ran into his son, looking sharp in his police uniform.

"Do you think what your grandma suggested would work?"

"Nope. Those bridges are burned. Helping now is just asking for trouble."

Kendrick shook his head. "Your grandma just wants to look after her daughter."

"Then let her help her own way. Just don't drag us into it."

With his wife and kids gone,

Kendrick laid it out for his parents et

"Who kne

Coleen comes home,

bring up family business in front of her."