Sweet Mischief’s Rollercoaster Romance

Grandma Aubree felt nothing but sympathy for her daughter, but she never lost her sense. "Don't worry, I won't breathe a word."

After that, the Byrnes never mentioned Juliana again. Life moved on, and sometimes they'd talk to Kendrick about this and that, but her name never came up at home.

Kendrick waited outside the airport, night breeze ruffling his hair, eyes glued to the flight updates on his phone.

Aaron chatted beside him. "With my wife gone, I haven't slept right—I keep dreaming about her. Luckily, my son's kept me company. I always thought Cooper was still a kid, but these past few days, I've realized he's got a mind of his own. Some of his ideas really make you think."

The more they talked, the better Aaron understood his son.

Cooper could break down the company's future, talk about domestic politics, international affairs—you name it. He even analyzed his brother-in-law's business and guessed where the next big move would be.

Aaron listened, grinning. Cooper used to keep these thoughts to himself, but not anymore. Aaron was more impressed than ever. "Cooper, how do you know so much about what's going on overseas?"

Cooper just smirked. "Dad, don't you ever watch the news?"

Everyone drifted into their own family stories, and before long, the conversation circled back to work.

At two in the morning, the plane finally touched down.

The men stopped talking, craning their necks at the arrivals gate.noveldrama

Four women appeared, shawls over their shoulders, laughing as they scrolled through the photos on their phones. "This one's cute-let's keep it. Naomi's picture would make a great silhouette."

"This is good too. We should have the kids make a video for us, something to remember this trip by."

They burst out laughing at the silly photos.

The four men stood in a line, watching their wives' smiling faces, and couldn't help but smile themselves.

Those smiles-absolutely contagious.

Heartwarming, uplifting, impossible not to catch.

"Babe!" Mrs. Calder was the first to spot her husband.

Mr. Calder spread his arms wide, and Mrs. Calder ran straight into them.

After so long apart, how could they not long for their partner beside them, day and night?

Every summer, when Mr. Calder was too busy to travel, he'd send his wife and daughter on a trip. When they came back, he'd be waiting at the airport, ready to pull them both into a big hug.

Madison found her husband, tilting her head in that familiar, playful way—just like Mia, their daughter, when she wanted something.

Aaron wanted to push through the crowd and hug her right then and there. When she came out, he pulled Madison into his arms. "I missed you."

"I know, I've been all over your dreams," she teased.

Bruce, the ever-serious one, saw Naomi's bright smile and blurted out, "Naomi, I love you."

Naomi's cheeks turned red. "Bruce! We're not teenagers anymore-don't you get embarrassed saying that?"

But she was beaming, happier than ever.

Coleen caught Kendrick's eye, and he didn't hesitate he gave her a quick kiss, making everyone laugh. "Kendrick's still got it, huh?"

Coleen swatted his shoulder, pretending to scold him. "You must've waited forever."

"I'd wait forever for you, honey."

Coleen's smile was dazzling-full of sunshine and grace.

Each man grabbed his wife's suitcase, loaded them in the cars, and the couples

said their goodbyes at the airport with laughter and hugs.

In the car, Madison showed Aal ét

the photos from her trip, telling. stories and sharing the highlights. Her laughter was so infectious that Aaron couldn't help but join in.

"This is great," Aaron said, grinning. "If I

get too busy to travel withet

fris got your three bestel

s to take you on an adventure."