Sweet Mischief’s Rollercoaster Romance

They didn't linger long in conversation before Mia hurried ashore to comfort her little boy, who'd been scared half to death. The moment Henry was in her arms, he buried his face against her, his lips quivering, eyes full of tears as he clung to her neck with all his might. Mia could feel his fear in the tightness of his hug.

She gently patted his back, holding him close. "Mommy's okay, sweetie. There's nothing to be afraid of."

Henry sniffled, a touch of stubbornness in his quiet sob. "No! I don't want you to go."

Mia kept walking, carrying him. "I'm not going anywhere. I'll hold you as long as you want, my love."

The summer air was heavy and warm, and Mia's dress-thin and breezy-dried out in no time as they strolled along.

For the rest of the walk, Mia became the perfect example in her husband's parental lesson. "See, Henry? That's why you have to be careful around water. Mommy almost got swept away just now, didn't she?"

Henry refused to let anyone else carry him. In the end, Andre had to scoop him up, half complaining, "Do you even know how much you weigh these days?"

Wayne got his turn in his mother's arms too, while Mars splashed his little feet in the cool stream, beaming up at Mia with a wide, toothy grin. "Hey, bro~"

Henry turned when his little brother called. He chewed his lip, then answered, "Bro-"

Wayne's third word wasn't "grandpa" or "grandma" or "uncle"-it was "brother." He couldn't pronounce it quite right yet, but Henry always knew when he meant him.

That night, back in the city, the family gathered for dinner. Grandpa Hansen couldn't stop bragging about how wonderful the kids were.

At least, until Henry sneakily snatched a piece of meat right off Grandpa's plate. That was the end of the compliments.

Everyone burst out laughing.

When it was time to leave, it was late and everyone was worn out from the day. Both families decided to just stay over at the Cedillo house.

Hansen muttered, "Should've never left so many rooms empty in this house. Next time, you'll all have to sleep on the floor! Hmph!"

That night, two little boys ended up camping out in Hansen's bedroom.

As Jade put it, "Dad, we're short on rooms. The kids need a place to sleep, so we're letting them bunk with you."

Hansen pointed at Henry. "He's got his own room, doesn't he?"

Henry, freshly washed and squeaky clean, braced his little hands on the mattress, watching his mom as she gently set him down.

Mia said, "You have to be fair, Dad. No playing favorites. If one can't sleep with you, neither can the other."

Hansen looked at the two kids sprawled on his bed and realized t was pointless to argue-his daughters always had a comeback ready.

ready. He

whe

With an exaggerated sigh, Hansen gave in, shutting the door with a dramatic swing.

"Dad, take it easy! Don't get yourself worked up. You know, it's healthier older,"

sbdup. when you're olde

Jade called from the hallway.

"If you're so smart, come take your kids back!" Hansen shouted through the door.

Mia added, "Dad, at least we made sure they're washed and clean before we sent them your way."

Hansen grumbled, "Bunch of little troublemakers."

That night, Naomi walked by, saw the boys giving Grandpa a hard time again, and

just smiled to herself before heading to bed.

Anya, home for the holidays, spent

her days out shopping with her

mom.

l.ne

She'd carry her little ber

while Mrs. Calder pushed the empty stroller along beside her.

After a while at home, Ash had grown especially attached to his big sister, happily accepting every new snack she found for him.

One afternoon, Mrs. Calder remarked, "You really do take after your dad, you know."

Mr. Calder looked puzzled. Anya was curious too. "Why do you say that, Mom?”

Mrs. Calder smiled. "When you were little, your father used to feed you just the way you feed Ash now-one bite at a time."noveldrama