Sweet Mischief’s Rollercoaster Romance

Back in the car, Leo drove down the mountain.

and drop it off."

Arriving downtown, the couple picked up a bottle of mouthwash. Anya squatted by the curb, rinsing her mouth to feel better. As they passed a breakfast diner, they decided to grab a meal. "We don't have time to get the book now. I'll head home at lunch to pick it up for you "No need to go back and forth, Chad. It's too much trouble; I can just share with a classmate," Anya said as their breakfast arrived.

"So, if you're too busy to pick me up tonight, I'll just take a cab home, okay?"

Leo nodded. "If I can't make it, I'll text you. If you don't hear from me, wait for me at school."

Anya nodded obediently.

Mrs. Cedillo had also been dropped off at school early, dozing off in the car. Andre, in high spirits, dropped his wife off at the entrance of the teaching building and watched her sleep. When it was five minutes before her class started, he gently woke her up. Mia rushed out of the car, barely having time to be annoyed with her husband, and hurried into the classroom. Watching her hurried figure, Andre's lips curled into a satisfied smile.

Henry, left at home the day before to keep his grandfather company, found a new use for the stroller his daughter had bought. Pushing it along meant he didn't need his cane, and he didn't feel tired no matter how long he walked.

He strolled around the yard, checked out the pond, played with the fountain, looked for fish in the quiet lake without success, and then went to the garden to cultivate his grandson's sensibilities.

Henry, in the car, swung his legs and squinted in the sunlight, his tender skin glowing adorably under the sun's rays. Since he learned to sit, Henry had liberated many an arm.

"Hoo hoo haa mmm," Henry suddenly started babbling again for no apparent reason.

Hansen encouraged, "Say 'Grandpa.""

"Ahh."

Hansen gave up on the lesson.

Leo went to the office early, still feeling tired, and made himself a cup of coffee. When his secretary offered to make it for him, Leo declined, "I'll do it myself from now on."

Molly always seemed tired at work, yawning constantly. At lunch, she couldn't be bothered to go eat, choosing instead to head straight to the CEO's office upstairs. Upon entering, she didn't say a word before flopping onto her mother's couch. "Mom, whatever you're eating, I'll have the same. Don't call me; I need to sleep."

Coleen leaned back in her chair, arms crossed. "If you stay up late on your phone again tonight, I'm confiscating it."

Molly immediately closed her eyes and handed over her phone. "Take it."

Mia also met Anya at noon. "You slept in the car with Leo last night?"

Anya nodded. "Chad had some drinks last night and couldn't drive, so we didn't go home."

"How was Leo feeling?"

Anya, eating her meal, wasn't sure how to answer. "Auntie, you'll find out tonight."

As astute as Mia was, she guessed from Anya's hesitation. "Alright, let's eat."

After school, Mia returned home. Henry stood on Naomi's legs, almost clapping in excitement. Seeing his mom made him so happy, even if she had been annoyed with him the night before. Today, his love was just as abundant.

"My baby, mommy's back." Mia rushed over to scoop up her little bundle, kissing his chubby cheeks. "Mommy won't be annoyed with you tonight; you're mommy's favorite."

"Ah, mama!" The more fiercely Mia kissed him, the more he giggled in delight. Mia hugged Henry tightly, overjoyed.

"Naomi, Molly, and her husband are coming over for dinner tonight. Let's prepare a few extra dishes."

Naomi turned and instructed the staff.

Seeing his mom, Henry seemed to think it was time for milk, but soon Mia carried her son out of sight.

Later, Molly and Chad came home. She immediately ran to her father, hugging his arm. "Dad, did you miss your daughter?"

Hansen scoffed, "Why would I miss you when I have a grandson who annoys me less?"

Molly retorted, "Fine, then I'm leaving."

"Stay for dinner; we bought extra ingredients today, including two of your favorite dishes."

Molly hugged her father's arm again. "I knew Dad had to have ordered the kitchen to make my favorites."

Hansen turned away, clearly delighted.

"Aren't you supposed to finish work at five? Why are you so late?" Hansen had been waiting at the door for a while for his daughter.

As soon as Chad entered, he found Henry in the stroller and lifted him, replying to Hansen, "Dad, Molly came to visit me at the station today. The security guard, the neighbor, my colleagues, everyone wanted to chat with her for a long time." Molly nodded. "Right, they all love me."

Hansen added, "Of course, my daughter is likable."

"Even if sometimes not by her own dad-" Molly said self-awarely.

Hansen didn't look embarrassed as he agreed, "True, I do get annoyed by you sometimes."

Henry, in his uncle's arms, felt a bit strange at first but quickly got comfortable, sitting on his uncle's lap, babbling.

Soon, Molly took the baby back. "Henry, say 'auntie.""

Silence.

"Okay, you can't yet."

After Leo and Anya came home, they both went to shower and changed into clean clothes before heading downstairs.

Henry had just warmed up to his uncle's lap when, not five minutes later, he was again in the arms of his biological brother. "Brother's holding my little dumpling. Aren't you a dumpling?"

Henry looked at Leo, frowning as if he didn't approve of the nickname.

Within another two minutes, Bruce was back, and Henry was in another pair of arms.

Being passed around daily, Henry was nearly exhausted, struggling to recognize everyone.

Mia and Molly exchanged a glance, Molly's chin tilting slightly towards the backyard.

Mia stood up, approaching Leo. "Let's go."

Leo scratched his head, glanced at Anya playing with Henry, and silently followed the two women out.

Only after they left did Anya turn her head, watching Leo's retreating back. She handed the rattle to Henry and followed them out.

Behind, Bruce's indulgent voice could be heard, "Henry, be good. That's a rattle, not for eating. It's dirty."

"Ah, ah, ahh," frustrated by the restriction, Henry fussed.

The whole family started soothing him again.

In the backyard, the three of them formed a triangle, each at a point.

"Let's cut to the chase," Mia said, getting straight to the point. "You weren't interested in cybersecurity, so why are you suddenly okay with the future my husband has planned for you?"

Leo was silent for a moment. "I think my uncle sees the big picture better than anyone. He probably knows what's best for me."

Molly couldn't resist a jab: "Oh, please, even Henry doesn't buy that excuse! If you really liked this job, why did you take Anya up to the hills last night and not come back? If Mr. Calder knew you took his daughter out all night, he'd skin you alive for being such a cad."